Professor Serara Kupe-Mogwe's contribution to development of the nursing profession in Botswana.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this communication is to pay tribute to a nursing pioneer of our time, Professor Serara Kupe-Mogwe, for her outstanding contribution to development of the nursing profession in Botswana. I pay this tribute in response to the World Health Organization's declaration of 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. METHODS: Data supporting this manuscript were obtained through Internet searches, local newspapers, and interviews with those who knew her. RESULTS: Kupe-Mogwe's contributions to nursing in Botswana are presented. CONCLUSION: The legacy she has left is celebrated and should be remembered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND/OR HEALTH POLICY: The findings have implications for nursing education, nursing leadership, and acknowledgment of women and their contribution.

Targeted energy transfer and modal energy redistribution in automotive drivetrains.

The new generations of compact high output power-to-weight ratio internal combustion engines generate broadband torsional oscillations, transmitted to lightly damped drivetrain systems. A novel approach to mitigate these untoward vibrations can be the use of nonlinear absorbers. These act as Nonlinear Energy Sinks (NESs). The NES is coupled to the primary (drivetrain) structure, inducing passive irreversible targeted energy transfer (TET) from the drivetrain system to the NES. During this process, the vibration energy is directed from the lower-frequency modes of the structure to the higher ones. Thereafter, vibrations can be either dissipated through structural damping or consumed by the NES. This paper uses a lumped parameter model of an automotive driveline to simulate the effect of TET and the assumed modal energy redistribution. Significant redistribution of vibratory energy is observed through TET. Furthermore, the integrated optimization process highlights the most effective configuration and parametric evaluation for use of NES.

Nonlinear resonances and antiresonances of a forced sonic vacuum.

We consider a harmonically driven acoustic medium in the form of a (finite length) highly nonlinear granular crystal with an amplitude- and frequency-dependent boundary drive. Despite the absence of a linear spectrum in the system, we identify resonant periodic propagation whereby the crystal responds at integer multiples of the drive period and observe that this can lead to local maxima of transmitted force at its fixed boundary. In addition, we identify and discuss minima of the transmitted force ("antiresonances") between these resonances. Representative one-parameter complex bifurcation diagrams involve period doublings and Neimark-Sacker bifurcations as well as multiple isolas (e.g., of period-3, -4, or -5 solutions entrained by the forcing). We combine them in a more detailed, two-parameter bifurcation diagram describing the stability of such responses to both frequency and amplitude variations of the drive. This picture supports a notion of a (purely) "nonlinear spectrum" in a system which allows no sound wave propagation (due to zero sound speed: the so-called sonic vacuum). We rationalize this behavior in terms of purely nonlinear building blocks: apparent traveling and standing nonlinear waves.

The journey through Pick's Disease with a loved one: a personal account.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this short communication is to share my personal experience of caring for a terminally ill family member who was afflicted with Pick's disease. I tell my story in the hope of increasing society's awareness on this little known but devastating disease and assisting those who might be facing a similar situation. Pick's disease is a rare and incurable type of dementia that is associated with atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain over time as a result of accumulation of tau protein fibres known as Pick's bodies. The exact cause is not known, but genetic predisposition is implicated in some disease cases. Pick's disease tends to affect men and women alike. It affects thinking, language and problem solving. METHODS: Data supporting this document were obtained from a thorough review of the literature and Internet search on Pick's disease, as well as from a personal experience with Pick's disease as it was unfolding. RESULTS: Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment, and stages of the disease are presented. CONCLUSION: Very little is known about Pick's disease. Additional research is needed to inform practice about tau protein dementias.

Beliefs about the causes of cervical cancer in Botswana: implications for nursing.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality and morbidity for women in Botswana. Yet, little is known about what women believe to be the causes of the disease. AIM: This paper presents data on factors women in Botswana believe are responsible for the high incidence of cervical cancer in their country. Data were part of a larger study that explored knowledge and perceptions about cervical cancer and Pap smear screening from the perspectives of the clients and the healthcare providers. METHODS: The study that generated the data included 30 women of all socio-economic levels, recruited by network sampling. The women's ages ranged from 31 to 54 years. Demographic data were analysed descriptively. Individualized interview data were content-analysed. FINDINGS: The identified causes of cervical cancer were classified as cervical irritants and non-irritants. The most commonly cited cervical irritants were vaginally inserted chemical agents and traditional medicine. DISCUSSIONS: Participants identified vaginally inserted chemical substances and traditional medicines as possible explanations for the high incidence of cervical cancer in Botswana. They reported that women used these substances for sexual and hygienic purposes. Although these factors are believed to be the causes of cervical cancer and have not yet been medically acknowledged, verbal reports suggest that their use is problematic. CONCLUSION: There is a need for health education and for further research to affirm women's beliefs about the harmful effects of intravaginal agents.

Cervical cancer and Pap smear screening in Botswana: knowledge and perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Botswana. Little is known about women's use of Papanicolaou (Pap) cervical smear tests. AIM: The study is to explore knowledge and beliefs of 30 women about cervical cancer and Pap smear tests using the Health Belief Model. METHOD: Women were recruited from all income levels using network sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide. Data analysis included descriptive statistics for demographic data and content analysis for interview data. FINDINGS: Knowledge of cervical cancer and the Pap smear test was inadequate among women with low incomes. Pap smear utilization was also limited among low-income women. Of the 18 women who had at least one Pap smear test in their lifetime, eight (44%) had opportunistic testing as a result of having gynaecological symptoms. Twelve women (40%) had never had Pap smear tests. Major barriers to Pap smear screening included inadequate knowledge about Pap smear testing, providers' negative attitudes, and limited access to doctors. CONCLUSION: The study has implications for health education and health policy and for nurses' involvement in both.