Production, purification, and characterisation of proteases from an ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Oidiodendron maius
- Authors: Manyumwa, Colleen Varaidzo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Ascomycetes , Mycorrhizal fungi , Ericaceae , Proteolytic enzymes , Silver Recycling
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62833 , vital:28298
- Description: The aim of this study was to produce, purify and characterise proteases from the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Oidiodendron maius (CafRU082b/KP119480), as well as to explore their potential application in the recovery of silver from X-ray film. Firstly, the growth of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Oidiodendron maius (CafRU082b), was studied, and its ability to produce proteolytic enzymes was investigated. O. maius proved to grow well in the dark, submerged in Modified Melin Norkran’s liquid medium at a pH of 5 and at 25°C. Pure cultures of the fungus were maintained on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The fungus grew on PDA plates containing different substrates including haemoglobin, casein, gelatin as well as azocasein. Zones of clearance, however, were only observed on plates containing gelatin after treatment with mercuric chloride, HgCl2. Proteases were successfully produced after 14 days when gelatin was incorporated into the growth medium. After production of the proteases, purification and characterisation of the enzymes was performed. Purification of the enzymes was performed by acetone precipitation followed by ultrafiltration with 50 kDa and 30 kDa cut off membrane filters. A final purification fold of approximately 37.6 was achieved. Unusual yields of above 100% were observed after each purification step with the final yield achieved being 196% with a final specific activity of 2707 U/mg. SDS-PAGE revealed a protease band of 35 kDa which was also visible on the zymogram at approximately 36 kDa. The zymogram showed clear hydrolysis bands against a blue background after staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue. Physico-chemical characterisation of the protease revealed its pH optimum to be pH 3.0 and its temperature optimum 68°C. Another peak was observed on the pH profile at pH 7.0. The protease exhibited high thermostability at temperatures 37°C, 80°C as well as 100°C with the enzyme retaining close to 50% of its initial activity after 4 h of exposure to all three temperatures. All ions tested for their effects on the proteases, except Ca2+, enhanced protease activity. Ca2+ did not exhibit any significant effect on the enzyme’s activity while Zn2+ had the highest effect, enhancing enzyme activity by 305%. The proteases, however, were not significantly inhibited by EDTA, a metal chelating agent and a known metalloprotease inhibitor. The enzyme was classified as an aspartic protease due to complete inhibition by 25 μM of pepstatin A, coupled to its low pH optimum of 3.0. Addition of trans-Epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-(4-guanidino)butane (E-64), a cysteine protease inhibitor, and 2-mercaptoethanol increased protease activity. The proteases exhibited a narrow substrate specificity towards gelatin and no other substrate. Substrate kinetics values were plotted on a Michaelis-Menten Graph and showed that the enzyme had a Vmax of 55.25 U/ml and a Km of 2.7 mg/ml gelatin. A low Km indicated that the protease had a high affinity for gelatin. Silver recovery studies from X-ray film revealed the proteases’ capability to remove silver from X-ray film, leaving the film intact. The recovery of silver was perceived visually, by film observation, as well as by scan electron microscopy (SEM) images, where clearance of the film was observed after incubation with the enzyme. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) profiles also confirmed removal of silver from the film, with a Ag peak showing on the profile of the film before treatment with the proteases and no peak after treatment. The crude protease sample was, however, catalytically more efficient compared to the partially purified sample. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2018
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Manyumwa, Colleen Varaidzo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Ascomycetes , Mycorrhizal fungi , Ericaceae , Proteolytic enzymes , Silver Recycling
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62833 , vital:28298
- Description: The aim of this study was to produce, purify and characterise proteases from the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Oidiodendron maius (CafRU082b/KP119480), as well as to explore their potential application in the recovery of silver from X-ray film. Firstly, the growth of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Oidiodendron maius (CafRU082b), was studied, and its ability to produce proteolytic enzymes was investigated. O. maius proved to grow well in the dark, submerged in Modified Melin Norkran’s liquid medium at a pH of 5 and at 25°C. Pure cultures of the fungus were maintained on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The fungus grew on PDA plates containing different substrates including haemoglobin, casein, gelatin as well as azocasein. Zones of clearance, however, were only observed on plates containing gelatin after treatment with mercuric chloride, HgCl2. Proteases were successfully produced after 14 days when gelatin was incorporated into the growth medium. After production of the proteases, purification and characterisation of the enzymes was performed. Purification of the enzymes was performed by acetone precipitation followed by ultrafiltration with 50 kDa and 30 kDa cut off membrane filters. A final purification fold of approximately 37.6 was achieved. Unusual yields of above 100% were observed after each purification step with the final yield achieved being 196% with a final specific activity of 2707 U/mg. SDS-PAGE revealed a protease band of 35 kDa which was also visible on the zymogram at approximately 36 kDa. The zymogram showed clear hydrolysis bands against a blue background after staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue. Physico-chemical characterisation of the protease revealed its pH optimum to be pH 3.0 and its temperature optimum 68°C. Another peak was observed on the pH profile at pH 7.0. The protease exhibited high thermostability at temperatures 37°C, 80°C as well as 100°C with the enzyme retaining close to 50% of its initial activity after 4 h of exposure to all three temperatures. All ions tested for their effects on the proteases, except Ca2+, enhanced protease activity. Ca2+ did not exhibit any significant effect on the enzyme’s activity while Zn2+ had the highest effect, enhancing enzyme activity by 305%. The proteases, however, were not significantly inhibited by EDTA, a metal chelating agent and a known metalloprotease inhibitor. The enzyme was classified as an aspartic protease due to complete inhibition by 25 μM of pepstatin A, coupled to its low pH optimum of 3.0. Addition of trans-Epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-(4-guanidino)butane (E-64), a cysteine protease inhibitor, and 2-mercaptoethanol increased protease activity. The proteases exhibited a narrow substrate specificity towards gelatin and no other substrate. Substrate kinetics values were plotted on a Michaelis-Menten Graph and showed that the enzyme had a Vmax of 55.25 U/ml and a Km of 2.7 mg/ml gelatin. A low Km indicated that the protease had a high affinity for gelatin. Silver recovery studies from X-ray film revealed the proteases’ capability to remove silver from X-ray film, leaving the film intact. The recovery of silver was perceived visually, by film observation, as well as by scan electron microscopy (SEM) images, where clearance of the film was observed after incubation with the enzyme. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) profiles also confirmed removal of silver from the film, with a Ag peak showing on the profile of the film before treatment with the proteases and no peak after treatment. The crude protease sample was, however, catalytically more efficient compared to the partially purified sample. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2018
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Productivity and profitability of different maize varieties and cropping systems used in the smallholder sector of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa : implication on food security
- Authors: Kambanje, Ardinesh
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Crop yields Crops and climate Cropping systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6237 , vital:29528
- Description: Low maize yields in the midst of abundant arable land, favourable climatic conditions, input and financial support programs, plagues smallholder maize farming in Eastern Cape Province. These scenarios have led the province to be a net importer of maize. In essence, low production may signify a mis-match between maize varieties being promoted amongst smallholder farmers and their farming system. Thus, the main objective of the study was to investigate the productivity and profitability of different maize varieties and cropping system under smallholder agriculture in selected villages of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa as well as, the implications posed on the household food security. The study sought to assess: (i) the productivity of different maize varieties and cropping systems, (ii) the effect of GM maize adoption on food security among smallholder farmers, (iii) the profitability of GM, conventional hybrids and OPV maize varieties produced by farmers under different agro-ecological conditions and (iv) the impact of different maize varieties and cropping systems on food security in the smallholder agriculture. A cross sectional quantitative-based survey study was carried out to obtain information from a total of 650 small holder farmers. The study was conducted in three local municipalities in Oliver Reginald (OR) Tambo District Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Descriptive statistics, partial factor productivity, gross margin analysis, household food insecurity access score (HFIAS), ordinal logistic and linear regression were the analytical techniques used in establishing correlations among variables. Results obtained from the survey indicated that under mono-cropping system, Genetically Modified (GM) maize variety was highly productive with an average yield of 1.9 t/ha whilst, improved OPV maize variety was productive (with an average yield of 1.6 t/ha) under mixed cropping system. Furthermore, GM maize (GM = -R418.10), and landrace (GM = -R1 140.29) maize varieties had negative gross margins whilst, conventional hybrids (GM = R5 181.21) and improved OPV (GM = R1 457.41) were profitable. There was a significant and negative correlation between use of GM maize variety and reduction of household food insecurity. GM maize varieties, improved OPV, white maize, white as well as yellow GM maize varieties had a significant impact in reducing household food insecurity; whilst using more than one variety of maize (landraces and GMO) positively influenced household food insecurity. In light of these research findings, it is recommended that, there is need to address household food security by growing improved OPVs under a mixed cropping system and GM maize under monocropping system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kambanje, Ardinesh
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Crop yields Crops and climate Cropping systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6237 , vital:29528
- Description: Low maize yields in the midst of abundant arable land, favourable climatic conditions, input and financial support programs, plagues smallholder maize farming in Eastern Cape Province. These scenarios have led the province to be a net importer of maize. In essence, low production may signify a mis-match between maize varieties being promoted amongst smallholder farmers and their farming system. Thus, the main objective of the study was to investigate the productivity and profitability of different maize varieties and cropping system under smallholder agriculture in selected villages of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa as well as, the implications posed on the household food security. The study sought to assess: (i) the productivity of different maize varieties and cropping systems, (ii) the effect of GM maize adoption on food security among smallholder farmers, (iii) the profitability of GM, conventional hybrids and OPV maize varieties produced by farmers under different agro-ecological conditions and (iv) the impact of different maize varieties and cropping systems on food security in the smallholder agriculture. A cross sectional quantitative-based survey study was carried out to obtain information from a total of 650 small holder farmers. The study was conducted in three local municipalities in Oliver Reginald (OR) Tambo District Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Descriptive statistics, partial factor productivity, gross margin analysis, household food insecurity access score (HFIAS), ordinal logistic and linear regression were the analytical techniques used in establishing correlations among variables. Results obtained from the survey indicated that under mono-cropping system, Genetically Modified (GM) maize variety was highly productive with an average yield of 1.9 t/ha whilst, improved OPV maize variety was productive (with an average yield of 1.6 t/ha) under mixed cropping system. Furthermore, GM maize (GM = -R418.10), and landrace (GM = -R1 140.29) maize varieties had negative gross margins whilst, conventional hybrids (GM = R5 181.21) and improved OPV (GM = R1 457.41) were profitable. There was a significant and negative correlation between use of GM maize variety and reduction of household food insecurity. GM maize varieties, improved OPV, white maize, white as well as yellow GM maize varieties had a significant impact in reducing household food insecurity; whilst using more than one variety of maize (landraces and GMO) positively influenced household food insecurity. In light of these research findings, it is recommended that, there is need to address household food security by growing improved OPVs under a mixed cropping system and GM maize under monocropping system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Productivity and resilience of intertidal resources available to extant human foragers on South Africa’s cape south coast: behavioural implications for early Homo sapiens
- Authors: De Vynck, Jan Carlo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Marine invertebrates -- South Africa -- Prehistory , Shellfish -- South Africa -- Prehistory Fishes -- Behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30172 , vital:30854
- Description: Studies of pre-historic lifestyles can be limited by a lack of preserved material and sites and resource misinterpretation is augmented by the vagueness of pre-historic subsistence lifestyles. The present can inform the past and this study‟s ethnoarchaeological approach, through modern analogues, examines productivity, resilience and temporal and spatial size variation of intertidal invertebrates on the Cape‟s south coast. O‟Connell (1995) defined the mutualistic relationship between ethnography and archaeology thus: “Archaeology‟s ultimate aim is understanding past human behaviour by patterns in the form and distribution of objects made or modified by humans in the past and knowledge of human behaviour and its material consequences in the present. The first provides direct evidence of past behaviour; the second, a basis for interpreting that evidence”. Coastal archaeology, specifically the contribution of coastal resources to pre-historic subsistence, has gained increased global interest (Erlandson, 2001; Erlandson and Rick, 2008; Codding et al., 2014). Apart from the high representation of preserved shell in coastal archaeological sites, interest in intertidal resources has also been sparked by their economic value compared to terrestrial resource options. Intertidal resources offer low-risk protein acquisition whereas terrestrial protein can be dangerous to procure. However, in the past intertidal subsistence was thought to offer low caloric yields or unfavourable cost-to-benefit relationships until Meehan (1982) convincingly demonstrated the potential caloric „profit‟ possible from coastal foraging; the Anbarra women of northern Australia were contributing significantly to the overall caloric requirements of those people. In South Africa, two possible evolutionary behavioural hypotheses arose from the addition of intertidal resources to pre-historic diets. As background, it is important to note that the oldest global evidence for shellfish procurement [164 000 years ago (ka)] is found on the Cape‟s south coast (Jerardino and Marean, 2010) and the evidence is enriched by other sites from around 110 ka (Voight, 1973; Thackeray, 1988; Henshilwood et al., 2001; Langejans et al., 2012). Furthermore, this period coincides with the emergence of cognitively modern Homo sapiens as evidenced in xx the palaeoarchives from many sites in the region (d‟Errico et al., 2005; Marean et al., 2007; Wurz, 2008; Henshilwood et al., 2009; Watts, 2010; d‟Errico et al., 2012). These features have greatly enhanced the significance and importance of this area to understanding human evolution. The two hypotheses are centred around the effect that intertidal resources could have had on the emergence of our unique species. The addition of a nutritionally beneficial resource to cognitive development is seen by some (Broadhurst et al., 2002; Parkington, 2010) to have driven this cognitive evolution, where others suggest that resources which are both productive and dependable create pro-social proclivities that drive cognitive development (Whitaker and Byrd, 2014; Marean, 2014) and facilitate the migration of humans (Fa, 2008; Codding et al., 2014). Both hypotheses argue that resources on the Cape‟s coast must have been productive and had to be a frequent addition to diet to underpin brain development. The increased frequency of coastal resource procurement or coastal adaptation is therefore seen as an attribute of, or requisite for our species. This thesis attempts to shed light on the contribution of intertidal resources to prehistoric ‒ especially Middle Stone Age (MSA) – subsistence economy on the Cape‟s south coast and the possible effect thereof on human behavioural evolution. The first aim was to investigate the spatial productivity (once-off patch caloric profitability in numerous patches) of intertidal resources and the environmental and behavioural variables affecting it. The second aim was to investigate the resilience of caloric profitability (numerous harvests in the same patch) of these resources to sustained human predation. Productivity itself cannot affect human temporal social dynamics if the resource is swiftly depleted within a specific patch after one or a few harvests. Archaeological records that show the body size of shellfish decreasing over time are usually interpreted to indicate intensive exploitation and the depletion of these resources, but there may be other explanations for such patterns. Therefore, the third aim was to compare temporal and spatial variations in the body size of Turbo sarmaticus in the MSA, Later Stone Age (LSA) and the present day, in order to investigate whether such variations result from human exploitation or environmental changes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: De Vynck, Jan Carlo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Marine invertebrates -- South Africa -- Prehistory , Shellfish -- South Africa -- Prehistory Fishes -- Behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30172 , vital:30854
- Description: Studies of pre-historic lifestyles can be limited by a lack of preserved material and sites and resource misinterpretation is augmented by the vagueness of pre-historic subsistence lifestyles. The present can inform the past and this study‟s ethnoarchaeological approach, through modern analogues, examines productivity, resilience and temporal and spatial size variation of intertidal invertebrates on the Cape‟s south coast. O‟Connell (1995) defined the mutualistic relationship between ethnography and archaeology thus: “Archaeology‟s ultimate aim is understanding past human behaviour by patterns in the form and distribution of objects made or modified by humans in the past and knowledge of human behaviour and its material consequences in the present. The first provides direct evidence of past behaviour; the second, a basis for interpreting that evidence”. Coastal archaeology, specifically the contribution of coastal resources to pre-historic subsistence, has gained increased global interest (Erlandson, 2001; Erlandson and Rick, 2008; Codding et al., 2014). Apart from the high representation of preserved shell in coastal archaeological sites, interest in intertidal resources has also been sparked by their economic value compared to terrestrial resource options. Intertidal resources offer low-risk protein acquisition whereas terrestrial protein can be dangerous to procure. However, in the past intertidal subsistence was thought to offer low caloric yields or unfavourable cost-to-benefit relationships until Meehan (1982) convincingly demonstrated the potential caloric „profit‟ possible from coastal foraging; the Anbarra women of northern Australia were contributing significantly to the overall caloric requirements of those people. In South Africa, two possible evolutionary behavioural hypotheses arose from the addition of intertidal resources to pre-historic diets. As background, it is important to note that the oldest global evidence for shellfish procurement [164 000 years ago (ka)] is found on the Cape‟s south coast (Jerardino and Marean, 2010) and the evidence is enriched by other sites from around 110 ka (Voight, 1973; Thackeray, 1988; Henshilwood et al., 2001; Langejans et al., 2012). Furthermore, this period coincides with the emergence of cognitively modern Homo sapiens as evidenced in xx the palaeoarchives from many sites in the region (d‟Errico et al., 2005; Marean et al., 2007; Wurz, 2008; Henshilwood et al., 2009; Watts, 2010; d‟Errico et al., 2012). These features have greatly enhanced the significance and importance of this area to understanding human evolution. The two hypotheses are centred around the effect that intertidal resources could have had on the emergence of our unique species. The addition of a nutritionally beneficial resource to cognitive development is seen by some (Broadhurst et al., 2002; Parkington, 2010) to have driven this cognitive evolution, where others suggest that resources which are both productive and dependable create pro-social proclivities that drive cognitive development (Whitaker and Byrd, 2014; Marean, 2014) and facilitate the migration of humans (Fa, 2008; Codding et al., 2014). Both hypotheses argue that resources on the Cape‟s coast must have been productive and had to be a frequent addition to diet to underpin brain development. The increased frequency of coastal resource procurement or coastal adaptation is therefore seen as an attribute of, or requisite for our species. This thesis attempts to shed light on the contribution of intertidal resources to prehistoric ‒ especially Middle Stone Age (MSA) – subsistence economy on the Cape‟s south coast and the possible effect thereof on human behavioural evolution. The first aim was to investigate the spatial productivity (once-off patch caloric profitability in numerous patches) of intertidal resources and the environmental and behavioural variables affecting it. The second aim was to investigate the resilience of caloric profitability (numerous harvests in the same patch) of these resources to sustained human predation. Productivity itself cannot affect human temporal social dynamics if the resource is swiftly depleted within a specific patch after one or a few harvests. Archaeological records that show the body size of shellfish decreasing over time are usually interpreted to indicate intensive exploitation and the depletion of these resources, but there may be other explanations for such patterns. Therefore, the third aim was to compare temporal and spatial variations in the body size of Turbo sarmaticus in the MSA, Later Stone Age (LSA) and the present day, in order to investigate whether such variations result from human exploitation or environmental changes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Project CrayOn: Back to the future for a more General-Purpose GPU
- Authors: Machanick, Philip
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/439353 , vital:73569 , http://wp3workshop.website/pdfs/WP3_machanick.pdf
- Description: General purpose of use graphics processing units (GPGPU) recapitulates many of the lessons of the early generations of supercomputers. To what extent have we learnt those lessons, rather than repeating the mistakes? To answer that question, I review why the Cray-1 design ushered in a succession of successful supercomputer designs, while more exotic modes of parallelism failed to gain traction. In the light of this review, I propose that new packaging breakthroughs create an opening for revisiting our approach to GPUs and hence GPGPU. If we do not do so now, the GPU endpoint–when no GPU enhancement will be perceptible to human senses–will in any case remove the economic incentive to build ever-faster GPUs and hence the economy of scale incentive for GPGPU. Anticipating this change now makes sense when new 3D packaging options are opening up; I propose one such option inspired by packaging of the Cray-1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Machanick, Philip
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/439353 , vital:73569 , http://wp3workshop.website/pdfs/WP3_machanick.pdf
- Description: General purpose of use graphics processing units (GPGPU) recapitulates many of the lessons of the early generations of supercomputers. To what extent have we learnt those lessons, rather than repeating the mistakes? To answer that question, I review why the Cray-1 design ushered in a succession of successful supercomputer designs, while more exotic modes of parallelism failed to gain traction. In the light of this review, I propose that new packaging breakthroughs create an opening for revisiting our approach to GPUs and hence GPGPU. If we do not do so now, the GPU endpoint–when no GPU enhancement will be perceptible to human senses–will in any case remove the economic incentive to build ever-faster GPUs and hence the economy of scale incentive for GPGPU. Anticipating this change now makes sense when new 3D packaging options are opening up; I propose one such option inspired by packaging of the Cray-1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Project management in the Mauritian construction industry
- Paurobally, Mohamad Ali Zeeshan
- Authors: Paurobally, Mohamad Ali Zeeshan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Project management -- Mauritius , Construction industry -- Mauritius Construction industry -- Forecasting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34499 , vital:33386
- Description: The main objective of this research study was to find out the various factors affecting the success of projects, with specific reference to the client’s related factors, consultant’s related and main contractor’s related factors. Completion of the construction project within the required cost, time and quality parameters was identified as the motivation for the study. The objectives of the study were achieved by reviewing literature relevant to the topic. The study investigated whether certain assumptions being made were corresponding with already published literature. Data were sourced both from primary and secondary sources. The quantitative part of the research was carried out by analyzing the literature and by envisaging possible scenarios which could be implemented for the completion of projects, within the three parameters (Time, cost and quality). Not being able to complete a project within the required cost, time and quality parameters will ultimately result in time and cost overruns up to the dissatisfaction of the client. As such, the various stages of the construction cycle need to be monitored and controlled as from the inception stage up to the close out stage by the various stakeholders involved on the project in order to obtain a positive project outcome. The research sample was focused mainly on professionals in the built environment, since a better understanding and reliable feedback would be obtained due to their understanding of the relevant topic. The study first introduces project management as a background, and then focuses on the different factors that influence successful project outcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Paurobally, Mohamad Ali Zeeshan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Project management -- Mauritius , Construction industry -- Mauritius Construction industry -- Forecasting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34499 , vital:33386
- Description: The main objective of this research study was to find out the various factors affecting the success of projects, with specific reference to the client’s related factors, consultant’s related and main contractor’s related factors. Completion of the construction project within the required cost, time and quality parameters was identified as the motivation for the study. The objectives of the study were achieved by reviewing literature relevant to the topic. The study investigated whether certain assumptions being made were corresponding with already published literature. Data were sourced both from primary and secondary sources. The quantitative part of the research was carried out by analyzing the literature and by envisaging possible scenarios which could be implemented for the completion of projects, within the three parameters (Time, cost and quality). Not being able to complete a project within the required cost, time and quality parameters will ultimately result in time and cost overruns up to the dissatisfaction of the client. As such, the various stages of the construction cycle need to be monitored and controlled as from the inception stage up to the close out stage by the various stakeholders involved on the project in order to obtain a positive project outcome. The research sample was focused mainly on professionals in the built environment, since a better understanding and reliable feedback would be obtained due to their understanding of the relevant topic. The study first introduces project management as a background, and then focuses on the different factors that influence successful project outcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Promoting healthy and safe school environments : the role of school governance - a study in the East London and Butterworth educational districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Napier, Astrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School children -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School hygiene -- South Africa Environmental risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9489 , vital:34356
- Description: This thesis investigated how school governance promoted healthy and safe school environments and focussed on elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe. These elements were spatial density, sanitation, ventilation, visibility, the acoustic element of the school environment, the aesthetic element and the psychosocial school environment. These are very important elements, and the neglect thereof could lead to ill health. The study excluded elements such as violence and substance use, as well as HIV/ AIDS. The research was conducted at six schools in the Butterworth and East London Educational Districts, as well as the district office in each of these two educational districts of the Eastern Cape. The design was a case study, and a qualitative methodology was used. The sample consisted of members from the school governing bodies, that is, the principal, one other member of the school governing body and a member of the school management team, as well as one official from each educational district, totalling twenty participants. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used. The instrument was semi-structured interviews and document analyses. The researcher also made use of photographic evidence. Findings indicated that although support services were in place, promoting a healthy and safe school environment was a challenge at all of the schools. Various contributing factors such as the lack of support from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for schools and district officials, non – implementation of policies, lack of infrastructure, lack of human and other resources, lack of security personnel and vandalism, prohibited the promotion of healthy and safe school environments. It is recommended that the DBE pays urgent attention to these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe; that the DBE fills the gap that exists between the national, provincial and district offices that hamper the flow of infrastructure and the supply of human and other resources. There is also a need for workshops on policy writing and implementation thereof. A workshop focussing on these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe would also be beneficial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Napier, Astrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School children -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School hygiene -- South Africa Environmental risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9489 , vital:34356
- Description: This thesis investigated how school governance promoted healthy and safe school environments and focussed on elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe. These elements were spatial density, sanitation, ventilation, visibility, the acoustic element of the school environment, the aesthetic element and the psychosocial school environment. These are very important elements, and the neglect thereof could lead to ill health. The study excluded elements such as violence and substance use, as well as HIV/ AIDS. The research was conducted at six schools in the Butterworth and East London Educational Districts, as well as the district office in each of these two educational districts of the Eastern Cape. The design was a case study, and a qualitative methodology was used. The sample consisted of members from the school governing bodies, that is, the principal, one other member of the school governing body and a member of the school management team, as well as one official from each educational district, totalling twenty participants. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used. The instrument was semi-structured interviews and document analyses. The researcher also made use of photographic evidence. Findings indicated that although support services were in place, promoting a healthy and safe school environment was a challenge at all of the schools. Various contributing factors such as the lack of support from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for schools and district officials, non – implementation of policies, lack of infrastructure, lack of human and other resources, lack of security personnel and vandalism, prohibited the promotion of healthy and safe school environments. It is recommended that the DBE pays urgent attention to these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe; that the DBE fills the gap that exists between the national, provincial and district offices that hamper the flow of infrastructure and the supply of human and other resources. There is also a need for workshops on policy writing and implementation thereof. A workshop focussing on these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe would also be beneficial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Prospects for biological control of cactus weeds in Namibia
- Paterson, Iain D, Manheimmer, C A, Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Manheimmer, C A , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417522 , vital:71460 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1562040"
- Description: Australia and South Africa have a long history of sharing successful biocontrol agents for cactus weeds but other countries, such as Namibia, could also benefit. There are four biological control agents that are widely utilised in South Africa and/or Australia for the control of 10 invasive alien Cactaceae in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Manheimmer, C A , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417522 , vital:71460 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1562040"
- Description: Australia and South Africa have a long history of sharing successful biocontrol agents for cactus weeds but other countries, such as Namibia, could also benefit. There are four biological control agents that are widely utilised in South Africa and/or Australia for the control of 10 invasive alien Cactaceae in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Protected area expansion and conservation stewardship in the Olifants Catchment: mechanisms, patterns and benefits
- Authors: Coetzer, Crystal Jeanne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30006 , vital:30808
- Description: State Conservation Areas (SCAs), as state-owned and -run parks, form the foundation of recognised conservation actions. However, park expansion on the scale required to meet urgent conservation targets is limited by state budgets and parks are increasingly framed in the context of advancing broader societal needs. Motivating for the need to assess the efficacy of alternative conservation strategies, as both contrasting governance and legal mechanisms, this study aimed to rapidly assess the role of private land conservation (PLC) strategies in expanding protection. In particular, this included the role of emerging stewardship approaches, by using semi-structured interviews with park implementers on a national scale. Evaluating the biodiversity and ecosystem service representation and complementarity of contrasting conservation strategies on a catchment scale, using open-source spatial data was employed. Questionnaires tested park managers’ perceptions of benefits across different strategies in a conservation-oriented landscape. Results indicate a strategic shift toward PLC strategies to expand parks in the form of formalised, well-planned and supported contractual and stewardship agreements. SCAs are vital baselines for biodiversity and ecosystem service representation in the catchment with a variety of private mechanisms supplementing protection, especially in highly contested areas. The perceived benefits rated by managers revealed interesting links between benefits and contrasting governance types, legal mechanisms, legal status, size and age of reserves. State parks may be more relevant for generating socio-cultural benefits, while private parks, through the need to remain economically viable, valued a diverse range of socio-economic benefits. Informal conservation areas formed integral parts of the conservation-orientated landscape, rating benefits equally to more secure mechanisms. Private land must be incorporated into conservation through diverse mechanisms to meet the range of mutually exclusive conservation objectives of the 21st century.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Coetzer, Crystal Jeanne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30006 , vital:30808
- Description: State Conservation Areas (SCAs), as state-owned and -run parks, form the foundation of recognised conservation actions. However, park expansion on the scale required to meet urgent conservation targets is limited by state budgets and parks are increasingly framed in the context of advancing broader societal needs. Motivating for the need to assess the efficacy of alternative conservation strategies, as both contrasting governance and legal mechanisms, this study aimed to rapidly assess the role of private land conservation (PLC) strategies in expanding protection. In particular, this included the role of emerging stewardship approaches, by using semi-structured interviews with park implementers on a national scale. Evaluating the biodiversity and ecosystem service representation and complementarity of contrasting conservation strategies on a catchment scale, using open-source spatial data was employed. Questionnaires tested park managers’ perceptions of benefits across different strategies in a conservation-oriented landscape. Results indicate a strategic shift toward PLC strategies to expand parks in the form of formalised, well-planned and supported contractual and stewardship agreements. SCAs are vital baselines for biodiversity and ecosystem service representation in the catchment with a variety of private mechanisms supplementing protection, especially in highly contested areas. The perceived benefits rated by managers revealed interesting links between benefits and contrasting governance types, legal mechanisms, legal status, size and age of reserves. State parks may be more relevant for generating socio-cultural benefits, while private parks, through the need to remain economically viable, valued a diverse range of socio-economic benefits. Informal conservation areas formed integral parts of the conservation-orientated landscape, rating benefits equally to more secure mechanisms. Private land must be incorporated into conservation through diverse mechanisms to meet the range of mutually exclusive conservation objectives of the 21st century.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Protection of internally displaced persons in Kenya under the Prevention, Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons and Affected Communities Act of 2012: an appraisal
- Authors: Juma, Laurence
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126122 , vital:35851 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-107c9cba58
- Description: This article discusses Kenya’s Prevention, Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons and Affected Communities Act of 2012, which is among the very few national legislations globally that addresses the plight of internally displaced persons. While it records the momentous achievement in creating a viable and legally enforceable legislative framework for the protection of IDPs, the article highlights some of the areas that could be improved for the Act to realise its promise. It notes for example the inchoate manner in which institutions are created and the lack of resources. The article while isolating these challenges also suggests numerous ways in which such challenges can be overcome. It underscores the need for harmonised legal regimes, improvement of data collection and proper monitoring programmes, all which can be achieved and strengthened by a supportive political establishment as well as strategic amendments to various provisions of the Act.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Juma, Laurence
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126122 , vital:35851 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-107c9cba58
- Description: This article discusses Kenya’s Prevention, Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons and Affected Communities Act of 2012, which is among the very few national legislations globally that addresses the plight of internally displaced persons. While it records the momentous achievement in creating a viable and legally enforceable legislative framework for the protection of IDPs, the article highlights some of the areas that could be improved for the Act to realise its promise. It notes for example the inchoate manner in which institutions are created and the lack of resources. The article while isolating these challenges also suggests numerous ways in which such challenges can be overcome. It underscores the need for harmonised legal regimes, improvement of data collection and proper monitoring programmes, all which can be achieved and strengthened by a supportive political establishment as well as strategic amendments to various provisions of the Act.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
Protection of rights of urban refugees in Kenya: revisiting Kituo Cha Sheria v The Attorney General
- Authors: Juma, Laurence
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125174 , vital:35740 , DOI: 10.25159/2522-6800/3291
- Description: This article discusses the judgment in the landmark case of Kituo Cha Sheria and Others v Attorney General in the light of the emerging rights jurisprudence in the area of refugee rights. It also explores the impact the judgment could have on the articulation of the rights of urban refugees in Kenya. Based on the assumption that Kenya’s 2010 Constitution provides an opportunity for the robust enforcement of rights, the article analyses the key rights and protection imperatives that were at the centre of the dispute. These include the right to dignity, freedom of movement and to work, and also the principle of refoulement. These rights are at the core of the protection agenda for urban refugees.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Juma, Laurence
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125174 , vital:35740 , DOI: 10.25159/2522-6800/3291
- Description: This article discusses the judgment in the landmark case of Kituo Cha Sheria and Others v Attorney General in the light of the emerging rights jurisprudence in the area of refugee rights. It also explores the impact the judgment could have on the articulation of the rights of urban refugees in Kenya. Based on the assumption that Kenya’s 2010 Constitution provides an opportunity for the robust enforcement of rights, the article analyses the key rights and protection imperatives that were at the centre of the dispute. These include the right to dignity, freedom of movement and to work, and also the principle of refoulement. These rights are at the core of the protection agenda for urban refugees.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
Provision of psychosocial support to vulnerable learners by peer led groups in secondary schools in Amathole West Education District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Chinyama, Nyarayi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Psychosocial support -- Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Secondary -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9341 , vital:34333
- Description: This study sought provision of psychosocial support to vulnerable learners by school based peer-led groups in secondary schools. Using the Ecological Systems Theory and the Psychosocial Support Interactive Process Model, the study specifically sought how vulnerable learners were identified, how participants understood vulnerability and psychosocial support, how peer led groups were selected and the strategies used to provide psychosocial support by peer led groups. The study also sought the support and monitoring strategies used by different stakeholders including the department of education inorder to assit the peer led groups in their endevour to provide psychosocial support to vulnerable learners. The study employed qualitative research methods using interviews, focus groups and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select a District Education Officer, four principals, four group members and all of whom took part in interviews, then twenty four peer group members who participated in focus group discussions. The study found out that various methods were used to identify vulnerable learners, but these were inadequate due to limited professional support to the peer-led groups. The strategies employed to assist vulnerable learners included the buddy system, scripture unions, boys and girls education movements and home visits. However there were also challenges of shortage of human and material resources such as counselling rooms, transport. Also none cooperation of parents still hampers psychosocial support by peer led groups. Therefore, the study concludes that there are still a lot of vulnerable learners who are not reached by peer-led groups because of the above mentioned challenges. In this light the study proposed a framework for providing psychosocial support. The study therefore, recommends that the psychosocial programme be part of the large school curriculum which has a specific budget to sustain all the identification, support and monitoring needs of the vulnerable learners and to ensure the psychosocial support strategies are successful.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chinyama, Nyarayi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Psychosocial support -- Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Secondary -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9341 , vital:34333
- Description: This study sought provision of psychosocial support to vulnerable learners by school based peer-led groups in secondary schools. Using the Ecological Systems Theory and the Psychosocial Support Interactive Process Model, the study specifically sought how vulnerable learners were identified, how participants understood vulnerability and psychosocial support, how peer led groups were selected and the strategies used to provide psychosocial support by peer led groups. The study also sought the support and monitoring strategies used by different stakeholders including the department of education inorder to assit the peer led groups in their endevour to provide psychosocial support to vulnerable learners. The study employed qualitative research methods using interviews, focus groups and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select a District Education Officer, four principals, four group members and all of whom took part in interviews, then twenty four peer group members who participated in focus group discussions. The study found out that various methods were used to identify vulnerable learners, but these were inadequate due to limited professional support to the peer-led groups. The strategies employed to assist vulnerable learners included the buddy system, scripture unions, boys and girls education movements and home visits. However there were also challenges of shortage of human and material resources such as counselling rooms, transport. Also none cooperation of parents still hampers psychosocial support by peer led groups. Therefore, the study concludes that there are still a lot of vulnerable learners who are not reached by peer-led groups because of the above mentioned challenges. In this light the study proposed a framework for providing psychosocial support. The study therefore, recommends that the psychosocial programme be part of the large school curriculum which has a specific budget to sustain all the identification, support and monitoring needs of the vulnerable learners and to ensure the psychosocial support strategies are successful.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Psycho social challenges faced by children who are victims of rape in the victim support centre : a case study of Kwanobuhle area, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kakaza, Vuyokazi Bellinda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rape victims Abused children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15298 , vital:40341
- Description: The motivation for this study originated from the problem of children who are victims of rape in the victim support centers. The researcher became aware that most of the children needs more support services for counseling and after care services. The goal of the research was to explore the psychosocial challenges faced by children who are victims of Rape in the victim support Centre. The aim of the study was to determine the psychosocial effects (effects. challenges, support services they receive from professionals) as victims of rape in a victim support center. It was a case study of KwaNobuhle Area, Eastern Cape. The purpose was to identify gaps as there are minimal services rendered to children as rape victims in the victim support Centre. In order to meet the objectives of the study, interviews were conducted to 20 victims of rape (both boys and girls) as well as 6 different professionals working with rape cases from the arrival of the child from the opening until the finalization of the case. Data were analyzed according to the qualitative data - analysis procedures. The researcher utilized the phenomenological research design. The research domain where the interviews took place was at the KwaNobuhle Area under the Department of Social Development jurisdiction. In this study, 20 Xhosa speaking children of different ages, gender, educational standards, and socio-economic backgrounds as well as those who suffered different types of rape, as defined by the Sexual Related Matters Act 32 of 2007; they were all interviewed through the use of a semi-structured interview schedule. The participants were purposively selected as they were all at the victim support center. It has been found that some services are not provided within and are other professionals lack knowledge on how to work effectively with children as victims of rape To add on, the theoretical framework that was used in this study is the victim empowerment theory. This was used as a way of empowering the children who are victims of rape in the Victim Support Centres. The study found out that children who are victims of rape in the Victim Support Centres face psychosocial challenges for instance emotional, educational and behavioural challenges. Furthermore, the study also found out that there are few pschologists in the Victim Support Centres. Therefore, the study recommend that more psychologists should be employed at the Department of health and be placed in Victim Support Centres. More, so, there should be constant supervision and guidance on the care givers within the institution on how to effectively deal with the children who are victims of rape in VSC to avoid psychosocial challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kakaza, Vuyokazi Bellinda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rape victims Abused children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15298 , vital:40341
- Description: The motivation for this study originated from the problem of children who are victims of rape in the victim support centers. The researcher became aware that most of the children needs more support services for counseling and after care services. The goal of the research was to explore the psychosocial challenges faced by children who are victims of Rape in the victim support Centre. The aim of the study was to determine the psychosocial effects (effects. challenges, support services they receive from professionals) as victims of rape in a victim support center. It was a case study of KwaNobuhle Area, Eastern Cape. The purpose was to identify gaps as there are minimal services rendered to children as rape victims in the victim support Centre. In order to meet the objectives of the study, interviews were conducted to 20 victims of rape (both boys and girls) as well as 6 different professionals working with rape cases from the arrival of the child from the opening until the finalization of the case. Data were analyzed according to the qualitative data - analysis procedures. The researcher utilized the phenomenological research design. The research domain where the interviews took place was at the KwaNobuhle Area under the Department of Social Development jurisdiction. In this study, 20 Xhosa speaking children of different ages, gender, educational standards, and socio-economic backgrounds as well as those who suffered different types of rape, as defined by the Sexual Related Matters Act 32 of 2007; they were all interviewed through the use of a semi-structured interview schedule. The participants were purposively selected as they were all at the victim support center. It has been found that some services are not provided within and are other professionals lack knowledge on how to work effectively with children as victims of rape To add on, the theoretical framework that was used in this study is the victim empowerment theory. This was used as a way of empowering the children who are victims of rape in the Victim Support Centres. The study found out that children who are victims of rape in the Victim Support Centres face psychosocial challenges for instance emotional, educational and behavioural challenges. Furthermore, the study also found out that there are few pschologists in the Victim Support Centres. Therefore, the study recommend that more psychologists should be employed at the Department of health and be placed in Victim Support Centres. More, so, there should be constant supervision and guidance on the care givers within the institution on how to effectively deal with the children who are victims of rape in VSC to avoid psychosocial challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Psychological capital, psychological empowerment and organisational citizenship behaviour among nurses in public hospitals in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence
- Authors: Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational behavior--South Africa Nurses--Employment--South Africa--Eastern Cape Organizational effectiveness--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15441 , vital:40408
- Description: The current task environment in the South African public hospitals has reconfirmed the importance of researching on the psychological environment and its influence on individual employee performance. The motivation of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within selected public hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This contributes to the theoretical conceptual knowledge on how performance can be enhanced through the appropriate provision of psychological resources in the workplace and the promotion of competence, efficiency and sustainability of organisations. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data. Inferential analysis from SPSS was carried out to understand the antecedents and consequences of organisation citizenship behaviour. An overall model of the study was also identified through AMOS using structural equation modeling. Findings from the selected South African public hospitals indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within the selected public hospitals. The results validate certain aspects of the Conservative frame work and the Job Demands Resources Model. The study recommends that hospital managers and supervisors should determine the social networks in their hospitals as a strategy to promote performance and organisational citizenship behaviour. Individual employees who are located at the fringes of the network must be recognised and empowered. This allows for the comparison evaluation of both individual and organisational characteristics on organisational citizenship behaviour and the promotion of slack resources which are important in maintaining a steady organisational performance which further widens organisational capacity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational behavior--South Africa Nurses--Employment--South Africa--Eastern Cape Organizational effectiveness--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15441 , vital:40408
- Description: The current task environment in the South African public hospitals has reconfirmed the importance of researching on the psychological environment and its influence on individual employee performance. The motivation of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within selected public hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This contributes to the theoretical conceptual knowledge on how performance can be enhanced through the appropriate provision of psychological resources in the workplace and the promotion of competence, efficiency and sustainability of organisations. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data. Inferential analysis from SPSS was carried out to understand the antecedents and consequences of organisation citizenship behaviour. An overall model of the study was also identified through AMOS using structural equation modeling. Findings from the selected South African public hospitals indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within the selected public hospitals. The results validate certain aspects of the Conservative frame work and the Job Demands Resources Model. The study recommends that hospital managers and supervisors should determine the social networks in their hospitals as a strategy to promote performance and organisational citizenship behaviour. Individual employees who are located at the fringes of the network must be recognised and empowered. This allows for the comparison evaluation of both individual and organisational characteristics on organisational citizenship behaviour and the promotion of slack resources which are important in maintaining a steady organisational performance which further widens organisational capacity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Psychosocial challenges faced by guardians whose children are involved with substance abuse : a case study of Cofimvaba
- Authors: Mfengwana, Sibabalwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Children -- Substance use Social service
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10700 , vital:35701
- Description: Parents/ guardians are facing major problems in South Africa as their children are involved in substance abuse. Both genders are involved in substance abuse meaning therefore that guardians are facing huge challenges especially now that the girls are also involved in substance abuse. This research explored the psycho social challenges faced by guardians whose children are involved with substance abuse at Cofimvaba, in the Eastern Cape Province. The study was premised by four objectives, firstly the study was aimed to examine the challenges that guardians face since their children are involved with substance abuse. Secondly the study was aimed to assess the emotional consequences of the guardians since their children are involved with substance abuse. Thirdly to establish the community perceptions with regard to the involvement of the children with substance abuse. Lastly, to establish the support services the guardians get from professionals. The researchers used qualitative method because it provides a deep understanding of what is under investigation. The design used in the study was exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature. The study was conducted through qualitative research instruments of in-depth interviews and focus group in collecting the data. The study utilized social learning theory and the systems theory. The population in this study was made up of 20 participants, as well as 5 members forming up a focus group. All the participants were originally from Cofimvaba. The data was analyzed using content thematic analysis. The study revealed the following findings that there are support services given to the guardians at all. The support service is solely meant for the children when reported to be affected by substance abuse. There is high rate of labelling and discrimination to guardians from community members when the child is involved with substance abuse. There is an element of isolation with regard to the guardians whose children are involved with substance abuse. Guardians are sometimes isolating themselves and are scared about the comments that are impose to them because of their children who are involved in substance abuse. All the guardians are not happy and are feeling helpless now that their children are involved in substance abuse. The following are the challenges faced by guardians with regards to their children’s involvement with substance abuse; (i) overspending money because they have to repay all the damages done by their children. When the children are not well, the guardians have to take the children to the doctors. (ii) Behavioural challenges, the guardians are (iii) School performance dropping from the children is affecting the health and welfare of the guardians. Not a single guardian is not ambitious about the future and education of the children. Some of the guardians are not having any income and are really struggling to meet the ends means. The study made the following recommendations: The guardians as well as community members need to be equipped with information with regard to substance abuse. More strategies should be put in place with regard to support services by professionals to render to guardians. Guardians should be involved in the development of the children. Guardians should be involved in the schoolwork of the children to monitor and evaluate the performance. All the community members should be involved and should come up with strategies that could bring preventative services to the community members including children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mfengwana, Sibabalwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Children -- Substance use Social service
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10700 , vital:35701
- Description: Parents/ guardians are facing major problems in South Africa as their children are involved in substance abuse. Both genders are involved in substance abuse meaning therefore that guardians are facing huge challenges especially now that the girls are also involved in substance abuse. This research explored the psycho social challenges faced by guardians whose children are involved with substance abuse at Cofimvaba, in the Eastern Cape Province. The study was premised by four objectives, firstly the study was aimed to examine the challenges that guardians face since their children are involved with substance abuse. Secondly the study was aimed to assess the emotional consequences of the guardians since their children are involved with substance abuse. Thirdly to establish the community perceptions with regard to the involvement of the children with substance abuse. Lastly, to establish the support services the guardians get from professionals. The researchers used qualitative method because it provides a deep understanding of what is under investigation. The design used in the study was exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature. The study was conducted through qualitative research instruments of in-depth interviews and focus group in collecting the data. The study utilized social learning theory and the systems theory. The population in this study was made up of 20 participants, as well as 5 members forming up a focus group. All the participants were originally from Cofimvaba. The data was analyzed using content thematic analysis. The study revealed the following findings that there are support services given to the guardians at all. The support service is solely meant for the children when reported to be affected by substance abuse. There is high rate of labelling and discrimination to guardians from community members when the child is involved with substance abuse. There is an element of isolation with regard to the guardians whose children are involved with substance abuse. Guardians are sometimes isolating themselves and are scared about the comments that are impose to them because of their children who are involved in substance abuse. All the guardians are not happy and are feeling helpless now that their children are involved in substance abuse. The following are the challenges faced by guardians with regards to their children’s involvement with substance abuse; (i) overspending money because they have to repay all the damages done by their children. When the children are not well, the guardians have to take the children to the doctors. (ii) Behavioural challenges, the guardians are (iii) School performance dropping from the children is affecting the health and welfare of the guardians. Not a single guardian is not ambitious about the future and education of the children. Some of the guardians are not having any income and are really struggling to meet the ends means. The study made the following recommendations: The guardians as well as community members need to be equipped with information with regard to substance abuse. More strategies should be put in place with regard to support services by professionals to render to guardians. Guardians should be involved in the development of the children. Guardians should be involved in the schoolwork of the children to monitor and evaluate the performance. All the community members should be involved and should come up with strategies that could bring preventative services to the community members including children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Public employment services in the Department of Labour
- Authors: Pupuma, Taba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public service employment -- South Africa , Employee-management relations in government -- South Africa Unemployment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22990 , vital:30290
- Description: Employment and unemployment levels and trends are crucial in assisting any government to track the performance of its economy and measure the level of success of its macroeconomic strategies. Studies conducted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have placed South Africa amongst the countries that have the highest levels of unemployment in the world and reports by Statistics South Africa indicate an increase in unemployment levels every year. The Department of Labour’s (DoL) mandate is driven by the overall Government Service Delivery Outcome, which talks about improving the quality and accessibility of labour market services to contribute to decent employment through inclusive growth. This research study was prompted by the fact that the South African Government, in its pursuit to fight unemployment through the DoL, has established Public Employment Services (PES). This is ‘Programme 3’ of the Department of Labour. The primary function of the Public Employment Services directorate in the DoL is to register unemployed and under-employed employment seekers with the aim of integrating them into the labour market. The service equips the employment seekers registered on the DoL Employment Services of South Africa data base with employment counselling and matches them with opportunities brought to the DoL by employers. The aim of the research was to investigate the role of Public Employment Services programmes at the DoL in alleviating unemployment by guiding employment seekers registered on the department’s employment services of South Africa (ESSA) database to secure employment. The research adopted an interpretivist paradigm as it aimed to investigate the reality and understand it within its context. It uncovered the context of the reality associated with the research by closely perusing data from three regional offices in the Gauteng Provincial Office with specific reference to the City of Tshwane. The study utilised document analysis and a desktop review of existing secondary data relating to the implementation of PES in the DoL. This included relevant and available information in the form of books, academic journals, policy documents, legislation, annual performance reports, strategic plans, media reports, minutes of PES branch meetings and PES Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The study uncovered a number of challenges that prevented PES programmes from fully achieving their intended goal of alleviating unemployment, particularly in the study area of Tshwane. These include information and communications technology (ICT) challenges, human resource limitations, non-alignment with legislation, non-uniformity in following the SOPs, lack of commitment by the DoL to market the service in order to attract employers to use it to source employees. The research revealed that PES has the potential to alleviate unemployment. The DoL needs to focus on the system and on devising strategies to fix the ICT as a top priority, as most of the challenges noted in PES stem from the poor performance of the system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pupuma, Taba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public service employment -- South Africa , Employee-management relations in government -- South Africa Unemployment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22990 , vital:30290
- Description: Employment and unemployment levels and trends are crucial in assisting any government to track the performance of its economy and measure the level of success of its macroeconomic strategies. Studies conducted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have placed South Africa amongst the countries that have the highest levels of unemployment in the world and reports by Statistics South Africa indicate an increase in unemployment levels every year. The Department of Labour’s (DoL) mandate is driven by the overall Government Service Delivery Outcome, which talks about improving the quality and accessibility of labour market services to contribute to decent employment through inclusive growth. This research study was prompted by the fact that the South African Government, in its pursuit to fight unemployment through the DoL, has established Public Employment Services (PES). This is ‘Programme 3’ of the Department of Labour. The primary function of the Public Employment Services directorate in the DoL is to register unemployed and under-employed employment seekers with the aim of integrating them into the labour market. The service equips the employment seekers registered on the DoL Employment Services of South Africa data base with employment counselling and matches them with opportunities brought to the DoL by employers. The aim of the research was to investigate the role of Public Employment Services programmes at the DoL in alleviating unemployment by guiding employment seekers registered on the department’s employment services of South Africa (ESSA) database to secure employment. The research adopted an interpretivist paradigm as it aimed to investigate the reality and understand it within its context. It uncovered the context of the reality associated with the research by closely perusing data from three regional offices in the Gauteng Provincial Office with specific reference to the City of Tshwane. The study utilised document analysis and a desktop review of existing secondary data relating to the implementation of PES in the DoL. This included relevant and available information in the form of books, academic journals, policy documents, legislation, annual performance reports, strategic plans, media reports, minutes of PES branch meetings and PES Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The study uncovered a number of challenges that prevented PES programmes from fully achieving their intended goal of alleviating unemployment, particularly in the study area of Tshwane. These include information and communications technology (ICT) challenges, human resource limitations, non-alignment with legislation, non-uniformity in following the SOPs, lack of commitment by the DoL to market the service in order to attract employers to use it to source employees. The research revealed that PES has the potential to alleviate unemployment. The DoL needs to focus on the system and on devising strategies to fix the ICT as a top priority, as most of the challenges noted in PES stem from the poor performance of the system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Public sector employees and their right to just administrative action
- Authors: Kemp, Matthew
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Administrative acts -- South Africa , Administrative law -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30616 , vital:30980
- Description: Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, common law notions such as the audi alteram partem rule, the nemo iudex in sua causa rule and the doctrine of legitimate expectation were extended to protect public-sector employees against unlawful decisions taken against them by their employers. Courts noted the unique relationship between public-sector employees and their employers and that administrative law remedies could be extended to those employees. The enactment of the Constitution brought about two distinct sections in the Bill of Rights which provided for the right to fair labour practices (section 23) and the right to “lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair” administrative action (section 33) respectively. Legislation such as the LRA, BCEA and EEA has been enacted to give effect to section 23 of the Constitution, while the PAJA has been enacted to give effect to section 33. Whether public-sector employees retain their right to seek administrative law remedies against their employers has been the subject of debate for some time. On the one hand it is argued that there should be no problem with there being more than one right affected in a given case and there being more than one legal remedy available to a litigant who finds themselves in such a scenario. On the other hand, it is argued that certain perils, such as forum shopping and dual systems of law will arise if public-sector employees could simply choose either legal remedy. In Fredericks v MEC for Education and Training, Eastern Cape 2002 (2) BCLR 113 (CC) the Constitutional Court held that the applicants could claim relief in terms of sections 9 and 33 of the Constitution as they had specifically based their claims on the rights which they enjoyed in terms of those sections. The court therefore held that the High Court had jurisdiction to hear the matter. X In Chirwa v Transnet Limited 2008 (3) BCLR 251 (CC) the applicant approached the High Court on the basis that her constitutional right to just administrative action as contemplated by the PAJA was violated as a result of her dismissal. The majority decision of the Constitutional Court held that the High Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter. The applicant’s claim was based on an unfair dismissal dispute for alleged poor work performance. The Constitutional Court therefore held that the applicant should have exhausted the procedures and remedies specifically provided for in the LRA in the case of such a labour dispute. In order to bring clarity to the position of public-sector employees the Constitutional Court in the matter of Gcaba v Minister of Safety and Security [2009] 12 BLLR 1145 (CC) provided an explanation of why the failure of the state as employer to appoint a candidate to a certain position is quintessentially a labour issue and therefore not administrative action. It followed that the High Court indeed lacked jurisdiction as the dispute was primarily a labour matter, cognisable by the Labour Court. The Gcaba judgment raises a number of interesting legal challenges, such as whether the Constitutional Court has overruled its own judgment in the Fredericks case and to what extent administrative law remedies are still open to public-sector employees. The treatise will discuss the complex constitutional framework which is at play when labour law and administrative law overlap. With a critical analysis of the Gcaba judgment and the principles which it sets, this treatise will discuss the administrative law rights available to public-sector employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kemp, Matthew
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Administrative acts -- South Africa , Administrative law -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30616 , vital:30980
- Description: Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, common law notions such as the audi alteram partem rule, the nemo iudex in sua causa rule and the doctrine of legitimate expectation were extended to protect public-sector employees against unlawful decisions taken against them by their employers. Courts noted the unique relationship between public-sector employees and their employers and that administrative law remedies could be extended to those employees. The enactment of the Constitution brought about two distinct sections in the Bill of Rights which provided for the right to fair labour practices (section 23) and the right to “lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair” administrative action (section 33) respectively. Legislation such as the LRA, BCEA and EEA has been enacted to give effect to section 23 of the Constitution, while the PAJA has been enacted to give effect to section 33. Whether public-sector employees retain their right to seek administrative law remedies against their employers has been the subject of debate for some time. On the one hand it is argued that there should be no problem with there being more than one right affected in a given case and there being more than one legal remedy available to a litigant who finds themselves in such a scenario. On the other hand, it is argued that certain perils, such as forum shopping and dual systems of law will arise if public-sector employees could simply choose either legal remedy. In Fredericks v MEC for Education and Training, Eastern Cape 2002 (2) BCLR 113 (CC) the Constitutional Court held that the applicants could claim relief in terms of sections 9 and 33 of the Constitution as they had specifically based their claims on the rights which they enjoyed in terms of those sections. The court therefore held that the High Court had jurisdiction to hear the matter. X In Chirwa v Transnet Limited 2008 (3) BCLR 251 (CC) the applicant approached the High Court on the basis that her constitutional right to just administrative action as contemplated by the PAJA was violated as a result of her dismissal. The majority decision of the Constitutional Court held that the High Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter. The applicant’s claim was based on an unfair dismissal dispute for alleged poor work performance. The Constitutional Court therefore held that the applicant should have exhausted the procedures and remedies specifically provided for in the LRA in the case of such a labour dispute. In order to bring clarity to the position of public-sector employees the Constitutional Court in the matter of Gcaba v Minister of Safety and Security [2009] 12 BLLR 1145 (CC) provided an explanation of why the failure of the state as employer to appoint a candidate to a certain position is quintessentially a labour issue and therefore not administrative action. It followed that the High Court indeed lacked jurisdiction as the dispute was primarily a labour matter, cognisable by the Labour Court. The Gcaba judgment raises a number of interesting legal challenges, such as whether the Constitutional Court has overruled its own judgment in the Fredericks case and to what extent administrative law remedies are still open to public-sector employees. The treatise will discuss the complex constitutional framework which is at play when labour law and administrative law overlap. With a critical analysis of the Gcaba judgment and the principles which it sets, this treatise will discuss the administrative law rights available to public-sector employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Purification and characterization of an amyloglucosidase from an ericoid mycorrhizal fungus (Leohumicola incrustata)
- Adeoyo, Olusegun R, Pletschke, Brett I, Dames, Joanna F
- Authors: Adeoyo, Olusegun R , Pletschke, Brett I , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440405 , vital:73780 , https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-018-0685-1
- Description: This study aimed to purify and characterize amyloglucosidase (AMG) from Leohumicola incrustata. AMG was purified to homogeneity from cell-free culture filtrate of an ERM fungus grown in a modified Melin–Norkrans liquid medium. The molecular mass of the AMG was estimated to be 101 kDa by combining the results of Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and zymography. The Km and kcat values were 0.38 mg mL−1 and 70 s−1, respectively, using soluble starch as a substrate. The enzyme was stable at 45 °C (pH 5.0), retaining over 65% activity after a pre-incubation period of 24 h. The metal inhibition profile of the AMG showed that Mn2+ and Ca2+ enhanced activity, while it was stable to metals ions, except a few (Al3+, Co2+, Hg2+ and Cd2+) that were inhibitory at a concentration higher than 5 mM. Thin layer chromatography revealed that only glucose was produced as the product of starch hydrolysis. The amylase from L. incrustata is a glucoamylase with promising characteristics such as temperature stability over an extended period, high substrate affinity and stability to a range of chemicals. Also, this study reports for the first time the possibility of using some culturable ERM fungi to produce enzymes for the bio-economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adeoyo, Olusegun R , Pletschke, Brett I , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440405 , vital:73780 , https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-018-0685-1
- Description: This study aimed to purify and characterize amyloglucosidase (AMG) from Leohumicola incrustata. AMG was purified to homogeneity from cell-free culture filtrate of an ERM fungus grown in a modified Melin–Norkrans liquid medium. The molecular mass of the AMG was estimated to be 101 kDa by combining the results of Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and zymography. The Km and kcat values were 0.38 mg mL−1 and 70 s−1, respectively, using soluble starch as a substrate. The enzyme was stable at 45 °C (pH 5.0), retaining over 65% activity after a pre-incubation period of 24 h. The metal inhibition profile of the AMG showed that Mn2+ and Ca2+ enhanced activity, while it was stable to metals ions, except a few (Al3+, Co2+, Hg2+ and Cd2+) that were inhibitory at a concentration higher than 5 mM. Thin layer chromatography revealed that only glucose was produced as the product of starch hydrolysis. The amylase from L. incrustata is a glucoamylase with promising characteristics such as temperature stability over an extended period, high substrate affinity and stability to a range of chemicals. Also, this study reports for the first time the possibility of using some culturable ERM fungi to produce enzymes for the bio-economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Pursuing cost-effective secure network micro-segmentation
- Authors: Fürst, Mark Richard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Access control , Firewalls (Computer security) , IPSec (Computer network protocol) , Network micro-segmentation
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/131106 , vital:36524
- Description: Traditional network segmentation allows discrete trust levels to be defined for different network segments, using physical firewalls or routers that control north-south traffic flowing between different interfaces. This technique reduces the attack surface area should an attacker breach one of the perimeter defences. However, east-west traffic flowing between endpoints within the same network segment does not pass through a firewall, and an attacker may be able to move laterally between endpoints within that segment. Network micro-segmentation was designed to address the challenge of controlling east-west traffic, and various solutions have been released with differing levels of capabilities and feature sets. These approaches range from simple network switch Access Control List based segmentation to complex hypervisor based software-defined security segments defined down to the individual workload, container or process level, and enforced via policy based security controls for each segment. Several commercial solutions for network micro-segmentation exist, but these are primarily focused on physical and cloud data centres, and are often accompanied by significant capital outlay and resource requirements. Given these constraints, this research determines whether existing tools provided with operating systems can be re-purposed to implement micro-segmentation and restrict east-west traffic within one or more network segments for a small-to-medium sized corporate network. To this end, a proof-of-concept lab environment was built with a heterogeneous mix of Windows and Linux virtual servers and workstations deployed in an Active Directory domain. The use of Group Policy Objects to deploy IPsec Server and Domain Isolation for controlling traffic between endpoints is examined, in conjunction with IPsec Authenticated Header and Encapsulating Security Payload modes as an additional layer of security. The outcome of the research shows that revisiting existing tools can enable organisations to implement an additional, cost-effective secure layer of defence in their network.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Fürst, Mark Richard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Access control , Firewalls (Computer security) , IPSec (Computer network protocol) , Network micro-segmentation
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/131106 , vital:36524
- Description: Traditional network segmentation allows discrete trust levels to be defined for different network segments, using physical firewalls or routers that control north-south traffic flowing between different interfaces. This technique reduces the attack surface area should an attacker breach one of the perimeter defences. However, east-west traffic flowing between endpoints within the same network segment does not pass through a firewall, and an attacker may be able to move laterally between endpoints within that segment. Network micro-segmentation was designed to address the challenge of controlling east-west traffic, and various solutions have been released with differing levels of capabilities and feature sets. These approaches range from simple network switch Access Control List based segmentation to complex hypervisor based software-defined security segments defined down to the individual workload, container or process level, and enforced via policy based security controls for each segment. Several commercial solutions for network micro-segmentation exist, but these are primarily focused on physical and cloud data centres, and are often accompanied by significant capital outlay and resource requirements. Given these constraints, this research determines whether existing tools provided with operating systems can be re-purposed to implement micro-segmentation and restrict east-west traffic within one or more network segments for a small-to-medium sized corporate network. To this end, a proof-of-concept lab environment was built with a heterogeneous mix of Windows and Linux virtual servers and workstations deployed in an Active Directory domain. The use of Group Policy Objects to deploy IPsec Server and Domain Isolation for controlling traffic between endpoints is examined, in conjunction with IPsec Authenticated Header and Encapsulating Security Payload modes as an additional layer of security. The outcome of the research shows that revisiting existing tools can enable organisations to implement an additional, cost-effective secure layer of defence in their network.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Pyridone substituted phthalocyanines: Photophysico-chemical properties and TD-DFT calculations
- Abdurrahmanoğlu, Şaziye, Canlica, Mevlüde, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Abdurrahmanoğlu, Şaziye , Canlica, Mevlüde , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188216 , vital:44735 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424617500730"
- Description: 4-(6-methyl-3-nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yloxy)phthalonitrile has been used to prepare a novel Zn(II) phthalocyanines with four peripheral pyridone substituents. The compound has been characterized by UV-visible absorption, FT-IR and 11H-NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. The fluorescence, triplet quantum and singlet oxygen quantum yields have been determined and TD-DFT calculations have been used to identify trends in the electronic structure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Abdurrahmanoğlu, Şaziye , Canlica, Mevlüde , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188216 , vital:44735 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424617500730"
- Description: 4-(6-methyl-3-nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yloxy)phthalonitrile has been used to prepare a novel Zn(II) phthalocyanines with four peripheral pyridone substituents. The compound has been characterized by UV-visible absorption, FT-IR and 11H-NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. The fluorescence, triplet quantum and singlet oxygen quantum yields have been determined and TD-DFT calculations have been used to identify trends in the electronic structure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Quantification of pre-competitive sleep/wake behaviour in a sample of South African cyclists
- Authors: Steenekamp, Travis
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sleep deprivation , Cyclists Health and hygiene South Africa , Sleep Physiological aspects , Performance , Performance anxiety
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59015 , vital:27408
- Description: The quantification of athlete pre-competitive sleep behaviour is of interest owing to the possibility that sleep loss may have a negative effect on health and performance. The purpose of this study was to monitor and quantify the sleep/wake patterns of South African cyclists prior to competitive races. A total of 336 cyclists, male and female and of differing competition levels, cycling in either the 2015 Tsogo Sun Amashova or the 2016 Telkom 94.7 Cycle Challenge completed an altered version of the Competitive Sports and Sleep Questionnaire. The questionnaire asked cyclists to report on precompetitive sleep over the past year. A subset of 92 cyclists also recorded a Core Consensus Sleep Diary for the three nights leading up to the races. The questionnaire showed that 67% of the cyclists reported worsened sleep at least once prior to competition within the past 12 months. The sleep diary found that the cyclists’ average sleep duration the night before the races was 6h19min (±1h38min), which was significantly less than two and three nights prior to the races. Sleep quality was also shown to deteriorate significantly the night before the races. The contributing factors leading to worsened pre-competitive sleep were the time the cyclists had to wake-up as well as perceived increases in sleep latency and awakenings after sleep onset. Anxiety was found to be the major cause of sleep disturbances. While females were found to be significantly more likely to report having experienced poorer sleep before competition in the past year, the sleep diary showed no difference in sleep the night before the races between the sexes. Females were significantly more likely to report instances of unpleasant dreams and waking up during the night. Again, the sleep diary data did not corroborate these findings. Females were also found to report significantly more accounts of nervousness or thoughts about competition as being the cause of sleep problems. There was no difference in sleep loss the night before competition when comparing competition-level groups. The only significant difference was that recreational cyclists were more likely to report sleeping in foreign environments as a cause of sleep disturbances. Despite a large percentage of cyclists experiencing pre-competitive sleep loss, over half (55%) perceived sleep loss to have no impact on their performance. Analysis of pre-sleep behaviour also revealed that the cyclists engaged in several practices that may have a negative effect on subsequent sleep. The vast majority of the cyclists (61%) indicated having no specific strategy to help them sleep the night before competition. Fifteen percent of cyclists reporting using media devices to help them fall asleep, a practice that has been shown to disrupt sleep. In conclusion, most cyclists, regardless of sex and level of competition experience precompetitive sleep loss attributed largely to anxiety but with the perception that this loss in sleep does not negatively impact their performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Steenekamp, Travis
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sleep deprivation , Cyclists Health and hygiene South Africa , Sleep Physiological aspects , Performance , Performance anxiety
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59015 , vital:27408
- Description: The quantification of athlete pre-competitive sleep behaviour is of interest owing to the possibility that sleep loss may have a negative effect on health and performance. The purpose of this study was to monitor and quantify the sleep/wake patterns of South African cyclists prior to competitive races. A total of 336 cyclists, male and female and of differing competition levels, cycling in either the 2015 Tsogo Sun Amashova or the 2016 Telkom 94.7 Cycle Challenge completed an altered version of the Competitive Sports and Sleep Questionnaire. The questionnaire asked cyclists to report on precompetitive sleep over the past year. A subset of 92 cyclists also recorded a Core Consensus Sleep Diary for the three nights leading up to the races. The questionnaire showed that 67% of the cyclists reported worsened sleep at least once prior to competition within the past 12 months. The sleep diary found that the cyclists’ average sleep duration the night before the races was 6h19min (±1h38min), which was significantly less than two and three nights prior to the races. Sleep quality was also shown to deteriorate significantly the night before the races. The contributing factors leading to worsened pre-competitive sleep were the time the cyclists had to wake-up as well as perceived increases in sleep latency and awakenings after sleep onset. Anxiety was found to be the major cause of sleep disturbances. While females were found to be significantly more likely to report having experienced poorer sleep before competition in the past year, the sleep diary showed no difference in sleep the night before the races between the sexes. Females were significantly more likely to report instances of unpleasant dreams and waking up during the night. Again, the sleep diary data did not corroborate these findings. Females were also found to report significantly more accounts of nervousness or thoughts about competition as being the cause of sleep problems. There was no difference in sleep loss the night before competition when comparing competition-level groups. The only significant difference was that recreational cyclists were more likely to report sleeping in foreign environments as a cause of sleep disturbances. Despite a large percentage of cyclists experiencing pre-competitive sleep loss, over half (55%) perceived sleep loss to have no impact on their performance. Analysis of pre-sleep behaviour also revealed that the cyclists engaged in several practices that may have a negative effect on subsequent sleep. The vast majority of the cyclists (61%) indicated having no specific strategy to help them sleep the night before competition. Fifteen percent of cyclists reporting using media devices to help them fall asleep, a practice that has been shown to disrupt sleep. In conclusion, most cyclists, regardless of sex and level of competition experience precompetitive sleep loss attributed largely to anxiety but with the perception that this loss in sleep does not negatively impact their performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018