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Interdisciplinarity requires careful stewardship of powerful knowledge
No full textThis book helps meet an urgent need for theorized, accessible and discipline-sensitive publications to assist science, technology, engineering and mathematics educators. The book introduces Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) and demonstrates how it can be used to improve teaching and learning in tertiary courses across the sciences. LCT provides a suite of tools which science educators can employ in order to help their students grasp difficult and dense concepts. The chapters cover a broad range of subjects, including biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics, as well as different curriculum, pedagogy and assessment practices. This is a crucial resource for any science educator who wants to better understand and improve their teaching
Household dietary patterns and food security challenges in Peri-Urban South Africa: A reflection of high unemployment in the wake of rising food prices
No full textUrbanization is one of the major social changes sweeping the globe, with rapid growth of the urban population and stagnating growth of the rural population, especially in developing regions (UN-Habitat, 2020). In subSaharan Africa, rapid urbanization and poverty are the major fundamental development challenges that are perpetuating and deepening the crisis of food and nutrition insecurity in urban areas (Battersby, 2012). Many people living in urban areas face under-nutrition, mainly due to their lack of income rather than to a lack of capacity to produce food (Satterthwaite et al., 2010). The health and nutritional status of urban populations with very low incomes are at risk from rising prices in staple foods. This became evident with the rising hunger among urban populations after the food price rises in 2007 and the first half of 2008 (Cohen and Garrett, 2009). In South Africa, poverty, unemployment and high food prices are dominant and influence dietary change, which subsequently increases urban food insecurity and malnutrition (Battersby, 2012)
How the Teaching Development Grant was used (and the problem of common-sense understandings of teaching and learning)
Get PDFTeachers at primary and secondary education levels are required to hold a professional qualification but, at the higher education level, all that is required is content expertise. This may well contribute to South Africa's low university throughput and retention rates, in response to which, since 2004, the state has provided ZAR5.5 billion in the form of the Teaching Development Grant (now the University Capacity Development Grant) to address poor completion rates. We present an analysis of the use of the grant across the sector using a social realist framework. Every academic and student has themselves been taught and so have developed untheorised assumptions about curriculum and pedagogy. Such common-sense assumptions about teaching and learning often serve to reinforce the status quo, which is particularly problematic in a sector with poor and racially differentiated throughput and success rates. Many initiatives funded through the grant evidenced a reliance on common-sense assumptions rather than on theorised accounts. In particular, student development often took the form of remedial, add-on initiatives that left the mainstream curriculum untouched-and staff development was often generic and short term. We also found that expertise in academic development, which could potentially challenge common-sense assumptions, was unevenly distributed
Uncertainty or Indeterminacy? Reconfiguring Curriculum through Agential Realism
Get PDFUnderstanding how indeterminacy is different from uncertainty is crucial to posthumanism and has major implications for reconfiguring curriculum. Uncertainty has to do with epistemology, about not knowing whether a state of affairs is or is not; for instance, one would not know whether something is here or there, now or then. Indeterminacy, however, is ontological and eschews the idea of individually existing determinate entities, proposing instead phenomenain-their-becoming and a radically open relating of the world. Karen Barad, a feminist queer theorist, uses Niels Bohr’s quantum physics to show how atoms possess an inherent indeterminism or lack of identity in space and time. Indeterminacy is thus an un/doing of identity that unsettles the very foundations of being and non-being. Furthermore, neither space nor time are predetermined givens, but come into being intra-actively through the emergence of phenomena. This article shows how an understanding of space/time indeterminacy is important for thinking otherwise in curriculum studies
Fuelwood Production and Carbon Sequestration in Public Urban Green Spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Get PDFUnderstanding tree species autecology and population structure supports effective conservation actions. Of particular importance are multipurpose trees that provide non-timber forest products (NTFPs). We assessed the population structures and morphologies of two species of NTFP trees in the genus Mimusops across bioclimatic zones in Benin by sampling 288 plots within 11 forests. Structural characteristics were compared between species, forests and zones. Correlations were also observed between Mimusops tree regeneration density, tree features and ecological characteristics. The density of trees ≥5 cm and of regeneration and mean tree height were higher for M. andongensis (within more protected forest) than M. kummel (in forests with access to people), while the highest mean diameter was observed for M. kummel. Tree and regeneration densities and mean height were greatest in the humid zone of Benin, whilst the largest mean diameter was obtained in the sub-humid zone. The results showed significant correlations between regeneration density and soil properties for M. andongensis but not for M. kummel. The correlations between tree morphology and soil characteristics were weak for both species. Ecological characteristics, along with the species’ functional traits and pressures, are important factors related to the observed differences between the species. All diameter classes were represented, and the population seemed more stable in the more protected forest relative to other forests. Mimusops trees with a diameter of 5–15 cm represented more than 30% of this species in most forests; this suggests, for M. kummel, whose trees flower when quite small (≥6 cm dbh), that there are sufficient reproductive trees. Thus, as a long-lived species, its populations could be maintained even with low/episodic recruitment. However, we found no regeneration in many forests and climate change could threaten populations. Therefore, it is important to investigate regeneration growth and dynamics, seed production and germination of the species in relation to the biophysical conditions and disturbances experienced by Mimusops stands
An evaluation of hibiscus sabdariffa gold nanoparticles for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer
Get PDFCancer is responsible for the millions of deaths worldwide every year, being ranked as the second leading cause of mortality in the world. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most severe type of breast cancer, as it is the most aggressive and difficult to treat. Current treatment methods involve surgery, hormonal-, radiation- and chemotherapy. These are costly and often have severe adverse effects. There has been increasing research in the development of alternative treatment methods to reduce the side effects of cancer therapeutics, as well as the cost. The rapidly growing field of nanotechnology has allowed for the incorporation of several diagnostic, targeting, and therapeutic agents into nanomaterials for cancer treatment. The application of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the diagnosis and treatment of various types of cancers has been widely investigated. AuNPs vary in size, shape, and structure, allowing for the development of diverse formulations for various treatments. The use of green materials, particularly plant material, to synthesise nanomaterials has allowed for the safe, cost-friendly and eco-friendly production of AuNPs that can be used to treat TNBC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of green AuNPs synthesised with Hibiscus sabdariffa to treat TNBC in a pilot murine model. Spherical AuNPs were synthesised using an aqueous extract of the calyces of this plant. The AuNPs were characterised using UV-Vis spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, high resolution – transmission electron microscopy, and in vitro stability testing. A cell viability assay showed that these AuNPs exhibited cytotoxicity towards E0771 cells in a dose-dependent manner, where cells treated with the highest concentration of AuNPs (250 µg/mL) exhibited the lowest cell viability (7%). During the in vivo pilot study, C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with TNBC using the E0771 cells. It was found that TNBC had rapidly spread, resulting in metastasis in the liver, as well as omentum and mesentery. This resulted in a number of mice dying; therefore, shortening treatment time of the AuNPs. It is suggested that AuNP treatment may have exacerbated mouse death by promoting ROS production in metastasised tissue, suggesting that AuNP treatment may not be suitable for stage 4 TNBC. Tumor analysis of caspase-3 content showed that the AuNPs exhibited potential pro-apoptotic activity in the tumours, prompting further research into the tumour uptake and apoptotic mechanism of these AuNPs.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 202
In vitro evaluation of vernonia amygdalina gold nanoparticles to stimulate apoptosis in breast cancer lines
Get PDFBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes. Current breast cancer therapies are associated with several side effects and less effective treatment. Therefore, the development of new approaches to improve cancer treatment are needed. The use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for anti-cancer effects is one of the most promising research areas in the field of nanotechnology, because nanoparticles are readily functionalized and can passively accumulate at the tumor site without affecting healthy tissues. The green synthesis of AuNPs is an eco-friendly, costeffective, fast, and non-toxic method that is associated with fewer side effects.The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity exhibted by Vernonia amygdalina gold nanoparticles (VA-AuNPs) in triple negative breast cancer cell lines. The aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina was used to reduce gold salts to form VA-AuNPs. The VA-AuNPs were synthesised at a temperature of 100 °C and pH 7. The synthesised green AuNPs were charactised using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Spherical VA-AuNPs were succesfully synthesized with average size of 17.11 ± 2.82 nm and a zeta potential of -36.55 ± 1.15 mV. The MTT assay revealed that VA-AuNPs significantly reduced (p cell viability for both mouse (E0771) and human (MDA-MB231) TNBC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The PrestoBlue assay showed a consistent decrease in cell numbers over time, suggesting either a decrease in proliferation or increase in apoptosis. The apoptotic effects of VAAuNPs were assessed using the CaspGLOW Fluorescein active caspase-8 staining kit. It indicated that caspase 8 was activated when cells were treated with VA-AuNPs. E0771 and MDA-MB231 cells were compared when treated with VA-AuNP and a similar trend was established. The HRTEM image showed VA-AuNPs in an vesiclelike structure inside the cell. It can be concluded that the VA-AuNPs showed anticancer activities against TNBC cells. Caspase 8 is activated by VA-AuNPs, confirming the induction of apoptosis, but does not exclude the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway or inhibition of proliferation activity. E0771 and MDA-MB231 cells showed similar cytotoxic activity and thus expected that the mechanism of action in these cell lines should also be similar. Future in vivo research, using the mouse model inoculated with E0771 TNBC cells, should be justified and comparable with human TNBC cells.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 202
Caring behaviour of midwives who nurse woman during childbirth in Botswana
Get PDFCaring behaviour, which is defined as nurturing another to whom one feels a personal sense of commitment and responsibility, is fundamental to the psychosocial component of midwifery. Midwives ought to show respect, kindness and continuous psychosocial support during childbirth to women, who have the right to receive the highest possible standard of care and to be treated with dignity and respect before, during and after childbirth. However, an increasing number of complaints of the uncaring behaviour of midwives towards labouring women has indicated a problem that has not been fully researched. Therefore, the study aimed to identify and describe caring behaviours in the context of midwives in Botswana; determine the inhibiting factors of caring behaviours of midwives during childbirth; and make recommendations to midwives and unit managers based on Swanson’s (1991) Theory of Caring, which might lead to the optimisation of caring behaviour in Botswana midwives. A quantitative, descriptive research design was followed to answer the research questions, and a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which had been developed by the researcher based on the literature review, was used to capture data. A purposive sampling method was used to select 200 respondents working in maternity units in the Kgatleng and Greater Gaborone regional health districts in Botswana. The questionnaire was evaluated for reliability and validity to ensure that it consistently and accurately measured what it was intended to measure. A pilot study was conducted with 10 midwives who met the criteria for participation in the study to pre-test the feasibility of the questionnaire in preparation for the main study. In addition, ethical principles, such as informed consent, respect for persons, anonymity, confidentiality and beneficence were followed throughout the study. The questionnaire consisted of questions and statements. It was divided into three sections. Section A: Demographic attributes; Section B: Identification and description of the caring behaviour of midwives: Section C: Determination of the inhibiting factors of caring behaviours in midwifery. The data provided by the respondent’s answers to the questionnaires were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS®): Version 27 with the assistance of a statistician, thereby generating descriptive and inferential statistics. v The results of the data analysis revealed that most of the respondents provided positive responses, thereby indicating caring behaviour in midwifery practice. However, several factors that inhibit the caring behaviour of midwives were identified, such as a shortage of staff, work overload, a poor working environment, the inconsistent selection of staff for professional development, a lack of equipment, the young age of some of the woman (less than 15 years), the parity of the woman (more than one child) and the negative behaviour of many of the women. Therefore, recommendations for midwives and unit managers based on the five processes of Swanson’s (1991) Theory of Caring were made that could be used to optimise midwifery care in Botswana.Thesis (MNurs)-- Faculty of Faculty of Health Sciences, 202
Leader preparedness to manage employee wellness at Continental Tyres
Get PDFMany businesses are becoming more aware of the importance of employee well-being and health. There has been increasing public interest in merging wellness activities with an employer's obligations. This shift toward healthy workplaces and empowered individuals reflects a correlation between organisational well-being and pleasant psychological states. As a result, several programmes such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) and Employee Wellness Programmes were established to address workplace wellness issues. Employee Wellness Programmes are intervention programmes targeted at improving the well-being of employees. The epidemic has underlined what was already obvious prior to the virus's emergence: that firms no longer require hero leaders. Today's most effective leadership at all levels is not about technical knowledge or knowing all the answers. It is about being human, displaying vulnerability, connecting with others, while being able to unlock their potential, in addition to communicating a clear direction. This study was conducted to determine the preparedness of leaders to manage employee wellness at lower, middle and upper management levels at Continental Tyres South Africa (SA). For this study, primary data was collected by means of semistructured interviews. Qualitative data was collected by conducting interviews with employees from lower, middle and upper management. Face-to-face interviews, using open ended questions, were used to assess managers’ preparedness to address staff wellbeing. Employee wellbeing is a vital component for any organisation's performance in all facets of business operations, according to the findings. Fundamental training is required to ensure leaders are prepared to deal with employee wellness issues. The absence of this training is a major contributor to inadequate policies, procedures, and cultures that should promote employee wellness in an organisation. The lack of training that would contribute to leader preparedness in managing employee wellness has been apparent in this study. Another emerging conclusion that was highlighted in this study is the lack of prioritisation of wellness initiatives and awareness of resources available to employees. This conclusion is a key factor in understanding why there is such a iii deficiency in fundamental training for leaders within the organisation. The lack of prioritisation could have a direct impact on the lack of training offered to leaders in the organisation.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 202
Using spatial explicit capture-recapture model to investigate the demography and spatial dynamics of lion prides in Pilanesberg National Park
Get PDFLions are apex predators that play a vital role in the ecosystem. They regulate prey species through predation and other non-consumptive means. Factors that have influenced the decline of lion populations across Africa in the last half century, are loss of habitat, human wildlife conflict and the depletion of prey species. Extensive reintroductions of lions have been conducted across South Africa in order to restore their numbers in protected areas. The Pilanesberg National Park (PNP) was one of many protected areas that reintroduced lions. Their numbers were well documented by management until 2005 where they lost track of the population numbers. During this unfortunate period, there was an observed decline in prey numbers. The aim of this dissertation was to estimate the abundance, movement, and sex ratio of lions, in PNP. Abundance, movement, and sex ratio were determined by a three-month intensive lion survey. The location of each lion encounter was recorded on a mobile device which had an application installed called Cybertracker (v3). Photographs were taken of each Lion to build identification kits. For the data analysis, I used the Bayesian spatial explicit capture-recapture (SECR) model. This model takes time, space, and the robustness of an individual lion into account. Robustness is the measure of how well a lion maintains their functionality, when various stressors are applied (Harmsen, Foster, & Quigley, 2020). The estimated lion population in PNP was 44 lions (>1 year) with a density of 8.8 lions per 100 km2 . The estimated mean home range size of male lions was 279 km2 with a highest probability density (HPD) range of 179 – 385 km2 . The estimated mean home range of female lions was 191 km2 with a HPD range of 135 – 262 km2 . The larger home range size for male lions and smaller home range size for females is found v throughout the African continent in protected areas. The estimated sex ratio was 0.9♀:1♂, which is unexpected as PNP sex ratios between male and female lions is usually 2♀:1♂. A future sampling design for PNP was produced from the completed lion survey dataset. I drove a total of 7350 km and evaluated the influence of varied sampling efforts (i.e., kms driven) on precision estimates and relative bias for abundance, movement, and sex ratio. I found that a minimum of 4 000 km was needed to adequately estimate the lion abundance, movement, and sex ratio in this small fenced protected area. These findings can be used to help guide management to the most cost-effective sampling method and still obtain accurate estimates for monitoring lions. By showing management what is required for appropriate lion surveys this might help improve future monitoring.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 202