Professionalisation as a social regularity: The policy process in South Africa's natural science curriculum

Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in 1997 and the Revised National Curriculum Statements (RNCS)in 2002 have bee n two major curriculum policy developments in South Africa. In this study, our aim was to unravel the processes by which they developed as they did, and determine how these policy processes are best researched and understood. In this article we use the concept of professionalisation to analyse the policy process for the two reform periods. In addition we attempt to show how professionalisation acts as a social regularity: professionals brought in to write the policy documents for the two reform periods, through their socialization into the profession, have in many ways worked towards the maintenance of a particular social order, rather than changing the social order. This is evident especially in the concept of 'scientific literacy' that emerged, which is strongly consistent with similar policies in developed countries, even though conditions in South Africa are unique.South African Journal of Education Vol. 26 (4) 2006: pp. 515-52

Biodegradation of industrial raw materials and their products

Biodegradation and green chemistry technologies have become increasing common demands in the industrial sector. The fate and potential impact of industrial raw materials on the natural environment has come under scrutiny. One of the classes of industrial raw materials that we found most interesting was preservatives. A commonly used preservative, formaldehyde, had recently been reclassified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) from “probably carcinogenic to humans” to “carcinogenic to humans.” The aim of the first part of this study was to synthesize alternative preservatives to formaldehyde. The isothiazolinone backbone was chosen and was achieved by first producing the Z-adduct from the base catalyzed reaction between propynoic acid and toluene- - thiol to produce (Z)-3-benzylsulfanylpropenoic acid in a yield of 74%. (Z)-3- benzylsulfanylpropenoic acid was then activated with diphenylphosphinic chloride to furnish the phosphinic ester, which was not isolated but allowed to react directly with a range of amines to produce the corresponding amides. These amides were then allowed to react with 3-chloroperbenzoic acid in dichloromethane to furnish the corresponding sulfoxides. The sulfoxides were then treated with trichloroacetic anhydride to furnish the corresponding N-alkyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-ones. N-(2- ethylphenylisothiazol-3(2H)-one was successfully produced in a yield of 56%. The second part of the study involved the revival of gram positive (B. pumilus) and gram negative (Citrobacter freundi) bacterial strains as well as a sewage consortium that were previously isolated. This was successfully achieved using tryptone soy broth as the growth medium at a temperature of 30 °C over 24 hours. The third part of the study was to select a range of preservatives (diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, formaldehyde and the isothiazolinone derivatives) and evaluate the biodegradation of these raw materials under conditions that simulated that of a natural wastewater treatment plant over a period of 50 days. The difference in biodegradation between the sewage consortium and pure strains of gram positive (B. pumilus) and gram negative (Citrobacter freundii) bacteria was then assessed. Formaldehyde and the isothiazolinone derivative, N-(2-ethylphenylisothiazol-3(2H)-one, could not be detected in the experimental medium and therefore no results were available. Diazolidinyl urea was best biodegraded by gram negative bacteria, citrobacter freundii, showing a percentage biodegradation of 51.4% whereas imidazolinyl urea was best biodegraded by the sewage consortium, showing a percentage biodegradation of 9.0%

Exploring the relationship between policy and practice : a study of continuous assessment.

Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1997.Research reveals that policy intentions seldom define classroom practice. This research study uses continuous assessment as the 'case' to explore the policy-practice relationship. The research approach adopted involved a critical review of policy documents on continuous assessment; interviews with Department officials; a survey questionnaire on continuous assessment distributed to teachers in ten secondary schools; and a detailed exploration of continuous assessment practice in three institutional settings. The findings show that continuous assessment is rarely implemented as policy intended; teachers at the classroom level have transformed the aims of policy-makers to the extent that implementation proceeds at some distance from the original policy intentions; and teachers are experiencing numerous problems in attempting to implement continuous assessment

The politics of knowledge : tracing the trajectory of the natural science curriculum.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2005.Knowledge production or research in South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, does not occur within 'innocent' spaces devoid of personal, social, political, economic and cultural contexts (Singh, 2000). This study explores knowledge production at the level of policy. It questions in the review of the school's curriculum policy in general, and the science curriculum policy in particular: What becomes new? What is different? What remains the same? What is the policy problem? Who is the policy population that is the target of such policies? Why is there such a universal dimension of what should be taught in science, and hence what science is? Why is the conceptual knowledge of the science curriculum and the conception of scientific literacy around the world much the same? At the level of research, what is the most illuminative way to seek answers to these questions? The study explores the theoretical, methodological and contextual constructs that frame the conception of scientific literacy. This thesis presents a critical analysis of the policy process and policy documents for two reform periods in South Africa. The theoretical constructs deployed are policy archaeology, ideology, inclusivity, governmentality and professionalisation. I argue in this study that the latter two constructs are regularities that are necessary for the emergence of the policy problem, they shape the social construction of the policy problem and they constitute and shape the range of policy solutions. I posit that these regularities are necessary for the social construction of the policy problem in both the C2005 and the RNCS processes. These regularities intersect in a complex, grid-like fashion on the policy-problem axis. These intersecting regularities makes it possible for the policy problem to emerge as a problem, constructs the problem, and constitutes the problem as an 'object' of social visibility. I argue that ideological shifts in the conception of scientific literacy are constituted by these two regularities. I conclude the thesis by drawing out five significant policy lessons: (i) An 'ideal' that makes intellectual sense but does not fit conditions in society can exacerbate the problems it seeks to solve; (ii) 'Change is only as effective as the smallest unit': in the policy-making arena the smallest unit is the policy writers, in the arena of practice it is the classroom teacher; (iii) Timing determines what is possible: the socio-political climate of 1994 resulted in some important silences- especially from conservatives and scientists; (iv) In the science policy documents the definition of scientific literacy is epistemological at two levels: the idea that scientific literacy can be defined and constitutes individual knowledge,and the view of knowledge in the policy documents; and (v) The policy process and the policy documents challenged hegemony of structure and the epistemology of knowledge

Investigating neutrophil cell death in TB pathogenesis

BACKGROUND: Neutrophils are one of the major early role players in antimycobacterial immunity. Upon infection, neutrophils can undergo NETosis, a cell death characterized by release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The role of NETosis in TB progression remains poorly characterized. We aim to characterize mechanisms underlying NETosis during TB pathogenesis by identifying genes that drive the cell death, and to determine their potential as markers of disease progression in high-risk individuals. Finally, we intend to evaluate neutrophil associated genes as targets for host directed therapy to reduce pathological damage caused by NETosis. METHODS: Quantitative PCR will be used to quantify expression of specific genes identified in the blood of individuals with active lung disease (n=30), compared to those from healthy (n=30) and latently infected individuals (LTBI) (n=30). In addition, temporal events associated with NETosis will be measured using live microscopy in a neutrophil in vitro model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Candidate genes found to be associated with NETosis will be targeted with pharmaceutical inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Genes associated with neutrophil mediated cell death may serve as potential biomarkers of pathological damage and disease progression, as well as targets for host-directed therapy

Epigenetic Regulation of BST-2 Expression Levels and the Effect on HIV-1 Pathogenesis

HIV-1 must overcome host antiviral restriction factors for efficient replication. We hypothesized that elevated levels of bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2), a potent host restriction factor that interferes with HIV-1 particle release in some human cells and is antagonized by the viral protein Vpu, may associate with viral control. Using cryopreserved samples, from HIV-1 seronegative and seropositive Black women, we measured in vitro expression levels of BST-2 mRNA using a real-time PCR assay and protein levels were validated by Western blotting. The expression level of BST-2 showed an association with viral control within two independent cohorts of Black HIV infected females (r=-0.53, p=0.015, [n =21]; and r=-0.62, p=0.0006, [n=28]). DNA methylation was identified as a mechanism regulating BST-2 levels, where increased BST-2 methylation results in lower expression levels and associates with worse HIV disease outcome. We further demonstrate the ability to regulate BST-2 levels using a DNA hypomethylation drug. Our results suggest BST-2 as a factor for potential therapeutic intervention against HIV and other diseases known to involve BST-2

Effect of female genital schistosomiasis and anti-schistosomal treatment on monocytes, CD4+ T-cells and CCR5 expression in the female genital tract

BACKGROUND: Schistosoma haematobium is a waterborne parasite that may cause female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), characterized by genital mucosal lesions. There is clinical and epidemiological evidence for a relationship between FGS and HIV. We investigated the impact of FGS on HIV target cell density and expression of the HIV co-receptor CCR5 in blood and cervical cytobrush samples. Furthermore we evaluated the effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on these cell populations. Design The study followed a case-control design with post treatment follow-up, nested in an on-going field study on FGS. METHODS: Blood and cervical cytobrush samples were collected from FGS negative and positive women for flow cytometry analyses. Urine samples were investigated for schistosome ova by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: FGS was associated with a higher frequency of CD14 + cells (monocytes) in blood (11.5% in FGS+ vs. 2.2% in FGS-, p = 0.042). Frequencies of CD4 + cells expressing CCR5 were higher in blood samples from FGS+ than from FGS- women (4.7% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.018). The CD14 + cell population decreased significantly in both compartments after anti-schistosomal treatment (p = 0.043). Although the frequency of CD4+ cells did not change after treatment, frequencies of CCR5 expression by CD4+ cells decreased significantly in both compartments (from 3.4% to 0.5% in blood, p = 0.036; and from 42.4% to 5.6% in genital samples, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that FGS may increase the risk of HIV acquisition, not only through damage of the mucosal epithelial barrier, but also by affecting HIV target cell populations, and that anti-schistosomal treatment can modify this

Innate Lymphoid Cell Activation and Sustained Depletion in Blood and Tissue of Children Infected with HIV from Birth Despite Antiretroviral Therapy

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are important for response to infection and for immune development in early life. HIV infection in adults depletes circulating ILCs, but the impact on children infected from birth remains unknown. We study vertically HIV-infected children from birth to adulthood and find severe and persistent depletion of all circulating ILCs that, unlike CD4+ T cells, are not restored by long-term antiretroviral therapy unless initiated at birth. Remaining ILCs upregulate genes associated with cellular activation and metabolic perturbation. Unlike HIV-infected adults, ILCs are also profoundly depleted in tonsils of vertically infected children. Transcriptional profiling of remaining ILCs reveals ongoing cell-type-specific activity despite antiretroviral therapy. Collectively, these data suggest an important and ongoing role for ILCs in lymphoid tissue of HIV-infected children from birth, where persistent depletion and sustained transcriptional activity are likely to have long-term immune consequences that merit further investigation

Innate Lymphoid Cell Activation and Sustained Depletion in Blood and Tissue of Children Infected with HIV from Birth Despite Antiretroviral Therapy

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are important for response to infection and for immune development in early life. HIV infection in adults depletes circulating ILCs, but the impact on children infected from birth remains unknown. We study vertically HIV-infected children from birth to adulthood and find severe and persistent depletion of all circulating ILCs that, unlike CD4+ T cells, are not restored by long-term antiretroviral therapy unless initiated at birth. Remaining ILCs upregulate genes associated with cellular activation and metabolic perturbation. Unlike HIV-infected adults, ILCs are also profoundly depleted in tonsils of vertically infected children. Transcriptional profiling of remaining ILCs reveals ongoing cell-type-specific activity despite antiretroviral therapy. Collectively, these data suggest an important and ongoing role for ILCs in lymphoid tissue of HIV-infected children from birth, where persistent depletion and sustained transcriptional activity are likely to have long-term immune consequences that merit further investigation