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During the last four decades, Iraq, like most other developing countries, faced very rapid urban growth. Due to thr absence of definite urbanisation policies, the major part of the urban growth went to the main cities, in particular , the capital Baghdad. Such a pattern of growth created many socio-economic problems at the national, as well as the urban level. This study represents an attempt toward developing a methodology of dealing with urban growth problems on a regional level in Iraq. It aims at finding what is thought to be, under the prevailing socio-economic and physical constraints, the most efficient urban growth pattern in the Upper Euphrates Region (U.E.R.) up to 1985. To achieve this aim the study first reviews and critically examines a wide range of urban growth theories and models. Despite the lessons that were learned from this review and the adoptation of many of their principles in developing this study, they did not provide a ready made answer to the problem of urban growth in the region Secondly, for the better understanding of urbanisation on and spatial development policies in Iraq and the U.E.R. a thorough examination of these and other aspects has been dealt with in part two. Thirdly, after examining the basic techniques that could be used in analysing the urban growth problem, such as the cost-benefit analysis and its refinement the planning balance sheet, threshold analysis and the goals-achievement analysis, it is found that the latter, at this stage of development in Iraq could be applied in studying such a problem. Finally, three alternative urban growth patterns were considered, i.e., the expansion of the largest urban centre in each urban node, the expansion of the proposed smaller urban centres and the establishment of a new town in each urban node and a set of socio-economic, physical, environmental and structural, factors that were thought to affect strongly the proposed urban growth patterns were incorporated in the analysis. From these it was found that the expansion of the largest urban centre in each urban nod e is the most suitable solution at this stage of the socio-economic development of the region. The vitality of this conclusion was tested by applying sensitivity analysis which supported it.

The design for this study was tri-phasic: 1) to establish growth time patterns for each group of atypical mycobacteria, 2) to demonstrate the dynamic state of phosphorus in the various fractions by determining its incorporation and turnover, 3) to determine quantitatively the amount of phosphorus in each fraction.

Abstract Non-benzodiazepine drugs such as zopiclone and zolpidem are alternatives to treatment of insomnia, but are recommended only for short-term treatment. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prescribing patterns and usage of these drugs. Method: Data was collected from Clicks Rosebank Pharmacy. One hundred (100) patients presenting with prescriptions for either zolpidem or zopiclone were followed over a period of seven months and data was collected regarding: demographic characteristics of patients; drug and dose distribution; ICD10 codes; prescriber characteristics; period of use; and whether use was continuous or as needed (uninterrupted or interrupted). All data was collected from the Unisolv computer system. Over a period of one year, total prescriptions received for all drugs were compared to the total number of zopiclone/zolpidem prescriptions received to gauge whether there was any seasonal variation in hypnotic use. Results: In each age group, excluding 20 years and below, the number of females was greater than males. The mean age of all patients between the ages of 21 and 80 years was 53.1 years. Out of 100 patients, 85 (85%), used either zolpidem 10mg or zopiclone 7.5mg, which are the standard doses. The most common ICD 10 code observed was G47.0, Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep [insomnias], occurring in 52 (52%) of 100 prescriptions. Of the 100 initial prescriptions, 68 (68%) were prescribed by General Practitioners, while 32 (32%) were prescribed by Specialists. Thirty of the 100 patients (30%) used one of the drugs for the full seven months; twenty two patients (22%) used one of the drugs for a period of one month or less; and the remaining 48 patients (48%) used a hypnotic for a total of two to six months. The number of patients who used a hypnotic in an interrupted manner, with each period of use of one month or less duration, was 34 (34%). The number of patients who used a hypnotic for at least one uninterrupted period of more than 1 month s duration was 66 (66%). Over a period of 12 months, prescriptions for either zolpidem or zopiclone represented 3.17% of total prescriptions. There was no significant seasonal fluctuation in hypnotic use. Conclusion: The majority of patients used one of the two hypnotics in an uninterrupted manner, and over a long term as well. Despite numerous cautions in the literature, these medications are still being prescribed and used in a manner contrary to existing guidelines.

MMed (Paediatrics), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / The aim of regionalisation of neonatal services is to offer a basic level of care to the majority of the obstetric/neonatal population who are at low risk, with smaller numbers of more specialised hospitals offering higher levels of care to the fewer, higher-risk patients. On review of relevant literature there has long been a shortage of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds in the South African public sector. This study was an audit within a referral system in the public sector. The aim was to identify the need for NICU beds, establish whether the need was being met, ascertain which patients required referral and which were accepted, and delineate factors that influenced the outcome of acceptance versus refusal. Subjects and Methods Data collection took place between 30 October and 11 December 2006. Seven health facilities in southern Gauteng were included as study sites. These included 2 primary healthcare clinics, 3 district, 1 regional hospital and the tertiary referral facility, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). The study included all neonates requiring transfer to a NICU, for any reason, during the study period. Data collection relied upon completion of information sheets by doctors requesting or accepting transfer of ill neonates at each of the hospitals involved. The primary outcome was acceptance or refusal at CMJAH NICU. Secondary outcome was survival or death within the study period. Results Forty-seven external requests for NICU beds were recorded at CMJAH and another 22 requests came for births within CMJAH. Only 13 (28%) of external requests were accepted. All internal requests were accommodated. Most requests came from level 2 (district or regional) hospitals, many outside the designated referral system, mainly for infants with respiratory distress. Infants older than 24 hours of age (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04-0.65), those with congenital abnormalities, and those requiring surgery (OR 0.11; CI 0.23-0.57) were significantly more likely to be accepted. Greater numbers of staff on duty at CMJAH also correlated with the probability of acceptance into NICU. Conclusion Relatively few external requests were accepted. CMJAH provides sub-specialist services including paediatric surgery and therefore should accept patients requiring such management. However, there was a high number of patients refused admission for ‘simple’ neonatal respiratory conditions. Level 2 hospitals should be able to manage these. Furthermore, hospitals are not following strict referral protocols. The findings are indicative of the continued shortage of neonatal intensive care beds, poor adherence to referral guidelines, and a general failure of regionalisation within the sector under consideration.

This creative project deals with the photographic study of forms and patterns found in a natural state. The photo grapher has covered a wide geographical area including Logan and Cache Valley, Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, Shoshone Falls in southern Idaho and City of Rocks, also in southern Idaho. The objective of this project was to reveal the visual strength of natural forms, or man-made forms acted upon by natural elements, in black-and-white images. Subjects were studied under all seasonal conditions in order to determine the best possible situation for enhancing the aesthetic qualities of the forms and patterns. I t was t he hope of the photographer to furcher enhance the power, boldness, or life-like character of the subjects through the technical manipulation made possible by the photographic process.

Aus Untersuchungen mit dem multifokalen VEP (mfVEP) weiß man, dass sich multifokal visuell evozierte Potenziale aus unterschiedlichen Teilen des Gesichtsfeldes störend beeinflussen und auslöschen können. Ziel dieser Studie war es zu untersuchen, ob die Signalqualität des pattern-onset VEPs erhöht und die Reproduzierbarkeit der Signalantworten mit Hilfe des mfVEPs verbessert werden kann, indem man einzelne mfVEPs gleichrichtet. 20 Normalpersonen nahmen an dieser Untersuchung teil. Ein kortikal skaliertes Schachbrettmuster von 30° Größe wurde in 6 keilförmige Teilfelder unterteilt. Innerhalb jedes Teilfeldes wurden kortikal skalierte Schachbrettmuster mit einer mittleren Leuchtdichte von 50 cd/m2 und einem Kontrast von 99% im pattern-pulse Verfahren präsentiert. Die durchschnittliche Stimulationsfrequenz betrug 2,0 Hz. MfVEPs des rechten Auges wurden über eine Oz-Fpz und bipolare Ableitung zwischen zwei 4 cm um das Inion angeordnete Elektroden abgeleitet. Durch Summierung der 6 mfVEP Ableitungen mit unterschiedlichen Vorzeichen wurden zwei Ganzfeld-VEPs synthetisiert, von denen eine die frühen C1 und C2 Komponenten, die andere die späte C3-Komponente des pattern onset VEPs erhöhte. Amplituden und Latenzunterschiede zwischen den synthetisierten Antwortkurven und der Ganzfeldantwort aller 6 Felder wurden auf Signifikanz getestet. Die Daten legen nahe, dass die inter-individuelle Variabilität des Standard Ganzfeld pattern onset VEPs auf die Auslöschung von großen und wenig variablen VEP Signalen aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen des Gesichtfsfeldes zurückgeführt werden kann. Die Gleichrichtung dieser VEP-Signale führte zu einem hochsignifikanten Anstieg der Amplitude und zu einer reduzierten Variabilität der synthetisierten Ganzfeldantworten im Vergleich zur gemessenen Ganzfeldantwort. Neben der objektiven Perimetrie kann die Anwendung multifokaler Techniken zu einer gesteigerten Sensitivität beim Aufspüren visueller Pathologien führen verglichen mit Standard Ganzfeldmessungen. / From multifocal VEP (mfVEP) recordings to dartboard stimulus patterns we know that cortical electrophysiological signals from different parts of the visual field may be annihilated by destructive interference. The aim of this study was to test whether the signal strength and the latency reliability of full-field pattern onset VEPs can be improved by rectifying multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEP). 20 visually normal subjects participated in the study. A dartboard pattern was used as stimulus with a diameter of 30° and was subdivided into 6 wedge-shaped stimulus fields. Within each field checkerboard patterns with eccentrically scaled check size, a mean luminance of 50 cd/m2 and a contrast of 99% were presented with a pattern pulse stimulation mode. The average temporal frequency was 2.0 Hz. MfVEPs from the right eye were recorded with an Oz-Fpz derivation and a bipolar derivation between two electrodes placed 4 cm above and below the inion. By summation of the 6 mfVEP traces with different signs two synthesized full-field VEPs were calculated that boosted either the early C1 and C2 components, or the late C3 component of the pattern onset VEP. Amplitude and latency differences between A or B and a full-field stimulation of all 6 fields were tested for signifcance with a paired t-test. The data suggest that the inter-individual variability of standard full-field pattern onset VEPs may be due to the annihilation of large and less variable VEP signals from different parts of the visual field. Rectifying these signals led to a dramatic increase in amplitude and to a decrease in variability of a synthesized full-field responses when compared to a recorded full-field response. Beyond objective perimetry the multifocal technique may increase the dynamic range of recorded VEP signals and may help to detect visual dysfunction better than with standard full-field recordings.

Snooker scores from two complete rounds of graded teams competition are analysed to detect differences in scores which can be attributed to various external factors, in order to quantify the factors relevant to a player's score in a game of snooker. Such factors are assessed subjectively at present. While each factor examined is found to be significant in one or more of the various grades, it is only in the highest grade that a clear pattern to matches can be identified.

The importance of building maintainable software is being recognized in the community of software development. By developing software that is easy to maintain, the time and resources needed to perform the modifications may be decreased. This will in turn mean economical savings and increased profits. Architectural software patterns are said to promote the development of maintainable software. The aim of this project was therefore to investigate whether architectural software patterns possess this property or not. A case study was performed where two candidate architectures were compared using a method called Architectural analysis of modifiability. This method uses change scenarios and modification ratios to identify differences between candidate architectures. A system developed at Ericsson Microwave Systems AB was used for the case study. One of the candidate architectures consisted of two architectural software patterns: the Layers pattern and the Model-View-Controller pattern. The architecture analysis showed that the Layers pattern did promote maintainability whereas the Model-View-Controller pattern did not, from the basis of judgement associated with the method.