Economic Implications of Nonlinear Pricing Kernels

This article examines the socio-economic implications that the controversial sub-culture of skhothane has on the development or underdevelopment of youth at Ekurhuleni and surrounding townships. It interrogates skhothane within the post-modern expressive youth culture. In the township(s) of Ekurhuleni, skhothane is regarded not only as a controversial sub-culture but also as a lifestyle whereby young people compete in acquiring material goods with the ultimate purpose of destroying them. This practice co-exists alongside youth unemployment and underdevelopment which is exacerbated by poverty, rising unemployment and gross inequalities. The author argues that the practice of skhothane sub-culture does not only undermine the policies and programmes aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of young people, but turns the youth into materialistic consumers. In this article, young people are viewed as victims of post-modern lifestyles who are socialised under an intergenerational culture of poverty and underdevelopment. It uses primary data from selected interviews with skhothane members and general members of local communities and secondary sources from books, accredited journals and newspapers.

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An innovative prone positioning system for advanced deformity and frailty in complex spine surgery

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2019.7.spine19161 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 229-234

Author(s):

Benjamin Kolb ◽

John Large ◽

Stuart Watson ◽

Glyn Smurthwaite

Keyword(s):

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Technical Note ◽

Positioning System ◽

Prone Positioning ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Potential Safety ◽

Chest Deformity ◽

Positioning Device ◽

Skin Quality

The authors present a technical note for a prone positioning system developed to facilitate cervical extension osteotomy for ankylosing spondylitis in the presence of severe deformity and frailty. Chin-on-chest deformity represents one of the most debilitating changes of ankylosing spondylitis. Where the chin-brow angle approaches or exceeds 90°, prone positioning becomes problematic due to the fixed position of the head. Furthermore, the challenge is compounded where physiological deconditioning leads to frailty, and the side effects of medical therapies decrease muscle mass and skin quality. Conventional prone positioning equipment is not able to cater to all patients. A versatile system was developed using a 3D reconstruction to enable a positioning simulation and verification tool. The tool was used to comprehensively plan the perioperative episode, including spatial orientation and associated equipment. Three-dimensional printing was used to manufacture a bespoke positioning device that precisely matched the contours of the patient, reducing contact pressure and risk of skin injury. The authors were able to safely facilitate surgery for a patient whose deformity and frailty may otherwise have precluded this possibility. The system has potential safety and economic implications that may be of significant utility to other institutions engaging in complex spinal surgery.

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