Developing a Machine Learning Algorithm for Outdoor Scene Image Segmentation
- Authors: Zangwa, Yamkela
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computational intelligence Computer science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science )
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12087 , vital:39150
- Description: Image segmentation is one of the major problems in image processing, computer vision and machine learning fields. The main reason for image segmentation existence is to reduce the gap between computer vision and human vision by training computers with different data. Outdoor image segmentation and classification has become very important in the field of computer vision with its applications in woodland-surveillance, defence and security. The task of assigning an input image to one class from a fixed set of categories seem to be a major problem in image segmentation. The main question that has been addressed in this research is how outdoor image classification algorithms can be improved using Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) architecture. There has been no one segmentation method that works best on any given problem. To determine the best segmentation method for a certain dataset, various tests have to be done in order to achieve the best performance. However deep learning models have often achieved increasing success due to the availability of massive datasets and the expanding model depth and parameterisation. In this research Convolutional Neural Network architecture is used in trying to improve the implementation of outdoor scene image segmentation algorithms, empirical research method was used to answer questions about existing image segmentation algorithms and the techniques used to achieve the best performance. Outdoor scene images were trained on a pre-trained region-based convolutional neural network with Visual Geometric Group-16 (VGG-16) architecture. A pre-trained R-CNN model was retrained on five different sample data, the samples had different sizes. Sample size increased from sample one to five, to increase the size on the last two samples the data was duplicated. 21 test images were used to evaluate all the models. Researchers has shown that deep learning methods perform better in image segmentation because of the increase and availability of datasets. The duplication of images did not yield the best results; however, the model performed well on the first three samples.
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The characteristics and trends of rainfall on sub-Antarctic Marion Island and associated air circulation patterns
- Authors: Mapuka, Fortunate Nomsa
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc(Geography)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18698 , vital:42725
- Description: Marion Island (46°54ʹS, 37°45ʹE) located in the Southern Ocean possesses one of the most oceanic climates on earth and sensitive to climate change. Climatologically, the sub-Antarctic is inadequately represented in the climate literature and this research therefore attempts to establish the recent changes that have occurred on Marion Island with regards to annual rainfall totals, monthly rainfall, rain days and non-rain days during the period from 1980 to 2018. This study found that annual rainfall has decreased by 24% from 2196.7 mm to 1678.57 mm from 1980 to 2018 and that the last decade (2010-2018) is the driest on record. The decrease in annual rainfall on Marion Island can be directly linked to the decreases recorded in monthly and daily rainfall. Rainfall in autumn has reduced by 35% over the last 40 years and the decrease in autumn rainfall is in part directly related to an increase in anticyclonic air circulation during which Marion Island is not influenced by any mid-latitudinal depressions. The frequency of rain days measured on Marion Island significantly decreased. Daily rainfall measuring less than 5 mm of rain a day contribute 50% of the total number of rain days. However, these high frequency low depth rainfall days contribute very little rainfall to annual totals. On Marion Island rain days that measure 10 mm and above contribute 65% of the total annual rainfall and it is also these type of high magnitude rain days that have significantly decreased since 1980. Multi-day consecutive rain events contribute the greatest proportion of rainfall to the annual rainfall totals (~40%). Linear statistics shows that the contribution to rainfall amount from these multi-day rainfall has halved since 1980. The frequency of non-rain days and consecutive non-rain days have significantly increased. The increased frequency of anticyclonic air circulation over Marion Island and the decrease of the traveling low-pressure systems affecting Marion Island are the probable cause of the increase in non-rain days. It is suggested that this increase in consecutive non-rain days has the most significant impact on the island’s biodiversity and landscape
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experiences of female sex workers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gcina, Boniswa Letticia
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Prostitutes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16730 , vital:40768
- Description: The phenomenon of female sex workers in South Africa is yet to be understood from both the cultural and legal perspectives. This gap leads to various challenges experienced by female sex workers in the country. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of female sex workers in Buffalo City Metropolitan, Eastern Cape Province. A descriptive phenomenological design was used to gain in-depth understanding and knowledge on the experiences of female sex workers’ in reality and social context. The study targeted female sex workers aged between 18-49 years for interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit female sex workers and four focus groups of five members in each group were interviewed to collect data. Due to the sensitivity of the research topic, ethical approvals were sought and granted by University of Fort Hare Research Ethics Committee and the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Further, informed consent was obtained from study participants before data collection begun. Data analysis was done by using Tesch’ method steps. The findings indicated that in Buffalo City Metropolitan the female sex workers were experiencing human rights violation, stigma and discrimination, they were at risk of contracting HIV due to the nature of their work, and they were at risk of being in conflict with the law due to the nature of sex work in South Africa. The study recommends on the decriminalization of sex work in order to decrease rate of violence, rape and exploitation of female sex workers; the closure of all Illegal brothels as they promote drugs and substance abuse among this vulnerable group; and provision of counselling sessions for female sex workers by the Department of Social Welfare. The study concludes that peer educators training and embarking on campaigns in the community, media and social networks to promote ‘Anti-violence against sex workers’ is necessary. Therefore, the female sex workers need to be protected by police from any form of abuse and violence by the community, clients and pimps. This can address the psychological stress displayed by female sex workers in the studydomain
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Factors affecting experiential learning for midwifery students at the public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Pama, Nomzekelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Midwifery -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Midwives -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4524 , vital:28375
- Description: In nursing education, experiential learning is an important part of the curriculum and accounts for almost half of the requirements for the nursing programmes. A positive relationship with and collaboration between the training institutions and clinical placement facilities are vital for student achievement. Nurse educators are also expected to involve themselves in clinical accompaniment to bridge the theory-practice gap. Student nurses placed in midwifery clinical learning environments experience difficulty in meeting their experiential learning outcomes and programme requirements. Due to the overcrowded clinical facilities, they compete for the limited learning opportunities and resources which make the integration of theory and practice difficult. Therefore, this leads to delay in the commencement of community service by some of the nursing students as they do not graduate because of not achieving midwifery clinical outcomes and programme requirements. The purpose of the study is to assess factors affecting experiential learning for midwifery students at the public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape and the main objectives of the study were to: • Identify the challenges affecting the quality of learning in the clinical learning environment. • Determine the nature of supervision for experiential learning of midwifery students. • Determine the role of a nurse educator in the experiential learning of student nurses in midwifery clinical learning environment. Methods and analysis A quantitative, descriptive survey was conducted by making use of the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher (CLES+T) evaluation scale. The CLES+T is a reliable and valid evaluation scale for the gathering of information on the clinical learning environment and supervision of student nurses. The CLES+T evaluation scale was completed by 115 student nurses within the selected sites. The CLES+T evaluation scale is subdivided into three main sections with additional sub-sections: (1) the learning environment (2) the supervisory relationship and (3) the role of the nurse teacher (lecturer).
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Factors influencing adherence to folic acid and ferrous sulphate nutritional supplement intake among pregnant teenagers in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kalipa, Zamazizi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pregnancy -- Nutritional aspects Pregnant women -- Attitudes Folic acid -- Pregnant women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10017 , vital:35286
- Description: Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing folic acid/ferrous sulphate nutritional supplement intake among pregnant teenagers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), Eastern Cape in South Africa.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 300 purposively selected pregnant teenagers aged between 13 to 19 years, who were attending antennal clinic in BCMM. A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The majority (97.0 percent) of the respondents obtained their supplements from the clinic; took other medications (87.2 percent); the respondents regularly used nutritional supplements (71.7 percent); agreed that folic acid and ferrous sulphate were important for pregnancy outcomes (96 percent); should be taken before pregnancy and after birth (68.2 percent); and nurses had explained the possible pregnancy complications (71.7 percent). About 84.1 percent agreed that the medication containers were clearly labelled; and nurses had explained the side effects of folic acid/ ferrous folate (60.7 percent), and the likely action in case side effects occurred (56 percent). The majority of the participants also agreed that folic acid and ferrous sulphate are good for the unborn baby (88 percent); and are harmless to the unborn baby (75.3 percent). The majority (49.2 percent) of the participants did not consume dark leafy vegetables, cabbage (35.0 percent), liver (47.1 percent), beef/lamb (42.0 percent), fish (43.3 percent) and beans/legumes (36.4 percent). Participants indicated that folic acid and ferrous sulphate made them feel nauseous, inclined to vomit and also caused stomach pain.Conclusion: The majority of pregnant teenagers received their nutritional supplements from the health facilities over the counter. The study indicated that nausea, vomiting, forgetting to take the supplements due to busy schedules, non-availability of folic acid and ferrous sulphate in health facilities were the major reasons influencing the intake of folic acid and ferrous sulphate by pregnant teenagers. Also, there is low consumption of iron and folate rich foods by pregnant teenagers in this setting. Health practitioners including doctors, nurses and community health care workers needed to improve health education by including information on nutritional supplements and the importance an use of folic acid and ferrous sulphate during pregnancy.
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Performance comparison of iron pillared montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolites sorption for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in water
- Authors: Madigoe, Marakeng Rhudolf
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Biological treatment Adsorption Montmorillonite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8078 , vital:31516
- Description: The higher concentration of heavy metals and pollutants is toxic to human health and the environment. It is essential to remove these toxics from contaminated water. There are several methods developed for water treatment. These include adsorption, reverse osmosis, precipitation, coagulation and cation exchange. Adsorbents of various characteristics are considered for removal of heavy metals and pollutants. The study investigated the performance of iron pillared Montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolite (acid and base) for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in artificially contaminated water. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) instruments. The percentage removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) after adsorption process were determined. Iron pillared Montmorillonite showed efficient removal for lead and zeolite for copper and nickel.
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The effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services in the Eastern Cape: a case of Alfed Nzo District Municipality
- Authors: Makali, Andile Ernest
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Health-care services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13546 , vital:39678
- Description: The study sought to assess the effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services. Since the democratic elections, the South African government was faced with the task of eliminating the racially based municipal system that segregated certain groups of people in service delivery. To deal with the determination and re-determination of municipal boundaries the Municipal Demarcation Board (MBD) was established in 1998. The study used secondary data to achieve its objectives. A number of official documents and sources that were used for this study. These included government documents, municipal documents, NGO documents, private sector documents. Results showed that municipal revenue is negatively affected by demarcations. Alfred Nzo District Municipality is no exception to this. Furthermore, demarcation processes have implications for health human resources and other municipal health processes. Human resources such as nurses and doctors are sometimes shifted from one municipality to another. Other negative consequences (especially in the transition period) may result from issues related to the supply chain, long-term contracts, municipal plans and policies, financial and other systems, information and databases, asset registers and asset maintenance, and repairs.
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Determinants of participation in beekeeping and its contribution to rural household income: the case of O. R. Tambo Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ncetani, Nelisiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Beekeepers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Home economics, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1486 , vital:27299
- Description: This dissertation explores determinants and perceptions to participation in beekeeping by households’ as well as its contribution to household income. This is in a context that smallholder farmers’ participation is reported to be very low, despite several claimed benefits of beekeeping. Moreover, despite receiving substantial endorsements as a resilient climate-smart rural livelihood, off-farm, forest, non-timber diversification strategy; the uptake of beekeeping by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa still remains very low. Against this background, this study used cross-sectional survey data to gauge smallholder farmers’ perceptions and factors that influence their participation in beekeeping using a binary regression model; further, it measured the contribution of beekeeping to rural household income using a linear regression model. Descriptive statistics revealed that majority of the people from the study area have positive perceptions regarding beekeeping. Regression estimates further indicate that beekeeping is mostly conditioned by shared perceptions, institutional and socio-economic factors that are worth targeting to promote the uptake of beekeeping as a livelihood. Public policies that influence the institutional framework (extension, credit and market) in favour of beekeeping are more likely to promote participation in beekeeping activities. Also, more research on the documentation and benefits of beekeeping supported by investments targeting educational campaigns towards promoting positive attitudes and dispelling fears and myths surrounding beekeeping as an enterprise, will also promote the participation of smallholder farmers in beekeeping. Regression estimates for determinants of household income revealed a significant positive contribution of beekeeping to household income, education, gender and age. Promotion of beekeeping may therefore address household income that is worth targeting to address rural poverty. The study therefore concludes that to fully unlock the income potential of beekeeping for smallholder farmers, development agencies need to address several negative perceptions and institutional factors that affect beekeeping participation, while more research is required to quantify the claimed benefits of beekeeping, given their positive potential to promote farmers’ interests in beekeeping.
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Diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers and their wild host plants in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa
- Authors: Kokwana, Bongiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Stem borers--South Africa Pests--South Africa Grain--Diseases--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Entomology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11729 , vital:39101
- Description: Lepidopteran stem borers are infamous among cereal crops and sugarcane growers because of their pests status in these crops. Lepidopteran stem borers often infest cereal crops such as maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). However, in natural habitats, the stem borers feed on a wide variety of wild host plants species in the Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Typhaceae families. Some wild host plants in close approximation of cultivated fields act as reservoirs for stem borers during the absence of cultivated crops. Understanding of the diversity of the stem borers, their host plants and their interactions was very important in development of management strategies for the stem borer populations. For an example, grasses such as Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) and Sudan grass(Sorghum vulgare var. Sudanense (Piper) Hitchc.) act as trap plants whereas other grasses such as Molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.) and legume silverleaf (Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC.) act as repellents to stem borer moths. In South Africa, studies on the diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers in wild habitats are limited. Previous studies concentrated on diversity, abundance, and distribution of stem borers and their natural enemies on cultivated crops because of the economic importance of cultivated crops. In view of the foregoing, this study was conducted to investigate the diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers and their host plants in wild habitats in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa and to generate mtDNA COI sequences of the stem borer species in natural habitats. These sequences can be accessed in databases and assist in identification of previously unknown stem borers in cultivated crops. Therefore this study contributes to development of monitoring and early identification tool of the stem borer movements between host plants assemblages. Surveys were conducted in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa during the rainy season of 2014 and 2015 in 38 localities to catalogue the diversity of lepidopteran stem borers in wild host plants. The sites visited belonged to five vegetation types: grassland, the Indian Ocean coastal belt, savanna, forest, and wetlands. A total of 237 lepidopteran stem borers was collected during study yielding 21 species that belonged to Noctuidae (Acrapex sp. 89, Acrapex sp. 90, Acrapex sp. 92, Acrapex sp., Acrapex minima, New genus NG11), Sesamia calamistis Hampson, Sesamia sp., Sesamia natalensis Le rü sp. nov., Sesamia nov sp. 4, Sesamia nov sp.36, Conicofrontia bipartita Hampson, Conicofrontia sesamoides Hampson, Conicofrontia diamensa Hampson, Pirateolea piscator Fletcher , Sciomesa mesophaea Aurivillius), Crambidae(Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Calamotropha paludella Hibner) Pyralidae (Phycitiinae sp. 1 and Phycitiinae sp. 2) and Tortricidae were recorded from 20 wild host plant species. Stem borer wild host plants species were Cymbopogon dieterlenii Stapf ex Schweick.,Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, Cymbopogon pospischilii (K. Schum.) C.E. Hubb., Digitaria macroglossa Henrad, Eriochloa meyeriana (Nees) Pilg.,Eriochloa fatmensis (Hochst. &Steud.) Clayton, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch., Miscanthus capensis (Nees) Andersson, Paspalum urvillei Steud., Panicum maximumJacq., Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud.,Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, Setaria homonyma (Steud.) Chiov.,Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf.,Cyperus divesDelile, Cyperu sdistans Pursh, Cyperus fastigiatus Rottb., Cyperus sexangularis Nees and Typha latifolia (L.).The diversity of stem borer species varied among vegetation types, host plants, and altitude. Morphological identification of specimens from these surveys indicated a high diversity of stem borer species in the Noctuidae family, followed by Pyralidae, Crambidae, and Tortricidae respectively. Of all the stem borers collected in the two provinces, noctuid species were most abundant in all vegetation types from low to high altitudes representing 62.45percent, whereas pyralids, crambids, and tortricids made up 26.58percent, 9.28percent, and 1.69percent respectively. The diversity and distribution of stem borers were affected by latitude. KwaZulu-Natal had higher latitudes ranging between -28.37717˚ and -31.07800˚ and had higher diversity, distribution and the of stem borers host plants, while Western Cape Province had lower diversity and distribution at latitudes ranging between -34.00280˚ and -34.05343˚. Morphological identification of stem borers was complemented with the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) to investigate evolutionary relationships between the stem borer species collected in this study. Of the 12 sequences searched from the databases and the Genebank only five sequences were identified to species level; UFH024 was identified as Sciomesa mesophaea, the other four were identified as Conicofrontia sesamoides, Conicofrontia bipartita; and the first ever record of Calamotropha paludella in South Africa and Pirateolea piscator. Five sequences; UFH026, UFH028, UFH029, UFH030, UFH032 were only identified to order.
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Graduation Ceremony May 2009
- Authors: University of Fort Hare
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:11985
- Description: University of Fort Hare Graduation programme Friday, 8th & Saturday, 9th May 2009.
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