BACKGROUND: Early childhood development (ECD) practitioners are essential in governing foundational aspects, such as gross motor development and participation in physical movement AIM: This study aimed to determine ECD practitioners in Vanderbijlpark's awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition and movement guidelines for children birth to 4 years. Associations between these ECD practitioners' demographic aspects and their determined awareness were also explored SETTING: This study included 50 ECD practitioners (M = 36.9 years) from nine ECD Centres (ECDCs) in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa METHODS: A descriptive quantitative, cross-sectional design was followed. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and associations between practitioners' demographic aspects and their awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition and movement guidelines RESULTS: Correct awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition was mainly observed for milestones acquired during the first year of life. Participants' awareness of screen time guidelines was relatively good, while their awareness of movement and sleep guidelines was poor. Having children, as well as the age of these children, respectively, correlated significantly with practitioners' knowledge of standing alone (p = 0.007) and jumping 2 feet (p = 0.046). Participants' work experience or training was not significantly associated with their determined awareness CONCLUSION: The sample of ECD practitioners in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, did not have adequate awareness of gross motor milestones and recommended movement guidelines for children birth to 4 years CONTRIBUTION: Limited awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition and movement guidelines amongst ECD practitioners' warrants development of knowledge through ECD-related training, CPD opportunities, and short courses

BACKGROUND: An MRI is potentially hazardous for patients with retained ferromagnetic bullets. Recent studies have aimed to develop dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) as a screening tool for recognising highly ferromagnetic bullets. Inconsistent findings have been ascribed to inherent CT technology differences. Previous research demonstrated significant Hounsfield unit (HU) measurement variation among single-source CT machines OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the theoretical dual-energy index (DEI) variation between DECT machines when evaluating the potential ferromagnetic properties within the same sample of ex vivo bullets and metal phantoms METHOD: An experimental ex vivo study was conducted on eight metal phantoms and 10 unused bullets individually positioned in the same Perspex head phantom and scanned on two DECT machines. Two senior radiology registrars independently recorded the HU readings, and DEI values were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric methods for paired data, namely the Signed Rank Test. The DEI values based on mean HU readings between the DECT machines were compared RESULTS: Inter- and intra-reader agreement was not statistically significant. The metal phantoms had poor interscanner agreement, with an overlap of the ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic ranges. The bullets had good interscanner agreement, with a similar ferromagnetic to non-ferromagnetic relationship CONCLUSION: The use of DEI values negates the previous assumption that significant interscanner variability exists among different DECT technologies while assessing highly attenuative ex vivo bullets CONTRIBUTION: This investigation demonstrated that even though HU readings may be variable, the implementation of the DEI equation translates this into comparable values with good interscanner agreement

Inefficient compressed air systems in deep-level mines deteriorate energy performance and increase operational costs. Leaks, wastages, and misuse are common inefficiencies that necessitate an oversupply of compressed air. It is therefore important to identify where the opportunities for improvement are located. Underground mining equipment can be used to develop a zero-waste compressed air demand profile. This profile can then be simulated for the entire operation to determine a theoretical baseline. Noticeable inefficiencies are then identified by comparing the actual data with the zero-waste baselines. The results of this study showed that the surface operations oversupply compressed air by 15% (10 kg/s of air) per day. This requires an additional 80 MWh of electricity (14.5% of the total) and costs approximately R91 000 per day. The comparison with the zero-waste baselines showed that 7.9 kg/s of air is wasted at the underground levels during drilling periods, highlighting the areas that require mitigation projects to improve the performance while decreasing costs and wastages.

Ondoeltreffende saamgeperste lugstelsels in diepvlakmyne verswak energieprestasie en verhoog bedryfskoste. Lekkasies, vermorsing en misbruik is algemene ondoeltreffendhede wat 'n ooraanbod van saamgeperste lug noodsaak. Dit is dus belangrik om te identifiseer waar daar geleenthede vir verbetering is. Ondergrondse mynboutoerusting kan gebruik word om 'n geen-afval-aanvraagprofiel vir saamgeperste lug te ontwikkel. Hierdie profiel kan dan vir die hele operasie gesimuleer word om 'n teoretiese basislyn te bepaal. Opmerklike ondoeltreffendheid word dan geidentifiseer deur die werklike data te vergelyk met die nul-afval basislyne. Die resultate van hierdie studie het getoon dat die oppervlakbewerkings saamgeperste lug met 15% (10 kg/s lug) per dag oorvoorsien. Dit benodig 'n bykomende 80 MWh elektrisiteit (14,5% van die totaal) en kos ongeveer R91 000 per dag. Die vergelyking met die nul-afval basislyne het getoon dat 7,9 kg/s lug tydens boorperiodes op die ondergrondse vlakke vermors word, wat die gebiede beklemtoon wat versagtingsprojekte vereis om die werkverrigting te verbeter terwyl koste en vermorsing verminder word.

Many businesses in the additive manufacturing industry have limited equipment capacity. This method of using time-driven activity-based costing in collaboration with digital twinning will be advantageous to optimise their use of time and their capacity. Optimising the use of time is essential to ensure efficient process flow and to waste less time and money. To optimise, we need to analyse system dynamics and model system responses, to enable us to consider various scenarios iteratively. This paper first considers activity-based costing, driven by its most precious resource, time. Standard time is defined as the base parameter by which cost is calculated. Charge-out rates of elements are based on the actual cost of equipment apportioned to activities, based on the time spent using such equipment. The process chain is broken into elements, each of which incurs full cost when started. The value chain develops accordingly, enabling us to predict the actual cost of production. Second, the use of digital twinning to model standard time is considered. Stochastic variation is evident, but standard time can be allocated to each element in the process chain, given a certain confidence level. Together, a cause-effect prediction model can be developed. The model would predict the time that a process chain, consisting of known elements, would take. However, in the event of an occurrence out of the norm, the updated expected time can be predicted. Using the same rates, the new cost can be determined immediately. We propose that the digital twin can predict production cost, based on a statistically measurable stochastic variation of element duration and the time-varying charge-out rate.

Talle besighede in die toevoegingsvervaardiging bedryf het beperkte toerustingskapasiteit. In hierdie artikel word daar eerstens gekyk na aktiwiteitsgebaseerdekoste, met die hoof fokus op tyd. Tweedens word die gebruik van 'n digitale tweeling oorweeg om standaardtyd te modelleer. Die model voorspel die tyd wat 'n prosesketting, bestaande uit bekende elemente, sal neem. In die geval van 'n abnormale voorval, kan die opgedateerde verwagte tyd ook voorspel word. Met dieselfde tariewe kan die koste onmiddellik bepaal word. Die artikel stel voor dat die digitale tweeling die produksiekoste kan voorspel, gebaseer op staties meetbare stogastiese variasie van die duur van die element, en die tydsveranderende heffingstarief.

The first atmospheric corrosion map of South Africa, produced by Callaghan in 1991, has become outdated, because it primarily focuses on the corrosivity of coastal environments, with little differentiation given concerning South Africa's inland locations. To address this problem, a study was undertaken to develop a new corrosion map of the country, with the emphasis placed on providing greater detail concerning South Africa's inland regions. Here we present this new corrosion map of South Africa's macro atmosphere, based on 12-month corrosion rates of mild steel at more than 100 sites throughout the country. Assimilations and statistical analyses of the data (published, unpublished and new) show that the variability in the corrosion rate of mild steel decreases significantly moving inland. Accordingly, the average first-year corrosion rate of mild steel at the inland sites (at all corrosion monitoring spots located more than 30 km away from the ocean) measured 21±12 µm/a [95% CI: 18-23 µm/a]. The minimum inland figure was about 1.3 µm/a (recorded at Droërivier in the Central Karoo) and the maxima were approximately 51 µm/a and 50 µm/a in the industrial hearts of Germiston (Gauteng) and Sasolburg (Free State), respectively. The variability in the corrosion rate of mild steel also decreased by as much as 80% between 150 m and 1000 m from the coastline. Moreover, the impact of changing altitude on the corrosivity of the environment was confirmed, particularly along the coastal regions. SIGNIFICANCE: •A new corrosion map of South Africa's inland and coastal regions is presented. •The map facilitates the identification of South Africa's least to most corrosive environments; enabling the selection of more appropriate corrosion protection solutions for general, business, mining and industrial installations. •In identifying South Africa's least corrosive areas, the use of more environmentally friendly corrosion protection procedures is potentially encouraged.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and novel Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), to correlate scores with uroflowmetry and prostate volume and assess patient perceptions regarding pain prior to, and after prostate biopsy. Materials and Methods: Patients with LUTS who had an indication for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy were included. Patients completed the IPSS-, VPSS- and prostate biopsy pain assessment questionnaires. Assessment included uroflowmetry, post- void residual volume and prostate volume (measured with TRUS). Results: One hundred men were included. There were statistically significant correlations between the VPSS score and IPSS score (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.802); VPSS and Qmax (r = −0.311); VPSS and. Qave (r = −0.344); prostate volume with VPSS (r = 0.194) and Qmax (r = −0.260). The VPSS was quicker to complete than the IPSS (mean 100 vs. 165 seconds). The mean anticipated pain score before biopsy was 2.8 (range 0-6), and after biopsy (experienced pain) it was 1.8 (range 0-5). The pain during biopsy was less than expected in 67% of patients. Conclusion: In men with LUTS scheduled to undergo prostate biopsy, the VPSS score correlated positively with the IPSS score. Men with limited education take less time to complete the VPSS. Patient's perception of expected pain or discomfort during TRUS-guided prostate biopsy was significantly higher than the pain actually experienced during biopsy. Men with lower education level had significantly higher expectation of pain prior to biopsy, but similar pain during biopsy.

BACKGROUND: The Vegetation Map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (National Vegetation Map [NVM]) is a fundamental data set that is updated periodically. The National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) 2018 process provided an opportunity for a more comprehensive revision of the NVM and better alignment between the terrestrial, marine and estuarine ecosystem maps OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to update the NVM 2018 and quantify spatial and classification changes since NVM 2012, and describe the rationale and data sources utilised. We also quantified spatial errors corrected in this version, highlighted progress since NVM 2006, and identified errors and gaps to make recommendations for future revisions METHOD: Edits made to the NVM in ArcMap 10.4 were categorised into the following five groups for analysis: (1) New types, (2) Boundary edits, (3) Realm re-assignment, (4) Removed and replaced vegetation types and (5) Deleted map area. Changes were quantified by category and biome. We used various software platforms to correct and quantify spatial errors since 2006 RESULTS: Vegetation types were added (n = 47), removed (n = 35) and had boundary edits (n = 107) in NVM 2018, which affected over 5% of the total map area, compared to 2.6% (2012) and 0.5% (2009) for previous versions. Several sources of error were identified and fixed, and prompted the development of standard mapping protocols CONCLUSION: National Vegetation Map 2018 is the most substantial revision of this data set that now fully aligns with maps of all other realms that form part of the NBA. However, parts of the map remain unrefined and provide opportunities for future work

Feed costs contribute the largest proportion of the input costs of slaughter birds in an intensive ostrich production unit. Alternative, cheaper feedstuffs, such as lupins (sweet and bitter cultivars), were therefore evaluated to determine the optimal lupin inclusion level in ostrich rations without affecting feed preference and intake. Sixty South African Black ostriches were randomly divided into ten paddocks of six birds per paddock. Three trials, with five different experimental diets, were conducted to investigate the diet preference of grower ostriches in a free-choice system. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The position of the diets in the successive paddocks was varied by rotating the five feed troughs in a clockwise direction, but within each paddock the position of each feeder and diet stayed the same throughout the three trials. In the first two trials, sweet (trial 1) or bitter (trial 2) lupins replaced soybean oilcake meal to have 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30% lupin inclusion levels in the diet. In trial 3 the soybean oilcake meal was replaced with either sweet or bitter lupins to have dietary inclusion levels as follows: 0% lupins, 15% sweet, 15% bitter, 30% sweet, or 30% bitter. The daily intake per group for each diet was monitored over a period of five days each. The average initial body weight of the birds was 73.6 ± 0.5 kg. No interaction was found between day and diet for the three trials and dry matter intake (DMI) did not differ between the five treatments for any of the three trials. In the second trial the birds tended to show a preference for the 7.5% bitter lupin inclusion level and discriminated against the 15% and 30% bitter lupin inclusion levels. Regression analysis of DMI on lupin inclusion rates revealed no significant trends. In conclusion, the study revealed that soybean oilcake meal can be replaced in the diets of grower ostriches by sweet lupin inclusion levels up to 30%, without any significant detrimental effect on diet preference and feed intake.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of time spent in a feedlot on the size of the various fat depots and the distribution of the main tissues (muscle, bone, and fat) of three common South African sheep breeds. Lambs were supplied with a balanced diet (16% protein, 10 MJ ME/kg feed) ad libitum and had free access to water. Lambs from each breed were divided into six groups, which were slaughtered at 21-day intervals until a production period of 105 days had been reached. During carcass dressing, visceral and renal fat was removed and expressed as a percentage of carcass weight. The subcutaneous fat (SCF) depth was measured on the longissimus lumborum at the 13th rib position using an electronic calliper. The proportion of muscle, bone and fat was determined by dissecting a three-rib cut made on the prime rib between the 9th and 11th ribs. The percentage of visceral and renal fat increased throughout the production period for all breeds. The percentage of renal fat was up to 2.9% higher than the percentage visceral fat in both SAMM production groups. Dorper lambs tended to have high SCF levels (5.6 mm fat after 42 days) due to the early maturing nature of the breed. They reached a maximum fat depth of 20.4 mm fat after 105 days. The SAMM lambs tended to deposit SCF at a slower rate and the late maturing Merino breed was found to be much leaner, and did not reach the high fat levels of the SAMM or Dorper lambs. The percentage of muscle and bone in all carcasses decreased with an increase in the number of days in the feedlot, while the percentage of carcass fat increased during this period. The increase in late maturing adipose tissue in all breeds as they become older is amplified by the restricted movement in the feedlot and high energy diet that the lambs receive.

Industry has always relied on water's inherent ability to inhibit mild steel corrosion by virtue of its levels of calcium hardness and total alkalinity. This research seeks to verify the application of this principle to brackish water used in industrial systems at moderately elevated temperatures. A brief review is first given of the conventional calcium-carbonate-based scale or corrosion predictive indices. Laboratory corrosion tests were performed at various levels of calcium hardness and total alkalinity, resulting in the generation of an empirically derived nonlinear regression model. The newly developed model and the existing indices were then compared statistically in predicting the corrosivity of brackish water in contact with mild steel at 45°C. The accuracy, broader application, and relevance of the indices are also discussed.

Although many South African teachers have access to the internet, they often refrain from using available online resources to improve the quality of their own teaching. In an attempt to promote Mathematics teachers' effective use of online resources, we developed a web-based platform. This article reports on the first phase of a broader project that focuses on Mathematics teachers' perceptions about and needs for utilising technology in the classroom. Twenty-two teachers participated in this mixed-method pilot study. To obtain qualitative data, we facilitated a Participatory Reflection and Action (PRA) workshop and for the quantitative part of our study, we implemented a questionnaire. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) were selected for the theoretical framework. With regard to effort expectancy, participating teachers found the use of technology overwhelming, resulting in a need for further training. No evidence was found of social influence affecting the participants' acceptance of technology. The participants proved to have access to sufficient equipment. However, their perceptions of their own limited skills weighed heavier than external facilitating conditions. As a result, participating teachers were hesitant to utilise technology in their teaching.

Numerous problems with product quality and time-to-market launches can be traced back to how the product lifecycle process is managed within the organisation. This article provides insight into how an integrated value proposition design framework shifts product lifecycle management from a product-centric view to a customer-centric view, through the use of good engineering practices as found in the systems engineering discipline. Combining this with methods and tools such as the Refined Kano model, Blue Ocean strategy, and the Generalised Bass model enables the organisation to enhance product and service quality while reducing the time-to-market for new value proposition launches.

Die bestuur van produkte se lewensiklusse kan vele probleme veroorsaak wat gepaard gaan met die kwaliteit van produkte en die verlengde tydperk om produkte in 'n mark vry te stel. Hierdie artikel stel 'n geïntegreerde waarde-stelling raamwerk voor wat die fokus van die produk lewensiklus bestuursproses skuif van 'n produk-gesentreerde fokus na 'n kliënt-gesentreerde fokus, deur gebruik te maak van goeie ingenieurs praktyke soos gevind in die stelselsingenieurswese dissipline. Die raamwerk kombineer stelselingenieurswese praktyke met metodes soos die 'Refined Kano' model, die 'Blue Ocean' strategie en die 'Generalised Bass' model. Daardeur stel die raamwerk die organisasie in staat om hulle produkte en dienste se kwaliteit te verbeter, en terselfde tyd die produk vrystellings tydperk te verkort.

Owing to the corrosiveness of the untreated brackish cooling water typically used for steel mills (and other environments), it is important to treat the water and monitor corrosion in such systems. Generally, corrosion rates are monitored with corrosion probes inserted into a pipeline or vessel. This has been standard practice for many years, and is widely accepted in industry. Typically, two kinds of probes are used - electrical resistance and linear polarization resistance (LPR) probes. In this study, the effectiveness and accuracy of the LPR technique was evaluated by comparing the electrochemical measurements with the results of mass loss tests using corrosion coupons. The corrosivity of the environment, a synthetic brackish water, was varied by varying the calcium hardness and alkalinity, and to simulate actual plant conditions temperatures of 35°C and 45°C were used. In addition to the corrosion rate measurements, the iron concentration was measured, as well as the imbalance from the probe. The corrosion rates obtained by LPR were from 57% lower to 385% higher than those from the immersion tests. Most probe measurements were higher than the immersion results, and 50% of the probe results were 50% or more higher than the immersion results. The best correspondence between the two methods was obtained at low calcium levels, except for one measurement that was 93% higher than the coupon results. There was no clear correlation between parameters such as temperature and total alkalinity and the difference between the results. It would therefore appear that LPR measurements can differ significantly from immersion results, and LPR results should therefore be used with caution in industrial applications.

Many of the production costs for producing tea are attributable to the process of drying the tea. E-manufacturing can assist companies to reduce these production costs by making crucial information available to decision-makers so that they can make informed decisions. This paper presents an application of e-manufacturing to the design of an automatic tea drying control system. This control system will ensure that the multiple drying parameters such as temperature, dryer-exit tea moisture content, and fuel consumption are maintained at optimal states during the course of the drying of tea. The additional aim of this system is to balance the cost of production and the quality of the final product. Using the Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer (GAB) model, the optimum drying temperature was found to be 100-110°C, while maintaining a dryer-exit tea moisture content of 3 to 3.12 per cent, at a drying rate of 3 per cent per minute. A Barix control application to control the system's activities, using the web user interface (WUI), was also developed.

'n Groot gedeelte van die koste in die produksie van tee is as gevolg van die tee-droogproses. E-vervaardiging kan die produksiekoste verminder deur kritiese inligting vir die besluitnemers beskikbaar te stel. Hierdie studie beskryf 'n toepassing van e-vervaardiging op die ontwerp van 'n outomatiese tee-droog beheerstelsel. Die beheerstelsel verseker dat al die droogparameters, soos temperatuur, voggehalte en brandstofverbruik, by optimum toestande beheer word deur die loop van die droogproses. Verder word daar deur die beheerstelsel 'n balans tussen die produksiekoste en die gehalte van die finale produk gehandhaaf. Deur van die Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer (GAB) model gebruik te maak, is die optimale droogtemperatuur gevind om tussen 100 tot 110°C te lê, terwyl die droëruitlaatvoggehalte tussen 3 en 3.12% met 'n droogtempo van 3% per minuut te lê. 'n Barix beheer program is ontwikkel om die beheerstelsel se werksaamhede te monitor.

Agricultural engineering applies existing knowledge to provide for humanity's greatest need: food for survival. This article presents an opportunity to augment existing agricultural engineering practices with industrial engineering techniques, with the aim of encouraging financial control during the expansion of assets on farms. Facility planning techniques are combined with a well-known enterprise engineering technique, the transformation roadmap, to develop a Farm Site Development Method (FSDM). The purpose of the FSDM is to provide method guidance in developing a facilities master plan to evolve farm facilities in a phased approach towards a future/saturation state. The article also presents an evaluation of the FSDM, via a practical demonstration at Waterfall Farm.

Landbou-ingenieurswese gebruik bestaande kennis om aan een van die mensdom se grootste behoeftes te voldoen: voedsel vir oorlewing. Die geleentheid om bestaande landbou-ingenieurswese praktyke aan te vul met bedryfsingenieurswese tegnieke wat finansiële beheer aanmoedig tydens bate-uitbreidings op plase, word hier aangebied. Fasiliteitsbeplannings-tegnieke word gekombineer met 'n welbekende ondernemingsingenieurswese tegniek, die transformasie padkaart, met die ontwikkeling van 'n plaasterrein ontwikkelingsmetode (PTOM). Die doel van die PTOM is om metodiese leiding te bied aan die ontwikkeling van 'n meester-fasiliteitsplan ten einde die plaas se fasiliteite in fases te ontwikkel tot 'n toekomstige-/versadigingstatus. Die studie bied ook 'n evaluasie van die PTOM aan, in die vorm van 'n praktiese demonstrasie by Waterfall Farm.