Mature South African students’ perceptions of their transition experiences into and from university education
- Authors: Zietsman, Louis Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Adult college students -- South Africa , Adult education -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Continuing education -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36126 , vital:33896
- Description: Mature students and their experience of tertiary education is an area of career psychology in which there is currently a lack of research. In particular, little published data related to the transition experience of mature students into and from tertiary education is available internationally and there is even less literature examining these students within the African and South African context. This study contributes to psychology‟s broad body of knowledge as it explores the perceptions of previously employed final year South African students on their transition experience into and from tertiary education. The researcher utilised a qualitative research approach. A non-probability purposive sampling strategy was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants. All participants were considered to be mature students in their final year of university study. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. The data obtained was subjected to thematic content analysis using Tesch‟s model. Lincoln and Guba‟s model was used to assess the trustworthiness of the data obtained. The findings revealed several factors influencing mature students‟ entry or re-entry into tertiary education. Participants‟ experience of tertiary education was enriching on both a personal/career level and participants were confident in their abilities. Furthermore, it was found that transition towards a new career starts during their tertiary study and that relying on experiences of their previous job aided them in their transition from tertiary education to new career. Limitations of the study, recommendations for further research and contributions of the research were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Zietsman, Louis Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Adult college students -- South Africa , Adult education -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Continuing education -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36126 , vital:33896
- Description: Mature students and their experience of tertiary education is an area of career psychology in which there is currently a lack of research. In particular, little published data related to the transition experience of mature students into and from tertiary education is available internationally and there is even less literature examining these students within the African and South African context. This study contributes to psychology‟s broad body of knowledge as it explores the perceptions of previously employed final year South African students on their transition experience into and from tertiary education. The researcher utilised a qualitative research approach. A non-probability purposive sampling strategy was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants. All participants were considered to be mature students in their final year of university study. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. The data obtained was subjected to thematic content analysis using Tesch‟s model. Lincoln and Guba‟s model was used to assess the trustworthiness of the data obtained. The findings revealed several factors influencing mature students‟ entry or re-entry into tertiary education. Participants‟ experience of tertiary education was enriching on both a personal/career level and participants were confident in their abilities. Furthermore, it was found that transition towards a new career starts during their tertiary study and that relying on experiences of their previous job aided them in their transition from tertiary education to new career. Limitations of the study, recommendations for further research and contributions of the research were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mbeki's African Renaissance Vision as Reflected in isiXhosa Written Poetry: 2005–2011
- Mona, Godfrey V, Kaschula, Russell H
- Authors: Mona, Godfrey V , Kaschula, Russell H
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174705 , vital:42502 , ttps://doi.org/10.1080/18186874.2018.1457616
- Description: IsiXhosa literary critics have not yet interrogated literature that was produced during and after the tenure of Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki as deputy president and president of the Republic of South Africa in order to study the impact of his African Renaissance doctrine. This article analyses poetry that was produced from 2005 to 2011. The content of the isiXhosa written poetry is profoundly influenced by the context of former President Mbeki's African Renaissance philosophy, its implementation structures and philosophy of self-confidence and self-reliance. The selected poems analysed and interpreted in this article suggest that Mbeki's legacy of the African Renaissance empowered poets to develop a narrative that advances the building of a regenerated South African nation and the African continent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mona, Godfrey V , Kaschula, Russell H
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174705 , vital:42502 , ttps://doi.org/10.1080/18186874.2018.1457616
- Description: IsiXhosa literary critics have not yet interrogated literature that was produced during and after the tenure of Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki as deputy president and president of the Republic of South Africa in order to study the impact of his African Renaissance doctrine. This article analyses poetry that was produced from 2005 to 2011. The content of the isiXhosa written poetry is profoundly influenced by the context of former President Mbeki's African Renaissance philosophy, its implementation structures and philosophy of self-confidence and self-reliance. The selected poems analysed and interpreted in this article suggest that Mbeki's legacy of the African Renaissance empowered poets to develop a narrative that advances the building of a regenerated South African nation and the African continent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Measuring the elasticity of electricity demand in South Africa: implications for future demand and supply
- Authors: Kosiorek, Sebastian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power failures -- South Africa , Electric utilities -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Autoregression (Statistics) , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Energy policy -- South Africa , Integrated Resource Plan
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62472 , vital:28196
- Description: A key economic issue for government is the ability to effectively match electricity supply to electricity demand, because of the substantial economic losses in the case of where there is too little supply, or the waste of scarce resources where there is too much supply. In the case of South Africa, this issue, the importance of which was highlighted by the power shortages and associated “rolling blackouts” experience in 2008, has led to the creation of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as a means to decide how energy policy will be developed. Recently, however, the IRP 2010 and its subsequent 2013 and 2016 (draft) updates have been criticised as being too optimistic in regards to their projections of economic growth and electricity demand, making the recommendations in these documents to be flawed. Using monthly data from January 1990 to May 2017, together with Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing for cointegration, this paper measures changes in the elasticity of electricity demand as a result of the massive price hikes over the past decade. Thereafter, the implications of changed electricity as well as possibly lower Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the future for forecasts of possible future demand for electricity are examined. From these revised forecasts, it is possible to make appropriate recommendations in regards to electricity supply policy for South Africa including what possible energy mix is needed as well as the requirements for creating new supply to meet possible future demand. It is concluded that future electricity demand is likely to be much lower than forecast in the IRP 2010 and IRP 2013 documents. The degree of uncertainty in electricity demand growth suggests that large-scale increases in supply capacity taking years to construct, such as coal or nuclear, should be avoided. Small, incremental increases in supply that are able to come on stream swiftly, such as gas, solar and wind power, are likely to be more appropriate for meeting South Africa’s future needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kosiorek, Sebastian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power failures -- South Africa , Electric utilities -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Autoregression (Statistics) , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Energy policy -- South Africa , Integrated Resource Plan
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62472 , vital:28196
- Description: A key economic issue for government is the ability to effectively match electricity supply to electricity demand, because of the substantial economic losses in the case of where there is too little supply, or the waste of scarce resources where there is too much supply. In the case of South Africa, this issue, the importance of which was highlighted by the power shortages and associated “rolling blackouts” experience in 2008, has led to the creation of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as a means to decide how energy policy will be developed. Recently, however, the IRP 2010 and its subsequent 2013 and 2016 (draft) updates have been criticised as being too optimistic in regards to their projections of economic growth and electricity demand, making the recommendations in these documents to be flawed. Using monthly data from January 1990 to May 2017, together with Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing for cointegration, this paper measures changes in the elasticity of electricity demand as a result of the massive price hikes over the past decade. Thereafter, the implications of changed electricity as well as possibly lower Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the future for forecasts of possible future demand for electricity are examined. From these revised forecasts, it is possible to make appropriate recommendations in regards to electricity supply policy for South Africa including what possible energy mix is needed as well as the requirements for creating new supply to meet possible future demand. It is concluded that future electricity demand is likely to be much lower than forecast in the IRP 2010 and IRP 2013 documents. The degree of uncertainty in electricity demand growth suggests that large-scale increases in supply capacity taking years to construct, such as coal or nuclear, should be avoided. Small, incremental increases in supply that are able to come on stream swiftly, such as gas, solar and wind power, are likely to be more appropriate for meeting South Africa’s future needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mechanisms and indicators for assessing the impact of biofuel feedstock production on ecosystem services
- Gasparatos, Alexandros, Romeu-Dalmau, Carla, von Maltitz, Graham P, Johnson, Francis X, Shackleton, Charlie M, Jarzebski, Marcin P, Jumbe, Charles, Ochieng, Caroline, Mudombi, Shakespear, Nyambane, Anne, Willis, Katherine J
- Authors: Gasparatos, Alexandros , Romeu-Dalmau, Carla , von Maltitz, Graham P , Johnson, Francis X , Shackleton, Charlie M , Jarzebski, Marcin P , Jumbe, Charles , Ochieng, Caroline , Mudombi, Shakespear , Nyambane, Anne , Willis, Katherine J
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181368 , vital:43727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2018.01.024"
- Description: Biofuel feedstock production can be a significant driver of landscape modification, ecosystem change and biodiversity loss. There is growing body of literature that shows how biofuel landscapes provide various ecosystem services (e.g., feedstock for fuel, carbon sequestration) and compromise other ecosystem services (e.g., food, freshwater services). These effects are context-specific and depend largely on prior land use conditions and feedstock production practices. Changes in the flow of ecosystem services due to the conversion of natural and agricultural areas can have ripple effects on human wellbeing. Despite some recent attempts to apply to biofuel settings concepts and methods rooted in the ecosystem services literature, this is the exception rather than the rule within both the biofuel and the ecosystem services research communities. This paper synthesizes the current knowledge about the impact of biofuels on ecosystem services. It focuses especially on the feedstock production phase and outlines the main mechanisms through which landscape conversion affects the provisions of ecosystem services. It proposes conceptually coherent indicators to reflect these mechanisms and offers a critical discussion of key issues at the interface of biofuels and ecosystem services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Gasparatos, Alexandros , Romeu-Dalmau, Carla , von Maltitz, Graham P , Johnson, Francis X , Shackleton, Charlie M , Jarzebski, Marcin P , Jumbe, Charles , Ochieng, Caroline , Mudombi, Shakespear , Nyambane, Anne , Willis, Katherine J
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181368 , vital:43727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2018.01.024"
- Description: Biofuel feedstock production can be a significant driver of landscape modification, ecosystem change and biodiversity loss. There is growing body of literature that shows how biofuel landscapes provide various ecosystem services (e.g., feedstock for fuel, carbon sequestration) and compromise other ecosystem services (e.g., food, freshwater services). These effects are context-specific and depend largely on prior land use conditions and feedstock production practices. Changes in the flow of ecosystem services due to the conversion of natural and agricultural areas can have ripple effects on human wellbeing. Despite some recent attempts to apply to biofuel settings concepts and methods rooted in the ecosystem services literature, this is the exception rather than the rule within both the biofuel and the ecosystem services research communities. This paper synthesizes the current knowledge about the impact of biofuels on ecosystem services. It focuses especially on the feedstock production phase and outlines the main mechanisms through which landscape conversion affects the provisions of ecosystem services. It proposes conceptually coherent indicators to reflect these mechanisms and offers a critical discussion of key issues at the interface of biofuels and ecosystem services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mechanisms for implementing affirmative action
- Authors: Nongogo, Nqabisa Thandazile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- South Africa , Minorities -- Employment -- South Africa , Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33475 , vital:32878
- Description: The aim of this study was to analyse the effective implementation of affirmative action. In South Africa. Affirmative action is seen as a means of correcting historical injustices and levelling the playing fields to enable all South Africans to gain equal access to opportunities from which they were previously restricted. This study observed that even though South Africa is now governed by a new democratic order historical workplace inequalities exists which still need to be addressed. Further it was noted that not only compelled to redress inequalities by the Constitution, the South African government was motivated by the ILO to enact laws that would prohibit discrimination and promote the economic advancement of the majority. Therefore, in an effort to narrow the gap between previously advantaged and disadvantaged individuals, the government passed a series of employment laws mandating, amongst other things, affirmative action. By doing so the South African government sought to ensure that all employers are compelled to take positive steps to redress disadvantage and inequality. Be that as it may, the study revealed that affirmative action is theoretically justifiable and has an important role in the achievement of equal opportunities and equality of outcome but in practice, various problems exist. Generally, the study reveals that notwithstanding the legislative framework of affirmative action in South Africa, inequalities continues to exist in employment, a clear signal of inadequate implementation of affirmative action. The study reveals that black people, women and unable persons are identified as primary victims of workplace inequalities. Continuity of work inequalities are statistically portrayed graphically in this year’s (2017) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) conducted and published by Statistics South Africa on the Economically Active Population (EAP) still indicates no confidence to implementation of affirmative action measures nationwide. Reviews of implementation of affirmative action, recruitment strategies, retrenchment plans are strongly proposed to combat controversies and challenges surrounding the implementation of affirmative action. A sunset clause is highly recommended to projectize affirmative action. Similarly, with determined advocacy for affirmative action, the study anticipates progressive equality and sustainable justice in South African employment in the immediate future. Chapter five of this study recommends remedial measures to address the challenges and impediments for effective implementation of affirmative action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nongogo, Nqabisa Thandazile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- South Africa , Minorities -- Employment -- South Africa , Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33475 , vital:32878
- Description: The aim of this study was to analyse the effective implementation of affirmative action. In South Africa. Affirmative action is seen as a means of correcting historical injustices and levelling the playing fields to enable all South Africans to gain equal access to opportunities from which they were previously restricted. This study observed that even though South Africa is now governed by a new democratic order historical workplace inequalities exists which still need to be addressed. Further it was noted that not only compelled to redress inequalities by the Constitution, the South African government was motivated by the ILO to enact laws that would prohibit discrimination and promote the economic advancement of the majority. Therefore, in an effort to narrow the gap between previously advantaged and disadvantaged individuals, the government passed a series of employment laws mandating, amongst other things, affirmative action. By doing so the South African government sought to ensure that all employers are compelled to take positive steps to redress disadvantage and inequality. Be that as it may, the study revealed that affirmative action is theoretically justifiable and has an important role in the achievement of equal opportunities and equality of outcome but in practice, various problems exist. Generally, the study reveals that notwithstanding the legislative framework of affirmative action in South Africa, inequalities continues to exist in employment, a clear signal of inadequate implementation of affirmative action. The study reveals that black people, women and unable persons are identified as primary victims of workplace inequalities. Continuity of work inequalities are statistically portrayed graphically in this year’s (2017) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) conducted and published by Statistics South Africa on the Economically Active Population (EAP) still indicates no confidence to implementation of affirmative action measures nationwide. Reviews of implementation of affirmative action, recruitment strategies, retrenchment plans are strongly proposed to combat controversies and challenges surrounding the implementation of affirmative action. A sunset clause is highly recommended to projectize affirmative action. Similarly, with determined advocacy for affirmative action, the study anticipates progressive equality and sustainable justice in South African employment in the immediate future. Chapter five of this study recommends remedial measures to address the challenges and impediments for effective implementation of affirmative action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mechanistic insights into the urea-induced denaturation of kinase domain of human integrin linked kinase
- Syed, Sunayana B, Khan, Faez I, Khan, Sabab H, Srivastava, Saurabha, Hasan, Gulam M, Lobb, Kevin A, Islam, Asimul, Ahmad, Faizan, Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Authors: Syed, Sunayana B , Khan, Faez I , Khan, Sabab H , Srivastava, Saurabha , Hasan, Gulam M , Lobb, Kevin A , Islam, Asimul , Ahmad, Faizan , Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448013 , vital:74691 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.12.164"
- Description: Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a ubiquitously expressed intracellular Ser/Thr protein kinase, plays a major role in the oncogenesis and tumour progression. The conformational stability and unfolding of kinase domain of ILK (ILK193–446) was examined in the presence of increasing concentrations of urea. The stability parameters of the urea-induced denaturation were measured by monitoring changes in [θ]222 (mean residue ellipticity at 222 nm), difference absorption coefficient at 292 nm (Δε292) and intrinsic fluorescence emission intensity at pH 7.5 and 25 ± 0.1 °C. The urea-induced denaturation was found to be reversible. The protein unfolding transition occurred in the urea concentration range 3.0–7.0 M. A coincidence of normalized denaturation curves of optical properties ([θ]222, Δε292 and λmax, the wavelength of maximum emission intensity) suggested that ureainduced denaturation of kinase domain of ILK is a two-state process. We further performed molecular dynamics simulation for 100 ns to see the effect of urea on structural stability of kinase domain of ILK at atomic level. Structural changes with increasing concentrations of urea were analysed, and we observed a significant increase in the root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuations, solvent accessible surface area and radius of gyration. A correlation was observed between in vitro and in silico studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Syed, Sunayana B , Khan, Faez I , Khan, Sabab H , Srivastava, Saurabha , Hasan, Gulam M , Lobb, Kevin A , Islam, Asimul , Ahmad, Faizan , Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448013 , vital:74691 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.12.164"
- Description: Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a ubiquitously expressed intracellular Ser/Thr protein kinase, plays a major role in the oncogenesis and tumour progression. The conformational stability and unfolding of kinase domain of ILK (ILK193–446) was examined in the presence of increasing concentrations of urea. The stability parameters of the urea-induced denaturation were measured by monitoring changes in [θ]222 (mean residue ellipticity at 222 nm), difference absorption coefficient at 292 nm (Δε292) and intrinsic fluorescence emission intensity at pH 7.5 and 25 ± 0.1 °C. The urea-induced denaturation was found to be reversible. The protein unfolding transition occurred in the urea concentration range 3.0–7.0 M. A coincidence of normalized denaturation curves of optical properties ([θ]222, Δε292 and λmax, the wavelength of maximum emission intensity) suggested that ureainduced denaturation of kinase domain of ILK is a two-state process. We further performed molecular dynamics simulation for 100 ns to see the effect of urea on structural stability of kinase domain of ILK at atomic level. Structural changes with increasing concentrations of urea were analysed, and we observed a significant increase in the root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuations, solvent accessible surface area and radius of gyration. A correlation was observed between in vitro and in silico studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Media monitoring as a measurement tool in government communication within the Eastern Cape Province: a case study of the office of the premier
- Authors: Petela, Ayanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mass media -- South Africa , Communication in politics Communication -- South Africa Information services -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23219 , vital:30462
- Description: Media monitoring is an important aspect of the government communication process because through it the communications practitioner is able to identify issues and trends which may affect the organisation. The study explores media monitoring as a government communication tool. This research aims to analyse the media monitoring practices of the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier and, determine how the media monitoring reports are utilised. In the Eastern Cape, the Office of the Premier’s Provincial Communications Unit takes the lead in conducting media monitoring for all the provincial government departments, as part of its oversight role. Employing qualitative data collection methods, the study was able to examine and dissect the media monitoring activities of the Office of the Premier, out of which emerged rich data. Data was classified according to themes and recommendations were made towards improving of media monitoring and analysis for the provincial communications unit responsible for media monitoring in the Office of the Premier.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Petela, Ayanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mass media -- South Africa , Communication in politics Communication -- South Africa Information services -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23219 , vital:30462
- Description: Media monitoring is an important aspect of the government communication process because through it the communications practitioner is able to identify issues and trends which may affect the organisation. The study explores media monitoring as a government communication tool. This research aims to analyse the media monitoring practices of the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier and, determine how the media monitoring reports are utilised. In the Eastern Cape, the Office of the Premier’s Provincial Communications Unit takes the lead in conducting media monitoring for all the provincial government departments, as part of its oversight role. Employing qualitative data collection methods, the study was able to examine and dissect the media monitoring activities of the Office of the Premier, out of which emerged rich data. Data was classified according to themes and recommendations were made towards improving of media monitoring and analysis for the provincial communications unit responsible for media monitoring in the Office of the Premier.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Media portrayal of gender based violence: a perception study in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape South Africa 2
- Oladimeji Olawumi Kate https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6577-0140
- Authors: Oladimeji Olawumi Kate https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6577-0140
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Abused women , Mass media -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa , Mass media criticism -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19476 , vital:43131
- Description: Gender based violence (GBV) has become a global menace. The prevalence of this violence against women and children in South Africa reveals that the country is plagued by this horror called GBV. According to the South African police crime statistics, with regards to sexual offences, the SAPS reported 64 419 (2012), 66 197 (2014), 62 226 (2013) and 53 617 (2015) cases. A government survey conducted revealed that men were the main perpetrators of this violence. For example, 76 percent of men in Gauteng, 48 percent in Limpopo and 41 percent in KwaZulu-Natal admitted to perpetrating GBV. These alarming statistics calls for the attention of the media. The media is known to be a powerful tool of influence, however in the process, the media has been criticised to portray violence in ways which can have varying effect on the behaviour of those exposed to it. This study was therefore conducted to investigate the perception of the residents of Uitenhage on the media‘s portrayal of gender based violence against women and children. The mixed method of research was used to obtain data from the participants and respondents which were residents of Uitenhage, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Non-probability sampling in the form of purposive sampling was used to select the focus group participants while probability sampling in the form of simple random probability sampling was used to select the respondents with whom the questionnaires were administered to. Quantitative data analysis for questionnaires was done using descriptive statistics and findings were presented in form of tables and pie charts while qualitative data analysis for the focus group discussions was done using thematic analysis. A final sample of 257 valid responses were analysed, representing 80 percent response rate, three focus group discussions were also analysed. The study revealed that all the participants and respondents are exposed to more than one medium of mass communication, however participants and respondents opined that the media has both positive and negative effect on different individuals. The study also demonstrated that there is an association between people‘s exposure to the media and their violent behaviour which is attributed to the messages conveyed by the media. The study recommends amongst others that the media should take a more proactive approach to the issue of VAW. , Thesis (PhD) (Communication) -- University of Fort Hare, 2018
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Oladimeji Olawumi Kate https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6577-0140
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Abused women , Mass media -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa , Mass media criticism -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19476 , vital:43131
- Description: Gender based violence (GBV) has become a global menace. The prevalence of this violence against women and children in South Africa reveals that the country is plagued by this horror called GBV. According to the South African police crime statistics, with regards to sexual offences, the SAPS reported 64 419 (2012), 66 197 (2014), 62 226 (2013) and 53 617 (2015) cases. A government survey conducted revealed that men were the main perpetrators of this violence. For example, 76 percent of men in Gauteng, 48 percent in Limpopo and 41 percent in KwaZulu-Natal admitted to perpetrating GBV. These alarming statistics calls for the attention of the media. The media is known to be a powerful tool of influence, however in the process, the media has been criticised to portray violence in ways which can have varying effect on the behaviour of those exposed to it. This study was therefore conducted to investigate the perception of the residents of Uitenhage on the media‘s portrayal of gender based violence against women and children. The mixed method of research was used to obtain data from the participants and respondents which were residents of Uitenhage, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Non-probability sampling in the form of purposive sampling was used to select the focus group participants while probability sampling in the form of simple random probability sampling was used to select the respondents with whom the questionnaires were administered to. Quantitative data analysis for questionnaires was done using descriptive statistics and findings were presented in form of tables and pie charts while qualitative data analysis for the focus group discussions was done using thematic analysis. A final sample of 257 valid responses were analysed, representing 80 percent response rate, three focus group discussions were also analysed. The study revealed that all the participants and respondents are exposed to more than one medium of mass communication, however participants and respondents opined that the media has both positive and negative effect on different individuals. The study also demonstrated that there is an association between people‘s exposure to the media and their violent behaviour which is attributed to the messages conveyed by the media. The study recommends amongst others that the media should take a more proactive approach to the issue of VAW. , Thesis (PhD) (Communication) -- University of Fort Hare, 2018
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Medicine use in swallowing-impaired patients: Pharmacists’ knowledge, practice and information needs
- Authors: Masilamoney, Mehrusha
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Deglutition disorders , Drugs -- Administration , Oral medication -- Administration , Pharmacists -- Practice , South African Pharmacy Council
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61940 , vital:28086
- Description: Dysphagia, or swallowing impairment, is a growing problem that affects 13.5% of the general population. The ability to swallow is essential for patients taking oral medicines, so this presents a challenge for swallowing-impaired (SI) patients as tablets and capsules will usually require modification prior to ingestion. Pharmacists should play a central role in advising SI patients about their medicine use, as well as problems that may impact on safety, adherence and therapeutic outcome. However, little is known about pharmacists’ level of knowledge, their practice and their information needs when dealing with SI patients and their use of medicines. The aim of this study was to investigate pharmacist knowledge, practice and information needs relating to the support of SI patients and their medicine-related needs. The study design included both quantitative and qualitative methods. A quantitative questionnaire was developed to collect data on the knowledge, practice and information needs of pharmacists and was piloted in 10 pharmacists, which resulted in minor modifications. The questionnaire was converted to a web-based survey and emailed to all pharmacists registered with the South African Pharmacy Council. Two knowledge scores were generated by summating correct responses: knowledge of dysphagia (KOD) and knowledge of medicine use (KOMU) in SI patients. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the strength of the relationship between specific variables with KOD and KOMU using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with pharmacists from community, hospital and primary healthcare clinics in both a small town and a major metropole. The aim was to gain deeper understanding of issues arising from the survey, and to explore preferences for topic-specific information materials. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. A total of 439 pharmacists responded to the survey, with 67% being females.The mean KOD score out of a maximum score of 10 was 6.1 ± 1.8. KOD was inadequate (<5) in just over one-third (37.8%) of pharmacists. The mean KOMU score achieved (maximum score 17) was 9.4 ± 2.0, with inadequate knowledge (<10) being established in just over two-thirds of pharmacists (70.8%). Age, length of registration as a pharmacist, and years of practice in a setting with direct patient interaction were significantly but weakly correlated with KOMU, whereas KOD showed no significant association with these variables. Qualification significantly influenced both KOD and KOMU; the highest group with adequate knowledge had either a Masters or a PharmD degree. Fewer than half the pharmacists (44%) never ask patients about their swallowing ability, and most (86%) reported no knowledge of locally available viscosity enhancers. Almost all pharmacists were interested in receiving information materials on assisting SI patients with their medicine use. Three major themes emerged from the semi-structured interviews. Pharmacists recognised their knowledge deficit and felt that lack of both undergraduate training and formal training during practice, as well as limited exposure to SI patients, were contributing factors. Barriers to their practice with SI patients included lack of time, lack of institutional support and lack of easily accessible references on the pharmacists’ role in supporting medicine use in SI patients. Lastly, most pharmacists were not prepared to take ownership of medicine-related problems in SI patients and had conflicting opinions of the pharmacists’ role, usually shifting the responsibility of medicine use in SI patients to nurses. This is the first study to investigate pharmacist knowledge of medicine use in SI patients. The findings indicate that pharmacists do not have the requisite knowledge when dealing with SI patients and their medicine-taking issues despite being the most highly trained healthcare professionals in this field. Lack of undergraduate training, in-house training and limited exposure to SI patients were reported to contribute to poor knowledge. Current practice revealed that there appears to be poor communication among different healthcare professionals, pharmacists were reluctant to work with and/or train nurses on appropriate medicine use in SI patients, and there appeared to be ambiguity surrounding the role of a pharmacist. This research identified that pharmacists regard this topic to be highly relevant to their everyday practice and are keen to receive more information and training relating to this area of study. Information materials were designed and will be made accessible to all pharmacists registered in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Medicine use in swallowing-impaired patients: Pharmacists’ knowledge, practice and information needs
- Authors: Masilamoney, Mehrusha
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Deglutition disorders , Drugs -- Administration , Oral medication -- Administration , Pharmacists -- Practice , South African Pharmacy Council
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61940 , vital:28086
- Description: Dysphagia, or swallowing impairment, is a growing problem that affects 13.5% of the general population. The ability to swallow is essential for patients taking oral medicines, so this presents a challenge for swallowing-impaired (SI) patients as tablets and capsules will usually require modification prior to ingestion. Pharmacists should play a central role in advising SI patients about their medicine use, as well as problems that may impact on safety, adherence and therapeutic outcome. However, little is known about pharmacists’ level of knowledge, their practice and their information needs when dealing with SI patients and their use of medicines. The aim of this study was to investigate pharmacist knowledge, practice and information needs relating to the support of SI patients and their medicine-related needs. The study design included both quantitative and qualitative methods. A quantitative questionnaire was developed to collect data on the knowledge, practice and information needs of pharmacists and was piloted in 10 pharmacists, which resulted in minor modifications. The questionnaire was converted to a web-based survey and emailed to all pharmacists registered with the South African Pharmacy Council. Two knowledge scores were generated by summating correct responses: knowledge of dysphagia (KOD) and knowledge of medicine use (KOMU) in SI patients. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the strength of the relationship between specific variables with KOD and KOMU using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with pharmacists from community, hospital and primary healthcare clinics in both a small town and a major metropole. The aim was to gain deeper understanding of issues arising from the survey, and to explore preferences for topic-specific information materials. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. A total of 439 pharmacists responded to the survey, with 67% being females.The mean KOD score out of a maximum score of 10 was 6.1 ± 1.8. KOD was inadequate (<5) in just over one-third (37.8%) of pharmacists. The mean KOMU score achieved (maximum score 17) was 9.4 ± 2.0, with inadequate knowledge (<10) being established in just over two-thirds of pharmacists (70.8%). Age, length of registration as a pharmacist, and years of practice in a setting with direct patient interaction were significantly but weakly correlated with KOMU, whereas KOD showed no significant association with these variables. Qualification significantly influenced both KOD and KOMU; the highest group with adequate knowledge had either a Masters or a PharmD degree. Fewer than half the pharmacists (44%) never ask patients about their swallowing ability, and most (86%) reported no knowledge of locally available viscosity enhancers. Almost all pharmacists were interested in receiving information materials on assisting SI patients with their medicine use. Three major themes emerged from the semi-structured interviews. Pharmacists recognised their knowledge deficit and felt that lack of both undergraduate training and formal training during practice, as well as limited exposure to SI patients, were contributing factors. Barriers to their practice with SI patients included lack of time, lack of institutional support and lack of easily accessible references on the pharmacists’ role in supporting medicine use in SI patients. Lastly, most pharmacists were not prepared to take ownership of medicine-related problems in SI patients and had conflicting opinions of the pharmacists’ role, usually shifting the responsibility of medicine use in SI patients to nurses. This is the first study to investigate pharmacist knowledge of medicine use in SI patients. The findings indicate that pharmacists do not have the requisite knowledge when dealing with SI patients and their medicine-taking issues despite being the most highly trained healthcare professionals in this field. Lack of undergraduate training, in-house training and limited exposure to SI patients were reported to contribute to poor knowledge. Current practice revealed that there appears to be poor communication among different healthcare professionals, pharmacists were reluctant to work with and/or train nurses on appropriate medicine use in SI patients, and there appeared to be ambiguity surrounding the role of a pharmacist. This research identified that pharmacists regard this topic to be highly relevant to their everyday practice and are keen to receive more information and training relating to this area of study. Information materials were designed and will be made accessible to all pharmacists registered in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Metabolic activity throughout early development of dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus (Sciaenidae)
- Edworthy, Carla, James, Nicola C, Erasmus, B, Kemp, Justin O G, Kaiser, Horst, Potts, Warren M
- Authors: Edworthy, Carla , James, Nicola C , Erasmus, B , Kemp, Justin O G , Kaiser, Horst , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125159 , vital:35737 , https://doi.10.2989/1814232x.2018.1441907
- Description: Metabolism quantifies the energy-consuming activities of an organism (Nelson 2016) and is used as an indication of how organisms partition energy resources to activities that allow them to survive, grow and reproduce (Post and Lee 1996). The metabolic profile, which is a composition of the various metabolic rates of an individual, therefore gives an indication of the efficiency of energy transformation and allocation (Fry 1971; Brown et al. 2004). McKenzie et al. (2016) suggested that an organism’s physiology contributes towards its ability to survive under specific environmental conditions. As a result, physiological condition can be a reflection of the performance and fitness of an organism (Pörtner 2010). When combined with information on changing environmental conditions, physiological information can provide insight into species- and community-level responses (Pörtner and Farrell 2008). These kinds of data have served numerous ecological applications, including resource management, conservation (McKenzie et al. 2016) and climate-change assessments (Pörtner and Farrell 2008).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Edworthy, Carla , James, Nicola C , Erasmus, B , Kemp, Justin O G , Kaiser, Horst , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125159 , vital:35737 , https://doi.10.2989/1814232x.2018.1441907
- Description: Metabolism quantifies the energy-consuming activities of an organism (Nelson 2016) and is used as an indication of how organisms partition energy resources to activities that allow them to survive, grow and reproduce (Post and Lee 1996). The metabolic profile, which is a composition of the various metabolic rates of an individual, therefore gives an indication of the efficiency of energy transformation and allocation (Fry 1971; Brown et al. 2004). McKenzie et al. (2016) suggested that an organism’s physiology contributes towards its ability to survive under specific environmental conditions. As a result, physiological condition can be a reflection of the performance and fitness of an organism (Pörtner 2010). When combined with information on changing environmental conditions, physiological information can provide insight into species- and community-level responses (Pörtner and Farrell 2008). These kinds of data have served numerous ecological applications, including resource management, conservation (McKenzie et al. 2016) and climate-change assessments (Pörtner and Farrell 2008).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Metabolic Systems Biology: Uncovering operations of cell and metabolism
- Authors: Marange , Israel Yeukai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Systems biology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19120 , vital:39881
- Description: The aim of this work is to analyse the technique for formulating cellular metabolism in living organisms. It also focuses on developing models of cellular metabolic systems. A sequence of biochemical reactions termed metabolic branched pathways that occur inside a cell, are of particular interest.Mathematical modelling is used as a tool to examine and analyse the metabolism of viral dynamics for the ends of this research. Dynamic mathematical models provide an important means with which to investigate the cell cycle control system. The derivation of the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is useful in describing and analysing the metabolic network structures of branched flux pathways, as well as enzyme-substrate,reciprocal-action networks which control the cell cycle. Different general and specific factors affecting metabolic rate are identified and explained
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Marange , Israel Yeukai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Systems biology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19120 , vital:39881
- Description: The aim of this work is to analyse the technique for formulating cellular metabolism in living organisms. It also focuses on developing models of cellular metabolic systems. A sequence of biochemical reactions termed metabolic branched pathways that occur inside a cell, are of particular interest.Mathematical modelling is used as a tool to examine and analyse the metabolism of viral dynamics for the ends of this research. Dynamic mathematical models provide an important means with which to investigate the cell cycle control system. The derivation of the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is useful in describing and analysing the metabolic network structures of branched flux pathways, as well as enzyme-substrate,reciprocal-action networks which control the cell cycle. Different general and specific factors affecting metabolic rate are identified and explained
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Method development for chemolysis of waste tyres and characterization of the components
- Authors: Tsipa, Phuti Cedric
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Composite materials , Rubber Chemistry, Organic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36694 , vital:34044
- Description: Chemolysis method for degradation and extraction of waste tyres for production of oil was developed. This method consist of three different solvent systems; firstly, the selective solvent system capable of extracting the process oil used in the production of tyres. This solvent system follows a phase transfer catalysis reaction, which is a reaction with a solvent consisting of two phases. Second system is a Destructive solvent system, which is capable of breaking down the polymer chains within the rubber matrix. It follows phase transfer catalysis reaction. Lastly, the collecting/wash solvent system, which is capable of collecting the remaining extracts in the residual crumb. Three products where obtained from this method: Liquid (oil), Gas and Solid (char), with the oil plus char being the focus of this study. Characterizations were carried out to obtain the quality of the oil recovered. Various analytical techniques were used to achieve the aims and objectives of this study, this involved Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, High-resolution Thermogravimetric analysis (Hi-resTM TGA), Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Simulated Distillation D86 (SIMDIST D86). Hydrocarbon compounds and market value acids where identified with reference to standards ran on the GC-MS. Market value acids were quantified to obtain the exact amount present in the extracted oil, the amounts for dodecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid were 0.73%, 5.1%, 0.49% and 9.98% respectively. Approximately 15% of this market value acid are present in the extracted oil. Internal GC-MS library and Retention Index (RI) methods with the help of NIST library were also used for compounds identification. A total of 53 compounds were successfully identified. SIMDIST D86 analysis showed that the petroleum fractions present in the total extracted oil were Heavy naphtha 0.73%, Kerosene 3.23%, Distillate fuel oil 6.27%, Light vacuum gas oil 57.93% and Heavy vacuum gas oil 31.83%. Hi-resTM TGA was used to characterize the char recovered for thermal properties. Chemolysis char showed relatively similar thermal stability compared to commercial N115 carbon black. The chemolysis method of oil extraction from waste tyres reported in this thesis shows promise in terms of both the routine of execution, quantification of market value constituents of the oil and chemical details of both the tyre derived oil and char.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Tsipa, Phuti Cedric
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Composite materials , Rubber Chemistry, Organic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36694 , vital:34044
- Description: Chemolysis method for degradation and extraction of waste tyres for production of oil was developed. This method consist of three different solvent systems; firstly, the selective solvent system capable of extracting the process oil used in the production of tyres. This solvent system follows a phase transfer catalysis reaction, which is a reaction with a solvent consisting of two phases. Second system is a Destructive solvent system, which is capable of breaking down the polymer chains within the rubber matrix. It follows phase transfer catalysis reaction. Lastly, the collecting/wash solvent system, which is capable of collecting the remaining extracts in the residual crumb. Three products where obtained from this method: Liquid (oil), Gas and Solid (char), with the oil plus char being the focus of this study. Characterizations were carried out to obtain the quality of the oil recovered. Various analytical techniques were used to achieve the aims and objectives of this study, this involved Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, High-resolution Thermogravimetric analysis (Hi-resTM TGA), Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Simulated Distillation D86 (SIMDIST D86). Hydrocarbon compounds and market value acids where identified with reference to standards ran on the GC-MS. Market value acids were quantified to obtain the exact amount present in the extracted oil, the amounts for dodecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid were 0.73%, 5.1%, 0.49% and 9.98% respectively. Approximately 15% of this market value acid are present in the extracted oil. Internal GC-MS library and Retention Index (RI) methods with the help of NIST library were also used for compounds identification. A total of 53 compounds were successfully identified. SIMDIST D86 analysis showed that the petroleum fractions present in the total extracted oil were Heavy naphtha 0.73%, Kerosene 3.23%, Distillate fuel oil 6.27%, Light vacuum gas oil 57.93% and Heavy vacuum gas oil 31.83%. Hi-resTM TGA was used to characterize the char recovered for thermal properties. Chemolysis char showed relatively similar thermal stability compared to commercial N115 carbon black. The chemolysis method of oil extraction from waste tyres reported in this thesis shows promise in terms of both the routine of execution, quantification of market value constituents of the oil and chemical details of both the tyre derived oil and char.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Method validation for the quantification of casticin in vitex agnus castus fruit using an ftir multivariate chemometric model
- Authors: Du Toit Louw, Philippus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Drugs -- Analysis -- Methodology -- Evaluation , Alternative medicine -- Research , Liquid chromatography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30917 , vital:31222
- Description: The Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMS) and dietary supplement industry is an R8.84 billion a year industry in South Africa, with the sector expected to grow 12% annually. The industry has largely been unregulated up until 15 November 2013, when the South African government amended the Medicines and Related Substance Control Act (Act 101 of 1965) to include the definition of “Complementary Medicines” and “Health Supplements”. The emphasis of the new regulations is largely on the quality and safety of CAMS products. Manufacturers therefore need to demonstrate that the active ingredients used in manufacturing will be of an appropriate and consistent quality. The research question therefore is: Can a chemometric multivariate model be used to develop a rapid, cost effective method to quantify casticin, the major chemical constituent of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) that can be used during routine quality control procedures? The primary aim of this study was to prepare a validated method using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to quantify the casticin content in VAC fruit. The results from the HPLC analysis were as follows; the penduletin eluted at a retention time of 12.419 ± 0.376 minutes. The casticin eluted at a retention time of 12.943 ± 0.018 minutes. The casticin content for the samples ranged from 0.0115 – 0.0147% m/m casticin content with an average of 0.0134%. This is well below the pharmacopoeia requirement of not less than (NLT) 0.08% casticin content as described in the British Pharmacopoeia (BP). The results obtained from the HPLC analysis were used to construct the FTIR calibration model. The calibration model consisted of 18 spectra with 530 selected data points. The model was specific for casticin as spectral regions in the calibration model can be correlated to a known IR spectral response associated with the carbonyl group of casticin. The calibration equation in the xii form of % m/m casticin content had a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.9855 and a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) of 0.000119. The accuracy of the model had recoveries of between 98 - 102% for the actual vs true prediction. The percentage relative standard deviation (%RSD) between nine repeated measurements was 3.46%, this does not meet the International Conference of Harmonisation (ICH) requirement for precision of not more than (NMT) 2% RSD. The range of the calibration model was between 0.01147 and 0.01469 % m/m casticin content as established by the calibration model. The robustness of the method was assessed by challenging the model with samples that fall outside of the concentration of range of the model. This was established by quantifying previously scanned samples of VAC that is not part of the calibration set. The model was able to verify if the tested samples prediction was outside of the validated calibration range. The method was subsequently also challenged with a sample of a different identity to VAC. The model indicated that the sample tested does not fall in the range of the method and was clearly recognised as an outlier. The method was rapid and does not require any expensive solvents or timeconsuming sample preparation. However, the method does not meet the ICH requirements for method validation, the method does show potential and further method development and expansion of the calibration model can ensure that the method be validated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Du Toit Louw, Philippus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Drugs -- Analysis -- Methodology -- Evaluation , Alternative medicine -- Research , Liquid chromatography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30917 , vital:31222
- Description: The Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMS) and dietary supplement industry is an R8.84 billion a year industry in South Africa, with the sector expected to grow 12% annually. The industry has largely been unregulated up until 15 November 2013, when the South African government amended the Medicines and Related Substance Control Act (Act 101 of 1965) to include the definition of “Complementary Medicines” and “Health Supplements”. The emphasis of the new regulations is largely on the quality and safety of CAMS products. Manufacturers therefore need to demonstrate that the active ingredients used in manufacturing will be of an appropriate and consistent quality. The research question therefore is: Can a chemometric multivariate model be used to develop a rapid, cost effective method to quantify casticin, the major chemical constituent of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) that can be used during routine quality control procedures? The primary aim of this study was to prepare a validated method using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to quantify the casticin content in VAC fruit. The results from the HPLC analysis were as follows; the penduletin eluted at a retention time of 12.419 ± 0.376 minutes. The casticin eluted at a retention time of 12.943 ± 0.018 minutes. The casticin content for the samples ranged from 0.0115 – 0.0147% m/m casticin content with an average of 0.0134%. This is well below the pharmacopoeia requirement of not less than (NLT) 0.08% casticin content as described in the British Pharmacopoeia (BP). The results obtained from the HPLC analysis were used to construct the FTIR calibration model. The calibration model consisted of 18 spectra with 530 selected data points. The model was specific for casticin as spectral regions in the calibration model can be correlated to a known IR spectral response associated with the carbonyl group of casticin. The calibration equation in the xii form of % m/m casticin content had a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.9855 and a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) of 0.000119. The accuracy of the model had recoveries of between 98 - 102% for the actual vs true prediction. The percentage relative standard deviation (%RSD) between nine repeated measurements was 3.46%, this does not meet the International Conference of Harmonisation (ICH) requirement for precision of not more than (NMT) 2% RSD. The range of the calibration model was between 0.01147 and 0.01469 % m/m casticin content as established by the calibration model. The robustness of the method was assessed by challenging the model with samples that fall outside of the concentration of range of the model. This was established by quantifying previously scanned samples of VAC that is not part of the calibration set. The model was able to verify if the tested samples prediction was outside of the validated calibration range. The method was subsequently also challenged with a sample of a different identity to VAC. The model indicated that the sample tested does not fall in the range of the method and was clearly recognised as an outlier. The method was rapid and does not require any expensive solvents or timeconsuming sample preparation. However, the method does not meet the ICH requirements for method validation, the method does show potential and further method development and expansion of the calibration model can ensure that the method be validated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Microfinace and poverty alleviation in Uganda
- Authors: Ben, Ssembajjwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Uganda , Economic development -- Uganda Economic assistance, Domestic Poverty -- Economic aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23624 , vital:30588
- Description: Microfinance began in Uganda in the early 1990s as a response to the failure by formal financial institutions to extend financial services to the poor because of the high transaction costs involved. These microfinance institutions provide financial and non-financial services to the poor in order for the poor to generate incomes and consequently alleviate poverty. The advent of microfinance institutions was not accidental but rather in response to the people’s needs and they have therefore been beneficial for the people of Uganda. Because of that, several MFIs have been initiated to help the poor. Although many services are provided, the study focused on credit services. As most of the MFIs have to balance the business goal of profit maximization and the social goal of poverty reduction, the main objective of this study was to explore whether microfinance in Uganda is an effective tool for poverty alleviation. The study was conducted in four districts, namely Mukono, Mpigi, Wakiso and Luwero. Using random probability sampling, a sample of 170 was drawn from a pool of 300 MFI clients. and all of them responded. MFI officials were also interviewed. A total 136 officials were obtained from 47 MFI branches. The study used descriptive methods of analysis, a Likert scale to derive means, as well as a Principal Component Analysis technique. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to detect if there were any statistically significant differences among the demographic variables used in the study. A Probit Regression Model was used to determine the impact of certain variables drawn from Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on poverty in Uganda. The results obtained proved that MFIs in general are effective in combating poverty in Uganda. Variables that are significant in poverty reduction through loan use are land, education, employment, household incomes and occupations of the respondents, loan sizes and improved livelihoods. Despite the positive impact of MFI loans in Uganda, the MFIs are faced with a number of challenges. The results from the interviews with the MFI officials indicated that MFIs are challenged by increasing competition, bad debt, multiple borrowings by clients, and information asymmetry. The study recommended reduced interest rates on agricultural, education and business loans. The public must also be sensitised about borrowing and there should be increased monitoring and supervision of clients, improved assessment of creditworthiness, and government should ensure an enabling environment and encourage group loans. Effort should be exerted to create employment opportunities. The study also recommended improvement in market intelligence and to be alert in gathering information on client profiles. it was recommended that microloan insurance and savings must be encouraged, operational costs be reduced, portfolios be expanded to increase loans and outreach must be maximised. Lastly, the thesis put forward some potential areas for further studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ben, Ssembajjwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Uganda , Economic development -- Uganda Economic assistance, Domestic Poverty -- Economic aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23624 , vital:30588
- Description: Microfinance began in Uganda in the early 1990s as a response to the failure by formal financial institutions to extend financial services to the poor because of the high transaction costs involved. These microfinance institutions provide financial and non-financial services to the poor in order for the poor to generate incomes and consequently alleviate poverty. The advent of microfinance institutions was not accidental but rather in response to the people’s needs and they have therefore been beneficial for the people of Uganda. Because of that, several MFIs have been initiated to help the poor. Although many services are provided, the study focused on credit services. As most of the MFIs have to balance the business goal of profit maximization and the social goal of poverty reduction, the main objective of this study was to explore whether microfinance in Uganda is an effective tool for poverty alleviation. The study was conducted in four districts, namely Mukono, Mpigi, Wakiso and Luwero. Using random probability sampling, a sample of 170 was drawn from a pool of 300 MFI clients. and all of them responded. MFI officials were also interviewed. A total 136 officials were obtained from 47 MFI branches. The study used descriptive methods of analysis, a Likert scale to derive means, as well as a Principal Component Analysis technique. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to detect if there were any statistically significant differences among the demographic variables used in the study. A Probit Regression Model was used to determine the impact of certain variables drawn from Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on poverty in Uganda. The results obtained proved that MFIs in general are effective in combating poverty in Uganda. Variables that are significant in poverty reduction through loan use are land, education, employment, household incomes and occupations of the respondents, loan sizes and improved livelihoods. Despite the positive impact of MFI loans in Uganda, the MFIs are faced with a number of challenges. The results from the interviews with the MFI officials indicated that MFIs are challenged by increasing competition, bad debt, multiple borrowings by clients, and information asymmetry. The study recommended reduced interest rates on agricultural, education and business loans. The public must also be sensitised about borrowing and there should be increased monitoring and supervision of clients, improved assessment of creditworthiness, and government should ensure an enabling environment and encourage group loans. Effort should be exerted to create employment opportunities. The study also recommended improvement in market intelligence and to be alert in gathering information on client profiles. it was recommended that microloan insurance and savings must be encouraged, operational costs be reduced, portfolios be expanded to increase loans and outreach must be maximised. Lastly, the thesis put forward some potential areas for further studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Microhabitat and biotic structure of stromatolite formations
- Authors: Weston, Ross-Lynne Alida
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Stromatolites , Microbial mats Sedimentary structures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17493 , vital:28358
- Description: Stromatolites are among the oldest types of microbial formations. In contrast to their ancient counterparts, many modern marine stromatolites have a coarser internal structure and host a diverse eukaryotic community. Different mesofabric structures are found within stromatolite formations which may provide microhabitat opportunities for organisms. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to investigate how the microalgal (including Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and cyanobacteria) community contributes towards the differences observed amongst mesofabric structures in terms of depth profiles and layering at representative stromatolites forming along the Port Elizabeth coastline in South Africa. The second aim was to investigate how the invertebrate community changes between mesofabric types. This was achieved by comparing the proportional abundances of each of the major microalgal classes between the different mesofabric types and depth profiles. Additionally, the invertebrates found within samples collected were identified and counted. These were related to site and environmental characteristics using multivariate modelling. Clear variability in terms of proportional abundance was apparent between microhabitats and with depth. Coarser, more-bioturbated types had a higher bacillariophyte biomass than smoother types. Invertebrate abundance was generally higher in coarser mats. However, one of the finer, well-laminated types had surprisingly more invertebrates than expected, but only in summer. The changes in microalgal and invertebrate community distribution varied seasonally. More microalgae were found in summer and more invertebrates were found in winter. Microalgae distribution was driven by mesofabric features whereas invertebrate distribution was attributed to resource changes. The implications of this study are in terms of the role of microalgae as ecosystem engineers in driving microhabitat differences. The microhabitats provide opportunities for colonisation by invertebrates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Weston, Ross-Lynne Alida
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Stromatolites , Microbial mats Sedimentary structures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17493 , vital:28358
- Description: Stromatolites are among the oldest types of microbial formations. In contrast to their ancient counterparts, many modern marine stromatolites have a coarser internal structure and host a diverse eukaryotic community. Different mesofabric structures are found within stromatolite formations which may provide microhabitat opportunities for organisms. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to investigate how the microalgal (including Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and cyanobacteria) community contributes towards the differences observed amongst mesofabric structures in terms of depth profiles and layering at representative stromatolites forming along the Port Elizabeth coastline in South Africa. The second aim was to investigate how the invertebrate community changes between mesofabric types. This was achieved by comparing the proportional abundances of each of the major microalgal classes between the different mesofabric types and depth profiles. Additionally, the invertebrates found within samples collected were identified and counted. These were related to site and environmental characteristics using multivariate modelling. Clear variability in terms of proportional abundance was apparent between microhabitats and with depth. Coarser, more-bioturbated types had a higher bacillariophyte biomass than smoother types. Invertebrate abundance was generally higher in coarser mats. However, one of the finer, well-laminated types had surprisingly more invertebrates than expected, but only in summer. The changes in microalgal and invertebrate community distribution varied seasonally. More microalgae were found in summer and more invertebrates were found in winter. Microalgae distribution was driven by mesofabric features whereas invertebrate distribution was attributed to resource changes. The implications of this study are in terms of the role of microalgae as ecosystem engineers in driving microhabitat differences. The microhabitats provide opportunities for colonisation by invertebrates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Midwives’ knowledge of the basic antenatal care (BANC) approach in healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District
- Authors: Jonkers, Roselien
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- Health and hygiene , Hospitals -- Maternity services -- South Africa Maternal health services Midwifery -- South Africa Primary health care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30562 , vital:30961
- Description: In South Africa, the main causes of maternal and neonatal deaths are related to challenges of the healthcare system. Quality antenatal care is an essential component in the fight against maternal and neonatal deaths. Hence, South Africa introduced the basic antenatal care (BANC) approach to augment the existing antenatal care system. However, BANC does not appear to be operating optimally throughout the country. Healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District do not appear to be utilising it effectively. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the knowledge of midwives of the BANC approach in healthcare facilities of the Central Karoo District. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was used to explore and describe midwives’ knowledge of the BANC approach in healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District. For the purposes of this study the researcher used a census approach (all-inclusive sampling) since the population was small. All midwives working in Central Karoo District healthcare facilities, who met the inclusion criteria, were asked to participate in the study. There were a total of 71 midwives, and 16 healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District. The sample was drawn from 10 healthcare facilities and four hospitals that were implementing BANC services. Altogether 54 midwives participated in the study. The midwives’ knowledge of the BANC approach was tested through a questionnaire. To enhance reliability, the researcher made use of a pilot study to eliminate unclear items, and to moderate the degree of difficulty of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was piloted on seven midwives in order to ensure that the data collection instrument was reliable and valid. The following ethical considerations, based on the Belmont Report, were followed throughout the research process: beneficence, justice and respect for persons. The majority of antenatal care is delivered by midwives at the primary healthcare facilities. It is thus critical that midwives have the required knowledge to function independently without the support of a doctor, and are able to refer to the next level iii of care when required. Such knowledge may lead to an early detection of abnormal clinical signs which could in turn improve the pregnancy outcome of pregnant women. This study suggests that the provision of BANC services to pregnant women may not be correctly implemented because many midwives’ appear to lack knowledge of certain aspects of the BANC approach. Based on the study’s results it was evident that there is a need for BANC training to be conducted and monitored at the health facilities in the Central Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Jonkers, Roselien
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- Health and hygiene , Hospitals -- Maternity services -- South Africa Maternal health services Midwifery -- South Africa Primary health care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30562 , vital:30961
- Description: In South Africa, the main causes of maternal and neonatal deaths are related to challenges of the healthcare system. Quality antenatal care is an essential component in the fight against maternal and neonatal deaths. Hence, South Africa introduced the basic antenatal care (BANC) approach to augment the existing antenatal care system. However, BANC does not appear to be operating optimally throughout the country. Healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District do not appear to be utilising it effectively. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the knowledge of midwives of the BANC approach in healthcare facilities of the Central Karoo District. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was used to explore and describe midwives’ knowledge of the BANC approach in healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District. For the purposes of this study the researcher used a census approach (all-inclusive sampling) since the population was small. All midwives working in Central Karoo District healthcare facilities, who met the inclusion criteria, were asked to participate in the study. There were a total of 71 midwives, and 16 healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District. The sample was drawn from 10 healthcare facilities and four hospitals that were implementing BANC services. Altogether 54 midwives participated in the study. The midwives’ knowledge of the BANC approach was tested through a questionnaire. To enhance reliability, the researcher made use of a pilot study to eliminate unclear items, and to moderate the degree of difficulty of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was piloted on seven midwives in order to ensure that the data collection instrument was reliable and valid. The following ethical considerations, based on the Belmont Report, were followed throughout the research process: beneficence, justice and respect for persons. The majority of antenatal care is delivered by midwives at the primary healthcare facilities. It is thus critical that midwives have the required knowledge to function independently without the support of a doctor, and are able to refer to the next level iii of care when required. Such knowledge may lead to an early detection of abnormal clinical signs which could in turn improve the pregnancy outcome of pregnant women. This study suggests that the provision of BANC services to pregnant women may not be correctly implemented because many midwives’ appear to lack knowledge of certain aspects of the BANC approach. Based on the study’s results it was evident that there is a need for BANC training to be conducted and monitored at the health facilities in the Central Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mining, agriculture and wetland ecological infrastructure in the Upper Komati catchment (South Africa): contestations in a complex social-ecological system
- Authors: Keighley, Tia-Kristi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wetland ecology -- Komati River Watershed , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Komati River Watershed , Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Komati River Watershed , Acid mine drainage -- Komati River Watershed , Water quality -- Physiological effect -- Komati River Watershed , Wetland conservation -- Komati River Watershed , National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPAs)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63810 , vital:28491
- Description: Wetlands provide a wide variety of natural benefits (ecosystem services) from the natural environment to human populations, making them key examples of ecological infrastructure. However, the use of wetlands and their associated catchments is often contested by different users, making them nodes of conflict. Thus, there is a range of pressures on many wetlands which can ultimately lead to degradation or destruction. This study investigated the X11B quaternary catchment in the Upper Inkomati basin, Mpumalanga, South Africa. This catchment is characterised by a network of wetlands and streams that provide catchment residents with water. The sub-catchment is heavily used, dominated by the agricultural sector and coal mining. To understand the contestation, a contextual analysis was carried out. Selected wetland conditions and ecosystem services, along with user perceptions and the value of wetland-use, were assessed. Wetlands were observably in a relatively healthy condition. The resilience of wetlands and the efficiency of the ecosystem services they offer, especially in mediating water quality, were clear. The early results indicated a healthy landscape despite multiple-user impact from human activity. The health scores and provision of ecosystem services, along with the identified National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPAs) and red-listed fauna and flora, provide a substantial grounding for advocating the conservation of the wetlands of the contested X11B catchment. When water quality measures were added to the wetland health and ecosystem service assessment, low pH levels and high electrical conductivity were recorded. Both measures indicate coal mining impacts, more specifically Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) impacts, since AMD typically has sulphate as the dominant salt ion, and high concentrations of trace elements and metal ions. Concentrations breaching the recommended resource quality objectives (RQOs) of trace elements and ions, found in fertilizers and pesticides, were recorded in most sites, suggesting agricultural impacts on the landscape’s hydrology. Further, these agricultural impacts would add to the compromising effect of the wetlands’ capacity to remove pollutants from the water body. Livestock farming on all sites were also near wetlands which may have limited the vegetation cover of grazed land, so increasing runoff and the volume of water entering wetlands and compromising their ecosystem services. Poor water quality has implications for biophysical processes, which play an important role in the functioning of wetlands, for the benefit of users. Without the water quality measures, ecosystem health and ecosystem service methodology used suggested a healthy catchment. However, simple field water quality measures indicated past and present mining impacts. Therefore, the mandatory use of water chemistry is recommended in the assessment of wetlands in catchments with past and present mining activity taking place. Without this, repercussions would include wetland loss, and a more thorough investigation into the water quality and its effects on the wetland ecosystems is suggested. Further ecological investigation of water chemistry (heavy metals, ions, nutrients and trace elements) and macroinvertebrate assemblages identified links to water chemistry impacts on macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity. Abundance results based on the presence, absence and abundance of macroinvertebrates at the different sites did not reveal any clear patterns associated with different landscape users. Diversity, on the other hand, was related to land-use, where sites with high mining use had lower macroinvertebrate diversity than other sites. Related, concurrent, hydro-pedology research produced a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of mining on hydro-connectivity that clearly indicates mining as the cause of long-term deterioration of functional wetland health in a way that is practically impossible to restore. This study suggests that wetlands provide a strong ecosystem service of intermittent resetting of the wetland sediment adsorptive capacity for toxic metal and other salt ions. The hypothesis arising from the work is that, in the case of another heavy rainfall event, the town of Carolina risks another AMD crisis. As sediments are likely to be accumulating and saturated with toxic metal ions. Further AMD-related changes in acidity will increase the mobilisation of adsorbed ions. Future flooding and flushing of wetlands will therefore once again move toxic metal ions through the system, and possibly re-contaminate the Boesmanspruit dam. The value of the study is in delivering specific evidence on the impacts of mining (and to a lesser extent agriculture) on wetland quality. Overall, this study, combined with additional research, indicates that in the X11B catchment, mining impacts are long-term and more serious than agriculture. In terms of contestation the research indicates that reliance on bio-physical data and knowledge is inadequate in resolving conflict between coal mining and other land- and water-users. The study demonstrates the necessity of insight into the social system and the value of a transdisciplinary approach in addressing land-use conflicts and wetland protection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Keighley, Tia-Kristi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wetland ecology -- Komati River Watershed , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Komati River Watershed , Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Komati River Watershed , Acid mine drainage -- Komati River Watershed , Water quality -- Physiological effect -- Komati River Watershed , Wetland conservation -- Komati River Watershed , National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPAs)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63810 , vital:28491
- Description: Wetlands provide a wide variety of natural benefits (ecosystem services) from the natural environment to human populations, making them key examples of ecological infrastructure. However, the use of wetlands and their associated catchments is often contested by different users, making them nodes of conflict. Thus, there is a range of pressures on many wetlands which can ultimately lead to degradation or destruction. This study investigated the X11B quaternary catchment in the Upper Inkomati basin, Mpumalanga, South Africa. This catchment is characterised by a network of wetlands and streams that provide catchment residents with water. The sub-catchment is heavily used, dominated by the agricultural sector and coal mining. To understand the contestation, a contextual analysis was carried out. Selected wetland conditions and ecosystem services, along with user perceptions and the value of wetland-use, were assessed. Wetlands were observably in a relatively healthy condition. The resilience of wetlands and the efficiency of the ecosystem services they offer, especially in mediating water quality, were clear. The early results indicated a healthy landscape despite multiple-user impact from human activity. The health scores and provision of ecosystem services, along with the identified National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPAs) and red-listed fauna and flora, provide a substantial grounding for advocating the conservation of the wetlands of the contested X11B catchment. When water quality measures were added to the wetland health and ecosystem service assessment, low pH levels and high electrical conductivity were recorded. Both measures indicate coal mining impacts, more specifically Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) impacts, since AMD typically has sulphate as the dominant salt ion, and high concentrations of trace elements and metal ions. Concentrations breaching the recommended resource quality objectives (RQOs) of trace elements and ions, found in fertilizers and pesticides, were recorded in most sites, suggesting agricultural impacts on the landscape’s hydrology. Further, these agricultural impacts would add to the compromising effect of the wetlands’ capacity to remove pollutants from the water body. Livestock farming on all sites were also near wetlands which may have limited the vegetation cover of grazed land, so increasing runoff and the volume of water entering wetlands and compromising their ecosystem services. Poor water quality has implications for biophysical processes, which play an important role in the functioning of wetlands, for the benefit of users. Without the water quality measures, ecosystem health and ecosystem service methodology used suggested a healthy catchment. However, simple field water quality measures indicated past and present mining impacts. Therefore, the mandatory use of water chemistry is recommended in the assessment of wetlands in catchments with past and present mining activity taking place. Without this, repercussions would include wetland loss, and a more thorough investigation into the water quality and its effects on the wetland ecosystems is suggested. Further ecological investigation of water chemistry (heavy metals, ions, nutrients and trace elements) and macroinvertebrate assemblages identified links to water chemistry impacts on macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity. Abundance results based on the presence, absence and abundance of macroinvertebrates at the different sites did not reveal any clear patterns associated with different landscape users. Diversity, on the other hand, was related to land-use, where sites with high mining use had lower macroinvertebrate diversity than other sites. Related, concurrent, hydro-pedology research produced a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of mining on hydro-connectivity that clearly indicates mining as the cause of long-term deterioration of functional wetland health in a way that is practically impossible to restore. This study suggests that wetlands provide a strong ecosystem service of intermittent resetting of the wetland sediment adsorptive capacity for toxic metal and other salt ions. The hypothesis arising from the work is that, in the case of another heavy rainfall event, the town of Carolina risks another AMD crisis. As sediments are likely to be accumulating and saturated with toxic metal ions. Further AMD-related changes in acidity will increase the mobilisation of adsorbed ions. Future flooding and flushing of wetlands will therefore once again move toxic metal ions through the system, and possibly re-contaminate the Boesmanspruit dam. The value of the study is in delivering specific evidence on the impacts of mining (and to a lesser extent agriculture) on wetland quality. Overall, this study, combined with additional research, indicates that in the X11B catchment, mining impacts are long-term and more serious than agriculture. In terms of contestation the research indicates that reliance on bio-physical data and knowledge is inadequate in resolving conflict between coal mining and other land- and water-users. The study demonstrates the necessity of insight into the social system and the value of a transdisciplinary approach in addressing land-use conflicts and wetland protection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mitigation of single event upsets in a XILINX ARTIX-7 field programmable gate array
- Authors: Omolo, Joshua
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Field programmable gate arrays -- Design and construction Prototypes, Engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22310 , vital:29942
- Description: Field programmable gate arrays are increasingly being used in harsh environments like space where high energy particles from radiation affect the integrity of the data. Before deployment of satellites in space, characterisation and consequently mitigation of radiation effects is necessary to avoid failure. By irradiating a digital microelectronic device, using accelerated energetic particles, it is possible to predict the likelihood of an event effect happening. Such irradiation tests can only be done at a particle accelerator facility such as iThemba LABS in Cape Town. It is the one of the few particle accelerators in the southern hemisphere and offers the capacity to perform these event effect characterisation tests. Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) is a commonly used mitigation technique in microelectronics. Although effective, it has the downside of increased resource area. A DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique was developed at the Nelson Mandela University. It uses fewer resources than TMR and it is envisaged to significantly reduce event upsets in a FPGA. This research project seeks to investigate the effectiveness of the DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique in reducing the likelihood of event upsets occurring in Xilinx’s Artix-7 FPGA when exposed to highly accelerated particles, similar to those in space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Omolo, Joshua
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Field programmable gate arrays -- Design and construction Prototypes, Engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22310 , vital:29942
- Description: Field programmable gate arrays are increasingly being used in harsh environments like space where high energy particles from radiation affect the integrity of the data. Before deployment of satellites in space, characterisation and consequently mitigation of radiation effects is necessary to avoid failure. By irradiating a digital microelectronic device, using accelerated energetic particles, it is possible to predict the likelihood of an event effect happening. Such irradiation tests can only be done at a particle accelerator facility such as iThemba LABS in Cape Town. It is the one of the few particle accelerators in the southern hemisphere and offers the capacity to perform these event effect characterisation tests. Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) is a commonly used mitigation technique in microelectronics. Although effective, it has the downside of increased resource area. A DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique was developed at the Nelson Mandela University. It uses fewer resources than TMR and it is envisaged to significantly reduce event upsets in a FPGA. This research project seeks to investigate the effectiveness of the DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique in reducing the likelihood of event upsets occurring in Xilinx’s Artix-7 FPGA when exposed to highly accelerated particles, similar to those in space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mna, Nosigidi
- Authors: Matyobeni, Simthembile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , Xhosa poetry -- 21st century , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century
- Language: Xhosa , English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64412 , vital:28541
- Description: This thesis is a collection of poems. These are lyric poems. Animystic poets like Christopher Okigbo and Wole Soyinka are the principal models in terms of style. Animystic poetry projects ideas and emotions in a hallucinatory and profoundly visionary manner. The collection has a variety of themes such as marginality, identity, history, and domestic abuse. Diverse language registers are used in the poems in order that the setting of each poem, whether historical or contemporary, is realised. , Le thesisi ngumbongo omde osekelezelwe kumlinganiswa oyintloko, uNosigidi. Esi simbo sokuyila isihobe siva ngomlimandlela owenziwa ziimbongi ezifana noJ. R. R. Jolobe no‐Aime Cesaire. Indumasiso ethi “UThuthula” kaJolobe inefuthe kwimo yokwakhiwa kweminye imibongo edibanisa le mbali. Asiyiyo yonke imibhalo yezi mbongi ethe ncakasana ukungqamana nale mbali‐sihobe kaNosigidi. Imibongo ekuthiwa yi‐‘Animystic poetry’ isetyenzisiwe kakhulu kule mibongo. Sigqaliwe kunye nesihobe nesikaSappho, kuba yimbongi ebhale kakhulu ngamandla elizwi lamanina. USappho ngakumbi ubhala kakhulu kwisihobe sakhe ngamanina athandana namanye. Owona mxo walo mbongo kukugqala ibali koNosigidi okhule esazi kamhlophe ukuba yena uthandana namanye amanina. Isizathu soku kukuba nabo obu bomi kuyafuneka kubhaliwe ngabo ngendlela enenkathalo kuncwadi lwesiXhosa. Nasekusabeleni ubizo lwakhe kwintwaso uNosigidi uya enamathidala, de obo bomi bentumekelelo abamkele ngazo zozibini.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Matyobeni, Simthembile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , Xhosa poetry -- 21st century , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century
- Language: Xhosa , English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64412 , vital:28541
- Description: This thesis is a collection of poems. These are lyric poems. Animystic poets like Christopher Okigbo and Wole Soyinka are the principal models in terms of style. Animystic poetry projects ideas and emotions in a hallucinatory and profoundly visionary manner. The collection has a variety of themes such as marginality, identity, history, and domestic abuse. Diverse language registers are used in the poems in order that the setting of each poem, whether historical or contemporary, is realised. , Le thesisi ngumbongo omde osekelezelwe kumlinganiswa oyintloko, uNosigidi. Esi simbo sokuyila isihobe siva ngomlimandlela owenziwa ziimbongi ezifana noJ. R. R. Jolobe no‐Aime Cesaire. Indumasiso ethi “UThuthula” kaJolobe inefuthe kwimo yokwakhiwa kweminye imibongo edibanisa le mbali. Asiyiyo yonke imibhalo yezi mbongi ethe ncakasana ukungqamana nale mbali‐sihobe kaNosigidi. Imibongo ekuthiwa yi‐‘Animystic poetry’ isetyenzisiwe kakhulu kule mibongo. Sigqaliwe kunye nesihobe nesikaSappho, kuba yimbongi ebhale kakhulu ngamandla elizwi lamanina. USappho ngakumbi ubhala kakhulu kwisihobe sakhe ngamanina athandana namanye. Owona mxo walo mbongo kukugqala ibali koNosigidi okhule esazi kamhlophe ukuba yena uthandana namanye amanina. Isizathu soku kukuba nabo obu bomi kuyafuneka kubhaliwe ngabo ngendlela enenkathalo kuncwadi lwesiXhosa. Nasekusabeleni ubizo lwakhe kwintwaso uNosigidi uya enamathidala, de obo bomi bentumekelelo abamkele ngazo zozibini.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
MODE-TASK: Large-scale protein motion tools
- Ross, Caroline J, Nizami, B, Glenister, Michael, Sheik Amamuddy, Olivier, Atilgan, Ali R, Atilgan, Canan, Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Authors: Ross, Caroline J , Nizami, B , Glenister, Michael , Sheik Amamuddy, Olivier , Atilgan, Ali R , Atilgan, Canan , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125206 , vital:35746 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/217505
- Description: Conventional analysis of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories may not identify global motions of macromolecules. Normal Mode Analysis (NMA) and Principle Component Analysis (PCA) are two popular methods to quantify large-scale motions, and find the “essential motions”; and have been applied to problems such as drug resistant mutations (Nizami et al., 2016) and viral capsid expansion (Hsieh et al., 2016). MODE-TASK is an array of tools to analyse and compare protein dynamics obtained from MD simulations and/or coarse grained elastic network models. Users may perform standard PCA, kernel and incremental PCA (IPCA). Data reduction techniques (Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) and t-Distributed Stochastics Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE)) are implemented. Users may analyse normal modes by constructing elastic network models (ENMs) of a protein complex. A novel coarse graining approach extends its application to large biological assemblies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ross, Caroline J , Nizami, B , Glenister, Michael , Sheik Amamuddy, Olivier , Atilgan, Ali R , Atilgan, Canan , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125206 , vital:35746 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/217505
- Description: Conventional analysis of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories may not identify global motions of macromolecules. Normal Mode Analysis (NMA) and Principle Component Analysis (PCA) are two popular methods to quantify large-scale motions, and find the “essential motions”; and have been applied to problems such as drug resistant mutations (Nizami et al., 2016) and viral capsid expansion (Hsieh et al., 2016). MODE-TASK is an array of tools to analyse and compare protein dynamics obtained from MD simulations and/or coarse grained elastic network models. Users may perform standard PCA, kernel and incremental PCA (IPCA). Data reduction techniques (Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) and t-Distributed Stochastics Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE)) are implemented. Users may analyse normal modes by constructing elastic network models (ENMs) of a protein complex. A novel coarse graining approach extends its application to large biological assemblies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018