Building Resilience with Creativity: A Reflective Card Deck Prototype

The increasing complexity and adversity in today\u27s world emphasize the need for resilience as a critical skill to navigate these challenges. The World Economic Forum identifies resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility as essential skills for thriving in the 21st century. But how can we intentionally develop resilience? Through this project, I explore the relationship between creativity and resilience and how creativity skills can be deliberately cultivated to build resilience. To achieve this, I developed a prototype of a reflective card deck that offers a unique approach to help individuals gain knowledge, make connections, explore their relationship with the skill, and practice the creativity skills. This tool is a practical and engaging way to build a reservoir of skills that can be drawn upon when facing adversity, empowering individuals to unlock their full potential and bounce back in the face of challenges. Creativity could be the superpower, allowing us to see beyond adversity and explore a world of endless possibilities

Ecto-and Endo-Parasites in Rodents and Shrews From Four Habitats in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

The objectives of this study were to determine the rodent host species, to identify the parasites they harbor and to record those parasites that are of zoonotic importance. A total of 204 rodents were examined from four selected habitats in the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The rodents were captured alive from five urban sites in Kuala Lumpur, rice fields in Tanjung Karang, a coastal area in Port Dickson and a Primary Forest Reserve in Gombak, Selangor. Standard laboratory parasitological and statistical analyses were used. Fourteen different rodent species belonging to three different mammalian groups were identified. Rattus rattus diardii was the predominant rodent species (67%) trapped and examined. The study revealed 53.9 % of the rodents examined had at least one species of helminth. A total of 21 helminth species (7 cestodes, 12 nematodes, 1 trematode and 1 acanthocephala) were recovered. Gongylonema neoplasticum, Nippostrongylus braziliensis, Hepatojarkus malayae, Heterakis supomosa, Capillaria hepatica Raillietina sp. Hymenolepis nana, H.diminuta, Hymenolepis sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis were the predominant helminth species identified. The helminths of zoonotic importance: Capillaria hepatica, Rictularia tani, Angiostrongylus sp., Taenia taeniaeformis, Hymenolepis nana, H. diminuta, Raillietina sp, Moniliformis dubius, Armillifer moniliformis were also found. Trypanosoma sp. was the only blood parasite found in the 204 rodents examined. Fourty seven percent of the rodents were found to be infested with at least one of the 20 species of ecto-parasites recovered. The common ecto-parasites recovered were Laelaps nuttali, L. echidnanus, L. sculpturata, Polyplax spinulosa, Hoplopleura pacifica, Ixodes granulatus, Dermacentor sp. and Haemaphysalis sp. The ecto-parasites that are of human medical importance are Laelaps sp., Gahrlepia sp., Walchiella sp., Ornthonyssus bacoti, Haemaphysalis sp., Dermacentor sp., Ambloyomma sp. and Ixodes sp. and Xenopsylla cheopis. A total of 147 ecto-parasites (ticks, n=15, fleas, n= 31, lice, n=30 and mites, n=71) were recovered from the rodents. Rattus rattus diardii was found to harbour a wide range of ecto and endo-parasites some of which have been identified as zoonotic. There was no significant relationship between the sex of rodents and parasitic infestion. However, significant association was seen between ecto and endo-parasitic infection and habitats. Rodents from the urban habitats comparatively were found to harbour a wider range of parasites, some of which are of human medical importance

Effect of Bisphosphonates on the response to mechanical stimulation in children with osteogenesis imperfecta

Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) are commonly treated with bisphosphonates. We investigated the skeletal response to mechanical stimulation in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) before and after bisphosphonate treatment. Twelve children (5 boys; 7 girls), aged 4.5-14.9 years with mild OI and naïve to bisphosphonate treatment were recruited. They stood on a high-frequency (30 Hz), low-amplitude (50 to 200 μ) vibrating platform (Marodyne LivMD) for 10 minutes daily (2.5 minutes X 4 with interspersed 1-minute rest periods) for 7 days (whole body vibration [WBV] 1; day (D 1–7), followed successively by 5 weeks’ monitoring without intervention, 6 weeks’ risedronate treatment, 1 week of WBV (WBV2; D85–91), and 1 week without intervention (D92–98). Procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP), and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen cross-link (CTX) were measured at baseline and intervals bracketing periods of vibration and risedronate treatment. Both P1NP and CTX rose to D8 (18.4%, 13.8%, p < 0.05, respectively), plateaued, then rose again at D43 (19.8%, 19.2%, respectively, p < 0.05 versus baseline). At D85 (after risedronate) both P1NP and CTX had fallen to pre-WBV1 levels. A significantly smaller increase in P1NP was found after WBV2 (D85–91) at D92 (3.5%, 9.2%, respectively) and D99 versus after WBV1 (both p < 0.05). BSALP changed little after WBV1, fell during risedronate, and rose toward baseline after WBV2. We thus showed that WBV increased bone formation and resorption; that increase was attenuated after risedronate. The early increase in P1NP and CTX (D8) after WBV1 suggests increased osteoid formation within existing remodeling units but not increased mineralization. Later increases in P1NP/CTX (D42) suggesting creased remodeling cycle initiation after WBV. Risedronate suppressed both biomarkers. The lower increase in P1NP/CTX after WBV2 suggests limited capacity to increase osteoid formation from existing “early stage” osteoblasts and a possible “hangover” effect of risedronate on remodeling activation. These results provide insights into both the response to WBV, ie,mechanical stimulation, and the effect of antiresorptive therapy in children with OI

Assessment of mating behaviour associated with fertility in Boer bucks

A study on the mating behavior of Boer bucks using the serving capacity test was conducted. Ten healthy Boer bucks with no previous experience of sexual activity were randomly selected and kept in individual pens. Each buck was allowed to mate naturally with a restrained female in oestrus for 30 minutes. Data on the serving capacity test were collected every 2 weeks for 5 consecutive weeks. All occurrences of mount attempts, mounts with and without ejaculation and the frequency of each event occurred were recorded. Latency to first mount and first ejaculation and refractory period were calculated. Buck efficiency was calculated by dividing the total number of ejaculations by the total number of mounts with and without ejaculation. Results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) between weeks for the mean latency to first mount, number of mounts and mount attempts, latency to first ejaculation, refractory period, number of ejaculations and mating efficiency. The number of ejaculations and mating efficiency increased in the beginning of the study. It was noted that experience had a decisive effect on the ability of bucks to properly mount and successfully ejaculate. Sexual experience might have provided the opportunity for bucks to learn and recognize important behavioural cues from the females

The scope and applicability of total quality management (TQM) to the public schooling system.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2003.Total Quality Management (TQM) is an industrial or manufacturing theory that has greatly assisted business to transform to become more competitive in the global market. The South African public education system is currently facing various challenges and obstacles that must be overcome in order to cater for the demands of the 21 51 century. Much of the focus thus far has been on addressing the imbalances and inequities of the past. Now that the battle for equality is slowly being won, the focus is changing to quality in education provision. Total Quality Management offers an opportunity to attain quality in the education sector. Many writers abroad have adapted the principles of TQM to the education environment. Case studies in the United States of America and United Kingdom in particular, point to the success of TQM. Given the South African education scenario, this study explores the scope and applicability of Total Quality Management to the South African public schooling system. In February 2000, President Thabo Mbeki expressed the need to pay special attention to the improvement of the quality of management of our schools. The practice of TQM offers an opportunity to improve the quality of management in our schools. In addition, there has been much discussion and debate around whether schools are preparing learners for the real world. It is the express desire of the Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, to create an education system for the 21 51 century. One of the cardinal principles of TQM is giving the customer what the customer needs- the customer in this case being the learner, the parent, tertiary institutions, commerce and industry and society at large. Currently there is ample evidence to suggest that there is a huge gap between what society expects and what schools and tertiary institutions are providing. Today, it is becoming increasingly evident that customer choice and customer perception of quality is of paramount importance. Therefore, schools that can offer quality in terms of product and customer service will survive and prosper. TQM is about meeting and exceeding customer expectations of service. There is ample evidence to suggest that TQM has carried the burden of being responsible in many cases for improving quality and productivity. Schools are constantly faced with rising costs. Parents are being called upon to pay increasingly more for the education of their children. Schools are constantly searching for innovative ways of cutting costs without compromising quality. TQM helps to systematically identify sources of error, and eradicate costly waste. This study explores whether TQM can do for the public schooling system what it has done for business. The scope and applicability of TQM to the public schooling system is investigated through carefully structured questionnaires administered to school-based personnel at different ranks, working in rural and urban schools, as well as ' advantaged' and 'disadvantaged' schools. In addition, chairpersons of school governing bodies/members and departmental officials are interviewed. The research carefully examines the many concerns around implementing TQM in public schools. There is concern that the principles of industry would not find favour in an education environment. A business-like approach to education may result in many meaningful aspects of schools and schooling being compromised or lost. The study ascertains whether some of the basic ingredients for quality management are present in our schools. Despite certain concerns, the majority were optimistic that TQM can be implemented. The conclusions arrived at and the recommendations made indicate that the theory, principles and practices of TQM can be adapted and applied to the South African schooling system. The argument that the vast backlogs in education do not favour the application of quality management in education is challenged. It is concluded that TQM offers the best possible opportunity to address inferior quality learning in certain quarters. Based on the success stories, a carefully structured implementation plan for TQM is suggested. Applying TQM will ensure a high quality public education

Effects of Morinda citrifolia on early stage of leukaemia in rats

We have studied the effects of Morinda citrifolia on haemogram parameters in rats with early stage of leukaemia. A total of 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n=8) namely control, Morinda citrifolia (MC), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and MC+MNU group. Leukaemia induced rats were provided with died M. citrifolia fruits incorporated into rat diet at a dose of 3000 mg/kg body weight were given daily to the MC and MC+MNU groups. Results showed there were no significant differences in the leukon and erythron parameters in all groups. Although lymphocytosis was not observed in the MNU and MC+MNU groups, examination of the blood morphology showed a typical morphology of leukaemic cell. Seventy-five and sixty percent of rats in the MNU and MC+MNU groups, respectively, had leukaemia. Our results indicate that examination of blood smear provides an important tool for diagnosis of early stage of leukaemia and daily supplementation of M. citrifolia at the dose of 3000 mg/kg reduced the incidence of early stage of leukaemia in rats

Expression of circulating CD146 associated with endovascular dysfunction in adenine-induced chronic renal damage in rats using an EvaGreen real-time RT-PCR assay

The integrity of the endothelial layer of the blood vessel, intima, is critical since damage can lead to atherosclerosis. Assessment of its integrity is therefore very important although this can not be done through routine diagnostic analysis. An alternative non-invasive method should be established to assess its integrity. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using an EvaGreen dye for the assessment of vascular endothelial damage-associated with chronic renal damage in rats via quantification of the expression level of CD146, which is one of the blood biomarkers of endovascular dysfunction and/or damage. Comparison of the sensitivity of the EvaGreen qRT-PCR and the conventional RT-PCR was also performed in this study. For this purpose, a total of 16 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided equally into two groups, namely the control and adenine. Results showed that rats fed with diet containing 0.75% adenine for six consecutive weeks developed chronic renal damage through elevations in the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood creatinine (Cr) levels, increased urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) and decreased creatinine clearance (CrCl). The confirmatory diagnosis of chronic renal damage was made through gross and histopathological examinations of the kidneys. The results were consistent with lesions of chronic renal damage. The expression of circulating CD146 was mildly increased in rats with chronic renal damage analysed using the EvaGreen qRT-PCR or the conventional RT-PCR, suggesting a mild degree of endovascular damage. The intensity of the EvaGreen qRT-PCR products, however, was brighter than the conventional RT-PCR, indicating that the EvaGreen qRT-PCR is more sensitive compared to conventional RT-PCR, which is further recommended for analysis of CD146 expression in rats

Hepatocyte nuclear factor Foxa-2 effectively differentiates mesenchymal stem cells to functional hepatocytes

Overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor (Foxa-2), a master regulator significantly enhances the hepatic differentiation by triggering targeted liver-specific gene expression for liver development. We investigated the function of key regulators that facilitate hepatic differentiation. The functional hepatocyte was determined by observing morphological changes, expression of liver specific markers through immunocytochemical analysis, qRT-PCR, Western Blot and specific liver function assays. Our study confirmed that induction of functional hepatocyte shows typical epithelial morphology, express hepatic genes and acquire hepatocyte functions. Notably, these cells expressed the markers of mature hepatocytes, including albumin, tyrosine aminotransferase, cytokeratin, Cyp7A1 and hepatic transcription factors. Furthermore, these cells exhibited hepatic functions in vitro, including glycogen storage, albumin production, urea secretion and functional assessment of hepatocytes. We have developed a robust and efficient method to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells into induced functional hepatocytes, which exhibits characteristics of mouse hepatocytes. Apparently, induction of functional hepatocytes will pave a better cellular therapy or effective cell source within a short timeline to facilitate the development of hepatocytes for future clinical applications of regenerative medicine