Education Labour Relations Council

Municipal amalgamations have been implemented for, among others, linguistic, cultural, geographic, service equity, social transformation or political reasons. However, the idea that larger municipalities are in a better position to reap the benefits of scale effects has been the main motivation for amalgamations in several industrialised countries and, in more recent years, South Africa. Existing literature suggests that financial performance has not improved after municipal amalgamations in South Africa. However, this literature has relied almost exclusively on evidence from descriptive studies and similar approaches. Using the difference-in-differences approach with municipal panel data, this study sought to determine the financial impacts of the 2016 South African amalgamations. The results suggest that the amalgamations did not give rise to scale effects as they had no significant impact on operating expenditure per capita. Suggestive evidence, based on descriptive analyses, is presented of some of the main factors that might militate against post-merger cost savings in a developing country setting – the transition grant, whose scope is very limited, the harmonisation of salaries and service levels in the post-merger municipality, and poor financial governance.

Confirming a genetic diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) for clinically affected individuals should be more accessible today, with more laboratories offering testing and improved technologies at lower costs. Instead, diagnostic testing for CF has become more complex due to the variety of genetic testing options available for the one known causative gene (CFTR). This article provides an overview of genetic tests currently available for CF in six laboratories in South Africa. Also, it demonstrates the evolution of CF tests used at one private laboratory in the country via a ten-year retrospective study. The findings of this study may serve as a guide for healthcare providers in selecting appropriate testing for CF diagnostic or carrier genetic confirmation. The choice of genetic test and methodology depends on individualised factors such as the ethnic origin of the patient, test availability, advantages and limitations, and cost. The ethnic diversity of South Africa’s populations and probable under-reporting of CF in the country make the diagnosis of this relatively common genetic condition complex. The actual burden of CF in South Africa is unknown, and comprehensive genetic testing, with an ongoing compilation of patient data in the South African CF registry, should assist in addressing the genetic diversity of CF-causing variants.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12687-025-00810-6.

The International Radiation Protection Association established a task group (TG) in 2023 to collect data on knowledge and understanding of tissue reactions involving the eye lens, skin and cardiovascular system among radiation protection practitioners. The aim was to contribute to the sharing of experiences and raise awareness within the radiation protection community about tissue reactions. In 2024, the TG conducted a survey through a questionnaire and this paper provides an analysis and overview of the results.

Introduction: Blended learning is defined as the combined use of in-person and online learning, through interactive multimedia and face-to-face engagement with curriculum content. Recently, higher education institutions have experienced major inevitable changes in teaching and learning approaches, sparking interest in the exploration of these approaches- including blended learning. Aim: To explore undergraduate health sciences students’ experiences of blended learning. Method: A rapid review of articles published in English was conducted between 18th-22nd February 2022 using the following databases: Pubmed, Ebscohost, Web of Science, Scopus, Africawide Information and CINAHL. Articles found were exported to Endnote, version 20.2.1. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis flow chart was used to document the search. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used to appraise the articles, which were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Eight quantitative articles were analysed and categorised on the hierarchy of evidence. Three themes emerged: 1. Student engagement and perceptions of blended learning, 2. Student academic performance, and 3. Challenges of blended learning. Conclusion: Positive experiences of blended learning were reported, including: significant improvement of student academic performance, higher levels of satisfaction and an increased student engagement. Ineffective online learning platforms and/or technological devices resulted in students experiencing anxiety and frustration. Implications for practice Blended learning may be a feasible option to maintain and enhance students learning experience. Students’ academic performance could improve with blended learning Blended learning could increase students’ engagement within the andragogical field.

Lakshmi Usha Ayalasomayajula12, Chandra Sekhar Patro1 and Saroj Kumar Raul3 Author informationCitations 1Department of Pharmaceutics, Centurion University, Odisha, INDIA 2Department of Pharmaceutics, Raghu College of Pharmacy, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA 3Department of Chemistry, Maharajah’s College of Pharmacy, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA Corresponding author. Correspondence: Mrs. Lakshmi usha Ayalasomayajula Department of Pharmaceutics, Centurion University, Odisha, INDIA. Email: alakshmiusha@gmail.com

Sticking valves tend to cause cycles in control systems used in industry, degrading product quality and yield. Many attempts have been made to alleviate the impact of stiction. Mechanical knockers are used with success to knock loose the sticking components. Most other stiction compensation methods attempt to find ways to move the control output by an amount greater than the stiction band, while still getting the valve position as close as possible to the desired position. This paper shows how, instead of overcoming stiction and getting the valve position to the control output, the valve can be moved such that over time, the valve is on average at the correct position, while still moving the valve in increments that are larger than the stiction band.