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Examining the understanding and enactment of instructional leadership among the school management team in a rural secondary school in the Limpopo province: a qualitative study.
No full textPhD. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The study reported in this thesis aimed to examine the understandings and practices of instructional leadership the School Management Team (SMT) at one rural school I named Crocodile High School located in Moletsi in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was premised on the
understanding that if schools such as Crocodile High School are to overcome the multitude of challenges they experience, the SMT must play a vital instructional leadership role. Thus, the study sought to understand how SMT members understood their instructional leadership roles and enacted them, and how rurality, impacted on their understandings and practices of instructional leadership. The study was located in the interpretive paradigm and adopted qualitative research methodology. The SMT members in the school made up the primary study participants, with a group of six teachers making up the secondary participants. To generate data I used in-depth semistructured interviews with each of the seven members of the SMT, a focus group discussion with the group, and week-long observations of each SMT member. I also carried out a focus group discussion with the six teachers to understand their perspectives on the SMT’s instructional leadership roles. To analyse the data, I used the inductive content analysis approach in which the analysis of data comes from a detailed reading and breaking down of raw data into categories, patterns and themes to explain it. The findings suggest that in many ways, members of the SMT do not have an adequate understanding of their instructional leadership role. This negatively impacts their ability to provide effective instructional leadership needed in the school. Moreover, the findings revealed that
rurality had a negative impact on the SMT members’ understandings and enactment of their instructional leadership roles. They tended to focus on the lack of resources and failed to mobilise the school and community to develop or access available assets to benefit teaching and learning. Further, negative influences also came from teacher unions in the form of teacher strikes, leading to negative relationships between the SMT and teachers in the schools. However, some members were able to build rapport with teachers, and thus created a positive environment for teaching and learning. These findings have implications for professional development initiatives that target the SMT in the rural context and focuses on their understanding and enactment of instructional leadership roles. Such programmes could motivate the SMT and other participants to seek continuous professional development opportunities in order to improve their leadership. Lastly, the findings also point towards the need for teacher unions to play their part to improve their influence in schools, including on teacher professionalism and effectiveness
Investigating the impact of using intravaginal products on cervical lesions, genital inflammation, and curable sexually transmitted infections/ genital infections in adolescent girls and young women in KwaZulu-Natal.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Background:
Vaginally inserted products (VIPs) are used to cleanse, enhance sexual pleasure or modify the female genital tract to a desired state by young South African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), in regions of the country that practice “dry sex”. This study hypothesized that sexual immaturity in adolescent females in conjunction with VIP use would exacerbate injury to the cervicovaginal mucosa and increase vaginal inflammatory responses, which may influence the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Methods:
Sexually active and HIV-uninfected cisgender adolescent girls (n=188, 14-19-years old) and adult women (n=64, 25-35 years old) were enrolled in an HIV endemic rural Vulindlela area, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. A detailed questionnaire was used to collect demographic, sexual behaviour, and vaginal practices data. Cervical ectopy and other cervical abnormalities were identified by colposcopy. Luminex assay was used to measure the concentrations of various inflammatory cytokines from cervicovaginal secretions. Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping was done using a DNA Flow hybridization system. Participants were also tested for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast and fungal hyphae.
Results:
This study found that adult women were more likely to be involved in risky sexual behaviour compared to adolescents, although the prevalence of STIs was higher in adolescents compared to adults, particularly CT (p<0.001). Colposcopic observations showed that adults were more likely to have signs of cervical injury and trauma compared to adolescents (p<0.0001), and significantly higher cervicovaginal concentrations of interleukin (IL-)8 (p<0.0001), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) (p<0.0001) and IL-10 (p<0.0001) compared to adolescents. However, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) concentrations were significantly higher in adolescents compared to adults (p<0.0001). The use of vagina stimulating products was common in this cohort, with adolescents reporting a wider range than adults. These products were either traditionally made or available commercially, taken orally, or applied internally or externally in the vagina. According to the adolescents and women, the products were used for different reasons and the preferences by age group were different: Adolescents most commonly used alum (a combination of aluminum sulphate and potassium sulphate) while adults most commonly used “ibhodwe labafazi” (translated from Zulu to mean “ladies pot”; a commercially available scented petroleum jelly with unknown ingredients). Adolescents who used alum were likely to have injury signs compared to adolescents who did not use any products (p=0.002). In addition, adult women who used “ibhodwe labafazi” were 20 times more likely to have cervical ectopy compared to adult nonusers (p=0.004). Among adolescents, the users of “ibhodwe labafazi” had significantly elevated cytokine concentrations, remarkably so for IL-1α (p=0.0223), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p=0.0198) and IL-17 (p=0.0150) compared to nonusers. However, in adults, there were no remarkable changes in genital tract cytokine concentrations in users compared to nonusers. However, the use of the products did not appear to have a direct link with the prevalence of infections.
Conclusion:
In adolescents, the use of alum and “ibhodwe labafazi” may cause injury and inflammation, respectively, which are known to increase the risk of HIV acquisition. In addition, in adult women, using “ibhodwe labafazi” were more likely to have ectopy, which is associated with STIs and HIV risk. These findings need to be confirmed by more extensive cohort studies and suggest that the use of some of the vaginal enhancing products may partly contribute to differences in biological risk profiles that influence HIV susceptibility
Investigating the utilization of indigenous forestry as a pathway for commercial forestry, community upliftment and land restoration.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Forests play a vital role in sustaining ecological balance and providing essential resources for
human well-being. In South Africa, forestry has predominantly relied on non-indigenous tree
species, leading to limited natural forests and an increasing dependence on commercial forest
plantations. These plantations are mainly made up of commercial exotic monocultures
constituting pine, wattle, and eucalyptus species. Some of these exotic species tend to colonize
the natural environments of local indigenous species and grasslands where they ultimately alter
the soil and water conditions to outcompete local species. In addition, due to their greater
growth forms than indigenous tree species, they alter the structure of natural vegetation which
negatively impacts nutrient cycles and water availability. As a result, the need to explore
alternative approaches in forestry that prioritize indigenous tree species has become evident.
While indigenous commercial forestry is practiced globally, South Africa has untapped
potential due to the limited number of indigenous tree plantations in the country. To explore
the use of indigenous trees, the main aim of the project was to investigate the use of indigenous
trees for commercial forestry, community development, as well as land restoration by assessing
and evaluating the growth and survival of indigenous species through the application of
propagation methods and the incorporation of plant growth-promoting fungus Trichoderma
asperellum (Eco-T). This was followed by assessing ecological benefits of indigenous trees
such as biodiversity conservation, soil nutrient analysis, and evaluating cost-effective methods
and market potential for indigenous tree propagation, as well as the recovery of trees in
anthropogenic soils. This aim was firstly achieved by assessing the feasibility and potential of
indigenous forestry in South Africa through a literature search and then further reported on
indigenous tree species' importance and utilization along with their associated resources.
Subsequently, this research investigated the utilization of indigenous tree species in South
Africa, particularly within three peri-urban communities of the eThekwini municipality,
KwaZulu-Natal. The first phase of sampling followed snowballing sampling strategy through
assistance from local authorities (N=29), and a questionnaire was administered at one of the
focus group discussions (N=10). The second phase of sampling used purposive sampling
strategy to identify interviewees (N=10). Ethnobotanical data was collected and a total of 21
indigenous tree species were identified and reported across the three communities, emphasizing
the utilization patterns and preferences of local species. Amongst the reported species, 12
species were utilized in either all three or two communities. Across all three sites, four
indigenous tree species emerged as the most commonly utilized species, notably, Sclerocarya
birrea, Prunas africana, Trichilia emetica and Ficus sur, accounting for 90% of participants
(n=20). Fruits and medicinal products derived from bark and leaves were the most commonly
utilized resource products from indigenous trees, constituting 60% of overall usage by
participants. These findings highlighted that indigenous tree species with multiple uses were
commonly utilized more than those species with one use, which elucidates the commercial
value and economic potential of those. Treepreneurs emerged as pivotal components in this
study that showcased profound knowledge and commitment to indigenous tree propagation and
cultivation, expressing a clear preference for indigenous species over alien invasive plants.
Hence, understanding the perspectives and needs of the local community is essential for the
successful implementation of indigenous commercial forestry.
The growth of indigenous tree species under field and greenhouse conditions was assessed. A
total of five indigenous tree species namely Trichilia emetica, Harpephyllum caffrum,
Sclerocarya birrea, Ficus sur and Canthium inerme were selected for this study based on the
preliminary findings of the ethnobotanical survey. Tree seedling growth and survival were the
important parameters evaluated in this study to investigate the impact of Trichoderma
asperellum (Eco-T) on the growth of indigenous tree species. Noteworthy results obtained from
the field growth establishment trial include the highest survival rate H. caffrum and the fastest
growth in F. sur, accounting for 100% and 33.13 cm, respectively. However, the application of
Trichoderma treatment did not have any significant impact on the growth and survival of the
indigenous tree species. These findings lay a great foundation for the cultivation, survival, and
growth of indigenous tree species under field conditions.
Greenhouse cultivation of indigenous tree species was conducted using anthropogenic soils
from degraded lands. Here, the growth forms of indigenous tree species compared to the exotic
species Eucalyptus grandis were investigated. The application of Eco-T as a treatment was also
examined on the survival and growth of the seedlings. Indigenous tree seedlings exhibited a
high survival percentage except for S. birrea in both Eco-T treated and untreated samples,
accounting for 67 and 92%, respectively. Notably, the overall highest change in growth of
height was observed in seedlings of F. sur with 48.8 cm but not as high as that of the control
sample accounting for 106.16 cm. However, the treatment did not have any significant impact
on the growth and survival of indigenous tree species. These results highlight the potential
expressed by indigenous tree species especially F. sur under field and greenhouse conditions,
in forestry and land restoration. They further emphasize the need for the development of
specific indigenous tree species of commercial and ecological value.
Furthermore, this study investigated the effect of different rooting hormones in the growth of
different indigenous tree species from stem cuttings and then assessed the feasibility of
propagating indigenous tree species using cuttings. In this study, four treatments namely
Seradix, Dip n Grow, Eco-T and control were tested on three cutting types of the five
indigenous tree species. All treatments showed no significant impact on the survival and growth
of the species. At the end of the growing period, only one out of five species had survived,
sprouted and rooted, accounting for 16% of F. sur. High mortality was observed at the end of
the growing period (12 weeks) and can be accounted by various factors such as oversaturation
on growing medium, temperature, and moisture. The findings revealed to yield great
propagation success, compatibility of rooting hormones, type of species and cutting type must
be taken into consideration. The findings further reveal the slight feasibility of propagating
indigenous tree species from stem cutting, but also express great potential for F. sur. Hence,
more research and development are needed to explore the potential of F. sur as well as other
important indigenous tree species that can add value in forestry and be utilized for commercial
purposes.
Lastly, this study could provide valuable information for forestry managers, researchers, and
policy makers to support the conservation and sustainable management of indigenous tree
species. Overall, it can serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives and can be applied in various
contexts advocating for a more inclusive, ecologically sound, and sustainable approach in the
forestry sector
Attracting and retaining highly skilled academic staff: a case of a technical, vocational education and training college in Johannesburg.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaruitzburg.Technical Vocational Education and Training colleges like any other institution of higher learning rely on the knowledge, abilities and skills of their academic staff to keep abreast with the changing nature of higher education in the country and globally. These institutions of higher learning must be competitive and strive to achieve their strategic goals for them to remain relevant in the sector. Studies have shown that highly skilled academics are leaving the higher education sector specifically the TVET colleges for the private sector for numerous reasons, including better salaries and personal growth. Therefore, attracting and retaining highly skilled academic staff is very crucial for the success of any institution of higher learning as this calibre of employees ensure that the institution provides quality education to students. Therefore, it is important for the Technical Vocational Education and Training college to develop attraction and retention strategies to keep highly skilled academic staff in the college. Given the importance of attraction and retention of skilled academics, I used a qualitative approach and case study design to explore how a selected Technical Vocational Education and Training college in Johannesburg attracted and retained skilled academic staff members. The study focussed on three research questions namely (i) What does the Technical Vocational Education and Training college management understand to be the factors causing the high rate of academic staff attrition? (ii) How does the Technical Vocational Education and Training college management attract and retain skilled academic staff? and (iii) Why does the Technical Vocational Education and Training attract and retain skilled academic staff the way they do? To understand attraction and retention of skilled academic staff, I drew from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and important theory developed by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), and Human capital theory, propounded by Schultz in 1961 and later developed extensively by Becker (1964). These theories were very useful to the study as they helped me to understand how the Technical Vocational Education and Training college attract and retain skilled academic staff including the factors causing high rates of academic staff attrition and the challenges that the college faces. To collect the relevant data, I used the interview method. The participants were purposively and conveniently selected. They consisted of three campus managers and four divisional managers. In analysing data, I used thematic analysis. The findings suggest that there are various factors leading to high rate of attrition in the college. These factors include the lack of promotional opportunity and poor remuneration. Furthermore, the findings suggest that in addition to the above stated factors, there are challenges that the college faces such as the shortage of academic staff, and the lack of a seamless and effective recruitment process. In addition, the findings also suggest that other than the above factors and challenges, an unsupportive work environment, poor motivation and the provision of inadequate training and career growth also reduces the attraction and retention of skilled academic staff. Based on the findings, I concluded that it is very important for the Technical Vocational Education and Training college to understand the factors that compel academic staff to either stay or leave the college. This will enable the Technical Vocational Education and Training college to develop strategies to retain skilled academic staff and to ensure the provision of quality education to students. From the conclusions, I recommend that college management must revisit the recruitment process and review it to reduce the time that the college takes to approve the appointment of academic staff and that the contracts of academic staff who are employed temporarily must be converted to permanent ones to minimise attrition as they always leave for permanent positions elsewhere
Barriers inhibiting women progression to leadership positions within KwaZulu-Natal municipalities: a case of eThekwini Municipality.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Despite these several laws that are enshrined in the Constitution, women are still underrepresented in leadership and senior management positions, and there is still much that
needs to be done to address gender inequality in the workplace. Gender equality is a top global priority reflecting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number five which aims to achieve
gender equity and empower girls and women equally to their male counterparts. Although women have made unprecedented strides in climbing the ranks of middle management
positions in government, they are still less presented in senior leadership positions, particularly in local government which includes municipalities. The study aims to identify and assess
barriers that prevent the progression of women in senior leadership positions in municipalities within KwaZulu-Natal, with specific reference to eThekwini Municipality. The study
employed a qualitative approach that opts for a phenomenological research design to identify the socio-cultural phenomenon that predominates in municipalities and creates hurdles that
hinder women from advancing into top management positions. The data collection used semistructured one-on-one interviews with a purposive sample of 10 managers in various municipal
business clusters. With the use of an interpretative paradigm, the researcher was able to elucidate the various realities that women experience in pursuing senior leadership positions
within the eThekwini Municipality. The study found that eThekwini Municipality's organisational culture and climate predominantly supported gender prejudices that favoured
men. Other factors identified were associated with gender stereotypes that perpetuate traditional roles and functions, which creates unbalanced opportunities and expectations of
what women can and cannot do. Similarly, factors that affect them as individuals, such as their lack of confidence, lack of mutual support, and dual responsibility were found to be hindering
women’s progression into senior leadership positions. The study also provided a precis of measures that may be taken by the municipality to ensure that gender transformation occurs
with greater speed to enable women to advance to top management roles. These include change management programmes, close monitoring of gender policies, empowerment of women, and
redress of political interference
Structure-activity relationships of novel anti-diabetic ruthenium compounds : synthesis, characterization, mechanistic and in vitro studies = Uhlaka lokwenzeka kobudlelwane obusha bengxube iruthenium yokumelana nesifo sikashukela : izifundo zokwenza, ukulinganisa, ubuchwepheshe nocwaningo olwenziwa elebhu i-in vitro.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder which is globally responsible for millions of fatalities per year. Management of T2DM typically involves orally administered anti-hyperglycaemic drugs in conjunction with dietary interventions. However, the current conventional therapy seems to be largely ineffective as patients continue to develop complications such as cardiovascular diseases, blindness and kidney failure. Existing alternative treatment entails the administration of organic therapeutic pharmaceuticals, but these drugs have various side effects such as nausea, headaches, weight gain, and respiratory and liver damage. Transition metal complexes have shown promise as anti-diabetic agents owing to their diverse mechanisms of activity. In particular, selected ruthenium compounds have exhibited intriguing biological behaviours as Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (PTP) 1B and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK-3) inhibitors, as well as aggregation suppressants for the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP). The introduction chapter served as a survey on studies pertaining to ruthenium compounds as metallo-drugs for T2DM. Herein, we also provide perspectives on directions to fully elucidate in vivo functions of this class of potential metallopharmaceuticals. More specifically, there is still a need to investigate the pharmacokinetics of ruthenium drugs in order to establish their biodistribution patterns which will affirm whether these metal complexes are substitutionally inert or serve as pro-drugs. In addition, embedding oral-administered ruthenium complexes into bio-compatible polymers can be a prospective means of enhancing stability during drug delivery. This chapter was concluded with a descriptive rationale of the research study as well as specifying the specific research aims and objectives. Our prior studies have illustrated that the uracil ruthenium(II) diimino complex, [Ru(H3ucp)Cl(PPh3)] (1) (H4ucp = 2,6-bis-((6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracilimino)methylene)pyridine) displayed high hypoglycaemic effects in diet-induced diabetic rats. To rationalize the anti-diabetic effects of 1 in the first experimental chapter, three new derivatives have been prepared, cis-[Ru(bpy)2(urdp)]Cl2 (2) (urdp = 2,6-bis-((uracilimino)methylene)pyridine), trans-[RuCl2(PPh3)(urdp)] (3), and cis-[Ru(bpy)2(H4ucp)](PF6)2 (4). Various physicochemical techniques were utilized to characterize the structures of the novel ruthenium compounds. Prior to biomolecular interactions or in vitro studies, the stabilities of 1 – 4 were monitored in anhydrous DMSO, aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO, and dichloromethane (DCM) via UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Time-dependent stability studies showed ligand exchange between DMSO nucleophiles and chloride co-ligands of 1 and 3, which was suppressed in the presence of an excess amount of chloride ions. In addition, the metal complexes 1 and 3 are stable in both DCM and an aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO. In the case of compounds 2 and 4 with no chloride co-ligands within their coordination spheres, high stability in aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO was observed. Fluorescence emission titrations of the individual ruthenium compounds with bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed that the metal compounds interact non-discriminately within the protein's hydrophobic cavities as moderate to strong binders. The metal complexes were capable of disintegrating mature amylin amyloid fibrils. In vivo, glucose metabolism studies in the liver (Chang) cell lines confirmed enhanced glucose metabolism as evidenced by the increased glucose utilization and glycogen synthesis in liver cell lines in the presence of complexes 2 – 4.
The second experimental chapter, reports on the formation and characterization of new diamagnetic ruthenium uracil mono-imine compounds: [(η6-p-cymene)RuII(L)Cl] (L = urpda = 5-((pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino)-6-aminouracil) for 1, urdpy = 6-amino-1,3-dimethyl-5-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)uracil) for 2 or urqd = 5-((quinolin-2-yl)methyleneamino)-6-aminouracil) for 3); cis-[RuII(L)(bipy)2] (L = urpy = 5-((pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino)uracil) for 4 and H2dadp = 5,6-diaminouracil for 5); trans-[RuII(L)(PPh3)Cl2] (L = urpda for 6) are described. Various physicochemical techniques were utilized to characterize the structures of the novel ruthenium compounds. Furthermore, the DPPH and NO radical scavenging capabilities of metal complexes (2 – 10) were investigated. UV-Vis spectrophotometry data of the time-dependent (for 24 h) studies show that 4 and 5 are stable in aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO. Similarly, the stabilities of 1 - 3 and 6 monitored in chloro-containing and non-coordinating solvent dichloromethane show that they are kinetically inert, whereas, in a high nucleophilic environment, the chloride co-ligands of 1 - 3 and 6 were rapidly substituted by DMSO. In contrast, the substitution of the labile ligand of the complexes by DMSO molecules from its solution with a high chloride content was suppressed. Solution chemical reactivities of the different metal complexes were rationalized by density functional theory computations. Furthermore, the binding affinities and strengths between BSA and the respective metal complexes were monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy. Mutually, these metal complexes showed comparable capabilities of denaturing mature BSA aggregates which was established by fluorescence spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The final experimental chapter entails the encapsulation of the ruthenium complexes 1 - 10 into separate organic chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blends and the subsequent nanofabrication of their electrospun nanofiber (ENF) conjugates, Ru-CS-PVA ENFs. Intravenous injections of insulin can be regarded as a primitive method for Diabetes Mellitus management which characteristically leads to patients developing insulin resistance while oral-administered anti-diabetic organodrugs such as Metformin have exhibited low bio-availability and typically induce gastrointestinal (GI) side-effects. Although the intravenous injections of selected metal compounds in Streptozocin (STZ)-diabetic results have delivered promising results, limited work has been done to evaluate their efficiencies during oral administration. Herein, the fabricated chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanofibers (CS-PVA ENFs) of the leading insulin-enhancing ruthenium complex 1, cis-[Ru(bipy)2(H4ucp)](PF6)2 and its analogs: 2 – 10. The Ru-CS-PVA ENFs nanocomposites were characterized by using (SEM-EDX), powder X-ray diffraction, and FTIR spectroscopy. The Ru-CS-PVA ENF nanohybrids exhibited randomly oriented fiber mat morphology with mean diameters in the range of 118 - 280 nm. Metal-based drug release kinetics of 1 - 10 from the ENF polymer matrix were measured spectrophotometrically at pH 1.5 and 7.4, respectively. Electronic spectral trends and data analysis over a 24-hour data collection period reveals variable dissolution rates with first-order rate (kobs) constants ranging from 0.0146 to 2.74 μM h-1 with accompanying hyperchromism effects between 5.69 to 37.6% at a pH of 1.5 while at a pH of 7.4, kobs value limits were 0.0104 and 3.89 μM h-1 rendering corresponding 19.14 and 87.32% hypochromic shifts. The release kinetics data of 1 - 10 were spontaneously released into the aqueous media from the Ru-CS-PVA ENFs, with the highest and releasing rates recorded for complexes 8 and 4, respectively.
Iqoqa.
Uhlobo lweType 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) luyisifo sokuphazamiseka komzimba okuyisimbelambela ichronic metabolic disorder okutholakala emhlabeni jikelele okwenza izinkulungwane zigulele ukufa njalo ngonyaka. Ukwenganyelwa kweT2DM kuvame ukuthi kusebenze ngemishanguzo ephuzwayo eyihlisa izinga likashukela egazini i-anti-hyperglycaemic drugs kuhambisana nemizamo yokukhetha okudlayo idayethi .Yize-kunjalo , le mizamo ekhona yokwelapha okuvamile ibukeka ingenamthelela ogculisayo ngoba iziguli ziyaqhubeka zibe nezifo ezifana nesifo senhliziyo nesemithambo yegazi, ukungaboni nokukhathala kwezinso. Eminye yemizamo ihambisana nokukhishwa kwemishanguzo yokwelapha ngamakhambi emvelo i-organic therapeutic pharmaceuticals, kodwa le mithi inemiphumela eminingi engemihle, efana nesicanucanu senhliziyo , yikhanda elibuhlungu , ukukhuluphala , ukujuluka kanye nokulimala kwesibindi . Izakhiwo zetransition metal complexes zenyuse amathemba ukuba yizinhlobo zemithi yokwelapha isifo sikashukela ama-anti-diabetic agents wing kulokho okwenzeka ezinhlotsheni zezinto ezahlukene. Ikakhulu, ingxube enezingxenye zeruthenium iveze ukuziphatha okwaziwa nge-intriguing biological behaviours as Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (PTP) 1B & Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK-3) inhibitors, kanye ne aggregation suppressants for the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP). Isahluko sesethulo sisebenze njengohlolophenyo locwaningo mayelana nengxube yeruthenium njenge metallo-drugs yeT2DM. Lapho-kuphinde, kwabukwa imbonisamhlaba emhlahlandleleni ocacisa ngokusebenza ngokugcwele kwi-in vivo ezingeni lomthelela wemetallopharmaceuticals. Empeleni , sikhona isidingo sokucwaninga ukusebenzisana komzimba nemithi iruthenium ukuze kuzotholakala imikhuba yohlelo lokwedluliselwa emzimbeni kwamakhemikhali okuqinisekisa izakhiwo zemetal ukuthi zingakwazi ukumela ikhemikhali engasebenzi substitutionally inert noma osebenza njengomuthi owesekelayo ipro-drugs. Ngaphezu-kwalokho , ukufaka izakhiwo zeruthenium ephuzwayo efanele amapolymers aphilayo angasiza ukuthuthukisa uzinzo ekulethweni kwemishanguzo. Lesi sahluko siphethe ngokuchaza ubumqoka bocwaningo , izinhloso nezinjongo . Ucwaningo lwethu lwangaphambilini lweseke ukusebenza kwe uracil ruthenium(II) diimino complex, [Ru(H3ucp)Cl(PPh3)] (1) (H4ucp = 2,6-bis-((6-amino-1,3- dimethyluracilimino)methylene)pyridine) yaveza ukusebenza kwesimo sezinga elipansi kakhulu likashukela osegazini namandla asekudleni okunamafutha kwamagundane anesifo sikashukela. Ukulinganisela ukusebenza kwemiphumela ephikisana nesifo sikashukela okungokoku 1 kwesahluko sokuqala esiyilinge, okusukela kwenye ingxube elungiselelwe, cis- [Ru(bpy)2(urdp)]Cl2 (2) (urdp = 2,6-bis-((uracilimino)methylene)pyridine), trans- [RuCl2(PPh3)(urdp)] (3), and cis-[Ru(bpy)2(H4ucp)](PF6)2 (4). Amaqhingasu ahlukene aphathelene nomzimba namakhemikhali kwasetshenziswa ukwenza ingxube entsha yeruthenium. Ngaphambi kokulumbana kwamamolekhyuli aphilayo nezifundo ezenziwa elebhu ukuhlola uzinzo olusukela ku 1 – 4 lwahlolwa kwi-anhydrous DMSO, aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO ozinzweni ngokwesikhathi kanye nedichloromethane (DCM) via UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Ucwaningo oluncike ozinzweni ngokwesikhathi luveze ukushitshana kweligandi phakathi kwe-DMSO nucleophiles ne chloride co-ligands of 1 and 3, eyacindezelwa kwipresence of an excess amount of chloride ions.
Ukwengeza , imetal complexes 1 & 3 izinzile kuzona zombili kwiDCM & an aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO. Kulokhu , izingxube eyesi- 2 neyesi-4 with no chloride co-ligands ngaphakathi kwecoordination spheres, izinga eliphezulu lestability in aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO uma ibukwa . IFluorescence emission titrations of the individual ruthenium compounds with bovine serum albumin (BSA) iveze ukuthi imetal compounds interact non-discriminately within the protein's hydrophobic cavities kusukela kwimoderate ukuya kwistrong binders. Amametal complexes enze lokhu okuyi disintegrating mature amylin amyloid fibrils. KwiIn vivo, izifundo zeglucose metabolism studies in the liver (Chang) cell lines iqinisekise i glucose metabolism as evidenced by the increased glucose utilization & glycogen synthesis in liver cell lines in the presence of complexes 2–4. Isahluko sesibili , imibiko ye formation & characterization of new diamagnetic ruthenium uracil mono-imine compounds: [(η6-p-cymene)RuII(L)Cl] (L = urpda = 5-((pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino)-6-aminouracil) for 1, urdpy = 6- amino-1,3-dimethyl-5-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)uracil) for 2 or urqd = 5- ((quinolin-2-yl)methyleneamino)-6-aminouracil) for 3); cis-[RuII(L)(bipy)2] (L = urpy = 5-((pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino)uracil) for 4 and H2dadp = 5,6-diaminouracil for 5); trans-[RuII(L)(PPh3)Cl2] (L = urpda for 6) are described. Various physicochemical techniques isetshenziselwe ukuhlunga izigaba zenovel ruthenium compounds.
Ngaphezu-kwalokho , DPPH & NO radical scavenging capabilities of metal complexes (2 – 10) ahloliwe . Izifundo zeUV-Vis spectrophotometry data of the time-dependent (for 24 h) ziveze ukuthi that 4 and 5 azinzile kwi aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO. Ngokufanayo , ama stabilities of 1 - 3 and 6 monitored kwi chloro-containing & non- coordinating solvent dichloromethane aveze ukuthi awuhlobo lwe kinetically inert, ekubeni, kumazinga aphezulu kwi nucleophilic environment, the chloride co-ligands of 1 - 3 and 6 were rapidly substituted by DMSO. Ngokuphambene , esikhundleni se labile ligand of the complexes by DMSO molecules from its solution with a high chloride content icindezelwe. Isixazululo se Solution chemical reactivities kuma metal complexes ahlukene alinganisiwe ngedensity functional theory computations. Ngaphezu kwalokho , ibinding affinities kanye namandla phakathi kwe BSA kanye ne respective metal complexes aqokwe ahlolwa kusetshenziswa ifluorescence spectroscopy. Ngokufanayo, lama metal complexes eveze ukuhambisana kwama capabilities edenaturing mature BSA aggregates asungulwe yifluorescence spectroscopy & Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Isahluko sokugcina siqukethe iencapsulation of the ruthenium complexes 1 - 10 into separate organic chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blends & the subsequent nanofabrication of their electrospun nanofiber (ENF) conjugates, Ru-CS- PVA ENFs. I-Intravenous injections of insulin ingabukwa njengendlela endala yokwenza izinto kwi Diabetes Mellitus management evame ukuthi iziguli babe ne-insulin resistance ekubeni imishanguzo ephuzwa ngomlomo ye-anti-diabetic organodrugs afana ne Metformin aveze izinga eliphansi lebio-availability & typically induce gastrointestinal (GI) side-effects. Yize-ke noma intravenous injections ekhethekile emetal compounds in Streptozocin (STZ)-diabetic results elethe imiphumela ethembisayo ,umsebenzi okalelekile owenziwe ukuhlola ukusebenza kwayo ngesikhathi isetshenziswa ngomlomo . Lapha-kukhona , i fabricated chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanofibers (CS-PVA ENFs) of the leading insulin-enhancing ruthenium complex 1, cis- [Ru(bipy)2(H4ucp)](PF6)2 and its analogs: 2 – 10. The Ru-CS-PVA ENFsnanocomposites aqokwe ngokusebenzisa i(SEM-EDX), powder X-ray diffraction, & FTIR spectroscopy. IRu-CS-PVA ENF nanohybrids iveze ukungahlelki kweoriented fiber mat morphology nezilinganiso ezincane zediameters in the range of 118 - 280 nm. Metal-based drug release kinetics of 1 - 10 from the ENF polymer matrix akalwe nge spectrophotometrically at pH 1.5 & 7.4, ngokufanayo. AmaElectronic spectral trends and data analysis okungaphezu kwamahora angama- 24 kuqoqwa imininingo aveza amavariable dissolution rates with first-order rate (kobs) constants ranging from 0.0146 to 2.74 µM h-1 ehambisana nomthelela wehyperchromism ophakathi kwamaphesenti angama 5.69 to 37.6% at a pH of 1.5 while at a pH of 7.4, kobs value limits isilinganiso sama 0.0104 and 3.89 µM h-1 rendering corresponding 19.1 & 87.3% hypochromic shifts. Imininingo yerelease kinetics data of 1 - 10 ikhishwe ngokungahlelekile kwi-aqueous media from the Ru-CS-PVA ENFs, ngesikalo esiphezulu ne releasing rates eqophe amacomplexes 8 and 4, ngokufanayo
Trigonocephaly in a select South African population: A morphometric analysis utilising specific anatomical cranial landmarks.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Trigonocephaly is a congenital abnormality that is caused by the premature fusion of the metopic suture. A triangular shaped forehead, shortening of the anterior cranial fossa (ACF), hypotelorism, narrowing of the bitemporal region, and widening of the occipitoparietal region are some of the cranial and facial deformities that patients with trigonocephaly present with. Literature on the morphometry of the ACF and cranial base is scarce in patients with trigonocephaly; most studies focus on the morphometric changes that occur to the entire cranium rather than the cranial base. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the morphometric changes that occurred to the ACF and orbits in trigonocephaly patients and to determine whether compensatory growth of the middle and posterior cranial fossae (MCF and PCF) was evident via volumetric assessment. Additionally, the identification of various cranial parameters in order to assess the severity of patients with trigonocephaly remains controversial. Thus, this study also aimed to describe an improved grading system in the assessment of trigonocephaly within a select South African population.
Dimensions of the ACF and of the orbits, and volumetric assessment of all three cranial fossae were measured using specific anatomical cranial landmarks on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of 15 patients with a radiographic confirmed diagnosis of non-syndromic, isolated trigonocephaly between 2012 and 2023, and eight non-affected age-matched pediatric patients were selected as the control group. ACF dimensions in younger and trigonocephaly patients who were classified as severe, were observed to be larger compared to control patients, whilst in older and trigonocephaly patients who were classified as severe, ACF dimensions were observed to be smaller compared to control patients. MCF volume showed significance (p=0.050), whilst ACF and PCF volumes, respectively showed no significance (p=0.170 and p=0.821) when trigonocephaly patients were compared to controls. Additionally, maximum compensatory growth occurred in the PCF compared to the MCF in trigonocephaly patients. The overall dimensions of the orbit showed no significance between trigonocephaly and control patients. However, significant findings were observed in the correlation analysis between the interorbital distance and other orbital parameters and ACF angles when trigonocephaly patients were compared to control patients. Furthermore, more complex orbital morphologies were observed in trigonocephaly patients in younger age groups, compared to less complex orbital morphologies which were observed in older age groups. This study provides novel morphometric and morphological data within a specific South African population. The data obtained could further assist craniofacial surgeons by providing a relationship between the degree of severity and choice of surgical intervention. Additionally, the orbital data obtained could indicate to surgeons the morphological changes that occur in the orbits, and provide an insight into the evolution of the deformity in pediatric patients with trigonocephaly in order to obtain as near to normal orbital features
Izindlela namasu okufundisa izimo zokukhuluma ebangeni lesi-10 nelesi-11 ezikoleni zaseEsikhaleni ezenza isiZulu ulimi lwasekhaya.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Lolu cwaningo lugxile ekubhekeni izindlela namasu asetshenziswa ngothisha besiZulu uLimi Lwasekhaya ukufundisa izimo zokukhuluma ebangeni le-10 nele-11 ezikoleni zaseSikhaleni ezenza isiZulu uLimi Lwasekhaya. Lolu wucwaningo oluyikhwalithethivu futhi nolwesimo olusebenzise ipharadymu yomhumusho. Kulolu cwaningo ngisebenzise indlela yokuqoka abahlanganyeli abayi-8 ngenhloso abafundisa isiZulu uLimi Lwasekhaya ezikoleni ezine esifundeni iKing Cetshwayo. Lapha kusetshenziswe izindlela ezine ukukhiqiza imininingo; okuyizingxoxo ezisakuhleleka, izingxoxo zamaqembu, ukwethamela izifunjwana nokuhlaziya amadokhumenti, okungamalungiselelo ezifunjwana. Imininingo ekhiqiziwe ihlaziywe yaphinde yahlelwa ngokwezindikimba. Imiphumela yocwaningo ihlaziywe kusetshenziswa injulalwazi kaVygotsky (1978) ye-Social constructivism kanye nenjulalwazi iSemiyothikhi. Injulalwazi ye-Social constructivism igcizelela ukuba abafundi basebenzise ulwazi lwabo lwangaphambilini ekwakheni ulwazi olusha nokuthi bazuze ulwazi olusha ngokuthi baxoxisane. Ngokwemfundo engunxantathu (ekhuthazwa injulalwazi ye- Social constructivism), abafundi bengacija ikhono labo lokwazi izimo zokukhuluma ngolimi lwesiZulu ngokuthi baxoxisane nothisha, nabanye abafundi kanye nabantu basemphakathini abavela kuwona. ISemiyothikhi yinjulalwazi eyithuluzi lokuhlaziya nokuhumusha zonke izimpawu ezisetshenziswa ekuxhumaneni okuhlanganisa lezo ezisezilimini, amagama, izithombe, izimpawu zomgwaqo, imisindo, umculo, ukukhangisa, njalonjalo. Injulalwazi iSemiyothikhi iyasiza ukuhumusha izimo zokukhuluma. NgokweSemiyothikhi, abafundi bangakwazi ukuhumusha uphawu oluthile ukuthi lusho ukuthini kanye nokuhumusha isithombe esisembhalweni ukuthi simele siphi isimo sokukhuluma. Abafundi bangakwazi ukuhumusha umbala ongabe usetshenziswe embhalweni noma ezintweni ezithile, bangakwazi ukuhumusha imibala esuke isezimbathweni zabantu, bazokwazi ukuhumusha umuntu esifazane uma embethe izingubo ezimnyama ukuthi ushonelwe, nokuthi uphawu lwejuba lusho uthando noxolo. Imiphumela yocwaningo iveze ukuthi othisha basebenzisa izindlela namasu anhlobonhlobo ukufundisa izimo zokukhuluma ebangeni le-10 nele-11. Izindlela ezigqamile ezisetshenziswa ngothisha ukufundisa izimo zokukhuluma; indlela yokufundisa egxile ekuxazululeni izinkinga, indlela yokufundisa elandisayo, indlela yokufundisa exhumanisa okufundwa ekilasini nokwenzeka emhlabeni, indlela efundisa ngokucaphuna endabeni, indlela yokufundisa ehambisana nokubuka, indlela yokufundisa yokusetshenziswa kwengxoxo noma inkulumo eholwa nguthisha. Amasu okufundisa asetshenziswayo isu lokusebenza kwabafundi ngokubambisana kanye nesu lokusebenza komfundi ngayedwana. Lolu cwaningo luletha ulwazi olubalulekile emkhakheni wezocwaningo ngoba imiphumela yalo ikuvezile ukuthi othisha nakuba bezisebenzisa izindlela namasu ahlukene okufundisa, abayigcizeleli kakhulu imfundo enxantathu, okuwukusebenzisana phakathi kwabafundi nontanga, uthisha nomphakathi. Okunye okusha okuvelayo ukuthi othisha izimo zokukhuluma abazifundiseli nje kuphela ukunandisa ulimi lwabafundi kodwa bazifundisela ukusiza abafundi ukuba bathuthukise abamkhono abo okucabanga nokuziqambela izinto. Isihlawumbuliselo salolu cwaningo ukuthi ukuthuthuka kwalawa makhono kungenza abafundi bakwazi ukuhlaziya izimo ezahlukene zempilo, okungandisa amathuba okuphumelela kahle ezifundweni zabo.
Abstract.
This study reports on the methods and strategies that are employed by isiZulu teachers to teach figures of speach in Grades 10 and 11 in selected schools of esiKhaleni that offer isiZulu Home Language. This is a qualitative case study, which follows the interpretive paradigmn. Participants were purposively sellected from four schools that offer isiZulu Home Language in the Disctrict of King Cetshwayo. Data were generated using four data production methods, namely: semi-structured interviews, focus groups, class observations, and document analysis of lesson plans. Data were analysed using the thematic analysis approach and Social constructivism of Vygotsky (1978) and Semiotic theory. The theory of Social constructivism puts more emphasis on learners’ prior knowledge in conctructing the new knowledge, through collaborative learning experience. Leaning on the priciples of the tripoalr education (which is supported by Social constructivism), the study porsits that isiZulu learners can learn figures of speach better if the learning involves teachers, community and learners. The Semiotic theory is used to analyse all languages imageries or symbols, nameley: words, pictures, road signs, sounds, music, advertisements, et cetera. The semiotic theory plays a provotal role in the anlysis of the figures of speech. Using the Semiotic theory, learners can interprete a symbol or picture in a particular text, in relation to the figure of speech they represent. Learners can interprete colours from what people are wearing, they can tell from a black garment worn by a woman that she is mourning a deceased husband, and they can interpret the symbolism of a dove that it may represent love or peace. Findings of this study reveal that isiZulu teachers employ a variety of methods to teach figures of speech in Grades 10 and 11. The freequently used methods are problem-solving method; telling method; life-based method; text-based method; seeing method; and teacher-led discussion method. Strategies that are utilised freequently are collaborative learning and individual learning. Findings revealed that although teachers employ multiple pedagogies and strategies to teach figures of speach, there seems to be a knowledge gap, and the Department of Basic Education needs to organise professional development programmes that will equip isiZulu Home Language teachers with skills on how to use technology to teach figures of speech.Thesis written in isiZulu
The influence of drought and abiotic drivers on a mesic grassland.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.A significant percentage of southern African grasslands have undergone deteriorative transformation due to climate-related changes. This PhD research study investigated the impacts of drought on species composition dynamics in a South African mesic grassland with data collected over a period of 3 years. Chapter 3 investigated the effects of a short-term drought on plant species composition under different burning management regimes on the long-term veld burning experiment at Ukulinga Research Farm, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The results showed that annual burning produced higher species diversity and richness while no burning promoted the development of woody plants such as Vachellia nilotica and forbs. The short-term drought did not have a significant impact on the species composition of the grassland. Chapter 4 assessed the influence of drought on grass-on-grass interactions in pot trials at the Neil Tainton Arboretum greenhouse and the study found that the presence of competition reduced phytometer biomass, but at varying levels with different species. Broad-leaved species had a stronger competitive effect over narrow-leaved species as they reduced the number of tillers, biomass production and tuft size of narrow-leaved species. The competitive strength within broad-leaf species was species-specific, with Megathrysus maximus being more competitive than Cymbopogon excavatus. Palatable species had a dominant competitive effect over unpalatable species without exposure to defoliation and Tristachya leucothrix had a stronger competitive effect over Themeda triandra. Drought did not have any significant impact on final dry biomass, but significantly reduced the tiller numbers for palatable species as well as tiller numbers and tuft circumference for broad-leaved species. Chapter 5 focused on how the grass sward composition, biomass production as well as root biomass and length were affected by different moisture levels, including drought at 50% rainfall reduction on the Drought Net Experiment at Ukulinga Research Farm. Species diversity, richness and aboveground biomass were significantly affected by varying weather patterns, while all were not changed by moisture manipulations. Species diversity and richness increased in 2021/2022 while the biomass was greater in 2020/2021. On the contrary, high moisture levels reduced root biomass and this can be attributed to resources being allocated to greater above-ground biomass during moisture availability. Greater root biomass was found in the top 16cm of soil. Chapter 6 assessed the influence of nutrient addition (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) on species composition, diversity and biomass production under different moisture levels including drought (50% rainfall reduction) over 3 years on the Drought Net Experiment at Ukulinga Research Farm. Interannual climate variability significantly increased species richness and diversity by 2021/2022. An interaction between fertilization and years shows a significant difference in response to interannual climate variability across fertilizer levels. Annual weather patterns refer to the differences in each 12-month cycle, centred around the growing season The unfertilized plots were unaffected by annual climate fluctuations and the fertilized plots showed significantly greater diversity in 2021/2022, the growing season with the highest rainfall. Species evenness fluctuated annually in the high and ambient rainfall treatments while it remained unchanged in the drought treatment. Tristachya leucothrix, Themeda triandra and Cymbopogon excavatus were abundant in both unfertilized and fertilized sites but most species increased in abundance in the fertilized areas. High moisture levels significantly increased plant biomass production while drought had the opposite effect. The findings from this study have shown that interannual climate variability and fertilization had a significant impact on species composition and productivity. The length of drought is a key factor that determines if a drought causes significant impacts on a plant community and long-term experimental applications such as fire, have more pronounced implications on a grassland community. Lastly, the competitive effect of plants is species-specific, and influenced by plant morphological traits. The results of this research study emphasize the importance of long-term experimental research for varying levels of drought and fire on mesic grasslands
Ethephon-induced changes in macadamia nuts: implications for dietary indicators, nutritional quality, and postharvest shelf life = Okulawula ukukhula kokwenziwa kwesihlahla okunomthelela emantongomaneni iMacademia: Isiphakamiso esimayelana nezinkombaluhlelo zokudla, izingabunjalo lomsoco nobude besikhathi sokuyigcina emva kwesivuno.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The thriving macadamia nut industry, prized for its nutritional value, grapples with the challenge of inconsistent abscission seasons, leading to variable harvest times and increased operational costs. To address this, the traditional application of ethephon induces uniform nut abscission and streamlines harvesting. However, it is crucial to investigate how ethephon impacts the nutritional quality and postharvest shelf life of macadamia nuts. This study focuses on the effect of ethephon on the postharvest quality of the ‘788’ and ‘Beaumont’ cultivars, comparing various categories: nuts that successfully abscised due to ethephon (ED), those manually picked from ethephon-treated trees (ET), nuts naturally dropped from control trees (CD), and those manually picked from control trees (CT). Guided by industryrecommended doses, Ethephon 480 SL® was administered using a Cima mist blower to facilitate nut abscission, specifically targeting physiologically mature nuts. The research explores the influence on fatty acids, dietary indicators, biochemical components, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Various parameters, including total phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant activities, sucrose, and total protein, were assessed across treatments using standardized procedures. samples were collected over a 72-day accelerated storage period. The study further assessed the effect of Ethephon on the physical attributes of macadamia during a 56-day accelerated storage, analyzing mass, diameter, colour (L*, a*, b*, and hue angle), and texture. Kernels were roasted at 125 °C for 15 minutes using a hot air oven dryer post drying and dehusking. Models were then developed to predict the firmness and colour parameters of macadamia nuts harvested with ethephon from the ‘788’ and ‘Beaumont’ cultivars based on drying days and storage conditions. The aim was to determine the minimal processing requirements for achieving satisfactory postharvest nut appearance. Input parameters considered included storage temperature, drying temperature, and storage days, vi while the resulting outputs were firmness and colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, and hue angle). The range of the input parameters spanned from -22℃ to 25℃ for storage temperature, 35 to 57℃ for drying temperature, and 0 to 70 days for storage duration. Significant changes were observed in the fatty acid profiles of macadamia nuts exposed to ethephon treatment. Notably, ethephon led to a substantial increase in stearic acid content, reaching 24,622 µg/g in (ED) after 72 days, compared to 16,764 µg/g in (CD), thereby impacting their nutritional quality. Conversely, ED nuts exhibited a reduction in unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs). Hierarchical clustering analysis identified strong correlations between ED and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in both ‘Beaumont’ and ‘788’ cultivars, with coefficients of 0.78 and 0.80, respectively. This was accompanied by an increase in atherogenic indices, thrombogenic index, and saturation index, along with a decrease in the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio. Concurrently, a robust correlation (0.97) between sucrose and Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) was observed in ‘Beaumont’, underscoring the influence of ethylene treatment. Notably, ED ‘Beaumont’ nuts exhibited the highest sucrose content at 18.63 mg/g, coupled with elevated PPO activity at 1.06 U g-L. For the physical attributes, ED exhibited a notable influence on the ‘Beaumont’ cultivar, particularly affecting parameters such as a*, b*, mass, and diameter. Conversely, in the ‘788’ cultivar, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that CD treatment held prominence, showing elevated values for firmness, a*, and b*. Furthermore, model development demonstrated significance, with high coefficients of determination ranging between 0.83 and 0.97. Notably, under reduced drying days and optimal storage temperature, the models predicted maximum L* values of 76.253 and 79.748 for the ‘788’ cultivar. This study provides a theoretical framework for identifying optimum set points crucial for the effective preservation of both the ‘788’ and ‘Beaumont’ varieties of macadamia nuts, particularly in preventing external discolouration. The proposed set points aim to enhance the quality and overall market value of these macadamia nut varieties. The overall findings offer a comprehensive perspective on the effects of ethephon application on macadamia nuts. Stakeholders, producers, and processors in the macadamia nut industry can leverage this research to make informed decisions that enhance overall efficiency and quality while ensuring optimal nutritional value and extended shelf life for macadamia nuts.
Iqoqa.
Imboni yokukhiqiza amantongomane abizwa ngemacadamia ibhekene nezinkinga ngenxa yezikhathi ezingenayo inhlalanjalo zokuwohloka kwamahlamvu ezihlahla eyenzeka noma yinini, okwenza isivuno singazinzi kahle futhi kunyuke nezindleko. Ukusetshenziswa komuthi i-ethephon kusiza ekutheni ukuwohloka kwamahlamvu ezihlahla kwenzeke ngesikhathi sonyaka esifanele, nokho umphumela walo muthi ezingeni lokudla nesikhathi sokugcinwa kwakho awaziwa. Lolu cwaningo lucubungula imiphumela ye-ethephon mayelana nezinga lokudla osekuvuniwe i-788 nezitshalo ezahlukene zeBeaumont. Izinhlobo ezahlukene zamantongomane, okufaka nalawo awiswe yi-ethephon, nathathwa ezihlahleni ezilashiwe, naziwele ngokwawo, kwahlolwa futhi kwaqhathaniswa. I-ethephon yasetshenziswa kulandelwa imigomo ebekiwe yezimboni, kubhekwa amantongomane asevuthiwe. Lolu cwaningo lwaluhlola isimuncwane esinafutha, izinkomba zokudla, amakhemikhali nepolyphenol oxidase (PPO). Amasampula ocwaningo aqoqwa esikhathini esiyizinsuku ezingama-72 sokugcinwa kwawo, ukucubungula izinto ezibonakalayo njengesisindo, umnqamulankaba, umbala kanye nobunjalobotho. Imifanekisomumo iqagule ukuzinza nemibala emihle ngezikhathi ezinzima namazinga okugcineka kokudla, ukuhlonza nokugcina isikalo esibekiwe. Inguquko ekwakhekeni kwamfutha yabonakala yenzeka, amantongomane afakwe i-ethephon akhombisa ukwenyuka kwesimuncwane esigcwele amafutha nokuncipha kwesimuncwane esinamafutha angagcwele. Kwatholakala ubudlelwane obuqinile phakathi kokusetshenziswa kwe-ethephon kanye nesimuncwane samafutha aphelele. Kwatholakala kunokwenyuka kwesakhi sikashukela kamoba noma webhithrudi kanye noksebenza kwe-PPO emantongomaneni eBeaumont alashwe kusetshenziswa i-ethephon. Ukuhlaziya okukhulu kocwaningo kwaveza imiphumela ehlukile ngokwakheka kwesitshalo ngasinye esasicwaningwa. Indlela ecwaninga ukukhula yaveza ukwenyuka kwesibalo, esasifinyelela phezulu emibaleni ngendlela eyayilindekile. Indlela yokubheka ukuzinza yayibaluleke kakhulu ezitshalweni ze-788. Lolu cwaningo luza nomhlahlandela mayelana nokugcinwa kwamantongomane emacadamia, ukuthuthukiswa kwezinga kanye namanani okudayisa. Abathintekayo bangasebenzisa le miphumela yocwaningo ukuthuthukisa indlela yokusebenza kahle, izinga, kanye nokukwazi ukugcina ukudla isikhathi eside futhi kuqinisekiswe nokuthi ukudla kunomsoco odingekayo