A delphi study tp build consensus on the ultrasound skills required for effective healthcare service delivery at distict hospitals in South Africa
- Authors: Mans, Pierre Andre
- Date: 2023-07
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/12923 , vital:76178
- Description: ABSTRACT Background: Despite increased access to ultrasound machines across the country, there are no guidelines on the required competency level in point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for medical doctors working in district hospitals in South Africa. Through a Delphi process involving nominated experts across the country, this study aimed to develop and achieve expert consensus on the POCUS skillsets required for medical doctors working at district hospitals in South Africa. Methods: A Delphi method of consensus development was performed, comprising several iterative rounds of skillset selection that continued until consensus was achieved on all items. We started this process using the existing American Academy of Family Physicians’ ultrasound curriculum (93 skillsets) as the starting point in the questionnaire. Experts were drawn from across the country; two from district hospitals in each province and two from each academic Family Medicine Department (N=36). In each iterative round, participants were asked to identify which POCUS skillsets were essential, optional (region specific) or non-essential for South African district hospitals. Results: Overall, five iterative rounds were required before consensus was attained on all skillsets (>70% agreement among the experts). In the first round, consensus was reached on 14 skillsets, followed by 21 skillsets in the second and third rounds. In the fourth round, consensus was reached on 26 skillsets, and in the fifth and final round, consensus was reached on the remaining eight skillsets. Of the starting 93 skillsets, three skillsets could not achieve consensus , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
- Authors: Mans, Pierre Andre
- Date: 2023-07
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/12923 , vital:76178
- Description: ABSTRACT Background: Despite increased access to ultrasound machines across the country, there are no guidelines on the required competency level in point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for medical doctors working in district hospitals in South Africa. Through a Delphi process involving nominated experts across the country, this study aimed to develop and achieve expert consensus on the POCUS skillsets required for medical doctors working at district hospitals in South Africa. Methods: A Delphi method of consensus development was performed, comprising several iterative rounds of skillset selection that continued until consensus was achieved on all items. We started this process using the existing American Academy of Family Physicians’ ultrasound curriculum (93 skillsets) as the starting point in the questionnaire. Experts were drawn from across the country; two from district hospitals in each province and two from each academic Family Medicine Department (N=36). In each iterative round, participants were asked to identify which POCUS skillsets were essential, optional (region specific) or non-essential for South African district hospitals. Results: Overall, five iterative rounds were required before consensus was attained on all skillsets (>70% agreement among the experts). In the first round, consensus was reached on 14 skillsets, followed by 21 skillsets in the second and third rounds. In the fourth round, consensus was reached on 26 skillsets, and in the fifth and final round, consensus was reached on the remaining eight skillsets. Of the starting 93 skillsets, three skillsets could not achieve consensus , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
Developing logit calibration model for wildfire smoke characterization based on sentinel-2 multispectral data and machine learning techniques
- Authors: Sali, Athule
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Wildfires -- Prevention and control -- Contracting out , Smoke plumes , Remote-sensing images
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28467 , vital:74338
- Description: Wildfires are complicated incidents that arise as results of both natural causes and anthropological activities. They have long been regarded as the most devastating phenomena globally. Wildfires are considered a powerful natural factor which has detrimental effect on the global environment. This study was aimed at developing logit calibration models for wildfire smoke prediction based on Sentinel-2 multispectral data and machine learning techniques. Remotely sensed data, in the form of the Sentinel-2 imagery, was used as the base from which wildfire smoke plumes were spectrally characterized and distinguished from clouds and flame using endmember selection. The Smoke Detection Index (SDI) was generated to detect the relative abundance of smoke from the imagery. The Cloud Detection Index (CDI) was also generated from Sentinel-2 imagery to detect the relative abundance of clouds. The bi-level thresholding technique was also used to characterize wildfire smoke from the imagery. The logit models were developed through multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network to predict wildfire smoke plumes. The Relative Operator Characteristic - Area Under the Curve (ROC-AUC) metrics was used to evaluate the logit models performance. The spectral signature pattern from endmembers revealed that wildfire smoke behaves different across Sentinel-2 multispectral channels with shortwave 1 channel (SWIR-1) exhibiting the highest radiance value. The signature patterns from endmember selection also revealed the distinctive spectral characterization of smoke from those of clouds. The findings showed that whilst smoke exhibited high radiance value on SWIR-1 channel, clouds exhibited high radiance value in the near infrared (NIR), signifying that smoke and cloud are spectrally separatable in the NIR. The smoke-containing pixels from bi-level thresholding were characterized by SDI values that ranged between 0.089 and 0.561. Suggesting that pixels associated with wildfire smoke are limited to this range of values. The logit models developed showed that smoke is predicted in SWIR-2. The ROC-AUC value obtained by this model was 0.77. The Implications emerging from the ROC-AUC results revealed that MLP model employed on the SWIR-2 band present a viable and accurate prediction of wildfire smoke plume. The findings of this study suggest that wildfire smoke is efficiently predicted at the shortwave channels of the electromagnetic spectrum. The wildfire smoke can be spectrally distinguished from cloud in the near infrared channel. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
- Authors: Sali, Athule
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Wildfires -- Prevention and control -- Contracting out , Smoke plumes , Remote-sensing images
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28467 , vital:74338
- Description: Wildfires are complicated incidents that arise as results of both natural causes and anthropological activities. They have long been regarded as the most devastating phenomena globally. Wildfires are considered a powerful natural factor which has detrimental effect on the global environment. This study was aimed at developing logit calibration models for wildfire smoke prediction based on Sentinel-2 multispectral data and machine learning techniques. Remotely sensed data, in the form of the Sentinel-2 imagery, was used as the base from which wildfire smoke plumes were spectrally characterized and distinguished from clouds and flame using endmember selection. The Smoke Detection Index (SDI) was generated to detect the relative abundance of smoke from the imagery. The Cloud Detection Index (CDI) was also generated from Sentinel-2 imagery to detect the relative abundance of clouds. The bi-level thresholding technique was also used to characterize wildfire smoke from the imagery. The logit models were developed through multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network to predict wildfire smoke plumes. The Relative Operator Characteristic - Area Under the Curve (ROC-AUC) metrics was used to evaluate the logit models performance. The spectral signature pattern from endmembers revealed that wildfire smoke behaves different across Sentinel-2 multispectral channels with shortwave 1 channel (SWIR-1) exhibiting the highest radiance value. The signature patterns from endmember selection also revealed the distinctive spectral characterization of smoke from those of clouds. The findings showed that whilst smoke exhibited high radiance value on SWIR-1 channel, clouds exhibited high radiance value in the near infrared (NIR), signifying that smoke and cloud are spectrally separatable in the NIR. The smoke-containing pixels from bi-level thresholding were characterized by SDI values that ranged between 0.089 and 0.561. Suggesting that pixels associated with wildfire smoke are limited to this range of values. The logit models developed showed that smoke is predicted in SWIR-2. The ROC-AUC value obtained by this model was 0.77. The Implications emerging from the ROC-AUC results revealed that MLP model employed on the SWIR-2 band present a viable and accurate prediction of wildfire smoke plume. The findings of this study suggest that wildfire smoke is efficiently predicted at the shortwave channels of the electromagnetic spectrum. The wildfire smoke can be spectrally distinguished from cloud in the near infrared channel. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
Exploring the involvement of the SARS-CoV-2 Replicase in the synthesis of polyamines and heat shock proteins
- Authors: Mthembu,Yamkela
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Post COVID-19 condition (Disease) , COVID-19 (Disease) , Polyamines in the body
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:74275
- Description: A disease named COVID-19 almost destroyed the human population. It is caused by the SARS CoV 2 virus which emerged in 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide forcing all countries to shut down. This virus uses non-structural proteins to complete its invasion and development inside the host. The non-structural protein 2 NSP2 defined as the RNA binding protein involved in coronavirus genome replication and decreases the human immune response is key for this virus’s development and invasion. It is believed that the NSP2 associate themselves with polyamines and heat shock proteins inside the host cell, to proceed with the viral development and this study aimed to investigate how SARS CoV 2 virus key non-structural proteins NSP2 utilizes polyamines and heat shock proteins using the molecular docking approach and molecular dynamics MD. In this present study a docking approach was used. The dockings were done on ClusPro, and analysis was done on Discovery Studio, chimera, and PyMOL. One of the enzymes that are involved in the regulation of polyamine biosynthesis, adenosylmethionine decarboxylase AdoMetDC was used in investigating the polyamine binding to the viral NSP2, and major heat shock proteins HSPs HSP40, HSP70, and HSP90 were used in the investigation of the binding of HSPs to viral non-structural proteins NSP2. The results obtained show that 32 interactions were formed when docking heat shock protein 40 HSP40 with the SARS CoV 2 NSP2, but the area that has the highest interactions was from amino acid Ala554 to His557. Asp553 plays a very crucial role in this interaction forming six interactions. Heat shock protein 70 produced about 28 interactions when docked with the SARS CoV 2 NSP2. But the section with the most bonds was from position 550 to 560 of the ligand. Human heat shock protein 90 HSP90 formed 19 interactions when docked with the SARS CoV 2 viral NSP2. MD revealed Arg458, Asn508, Met297, Arg301 and Tr417 active residues. And pharmacophore modeling indicated zinc inhibitors as crucial for inhibiting this virus. Enough interactions were produced with ideal bonds lengths, and it can be said that the functioning of the SARS CoV2 viral non-structural proteins functioning majorly depends on the presence of the heat shock proteins at hand for proper formation and depends on polyamines for complete development and correct functioning. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
- Authors: Mthembu,Yamkela
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Post COVID-19 condition (Disease) , COVID-19 (Disease) , Polyamines in the body
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:74275
- Description: A disease named COVID-19 almost destroyed the human population. It is caused by the SARS CoV 2 virus which emerged in 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide forcing all countries to shut down. This virus uses non-structural proteins to complete its invasion and development inside the host. The non-structural protein 2 NSP2 defined as the RNA binding protein involved in coronavirus genome replication and decreases the human immune response is key for this virus’s development and invasion. It is believed that the NSP2 associate themselves with polyamines and heat shock proteins inside the host cell, to proceed with the viral development and this study aimed to investigate how SARS CoV 2 virus key non-structural proteins NSP2 utilizes polyamines and heat shock proteins using the molecular docking approach and molecular dynamics MD. In this present study a docking approach was used. The dockings were done on ClusPro, and analysis was done on Discovery Studio, chimera, and PyMOL. One of the enzymes that are involved in the regulation of polyamine biosynthesis, adenosylmethionine decarboxylase AdoMetDC was used in investigating the polyamine binding to the viral NSP2, and major heat shock proteins HSPs HSP40, HSP70, and HSP90 were used in the investigation of the binding of HSPs to viral non-structural proteins NSP2. The results obtained show that 32 interactions were formed when docking heat shock protein 40 HSP40 with the SARS CoV 2 NSP2, but the area that has the highest interactions was from amino acid Ala554 to His557. Asp553 plays a very crucial role in this interaction forming six interactions. Heat shock protein 70 produced about 28 interactions when docked with the SARS CoV 2 NSP2. But the section with the most bonds was from position 550 to 560 of the ligand. Human heat shock protein 90 HSP90 formed 19 interactions when docked with the SARS CoV 2 viral NSP2. MD revealed Arg458, Asn508, Met297, Arg301 and Tr417 active residues. And pharmacophore modeling indicated zinc inhibitors as crucial for inhibiting this virus. Enough interactions were produced with ideal bonds lengths, and it can be said that the functioning of the SARS CoV2 viral non-structural proteins functioning majorly depends on the presence of the heat shock proteins at hand for proper formation and depends on polyamines for complete development and correct functioning. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
Gender and shifting urban property relations: the impacts of tenure upgrading on women’s access to land and housing in Mdantsane, South Africa
- Stofile, Zimkhitha Sphokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1566-1376
- Authors: Stofile, Zimkhitha Sphokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1566-1376
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Women's shelters , Land tenure -- South Africa , Right to housing
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28717 , vital:74556
- Description: A detailed empirical focus on the social impacts of progressive land policy shifts on women in Africa remains limited, particularly when it comes to urban property rights. This study examined contemporary dynamics of gender and access to urban property in the context of South Africa’s post-apartheid radical policy changes that attempt to address primarily the historical exclusion of blacks from urban property rights and housing. The thesis adopted a gendered approach to the concept of ‘access’ as an overriding concept to analyse the impacts of land tenure upgrading on women’s access to urban land and housing in Mdantsane, South Africa’s second-largest township. This study also adopts a liberal feminist perspective, particularly egalitarian liberal feminism (emanating from the works of John Stuart Mill) to explore how the post-apartheid progressive institutional and legal reforms have influenced the autonomy and power of women to access urban property rights. Through this perspective, the study also draws on several key theoretical concepts to put together a conceptual schema – a framework – that provides enhanced understanding of gendered dimensions of access to urban landed property (in this case housing). In many developing countries, there has been a shift from indigenous land tenure systems to private land ownership. These shifts were caused by several factors, including population pressure, rising land income, urbanisation, and land grabbing. International organisations such as the World Bank, the United States Agency for International Development and Department for International Development have expanded their land tenure reform programmes in developing countries from the 1970s until the late 1990s. These have suggested individualised land rights (land titling) as a precondition for investment, economic progress, poverty alleviation, and a framework for secure, transparent, and enforceable property rights. Gender equity became a growing concern among donor institutions that promote and fund titling and registration programmes. Land titling was viewed as a solution to bring an end to gender inequalities in land ownership. In South Africa, the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Act 112 of 1991 (ULTRA) was enacted for upgrading and converting ownership of certain rights granted in respect of land. The study used a case study of women in sections of Mdantsane. Qualitative methods, mainly in-depth interviews and life histories enabled the researcher to obtain detailed personal accounts of the historical and contemporary struggles of black women in accessing land and property in South Africa’s urban peripheries. The findings demonstrate that tenure upgrading produced differential outcomes among women in Mdantsane, and some diverse meanings that women attach to their land and houses in the context of tenure upgrading in post-apartheid South Africa. While tenure upgrading has guaranteed non-eviction for most house occupants (including women), it resulted in eviction for others. Male occupants, who secretly and fraudulently acquired the title deeds for family houses, displaced some of their women relatives. The study also established that these displacements were mostly done by those men who were regarded as heirs to property in many of the urban households. As such, they took most decisions about the formal registration of family homes, thus weakening the rights and power of women over urban property. Among the dominant meanings attached to land after tenure upgrading, women in Mdantsane generally viewed the ownership of urban property – no matter how small – as a form of empowerment, socially and economically. This study also found that after tenure upgrading, other women lost access to the accommodation they rented for more than a decade, even though they qualified to become the owners. In some instances, the politicians fraudulently sold the houses, and the occupants were thus displaced. Poor housing administration by the municipal officials was one of the reasons most occupants lost access to housing. In general, the results indicate that post-apartheid, urban land laws and policies afforded women better access to land and housing. Furthermore, in several instances, titling afforded women equal ownership rights as men compared to other tenure systems. Nonetheless, the history of exclusion still negatively affects women’s access to land and housing. Even in cases where they are not excluded, women still face social, political, and cultural constraints in acquiring urban land. Such a finding indicates that, gender-sensitive land laws and policies do not automatically lead to positive outcomes for women in South Africa’s urban peripheries. Therefore, the struggle for equal property rights does not begin and end with gender-progressive laws. Urban land policy should also grapple with past and contemporary obstacles in the implementation of legislation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
- Authors: Stofile, Zimkhitha Sphokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1566-1376
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Women's shelters , Land tenure -- South Africa , Right to housing
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28717 , vital:74556
- Description: A detailed empirical focus on the social impacts of progressive land policy shifts on women in Africa remains limited, particularly when it comes to urban property rights. This study examined contemporary dynamics of gender and access to urban property in the context of South Africa’s post-apartheid radical policy changes that attempt to address primarily the historical exclusion of blacks from urban property rights and housing. The thesis adopted a gendered approach to the concept of ‘access’ as an overriding concept to analyse the impacts of land tenure upgrading on women’s access to urban land and housing in Mdantsane, South Africa’s second-largest township. This study also adopts a liberal feminist perspective, particularly egalitarian liberal feminism (emanating from the works of John Stuart Mill) to explore how the post-apartheid progressive institutional and legal reforms have influenced the autonomy and power of women to access urban property rights. Through this perspective, the study also draws on several key theoretical concepts to put together a conceptual schema – a framework – that provides enhanced understanding of gendered dimensions of access to urban landed property (in this case housing). In many developing countries, there has been a shift from indigenous land tenure systems to private land ownership. These shifts were caused by several factors, including population pressure, rising land income, urbanisation, and land grabbing. International organisations such as the World Bank, the United States Agency for International Development and Department for International Development have expanded their land tenure reform programmes in developing countries from the 1970s until the late 1990s. These have suggested individualised land rights (land titling) as a precondition for investment, economic progress, poverty alleviation, and a framework for secure, transparent, and enforceable property rights. Gender equity became a growing concern among donor institutions that promote and fund titling and registration programmes. Land titling was viewed as a solution to bring an end to gender inequalities in land ownership. In South Africa, the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Act 112 of 1991 (ULTRA) was enacted for upgrading and converting ownership of certain rights granted in respect of land. The study used a case study of women in sections of Mdantsane. Qualitative methods, mainly in-depth interviews and life histories enabled the researcher to obtain detailed personal accounts of the historical and contemporary struggles of black women in accessing land and property in South Africa’s urban peripheries. The findings demonstrate that tenure upgrading produced differential outcomes among women in Mdantsane, and some diverse meanings that women attach to their land and houses in the context of tenure upgrading in post-apartheid South Africa. While tenure upgrading has guaranteed non-eviction for most house occupants (including women), it resulted in eviction for others. Male occupants, who secretly and fraudulently acquired the title deeds for family houses, displaced some of their women relatives. The study also established that these displacements were mostly done by those men who were regarded as heirs to property in many of the urban households. As such, they took most decisions about the formal registration of family homes, thus weakening the rights and power of women over urban property. Among the dominant meanings attached to land after tenure upgrading, women in Mdantsane generally viewed the ownership of urban property – no matter how small – as a form of empowerment, socially and economically. This study also found that after tenure upgrading, other women lost access to the accommodation they rented for more than a decade, even though they qualified to become the owners. In some instances, the politicians fraudulently sold the houses, and the occupants were thus displaced. Poor housing administration by the municipal officials was one of the reasons most occupants lost access to housing. In general, the results indicate that post-apartheid, urban land laws and policies afforded women better access to land and housing. Furthermore, in several instances, titling afforded women equal ownership rights as men compared to other tenure systems. Nonetheless, the history of exclusion still negatively affects women’s access to land and housing. Even in cases where they are not excluded, women still face social, political, and cultural constraints in acquiring urban land. Such a finding indicates that, gender-sensitive land laws and policies do not automatically lead to positive outcomes for women in South Africa’s urban peripheries. Therefore, the struggle for equal property rights does not begin and end with gender-progressive laws. Urban land policy should also grapple with past and contemporary obstacles in the implementation of legislation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
Morphometric variation, heavy metal analysis and temperature effects on body weight and stoichiometric ratios (C:N:P) of cerithidea decollata along the Wild Coast, South Africa
- Authors: Fiki, Sinoxolo
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Zoology
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9388 , vital:73512
- Description: The truncated snail, C e rit hid e a d e c olla t a , is one of the major invertebrates in mangrove ecosystems. It’s the rapid ecophysiological response to environmental stress conditions makes C. decollata an ideal species to test the effects of climate change in mangrove ecosystems. Increased temperatures, due to climate change, is one of the major threats faced by aquatic invertebrates as thermal stress may easily lead to death. This study, thus, compared the effects of 1) environmental conditions on the morphology; 2) temperature on body weight and stoichiometry as well as 3) the heavy metal content of C. decollata across three mangrove ecosystems. Morphometry results revealed that sites significantly influenced most of the shell morphological variables (i.e., shell length, shell width, spire height and aperture width). However, sites did not significantly influence the shell depth and aperture length of C. decollata . Temperature effects on body weight revealed that C. decollata individuals gained weight at low temperatures (10 to 20 °C) in all sites. As a result, the mean % weight gain of 6.75 ± 0.11 in Mngazana, 15.82 ± 0.13 in Mbhashe and 11.2 ± 0.13 in Nqabara. Contrary, C. decollata lost weight at temperatures between 25 and 40 °C across all sites leading to a mean % weight loss of 9.51 ± 0.05 in Mngazana; 14.52 ± 0.16 in Mbhashe and 25.74 ± 0.12 in Nqabara. Stoichiometric analysis revealed that soft tissues had higher nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous than the shells. The NP ratio was higher in soft tissues than in shells while CN and CP ratios were higher in shells than in soft tissues. The N, C, P, CN, CP and NP were lowest in Mngazana and highest in Nqabara. Temperature increases resulted in increased nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon and their stoichiometric CN, CP and NP ratios. Heavy metal results showed that Zn, Cu and Cd were highest in the soft tissue than in the shells and sediment. Contrarily, Fe and Pb were higher in the sediment than in shells and soft tissues. The Cu+Zn was highest in the shells than in the soft tissues and sediment. However, arsenic concentrations were below detection levels across all sites. Overall, no significant site differences were detected for heavy metals. It was, therefore, concluded that sites influenced some of C. decollata morphological features while temperature affected the body weight and stoichiometry of C. decollata . , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
- Authors: Fiki, Sinoxolo
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Zoology
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9388 , vital:73512
- Description: The truncated snail, C e rit hid e a d e c olla t a , is one of the major invertebrates in mangrove ecosystems. It’s the rapid ecophysiological response to environmental stress conditions makes C. decollata an ideal species to test the effects of climate change in mangrove ecosystems. Increased temperatures, due to climate change, is one of the major threats faced by aquatic invertebrates as thermal stress may easily lead to death. This study, thus, compared the effects of 1) environmental conditions on the morphology; 2) temperature on body weight and stoichiometry as well as 3) the heavy metal content of C. decollata across three mangrove ecosystems. Morphometry results revealed that sites significantly influenced most of the shell morphological variables (i.e., shell length, shell width, spire height and aperture width). However, sites did not significantly influence the shell depth and aperture length of C. decollata . Temperature effects on body weight revealed that C. decollata individuals gained weight at low temperatures (10 to 20 °C) in all sites. As a result, the mean % weight gain of 6.75 ± 0.11 in Mngazana, 15.82 ± 0.13 in Mbhashe and 11.2 ± 0.13 in Nqabara. Contrary, C. decollata lost weight at temperatures between 25 and 40 °C across all sites leading to a mean % weight loss of 9.51 ± 0.05 in Mngazana; 14.52 ± 0.16 in Mbhashe and 25.74 ± 0.12 in Nqabara. Stoichiometric analysis revealed that soft tissues had higher nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous than the shells. The NP ratio was higher in soft tissues than in shells while CN and CP ratios were higher in shells than in soft tissues. The N, C, P, CN, CP and NP were lowest in Mngazana and highest in Nqabara. Temperature increases resulted in increased nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon and their stoichiometric CN, CP and NP ratios. Heavy metal results showed that Zn, Cu and Cd were highest in the soft tissue than in the shells and sediment. Contrarily, Fe and Pb were higher in the sediment than in shells and soft tissues. The Cu+Zn was highest in the shells than in the soft tissues and sediment. However, arsenic concentrations were below detection levels across all sites. Overall, no significant site differences were detected for heavy metals. It was, therefore, concluded that sites influenced some of C. decollata morphological features while temperature affected the body weight and stoichiometry of C. decollata . , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
The moderation and mediation influence of dynamic capabilities and decision-making dimensions on South African family business performance
- Pike-Bowles, Angela https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4811-0455
- Authors: Pike-Bowles, Angela https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4811-0455
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Decision making , Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession -- South Africa , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28684 , vital:74499
- Description: Family businesses are fundamental for any world economy where they contribute significantly to economic prosperity. However, family firms are faced with new obstacles that are directly affecting their business performance due to the current economic uncertainties and the rapidly changing environments. The implementation of dynamic capabilities is a fundamental strategic tool family firms can exercise to improve their competitive advantage. Although family business research has proliferated over the last 10 years, there are few studies in South Africa investigating the extent to which dynamic capabilities influence family business performance. This study, therefore, had a primary objective to investigate the determinants of family business performance and the role that dynamic capabilities play as mediators and moderators. Studying such a research theme has not received sufficient attention within the family business field, which emphasises the need for such a topic to be investigated. The independent variables for the study entailed dynamic capabilities and decision-making constructs while the dependent variable comprised family business performance. Consequently, the mediating variables included strategic foresight, strategic flexibility, and strategic creativity while the moderating variables included strategic creativity and strategic flexibility. This investigation followed a quantitative methodological logic by employing the questionnaire as the research instrument. In total, 347 family business managers and owners from the eight districts of the Eastern Cape participated in the study. The family businesses were accessed through a convenience sampling technique to identify if their business suited the inclusion criteria of the study. Data analysis was executed through SPSS where the moderation-mediation analysis followed the Hayes process macro through multiple regression analysis. The research findings revealed that there is both a significant positive and mediation relationship between the dynamic capabilities constructs entailing environmental scanning, scenario planning, knowledge creation, culture, and formal organisation with the decision-making constructs of strategic foresight, flexibility, and creativity with family business performance. Interestingly, a moderation relationship does not exist between these constructs and the strategic foresight of the family firm. However, a moderation relationship does exist between the dynamic capabilities constructs of knowledge creation and culture and strategic foresight when moderated by strategic creativity. Thus, family business performance is positively influenced by the said dynamic capabilities and decision-making constructs. The results ultimately provided implications for family businesses with practical advice on the successful implementation and monitoring of dynamic capabilities and decisionmaking in the family business. Lastly, this study makes recommendations for family and non-family business owners, government, and academics. These recommendations entail family businesses implementing a lucrative dynamic capability model to improve family business performance in the context of South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
- Authors: Pike-Bowles, Angela https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4811-0455
- Date: 2023-07
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Decision making , Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession -- South Africa , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28684 , vital:74499
- Description: Family businesses are fundamental for any world economy where they contribute significantly to economic prosperity. However, family firms are faced with new obstacles that are directly affecting their business performance due to the current economic uncertainties and the rapidly changing environments. The implementation of dynamic capabilities is a fundamental strategic tool family firms can exercise to improve their competitive advantage. Although family business research has proliferated over the last 10 years, there are few studies in South Africa investigating the extent to which dynamic capabilities influence family business performance. This study, therefore, had a primary objective to investigate the determinants of family business performance and the role that dynamic capabilities play as mediators and moderators. Studying such a research theme has not received sufficient attention within the family business field, which emphasises the need for such a topic to be investigated. The independent variables for the study entailed dynamic capabilities and decision-making constructs while the dependent variable comprised family business performance. Consequently, the mediating variables included strategic foresight, strategic flexibility, and strategic creativity while the moderating variables included strategic creativity and strategic flexibility. This investigation followed a quantitative methodological logic by employing the questionnaire as the research instrument. In total, 347 family business managers and owners from the eight districts of the Eastern Cape participated in the study. The family businesses were accessed through a convenience sampling technique to identify if their business suited the inclusion criteria of the study. Data analysis was executed through SPSS where the moderation-mediation analysis followed the Hayes process macro through multiple regression analysis. The research findings revealed that there is both a significant positive and mediation relationship between the dynamic capabilities constructs entailing environmental scanning, scenario planning, knowledge creation, culture, and formal organisation with the decision-making constructs of strategic foresight, flexibility, and creativity with family business performance. Interestingly, a moderation relationship does not exist between these constructs and the strategic foresight of the family firm. However, a moderation relationship does exist between the dynamic capabilities constructs of knowledge creation and culture and strategic foresight when moderated by strategic creativity. Thus, family business performance is positively influenced by the said dynamic capabilities and decision-making constructs. The results ultimately provided implications for family businesses with practical advice on the successful implementation and monitoring of dynamic capabilities and decisionmaking in the family business. Lastly, this study makes recommendations for family and non-family business owners, government, and academics. These recommendations entail family businesses implementing a lucrative dynamic capability model to improve family business performance in the context of South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-07
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