Portable Set Research Articles

A portable analog front-end system for label-free sensing of proteins using nanowell array impedance sensors

Proteins are useful biomarkers for a wide range of applications such as cancer detection, discovery of vaccines, and determining exposure to viruses and pathogens. Here, we present a low-noise front-end analog circuit interface towards development of a portable readout system for the label-free sensing of proteins using Nanowell array impedance sensing with a form factor of approximately 35cm2. The electronic interface consists of a low-noise lock-in amplifier enabling reliable detection of changes in impedance as low as 0.1% and thus detection of proteins down to the picoMolar level. The sensitivity of our system is comparable to that of a commercial bench-top impedance spectroscope when using the same sensors. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the potential of using impedance sensing as a portable, low-cost, and reliable method of detecting proteins, thus inching us closer to a Point-of-Care (POC) personalized health monitoring system. We have demonstrated the utility of our system to detect antibodies at various concentrations and protein (45 pM IL-6) in PBS, however, our system has the capability to be used for assaying various biomarkers including proteins, cytokines, virus molecules and antibodies in a portable setting.

Point-of-care contrast enhanced lung ultrasound and COVID-19.

Bedside lung ultrasound has been indispensable during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, allowing us to rapidly assess critically unwell patients. We demonstrate the unique application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with the aim of further understanding this disease. Patient demographics were recorded alongside recent cross-sectional imaging and inflammatory markers. Ultrasound was conducted by experienced operators in a portable setting. Conventional six-point lung ultrasound method was used to evaluate B-lines, small (subpleural) consolidation and the pleura. Areas of small consolidation were targeted after intravenous administration of ultrasound contrast. The areas of small consolidations, a potential sign of pneumonia on B-mode lung ultrasound, usually enhance on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Our study revealed these areas to be avascular, indicating an underlying thrombotic/infarction process. Findings were present in 100% of the patients we examined. We have also shown that the degree of infarction correlates with CT severity (r = 0.4) and inflammatory markers, and that these areas improve as patients recover. We confirmed the theory of immune thrombus by identifying the presence of microthrombi in the lungs of 100% of our patients, despite 79% having had a recent negative CT pulmonary angiogram study. contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be utilised to add confidence to an uncertain COVID-19 diagnosis and for prognosticating and monitoring progress in confirmed COVID-19 patients. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is clearly very different to CT, the gold standard, and while there are specific pathologies that can only be detected on CT, contrast-enhanced ultrasound has many advantages, most notability the ability to pick up microthrombi at the periphery of the lungs.

Low-field, Portable MRI Sets the Stage for a Potential Paradigm Shift in the Neuro-ICU

Low-field, Portable MRI Sets the Stage for a Potential Paradigm Shift in the Neuro-ICU

Sovereign Risk Indices and Bayesian Theory Averaging

In economic applications, model averaging has found principal use in examining the validity of various theories related to observed heterogeneity in outcomes such as growth, development, and trade. Though often easy to articulate, these theories are imperfectly captured quantitatively. A number of different proxies are often collected for a given theory and the uneven nature of this collection requires care when employing model averaging. Furthermore, if valid, these theories ought to be relevant outside of any single narrowly focused outcome equation. We propose a methodology which treats theories as represented by latent indices, these latent processes controlled by model averaging on the proxy level. To achieve generalizability of the theory index our framework assumes a collection of outcome equations. We accommodate a flexible set of generalized additive models, enabling non-Gaussian outcomes to be included. Furthermore, selection of relevant theories also occurs on the outcome level, allowing for theories to be differentially valid. Our focus is on creating a set of theory-based indices directed at understanding a country’s potential risk of macroeconomic collapse. These Sovereign Risk Indices are calibrated across a set of different “collapse” criteria, including default on sovereign debt, heightened potential for high unemployment or inflation and dramatic swings in foreign exchange values. The goal of this exercise is to render a portable set of country/year theory indices which can find more general use in the research community.

Case Report: The Role of Spatial Repellant Devices to Prevent Malaria in Low-Income Countries.

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda. The role of spatial repellent devices in preventing malaria is controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the populations' acceptability of a newly designed insecticide diffuser. We distributed to three families living in southern Uganda a device commercially available, the VAPE® portable set. This spatial repellent device offers several advantages compared with other traditional products. It is powered by lithium batteries that guarantee 20 days of uninterrupted delivery of insecticide; it contains two insecticides: empenthrin and transfluthrin; and it is simple to use, one switch to turn it "on" and/or "off." It is odorless, and it can be placed anywhere in the living/sleeping area. People can also carry it outside the house. We planned to evaluate people's compliance with its usage, its reliability, and its overall costs. We conducted a 5-month survey. We distributed the devices to three households, one device per bedroom. Ten males and 11 females, with a mean age of 26 ± 16 (range 10-51) years, lived in these houses. The compliance with the use of the device and its acceptability were high. No side effects were reported. No individual contracted malaria during the 5-month period. The major obstacle we found was the timely delivery of the devices to the evaluation area and initial compliance with the instructions on how to use the device. Larger randomized studies are needed to clarify whether there is a role for this type of spatial repellent devices in the global efforts to prevent malaria.

Application of statistical analyses for lapis lazuli stone provenance determination by XRL and XRF

Lapis lazuli use stretches back more than 6500 years; ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome treasured and prized it. Afghanistan has been the oldest source for this stone, while Chile, Canada, Russia and a few other countries have been reported as sources for raw material in more recent times; the rarity of historical mines surely represents a positive aspect for the provenance clue of artefacts. Lapis lazuli is a rock consisting mainly of lazurite, to which it owes the blue colour, calcite and pyrite. Other constituents may be present, related to the different mines. In the present work, we apply the principles of Radio-luminescence (RL) exploiting as radiation source the X-ray tube of a portable commercial X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer; in this way, X-Ray Fluorescence spectra (XRF) can be simultaneously acquired to have a larger set of data. To highlight the instrumental experimental differences, we refer to the portable set up as X-Ray Luminescence (XRL), as suggested by recent literature. We thus looked for the possibility of applying a wieldy, low cost and non-destructive method that could fit also to precious objects, based on the join use of XRF and XRL. We performed analyses on raw lapis lazuli stones from five different provenances, both historical and modern, and on four sets of unknown origin carved polished stones, to test our methods on real artefacts. We focalised on a limited number of samples to concentrate on the statistical treatment of spectra obtained, so to get a synergic response of the two applied techniques. We were able to obtain a clear distinction for the different classified provenances and could speculate those of unknown samples.

STATE-OF-THE-ART OF EXPRESS ANALYTICAL METHODS OF RESEARCH OF MATERIAL OBJECTS IN CRIMINAL PROCESS

The article shows what new possibilities can give the complex application of modern methods of express analysis of material evidence in revealing and proving the circumstances of the investigated event in a criminal proceeding by using modern advances in chemistry and other natural and technical sciences. The instruments for rapid analysis used in the investigation practice are considered, including gas analyzers, chemical test systems (SIGMA set), X-ray fluorescence analyzers («EXPERT Mobile»), electronic microscopes, mass-analyzers (EMAL). The EVD-3000, which is today the most recognized portable detector for explosives (including plastic explosives) and their traces, provides an analysis of the result within 15 seconds. Portable gas analyzer of explosives vapor "EHO-M" is used to study material objects at the scene, as well as the Kinovar analyzer and the "Molecule" portable set. To diagnose the presence of drugs, specially made rapid chemical "spray-tests" of the type "Narcotics identification kit" manufactured by "Becton Dickinson" (USA) are used. Incorporated in expert and investigative practice, the portable set of chemical reagents for express analysis of narcotics "SIGMA" is used to identify objects that contain suspicion of the content of narcotic substances. Portable X-ray fluorescence express analyzer for alloys "EXPERT Mobile" allows non-destructive operational analysis of material objects in the field. Mass-analyzers with laser source of ions EMAL, "SELMI" provide the possibility of simultaneous detection of several dozen elements without destroying material objects.

Electrochemsense: Electrochemical Real-Time Pesticide Sensing System

Contamination of food and water samples in the United States has been a drastic problem to address and one of the reasons for that is the high overhead costs and logistics associated with its screening in produce samples, with another being the inability to report data in real-time-accurately. Based on reports back in 2007, Glyphosate was the most widely used pesticide in the US agricultural sector. More recently, the use of Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) has been reported to have increased more than 100-fold with the emergence of glyphosate resistant weeds. While there is high interest and a requirement to detect this compound, due to it being possibly carcinogenic to humans and causing chromosomal damage to cells, the challenge however lies in designing a low volume sensor that can screen for glyphosate directly from produce run-off and report it as useful concentration information. To highlight one such major challenge, the resolution of a portable sensing system is weaker compared to laboratory instruments, making it difficult to build a system that characterize electrical signals in the range as a low as Nano-amperes (nA) into corresponding contaminant concentration. In this study we work on a portable bio-sensing device that can identify and report trace levels of pesticide through an optimized label-free assay protocol developed in our laboratory. We have built a sensing system that utilizes chronoamperometry to characterize concentration of chemical as a measure of current. To further explain this, when the produce run-off is added to the sensing surface specifically functionalized with antibodies to detect the presence of pesticide- the binding between the target and analyte causes the flow of electric charges between the electrodes to get modulated, and this charge modulation is quantified by studying the current characteristics obtained by chronoamp method. Using this system makes it possible to detect concentrations as low as 0.001ppb (1pg/mL), with this being the sensor’s limit of detection (LOD), and the device then reports contaminant concentration of glyphosate determining the metrics for low or high threshold based on maximum residue limit (MRL)/residue tolerance values for each produce or food item, hence making it possible to screen for pesticide contamination in real-time and a portable setting without further need for laboratory and instrument assistance for both the consumers and industry personnel to keep a check on food quality. Figure 1

Omnidirectional 3D Point Clouds Using Dual Kinect Sensors

This paper proposes a registration method for two sets of point clouds obtained from dual Kinect V2 sensors, which are facing each other to capture omnidirectional 3D data of the objects located in between the two sensors. Our approach aims at achieving a handy registration without the calibration-assisting devices such as the checker board. Therefore, it is suitable in portable camera setting environments with frequent relocations. The basic idea of the proposed registration method is to exploit the skeleton information of the human body provided by the two Kinect V2 sensors. That is, a set of correspondence pairs in skeleton joints of human body detected by Kinect V2 sensors is used to determine the calibration matrices, then Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm is adopted for finely tuning the calibration parameters. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by constructing 3D point clouds for human bodies and by making geometric measurements for cylindrical testing objects.

92 Culture method for long-distance transport of bovine embryos derived from IVF before blastulation using microtubes

In vitro-produced (IVP) embryos are more easily damaged by cryopreservation than in vivo-derived embryos. Therefore, transportation of fresh IVP embryos in a manner that can maintain viability is necessary. This study was conducted to determine the preferable culture conditions for transport of embryos at 5 days post-insemination (dpi) in 1.5-mL microtubes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes derived from an abattoir were matured and then inseminated with frozen-thawed semen. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in mCR1aa (CR1)+5% calf serum (CS) until use. In Exp. 1, embryos with 5 blastomeres at 5 dpi were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 25mM Hepes-CR1aa (H-CR1)+5% CS or 25mM Hepes-M199 (H-M199)+5% CS in air, or CR1 in 5% CO2. Embryos were cultured in microdrops overlaid with liquid paraffin in a petri dish for 48h at 38.5°C. In Exp. 2, the optimal number of embryos to culture per microtube was assessed. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in groups of 20, 40, or 80 in 1mL of CR1 covered with liquid paraffin in microtubes in an incubator at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 until 7 dpi. For Exp. 3, culture of embryos in microtubes in a portable incubator was tested. At 5 dpi, 5-cell embryos (n=17 to 36 per microtube) were statically cultured in 1mL of CR1 or H-CR1 in microtubes in a portable incubator set at 38.5°C for 48h. The CR1 was pre-equilibrated in an incubator in 5% CO2 for 24h before use. Embryos were harvested from microtubes after 48h and were then cultured in microdrops of CR1 overlaid with liquid paraffin in a petri dish in an incubator at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 until 8 dpi. In Exp. 4, embryos (n=29 to 39 five-cell embryos per microtube) were transported in a portable incubator by land for 1000km over a period of 44h using the same conditions as in Exp. 3. Control embryos were statically cultured in microdrops of CR1 in an incubator in 5% CO2. Statistical analyses were carried out by ANOVA (Exp. 1 and 2), t-test (Exp. 3), or Fisher’s exact test (Exp. 4). In Exp. 1, there was no effect (P>0.05) of culture medium on blastocyst development at 7 dpi (27.6±2.3, 25.7±7.2, and 17.3±2.9% for CR1, H-CR1, and H-M199, respectively). In Exp. 2, blastocyst development at 7 dpi was not affected (P>0.05) by the number of presumptive zygotes cultured per microtube (43.6±8.3, 42.4±4.0, and 39.9±2.9% for 20, 40, and 80 presumptive zygotes, respectively). In Exp. 3, blastocyst development at 8 dpi was not affected (P>0.05) by culture medium (60.7±7.4 and 53.1±4.4% for CR1 and H-CR1, respectively); however, the pH of CR1 changed from 7.5 to 8.1 at 48h after culture. In Exp. 4, blastocyst development at 8 dpi was not affected (P>0.05) by transport (57.1, 64.4, and 75.5% for CR1, H-CR1, and control, respectively). These results indicate that IVP embryos harvested at 5 dpi can be transported by portable incubator with no effect on embryo development to the blastocyst stage. This work was supported by grants from the Project of the Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution, NARO (the special scheme project on advanced research and the development for next-generation technology).

Evaluation on the Perception of the New Portable Set for Hajj Course (P.A.H.A.M) Based on Design Characteristics

This paper is about the perceptions of the pilgrims to the innovation of the portable training set for hajj course (P.A.H.A.M). The acronym P.A.H.A.M come from the Malay word “Praktikal Haji Mudahalih” as a tool in helping the hajj and umrah pilgrims to better understand the concept while doing the hajj and umrah practical. In Malaysia, one of the managing bodies of pilgrimage for Muslims in is Pilgrims Fund Board. It provides a series of courses every year to help in boosting the understanding of the pilgrims before leaving for the Holy Land. During the practical session, they will provide the replica model to help pilgrims to familiarise themselves with the actual situation in Mecca. However, the current replica model was built using an iron structure that is relatively heavy, not portable and embarks more cost of transportation and labour. Therefore, this paper discusses the perceptions of the pilgrims on the characteristics of Portable Training Set for Hajj Course (P.A.H.A.M) compared to the existing set in order to increase the understanding of pilgrims. A total of 53 samples of hajj and umrah pilgrims participated in this study consisted of the general public. From the data analysed using Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS v19), the results of the survey showed that more than 90% of respondents agreed that this portable training set meets the characteristics such as easy to handle, more safety in crowd, portable, stability, light weight, suitable in-door and out-door activity, easy to clean, and more structured with average score 4.00 (agreed) and above. In conclusion, it is expected that this Portable Training Set for Hajj Course (P.A.H.A.M) can be used by Muslim’s communities in Malaysia particularly and Muslim countries in general to better understand the hajj and umrah activities before leaving to the Holy Land.

Efficacy of the Mantram Repetition Program for Insomnia in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Naturalistic Study.

Statistics show that more than 80% of Veterans mention posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related symptoms when seeking treatment. Sleep disturbances and nightmares are among the top 3 presenting problems. Current PTSD trauma-focused therapies generally do not improve sleep disturbances. The mantram repetition program (MRP), a mind-body-spiritual intervention, teaches a portable set of cognitive-spiritual skills for symptom management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the MRP on insomnia in Veterans with PTSD in a naturalistic, clinical setting. Results show that participation in the MRP significantly reduced insomnia, as well as decreased self-reported and clinician-assessed PTSD symptom burden.

BACS: The Brussels Artificial Character Sets for studies in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.

Written symbols such as letters have been used extensively in cognitive psychology, whether to understand their contributions to written word recognition or to examine the processes involved in other mental functions. Sometimes, however, researchers want to manipulate letters while removing their associated characteristics. A powerful solution to do so is to use new characters, devised to be highly similar to letters, but without the associated sound or name. Given the growing use of artificial characters in experimental paradigms, the aim of the present study was to make available the Brussels Artificial Character Sets (BACS): two full, strictly controlled, and portable sets of artificial characters for a broad range of experimental situations.

Detection of gold nanoparticles with different sizes using absorption and fluorescence based method

Growing world demand for gold and decreasing discovery rates of ore deposits necessitates new techniques for gold exploration. Current techniques for the detection of ppb level of gold, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are not field-deployable. By contrast, current portable device such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) based sensors are not sufficiently sensitive. Thus, there is growing interest in developing a new, easy-to-use and fast method for detection of low concentrations of gold at the site of an exploration drilling rig.Two optical methods, absorption and fluorescence, are examined for their suitability for low gold concentration detection. Absorption study is based on the analysis of localised surface plasmon resonance peak. For fluorescence analysis, the ability of gold nanoparticles to specifically catalyse the conversion of the non-fluorescent compound (I-BODIPY) to the fluorescent derivative (H-BODIPY) is used. For both absorption and fluorescence methods, the limit of quantification (LOQ) of gold nanoparticles (NPs) was found to be dependent on the NP size (71ppb of 5nm and 24.5ppb of 50nm NPs for absorption and 74ppb of 5nm and 1200ppb of 50nm NPs for fluorescence). The LOQ for fluorescence for 50nm NPs measured in a suspended core optical fibre was almost twice lower than in a cuvette. The field deployment potential of these methods was also determined using a portable set up.

106 COMPARISON OF IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION IN PANAMA USING HOLSTEIN OOCYTES WITH BOS INDICUS SEXED SEMEN FROM DONORS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS: FIELD DATA

The objective of this work was to compare in vitro embryo production of Bos taurus × Bos indicus cross embryos using oocytes from Holstein donors under different production and environment systems. This study also examined the possibility for in vitro production using oocytes imported and transported fresh between the USA and Panama. All animals were mature Holstein cows going through a normal lactation. The first group of donors was from the University of Illinois dairy herd and went through 3 ovum pickup sessions. The second group of donors were Holstein cows already adapted to Panama and went through 10 ovum pickup sessions. The Panamanian herd of Holstein donors were born and raised in Panama in an area of mountains, on average 1300 m above sea level. This environment does not have the typical hot and humid tropical weather seen in other regions of Panama. Both groups of donors were aspirated without stimulation during the years 2013 and 2014. Oocytes recovered from donors in Illinois were imported fresh under a special sanitary research protocol between Panama and the University of Illinois. The transport of fresh oocytes from the USA to Panama was done using a portable incubator set at 39°C (Minutube of America). Oocytes were matured during transport in 5-mL tubes (~30–35 oocytes per tube) containing 400 µL of maturation media (TCM-199) that had been equilibrated with 5% CO2. Oocytes recovered from donors in Panama were matured using the same media. For both groups, oocytes were inseminated 24 h after ovum pickup using sexed semen from the same bull. All embryo production procedures followed the protocols of the In vitro Brasil™ commercial system. At 72 h postinsemination, cleavage was evaluated. On Day 7 after insemination, embryo development to the blastocyst stage (early to expanded) was recorded. Data were analysed using Chi-squared. As shown in Table 1, there was no effect of oocyte collection location on embryo development. These results indicate that it is possible to produce a viable in vitro-produced embryo using fresh oocytes collected and transported from different countries. This work opens the possibility to access superior genetics and improve herds in countries seeking to increase their production systems and potentially improve their quality of life. Table 1.Effect of oocyte collection location on embryo development This project was supported by Programa de Competitividad ProCom Senacyt, Panama.

Differential mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry for atomic analysis.

Analysis and separation of atomic ions within a portable setting are studied in forensic applications of radiological debris analysis. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) may be used to show separation of atomic ions, while the related method of differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) has focused on fractionation of primarily molecular components. We set out to investigate DMS as a means for separating atomic ions. We initially derived the differential ion mobility parameter, alpha, from classic empirical IMS data of atomic ions, cesium and potassium, each showing its own distinct form of alpha. These alpha functions were applied to DMS simulations and supported by analytical treatment that suggested a means for a rapid disambiguation of atomic ions using DMS. We validated this hypothesis through the prototype cesium-potassium system investigated experimentally by DMS coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). Such a feature would be advantageous in a field portable instrument for rapid atomic analyses especially in the case of isobaric ions that cannot be distinguished by MS. Herein, we first report this novel method for the derivation of alpha from existing field dependent drift tube ion mobility data. Further, we translate experimental DMS data into alpha parameters by expanding upon existing methods. Refining the alpha parameter in this manner helps convey the interpretation of the alpha parameter particularly for those new to the DMS field.

Interior PM Generator for Portable AC Generator Sets

For portable ac electric generator sets, it is desired to maintain a constant output voltage under load. With wound-field synchronous generators, this is done using field current (excitation) control. This type of control is not possible with permanent magnet (PM) machines; however, theoretical analysis is used to show that acceptable output voltage regulation can be obtained by two alternative design approaches for interior PM machines. The design of an example 4-pole 16-kW machine is described, and experimental results are provided, demonstrating its sinusoidal output waveform, high voltage regulation, and high efficiency.

Psicoterapia de Grupo para Dor Crônica: um Protocolo

Este artigo trata da psicoterapêutica para dor crônica. Apresenta um protocolo para tratamento psicológico em grupo. É resultado de uma experiência que buscou integrar práticas clínicas que interrompem os processos psicológicos e psicossociais mantenedores do ciclo da dor. Neste protocolo, o treino de habilidades, intervenções psicoeducativas e estratégias mais recentes da terapia comportamental contemporânea são privilegiados. O procedimento de grupo amplia o leque de problemas que podem ser trabalhados ao vivo quando ocorrem durante a sessão. Diversas estratégias que abordam o problema de diferentes ângulos são integradas numa plataforma unificada de tratamento que pode ser aplicado a diversos ambientes (settings). Assim, o protocolo pode contribuir para a acessibilidade ao tratamento psicológico para a dor crônica. A proposta pretende servir aos profissionais no campo e à pesquisa sobre os efeitos de intervenções psicológicas em dor crônica.

Pleural effusion in pediatric patients submitted to liver transplantation: ultrasound and radiological assessment

ObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of bedside lung ultrasound todiagnose and quantify pleural effusion in pediatricpatients submitted to liver transplantation, in compari-son with supine chest radiograph.Patients and methods30 pediatric patients (mean age: 36 months, mean PIM211%) with end stage liver failure submitted to livertransplantation from living/dead donor (split). All thepatients during the first three postoperative days weresubmitted to supine chest radiograph and bedside lungultrasound, during mechanical ventilation or NIV.Three measurements were made in first, second, andthird postoperative day: chest x-ray was performed witha portable set; bedside lung ultrasound detected thepleural effusion at the PLAPS (posterolateral alveolar orpleural syndromes) point. The depth of the pleural effu-sion was evaluated according with the quad sign: thespace outlined between the pleural line and the pulmon-ary line (indicating the visceral pleura).Atelectasis, lung consolidation and pleural effusion arecommon in pediatric patients submitted to liver transplan-tation during the first postoperative days: chest radiographshowed to lack sensitivity in detecting pleural effusion andin differentiating atelectasis from pleural effusion, which iseasy instead with lung ultrasound.Ultrasound can detect the echogenicity of the effusionand help to assess the nature of it, measuring also itseffective volume.Statistically lung ultrasound has better sensitivity (80%)and specificity (90%), compared to chest radiograph,respectively 70% and 70%.ConclusionLung ultrasound is more sensitive and even more speci-fic in comparison to chest radiograph to detect andmeasure pleural effusion in children submitted to livertransplantation.

Reconceptualised life skills in secondary education in the African context: Lessons learnt from reforms in Ghana

Early notions of life skills in Africa did not take into account the importance of a flexible and portable set of skills that would enable youth to adapt to changes in the world of work and lay the foundations for productive well-being and behaviour. Rather, life skills education in many secondary education curricula in Africa started with an emphasis on developing specific technical vocational skills considered essential for employability or self-employment. Using Ghana as an example, this paper shows how secondary education curriculum reformers recommended shifts that embraced a new interpretation of life skills focused on 21st-century skills. This gradual move also reflected the difficulty that secondary education in general has had in networking with the world of work to provide work experience that would lead to the development of work-related skills and enhance employability. The author’s main argument is that although the reconceptualisation of life skills in secondary education to reflect 21st-century skills is a welcome shift in the African context, this needs to be accompanied by reforms in teacher education. Classroom teaching and learning need to be adapted in a fundamental way in order to ensure that youth fully benefit from the inclusion of 21st-century life skills in secondary education curricula. Such reforms must include pedagogical practices which nurture communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking skills.