Educators and school governing bodies’ perceptions on rationalisation and redeployment in the Alfred-Nzo West District: advancing an argument for policy change
- Authors: Mgojo, Vuyani Sybriel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Schools boards School administrators School management and organization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16643 , vital:40739
- Description: The focus of this study was to report on the exploration of educators and school governing body members’ perceptions on the aspects of rationalisation and redeployment in the Alfred Nzo West District. In 1996 the Department introduced a policy on rationalisation and redeployment of teachers, based on Resolution 3 of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) with the aim of phasing in a learner – teacher ratio of 40:1 in primary schools and 35:1 in high schools. A case study design using a qualitative approach was adopted for the study. Data was gathered from ten purposively selected participants using semi-structured interviews, observations and documents reviews. A thematic approach was followed for the data analysis of this study. The overall findings of the study showed that the Department of Education followed a top-down approach with no interactive communication and consultation with school stakeholders during the implementation process of this policy. Participants cast doubt on principals’ understanding when implementing this policy, which inevitably leads to low morale, anxiety and uncertainty amongst teachers. It appears that this policy has not been internalized as an instrument to promote quality and access to schools, as it has been argued that the implementation thereof has resulted in lack of physical and human resources which is compromising the quality of teaching and learning. Moreover, participants were ambivalent about rationalisation and redeployment as an enabler and as a barrier to improvement as some participants view it as an alternative to retrenchment and a cost saving measure for the Department of Education. Given the aforementioned findings, it can be concluded that if the aims of rationalisation and redeployment are to be achieved, there is a need for policy change
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Educators’ management of the learning environment for enhanced teaching and learning in selected primary schools in the East London Education District
- Authors: Olabode, Sadiat Adewumi , Adu, E O
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Classroom management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16231 , vital:40701
- Description: Classroom environment has been conceptually and practically conceived as a place where learning takes place. However, despite the importance of classrooms in enhancing learning, most classrooms, especially in the sub-Saharan African countries are poorly arranged and situated in noisy and crowded environments. In addition to this, most teachers lack basic skills to manage classrooms. In the light of the above-mentioned issues, the main purpose of this study was to investigate educators’ management of the learning environments for enhanced teaching and learning in selected primary schools in the East London Education District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In achieving this aim, the researcher adopted mixed method research approach. The population for this study was selected from intermediate phase educators in the East London Education District. The sample size was 76 intermediate phase educators, which was conveniently selected. Questionnaire (quantitative), interview and observation (qualitative) research instruments were used to collect the data. A structured questionnaire was administered to 76 respondents; while five Head of Departments (HOD) from study population were interviewed and observed. The SPSS was used to conduct both descriptive and inferential analysis. Quantitative data analysis was used to measure perceived stress level situations among intermediate phase educators, while content analysis was used to analyse narratives of the participants. The study found that giving motivational talks, asking about learners parents/guardians, asking about their experiences at home, knowing their needs, and having discussion with their parents/guardians, telling them interesting stories, learning how to call their names properly, giving them responsibilities in the classroom and motivating them to participate in learning activities are important techniques and approaches for dealing with the emotional problems of the learners in the classroom. This implies that teachers should be more compassionate about their learners, because learners with serious emotional problems cannot learn and be productive in the classroom. The study concludes that involving the learners in the decision-making on the procedures, approaches and strategies to classroom management are fundamental for ensuring efficient and productive classroom. Moreover, the educators should adopt varied approaches in the management of the classroom. This is because an approach that works for one teacher/learner may not work for other teacher/learner. Based on this conclusion, the study recommends that the teachers should set classroom rules and ensure that the learners follow these rules strictly in order to avoid rowdiness in the classroom. Failure to set rules and ensure that the learners follow classroom rules might be counter-productive to learning process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of a physical activity intervention on the physical fitness of primary schoolchildren in disadvantaged communities in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Joubert, Nandi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Physical fitness -- Research , Physical fitness for children Exercise for children Health behavior in children Child development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39962 , vital:35602
- Description: Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, and schools are ideal settings for promoting activity and wellness. Only half of South African children meet global activity recommendations and overweightness and obesity remain a growing challenge. Disadvantaged communities are at even greater risk, as environmental- and socioeconomic challenges further influence children’s health and activity levels. This study investigated the effect of a physical activity intervention on the following health-related physical fitness parameters of primary schoolchildren: cardiorespiratory fitness, upper- and lower body strength, lower body flexibility, and body composition. More specifically the objectives were to describe and compare the intervention and control groups, at baseline, mid- and post intervene. A cluster randomised controlled trial determined the effect of the intervention. Testing was phased in three cross sectional surveys, baseline, mid and post-intervention. The study sample consisted of 157 children, aged 8-12 years, from two primary schools in the township of Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. The physical activity intervention consisted of two intervention periods, each 10-weeks in duration, and included physical education lessons, move-to-music dance classes, in-class physical activity breaks, and physical activity ‘homework’. Furthermore, a low-cost physical activity-friendly school environment was created with play structures, painted games, and the upgrade of sporting facilities and equipment. The intervention was shown to have significant positive effects on the number of laps ran (p < 0.05), indicating cardiorespiratory fitness, and handgrip strength (p < 0.001), an indicator of upper body musculature strength. No significant effects were found for lower body musculature strength (p > 0.05), lower body flexibility (p > 0.05) or body mass index (p > 0.05). Schoolchildren’s level of health-related physical fitness should be regularly assessed, and effective interventions should be implemented and monitored to ensure that children meet recommended activity and fitness standards. Physical education in South African schools is currently compromised, with children having low levels of in-school activity and high levels of sedentary behaviour. The majority of physical activity and health-related physical fitness measures are poor, with even lower scores for girls and children from lower socioeconomic areas. Interventions are thus essential and should focus on extended durations and higher activity intensities in order to achieve health enhancing benefits.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of a web-based visual skills training programme on the visual performance of rugby players
- Authors: van Rensburg, Justine Jansen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Rugby football -- South Africa -- Physiological aspects , Physical education and training Performance Sports -- Physiological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42273 , vital:36641
- Description: With ever increasing important expectations being placed on professional sportsmen and women and, with the main emphasis on winning at all costs, the role of how vision can contribute to sports performance has been under the spotlight in the last few decades. While sport vision programmes can potentially play a vital role in improving sports performance, the efficacy of visual skills training on performance, however, has not been convincingly demonstrated and therefore is still debatable. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a web-based visual skills training programme on the visual skills performance of NMU Varsity Cup rugby players. The specific visual skills included accommodation, saccadic eye movement, reaction time and peripheral awareness. The study was quasi-experimental in nature and utilized a quantitative approach. A total number of 23 participants that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study by means of purposive sampling. Optometric assessments, on the advice of an optometrist, were conducted to ensure “normal” vision among the participants included in the study. A systematic procedure was employed based on the pre-test to allocate the 23 participants to either a control group (CG) (n=8), an experimental group one (EG1) (n=9) and an experimental group two (EG2) (n=6). The two experimental groups underwent four weeks of visual skills training with the EG1 receiving the web-based visual skills training and EG2 receiving the dynamic visual skills training. The tests used consisted of the Hart Near Far Rock Chart, a Saccadic eye movement chart, simple reaction time and choice reaction time as well as the Batak Pro (Accumulator test). Pre- and post-test scores showed some differences but no statistically significant (p<0.05) differences were found between the three groups for any of the tests conducted. Overall the experimental groups produced larger (non-significant) either pre- to post-test mean differences or post-test results than the control group for six of the seven tests implemented. The findings of this study using a web-based visual skills training programme presented no statistically significant improvements nor better results than the dynamic visual skill training programme in respect of visual skill performance of NMU Varsity rugby players.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of bromination on the optical limiting properties at 532 nm of BODIPY dyes with p-benzyloxystyryl groups at the 3, 5-positions
- Authors: Ngoy, Bokolombe P , May, Aviwe K , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187507 , vital:44665 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2018.08.012"
- Description: The optical limiting (OL) properties of 3,5-di-p-benzyloxystyrylBODIPY dyes that contain both protons and bromine atoms at the 2,6-positions have been investigated by using the Z-scan technique at 532 nm on the nanosecond timescale. There is relatively weak absorbance at 532 nm under ambient light conditions, because the incorporation of p-benzyloxystyryl groups at the 3,5-positions results in a ca. 140 nm red shift of the main BODIPY spectral band to the 640–670 nm range. Reverse saturable absorbance (RSA) profiles that are consistent with an excited state absorption (ESA) mechanism involving the T1 and/or S1 states are observed in CH2Cl2 solution. Second order hyperpolarizability values of ca. 8 × 10−30 esu are obtained and this demonstrates that the dyes are potentially suitable for use in OL applications at 532 nm. There is a slight enhancement of the OL properties upon bromination, due to increased intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold, but the enhancement of the OL properties is less significant than has been observed with metal phthalocyanine complexes.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of dietary Mucuna pruriens seed meal on the serum lipid profile and bone quality traits of broiler chickens
- Authors: Hempe, Chumani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Legumes Lipoproteins
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17213 , vital:40866
- Description: This study aimed at evaluating the effects of heated Mucuna pruriens seed meal on the blood serum lipid profile and bone quality parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 120 day-old unsexed Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allocated for the 4 treatment diets (T1, T2, T3 and T4) containing 0, 10, 15, and 20% heated Mucuna pruriens seed meal. The birds were reared on wood shaving floor pens for 35 days. Birds were humanely slaughtered by severing the jugular vein using a sharp knife. Blood was collected into a tube, centrifuge and analyzed for a lipid profile analysis (total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TCD) as well as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)) by enzymatic diagnostic kits (Diasys diagnostic kits). Both drumsticks severed using a sharp knife. After boiling in the water at 100°C for 10 mins the tibia bones were taken, air-dried for 96 hrs at room temperature and measured for weights. Bone length, strength, moisture and ash content as well as morphology were measured. The blood lipid profile of birds fed T1 was high (P < 0.05) for all the parameters measured, while T3 had the lowest (P < 0.05) profile. T2 and T4 had the same profile. ALT was found to be highest (P < 0.05) for T4 (5.27 ± 0.207/L) and lowest (P < 0.05) for T2 (4.67 ± 0.333/L) while AST was highest (P < 0.05) for T2 (320.13 ± 28.851/L) and lowest (P < 0.05) for T3 (208.47 ± 10.059/L). Treatment diet 3 (T3) was observed decreased bone quality among all diets; with the lowest (P < 0.05) bone strength (188.55 ± 12.039N), bone length (8.59 ± 0.131cm) and morphology (1.69 ± 0.058). Mucuna pruriens seed meal inclusion in broiler diets reduces blood serum lipids and 20% inclusion levels have no adverse effects on the bone quality attributes
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of gold nanoparticle shape on the photophysicochemical properties of sulphur containing metallophthalocyanines
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187048 , vital:44559 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2018.12.091"
- Description: In this work tetrakise[(thiopheneethoxy) phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (1), tetrakise[(thiopheneethoxy) phthalocyaninato] indium (II) chloride (2), tetrakis [(benzo [d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy) phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (3), and tetrakis [(benzo [d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy)phthalocyaninato] indium (II) chloride (4) were linked to both gold nanospheres (AuNSs) and gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) via Au-S and Au-N (the latter for complexes 3 and 4 only) self assembly. The photophysicochemical behaviour of complexes and their conjugates were studied. The conjugates yielded improved triplet and singlet quantum yields, with nanospheres displaying better properties than nanotriangles. The conjugates with a benzothiazole phenoxy substituent also yielded better properties than their thiophene ethoxy counterpart. These conjugates especially those with a benzothiazole phenoxy substituent have potential as photosensitisers for photodynamic therapy applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of gold nanoparticles shape and size on the photophysicochemical behaviour of symmetric and asymmetric zinc phthalocyanines
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187569 , vital:44672 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.09.063"
- Description: Glutathione (GSH) capped Au nanotriangles (AuNTs–GSH) and nanospheres (AuNSs–GSH) are covalently linked to symmetric Zn phthalocyanine (ZnPc) substituted with phenoxy propanoic acid substituents only (complex 1) and two asymmetric ZnPc, each containing one phenoxy propanoic acid and three benzothiazole phenoxy moieties (complex 2), and one phenoxy propanoic acid and no other ligands (complex 3). The photophysicochemical behaviour of Pc complexes and their conjugates were studied. All conjugates displayed improved triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields with decreases in fluorescence quantum yields compared to their respective Pc complexes. The conjugates of asymmetric complexes 2 and 3, afforded much higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields compared to the symmetric complex 1, and could serve as good candidates for photodynamic therapy
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of grazing systems on growth performance, carcass characteristic, meat quality of beef cattle and economic performance of the enterprise
- Authors: Dayimani, Siyavuya
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Grazing -- Environmental aspects Meat -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17294 , vital:40873
- Description: Under conditions of adaptive Holistic Management™, we tested whether rotational grazing approaches such as holistic planned grazing (HPG) and four-camp grazing (FCG) influence growth, carcass and meat quality attributes of beef steers compared to continuous, seasonlong (SLG) grazing. Thirty steers (250 ±19.56 kg, 16-17-month-old) were randomly assigned to SLG, HPG and FCG systems (10 steers/ treatment) at a private farm in Cedarville, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa where grazing was managed using an adaptive approach involving inter alia planned grazing charts, seasonal movement of cattle, and supplemental feeding. The steers were slaughtered at 40-41 months for carcass measurements and longissimus et lumborum was sampled for meat quality analyses. All the grazing systems had comparable live weights and average daily gain. All the investigated carcass attributes were also similar across grazing treatments (P > 0.05). Meat from steers on the SLG system had higher (P<0.05) drip loss, protein and fat contents and lower (P <0.05) shear force, moisture and ash contents than the two rotational grazing approaches (HPG and FCG). The HPG had higher (P < 0.05) total running and capital costs compared to SLG and FCG grazing systems. The SLG system had greater (P ≤ 0.05) gross and net income compared to FCG and HPG systems, respectively. Overall, all the grazing systems had comparable growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality but rotational grazing systems had lower gross income relative to the SLG grazing system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of school-based interventions on attention and academic performance of primary schoolchildren from lower socioeconomic communities in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Adams, Larissa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Academic achievement -- South Africa , Exercise -- Physiological aspects Physical education for children Physical education and training
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42085 , vital:36624
- Description: Health benefits associated with regular physical activity (PA) have been widely established. Regular PA is not only associated with improved physical and psychological well-being, but also with improved brain function and cognition, thereby enhancing academic performance (AP). Despite these benefits, decreasing levels of PA and increasing levels of overweight and obesity exist world-wide, making childhood physical inactivity a global concern. Research suggests children who meet the recommended PA guidelines of 60-minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity attain substantially higher academic grades. Schools provide ideal settings for PA promotion due to the substantial amount of time children spend at school. However, in many countries, including South Africa (SA), Physical Education (PE) programmes have been reduced and replaced with other subjects to increase AP. Furthermore, a scarcity of water, limited accessibility to improved sanitation and lack of personal hygiene at home and in school substantially contributes to the burden of preventable childhood diseases. These hygiene-related illnesses augment the cycle of poverty and disease through its detrimental effect on children’s school attendance, academic performance and productivity. Studies also show that obesity, poor nutrition and food insufficiency affect children’s school achievement. Hence, the school environment plays an essential role in improving children’s health, since many teaching opportunities about important health and nutrition practices are provided. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of various combinations of school-based interventions on the attention and AP of primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged communities in Port Elizabeth. Overall, 857 schoolchildren (n = 434 boys and n = 423 girls, aged 8 – 13 years) participated in the study. A 10-week cluster randomised controlled trial using four experimental and four control schools was conducted. Setting-specific interventions incorporated PA, health and hygiene education and nutrition components. The d2 Test of Attention measured selective visual attention and concentration with outcome measures of the percentage of errors, total performance and concentration performance. End of year school results were used to assess AP. Post-intervention and pre- to post-intervention differences between the inter-school comparisons revealed mixed results for the attention and AP measurements, therefore, no conclusions could be drawn regarding the assessed variables. Intervention group comparisons at post-intervention indicated that the PA intervention group achieved a statistically significant improvement (p < .05 and d > 0.8) for AP, when compared with the non-PA intervention group. No significant differences were found for AP in relation to intervention group comparisons for the health and hygiene education and nutrition intervention groups. Similarly, the intervention group comparisons revealed no significant differences regarding attention for post-intervention and pre- to post-intervention differences. Findings suggest that a school-based PA intervention can positively affect children’s AP. The current study emphasises the necessity of PA and reinforces the importance of PE in the school curriculum. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that PE regains its rightful place and be actively taught within the school curriculum.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of service and collaborative learning strategies on students’ environmental knowledge in selected junior secondary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria
- Authors: Alalade, Olufiropo Emmanuel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Service learning Environmental management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16602 , vital:40736
- Description: Though many strategies have helped in increasing students’ knowledge and awareness about environmental issues, yet, environmental challenges and problems are still on the increase in Nigeria. This may be due to the fact that environmental issues are controversial and require collaborative efforts of all citizens, especially school students. This study determined the effects of service learning and collaborative learning in social studies on Junior Secondary School students’ environmental literacy. It also explored the moderating effects of school location and gender. The study adopted a pretest-posttest, control group, quasiexperimental design. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed. Six (6) secondary schools that are co-educational from Ibadan were purposively selected based on presence of environmental challenges in their immediate environment. There were three (3) schools from Ibadan city (urban area of Ibadan) and three (3) from Ibadan less city (rural area of Ibadan). Seven hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Five research instruments were used for the study, these were; Environmental Knowledge Test (EKT, r = 0.76), Environmental Attitude Questionnaire (EAQ, r = 0.85), Service Learning Guide (SLG, r = 0.71), Collaborative Learning Guide (CLG, r = 0.66) and Conventional Learning Guide (CLG, r = 0.73). Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used in testing the seven formulated hypotheses. Scheffé Post-hoc analysis was carried out to determine the source of significant effect of treatment. Significant interaction effect was described using graphical representation. All hypotheses were tested at P< .05 level of significance. The results revealed that there was a significant main effect of treatment (service and collaborative learning strategies) on junior secondary school students’ environmental knowledge (F(2,582) = 824.98; p<0.05, partial η2 = 0.739), with an effect of 73.9%. There was also a significant main effect of treatment (service and collaborative learning strategies) on junior secondary school students’ environmental attitude (F(2,582) = 1317.79; p<0.05, partial η2 = 0.819). The findings showed that there was a significant main effect of gender (male/female) on junior secondary school students’ environmental knowledge (F(1,582) = 3.99; p<0.05, v partial η2 = 0.007) but there was no significant main effect of school location (urban/rural) on junior secondary school students’ environmental knowledge (F(1,582) = 0.08; p>.05, partial η2 = 0.00). Based on these findings, it was recommended that teachers should adopt service learning and collaborative learning strategies in the teaching of environmental concepts and problems in Social Studies in order to improve students’ performance in Social Studies. Teachers should facilitate the use of service learning and collaborative learning strategies in schools to improve students’ environmental problem-solving skills and their achievement in the subject. Teaching institutions should not only include service learning and collaborative learning strategies in their curriculum but should endeavour to provide practical experience for pre-service teachers to be well grounded and equipped on the use of these strategies.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of single-walled carbon nanotubes on various properties of reclaimed rubber/natural rubber blends
- Authors: Gumede, Jabulani Innocent
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Carbon nanotubes , Nanotubes Nanostructured materials Polymers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39675 , vital:35347
- Description: Mechanical and thermal processes are the preferred methods used to reclaim rubber from waste tyres. However, these methods produce reclaimed rubber (RR) with poor quality and lowered properties compared to virgin rubber. As a result, RR is commonly blended with virgin natural rubber (NR) in order to enhance its quality and properties to widen its application scope. The use of RR in the production of new rubber products is however limited to only about 1-10%. This is because the amounts of RR above this percentage negatively affect the properties of the resultant RR/NR blends. Researchers have used various conventional and nonconventional fillers such as carbon black and maize stalk fibres, respectively, in an attempt to enhance the properties of RR/NR blends. One main disadvantage with the use of these fillers is the need for high quantities to achieve desired properties. Several researchers have therefore focused on developing other reinforcing fillers. The fillers that have recently attracted a lot of attention of the present researchers include single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which are very small tubes solely made up of carbon molecules. This is because SWCNTs offer many impressive properties, and even small quantity of these nanofillers is sufficient to achieve desired properties due to their small size, large surface area and high aspect ratio. The main challenge with the use of SWCNTs however is getting them to disperse well in the rubber matrix. Therefore, their surface is either modified and then mixed with rubber or a dispersant is used to disperse them in the rubber matrix, forming a masterbatch. The common nanomaterial masterbatch product for applications in rubber is the TUBALLTM RUBBER (TR), which is a masterbatch product consisting of 1 wt. % TUBALL™ SWCNTs dispersed, using 1.5 wt.% sulfonol as a dispersant, in 97.5 wt.% NR (from latex Taytex FA). This product is a versatile masterbatch designed to enhance the mechanical, chemical, electrical and thermal properties of rubbers since it contains SWCNTs. However, the performance of this product has not been explored in the cases where recycled/reclaimed rubber is used. The main aim of this project was therefore to explore the effect of SWCNTs (via using TR) in the formulations of RR/virgin NR blends. This project was divided into two parts; (i) optimisation of SWCNTs based on tensile properties of specific formulations of compounds. These compounds were prepared by mixing various amounts of TR and NR using a Banbury internal mixer and two-roll mill. (ii) the effect of the addition of SWCNTs from the optimum SWCNTs/NR masterbatch compound on curing, mechanical, aging, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of RR/NR blends was studied. Curing properties explored include minimum torque (ML), maximum torque (MH), scorch time (ts0.5), curing time (t90) and cure rate. Mechanical properties studied are tensile strength, modulus at 100%, 200%, 300% and 500% elongation, elongation at break, hardness and resilience. Dynamic mechanical properties include stiffness, storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), loss tangent delta (tanδ) and glass transition temperature (Tg). Thermal degradation (stability) was studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for analysing the effect of SWCNTs inclusion on RR/NR blends. The optimum SWCNTs/NR masterbatch compound contained 0.1 wt. % of SWCNTs. The results obtained for various properties indicate that SWCNTs from the optimum SWCNTs/NR masterbatch compound enhanced the curing, mechanical, aging and dynamic mechanical properties of RR/NR blends with lower RR loading. Thermal properties of RR/NR blends were found to be unaffected by the addition of SWCNTs. However, owing to their impressive properties, the use of SWCNTs as nanofillers in RR/NR blends have the greatest potential for extending the applications of RR/NR blends.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of social capital and information acquisition on the adoption and benefits of conservation agriculture among cassava and maize smallholder farmers in South-West Nigeria
- Authors: Olawuyi, Seyi Olalekan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agricultural conservation , Sustainable agriculture , Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15200 , vital:40200
- Description: Sustainable economic growth and development in developing economy like Nigeria is achievable through the agricultural sector and sub-sectors which are concentrated in rural areas. Rural areas represent a home to majority (about 75%) of the households practicing farming for family sustenance and/or to earn income from the sales of agricultural products (Oyakhilomen and Zibah, 2014). In addition to the persistent use of traditional farming practices, these rural farming households cultivate crops varieties that are low-yielding on small and scattered farmland holdings (smallholder farmers) (Oyakhilomen and Zibah, 2014). This act depletes the soil organic matter with devastating consequences on production output, income generation as well as the ecosystem. Similarly, non-access to agricultural credit and limited technical knowhow are parts of the challenges that are facing the development of farming activities in subSaharan Africa, including Nigeria (Kassie, Pender, Yesuf, Köhlin, Bluffstone and Mulugeta, 2008). These challenges call for holistic interventions such as conservative agricultural practices; which are sustainable, promote safe environment and ultimately increase production output.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of substituents on the photophysical properties and nonlinear optical properties of asymmetrical zinc(II) phthalocyanine when conjugated to semiconductor quantum dots
- Authors: Mgidlana, Sithi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nonlinear optics , Quantum dots , Phthalocyanines , Zinc
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97152 , vital:31404
- Description: Various characterization techniques have been used to characterize the synthesized asymmetrical zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPc) derivatives. Techniques include Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry, matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALD-TOF MS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), elemental analysis and Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The complexes are covalently linked to core/shell and core/shell/shell semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs) via amide bond formation. Photophysical properties of complexes improved in the presence of semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs). SQDs contain cadmium/telluride (CdTe) as core, coated in the first shell with zinc selenide (ZnSe) or zinc sulfide (ZnS) and with zinc oxide (ZnO) in second shell. The photophysical properties of the phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes and their conjugates with SQDs are investigated in solution. Triplet quantum yields of complexes improved in the presence of semiconductor quantum dots. The optical limiting behaviour of the Pc complexes and conjugates are assessed using the open aperture Z–scan technique at laser excitation wavelength of 532 nm with 10 ns pulse. Pcs complexes showed good nonlinear optical response with higher nonlinear absorption coefficient. The conjugates afforded higher nonlinear absorption coefficient than Pc complexes alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of symmetry and metal nanoparticles on the photophysicochemical and photodynamic therapy properties of cinnamic acid zinc phthalocyanine
- Authors: Matlou, Gauta G , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187026 , vital:44557 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2019.02.005"
- Description: In this study, a novel asymmetric cinnamic acid zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc, 1) containing three tert-butyl substituents is reported. The asymmetric ZnPc (1) is further linked to amino functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (AMNPs) (1-AMNPs) and to cysteine functionalized silver nanoparticles (cys-AgNPs) (1-cys-AgNPs) through an amide bond. 1-AMNPs and 1-cys-AgNPs improved the triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields of complex 1, this was also observed with the previously reported 2-AMNPs when compared to 2 while 3-AMNPs yielded an unexpected decrease in triplet quantum yield as compared to 3. The silver nanoparticles (1-cys-AgNPs) had a better effect on improving the singlet oxygen quantum yield of complex 1 than the magnetic nanoparticles (1- AMNPs). The Pcs and conjugates recorded low cell cytotoxicity in the dark and high photocytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells in-vitro. MCF-7 cell viabilities of less than 50% were recorded at 80 μg/mL making the Pcs and conjugates under study potential candidates for use as photosensitizers in cancer therapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effective enterprise risk management: a case of Telkom South Africa
- Authors: Mkula, Tamara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Risk management , Organizational change Telkom (Firm : South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41054 , vital:36286
- Description: The premise of this research study was to study the phenomenon of Effective Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), to understand the effective enterprise risk management within Telkom SA after the implementation of organisational changes which have seen the company operating in six different business units. Enterprise risk management can no longer be an afterthought in an organisation, it should be integrated into an organisational strategy. Organisations which have successfully integrated an ERM into their organisational strategy have proved to be effective and profitable. However, the intention of this research study was not necessarily to analyse the ERM integration into Telkom’s organisational strategy. Rather, this study explored and described the views of the Telkom SA senior level enterprise risk management professionals in understanding if the recently implemented organisational structure changes did influence, or rather impact the effectiveness of ERM in the organisation. The selective sampling approach was used to accumulate relevant ERM data through unstructured, individual and in-depth interviews with ERM professionals in each of the six different business units at Telkom SA. A four-step data analysis interactive model was employed to analyse data collected for the study. Major findings were related to lack of ERM alignment in different business units, broad scope of ERM with no well-defined roles and responsibilities, lack of ERM skills, lack of established ERM risk committees. Some positives were those of more visibility in organisational risk, improved management of enterprise risk and increased accountability.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effectiveness of rural development programmes in marginalized rural areas: Umzimvubu Local Municipality
- Authors: Mndela, Ntandokazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41043 , vital:36285
- Description: Rural development projects (RDPs) present a means to develop communities while providing employment for community members in marginalised rural areas (MRAs). This study investigated the efficacy of RDPs by focussing on a target RDP in the Umzimvubu local municipality. In the area under investigation, a community development project was established by the community members with the aid of the government. The project witnessed a gradual death over time. This study investigated the reasons for failure of the community development project with the objective of determining the efficacy of RDP as a means to emancipate marginalised rural communities, and to provide guidelines that could be used in initiating and maintaining the sustainable operation of future rural community development projects. The study was conducted through a descriptive research approach. Questionnaires were employed to collect information. The study revealed that poor project management and monitoring and a lack of community participation, community input in decision-making, participation of young people and continued technical and financial support from the government were the major challenges confronting this community development projects in MRAs. Furthermore, the study revealed that the impacts of RDPs were more prominent at a micro-level, as beneficiaries were mostly the people directly associated with the project. The study concluded by prescribing a set of guidelines that could be adopted in starting and running RDPs in the future.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effects of 99-year leases on newly resettled farmers’ farm improvement, productivity and empowerment in Zimbabwe, 2007 to 2013
- Authors: Makaye, Peter
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Land reform - -Zimbabwe , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe Farmers -- Zimbabwe Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40812 , vital:36239
- Description: This study seeks to interrogate the effects of 99-year leases on newly resettled farmers, with focus on Zimbabwe’s Fast Track Land Reform programme, shifting from its causes and processes to its variegated outcomes., The focus was on how the leasehold system has impinged on three variables: farm improvement, productivity, and empowerment. Quantitative data was collected from 92 newly resettled farmers randomly selected from three different farming regions in Zimbabwe: Region 2, an agriculturally well-endowed area concentrating on crop production, Region 4, an arid and hot region concentrating on livestock, and Region 5, specialising in sugar cane production under irrigation. To corroborate the survey findings, follow-up interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out in these regions. Interviews with purposively sampled experts in agriculture in Zimbabwe were also conducted. Data are presented in charts and graphs as well as detailed descriptions. The study found that the 99-year leases influenced the fortunes of the farmers in different ways. In some areas, depending on the crop grown, the 99-year leases were accepted as a basis for a loan. In other instances, the leases have not been accepted as collateral and this has constrained the farmers’ ability to optimally utilise their farms optimally. Despite a general sense of insecurity, the farmers have shown a willingness to re-invest in the farms., Many improvements such as new accommodation for employees, the erection of fire guards, and the development of water sources are being made on the farms, all pointing to a desire for sustained utilisation of the A2 farms. The researcher proposes that serious effort has to be made towards making the 99-year leases acceptable as collateral for loans because otherwise, in the context of general undercapitalisation among the farmers, their ability to make the medium-scale farms optimally contribute to national accumulation will remain constrained. The form of tenure is related to the empowerment of the farmers, both materially and socially. This is in turn related to the sustainable use of the land and hence to sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effects of an educational intervention related to clinical simulation terminology on the knowledge of nurse educators at a public college
- Authors: Booysen, Cindy Lynn
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nursing -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36423 , vital:33940
- Description: Nurse educators must be prepared and feel comfortable using clinical simulation as a strategy in order for it to be successful as a teaching and learning approach. In terms of an educational intervention, orientation and training pertaining to simulation terminology for nurse educators can improve their capacity and strengthen the clinical simulation experience. The researcher observed a lack of knowledge regarding the terminology of clinical simulation among nurse educators at a public nursing college and this study therefore aimed to determine the effects of an educational intervention related to clinical simulation terminology on the knowledge of nurse educators at a public nursing college. The researcher conducted a small-scale intervention study utilizing a positivist, quantitative paradigm with a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test design. The researcher purposively selected the five main campuses at a public nursing college in South Africa. The five main campuses were purposively selected into control (two main campuses; campus A, campus B) and experimental group (three main campuses; campus C, campus D and campus E). Convenience sampling was used by including all nurse educators of each campus. A self-administered pre-test questionnaire was developed and used in Phase one in order to explore and describe the knowledge of nurse educators with regard to the terminology applied in clinical simulation. A total of 125 nurse educators were included (experimental group n=65; control group n=60). Phase two involved the development, review and implementation of an educational intervention based on the standards of best practice: standard 1: terminology, developed by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL). Methods for the educational intervention included a PowerPoint presentation and pamphlets administered to the purposively selected experimental group (three campuses; campus C, campus D and campus E). The educational intervention was implemented per campus. The control group did not receive any educational intervention (two campuses; campus A and campus B). Phase three comprised a self-administered post-test that was developed to evaluate the effects of the educational intervention pertaining to the nurse educators’ knowledge of the terminology applied in clinical simulation and was completed by the nurse educators who participated in Phase one of the study. A total of 70 participants completed Phase three of the study, (n=31 from the control group and n=39 from the experimental group). The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA and Chisquare testing), with the assistance of a statistician. A pilot study was conducted to prove the reliability of the pre-and post-test questionnaires and the educational intervention and a review by the statistician as well as the supervisors and five experts in the field of clinical simulation for the pre-test post-test questionnaires and educational intervention was done prior to its implementation. The pre-test was completed by (n=81) participants and the post-test by (n=70). The majority age category for participants was 50 years and older (n=32, 40%). Almost one third of the participants had less than 5 years’ experience as nurse educators (n=25, 31%). A statistically significant difference was found for pre-knowledge by age relationship (pvalue= ,036). The pre- and post-difference by age (p-value=.035) as well as work experience (p-value= .017) was also found to be significant (p-value= ,035). The older age groups (40-49 years of age) benefited more from the study as their knowledge on clinical simulation terminology significantly increased (Cohen’s d= 0,77 and 0,76- medium score) as well as those that were more inexperienced (1-4 years of working experience) (Cohen’s d= 1,10- large). The majority of participants did not receive any training in simulation-based education (n=69, 85%). The participants who received simulation-based education training versus the participants who did not receive any training showed a statistically significant variance for the pre-knowledge scores (pvalue= ,001) (Cohen’s d= 1,06- large). The mean score for the knowledge section (section B) of the questionnaire was 59,72 and the mean score for the pre-test-posttest difference was 12,64. The findings of the t-test had a small significant value for the pre-test and a medium significant value for the post-test. A significant medium Cohen’s d value was evident after correlating the difference between the knowledge scores for the pre- and post-test questionnaires. The 15 minutes educational intervention thus had a medium effect (pre-post difference of the knowledge scores: p-value=<.0005, with a Cohen’s d score of 0.67-medium significance) on the knowledge findings of nurse educators. However, as gaps in knowledge were evident among nurse educators in this study, further recommendations for practice, education and research were provided. Ethical principles such as informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity as well as permission to conduct the study were taken into consideration through all phases of the study.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Effects of herbicide application and phosphorous fertilization on forage production and plant density of abandoned lands planted with pasture legumes
- Authors: Mashece , Wandile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Forage plants Grazing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Pasture Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11950 , vital:39121
- Description: The study was conducted in two communal abandoned grazing lands, namely; Sinqumeni and Kubedlana (referred hereafter as sites) located in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) where legume pastures have been successfully established for the last ten years. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of five different herbicide treatments and four different phosphorus fertilizer application rates on forage production and plant density of abandoned lands. At each site, an area previously planted with legume species and well established with an even stand of legumes were selected. For both experimental sites, experimental design consisted of plot size of 50 m × 50 m for herbicide plot and 25 m ×25 m for phosphorus plot with 5 m×10 m of sub-plot planted with an even stand of pasture legumes arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) in two blocks. The legumes that were planted in these sites were: Lotus corniculatus, White clover, Arrow leaf clover, Yellow serradella, Pitman serradella, Biserrula and Lespedeza cuneata. Prior to planting, the legume seeds were mixed with the appropriate inoculant by hand. Planting was done by over sowing legumes into the natural pastures (grasses) using an Aitchison Mini seeder. In each small plot, data was collected on forage biomass and plant density (species count). Data was analysed using the SAS programme and the significance of differences between means were tested with Fisher’s test for the LSD. On herbicide study, results showed that there were no significant (p > 0.05) difference in forage dry matter (DM) among the herbicide treatments in both years at Kubedlana. Results further showed that all five herbicides did not significantly (p > 0.05) increase the DM yield over control treatment. At Sinqumeni, results displayed no significant (p > 0.05) difference in forage DM among treatments during year 1, whereas in year 2, but all herbicide treatments except Haloxyfop-R methyl & Bendioxide (HBE) yielded greater (p < 0.05) DM yield than the control treatment. Comparing years, forage DM yield only under Bendioxide (BEN) and Paraquat (PAR) treatments had greater DM yield in year 2 than years 1. In Kubedlana, Bendioxide (BEN) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) treatments showed an IV increase in total density (TD), whereas Glyphosate (GLY) produced the lowest total density (TD) and Paraquat (PAR) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) resulted in an increased in density of total legumes (TL) relative to control treatment. There was a decline (p < 0.05) in the densities of total plants and forbs from year 1 to year 2. In Sinqumeni, herbicide applications resulted in higher density of total legumes than the control treatment, but results varied among herbicide treatments, greatest density being obtained at Haloxyfop-R methyl & Bendioxide (HBE) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) treatments. On phosphorus study, result showed a significant (p < 0.05) differences in dry matter (DM) yield among Phosphorus (P) treatments during year 2 of the study at Kubedlana site. All P treatments showed significantly greater dry matter (DM) yield in forage harvested in year 2 compared to year 1. At Sinqumeni, results showed Phosphorus (P) application did not have significance (p > 0.05) effect on forage dry matter (DM) yield on both years. In Kubedlana, there were indications of increased densities of total grasses, legumes and total plants in response to some levels of phosphorus (P) treatments. Treatment Phosphorus at 20 kg ha-1 (P20) yielded the highest total density (TD) and total legumes (TL) numbers and P10 had the lowest total density (TD). Both treatment and year interacted significantly (p < 0.05) to influence the mean density of some plant variables. At Sinqumeni, there were no significant differences due to phosphorus (P) treatments in the densities of total plants, grasses and forbs. Both years interacted significantly (p < 0.05) with treatments to influence the plant density mean, with Lespedeza cuneate (LESP) producing the highest plant density during year 1 and year 2, whereas BSERRL produced the lowest plant density during year 1 and year 2 periods. Therefore, findings of this study suggest that application of both Bendioxide (BEN) & Haloxyfop-R methyl & Bendioxide (HBE) treatments result in a decrease in dry matter (DM) yield, whereas Glyphosate (GLY) herbicide resulted in a decrease in both total density (TD) and total legumes (TL) and Haloxyfop-R methyl (HAL) herbicide application resulted in an increase of total density (TD) and total legumes (TL) V relative to control plot. On phosphorus study, results suggest that at Phosphorus at 40 kg ha-1 (P40) fertilization dry matter (DM) yield will be increased and at both Phosphorus at 20 kg ha1 (P20) and Phosphorus at 40 kg ha-1 (P40) high total density (TD) will be recorded where’s Phosphorus at 20 kg ha-1 (P20) fertilization result in high total legumes (TL).
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- Date Issued: 2019