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Uphando ngenxaxheba yemithombo yosasazo ekwakheni nasekuqambeni isigama esitsha: lugxile kunomathotholo, uMhlobo Wenene kwinkqubo iBreakfast eyondlayo ekuseni

  • Authors: Ntlantsana, Likona
  • Date: 2024-04
  • Subjects: Sociolinguistics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language and languages—Phonetic transcriptions , Xhosa language--Grammar
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63451 , vital:73367
  • Description: Olu phando luhlola amandla emithombo yosasazo ekwakheni nasekuqambeni isigama. Lukwenze oku ngokuphanda ngendlela abantu abawabona ngayo amagama amatsha esiXhosa aveliswe kunomathotholo, Umhlobo Wenene kwinkqubo iBreakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni. Esi sifundo sikhangela ukwamkeleka kwala magama kuluntu. Oku kwenziwe ngokuthi kwenziwe udliwanondlebe lobuso ngobuso leqela elingqalileyo oluthe ngqo nabasasazi kunye nabaphulaphuli.Uphando lungqiyame lwaqamela ngendlela yophando edibanisa uphando olujolise kumanani nobalo kunye nophando olujolise kwinkcazo nakubunjani. Olu phando lwenziwe kwiidolophu ezimbini, iTsomo neGqeberha. Zombini ezi dolophu zikwiphondo leMpuma Koloni, eMzantsi Afrika apho abahlali abaninzi bathetha isiXhosa. ITsomo yidolophu esemaphandleni enezinga eliphantsi labantu abathetha ezinye iilwimi ngaphandle kwesiXhosa. Ngoko ke isiXhosa lolona lwimi lutshilayo eTsomo. EGqeberha kulapho Umhlobo Wenene ukhoyo. Ukusebenzisa abantu abasuka kwiindawo ezahlukeneyo kuveza iimbono ezahlukileyo ezithe zanceda ukuphendula iinjongo zolu phando. Injongo yolu phando kukukhangela inxaxheba yonomathotholo, Umhlobo Wenene ekukhuliseni ulwimi lwesiXhosa lugxile kwinkqubo iBreakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni (BEE). Uphando luza kujolisa kumagama aveliswe kunomathotholo, Umhlobo Wenene kwinkqubo iBreakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni. Iziphumo zophando kufikelelwe kuzo ngokuthi kuthelekiswe iimpendulo zabo kuvele isisombululo sengxaki yophando kuzo. Oku kuthe kwanceda ukuphendula umbuzo wophando ofuna ukuqonda ukuba ingaba unomthotholo, Umhlobo Wenene kwinkqubo iBreakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni udlala inxaxheba ekhukhuliseni ulwimi lwesiXhosa? Kuyabonakala okokuba ngokwendlela asetyenziswa ngayo amagama aveliswe ngabasasazi kwinkqubo iBreakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni abaphulaphuli bayawuvuyela kwaye bawaphindisela kubasasazi. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04

Using Building Information Modelling to initiate criticality to promote built environment student collaboration at the Nelson Mandela University

  • Authors: Basson, Jean-Pierre
  • Date: 2024-04
  • Subjects: Building information modeling -- South Africa , Architectural design -- Computer simulation , Buildings -- Computer-aided design
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64470 , vital:73736
  • Description: Architectural, engineering, and construction education is fragmented, and there is no collaboration between disciplines during an architectural design project in the design studio. There is a lack of co-creation of knowledge in an interdisciplinary collaborative environment where students use critical reasoning, self-reflection, and critical action, essential skills required to become 21st century global citizens. Therefore, students from the built environment are being prepared contrary to the highly collaborative nature of the industry they are entering upon graduation. The purpose of this study is thus to determine whether adopting a digital interdisciplinary collaborative Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment in which architectural design projects promote criticality in undergraduate exit-level students. A cohort comparison study was used as a method to collect qualitative data. The 2022 cohort used the traditional design process, whereas the 2023 cohort used the BIM process, which supported interdisciplinary collaboration. Both cohorts engaged in a project and student narrative self-reflection essay. Fourteen students from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts participated in the study. The work was analysed using three cycles of coding. The first cycle focused on linguistic acts, followed by the second cycle that looked for evidence of critical reasoning, self-reflection, and action. The third cycle was based on the Habersian validity claims of truth, comprehension, and sincerity. The work of both cohorts was analysed, and findings included the following: relationships; information; emotional reasoning, and digital environment. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that the BIM process as teaching strategy promotes a higher level of criticality in students than the traditional design process. In conclusion, this research not only contributes to promoting criticality improvement in students but also enriches the existing body of knowledge relative to BIM adoption in AEC education. Moreover, it offers practical guidance for educators to assess and enhance students' critical thinking skills, ultimately advancing the field of interdisciplinary education in the digital era. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04

Value management in government construction projects in South Africa

  • Authors: Mngeni- Nobala, Thandokazi Yvonne
  • Date: 2024-04
  • Subjects: Construction projects -- Management , Project management -- South Africa , Construction industry -- South Africa , Value analysis (Cost control)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64673 , vital:73845
  • Description: The public sector construction industry aims to deliver infrastructure services to its client satisfactorily. However, the public sector is notorious for delivering projects that are over budget, finish years behind schedule, and are of poor quality. Value management is one way to address these challenges. This research aimed to examine the level of awareness and implementation of value management within the public sector and the benefits thereof. In this qualitative study, interviews were employed to gain insight into the level of awareness of value management within the public sector department in the Eastern Cape. A total of ten professionals in the public sector working for the Department of Public Works were purposively selected to be interviewed and the secondary data was sought through document analysis . The data was thematically analysed. The South African government requires a strategic change that will help improve awareness of value management in government infrastructure projects in South Africa which will pave the way for the full implementation of VM. The study found that the obstacle to adopting value management for public projects was the lack of knowledge and practice of value management. It was also found that the respondents were keen to implement value management and saw it as part of an important step in the planning stage of a project as it would save the department time and money. In order to improve the performance of construction projects, there is a need to adopt innovative ideas and solutions that will work for South African construction industry. Value management is one way to improve the performance of construction projects. VM should be considered at a strategic level in public sector departments to improve its applicability to meet client’s objectives. The major goal of the VM is to ensure that projects are delivered to the best function at the lowest total life cost achievable. The satisfaction of clients is a key factor of construction project success. Value Management strives to address problems which may arise such as budgetary constraints trying to decrease unnecessary costs towards the project but without causing changes to quality of the finished product. Value management is believed to be a cost-cutting exercise as perceived by many but the most importantly it focuses on function of an element or project. This means that the project is procured at the lowest possible cost by utilizing multiple cost control mechanisms without compromising the project's value and function. Value management has proven to be a practical management strategy for improving value for money, creating a better focus on project objectives, working toward more effective design, and identifying wasteful expenses due to unneeded design, material, labor, and machine. To optimise the usage of value management and to improve project performance, there is a need to adopt new concepts like value management that will work for the South African construction sector. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04

Youth participation in sports: Reconsidering the lost culture of Indigenous games in Libode, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Zide, Lumka
  • Date: 2024-04
  • Subjects: Indigenous peoples -- Sports , Indigenous peoples -- Social life and customs , Minorities in sports
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63595 , vital:73506
  • Description: This research focused on the Youth Participation in Sports: Reconsidering the Lost Culture of Indigenous Games in Libode, Eastern Cape. The study aimed to investigate the challenges facing indigenous games in Libode; to contribute within the anthropology of sport with specific reference to Libode in the Eastern Cape Province and to come up with recommendations with the view of addressing some of the challenges facing indigenous games in Libode. The study employed a qualitative approach and used interviews, questionnaires, observations, and participant observations as data collection methods. Data analysis was done through thematic data analysis. Cultural preservation was used as a conceptual framework for this study to understand the view of the participants in Libode. Furthermore, the literature that was reviewed in this research was based particularly on indigenous games to provide in-depth understanding the issues of indigenous games extinction as well to critique other authors who have written about indigenous games and their challenges. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04

Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months in very and extremly low birth weight infants and determinants of breastfeeding practices at the Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Haughton, Anna-Marie
  • Date: 2024-03
  • Subjects: Brestfeeding Practices
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/11065 , vital:75881
  • Description: INTRODUCTION: Breastmilk provides adequate nutrition for the optimal growth and development of infants globally. Breastfeeding is an incomparable practice that cannot sufficiently be replaced by any other substance. Breastmilk and breastfeeding offer numerous medical and non-medical advantages that influence the welfare not only of infants, but also of women, their families and society. The last few decades have shown a worldwide increase in the birth and survival rate of preterm, very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. These infants have an increased risk of adverse outcomes, thus necessitating optimal management including best feeding practices of this vulnerable population. AIM: This study assessed the exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate in VLBW and ELBW infants at their corrected six months of age and aimed to identify reasons for premature cessation of EBF as well as appraising the association between maternal socio-demographic variables and breastfeeding practices. This study also investigated the type, volume and preparation of replacement feeds given to infants that were not EBF. iii METHOD: This retrospective, cross sectional descriptive study was conducted between December 2017 to November 2018 at Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape. A comprehensive database was compiled with all the infants’ demographics and relevant maternal socio-demographic variables at birth. Information on the changeover of primary caregiver, feeding practices, reasons stated for premature discontinuation of EBF, and the infant’s anthropometry were documented at each follow up visit and included in the database. RESULTS: The prevalence of EBF at the corrected six month follow up was 22%. Insufficient breastmilk supply (23%, 43% and 13% at one, three and six months respectively) and maternal commitments to school or work (35%, 33% and 50% at one, three and six months respectively) were the predominant reasons stated by mothers for discontinuation of EBF. The number of other children a mother had was significantly related to EBF practices at months one and six (p = .029 and .025, respectively), and EBF was also significantly related to the level of maternal education at month three (p = .006). The percentage of mothers who breastfed exclusively was proportional to the number of other children they had, and inversely proportional to the level of their education. The volume of replacement feeds was known to be incorrect in over a third of cases at months one and three (35% and 34%, respectively), and in almost half of cases at month six (48%). Replacement feeds were being prepared most incorrectly at the three month follow up with almost half (46%) of these feeds being prepared iv inaccurately. These replacement feeds comprised of exclusive formula feeds (EFF) for 95% of cases that were not EBF at month one, 88% at month three, and 97% at month six. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EBF in VLBW and ELBW infants at six months in this study remains sub-optimal compared with other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and is much lower than the target set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Factors that affected EBF practices in this study include mother’s perception of insufficient breastmilk supply, maternal commitments to work/school, the number of other children in the household as well as the level of maternal education. A combination of various interventions is urgently needed to effectively increase EBF rates in this population. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-03

Bioprospectin of medicinal cannabis from Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Odieka, Anwuli, Endurance
  • Date: 2024-02
  • Subjects: Organic chemistry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9427 , vital:73532
  • Description: Cannabis sativa L. (Family Cannabaceae) has continued to attract much interest among natural product scientists in recent time because of its known medicinal values and remarkable chemical diversity. This study reports the investigation of C. sativa cultivated in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, with a view to obtaining its chemical fingerprint and isolating compounds from its stem bark for possible biological applications. Fresh and dried leaves, flowers, stem barks and roots of two Cannabis cultivars were obtained under permit NO. PIA-HP-EC-2022-0023. The fresh and dried plant materials were extracted for their essential oils (EOs), using hydro-distillation method on a Clevenger apparatus set at optimum extraction condition. The EOs were characterized by a gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The chemical components of the EOs were elucidated based on their retention indices, as well as with reference to literature report. Other portions of the dried leaf, inflorescence and stem bark of each cultivar were extracted with methanol. The methanol extract was profiled for its cannabinoid content using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) based metabolomics approach, with reference to standard cannabinoids (∆9-THC, ∆9-THCA, and CBD). Lastly, the dried stem bark of Cultivar II was investigated for its compounds. The stem bark powder was subjected to sequential extraction at room temperature with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Based on the TLC analysis, the afforded n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts were further individually fractionated on a repeated column chromatography, using silica gel and Sephadex LH20 as stationary phases. The column fractionation process led to the isolation of seven compounds, E1-E4, A20, A21, and A23. The isolated compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated to a mass spectrometer, respectively. The results from the study showed that the EOs of the C. sativa cultivars contain majorly sesquiterpenes in their oxygenated and non-oxygenated forms. Caryophyllene (0.6421.4%), caryophyllene oxide (1.27-20.34%), -pinene (0.35-13.21%), D-limonene (0.51-10.99%), humulene (0.37-10.56%), humulene-1,2-epoxide (0.45-5.98%), pinene (0.16-5.22%), nerolidol (0.32-4.99%), -myrcene (0.31-4.23%), -selinene (0.92-2.51%), and trans--bergamotene (0.50-2.70%), were the main terpene constituents of the EOs in both cultivars. Neutral cannabinoids were also detected in both cultivars with cannabidiol found in significant amount up to 85.03% in the fresh stem oil (LSO) of Cultivar I (Lifter). LC-MS fingerprints revealed that Cultivar I had the highest accumulation of cannabinoids with CBDA having the highest amount (88.65%) in the stembark and CBD at about 23% in the leaves. The inflorescence (flower) contained 51.55% of CBDA. Cultivar II had the least number of cannabinoids but contains the highest amount of ∆9-THCA (94.8%) in the leaf sample. Cultivar II showed ∆9-THCA and ∆9-THC dominant profiles with less than 2% of ∆8-THC. ∆9-THC, ∆8- THC were the only neutral cannabinoids detected in Cultivar II while CBD, ∆9-THC, and ∆8- THC were found in significant amounts in Cultivar I. The compounds isolated from the stem bark of Cultivar II were elucidated as five triterpenoids: Sativalenic acid ethyl ester (E1), Phyllanthone (E2), Friedelin (E3), Sativalonone (A20) and Sativaol (A23); an alkaloid, Sativacherine (E4); and a fatty acid ester, Ethyl stearate (A21). Four of these compounds are newly described, while all the compounds are reported for the first time from the Eastern Cape Cultivar (Cherrywine) of C. sativa stem. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-02

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards hand hygine practice amongst students at a nursing colledge, Lesotho

  • Authors: Ntaote, Malehlohonolo
  • Date: 2024-02
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/13000 , vital:76187
  • Description: Hands are critical vectors for microorganisms that cause hospital acquired infections, hand hygiene, being done the right way, at the right time and being given the right priority at health care setting is an effective strategy to reduce hospital acquired infections and costs. Different strategies have been put in place to help improve hand hygiene compliance among health care workers, amongst them; continuous training is advised at all levels of care. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards hand hygiene in nursing students in Maluti College Berea Lesotho Methods This study was a quantitative cross-sectional study; 114 questionnaires were distributed and 103 were filled and returned by available willing students in Maluti College, that was 90% response rate. Results Females were more than males at 88% (91). Age range of the respondents were 18-35 years, with a mean of 22 years, 57% (59) were between ages 20-24 years. The students were distributed in four different class levels, lowest was third years at 19% (19) and highest was the nurse midwives at 32% (33). 75% (77) had hand hygiene training in the past three years. 62% (64) had moderate knowledge, all had positive attitudes and 61% (63) had a positive perception towards hand hygiene. There was a significant (p value=0.012) association between knowledge and training. Conclusion and recommendations The study has demonstrated a significant association between knowledge and training, indicating the pivotal role of education in shaping practices related to hand hygiene among healthcare workers. These findings underscore the importance of integrating insights garnered from this study into the existing teaching curriculum for healthcare 3 professionals. Furthermore, the results provide valuable input for enhancing the World Health Organization's (WHO) hand hygiene multimodal strategy, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions that address knowledge and training gaps. Additionally, the study findings advocate for incorporation of evidence-based practices into initiatives such as the SAFE LIFE Clean YOUR HAND campaign, thereby reinforcing the importance of continuous education and training to promote effective hand hygiene practices and mitigate the spread of healthcare-associated infections. This calls for a concerted effort from policymakers, healthcare institutions, and educational stakeholders to implement strategies that prioritize knowledge dissemination and training programs to improve hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers worldwide. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-02

A Feasibility Study on the Efficacy of Functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry (fNIRS) to Measure Prefrontal Activation in Paediatric HIV

  • Authors: Zondo, Sizwe , Ferreira-Correia, Aline , Cockcroft, Kate
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/450556 , vital:74960 , xlink:href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/js/2024/4970794/"
  • Description: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with disturbed neurotransmission and aberrant cortical networks. Although advances in the imaging of brain microarchitecture following neuroHIV has added to our knowledge of structural and functional changes associated with HIV, no data exists on paediatric HIV using optical neuroimaging techniques. This study investigated the feasibility of optical neuroimaging in paediatric HIV using functional near-infrared spectrometry (fNIRS). We measured prefrontal brain activation while participants executed a sustained attention task. We specifically tested whether patients living with HIV and study controls could perform the study protocol and whether we could measure the typical fNIRS haemodynamic response associated with neuronal activity. Eighteen participants (10 HIV participants, mean age: 13.9, SD = 1.66 years; 8 controls, mean age: 14.8, SD = 1.28 years), matched for sex, grade, and socio-economic status, were included in the study. All participants completed the Stroop colour word test (SCWT). Oxygenated haemoglobin concentration and the deoxygenated haemoglobin signal were recorded from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the frontopolar area (FA) using fNIRS. The control group performed significantly better in terms of reaction time on the congruent and incongruent condition (congruent: t (16) = −3.36, : incongruent: ). A pooled group analysis of the sample indicated significant activation in the DLPF and FA to the congruent condition of the SCWT (). Although cortical activation was noted in the DLPF and the FA in each of the groups when analysed independently, this neural activation did not reach statistical significance. The results show promise that fNIRS techniques are feasible for assessing prefrontal cortical activity in paediatric HIV. Future studies should seek to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio and consider inter-individual variability when measuring prefrontal activation in paediatric samples.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Computer Science Education in Selected Countries from Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Authors: Bainomugisha, Engineer , Bradshaw, Karen L , Ujakpa, Martin Mabeifam , Nakatumba-Nabende, Joyce , Nderu, Lawrence , Mduma, Neema , Kihoza, Patrick , Irungu, Annette
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440223 , vital:73758 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3643037"
  • Description: Computer Science education in sub-Saharan Africa has evolved over the past decades. The number of institutions offering distinct undergraduate programs has grown, thus increasing the number of students enrolling in the computer science discipline. Several computer science degree programs have emerged with one of the objectives being to satisfy the growing demand for local talent and skills. In this paper, we provide a snapshot of the evolution of undergraduate computer science education in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past 20+ years and an overview of the developments in computer science education and observed trends. The setup of educational institutions in Africa and the operational context requires unique modalities for the design and delivery of computer science education that meets the demands of the industry, amongst others. This paper provides insights into the best practices in the computer science curricula in the selected countries, as well as an overview of the pedagogical and delivery approaches to computer science education. The paper highlights case studies from institutions in the selected countries, namely Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya with a consolidated summary of the current and emerging challenges and opportunities in all these countries. The paper concludes by providing persectives on the future landscape of computer science in Sub-Saharan Africa.Computer Science Education in Selected Countries from Sub-Saharan AfricaBy Engineer Bainomugisha, Makerere University, Uganda, Karen Bradshaw, Rhodes University, South Africa, Martin Mabeifam Ujakpa, Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana, Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende, Makerere University, Uganda, Lawrence Nderu, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, Neema Mduma, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tanzania, Patrick Kihoza, Mzumbe University, Tanzania and Annette Irungu, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Data Visualization of Budgeting Assumptions: An Illustrative Case of Trans-disciplinary Applied Knowledge

  • Authors: Cuthbert, Carol E , Pearse, Noel J , Bradshaw, Karen L
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440236 , vital:73759 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.54808/JSCI.22.01.130"
  • Description: Trans-disciplinary research combines different fields into new conceptual and methodological frameworks. In this study, the SECI model of knowledge creation, which consists of Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization conversion modes, is used to analyze the implementation of a structured budgeting visualization system by a trans-disciplinary team. Through applied research in implementing a global budgeting system, budgeting assumptions are made explicit through visualization, transforming the approach to the budgeting process and its accuracy. This visualization, in turn, is enabled by assumptions underlying revenue planning, business services and employee compensation, and a visual process. The system displays a stepped approach, indicated by icons, representing the tasks involved in the budget process. For example, the system requires uploading the previous year’s information, setting the assumptions, calculating the suggested figures based on assumptions, and amending the proposed outcome. As adapted by Rice and Rice (2005), SECI is applied as the socialization of tacit-to-tacit budgeting assumption knowledge is solidified during the design phase of this transformation exercise. The externalization phase, in which budgeting assumptions are transformed from tacit to explicit, is evidenced during the configuration phase of the new system. The systemic collaboration results in the explicit assumptions being collectively leveraged across the regions during and after the “go-live” phase of system development. Finally, the internalization phase involves the explicit assumptions being transformed into new tacit knowledge as the experts evolve new assumptions derived from the transformation process. Semiotics provides variance information through hue, with, for example, darker colours indicating higher variances. This trans-disciplinary communication provides the means for increased efficiency and effectiveness. The resulting budget framework is visually validated through a heatmap by comparing the budgeting accuracy and assumption complexity between the different regions where it was implemented. In summary, value is added in developing a new data visualization process, focusing on the role of budgeting assumptions and using planning process visualizations. This approach improves communication efficiency, effectiveness, and understanding of budgeting while enhancing accuracy.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Demographic correlates of indices of psychological well-being and COVID-19 related distress among South African university students

  • Authors: Coetzee, Bronwyn , Booysen, Duane D , Padmanabhanunni, Anita , Kagee, Ashraf
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/454082 , vital:75308 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00207411.2024.2324403"
  • Description: Following the COVID-19 pandemic we sought to determine the relationships between anxiety, hopelessness, alcohol use, perceived vulnerability to infection, resilience, traumatic stress, and satisfaction with life amongst university students at three tertiary higher education institutions in South Africa. Our participants were a convenience sample (N = 803) of South African students attending three universities. Participants completed an online survey that contained a battery of psychological measures that measured fear of COVID-19, Perceived Vulnerability to Disease, Resilience, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Hopelessness, Anxiety, PTSD, Alcohol Use, Traumatic Stress, and worry about infection with COVID-19. The mean age of participants was 25 (SD = 8.22), most of whom were female (51%). An increase in age amongst respondents was significantly positively correlated with hopelessness and life satisfaction, but also significantly negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol use. Multivariate analysis showed that women reported significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19, perceived vulnerability to disease, PTSD, and COVID-19 related worries compared to men and those identifying as “other.” Students at the urban university reported higher levels of fear of COVID-19, perceived vulnerability to disease, and COVID-19 related worries but lower levels of anxiety compared to those at the peri-urban and rural university. Students at the rural institution reported greater levels of alcohol use compared to those at the other institutions. Psychological distress among students was exacerbated during the pandemic. It may be useful to identify students in the first term who are struggling academically and to direct them to both academic and counseling support services.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Holding a mirror up to Academic Development through the HELTASA (un) conferencing methodology

  • Authors: Williams, Sandra , Adams, Anthea , Geduld-van Wyk, Charlene , Muhuro, Patricia
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425705 , vital:72277 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.14426/cristal.v12iSI1.2117"
  • Description: We, Academic Development (AD) practitioners, question whether AD's objective in South Africa (SA) as a'liberatory educational and social movement'to enhance educational quality for all students, is effectively pursued. AD practitioners often work on the fringes of the academy, fighting for relevance and legitimacy within an increasingly performative and managerialist academic culture. Despite innovative AD initiatives AD work is criticised for being unresponsive, unreflexive, conformist, and lacking theoretical, scholarly, and critical engagement. We use critical pedagogical praxis, particularly the constructs of critique, reflexivity, power, and self-reflection, to interrogate the continuous tension between AD intention and practice. Through (un) conference methodology, this auto-ethnographic account of individual and collective engagements, using the" holding the mirror up" metaphor, critically questioned the tension and misalignments between the AD mandate and practices. Although in a SA higher education context, this research could be beneficial to HE contexts globally, given the ubiquity of AD work.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Human–crocodile interactions in the western Solomon Islands: the importance of local data for reducing attacks on people

  • Authors: Shankar, Aswani , Matanzima, Joshua
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/439922 , vital:73720 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S003060532300176X"
  • Description: Interactions between people and the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus frequently occur on islands and in coastal regions. Saltwater crocodiles impact people's lives and livelihoods by attacking them, resulting in minor or serious injuries, and by interfering in people's foraging activities. Retaliation may include killing the crocodiles involved. To reduce such human–crocodile interactions, data about the occurrence of incidents are required. We present data on encounters with crocodiles and attacks on people in the Roviana Lagoon, Solomon Islands. Data includes time of incident, gender, age and activity of the victim, water conditions and what happened to the crocodile after the incident. We used a questionnaire to capture the details of incidents that occurred during 2000–2020 in the villages of Dunde, Baraulu, Nusa Hope and Kozou. Most incidents were in the evening, mostly involving women, and most victims were aged 20–39 years or ≥ 60 years. In all cases people were attacked while gleaning for shellfish in the mangroves. Attacks occurred irrespective of whether the water was clear or murky, and in all cases the crocodiles were not killed. Such site-specific data will facilitate the formulation of strategies for reducing negative interactions between people and crocodiles in this particular location. Although the saltwater crocodile is categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, research such as this provides data that can be used for promoting coexistence with and conservation of this species.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Improving access to evidence-based interventions for trauma-exposed adults in low-and middle-income countries

  • Authors: Kaminer, Debra , Booysen, Duane D , Ellis, Kate , Kristensen, Christian H , Patel, Anushka R , Robjant, Katy , Sardana, Srishti
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/454095 , vital:75309 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23031"
  • Description: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the mental health consequences of trauma exposure pose a substantial personal, societal, and economic burden. Yet, the significant need for evidence-based mental health treatment remains largely unmet. To unlock the potential for mental health care for trauma survivors in lower-resource contexts, it is critical to map treatment barriers and identify strategies to improve access to evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and scalable interventions. This review, based on an International Society for Traumatic Stress (ISTSS) briefing paper, describes the treatment gap facing adults with traumatic stress in LMICs and identifies the barriers that contribute to this gap. We then highlight strategies for enhancing access to effective treatments for these populations, including task-sharing, the use of culturally adapted and multiproblem interventions, and digital tools to scale access to appropriate care. Finally, we offer recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and service providers to guide an agenda for action to close the treatment gap for trauma survivors in LMICs.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Inhibitory effects of selected cannabinoids against dipeptidyl peptidase IV, an enzyme linked to type 2 diabetes

  • Authors: Mkabayi, Lithalethu , Viljoen, Zenobia , Krause, Rui W M , Lobb, Kevin A , Pletschke, Brett I , Frost, Carminita L
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452760 , vital:75168 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23289"
  • Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance: In recent times the decriminalisation of cannabis globally has increased its use as an alternative medication. Where it has been used in modern medicinal practises since the 1800s, there is limited scientific investigation to understand the biological activities of this plant. Aim of the study: Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) plays a key role in regulating glucose homeostasis, and inhibition of this enzyme has been used as a therapeutic approach to treat type 2 diabetes. However, some of the synthetic inhibitors for this enzyme available on the market may cause undesirable side effects. Therefore, it is important to identify new inhibitors of DPP-IV and to understand their interaction with this enzyme.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Rhodes University Calender 2024

South African government responses to Trump's Global Gag Rule: Silence, ignorance, and avoidance

  • Authors: Ndabula, Yanela , Macleod, Catriona I , du Plessis, Ulandi , Moore, Sarah-Ann
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441299 , vital:73875 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/02610183241229046"
  • Description: In 2017, Donald Trump signed the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA), thereby reinstating the Global Gag Rule. The policy restricted all United States foreign funding from abortion-related activities. Little research reports the responses of recipients of this bilateral assistance. The study documents the South African government's responses to the PLGHA. We accessed Hansard parliamentary debates, interviewed four parliamentarians alongside one government official, and reviewed a USAID-funded initiative developed while the policy was in effect. We analysed the data using interpretive content analysis through a global social policy and gendered coloniality lens. Our research documents silence, ignorance, avoidance, and possible over-interpretation of the PLGHA within the South African government. The colonialist politics of global redistribution created the grounds for gendered regulation, resulting in a fundamental undermining of reproductive rights. Ironically, the solution – advocacy and parliamentarian briefing regarding sexual and reproductive issues – is generally led by civil society, the bodies weakened by the PLGHA.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Systematic effects and mitigation strategies in observations of cosmic re-ionisation with the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array

  • Authors: Charles, Ntsikelelo
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: Cosmology , Astrophysics , Radio astronomy , Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array , Epoch of reionization
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432605 , vital:72886 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432605
  • Description: The 21 cm transition from neutral Hydrogen promises to be the best observational probe of the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR). It has driven the construction of the new generation of lowfrequency radio interferometric arrays, including the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA). The main difficulty in measuring the 21 cm signal is the presence of bright foregrounds that require very accurate interferometric calibration. However, the non-smooth instrumental response of the antenna as a result of mutual coupling complicates the calibration process by introducing non-smooth calibration errors. Additionally, incomplete sky models are typically used in calibration due to the limited depth and resolution of current source catalogues. Combined with the instrumental response, the use of incomplete sky models during calibration can result in non-smooth calibration errors. These, overall, impart spectral structure on smooth foregrounds, leading to foreground power leakage into the EoR window. In this thesis we explored the use of fringe rate filters (Parsons et al., 2016) as a mean to mitigate calibration errors resulting from the effects of mutual coupling and the use of an incomplete sky model during calibration. We found that the use of a simple notch filter mitigates calibration errors reducing the foreground power leakage into the EoR window by a factor of ∼ 102. Thyagarajan et al. (2018) proposed the use of closure phase quantities as a means to detect the 21 cm signal, which has the advantage of being independent (to first order) from calibration errors and, therefore, bypasses the need for accurate calibration. In this thesis, we explore the impact of primary beam patterns affected by mutual coupling on the closure phase. We found that primary beams affected by mutual coupling lead to a leakage of foreground power into the EoR window, which can be up to ∼ 104 times and is mainly caused by the unsmooth spectral structure primary of primary beam sidelobes affected by mutual coupling. This power leakage was confined to k < 0.3 pseudo h Mpc−1. Lastly, we also proposed and demonstrated an analysis technique that can be used to derive a flux scale correction in post-calibrated HERA data. We found that after applying flux scale correction to calibrated HERA data, the bandpass error reduces significantly, with an improvement of 6%. The derived flux scale correction was antenna-independent, and it can be applied to fix the overall visibility spectrum scale of H4C data post-calibration in a fashion similar to Jacobs et al. (2013). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Physics and Electronics, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Teaching comprehensive sexuality education in a traumatized society: recognizing teachers as sexual, reproductive, and mental health frontline workers

  • Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , du Plesis, Ulandi
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441316 , vital:73876 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1276299"
  • Description: Research on school-based sexuality education in South Africa, taught within Life Orientation (LO), has mainly focused on learners’ responses, how teachers approach the subject, and the curriculum content. Critiques have included heteronormative biases, an emphasis on danger, disease and damage, a reinforcement of gendered binaries, and the lack of pleasure or well-being discourses. In contrast, our research focused on the unexpected moments teachers experience, i.e., the ethical, emotional or psychological challenges they encounter in their interactions with learners.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

The rise of ‘violent non-state actors’ in South Africa: an analysis of the taxi industry in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Mato, Myalezo
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: Transportation and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape. , Black people -- South Africa -- Economic conditions. , Taxicabs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape.
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28979 , vital:75701
  • Description: This study investigated the rise of ‘violent-non state actors’ in South Africa, with specific focus on the taxi industry in the Eastern Cape Province. Contemporary South Africa has been a playground for violent non-state actors often evidenced by sporadic service delivery protests and gun violence in public spaces. Many authors attribute these to the failure of the state to provide public services such as security, water, employment, etc. Amongst these non-state actors, are taxi associations called mother-bodies. The deregulation of the taxi industry by the then apartheid government in 1987 resulted in the exponential inflow of previously oppressed black people into the taxi industry, which had now become the most accessible form of informal business for previously disadvantaged people. This resulted in the formation of many mother-bodies that subsequently became ‘law unto themselves’ due to the absence of formal state regulation amongst other things. Since then, violent conflicts amongst these mother bodies have become the order of the day. The study sought to determine the commuter’s perspectives about the taxi industry and violence in the Eastern Cape Province, to determine ways in which the taxi industry has challenged the monopoly of the state over the legitimate use of force and to explore the reasons why taxi violence has largely gone unchecked by the state. Part of the key findings of the study were that there is a general sense of fear and insecurity amongst commuters especially female commuters who use taxis. Various cases of sexual assault, intimidation and psychological traumas caused by exposure to violence amongst commuters have been reported. It has also been determined that in order to effectively challenge the monopoly of the state over the legitimate use force, some taxi operators have resorted to the use of self created laws to intimidate their competitors, use of mafia-like tactics, extortion and coercion amongst other things in order to impose monopoly over some lucrative routes, individuals and associations. In resolving some of these challenges, the study inter alia recommends for the formalization of the taxi industry by government, which will result in the subsidisation of the industry. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2024
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2024
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