A highly selective and sensitive pyridylazo-2-naphthol-poly (acrylic acid) functionalized electrospun nanofiber fluorescence “turn-off” chemosensory system for Ni 2+
- Adewuyi, Sheriff, Ondigo, Dezzline A, Zugle, Ruphino, Tshentu, Zenixole R, Nyokong, Tebello, Torto, Nelson
- Authors: Adewuyi, Sheriff , Ondigo, Dezzline A , Zugle, Ruphino , Tshentu, Zenixole R , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/246012 , vital:51428 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C2AY25182E"
- Description: A fluorescent nanofiber probe for the determination of Ni2+ was developed via the electrospinning of a covalently functionalized pyridylazo-2-naphthol-poly(acrylic acid) polymer. Fluorescent nanofibers with diameters in the range 230–800 nm were produced with uniformly dispersed fluorophores. The excitation and emission fluorescence were at wavelengths 479 and 557 nm respectively, thereby exhibiting a good Stokes' shift. This Ni2+ probe that employs fluorescence quenching in a solid receptor–fluorophore system exhibited a good correlation between the fluorescence intensity and nickel concentration up to 1.0 μg mL−1 based on the Stern–Volmer mechanism. The probe achieved a detection limit (3δ/S) of 0.07 ng mL−1 and a precision, calculated as a relative standard deviation (RSD) of more than 4% (n = 8). The concentration of Ni2+ in a certified reference material (SEP-3) was found to be 0.8986 μg mL−1, which is significantly comparable with the certified value of 0.8980 μg mL−1. The accuracy of the determinations, expressed as a relative error between the certified and the observed values of certified reference groundwater was ≤0.1%. The versatility of the nanofiber probe was demonstrated by affording simple, rapid and selective detection of Ni2+ in the presence of other competing metal ions by direct analysis, without employing any further sample handling steps.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Adewuyi, Sheriff , Ondigo, Dezzline A , Zugle, Ruphino , Tshentu, Zenixole R , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/246012 , vital:51428 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C2AY25182E"
- Description: A fluorescent nanofiber probe for the determination of Ni2+ was developed via the electrospinning of a covalently functionalized pyridylazo-2-naphthol-poly(acrylic acid) polymer. Fluorescent nanofibers with diameters in the range 230–800 nm were produced with uniformly dispersed fluorophores. The excitation and emission fluorescence were at wavelengths 479 and 557 nm respectively, thereby exhibiting a good Stokes' shift. This Ni2+ probe that employs fluorescence quenching in a solid receptor–fluorophore system exhibited a good correlation between the fluorescence intensity and nickel concentration up to 1.0 μg mL−1 based on the Stern–Volmer mechanism. The probe achieved a detection limit (3δ/S) of 0.07 ng mL−1 and a precision, calculated as a relative standard deviation (RSD) of more than 4% (n = 8). The concentration of Ni2+ in a certified reference material (SEP-3) was found to be 0.8986 μg mL−1, which is significantly comparable with the certified value of 0.8980 μg mL−1. The accuracy of the determinations, expressed as a relative error between the certified and the observed values of certified reference groundwater was ≤0.1%. The versatility of the nanofiber probe was demonstrated by affording simple, rapid and selective detection of Ni2+ in the presence of other competing metal ions by direct analysis, without employing any further sample handling steps.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A lover’s shame
- Authors: Jones, Ward E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275692 , vital:55071 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-012-9356-5"
- Description: Shame is one of the more painful consequences of loving someone; my beloved’s doing something immoral can cause me to be ashamed of her. The guiding thought behind this paper is that explaining this phenomenon can tell us something about what it means to love. The phenomenon of beloved-induced shame has been largely neglected by philosophers working on shame, most of whom conceive of shame as being a reflexive attitude. Bennett Helm has recently suggested that in order to account for beloved-induced shame, we should deny the reflexivity of shame. After arguing that Helm’s account is inadequate, I proceed to develop an account of beloved-induced shame that rightly preserves its reflexivity. A familiar feature of love is that it involves an evaluative dependence; when I love someone, my well-being depends upon her life’s going well. I argue that loving someone also involves a persistent tendency to believe that her life is going well, in the sense that she is a good person, that she is not prone to wickedness. Lovers are inclined, more strongly than they otherwise would be, to give their beloveds the moral benefit of the doubt. These two features of loving—an evaluative dependence and a persistent tendency to believe in the beloved’s moral goodness—provide the conditions for a lover to experience shame when he discovers that his beloved has morally transgressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jones, Ward E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275692 , vital:55071 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-012-9356-5"
- Description: Shame is one of the more painful consequences of loving someone; my beloved’s doing something immoral can cause me to be ashamed of her. The guiding thought behind this paper is that explaining this phenomenon can tell us something about what it means to love. The phenomenon of beloved-induced shame has been largely neglected by philosophers working on shame, most of whom conceive of shame as being a reflexive attitude. Bennett Helm has recently suggested that in order to account for beloved-induced shame, we should deny the reflexivity of shame. After arguing that Helm’s account is inadequate, I proceed to develop an account of beloved-induced shame that rightly preserves its reflexivity. A familiar feature of love is that it involves an evaluative dependence; when I love someone, my well-being depends upon her life’s going well. I argue that loving someone also involves a persistent tendency to believe that her life is going well, in the sense that she is a good person, that she is not prone to wickedness. Lovers are inclined, more strongly than they otherwise would be, to give their beloveds the moral benefit of the doubt. These two features of loving—an evaluative dependence and a persistent tendency to believe in the beloved’s moral goodness—provide the conditions for a lover to experience shame when he discovers that his beloved has morally transgressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A production function for cricket: the South African perspective
- Brock, Kelcey, Fraser, Gavin C G, Botha, Ferdi
- Authors: Brock, Kelcey , Fraser, Gavin C G , Botha, Ferdi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396007 , vital:69143 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC124240"
- Description: Production functions are common to any productive activity. Although it may not appear obvious, cricket is no different. Production functions in cricket provide a wide range of information, utilised to enhance efficiency and maximize match success. Given these benefits, this study involved the derivation of a production function for the South African SuperSport Series and an analysis of technical efficiency. An econometric analysis was conducted on data from the 2004-2011 cricket seasons and it was concluded that the most optimal strategy for South African teams involved a combination of attacking batting and defensive bowling. Furthermore, South African teams had a relatively low variable substitutability and a high degree of technical efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Brock, Kelcey , Fraser, Gavin C G , Botha, Ferdi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396007 , vital:69143 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC124240"
- Description: Production functions are common to any productive activity. Although it may not appear obvious, cricket is no different. Production functions in cricket provide a wide range of information, utilised to enhance efficiency and maximize match success. Given these benefits, this study involved the derivation of a production function for the South African SuperSport Series and an analysis of technical efficiency. An econometric analysis was conducted on data from the 2004-2011 cricket seasons and it was concluded that the most optimal strategy for South African teams involved a combination of attacking batting and defensive bowling. Furthermore, South African teams had a relatively low variable substitutability and a high degree of technical efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of four-dimensional oscillator groups and the associated left-invariant control affine systems
- Authors: Biggs, Rory
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164941 , vital:41186
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Biggs, Rory
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164941 , vital:41186
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of the selected wild edible plants utilized by indigenous people of the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Kwinana-Mandindi, Thozama Ndileka
- Authors: Kwinana-Mandindi, Thozama Ndileka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85146686
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19598 , vital:43147
- Description: Wild edible plants are an indispensible part of diets in some of the poor resourced rural societies. In many less resourced households a main meal comprises of a starch staple which is accompanied by a supplement of vegetables that provide the other nutritional elements as well as flavour to the meals. The vegetable relish (isishebo) thus, becomes an important component of the diet. The sustenance of many such resource poor indigenous societies over many generations has been as a result of their reliance on a readily available supply of their nutritional requirements, where edible wild plants formed the major food source. Wild edible plants provided the most important source of nutritional supply even during times of drought and famine. However, lifestyle changes have caused a serious reduction of the gathering and use of the wild edible vegetables, knowledge about them and the local culture are also lost with them. Unfortunately, others have come to regard their traditional food resource base as primitive and inferior and have come to rely on new exotic food plant whose supply is unstable and narrow compared to the wide variety of wild edible plants. Even when drought challenges play destruction with food availability, resulting in food shortages due to the reliance on cultivated crops that are poorly adapted to local conditions, communities cannot go back to the unknown food plants. However, detailed scientific investigations are needed to understand and preserve wild food uses. This study was undertaken to add to that body of knowledge. It started with an ethnobotanic survey of the use of wild food plants in 10 selected rural villages and peri-urban dwellings in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. These rural areas were chosen because of the belief that there are still individuals who possess the wealth of traditional knowledge within those remote areas in addition to that the villages are surrounded by indigenous vegetation from which they could be harvesting some indigenous food plants. Furthermore, the relationship between people and plants are often clearer in indigenous/traditional societies since the link between production and consumption is more direct. Besides the survey, this research employed various methods including Inductively Coupled Argon (ICP) analyses of minerals and vitamins, determination of phytochemicals and antioxidant/bio-activity that of, higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of other vitamins, assessment of proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of raw and cooked samples of plants, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) to look into the micro-morphology of leaves for details that might have a bearing in the nutrient composition of the wild edible vegetables. This was done with the aim to explore and highlight the wild-food-plant base of indigenous people, to investigate the nutritional value of the selected frequently consumed wild vegetables and to recommend ways of educating people on the value of such plants and the need to promote their continued sustainable use as well as preservation of them for the benefit of people who cannot afford a continuous nutritious meal particularly among rural communities. Twenty-five (25) indigenous wild food plants which included leafy vegetables, nuts and fruits species were identified as being arbitrarily gathered and utilised as food, of which seven wild leafy vegetable species were often mentioned as common among the 15 dwellings surveyed and most frequently consumed by the respondents. Two additional plants were also frequently used as flavoring and in their raw state respectively. Wild edible vegetables were mainly eaten boiled as ‘laxa’, mixed with maize meal as ‘imifino’, fried as relish ‘isishebo’ or raw for both snacking purposes and medicinal functions. Wild edible plant species in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape-South Africa were documented with respect to their uses and knowledge or identification. Four indigenous wild vegetables (Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum/nodiflorum, Amaranthus dubius and Urtica lobulata) frequently consumed by the indigenous communities in the study region were selected. All the plant species had a remarkably high content of pro-anthocyanidins (between 58.42 and 65.18 mg/g) and also exhibited high radical scavenging activity in vitro. S. nigrum and C. album were found to be rich sources of ascorbic acid, having 1.05mg/100g and 1.01mg/100g, respectively. The entire wild, traditionally edible plants contain reasonably good concentrations of riboflavin while U. lobulata was found to contain maximum amount of thiamine. All plant species were rich sources of minerals and vitamins (both water soluble and fat soluble). Appropriate cooking methods are to be used to enhance the bio-availability of vitamins and nutrients in general. Cooking generally improved the nutritive value in certain wild vegetables. However, some nutrients were drained away. For example micro-nutrient and anti-nutrient component in the ash were reduced in cooking. The EDXS analysis has shown that the indigenous, wild vegetables in the Amathole District of South Africa are excellent sources of minerals, while the mineral crystals present at the level of the mesophyll of the indigenous wild vegetables were probably mixtures of calcium oxalate, calcium sulphate and silica. Saponin, tannins, oxalates, phytates and alkaloids are present in all the indigenous wild vegetables, but in minimal safe quantities. Nutritional analysis of some wild food plants demonstrates that in many cases the nutritional quality of the plants is comparable and in some cases even superior to domesticated exotic varieties. Knowledge about gathering and use of some wild food species is common among the rural dwellers. However, most uses are known by few elderly informants only. Education, awareness campaigns and revival of use of wild edible plants directed at the youth particularly is essential and this can be done through all forms of media. , Thesis (PhD) (Ethnobotany) -- University of Fort Hare, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kwinana-Mandindi, Thozama Ndileka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85146686
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19598 , vital:43147
- Description: Wild edible plants are an indispensible part of diets in some of the poor resourced rural societies. In many less resourced households a main meal comprises of a starch staple which is accompanied by a supplement of vegetables that provide the other nutritional elements as well as flavour to the meals. The vegetable relish (isishebo) thus, becomes an important component of the diet. The sustenance of many such resource poor indigenous societies over many generations has been as a result of their reliance on a readily available supply of their nutritional requirements, where edible wild plants formed the major food source. Wild edible plants provided the most important source of nutritional supply even during times of drought and famine. However, lifestyle changes have caused a serious reduction of the gathering and use of the wild edible vegetables, knowledge about them and the local culture are also lost with them. Unfortunately, others have come to regard their traditional food resource base as primitive and inferior and have come to rely on new exotic food plant whose supply is unstable and narrow compared to the wide variety of wild edible plants. Even when drought challenges play destruction with food availability, resulting in food shortages due to the reliance on cultivated crops that are poorly adapted to local conditions, communities cannot go back to the unknown food plants. However, detailed scientific investigations are needed to understand and preserve wild food uses. This study was undertaken to add to that body of knowledge. It started with an ethnobotanic survey of the use of wild food plants in 10 selected rural villages and peri-urban dwellings in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. These rural areas were chosen because of the belief that there are still individuals who possess the wealth of traditional knowledge within those remote areas in addition to that the villages are surrounded by indigenous vegetation from which they could be harvesting some indigenous food plants. Furthermore, the relationship between people and plants are often clearer in indigenous/traditional societies since the link between production and consumption is more direct. Besides the survey, this research employed various methods including Inductively Coupled Argon (ICP) analyses of minerals and vitamins, determination of phytochemicals and antioxidant/bio-activity that of, higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of other vitamins, assessment of proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of raw and cooked samples of plants, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) to look into the micro-morphology of leaves for details that might have a bearing in the nutrient composition of the wild edible vegetables. This was done with the aim to explore and highlight the wild-food-plant base of indigenous people, to investigate the nutritional value of the selected frequently consumed wild vegetables and to recommend ways of educating people on the value of such plants and the need to promote their continued sustainable use as well as preservation of them for the benefit of people who cannot afford a continuous nutritious meal particularly among rural communities. Twenty-five (25) indigenous wild food plants which included leafy vegetables, nuts and fruits species were identified as being arbitrarily gathered and utilised as food, of which seven wild leafy vegetable species were often mentioned as common among the 15 dwellings surveyed and most frequently consumed by the respondents. Two additional plants were also frequently used as flavoring and in their raw state respectively. Wild edible vegetables were mainly eaten boiled as ‘laxa’, mixed with maize meal as ‘imifino’, fried as relish ‘isishebo’ or raw for both snacking purposes and medicinal functions. Wild edible plant species in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape-South Africa were documented with respect to their uses and knowledge or identification. Four indigenous wild vegetables (Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum/nodiflorum, Amaranthus dubius and Urtica lobulata) frequently consumed by the indigenous communities in the study region were selected. All the plant species had a remarkably high content of pro-anthocyanidins (between 58.42 and 65.18 mg/g) and also exhibited high radical scavenging activity in vitro. S. nigrum and C. album were found to be rich sources of ascorbic acid, having 1.05mg/100g and 1.01mg/100g, respectively. The entire wild, traditionally edible plants contain reasonably good concentrations of riboflavin while U. lobulata was found to contain maximum amount of thiamine. All plant species were rich sources of minerals and vitamins (both water soluble and fat soluble). Appropriate cooking methods are to be used to enhance the bio-availability of vitamins and nutrients in general. Cooking generally improved the nutritive value in certain wild vegetables. However, some nutrients were drained away. For example micro-nutrient and anti-nutrient component in the ash were reduced in cooking. The EDXS analysis has shown that the indigenous, wild vegetables in the Amathole District of South Africa are excellent sources of minerals, while the mineral crystals present at the level of the mesophyll of the indigenous wild vegetables were probably mixtures of calcium oxalate, calcium sulphate and silica. Saponin, tannins, oxalates, phytates and alkaloids are present in all the indigenous wild vegetables, but in minimal safe quantities. Nutritional analysis of some wild food plants demonstrates that in many cases the nutritional quality of the plants is comparable and in some cases even superior to domesticated exotic varieties. Knowledge about gathering and use of some wild food species is common among the rural dwellers. However, most uses are known by few elderly informants only. Education, awareness campaigns and revival of use of wild edible plants directed at the youth particularly is essential and this can be done through all forms of media. , Thesis (PhD) (Ethnobotany) -- University of Fort Hare, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study on the morphology of thin copper films on para-aramid yarns and their influence on the yarn’s electro-conductive and mechanical properties
- Schwarz, Anne, Hakuzimana, Jean, Westbroek, Philippe, Mey, Gilbert De, Priniotakis, Georgios, Nyokong, Tebello, Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Authors: Schwarz, Anne , Hakuzimana, Jean , Westbroek, Philippe , Mey, Gilbert De , Priniotakis, Georgios , Nyokong, Tebello , Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243487 , vital:51157 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517511431291"
- Description: The latest technological advances in new materials and devices enabled wearable systems to be created by utilizing textile solutions. These solutions require electro-conductive yarns as a basic component. Although the production of electroconductive yarn is widely reported, research is still necessary to characterize them to advance their electro-conductive and mechanical properties. Hence, we served this need and characterized copper-coated para-aramid yarns produced by an in-house developed electroless deposition method. In this paper we present our investigation on the yarn’s copper layer characteristics after deposition. Furthermore, we looked, in depth, at the yarn’s electro-conductive properties before and after washing as well as their mechanical properties before and after copper deposition. We found a dependency of the copper layer morphology on its deposition time. This is directly correlated to the resulting layer thickness and hence to the yarn’s electro-conductive properties, demonstrating the autocatalytic nature of the coating process. Above that, the electro-conductive properties of the coated yarn linearly decrease with washing cycles. Furthermore, the copper coating impairs the yarn’s mechanical properties decreasing its specific stress at break by 30%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Schwarz, Anne , Hakuzimana, Jean , Westbroek, Philippe , Mey, Gilbert De , Priniotakis, Georgios , Nyokong, Tebello , Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243487 , vital:51157 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517511431291"
- Description: The latest technological advances in new materials and devices enabled wearable systems to be created by utilizing textile solutions. These solutions require electro-conductive yarns as a basic component. Although the production of electroconductive yarn is widely reported, research is still necessary to characterize them to advance their electro-conductive and mechanical properties. Hence, we served this need and characterized copper-coated para-aramid yarns produced by an in-house developed electroless deposition method. In this paper we present our investigation on the yarn’s copper layer characteristics after deposition. Furthermore, we looked, in depth, at the yarn’s electro-conductive properties before and after washing as well as their mechanical properties before and after copper deposition. We found a dependency of the copper layer morphology on its deposition time. This is directly correlated to the resulting layer thickness and hence to the yarn’s electro-conductive properties, demonstrating the autocatalytic nature of the coating process. Above that, the electro-conductive properties of the coated yarn linearly decrease with washing cycles. Furthermore, the copper coating impairs the yarn’s mechanical properties decreasing its specific stress at break by 30%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An assessment of the implementation of intervention programmes which ensure the right to education for orphans in King Williams Town District
- Authors: Ntshuntshe, Zoleka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Student assistance programs
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24661 , vital:63399
- Description: The purpose of the study was to assess the implementation of intervention programmes that ensure the right to education for orphans in schools in the King William’s Town District. Data from the study revealed that there were a number of challenges faced by orphans with regards to accessing social grants and this affected their school performance negatively. Some of the challenges were (1) even though orphans were receiving the social grant, it was inadequate to provide for their home and school needs; (2) there was lack of information by applicants to access documents they needed to apply for social grants. This was an impediment to access to funds from social grants. (3) The long distances travelled by people to reach social services posed obstacles to those wishing to apply for grants. (4) Applicants lacked proper documentation such as birth certificates and parents’ death certificates which could impede application processes for social grants and (5) Lack of monitoring of social grants resulted in the misuse of funds by some caregivers. In the schools it was also established that there was irregular distribution of food parcels which resulted from some people who gave food to their families and friends, leaving the needy ones out. The No fee policy however was a success as most learners were able to remain in school. With regard to school attendance, some of the challenges were: (1) that some learners were struggling to buy school books as this was not covered by the policy. (2) There was slow implementation of scholar nutrition programme with some schools in quintile 1-3 still not being able to benefit from the programme. (3) Scholar transport was not available to most of the learners and (4) learners were without counseling services, since teachers were not trained in psychosocial support. Nonetheless, social workers were adequately trained to provide psychosocial support to learners. In addition, non governmental organizations contributed a vital service by providing orphans with uniforms and food. However their work was limited by resources and funding. The study was situated in the interpretive paradigm which seeks to construct detailed descriptions of reality. The qualitative methods were suitable for data collection purposes because they allowed the use of interviews which collected detailed, authentic information of what goes on in the schools. It was therefore the best method for the research study which seeks to assess implementation of intervention programmes for orphans as they related the challenges they encounter in the implementation of intervention programmes in their schools. Purposive sampling was used to select 8 orphans, 8 caregivers, 4 principals, 4 teachers and 4 social workers from the 4 schools in the district. The study recommends that the Child Support Grant be reviewed upwards and that monitoring be strengthened so that grants are not misused. It is further recommended that the department of social services synchronize its information dissemination strategies with other stakeholder departments, such as the department of education so as to benefit orphans. It is also recommended that the No fee policy be strengthened by such additions as providing books for orphans and other vulnerable children in schools. Finally the study recommends scholar transport to be implemented as learners still have to walk long distances to school. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ntshuntshe, Zoleka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Student assistance programs
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24661 , vital:63399
- Description: The purpose of the study was to assess the implementation of intervention programmes that ensure the right to education for orphans in schools in the King William’s Town District. Data from the study revealed that there were a number of challenges faced by orphans with regards to accessing social grants and this affected their school performance negatively. Some of the challenges were (1) even though orphans were receiving the social grant, it was inadequate to provide for their home and school needs; (2) there was lack of information by applicants to access documents they needed to apply for social grants. This was an impediment to access to funds from social grants. (3) The long distances travelled by people to reach social services posed obstacles to those wishing to apply for grants. (4) Applicants lacked proper documentation such as birth certificates and parents’ death certificates which could impede application processes for social grants and (5) Lack of monitoring of social grants resulted in the misuse of funds by some caregivers. In the schools it was also established that there was irregular distribution of food parcels which resulted from some people who gave food to their families and friends, leaving the needy ones out. The No fee policy however was a success as most learners were able to remain in school. With regard to school attendance, some of the challenges were: (1) that some learners were struggling to buy school books as this was not covered by the policy. (2) There was slow implementation of scholar nutrition programme with some schools in quintile 1-3 still not being able to benefit from the programme. (3) Scholar transport was not available to most of the learners and (4) learners were without counseling services, since teachers were not trained in psychosocial support. Nonetheless, social workers were adequately trained to provide psychosocial support to learners. In addition, non governmental organizations contributed a vital service by providing orphans with uniforms and food. However their work was limited by resources and funding. The study was situated in the interpretive paradigm which seeks to construct detailed descriptions of reality. The qualitative methods were suitable for data collection purposes because they allowed the use of interviews which collected detailed, authentic information of what goes on in the schools. It was therefore the best method for the research study which seeks to assess implementation of intervention programmes for orphans as they related the challenges they encounter in the implementation of intervention programmes in their schools. Purposive sampling was used to select 8 orphans, 8 caregivers, 4 principals, 4 teachers and 4 social workers from the 4 schools in the district. The study recommends that the Child Support Grant be reviewed upwards and that monitoring be strengthened so that grants are not misused. It is further recommended that the department of social services synchronize its information dissemination strategies with other stakeholder departments, such as the department of education so as to benefit orphans. It is also recommended that the No fee policy be strengthened by such additions as providing books for orphans and other vulnerable children in schools. Finally the study recommends scholar transport to be implemented as learners still have to walk long distances to school. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An Investigation into the Management of Efficient Reading of Learners in Nelson Mandela Schools
- Nomajoko, Nothenjana Albertina
- Authors: Nomajoko, Nothenjana Albertina
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2952 , vital:43096
- Description: Reading has become centre of debate amongst teachers, principals, parents, departmental officials and the entire community of South Africa who are interested in education. Public concern over the teaching of reading has mounted in response to inflammatory statements and articles in popular media across the world. According to a statement in South African teachers’ newsletter about 35% of the children in public schools of this country were reported to have reading difficulties. Even the South African Minister for Basic Education, Angie Motshega, in her public statement on grade 12 results in 2010, mentioned reading as the major problem leading to high failure rate. Being a language teacher the researcher in this study believes every learner can read and write on completion of Foundation Phase Level in our schools and that every teacher can help learners with reading and writing difficulties. This study aims to identify the strategies that help teachers to be able to teach reading effectively and efficiently. This study will be of great value to the society at large. Teachers will benefit from this study as various teaching strategies to teach reading will be exposed. The main focus of this study was to explore the factors contributing towards efficient, effective and successful reading of learners in a well-resourced classroom and well equipped teacher. Foundation Phase is where learners acquire the most important skills for lifelong learning. The reading program is a necessity for every public school. A qualitative investigation was undertaken with the purpose to expose the strategies that help teachers in Nelson Mandela Schools (NMS). The study was undertaken in two schools that are in the reading program under the Nelson Mandela Institute (NMI) . The schools were conveniently sampled as the researcher is in one of the schools, so as to obtain easy access. The principals of the two schools and the Foundation Phase teachers were identified as the participants since the program is focusing mainly in the phase. Qualitative data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The outcomes pointed out that parental involvement in their children’s learning is seen as a major contributing factor in learners reading and writing efficiency. The well resourced classrooms and well equipped teachers are also contributing. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nomajoko, Nothenjana Albertina
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2952 , vital:43096
- Description: Reading has become centre of debate amongst teachers, principals, parents, departmental officials and the entire community of South Africa who are interested in education. Public concern over the teaching of reading has mounted in response to inflammatory statements and articles in popular media across the world. According to a statement in South African teachers’ newsletter about 35% of the children in public schools of this country were reported to have reading difficulties. Even the South African Minister for Basic Education, Angie Motshega, in her public statement on grade 12 results in 2010, mentioned reading as the major problem leading to high failure rate. Being a language teacher the researcher in this study believes every learner can read and write on completion of Foundation Phase Level in our schools and that every teacher can help learners with reading and writing difficulties. This study aims to identify the strategies that help teachers to be able to teach reading effectively and efficiently. This study will be of great value to the society at large. Teachers will benefit from this study as various teaching strategies to teach reading will be exposed. The main focus of this study was to explore the factors contributing towards efficient, effective and successful reading of learners in a well-resourced classroom and well equipped teacher. Foundation Phase is where learners acquire the most important skills for lifelong learning. The reading program is a necessity for every public school. A qualitative investigation was undertaken with the purpose to expose the strategies that help teachers in Nelson Mandela Schools (NMS). The study was undertaken in two schools that are in the reading program under the Nelson Mandela Institute (NMI) . The schools were conveniently sampled as the researcher is in one of the schools, so as to obtain easy access. The principals of the two schools and the Foundation Phase teachers were identified as the participants since the program is focusing mainly in the phase. Qualitative data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The outcomes pointed out that parental involvement in their children’s learning is seen as a major contributing factor in learners reading and writing efficiency. The well resourced classrooms and well equipped teachers are also contributing. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Bridging and enriching top-down and participatory learning: The case of smallholder, organic conservation agriculture farmers in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432967 , vital:72919 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122261"
- Description: This article discusses the combined use of top-down and participatory learning approaches during the course of a 42-month organic conservation agriculture project that is being implemented in eight districts of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe. The initial 18-month project was extended by a further 24 months in order to build on what had been achieved by deepening organic conservation agriculture practices, by increasing the understanding of, and access to, markets, and by expanding farmer agency. The top-down approach involves farmer representatives, known as ‘access farmers’ in the project, undergoing training at training centres and then returning to their respective farmer associations to train other farmers in what they have learnt. Participatory learning includes farmer-to-farmer learning within and among associations, and trainers learning from, and acting on, farmer experiences. Expansive learning, which combines, and goes beyond, both approaches and allows for joint learning, innovation and agency, has been used to support the associations to learn about, practise and benefit from organic conservation agriculture. This was stimulated by change laboratory workshops being conducted with each of the 32 farmer associations formed during the first 18 months of the project. The main argument in the present article is that combining these seemingly opposite approaches to learning is feasible and is essential for accelerating practice-oriented changes in agriculture. The concept that appears to enable this linkage is dialectics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432967 , vital:72919 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122261"
- Description: This article discusses the combined use of top-down and participatory learning approaches during the course of a 42-month organic conservation agriculture project that is being implemented in eight districts of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe. The initial 18-month project was extended by a further 24 months in order to build on what had been achieved by deepening organic conservation agriculture practices, by increasing the understanding of, and access to, markets, and by expanding farmer agency. The top-down approach involves farmer representatives, known as ‘access farmers’ in the project, undergoing training at training centres and then returning to their respective farmer associations to train other farmers in what they have learnt. Participatory learning includes farmer-to-farmer learning within and among associations, and trainers learning from, and acting on, farmer experiences. Expansive learning, which combines, and goes beyond, both approaches and allows for joint learning, innovation and agency, has been used to support the associations to learn about, practise and benefit from organic conservation agriculture. This was stimulated by change laboratory workshops being conducted with each of the 32 farmer associations formed during the first 18 months of the project. The main argument in the present article is that combining these seemingly opposite approaches to learning is feasible and is essential for accelerating practice-oriented changes in agriculture. The concept that appears to enable this linkage is dialectics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
CdTe quantum dots functionalized with 4-amino-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide as luminescent nanoprobe for the sensitive recognition of bromide ion
- Adegoke, Oluwasesan, Hosten, Eric C, McCleland, Cedric, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Hosten, Eric C , McCleland, Cedric , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244393 , vital:51253 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2012.01.040"
- Description: A novel bromide ion-selective modified nanoprobe sensor based on 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide (4AT)-functionalized CdTe quantum dots (QDs-4AT) has been developed. Fluorescence quenching of the QDs by 4AT was observed. The functionalized QDs-4AT nanoprobe allowed a highly sensitive determination of bromide ion via analyte-induced change in the photoluminescence (fluorescence recovery) of the modified QDs. A detection limit of 0.6 nM of bromide ion was obtained, while the interfering effect of other inorganic cations and anions was investigated to examine the selectivity of the nanoprobe. The linear range was between 0.01 and 0.13 μM. Combined fluorescence lifetime and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements confirmed electron transfer processes between bromide ion and QDs-4AT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Hosten, Eric C , McCleland, Cedric , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244393 , vital:51253 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2012.01.040"
- Description: A novel bromide ion-selective modified nanoprobe sensor based on 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide (4AT)-functionalized CdTe quantum dots (QDs-4AT) has been developed. Fluorescence quenching of the QDs by 4AT was observed. The functionalized QDs-4AT nanoprobe allowed a highly sensitive determination of bromide ion via analyte-induced change in the photoluminescence (fluorescence recovery) of the modified QDs. A detection limit of 0.6 nM of bromide ion was obtained, while the interfering effect of other inorganic cations and anions was investigated to examine the selectivity of the nanoprobe. The linear range was between 0.01 and 0.13 μM. Combined fluorescence lifetime and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements confirmed electron transfer processes between bromide ion and QDs-4AT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Characterization of 2,(3)-tetra-(4-oxo-benzamide) phthalocyaninato cobalt (II)—single walled carbon nanotube conjugate platforms and their use in electrocatalysis of amitrole
- Mugadza, Tawanda, Arslanoğlu, Yasin, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mugadza, Tawanda , Arslanoğlu, Yasin , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244382 , vital:51252 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2012.02.041"
- Description: In this paper we report on the use of carboxylic acid functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in the synthesis of 2,(3)-tetra-(4-oxo-benzamide)phthalocyaninato cobalt (II)–single walled carbon nanotube conjugates (CoTOBPc–SWCNT), their characterization and application in the electrocatalytic oxidation of amitrole. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for the detection of amitrole on the modified glassy carbon electrode. The catalytic rate constant was 1.6 × 103 M−1 s−1 and the apparent electron rate transfer constant was 1.5 × 10−5 cm s−1. The linear dynamic range was 1.0 × 10−6–3.0 × 10−5 M, with a sensitivity of ∼1.13 A mol−1 L cm−2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mugadza, Tawanda , Arslanoğlu, Yasin , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244382 , vital:51252 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2012.02.041"
- Description: In this paper we report on the use of carboxylic acid functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in the synthesis of 2,(3)-tetra-(4-oxo-benzamide)phthalocyaninato cobalt (II)–single walled carbon nanotube conjugates (CoTOBPc–SWCNT), their characterization and application in the electrocatalytic oxidation of amitrole. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for the detection of amitrole on the modified glassy carbon electrode. The catalytic rate constant was 1.6 × 103 M−1 s−1 and the apparent electron rate transfer constant was 1.5 × 10−5 cm s−1. The linear dynamic range was 1.0 × 10−6–3.0 × 10−5 M, with a sensitivity of ∼1.13 A mol−1 L cm−2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Climate change and food security in Zimbabwe: a case of small-scale farmers in Mtambi ward, Zvishavane district
- Authors: Mugiya, Davidson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29278 , vital:77711
- Description: The issue of climate change has recently gained much momentum particularly in marginalised regions and its impact threatens to deepen, making the future of agriculture bleak without adaptation. Agriculture might be further trampled as the sector`s performance heavily depends on the climatic condition. This situation makes small-scale farmers who mostly depend on rain-fed agriculture more vulnerable, creating a cycle of food insecurity. As the impact of climate change threatens to intensify, it has been realised that adaptation is no longer an option but an essential as the effects are detrimental particularly to small-scale farmers.Thus, the central objective of the study was to explore the impact of climate change on food security and factors affecting adaptation among small-scale farmers in Mtambi ward, Zvishavane District. The study adopts the Food Systems Theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach as analytical frameworks to explain the interaction between small-scale farmers and environmental shocks in the context of food security. A qualitative method is adopted to get a comprehensive depiction of the plight of small-scale farmers in the background of climate change and food security. The perception and innermost feelings of this vulnerable group was viewed as critical units of analysis. This study shows that climate change is negatively affecting food security among small-scale farmers and further compromises their ability to cope with the stress. The study argues that climate change has affected all determinants of food security notably food availability, accessibility and utilisation. This situation had far reaching implications for adaptation as farmers depend on their on-farm production for both consumption and income which further compromises their purchasing power on the market. Small-scale farmers are at the dilemma of coping with climate change for the achievement of food security without clear-cut aid channelled to them. Resource constrains, credit and inputs aid bottlenecks, coupled with contradiction of programs among other critical issues making adaptation difficult among-small scale farmers. Drawing from the findings, the study recommends that the government should embark on mutual partnerships with NGOs and other significant stake-holders for the best interests of small-scale farmers. This remains a critical condition for agriculture development in general and food insecurity eradication in particular for the benefit of affected groups. , Thesis (MSoc. Sci) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mugiya, Davidson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29278 , vital:77711
- Description: The issue of climate change has recently gained much momentum particularly in marginalised regions and its impact threatens to deepen, making the future of agriculture bleak without adaptation. Agriculture might be further trampled as the sector`s performance heavily depends on the climatic condition. This situation makes small-scale farmers who mostly depend on rain-fed agriculture more vulnerable, creating a cycle of food insecurity. As the impact of climate change threatens to intensify, it has been realised that adaptation is no longer an option but an essential as the effects are detrimental particularly to small-scale farmers.Thus, the central objective of the study was to explore the impact of climate change on food security and factors affecting adaptation among small-scale farmers in Mtambi ward, Zvishavane District. The study adopts the Food Systems Theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach as analytical frameworks to explain the interaction between small-scale farmers and environmental shocks in the context of food security. A qualitative method is adopted to get a comprehensive depiction of the plight of small-scale farmers in the background of climate change and food security. The perception and innermost feelings of this vulnerable group was viewed as critical units of analysis. This study shows that climate change is negatively affecting food security among small-scale farmers and further compromises their ability to cope with the stress. The study argues that climate change has affected all determinants of food security notably food availability, accessibility and utilisation. This situation had far reaching implications for adaptation as farmers depend on their on-farm production for both consumption and income which further compromises their purchasing power on the market. Small-scale farmers are at the dilemma of coping with climate change for the achievement of food security without clear-cut aid channelled to them. Resource constrains, credit and inputs aid bottlenecks, coupled with contradiction of programs among other critical issues making adaptation difficult among-small scale farmers. Drawing from the findings, the study recommends that the government should embark on mutual partnerships with NGOs and other significant stake-holders for the best interests of small-scale farmers. This remains a critical condition for agriculture development in general and food insecurity eradication in particular for the benefit of affected groups. , Thesis (MSoc. Sci) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparison of carbon screen-printed and disk electrodes in the detection of antioxidants using CoPc derivatives
- Matemadombo, Fungisai, Apetrei, Constantin, Nyokong, Tebello, Rodríguez-Méndez, María Luz, de Saja, José Antonio
- Authors: Matemadombo, Fungisai , Apetrei, Constantin , Nyokong, Tebello , Rodríguez-Méndez, María Luz , de Saja, José Antonio
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244371 , vital:51251 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2012.02.088"
- Description: Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and cobalt phthalocyanine carboxylic derivatives (CoTCPc and CoOCPc) have been used as electrocatalysts for the detection of the antioxidants vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol, and ascorbic acid on screen-printed carbon and disk electrode surfaces. The cobalt phthalocyanines were used to detect vanillic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.15 μM to 2.42 μM at potentials of 0.55–0.88 V vs. Ag|AgCl), caffeic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.17 μM to 2.20 μM at potentials of 0.30–0.81 V vs. Ag|AgCl), pyrogallol (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 3.63 μM at potentials of 0.52–0.63 V vs. Ag|AgCl), and ascorbic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 1.58 μM at potentials of 0.34–0.46 V vs. Ag|AgCl). The kinetic studies also demonstrate diffusion-controlled processes at the electrode surface. The SPCE electrodes have better detection properties towards vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol while the disk electrodes had better ascorbic acid detection properties as proven by kinetic studies. Both types CoPc-influenced electrodes show 100% discrimination of the antioxidants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Matemadombo, Fungisai , Apetrei, Constantin , Nyokong, Tebello , Rodríguez-Méndez, María Luz , de Saja, José Antonio
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244371 , vital:51251 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2012.02.088"
- Description: Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and cobalt phthalocyanine carboxylic derivatives (CoTCPc and CoOCPc) have been used as electrocatalysts for the detection of the antioxidants vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol, and ascorbic acid on screen-printed carbon and disk electrode surfaces. The cobalt phthalocyanines were used to detect vanillic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.15 μM to 2.42 μM at potentials of 0.55–0.88 V vs. Ag|AgCl), caffeic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.17 μM to 2.20 μM at potentials of 0.30–0.81 V vs. Ag|AgCl), pyrogallol (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 3.63 μM at potentials of 0.52–0.63 V vs. Ag|AgCl), and ascorbic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 1.58 μM at potentials of 0.34–0.46 V vs. Ag|AgCl). The kinetic studies also demonstrate diffusion-controlled processes at the electrode surface. The SPCE electrodes have better detection properties towards vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol while the disk electrodes had better ascorbic acid detection properties as proven by kinetic studies. Both types CoPc-influenced electrodes show 100% discrimination of the antioxidants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
DBU-Mediated cleavage of aryl-and heteroaryl disulfides
- Nyoni, Dubekile, Lobb, Kevin A, Kaye, Perry T, Cairab, Mino R
- Authors: Nyoni, Dubekile , Lobb, Kevin A , Kaye, Perry T , Cairab, Mino R
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448884 , vital:74768
- Description: The capacity of the nitrogen nucleophile, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) to reduce aryl- and heteroaryl disulfides to the corresponding mercaptans is demonstrated. While dicarboxylated disulfide analogues afford the mono-DBU disulfide salts, as confirmed by X-ray crystallography, the corresponding methyl esters are cleaved normally.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nyoni, Dubekile , Lobb, Kevin A , Kaye, Perry T , Cairab, Mino R
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448884 , vital:74768
- Description: The capacity of the nitrogen nucleophile, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) to reduce aryl- and heteroaryl disulfides to the corresponding mercaptans is demonstrated. While dicarboxylated disulfide analogues afford the mono-DBU disulfide salts, as confirmed by X-ray crystallography, the corresponding methyl esters are cleaved normally.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Effect of fluoroquinolones antibiotics on vancomycin and oxacillin resistant staphylococcus species in Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Soyege, Oludotun
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Staphylococcus aureus , Quinolone antibacterial agents , Fluoroquinolones
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25349 , vital:64212
- Description: This study shows the susceptibility profile of some Staphylococcus species isolated from commensal Staphylococci in Nkonkobe municipality, South Africa. A total number of 120 Staphylococcal isolates were screened for their susceptibilities to various classes of antibiotics such as Aminoglycoside (Gentamycin), Aminoglycoside (Kanamycin), Macrolide (Erythromycin), Tetracycline (Minocycline), Anti-tuberculous (Rifampicin), Lincosamides (Clindamycin), Cephalosporin and Fluoroquinolones in general. During the study, 32 (26percent) the test organisms were susceptible to both methicillin and vancomycin, while 12 (10percent) had co-resistance to the antibiotics. Furthermore, Gentamycin (an Aminoglycoside) had a relatively high potency against the isolates with 107 (89.17percent) of the bacteria being susceptible to it, while 10 (8.33percent) were resistant. On the other hand, Erythromycin (a Macrolide) was active against 72 (60percent) of the isolates, while 5 (4.17percent) and 74 (61.67percent) of the isolates yielded intermediate and resistant responses respectively. In addition , 51 (42.5percent) of the isolates were susceptible to rifampicin, while 1 (0.83percent) and 17 (14.17percent) were intermediate and resistant respectively. Ten percent of the isolates screened for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in this study were positive for mecA gene among the vancomycin-oxacillin resistant strains while van gene was not detected in any of the isolates. This shows how the synergy of both vancomycin and oxacillin contribute to some resistance nature of Staphylococci. In order to overcome this resistance attributes of Staphylococci, to the commonly used antibiotics as discussed under this context, various types of fluoroquinolones were tested. The result shows that less than 10percent of the isolates were generally resistant to the fluoroquinolones except against Nalidix acid to which all the isolates were resistant. Other antibiotics had relatively higher resistance patterns as observed for minocycline (39.51percent), clindamycin (12.75percent), gentamycin (12.31percent) and vancomycin (12.3percent). The new generation fluoroquinolones including Gatifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin and Ciprofloxacin to which less than 5percent of the bacteria are resistant gives some clinical advantage over the Methicillin and Vancomycin resistant strains. About 31percent of the isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance index of ≥1 and suggests animals in the community as potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment. Data obtained in this study is of epidemiological importance and valuable for disease control. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Soyege, Oludotun
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Staphylococcus aureus , Quinolone antibacterial agents , Fluoroquinolones
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25349 , vital:64212
- Description: This study shows the susceptibility profile of some Staphylococcus species isolated from commensal Staphylococci in Nkonkobe municipality, South Africa. A total number of 120 Staphylococcal isolates were screened for their susceptibilities to various classes of antibiotics such as Aminoglycoside (Gentamycin), Aminoglycoside (Kanamycin), Macrolide (Erythromycin), Tetracycline (Minocycline), Anti-tuberculous (Rifampicin), Lincosamides (Clindamycin), Cephalosporin and Fluoroquinolones in general. During the study, 32 (26percent) the test organisms were susceptible to both methicillin and vancomycin, while 12 (10percent) had co-resistance to the antibiotics. Furthermore, Gentamycin (an Aminoglycoside) had a relatively high potency against the isolates with 107 (89.17percent) of the bacteria being susceptible to it, while 10 (8.33percent) were resistant. On the other hand, Erythromycin (a Macrolide) was active against 72 (60percent) of the isolates, while 5 (4.17percent) and 74 (61.67percent) of the isolates yielded intermediate and resistant responses respectively. In addition , 51 (42.5percent) of the isolates were susceptible to rifampicin, while 1 (0.83percent) and 17 (14.17percent) were intermediate and resistant respectively. Ten percent of the isolates screened for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in this study were positive for mecA gene among the vancomycin-oxacillin resistant strains while van gene was not detected in any of the isolates. This shows how the synergy of both vancomycin and oxacillin contribute to some resistance nature of Staphylococci. In order to overcome this resistance attributes of Staphylococci, to the commonly used antibiotics as discussed under this context, various types of fluoroquinolones were tested. The result shows that less than 10percent of the isolates were generally resistant to the fluoroquinolones except against Nalidix acid to which all the isolates were resistant. Other antibiotics had relatively higher resistance patterns as observed for minocycline (39.51percent), clindamycin (12.75percent), gentamycin (12.31percent) and vancomycin (12.3percent). The new generation fluoroquinolones including Gatifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin and Ciprofloxacin to which less than 5percent of the bacteria are resistant gives some clinical advantage over the Methicillin and Vancomycin resistant strains. About 31percent of the isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance index of ≥1 and suggests animals in the community as potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment. Data obtained in this study is of epidemiological importance and valuable for disease control. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Effectiveness of housing delivery in the Reconstruction and Development Programme in Duncan Village
- Authors: Millie, Lindile Churchill
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa , Public housing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24199 , vital:62441
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Housing delivery in the Reconstruction and Development Programme in Duncan Village. This thesis has tried to answer to why there are still places like Duncan Village, situated at the heart of Buffalo City Metropolitan Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province with alarming rate at which the “shanty resident” has been growing and showing no signs of coming to an end? The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative approaches in this research. The researcher conducted the research using officials from the Department of Human Settlements, officials from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Ward Councillor, and Duncan Village community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Millie, Lindile Churchill
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa , Public housing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24199 , vital:62441
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Housing delivery in the Reconstruction and Development Programme in Duncan Village. This thesis has tried to answer to why there are still places like Duncan Village, situated at the heart of Buffalo City Metropolitan Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province with alarming rate at which the “shanty resident” has been growing and showing no signs of coming to an end? The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative approaches in this research. The researcher conducted the research using officials from the Department of Human Settlements, officials from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Ward Councillor, and Duncan Village community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Electrocatalytic behavior of cobalt phthalocyanine complexes immobilized on glassy carbon electrode towards the reduction of dicrotophos pesticide
- Vilakazi, Sibulelo, Nyokong, Tebello, Fukuda, Takamitsu, Kobayashi, Nagao
- Authors: Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello , Fukuda, Takamitsu , Kobayashi, Nagao
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/245832 , vital:51409 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424612501040"
- Description: Electrocatalytic properties of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), cobalt tetra-carboxy phthalocyanine (CoTCPc) and cobalt octa-carboxy (CoOCPc), towards the detection of dicrotophos have been studied. Catalytic behavior towards the reduction of dicrotophos was found to be dependent on the pH, as well as the substitution on the phthalocyanine ring. Strong electron withdrawing groups on the phthalocyanine ring yielded best catalysis as evidenced by the enhancement of the reduction peak current, (~5 fold) compared to the bare glassy carbon electrode. The analysis gave a good detection limit of 1.25 × 10-7 M, and good linearity for the studied concentration range. A high Tafel slope value was obtained, indicating a strong interaction between dicrotophos and the cobalt phthalocyanine complex.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello , Fukuda, Takamitsu , Kobayashi, Nagao
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/245832 , vital:51409 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424612501040"
- Description: Electrocatalytic properties of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), cobalt tetra-carboxy phthalocyanine (CoTCPc) and cobalt octa-carboxy (CoOCPc), towards the detection of dicrotophos have been studied. Catalytic behavior towards the reduction of dicrotophos was found to be dependent on the pH, as well as the substitution on the phthalocyanine ring. Strong electron withdrawing groups on the phthalocyanine ring yielded best catalysis as evidenced by the enhancement of the reduction peak current, (~5 fold) compared to the bare glassy carbon electrode. The analysis gave a good detection limit of 1.25 × 10-7 M, and good linearity for the studied concentration range. A high Tafel slope value was obtained, indicating a strong interaction between dicrotophos and the cobalt phthalocyanine complex.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Electrospun polyacrylic acid polymer fibers functionalized with metallophthalocyanines for photosensitizing and gas sensing applications
- Zugle, Ruphino, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Zugle, Ruphino , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243543 , vital:51162 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2012.662006"
- Description: The photophysical and photochemical properties of tetraaminophthalocyanine complexes of lutetium and zinc covalently linked to polyacrylic acid were studied alongside those of unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine within the same polymeric fiber matrix. All three phthalocyanines within the solid fiber matrices showed photoactivity by the generation of singlet oxygen as was observed in solution. The fluorescence behaviors of the composite fibers equally parallel those in solution. For the unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine composite, the fiber showed fluorescence quenching on interaction with gaseous nitrogen dioxide similar to that in DMF and, thus could be a promising nanofabric material in developing optoelectronic devices that are responsive to the gas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Zugle, Ruphino , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243543 , vital:51162 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2012.662006"
- Description: The photophysical and photochemical properties of tetraaminophthalocyanine complexes of lutetium and zinc covalently linked to polyacrylic acid were studied alongside those of unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine within the same polymeric fiber matrix. All three phthalocyanines within the solid fiber matrices showed photoactivity by the generation of singlet oxygen as was observed in solution. The fluorescence behaviors of the composite fibers equally parallel those in solution. For the unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine composite, the fiber showed fluorescence quenching on interaction with gaseous nitrogen dioxide similar to that in DMF and, thus could be a promising nanofabric material in developing optoelectronic devices that are responsive to the gas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Facile deposition of gold nanoparticle thin films on semi-permeable cellulose substrate
- Sosibo, Ndabenhle, Mdluli, Phumlani, Mashazi, Philani N, Tshikhudo, Robert, Skepu, Amanda, Vilakazi, Sibulelo, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sosibo, Ndabenhle , Mdluli, Phumlani , Mashazi, Philani N , Tshikhudo, Robert , Skepu, Amanda , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242638 , vital:51063 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2012.08.043"
- Description: This study reports the facile method for the deposition of gold nanoparticle thin film onto a monoporous semi-permeable cellulose membrane through the diffusion of borohydride ions leading to the reduction of AuCl4− ions. The synthesis of gold nanoparticle thin film was deposited on one side of the membrane that was exposed to AuCl4− ions while the other side containing a reducing agent remained clear. The gold nanoparticle thin film exhibited a broad surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 529 nm. Various characterization techniques were employed and all demonstrated the presence of gold thin film. The reported method represents a simplistic method for the deposition of gold nanoparticle thin films and various other metal nanoparticles may be deposited following this method.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sosibo, Ndabenhle , Mdluli, Phumlani , Mashazi, Philani N , Tshikhudo, Robert , Skepu, Amanda , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242638 , vital:51063 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2012.08.043"
- Description: This study reports the facile method for the deposition of gold nanoparticle thin film onto a monoporous semi-permeable cellulose membrane through the diffusion of borohydride ions leading to the reduction of AuCl4− ions. The synthesis of gold nanoparticle thin film was deposited on one side of the membrane that was exposed to AuCl4− ions while the other side containing a reducing agent remained clear. The gold nanoparticle thin film exhibited a broad surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 529 nm. Various characterization techniques were employed and all demonstrated the presence of gold thin film. The reported method represents a simplistic method for the deposition of gold nanoparticle thin films and various other metal nanoparticles may be deposited following this method.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Firm age, collateral value, and access to debt financing in an emerging economy: evidence from South Africa
- Ezeoha, Abel E, Botha, Ferdi
- Authors: Ezeoha, Abel E , Botha, Ferdi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396060 , vital:69147 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC31367"
- Description: This paper applies the Blundell and Bond system generalised method of moments (GMM) two-step estimator to examine the impact of age and collateral value on debt financing, using a panel of 177 non-financial companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange over the period 1999 to 2009. The results show that South African firms have target leverage ratios and adjust their capital structures from time to time to achieve their respective targets, that the relationship between firm age and debt financing is non-monotonic, and that firms with higher collateral value are likely to face fewer constraints on borrowing and therefore have greater access to medium-term and long-term debts. Robustness tests also reveal that during start-up and maturity stages, a firm's access to debt markets is significantly influenced by investments in assets that are acceptable to external creditors as collateral. These findings suggest that debt financing policies could be more critical for firms in the start-up and maturity stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ezeoha, Abel E , Botha, Ferdi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396060 , vital:69147 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC31367"
- Description: This paper applies the Blundell and Bond system generalised method of moments (GMM) two-step estimator to examine the impact of age and collateral value on debt financing, using a panel of 177 non-financial companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange over the period 1999 to 2009. The results show that South African firms have target leverage ratios and adjust their capital structures from time to time to achieve their respective targets, that the relationship between firm age and debt financing is non-monotonic, and that firms with higher collateral value are likely to face fewer constraints on borrowing and therefore have greater access to medium-term and long-term debts. Robustness tests also reveal that during start-up and maturity stages, a firm's access to debt markets is significantly influenced by investments in assets that are acceptable to external creditors as collateral. These findings suggest that debt financing policies could be more critical for firms in the start-up and maturity stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012