Evidence for Chiral Wobbler in Nuclei.

Three ΔI=1 bands with the πg_{9/2}⊗νg_{9/2} configuration have been identified in _{35}^{74}Br_{39}. Angular distribution, linear polarization, and lifetime measurements were performed to determine the multipolarity, type, mixing ratio, and absolute transition probability of the transitions. By comparing these experimental observations with the corresponding fingerprints and the quantum particle rotor model calculations, the second and third lowest bands are, respectively, suggested as the chiral partner and one-phonon wobbling excitation built on the yrast band. The evidence indicates the first chiral wobbler in nuclei.

Aspalathin alleviates skeletal muscle insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Natural compounds may bear promising therapeutic benefits against metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which are characterized by a state of insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we examined the cellular mechanisms by which aspalathin, a dihydrochalcone C-glucoside unique to rooibos, may ameliorate palmitate-induced insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in cultured C2C12 myotubules. This current study demonstrated that aspalathin remains effective in improving glucose uptake in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle cells, supported by the upregulation of insulin-dependent signaling that involves the activation of insulin receptor (IR) and direct phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT). Interestingly, aspalathin also improved mitochondrial respiration and function, which was evident by an increased expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (Cpt1), fatty acid transport protein 1 (Fatp1), sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1), and transcription factor A, mitochondrial (Tfam). Importantly, our results showed that aspalathin treatment was effective in ameliorating the devastating outcomes of insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction that are linked with an undesired pro-inflammatory response, by reducing the levels of well-known pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and protein kinase C-theta (PKC-theta). Thus, beyond improving glucose uptake and insulin signaling, the current study brings a new perspective in the therapeutic benefits of aspalathin in improving mitochondrial respiration and blocking inflammation to attenuate the detrimental effect of palmitate in skeletal muscle cells.

Research supervision: perceptions of postgraduate nursing students at a higher education institution in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background. Scientific advancement; particularly in the area of information communication technology (ICT); challenges the mode of knowledge advancement at universities. Such challenges are especially evident in the area of postgraduate (PG) research supervision; particularly in the light of the changing students' demography; whereby there is a radical shift from full-time campus-based students to part-time students. This challenge is compounded by many countries not considering research competency as a requirement for PG supervision - the result of static and outdated curricula. Objective. To explore the perceptions of PG nursing students with regard to the research supervision process. Methods. A quantitative research study was conducted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); Durban; South Africa using non-convenience sampling. The PG Research Experience Survey questionnaire was adapted for the current study. Ethical clearance was obtained from UKZN's Ethics Committee.The population consisted of the PG coursework Master's nursing students who were registered for the research project module during 2012. A total of 56 students participated; with a response rate of 70%. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 19 (SPSS 19) (IBM Corp.; USA). Results. The findings revealed that more than half of the respondents (66.2%; n=37) rated the level of support from research supervisors as moderate on a scale of low to high. The period of research supervision; mode of attendance and status within the university were identified as factors influencing the perceptions of support from research supervisors. Conclusion. This study recommends that; to improve the quality of research supervision; there is a need to include a research supervision module in the curriculum of nurse educators and to adopt online research supervision; underpinned by the extensive use of ICT to accommodate both part-timeand full-time PG students

Exploration of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of street children on the prevention of HIV and AIDS in the Huye district, Rwanda.

UNLABELLED: HIV and AIDS is a pandemic that continues to ravage humanity worldwide, especially among the youth. Street children are victims of society and are up to 10-25 times more affected by HIV and AIDS than their counterparts who live with their families. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of street children with regard to the prevention of HIV and AIDS. METHODS: A cross sectional study with a quantitative approach was carried out in two street children centres in the Huye district, which is situated in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Non probability convenience sampling was used and 83 participants between the ages of 10 and 18 years old were invited to participate. These comprised of 43 females (51.8%) and 40 males (48.2%), A questionnaire, which was translated into Kinyarwanda, was used to collect data from the participants. RESULTS: The findings indicated that the knowledge level of the participants was moderate at 71.7%. However, they still had misconceptions regarding HIV and AIDS as 16.9% of the participants said that there is a vaccine for HIV and AIDS and that it is curable. While 78.3% of the participants knew that HIV could be transmitted by body fluids, only 45.8% and 49.4% knew that it could be transmitted by oral sex and anal sex respectively. The current study revealed that 36.1% of the participants were currently sexually active and 53.7% had not used a condom during their last sexual intercourse. A total of 21.7% of the participants had been given money; drugs or place to sleep in exchange for sex and 20.7% declared that they had unwillingly been forced to have sex. CONCLUSIONS: It is evident that although street children have a moderate knowledge level about HIV and AIDS, they still have certain misconceptions and are exposed to HIV and AIDS due to their risky behaviours. The health professionals should implement a programme of HIV and AIDS prevention among street children so that the street children life may be saved.