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In line with international trends in early childhood care and education (ECCE) recognising the importance of early learning, the Department of Basic Education in South Africa has pledged to professionalise the sector, increase access and improve quality. From a systemic point of view, professionalisation of the sector will require collaboration on multiple levels between various stakeholders working in different systems to bring about simultaneous improvement in conditions of employment, resource provision, and infrastructure development. To aid the government in supporting skills development in this sector, particularly for those servicing the most indigent populations, we employed a multi-method design to determine critical skills gaps and how they could best be addressed. Data were gathered through online questionnaires, a desktop review and focus group and individual interviews. Thematic analysis revealed the need for managerial training, practical learning opportunities for practitioners, the necessity for more home-based ECCE services and systemic improvement. Based on the findings, we make suggestions of how key stakeholders could partner to best address these needs.

In this article we combine Boyer's 4 domains of scholarship with Hutchings' 4 types of questions and Ghaye, Melander-Wikman, Kisare, Chambers, Bergmark, Kostenius and Lillyman's (2008) reflective learning framework using a Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) method to explore the perceived gap in in-service teachers' experience in classroom contexts. Qualitative data were collected in an action learning set (ALS) consisting of distance learning in-service teachers enrolled in a learning support programme through purposeful discussions, reflective diaries, observations, and open-ended reflective learning questionnaires. In the research reported on here we found that collaborative partnerships initiated scholarly thoughts and actions when sharing and evaluating insights during the research process, which resulted in building on learning that has been gained together. The findings point to the need for collaboration between lecturers and students to develop an awareness to not only take knowledge "from" one another to create theories "about" how they should deal with problems but rather to "jointly" become reflective collaborative scholars to address the theory-practice gap.

Early childhood care and education (ECCE) has gained recognition as an important means of promoting the holistic development of the inseparable social, emotional, cognitive and physical facets of education in the early childhood years. Since early childhood development poses challenges to many young children, the prolonged mandatory closure of ECCE centres during the national lockdown exposed many young children to the additional risk of being deprived of the continuity of learning, security, health and safety. This article draws from a research project in three Bafenyi ECCE centres in the rural area of Ikageng (Potchefstroom) in the North-West province of South Africa and focuses on how COVID-19 influences the holistic development of young children at risk. A qualitative approach was taken, following a participatory action-learning and action-research (PALAR) design where all participants collaborate as equal partners and construct their own meaning from experiences within the action-learning set (ALS) to advocate for change. Within a critical and transformative paradigm teacher-participants were encouraged to think critically about the holistic development of young children and to consider how collaboration could lead to social change. The data collection method was limited to the recorded group discussions of the ALS during Cycle 1 of the PALAR process. Given that positive environmental and contextual factors are able to lay the groundwork for holistic development in the early years, the African Ubuntu philosophy of compassion, respect and humanity was viewed as being suitable to serve as theoretical framework for the study. The findings highlight that, even during a lockdown, it vital that collaborative ways are found to harness the precious early years with a view not only to meeting these children's needs but also to laying the foundation for a sustainable future. It is argued that if teachers were to apply the Ubuntu philosophy, they would learn how to make lifelong use of the acquired skills to improve the holistic well-being of young children on an ongoing basis.

Liver transplantation (LT) is the second most performed solid organ transplant. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a critical consideration for LT candidacy, particularly in patients with known CAD or risk factors, including metabolic dysfunction associated with steatotic liver disease. The presence of severe CAD may exclude patients from LT; therefore, precise preoperative evaluation and interventions are necessary to achieve transplant candidacy. Cardiovascular complications represent the earliest nongraft–related cause of death post-transplantation. Timely intervention to reduce cardiovascular events depends on adequate CAD screening. Coronary disease screening in end-stage liver disease is challenging because standard noninvasive CAD screening tests have low sensitivity due to hyperdynamic state and vasodilatation. As a result, there is overuse of invasive coronary angiography to exclude severe CAD. Coronary artery calcium scoring using a computed tomography scan is a tool for the prediction of cardiovascular events, and can be used to achieve risk stratification in LT candidates. Recent literature shows that qualitative assessment on both noncontrast- and contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography can be used instead of calcium score to assess the presence of coronary calcium. With increasing prevalence, protocols to address CAD in LT candidates must be reconsidered. Percutaneous coronary intervention could allow a shorter duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy in simple lesions, with safer perioperative outcomes. Hybrid coronary revascularization is an option for high-risk LT candidates with multivessel disease nonamenable to percutaneous coronary intervention. The objective of this review is to evaluate existing methods for preoperative cardiovascular risk stratification, and to describe interventions before surgery to optimize patient outcomes and reduce cardiovascular event risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learners living in challenging socio-economic circumstances face limited opportunities for further education and employment. In this context, formal career guidance which merely provides information about specific jobs and how to access them may be of little use. This article explores the usefulness of participatory visual strategies as a pedagogical tool for teachers to help learners think more critically, realistically and hopefully about their future life opportunities. Analysed through a resilience lens, findings indicated that the strategies inspired hope in learners; helped them identify assets and barriers in their social ecologies; develop a sense of agency and responsibility for deciding on their futures; and care more for other people, all of which will help them make more constructive choices for life after school. The findings might help teachers make their career education more relevant for children who live in contexts of adversity.

Since 1994 the South African government’s commitment to peace and security in Africa inexorably drew the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) into extensive involvement in multinational peacekeeping operations. These external operations clearly aligned the South African government with its articulated objectives concerning the pursuit of peace on the African continent and its (moral) intention and responsibility to act in a leading role on the continent. However, a dwindling defence budget and the burden of a high-tech force design increasingly impacted negatively on the SANDF to maintain and develop a sustainable capability geared for regional external operations. Yet, in the domestic context the government also increasingly expected the SANDF to render support to the SAPS as murder and death rates are comparable and, in some instances, even higher than death rates in high-intensity war zones in the international community. This simply means that the SANDF has the almost impossible task of balancing its demanding regional deployments with ongoing appeals by politicians and elements of the public for the SANDF to be of assistance in hotspots of high levels of criminality where the SAPS is unable to protect South Africans in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution. In the final analysis, the article concludes that there is a mismatch between what has been expected of the SANDF in the past three decades from its political masters on the one side, and its budget and related capabilities on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a material that undergoes a first-order metal–insulator transition and belonging to the centrosymmetric class of materials for which the generation of the second order nonlinearities is forbidden. Optical second harmonic generation (SHG) has been demonstrated for the first time from VO2 thin films using 800 nm femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser. The VO2 films used for the experiments were grown by pulsed laser deposition technique on two different substrates, glass and alumina, with different parameters leading to the growth of VO2 films of different quality. The film grown on a glass substrate showed an enhanced SH signal but deviated from standard structural and thermo-electrical properties. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Atomic force microscopy analysis indicated, respectively, purity and finite crystallite size, red shifted VO2 vibrational modes and nanocrystalline nature of the film. The thermo-electrical measurements showed a low resistivity, activation energy of electrical conduction and transition temperature, reduced transition contrast, and broadened hysteresis width. Contrary, the one grew on an alumina substrate resulted in improved microstructural and thermo-electrical properties of the transition, and displayed a noticeably weaker SH signal. In addition to the well-known surface and interface effects on the generation of SH, these outcomes indicate the contribution of defects to SH conversion efficiency in VO2 thin films. The generation of SH in VO2 thin films presents new opportunities for material analysis and device fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence of entrepreneurship studies across various levels of the education sector, the gap between theory and practice in entrepreneurship education is an ongoing pedagogical challenge. This is no exception in teacher education specifically, with regard to how and what we teach to cultivate entrepreneurial awareness. This article illustrates how an international collaborative online entrepreneurship initiative addresses this theory-practice gap underpinned by Engeström's (2015) account of the transition from individual actions to collective activity. The research design is an interpretative, qualitative analysis based on the theoretical framework of activity theory, suggesting that motivation is necessary to spur on human behaviour and that motivation is prompted by objects (Engeström 1987; 1999). The collaborative interactions of the participants, who are South African student teachers, Dutch business management students, and a project facilitator, signify a flow of interactions that emerged from the activities within a system. Five key themes emerged: 1) technological intervention, 2) the impact on students 3) entrepreneurship framework, 4) system and stakeholders, 5) roles and tasks, and 6) instructional tools and pedagogy. This study suggests that even with dedicated teachers, a collaborative mentorship initiative can add value to increase entrepreneurial awareness. Furthermore, student teachers can play a valuable role in cultivating entrepreneurial thinking, but the development and synchronization of such initiatives requires proficient facilitation. This article further illustrates that efficient facilitation of local and international collaboration holds potential for the further expansion of entrepreneurship education within teacher education, which could then be cascaded to the school system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transnet moves around 80% of South Africa's rail-friendly freight tonnekilometres, which drops to less than 40% if the rail-only coal and iron ore export lines are excluded. Objectives: Calculating the costs, negative externalities, and job losses caused by Transnet's recent and historical operational issues and using the results to inform future reform possibilities. Method: Aspects contributing to Transnet's failures are indicated through an assessment of rail freight's decreasing market share and infrastructure investment, port ownership and inefficiency concerns, Transnet's deteriorating financial performance, loss of critical skills, and instances of state capture. Resultant costs and their impact on employment are calculated across various freight flow segments, whereafter reform models are suggested through international benchmarking and extracting lessons from relevant global reforms. Results: The cost of Transnet's failures are estimated as 7.43% of gross domestic product. A healthy relationship between the government and the private sector is a frequent occurrence in successful reforms seen globally. Locally, recent government reforms acknowledge a meaningful role for the private sector, which is in turn offering pragmatic and achievable solutions. Conclusion: Improved private sector participation can contribute to Transnet's recovery. South Africa depends on this collaboration and the development of port and rail master plans to guide the infrastructure development required to meet its overall transportation needs. Contribution: Actionable implications for policy implementation, the economic regulation and horizontal separation of the freight railway, shifting freight from road to rail, the corporatisation of the port authority, and increasing port efficiency and capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research shows that significant volumes of fresh fish produced globally are wasted because of failures in the cold chain. As fresh hake is extremely temperature sensitive, fluctuations in temperature will influence the quality and the shelf life, resulting in losses in revenue. Objective: The main objective of the research was to detect deviations in temperature along the fresh hake export cold chain from Namibia to Spain. Method: This article presents a case study on a company that exports fresh hake from Walvis Bay, Namibia to a large supermarket chain in Spain, Europe. Results: This article confirms that temperature breaches and breaks occur and are sometimes unavoidable. However, if the avoidable temperature deviations could be resolved, it would improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of the export cold chain. The results indicate that temperature breaches and breaks mainly occur along the export cold chain when the product is at the airport during transfer flights either at Hosea Kutako Airport near Windhoek or Frankfurt Airport in Germany or in the refrigerated truck during the inland transport leg either from Walvis Bay, Namibia or Frankfurt, Germany to Zaragoza, Spain. Conclusion: This article makes recommendations to assist in solving identified problems and streamlining the fresh hake export cold chain. The research benefits the Namibian fishing industry as the export of fresh fish is both a precarious and taxing venture. As relevant research is lacking in Namibia, this article will contribute to the management of an efficient and effective export cold chain. Contribution: This research adds to the current knowledge of maintaining the export cold chain of fresh fish from developing countries. Preventing temperature deviations in the fresh hake export cold chain would extend the shelf life and help to maintain the quality of the fresh product and in so doing improve the competitiveness of developing countries in the global trade of fresh fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The spin dynamics of ferrihydrite using ac susceptibility (real ( χ ′ (T)) and imaginary ( χ ″ (T)) is explored. • Remanent magnetization (IRM/TRM) as a function of temperature and applied field are reported. • The Vogel-Fulcher model was used to highlight the effect of interparticle interactions. Magnetic properties of 2- and 6-line ferrihydrite (2LFh and 6LFh, respectively) as well as 2-line ferrihydrite embedded in SiO 2 (2LFh/SiO 2) in the temperature range 2–380 K are investigated using DC magnetization and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements. All the samples exhibit superparamagnetic (SPM) responses at temperatures above their respective blocking temperatures in the range T B = 36–50 K. Linear extrapolations of 1/χ' vs. T at 80 Hz and high temperatures give effective magnetic moment per atom μ eff = 5.78 μ B for 2LFh, μ eff = 6.27 μ B for 2LLFh/SiO 2 and μ eff = 5.20 μ B for 6LFh using Curie-Weiss law. The Arrhenius plots give anisotropy constants K = 4.5 × 105 J/m3 for 2LFh, K = 5.5 × 105 J/m3 and K = 1.5 × 105 J/m3 for 6LFh using the particles size of 40, 35 and 60 Å derived from TEM data on the same samples. The number of uncompensated moments at the surfaces which contribute to the overall magnetic moments of the particles were estimated from the Néel model for antiferromagnetic nanoparticles and yielded magnetic moment per particle μ p ∼ 283 μ B , 251μ B and 465 μ B for 2LFh, 2LFh/SiO 2 and 6LFh, respectively. At 10 K, well thin the magnetic regime, the spins are blocked in specific directions resulting in usually large M S which appears to increase with decreasing nanoparticle size. Demagnetization behaviors were used as fingerprint techniques to identify the magnetic ordering and the nature of the interactions within the samples, they confirm the existence of AFM core at temperature below T B superimposed to a ferrimagnetic-like shell (at the surface). IRM/TRM measurements, particularly the TRM characteristic peaks at specific fields ranging from H = 10–40 kOe confirmed the existence of a spin-glass state below T B in the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the echocardiography which allows real-time examination of cardiac function and structure including examines the information obtained includes diagnosing patient pathology, guiding clinical management, and monitoring treatment results.

This article attempts to identify the opportunities and risks associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa. Given the global scope and depth of the BRI, it is of considerable importance to understand how this initiative applies to developing economies in the African context. The article provides a brief historical context of the BRI, followed by a short theoretical framework, specifically in the scholarly field of International Relations. The article then expounds on the opportunities the BRI could create for Africa, such as improving infrastructure, assisting in African industrialisation and economic advancement, as well as introducing beneficial diplomatic initiatives. The article also examines the strategic risks associated with the BRI, such as unsustainable debt concerns, concerns regarding the effect of an increasing trade deficit on domestic markets, as well as risks pertaining to large-scale infrastructure development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) clones in children are rare but commonly associated with aplastic anaemia (AA) and myelodysplasia. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PNH clones in paediatric patients with idiopathic AA, identify differences in clinical and laboratory features and outcomes, and determine the impact of clone size on clinical presentation. Methods: Patients with confirmed idiopathic AA who were tested for PNH between September 2013 and January 2018 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were included. PNH clones were detected in neutrophils and monocytes by flow cytometry using fluorescent aerolysin, CD24, CD66b and CD14. Results: Twenty-nine children with AA were identified and 11 were excluded. Ten patients (10/18, 55.6%) had PNH clones ranging from 0.11% to 24%. Compared to the PNH-negative group, these children were older (median: 10 years vs 4 years, p = 0.02) and had significantly lower total white cell counts (median 1.7 × 109/L vs 3.2 × 109/L; p = 0.04). There was no difference in median absolute neutrophil count or haemoglobin concentration. Four patients in each group received immunosuppressive therapy (IST). At six months, all four patients with PNH clones had responded, compared to one in the PNH-negative group. Conclusion: More than half of children with AA had a PNH clone. The size of the clone did not impact clinical severity; however, IST use may positively impact prognosis. We recommend early initiation of IST in patients with AA to avoid delays associated with human leukocyte antigen typing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafast shielding of the built-in electric field E0 across the p+-Si/SiO2 interface of boron doped Si upon near infrared femtosecond (fs) laser pulse irradiation (73 ± 5 fs, 35 GW/cm2≤ Ipeak(ω) ≤ 115 GW/cm2) is shown to be dominated by electron-hole (e-h) pairs generated via two-photon absorption (TPA), whereas contributions from one-photon absorption (OPA) appear negligible. E0 shows up in the instantaneous signal I(2ω)(t≈0)≈I(2ω)(E0) of the Electric Field Induced Second Harmonic (EFISH). Its power law is derived from the linear log I(2ω)(E0) vs. log (Ipeak(ω))n plots of six fs laser wavelengths 741.2 nm ≤ λ ≤ 801.0 nm for the first time. These reveal 1.2 ≤ n(λ) ≤ 2.1 with the minimum at λ = 752.4 nm (2hν = 3.3 eV) related to resonantly enhanced TPA. Shielding of E0 by e-h pairs from OPA cannot be detected by EFISH in the same fs laser pulse as their generation requires relatively slow electron-phonon coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Russian President Vladimir Putin increasingly places a high premium on re-building Russia's global influence, which includes a boosting of Russia's relations with the African continent. This coincides with Putin's position that the strengthening of ties with African states is a Russian foreign policy priority. Moreover, there is little doubt that much of Moscow's new involvement in Africa relates to Putin's desire to revive his country's great-power status. The main research question is: What is behind Moscow's renewed push into the continent? Three areas of Russia-Africa relations of special importance are suggested in this article. Firstly, much of Russia's focus on the African continent centres on energy diplomacy. Secondly, Russia is the second largest exporter of arms globally after the United States, and Moscow is a major supplier of weapons and military aid to Africa. Thirdly, the continent is rich in mineral wealth, and Moscow has an economic interest in mineral riches in Africa. This article argues the above-mentioned issues are the main drivers underlying Russia's renewed strategic engagement with the African continent. The article further reflects on whether Russia's foreign policy successes in Africa have been overblown, or whether Russia's renewed engagement with Africa is actually of considerable significance in the global context and from an African point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gold standard treatment for end-stage heart failure, with 50% mortality within 5 years of diagnosis, is considered heart transplantation. Despite the improvements in immunosuppression, the period of highest mortality risk in the heart transplantation population is during the first year post-transplantation, with primary graft dysfunction being the leading cause of mortality. After adequate preoperative assessment of the recipient, including patients on mechanical support, the intraoperative care of heart transplantation patients requires extensive monitoring followed by proficient management of anesthesia induction and maintenance, ventilation, and fluid therapy. The focus on weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass should be on preventing right ventricular failure and high pulmonary vascular resistances, with protocolized blood conservation strategies and transfusion protocols. The early postoperative care of a heart transplantation patient is focused on the post-cardiopulmonary bypass and transplantation status, with particular attention to the presence of primary graft dysfunction, right ventricular performance, pulmonary pressures, and vasoplegia. The aim is early extubation, inotropic and chronotropic support weaning, and chest tube removal to facilitate discharge of the patient from the intensive care unit. The increased complexity of heart transplantation recipients, including the incremental use of pre- transplantation mechanical circulatory support and extended criteria donor hearts, requires extensive and sophisticated preparation of the cardiac anesthesiologist. This article aims to provide an overview of the intraoperative and early postoperative anesthesia management of heart transplantation patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric field induced second harmonic measurements applying femtosecond laser pulses (1.59 eV, 80±5 fs, 80 MHz) to substantially boron doped p+-Si/SiO2 interfaces reveal a temporal evolution of the second harmonic (SH) signal, which differs drastically from that of weakly doped samples. A significant initial SH signal is observed in native p+-Si/SiO2 interfaces for boron doping concentrations >7.5×1017 cm-3. This SH signal is attributed to a built-in interfacial electric field E0 generated by the doping induced accumulation of charges at the Si/SiO2 interface following the ionization of interface defect states. A sign reversal is observed in the azimuthal SH anisotropy pattern of the initial SH signal relative to that of the saturated SH signal in p+-Si/SiO2 indicating that the doping related and electron induced interfacial field components oppose each other. Furthermore, the intensity dependence of the initial SH signal in p+-Si/SiO2 is found to be nonquadratic and, in particular, shows a nonmonotonic behavior at incident intensities above ∼60 GW/cm2. These observations are attributed to ultrafast screening of E0 caused by linearly as well as nonlinearly photoexcited electron-hole pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) commonly suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. Severe CAD requiring coronary artery bypass (CAB) has traditionally been a contraindication to LT, as cardiac surgery in end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is associated with poor outcomes and complications related to ESLD. In this case report, we present a patient who underwent LT successfully following Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) for critical multivessel CAD. A 62-year-old male with ESLD secondary alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (MELD-Na score 20, Child-Pugh Score C) was listed for LT. Coronary angiogram showed calcified multivessel CAD with severe stenosis in proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD), proximal ramus intermedius (RI) and circumflex artery with normal right coronary. Echocardiogram showed normal biventricular function with no valve pathology. A multidisciplinary team discussed the case and coronary revascularization was necessary prior to LT. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of LAD would require multiple long stents with an elevated risk of thrombosis without dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 6 months. Conversely, non-LAD vessels could be treatable with short stents requiring 1 month of DAPT. Therefore, HCR (minimally invasive surgical revascularization of the LAD followed by PCI of the non-LAD vessels) would shorten the time of DAPT to 1 month, thereby reducing the LT waiting period. Standard ASA cardiac surgery monitoring was used. After induction, left lung isolation was performed. Fresh frozen plasma was transfused before surgery started. Mean arterial pressures were maintained > 65 mmHg with low-dose vasopressin infusion. A left anterior small thoracotomy was performed, left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to LAD without cardiopulmonary bypass. Total blood loss was 500 ml with no transfusion. The patient was extubated one hour after surgery, pain was managed with morphine and an intercostal catheter with ropivacaine 0.2% infusion. Five days after surgery, PCI of the RI with a Resolute Onyx Zotarolimus Eluting Stent was placed and DAPT was prescribed for 1 month. After two months LT was performed, complicated by severe reperfusion syndrome and coagulopathy requiring massive blood transfusion. The patient remained intubated in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with an open abdomen for 24 hours. After 4 days, the patient was extubated and discharged from ICU 3 days later. Following 28 days in rehabilitation, the patient went home. After 8 months, the patient remains well with excellent graft function and no cardiovascular complications. Severe CAD is considered a contraindication for LT. Conventional CAB in ESLD patients is associated with a prohibitively high risk of periprocedural mortality. Current advances in minimally invasive techniques of coronary revascularization can alter the trajectory of these patients, enabling their candidacy for LT. Patients, who's CAD cannot be treated with multi-vessel PCI or are not deemed healthy enough to tolerate a long wait period for LT due to prolonged DAPT necessary following complex PCI can benefit from HCR that can offer complete coronary revascularization with short-term DAPT. HCR can certainly broaden the spectrum of treatment options for patients with ESLD and CAD requiring LT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]