The development of a framework to assess the key factors that may impact the future price of weaners (cattle) in South Africa
- Authors: Deyzel, George Ernest
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Cattle -- Prices
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61108 , vital:69761
- Description: The global livestock production systems are changing due to a variety of factors, which have an impact on the price of red meat. The supply of weaners (cattle) is affected by a number of factors including the type of production system, feed costs, diseases and weather conditions. The demand for weaners (cattle) is affected by factors including, amongst various others, consumers’ perception of quality, value for money, health benefits, economic profile, expandable income, urbanisation and socio-economic factors. These factors are complex and interrelated in terms of their potential impact on weaner prices and have a significant influence on production and investment decisions in the industry. This study used quantitative research to investigate the relationship between the factors influencing the price of weaners (cattle). For the purpose of data collection, a closed ended questionnaire was distributed to the respondents. This study was done using non-probability sampling. The sampling method used in this study is referred to as snowball sampling, which is a process using networks. The data was analysed to conclude which factors are impacting the price of weaners (cattle) the most. The results show that the supply factors of weaners are experiencing increasing pressure with changing weather conditions, input costs and animal diseases. The demand factors such as quality, currency and population are increasing the complexity, which implies the market is changing from a producer orientated market to a consumer orientated market. The study provides a framework to predict future prices of weaners, which is expected to influence both production and investment decisions which contribute toward the sustainability of the industry. The study recommends that the South African weaner (cattle) industry has experienced a significant increase in demand, both locally and globally. Meeting this growing demand has its own complexity that limits weaner farmers’ supply of weaners. The market is changing from a producer orientated to a consumer orientated perspective, which will force the supply chain to keep up with the changing consumer factors. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-04
Educators and learners perceptions on english first additional language speakers use of english as medium of instruction
- Authors: Nqoma, Lungiswa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching , English language
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24934 , vital:63678
- Description: This study investigates Educators‟ and learners‟ perceptions on English first additional language speakers‟ use of English as medium of instruction in two primary schools in the East London District. The study made use of a qualitative research method which includes interviews, observation and document analysis (learners‟ books). The uncovered data is analyzed against the background of the socio-economic and historical factors that led to this medium of instruction using content analysis (CA). After the apartheid regime in 1994 and the formation of a new government in 1996, the South African Constitution declared 11 languages in an attempt to encourage multilingualism in the country with each province having its provincial language policy. In the Eastern Cape where the study is conducted the language policy recognizes Xhosa, English, and Afrikaans as the official languages with English as the medium of instruction especially at the intermediate phase. The theoretical and conceptual framework for the study is provided by studies on language policy and planning, English as an international language, and Language as a mediating tool. The findings of the study indicate the crucial role that language of instruction plays in teaching and learning. However, challenges arise when the language of instruction is not the mother tongue. The study indicates dissatisfaction in the use of EMOI as a result of inadequate proficiency in the language of instruction, school environment, lack of resources; and lack of parental support. As a result of the above, some educators resorted to code switching when teaching. Hence, the study sheds light on EFAL learner‟s perspective on both comprehension and the level of educator‟s English skills and whether there is a connection between these two aspects. This resulted to conceivable methods that could be used to improve learner performance, teaching and learning methods and the efficiency of East London District support system. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015
A novel o/w microemulsion fixed dose combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: development and characterisation
- Authors: Mabvira, Samantha
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232925 , vital:50038
- Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
The impact of financial inclusion on poverty: a case of selected SADC countries.
- Authors: Ndlovu, Nkazimulo Glitter
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Financial services industry , Poverty--Africa , Poverty
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21311 , vital:48393
- Description: Financial inclusion is widely regarded as another conduit through which poverty can be alleviated. However, both theoretical and empirical literature does not reach consensus on the effect of financial inclusion on poverty. Against this background, the study empirically examines the effect of financial inclusion on poverty in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, which include (Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia). The author employs the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique for the period 1980 to 2019. Based on the Financial Intermediation Theory and the Social Justice Theory: Tunnel effect, 5 different models were estimated. Variables used to capture the different dimensions of financial inclusion include ATMs per 1000km and Bank Accounts per 1000 adults as well as Bank’s private Credit to GDP and Commercial Bank branches per 1000 adults’. The control variables used in the study are; GDP per Capita, Government Consumption, Inflation and Education. Empirical results revealed that financial inclusion reduces the level of poverty in the selected SADC states. The results also revealed that GDP per capita and government spending have a negative effect on poverty in the region. An interesting finding, even though not the major focus of the study was the effect of education. The results revealed that lower levels of education may exacerbate the level of poverty in the region. At the same time, tertiary education was found to have a negative and significant effect on poverty. The empirical results imply that policy makers should center their focus on reforms that will ensure that more people are financially included in the region. Also policies promoting high growth levels and acquisition of higher levels of education should be pursued. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-09
Critical analysis of anti-corruption strategies, policies, plans and practices- in the selected municipalities in the case of the Eastern Cape, Joe Gqabi District (2008-2011)
- Authors: Nonjola, Mcebisi Patrick
- Date: 2012-01
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25959 , vital:64637
- Description: Corruption is a virus that has infected all sectors of society not only in South Africa but also in the whole world. The various spheres of government are seemingly not immune against this scourge and its paralysing effect on service delivery. There is no universally acceptable definition of corruption. Its causes are diverse, ranging from administrative to socio-economic, and it manifests itself in various ways. The plethora of anti-corruption legislation and agencies has only served to minimise but not to eradicate corruption from the face of the public institutions. In order to scale up its fight against corruption, the Department of Public Service and Administration developed a strategy aimed at preventing, detecting and investigating corruption in government departments. Subsequently, the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, now called Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, developed a similar strategy for the municipalities. The strategy requires inter alia municipalities to develop minimum anti-corruption capacity which entail developing strategies, systems, policies, procedures and plans to prevent, detect and investigate fraud and corruption. The study sought to establish, in selected municipalities in Joe Gqabi District municipality, whether or not they have established the minimum capacity envisaged in the National anti-corruption strategy. The study found municipalities to have progressed at different stages of establishing and ensuring functioning of those systems, policies and plans but none of them had developed anti-corruption strategy. Consequently, the study recommends inter alia that the establishment of minimum anti-corruption capacity be made one of the national key performance indicators which must be incorporated in the performance agreements of the Senior management of municipalities. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-01
Analysis of corporate failures: a case study of two South African banks
- Authors: Mqomboti, Xitshembiso Pronacia
- Date: 2023-02
- Subjects: Business failures South Africa , Corporate governance South Africa , Risk management , Operational risk , Business ethics , Bank management South Africa , Banks and banking South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419151 , vital:71620
- Description: This study analysed the factors that contributed to the failure of Venda Building Society Mutual Bank (VBS) and African Bank Limited and the impact it had on their key stakeholders. The specific objectives of this study were to evaluate African Bank and VBS bank's operational risk management processes and controls, the role of ethical failures at VBS bank and African Bank; and assess how the failures affected their stakeholders. The population sample of the study included African Bank and VBS. The study adopted a qualitative research method. Existing reports from both African Bank and VBS were used to collect data. The study adopted a thematic data analysis method, which includes data coding and the development of themes. The data analysis framework was derived from a defined set of research propositions and seven (7) themes were derived from this analysis method. The failure in operational controls of both banks and ineffective risk management structures including unethical conduct by the executive management and board of VBS bank, irregular financial transactions and weakened external auditing function resulted in an unaccountable executive relationship and reckless lending decision-making. This research study will expand on the existing body of knowledge on the failures and near-failures of banks in the South African banking sector. The South African banking industry and its regulatory bodies will be better equipped to strengthen their corporate governance in risk controls to mitigate future collapses and near collapses of banks. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-02
Assessing the implementation of expanded public works programme in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (2013-2018)
- Authors: Nombebe, Gcobisa
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55107 , vital:49120
- Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) between 2013 and 2018. This was necessitated by the common trend observed in the country that, despite many interventions to alleviate poverty, the unemployment rate continues to increase, and poverty remains a challenge. The study was qualitative, and it used secondary data to achieve its objectives. The data was sourced from journals, municipal documents, the national Department of Public Works’ publications, newspapers and many other secondary sources. The results revealed that the EPWP performance in BCMM is greatly influenced by effective performance management systems, proper planning, political impact, training and development, and committed leadership. This was perceived as the first attempt towards improving the EPWP aligned employment statistics in BCMM. These results were found to be very important in helping an organisation to achieve employment targets. Furthermore, the municipality should investigate strengthening its consultative processes to involve the public in the job creation and decision-making processes. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Recidivism in children after completion of rhythm of life diversion programme in Chris Hani Eastern Cape
- Authors: Zimba, Thanduxolo
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27651 , vital:69380
- Description: One of the recommendations made by the South African Law Commission (SALC) (1997) when discussing the issue of child justice was that the justice system should aim to promote the well-being of the child and deal with the child in an individualised way. This dissertation discusses recidivism in children after completing the Rhythm of Life (ROL) diversion programme which aims at diverting children who conflict with the law away from criminal procedures to programmes that assist in behaviour modification. The study is inspired by the need to uncover the effectiveness of the programme and the challenges encountered when it is delivered. It is further motivated by the need to expose the reasons why children return to the criminal justice system after having attended the ROL diversion programme. Additionally, it seeks to gain perspectives of the probation officers’ and parents’ insights on the observed changes after the attendance of the programme. The study utilised a qualitative methodology with an interpretive and descriptive paradigm, which used in-depth interviews and focus groups as a method of data collection. The participants of the study were children who completed the ROL diversion programme, parents or guardians of children who completed the ROL diversion programme, and probation officers implementing the programme. The data was analysed and presented following the following four themes, i.e., factors contributing to recidivism by children after completion of the ROL diversion programme, diversion programme content, and completion of the diversion programme and the effectiveness of the ROL diversion programme. The literature consulted was broken up into; the historical development of diversion programmes and the inherent legislative framework, the magnitude and extent of recidivism of children after completion of the ROL diversion programme, and the factors which contribute to recidivism by children after completion of the ROL diversion programme. The reviewed literature further scrutinised the global, regional, and South African perspectives on managing young people, and lastly reviewed the benefits and challenges of diversion programmes in general. The study used the social learning theory as a theoretical framework to explain and discuss recidivism and the effectiveness of diversion programmes. This is a general approach to psychology and regards criminal behaviour as no different from any kind of behaviour as it is learned through the processes of observation, imitation and vicarious reinforcement and punishment. The findings of the study revealed that the impact of absent and or lack of father figures in the family influenced the children to get involved in criminal activities. The findings further indicated that probation officers face various challenges when facilitating the programme, such as substance abuse by children, lack of resources and functional aids, and the language as the facilitator guide is written in English. It was also discovered that parents from the sample used an authoritarian style of parenting, which exerts high expectations from children while providing little in the way of feedback and nurturance. Lastly, the findings indicated that the ROL diversion programme does modify the behaviour of children on completion. However, the main challenge is the environment the children return to after completion as it is assumed as a contributing factor to committing the crime. One of the recommendations is to strengthen parenting programmes and to introduce a programme for parents or guardians of children with serious behavioural challenges, another recommendation is the development of a risk assessment tool for young people, to assist probation officers in holistically dealing with children. Additionally, probation service practitioners should be provided by the government with the necessary resources to ensure that aftercare services are rendered effectively and efficiently. The researcher lastly recommends that probation officers conduct an intervention evaluation after the programme to identify children who could not understand the content of the programme so that additional methods of intervention could be employed such as casework. The study had the following conclusions; risk factors such as lack of parental support, substance abuse, peer pressure and bereavement were causes for re-offending in the children interviewed; the programme manual presents a challenge in terms of language, because the manual is written in English, and not all children can understand English; the issue of restorative justice was overlooked by probation officers when dealing with children when they re-offended. The study also concluded that the ROL diversion programme is effective to a certain extent, depending on how the children utilize the skills acquired from the programme, and as the parents reflected that they observed a change in their children’s behaviour post-diversion, while children also expressed that they learnt valuable life skills which made them resilient. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-09
The biology and movement patterns of non-native common carp, cyprinus carpio (l) in Groenvlei, South Africa
- Authors: Mukhari, Dinah Lorraine
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Carp South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve , Introduced fishes South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve , Carp Behavior South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve , Carp South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve Growth , Carp Habitat South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve , Carp South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve Reproduction , Habitat conservation South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve , Aquatic resources conservation South Africa Goukamma Nature Reserve
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/291233 , vital:56834
- Description: The common carp, Cyprinus carpio is a highly invasive fish species, first introduced into South Africa in the late nineteen century, and now widely spread throughout the country. In 1991 carp were illegally introduced to Groenvlei, within the Goukamma Nature Reserve in the Western Cape Province. Decreases in water quality and declines in biota have been attributed to the now large numbers of carp. Management measures have commenced to reduce the carp population, however these are not underpinned by science as little is known about the biology and movement patterns of resident carp. The age, growth and maturity of carp within the lake was determined using oxytetracycline hydrochloride marked asteriscus otoliths and macroscopic gonad development staging methods. The results showed that carp in Groenvlei had similar growth characteristics to the invasive populations in North America and Australia; fast growth during the first three to five years and reproductive maturity attained between the ages of two to three years, and are long lived (maximum age of 20 years old). Their growth however differed from the only other study on a South African population. Six acoustically tagged carp were manually tracked in order to report on their movement patterns and habitat use. Carp moved much greater distances in February compared to October and November, and occupied different areas of the lake. In November they were found to aggregate in backwaters which corresponds with their breeding activities. Literature on global carp control shows that whilst eradication of this fish can be achieved in small isolated waters using icthyocides and water drawdowns, in conservation priority areas such as Groenvlei where this is not possible, mechanical removal using multiple gears targeting vulnerable life stages can most efficient at controlling carp. This study identified where and when these methods could be focused to optimise control efforts. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
Consumer perceptions of human digital twins as a marketing tool
- Authors: Botha, M
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Digital twins (Computer simulation) , Industry 4.0
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61004 , vital:69685
- Description: A Digital Twin is a digital representation of a physical product or entity or a “set of virtual information constructs”. To effectively represent its physical counterpart, the digital representation needs to know about its properties, rules and behaviour. In order to enable this, there is a constant flow of data between physical objects and digital representations. The data contained in the digital representation allows simulations to be conducted and learnings from these simulations enable better decision making without affecting the physical realm. Human Digital Twins duplicate a person, rather than a physical product or artifact. As Human Digital Twins hold large amounts of data about a person and are able to utilise this data to predict a person’s possible behaviour and control a person’s choices Human Digital Twins hold economic value for organisations. Human Digital Twins can be effectively used in consumer choice modelling to determine a person’s preferences and assist organisations in marketing products and alternatives to customers. Location, purchasing behaviour and online activity can be used to predict potential future customer behaviour and choices. In previous studies proposing Human Digital Twins, limited emphasis has been placed on the opinion of the people who have been twinned. There are several ethical and moral implications in creating Human Digital Twins. The perceptions of the twinning process of people have not adequately been researched. Current technology allows Human Digital Twins to be created but challenges lie with the moral and ethical complications in a person’s Digital Twin acceptance. Various factors have been identified in previous research relating to Human Digital Twins. Knowledge, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Trust and Technological Proficiency are factors that have an influence on a person’s Human Digital Twin acceptance. These factors were considered as independent factors of the conceptual model while user acceptance was considered the dependent factor of the proposed model. The questionnaire for this study was completed by a sample of 121 respondents, who were reached through convenience and snowball sampling. The questionnaire was primarily distributed to students at the Nelson Mandela Business School in Gqeberha, South Africa. The demographic data indicates that a high number of respondents v reside in the Eastern Cape and the majority of respondents achieved a post graduate degree. This is not necessarily an accurate description of the South African population and the sample used in future studies should be more representative of the South African population. The results indicate that the independent factors Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use and Technological Proficiency had significant positive effects on Human Digital Twin acceptance. Two of the original independent factors were split into two sub-factors as a result of the EFA. The independent factor Trust became Human Digital Twin Distrust and Trust in Companies using Human Digital Twins. The independent factor Knowledge became Knowledge about Human Digital Twins and Knowledge about the role of technology. This study based its conceptual model on the Technology Acceptance Model. The model relies on two major determinants, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use, to determine a user’s intention to use and accept a technology. This study added new determinants of acceptance to the original TAM, two of which was found reliable. Knowledge of Human Digital Twins and Technological Proficiency were both found to have a significant positive influence on the acceptance of Human Digital Twins. This study was one of the first to suggest a relationship between Technological Proficiency and the acceptance of a new technology. The managerial recommendations set out to bridge the gap between this study and practice. It is not uncommon for researchers to suggest corrective actions and make strategic recommendations based on the results of a study. This study provided managerial recommendations to marketers who want to employ Human Digital Twins in their strategies. This will allow marketers to test campaigns and improve on existing campaigns much quicker than before and take new products to market with testing marketing strategies at a much quicker pace. Organisations need to be cognisant of the fact that legal issues such privacy, consent, discrimination and copyright will be very important when creating Human Digital Twins. Marketers will not only be able to use information gathered by Human Digital Twins in the real world but in virtual worlds as well. , Thesis (MA) -- FFaculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-04
Inventory management decisions for effective inventory management in the South African automotive component manufacturing industry: pre-and since COVID-19
- Authors: Delport, Jason
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Inventory management , Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Theses
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59511 , vital:62145
- Description: Globalisation has enabled the automotive industry to source various automotive products worldwide. It assisted in increasing the economic growth of countries as it allowed the flow of goods and capital between countries and created many employment opportunities locally. Emerging markets, especially Africa, forms a pivotal part of the global automotive industry. The South African automotive industry as the largest manufacturing and third largest economic sector in South Africa, has been acknowledged by government as a prime source of economic growth. The South African manufacturing businesses, in particular the automotive component manufactures (ACMs) are reliant on inventory for automotive manufacturing. In 2019, the world was hit by the Coronavirus virus outbreak known as COVID-19, which became a global health pandemic that significantly affected the global economy. The pandemic and lockdown measures implemented, seriously affected the automotive industry, in particular inventory management as it led to raw materials inventory shortages due to delivery delays. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the inventory management decisions influencing effective inventory management in the South African automotive component manufacturing (SAACM) industry prior to Covid-19 and whether and how it changed since the Covid-19 pandemic. The comprehensive literature review identified four inventory management decisions as independent variables (inventory forecasting, inventory storage, inventory control and inventory staff capabilities management) and effective inventory management as the dependent variable in the proposed hypothesised model. The model was tested to establish the influence of the identified four inventory management decisions on effective inventory management in ACMs prior to Covid-19 and then again since Covid-19. A quantitative research approach was followed to collect data required for the hypothesis testing. Nonprobability sampling in particular judgemental sampling was utilised for this study by selecting respondents employed by ACMs in South Africa as logistics managers, supply chain managers, production supervisors, master production schedulers, cycle count operators and warehouse staff. A selfadministered internet-based questionnaire was used to obtain the data from the target sample comprising 200 respondents, of which 162 were usable for further statistical analysis. Data was analysed first for prior to and then for since Covid-19 using Statistica Version 14 computer software. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to extract the variables and validate the measuring instrument. The Cronbach's alpha values for reliability were confirmed for each of the variables identified in the two sets of EFAs. All four independent variables (inventory v management decisions) and the dependent variable (effective inventory management) for prior to as well as since Covid-19 were found to be valid and reliable and retained for further analyses. The results of the Pearson product moment correlation coefficients reported mostly weak and moderate associations between variables for both prior to and since Covid-19. The results of the multiple regression analysis (MRA) for prior to Covid-19 found four statistically significant relationships between the four independent variables - inventory forecasting management, inventory storage management, inventory control management and inventory staff capabilities management and the dependent variable effective inventory management. The results of the MRA for since Covid-19 found two statistically significant relationships between two independent variables inventory forecasting management and inventory resource management and the dependent variable effective inventory management. The tested hypothesised model provides a framework for further testing in future ACM inventory management studies in other countries. Business managers and inventory management staff of global ACMs can use it as a guide for effective inventory management; on which specific inventory management decisions to always pay attention to and, which inventory management decisions to pay attention to when a long-lasting pandemic occurs such as Covid-19. It is recommended that regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic, inventory managers in ACMs in South Africa should consider inventory forecasting management methods such as demand forecasting, determining the economic order quantity (EOQ) for all inventory item orders and materials requirement planning (MRP). They should also use an inventory information sharing system and inventory replenishment procedure to ensure inventory is managed effectively. During a prolonged pandemic such as Covid-19, inventory managers in ACMs in South Africa should pay particular attention to inventory resource management specifically regarding re-order inventory levels and classifying all inventory items according to the importance of using ABC analysis. They should further offer employees inventory training to remain abreast of new inventory developments in the industry and for career advancement. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economics Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-12
Evaluation of knowledge and practices of nurses with regard to prevention of nosocomial infection in the intensive care units of Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mlenzana, Nosiphiwo Priscilla
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Nosocomial infections http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85092770 , Cross infection--Prevention http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2009122612 , Infection http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85066076
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19639 , vital:43154
- Description: Aim: To determine the level of knowledge and practice of the nurses in the prevention and control of nosocomial infection in the intensive care units and make recommendations aiming at bridging the gap identified. In this study, the level of knowledge and practice of nurses in the intensive care units was described and its relationship with the demographic characteristics was examined utilising a quantitative approach. A quantitative descriptive design was used to examine and describe knowledge and practices of intensive care nurses with regards to prevention and control of nosocomial infection. One hundred and thirty (130) nurses participated in the study taken from the intensive care units of the five (5) state hospitals of the Eastern Cape Province. A self-designed questionnaire with close-ended questions was utilised comprising of dichotomous questions, with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ measuring knowledge nurses have and a Likert scale that measured knowledge with regards to clinical practice utilised in the prevention and control of nosocomial infections. The following ethical considerations were addressed by the study: ethical clearance, permission to conduct the study, informed consent from participants, anonymity and confidentiality and respect of individual autonomy. Findings: The respondents showed encouraging agreement with the different practices that should be followed in order to prevent spreading of nosocomial infections in their units. This knowledge suggests that the problem of infection control in ICUs may be related to the individual characteristics of the profession as opposed to being institutional. Limitations: Not all the intensive care units of the Eastern Cape hospitals were included due to challenges of time, finance and geographic factors. Recommendations: The following recommendations were made: Orientation programme to all new staff coming into the ICUs including infection control policies and guidelines; Involvement of the ICU staff in the development of infection control policies so as to ensure ownership and ultimate compliance; The employer must ensure that all resources for infection control and prevention are available and accessible to the health care workers at all times to ensure compliance. , Thesis (MCur) -- University of Fort Hare, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015
Continuous flow synthesis of a key intermediate towards the antidiabetic drug repaglinide
- Authors: Williams, Arushan
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Miscellanea -- South Africa , Diabetes –Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61064 , vital:69715
- Description: Across the world, diabetes is one of the leading causes of deaths attributed to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In Africa, a huge proportion of African countries’ annual healthcare budgets are consumed by diabetes (7 %) with many already experiencing healthcare budget deficits. The prevalence of diabetes is rapidly growing and threatens the economic productivity and livelihood of many families within the region. The world leaders have invested heavily in reducing the pandemic by focusing on increasing the availability of affordable essential medicines in developing countries. The majority of diabetes cases are due to type 2 diabetes (90 %) and may be treated using oral hypoglycaemic drugs (OHDs). Repaglinide (REP) is a non-sulfonylurea insulin secretagogue (meglitinide) with greater HbA1c reduction than metformin in newly onset type 2 diabetic patients, however due to the high price of REP outside Asia, cheaper and less effective OHDs are prescribed to patients. Many of the reported synthetic routes towards REP utilize a key intermediate, 2-(3-ethoxy-4- iethoxycarbonyl)phenyl)acetic acid. The key intermediate contributes significantly to the price of REP as many of the intermediate’s synthetic routes suffer from long reaction times, low yields and industrial complex approaches. Therefore, this has prompted us to investigate an efficient process towards the synthesis of 2-(3-ethoxy-4-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl)acetic acid using multiple continuous flow systems. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-04
Recruitment disruptors: an exploratory study on the perception of artificial intelligence amongst selected Eastern Cape Province recruiters
- Authors: Sobekwa, Sinazo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232238 , vital:49974
- Description: Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04
Investigations of water deficit interactions with heat and elevated carbon dioxide in wheat
- Authors: Mavindidze, Peter
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Plants--Effect of heat on , Growth (Plants)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20664 , vital:46422
- Description: Future climate is predicted to be characterised by elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2), as well as more incidences of heat and water deficit. eCO2 has been widely reported as enhancing growth, biomass and grain yield. To investigate the interactive effects of abiotic stresses on genotypic performance, an experiment was established in open-top chambers at the University of Rhodes eCO2 facility in Grahamstown, South Africa. The specific objectives of the study were: i) to evaluate the effects of eCO2 on wheat grain yield, yield components and grain quality under heat and terminal water deficit conditions; ii) to identify cultivar sources of tolerance to combined water deficit and heat stress under eCO2; iii) to identify appropriate stress indices that can be used as screening tools for tolerance to combined effects of water deficit and heat stress under eCO2. A total of 19 wheat genotypes were evaluated in three environments varying in CO2, temperature and water deficit during the 2019 winter season. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design arranged in blocks inside the chambers. The parameters recorded were: leaf water potential (LWP), biomass content (TB), number of productive tillers (NPT), days to flowering (DTA), days to maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), thousand kernel weight (TKW), number of kernels per spike (KPS), kernel weight per spike (KWS) and total grain weight (TGW). The following stress indices were determined: tolerance index, stress tolerance, yield susceptibility index, mean productivity, geometric mean productivity, stress intensity index and yield index. Elevated atmospheric CO2 ameliorated the negative effects of combined heat and water deficit stress by enhancing LWP, NPT, KPS, TB and TGW. Wheat genotypes responded the same way to CO2 with respect to grain yield. Furthermore, adequate water supply mitigated the adverse effects of heat stress. In addition, the combined effects of eCO2, heat and water deficit are confounding and hypo-additive in nature. The separation of environmental effects revealed that significant genotypic responses on grain yield and biomass were caused by heat and water deficit stress, while eCO2 mitigated their negative effects, promoting growth and reproduction. Both Principal component analysis (PCA) biplot analysis and cultivar superiority measure proved to be reliable statistical tools since they managed to identify 13-5HTSBWYT-H18, Ncema and SST8135 as having both specific adaptations to future climates as well as wide adaption to multiple environments. The genotypes may be used as sources (parents for crosses) for wide adaptation in breeding programmes in the wake of predicted future climate environments. PCA biplot analysis identified mean productivity (MP) and geometric mean productivity (GMP) as the best indices; hence can also be as secondary traits complimenting traditional agronomic and physiological traits in wheat breeding under environments varying in water availability, CO2 and temperature. The interactive effects of eCO2 with heat and water deficit stress did not significantly compromise the grain physical characteristics, flour extraction, protein content, falling number and flour ash. eCO2 ameliorated the negative effects of heat and water deficit by increasing protein content by 4.75 percent , Thesis (MSc) (Crop Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-02
An evaluation of the effectiveness of area-based conservation intervention in avoiding biodiversity loss in South Africa
- Authors: Van Straten, Maurice Oswald
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Soil conservation -- South Africa , Livestock farms – South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61132 , vital:69765
- Description: Habitat degradation, livestock farming, crop cultivation, rangeland overutilization and veld mismanagement are among the factors causing biodiversity loss worldwide. Rangelands in arid and semi-arid environments are no exception, as they are under stress from conversion into cropland and pressure from livestock farming. In these arid areas, rainfall is unpredictable and plant recruitment levels low, resulting in veld rehabilitation being a potentially expensive and time-consuming undertaking for landowners. Landowners implement different rehabilitation methods to increase overall vegetation cover and prevent further soil and vegetation degradation. These rehabilitation methods may include the creation of micro-catchments, mulching, brushpacking, ripping, geotextiles, stone cobbling and erosion control fences, individually or in combination with the addition of reseeding, replanting, and use of manure or fertilizer to supplement land rehabilitation. This study investigated the significance of three rehabilitation methods (hollows, brush packing and a combination of these two methods) on water infiltration rates, soil moisture content, and vegetation canopy cover with associated growth form canopy cover over a period of 17 months (March 2021 to August 2022). This study showed that rehabilitation methods implemented had no significant impact on water infiltration rates and vegetation canopy cover. However, rehabilitation methods had a significant impact on soil moisture content. The use of a hollows is recommended when attempting to increase the soil moisture content percentage when performing rehabilitation. Overall vegetation canopy cover is influenced more by seasonal changes than by the rehabilitation methods implemented. This study indicated that the creation of micro-catchments is an effective rehabilitation method to use in an arid area, as it promotes vegetation establishment and growth. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science and Management , 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-04
Investigating the impact of capital account liberalization on economic growth: A case study of South Africa
- Authors: Khumalo, Sibanisezwe A. (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4330-9249)
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Capital Movements--South Africa , Investment, Foreign--South Africa South Africa , Free Trade--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25800 , vital:64486
- Description: The increased interest in capital flows has made it imperative to understand how they impact a particular economy. The Global drive for an interlinked world economy has increased the need for monetary authorities and Governments to able to effectively deal with any negative spins off from capital flows and also be able to take advantage of positive effects capital flows may have on an economy. The study seeks to understand how the change to lift restrictions on capital flows into the South African economy may have impacted on economic growth. The study analyses the relationship that existed between capital flows, that is to say foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio investment (P_I) and economic growth under the period of capital controls (1975 Q1 to 1994Q1). Then study will then analyse the same relationship but this time under the liberalised period (1994 Q2 to 2010 Q2) and compare how the long run relationship has changed after capital account liberalisation. The study uses an endogenous model to determine the relationship. The study unlike most will focus on a single economy, which is South Africa and not use panel data like most previous studies. The study found that in the short run capital account liberalising aided economic growth as both FDI and P_I became significant, with positive coefficients and also found that there is long run relationship between economic growth and capital flows. In the long run FDI is significant while P_I is not. After liberalisation FDI adjusted faster in the long run than before liberalisation on its impact on economic output. Also of note was that the study found that under capital controls the conditional variance was constant but after liberalisation the relationship between capital flows and economic growth became more sensitive to negative news and the conditional variance was not constant thus indication of increased volatility. To maximise from opening up of capital accounts the economy should maintain sound macroeconomic policies. This will help shield the economy from the external shocks and this maintain economic growth. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
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- Date Issued: 2011
The perceptions of employees and employer on the ever increasing use of technology: the case of the acoustex in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Matamela, Wanga
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54783 , vital:47664
- Description: It is evident that many companies and organization are currently using high powered technology to be at par with the trends throughout the globe. This research focuses on the perception of workers and management on the Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. The research objectives of this study is firstly, to investigate the perceptions of workers and management at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. Secondly, to contribute within economic and industrial anthropology with reference to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and raise awareness. Thirdly, to propose recommendations that can be used by industries and the government to save jobs. The research methodology employed in this study include among others, individual interviews using an interview guide containing questions that is relevant to the study. To supplement the above, secondary sources ranging from relevant scholarly journals and books were consulted. Ethical compliance was adhered to by the researcher in terms of applying for permission to conduct interviews and it was granted. The concept unemployment was used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in particular and workplace in general. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
A case study of role conflict experienced by middle management during organizational change
- Authors: Sepeng, Mugabe
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Role conflict , Change management , Middle managers , Middle management , ISO 9001 Standard Implementation of
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419189 , vital:71624
- Description: This research investigation is based on continuous improvement changes arising from - and related to - ISO 9001 implementation at Sundays River Citrus Company (SRCC), which is one of the biggest packers, marketers, and exporters of citrus fruit in South Africa. The Board of SRCC adopted ISO 9001 to ensure organizational efficiency and sustainability while improving quality control, customer service, teamwork and leadership. However, research indicates not all organizations that have Implemented ISO 9001 realize the intended benefits. While no research was available on the citrus agriculture industry, research in the tourism industry indicates that not only did some companies not realize the expected benefits, but also incurred substantial investment costs. It is estimated that approximately thirty to ninety percent of change initiatives fail to meet their objectives, and research studies also indicate that middle managers play a critical role that can influence the outcomes of a change project. However, Balogun (2003) indicates that middle managers play a complex role and are exposed to role conflict, which can influence the outcomes of change initiatives. In this context, this research study aimed to investigate the role conflicts experienced by middle managers during the process of an ISO 9001 continuous improvement change. The study draws on role theory, applying it to their management of change. The following role conflict types were investigated: (1) intra-sender conflict, (2) inter-sender role conflict, (3) inter-role conflict, (4) role ambiguity and (5) role strain. The research approach is qualitative, and has adopted a post-positivist paradigm, utilizing a deductive qualitative method. The study adopted a case study approach. Data was gathered mainly from interviews and supported by organizational documents. Semi structured interviews were conducted with questions formulated through the use of the coding manual (See Appendix C) to ensure alignment of data collection with the research propositions derived from literature. A deductive thematic analysis method was used to analyze the interview data. The research findings confirmed that during continuous improvement change, as middle managers strived to satisfy the incompatible expectations of role senders (mainly senior and junior managers), they experienced the five role conflict types. The study findings also indicate that middle managers experience conflicts due to the incompatible expectations of other role senders such as quality and marketing departments. The findings suggest that middle managers are managing these conflicts, but notes that they do require some assistance and support from senior management. The study concludes with managerial and research recommendations. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
The depositional history and evaluation of two late quaternary, diamondiferous pocket beaches, south-western Namibia
- Authors: Milad, Micael George
- Date: 2004-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/420934 , vital:71795
- Description: The two Late Quaternary, diamondiferous pocket beach deposits studied here are situated along a 10 km stretch of the storm-dominated, Atlantic coastline of the Sperrgebiet, south-western Namibia. The pocket beaches are approximately 130 km north of the Orange River mouth, which is widely accepted as a long-lived point source for diamonds sourced from the interior of southern Africa. A total of fourteen pocket beach deposits were recently evaluated in this area, but only two of these, namely Site 2 (to the south) and Site 3 (to the north), are considered here. The main diamondbearing horizons are beach gravels, which occur within, and form part of, the pocket beach sequences. The beach gravels are mostly blanketed by sand overburden, meaning that exposures available for study were limited, and much reliance was placed on borehole logging and observations of evaluation sample tailings. The main aims are to unravel the depositional history of the pocket beach sequences, identify the controls on diamond mineralisation in the beach gravels, and critically examine two different methods of estimating average diamond size for the deposits. In pursuit of these aims, sedimentological characteristics of the unconsolidated pocket beach deposits were recorded using small diameter drill holes, hydraulic grab bulk samples, trench exposures and surface outcrops. The surface geology, geomorphology and modern wave patterns were mapped using high-resolution, Airborne Laser Survey imagery coupled with extensive field checking. Three-dimensional geological modeling software was used to gain insight into the subsurface morphology of the deposits. Fossil shell samples were used to aid interpretation of ancient depositional environments and to date parts of the pocket beach sequences. Variations in diamond concentration and the size of diamonds were recorded using bulk samples, some of which were taken from a trench, but most of which were excavated using a hydraulic grab tool called the GB50. Finally, by using diamond size data from Site 3, sample data from diamondiferous beach gravels to the south of the study area and sample campaign simulations, two alternative methods of evaluating average diamond size in marine gravel deposits were appraised.The pocket beach sequences occur within north-south trending valleys of a major deflation basin and are separated from one another by rocky headlands. The ridge-and-valley topography of the deflation basin has resulted from differential erosion of Late Proterozoic basement rock units, alternating layers of which differ greatly in their resistance to the long-lived, local denudationalprocesses. On the basis of the stratigraphic information collected from the unconsolidated pocket beach valley fills, interpreted within the context of global, Late Pleistocene sea level records, the following depositional history is deduced : a) Deposition of sheetflood gravels by ephemeral streams, activated during a regressive phase. b) Transgression, culminating in the deposition of a gravel beach, representing a sea level highstand of +4 metres above mean sea level (mamsl) at between 120 000 and 130 000 BP. c)A regressive phase, resulting in deflation of former valley fills to the bedrock valley floor and accompanied by re-activation of ephemeral stream activity to form sheetflood deposits; this represents a protracted period of subaerial exposure of the +4 m gravel beach deposit. d) Deposition of a great volume of sediment in the valleys during the latter stages of the transgression from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The sequence generated during this phase, which started at ca. 9 000 BP, contains : i) pan/coastal sabkha sediments, ii) shallow, sheltered bay sediments, iii) back-barrier lagoonal sediments, iv) a gravel beach deposit representing a sea level stillstand at -5 mamsl, laid down between 7 600 and 5 600 BP, v) another gravel beach deposit representing the well-known Middle Holocene sea level highstand at +2 to +3 mamsl, laid down at ca. 5 000 BP, and which terminated the transgression from the LGM. e) A minor regression to the current sea level, accompanied by progradation of the shoreline to its current position. This progradational marine unit consists almost entirely of sand and grit, reflecting the lack of gravel supply to this part of the coastline in the most recent past. f) Deposition of modern coastal dunes, which cap the pocket beach sequence and are the youngest sediments in the study area. Using trench and hydraulic grab evaluation sample results, in combination with analysis of wave patterns and field observations, the following local controls on the density distribution (ie. concentration) and size distribution of diamonds in the gravel beach deposits (+4, -5 and +2 to +3 mamsl stands) are recognised: a) Gravel beach depositional processes, which are responsible for clast sorting on the beach, have influenced the density and size distribution of diamonds. The infill zone, or beach toe, favours maximum diamond concentration while diamond size decreases from the imbricate zone (intertidal) to the infill zone (subtidal). b) Wave energy is identified as the dominant local control on diamond size distribution, but has also influenced diamond concentration to a limited degree. Larger diamonds are intimately associated with coarser beach gravels, both of which are a reflection of increased wave energy. Higher concentrations of diamonds are sometimes associated with zones of coarser gravel and therefore greater wave energy. c) The time of deposition of the host gravel beach is seen to be the dominant controlling factor with respect to diamond concentration. This is seen as evidence of significant temporal variation in the availability of diamonds in the littoral evironment. A significant reduction (20%) in average diamond size from Site 2 to Site 3, over a distance of only 6 km, is evident. The following were identified as reasons for this reduction in diamond size : a) Longshore sorting processes, of which the long-lived northerly littoral drift is a key part, are known to have played a role in the diminution of diamond size northwards from the Orange River mouth point source. However, it is believed that this can only partly account for the observed 20% reduction in diamond size. b) Input of sediment and smaller diamonds at Site 3, reworked out of an older, Eocene-aged marine succession in the hinterland, is recognised as a possible additional reason for the large reduction in diamond size from Site 2 to Site 3. It is also speculated that the large size of the pocket beach at Site 3, relative to Site 2, may have resulted in lower average wave energy at Site 3, with consequent reduced average diamond size. Diamond size in the beach gravels of Site 3, as well as in beach gravels elsewhere in the Sperrgebiet, is seen to be lognormally-distributed within geologically homogeneous zones. In theory, lognormal mean estimators represent the best method of estimating average diamond size in such cases, whereas the arithmetic mean estimator has the tendency to overestimate when large outlier values occur. Lognormal mean estimators have the added benefit of providing for the calculation of confidence limits, which are becoming increasingly more important as financial lending institutions insist on better quantification of the risk involved in resource estimates. Sample campaign simulations demonstrate, for the kinds of diamond size-frequency distributions typical of beach gravel deposits at Site 3, that there is no significant improvement in the accuracy of average diamond size estimates when lognormal mean estimators are used instead of the arithmetic mean estimator. This is because the variance (a ) of the diamond populations is low, and large outlier values are extremely unlikely to occur. However, simulation of a diamond population with high variance, drawn from a sample of beach gravels near the Orange River mouth, shows that lognormal estimators produce significantly more accurate results when a is large. Since individual diamond weights were not recorded during evaluation sampling of Site 3, numerical solution of lognormal estimators is not possible, and these would need to be solved using a less accurate graphical method. It is therefore recommended that individual diamond weights are recorded in future sampling campaigns, allowing for the use of lognormal mean estimators, and the calculation of confidence limits for average diamond size estimates. , Thesis (MSc) -- Science, Geology, 2004
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- Date Issued: 2004-03