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Ultimately the message emerging is that there is the need for ongoing reflection and transformation in research ethics that should be underpinned by ongoing educational and sharing opportunities (e.g., through the Global Forum for Bioethics in Research ([18])) through structured national dialogues to build ethics capacity in research that will support the sensitive contextual application of national and international research ethics principles. They suggest that REC decisions on anonymity are driven by ethics regulation ([26]) and that this perspective of the REC, positions communities as needing to be protected through the imposition of the standard of anonymity. Collectively, this means that researchers and RECs need not only to be aware of the ethical and legal dimensions that guide the ethical standard of privacy in research but that researchers and RECs should be capacitated to recognize and implement this in the wider sphere of research as already emphasized in current ethics guidance and literature ([36]; [37]). Keywords: research anonymity; ethics transformation; critical reflection; privacy; research ethics committees EN research anonymity ethics transformation critical reflection privacy research ethics committees 565 572 8 11/22/22 20221201 NES 221201 Introduction The authors of the paper, Research site anonymity in context ([23]) set out to utilize critical theory "to interrogate and problematize the practice of anonymizing research sites as an ethical imperative". [Extracted from the article]

Background: Postmortem computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging have been gradually introduced to forensic pathology centres over the past two decades, with varying results in comparison to autopsy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of postmortem CT in determining a cause of death in children who died of unnatural causes. Materials and methods: This was a prospective recruitment of 30 children (< 18 years) who underwent postmortem CT and a forensic autopsy. A cause of death was independently assigned by two experienced paediatric radiologists and compared to that of the forensic autopsy. Results: A correct cause of death was assigned by reviewers 1 and 2 in 70% (n = 21/30) and 67% (n = 20/30) of cases, respectively. For gunshot injuries and blunt force head injuries, there was 91% (n = 10/11) and 100% (n = 6/6) agreement between forensic autopsy and both reviewers, respectively. No cause of death could be assigned by reviewers 1 and 2 in 27% (n = 8) and 30% (n = 9) of cases, respectively. An incorrect cause of death was assigned by both reviewers in one case (3%). The Cohen Kappa level of agreement between the forensic autopsy and reviewers 1 and 2 was k = 0.624 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45–0.80, P = 0) and k = 0.582 (95% CI 0.41–0.76, P = 0), respectively. There was near perfect agreement between reviewers 1 and 2 (k = 0.905) (95% CI 0.78–1.00, P = 0). Conclusion: Postmortem CT has good diagnostic accuracy for identifying a cause of death related to trauma, but it has poor accuracy for children dying from causes not associated with apparent physical injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South African radiography education has its roots in a western knowledge system. The education programme's structure has undergone significant transformations since its inception to what is currently available. Reflections for future directions are provided in line with the purpose of higher education, needs of the healthcare system to provide quality care, and advancements in the medical imaging profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A powerful set of projections has constructed post-apartheid higher education in South Africa. Among these is the expectation that technikons (institutions similar to the British polytechnics) would become universities of technology, with a mission to drive the technology of national reconstruction and development. In this paper, one of the new universities of technology serves as a case study to explore organizational structure and to highlight the ethics of university management and leadership. Building a new university provides the opportunity to place ethics "upfront", rather than as an afterthought, by constructing an organizational framework that makes ethical issues integral to management and decision-making processes. In imagining the structure of a university of technology, the authors were inspired by future scripting methods developed by Bastiaan De Laat, and by Duncan Den Boer, Arie Rip and Sandra Speller. The research process firstly involved the identification of themes related to values and ethics through an analysis of the environment. These themes were incorporated into three scenarios of possible futures for this new university type. Using these scenarios, the ethical issues that emerged (according to how the university of technology might choose to organise itself), are compared with the original themes. Conclusions are then drawn with regard to management structures that are hierarchical and entrench compliance, or that are traditionally collegiate and expertise-based, or that might enable mutual appreciation and allow for leaders to emerge within any functional space at a university of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder related to myelin damage, which can be investigated by neuroimaging techniques such as fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of microstructural white matter properties. The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) the relationship between FA and disability using an extremes of outcome approach, and (2) whether blood iron parameters were associated with FA and/or disability. Patients diagnosed with MS (n = 107; 14 males and 93 females) had iron parameter tests and disability determinations using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). FA was recorded in 48 white matter tracts in 11 of the female patients with MS and 12 female controls. Results: In patients with high disability scores the mean FA was significantly lower (0.34 ± 0.067) than in the control group (0.45 ± 0.036; p = 0.04), while patients with low disability had mean FA values (0.44 ± 0.014) similar to controls (p = 0.5). Positive associations were found between FA and the iron parameters serum iron, ferritin and percentage transferrin saturation (%Tfsat) in all the white matter tracts. For % Tfsat, the associations were highly significant in 14 tracts (p < 0.01; r-values 0.74-0.84) and p < 0.001 (r = 0.83) in the superior fronto occipital fasciculus (LH). In the whole patient group a trend was found towards an inverse association between the EDSS and the %Tfsat (r = −0.26, p = 0.05) after excluding male gender and smoking as confounders, suggesting reduced disability in the presence of higher blood iron parameters. Additionally, significant inverse associations between disease duration and haemoglobin (p = 0.04) as well as %Tfsat (p = 0.02) suggested that patients with MS may experience a decrease in blood iron concentrations over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the radiation dose received by patients referred for barium meal (BaM) examinations at three state hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa (SA). Twenty-five participants (male and female patients) aged between 18 and 85 years and weighing 50 to 85 kilograms (kgs) were included in the study. The radiation dose to the participants was measured using a Dose-Area-Product (DAP) meter permanently fitted to the fluoroscopy equipment at the selected health facility sites. Measurements were done on digital fluoroscopy (DF) and conventional fluoroscopy (CF) units. The third quartile and median DAP values were 20.1 Gycm2 and 13.6 Gycm2 respectively. The median DAP value (13.6 Gycm2) is recommended as the diagnostic reference level (DRL) for BaM examinations because this value is less affected by outlying values of under or overweight [1]. The relationship between DAP and patient weight, fluoroscopy time (FT), the number of images recorded, and the employment of DF or CF units, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution: This paper identifies key personal and academic factors in successful transfer to electrical, computer, and mechatronics (ECM) engineering programs. The findings support prior research on engineering transfer shows that successful students accumulate knowledge and behaviors in their sending institution that enable their progress in the receiving institution. Background: Institutional arrangements and processes, inclusive cultures and practices, social integration, and clear academic requirements support the transfer of students who go from two-year colleges and similar to follow engineering programs at four-year institutions. Various personal attributes are also associated with successful transfer. Research Question: What factors enable transferees to succeed in four-year ECM engineering degree programs? Methodology: Student data were obtained from the receiving institution’s registration database and grades administration system. Database queries were used to identify transfer and non-transfer students’ performance. Averages and frequencies of passes, fails, repeats, withdrawals, etc., were calculated and compared. There were limited data on students’ personal challenges and non-academic strengths. Findings: All the students who attained Bachelor of Science degrees in ECM showed persistence and resilience in their journeys toward an engineering qualification, and had achieved high grades in mathematics at the sending institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radiology is a technical service that provides medical imaging for all sectors of healthcare. Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is a major challenge in radiology and this is exacerbated in contexts where the healthcare system is unable to provide adequate funding and attention to effective infection control measures. The objectives of this study were to audit current cleaning procedures through the observation of practices in a radiology department, and to determine the types and numbers of nosocomial pathogens present on selected radiology imaging equipment and accessories before and after decontamination. Methodology: In phase one we observed seven radiographers to audit cleaning procedures and practices. In phase two we collected swab samples from selected radiology imaging equipment and accessories and then cultured them for identification of microbes. Results: It was observed that radiographers partially practiced infection control measures. This was due to the absence of documented protocol for infection control procedures. Our results indicated that all the selected equipment and accessories were contaminated with microorganisms pre- and post-cleaning. The identified microbes were Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS), Bacillus species (spp.), Shigella spp., Shigella sonnei., Klebsiella spp., Salmonella paratyphi A (S. paratyphi A), Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), Providencia rettgeri, Enterobacter spp. and Citrobacter spp. and Methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Conclusions: The research concluded that the recommended cleaning agents did not effectively reduce the number of microorganisms making the selected equipment and accessories fomites for nosocomial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this Review (Part I), we investigate the scientific evidence that multiple sclerosis (MS) is caused by the death of oligodendrocytes, the cells that synthesize myelin, due to a lack of biochemical and nutritional factors involved in mitochondrial energy production in these cells. In MS, damage to the myelin sheaths surrounding nerve axons causes disruption of signal transmission from the brain to peripheral organs, which may lead to disability. However, the extent of disability is not deterred by the use of MS medication, which is based on the autoimmune hypothesis of MS. Rather, disability is associated with the loss of brain volume, which is related to the loss of grey and white matter. A pathology-supported genetic testing (PSGT) method, developed for personalized assessment and treatment to prevent brain volume loss and disability progression in MS is discussed. This involves identification of MS-related pathogenic pathways underpinned by genetic variation and lifestyle risk factors that may converge into biochemical abnormalities associated with adverse expanded disability status scale (EDSS) outcomes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings during patient follow-up. A Metabolic Model is presented which hypothesizes that disability may be prevented or reversed when oligodendrocytes are protected by nutritional reserve. Evidence for the validity of the Metabolic Model may be evaluated in consecutive test cases following the PSGT method. In Part II of this Review, two cases are presented that describe the PSGT procedures and the clinical outcomes of these individuals diagnosed with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Part I of this Review we evaluated the scientific evidence for a Metabolic Model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Part II outlines the implementation of an adaptive pathology-supported genetic testing (PSGT) algorithm aimed at preventing/reversing disability in two illustrative MS cases, starting with a questionnaire-based risk assessment, including family history and lifestyle factors. Measurement of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, cholesterol and homocysteine levels identified biochemical deficits in both cases. Case 1, after following the PSGT program for 15 years, had an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of 2.0 (no neurological sequelae) together with preserved brain volume on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A novel form of iron deficiency was identified in Case 1, as biochemical testing at each hospital submission due to MS symptoms showed low serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation, while hematological status and erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurement of systemic inflammation remained normal. Case 2 was unable to walk unaided until her EDSS improved from 6.5 to 4.0 over 12 months after implementation of the PSGT program, with amelioration of her suboptimal biochemical markers and changes to her diet and lifestyle, allowing her to regain independence. Genotype-phenotype correlation using a pathway panel of functional single nucleotide variants (SNVs) to facilitate clinical interpretation of whole exome sequencing (WES), elucidated the underlying metabolic pathways related to the biochemical deficits. A cure for MS will remain an elusive goal if separated from nutritional support required for production and maintenance of myelin, which can only be achieved by a lifelong investment in wellness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study epistemological transitions across an intended engineering curriculum and recommend strategies to assist students in attaining the increasingly complex concepts and insights that are necessary for transition to advanced levels of study. We draw on Legitimation Code Theory [Maton, Karl. 2014,Knowledge and Knowers: Towards a Realist Sociology of Education. Abingdon: Routledge], in particular the dimensions of sematic gravity and semantic density, to explain these transitions. Data for the study was obtained from a curriculum renewal project that reveals how engineers understand engineering knowledge. We find an interdependent relationship between semantic gravity and semantic density in the intended engineering curriculum. The complexity of the context and the problems that arise from it pose strong cognitive challenges. The semantic gravity wave rises and falls across the engineering curriculum s, enabling both abstraction and a focus on ‘real world’ problems in specialised knowledge fields. Control of the semantic gravity wave is key to the provision of ‘epistemological access’ [Morrow, Wally, ed. (2003) 2009.Bounds of Democracy: Epistemological Access in Higher Education. Reprint, Pretoria: HSRC Press] to engineering knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-021-00722-7 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation doses for barium enema (BaE) examinations were measured using dose area product meters at three hospitals in the Western Cape in South Africa. Thirty adult patients, aged from 18 to 85 years, weighing 50-90 kilograms (kg), were included in the study. The mean age and weight of the patients were 58.3 years and 68.8 kg respectively. The mean DAP was 28.7 Gycm2 and the third quartile DAP value was 36.5 Gycm2. The mass of the patients, fluoroscopy time, and the use of digital or conventional fluoroscopy equipment, were the factors considered for dose variation between the three hospitals. The recommended dose reference level (DRL) for BaE at state hospitals in this region of South Africa is 36.5 Gycm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]