Exploring the continued importance of technique in the co-production of art with A.I.
- Authors: Venter, Simon Denis
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Art and technology , Mass media and culture , Artificial Intelligence
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63573 , vital:73504
- Description: n Plato’s Republic, artists are criticised for their perceived lack of rationality, since “art encourages and appeals to emotion,” insofar as “its ruling principle is the passions, which in a happy and well-ordered life must be controlled by reason;” indeed, on this basis, “the aesthetic experience” is even said to be “a psychological anarchy, [and] an orgy of misrule” (Collingwood, 1925: 156). However, this reification of reason in Plato’s hypothesized world,1 informed as it was by static hierarchy, has remained dissonant with the path of history toward entropy, as evinced by the chaotic flux of postmodernity. Certainly, this is exemplified in our own postmodern world, characterized as it is by ever greater degrees of disintegration into diversity, as the economic, social, and geo-political orders established in the mid-twentieth century are challenged and transformed into new paradigms through the increasing multiplicity of demands being made on them (Fowlie & Sills, 2011: 120-121). Accordingly, far from being a source of delusion and dissimilation, it could equally be argued that, collectively and individually, artists’ works reflect this kaleidoscopic trace of time more truthfully than the lens of reason, precisely because life – like art – is also largely psychological anarchy and an orgy of misrule. And within this dynamic environment, the reflections of artists, in turn, assume their value, as traces of what, for want of a better term, will henceforth be referred to as living dialogical time. That is, from this perspective, artists are not the political problem Plato suggested them to be, but rather as a whole comprise a reflection of the living dialogical time that, today, recognises itself collectively as humanity. However, while art has always involved material marks, digitality has recently changed this requirement, in ways which have raised a series of important and difficult questions for the world of art. That is, digitality has changed the wall of the cave into the digits of ones and zeros, which are eradicated at the click of an icon, only to be reconstructed at the click of an icon. Thus, the interface between art and digitality involves the former being presented with increasing opportunities for dynamism, but only at the expense of its materiality – insofar as such dynamism requires art to transition to cyber-virtual platforms. But in this regard, it must be remembered that, by definition, an icon is something which connects us to what cannot ever be represented, because it is beyond our everyday living reality, in an atemporal plane. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-04
Role of community pharmacies in the management of diabetic foot ulcers in South Africa
- Authors: Greyling, Cosette
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Foot -- Ulcers -- Treatment , Wounds and injuries -- Treatment , Diabetes -- Complications
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63846 , vital:73619
- Description: Appropriate wound care and management are essential to prevent complications in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). It is important to evaluate if patients are getting the necessary therapeutic treatment and counselling at community pharmacies. The primary aim was to determine the role of community pharmacies in South Africa in the management of DFUs. This study used a mixed-method research design combining both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. In 2023 a questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 823 community pharmacists in South Africa with questions regarding DFUs. Data from the questionnaire were analysed and used in the next phase of the study, which was focus group discussions (FGDs). The FGDs were conducted with a group of pharmacy stakeholders. The response rate for the questionnaire was 18.95% (n=156). Only 105 respondents completed the questionnaire. Majority of the respondents (n=45) were located in Gauteng province, practising in corporate pharmacies (n=88) in urban areas (n=104). Majority of respondents (n=73) indicated that they did not have a clinic inside their pharmacies and 46 respondents indicated that they had a nurse employed in the pharmacy. Most frequently seen chronic wounds in community pharmacies were diabetic wounds and surgical wounds. Majority (n=71) of respondents indicated that they have not attended additional training on DFUs. Respondents indicated that they most often used the internet and other healthcare providers as information resources regarding DFUs. The results also indicated that community pharmacists would like to have more training regarding advanced wound care and that pharmacists do have a role to play when managing DFUs. During two FGDs, two main themes emerged namely “Community pharmacists encounter various challenges when treating patients with DFUs” and “There is a gap in training for community pharmacists in treating DFUs”. The focus group discussion (FGD) results complemented the questionnaire survey results. Since there is limited research published in South Africa on the role of community pharmacies managing DFUs, this study indicated that there is a need for additional training on DFUs for pharmacists working in community pharmacies in South Africa. , Thesis (M.Pharm) -- Faculty of Health Science, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-04
Honouring the Dead: The Psychological Consequences of the COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions on Burial Practices and Rituals, amongst AmaXhosa from the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Sibam-Twalo, Zimkhitha
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Death and burial , COVID-19 Lockdown
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63005 , vital:73081
- Description: Honouring the dead is upheld in religions and cultures across the world and embedded in rituals and rites of passage that must be adhered to. In many instances, religio-cultural beliefs synthesise or overlap, creating a mutual influence on the person. These religio-cultural rituals are symbolic and important for the living, but they are also equally important for the dead in order to ensure that their souls are returned to the source of their belief system. The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in South Africa altered death ceremonies and rituals by limiting social gatherings to 50 people to ensure safety protocols like mask wearing and physical distancing. Additionally, family members were prohibited from interacting with the deceased’s body, including performing rituals like washing and dressing, to prevent virus spread. The resultant psychological consequences of these changes to burial practices have not been fully explored in the South African context, and given the importance rituals play, it becomes important to understand them. Studying the psychological consequences of the changes provided insights into individuals’ grief and loss coping in the absence of traditional burial rituals and practices. This is aimed at assisting with the development of interventions for mental health and well-being in future crises. The study explored the psychological consequences of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on AmaXhosa burial practices and rituals in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. AmaXhosa have a rich cultural heritage that places great significance on death and burial rituals. These rituals serve as a way to honour and remember the deceased, provide closure for the bereaved, and maintain social cohesion within the community. The absence of these rituals during the COVID-19 lockdown had consequences for the AmaXhosa’s psychological and religio-cultural well-being. The exploration of their experiences was thus important because it shed light on the importance of these rituals and will help devise innovative ways to address their psychological needs during times of loss. The study utilised a qualitative method, conducting interviews with AmaXhosa aged 18 and older. Participants , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Science, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-12
Isadora duncan: An instrumental case study
- Authors: Volker,Lauren
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Analytical Psychology , Psychology of women
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63038 , vital:73084
- Description: The study is an instrumental case study of Isadora Duncan (1877 - 1927). She was a pioneer of modern dance as she developed her unique style of dance that was free-flowing and natural. She further developed her own dance philosophy, which drew the attention of many as its archetypal dancer was a woman who embodied a space that was equal and free. She was not only revolutionary in her unique dance style but also for her strong beliefs. Isadora Duncan believed in anti-marriage, bearing children out of wedlock, and fighting for the emancipation of women where she used dance, her philosophy and post-performance lectures to communicate her thoughts and beliefs. An Instrumental case study is a qualitative method of enquiry, which entails researching an event or individual as a means of providing or gaining insight into a particular phenomenon. Similar to that of a psychobiography, the individual subject can be explored through the lens of a psychological theory for the purpose of creating a coherent psychological case study. The psychoanalytical lens of Carl Jung was used to explore and describe certain aspects of the life and work of Isadora Duncan. The subfield of the Psychology of Women provides a contextual description for the challenges that women faced in the past and in the present, and additionally presents the primary aim of the proposed study. Isadora Duncan was chosen due to her unique dance movement, both literally and figuratively as she developed her ability in giving voice to those emotions that women often kept hidden. She lived during significant times which included radical transformations that brought about noticeable change politically, socially, and culturally. Despite the reformative motions, it did not dismiss its own challenges especially for women. Women faced a constant struggle for freedom from oppression, community rights and gender equality, and Isadora Duncan was no exception to these challenges. Extensive biographical information data was collected and processed into salient features. The study integrates the theory of Carl Jung, the life and dance philosophy of Isadora Duncan and the v challenges faced by women over the centuries and demonstrates the value of using an instrumental case study as a method of inquiry into the exploration of a unique individual. The Psychology of Women provides an understanding of how those past challenges may still be modern-day concerns for the psychology of women today. The findings of the study demonstrated that Isadora Duncan was a unique and innovate women who pushed the boundaries socially. She was determined to perform her unique dance style in times that required women to conform to the cultural expectations. However, in times of trouble and despair, she was able to turn to dance as the individual and collective voice. The contribution of the study rests with its demonstration of the value of a holistic and reflexive exploration of a unique individual woman. It demonstrates the value and application of Jung’s in-depth theoretical understanding of the archetypes in human behaviour and the use of dance as a healing process for psychologically wounded women. Therefore, specific reference to the true inner voice of women allows insight into how clinicians might assist female clients who struggle to release their true inner voice. Furthermore, the study contributes to building knowledge of the challenges that women face in society and allows for future research of exploring integrative theoretical frameworks in understanding the healing of psychologically fragmented women in the 21st century. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Health Science, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-12
An analysis of factors affecting media freedom at the South African Broadcasting Corporation
- Authors: Mawandu, Charity Lufuno
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Mass media – Censorship – South Africa , Freedom of the press --South Africa – History
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59337 , vital:62065
- Description: This research sought to analyse factors that affect media freedom at the South African Broadcasting Corporation using a descriptive research design and qualitative research methodology. Studies and media reports show that the South African Broadcasting Corporation is facing a myriad of challenges including woes related to media freedom hampering its mandate to inform, educate and entertain the public of South Africa. There is a dearth of studies conducted to understand the media freedom challenges at the South African Broadcasting Corporation. A qualitative approach was used in data collection, and in-depth interviews were utilised as instruments to collect data from participants. Non-probability sampling in particular purposive sampling method was used to select 4 directors, 4 editors and 4 journalists at the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show that challenges facing the South African Broadcasting Corporation include poor legal environment as the broadcaster lacks support from government to implement effective policies to protect employees and create a media freedom environment to allow workers to carry out their work independently. The study found that the political environment in the South African Broadcasting Corporation at affects media freedom. Some political 0rganisations, influential individuals and entities are meddling in the operation of the broadcaster by trying to influence the narrative of the content broadcasted. The finding revealed that economic environment at the broadcaster is affects media freedom. The broadcaster is struggling financially resulting in poor income for employees, retrenchments, and inability to run approved programmes. In the context of constitution and policies, there is need for the South African Broadcasting Corporation to develop strategies that will specifically address both internal and external political, economic, and legal challenges it is facing if it is to be a high performing, financially sustainable, digitised national public broadcaster that provides compelling, informative, educational, and entertaining content via all platforms. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities , School of language Media and Communications, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-12
The development of a flow route to synthesize 3- benzyl-6-bromo-2-methoxyquinoline, an intermediate of an anti-TB drug, bedaquilin
- Authors: Mpalala, Anele
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis -- South Africa , Tuberculosis --Chemotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59864 , vital:62455
- Description: SA has a high number of reported cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Bedaquiline is a newly approved active ingredient of an anti-tuberculosis drug with high potency against MDR-TB. The limited access to this life-saving medicine to many people in the world has driven a great deal of research effort by the scientific community to find new, better and more practical approaches to this drug. However, many of the reported synthetic procedures suffer from long reaction times, which in turn require many hours of effort by the chemists conducting the reactions. This has prompted us to investigate an efficient process towards the synthesis to produce the key intermediates of bedaquiline using continuous flow technology. Additionally, since there is not much literature on continuous flow synthesis of bedaquiline, this research revealed interesting continuous flow processes towards the drug. Chapter 1: In order to provide insight, the first chapter of this dissertation presents a comprehensive background and literature review on tuberculosis; its pathogenesis, impact, medicines available for the treatment as well as the drug classes with novel mode of action and new chemical entities. Furthermore, bedaquiline is discussed in detail with the various synthetic protocols of the drug. An introduction to continuous flow chemistry is discussed, along with an outline of its advantages and disadvantages. Chapter 2: The second chapter encompasses the experimental procedures utilized for both batch and continuous flow syntheses. The three key intermediates of bedaquiline were synthesized in batch synthesis and these compounds were characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. Subsequently, the continuous flow synthesis protocols for the preparations of these intermediates and their optimization are outlined. Chapter 3: The results are explained in this chapter with detailed discussions of the batch synthesis and the continuous flow optimization of each step within the scope of this research. The investigation started with the batch preparation of the primary intermediate, N-(4-bromophenyl)-3-phenylpropanamide via an amidation reaction between 3-phenylpropanoyl chloride and p-bromoaniline. The primary intermediate then undergoes a subsequent formylation and cyclization via a Vilsmeier–Haack reaction to yield 3-benzyl-6-bromo-2-chloroquinoline. The chloroquinoline ii intermediate undergoes a methoxylation reaction to form 3-benzyl-6-bromo-2- methoxyquinoline. Subsequently, the batch protocol was transferred into continuous flow systems, optimized by varying reaction parameters within the synthesis route to achieve the as much yield as possible. The optimization studies showed an improvement in conversions in the various steps with shorter reaction times. The first step was optimized in a 0.2ml microreactor and because of the enhanced safety of flow chemistry, this exothermic amidation reaction was optimised at elevated temperatures to afford the primary intermediate at a 100% conversion within a residence time of 5 seconds using DMF as a solvent with DIPEA as a base. Next, the Vilsmier-Haack cyclization and chlorination was optimised in flow to afford the 2-chloroquinoline intermediate. The ability to use a back pressure regulator allowed for investigation of the effect of high temperature on the reaction and the 2- chloroquinoline intermediate was obtained at 78% conversion in a residence time of 30 min at 150 ⁰C using acetonitrile as a solvent. Subsequently, the optimization of the third step in flow to afford the central core intermediate of bedaquiline, 3-benzyl-6-bromo-2-methoxyquinoline, achieved 100% conversion in DMSO/MeOH solvent system at a residence time of 5 min. The effect of temperature, molar equivalence and solvent on reaction conversions could be observed in these steps. The results obtained from this study clearly demonstrated the successful establishment of an efficient flow chemistry protocol that can be used to successfully synthesize all intermediates within the scope of this research. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-12
State Antiquity and Early Agricultural transition as Deep economic roots in Africa
- Authors: Fani, Sisipho
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects , Agriculture -- Early works to 1800
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57643 , vital:58189
- Description: Growth economists identified that current failures and successes of economies can be traced far in their histories. The Unified Growth Model has been developed to analyse the process of development. Economic researchers have developed and identified ‘deep roots’ variables that elaborate modern growth, institutions and development. These variables include State Antiquity and Early agricultural transition. The study is an examination of the effects of State Antiquity and Early agricultural transition in the 54 African economies. The study examines these effects employing the following years: 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. The study employs econometric models namely, Ordinary Least Squares, Ridge and Lasso regularization models to examine the effects of these deep root variables. The study borrows baseline regressions from the works of Bockstette, Chanda and Putterman (2002), Putterman and Weil (2010) and Borcan, Olsson and Putterman (2018). This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to empirically examine the effects of State Antiquity and Early agricultural transition in Africa. The results of the study suggest that African economies that have low level of state antiquity experience a positive effect on modern economic growth and development whilst African economies with high levels of state antiquity experience negative effect on modern economic growth and development. The results also suggest that African economies that transition at a later stage toward agriculture experience a positive effect on modern economic growth and development. The implications of these findings indicate that state antiquity and early agricultural transition influence modern economic development only when states have reached a certain level. Countries that transitioned early towards agriculture experience a negative effect on modern economic growth and development depicting a reversal of fortune. The study recommends that the implementation of polices should corelate with the state experience of the specific economy. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science , 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04