Improving the robustness and effectiveness of rural telecommunication infrastructures in Dwesa South Africa
- Authors: Ranga, Memory Munashe
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Computer networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11382 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001113 , Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Computer networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In recent years, immense effort has been channelled towards the Information and Technological development of rural areas. To support this development, telecommunication networks have been deployed. The availability of these telecommunication networks is expected to improve the way people share ideas and communicate locally and globally, reducing limiting factors like distance through the use of the Internet. The major problem for these networks is that very few of them have managed to stay in operation over long periods of time. One of the major causes of this failure is the lack of proper monitoring and management as, in some cases, administrators are located far away from the network site. Other factors that contribute to the frequent failure of these networks are lack of proper infrastructure, lack of a constant power supply and other environmental issues. A telecommunication network was deployed for the people of Dwesa by the Siyakhula Living Lab project. During this research project, frequent visits were made to the site and network users were informally interviewed in order to gain insight into the network challenges. Based on the challenges, different network monitoring systems and other solutions were deployed on the network. This thesis analyses the problems encountered and presents possible and affordable solutions that were implemented on the network. This was done to improve the network‟s reliability, availability and manageability whilst exploring possible and practical ways in which the connectivity of the deployed telecommunication network can be maintained. As part of these solutions, a GPRS redundant link, Nagios and Cacti monitoring systems as well as Simple backup systems were deployed. v Acronyms AC Access Concentrators AMANDA Automatic Marylyn Network Disk Archiver CDMA Code Divison Multiple Access CGI Common Gateway Interface.
- Full Text:
In vitro activity of bioactive compounds of selected South African medicinal plants on clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori
- Authors: Okeleye, Benjamin Ifeoluwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Helicobacter pylori , Microbial sensitivity tests , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/310 , Helicobacter pylori , Microbial sensitivity tests , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Description: The stem bark of Peltophorum africanum and Bridelia micrantha are used in South Africa traditional medicine for treatment of intestinal parasites, relieve problems and human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The growing problem of antibiotic resistance by Helicobacter pylori the major etiological agent in gastritis, gastric cancer, peptic and gastric ulcer demands the search for novel compounds from plant based sources. This study was aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of five solvent (ethylacetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol and water) extracts of the stem bark of P. africanum and B. micrantha on clinical strains of H. pylori in a bid to identify potential sources of cheap starting materials for the synthesis of new drugs. H. pylori strains were isolated from patients presenting with gastric related morbidities at the Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth for endoscopy and confirmed following standard microbiology procedures. The plant extracts including clarithromycin were tested against 31 clinical strains of H. pylori by the agar well diffusion method. The most potent extract was evaluated by the microdilution method to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC50&90), followed by the rate of kill. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out. The one way ANOVA test was used to statistically analyse the results. All the extracts demonstrated anti-H. pylori activity with zone diameters of inhibition that ranged from 0 to 23 mm for the extracts and 0 to 35 mm for clarithromycin. Marked susceptibility (100%) was recorded for the ethyl acetate extract of P. africanum (P. afr. EA) and the acetone extract of B. micrantha (B. mic. A), which were statistically significant (P < 0.05) compared to all other extracts and clarithromycin. For B. micrantha ethyl acetate extract, 93.5 percent susceptibility was observed while for the control iv antibiotic, clarithromycin it was 58.1 percent. The MIC50 ranged from 0.0048 to 0.313 mg/mL for P. afr. EA, and from 0.0048 to 0.156 mg/mL for B. mic. EA; MIC90 ranged from 0.156 mg/mL to 0.625 mg/mL and 0.0048 to 2.5 mg/mL for P. afr. EA and B. mic. EA respectively. There was a significant statistical difference observed in potency of both P. afr. EA and B. mic. A compared to the two antibiotics (P < 0.05). One hundred percent killing by P. afr EA was observed at 0.05 mg/mL (½ x MIC) and 0.2 mg/mL (2 x MIC) in 66 h for strain PE466C and PE252C respectively. For B. mic. EA, 100 percent killing effect of both strains (PE430C and PE369C) was observed at 0.1 mg/mL (2 x MIC) in 66 h. Qualitative phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and saponins in the ethyl acetate extracts of both plants, which could be a potential template of lead molecule for the design of new anti- Helicobacter pylori therapies.
- Full Text:
In-vitro anti-vibrio activities of crude extracts of Garcinia Kola seeds
- Authors: Penduka, Dambudzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Microbial sensitivity tests , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Antibiotics , Garcinia , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11256 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/405 , Microbial sensitivity tests , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Antibiotics , Garcinia , Medicinal plants
- Description: The n-Hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and aqueous crude extracts of Garcinia kola (Heckel) seeds were screened for their anti-Vibrio activities against 50 Vibrio bacteria isolated from wastewater final effluents. The 50 isolates consisted of different Vibrio species namely V. fluvialis (14), V. vulnificus (12), V. parahaemolyticus (12), V. metschnikovii (3) and 9 others unidentified to the specie level. The n-Hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts had activities against 16 (32 percent) of the Vibrio isolates, while the aqueous extracts had activities against 12 (24 percent) all at a screening concentration of 10 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 0.313-0.625 mg/ml, 0.313-0.625 mg/ml, 0.313-2.5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml for n-Hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and aqueous extracts respectively. Rate of kill studies were carried out against three different Vibrio species namely V. vulnificus (AL042), V. parahaemolyticus (AL049) and V. fluvialis ( AL040) using the n-Hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts at 1× to 4 × MICs and 2 hour exposure. About 96.3 percent, 82.2 percent, and 78.1 percent (V. fluvialis AL040); 92.6 percent, 87.8 percent and 68.9 percent (V. parahaemolyticus AL049); and 91.6 percent, 64.4 percent, 60 percent (V. vulnificus AL042) of the bacteria were killed by the crude n-Hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts respectively after 2 hour exposure time at 4× MIC. The patterns of activity were bacteriostatic, with the n-Hexane extracts being most effective in activity. We conclude that the Garcinia kola seeds have promise in the treatment and management of infections caused by Vibrio species.
- Full Text:
Institutional constraints to horticulture production and marketing
- Authors: Mphahama, Litsoanelo Evodiah
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Horticulture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Agricultural extension work -- Lesotho , Gardening -- Lesotho , Food security -- Lesotho , Poverty -- Lesotho , Agricultural productivity -- Lesotho , Farm produce -- Lesotho -- Marketing , Land tenure -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/428 , Horticulture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Agricultural extension work -- Lesotho , Gardening -- Lesotho , Food security -- Lesotho , Poverty -- Lesotho , Agricultural productivity -- Lesotho , Farm produce -- Lesotho -- Marketing , Land tenure -- Lesotho
- Description: Lesotho has a land area of about 30.340 square kilometers and is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Much of the country is mountainous. Its agricultural sector is characterized by low productivity due to erratic climatic conditions, limited arable land and fragile soils with a low water holding capacity. These conditions have proved very detrimental to crop production, rendering agriculture a risky economic activity. Numerous efforts have been made over the years to address the technical constraints confronting the sector, but nothing seems to be changing. The implication is that the technical/climatic factors mentioned above may be only part of the problem. The current situation whereby Lesotho imports nearly 95% of its domestic food requirements is unsustainable, but this desperate picture looks set to worsen with the continuing threats of contracting farm sizes and further declines in farmer participation rates. But this sector has continued to be an important source of household survival and existence. A study was designed and conducted during 2008 and 2009 to identify the institutional constraints to horticulture production in Lesotho, looking specifically at the obstacles to effective production and marketing of horticultural products. A total of 100 farming households were enumerated in four districts of the country, namely Butha Buthe, Berea, Mafeteng, and Thaba-Tseka. A range of institutional and non-price factors in the farming and marketing environment were incorporated in a binary choice model to investigate the degree of satisfaction of the farming households with their previous year’s farming results. To avoid selection bias in the sample, a probit model was chosen, and the Stata-10 software was used to estimate probit coefficients. The results provide indications that property rights, the agricultural extension service, the condition of the physical infrastructure, and distance to markets may be crucial elements threatening the existence of this sector in Lesotho. The difficulties in accessing markets and land remain important institutional constraints to horticulture production and marketing in Lesotho. Recommendations made on these issues include providing more policy support to homestead gardening and for these issues to be incorporated into the Vision 2020 process. Also to be included is the issue of addressing the growing national food insecurity and enhancing Basotho livelihoods in general.
- Full Text:
Integrated crop-livestock farming system for sustainable economic empowerment of small-scale and emerging farmers in the former homeland of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa: a case study of Ciskei area in Nkonkobe municipality
- Authors: Ngxetwane, Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farmers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/459 , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farmers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: For decades, there has been significant investment in the development of agricultural technologies that aim to increase productivity of smallholder farmers in Africa. But farm output and productivity have stagnated and poverty rates have remained high and even increasing in some areas. At the same time, increases in human population levels have resulted in rising demand for food as well as for arable land. The growing intensification of farming has been accompanied by degradation of wild lands, including tropical forests and wetlands, at an alarming rate. Further pressure on fragile land has come from associated urbanization, leading to agricultural land being converted to residential and industrial uses with serious consequences for agricultural production and food supply. The recent increases in food prices across the globe as well as South Africa have drawn attention to this problem even more strongly. The main objective of the current study was to investigate farmer’s perception of the relative importance of crop-livestock integration in the small holder farming systems. Data were collected from 70 emerging and smallholder farmers selected by stratified random sampling in the communities surrounding Alice, Middledrift and the Seymour- Balfour area of Nkonkobe municipality of the Eastern Cape Province. To collect the data, a semi-structure questionnaire was administered to the respondents through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the farmers in terms of their socio-economic and demographic backgrounds. A series of multiple linear regression models and a binary logistic regression equation were fitted to determine the factors influencing farmers’ perception and how these in turn contribute to the decision to adopt or not to adopt crop-livestock integration. The results of the study reveal that small farmers in the Nkonkobe municipality have the possibility of realizing immense benefits from the integrated systems which also have the potential to lead to substantial improvements of the physical, chemical and biological soil properties. There is clear evidence of widespread interest to experiment with the practices based on the strong positive perceptions that a majority of the survey farmers exhibited during the course of the survey. But the farmers are facing challenges in coping with the associated complexities of competition on land, and management skill which are often in limited supply. That in most cases is not enough and efficient even to manage one of these two enterprises alone and reduction in crops yield due to use of manure as a substitute of fertilizer. Constraints to integrating crops and livestock include the competition for resources, especially land. Managing two types of farming on the same farm was perceived as difficult and many respondents held the view that use of waste of one enterprise as input to the other enterprise can reduce productivity. For example some farmers considered that the use of manure to improve soil fertility may not lead to output growth to the same extent as the use of fertilizer. A number of farmers (86%) pointed out that they only market their produce after deducting their consumption share, highlighting the crucial role of food security as a motivation for crop-livestock integration. Complementation of inputs rather than substituting inputs is required to render the system more productive and sustainable as costs are minimized and output is boosted. Associations of grain and livestock producers are useful for filling these gaps which include limited access to credit, technology and knowledge and can promote the adoption of a crop-livestock system.
- Full Text:
Investigating wireless network deployment configurations for marginalized areas
- Authors: Ndlovu, Nkanyiso
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Wireless LAN -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , IEEE 802.16 (Standard) , Telecommunication wiring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Globalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11385 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/463 , Wireless LAN -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , IEEE 802.16 (Standard) , Telecommunication wiring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Globalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In recent years, immense effort has been channelled towards the Information and Technological development of rural areas. To support this development, telecommunication networks have been deployed. The availability of these telecommunication networks is expected to improve the way people share ideas and communicate locally and globally, reducing limiting factors like distance through the use of the Internet. The major problem for these networks is that very few of them have managed to stay in operation over long periods of time. One of the major causes of this failure is the lack of proper monitoring and management as, in some cases, administrators are located far away from the network site. Other factors that contribute to the frequent failure of these networks are lack of proper infrastructure, lack of a constant power supply and other environmental issues. A telecommunication network was deployed for the people of Dwesa by the Siyakhula Living Lab project. During this research project, frequent visits were made to the site and network users were informally interviewed in order to gain insight into the network challenges. Based on the challenges, different network monitoring systems and other solutions were deployed on the network. This thesis analyses the problems encountered and presents possible and affordable solutions that were implemented on the network. This was done to improve the network‟s reliability, availability and manageability whilst exploring possible and practical ways in which the connectivity of the deployed telecommunication network can be maintained. As part of these solutions, a GPRS redundant link, Nagios and Cacti monitoring systems as well as Simple backup systems were deployed. v Acronyms AC Access Concentrators AMANDA Automatic Marylyn Network Disk Archiver CDMA Code Divison Multiple Access CGI Common Gateway Interface.
- Full Text:
Investigation into the state of digital records management in the provincial government of Eastern Cape: a case study of the office of the premier
- Authors: Munetsi, Ndakasharwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Records -- Management , Information resources management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic records -- Management , Electronic records -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/496 , Records -- Management , Information resources management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic records -- Management , Electronic records -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study sought to investigate the viability of digital records management in the Office of the Premier (OTP) in the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of the study were to establish the current status of digital records management in the OTP, determine the compliance with the legal framework, identify the requisite infrastructure for digital records management (DRM), describe the security and preservation measures for DRM, and the challenges of managing digital records. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 participants. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The study revealed that the OTP has taken a number of initiatives aimed at establishing records management practices. However, the study found that the OTP is faced with a number of challenges in trying to use the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). The majority of the employees did not have any qualification in records management. This lack of skills and competencies affects the implementation of the new system. The findings of the study showed that most of the employees were resisting using the new system because they were not comfortable with it. The study recommends that the department should encourage its staff to get training to be knowledgeable in the use of EDRMS which generates records; the staff should work closer with the consultancy in order to gain skills and knowledge to facilitate the change process, and the security and preservation of digital records should be enhanced.
- Full Text:
Investigation of local institutions for the application of the in-field rain water harvesting technology in rural areas: the case of Guquka and Khayaletu in Nkonkobe Municipality in central Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mfaca, Malibongwe
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Rain and rainfall -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Storage , Water-supply , Water harvesting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11184 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001031 , Rain and rainfall -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Storage , Water-supply , Water harvesting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Full Text: false
Livelihood strategies of the aged people in Mubaira Community, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muruviwa, Addmore Tapfuma
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Older people -- Zimbabwe , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Sociology)
- Identifier: vital:11953 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/334 , Older people -- Zimbabwe , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Description: In today‘s changing demographic, economic, political and environmental context the livelihood strategies developed by the rapidly growing older population deserve particular attention. Lack of support by the state coupled with economic crises and decreasing family availability has meant that older people are increasingly expected to find their own means of support into old age, develop their own strategies and rely on their own resources. Heterogeneity in old age means that while some older people are amongst the most vulnerable and socially down and out, others have accumulated resources that enable them to implement diverse and enterprising livelihood strategies to maintain their wellbeing in old age. This study uses an explorative approach in its quest to understand the various livelihood strategies of the elderly. In-depth interviews and life histories have been utilized as data collection instruments. In addition to this inductive and qualitative research approach, the dissertation uses the sustainable livelihoods framework to examine the different kinds of livelihood strategies employed by the elderly in Mubaira to stave off poverty in old age in the absence of social security systems. A comparative analysis with other regional countries reveals that old age pensions have been able to reduce poverty at old age significantly. By engaging in different livelihood activities, in the absence of old age pensions, the elderly in Mubaira community in Zimbabwe have been able to make a living. Agriculture is the dominant activity the aged people engage in as they try to avert food insecurity. Besides agriculture, aged people diversify their livelihoods through self employments that add income value to their households. The impact of cash and non-cash remittances has seen aged people being able to buy basic goods and a few essentials. Although the state has been dysfunctional, civil society has stepped in to address the livelihood challenges faced by the aged population and in v particular to provide an alternative solution to the needs of the elderly people within the sustainable livelihoods framework which remains one of the most important models for the analysis of rural livelihoods. Through the livelihoods approach‘s vulnerability approach the study also analyses the various impacts affecting the attainment of sustainable livelihood outcomes. Through the utilization of the livelihoods framework in addition to the qualitative research methodology as indicated above, the study found that livelihood activities of the aged require a stock of capital assets which include natural, human, physical, social and financial capital. The life histories of the aged in Mubaira revealed that through the years the aged did accumulate various assets that assist them even now. As the life course perspective suggests events in earlier life do have a bearing on later life, access to a range of capital assets helped old aged people in Mubaira to fully engage in livelihood strategies that ensured their survival and escape from poverty.
- Full Text:
Measurement of the bulk flow and transport characteristics of selected fractured rock aquifer systems in South Africa: a case study of the Balfour Formation in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Yu, Liuji
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Aquifers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Groundwater -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water well drilling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sedimentary structures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/415 , Aquifers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Groundwater -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water well drilling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sedimentary structures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Hydrogeologists have faced serious challenges worldwide in the characterization of fractured rock aquifers due to the heterogeneous nature of the imbedded geology. The bulk flow parameters in the Karoo strata in South Africa are specifically uncertain since most models are based on homogenous block systems. As part of a WRC research project, entitled “Measurement of the bulk flow and transport characteristics of selected fractured rock aquifer systems in South Africa”, this study focuses on the characterization, borehole drilling, flow parameter measurements and groundwater quality assessment of the Balfour Formation in the Beaufort Group of the Karoo Supergroup in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, which is seriously heterogeneous in deposition and has also been largely neglected as drilling targets for groundwater. The Balfour Formation comprises mostly mudstone, shale and sandstone, formed in a braided and meandering river system. In addition to the heterogeneous deposition, the flow pathways in this aquifer system are not fully understood due to lack of actual measurement data. The methods used in this study include field mapping, site characterization, borehole drilling, and pumping and tracer testing in order to obtain the borehole yield, aquifer transmissivity, storativity and groundwater flow velocity. In addition, the groundwater chemistry was also studied to determine quality for use and possible connectivity with the nearby Tyume River and to determine potential sources of groundwater contamination. The results obtained include: 1) The study area is predominantly mudstone/shale with thin layers and lenses of siltstone and sandstone, which are interbedded; 2) Two boreholes were successfully drilled, which had yields in excess of 10 l/s in four water levels (at 7, 22, 54 and 65 m); 3) The estimated average transmissivity is 246 m 2/day according to the recovery test; 4) The estimated seepage velocity is 120 m/day according to tracer tests in the aquifer between the two boreholes which are 5 m apart; and 5) The water chemical type is the combination of HCO3-, Cl-and SO42- , which is distinguishable from that of the Tyume river; 6) There is no evidence for groundwater recharge to the deep aquifers from the Tyume river, based on the differences of the water chemistry; 7) The elements Ca, Cl, Na and C are distributed more than 90% as free ion species in BH2 borehole water; and 8) The groundwater in BH2 borehole is undersaturated (negative SI) with respect to some minerals (for example: anhydrite, fluorite, gypsum and halite), oversaturated (positive SI) with respect to some minerals (for example: aragonite, calcite and dolomite). It is concluded that there is a great potential to obtain drilling targets for high yielding boreholes in the sedimentary rocks of the Balfour Formation in the Karoo Supergroup.
- Full Text:
Operational risk model for MSES :impact on organisational information communication technology
- Authors: Bayaga, Anass
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Risk management -- Statistical methods Computer networks -- Security measures Risk assessment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Comm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8332 , vital:32270
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of Information Communication Technology Operational Risk Management (ICT ORM) on the performance of a Medium Small Enterprise (MSE). The study was based upon a survey design to collect the primary data from 107 respondents using simple random sampling. The research instrument was administered online. A one stage normative model, associative in nature, was developed based upon reviewing previous research and in line with the research findings. The model elicited five factors based upon the multiple regression analysis of the data: principal causes of ORM failure related to ICT; change management requirements and ICT risk; characteristic(s) of information; challenges posed by ORM solutions and evaluation models affecting ICT adoption within MSEs. Based on the methodologies used in this study including factor analysis and multivariate regression analysis, it is recommended that this model be applied to monitor these changes more closely and to measure the changing strategies and the associated factors such as insufficient or improper user participation in systems development process, identified as potential barriers to the effective adoption and implementation of ICT within an MSE.
- Full Text:
Pedagogical experiences of educators implementing mathematical literacy in three FET colleges
- Authors: Gerber, Mirinda
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16167 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/516 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Department of Education was tasked by Government and the Department of Labour to develop learning programmes which would provide skills to learners. The National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programmes were developed, which provided an alternative to completing a National Senior Certificate (NSC). The NC(V) programmes consist of seven subjects of which Mathematical Literacy is offered as a fundamental subject. The NC(V) programmes were officially implemented in 2007 using the FET College sector as a vehicle. FET College educators had to be skilled and re-skilled to teach the various new subjects. One of the new subjects at the time was Mathematical Literacy. Selected educators were provided with a short course to prepare themselves for the implementation of Mathematical Literacy. This study is aimed at investigating the pedagogical experiences of educators who were, and are still part, of the implementation of Mathematical Literacy in the FET College sector. A phenomenological approach was followed in order to capture the lived experiences of the educators. Three educators were selected from different FET colleges within the Eastern Cape Province. A qualitative research was done, making use of interviews. The research found that educators have divergent pedagogical experiences. They make use of different strategies to implement teaching and learning within their classrooms. Though there are good experiences, the research has managed to point out that there are some frustrations too. Recommendations are made with regard to teaching and learning strategies, as well as the emerging trends that surfaced during the research.
- Full Text:
Phytochemical analysis and bioactivity of the stem bark of Combretum Molle on some selected bacterial pathogens
- Authors: Nyenje, Mirriam, E
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Drug resistance in microorganisms , Materia medica, Vegetable , Antibiotics , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11261 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/391 , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Materia medica, Vegetable , Antibiotics , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Description: Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide problem that has deleterious long-term effects as the development of drug resistance outpaces the development of new drugs. Plants have been used for many generations for healing purposes, and screening of extracts of these plants has often yielded positive outcomes. This study was aimed at isolating and characterizing the major active antimicrobial compounds present in the stem bark of C. molle, in a bid to identify potential sources of cheap starting materials for the synthesis of new drugs. Various solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, acetone, ethanol and methanol) were used for extraction. The agar well diffusion technique was used to screen for antimicrobial activity of C. molle extracts against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 49399, Plesiomonas shigelloides ATCC 51903, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442, Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43526 and Helicobacter pylori 252C (clinical isolate); minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the most active extracts was determined by the broth dilution method. Fractionation of acetone extract was done by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and bioautography to determine the compounds present and their antimicrobial activity respectively. The acetone extract was purified by column chromatography and their MIC determined. The most potent fraction (EA4) was subjected to Gas chromatography- Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for identification of the active compounds. Results were analyzed by the Fisher‟s exact test. All the extracts tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity with zone diameters of inhibition ranging from 0–32 mm. Acetone was the most potent extract with its MIC ranging from 0.078–5.0 mg/mL. Seventeen fractions were collected from column chromatography and the most active fraction against all the organisms was EA 4 (eluted with 100 percent ethyl acetate), with its MIC ranging from 0.078 - 2.5mg/mL. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the potency of the xii four extracts (acetone, methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate) and antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) on the different bacterial strains tested, likewise the crude extract and the fractions. No compound was detected by GC-MS whereas numerous peaks were identified by HPLC implying that the active compounds in this plant are non volatile. We could not identify the compounds thereby proposing further studies using Nuclear magnetic resonance to identify the compounds. The study revealed that the acetone extract of C. molle was the most active against all the test organisms and therefore justifies the use of this plant in traditional medicine.
- Full Text:
Preliminary investigation into estimating eye disease incidence rate from age specific prevalence data
- Authors: Majeke, Lunga
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Medicine -- Research -- Statistical methods , Eye -- Diseases -- Statistics , Incidence functions , Regression analysis -- Data processing , Regression analysis -- Mathematical models -- Evaluation , Medical statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/464 , Medicine -- Research -- Statistical methods , Eye -- Diseases -- Statistics , Incidence functions , Regression analysis -- Data processing , Regression analysis -- Mathematical models -- Evaluation , Medical statistics
- Description: This study presents the methodology for estimating the incidence rate from the age specific prevalence data of three different eye diseases. We consider both situations where the mortality may differ from one person to another, with and without the disease. The method used was developed by Marvin J. Podgor for estimating incidence rate from prevalence data. It delves into the application of logistic regression to obtain the smoothed prevalence rates that helps in obtaining incidence rate. The study concluded that the use of logistic regression can produce a meaningful model, and the incidence rates of these diseases were not affected by the assumption of differential mortality.
- Full Text:
Preparation of photocatalytic TiO₂ nanoparticles immobilized on carbon nanofibres for water purification
- Authors: Nyamukamba, Pardon
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Water -- Purification , Titanium alloys -- Industrial applications , Titanium , Nanoparticles , Drinking water -- Purification , Drinking water -- Contamination
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11330 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/367 , Water -- Purification , Titanium alloys -- Industrial applications , Titanium , Nanoparticles , Drinking water -- Purification , Drinking water -- Contamination
- Description: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were prepared using the sol-gel process. The effect of temperature and precursor concentration on particle size was investigated. The optimum conditions were then used to prepare carbon and nitrogen doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Doping was done to reduce band gap of the nanoparticles in order to utilize visible light in the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds. A significant shift of the absorption edge to a longer wavelength (lower energy) from 420 nm to 456 nm and 420 nm to 428 nm was observed for the carbon doped and nitrogen doped TiO2 respectively. In this study, the prepared TiO2 photocatalyst was immobilized on carbon nanofibres to allow isolation and reuse of catalyst. The photocatalytic activity of the catalyst was tested using methyl orange as a model pollutant and was based on the decolourization of the dye as it was degraded. The doped TiO2 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the undoped TiO2. The materials prepared were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, FT-IR, DSC and TGA while the doped TiO2 was characterized by XPS, ESR and Raman Spectroscopy.
- Full Text:
Probing diplomacy on resource conflicts between Kenya and South Sudan
- Authors: Dor, Michael Majok Ayom
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Kenya , Conflict management -- Sudan , Natural resources -- Kenya , Turkana (African people) , Toposa (African people) , Natural resources -- Sudan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001258 , Conflict management -- Kenya , Conflict management -- Sudan , Natural resources -- Kenya , Turkana (African people) , Toposa (African people) , Natural resources -- Sudan
- Description: The diversity of African Conflicts has become a field of inquiry and drawn the attention of many scholars who wish to theorize the origin of these conflicts. Such conflicts were perceived, in many ways, as originating from a colonial legacy. However, conflicts over natural resources have always played a role in human society, and have retarded socio-development in many countries. Guy Martin acknowledges that, over the last 40 years, Africa has been and continues to be one of the most conflict-ridden regions of the world; this has resulted in untold human suffering (Guy, 2002:185-188). This study focuses on resource conflicts and their outcomes on Public Administration as a discipline. The discussion offers a theoretical review of academic literature in combination with an analysis of the feature of resource conflicts and the relevant policies which govern conflict resolution and management. According to Terry et al (2007:32), “these two regions suffered from developmental and educational ignorance”. Most of the people living in this area are pastoralists; as such, the violence emanating from cattle rustling within Sudan and across its borders with Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia continues to erode their moral fabric. The remoteness of the area has caused it to be a landscape of conflicts and insecurity and might have been cause for the paralysis of public administration and, in turn, reflected in poor service delivery. During the course of the study, an orderly and systematic use of mixed methods was chosen, since quantitative and qualitative research methods were found to be complementary rather than oppositional approaches. Using both prominent and modest collection procedures, the methods employed in this study proved to be practical and useful. The study examines resource conflict between the Turkana of Kenya and the Toposa of South Sudan. It suggests practical strategies and mechanisms by which the problem will be ameliorated, here and elsewhere, in as far as providing effective and efficient service delivery to the community without fail.
- Full Text:
Prospects and challenges of the rural non-farm economy in Zimbabwe: a case of Seke rural district
- Authors: Mukozho, Delight
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Farmers -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11429 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/568 , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Farmers -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The Rural Non-Farm Economy (RNFE) is a concept that has gained significance quite recently. Its significance has been prompted by the realisation that agriculture alone cannot sustain the poor subsistence farmers in Zimbabwe. This realisation comes amid the growing concern over increased hunger and poverty in the country‟s rural areas due to a decline in agricultural production. Drawing on the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) this study postulates that RNFE is a livelihood strategy that can address rural poverty and social transformation in Zimbabwe. Such an approach to rural development can take up the slack and provide the much needed income for the rural communities to survive. However, RNFE has not yet been used as a social mechanism for poverty alleviation in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this study was undertaken with the objective of investigating the prospects and challenges of the RNFE in Seke District. Although the study is focusing on Zimbabwe, the study may also address the problem of rural development in other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study revealed that only a few household heads in Sekewere engaged in both traditional and non-traditional activities. However, the study noted that the household heads encountered many challenges which include; poor market, low income obtained, shortage of inputs, no access to credit and no support from government or other development agencies.Overall, it was recognised that the household heads engaged in RNFE were not realizing the full benefits of RNFE. Therefore, in order to promote the growth of RNFE and make it more productive, the study posits the following key points to be take into consideration by the various stakeholders in rural development; agricultural development, infrastructural development, rural town development, improving access to financial services, facilitating rural-urban linkages and the implementation of development projects aimed at promoting self-employment in the non-farm sector.
- Full Text:
Rainfall intensity, kinetic energy and erosivity of individual rainfall events on the island of Mauritius
- Authors: Mongwa, Themba
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Rain and rainfall -- Mauritius , Soil erosion -- Mauritius , Rainfall intensity duration frequencies -- Mauritius
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11506 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/452 , Rain and rainfall -- Mauritius , Soil erosion -- Mauritius , Rainfall intensity duration frequencies -- Mauritius
- Description: On most tropical volcanic islands the risk for soil erosion is enhanced due to a complex topography, high intensity rainfall and the exploitation of land for agriculture. Mauritius is a typical maritime tropical volcanic island with a distinct elevated interior. Rainfall is dominated by tropical weather systems and trade winds and the island is under intensive cultivation. Rainfall depth, duration, intensity, kinetic energy and erosivity were analysed for 385 erosive rainfall events at five locations over a five year period (2004 to 2008) on the island of Mauritius. Two stations located on the west coast and three stations sited on the Central Plateau above 550 m a.s.l. are used to provide detailed rainfall data at six minute intervals. Erosive storm events, defined here as a total rainfall exceeding 12.5 mm and a maximum 6-minute intensity exceeding 25 mm/hour, are found to differ markedly between the coastal lowlands and the elevated interior with regards to the frequency, the total rainfall generated, the duration, total kinetic energy and total erosivity of individual events. However, mean kinetic energy, mean and maximum rainfall erosivity (EI30) and maximum intensities (I30) from individual erosive events do not show this distinct differentiation. Erosivity measured during summer exceeds that recorded in winter, but the data indicate that large percentages of winter rainfall on Mauritius are defined as erosive and non-tropical cyclone rainfall can pose a substantial erosion risk. In this maritime tropical environment with its elevated interior, soil erosion risk occurs from storm scale to synoptic scale rainfall events and extreme events generate the bulk of the erosivity. Findings show that using rainfall records at an event scale within soil erosion risk assessments on tropical islands with a complex topography will increase the effectiveness of erosivity estimates
- Full Text:
Randomization in a two armed clinical trial: an overview of different randomization techniques
- Authors: Batidzirai, Jesca Mercy
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Clinical trials -- Statistical methods , Biometry , Sampling (Statistics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11781 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/395 , Clinical trials -- Statistical methods , Biometry , Sampling (Statistics)
- Description: Randomization is the key element of any sensible clinical trial. It is the only way we can be sure that the patients have been allocated into the treatment groups without bias and that the treatment groups are almost similar before the start of the trial. The randomization schemes used to allocate patients into the treatment groups play a role in achieving this goal. This study uses SAS simulations to do categorical data analysis and comparison of differences between two main randomization schemes namely unrestricted and restricted randomization in dental studies where there are small samples, i.e. simple randomization and the minimization method respectively. Results show that minimization produces almost equally sized treatment groups, but simple randomization is weak in balancing prognostic factors. Nevertheless, simple randomization can also produce balanced groups even in small samples, by chance. Statistical power is also improved when minimization is used than in simple randomization, but bigger samples might be needed to boost the power.
- Full Text:
Socio- educational experiences of black accounting III students who dropped out of the University of Fort Hare in 2009
- Authors: Morrison, Renee Fiona
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: College dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- South Africa --Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1906 , vital:27582
- Description: In South Africa there is an increasing concern regarding retention among Black students (who constitute the majority of the population) in general and in particular regarding the costs of student failure to both the students and for the institution. This thesis endeavours to obtain an understanding of the socio-educational experiences which led to Black Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting Students in 2009 dropping out of Accounting III at the University of Fort Hare. In a field in which much of the literature is quantitatively orientated, a phenomenological investigation offered a unique way of understanding the experiences of the students as it allowed their voices to be heard. Insights contained in the data were synthesised and integrated into a consistent description of the essential nature of the experience, the primary endeavour of the phenomenologist being to transform naïve experience into more explicitly detailed conceptual knowledge. The use of in-depth interviews with three students, all of whom had dropped out of Accounting III at UFH, allowed the researcher interaction on a personal level with people not viewed as experimental objects but as human subjects. The findings revealed that the students‘ social and educational background, together with the language of teaching and learning not being their mother tongue, caused students great difficulty. Interaction between lecturers and students and the subject content proved very challenging due to the language barrier. The introduction of General Accounting III in the same class as Accounting III in 2009 compounded the students‘ confusion and this ultimately led to students feeling demotivated. These findings contributed significantly to an understanding of why these three students dropped out of Accounting III in 2009, and at the same time provided an answer to the research question relating to how Black students who dropped out of the Accounting III programme in 2009, experienced the course.
- Full Text: