Research Collaborations and Scientific productivity among the Research Universities in South Africa

This study presents the share of 5 most productive South African institutions for the main stream scientific out put covering the 10 year periods of 1995-2004. This paper discusses the distribution of publications by institutions, Index of specialization, collaboration and pattern of co-authorship. The result shows that South African authors collaborate more frequently with international authors with a percentage of (73.99%) than did so for national collaboration which amount to (26.01%). This was confirmed statistically at the confidence level of P-value 0.025. A further non-parametric chi-square statistical analysis illustrated that there are significant differences in the proportion of co-authorship among the 5 institutions (p-value0.005)

Biochemical analysis of Cassia fistula aqueous extract and phytochemically synthesized gold nanoparticles as hypoglycemic treatment for diabetes mellitus

Cassia fistula stem bark was used for the preparation of aqueous extract and synthesis of gold nanoparticles to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of the plant. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy for their absorbance pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify possible functional groups, and scanning electron microscopy to determine the size of the nanoparticles. The present investigation reports the efficacy of the gold nanoparticles as promising in the treatment of hyperglycemia. Body weight, serum glucose concentrations, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and lipid profile were analyzed. A significantly larger decrease in serum biochemistry parameters and an increase in body weight, total protein levels, and high-density lipoprotein were observed in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes treated with gold nanoparticles than in the ones treated with the aqueous extract. The results of this study confirm that C. fistula gold nanoparticles have promising antidiabetic properties

Epidemiological investigations into chronic inflammation using the novel biomarker Glycoprotein Acetyls

Chronic inflammation describes a state of long-term inflammation where levels of acute-phase proteins and cytokines are elevated over months to years. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence for the relationship between inflammation and adverse health outcomes, ranging from mental health disorders such as depression to physical health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and even mortality. Additionally, studies have shown that genetic and environmental factors can influence levels of chronic inflammation. Given the proven detrimental outcomes of chronic inflammation, it is a public health concern to better understand its causes and consequences. In this thesis, I investigated whether Glycoprotein Acetyls (GlycA), a novel biomarker of chronic inflammation was more stable in the short and long term compared to C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase protein often studied as a marker of inflammation. I also explored several potential causes and consequences of chronic inflammation (as measured by GlycA), including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental health disorder depression, depressive symptoms and levels of circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids. I used data from two UK population-based studies: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children and; UK Biobank. Where possible, I triangulated findings from multivariable models with Mendelian randomization analyses in order to overcome biases such as confounding and reverse causation. My findings suggest that GlycA behaves similarly to the biomarker CRP in response to pro-inflammatory factors, but that it is more stable than CRP over the long-term. I found that ACEs have a pro-inflammatory effect, but that this effect appears to only emerge in mid-adulthood. Contrary to previous literature, I did not find that inflammation causally increases levels of depression, instead my findings suggest that genetically determined depression causally increases levels of GlycA. I also found that genetically determined omega-3 fatty acid levels, which are posited to reduce inflammation, causally increase levels of CRP and GlycA, although this effect attenuated to the null when controlling for genetically determined omega-6 fatty acids. Finally, I found that genetically determined omega-6 fatty acids causally increase levels of CRP and GlycA and this effect was maintained when controlling for genetically determined omega-3 fatty acids. Results from my thesis suggest that several factors that occur across the life-course can influence levels of GlycA. My findings also highlight the importance of triangulation and replication in research given that, when using GlycA as a measure of inflammation, some of my findings contradict previously published and accepted inflammation-related relationships

Evaluating LAB@FUTURE, a collaborative e-learning Laboratory experiments platform

This paper presents Lab@Future, an advanced e-learning platform that uses novel Information and Communication Technologies to support and expand laboratory teaching practices. For this purpose, Lab@Future uses real and computer generated objects that are interfaced using mechatronic systems, augmented reality, mobile technologies and 3D multi user environments. The main aim is to develop and demonstrate technological support for practical experiments in the following focused disciplines namely: Fluid Dynamics - Science subject in Germany, Geometry - Mathematics subject in Austria, History and Environmental Awareness – Arts and Humanities subjects in Greece and Slovenia. In order to pedagogically enhance the design and functional aspects of this e-learning technology, we are investigating the dialogical operationalisation of learning theories so as to leverage our understanding of teaching and learning practices in the targeted context of deployment. To be able to evaluate the lab@future system in its entire complexity an evaluation methodology including several phases has been developed, performing formative as well as summative evaluations

Redefining the performing arts archive

This paper investigates representations of performance and the role of the archive. Notions of record and archive are critically investigated, raising questions about applying traditional archival definitions to the performing arts. Defining the nature of performances is at the root of all difficulties regarding their representation. Performances are live events, so for many people the idea of recording them for posterity is inappropriate. The challenge of creating and curating representations of an ephemeral art form are explored and performance-specific concepts of record and archive are posited. An open model of archives, encouraging multiple representations and allowing for creative reuse and reinterpretation to keep the spirit of the performance alive, is envisaged as the future of the performing arts archive

Peran Dukungan Sosial Dan Regulasi Emosi Terhadap Resiliensi Keluarga Penderita Skizofrenia

Penelitian dilakukan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara dukungan sosial, regulasi emosi dan resiliensi keluarga penderita skizofrenia. Metode penelitian menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan menggunakan kuesioner Social Support Index (SSI), Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) dan Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS). Hasil penelitian adalah adanya hubungan yang signifikan antara dukungan sosial, regulasi emosi dan resiliensi pada 60 orangtua pasien yang menjalani rawat inap ulang dengan diagnosis skizofrenia. Hasil dari keeratan hubungan tersebut ditunjukkan melalui nilai koefisien regresi linier berganda (R=0.596, p<0.05). Koefisien determinasi (R2=0.355, p<0.05) menunjukkan secara bersama-sama variable dukungan sosial dan regulasi emosi dapat mempengaruhi variabel resiliensi keluarga sebesar 35.5%. Sumbangan relatif dukungan sosial terhadap resiliensi keluarga adalah sebesar 20.9% dan sumbangan relatif regulasi emosi sebesar 14.6%. Temuan dari penelitian ini menunjukkan besarnya peran dukungan sosial dan regulasi emosi terhadap resiliensi keluarga penderita skizofrenia, sehingga para praktisi dapat memfokuskan pada faktor protektif untuk meningkatkan resiliensi keluarga

Multi-Lifespan Information System Design

Contemporary information ecosystems evolve at lightening speed. Last year’s cutting edge innovations are this year’s standard fare and next year’s relics. An information innovation can be implemented, made available through the Internet, and appropriated within 24 hours. Yet, significant societal problems engage much longer timeframes. In 2010 Friedman and Nathan pointed to a fundamental disconnect between mainstream design thinking and these longer-term problems. To address this disconnect, they proposed a multi-lifespan information system design framing. This workshop builds on previous work by the organizers and others to: (1) elaborate and identify new opportunities and challenges in taking up multi-lifespan information system design problems, and (2) generate critical and constructive discussions for further development of multi- lifespan information system design thinking.

Leaf traits of dipterocarp species with contrasting distributions across a gradient of nutrient and light availability

Background: Tree species composition at the landscape scale is often tightly associated with underlying soil type in tropical forests. Changes in soil type may have effects on forest structure that drive changes in both light and soil resource availability, since light availability in the understorey tends to be lower in more fertile sites. Plant functional traits may determine species distributions across gradients of light and soil resource availability.&nbsp; Aims: To test whether tree species with contrasting distributions exhibit leaf traits that reflect adaptation to the resources most limiting in their native environment.&nbsp; Methods: We measured foliar nutrient concentrations, stomatal density, leaf &delta;13C values, leaf mass per area, and leaf lifespan for saplings of nine common dipterocarp species at Sepilok Forest Reserve, Malaysian Borneo, possessing varying associations to soil resource habitats.&nbsp; Results: Species specialised in their adult distribution to nutrient-poor sandstone soils had traits indicative of a nutrient conservation strategy. Species specialised to more fertile alluvial soils had a wider spectrum of leaf N and P concentrations and LL, reflecting greater variance in strategies for resource acquisition and use among species in this habitat.&nbsp; Conclusions: Understorey light regimes co-vary with soil type, and both light and soil resource availability influence leaf trait adaptations that may contribute to species&ndash;habitat associations

Oxidative stress stimulates alpha-tocopherol transfer protein in human trophoblast tumor cells BeWo

alpha-Tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) has been identified as the major intracellular transport protein for the antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol). Expression of alpha-TTP on the reproductive system has been described both in mouse uterus and lately in the human placenta. The aim of this study was to clarify if placental expression of alpha-TTP can be modified by substances causing oxidative reactions. The human choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo was, therefore, treated with two known pro-oxidants. alpha-TTP expression was determined with immunocytochemistry and evaluated by applying a semiquantitative score. The presence of pro-oxidants in BeWo cells induced alpha-TTP expression. We thus hypothesize that stimulation of alpha-TTP expression by oxidative stress, as this was induced by pro-oxidants, could be part of an antioxidant process occurring in the placenta in the aim of enhancing the supply of alpha-Tocopherol. This process could occur both in normal pregnancies, as well as in pregnancy disorders presented with intensified oxidative stress. In that view, this model is proposed for further oxidative stress studies on trophoblast and placenta, on the grounds of clarifying the role of alpha-Tocopherol in pregnancy physiology and pathophysiology