Using information visualization to support the self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Authors: Nauder, Meggan Kate
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Information visualization , Diabetics --Treatment --South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55711 , vital:53409
- Description: The globally increasing number of individuals suffering from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a completely preventable incurable disease of the pancreas, highlights the need for an effective tool for users to understand the relationship between their behaviours and the effect that those behaviours can have on their blood glucose levels (BGLs). There are few Information Visualisation (IV) tools available that can be used to reduce the cognition required to understand correlations between behaviour and BGLs. Existing tools require time-consuming, lengthy inputs and provide simple visualisations that do not show correlations. This leads to ineffective self-management of T2DM. Information Visualisation (IV) techniques can be used to support effective self-management of T2DM and reduce the cognition required to interpret DM data. Suitable IV techniques were identified and used to visualize T2DM data to aid in the self-management of the disease. Temporal charts, i.e. The Bar, Pie and Line Chart as well as heat maps, were selected as the most appropriate IV techniques to visualize T2DM data as they support time-series data well. A prototype, MedicMetric was created as an IV tool for visualizing T2DM data. MedicMetric incorporated three designed charts, namely the Change Rate Line View, the Radial Progress View, and the Annotated Line View. The Change Rate Line View and Annotated Line View both used line IV techniques, while the Radial Progress View made use of the bar IV technique. The Change Rate Line View performed the worst overall. A usability evaluation was conducted to compare these techniques and to determine which technique is most suitable for visualizing T2DM data. The results leaned significantly in favour of the Annotated Line View. This view is most similar to the line charts typically used in other IV tools. For this reason, the MedicMetric app was briefly compared to the MySygr and Diabetes:M application. In effectiveness and efficiency, MedicMetric and MySugr obtained almost identical results. However, participants indicated that MedicMetric supported their tasks using the Visual Information Seeking Mantra (VISM) the best overall, with 100% of participants stating that they would prefer to use the MedicMetric application. Several usability problems were identified with the IV techniques and they were addressed shortly after the study was complete. Overall participants were most satisfied with the Annotated Line View. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computing Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Nauder, Meggan Kate
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Information visualization , Diabetics --Treatment --South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55711 , vital:53409
- Description: The globally increasing number of individuals suffering from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a completely preventable incurable disease of the pancreas, highlights the need for an effective tool for users to understand the relationship between their behaviours and the effect that those behaviours can have on their blood glucose levels (BGLs). There are few Information Visualisation (IV) tools available that can be used to reduce the cognition required to understand correlations between behaviour and BGLs. Existing tools require time-consuming, lengthy inputs and provide simple visualisations that do not show correlations. This leads to ineffective self-management of T2DM. Information Visualisation (IV) techniques can be used to support effective self-management of T2DM and reduce the cognition required to interpret DM data. Suitable IV techniques were identified and used to visualize T2DM data to aid in the self-management of the disease. Temporal charts, i.e. The Bar, Pie and Line Chart as well as heat maps, were selected as the most appropriate IV techniques to visualize T2DM data as they support time-series data well. A prototype, MedicMetric was created as an IV tool for visualizing T2DM data. MedicMetric incorporated three designed charts, namely the Change Rate Line View, the Radial Progress View, and the Annotated Line View. The Change Rate Line View and Annotated Line View both used line IV techniques, while the Radial Progress View made use of the bar IV technique. The Change Rate Line View performed the worst overall. A usability evaluation was conducted to compare these techniques and to determine which technique is most suitable for visualizing T2DM data. The results leaned significantly in favour of the Annotated Line View. This view is most similar to the line charts typically used in other IV tools. For this reason, the MedicMetric app was briefly compared to the MySygr and Diabetes:M application. In effectiveness and efficiency, MedicMetric and MySugr obtained almost identical results. However, participants indicated that MedicMetric supported their tasks using the Visual Information Seeking Mantra (VISM) the best overall, with 100% of participants stating that they would prefer to use the MedicMetric application. Several usability problems were identified with the IV techniques and they were addressed shortly after the study was complete. Overall participants were most satisfied with the Annotated Line View. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computing Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Using GIS and remote sensing to map suitable sites for wind farms: a case study of Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Gwena, Jay
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Geographic information systems http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh90001880 , Remote sensing http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85112798 , Renewable energy sources http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85112837
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19420 , vital:43082
- Description: Issues relating to energy use, renewable energy introduction and climate change have received a lot of attention from governments throughout the world in the past two decades. Many developing nations like South Africa heavily rely on coal and other non-renewable resources for their production of energy. The processing of the non-renewable resources into secondary energy forms is according to many energy experts a chief contributor to climate change. Climate change is affecting agricultural production in many developing countries that entirely rely on rainfall for their production. The loss in production in South Africa is increasing the level of poverty in low-income earners and unemployed people. Also a lot of households found in rural areas of South Africa have no access to electricity. Electricity in South Africa is generated and distributed by Eskom a state owned company. In April 2008 Eskom failed to meet power demand and started introducing load shedding to maintain and upgrade their power plants. The load shedding stopped for while and was introduced again in 2014 when the power utility faced the challenge of failing to produce power to meet demand again due to problems with their power stations. The ongoing energy provision problems in South Africa can be alleviated by introducing alternative sources like renewable energy. Introduction of renewable energy in poorly developed areas like Nkonkobe Municipality can help households‘ access electricity and reduce load on the national grid. The aim of this study was to locate suitable sites for setting up wind farms in Nkonkobe municipality in South Africa. Wind energy as a resource is abundant in many areas of South Africa and areas to set wind farms for optimum harness of wind power were identified using GIS, remote sensing and multi-criteria decision making techniques. Wind speed, distance from settlements, distance from main roads, distance from national, slope and land use/land cover were chosen as the factors to consider in selecting a suitable site. Data was collected from South Africa Weather Services, University of Fort Hare and online free data sources. Thematic maps for all the factors were developed in ArcGIS and fed into Nkonkobe Municipality database developed for the study. Thematic maps were assigned weights before being overlaid using weighted overlay tool. Weights for the factors were determined using Analytical hierarchy Process‘ pairwise comparison approach. Weighted overlay of the thematic maps produced a map showing suitable areas based on the weight influence of each factor. The output map was compared to results obtained from using Boolean approach and weighted sum method as a way of checking the accuracy of obtained suitable sites. Results showed there are three sites that can be used for setting up wind farms in the study area. , Thesis (MSc) (Applied Remote Sensing and GIS) -- University of Fort Hare, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Gwena, Jay
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Geographic information systems http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh90001880 , Remote sensing http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85112798 , Renewable energy sources http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85112837
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19420 , vital:43082
- Description: Issues relating to energy use, renewable energy introduction and climate change have received a lot of attention from governments throughout the world in the past two decades. Many developing nations like South Africa heavily rely on coal and other non-renewable resources for their production of energy. The processing of the non-renewable resources into secondary energy forms is according to many energy experts a chief contributor to climate change. Climate change is affecting agricultural production in many developing countries that entirely rely on rainfall for their production. The loss in production in South Africa is increasing the level of poverty in low-income earners and unemployed people. Also a lot of households found in rural areas of South Africa have no access to electricity. Electricity in South Africa is generated and distributed by Eskom a state owned company. In April 2008 Eskom failed to meet power demand and started introducing load shedding to maintain and upgrade their power plants. The load shedding stopped for while and was introduced again in 2014 when the power utility faced the challenge of failing to produce power to meet demand again due to problems with their power stations. The ongoing energy provision problems in South Africa can be alleviated by introducing alternative sources like renewable energy. Introduction of renewable energy in poorly developed areas like Nkonkobe Municipality can help households‘ access electricity and reduce load on the national grid. The aim of this study was to locate suitable sites for setting up wind farms in Nkonkobe municipality in South Africa. Wind energy as a resource is abundant in many areas of South Africa and areas to set wind farms for optimum harness of wind power were identified using GIS, remote sensing and multi-criteria decision making techniques. Wind speed, distance from settlements, distance from main roads, distance from national, slope and land use/land cover were chosen as the factors to consider in selecting a suitable site. Data was collected from South Africa Weather Services, University of Fort Hare and online free data sources. Thematic maps for all the factors were developed in ArcGIS and fed into Nkonkobe Municipality database developed for the study. Thematic maps were assigned weights before being overlaid using weighted overlay tool. Weights for the factors were determined using Analytical hierarchy Process‘ pairwise comparison approach. Weighted overlay of the thematic maps produced a map showing suitable areas based on the weight influence of each factor. The output map was compared to results obtained from using Boolean approach and weighted sum method as a way of checking the accuracy of obtained suitable sites. Results showed there are three sites that can be used for setting up wind farms in the study area. , Thesis (MSc) (Applied Remote Sensing and GIS) -- University of Fort Hare, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Using assessment strategically to gestate a student thesis
- Authors: Grant, Carolyn
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281164 , vital:55698 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC153523"
- Description: In the context of higher education in South Africa and drawing on the author's experience as a lecturer in two higher education institutions (HEIs), this article presents her attempts to bring together - and into balance - teaching, supervision and research in an endeavour to offer a transformative learning experience for her post graduate students. It does this by foregrounding student assessment in the Master of Education (MEd) degree in the field of Educational Leadership and Management (ELM) where the development of a half thesis, underpinned by research, stands as the evidence of success. The author suggests that the MEd (ELM) degree be conceptualised differently in order that the half thesis be permitted to gestate over a two-year period. Within this conceptualisation, she argues that inspired teaching and meaningful research is best attained through a community of learning approach which seeks to foreground participatory learning, the advancement of scholarly discourse and the development of student agency. Through the use of a case study, the author provides evidence to suggest that a range of authentic assessment strategies which are purposeful and in alignment with the teaching strategies, the content and the intended outcomes of the qualification being taught are essential. She further argues that well-crafted, formative, recursive and sustainable feedback is an essential part of the gestation process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Grant, Carolyn
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281164 , vital:55698 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC153523"
- Description: In the context of higher education in South Africa and drawing on the author's experience as a lecturer in two higher education institutions (HEIs), this article presents her attempts to bring together - and into balance - teaching, supervision and research in an endeavour to offer a transformative learning experience for her post graduate students. It does this by foregrounding student assessment in the Master of Education (MEd) degree in the field of Educational Leadership and Management (ELM) where the development of a half thesis, underpinned by research, stands as the evidence of success. The author suggests that the MEd (ELM) degree be conceptualised differently in order that the half thesis be permitted to gestate over a two-year period. Within this conceptualisation, she argues that inspired teaching and meaningful research is best attained through a community of learning approach which seeks to foreground participatory learning, the advancement of scholarly discourse and the development of student agency. Through the use of a case study, the author provides evidence to suggest that a range of authentic assessment strategies which are purposeful and in alignment with the teaching strategies, the content and the intended outcomes of the qualification being taught are essential. She further argues that well-crafted, formative, recursive and sustainable feedback is an essential part of the gestation process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Using a unified invasion framework to characterize Africa’s first loricariid catfish invasion
- Jones, Roy W, Weyl, Olaf L F, Hill, Martin P, Swartz, Ernest R
- Authors: Jones, Roy W , Weyl, Olaf L F , Hill, Martin P , Swartz, Ernest R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418081 , vital:71507 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0438-7"
- Description: This paper presents evidence of establishment of a loricariid population in the Nseleni River in South Africa and uses a unified framework to determine its invasion stage. Specimens were identified morphologically as Pterygioplichthys disjunctivus (Weber 1991), but genetic barcoding results indicated close association with specimens that may have a hybrid history. The species was introduced into South Africa via the pet trade and the first record of introduction into the wild was in 2004. Samples collected in 2011 and 2012 demonstrated that there were multiple length cohorts in the population including juveniles (12–130 mm total length TL) and large (>300 mm TL) adult fish. Gonadal assessment of adults demonstrated the presence of reproduction capable specimens. The concurrent occurrence of mature adults and juvenile fish demonstrated establishment. Locality records indicate that P. disjunctivus has already spread between two rivers through an inter basin water transfer. Using a unified framework for invasions this invasion was categorized as a self-sustaining population in the wild with individuals surviving and reproducing a significant distance from their original point of introduction. Containment is suggested as potential management strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Jones, Roy W , Weyl, Olaf L F , Hill, Martin P , Swartz, Ernest R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418081 , vital:71507 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0438-7"
- Description: This paper presents evidence of establishment of a loricariid population in the Nseleni River in South Africa and uses a unified framework to determine its invasion stage. Specimens were identified morphologically as Pterygioplichthys disjunctivus (Weber 1991), but genetic barcoding results indicated close association with specimens that may have a hybrid history. The species was introduced into South Africa via the pet trade and the first record of introduction into the wild was in 2004. Samples collected in 2011 and 2012 demonstrated that there were multiple length cohorts in the population including juveniles (12–130 mm total length TL) and large (>300 mm TL) adult fish. Gonadal assessment of adults demonstrated the presence of reproduction capable specimens. The concurrent occurrence of mature adults and juvenile fish demonstrated establishment. Locality records indicate that P. disjunctivus has already spread between two rivers through an inter basin water transfer. Using a unified framework for invasions this invasion was categorized as a self-sustaining population in the wild with individuals surviving and reproducing a significant distance from their original point of introduction. Containment is suggested as potential management strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Use patterns and value of savanna resources in three rural villages in South Africa
- Shackleton, Sheona E, Shackleton, Charlie M, Netshiluvhi, T R, Geach, B S, Ballance, A, Fairbanks, D H K
- Authors: Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M , Netshiluvhi, T R , Geach, B S , Ballance, A , Fairbanks, D H K
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182384 , vital:43825 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2002)056[0130:UPAVOS]2.0.CO;2"
- Description: Rural communities in South Africa harvest a diversity of wild resources from communal woodlands for home consumption and sale. The contribution these resources make to the rural economy has been little recognized, and few studies have attempted to place a monetary value on this use. This paper describes three case studies which aimed to determine the value of savanna resources for the livelihoods of rural households. Use patterns and values of resources in three villages of differing socioeconomic status were determined using household interviews, PRA techniques and key informant interviews. Questions were designed to establish the types of products used, frequency of use, quantities used, seasonality of use, longevity of durable resources, local prices, and the extent of trade. All households were procuring at least some woodland resources, with the most frequently used being fuel wood, wood for implements, edible herbs and fruits, grass for brushes, and insects. Patterns of resource use varied across villages. The most “rural” village used the greatest diversity of resources and had the highest number of users for most resources. Gross value of resources consumed per household per year ranged from R28I9 to R7238. Total value was highest in the less obviously resource dependent village, primarily the result of higher local prices due to greater extraction costs and a larger market for traded goods. Values are comparable to those contributed by other land-based livelihood activities such as subsistence cultivation and livestock production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M , Netshiluvhi, T R , Geach, B S , Ballance, A , Fairbanks, D H K
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182384 , vital:43825 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2002)056[0130:UPAVOS]2.0.CO;2"
- Description: Rural communities in South Africa harvest a diversity of wild resources from communal woodlands for home consumption and sale. The contribution these resources make to the rural economy has been little recognized, and few studies have attempted to place a monetary value on this use. This paper describes three case studies which aimed to determine the value of savanna resources for the livelihoods of rural households. Use patterns and values of resources in three villages of differing socioeconomic status were determined using household interviews, PRA techniques and key informant interviews. Questions were designed to establish the types of products used, frequency of use, quantities used, seasonality of use, longevity of durable resources, local prices, and the extent of trade. All households were procuring at least some woodland resources, with the most frequently used being fuel wood, wood for implements, edible herbs and fruits, grass for brushes, and insects. Patterns of resource use varied across villages. The most “rural” village used the greatest diversity of resources and had the highest number of users for most resources. Gross value of resources consumed per household per year ranged from R28I9 to R7238. Total value was highest in the less obviously resource dependent village, primarily the result of higher local prices due to greater extraction costs and a larger market for traded goods. Values are comparable to those contributed by other land-based livelihood activities such as subsistence cultivation and livestock production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Use of public urban green spaces for spiritual services in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Ngulani, T, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Ngulani, T , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179710 , vital:43163 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.11.009"
- Description: Urban green spaces provide an array of ecosystem services. Spiritual services provided by urban green spaces are widely used, but are often overlooked and rarely quantified. These services are accessed at sites of specific religious or sacred significance or more general urban green spaces used for religious practices that require natural or semi-natural, outdoor settings. We sampled twelve public green spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to determine their use as sites for religious gatherings, interviewed visitors to green spaces and religious congregants about such and used the travel cost method to assign a value to the green spaces for spiritual benefits. Religious gatherings were observed in all twelve sampled green spaces, and 7% of a random sample of visitors to the urban green spaces said that they participated in such. Amongst the worshippers, 71% said worshipping outdoors was part of their religious practices and 29% said they did so because they had no building in which to worship. Most (79%) worshipped in public green spaces 1–4 times per week. Many felt that it would be easier if the city council designated specific and quiet areas in public green spaces for their religious observances, which they could then help maintain. The mean value of spiritual services was determined to be US$93 ± 79 /ha/yr, and tended to be highest in the high density, poorer suburbs. These results reveal the significance of urban green spaces for spiritual purposes and indicate the need for greater recognition amongst researchers and city planners and authorities to secure and maintain such benefit flows.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ngulani, T , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179710 , vital:43163 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.11.009"
- Description: Urban green spaces provide an array of ecosystem services. Spiritual services provided by urban green spaces are widely used, but are often overlooked and rarely quantified. These services are accessed at sites of specific religious or sacred significance or more general urban green spaces used for religious practices that require natural or semi-natural, outdoor settings. We sampled twelve public green spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to determine their use as sites for religious gatherings, interviewed visitors to green spaces and religious congregants about such and used the travel cost method to assign a value to the green spaces for spiritual benefits. Religious gatherings were observed in all twelve sampled green spaces, and 7% of a random sample of visitors to the urban green spaces said that they participated in such. Amongst the worshippers, 71% said worshipping outdoors was part of their religious practices and 29% said they did so because they had no building in which to worship. Most (79%) worshipped in public green spaces 1–4 times per week. Many felt that it would be easier if the city council designated specific and quiet areas in public green spaces for their religious observances, which they could then help maintain. The mean value of spiritual services was determined to be US$93 ± 79 /ha/yr, and tended to be highest in the high density, poorer suburbs. These results reveal the significance of urban green spaces for spiritual purposes and indicate the need for greater recognition amongst researchers and city planners and authorities to secure and maintain such benefit flows.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Use of Information Communication Technology for personal information management by University of Fort Hare students in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities
- Mafu, Phumelela https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-3150-0828
- Authors: Mafu, Phumelela https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-3150-0828
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Information technology , Personal information management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20992 , vital:46884
- Description: This study investigated information communication technology for personal information management by the University of Fort Hare (UFH) students in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH). The objectives were to: find out which information communication technology applications and tools the students often use to acquire personal information; determine at what stage the students often experience a high influx of personal information and how to cope with the technology, and establish the challenges the students encounter when using information communication technology to manage personal information. The aim was to assess information communication technology for personal information management by UFH students in the FSSH. A sample of sixty respondents was randomly selected to represent a large population hoping that the results could be generalized to all FSSH students and make predictions. A quantitative research approach was chosen, utilizing the survey design and the Theory of Planned Behavior because of attitudes, behavioral control, and subjective norm. The findings reveal that 55percent of the students prefer to use portable devices, laptops to be specific to access and store information. Even though there are many search engines, 93percent of the students often use Google to search and access academic purposes on the internet. Their primary reason is that it is easy to access, download, and store information from Google. It was also established that 26percent of the students face challenges such as slow internet or damaged computers, unavailability of Wi-Fi, and crowded computer labs. This hindered their learning process. As a result, out of desperation, racing against time to submit assignments, students end up committing plagiarism. Moreover, the study's findings showed that 50percent of the students encounter information overload before they write their exams because, at this point, they are working towards collecting as much information as possible to be prepared for the exams. Furthermore, the study affirmed that 57percent of the students agree that possessing computer skills helps students in their academic journey and confirmed that students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds lack of computer skills negatively affect their academic performance. They need a quantum leap to acquire computer skills imperative for their information access, engagement, consumption, and knowledge production. , Thesis (MLIS) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Science and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
- Authors: Mafu, Phumelela https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-3150-0828
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Information technology , Personal information management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20992 , vital:46884
- Description: This study investigated information communication technology for personal information management by the University of Fort Hare (UFH) students in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH). The objectives were to: find out which information communication technology applications and tools the students often use to acquire personal information; determine at what stage the students often experience a high influx of personal information and how to cope with the technology, and establish the challenges the students encounter when using information communication technology to manage personal information. The aim was to assess information communication technology for personal information management by UFH students in the FSSH. A sample of sixty respondents was randomly selected to represent a large population hoping that the results could be generalized to all FSSH students and make predictions. A quantitative research approach was chosen, utilizing the survey design and the Theory of Planned Behavior because of attitudes, behavioral control, and subjective norm. The findings reveal that 55percent of the students prefer to use portable devices, laptops to be specific to access and store information. Even though there are many search engines, 93percent of the students often use Google to search and access academic purposes on the internet. Their primary reason is that it is easy to access, download, and store information from Google. It was also established that 26percent of the students face challenges such as slow internet or damaged computers, unavailability of Wi-Fi, and crowded computer labs. This hindered their learning process. As a result, out of desperation, racing against time to submit assignments, students end up committing plagiarism. Moreover, the study's findings showed that 50percent of the students encounter information overload before they write their exams because, at this point, they are working towards collecting as much information as possible to be prepared for the exams. Furthermore, the study affirmed that 57percent of the students agree that possessing computer skills helps students in their academic journey and confirmed that students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds lack of computer skills negatively affect their academic performance. They need a quantum leap to acquire computer skills imperative for their information access, engagement, consumption, and knowledge production. , Thesis (MLIS) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Science and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
Use of flow reactors for an improved synthesis of Tenofovir derivatives
- Authors: Sonti, Thembela
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Antiviral agents -- South Africa , HIV infections –Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61190 , vital:69792
- Description: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a prescription drug used to treat and prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. It aids in the reduction of HIV in the body, allowing the immune system to function more effectively. This reduces the risk of HIV complications, such as infections, whilst improving the quality of life. TDF belongs to the nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors category of drugs. These drugs limit the ability of the reverse transcriptase, an enzyme essential for each virus to replicate itself. A reduction in the cost of HIV treatment could improve supply security and make it more accessible to patients in need. Thus, this project aims to use flow technology to achieve a guaranteed supply chain and access. In this thesis, a method for the synthesis of TDF was developed using microreactors starting from the readily available adenine. The method was adapted from the traditional batch synthesis as currently there is no literature on the synthesis of TDF in flow chemistry. The batch methods used for the synthesis of the working standards were successfully translated to flow systems. For the best results to be obtained, optimisation of the reaction temperature, reagent molar equivalents and concentration was critical. From the optimisation studies, an improvement in conversion is evident throughout all stages. The flow synthesis of the first intermediate resulted in a conversion of 100 % in N,N-dimethylformamide in 6 min residence time. This study was conducted at 200 °C, which is higher than the boiling point of the solvent with the aid of a back pressure regulator. A key reagent in the synthesis of tenofovir, namely ((tosyloxy)methyl)phosphonic acid, had to be synthesised and it was successfully produced in 96 % yield. The second intermediate was synthesised through a successful coupling reaction between (R)-9-(2-hydroxypropyl)adenine and ((tosyloxy)methyl)- phosphonic acid, which afforded a 100 % conversion of tenofovir in 20 min total residence time. The multistep synthesis of tenofovir was a success as it afforded a 65 % overall conversion. The prodrug TDF was successfully synthesised at 120 °C with a 30 min residence time, yielding a conversion of 100 %. ii | P a g e This thesis consists of four chapters. Chapter one describes the background on HIV and a literature review on HIV drugs. This chapter also demonstrates flow chemistry and microreactors in detail and different routes for the synthesis of TDF in traditional batch methods. Chapter two provides a detailed methodology for batch synthesis and flow synthesis with analytical data. 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy was used to evaluate all the compounds synthesised in this chapter. Chapter three thoroughly discusses the results that were obtained graphically, showing that the flow synthesis gives better yields than batch synthesis. In chapter 4, the conclusion of the whole investigation is stated along with the future work for the preparation of TDF. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Sonti, Thembela
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Antiviral agents -- South Africa , HIV infections –Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61190 , vital:69792
- Description: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a prescription drug used to treat and prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. It aids in the reduction of HIV in the body, allowing the immune system to function more effectively. This reduces the risk of HIV complications, such as infections, whilst improving the quality of life. TDF belongs to the nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors category of drugs. These drugs limit the ability of the reverse transcriptase, an enzyme essential for each virus to replicate itself. A reduction in the cost of HIV treatment could improve supply security and make it more accessible to patients in need. Thus, this project aims to use flow technology to achieve a guaranteed supply chain and access. In this thesis, a method for the synthesis of TDF was developed using microreactors starting from the readily available adenine. The method was adapted from the traditional batch synthesis as currently there is no literature on the synthesis of TDF in flow chemistry. The batch methods used for the synthesis of the working standards were successfully translated to flow systems. For the best results to be obtained, optimisation of the reaction temperature, reagent molar equivalents and concentration was critical. From the optimisation studies, an improvement in conversion is evident throughout all stages. The flow synthesis of the first intermediate resulted in a conversion of 100 % in N,N-dimethylformamide in 6 min residence time. This study was conducted at 200 °C, which is higher than the boiling point of the solvent with the aid of a back pressure regulator. A key reagent in the synthesis of tenofovir, namely ((tosyloxy)methyl)phosphonic acid, had to be synthesised and it was successfully produced in 96 % yield. The second intermediate was synthesised through a successful coupling reaction between (R)-9-(2-hydroxypropyl)adenine and ((tosyloxy)methyl)- phosphonic acid, which afforded a 100 % conversion of tenofovir in 20 min total residence time. The multistep synthesis of tenofovir was a success as it afforded a 65 % overall conversion. The prodrug TDF was successfully synthesised at 120 °C with a 30 min residence time, yielding a conversion of 100 %. ii | P a g e This thesis consists of four chapters. Chapter one describes the background on HIV and a literature review on HIV drugs. This chapter also demonstrates flow chemistry and microreactors in detail and different routes for the synthesis of TDF in traditional batch methods. Chapter two provides a detailed methodology for batch synthesis and flow synthesis with analytical data. 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy was used to evaluate all the compounds synthesised in this chapter. Chapter three thoroughly discusses the results that were obtained graphically, showing that the flow synthesis gives better yields than batch synthesis. In chapter 4, the conclusion of the whole investigation is stated along with the future work for the preparation of TDF. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Use of cobalt (II) phthalocyanine to improve the sensitivity and stability of glassy carbon electrodes for the detection of cresols, chlorophenols and phenol
- Mafatle, Tsukutlane J, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mafatle, Tsukutlane J , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/293335 , vital:57076 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(97)00464-9"
- Description: A cobalt(II) phthalocyanine-modified glassy carbon electrode (CoPc-GCE) was used for the detection of o-, m- and p-cresols, and of 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and phenol. Modification of the glassy carbon electrode with CoPc increases the oxidation currents of these species and increases the stability of the electrode. CoPc-GCE showed less fouling by the oxidation products of these compounds than the unmodified GCE. Comparison of some first row transition metal phthalocyanines showed the following trend for the enhancement of the currents for the oxidation of cresols and phenols: Co(II)Pc > Mn(II)Pc > Fe(II)Pc > Ni(II)Pc > Cu(II)Pc > H2Pc > Zn(II)Pc > GCE. When [Co(II)TSPc]4− (TSPc=tetrasulfo Pc) was added to aqueous solutions containing the cresols and phenols, an enhancement of the oxidation currents was also observed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Mafatle, Tsukutlane J , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/293335 , vital:57076 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(97)00464-9"
- Description: A cobalt(II) phthalocyanine-modified glassy carbon electrode (CoPc-GCE) was used for the detection of o-, m- and p-cresols, and of 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and phenol. Modification of the glassy carbon electrode with CoPc increases the oxidation currents of these species and increases the stability of the electrode. CoPc-GCE showed less fouling by the oxidation products of these compounds than the unmodified GCE. Comparison of some first row transition metal phthalocyanines showed the following trend for the enhancement of the currents for the oxidation of cresols and phenols: Co(II)Pc > Mn(II)Pc > Fe(II)Pc > Ni(II)Pc > Cu(II)Pc > H2Pc > Zn(II)Pc > GCE. When [Co(II)TSPc]4− (TSPc=tetrasulfo Pc) was added to aqueous solutions containing the cresols and phenols, an enhancement of the oxidation currents was also observed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Use and users of municipal commonage around three small towns in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Davenport, Nicholas A, Shackleton, Charlie M, Gambiza, James
- Authors: Davenport, Nicholas A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gambiza, James
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181116 , vital:43700 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.11.003"
- Description: Municipal commonages surround many small towns throughout South Africa, and are an integral component of the national land reform programme. But little is known about their extent, use or value, and most appear to have limited or no management or investment. This paper reports on a survey of randomly selected households in three small towns in the Eastern Cape to ascertain the extent and purpose of use of municipal commonages. Between 27% and 70% of urban households used commonage depending on site. Key resources used were fuelwood, medicinal plants, and grazing of livestock. Typically, commonage using households were poorer and less educated than other urban residents, although the profile of users is unique for each town. Given the extensive use of commonage resources, and their contribution to the livelihoods of the poor, local municipalities need to develop and implement sound management strategies that account for all users of commonages, rather than the oft encountered focus on livestock owners and production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Davenport, Nicholas A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gambiza, James
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181116 , vital:43700 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.11.003"
- Description: Municipal commonages surround many small towns throughout South Africa, and are an integral component of the national land reform programme. But little is known about their extent, use or value, and most appear to have limited or no management or investment. This paper reports on a survey of randomly selected households in three small towns in the Eastern Cape to ascertain the extent and purpose of use of municipal commonages. Between 27% and 70% of urban households used commonage depending on site. Key resources used were fuelwood, medicinal plants, and grazing of livestock. Typically, commonage using households were poorer and less educated than other urban residents, although the profile of users is unique for each town. Given the extensive use of commonage resources, and their contribution to the livelihoods of the poor, local municipalities need to develop and implement sound management strategies that account for all users of commonages, rather than the oft encountered focus on livestock owners and production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Usage of traditional medicines and other indigenous practices by childbearing women during pregnancy in Makoni District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chituku, Sibongile
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- Zimbabwe , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20142 , vital:45347
- Description: Use of traditional medicinal plants (TMPs) during pregnancy, labour and delivery is common globally although evidence on their therapeutic effectiveness and safety is scarce. Research relating to indigenous practices and utilisation of traditional medicinal plants by childbearing women during pregnancy in Makoni District, Zimbabwe was carried out. The study included identification of culturally important indigenous knowledge (IK) practices and TMPs used by pregnant women in order to understand how such plants and practices may affect maternal, foetal, labour, and infant outcomes. Four hundred questionnaires were distributed to postnatal mothers in Makoni District, aimed at obtaining information on IK practices associated with utilisation of TMPs by childbearing women during pregnancy. In addition to this, five focused group discussions were carried out between September 2016 and December 2017 with 66 traditional healers from Makoni District. Documented information included names of utilised plants, plant parts used, dosage, methods of preparation and administration, and reasons for use. Voucher specimens of the utilised plant species were collected. Brine shrimp lethality test was used to evaluate potential toxicity of the documented plant species. The collected data were analysed used Epi info version 7.1 and SPSS version 16.5. Quantitative data revealed that 168 (42.0percent) of pregnant women in Makoni District use TMPs and 95 (23.8percent) used traditional practices (including elephant dung) for maternal and childcare. Among the women who used TMPs were those who experienced precipitated and prolonged labour. Correlation was found between demographic factors and utilisation of TMPs. For example, being a Christian was significantly associated with using TMPs with relative risk (RR) value of 8.9. Postnatal mothers who used TMPs during their pregnancy were 82.0percent less likely to have their membranes ruptured artificially, RR = 0.2 and more likely to experience late decelerations during active phase (RR = 2.8) than those who did not use TMPs. The differences between those who used TMPs and those who did not during pregnancy and labour, showed no significant differences in infant outcomes. The ethnobotanical survey revealed that a total of 47 plant species from 27 families and 13 non-plant products were used as herbal, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) by pregnant women. More than half of all the documented plant species (59.8percent), belonged to the Fabaceae (19.1), Asteraceae, (8.5percent), Convolvulaceae (6.4percent), Asparagaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Rubiaceae, Vitaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae (4.3percent each) families. The most used plants were shrubs (40.4percent), trees (27.7percent), climbers (17.0percent), herbs (12.8percent) and a grasses (2.1percent). The most used plant parts were roots (61.7percent), leaves (25.5percent), fruits (12.8percent) and bark (10.6percent). A total of 26 medical conditions were treated with the majority of medicinal plants used to dilate or widen the birth canal (55.3percent) and to augment labour or speed up the delivery process (46.8percent). Interviews with traditional healers revealed that 14.9percent of the documented herbal medicines were used to guard against witchcraft and to prevent the infants’ illnesses. Other major uses of herbal medicines during pregnancy included their use to lower blood pressure or hypertension during pregnancy (12.8percent), to prevent caesarean section (10.6percent) and to loosen or relax muscles during pregnancy (8.5percent). Widely used non-plant products included soil of a burrowing mole (relative frequency citation (RFC) value of 0.61), elephant dung (RFC = 0.59), wasp nest (RFC = 0.32) and soap (RFC = 25). The majority of these non-plant products (22.8percent) were used to dilate birth canal (7.6percent) and augment labour (15.2percent). None of the twenty-five species with (RFC) > 0.05 evaluated for potential toxicity were categorised as toxic, but Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis were categorised as having medium toxicity levels, nine species as having low toxicity levels while 13 species were categorised as non-toxic. This study provides valuable insights into the use of medicinal plants used by women during pregnancy, labour, delivery and post-delivery in Makoni District, Zimbabwe. Medicinal plants play an integral role in the provision of basic health care in Zimbabwe. However, the brine shrimp lethality test results categorised some of the prescribed species such as Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis as having medium levels of toxicity and this is a cause of concern regarding utilization of TMPs during pregnancy. Therefore, TMPs used during pregnancy should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological experiments aimed at identifying some of the potential toxic compounds and side effects associated with intake of TMPs and associated herbal products. , Thesis (PhD(Nursing)) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
- Authors: Chituku, Sibongile
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- Zimbabwe , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20142 , vital:45347
- Description: Use of traditional medicinal plants (TMPs) during pregnancy, labour and delivery is common globally although evidence on their therapeutic effectiveness and safety is scarce. Research relating to indigenous practices and utilisation of traditional medicinal plants by childbearing women during pregnancy in Makoni District, Zimbabwe was carried out. The study included identification of culturally important indigenous knowledge (IK) practices and TMPs used by pregnant women in order to understand how such plants and practices may affect maternal, foetal, labour, and infant outcomes. Four hundred questionnaires were distributed to postnatal mothers in Makoni District, aimed at obtaining information on IK practices associated with utilisation of TMPs by childbearing women during pregnancy. In addition to this, five focused group discussions were carried out between September 2016 and December 2017 with 66 traditional healers from Makoni District. Documented information included names of utilised plants, plant parts used, dosage, methods of preparation and administration, and reasons for use. Voucher specimens of the utilised plant species were collected. Brine shrimp lethality test was used to evaluate potential toxicity of the documented plant species. The collected data were analysed used Epi info version 7.1 and SPSS version 16.5. Quantitative data revealed that 168 (42.0percent) of pregnant women in Makoni District use TMPs and 95 (23.8percent) used traditional practices (including elephant dung) for maternal and childcare. Among the women who used TMPs were those who experienced precipitated and prolonged labour. Correlation was found between demographic factors and utilisation of TMPs. For example, being a Christian was significantly associated with using TMPs with relative risk (RR) value of 8.9. Postnatal mothers who used TMPs during their pregnancy were 82.0percent less likely to have their membranes ruptured artificially, RR = 0.2 and more likely to experience late decelerations during active phase (RR = 2.8) than those who did not use TMPs. The differences between those who used TMPs and those who did not during pregnancy and labour, showed no significant differences in infant outcomes. The ethnobotanical survey revealed that a total of 47 plant species from 27 families and 13 non-plant products were used as herbal, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) by pregnant women. More than half of all the documented plant species (59.8percent), belonged to the Fabaceae (19.1), Asteraceae, (8.5percent), Convolvulaceae (6.4percent), Asparagaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Rubiaceae, Vitaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae (4.3percent each) families. The most used plants were shrubs (40.4percent), trees (27.7percent), climbers (17.0percent), herbs (12.8percent) and a grasses (2.1percent). The most used plant parts were roots (61.7percent), leaves (25.5percent), fruits (12.8percent) and bark (10.6percent). A total of 26 medical conditions were treated with the majority of medicinal plants used to dilate or widen the birth canal (55.3percent) and to augment labour or speed up the delivery process (46.8percent). Interviews with traditional healers revealed that 14.9percent of the documented herbal medicines were used to guard against witchcraft and to prevent the infants’ illnesses. Other major uses of herbal medicines during pregnancy included their use to lower blood pressure or hypertension during pregnancy (12.8percent), to prevent caesarean section (10.6percent) and to loosen or relax muscles during pregnancy (8.5percent). Widely used non-plant products included soil of a burrowing mole (relative frequency citation (RFC) value of 0.61), elephant dung (RFC = 0.59), wasp nest (RFC = 0.32) and soap (RFC = 25). The majority of these non-plant products (22.8percent) were used to dilate birth canal (7.6percent) and augment labour (15.2percent). None of the twenty-five species with (RFC) > 0.05 evaluated for potential toxicity were categorised as toxic, but Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis were categorised as having medium toxicity levels, nine species as having low toxicity levels while 13 species were categorised as non-toxic. This study provides valuable insights into the use of medicinal plants used by women during pregnancy, labour, delivery and post-delivery in Makoni District, Zimbabwe. Medicinal plants play an integral role in the provision of basic health care in Zimbabwe. However, the brine shrimp lethality test results categorised some of the prescribed species such as Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis as having medium levels of toxicity and this is a cause of concern regarding utilization of TMPs during pregnancy. Therefore, TMPs used during pregnancy should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological experiments aimed at identifying some of the potential toxic compounds and side effects associated with intake of TMPs and associated herbal products. , Thesis (PhD(Nursing)) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
Usable Security Heuristics for Instant Messaging Application Development
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Craig Michael
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Application software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58506 , vital:59655
- Description: As instant messaging (IM) applications have become more popular, the privacy and security concerns associated with their usage has become ever more relevant. As with many software programs, IM applications have a history of security vulnerabilities. Although IM application usage is globally increasing, it has been found that currently no generally recognised standards exist to aid IM application developers when developing the usability of the security features they implement. The problem is further exacerbated as research suggests that typical users have neither the requisite understanding of the available IM security features, nor the capacity to make full use of those protection features. The primary objective of this study is to create a set of usable security heuristics to assist developers of instant messaging applications to consider the usability of the security features implemented in these applications. This primary objective is further divided into several secondary objectives, which collectively aim to address the proposed problem. Therefore, the secondary objectives are to determine IM security risks and their related implications on users; to identify and investigate existing security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices for mobile application development; to map the identified security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices to IM applications; and to develop a prototype to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. First, a comprehensive literature study is used to determine and understand the information security threats relevant to IM applications, how IM applications operate, the security features implemented by IM applications and the potential impact the relevant information security threats could have on IM application users. Thereafter, a further literature review and content analysis are used to identify and investigate existing heuristics, guidelines, standards, and best practices for mobile application development. The findings from the content analysis, in combination with the previously identified threats to IM applications, are then mapped to IM applications, and a preliminary set of usable security heuristics for IM application development is established. This preliminary set of usable security heuristics undergoes multiple iterations of refinement to establish the proposed set of usable security heuristics for IM application development. Furthermore, an expert review is conducted to validate the proposed set of usable security heuristics from the perspectives of security, usability, and mobile application development. In addition, the expert review was also used to determine the efficacy, utility, and quality of the proposed usable security heuristics. To further validate the proposed heuristics, a proof-of-concept prototype is used, in addition to the expert review, to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed set of usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. Such a set of usable security heuristics would be useful for IM application developers and would result in the vi improved implementation of usable security, leading to an improvement in the security of IM applications. The proposed set of usable security heuristics therefore adds a further contribution to this research area, providing a solid foundation for future research. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Craig Michael
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Application software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58506 , vital:59655
- Description: As instant messaging (IM) applications have become more popular, the privacy and security concerns associated with their usage has become ever more relevant. As with many software programs, IM applications have a history of security vulnerabilities. Although IM application usage is globally increasing, it has been found that currently no generally recognised standards exist to aid IM application developers when developing the usability of the security features they implement. The problem is further exacerbated as research suggests that typical users have neither the requisite understanding of the available IM security features, nor the capacity to make full use of those protection features. The primary objective of this study is to create a set of usable security heuristics to assist developers of instant messaging applications to consider the usability of the security features implemented in these applications. This primary objective is further divided into several secondary objectives, which collectively aim to address the proposed problem. Therefore, the secondary objectives are to determine IM security risks and their related implications on users; to identify and investigate existing security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices for mobile application development; to map the identified security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices to IM applications; and to develop a prototype to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. First, a comprehensive literature study is used to determine and understand the information security threats relevant to IM applications, how IM applications operate, the security features implemented by IM applications and the potential impact the relevant information security threats could have on IM application users. Thereafter, a further literature review and content analysis are used to identify and investigate existing heuristics, guidelines, standards, and best practices for mobile application development. The findings from the content analysis, in combination with the previously identified threats to IM applications, are then mapped to IM applications, and a preliminary set of usable security heuristics for IM application development is established. This preliminary set of usable security heuristics undergoes multiple iterations of refinement to establish the proposed set of usable security heuristics for IM application development. Furthermore, an expert review is conducted to validate the proposed set of usable security heuristics from the perspectives of security, usability, and mobile application development. In addition, the expert review was also used to determine the efficacy, utility, and quality of the proposed usable security heuristics. To further validate the proposed heuristics, a proof-of-concept prototype is used, in addition to the expert review, to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed set of usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. Such a set of usable security heuristics would be useful for IM application developers and would result in the vi improved implementation of usable security, leading to an improvement in the security of IM applications. The proposed set of usable security heuristics therefore adds a further contribution to this research area, providing a solid foundation for future research. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Ursolic Acid and its derivatives as bioactive agents
- Mlala, Sithenkosi, Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi, Gondwe, Mavuto, Oyedeji, Opeoluwa Oyehan
- Authors: Mlala, Sithenkosi , Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi , Gondwe, Mavuto , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa Oyehan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Noncommunicable diseases , Pentacyclic triterpenoids , Ursolic acid , Clinical trials
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1576 , vital:37793 , https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24152751
- Description: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases continue to be threatening and deadly to human kind. Resistance to and side effects of known drugs for treatment further increase the threat, while at the same time leaving scientists to search for alternative sources from nature, especially from plants. Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PT) from medicinal plants have been identified as one class of secondary metabolites that could play a critical role in the treatment and management of several NCDs. One of such PT is ursolic acid (UA, 3 β-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid), which possesses important biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant and antibacterial effects, but its bioavailability and solubility limits its clinical application. Mimusops caffra, Ilex paraguarieni, and Glechoma hederacea, have been reported as major sources of UA. The chemistry of UA has been studied extensively based on the literature, with modifications mostly having been made at positions C-3 (hydroxyl), C12-C13 (double bonds) and C-28 (carboxylic acid), leading to several UA derivatives (esters, amides, oxadiazole quinolone, etc.) with enhanced potency, bioavailability and water solubility. This article comprehensively reviews the information that has become available over the last decade with respect to the sources, chemistry, biological potency and clinical trials of UA and its derivatives as potential therapeutic agents, with a focus on addressing NCD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mlala, Sithenkosi , Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi , Gondwe, Mavuto , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa Oyehan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Noncommunicable diseases , Pentacyclic triterpenoids , Ursolic acid , Clinical trials
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1576 , vital:37793 , https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24152751
- Description: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases continue to be threatening and deadly to human kind. Resistance to and side effects of known drugs for treatment further increase the threat, while at the same time leaving scientists to search for alternative sources from nature, especially from plants. Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PT) from medicinal plants have been identified as one class of secondary metabolites that could play a critical role in the treatment and management of several NCDs. One of such PT is ursolic acid (UA, 3 β-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid), which possesses important biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant and antibacterial effects, but its bioavailability and solubility limits its clinical application. Mimusops caffra, Ilex paraguarieni, and Glechoma hederacea, have been reported as major sources of UA. The chemistry of UA has been studied extensively based on the literature, with modifications mostly having been made at positions C-3 (hydroxyl), C12-C13 (double bonds) and C-28 (carboxylic acid), leading to several UA derivatives (esters, amides, oxadiazole quinolone, etc.) with enhanced potency, bioavailability and water solubility. This article comprehensively reviews the information that has become available over the last decade with respect to the sources, chemistry, biological potency and clinical trials of UA and its derivatives as potential therapeutic agents, with a focus on addressing NCD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Ureaplasma species in the placenta and histopathology associated with preterm birth
- Authors: Sprong, Kaitlin Elizabeth
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54128 , vital:46310
- Description: The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvumand Mycoplasma hominisin the placenta and its role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasma spp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasma spp. in the placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. iiiABSTRACTBackground The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasmaspp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalenceof Ureaplasmaurealyticum,UreaplasmaparvumandMycoplasmahominisin the placenta andits role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasmaspp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasmaspp. inthe placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. MethodsPlacentas were collected from patients presenting with preterm birth (n=100; 28-34 weeks gestational age) and term birth (n=20; >38 weeks) regardless of the APGAR score. Placentas were submitted for histopathology and used for detection of Ureaplasmaspp. by culture (U9 broth, MycoDuo kits;BioRad) and PCR (DNA was extracted from culture and homogenized placental tissue). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp isolates were determined by the SIR Antibiogram kit (BioRad) and microbroth dilution method. Molecular mechanisms of resistance were ascertained by PCR amplification of target genes. Placentas were sent to National Health Laboratory Servicesfor routine histopathology. Next generation sequencing was performed on 16S rRNA amplicons from placental DNA for analysis of microbial diversity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Sprong, Kaitlin Elizabeth
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54128 , vital:46310
- Description: The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvumand Mycoplasma hominisin the placenta and its role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasma spp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasma spp. in the placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. iiiABSTRACTBackground The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasmaspp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalenceof Ureaplasmaurealyticum,UreaplasmaparvumandMycoplasmahominisin the placenta andits role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasmaspp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasmaspp. inthe placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. MethodsPlacentas were collected from patients presenting with preterm birth (n=100; 28-34 weeks gestational age) and term birth (n=20; >38 weeks) regardless of the APGAR score. Placentas were submitted for histopathology and used for detection of Ureaplasmaspp. by culture (U9 broth, MycoDuo kits;BioRad) and PCR (DNA was extracted from culture and homogenized placental tissue). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp isolates were determined by the SIR Antibiogram kit (BioRad) and microbroth dilution method. Molecular mechanisms of resistance were ascertained by PCR amplification of target genes. Placentas were sent to National Health Laboratory Servicesfor routine histopathology. Next generation sequencing was performed on 16S rRNA amplicons from placental DNA for analysis of microbial diversity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Urban street names: An opportunity to examine biocultural relationships?
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182285 , vital:43817 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200891"
- Description: With increasing urbanisation there is concern regarding loss of experience and knowledge of biodiversity amongst urban populations. Yet biodiversity representations are retained in many art and functional forms, including names of places, buildings, institutions and streets. These manifestations offer a window to examine the relationship between humans and their experienced or imagined environment using a biocultural lens. I quantified the current prevalence of urban streets named after animals or plant species, the diversity of species represented, whether they are native or non-native, whether representative of the biome in which the town was situated and the change in prevalence through time. The street names of 48 towns in a one degree wide south-north belt across seven of South African’s biomes were captured and analysed. Of the 4,359 street names, 11.1% were named after plants (218 species) and 5.3% after animals (131 species), although some towns had none and others more than 40%. Approximately half of the plants were native to South Africa, whereas over 80% of the animals were. There was no correspondence between the species composition reflected in street names and the biome in which towns were located. The proportion of streets named after plants or animals has generally increased over the last two hundred years. These results provide insights into the bioculturally defined plants and animals that are valued by past and present urban communities, showing that they are generally from a wider array than can be found or experienced in the local setting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182285 , vital:43817 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200891"
- Description: With increasing urbanisation there is concern regarding loss of experience and knowledge of biodiversity amongst urban populations. Yet biodiversity representations are retained in many art and functional forms, including names of places, buildings, institutions and streets. These manifestations offer a window to examine the relationship between humans and their experienced or imagined environment using a biocultural lens. I quantified the current prevalence of urban streets named after animals or plant species, the diversity of species represented, whether they are native or non-native, whether representative of the biome in which the town was situated and the change in prevalence through time. The street names of 48 towns in a one degree wide south-north belt across seven of South African’s biomes were captured and analysed. Of the 4,359 street names, 11.1% were named after plants (218 species) and 5.3% after animals (131 species), although some towns had none and others more than 40%. Approximately half of the plants were native to South Africa, whereas over 80% of the animals were. There was no correspondence between the species composition reflected in street names and the biome in which towns were located. The proportion of streets named after plants or animals has generally increased over the last two hundred years. These results provide insights into the bioculturally defined plants and animals that are valued by past and present urban communities, showing that they are generally from a wider array than can be found or experienced in the local setting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Urban space production and sustainable development: a case of waterfall city in Gauteng, South Africa
- Authors: Ntakana, Khulekani
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Sustainable urban development -- Gauteng -- South Africa , Gated Communities -- Gauteng -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59633 , vital:62250
- Description: The year 1994 marked the dawn of the new, democratic South Africa. It also brought its own sets of challenges to the country. One such challenge was urban space. Regrettably, the new dispensation inherited still very much race-based urban areas. Urban space is understood to be a social outcome, the result of an historical process, an unequal accumulation of time, a presupposition, and a milieu of social production (Balbim, 2016). The distinguishing feature of urban space in South Africa is the phenomenon of exclusion, which causes deformity, and disappearance of urban structure. Exclusion has become a permanent visual reality in cities in which walled and gated communities divide the urban tissue and take up a large part of the urban space. The social action and struggle against the exclusionary process of globalisation such as the commodification and privatisation of urban space have always been on the international urban agenda. The study’s literature review suggests that government attitudes towards human settlements should change, particularly in terms of policymaking to combat the contemporary urban disparities such as fragmentation (also known as “enclave urbanism”). Fragmented cities do not function as a system but more and more as juxtaposed and uncoordinated fragments drifting apart (Bénit-Gbaffou, 2008). This has an immense impact on several sustainability influencing variables. Urban fragmentation can also have profound effects on human social dynamics and well-being by reducing the number of green spaces in cities. As loss of biodiversity continues, total core area and habitat cohesion decrease while edge density and shape complexity increase. Cities are required to be more sustainable, more accessible, and equal. Cities are now witnessing the emergence of real estate products that are far from achieving the previously mentioned goals, particularly inclusivity. Inclusivity in cities can be achieved by a contemporary urban development approach referred to as ‘inclusive urban space production’. Inclusive urban space production is a pro-poor approach that equally values and incorporates the contributions of all city stakeholders in addressing development issues, including the marginalised groups. The aim of this inquiry was, therefore, to examine factors that influence urban space production to generate a responsive urban space production model, referred to in this study as the “IUSP model”. The study also aimed at examining the role of the state and xx other stakeholders involved in the production of urban space, including the private sector and the community. Participation by all of them is essential to enhance inclusive urban space production for sustainability. A theoretical model for inclusive urban space production was developed based on an intensive literature review. Also, a concurrent partially mixed method design was employed in this inquiry. A study of Waterfall City was conducted to understand exclusive developments and their effect on the larger urban system. And a survey questionnaire was disseminated using random sampling. This was to measure the postulated model. Results from these two concurrent approaches were merged to yield the final model. The findings from the case study were analysed using ATLAS.ti and the findings from the survey questionnaire were analysed using several analyses techniques including EFA, correlation and regression. Both sets of results indicated that the intention to promote inclusive developments is predicted by seventeen dependent variables categorically presented under urban development characteristics, exclusive development enablers, inclusive development barriers, and sustainability criteria. The results of this inquiry are significant because they bring together the interdisciplinary perspectives to discern comprehensively the idea of inclusivity and sustainability in urban space production. The responsive model developed as a key product of this study aims to assist policymakers, planners, designers, landscapers, and developers as a guideline for facilitating inclusive and sustainable urban development. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Ntakana, Khulekani
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Sustainable urban development -- Gauteng -- South Africa , Gated Communities -- Gauteng -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59633 , vital:62250
- Description: The year 1994 marked the dawn of the new, democratic South Africa. It also brought its own sets of challenges to the country. One such challenge was urban space. Regrettably, the new dispensation inherited still very much race-based urban areas. Urban space is understood to be a social outcome, the result of an historical process, an unequal accumulation of time, a presupposition, and a milieu of social production (Balbim, 2016). The distinguishing feature of urban space in South Africa is the phenomenon of exclusion, which causes deformity, and disappearance of urban structure. Exclusion has become a permanent visual reality in cities in which walled and gated communities divide the urban tissue and take up a large part of the urban space. The social action and struggle against the exclusionary process of globalisation such as the commodification and privatisation of urban space have always been on the international urban agenda. The study’s literature review suggests that government attitudes towards human settlements should change, particularly in terms of policymaking to combat the contemporary urban disparities such as fragmentation (also known as “enclave urbanism”). Fragmented cities do not function as a system but more and more as juxtaposed and uncoordinated fragments drifting apart (Bénit-Gbaffou, 2008). This has an immense impact on several sustainability influencing variables. Urban fragmentation can also have profound effects on human social dynamics and well-being by reducing the number of green spaces in cities. As loss of biodiversity continues, total core area and habitat cohesion decrease while edge density and shape complexity increase. Cities are required to be more sustainable, more accessible, and equal. Cities are now witnessing the emergence of real estate products that are far from achieving the previously mentioned goals, particularly inclusivity. Inclusivity in cities can be achieved by a contemporary urban development approach referred to as ‘inclusive urban space production’. Inclusive urban space production is a pro-poor approach that equally values and incorporates the contributions of all city stakeholders in addressing development issues, including the marginalised groups. The aim of this inquiry was, therefore, to examine factors that influence urban space production to generate a responsive urban space production model, referred to in this study as the “IUSP model”. The study also aimed at examining the role of the state and xx other stakeholders involved in the production of urban space, including the private sector and the community. Participation by all of them is essential to enhance inclusive urban space production for sustainability. A theoretical model for inclusive urban space production was developed based on an intensive literature review. Also, a concurrent partially mixed method design was employed in this inquiry. A study of Waterfall City was conducted to understand exclusive developments and their effect on the larger urban system. And a survey questionnaire was disseminated using random sampling. This was to measure the postulated model. Results from these two concurrent approaches were merged to yield the final model. The findings from the case study were analysed using ATLAS.ti and the findings from the survey questionnaire were analysed using several analyses techniques including EFA, correlation and regression. Both sets of results indicated that the intention to promote inclusive developments is predicted by seventeen dependent variables categorically presented under urban development characteristics, exclusive development enablers, inclusive development barriers, and sustainability criteria. The results of this inquiry are significant because they bring together the interdisciplinary perspectives to discern comprehensively the idea of inclusivity and sustainability in urban space production. The responsive model developed as a key product of this study aims to assist policymakers, planners, designers, landscapers, and developers as a guideline for facilitating inclusive and sustainable urban development. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Urban green infrastructure for poverty alleviation: evidence synthesis and conceptual considerations
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401383 , vital:69730 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.710549"
- Description: The multiple benefits of urban green infrastructure (UGI) that support sustainable cities are increasingly acknowledged, and yet the bulk of research over the past decade or so has focused on only a small subset of the numerous benefits, notably recreation, physical and mental health, and regulating services. In contrast, there is very little information on the contribution of UGI to several of the other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in particular SDG 1 of reducing poverty, despite the pervasiveness of poverty globally. This paper considers the diverse direct and indirect ways in which UGI can contribute to poverty alleviation, drawing on the limited evidence from various regions of the world. The direct links between UGI and poverty alleviation is via three means, namely provision of (1) consumptive or provisioning goods such as wild foods and firewood, (2) employment in UGI development, maintenance, and restoration, and (3) land for urban agriculture, income generation and dwelling. There are also a number of indirect links such as cash savings, improved physical and mental health, improved social networks, improved educational outcomes, and regulation of potential natural disasters. However, the commonly unequal distribution of UGI within and between cities means that the poverty alleviation potential and benefits are inequitably distributed, often against those who are most in need of them, i.e., the urban poor. This demands greater attention to promoting the equitable distribution and quality of UGI and mainstreaming of UGI into poverty reduction strategies and programmes and vice versa, as well as greater examination of the links between UGI and poverty alleviation in a greater range of contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Urban green infrastructure for poverty alleviation: evidence synthesis and conceptual considerations
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401383 , vital:69730 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.710549"
- Description: The multiple benefits of urban green infrastructure (UGI) that support sustainable cities are increasingly acknowledged, and yet the bulk of research over the past decade or so has focused on only a small subset of the numerous benefits, notably recreation, physical and mental health, and regulating services. In contrast, there is very little information on the contribution of UGI to several of the other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in particular SDG 1 of reducing poverty, despite the pervasiveness of poverty globally. This paper considers the diverse direct and indirect ways in which UGI can contribute to poverty alleviation, drawing on the limited evidence from various regions of the world. The direct links between UGI and poverty alleviation is via three means, namely provision of (1) consumptive or provisioning goods such as wild foods and firewood, (2) employment in UGI development, maintenance, and restoration, and (3) land for urban agriculture, income generation and dwelling. There are also a number of indirect links such as cash savings, improved physical and mental health, improved social networks, improved educational outcomes, and regulation of potential natural disasters. However, the commonly unequal distribution of UGI within and between cities means that the poverty alleviation potential and benefits are inequitably distributed, often against those who are most in need of them, i.e., the urban poor. This demands greater attention to promoting the equitable distribution and quality of UGI and mainstreaming of UGI into poverty reduction strategies and programmes and vice versa, as well as greater examination of the links between UGI and poverty alleviation in a greater range of contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Urban fuelwood demand and markets in a small town in South Africa: Livelihood vulnerability and alien plant control
- Shackleton, Charlie M, McConnachie, Matthew M, Chauke, Maphambe I, Mentz, J, Sutherland, F, Gambiza, James, Jones, R
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , McConnachie, Matthew M , Chauke, Maphambe I , Mentz, J , Sutherland, F , Gambiza, James , Jones, R
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181224 , vital:43710 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500609469697"
- Description: Fuelwood is the primary energy for most households throughout the developing world. With increasing urbanization and declining local availability of fuelwood, a growing proportion of households obtain their fuelwood by purchasing it. These fuelwood markets are the key nexus in supply and demand scenarios and can be potentially significant points for intervention to address energy security amongst the urban poor. This paper reports on the fuelwood demand and marketing in a small town in South Africa. Despite the availability of more modern fuels and state subsidization of electricity, fuelwood was still used by half the households. Annual demand was 1.2 t per household. Over half of the households bought their fuelwood requirements because local stocks were limited. Those households that did collect their own fuelwood were significantly poorer than households that purchased fuelwood, as well as households that did not use fuelwood at all. Fuelwood markets operated through 45-60 vendors who transported fuelwood from further afield. Income from the fuelwood trade was low, but was strongly linked to hours worked. Thus, vendors working a full week did earn a meaningful income, especially in the context of high unemployment in the area. Fuelwood vendors also provided casual employment opportunities for unskilled labour. Most vendors harvested fuelwood from commonage lands, with most of the wood being from alien species. Local stocks of wood are declining in the face of constant transformation of commonage to residential areas, and a national water and biodiversity conservation programme to eradicate alien plants. This decline poses a threat to the financial viability of fuelwood markets. Yet, an opportunity exists to incorporate the vendors into the alien plant clearing programme, since they already perform such a function.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , McConnachie, Matthew M , Chauke, Maphambe I , Mentz, J , Sutherland, F , Gambiza, James , Jones, R
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181224 , vital:43710 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500609469697"
- Description: Fuelwood is the primary energy for most households throughout the developing world. With increasing urbanization and declining local availability of fuelwood, a growing proportion of households obtain their fuelwood by purchasing it. These fuelwood markets are the key nexus in supply and demand scenarios and can be potentially significant points for intervention to address energy security amongst the urban poor. This paper reports on the fuelwood demand and marketing in a small town in South Africa. Despite the availability of more modern fuels and state subsidization of electricity, fuelwood was still used by half the households. Annual demand was 1.2 t per household. Over half of the households bought their fuelwood requirements because local stocks were limited. Those households that did collect their own fuelwood were significantly poorer than households that purchased fuelwood, as well as households that did not use fuelwood at all. Fuelwood markets operated through 45-60 vendors who transported fuelwood from further afield. Income from the fuelwood trade was low, but was strongly linked to hours worked. Thus, vendors working a full week did earn a meaningful income, especially in the context of high unemployment in the area. Fuelwood vendors also provided casual employment opportunities for unskilled labour. Most vendors harvested fuelwood from commonage lands, with most of the wood being from alien species. Local stocks of wood are declining in the face of constant transformation of commonage to residential areas, and a national water and biodiversity conservation programme to eradicate alien plants. This decline poses a threat to the financial viability of fuelwood markets. Yet, an opportunity exists to incorporate the vendors into the alien plant clearing programme, since they already perform such a function.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Urban forestry–A cinderella science in South Africa?
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183092 , vital:43911 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/10295920609505255"
- Description: The benefits of forests (in their broadest sense) and of trees to the natural environment and rural communities are well known throughout the world, including in South Africa (e.g. see chapters in Lawes et al. 2004). The presence of these benefits has also been extrapolated to urban situations, where natural forests and veld might be left in situ, or trees planted in public spaces, or in private gardens. These benefits span the social, aesthetic, health, environmental and economic spheres.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183092 , vital:43911 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/10295920609505255"
- Description: The benefits of forests (in their broadest sense) and of trees to the natural environment and rural communities are well known throughout the world, including in South Africa (e.g. see chapters in Lawes et al. 2004). The presence of these benefits has also been extrapolated to urban situations, where natural forests and veld might be left in situ, or trees planted in public spaces, or in private gardens. These benefits span the social, aesthetic, health, environmental and economic spheres.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Upwelling over submarine canyons: an in-situ and modelling approach
- Authors: Rautenbach, Gustav
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Oceanography -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52078 , vital:43442
- Description: The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, located along the coastline of northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), hosts South Africa's only tropical coral reef system and is clustered with submarine canyons. These ecosystems support a flourishing diving and pelagic sportfishing industry in the area that contributes tens of millions of rand to the South African Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) annually as well as to provide income and job security for the majority of the local residents. Understanding the oceanographic dynamics, particularly upwelling events, will improve current knowledge of how the ecosystem works and may enhance conservation techniques. The upwelling events within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park results in the influx of cold and nutrient rich waters that supports biological productivity in the area. The complex oceanography, dominated by the Northern Agulhas Current and mesoscale eddies that stem from the Mozambique Channel and South East Madagascar Current (SEMC) is understudied and lacks understanding. This thesis aims to build upon the current knowledge of the upwelling events over the submarine canyons and the concurrent influence on the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD). At the submarine canyons, six anomalous cooling events were identified from surface and subsurface measurements extracted from the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and from data collected using Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) over a 12-month period. Depth-integrated lagged correlations showed a 2-to-7-hour lag period from the deep to shallow stations, suggesting that the anomalous cooling events are in fact upwelling events. Wind measurements from the Mbazwana Weather Station and snapshots of sea-level anomalies illustrated that the weaker and shorter upwelling events are driven either by alongshore wind stress or a cyclonic eddy event solely; whereas the stronger event was driven by the combination of both forcing mechanisms. An idealized canyon ocean model is used to interrogate the two forcing mechanisms more fully and showed that the most intense upwelling events are driven by the combined effect of upwelling-favourable alongshore wind stress and a cyclonic eddy which results in strong upward vertical velocity anomalies and the greatest shallowing (6.88 m) of the MLD. With the contribution of the in-situ measurements as a baseline study it is apparent that the idealised model does provide an improved understanding of the upwelling events and forcing mechanism over the submarine canyons within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ocean Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Rautenbach, Gustav
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Oceanography -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52078 , vital:43442
- Description: The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, located along the coastline of northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), hosts South Africa's only tropical coral reef system and is clustered with submarine canyons. These ecosystems support a flourishing diving and pelagic sportfishing industry in the area that contributes tens of millions of rand to the South African Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) annually as well as to provide income and job security for the majority of the local residents. Understanding the oceanographic dynamics, particularly upwelling events, will improve current knowledge of how the ecosystem works and may enhance conservation techniques. The upwelling events within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park results in the influx of cold and nutrient rich waters that supports biological productivity in the area. The complex oceanography, dominated by the Northern Agulhas Current and mesoscale eddies that stem from the Mozambique Channel and South East Madagascar Current (SEMC) is understudied and lacks understanding. This thesis aims to build upon the current knowledge of the upwelling events over the submarine canyons and the concurrent influence on the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD). At the submarine canyons, six anomalous cooling events were identified from surface and subsurface measurements extracted from the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and from data collected using Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) over a 12-month period. Depth-integrated lagged correlations showed a 2-to-7-hour lag period from the deep to shallow stations, suggesting that the anomalous cooling events are in fact upwelling events. Wind measurements from the Mbazwana Weather Station and snapshots of sea-level anomalies illustrated that the weaker and shorter upwelling events are driven either by alongshore wind stress or a cyclonic eddy event solely; whereas the stronger event was driven by the combination of both forcing mechanisms. An idealized canyon ocean model is used to interrogate the two forcing mechanisms more fully and showed that the most intense upwelling events are driven by the combined effect of upwelling-favourable alongshore wind stress and a cyclonic eddy which results in strong upward vertical velocity anomalies and the greatest shallowing (6.88 m) of the MLD. With the contribution of the in-situ measurements as a baseline study it is apparent that the idealised model does provide an improved understanding of the upwelling events and forcing mechanism over the submarine canyons within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ocean Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04