A profile of perceived stress factors among nursing staff working with intellectually disabled in-patients at the Free State Psychiatric Complex, South Africa.

Introduction: Nursing staff working with intellectually disabled in-patients experience unique stress factors that can influence their personal well-being and work performance.

Objectives: To compile a profile of stress factors experienced by nursing staff working with intellectually disabled in-patients at the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC).

Methods: This descriptive study included 89 nursing staff members from this environment.

Pentastome assemblages of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Thirty-two specimens of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), from the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and its vicinity were examined for pentastomid parasites during 1995 to 1999 and 2010 to 2011. Pentastomid parasites occurred throughout the year and were widespread in the study area with an overall prevalence of 97% and an overall mean abundance of 23.4 (0-81).

Diversity and biogeographical patterns of legumes (Leguminosae) indigenous to southern Africa.

The principal aim of this study was to establish biogeographical patterns in the legume flora of southern Africa so as to facilitate the selection of species with agricultural potential. Plant collection data from the National Herbarium, South Africa, were analysed to establish the diversity and areas covered by legumes (Leguminosae/Fabaceae) indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. A total of 27,322 records from 1,619 quarter degree grid cells, representing 1,580 species, 122 genera and 24 tribes were included in the analyses.

Pythium spp. Associated with Rooibos Seedlings, and Their Pathogenicity Toward Rooibos, Lupin, and Oat.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is an important indigenous crop in South Africa. Oomycetes are a common problem in rooibos nurseries, causing serious losses, but limited information is available on the species involved. Molecular and morphological analyses of 117 oomycete isolates from 19 rooibos nurseries and 33 isolates from 11 native rooibos sites revealed the presence of several Pythium spp.

Infective pentastomid larvae from Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (Pisces, Characidae) from the Miranda River, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, with notes on their taxonomy and epidemiology.

During parasitological surveys of freshwater fish from the Miranda River, Brazil, 199 Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (Characidae) were caught. Two pentastomid families, Subtriquetridae Fain, 1961, represented by its single genus Subtriquetra Sambon, 1922, and Sebekidae Sambon, 1922, represented by three genera, were present. Free-living larvae of Subtriquetra subtriquetra (Diesing, 1835) were collected from the swim bladder.

Suppression of Pythium and Phytophthora Damping-Off of Rooibos by Compost and a Combination of Compost and Nonpathogenic Pythium Taxa.

Pathogenic oomycetes, including Phytophthora cinnamomi and several Pythium spp. (Pythium irregulare, P. mamillatum, P.

Two sampling techniques for game meat.

A study was conducted to compare the excision sampling technique used by the export market and the sampling technique preferred by European countries, namely the biotrace cattle and swine test. The measuring unit for the excision sampling was grams (g) and square centimetres (cm2) for the swabbing technique. The two techniques were compared after a pilot test was conducted on spiked approved beef carcasses (n = 12) that statistically proved the two measuring units correlated.

The hygiene practices of three systems of game meat production in South Africa in terms of animal class and health compliance.

Three game meat production systems used on game ranches in South Africa are reported on. System one is applied in the game export market and conforms to the hygiene requirements of the European Union (EU). System two and three entail game meat available on the local market not subjected to any regulation.

The use of sensory attributes, sugar content, instrumental data and consumer acceptability in selection of sweet potato varieties.

Background: As eating quality is important for adoption of new varieties, nine orange-fleshed and three cream-fleshed sweet potato varieties were assessed for sensory characteristics, dry mass and free sugar content, instrumental texture and colour and consumer acceptability (n =  216) in a peri-urban South African setting.

Results: Cream-fleshed varieties were higher in yellow-green colour and sweet potato-like flavour and lower in graininess. Orange-fleshed varieties were higher in pumpkin-like flavour, orange colour, discolouration and sucrose content.

Occurrence of Botrytis cinerea and Subsequent Disease Expression at Different Positions on Leaves and Bunches of Grape.

The occurrence of Botrytis cinerea and subsequent disease expression at different positions on leaves and bunches of grape was determined from 1996 to 2000. Different techniques were used to detect viable inoculum on material obtained from table (cvs. Barlinka and Dauphine) and wine grape (cv.