University of South Africa

About: University of South Africa is a education organization based out in Pretoria, South Africa. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Population. The organization has 8478 authors who have published 19960 publications receiving 237688 citations. The organization is also known as: Unisa.

Eigensolution, expectation values and thermodynamic properties of the screened Kratzer potential

Abstract: Within the framework of non-relativistic quantum mechanics via the Nikiforov-Uvarov (NU) method, we obtained the energy eigenvalues and the corresponding normalized eigenfunctions of a newly proposed screened Kratzer potential for lithium hydride (LiH) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) diatomic molecules. With the help of the Hellman-Feynman theorem, the expressions for the expectation values of the square of inverse of position, $ r^{-2}$ , inverse of position, $ r^{-1}$ , kinetic energy, T , and square of momentum, $ p^2$ , and their respective numerical values for the selected diatomic molecules are presented. The vibrational partition function and other thermodynamic functions are also obtained in closed form for the diatomic molecules, using the energy eigenvalues. The results obtained clearly agree with the previously obtained results in the literature.

Does "asymptomatic" mean without symptoms for those living with HIV infection?

Abstract: Throughout the history of the HIV epidemic, HIV-positive patients with relatively high CD4 counts and no clinical features of opportunistic infections have been classified as "asymptomatic" by definition and treatment guidelines. This classification, however, does not take into consideration the array of symptoms that an HIV-positive person can experience long before progressing to AIDS. This short report describes two international multi-site studies conducted in 2003-2005 and 2005-2007. The results from the studies show that HIV-positive people may experience symptoms throughout the trajectory of their disease, regardless of CD4 count or classification. Providers should discuss symptoms and symptom management with their clients at all stages of the disease.

Memes as speech acts

Abstract: Memes are a common way for individuals to communicate online. Internet users often use memes to reply to each other on social networking sites or other online forums. This research argues that meme...

Concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in physically injured free-ranging African elephants Loxodonta africana

Abstract: Free-ranging African elephants Loxodonta africana use their front feet frequently during the process of foraging and this could be the reason for the high prevalence of physical injuries to these parts of the body. Although the occurrence of severe lameness caused by foot lesions in adult elephants has already been investigated and the clinical and pathological findings have been reported, the effect of foot injuries on glucocorticoid levels as a potential physiological stress response has not been examined. Given the practical difficulties involved in monitoring unpredictable events in free-ranging animals, like the occurrence of foot injuries in elephants, it is not surprising that information regarding the endocrine correlates of physical injury is still limited for elephants. In our study we investigated the effects of foot injuries on concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM), body condition score (BCS) and reproductive behaviour in two GPS/radio-collared elephant bulls in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. We monitored the bulls aged 40+ (Bull 1) and 30+ (Bull 2) 2-3 times per week for 13 months starting in June 2007 and frequently collected faecal samples for non-invasive hormone monitoring. Faecal samples were lyophilised, extracted and assayed with an enzyme immunoassay which detects GCM with a 3a-hydroxy-11-oxo-structure. Both bulls acquired foot injuries (right-front), which caused temporary lameness, but the effect of injury on GCM concentration differed between bulls (P , 0.001). In Bull 1 the injury lasted 6 250 days and was associated with an up to four-fold increase in GCM concentrations (P , 0.001) and his BCS reduced from ’good’ to ’very thin’ by the end of the injury period. In Bull 2 the injury lasted 65 days and was associated with a smaller increase in GCM concentrations (P ¼ 0.03) together with a reduced loss in condition when compared to Bull 1. Following recovery, the condition of both bulls improved progressively and faecal GCM returned to baseline concentrations. Collectively, the data clearly underlined the value of non-invasive hormone measurements as a tool to provide information on the level of stress experienced by elephants. Thus, monitoring GCM levels could help improve the assessment of an elephant’s state of health.

Organisational commitment and its relation to career anchors

Abstract: The changing and unstable workplace and its profoundly negative impact on employee loyalty, morale, motivation and job security have led to a renewed interest in the motives and values that determine individuals’ psychological attachment to their organisations and occupations. The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between individuals’ organisational commitment as measured by the three-dimensional Organisational Commitment Questionnaire, and their career anchors, as measured by the Career Orientations Inventory. A convenience sample of 157 part-time honours students from a higher education institution was used. Results of a canonical correlation analysis indicated that the career anchors explain only 0.03% of the commitment variance, while the commitment variables explain only 0.4% of the career anchors variance. A number of significant relationships between the two variables are reported. The results also showed significant differences between the career anchors of males and females. The implications of the findings are discussed.