Effects of palmitic acid on milk production and insulin sensitivity in mid-lactation dairy cows

This masters of science research evaluates the effects of palmitic acid (C16:0) supplementation on milk production and insulin sensitivity in mid-lactation dairy cows. The ability of saturated fatty acids (SFA) to enhance milk yield in dairy cows may be due to shifts in glucose utilization caused by reduced insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of palmitic acid (C16:0) on milk production and insulin sensitivity in cows. Twenty multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows were enrolled in a study consisting of a 5 d covariate, 49 d treatment, and 14 d post-treatment period. All cows received a common sorghum silage-based diet and were randomly assigned to a diet containing no supplemental fat (control; n = 10; 138 +/- 45 DIM) or C16:0 at 4% of ration DM (PALM; 98% C16:0; n = 10; 136 +/- 44 DIM). Blood and milk were collected at routine intervals. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (300 mg/kg of body weight (BW); GTT) were performed at d -1, 21, and 49 relative to start of treatment. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using a mixed model with fixed effects of treatment and time, and milk yield served as a covariate. PALM increased milk yield, energy-corrected milk (ECM), and milk fat yield at wk 3, responses that were maintained at wk 7. Furthermore, PALM increased protein yield at wk 7. Changes in milk production occurred in parallel with enhanced energy intake and improved feed efficiency (ECM/dry matter intake). Enhanced milk fat yield during PALM treatment was due to increased C16:0 and C16:1 incorporation. Supplementation of PALM had no effect on concentration of milk components, BW, or body condition score. Two weeks post-treatment, ECM and milk fat yield remained elevated in PALM-fed cows while yields of milk were similar between treatments. The concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in plasma increased by d 4, 6, and 8 of PALM treatment, a response not observed thereafter. Although PALM supplementation did not modify insulin, glucose, or triacylglycerol levels in plasma, total cholesterol in plasma was elevated by wk 3. Estimated insulin sensitivity was lower during the first week of PALM treatment; however, glucose disposal following GTT was not modified. In contrast, PALM feeding reduced glucose-stimulated NEFA disappearance by wk 7. Results demonstrate that increasing dietary energy from C16:0 for a 7 wk duration improves milk yield and milk composition without modifying systemic glucose tolerance. Reduced glucose-stimulated NEFA disappearance with PALM supplementation and elevated circulating NEFA may reflect changes in adipose tissue insulin sensitivity

Post-Apartheid Film Industry

Representation, Creativity and Commercialism in the Post-Apartheid Film Industry Since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa has been in the process of redefining itself as a nation. The newly elected government recognised the potential role of cinema in democratic transformation and economic empowerment and established a number of strategic interventions and government bodies to foster the growth of the local industry. Similar to other forms of cultural production, cinema is informed by the national Constitution of 1996, which celebrates multiculturalism, freedom of expression, and transformation. However, it is questionable whether this vision is compatible with the state's ambition to build an internationally competitive, and commercially successful film industry. This paper provides a critical analysis of the economic and ideological workings of the post-apartheid feature film industry. The focus is on international co-productions, which have been encouraged by the state since such arrangements are seen to..

The representation and mediation of national identity in the production of post-apartheid, South African cinema

Includes bibliographical references (p. 218-236).In 1994, South Africa was emancipated from apartheid, and in 1996, a new democratic Constitution was released. This charter envisioned a progressive society and placed emphasis on equality, multiculturalism, reconciliation and freedom. The state targeted the cultural industries, including cinema, to carry this new vision to the nation. The problem, however, was that the production, exhibition and distribution infrastructure inherited from apartheid was not only dominated by Hollywood, but also exclusively catered for the white sector of the nation. This monopolised, racially skewed structure continues to pose an obstacle to the dissemination of progressive identities and the sustainability of local cinema. Through an analysis of relevant film policy, industry structure and specific cinematic texts, this study aims to trace the intersection between the dynamics of national identity representation and South Africa's political and economic position as a developing nation in the global marketplace. The research presented took place over a period of three years (2007-2010) and incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methods

A critical literacy and narrative analysis of African Storybook folktales for early reading

Thesis (M.A. (Applied Language and Literacy Education))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, 2017This study critically analyses a set of folktales from the African Storybook website, which is an open licence digital publishing platform supporting early reading in Africa (www.africanstorybook.org). The selected folktales were mostly written by educators and librarians working in the African Storybook project pilot sites. The folktales were illustrated and published as indigenous African language and English storybooks during 2014 to 2015. The analysis is centrally concerned with the settings in which the folktales take place (with a distinction made between space, place and time), and the age and gender associated with central characters. The analytical tools used and the perspectives applied are drawn predominantly from post-colonial studies, African feminism, critical literacy, broad folktale scholarship, and theory from local – as opposed to global – childhoods. The analysis is interested in the conventions of the folktale genre, as it is constructed in the narratives by the writers. The three central findings with regards to the settings of folktales are as follows: (i) 90% of the folktales are set in rural environments in or near villages or small settlements. The somewhat idealised villages and settlements appear to have been relatively untouched by modern communications and infrastructure, and represent a “nostalgic, imagined past”. (ii) The study found that 75% of the folktales are set in the remote past, indexical of the folktale genre’s oral roots. (iii) Supernatural characters, objects and events occur in nearly 75% of the folktales. This suggests a possible interpretive space of intersecting temporalities and dimensions of existence, as well as possibilities for imaginative problem-solving. In addition, it raises challenging questions about the limits of human agency. The study also found that the ASb folktales, perhaps somewhat unsurprisingly for a genre that tends to employ archetypes and stereotypes, seemingly offer no characterisation outside of heteronormative family roles. But despite the heteronormativity and narrowly-defined family roles, especially for women characters, the folktales also present other positions for female gendered characters, and by extension for girl child readers – courageous, interesting, clever and unconventional female characters are in no shortage in these narrative populations. The findings suggest that the ASb folktales provide a range of identity positions for both girls and boys in African contexts, and my study reflects on how educators might navigate this complex territory. In particular, the findings point to how teachers and other adult caregivers might balance the moral and cultural lessons in folktales with the need for children to imagine and construct different worlds and positions for themselves.MT201

Electric Porsche Drivetrain Re-design

The objective of this project was to redesign the drivetrain of the electric 1977 Porsche 911 Targa S with the goal of optimizing the drivetrain for motor efficiency and performance. The focus was to redesign the interface between the electric motor and rear wheels to maximize the efficiency of power transmission from the motor to the ground. Two systems were proposed, a fixed gear reduction and two motors with an electronic differential. The fixed gear reduction was chosen to be designed and built by replacing the stock Porsche transmission with a differential featuring a favorable gear ratio for the electric motor currently in the Porsche. The project provides detail design of the fixed gear reduction system\u27s integration into the Porsche and provides testing evidence of the improvements over the stock transmission

Ethics of participatory visual research to address gender-based violence

This briefing paper discusses key ethical issues in research activities which have addressed sexual violence, and which also involve the shared experiences of girls and young women. In participatory visual research (PVR) researchers use artistic tools such as film, drawing and photography to plan and conduct research. This paper looks at the uses and effectiveness of PVR as a research tool for addressing sensitive topics, and the ethical issues that are part of this type of participatory study.Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC

Understanding Specific Contexts of Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Rural South Africa: A Thematic Analysis of Digital Stories from a Community with High HIV Prevalence.

Near-perfect adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is required to achieve the best possible prevention and treatment outcomes. Yet, there have been particular concerns about the challenges of adherence among patients living in resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa. The primary objective of this study was to explore adherence in a low-resourced, rural community of high HIV prevalence in South Africa and to identify specific individual and structural factors that can either challenge or support adherence in this context. We applied digital stories as a qualitative research tool to gain insights into personal contexts of HIV and ART adherence. Through an inductive thematic analysis of twenty story texts, soundtracks and drawings, we explored experiences, understandings, and contexts of the participants and identified potential barriers and facilitators for those on lifelong treatment. We found that many of the stories reflected a growing confidence in the effectiveness of ART, which should be viewed as a key facilitator to successful adherence since this attitude can promote disclosure and boost access to social support. Nevertheless, stories also highlighted the complexity of the issues that individuals and households face as they deal with HIV and ART in this setting and it is clear that an overburdened local healthcare system has often struggled to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding epidemic and to provide the necessary medical and emotional support. Our analysis suggests several opportunities for further research and the design of novel health interventions to support optimal adherence. Firstly, future health promotion campaigns should encourage individuals to test together, or at least accompany each other for testing, to encourage social support from the outset. Additionally, home-based testing and ART club interventions might be recommended to make it easier for individuals to adhere to their treatment regimens and to provide a sense of support and solidarity

Using the visual to address gender based violence in rural South Africa Ethical Considerations

The paper presents findings from participatory visual research (such as such as photovoice, digital storytelling, participatory video, and participatory asset mapping) towards investigating violence against women and girls (VAW). Results suggest that while ethical issues may arise in the application of participatory visual tools in contexts of vulnerability, it is still possible to proceed without harm and to gain pertinent insight into this important issue. Qualitative studies with indigenous communities, in particular those that incorporate participatory techniques, can help to build a body of evidence about VAW that is directly informed by the people whose lives are under study