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Photobiomodulation prevents PTSD-like memory impairments in rats
Get PDFAbstract: A precise fear memory encoding a traumatic event enables an individual to avoid danger and identify safety. An impaired fear memory (contextual amnesia), however, puts the individual at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the inability to identify a safe context when encountering trauma-associated cues later in life. Although it is gaining attention that contextual amnesia is a critical etiologic factor for PTSD, there is no treatment currently available that can reverse contextual amnesia, and whether such treatment can prevent the development of PTSD is unknown. Here, we report that (I) a single dose of transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) applied immediately after tone fear conditioning can reverse contextual amnesia. PBM treatment preserved an appropriately high level of contextual fear memory in rats revisiting the “dangerous” context, while control rats displayed memory impairment. (II) A single dose of PBM applied after memory recall can reduce contextual fear during both contextual and cued memory testing. (III) In a model of complex PTSD with repeated trauma, rats given early PBM interventions efficiently discriminated safety from danger during cued memory testing and, importantly, these rats did not develop PTSD-like symptoms and comorbidities. (IV) Finally, we report that fear extinction was facilitated when PBM was applied in the early intervention window of memory consolidation. Our results demonstrate that PBM treatment applied immediately after a traumatic event or its memory recall can protect contextual fear memory and prevent the development of PTSD-like psychopathological fear in rats
Foundation phase teachers’ views of the involvement of male caregivers in young children’s education
Get PDFAbstract: Background: Studies in South Africa show a high prevalence of male caregiver absence in the lives of children under the age of 9 years. In this respect, foundation phase teachers are well positioned to provide input and shed light on how schools can contribute towards improving male caregiver involvement in their children’s early education. Aim: This study aimed to explore foundation phase teachers’ views of the involvement of male caregivers in the education and development of young children. Setting: The paper reports on the qualitative phase of a mixed methods study conducted in three township schools near Johannesburg. Methods: Focus group interviews involving a sample of 17 foundation phase teachers were conducted in three schools. An iterative coding process within a generic qualitative data analysis approach was carried out to articulate overarching ideas and themes. Results: The results highlight how teachers’ taken-for-granted gendered assumptions about the roles of females and males in the education and development of foundation phase children and about the children’s care arrangements influence how they communicate with parents, unconsciously alienating male caregivers. Conclusion: Although teachers had not considered the role of male caregivers in the early years of children’s education, they acknowledged that such an undertaking would be beneficial to the learners and the school. Therefore, the authors argue for training aimed at capacitating foundation phase teachers with the essential competencies necessary to galvanise and increase meaningful involvement of male caregivers in the education of learners in pre-service and inservice teacher professional development
Production of Biodiesel from Moringa Oleifera and Jatropha Curcas Seed Oils over a Modified ZnO/Fly Ash Catalyst
Get PDFAbstract: Methyl ester biodiesel was produced from Moringa Oleifera oil and Jatropha Curcas oil with the sole aim of assessing the feasibility of the feedstocks as viable sources of biodiesel in Botswana. Oil extraction and transesterification were carried out under identical experimental conditions for both Jatropha Curcas and Moringa Oleifera biomass. Oil was extracted from seeds through a soxhlet extraction method using the solvent, n-hexane. The extracted oil was then trans-esterified at 60 °C using a methanol/oil ratio of 12:1 at a stirring rate of 350 rpm, 3 wt. % catalyst loading and 120 min reaction time. Zinc Oxide modified with fly ash was used as heterogeneous catalyst for the process. GC analysis results of biodiesels produced indicated that the highest biodiesel yield was obtained from Jatropha seed oil. Moringa biodiesel showed a greater proportion of docosanedioic acid while Jatropha biodiesel composed of oleic acid in larger proportions. Both oleic and docosanedioic acid are unsaturated methyl esters. The results obtained suggests Jatropha as the more suitable feedstock as compared to Moringa
The influence of industry guest lectures on auditing students' participation and perceptions of employability skills
Get PDFAbstract: This study examined the undergraduate auditing students’ experience and perception gained from attending guest lecturers and the influence on skills required in a workplace. A mixed-methods approach has been applied in the study to address the research objectives. A survey was completed, and the quantitative findings were analysed using SPSS, which allowed students to compare mean values between questions and identify any statistical differences. A theme method was also employed when anlysing the qualitative replies to open-ended questions. The study found that guest lectures positively influence students’ participation in the auditing module. The study also found that students considered themselves employable in the future. The findings from this study will be helpful to academics in higher education institutions to improve their teaching pedagogies for improved student engagement in the modules taught. The study recommends that guest lectures be considered part of the teaching methods and practices used to improve students’ participation and engagement
Sustainable cost reductions obtained by using a fourth party logistics provider
Get PDFAbstract: Background: in a rapidly changing global business environment, the outsourcing of logistics activities to fourth party logistics (4PL) service providers is growing in popularity as a strategy for efficiency and customer service improvements.. However, there are very few empirical studies on logistics outsourcing performance. In addition, there is a lack of information on the effectiveness of a 4PL model, especially from a South African perspective. Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a 4PL model to manage the courier distribution for a major retailer in South Africa was able to achieve ongoing cost savings for the client. Method: This research entails a case study of a large non-food retailer in South Africa. Secondary quantitative distribution cost data covering a 10-year period was analysed, using a time series method. The findings were verified through semi-structured interviews of key personnel involved in the implementation and management of the outsourcing contract. Results: The outsourcing of courier distribution management resulted in the targeted cost savings for the client organisation to be exceeded. Cost savings were consistent over a 10-year period. Conclusion: The findings of this study supports the theory that the outsourcing of logistics functions can result in sustainable cost savings for clients if done properly. It adds to the limited body of independent evidence that exists on the matter of sustainable results obtained from 4PL outsourcing agreements
A critical review of the impact of South Africa’s mine closure policy and the winding-up process of mining companies
Get PDFAbstract: Background: Most mining operations are viable for a period of 30 years, depending on the mineral extracted and the available reserves. Whilst the expectation is that mines will continue uninterrupted until the planned period is complete, unscheduled closure can occur. Sudden and unplanned mine closure can result in immediate environmental and social impacts. In South Africa, the challenges of mine closure are exacerbated by unexpected sudden closures owing to winding-up and business rescue processes. The literature is inconclusive regarding these issues and there is poor integration of affected communities by mining operations. Aim: We reviewed South Africa’s legal frameworks relating to mine closure, the winding- up of gold mining companies and the impact of sudden closure on the environment and communities. Method: This review built on and extended previous systematic reviews. We focused on the regulation for fi provisioning for prospecting, mining, exploration and rehabilitation. Two examples of gold mining companies that were closed prematurely were examined. We also reviewed the mine closure and environmental policies of other countries, notably Australia and Canada and noticed similarities to South African policies. Results: Differences are evident in the enforcement of compliance in Australia and Canada, which are more proactive in dealing with the challenges of winding-up and its impacts. Conclusion: South Africa could adopt these countries’ models to enforce compliance and proactivity regarding sudden mine closure. One recommendation is to establish a fund for immediate rehabilitation in such cases as part of the temporary mine closure framework
Developing a Framework for Human Capital Disclosure in Corporate Annual Reports
Get PDFAbstract: This paper presents a framework with some indicative measures and metrics for communication human capital information to the users of Corporate Annual Reports (CARs). The methodology involved in developing this framework revolves around the use content analysis to ascertain the patterns and context of human capital disclosure (HCD) in CARS of 60 out of the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies. This analytical content analysis was undertaken to discover the extent to which disclosures in CARS relate to identified nine human capital content categories and the ninety-one underlying items. The objective is to provide a framework for human capital disclosures in Corporate Annual Reports of listed companies in South Africa. The human capital disclosure framework could be used as a model by companies in South Africa and other emerging economies in HCD in CARs
Go with the flow : a neuroscientific view on being fully engaged
Get PDFAbstract: Flow is a state of full task absorption, accompanied with a strong drive and low levels of self-referential thinking. Flow is likely when there is a match between a person's skills and the task challenge. Despite its relevance for human performance and the vast body of research on flow, there is currently still relatively little insight in its underlying neurocognitive mechanisms. In this paper, we discuss a set of large brain networks that may be involved in establishing the core dimensions of flow. We propose that dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems mediate the intrinsic motivation and activate mood states that are typical for flow. The interaction between three large-scale attentional networks, namely the Default Mode Network, Central Executive Network and the Salience Network is proposed to play a role in the strong task engagement, low self-referential thinking, feedback and feelings of control in flow. The proposed relationships between flow and the brain networks may support the generation of new hypotheses and can guide future research in this field
Challenges implementing the Fourth Industrial Revolution : South African rural health system
Get PDFAbstract: The purpose of this article is to explore the challenges facing the rural health sector in South Africa and how the introduction of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies can assist in resolving some of these problems. While the 4IR has many potential technologies to improve the public health sector in South Africa, it also reveals many challenges facing the country and the governmental organisations responsible for delivering public services and the implementation of government programmes. South Africa’s public health service delivery and its health outcomes have been poor, if not critical, for many years. With the country’s under-resourced and overburdened healthcare systems, there is a chance to take advantage of the 4IR technologies to try and improve health service delivery in rural areas of South Africa. The aim of this article was to assess the challenges faced by the South African government in its attempt to use 4IR technologies to improve rural health systems. The article used a qualitative research approach based on the document review method using the desktop method. Despite the perceived benefits of the new technologies to improve healthcare services in South Africa, there is still a lack of human and material resources to execute the technological advancements in rural areas. The study showed that some of the biggest challenges faced by the South African government include lack of infrastructure, underfunding, and lack of skills for new technologies. Recommendations were made to create awareness and equip the health workforce with skills for new technologies
Improved Recursive DV-Hop Localization Algorithm with RSSI Measurement for Wireless Sensor Networks
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