"Is rugby bad for your intellect": the effect of repetitive mild head injuries on the cognitive functioning of university level rugby players
- Authors: Smith, Ian Patrick
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries Brain damage Neuropsychological tests Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3058 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002567
- Description: The study sought to determine whether there is evidence for the presence of residual (chronic) deleterious effects on cognition due to repetitive mild traumatic brain injury in top team university level rugby players, using ImPACT 3.0, Trail Making Test (TMT) and Digit Span. The initial sample of 48 participants was divided into groups; Rugby (n = 30) and Controls (n = 18), Rugby Forwards (n = 14) and Rugby Backs (n = 16). A reduced sample (N = 31) comprised of Rugby (n = 20) and Controls (n = 11), Rugby Forwards (n = 9) and Rugby Backs (n = 11). Comparative subgroups were equivalent for estimated IQ but not for age and educational level in the full sample; in the reduced sample there was equivalence for all three variables of age, education and estimated IQ. All cognitive test measures were subjected to independent t-test analyses between groups at the pre- and post-season, and dependent t-test analyses for Rugby and Controls at pre- versus post-season. Overall, the results implicated the presence of deleterious effects of concussive events on Rugby players in the areas of speed of information processing, working memory and impulse control. Significant practice effects were found on the TMT and Digit Span for controls, but not on ImPACT 3.0, supporting the use of this computer-based programme in the sports management context.
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- Date Issued: 2006
A critical investigation of a Future Search Conference as a planned organisational change initiative within the National Health Training Network in Namibia
- Authors: Hausiku, Marthina Ndahepa
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Future Search Conference National Health Training Network Organizational change -- Namibia Research -- Methodology Interviewing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1478 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003359
- Description: “The world is changing faster than the experts” (Weisbord & Janoff, 2000:xi). Change, according to Meyer & Botha (2000:223), is the movement of people from a current state to a defined, different, improved and desired new state. Change is needed in all organisations because it has direct influence on the organisation’s performance, and the National Health Training Network in Namibia is no exception. The Future Search Conference as a powerful organisation development strategy, can help people transform their capacity for action. The National Health Training Network (NHTN), like any other institution, has been experiencing some managerial/administrative problems. I, being a member of the NHTN, together with most of the organisation, was faced with the challenge of not knowing what to do. Learning about approaches that might help organisations to develop, concepts such as organisation development in general and Future Search in particular, I developed an interest especially in the Future Search Conference. My interest was based on successful developmental stories of Future Search Conferences in organisations across the world. I decided to introduce the Future Search Conference to our organisation, which I thought might be a remedy for our problems at a later stage. The aim of the study was to investigate participants' experiences and the perception of the Future Search Conference as an approach to organisational change, through interviews. The study found that Future Search was a new concept/approach to the NHTN as well as to the whole Ministry, and it is different from the traditional strategic planning. The difference is seen in the way Future Search involves all stakeholders in issues of concern, while strategic planning involves only managers. The responses revealed the willingness of participants to implement the Future Search Conference in their organisation. Data also revealed, however, that it was not clear how ready the managers were to carry out this task, as they are the gatekeepers. Participants suggested a separate Future Search Conference with managers, to sensitise them to the approach, so that they can see whether it addresses the values and goals of the organisation and can be implemented for developmental purposes.
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- Date Issued: 2006
Comparison of two granulation processes with the view to reduce manufacturing cost
- Authors: Maclean, Aldritt Allister
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Drugs -- Granulation , Tablets (Medicine) , Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:10980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/210 , Drugs -- Granulation , Tablets (Medicine) , Pharmaceutical industry
- Description: Aspen Pharmacare, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in South Africa has embarked on a programme of improving the production processes currently employed at their Port Elizabeth site. With the introduction of new technology at the site and the move towards globalization, it became imperative that Aspen remain competitive in the market. The product of interest in this research, Degoran Plus tablets, is one of the company’s leading brand sellers. Upon investigation, it became apparent that this product created opportunity for process improvement using the new technology. The manufacture of Degoran Plus entails granulation, compression and coating of the product. Most opportunity for improvement was possible in the granulation stage because of the laborious nature of the present process. Degoran Plus tablets had a history of analytical failures, especially with regard to the dissolution rate of the final product, as well as other quality related issues. The product was not considered to be a “through-runner”, which resulted in bad production output, due to continual repeats of not only analysis but also reworks in production. A strategic decision was taken to manufacture Degoran Plus using the Collette Gral granulator as the equipment offered superior mixing capability when compared to the Bear planetary granulator. It was assumed that the granulation process would result in more uniform distribution of the actives. Upon producing a better granule, a final product of superior quality would be attained. The validation protocol stipulates that three samples be taken and tested from the powder mix. Nine samples taken from granulated bulk are treated in the same manner. The validation protocol further stipulates that the first three batches manufactured utilise the new process, and tested according to the protocol. The results obtained from the analysis are evaluated statistically and a conclusion and recommendation were derived based on the evaluation.
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- Date Issued: 2004
The role of school management teams in school improvement
- Authors: Sister, Loliwe Fezeka
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: School management teams -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/372 , School management teams -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Description: This study is aimed at investigating the role of the School Management Team (SMT) in school improvement. The investigation was carried out using the qualitative approach and the study is underpinned by the interpretive paradigm. The declining performance of some schools academically as reflected by the end of year results, as well as the confusion that engulfed me on assuming duty on my appointment as a head of department of Science and, therefore, becoming part of the SMT in my school, encouraged me to investigate the role of the SMT in school improvement. The study covers, among others, the following areas: § Functions performed by the SMT members. § Challenges faced by the SMT members in their management practice. § Ways of addressing these challenges. Methods of data collection used in this study were interviews, questionnaires, own observations as well as the analysis of documents. The main recommendations emanating from the study are that SMT members should be better equipped for their roles through workshops and in-service training and that the respective roles of SMT and School Governing Body (SGB) members should be better demarcated by the Department of Education.
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- Date Issued: 2004
The oxidation and degradation products of black wattle tannin (Acacia mollissima)
- Authors: Heugh, Richard Anthony
- Date: 1948
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:21169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6706
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- Date Issued: 1948