Unquenched fluorescence lifetime for β-phenylthio substituted zinc phthalocyanine upon conjugation to gold nanoparticles
- Forteath, Shaun, Antunes, Edith M, Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Forteath, Shaun , Antunes, Edith M , Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/245774 , vital:51404 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2011.12.015"
- Description: Photoinduced processes in phthalocyanine-functionalized gold nanoparticles have been investigated by spectroscopic measurements. The zinc phthalocyanine used contained four phenylthio peripheral substituents (ZnPc(SPh)4). The conjugates formed are represented as ZnPc(SPh)4–AuNP. The absorption spectrum of the ZnPc(SPh)4–AuNP shows a broadening of the phthalocyanine Q-band absorption, probably due to a tight packing of the phthalocyanines on the gold nanoparticle surface. For the attached phthalocyanines, the two fluorescence lifetimes obtained by time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) were determined to be both longer and shorter than that of the free Pc. The fluorescence lifetimes were resolved using time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRES).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Forteath, Shaun , Antunes, Edith M , Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/245774 , vital:51404 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2011.12.015"
- Description: Photoinduced processes in phthalocyanine-functionalized gold nanoparticles have been investigated by spectroscopic measurements. The zinc phthalocyanine used contained four phenylthio peripheral substituents (ZnPc(SPh)4). The conjugates formed are represented as ZnPc(SPh)4–AuNP. The absorption spectrum of the ZnPc(SPh)4–AuNP shows a broadening of the phthalocyanine Q-band absorption, probably due to a tight packing of the phthalocyanines on the gold nanoparticle surface. For the attached phthalocyanines, the two fluorescence lifetimes obtained by time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) were determined to be both longer and shorter than that of the free Pc. The fluorescence lifetimes were resolved using time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRES).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Urban poverty and poverty alleviation in the Nelson Mandela Metro
- Authors: Mafuya, Mzukisi Theophilus
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Prevention , Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (South Africa) -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018637
- Description: Poverty is generally acknowledged as one of the most serious problems facing post-apartheid South Africa. The biggest challenge facing South Africa localities today is their ability to cope with alarmingly high levels of unemployment that are severely retarding both economic growth and poverty. The growth of the poverty in South Africa increases the spread of poverty in communities in which the cycle of their poverty can be passed onto the next generation if not well addressed. South Africa is characterised by inequitable growth and development, a high degree of poverty, increasing demands and limited resources and challenge of integration. In order to fight poverty the South African government has introduced mechanisms and plans to alleviate poverty and to monitor and evaluate the impact of their policies and programmes on reduction of poverty, the government has prioritized poverty alleviation in its development agenda. To fight poverty the South African government introduced a well planned and coordinated programme known an Integrated and Development programme (IDP) with its main purpose that is to enhance service delivery and fight poverty through an integrated and aligned approach between different role players and stakeholders. The IDP seeks to promote integration by balancing the social, economic and ecological pillars of sustainability without compromising the institutional capacity required in the implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mafuya, Mzukisi Theophilus
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Prevention , Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (South Africa) -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018637
- Description: Poverty is generally acknowledged as one of the most serious problems facing post-apartheid South Africa. The biggest challenge facing South Africa localities today is their ability to cope with alarmingly high levels of unemployment that are severely retarding both economic growth and poverty. The growth of the poverty in South Africa increases the spread of poverty in communities in which the cycle of their poverty can be passed onto the next generation if not well addressed. South Africa is characterised by inequitable growth and development, a high degree of poverty, increasing demands and limited resources and challenge of integration. In order to fight poverty the South African government has introduced mechanisms and plans to alleviate poverty and to monitor and evaluate the impact of their policies and programmes on reduction of poverty, the government has prioritized poverty alleviation in its development agenda. To fight poverty the South African government introduced a well planned and coordinated programme known an Integrated and Development programme (IDP) with its main purpose that is to enhance service delivery and fight poverty through an integrated and aligned approach between different role players and stakeholders. The IDP seeks to promote integration by balancing the social, economic and ecological pillars of sustainability without compromising the institutional capacity required in the implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Urban poverty and poverty alleviation in the Nelson Mandela Metro
- Authors: Mlinganiso, Mzwandile A
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Poverty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018902
- Description: South Africa as integral part of the global village has been affected by the global economic meltdown that affected some parts of the globe. The Government has her other three monsters to deal with which exacerbated after the meltdown, inter alia; poverty, unemployment and inequality. The heat is felt most on unemployment and poverty. The masses on the ground are the greatest victims. Missionvale just like other small areas is not immune to the scourge caused by the crisis alluded to before. The ripple effect of the crisis is felt in classroom, when manifestations emerge in different forms, leaving victims by the way side. Poverty is rife in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as a consequence to that the title of the study on poverty alleviation came into being. South Africa as a country rich in natural and human resource experiences a high rate of unemployment and harbours the majority of people living in squalor and chronic poverty. Methodology approach to gather information for this study is through relevant literature consisting of books, legislation and interviews with knowledgeable individuals in the field. The study points out the major role the municipality in collaboration with other stakeholder, inter alia; social development, and other sister departments and NGO‟s can play towards poverty alleviation in Missionvale.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mlinganiso, Mzwandile A
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Poverty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018902
- Description: South Africa as integral part of the global village has been affected by the global economic meltdown that affected some parts of the globe. The Government has her other three monsters to deal with which exacerbated after the meltdown, inter alia; poverty, unemployment and inequality. The heat is felt most on unemployment and poverty. The masses on the ground are the greatest victims. Missionvale just like other small areas is not immune to the scourge caused by the crisis alluded to before. The ripple effect of the crisis is felt in classroom, when manifestations emerge in different forms, leaving victims by the way side. Poverty is rife in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as a consequence to that the title of the study on poverty alleviation came into being. South Africa as a country rich in natural and human resource experiences a high rate of unemployment and harbours the majority of people living in squalor and chronic poverty. Methodology approach to gather information for this study is through relevant literature consisting of books, legislation and interviews with knowledgeable individuals in the field. The study points out the major role the municipality in collaboration with other stakeholder, inter alia; social development, and other sister departments and NGO‟s can play towards poverty alleviation in Missionvale.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
User experience metrics for Dr Math
- Authors: Ngaye, Zonke
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Data processing , Mathematical models , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Numerical analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9799 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012036 , Mathematics -- Data processing , Mathematical models , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Numerical analysis
- Description: The purpose of this research study is to propose guidelines for providing a positive user experience for pupils using Dr Math®. User experience was found to have a positive impact on the acceptance and adoption of a product. Thus the proposed guidelines contribute in maximizing the adoption and acceptance of Dr Math® among pupils. This study begins with an introductory chapter that describes the problem that forms the basis for this research. The chapter defines the objectives that this study is intended to achieve in order to accomplish its ultimate goal. The methodology followed to conduct this research study as well as its scope are also defined here. The results from a preliminary survey revealed that despite its potential accessibility, Dr Math® has a low adoption rate. However, when compared to other mobile learning (m-learning) applications for mathematics learning, Dr Math® is more popular. Thus Dr Math® was selected as a case for study. Chapter 2 of this study provides a detailed description of Dr Math® as a local mobile application for mathematics learning. It was found that the affordability and accessibility of Dr Math® did not necessarily imply a high adoption rate. There are various possible barriers to its low adoption. User experience (UX), which is the focus of this study, is one of them. Thus, a subsequent chapter deals with UX. Chapter 3 discusses UX, its scope, components and definition and places particular emphasis on its significance in the success of any product. The chapter also highlights the characteristics of a positive UX and the importance of designing for this outcome. In Chapter 4, a discussion and justification of the methodology used to conduct this research is discussed. This study primarily employs a qualitative inductive approach within an interpretivism paradigm. An exploratory single case study was used to obtain an in-depth analysis of the case. Data was collected using Dr Math® log files as a documentary source. Gathered data was then analysed and organized into themes and categories using qualitative content analysis as outlined in Chapter 5. Also the findings obtained from the results, which are mainly the factors that were found to have an impact on the user interaction with Dr Math®, are presented here. The identified factors served as a basis from which the guidelines presented in Chapter 6 were developed. Chapter 7 presents the conclusions and recommendations of the research. From both theoretical and empirical work, it was concluded that Dr Math® has the potential to improve mathematics learning in South Africa. Its adoption rate, however, is not satisfying: hence, the investigation of the factors impacting on the user interaction with Dr Math®, from which the proposed guidelines are based.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ngaye, Zonke
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Data processing , Mathematical models , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Numerical analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9799 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012036 , Mathematics -- Data processing , Mathematical models , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Numerical analysis
- Description: The purpose of this research study is to propose guidelines for providing a positive user experience for pupils using Dr Math®. User experience was found to have a positive impact on the acceptance and adoption of a product. Thus the proposed guidelines contribute in maximizing the adoption and acceptance of Dr Math® among pupils. This study begins with an introductory chapter that describes the problem that forms the basis for this research. The chapter defines the objectives that this study is intended to achieve in order to accomplish its ultimate goal. The methodology followed to conduct this research study as well as its scope are also defined here. The results from a preliminary survey revealed that despite its potential accessibility, Dr Math® has a low adoption rate. However, when compared to other mobile learning (m-learning) applications for mathematics learning, Dr Math® is more popular. Thus Dr Math® was selected as a case for study. Chapter 2 of this study provides a detailed description of Dr Math® as a local mobile application for mathematics learning. It was found that the affordability and accessibility of Dr Math® did not necessarily imply a high adoption rate. There are various possible barriers to its low adoption. User experience (UX), which is the focus of this study, is one of them. Thus, a subsequent chapter deals with UX. Chapter 3 discusses UX, its scope, components and definition and places particular emphasis on its significance in the success of any product. The chapter also highlights the characteristics of a positive UX and the importance of designing for this outcome. In Chapter 4, a discussion and justification of the methodology used to conduct this research is discussed. This study primarily employs a qualitative inductive approach within an interpretivism paradigm. An exploratory single case study was used to obtain an in-depth analysis of the case. Data was collected using Dr Math® log files as a documentary source. Gathered data was then analysed and organized into themes and categories using qualitative content analysis as outlined in Chapter 5. Also the findings obtained from the results, which are mainly the factors that were found to have an impact on the user interaction with Dr Math®, are presented here. The identified factors served as a basis from which the guidelines presented in Chapter 6 were developed. Chapter 7 presents the conclusions and recommendations of the research. From both theoretical and empirical work, it was concluded that Dr Math® has the potential to improve mathematics learning in South Africa. Its adoption rate, however, is not satisfying: hence, the investigation of the factors impacting on the user interaction with Dr Math®, from which the proposed guidelines are based.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Using an intelligent self-service solution to support telecommunication service provisioning
- Authors: Barlow, Sherwin Riaan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Telecommunication systems -- Management , Electronic commerce -- Computer programs , Web applications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10484 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013417
- Description: The increasing competition between telecommunication service providers (TSPs) and the large amounts of human resource costs incurred to provision telecommunication services to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), highlight the need for effective self-service provisioning methods to reduce costs. Existing service provisioning methods do not effectively support SMMEs in the service provisioning process. The current methods used are manual and Web-based. The manual service provisioning method is labour and time-intensive. TSPs are being forced to cut human resource costs as the profit margins for provisioning services are narrow due to competition. The current web-based systems do not allow SMMEs to effectively purchase services as they provide long textual lists to consult and limited information about services. The objective of this research was to develop an intelligent web-based self-service system to support SMMEs in telecommunication service provisioning, using a Design Science Research methodology. A constraint-based, knowledge-based recommender system was selected as the most appropriate intelligent system to support telecommunication service provisioning. A prototype called SelPro was developed as a solution to address the shortcomings of the current ineffective service provisioning methods available for SMMEs. SelPro incorporates an interactive wizard-style user interface with dynamic recommendations to support novice users as well as an expert interface which provides less user support. An expert review and a user study were conducted to determine if SelPro was usable, useful and effective. SelPro was perceived as being usable for SMMEs wishing to purchase telecommunication services. Expert participants were satisfied with the usability of SelPro and perceived it as being useful, easy to use and easy to learn. SelPro was considered effective because of the high task success ratings provided by the participants using the two interfaces. The research determined that intelligent web-based self-service provisioning can be used to effectively support SMMEs in telecommunication service provisioning. General design recommendations for similar systems were proposed and future work will involve using intelligent systems to support large enterprises in telecommunication service provisioning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Barlow, Sherwin Riaan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Telecommunication systems -- Management , Electronic commerce -- Computer programs , Web applications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10484 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013417
- Description: The increasing competition between telecommunication service providers (TSPs) and the large amounts of human resource costs incurred to provision telecommunication services to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), highlight the need for effective self-service provisioning methods to reduce costs. Existing service provisioning methods do not effectively support SMMEs in the service provisioning process. The current methods used are manual and Web-based. The manual service provisioning method is labour and time-intensive. TSPs are being forced to cut human resource costs as the profit margins for provisioning services are narrow due to competition. The current web-based systems do not allow SMMEs to effectively purchase services as they provide long textual lists to consult and limited information about services. The objective of this research was to develop an intelligent web-based self-service system to support SMMEs in telecommunication service provisioning, using a Design Science Research methodology. A constraint-based, knowledge-based recommender system was selected as the most appropriate intelligent system to support telecommunication service provisioning. A prototype called SelPro was developed as a solution to address the shortcomings of the current ineffective service provisioning methods available for SMMEs. SelPro incorporates an interactive wizard-style user interface with dynamic recommendations to support novice users as well as an expert interface which provides less user support. An expert review and a user study were conducted to determine if SelPro was usable, useful and effective. SelPro was perceived as being usable for SMMEs wishing to purchase telecommunication services. Expert participants were satisfied with the usability of SelPro and perceived it as being useful, easy to use and easy to learn. SelPro was considered effective because of the high task success ratings provided by the participants using the two interfaces. The research determined that intelligent web-based self-service provisioning can be used to effectively support SMMEs in telecommunication service provisioning. General design recommendations for similar systems were proposed and future work will involve using intelligent systems to support large enterprises in telecommunication service provisioning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Using co-located radars and instruments to analyse ionespheric events over South Africa
- Authors: Athieno, Racheal
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Ionosphere -- Research -- South Africa , Space environment -- Research -- South Africa , Meteorology -- Research -- South Africa , Ionosondes -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005279 , Ionosphere -- Research -- South Africa , Space environment -- Research -- South Africa , Meteorology -- Research -- South Africa , Ionosondes -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: Space weather and its effect on technological systems are important for scientific research. Developing an understanding of the behaviour, sources and effects of ionospheric events form a basis for improving space weather prediction. This thesis attempts to use co-located radars and instruments for the analysis of ionospheric events over South Africa. The HF Doppler radar, ionosonde, Global Positioning System (GPS) and GPS ionospheric scintillation monitor (GISTM) receivers are co-located in Hermanus (34.4°S, 19.2°E), one of the observatories for the space science directorate of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). Data was obtained from these radars and instruments and analysed for ionospheric events. Only the Hermanus station was selected for this analysis, because it is currently the only South African station that hosts all the mentioned radars and instruments. Ionospheric events identified include wave-like structures, Doppler spread, sudden frequency deviations and ionospheric oscillations associated with geomagnetic pulsations. For the purpose of this work, ionospheric events are defined as any unusual structures observed on the received signal and inferred from observations made by the HF Doppler radar. They were identified by visual inspection of the Doppler shift spectrograms. The magnitude and nature of the events vary, depending on their source and were observed by all, some or one instrument. This study suggests that the inclusion of a wider data coverage and more stations in South Africa merit consideration, especially since plans are underway to host a co-located radar network similar to that in Hermanus at at least three additional observatory sites in South Africa. This study lays a foundation for multi-station co-located radar and instrument observation and analysis of ionospheric events which should enhance the accuracy of space weather and HF communication prediction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Athieno, Racheal
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Ionosphere -- Research -- South Africa , Space environment -- Research -- South Africa , Meteorology -- Research -- South Africa , Ionosondes -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005279 , Ionosphere -- Research -- South Africa , Space environment -- Research -- South Africa , Meteorology -- Research -- South Africa , Ionosondes -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: Space weather and its effect on technological systems are important for scientific research. Developing an understanding of the behaviour, sources and effects of ionospheric events form a basis for improving space weather prediction. This thesis attempts to use co-located radars and instruments for the analysis of ionospheric events over South Africa. The HF Doppler radar, ionosonde, Global Positioning System (GPS) and GPS ionospheric scintillation monitor (GISTM) receivers are co-located in Hermanus (34.4°S, 19.2°E), one of the observatories for the space science directorate of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). Data was obtained from these radars and instruments and analysed for ionospheric events. Only the Hermanus station was selected for this analysis, because it is currently the only South African station that hosts all the mentioned radars and instruments. Ionospheric events identified include wave-like structures, Doppler spread, sudden frequency deviations and ionospheric oscillations associated with geomagnetic pulsations. For the purpose of this work, ionospheric events are defined as any unusual structures observed on the received signal and inferred from observations made by the HF Doppler radar. They were identified by visual inspection of the Doppler shift spectrograms. The magnitude and nature of the events vary, depending on their source and were observed by all, some or one instrument. This study suggests that the inclusion of a wider data coverage and more stations in South Africa merit consideration, especially since plans are underway to host a co-located radar network similar to that in Hermanus at at least three additional observatory sites in South Africa. This study lays a foundation for multi-station co-located radar and instrument observation and analysis of ionospheric events which should enhance the accuracy of space weather and HF communication prediction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Using language as a resource: strategies to teach mathematics in multilingual classes
- Authors: Whale, Susan Gaye
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Code switching (Linguistics) -- South Africa , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9469 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1669 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Code switching (Linguistics) -- South Africa , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa is a complex multilingual country. In the majority of schools in the Eastern Cape, a province in South Africa, the teachers and learners share the same home language, isiXhosa, but teach and learn mathematics in English. The purpose of this study was to encourage teachers to use the home language as a resource to teach mathematics in multilingual classes. The study follows a mixed method design, using both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data were collected from a survey and poetry, which teachers crafted, in which they highlighted their perceptions about language in their lives. They also reflected on their practices and submitted pieces of contemplative writing. Quantitative data were collected from participating teachers who administered a pre-test to their learners as well as a post- test approximately nine months later after conducting an intervention. The results showed that where strategies, such as the implementation of exploratory talk and code switching which used language as a resource, had been introduced mathematical reasoning improved and classroom climate became more positive. The learners’ lack of confidence in being able to express their reasoning in English was prevalent throughout the reflective writing. By enabling learners to use isiXhosa in discussions the teachers felt that the learners gained in both confidence and mathematical understanding. This study has demonstrated that using the learners’ and teachers’ home language unlocks doors to communication and spotlights mathematical reasoning, but there is still an urgency to encourage learners to become fluent in Mathematical English. It is important to note that a positive classroom climate is essential for learners to build confidence and to encourage them to attempt to formulate sentences in English - to start on the journey from informal to formal usage of language as advocated by Setati and Adler (2001:250). My main conclusion is that an intervention that develops exploratory talk by using language as a resource can improve learners’ mathematical reasoning. I wish to emphasise that I am not advocating teaching mathematics in isiXhosa only, but the research has shown the advantages of using the home language as a resource together with English in Eastern Cape multilingual mathematics classes. Learners need to be able to express themselves in English, written and spoken, in order to achieve mathematically. This study therefore shows that teachers can gauge their learners’ improvement in mathematical reasoning after an intervention that develops exploratory talk in class by using the home language as a resource.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Whale, Susan Gaye
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Code switching (Linguistics) -- South Africa , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9469 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1669 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Code switching (Linguistics) -- South Africa , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa is a complex multilingual country. In the majority of schools in the Eastern Cape, a province in South Africa, the teachers and learners share the same home language, isiXhosa, but teach and learn mathematics in English. The purpose of this study was to encourage teachers to use the home language as a resource to teach mathematics in multilingual classes. The study follows a mixed method design, using both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data were collected from a survey and poetry, which teachers crafted, in which they highlighted their perceptions about language in their lives. They also reflected on their practices and submitted pieces of contemplative writing. Quantitative data were collected from participating teachers who administered a pre-test to their learners as well as a post- test approximately nine months later after conducting an intervention. The results showed that where strategies, such as the implementation of exploratory talk and code switching which used language as a resource, had been introduced mathematical reasoning improved and classroom climate became more positive. The learners’ lack of confidence in being able to express their reasoning in English was prevalent throughout the reflective writing. By enabling learners to use isiXhosa in discussions the teachers felt that the learners gained in both confidence and mathematical understanding. This study has demonstrated that using the learners’ and teachers’ home language unlocks doors to communication and spotlights mathematical reasoning, but there is still an urgency to encourage learners to become fluent in Mathematical English. It is important to note that a positive classroom climate is essential for learners to build confidence and to encourage them to attempt to formulate sentences in English - to start on the journey from informal to formal usage of language as advocated by Setati and Adler (2001:250). My main conclusion is that an intervention that develops exploratory talk by using language as a resource can improve learners’ mathematical reasoning. I wish to emphasise that I am not advocating teaching mathematics in isiXhosa only, but the research has shown the advantages of using the home language as a resource together with English in Eastern Cape multilingual mathematics classes. Learners need to be able to express themselves in English, written and spoken, in order to achieve mathematically. This study therefore shows that teachers can gauge their learners’ improvement in mathematical reasoning after an intervention that develops exploratory talk in class by using the home language as a resource.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Using mobile information visualisation to support the analysis of telecommunication service ultilisation
- Authors: Twigg, Gianni Gurshwin
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Telecommunication , Visualization , Technology -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10497 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020831
- Description: Telecommunication service utilisation (TSU) focuses on how customers make use of telecommunication services and can provide valuable information for decision making for improved customer service delivery. When a telecommunication service provider consults with customers, large amounts of static documentation on TSU data are compiled. Compiling this documentation for in-field investigation is manually intensive and the documentation does not effectively support decision making. Existing systems for visualising TSU data do not efficiently support in-field investigation of TSU and lack dynamic interaction. This highlights the need to investigate a solution to better support in-field investigation of TSU. This research followed a Design Science Research methodology to develop and evaluate a solution to solve the problem identified. The use of tablet devices for in-field investigation of TSU was identified as a suitable solution. Mobile information visualisation (MIV) techniques were investigated to determine appropriate display and interaction techniques for the visualisation of TSU data on a tablet device. An existing visualisation framework for TSU was identified and extended to incorporate touch-based interactions. Three service usage views were identified for visualising TSU, namely a Trend, Network and Detail Usage View. A Dashboard View was also identified to provide a quick reference view of the different views. A prototype called MobiTel was developed on a tablet device. MobiTel incorporated the identified information visualisation techniques. MobiTel was evaluated using an expert review and a user study to determine its usability and usefulness. The results indicated that MobiTel was perceived as being useful for in-field investigation and that the participants perceived the prototype to be easy to use and learn. The user study also indicated that the participants were satisfied with MobiTel. This research has determined that MIV techniques can be used for in-field investigation of TSU. Design recommendations were devised for designing an interactive mobile prototype for visualising service usage information. Future work will involve using map-based visualisation for visualising TSU data on different customer sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Twigg, Gianni Gurshwin
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Telecommunication , Visualization , Technology -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10497 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020831
- Description: Telecommunication service utilisation (TSU) focuses on how customers make use of telecommunication services and can provide valuable information for decision making for improved customer service delivery. When a telecommunication service provider consults with customers, large amounts of static documentation on TSU data are compiled. Compiling this documentation for in-field investigation is manually intensive and the documentation does not effectively support decision making. Existing systems for visualising TSU data do not efficiently support in-field investigation of TSU and lack dynamic interaction. This highlights the need to investigate a solution to better support in-field investigation of TSU. This research followed a Design Science Research methodology to develop and evaluate a solution to solve the problem identified. The use of tablet devices for in-field investigation of TSU was identified as a suitable solution. Mobile information visualisation (MIV) techniques were investigated to determine appropriate display and interaction techniques for the visualisation of TSU data on a tablet device. An existing visualisation framework for TSU was identified and extended to incorporate touch-based interactions. Three service usage views were identified for visualising TSU, namely a Trend, Network and Detail Usage View. A Dashboard View was also identified to provide a quick reference view of the different views. A prototype called MobiTel was developed on a tablet device. MobiTel incorporated the identified information visualisation techniques. MobiTel was evaluated using an expert review and a user study to determine its usability and usefulness. The results indicated that MobiTel was perceived as being useful for in-field investigation and that the participants perceived the prototype to be easy to use and learn. The user study also indicated that the participants were satisfied with MobiTel. This research has determined that MIV techniques can be used for in-field investigation of TSU. Design recommendations were devised for designing an interactive mobile prototype for visualising service usage information. Future work will involve using map-based visualisation for visualising TSU data on different customer sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Value delivered by private game reserves in South Africa : a comparison of visitors' and managers' perceptions
- Authors: Theron, Elizna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa , Ecotourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019980
- Description: The uniqueness of the wildlife and the luxurious nature of South African private game reserves could be seen as a valuable niche in the South African tourism market and for this reason make South Africa a desired destination. Due to complex visitor needs and demands regarding price, service, social connection, authenticity, quality or image, value perceptions will differ in terms of visitors’ experiences. If managers do not understand these value requirements, differences might exist between consumers’ and service providers’ perceptions of value. To maintain visitor satisfaction, loyalty and intention for return to the reserves, managers should continue to provide valued offerings and improve their visitors’ wildlife experience. This research investigated visitors’ perceptions of the value delivered by private game reserves in South Africa and compared these with reserve managers’ perceptions of the value delivered. The results of this research study could contribute to a better understanding of perceived value, which in turn could enhance the success of the private game reserves. The literature contextualised the South African private game reserve as part of wildlife tourism, the wildlife tourism offering and the characteristics of wildlife visitors. An overview of customer value, customer value models showing their development over time, and the conceptual framework of the current study was provided. The resulting conceptual model was used to evaluate managers’ and visitors’ perceptions of Quality, Monetary price, Behavioural price, Reputation, Emotional response, Social value and Novelty value delivered by South African private game reserves. The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using two structured self-administered electronic questionnaires administered to the managers of, and the visitors to, private game reserves. One hundred and sixty two visitors and 30 managers participated in the survey. By performing exploratory factor analysis it was found that the seven value factors were consistent with the value dimensions reported in the literature. These were labelled as Quality, Emotional response, Monetary price, Reputation, Novelty value, Social value and Behavioural price. Most of managers’ perceptions of value provided exceeded visitors’ perceptions of value received. Both managers and visitors rated value items related to Emotional response highly. Considerably more managers (17 percent) thought that the reserve experience can be associated with good service, opposed to only 4 percent of visitors who perceived the service to be good. On the other hand, a larger proportion of visitors (29%) than the managers (20 percent) perceived the reserve experience as relaxing. Managers rated eleven of the thirteen game reserve attributes more positively than what the visitors did. Of these attributes, accommodation services, protection of the natural environment, game drives and service delivery, showed significant differences. It is recommended that South African private game reserve managers: • conduct market research to get a better understanding of what delights visitors. Research should be conducted on a regular basis to ensure management stays current with visitors’ changing needs; • determine whether the prices charged reflect the quality of the physical offerings, service delivery and the time and effort visitors spent to obtain the offering; • use the adventurous activities offered at the reserves as part of their promotional campaigns to attract adventure tourists; • train service delivery staff and game drive guides to educate visitors on the history, culture and eco-friendly practices related to their reserve; • always deliver superior service to ensure memorable wildlife experiences, value for money and exceed visitors’ expectations; • continue using websites, social media and magazines to inform the target market about the reserve offerings; and • stay in regular contact with visitors through social media, newsletters, blogs, follow up emails/calls or face to face discussions at the reserve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Theron, Elizna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa , Ecotourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019980
- Description: The uniqueness of the wildlife and the luxurious nature of South African private game reserves could be seen as a valuable niche in the South African tourism market and for this reason make South Africa a desired destination. Due to complex visitor needs and demands regarding price, service, social connection, authenticity, quality or image, value perceptions will differ in terms of visitors’ experiences. If managers do not understand these value requirements, differences might exist between consumers’ and service providers’ perceptions of value. To maintain visitor satisfaction, loyalty and intention for return to the reserves, managers should continue to provide valued offerings and improve their visitors’ wildlife experience. This research investigated visitors’ perceptions of the value delivered by private game reserves in South Africa and compared these with reserve managers’ perceptions of the value delivered. The results of this research study could contribute to a better understanding of perceived value, which in turn could enhance the success of the private game reserves. The literature contextualised the South African private game reserve as part of wildlife tourism, the wildlife tourism offering and the characteristics of wildlife visitors. An overview of customer value, customer value models showing their development over time, and the conceptual framework of the current study was provided. The resulting conceptual model was used to evaluate managers’ and visitors’ perceptions of Quality, Monetary price, Behavioural price, Reputation, Emotional response, Social value and Novelty value delivered by South African private game reserves. The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using two structured self-administered electronic questionnaires administered to the managers of, and the visitors to, private game reserves. One hundred and sixty two visitors and 30 managers participated in the survey. By performing exploratory factor analysis it was found that the seven value factors were consistent with the value dimensions reported in the literature. These were labelled as Quality, Emotional response, Monetary price, Reputation, Novelty value, Social value and Behavioural price. Most of managers’ perceptions of value provided exceeded visitors’ perceptions of value received. Both managers and visitors rated value items related to Emotional response highly. Considerably more managers (17 percent) thought that the reserve experience can be associated with good service, opposed to only 4 percent of visitors who perceived the service to be good. On the other hand, a larger proportion of visitors (29%) than the managers (20 percent) perceived the reserve experience as relaxing. Managers rated eleven of the thirteen game reserve attributes more positively than what the visitors did. Of these attributes, accommodation services, protection of the natural environment, game drives and service delivery, showed significant differences. It is recommended that South African private game reserve managers: • conduct market research to get a better understanding of what delights visitors. Research should be conducted on a regular basis to ensure management stays current with visitors’ changing needs; • determine whether the prices charged reflect the quality of the physical offerings, service delivery and the time and effort visitors spent to obtain the offering; • use the adventurous activities offered at the reserves as part of their promotional campaigns to attract adventure tourists; • train service delivery staff and game drive guides to educate visitors on the history, culture and eco-friendly practices related to their reserve; • always deliver superior service to ensure memorable wildlife experiences, value for money and exceed visitors’ expectations; • continue using websites, social media and magazines to inform the target market about the reserve offerings; and • stay in regular contact with visitors through social media, newsletters, blogs, follow up emails/calls or face to face discussions at the reserve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Vapour phase dehydrogenation of cyclohexane on microstructured reactors
- Authors: Mpuhlu, Batsho
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Dehydrogenation , Cyclohexane
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8661 , vital:26418
- Description: The work that is described in this thesis forms part of the research and development projects at InnoVenton: NMMU Institute of Chemical Technology in collaboration with Sasol Technologies. The broader view of the project was testing on the so-called “Small Production Platforms” (SPP’s). In particular the main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of micro-structuring on the heterogeneous catalysed, vapour-phase oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexane in the presence of air. Ground work studies were done to provide a proper comparison of the micro-structured reactor with a traditional fixed-bed reactor. These included evaluation of a proper vanadium pyrophosphate catalyst for the reaction, testing of reaction parameters for the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction on a fixed-bed reactor and lastly comparing the performance of the micro-structured reactor to that of the fixed-bed reactor Various vanadium pyrophosphate catalysts that were tested for activity included: bulk (VO)2P2O7, bulk (VO)2P2O7 promoted with Fe, (VO)2P2O7 supported on -Al2O3 and Fe promoted (VO)2P2O7 supported on -Al2O3. These catalysts showed significant differences in TOF, however it was not conclusive from the results whether these differences may be traced to increased activity for dehydrogenation for different catalysts since all reactions were run under conditions of oxygen deficiency. It is, however, clear that Fe promotion significantly increase activity, irrespective of the relative degrees of oxidative dehydrogenation and normal dehydrogenation. The Fe promoted catalyst was further tested for long term stability in-view of using it as the catalyst in the micro-structured reactor. These studies showed the catalyst to have a high degree of stability with minimal structural changes under the reaction conditions used. Various response surface models describing the variation in each of the cyclohexane conversion, cyclohexene selectivity, and benzene selectivity, respectively when changing reaction condition, were derived by means of multiple regression. To obtain some idea of the degree and nature of the normal dehydrogenation reaction, the amount of deficit oxygen was estimated from the measured results for cyclohexane conversion and cyclohexene and benzene selectivities. These estimated values were also modelled as described above. The regression models were used to interpret specific trends in the responses for the oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexane and account for the oxygen deficit in the system. The performance of a fixed bed tubular reactor (FBR) and micro-structured sandwich reactor (MSSR) were compared over an Fe promoted vanadium pyrophosphate. Reactor performance was evaluated by varying specific reaction conditions (temperature and space velocity). Subsequently the turn-over frequencies, conversion and selectivities from the two reactors were compared. The conversion achieved in the micro-structured reactor was observed to be significantly higher than that achieved in the fixed-bed reactor at all reaction parameters. This is despite the fact that the total amount of catalyst in the micro-structured reactor is approximately 5 times less than that used in the fixed bed reactor. In addition, the contact time (1/MHSV) in the micro-structured reactor is also significantly shorter than in the fixed-bed reactor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mpuhlu, Batsho
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Dehydrogenation , Cyclohexane
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8661 , vital:26418
- Description: The work that is described in this thesis forms part of the research and development projects at InnoVenton: NMMU Institute of Chemical Technology in collaboration with Sasol Technologies. The broader view of the project was testing on the so-called “Small Production Platforms” (SPP’s). In particular the main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of micro-structuring on the heterogeneous catalysed, vapour-phase oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexane in the presence of air. Ground work studies were done to provide a proper comparison of the micro-structured reactor with a traditional fixed-bed reactor. These included evaluation of a proper vanadium pyrophosphate catalyst for the reaction, testing of reaction parameters for the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction on a fixed-bed reactor and lastly comparing the performance of the micro-structured reactor to that of the fixed-bed reactor Various vanadium pyrophosphate catalysts that were tested for activity included: bulk (VO)2P2O7, bulk (VO)2P2O7 promoted with Fe, (VO)2P2O7 supported on -Al2O3 and Fe promoted (VO)2P2O7 supported on -Al2O3. These catalysts showed significant differences in TOF, however it was not conclusive from the results whether these differences may be traced to increased activity for dehydrogenation for different catalysts since all reactions were run under conditions of oxygen deficiency. It is, however, clear that Fe promotion significantly increase activity, irrespective of the relative degrees of oxidative dehydrogenation and normal dehydrogenation. The Fe promoted catalyst was further tested for long term stability in-view of using it as the catalyst in the micro-structured reactor. These studies showed the catalyst to have a high degree of stability with minimal structural changes under the reaction conditions used. Various response surface models describing the variation in each of the cyclohexane conversion, cyclohexene selectivity, and benzene selectivity, respectively when changing reaction condition, were derived by means of multiple regression. To obtain some idea of the degree and nature of the normal dehydrogenation reaction, the amount of deficit oxygen was estimated from the measured results for cyclohexane conversion and cyclohexene and benzene selectivities. These estimated values were also modelled as described above. The regression models were used to interpret specific trends in the responses for the oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexane and account for the oxygen deficit in the system. The performance of a fixed bed tubular reactor (FBR) and micro-structured sandwich reactor (MSSR) were compared over an Fe promoted vanadium pyrophosphate. Reactor performance was evaluated by varying specific reaction conditions (temperature and space velocity). Subsequently the turn-over frequencies, conversion and selectivities from the two reactors were compared. The conversion achieved in the micro-structured reactor was observed to be significantly higher than that achieved in the fixed-bed reactor at all reaction parameters. This is despite the fact that the total amount of catalyst in the micro-structured reactor is approximately 5 times less than that used in the fixed bed reactor. In addition, the contact time (1/MHSV) in the micro-structured reactor is also significantly shorter than in the fixed-bed reactor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Videographic analysis of the Coelacanth, Latimeria Chalumnae, and associated habitats in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Thornycroft, Rosanne Elizabeth
- Authors: Thornycroft, Rosanne Elizabeth
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005179 , Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Videography is a valuable tool in biological and ecological studies. Using video footage obtained during previous coelacanth surveys, this thesis investigated coelacanths and their associated habitats in the submarine canyons of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa. This thesis aimed to (1) describe the biological habitats within the submarine canyons, (2) determine coelacanth distribution within these habitats, and (3) assess the use of computer-aided identification to successfully identify individual coelacanths. Seven different habitat types were noted with the most distinctive being the canyon margins that consisted of dense agglomerations of gorgonians, wire and whip corals, and sponges. Results suggested that although substratum type has a great influence on invertebrate community structure in the canyons, depth is the principal factor. Coelacanths were associated with cave habitats within the steep rocky canyon walls. Habitat analyses allowed predictive classification tree models to be constructed. Depth, underlying percentage of rock, and percentage cover of gorgonians and sponges were the most important variables for determining coelacanth presence and absence. The overall correct classification rate for the model was estimated at 96.6%, correctly predicting coelacanth absence (> 99%) better than presence (60%). Because coelacanths have a unique spot pattern it was possible to quickly and accurately identify specific individuals photographically using computer-aided identification software. Without any manual intervention by an operator the software accurately identified between 56 and 92% of the individuals. Identification success increased to 100% if the operator could also manually select from other potential matching photographs. It was also shown that fish exhibiting a yaw angle not exceeding 60° could be accurately identified in photographs. Each of the sections presented in this thesis represent a possible step towards analysing coelacanth-related habitats, locating and then analysing new habitats. Steps include first locating a population and then performing a habitat analysis. Coelacanth location within the different habitats can then be determined allowing the development of predictive models to potentially identify possible locations of new populations. The final step is to identify individual fish within the population for assessing demographic parameters and population monitoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Thornycroft, Rosanne Elizabeth
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005179 , Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Videography is a valuable tool in biological and ecological studies. Using video footage obtained during previous coelacanth surveys, this thesis investigated coelacanths and their associated habitats in the submarine canyons of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa. This thesis aimed to (1) describe the biological habitats within the submarine canyons, (2) determine coelacanth distribution within these habitats, and (3) assess the use of computer-aided identification to successfully identify individual coelacanths. Seven different habitat types were noted with the most distinctive being the canyon margins that consisted of dense agglomerations of gorgonians, wire and whip corals, and sponges. Results suggested that although substratum type has a great influence on invertebrate community structure in the canyons, depth is the principal factor. Coelacanths were associated with cave habitats within the steep rocky canyon walls. Habitat analyses allowed predictive classification tree models to be constructed. Depth, underlying percentage of rock, and percentage cover of gorgonians and sponges were the most important variables for determining coelacanth presence and absence. The overall correct classification rate for the model was estimated at 96.6%, correctly predicting coelacanth absence (> 99%) better than presence (60%). Because coelacanths have a unique spot pattern it was possible to quickly and accurately identify specific individuals photographically using computer-aided identification software. Without any manual intervention by an operator the software accurately identified between 56 and 92% of the individuals. Identification success increased to 100% if the operator could also manually select from other potential matching photographs. It was also shown that fish exhibiting a yaw angle not exceeding 60° could be accurately identified in photographs. Each of the sections presented in this thesis represent a possible step towards analysing coelacanth-related habitats, locating and then analysing new habitats. Steps include first locating a population and then performing a habitat analysis. Coelacanth location within the different habitats can then be determined allowing the development of predictive models to potentially identify possible locations of new populations. The final step is to identify individual fish within the population for assessing demographic parameters and population monitoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Violence and the cultural logics of pain: representations of sexuality in the work of Nicholas Hlobo and Zanele Muholi
- Authors: Makhubu, Nomusa
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147814 , vital:38675 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1080/02560046.2012.723843
- Description: Nicholas Hlobo and Zanele Muholi have raised critical issues regarding sexual identity in patriarchal contexts since they premiered at the Michael Stevenson Gallery in 2005. Nicholas Hlobo, a sculptor and performance artist, and Zanele Muholi, a photographer and activist, explore different ways of representing sexuality – in particular, homosexuality. Hlobo investigates notions of masculinity and the practice of circumcision, while Muholi documents the existence of transgender and homosexuality in township spaces (her recent work expands to various other spaces). This article focuses on the roles that violence plays in the sexual politics represented in Hlobo and Muholi’s work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Makhubu, Nomusa
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147814 , vital:38675 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1080/02560046.2012.723843
- Description: Nicholas Hlobo and Zanele Muholi have raised critical issues regarding sexual identity in patriarchal contexts since they premiered at the Michael Stevenson Gallery in 2005. Nicholas Hlobo, a sculptor and performance artist, and Zanele Muholi, a photographer and activist, explore different ways of representing sexuality – in particular, homosexuality. Hlobo investigates notions of masculinity and the practice of circumcision, while Muholi documents the existence of transgender and homosexuality in township spaces (her recent work expands to various other spaces). This article focuses on the roles that violence plays in the sexual politics represented in Hlobo and Muholi’s work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Voices from the forest: celebrating nature and culture in Xhosaland
- Dold, Anthony P, Cocks, Michelle L
- Authors: Dold, Anthony P , Cocks, Michelle L
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141427 , vital:37971 , ISBN 9781431402991 , https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Forest-Celebrating-Culture-Xhosaland/dp/1431402990
- Description: The link between people and nature is explored in this fascinating book, revealing how plants, animals, and landscapes are profoundly reflected in South Africa’s Xhosa language, stories, poetry, religious rituals, healing practices, and everyday customs. While the South African landscape has for centuries been molded and manipulated by humans, the country and its plants and animals have in turn influenced South Africans’ cultural and spiritual development. Based on 10 years of research, it consists of unique photographs that portray how both contemporary rural and urban South Africans still find great value in nature. A fresh, positive approach to biodiversity conservation, this volume serves as a guide to sustainable practices in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dold, Anthony P , Cocks, Michelle L
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141427 , vital:37971 , ISBN 9781431402991 , https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Forest-Celebrating-Culture-Xhosaland/dp/1431402990
- Description: The link between people and nature is explored in this fascinating book, revealing how plants, animals, and landscapes are profoundly reflected in South Africa’s Xhosa language, stories, poetry, religious rituals, healing practices, and everyday customs. While the South African landscape has for centuries been molded and manipulated by humans, the country and its plants and animals have in turn influenced South Africans’ cultural and spiritual development. Based on 10 years of research, it consists of unique photographs that portray how both contemporary rural and urban South Africans still find great value in nature. A fresh, positive approach to biodiversity conservation, this volume serves as a guide to sustainable practices in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
VoIP : a corporate governance approach to avoid the risk of civil liability
- Authors: Gerber, Tian Johannes
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Internet telephony -- Security measures , Telecommunication policy -- South Africa , Computer network protocols -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016272
- Description: Since the deregulation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in 2005, many South African organizations are now attempting to leverage its cost saving and competitive values. However, it has been recently cited that VoIP is one of the greatest new risks to organizations and this risk is cited to increase Information Security insurance premiums in the near future. Due to the dynamic nature of the VoIP technology, regulatory and legislative concerns such as lawful interception of communications and privacy may also contribute to business risk. In order to leverage value from the VoIP implementation, an organization should implement the technology with knowledge of the potential risk of civil liability. This is further highlighted by the King III Report which indicates that the Directors of an organization should be ultimately responsible for Corporate Governance and, therefore, IT Governance and Information Security Governance. The report goes further to say that any newly implemented technology, such as VoIP, should comply with all South African legislation and regulations. This responsibility encourages the practice of both due care and due diligence. However, recent trends exercised by Information Security professionals, responsible for drafting Information Security policies and related procedures, often neglect the regulatory requirements and choose to only implement international best practices with no consideration of the risk of civil liability. Although these best practice frameworks may inadvertently comply with existing local legislation, a chance of an oversight is possible. Oversights may not only result in criminal sanctions, but also civil action due to losses or damages suffered. With regard to implementing VoIP, good Corporate Governance could potentially be ensured through the use of both identified regulations and relevant international best practices. This dissertation aims to aid organizations in avoiding or at least mitigating the risk of civil liability to better leverage VoIP’s value, through good Corporate Governance practices. This should aid in the exercise of due care and due diligence when implementing VoIP as a means of conducting business communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Gerber, Tian Johannes
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Internet telephony -- Security measures , Telecommunication policy -- South Africa , Computer network protocols -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016272
- Description: Since the deregulation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in 2005, many South African organizations are now attempting to leverage its cost saving and competitive values. However, it has been recently cited that VoIP is one of the greatest new risks to organizations and this risk is cited to increase Information Security insurance premiums in the near future. Due to the dynamic nature of the VoIP technology, regulatory and legislative concerns such as lawful interception of communications and privacy may also contribute to business risk. In order to leverage value from the VoIP implementation, an organization should implement the technology with knowledge of the potential risk of civil liability. This is further highlighted by the King III Report which indicates that the Directors of an organization should be ultimately responsible for Corporate Governance and, therefore, IT Governance and Information Security Governance. The report goes further to say that any newly implemented technology, such as VoIP, should comply with all South African legislation and regulations. This responsibility encourages the practice of both due care and due diligence. However, recent trends exercised by Information Security professionals, responsible for drafting Information Security policies and related procedures, often neglect the regulatory requirements and choose to only implement international best practices with no consideration of the risk of civil liability. Although these best practice frameworks may inadvertently comply with existing local legislation, a chance of an oversight is possible. Oversights may not only result in criminal sanctions, but also civil action due to losses or damages suffered. With regard to implementing VoIP, good Corporate Governance could potentially be ensured through the use of both identified regulations and relevant international best practices. This dissertation aims to aid organizations in avoiding or at least mitigating the risk of civil liability to better leverage VoIP’s value, through good Corporate Governance practices. This should aid in the exercise of due care and due diligence when implementing VoIP as a means of conducting business communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Vulindela!: opening the gates of journalism
- Authors: Schoon, Alette
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159528 , vital:40305 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC134094
- Description: A group of teenagers crowd together in a hall in Fingo Village, Grahamstown. They listen with rapt attention as one of them shares his anger at being short-changed in terms of his own future - teachers are absent for two out of every six school periods, compromising his chances of education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Schoon, Alette
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159528 , vital:40305 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC134094
- Description: A group of teenagers crowd together in a hall in Fingo Village, Grahamstown. They listen with rapt attention as one of them shares his anger at being short-changed in terms of his own future - teachers are absent for two out of every six school periods, compromising his chances of education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Vulnerability to violence : a comparative perspective of the immigrant business community in the townships of Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Shek, Mohammed Ahmed
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Immigrants , Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9144 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018807
- Description: The research seeks to explore why women in Zimbabwe still face hindrances in accessing micro finance services and what can be done to meet their needs in a more holistic and effective way. Women play a crucial role in the economic development of their families and communities but are faced with certain obstacles that hinder them from performing their role effectively. Such hindrances as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discrimination. UNIFEM (1992) confirms that the majority of the world‟s poor have a predominantly female face and argues that women earn only 10 percent of world‟s income and own less than 10 percent of the world‟s property. African women have been characterised by the lack of empowerment caused by societal perceptions and negative cultural practice. In many cases of women rights violation it has been noted that this has been exacerbated by the over reliance on the male counterpart. Development practitioners have noted that micro finance as one of the strategies needed for women empowerment. Despite the concept having been practiced for at least 15 years now, women still face challenges in accessing micro finance services. There is need for Micro Finance Institutions to recognise the position of women in relation to men as actors in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Shek, Mohammed Ahmed
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Immigrants , Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9144 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018807
- Description: The research seeks to explore why women in Zimbabwe still face hindrances in accessing micro finance services and what can be done to meet their needs in a more holistic and effective way. Women play a crucial role in the economic development of their families and communities but are faced with certain obstacles that hinder them from performing their role effectively. Such hindrances as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discrimination. UNIFEM (1992) confirms that the majority of the world‟s poor have a predominantly female face and argues that women earn only 10 percent of world‟s income and own less than 10 percent of the world‟s property. African women have been characterised by the lack of empowerment caused by societal perceptions and negative cultural practice. In many cases of women rights violation it has been noted that this has been exacerbated by the over reliance on the male counterpart. Development practitioners have noted that micro finance as one of the strategies needed for women empowerment. Despite the concept having been practiced for at least 15 years now, women still face challenges in accessing micro finance services. There is need for Micro Finance Institutions to recognise the position of women in relation to men as actors in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Water and transformation in South Africa
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:578 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009525
- Description: Water and transformation in South Africa: in special memory of Kader Asmal and Francois Junod.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:578 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009525
- Description: Water and transformation in South Africa: in special memory of Kader Asmal and Francois Junod.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Water quality dynamics in an experimental serial-use raceway and its effects on growth of South African abalone, Haliotis midae
- Authors: Naylor, Matthew Aubrey
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa , Abalone culture -- South Africa , Abalones -- Effect of water quality on , Abalones -- Nutrition -- South Africa , Abalones -- Feeding and feeds , Abalones -- Growth , Fish culture -- Water reuse
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005181 , Haliotis midae -- South Africa , Abalone culture -- South Africa , Abalones -- Effect of water quality on , Abalones -- Nutrition -- South Africa , Abalones -- Feeding and feeds , Abalones -- Growth , Fish culture -- Water reuse
- Description: An understanding of species specific water quality requirements is essential for efficient production of aquaculture products, an aspect not well documented for the land-based culture of the South African abalone, Haliotis midae. In order for the industry to remain competitive in international markets, efficient use of water supplies and the development of water reuse technology is needed. This study assessed the changes in water quality between tanks in a tiered serial-use raceway in relation to accumulated biomass and water flow and estimated the flow index (FI) (L h⁻¹ kg⁻¹) at which growth becomes significantly affected. The effect of dietary protein level, supplementation of pure oxygen and addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH⁻) on water quality and fundamental production parameters in the serial-use raceways was also assessed. The serial-use raceways were used as a tool to create a range of water quality conditions at which the growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and condition factor (CF) of "cocktail" size (60 – 70 mm) H. midae could be monitored. The metabolic activity of the abalone resulted in a deterioration in water quality between tanks in series. pH (r² = 0.99; p < 0.001) and dissolved oxygen concentration (r² = 0.99; p < 0.001) were positively correlated with flow index (pH = 7.38 FI°·°² ; dissolved oxygen = 6.92 FI°·°⁴), while free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) (r² = 0.99, p < 0.001) and nitrite (NO²⁻ - N) (r² = 0.93, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with flow index (FAN = 8.02 FI⁻°·⁷¹). Nitrite concentrations increased over time indicating colonisation of Nitrosomonas bacteria on the basket surfaces. A flow index of 7.2 – 9.0 L h⁻¹ kg⁻¹ was estimated as the minimum to avoid significant reductions in weight and shell length gain and increases in FCR values. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and FAN concentrations were significantly correlated to dietary protein (P) (t = 6.63, p < 0.0001 and t = 6.41, p < 0.0001, respectively) and flow index (t = 5.42, p < 0.0001 and t = 3.9, p < 0.0002, respectively) and could be estimated using the models TAN = 9.73 P – 110.3 log (FI), and FAN = 0.132 P – 1.10 log (FI). Mean FAN concentrations were 67 and 41 % lower in tanks fed a diet containing 22 and 26 % protein respectively, when compared to tanks fed a 33 % protein diet. Supplementation with pure oxygen (103 ± 8 % saturation) improved shell length gain (t = 3.45, p = 0.026) in abalone exposed to high FAN (2.43 ± 1.1 μg L⁻¹) and low pH (7.6 ± 0.13), relative to a treatment with no oxygen supplementation (92 ± 6 % saturation). Addition of a sodium hydroxide solution resulted in elevated mean pH in treatment raceways when compared to control raceways. The increased pH resulted in significantly higher weight gain (g abalone⁻¹) (F₁·₁₂ = 4.51; p = 0.055) and shell length gain (mm abalone⁻¹) (F₁·₁₂ = 4.56; p = 0.054) at an α-error level of < 5.5 %. In two trials, weight gain and shell length gain were significantly correlated to pH (p < 0.001), and multiple regression of pH, dissolved oxygen and FAN consistently revealed pH to be the best predictor of growth. It is therefore suggested that decreasing pH is the first limiting water quality variable for abalone in serial-use raceways. As a decrease in water pH is linked to respiration by the abalone and subsequent increase in dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, future studies should examine the effects of CO₂ on H. midae metabolic rate, calcification rate and health. The results of this study will contribute toward our understanding of the specific water quality requirements for H. midae in commercial aquaculture systems, and influence the design and management procedures for abalone water reuse systems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Naylor, Matthew Aubrey
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa , Abalone culture -- South Africa , Abalones -- Effect of water quality on , Abalones -- Nutrition -- South Africa , Abalones -- Feeding and feeds , Abalones -- Growth , Fish culture -- Water reuse
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005181 , Haliotis midae -- South Africa , Abalone culture -- South Africa , Abalones -- Effect of water quality on , Abalones -- Nutrition -- South Africa , Abalones -- Feeding and feeds , Abalones -- Growth , Fish culture -- Water reuse
- Description: An understanding of species specific water quality requirements is essential for efficient production of aquaculture products, an aspect not well documented for the land-based culture of the South African abalone, Haliotis midae. In order for the industry to remain competitive in international markets, efficient use of water supplies and the development of water reuse technology is needed. This study assessed the changes in water quality between tanks in a tiered serial-use raceway in relation to accumulated biomass and water flow and estimated the flow index (FI) (L h⁻¹ kg⁻¹) at which growth becomes significantly affected. The effect of dietary protein level, supplementation of pure oxygen and addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH⁻) on water quality and fundamental production parameters in the serial-use raceways was also assessed. The serial-use raceways were used as a tool to create a range of water quality conditions at which the growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and condition factor (CF) of "cocktail" size (60 – 70 mm) H. midae could be monitored. The metabolic activity of the abalone resulted in a deterioration in water quality between tanks in series. pH (r² = 0.99; p < 0.001) and dissolved oxygen concentration (r² = 0.99; p < 0.001) were positively correlated with flow index (pH = 7.38 FI°·°² ; dissolved oxygen = 6.92 FI°·°⁴), while free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) (r² = 0.99, p < 0.001) and nitrite (NO²⁻ - N) (r² = 0.93, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with flow index (FAN = 8.02 FI⁻°·⁷¹). Nitrite concentrations increased over time indicating colonisation of Nitrosomonas bacteria on the basket surfaces. A flow index of 7.2 – 9.0 L h⁻¹ kg⁻¹ was estimated as the minimum to avoid significant reductions in weight and shell length gain and increases in FCR values. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and FAN concentrations were significantly correlated to dietary protein (P) (t = 6.63, p < 0.0001 and t = 6.41, p < 0.0001, respectively) and flow index (t = 5.42, p < 0.0001 and t = 3.9, p < 0.0002, respectively) and could be estimated using the models TAN = 9.73 P – 110.3 log (FI), and FAN = 0.132 P – 1.10 log (FI). Mean FAN concentrations were 67 and 41 % lower in tanks fed a diet containing 22 and 26 % protein respectively, when compared to tanks fed a 33 % protein diet. Supplementation with pure oxygen (103 ± 8 % saturation) improved shell length gain (t = 3.45, p = 0.026) in abalone exposed to high FAN (2.43 ± 1.1 μg L⁻¹) and low pH (7.6 ± 0.13), relative to a treatment with no oxygen supplementation (92 ± 6 % saturation). Addition of a sodium hydroxide solution resulted in elevated mean pH in treatment raceways when compared to control raceways. The increased pH resulted in significantly higher weight gain (g abalone⁻¹) (F₁·₁₂ = 4.51; p = 0.055) and shell length gain (mm abalone⁻¹) (F₁·₁₂ = 4.56; p = 0.054) at an α-error level of < 5.5 %. In two trials, weight gain and shell length gain were significantly correlated to pH (p < 0.001), and multiple regression of pH, dissolved oxygen and FAN consistently revealed pH to be the best predictor of growth. It is therefore suggested that decreasing pH is the first limiting water quality variable for abalone in serial-use raceways. As a decrease in water pH is linked to respiration by the abalone and subsequent increase in dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, future studies should examine the effects of CO₂ on H. midae metabolic rate, calcification rate and health. The results of this study will contribute toward our understanding of the specific water quality requirements for H. midae in commercial aquaculture systems, and influence the design and management procedures for abalone water reuse systems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Water service delivery for improved quality of life in the Mbizana Local Municipal
- Authors: Mpange, Zolisa Bavuyise
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018891
- Description: This study deals with water service delivery for improved quality of life in the Mbizana Local Municipality. The study sets out to determine how the inner workings of water service delivery work in the Mbizana Local Municipality, situated in the Eastern Cape, and how this should function in terms of South African legislation. The objectives of the study are to understand the current state of water service delivery in the Mbizana Local Municipality, finding out information about South African legislation regarding the ideal state of water service delivery, and recommending development programmes to improve water service delivery. This study is about understanding trends in the body of scientific knowledge or literature, and studying (as objects) the ideas and writings of other scholars. No empirical study was conducted. The research methodology for this study is descriptive, with data sourced from available literature. The findings in this study indicate that backlogs for water service delivery remain high in the Mbizana Local Municipality. Regrettably, the situation has worsened since 2004; backlogs have shifted from 45 percent to 94 percent of households with no access to tap water. A number of normative criteria to deal with the research problem were extracted from available literature, from which conclusions were drawn and recommendations made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mpange, Zolisa Bavuyise
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018891
- Description: This study deals with water service delivery for improved quality of life in the Mbizana Local Municipality. The study sets out to determine how the inner workings of water service delivery work in the Mbizana Local Municipality, situated in the Eastern Cape, and how this should function in terms of South African legislation. The objectives of the study are to understand the current state of water service delivery in the Mbizana Local Municipality, finding out information about South African legislation regarding the ideal state of water service delivery, and recommending development programmes to improve water service delivery. This study is about understanding trends in the body of scientific knowledge or literature, and studying (as objects) the ideas and writings of other scholars. No empirical study was conducted. The research methodology for this study is descriptive, with data sourced from available literature. The findings in this study indicate that backlogs for water service delivery remain high in the Mbizana Local Municipality. Regrettably, the situation has worsened since 2004; backlogs have shifted from 45 percent to 94 percent of households with no access to tap water. A number of normative criteria to deal with the research problem were extracted from available literature, from which conclusions were drawn and recommendations made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Web-based visualisation techniques for reporting zoonotic outbreaks
- Authors: Ncube, Sinini Paul
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Zoonoses -- Reporting , Communicable diseases -- Reporting , Communication in medicine , Medical telematics , Internet , Information visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006672 , Zoonoses -- Reporting , Communicable diseases -- Reporting , Communication in medicine , Medical telematics , Internet , Information visualization
- Description: Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are transmitted from animals or vectors to humans and vice versa. The public together with veterinarian authorities should readily access disease information as it is vital in rapidly controlling resultant zoonotic outbreak threats through improved awareness. Currently, the reporting of disease information in South Africa is predominantly limited to traditional methods of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) like faxes, monthly newspaper reports, radios, phones and televisions. Although these are effective ways of communication, their disadvantage is that the information that most of them offer can only be accessed at specific times during a crisis. New technologies like the internet have become the most efficient way of distributing information in near-real-time. Many developed countries have used web-based reporting platforms to deliver timely information through temporal and geographic visualisation techniques. There has been an attempt in the use of web-based reporting in South Africa but most of these sites are characterised by heavy text which makes them time consuming to use or maintain. As a result most sites have not been updated or have ceased to exist because of the work load involved. The success of web reporting mechanisms in developed countries offers evidence that web-based reporting systems when appropriately visualised can improve the easy understanding of information and efficiency in the analysis of that data. In this thesis, a web-based reporting prototype was proposed after gathering information from different sources: literature related to disease reporting and the visualisation of infectious diseases; the exploration of the currently deployed web systems; and the investigation of user requirements from relevant parties. The proposed prototype system was then developed using Adobe Flash tools, Java and MySQL languages. A focus group then reviewed the developed system to ascertain that the relevant requirements had been incorporated and to obtain additional ideas about the system. This led to the proposal of a new prototype system that can be used by the authorities concerned as a plan to develop a fully functional disease reporting system for South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ncube, Sinini Paul
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Zoonoses -- Reporting , Communicable diseases -- Reporting , Communication in medicine , Medical telematics , Internet , Information visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006672 , Zoonoses -- Reporting , Communicable diseases -- Reporting , Communication in medicine , Medical telematics , Internet , Information visualization
- Description: Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are transmitted from animals or vectors to humans and vice versa. The public together with veterinarian authorities should readily access disease information as it is vital in rapidly controlling resultant zoonotic outbreak threats through improved awareness. Currently, the reporting of disease information in South Africa is predominantly limited to traditional methods of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) like faxes, monthly newspaper reports, radios, phones and televisions. Although these are effective ways of communication, their disadvantage is that the information that most of them offer can only be accessed at specific times during a crisis. New technologies like the internet have become the most efficient way of distributing information in near-real-time. Many developed countries have used web-based reporting platforms to deliver timely information through temporal and geographic visualisation techniques. There has been an attempt in the use of web-based reporting in South Africa but most of these sites are characterised by heavy text which makes them time consuming to use or maintain. As a result most sites have not been updated or have ceased to exist because of the work load involved. The success of web reporting mechanisms in developed countries offers evidence that web-based reporting systems when appropriately visualised can improve the easy understanding of information and efficiency in the analysis of that data. In this thesis, a web-based reporting prototype was proposed after gathering information from different sources: literature related to disease reporting and the visualisation of infectious diseases; the exploration of the currently deployed web systems; and the investigation of user requirements from relevant parties. The proposed prototype system was then developed using Adobe Flash tools, Java and MySQL languages. A focus group then reviewed the developed system to ascertain that the relevant requirements had been incorporated and to obtain additional ideas about the system. This led to the proposal of a new prototype system that can be used by the authorities concerned as a plan to develop a fully functional disease reporting system for South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012