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The transition from first to second language instruction : South African year 4 learners
Le Roux, Mia; Geertsema, Salome; Milton, Carmen; Graham, Marien Alet; Wittstock, Kate; Gardee, Humayra; Carrim, Diyaanah Sattar; Veerasamy, Helene (Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, 2025)
ABSTRACT : The precursor literacy skills phonological and phonemic awareness play a central role in later literacy skills acquisition, especially during the transition from first language to second language mode of learning and teaching. Various research projects in South Africa found that English second language learners, even those who receive instruction in English from Year 0, do not have sufficient precursor and later literacy skills to support academic requirements. Learners who transfer from first-language instruction to second-language instruction in Year 4 may have even lower skills due to less exposure to the medium of instruction (English) on an academic level. This may further influence their literacy abilities. This study intended to analyse and determine the association of precursor literacy and later literacy skill competency measures of Year 4 learners who have recently transitioned from being taught in their L1 to English as their language of learning and teaching (LoLT). A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design was used. Non-probability, convenient sampling was employed. Results indicated that participants had limited precursor literacy and later literacy skills in English, demonstrating that transferring to their second language as the language of learning and teaching in Year 4 may be challenging. These challenges impact literacy skills necessary for academic success. Additionally, strong positive correlations between precursor and literacy skills assessed were determined. Therefore, intervention is essential to equip learners with strong literacy skills in the language of learning and teaching. RESUMEN : Las habilidades precursoras de lectoescritura y la conciencia fonológica desempeñan un papel fundamental en la adquisición posterior de habilidades de lectoescritura, especialmente durante la transición de la primera lengua a la segunda. Diversos proyectos de investigación en Sudáfrica han revelado que los estudiantes de inglés como segunda lengua, incluso aquellos que reciben instrucción en inglés desde el primer año (Año R), carecen de las habilidades de lectoescritura precursoras y posteriores necesarias para cumplir con los requisitos académicos. Los estudiantes que pasan de la instrucción en la primera lengua a la instrucción en la segunda lengua en el cuarto año pueden presentar habilidades aún menores debido a una más escasa exposición al inglés a nivel académico. Esto puede influir decisivamente en sus habilidades lectoescritoras. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar y analizar la asociación entre las medidas de competencia en lectoescritura precursora y lectoescritura posterior de los estudiantes de cuarto año que recientemente han pasado de recibir instrucción en su primera lengua (L1) al inglés como lengua de aprendizaje y enseñanza (LDA). Se utilizó un diseño cuantitativo, transversal, descriptivo y correlacional. Se empleó un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Los resultados indicaron que los participantes tenían un nivel de alfabetización precursora y posterior limitada en inglés, lo que demuestra que la transición a su segunda lengua como lengua de aprendizaje y enseñanza en cuarto año puede ser difícil. Estas dificultades afectan las habilidades de lectoescritura necesarias para el éxito académico. Además, se determinaron correlaciones positivas y significativas entre las habilidades precursoras y de lectoescritura evaluadas. Por lo tanto, la intervención es esencial para dotar a los estudiantes de sólidas habilidades de lectoescritura en la lengua de aprendizaje y enseñanza.
A new kind of polynomials for finite groups
Asboei, A.K.; Anabanti, Chimere S. (Springer, 2025-09)
Please read abstract in the article.
Endocrine responses to snouted cobra (Naja annulifera) and African puffadder (Bitis arietans) envenomation in dogs
Fourie-Viljoen, Noeline (University of Pretoria, 2025-01)
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroidal (HPT) axes are pivotal in the pursuit of homeostasis in critical illness. The goal of this study was to investigate the host endocrine response in the snake-envenomed canine patient. This prospective study included 17 client-owned dogs naturally envenomed by either a snouted cobra (Naja annulifera) (n=9) or a puffadder (Bitis arietans) (n=8), that presented within 6 hours of envenomation. The dogs were further subdivided clinically into a neurological (n=5) and nonneurological group (n=4). Serum samples were collected at admission, and thereafter at 12-, 24-, and 36-hours post envenomation. At each time point, the serum total thyroxine (TT4), thyrotropin (TSH), C-reactive Protein (CRP) and cortisol concentrations were measured. Compared to control dogs, the median serum TT4 concentrations of all the snake-envenomed dogs were significantly lower at all time points (P<0.05). The non-neurological cobra subgroup recovered to serum TT4 concentrations comparable to that of the controls within 24 hours of envenomation, while the puffadder and neurological cobra subgroup serum TT4 concentration remained significantly suppressed until 36 hours post envenomation. Serum TT4 concentration was negatively correlated with serum CRP concentration (P<0.05, ρ=-0.326)). The differences in TSH between groups failed to reach significance. The total serum cortisol concentrations of all envenomed dogs were highest at admission, but only the neurological cobra subgroup had a significantly higher concentration at admission compared to the controls. The neurological cobra subgroup had the highest peak in serum CRP concentration, but the correlation between total serum cortisol and CRP concentrations failed to reach significance. Puffadder and snouted cobra envenomation is associated with significant suppression of serum TT4 concentrations that is correlated with the severity of the host inflammatory response. The only significant increase in total serum cortisol concentration was observed in the neurological snouted cobra envenomed subgroup at admission. This study provides novel insights into the temporal endocrine perturbations in Puffadder and snouted cobra envenomation, and the relation thereof to the degree of the host inflammatory response.
Gender differences in response to strength and conditioning programs in collegiate athletes
Chen, Nora (Universidad Autonoma de Madrid y CV Ciencias del Deporte, 2025)
Research investigates how male and female college athletes react to strength and conditioning programs. This paper evaluates the impact of biological elements including muscle mass density and hormonal composition along with mental components including inspirational drive perception and performance awareness on shifting training success for athletic individuals of either sex. Men commonly achieve better results in muscle mass development because their higher testosterone creates improved strength gain potential yet women show different physical growth speeds and demonstrate superior physical flexibility at the same time. The research study based on primary data analysis for determine the overall research used Smart PLS Algorithm Model between the gender differences in response to strength and conditioning programs. Research demonstrates that individualized strength and conditioning programs need specific adjustments based on natural sex-based physiological differences which improve athletic performance while reducing safety risks. The knowledge of gender-specific responses enables strength and conditioning programming to produce better outcomes for male and female athletes who strive to achieve their best athletic level. Overall result found that directly link of gender differences in response to strength and conditioning programs.
The role of mathematical modelling in predicting and controlling infectious disease outbreaks in underserved settings : a systematic review and meta-analysis
Khumbudzo, Mavhunga; Duah, Evans; Grobler, Estelle; Maluleke, Kahlula (Wiley, 2025-09)
BACKGROUND AND AIM : Mathematical modelling plays an important role in public health by enabling the prediction of disease outbreaks, assessment of transmission dynamics and evaluation of intervention strategies. Although widely applied in high-resource settings, its use in underserved contexts remains underexplored. This review aimed to examine and synthesize current evidence on the application of mathematical modelling for predicting and controlling infectious diseases in underserved settings. METHODS : A comprehensive and reproducible search was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) frameworks across databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, ScienceDirect and EBSCOhost. Keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to mathematical modelling and infectious disease control were applied. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts, with a third resolving discrepancies. Thematic analysis and meta-analysis were used for synthesis. RESULTS : Out of 838 studies screened, 27 (3.2%) met inclusion criteria. Deterministic models were most used, followed by stochastic and agent-based models. Diseases modelled included COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), Ebola, Zika, chikungunya, dengue, diphtheria, respiratory infections, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and Mpox. Modelling predicted the impact of interventions on transmission, with pooled effect size (Ro) of 1.32 (θ = 1.3, p < 0.0001). However, challenges, such as data underreporting, gaps and inconsistencies, were common, potentially affecting model accuracy and real-world applicability. CONCLUSION : Mathematical modelling has demonstrated value in supporting infectious disease control in underserved settings. However, the predominance of deterministic models limits adaptability across diverse contexts. Poor data quality further constrains reliability. Future work should focus on expanding modelling approaches, strengthening data infrastructure and addressing a broader range of diseases. These findings can guide public health policy by supporting data-driven decision-making, improving resource allocation and integrating modelling into outbreak preparedness and response strategies in underserved settings.