All twenty amino acids did not appear simultaneously in nature. Instead some of them appeared early, while others were added into the genetic code later. The amino acids that were formed by Miller (1953) are suggested to have appeared early in evolutionary history, and the amino acids associated with codon capture developed late in the course of evolution. The chronological order of appearance of the amino acids proposed by Trifonov (2000) was G/A, V/D, P, S, E/L, T, R, N, K, Q, I, C, H, F, M, Y, W. According to Romero et al. (1997) amino acids G, D, E, P and S are disorder-promoting residues and C, F, W and Y are order-promoting residues this means that the early or the ancient amino acids were disorder promoting and the order promoting residues came late into the genetic code. These observations led to the hypothesis that the first proteins, which were comprised of the early amino acids only, were disordered, and, furthermore, that the appearance of the late amino acids and the appearance of the structural proteins were concurrent. Software developed by Brooks et al. (2004) to find the amino acid composition of the LUA (Last Universal Ancestor) was used to test this hypothesis. For this work, the Clusters of Orhtologous Groups of proteins (65 COGs) were split into enzymes and non-enzymes. It was found that intrinsic disorder was abundant in both the groups of proteins, with non enzymes being much more disorder than enzymes. Further analysis was done to check for the frequency of the modern amino acids C, F, W, and Y in the Protein data bank (PDB) and Swissprot.

Magister Artium - MA / My MA mini-thesis in Creative Writing is a collection of 33 poems titled Learning to Exhale. The poems are centred around a character – a black African woman who is sharing her experiences of mental illness. The poems revolve around memory, forgetting and remembering; going back to the moment when the woman realises that she is ill, understanding it from the present while working to find ways to express what bipolar disorder is and how she experiences it. The collection also highlights her search for words and meaning to describe these experiences that are highly traumatic. This is to create a language of expressing the indescribable. This means that the form and structure is experimental, combining differing styles and form to show different voices, different states of mind that swing from depression, mania to suicidal thoughts.

Background: The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at a prevalence rate of 5-8% has clear public health and service implications. Studies suggest that certain populations, especially those with lower socio-economic status, are not adequately identified and treated. Evidence-based guidelines aim to standardize practice, but implementing them in low-resource environments can be challenging. To assess compliance, clinical audits for ADHD management have been conducted in higher income countries, but, to our knowledge, there have been no such audits in sub-Saharan Africa. Here we performed a clinical audit of ADHD assessment and treatment and compared compliance between two clinic groups in Cape Town, South Africa. Objectives: The primary aim was to measure compliance in a South African context using the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for ADHD as the gold standard. The secondary aim was to compare compliance and socio-demographics between a 'central’ group (attending a treatment site in an area associated with high socio-economic status) and a 'peripheral’ group (attending in areas associated with low socio-economic status) in Cape Town. Methods: A clinical audit was conducted (March-June 2013) on the case notes for 100 'active’ cases of children or adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. The 'central’ group consisted of patients attending the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Neuropsychiatry Clinic. The 'peripheral’ group included cases from community clinics in Retreat, Vanguard, Heideveld, and Kensington. Fifty cases were randomly selected from each group. Data were captured using an audit template derived from NICE guidelines, and a socio-demographic template. Results: Overall, of the 17 audit standards tested none showed 100% compliance. Compliance with four standards was rated 'good’ (>80%): qualified diagnostician (86%), clinician contact with teacher (96%), side effect monitoring (84%), and offering Methylphenidate as first line treatment (80%). Compliance with five standards was 'fair’ (50- 79%): DSM-IV criteria documentation (60%), treatment plan including behavioral or psychological interventions (71%), attempted communication in the patient’s primary language (69%), documentation of the child’s perspective (76%), and monitoring treatment response on standard scales (71%). Compliance with eight standards was 'poor’ (< 0.0001); and treatment response monitoring using standard scales (80% vs. 62%, p = 0.047). Conclusions: Overall, compliance with NICE guidelines for ADHD was low. The central group performed better than the peripheral group in key areas, offering a greater array of treatment options and safer monitoring. We recommend the introduction of structured protocols with re-audit as a tool to improve the quality of service delivery and present an audit checklist to be used in future audit cycles.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relative importance of diagnostic and psychosocial factors in the prediction of adolescent suicidal ideation. Previous research has shown both sets of variables to be significantly related to suicidality but has failed to compare their relative efficacy in explaining suicidal ideation. It was hypothesized that diagnostic variables would afford better prediction of suicidal ideation than psychosocial variables, diagnostic variables would predict suicidal ideation above and beyond psychosocial variables, and psychosocial variables would predict suicidality after controlling for the effects of diagnostic variables. This study included valid diagnostic and psychosocial variables, employed independent diagnoses as opposed to diagnostic groupings, and utilized continuous measures of psychiatric symptomatology, in series of regression analyses to test these hypotheses. Results revealed that diagnostic variables, in particular, severity of major depressive disorder symptomatology, afforded the strongest prediction of suicidal ideation, even after controlling for psychosocial variables. The comorbid combination of mood disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was found to be the most strongly linked to suicidal ideation of all diagnostic combinations. However, social support added to the prediction of suicidal ideation above and beyond that offered by all diagnostic variables. Moreover, the interaction of social support and family environment predicted suicidality above and beyond severity of major depressive disorder symptomatology. It was concluded that optimal prediction of suicidality is likely obtained through the utilization of continuous measures of psychiatric symptomatology in suicide research. Moreover, suicide research and clinical practice should include examinations of both diagnostic and psychosocial variables to increase prediction and understanding of suicidal ideation in adolescents. / Ph. D.

This qualitative study, with elements of co-operative enquiry and phenomenology, endeavoured to describe the impact of rape on the occupations of women who have been raped. Data were gathered from participants who were clients at Rape Crisis, Observatory, through 4 unstructured focus groups and analyses to explore changes in their occupations. What emerged was that the participants were all dissatisfied with their occupations. The overwhelming impact of symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on all their occupations was discussed. A dynamic between Person, Occupation and Environment impacted on the occupational engagement and avoidance by the participant. Recommendations for the rape survivors, service providers and family members were made.

This study examined the links among child maltreatment (i.e., child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child emotional abuse, and child neglect), eating disorder symptoms, problematic use of drugs and alcohol, coping strategies, and emotion regulation in women. This study also examined coping strategies and emotion regulation as potential moderators of the links among child maltreatment, eating disorder symptoms, and problematic substance use. Maltreatment in childhood is linked with numerous adverse outcomes across the lifespan. For instance, the development of maladaptive coping styles, poor emotion regulation, substance use problems, and eating disorders all are linked to a history of child maltreatment, but how these factors interact has yet to be investigated. These constructs were examined through hierarchical multiple regressions in a sample of 383 women age 19 or older, recruited online. Results indicated that women who experienced greater overall child maltreatment engaged in more problematic drug use and more problematic alcohol use and women with child sexual abuse (CSA) engaged in greater levels of problematic drug use. Avoidance coping was associated with greater levels of problematic drug use, dieting, bulimia and food preoccupation, and overall eating disorder symptoms. Women with more severe eating disorder symptoms and who used greater expressive suppression, also engaged in more problematic alcohol use. When considered together, all forms of child maltreatment were associated with greater avoidance and problematic drug and alcohol use, CSA survivors used less avoidance and expressive suppression, and child neglect (CN) survivors used more avoidance and expressive suppression. These findings suggest that health care professionals working with women survivors of child maltreatment should be aware of increased risk of developing substance use problems as well as less effective coping and emotion regulation strategies that may be stemming from victimization experiences. In addition, it may be helpful for clinicians working with women with eating disorders or problematic substance use to focus on improving coping and emotion regulation skills. / Graduate

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / This qualitative study investigated the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder within the mining industry. It further reviewed systems used to manage the same disorder following a disastrous mining accident in the Slater Coal Mines. There are key challenges that were reviewed as part of improving diagnosis and management of post-traumatic stress disorder. Two focus groups consisting of six African mineworkers, working in the Slater Coal Mines, were conducted. All participants were isiZulu speakers. The data was analysed using grounded theory, which is a qualitative technique. In using this data analysis technique, data labelling, open coding, axial coding and selective coding were the steps that were followed as a guide. Research findings indicated that post-traumatic stress disorder is prevalent within the mining industry and differs from post-traumatic stress. Existence of post-traumatic stress disorder was represented by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidant behaviours and terror. Further, causes of mining accidents and accident management measures were the findings. Different work conditions were implicated in the study as contributing to trauma in the mines in addition to accidents that happen underground.

A mini-dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Educational Psychology in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, 2017 / There was a limited amount of research that looked at the experiences of educators teaching learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Many learners enter schools without a diagnosis of ADHD only to find that they present with the symptoms of ADHD. So, it is important for educators to know these symptoms and what to do with such learners in a classroom. The Department of Basic Education can better understand how to assist educators in order for them to teach ADHD learners effectively. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of educators teaching learners with ADHD. This study had the following objectives: The first objective was to explore the experiences of educators who teach learners with ADHD. The second objective was to determine whether or not there is adequate training provided for educators to teach learners with ADHD. The third objective was to establish if there are intervention strategies teachers use to teach ADHD learners. The participants in this study were ten (10) educators from three (3) different schools in uMtunzini Circuit, KwaZulu Natal. Themes from the interview were analysed using Thematic Analysis method. The views expressed by educators in most instances were in line with those of the research authors identified in this study. The conclusions amongst others were that educators are experiencing difficulties teaching learners with ADHD. They are challenged in terms of managing ADHD learners in classrooms. It is clear that educators require training to equip themselves with knowledge and skills on ADHD.

Individuals who experience bipolar disorder may have difficulty acquiring and maintaining relationships due to the stigma associated with mental illness. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine the attitudes and perceptions of African American men and women regarding their experiences of dating and relationships with individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder. The theory used in this study was equity theory. The research question for this study explored how African American adults experience relationship acquisition and maintenance with a partner who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For this generic qualitative study, there were 12 respondents. Participants were African American adults who had dated or been in a relationship with an individual diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Themes that emerged from this study were sense of relief, sense of fear, unmodified affection, benefits of the relationship, resolution of unfair situations, reluctance to participate in a relationship with an individual diagnosed with bipolar disorder again, and race intensified the relationship. The participants associated acquisition, or the early stages of the relationship, with challenges, especially if they were unaware of the diagnosis in the beginning and could not explain certain behaviors. The results of this study can be used to promote understanding about bipolar disorder and the impact of mental illness on relationships.

Eating disorders have a dramatic effect on the lives of people who struggle with them, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems, and death. Individuals with these diagnoses are also often struggling with comorbid diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse/dependence. Building on a conceptualization of eating disorders as a means to dysfunctionally regulate negative affect and escape unwanted thoughts, psychological flexibility, the ability of a person to contact unwanted thoughts or feelings and behave without escape or avoidance, is investigated as a tool for treatment. Additionally, because quantitative analysis of the construct of psychological flexibility has often employed the use of college samples, this study employed a sample of participants drawn from a residential treatment facility dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders. Through regression and modeling, psychological flexibility demonstrates its utility in the treatment of eating disorders through its relationship with body dissatisfaction and quality of life.