UPSpace Repository

Faculty Research Collections

UP Research Output Collections

Featured

Recent Submissions

Harnessing benzamides as plant stress inhibitors, growth promoters and in management of crop resilience-a review
Koetle, M.J.; Motaung, Thabiso Eric; Amoo, S.O. (Wiley, 2026)
Benzamides have emerged as potent stress inhibitors and growth promoters in plant biotechnology, particularly in the management of crop resilience. This review delves into the mechanisms of action, applications, and potential benefits of benzamides, especially focusing on their role as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Benzamides modulate stress responses by inhibiting PARP activity, which is crucial for DNA repair and maintaining genomic stability. This inhibition prevents excessive poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, conserving cellular energy and enhancing stress tolerance. Additionally, benzamides promote alternative DNA repair pathways, contributing to the timely repair of DNA lesions and reducing mutation accumulation. In plant stress management, classical PARP inhibitors like 3-methoxybenzamide (3-MBA) and 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) have demonstrated efficacy in enhancing resistance to abiotic stresses, improving plant growth, and increasing transformation efficiency. This review also highlights the antimicrobial, herbicidal, and insecticidal properties of benzamides, which enhance plant defence mechanisms against various pests and diseases. In summary, benzamides offer multiple approaches to enhancing crop resilience and stress management, with significant implications for sustainable agriculture.
Hearing loss and hearing aid stigma in low- and middle-income settings : a scoping review
Frisby, Caitlin; Manchaiah, Vinaya; Dawood, Nausheen; Nieman, Carrie; Swanepoel, De Wet (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
PURPOSE : Stigma has been reported as a key barrier to hearing aid uptake. This scoping review explores evidence of reported stigma associated with hearing loss and hearing aids in low- and middle-income (LMI) settings. METHODS : Four databases were searched to identify studies published up to 6 November 2024. Studies mentioning stigma in relation to hearing loss or hearing aids in LMI countries or LMI settings within high-income countries were included. A narrative synthesis was conducted. RESULTS : Twenty-nine studies were included, with 26 conducted in LMI countries and three in LMI settings within high-income countries. Two main domains were identified: (a) stigma experienced by individuals with hearing loss, ear disease, or hearing aids and (b) experiences of stigma reported by direct communication partners. Four themes emerged from affected individuals, including (a) internalized stigma, (b) social stigma, (c) cultural beliefs, and (d) barriers to help-seeking. Communication partners’ themes included (a) perception of individuals with hearing loss, (b) impact on relationships, and (c) cultural beliefs. Unique theme in LMIs is cultural beliefs that hearing loss is associated with witchcraft and curses. CONCLUSIONS : A limited number of studies were identified but emphasized cultural and religious beliefs as important contributing factors to stigma in LMIs. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION • Stigma related to hearing loss and hearing aids in low- and middle-income (LMI) settings presents a significant barrier to help-seeking and device adoption. • Community-based education and culturally sensitive interventions are essential to addressing stigma and promoting hearing healthcare uptake. • Targeting both individuals with hearing loss and their communication partners can help reduce negative perceptions. • Rehabilitation strategies should incorporate cultural and religious beliefs to effectively address stigma unique to LMI settings, such as associations with witchcraft and curses.
Hearing stakeholder voices in the design of a non-electronic sepedi graphic symbol-based AAC resource
Mothapo, Ngwanamashiane Rahab Blondie; Tonsing, Kerstin Monika; Soto, Gloria (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
The design of non-English Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) resources is an urgent necessity. Human centered design (HCD) may be a useful framework for involving stakeholders in establishing design requirements for a non-electronic Sepedi graphic symbol-based AAC resource. This framework foregrounds the voice of stakeholders in the design process to counter the hegemony of Western Anglo-centric methodologies and approaches. This study aimed to obtain initial input on the need for and design requirements of a non-electronic Sepedi GS-based AAC resource from the stakeholders. A qualitative descriptive design was used. The perspectives of 21 stakeholders including special school teachers, speech-language therapists, parents of participants in need of AAC, Sepedi linguists and adults using AAC were obtained via focus groups and interviews. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants highlighted a need for a culturally and linguistically appropriate AAC resource. They furthermore indicated that the resource should promote communication access, social inclusion and the development of various communication and language skills. The school and the home environment were identified as primary contexts of use. Specific suggestions regarding the vocabulary, the graphic symbols, the lay-out and organization of the vocabulary as well as the physical properties of the resource were obtained. The participants highlighted a need for a team to design and develop the resource. The study showed that diverse stakeholders could contribute meaningfully to the design process of an AAC resource for young individuals from a Sepedi language background.
Hidden diversity behind the Lecanicillium-like white colony-forming mycoparasites on Hemileia vastatrix (coffee leaf rust)
Colman, A.A.; Araujo, J.P.M.; Evans, H.C.; Mansur, P.S. Correa; Salcedo-Sarmiento, S.; Silva, A.L.; Kapeua-Ndacnou, M.; Belachew-Bekele, B.K.; Pereira, C.M.; Crous, Pedro W.; Barreto, R.W. (Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 2025-12)
During surveys for fungal natural enemies of Hemileia vastatrix - the causal agent of coffee leaf rust (CLR) - in its African centre of origin (Cameroon, Ethiopia), as well as in its exotic South American range (Brazil, Paraguay), an eclectic and species-rich mycobiota was encountered. Here, we provide a comprehensive report on an assemblage of "white colony-forming fungi" (WCF), often treated in the earlier literature under the inadequate "label" Verticillium lecanii (=Lecanicillium lecanii). A total of 265 isolates of WCF were provisionally placed in this arbitrary group. We clarified the identity of our assemblage of Lecanicillium-like fungi using a combination of morphological characteristics and sequence data for the large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF) and the largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2) regions. Fifteen WCF species belonging to eight genera across three hypocrealean families (Bionectriaceae, Clavicipitaceae and Cordycipitaceae) were found parasitizing pustules of CLR. Significantly, Lecanicillium lecanii was not found to be present amongst these taxa. Six species belonged to the known genera - Corniculantispora, Gamszarella, Lecanicillium, Ovicillium, Pleurodesmospora and Simplicillium. Two new genera are described, Bettiolomyces and Hemileiophthora, as well as seven new species, Bettiolomyces urediniophagus, Gamszarella uredinophila, Hemileiophthora denticulata, H. nodosa, Lecanicillium hemileiae, Pleurodesmospora hemileiae and Simplicillium hemileiae. The following known WCF species are recorded here for the first time on pustules of H. vastatrix: Corniculantispora dimorpha, Gamszarella buffelskloofina, Lecanicillium uredinophilum, Ovicillium attenuatum, Pleurodesmospora coccorum and Simplicillium subtropicum. Additionally, the new combination Bettiolomyces epiphytus is introduced for Verticillium epiphytum.
Hierarchical model predictive control of greenhouse energy systems considering energy-water-carbon-food nexus
Lin, Dong; Hu, Minjie; Ren, Zhiling; Dong, Yun; Ye, Xianming; Fan, Yuling; Zhang, Lijun (Elsevier, 2026-03-15)
Greenhouse cultivation plays a vital role in ensuring food security but is often associated with high energy consumption, water usage, and carbon emissions. Integrating renewable energy systems for power supply and utilizing rainwater harvesting for irrigation can help address these challenges. However, balancing these interconnected factors requires advanced control strategies. In this study, we propose a hierarchical model predictive control (MPC) framework to optimize the management of grid-connected photovoltaic-battery systems in greenhouses, accounting for the interactions among energy use, water consumption, carbon emissions, and food production (EWCF nexus). The hierarchical MPC is structured in three layers: the first optimizes greenhouse operations to minimize total costs (MTC); the second manages the scheduling of the hybrid energy system to minimize operational cost (MOC); and the third designs an MPC controller to handle photovoltaic generation and load demand disturbances. Results show that the proposed MTC strategy reduces the total cost by 81.01% compared with the minimizing energy consumption strategy. Moreover, the MOC strategy reduces operational costs by 20.68% compared to the maximizing self-consumption strategy. In addition, the proposed MPC achieves superior performance in tracking the reference trajectory under varying disturbance levels compared to commonly used open loop controllers. This study provides practical guidance for greenhouse management by addressing key resource and environmental challenges, contributing to the sustainable development of controlled-environment agriculture. HIGHLIGHTS • Grid-connected PV–battery system powers greenhouses and reduces emissions. • Three-layer hierarchical control improves efficiency and operational flexibility. • Total cost optimization considers the energy–water–carbon–food nexus. • MPC-based energy management improves economy and robustness.