The influence of extraction techniques on the chemical composition of essential oils from Pelargonium cv.rose in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ngcangatha-Maqhude, Bulelwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Essences and essential oils Pelargoniums Rose geranium oil
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8111 , vital:31524
- Description: Rose geranium is a world known essential oil plant priced for its high grade essential oil mostly utilized in the perfumery industry. However, South Africa has just joined the geranium oil production industry and still battling with the variations in oil yield and composition. Volatile components from Rose geranium were respectively extracted by three methods including hydro-distillation, steam distillation and solvent free microwave. The composition was characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS .No significant differences were found in the oil constituents, colour of the oil was the same in hydro-distillation and steam distillation (light green) but in solvent free microwave extraction the oil was clear because in the receiving flask there was hexane and the quantity of the oil was not the same. The difference was the time taken to extract the oil: Hydro-distillation took 3 hours, steam distillation took 1 hour, 30 minutes and solvent free microwave took only 30 minutes. The main constituents of the essential oil of rose geranium (steam distillation) are Dohne: Citronellol (20.61percent), geraniol (14.79percent), linalool (1.98percent), citronellyl formate (14.25percent), geranyl formate (10.25percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (7.22percent). Kieskammahoek: Citronellol (20.36percent), geraniol (9.81percent), linalool (1.54percent), citronellyl formate (16.09percent), geranyl formate F (8.96percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (8. 22percent).University of FortHare: Citronellol (21.55percent), geraniol (9.41percent), linalool (1.40percent), citronellyl formate (16.37percent), geranyl formate (8.10percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 7.92percent). For hydro-distillation, Dohne: Citronellol (24.68percent), geraniol (11.68percent), linalool (11.74percent), citronellyl formate (14.97percent), geranyl formate (5.95percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (4.63percent). Kieskammahoek: Citronellol (25.25percent), geraniol (13.44percent), linalool (3.35percent), citronellyl formate (15.62percent), geranyl formate (5.40percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9(4.96percent).University of FortHare: Citronellol (24.73percent), geraniol (8.35percent), linalool (9.76percent), citronellyl formate (16.54percent), geranyl formate (4.42percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9(9.76percent). The solvent free microwave extraction , Dohne: Citronellol (20.87), geraniol (17.85percent), linalool (1.21percent), citronellyl formate (13.44percent), geranyl formate (10.26percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (4.59percent).Kieskammahoek: Citronellol (20.13percent), geraniol (5.40percent), linalool (0.28percent), citronellyl formate (14.22percent), geranyl formate (6.04percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9(8.63percent).University of FortHare: Citronellol (21.15percent), geraniol (22.36percent), linalool (1.37percent), citronellyl formate (12.13percent), geranyl formate (8.91percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (5.82percent).The percentage of oil composition in hydro-distillation and Solvent Free Microwave Extraction was higher than steam distillation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ngcangatha-Maqhude, Bulelwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Essences and essential oils Pelargoniums Rose geranium oil
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8111 , vital:31524
- Description: Rose geranium is a world known essential oil plant priced for its high grade essential oil mostly utilized in the perfumery industry. However, South Africa has just joined the geranium oil production industry and still battling with the variations in oil yield and composition. Volatile components from Rose geranium were respectively extracted by three methods including hydro-distillation, steam distillation and solvent free microwave. The composition was characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS .No significant differences were found in the oil constituents, colour of the oil was the same in hydro-distillation and steam distillation (light green) but in solvent free microwave extraction the oil was clear because in the receiving flask there was hexane and the quantity of the oil was not the same. The difference was the time taken to extract the oil: Hydro-distillation took 3 hours, steam distillation took 1 hour, 30 minutes and solvent free microwave took only 30 minutes. The main constituents of the essential oil of rose geranium (steam distillation) are Dohne: Citronellol (20.61percent), geraniol (14.79percent), linalool (1.98percent), citronellyl formate (14.25percent), geranyl formate (10.25percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (7.22percent). Kieskammahoek: Citronellol (20.36percent), geraniol (9.81percent), linalool (1.54percent), citronellyl formate (16.09percent), geranyl formate F (8.96percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (8. 22percent).University of FortHare: Citronellol (21.55percent), geraniol (9.41percent), linalool (1.40percent), citronellyl formate (16.37percent), geranyl formate (8.10percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 7.92percent). For hydro-distillation, Dohne: Citronellol (24.68percent), geraniol (11.68percent), linalool (11.74percent), citronellyl formate (14.97percent), geranyl formate (5.95percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (4.63percent). Kieskammahoek: Citronellol (25.25percent), geraniol (13.44percent), linalool (3.35percent), citronellyl formate (15.62percent), geranyl formate (5.40percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9(4.96percent).University of FortHare: Citronellol (24.73percent), geraniol (8.35percent), linalool (9.76percent), citronellyl formate (16.54percent), geranyl formate (4.42percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9(9.76percent). The solvent free microwave extraction , Dohne: Citronellol (20.87), geraniol (17.85percent), linalool (1.21percent), citronellyl formate (13.44percent), geranyl formate (10.26percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (4.59percent).Kieskammahoek: Citronellol (20.13percent), geraniol (5.40percent), linalool (0.28percent), citronellyl formate (14.22percent), geranyl formate (6.04percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9(8.63percent).University of FortHare: Citronellol (21.15percent), geraniol (22.36percent), linalool (1.37percent), citronellyl formate (12.13percent), geranyl formate (8.91percent) and guaiadiene 6, 9 (5.82percent).The percentage of oil composition in hydro-distillation and Solvent Free Microwave Extraction was higher than steam distillation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The abundance of an invasive freshwater snail Tarebia granifera (Lamarck, 1822) in the Nseleni River, South Africa
- Jones, Roy W, Hill, Jaclyn M, Coetzee, Julie A, Hill, Martin P, Avery, T S, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Jones, Roy W , Hill, Jaclyn M , Coetzee, Julie A , Hill, Martin P , Avery, T S , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69077 , vital:29382 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2017.1298984
- Description: The invasive freshwater snail Tarebia granifera (Lamarck, 1822) was first reported in South Africa in 1999 and it has become widespread across the country, with some evidence to suggest that it reduces benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity. The current study aimed to identify the primary abiotic drivers behind abundance patterns of T. granifera, by comparing the current abundance of the snail in three different regions, and at three depths, of the highly modified Nseleni River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Tarebia granifera was well established throughout the Nseleni River system, with an overall preference for shallow waters and seasonal temporal patterns of abundance. Although it is uncertain what the ecological impacts of the snail in this system are, its high abundances suggest that it should be controlled where possible and prevented from invading other systems in the region.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Jones, Roy W , Hill, Jaclyn M , Coetzee, Julie A , Hill, Martin P , Avery, T S , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69077 , vital:29382 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2017.1298984
- Description: The invasive freshwater snail Tarebia granifera (Lamarck, 1822) was first reported in South Africa in 1999 and it has become widespread across the country, with some evidence to suggest that it reduces benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity. The current study aimed to identify the primary abiotic drivers behind abundance patterns of T. granifera, by comparing the current abundance of the snail in three different regions, and at three depths, of the highly modified Nseleni River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Tarebia granifera was well established throughout the Nseleni River system, with an overall preference for shallow waters and seasonal temporal patterns of abundance. Although it is uncertain what the ecological impacts of the snail in this system are, its high abundances suggest that it should be controlled where possible and prevented from invading other systems in the region.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
The risk of borrowed capital for commercial, industrial and residential property developments
- Authors: Loock, Morne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Commercial buildings -- Finance Industrial sites -- Finance , Real estate developers -- South Africa Financial institutions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18288 , vital:28615
- Description: Most property development firms who invest in property will need to raise some extra financial support. Unforeseen or unexpected expenses can arise at any point in time during the development process. Calculated decisions should be taken with regards to the financial circumstances for any property development project. Decisions should be taken not only for the present but for the future as well. It is therefore important to understand the market and the current economic conditions before applying for capital to fund a property development project. There several types of finance available to fund property development, these include long term borrowing, short term borrowing, construction loans property development investment trust, second mortgages. There is risk to all of the aforementioned finance available.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Loock, Morne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Commercial buildings -- Finance Industrial sites -- Finance , Real estate developers -- South Africa Financial institutions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18288 , vital:28615
- Description: Most property development firms who invest in property will need to raise some extra financial support. Unforeseen or unexpected expenses can arise at any point in time during the development process. Calculated decisions should be taken with regards to the financial circumstances for any property development project. Decisions should be taken not only for the present but for the future as well. It is therefore important to understand the market and the current economic conditions before applying for capital to fund a property development project. There several types of finance available to fund property development, these include long term borrowing, short term borrowing, construction loans property development investment trust, second mortgages. There is risk to all of the aforementioned finance available.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London health services
- Authors: Bengu, Phindiwe Faith
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13597 , vital:39683
- Description: The South African Nursing Council requires registered nurses to have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which will enable them to render an efficient service (Morolong and Chabeli, 2005:39). The South African Education and training system, through its policy of outcomes- based education and training, has tabled competency as a national priority. In support of this, the South African Nursing Council (SANC) requires that the newly qualified registered nurse possess competency on the core functions of a registered nurse. The health system also demands competent nurse practitioners to ensure quality nursing care. Due to the fact that competency is a national priority and a statutory demand, the research question that guided the study is what are the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London Health Care services. The study was aimed at describing the perceptions of unit managers regarding the competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in order to propose the recommendations to improve the competencies of such newly qualified registered nurses and to provide quality patient care. A quantitative descriptive non experimental design was used to evaluate the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses from a public nursing college. The sampling method of probability convenience sampling was used in this study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to ninety unit managers and only eighty one unit managers participated in the study. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. Statistical methods enabled the researcher to reduce, summarize, organise, manipulate, evaluate, interpret and communicate quantitative data. Data were cleaned and coded and spoilt data were checked. Findings from the software were displayed in graphs or tables. Concerning the eighty one unit managers who participated in the study, age and sex matched respondents were selected according to their availability.The results showed that there is agreement that competence of the nurses affects the image, mission and staff utilisation in their units and/or institutions. There was no dominant opinion on the possible association between competency and environmental, physical and technological factors. There was unanimous agreement that newly qualified nurses need constant supervision and in-service training. There was moderate agreement on the use of acquired knowledge and skills by nurses and there was no dominant opinion about how newly qualified nurses tolerate differences and handle misunderstandings and shortcomings of other professions. In conclusion newly qualified registered nurses need coaching, mentoring, n-service training and constant supervision. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to improve competencies of newly qualified registered nurses included exit evaluations of community service practitioners, stipulating the competency framework of newly qualified nurses and assessment criteria of competency. Mentoring and coaching of newly qualified registered nurses during community service, monthly or quarterly meetings with the community service candidate in order to identify their challenges were also recommended. Motivation strategies in order to boost their morale so that they can deliver quality patient care. The newly qualified registered nurses should hold meetings with the unit managers regarding the challenges the unit managers face when assessing competencies of newly qualified registered nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bengu, Phindiwe Faith
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13597 , vital:39683
- Description: The South African Nursing Council requires registered nurses to have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which will enable them to render an efficient service (Morolong and Chabeli, 2005:39). The South African Education and training system, through its policy of outcomes- based education and training, has tabled competency as a national priority. In support of this, the South African Nursing Council (SANC) requires that the newly qualified registered nurse possess competency on the core functions of a registered nurse. The health system also demands competent nurse practitioners to ensure quality nursing care. Due to the fact that competency is a national priority and a statutory demand, the research question that guided the study is what are the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London Health Care services. The study was aimed at describing the perceptions of unit managers regarding the competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in order to propose the recommendations to improve the competencies of such newly qualified registered nurses and to provide quality patient care. A quantitative descriptive non experimental design was used to evaluate the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses from a public nursing college. The sampling method of probability convenience sampling was used in this study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to ninety unit managers and only eighty one unit managers participated in the study. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. Statistical methods enabled the researcher to reduce, summarize, organise, manipulate, evaluate, interpret and communicate quantitative data. Data were cleaned and coded and spoilt data were checked. Findings from the software were displayed in graphs or tables. Concerning the eighty one unit managers who participated in the study, age and sex matched respondents were selected according to their availability.The results showed that there is agreement that competence of the nurses affects the image, mission and staff utilisation in their units and/or institutions. There was no dominant opinion on the possible association between competency and environmental, physical and technological factors. There was unanimous agreement that newly qualified nurses need constant supervision and in-service training. There was moderate agreement on the use of acquired knowledge and skills by nurses and there was no dominant opinion about how newly qualified nurses tolerate differences and handle misunderstandings and shortcomings of other professions. In conclusion newly qualified registered nurses need coaching, mentoring, n-service training and constant supervision. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to improve competencies of newly qualified registered nurses included exit evaluations of community service practitioners, stipulating the competency framework of newly qualified nurses and assessment criteria of competency. Mentoring and coaching of newly qualified registered nurses during community service, monthly or quarterly meetings with the community service candidate in order to identify their challenges were also recommended. Motivation strategies in order to boost their morale so that they can deliver quality patient care. The newly qualified registered nurses should hold meetings with the unit managers regarding the challenges the unit managers face when assessing competencies of newly qualified registered nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions and current practices of Namibian midwives regarding the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour monitoring tool for labouring women
- Authors: Uusiku, Laura Ingashipwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fetal heart rate monitoring Midwives -- Namibia , Midwifery -- Namibia Hospital patients -- Namibia -- Attitudes Medical care -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21318 , vital:29477
- Description: Labour is a vital period for the labouring mothers, as it should bring with it the fulfilment of an expectation of having the baby that has been awaited. The health of the foetus which is to be born and that of the labouring mother are inextricably linked with each other which is why the labouring mother needs to be assessed and monitored carefully. The cardio-tocograph, which is a globally accepted method of diagnosis and assessment of the foetal status during labour is preferred to be used in monitoring labouring mothers, especially high- risk patients. Despite the evidence and information regarding the effectiveness of the use of the cardio-tocograph, midwives are still found not to be using it correctly, the reasons given that the women not always co-operate; do not keep the electrode and belt in place or cite the discomfort they experience from contraction. The objectives of this study were to: explore and describe the perceptions and current practice of Namibian midwives regarding the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour- monitoring tool. Explore and describe how midwives working in labour wards in Namibia perceive informing laboring women of the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour- monitoring tool and based on the results, develop an instruction guide for midwives working in the labour ward in intermediate hospital in Namibia that would serve as a guide on how to teach labouring women about the use of the cardio-tocograph as a labour- monitoring tool and enhance positive labor and delivery outcomes The study was conducted between May and June 2016, using a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design, following the necessary university approval and approval from other relevant authorities. The research population was midwives who work in labour wards at a public hospital in Namibia. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from purposively sampled participants using set criteria. A voice recorder was used to capture the interview with the permission of the participants. Seventeen midwives were interviewed of whom two were used for the pilot study. Data saturation determined the sufficient sample size. The collected data was analyzed using Tesch’s spiral method of data analysis with the assistance of an independent coder From the research findings, it emerged that midwives had varying perceptions regarding the use of the CTG machine. Midwives still perceive CTG interpretation as a challenge as a labour -monitoring tool and expressed a need for updates. Furthermore, midwives expressed the fact that they had limited communication with labouring women regarding the use of CTG. Based on the research findings and guided by Health Belief Model principles, three main guidelines were developed for midwives working in the labour ward in a public hospital in Namibia. These guidelines will serve as a tool to assist midwives in their teaching of labouring women about the use of the cardio-tocograph as a labour- monitoring tool, and the role to be played by labouring women during that monitoring period. Furthermore, recommendations for clinical nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research were developed. The researcher used literature control to ensure validation and integrity of the study. Trustworthiness, which was used to ensure rigour of the study, was guided by the principles of truth-value, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont report adopting the principles of beneficence, respect for human dignity, justice and non-maleficence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Uusiku, Laura Ingashipwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fetal heart rate monitoring Midwives -- Namibia , Midwifery -- Namibia Hospital patients -- Namibia -- Attitudes Medical care -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21318 , vital:29477
- Description: Labour is a vital period for the labouring mothers, as it should bring with it the fulfilment of an expectation of having the baby that has been awaited. The health of the foetus which is to be born and that of the labouring mother are inextricably linked with each other which is why the labouring mother needs to be assessed and monitored carefully. The cardio-tocograph, which is a globally accepted method of diagnosis and assessment of the foetal status during labour is preferred to be used in monitoring labouring mothers, especially high- risk patients. Despite the evidence and information regarding the effectiveness of the use of the cardio-tocograph, midwives are still found not to be using it correctly, the reasons given that the women not always co-operate; do not keep the electrode and belt in place or cite the discomfort they experience from contraction. The objectives of this study were to: explore and describe the perceptions and current practice of Namibian midwives regarding the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour- monitoring tool. Explore and describe how midwives working in labour wards in Namibia perceive informing laboring women of the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour- monitoring tool and based on the results, develop an instruction guide for midwives working in the labour ward in intermediate hospital in Namibia that would serve as a guide on how to teach labouring women about the use of the cardio-tocograph as a labour- monitoring tool and enhance positive labor and delivery outcomes The study was conducted between May and June 2016, using a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design, following the necessary university approval and approval from other relevant authorities. The research population was midwives who work in labour wards at a public hospital in Namibia. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from purposively sampled participants using set criteria. A voice recorder was used to capture the interview with the permission of the participants. Seventeen midwives were interviewed of whom two were used for the pilot study. Data saturation determined the sufficient sample size. The collected data was analyzed using Tesch’s spiral method of data analysis with the assistance of an independent coder From the research findings, it emerged that midwives had varying perceptions regarding the use of the CTG machine. Midwives still perceive CTG interpretation as a challenge as a labour -monitoring tool and expressed a need for updates. Furthermore, midwives expressed the fact that they had limited communication with labouring women regarding the use of CTG. Based on the research findings and guided by Health Belief Model principles, three main guidelines were developed for midwives working in the labour ward in a public hospital in Namibia. These guidelines will serve as a tool to assist midwives in their teaching of labouring women about the use of the cardio-tocograph as a labour- monitoring tool, and the role to be played by labouring women during that monitoring period. Furthermore, recommendations for clinical nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research were developed. The researcher used literature control to ensure validation and integrity of the study. Trustworthiness, which was used to ensure rigour of the study, was guided by the principles of truth-value, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont report adopting the principles of beneficence, respect for human dignity, justice and non-maleficence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A study of the southwestern Karoo basin in South Africa using magnetic and gravity data
- Authors: Nxantsiya, Zusakhe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Groundwater -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14043 , vital:39800
- Description: The early efforts of Booth, Johnson, Rubidge, Catuneanu, de Wit, Chevallier, Stankiewicz, Weckmann and many other scientists in studying the Karoo Supergroup has led to comprehensive documentation of the geology on the main Karoo Basin with regards to understanding the age, sedimentology, sedimentary facies and depositional environments. In spite of these studies, the subsurface structure, variations in thickness of various formations in large parts of the basin, the location and orientation of subsurface dolerite intrusions, and the depth to magnetic and gravity sources remains poorly documented. A geological study with the aid of geophysical techniques, magnetic and gravity, was conducted in the southwestern part of the main Karoo Basin. The objectives of the study were to construct numerous models of the main basin that image the crust to a depth of 45 km, to determine thicknesses of various formations, to relate observed geophysical anomalies with geological bodies and lineaments, to estimate the depth of existing anomalous bodies, to determine densities and porosity of various formations, as well as to determine the mineralogy of various rocks in the Karoo Basin. In total, seventy one rock samples were collected in the main Karoo Basin for density and mineralogical studies. The density results showed that the Beaufort and Ecca Group rocks have the low mean density of 2.490 g/cm3 amongst the rocks while the dolerite intrusions have the highest mean density of 2.697 g/cm3. The porosities of various rocks determined from the measured rock densities revealed that the Ecca Group shales, particularly the Whitehill Formation has the highest porosity of 4.5percent, while the Collingham Formation has the least porosity of 1.4 percent amongst the Ecca Group shales. Mineralogical analysis of seventeen XRD samples and 26 thin sections indicate that quartz, kaolinite, and plagioclase occur as the major mineral in most sandstones and shales in the Karoo Basin, while the pyrophyllite, smectite, and talc occur as minor minerals. Other mineral constituents include, calcite, mica, and amphibole. The 2½ dimensional (2½ D) gravity modelling along seven selected profiles, across the Beattie Magnetic Anomaly (BMA), revealed that the Ecca Group sediments, a target for shale gas exploration in the Karoo, occurs within a depth range of 0 - 4000 m from the surface. The basin deepens to a depth of 4600 m in the southwestern region, near the front of the Cape Fold Belt. It was observed as well that the Karoo dolerite sills are connected at depths and are mostly concentrated at the centre, the deepest part of the basin with some having saucer shape - like structure. These observations correspond well with the borehole data from AB 1/65 and QU 1/65 presented in Linol and de Wit (2016). Thickness isochore maps that were extracted from the gravity models indicate that the Ecca Group, which is the main target for hydrocarbon exploration, thickens to the south away from the centre of the basin and reaches thicknesses of greater than 3680 m. The Beaufort Group proves to be the thickest succession in the Karoo Basin with an estimated thickness of up to 6046 m. Constructed geophysical maps with the geology overlain reveal that most magnetic anomalies are due to dolerite intrusions, while gravity lows are due to less dense shales of the Ecca Group. The depth slices of magnetic data indicate that near surface magnetic bodies occur within the depth of 42 m from the surface whereas deep seated ones occur as deep as 9488 m and possibly deeper. Gravity depth slices reveal signatures that are predominant at depth of 2403 m are of short wavelength and are mainly lineaments and circular structures. They ultimately disappear at depth of 7120 m. The depth slices further indicate that the intensity of both magnetic and gravity long wavelength signatures become stronger with increasing depths.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nxantsiya, Zusakhe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Groundwater -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14043 , vital:39800
- Description: The early efforts of Booth, Johnson, Rubidge, Catuneanu, de Wit, Chevallier, Stankiewicz, Weckmann and many other scientists in studying the Karoo Supergroup has led to comprehensive documentation of the geology on the main Karoo Basin with regards to understanding the age, sedimentology, sedimentary facies and depositional environments. In spite of these studies, the subsurface structure, variations in thickness of various formations in large parts of the basin, the location and orientation of subsurface dolerite intrusions, and the depth to magnetic and gravity sources remains poorly documented. A geological study with the aid of geophysical techniques, magnetic and gravity, was conducted in the southwestern part of the main Karoo Basin. The objectives of the study were to construct numerous models of the main basin that image the crust to a depth of 45 km, to determine thicknesses of various formations, to relate observed geophysical anomalies with geological bodies and lineaments, to estimate the depth of existing anomalous bodies, to determine densities and porosity of various formations, as well as to determine the mineralogy of various rocks in the Karoo Basin. In total, seventy one rock samples were collected in the main Karoo Basin for density and mineralogical studies. The density results showed that the Beaufort and Ecca Group rocks have the low mean density of 2.490 g/cm3 amongst the rocks while the dolerite intrusions have the highest mean density of 2.697 g/cm3. The porosities of various rocks determined from the measured rock densities revealed that the Ecca Group shales, particularly the Whitehill Formation has the highest porosity of 4.5percent, while the Collingham Formation has the least porosity of 1.4 percent amongst the Ecca Group shales. Mineralogical analysis of seventeen XRD samples and 26 thin sections indicate that quartz, kaolinite, and plagioclase occur as the major mineral in most sandstones and shales in the Karoo Basin, while the pyrophyllite, smectite, and talc occur as minor minerals. Other mineral constituents include, calcite, mica, and amphibole. The 2½ dimensional (2½ D) gravity modelling along seven selected profiles, across the Beattie Magnetic Anomaly (BMA), revealed that the Ecca Group sediments, a target for shale gas exploration in the Karoo, occurs within a depth range of 0 - 4000 m from the surface. The basin deepens to a depth of 4600 m in the southwestern region, near the front of the Cape Fold Belt. It was observed as well that the Karoo dolerite sills are connected at depths and are mostly concentrated at the centre, the deepest part of the basin with some having saucer shape - like structure. These observations correspond well with the borehole data from AB 1/65 and QU 1/65 presented in Linol and de Wit (2016). Thickness isochore maps that were extracted from the gravity models indicate that the Ecca Group, which is the main target for hydrocarbon exploration, thickens to the south away from the centre of the basin and reaches thicknesses of greater than 3680 m. The Beaufort Group proves to be the thickest succession in the Karoo Basin with an estimated thickness of up to 6046 m. Constructed geophysical maps with the geology overlain reveal that most magnetic anomalies are due to dolerite intrusions, while gravity lows are due to less dense shales of the Ecca Group. The depth slices of magnetic data indicate that near surface magnetic bodies occur within the depth of 42 m from the surface whereas deep seated ones occur as deep as 9488 m and possibly deeper. Gravity depth slices reveal signatures that are predominant at depth of 2403 m are of short wavelength and are mainly lineaments and circular structures. They ultimately disappear at depth of 7120 m. The depth slices further indicate that the intensity of both magnetic and gravity long wavelength signatures become stronger with increasing depths.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of leadership on talent retention: exploring gender and generational cohort’s psychological contract issues
- Authors: Vasi, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Age and employment -- South Africa , Leadership -- South Africa -- Management Employee retention -- South Africa Organizational commitment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20077 , vital:29096
- Description: If the early nineties were concerned about a “rapidly changing business environment,” business in the twenty first century should be deeply paranoid about the future of business as we know it (Pieterse et al., 2009, p.1). Both global and national political factors has impacted the economy to epidemic negative heights. For companies to survive, its leadership requires a strand of resilience that sustains operations like never before. This can only be reached through the workforce. The question can thus be asked, how does one optimally use the gifting of each employee to impact the sustained operation of the organisation? The aim of this study is to determine the impact of leadership on talent retention: exploring gender and generational cohort’s psychological contract issues. The target population for the study consisted of 711 (n) employed South African executive MBA professionals within various industry sectors, namely, Management, Finance, Engineering, Information Technology and Accounting sectors, dispersed at various levels within their respective organisations, representing various Provinces, predominantly from the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. 55 percent were male respondents and 45 percent were female respondents. 34% of the respondents’ age group were located in the category Generation-Y (respondents aged 25 – 34 years) and 30% of the respondents’ were located in the category Generation-X (respondents aged 35 – 44 years). The results showed that job insecurity was not statistically significantly related to employee engagement and turnover intention. Leadership empowerment behaviour contributed statistically significantly to employee engagement and low turnover intention. The research populations’ current experience depicts strong opportunities for personal development and work satisfaction, with moderate financial fulfilment. There is furthermore a strong relationship between leadership and retention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Vasi, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Age and employment -- South Africa , Leadership -- South Africa -- Management Employee retention -- South Africa Organizational commitment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20077 , vital:29096
- Description: If the early nineties were concerned about a “rapidly changing business environment,” business in the twenty first century should be deeply paranoid about the future of business as we know it (Pieterse et al., 2009, p.1). Both global and national political factors has impacted the economy to epidemic negative heights. For companies to survive, its leadership requires a strand of resilience that sustains operations like never before. This can only be reached through the workforce. The question can thus be asked, how does one optimally use the gifting of each employee to impact the sustained operation of the organisation? The aim of this study is to determine the impact of leadership on talent retention: exploring gender and generational cohort’s psychological contract issues. The target population for the study consisted of 711 (n) employed South African executive MBA professionals within various industry sectors, namely, Management, Finance, Engineering, Information Technology and Accounting sectors, dispersed at various levels within their respective organisations, representing various Provinces, predominantly from the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. 55 percent were male respondents and 45 percent were female respondents. 34% of the respondents’ age group were located in the category Generation-Y (respondents aged 25 – 34 years) and 30% of the respondents’ were located in the category Generation-X (respondents aged 35 – 44 years). The results showed that job insecurity was not statistically significantly related to employee engagement and turnover intention. Leadership empowerment behaviour contributed statistically significantly to employee engagement and low turnover intention. The research populations’ current experience depicts strong opportunities for personal development and work satisfaction, with moderate financial fulfilment. There is furthermore a strong relationship between leadership and retention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Land, Church, Forced Removals and Community on Klipfontein Farm in the District of Alexandria, Eastern Cape c. 1872 - 1979
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, GJW
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Janse van Rensburg family , Klipfontein Farm (Alexandria, South Africa) , Alexandria (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- Religion , Colored people (South Africa) -- Relocation , Black people -- Relocation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Church history -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- Law and legilstion -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161315 , vital:40615
- Description: This thesis is a case study of how church, land and dispossession of land has influenced identity formation of a coloured community in the Eastern Province, namely the Klipfontein community. Coloured history in the Eastern Province has largely been neglected. This study attempts to rectify such a lack of in-depth enquiry as it may lead to misinterpretations that may influence contemporary politics and identity formation. Through research based on primary sources, it is evident that the social landscape of Klipfontein Farm and the relationships between that community and surrounding black African and white communities have largely been shaped by the stipulations contained in the joint will of the community’s ancestors: Dirk and Sarah Janse van Rensburg. The land devolved into a trust and has been administered by trustees since the death of the first spouse in 1877. By keeping the land in a trust, it enabled the descendants to continue to live on the farm in perpetuity, without the risk of being forced off the land via financial restraints or racially-based legislation. But the usufructuaries could also never fully utilise Klipfontein as an agricultural concern due to a combination of a lack of equipment and skill, and the provisions of the will. These complications inevitably led to inter-familial disputes and tension. Before 1939 there had already been three court cases dealing with the interpretations of the Will. In that same year the Supreme Court ordered that tracts of the land, including a part of Boesmansriviermond village, be sold in order to pay off arrear rates and taxes. Although the responsibility for these sales lay with the trustees, the community has been suspicious of the usufructuaries ever since. A key element of the Klipfontein identity is their religion. The church legitimises their right to the farm - against those who wish to take that right away. Their claim to occupation is couched in scriptural discourse, viewing Klipfontein as 'their Garden of Eden' that God gave to the stamvader, Dirk Janse van Rensburg. This seemed to have been partially successful for the Klipfontein community in staving off harassment by authorities. It also caused friction between the community and the black African residents. Some usufructuaries and family members felt that such right was exclusively given to the coloured community and so they became increasingly annoyed by the black Africans who settled there. Other usufructuaries did not share this feeling. They allowed evicted black African farm labourers to settle on certain portions of Klipfontein until the late 1970s. The black African population rapidly increased due to misinformation and evictions from neighbouring farms. This only further exacerbated the inter-familial conflict between usufructuaries, flaring tensions between the black Africans and their reluctant hosts as well as animosity from the white community towards Klipfontein. In 1979, after a series of court cases, a decision was made to remove all the African settlers by force and relocate most of them to the ‘homeland’ of Ciskei. The rest, who were of ‘working-age’ were left behind in a ‘temporary emergency camp’ on the outskirts of Kenton-on-Sea. The effects of these removals still impact the relationships between the different racial groups in the area to this day.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, GJW
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Janse van Rensburg family , Klipfontein Farm (Alexandria, South Africa) , Alexandria (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- History , Colored people (South Africa) -- Religion , Colored people (South Africa) -- Relocation , Black people -- Relocation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Church history -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- Law and legilstion -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161315 , vital:40615
- Description: This thesis is a case study of how church, land and dispossession of land has influenced identity formation of a coloured community in the Eastern Province, namely the Klipfontein community. Coloured history in the Eastern Province has largely been neglected. This study attempts to rectify such a lack of in-depth enquiry as it may lead to misinterpretations that may influence contemporary politics and identity formation. Through research based on primary sources, it is evident that the social landscape of Klipfontein Farm and the relationships between that community and surrounding black African and white communities have largely been shaped by the stipulations contained in the joint will of the community’s ancestors: Dirk and Sarah Janse van Rensburg. The land devolved into a trust and has been administered by trustees since the death of the first spouse in 1877. By keeping the land in a trust, it enabled the descendants to continue to live on the farm in perpetuity, without the risk of being forced off the land via financial restraints or racially-based legislation. But the usufructuaries could also never fully utilise Klipfontein as an agricultural concern due to a combination of a lack of equipment and skill, and the provisions of the will. These complications inevitably led to inter-familial disputes and tension. Before 1939 there had already been three court cases dealing with the interpretations of the Will. In that same year the Supreme Court ordered that tracts of the land, including a part of Boesmansriviermond village, be sold in order to pay off arrear rates and taxes. Although the responsibility for these sales lay with the trustees, the community has been suspicious of the usufructuaries ever since. A key element of the Klipfontein identity is their religion. The church legitimises their right to the farm - against those who wish to take that right away. Their claim to occupation is couched in scriptural discourse, viewing Klipfontein as 'their Garden of Eden' that God gave to the stamvader, Dirk Janse van Rensburg. This seemed to have been partially successful for the Klipfontein community in staving off harassment by authorities. It also caused friction between the community and the black African residents. Some usufructuaries and family members felt that such right was exclusively given to the coloured community and so they became increasingly annoyed by the black Africans who settled there. Other usufructuaries did not share this feeling. They allowed evicted black African farm labourers to settle on certain portions of Klipfontein until the late 1970s. The black African population rapidly increased due to misinformation and evictions from neighbouring farms. This only further exacerbated the inter-familial conflict between usufructuaries, flaring tensions between the black Africans and their reluctant hosts as well as animosity from the white community towards Klipfontein. In 1979, after a series of court cases, a decision was made to remove all the African settlers by force and relocate most of them to the ‘homeland’ of Ciskei. The rest, who were of ‘working-age’ were left behind in a ‘temporary emergency camp’ on the outskirts of Kenton-on-Sea. The effects of these removals still impact the relationships between the different racial groups in the area to this day.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Analysis of the impact of Smallholder Irrigation Schemes on the choice of rural livelihood strategy and household food security in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Christian, Mzuyanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4813 , vital:28526
- Description: Since the end of Apartheid, the South African government has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation schemes, particularly in the former homeland areas. One of the primary goals for establishment of these schemes was to solve food security problems. Sadly, these efforts have not produced the desired results, and poverty has deepened. The question that can be asked is: What is it that makes South African smallholder agricultural sector seemingly impervious to the interventions that government has made in targeting smallholder farmers since the dawn of democracy in 1994? In order to address such a question, a set of structured questionnaires was used to interview 100 smallholder irrigators and 100 non-irrigators using multistage stratified random sampling technique in the Amatole, Chris Hani and OR Tambo District municipalities. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of smallholder irrigators and non-irrigators around Qamata, Pendu, Tyhefu, Merelles and Ntshongweni irrigation schemes were measured using descriptive statistics. Profitability between the two groups was measured using gross margin analysis (GM). The Probit model was used to determine the factors that affect smallholder farmer‘s choice of participation in irrigation schemes. The impact of irrigation participation on yields, crop sales and food security was estimated using the propensity score matching (PSM) technique. The impact of irrigation participation of smallholder farmer‘s choice of livelihood strategy was estimated using the multinomial regression model. The results showed that male respondents were dominant with a representation of 63 percent and average mean household size of 4 persons with the household head having spent at least 7 years at school. Farming was found to be the major (64 percent) occupation in the study area with an average income of R2 944.52 per cropping season. Both irrigating and non-irrigating smallholder farmers in the study area used improved, fertilizer and tractor for production. Overall, smallholder farmers spent 30.9 percent of their household income on food with irrigators‘food spending lower than those of non-irrigators. The gross margin analysis suggests that the irrigated farmers were in a better position to afford enough food in order to satisfy their household requirement. Findings from the Probit regression and Propensity Score Matching are consistent across the methods, indicating that irrigation participation has a positive influence on crop yields, income and consumption expenditure. Probit regression further showed that age, quality of land, access to credit, access to market, distance to the scheme and membership of another society/association have a positive impact on access and use of irrigation and are significant at p < 0.05 percent level. The Propensity Score Matching using Nearest Neighbour and Kernel Matching Methods of the outcome variables, total farm income and food consumption patterns, shows a positive and statistically significant result at p < 0.05 percent level. The nearest neighbour matching method shows that irrigators received higher farm income R2044.01 than non-irrigating farmers R622.12. The Average Treatment Effect on total food expenditure was negative both in the case of NNM and KM algorithms, indicating that participation in irrigation can decrease the expenditure levels on food from R933.30 to R926.70. This could be due to the fact that irrigating farmers produced enough for home consumption than non-irrigators. The multinomial regression model shows that irrigation participation influences smallholder farmers choice of livelihood strategy and these variables were statistically significant at p < 0.05 percent level. These results provide insights to address the question as to the appropriate development path for transition from homestead to irrigation. Continued support to smallholder farmers in the forms of funding, extension services and improved technologies is certainly needed to enhance food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Christian, Mzuyanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4813 , vital:28526
- Description: Since the end of Apartheid, the South African government has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation schemes, particularly in the former homeland areas. One of the primary goals for establishment of these schemes was to solve food security problems. Sadly, these efforts have not produced the desired results, and poverty has deepened. The question that can be asked is: What is it that makes South African smallholder agricultural sector seemingly impervious to the interventions that government has made in targeting smallholder farmers since the dawn of democracy in 1994? In order to address such a question, a set of structured questionnaires was used to interview 100 smallholder irrigators and 100 non-irrigators using multistage stratified random sampling technique in the Amatole, Chris Hani and OR Tambo District municipalities. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of smallholder irrigators and non-irrigators around Qamata, Pendu, Tyhefu, Merelles and Ntshongweni irrigation schemes were measured using descriptive statistics. Profitability between the two groups was measured using gross margin analysis (GM). The Probit model was used to determine the factors that affect smallholder farmer‘s choice of participation in irrigation schemes. The impact of irrigation participation on yields, crop sales and food security was estimated using the propensity score matching (PSM) technique. The impact of irrigation participation of smallholder farmer‘s choice of livelihood strategy was estimated using the multinomial regression model. The results showed that male respondents were dominant with a representation of 63 percent and average mean household size of 4 persons with the household head having spent at least 7 years at school. Farming was found to be the major (64 percent) occupation in the study area with an average income of R2 944.52 per cropping season. Both irrigating and non-irrigating smallholder farmers in the study area used improved, fertilizer and tractor for production. Overall, smallholder farmers spent 30.9 percent of their household income on food with irrigators‘food spending lower than those of non-irrigators. The gross margin analysis suggests that the irrigated farmers were in a better position to afford enough food in order to satisfy their household requirement. Findings from the Probit regression and Propensity Score Matching are consistent across the methods, indicating that irrigation participation has a positive influence on crop yields, income and consumption expenditure. Probit regression further showed that age, quality of land, access to credit, access to market, distance to the scheme and membership of another society/association have a positive impact on access and use of irrigation and are significant at p < 0.05 percent level. The Propensity Score Matching using Nearest Neighbour and Kernel Matching Methods of the outcome variables, total farm income and food consumption patterns, shows a positive and statistically significant result at p < 0.05 percent level. The nearest neighbour matching method shows that irrigators received higher farm income R2044.01 than non-irrigating farmers R622.12. The Average Treatment Effect on total food expenditure was negative both in the case of NNM and KM algorithms, indicating that participation in irrigation can decrease the expenditure levels on food from R933.30 to R926.70. This could be due to the fact that irrigating farmers produced enough for home consumption than non-irrigators. The multinomial regression model shows that irrigation participation influences smallholder farmers choice of livelihood strategy and these variables were statistically significant at p < 0.05 percent level. These results provide insights to address the question as to the appropriate development path for transition from homestead to irrigation. Continued support to smallholder farmers in the forms of funding, extension services and improved technologies is certainly needed to enhance food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Marine resource management and conservation in the Anthropocene
- Aswani, Shankar, Basurto, Xavier, Ferse, Sebastian, Glaser, Marion, Campbell, Lisa, Cinner, Joshua E, Dalton, Tracey, Jenkins, Lekelia D, Miller, Marc L, Pollnac, Richard, McGill University, Christie, Patrick
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Basurto, Xavier , Ferse, Sebastian , Glaser, Marion , Campbell, Lisa , Cinner, Joshua E , Dalton, Tracey , Jenkins, Lekelia D , Miller, Marc L , Pollnac, Richard , McGill University , Christie, Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124987 , vital:35716 , https://doi.10.1017/S0376892917000431
- Description: Because the Anthropocene by definition is an epoch during which environmental change is largely anthropogenic and driven by social, economic, psychological and political forces, environmental social scientists can effectively analyse human behaviour and knowledge systems in this context. In this subject review, we summarize key ways in which the environmental social sciences can better inform fisheries management policy and practice and marine conservation in the Anthropocene. We argue that environmental social scientists are particularly well positioned to synergize research to fill the gaps between: (1) local behaviours/needs/worldviews and marine resource management and biological conservation concerns; and (2) large-scale drivers of planetary environmental change (globalization, affluence, technological change, etc.) and local cognitive, socioeconomic, cultural and historical processes that shape human behaviour in the marine environment. To illustrate this, we synthesize the roles of various environmental social science disciplines in better understanding the interaction between humans and tropical marine ecosystems in developing nations where issues arising from human–coastal interactions are particularly pronounced. We focus on: (1) the application of the environmental social sciences in marine resource management and conservation; (2) the development of ‘new’ socially equitable marine conservation; (3) repopulating the seascape; (4) incorporating multi-scale dynamics of marine social–ecological systems; and (5) envisioning the future of marine resource management and conservation for producing policies and projects for comprehensive and successful resource management and conservation in the Anthropocene.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Basurto, Xavier , Ferse, Sebastian , Glaser, Marion , Campbell, Lisa , Cinner, Joshua E , Dalton, Tracey , Jenkins, Lekelia D , Miller, Marc L , Pollnac, Richard , McGill University , Christie, Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124987 , vital:35716 , https://doi.10.1017/S0376892917000431
- Description: Because the Anthropocene by definition is an epoch during which environmental change is largely anthropogenic and driven by social, economic, psychological and political forces, environmental social scientists can effectively analyse human behaviour and knowledge systems in this context. In this subject review, we summarize key ways in which the environmental social sciences can better inform fisheries management policy and practice and marine conservation in the Anthropocene. We argue that environmental social scientists are particularly well positioned to synergize research to fill the gaps between: (1) local behaviours/needs/worldviews and marine resource management and biological conservation concerns; and (2) large-scale drivers of planetary environmental change (globalization, affluence, technological change, etc.) and local cognitive, socioeconomic, cultural and historical processes that shape human behaviour in the marine environment. To illustrate this, we synthesize the roles of various environmental social science disciplines in better understanding the interaction between humans and tropical marine ecosystems in developing nations where issues arising from human–coastal interactions are particularly pronounced. We focus on: (1) the application of the environmental social sciences in marine resource management and conservation; (2) the development of ‘new’ socially equitable marine conservation; (3) repopulating the seascape; (4) incorporating multi-scale dynamics of marine social–ecological systems; and (5) envisioning the future of marine resource management and conservation for producing policies and projects for comprehensive and successful resource management and conservation in the Anthropocene.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factor analysis for dtetermination of metabolic syndrome components of anthropometric data from Kinshasa hiterland of the Democractic Republic of Congo
- Authors: Nasila, John Sungwacha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Factor analysis Multivariate analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14032 , vital:39799
- Description: Factor analysis is a multivariate statistical approach commonly used in psychology, education, and more recently in the health-related professions. This thesis will attempt to provide novice and experienced researchers an application of two factor analysis methods which are; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to medical data. As Biostatistics knowledge continues to grow, it is timely that this thesis contributes immensely; firstly to the discipline of Biostatistics and secondly to Medicine both nationally and internationally. Factor analysis is an important tool that can be used in the development, refinement, and evaluation of tests, scales, and measures that can be used in education and in health-related professions such as medicine. This thesis is focused on applying Factor Analysis on medical data, specifically on data obtained from patients that suffer from Metabolic Syndrome and patients who don’t suffer from Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a constellation of components (factors) such as obesity, lipid-lipoprotein (fats) disorders, increase in glucose (sugar), hypertension (blood pressure), and inflammation/ hypercoagulability (clotting). MS and other risk factors; (smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and inappropriate diet) determine high morbidity and mortality for the cardiovascular disease (CVD=heart attack, brain attack, peripheral vascular disease) or cardio-metabolic risk (CMR=type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, retinopathy). Obesity, CVD, and CMR are emerging as epidemic conditions worldwide. However, Africa is not paying priority to early detection, treatment, prevention and control of atherosclerotic diseases (MS, CMR) from valid and reliable data. The aim of this thesis was to examine anthropometry, glucose and blood pressure (non-lipid components of MS) as most valid, reliable, less time-consuming, less complex and less expensive procedure of identifying people at high risks of CVD and CMR. A further contribution of this thesis was its understanding of the economic implications of the burden of Metabolic Syndrome. Other burden factors have been identified and also discussed. The study has revealed that the presence of metabolic syndrome has contributed to an enormous economic burden by about 20percent of the total economic loss experienced by many countries. The prevalence has risen recently and elevated patients’ use of more health care resources, and face higher morbidity and mortality, resulting in an enormous economic burden. Some studies have shown healthcare costs to be as much as 20percent higher than those accrued by patients without the risk factors. Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome have been shown to have greater drug expenditures, more frequent hospitalizations, and higher utilization of outpatient and physician services. When considered alone, the individual risk factor components account for a substantial economic burden to patients, health plans, and society as a whole. Overall, this has had serious economic impacts on many countries. The diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome as a condition may encourage appropriate management and thus help prevent disease progression and reduce the considerable economic impact. This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational survey conducted between January and April 2005, in Kinshasa Hinterland, DRC. Participants were black Bantu Africans. In this study, the researcher attempted to determine latent factors that could explain the variability in a large set of data collected on many individuals of mixed health statuses. The original population consisted of 9770 people of whom, only 977 (10percent) participated. Factor analysis and interpretation of the results were based on anthropometric parameters (body mass index or BMI and waist circumference or WC), blood pressure (BP), lipid (triglycerides)-lipoprotein (HDL-C) and glucose with different numbers and cutoffs of components of Metabolic Syndrome. A number of different statistical procedural methods have been employed to clearly scrutinize and bring out the information which is concealed in a variety of variables observed/collected on many human participants. A large portion of these approaches was based on multivariate statistical methods. The approach, in this case, was the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA); a multivariate statistical approach used under Factor Analysis to reduce many variables into a few latent variables which are seen as capable of explaining the variability. The approach was effected under both conditions of presence and absence of metabolic risk. Other data settings were: within males, within females, in the rural and in urban communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nasila, John Sungwacha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Factor analysis Multivariate analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14032 , vital:39799
- Description: Factor analysis is a multivariate statistical approach commonly used in psychology, education, and more recently in the health-related professions. This thesis will attempt to provide novice and experienced researchers an application of two factor analysis methods which are; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to medical data. As Biostatistics knowledge continues to grow, it is timely that this thesis contributes immensely; firstly to the discipline of Biostatistics and secondly to Medicine both nationally and internationally. Factor analysis is an important tool that can be used in the development, refinement, and evaluation of tests, scales, and measures that can be used in education and in health-related professions such as medicine. This thesis is focused on applying Factor Analysis on medical data, specifically on data obtained from patients that suffer from Metabolic Syndrome and patients who don’t suffer from Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a constellation of components (factors) such as obesity, lipid-lipoprotein (fats) disorders, increase in glucose (sugar), hypertension (blood pressure), and inflammation/ hypercoagulability (clotting). MS and other risk factors; (smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and inappropriate diet) determine high morbidity and mortality for the cardiovascular disease (CVD=heart attack, brain attack, peripheral vascular disease) or cardio-metabolic risk (CMR=type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, retinopathy). Obesity, CVD, and CMR are emerging as epidemic conditions worldwide. However, Africa is not paying priority to early detection, treatment, prevention and control of atherosclerotic diseases (MS, CMR) from valid and reliable data. The aim of this thesis was to examine anthropometry, glucose and blood pressure (non-lipid components of MS) as most valid, reliable, less time-consuming, less complex and less expensive procedure of identifying people at high risks of CVD and CMR. A further contribution of this thesis was its understanding of the economic implications of the burden of Metabolic Syndrome. Other burden factors have been identified and also discussed. The study has revealed that the presence of metabolic syndrome has contributed to an enormous economic burden by about 20percent of the total economic loss experienced by many countries. The prevalence has risen recently and elevated patients’ use of more health care resources, and face higher morbidity and mortality, resulting in an enormous economic burden. Some studies have shown healthcare costs to be as much as 20percent higher than those accrued by patients without the risk factors. Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome have been shown to have greater drug expenditures, more frequent hospitalizations, and higher utilization of outpatient and physician services. When considered alone, the individual risk factor components account for a substantial economic burden to patients, health plans, and society as a whole. Overall, this has had serious economic impacts on many countries. The diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome as a condition may encourage appropriate management and thus help prevent disease progression and reduce the considerable economic impact. This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational survey conducted between January and April 2005, in Kinshasa Hinterland, DRC. Participants were black Bantu Africans. In this study, the researcher attempted to determine latent factors that could explain the variability in a large set of data collected on many individuals of mixed health statuses. The original population consisted of 9770 people of whom, only 977 (10percent) participated. Factor analysis and interpretation of the results were based on anthropometric parameters (body mass index or BMI and waist circumference or WC), blood pressure (BP), lipid (triglycerides)-lipoprotein (HDL-C) and glucose with different numbers and cutoffs of components of Metabolic Syndrome. A number of different statistical procedural methods have been employed to clearly scrutinize and bring out the information which is concealed in a variety of variables observed/collected on many human participants. A large portion of these approaches was based on multivariate statistical methods. The approach, in this case, was the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA); a multivariate statistical approach used under Factor Analysis to reduce many variables into a few latent variables which are seen as capable of explaining the variability. The approach was effected under both conditions of presence and absence of metabolic risk. Other data settings were: within males, within females, in the rural and in urban communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
William Blake’s animal symbols: tensions and intersections between science and allegory In Eighteenth-Century attitudes towards animals
- Authors: Singh, Jyoti
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4590 , vital:20696
- Description: This thesis explores the tensions and intersections between science, allegory, and related eighteenth-century attitudes towards animals in William Blake’s poetry through detailed analysis of individual animal symbols and tropes. It will focus specifically on the period between 1794 and 1820, to coincide with the dates of Blake’s major works. Chapter One outlines Blake’s key philosophies, concentrating on his particular approach to symbolism. By rejecting certain Enlightenment ideals and beliefs surrounding allegory, Blake created his own form of the literary tradition, and the subjects and symbols of his poetry clearly demonstrate shifting allegorical frames. The chapter also explains why he argued for the recognition, and even valorisation, of the imaginative faculty, or “Poetic Genius”, in an era which accepted reason and rational thinking as one of the main means of apprehending the world. Chapter Two considers the significance of Blake’s use of predatory animals in the SONGS Of INNOCENCE and Of EXPERIENCE. In focussing on symbolic animals, the chapter assesses whether the ‘real’ animals (with all their scientific associations) are alluded to, and the extent to which they influence their symbolic counterparts. In choosing these symbols to represent key themes throughout his oeuvre, Blake drew on some familiar associations and contemporary attitudes towards animals, but offered no critique of society’s attitudes to animals. Chapter Three identifies and analyses the “fragments of Eternity” represented in the contraries of “Good” and “Evil”, and “Energy” and “Reason” embodied by the animals in THE MARRIAGE of HEAVEN and HELL. The symbols’ division between “Reason” and “Energy” develops an understanding of the complex attitudes towards animals, both in Blake’s mind, and in that of the eighteenth-century British public. Chapter Four is concerned with Blake’s depictions of the Worm and Serpent in his poetry, and how his conception of “Beulah” provides more insight into these symbols and their functions. It also grapples with Rod Preece’s argument that the poet recognised the sanctity and divinity in all forms of life, and sought to endorse these beliefs through his animal symbols. As the thesis illustrates, though, Blake is not arguing for the sanctity of all life to be upheld, nor does he see any divinity in the beings and objects found in nature. Sanctity and divinity are constructs of the imagination, and it is through exercising the imaginative faculty - the “Poetic Genius’’ - along with our senses and instincts, that we are able to make sense of the world. The study thus concludes by considering the extent to which ‘real’ animals intrude upon Blake’s oeuvre, and attempts to determine the value of reading the symbols through an “animal studies” paradigm. It also argues that ‘real’ animals are inseparable from their cultural and symbolic representations, because these are the only means of interpretation we have.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Singh, Jyoti
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4590 , vital:20696
- Description: This thesis explores the tensions and intersections between science, allegory, and related eighteenth-century attitudes towards animals in William Blake’s poetry through detailed analysis of individual animal symbols and tropes. It will focus specifically on the period between 1794 and 1820, to coincide with the dates of Blake’s major works. Chapter One outlines Blake’s key philosophies, concentrating on his particular approach to symbolism. By rejecting certain Enlightenment ideals and beliefs surrounding allegory, Blake created his own form of the literary tradition, and the subjects and symbols of his poetry clearly demonstrate shifting allegorical frames. The chapter also explains why he argued for the recognition, and even valorisation, of the imaginative faculty, or “Poetic Genius”, in an era which accepted reason and rational thinking as one of the main means of apprehending the world. Chapter Two considers the significance of Blake’s use of predatory animals in the SONGS Of INNOCENCE and Of EXPERIENCE. In focussing on symbolic animals, the chapter assesses whether the ‘real’ animals (with all their scientific associations) are alluded to, and the extent to which they influence their symbolic counterparts. In choosing these symbols to represent key themes throughout his oeuvre, Blake drew on some familiar associations and contemporary attitudes towards animals, but offered no critique of society’s attitudes to animals. Chapter Three identifies and analyses the “fragments of Eternity” represented in the contraries of “Good” and “Evil”, and “Energy” and “Reason” embodied by the animals in THE MARRIAGE of HEAVEN and HELL. The symbols’ division between “Reason” and “Energy” develops an understanding of the complex attitudes towards animals, both in Blake’s mind, and in that of the eighteenth-century British public. Chapter Four is concerned with Blake’s depictions of the Worm and Serpent in his poetry, and how his conception of “Beulah” provides more insight into these symbols and their functions. It also grapples with Rod Preece’s argument that the poet recognised the sanctity and divinity in all forms of life, and sought to endorse these beliefs through his animal symbols. As the thesis illustrates, though, Blake is not arguing for the sanctity of all life to be upheld, nor does he see any divinity in the beings and objects found in nature. Sanctity and divinity are constructs of the imagination, and it is through exercising the imaginative faculty - the “Poetic Genius’’ - along with our senses and instincts, that we are able to make sense of the world. The study thus concludes by considering the extent to which ‘real’ animals intrude upon Blake’s oeuvre, and attempts to determine the value of reading the symbols through an “animal studies” paradigm. It also argues that ‘real’ animals are inseparable from their cultural and symbolic representations, because these are the only means of interpretation we have.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Factors that prevent black South Africans from attaining adequate levels of saving
- Authors: Mantashe, Zuko Nathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Saving and investment -- Blacks -- South Africa Finance, Personal -- Blacks -- South Africa , Economic development -- Blacks -- South Africa Economics -- Blacks -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18551 , vital:28676
- Description: South Africa is trailing behind its BRICS counterparts in terms of Gross national Savings rates. South Africa stands at around 16% of gross domestic product, fellow BRICS members China and Russia are standing at approximately 52% and 22% respectively. South Africa saw a decline from approximately 30% GDP to savings ratio before 1994 to the current level of approximately 16%. The trend has been very similar in comparison with India. The other similarity between these BRICS countries is that they all have seen very rapid growth. All economic indicators have indicated that the economies of the BRICS nations are very strong and have been performing at a superior level to South Africa. South Africa compares even worse with regards to household savings versus its BRICS counterparts. Various arguments and explanations as to why this is so come up on a number of social, government and corporate platforms. The “aspirational” culture is widely blamed for the poor showing of South African households when it comes to savings. The South African financial sector is very sophisticated and is widely blamed for the encouraging consumption and even worse credit consumption. An analysis done by Ecnometrics found that amongst the significant determinants of household saving rates are: uncertainty (inflation), income level, public sector savings, development’s in the global economy and government economic policy. The study revealed that the above factors were very influential in the rapid economic growth and increased per capita net worth seen of the most BRICS countries. The correlation between saving/investment and consumption/irresponsible consumer behavior is indicated to be a very strong one and takes a very longtime to evolve. This requires outrooting certain societal norms, attitudes and culture and replacing it with a brand new behavior, beliefs and aspirations. Role players that emerge as strong drivers in this phenomena is the societal culture however the other role player who prove to be prominent are the policy makers. In most cases the economic and gross national saving rates coincided with major economic policy reforms in the countries that have performed well.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mantashe, Zuko Nathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Saving and investment -- Blacks -- South Africa Finance, Personal -- Blacks -- South Africa , Economic development -- Blacks -- South Africa Economics -- Blacks -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18551 , vital:28676
- Description: South Africa is trailing behind its BRICS counterparts in terms of Gross national Savings rates. South Africa stands at around 16% of gross domestic product, fellow BRICS members China and Russia are standing at approximately 52% and 22% respectively. South Africa saw a decline from approximately 30% GDP to savings ratio before 1994 to the current level of approximately 16%. The trend has been very similar in comparison with India. The other similarity between these BRICS countries is that they all have seen very rapid growth. All economic indicators have indicated that the economies of the BRICS nations are very strong and have been performing at a superior level to South Africa. South Africa compares even worse with regards to household savings versus its BRICS counterparts. Various arguments and explanations as to why this is so come up on a number of social, government and corporate platforms. The “aspirational” culture is widely blamed for the poor showing of South African households when it comes to savings. The South African financial sector is very sophisticated and is widely blamed for the encouraging consumption and even worse credit consumption. An analysis done by Ecnometrics found that amongst the significant determinants of household saving rates are: uncertainty (inflation), income level, public sector savings, development’s in the global economy and government economic policy. The study revealed that the above factors were very influential in the rapid economic growth and increased per capita net worth seen of the most BRICS countries. The correlation between saving/investment and consumption/irresponsible consumer behavior is indicated to be a very strong one and takes a very longtime to evolve. This requires outrooting certain societal norms, attitudes and culture and replacing it with a brand new behavior, beliefs and aspirations. Role players that emerge as strong drivers in this phenomena is the societal culture however the other role player who prove to be prominent are the policy makers. In most cases the economic and gross national saving rates coincided with major economic policy reforms in the countries that have performed well.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes in South African businesses
- Authors: Webber, Zwelibanzi Samson
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Diversity in the workplace -- South Africa , Organizational change -- South Africa Social change -- South Africa Management -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13524 , vital:27217
- Description: Diversity management is of strategic importance in all organisations throughout the world. Its importance is derived from the belief that workplaces by nature consist of diverse employees, who in one way or another are different in terms of race, gender, religion, or any other difference that may have an impact on the business and its employees. The differences among people need to be managed. This study investigated the influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes in South African businesses. Literature reviews on diversity management and multicultural education in various parts of the world have revealed an impact on the influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes. However, existing South African literature on diversity management does not conclusively expose the effects of diversity management on business and social outcomes, hence the need for this study. The study was based on a conceptual framework, which included variables on diversity management initiatives, diversity management models, institutional development theory and business and social outcomes. Hypotheses for the study were also developed and tested. In testing the hypotheses, the empirical data collected was subjected to a series of statistical tests, using STATISTICA version 13. MANOVA tests were conducted to determine the existence of differences among variables and the extent to which the variables differed was measured by means of ANOVA tests. Tukey post hoc tests (Tukey HSD) were used to determine practical significance among variables. The study was also subjected to Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis tests to ascertain the existence of relationships between all diversity management initiatives and business and social outcome factors. The analysis was concluded by conducting an exploratory factor analysis. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to confirm or reduce the number of factors and the number of factors was subsequently reduced. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient test was also done for the extracted factors, after which a regressions analysis test was conducted to confirm the existence of relationships between the extracted diversity management initiatives factors and business and social outcomes factors. This formed the basis for the development of a proposed diversity management model. The model of the implementation of diversity management initiatives is an important contribution to the study because it shows the different aspects that guide the process of implementation. The model is based on the implementation of a formal diversity management change strategy and programme of action; employment equity plan and strategy; and the recruitment and empowerment of women and people living with disabilities. The study was not without limitations. Challenges with regard to access to respondents were experienced and this was one of the delays in data collection. Another challenge experienced was that the study did not include qualitative research approaches, which could have been used for in-depth responses. The study provides an important milestone for the use of diversity management initiatives in South African companies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Webber, Zwelibanzi Samson
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Diversity in the workplace -- South Africa , Organizational change -- South Africa Social change -- South Africa Management -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13524 , vital:27217
- Description: Diversity management is of strategic importance in all organisations throughout the world. Its importance is derived from the belief that workplaces by nature consist of diverse employees, who in one way or another are different in terms of race, gender, religion, or any other difference that may have an impact on the business and its employees. The differences among people need to be managed. This study investigated the influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes in South African businesses. Literature reviews on diversity management and multicultural education in various parts of the world have revealed an impact on the influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes. However, existing South African literature on diversity management does not conclusively expose the effects of diversity management on business and social outcomes, hence the need for this study. The study was based on a conceptual framework, which included variables on diversity management initiatives, diversity management models, institutional development theory and business and social outcomes. Hypotheses for the study were also developed and tested. In testing the hypotheses, the empirical data collected was subjected to a series of statistical tests, using STATISTICA version 13. MANOVA tests were conducted to determine the existence of differences among variables and the extent to which the variables differed was measured by means of ANOVA tests. Tukey post hoc tests (Tukey HSD) were used to determine practical significance among variables. The study was also subjected to Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis tests to ascertain the existence of relationships between all diversity management initiatives and business and social outcome factors. The analysis was concluded by conducting an exploratory factor analysis. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to confirm or reduce the number of factors and the number of factors was subsequently reduced. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient test was also done for the extracted factors, after which a regressions analysis test was conducted to confirm the existence of relationships between the extracted diversity management initiatives factors and business and social outcomes factors. This formed the basis for the development of a proposed diversity management model. The model of the implementation of diversity management initiatives is an important contribution to the study because it shows the different aspects that guide the process of implementation. The model is based on the implementation of a formal diversity management change strategy and programme of action; employment equity plan and strategy; and the recruitment and empowerment of women and people living with disabilities. The study was not without limitations. Challenges with regard to access to respondents were experienced and this was one of the delays in data collection. Another challenge experienced was that the study did not include qualitative research approaches, which could have been used for in-depth responses. The study provides an important milestone for the use of diversity management initiatives in South African companies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Discovering the root of obesity through the symbology of food: a historical and cultural exploration
- Authors: Jacobs, Nadine
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obesity -- Psychological aspects , Obesity -- Research Behavior modification Psychophysiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17569 , vital:28379
- Description: Obesity is fast becoming a worldwide issue with detrimental health consequences. The increasing availability of effective nutritional strategies, physical exercise regimes and behaviour modification approaches to weight loss do not offer a satisfactory explanation as to why only two to five percent of people who have lost weight successfully manage to retain the weight loss over the long term. By referring to several concepts on how the symbols of food originate in the unconscious and end up becoming the unconscious impetus for conscious thought and dietary behaviours relating to food, the complexity of food pathologies, with specific reference to obesity is explored. The study presents a narrative review of the available literature on symbols in a variety of cultural-historical contexts through the theoretical lens of the psychoanalytic framework. The study contributed to the current treatment approaches to obesity, by highlighting how the unconscious content of the psyche serve to compromise conscious efforts to address the problem of obesity. Also, the need for further research into the development of a model that, by incorporating the psychoanalytic approach to obesity, will support the long-term success of weight loss intervention by addressing the underlying issues, is emphasised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Discovering the root of obesity through the symbology of food: a historical and cultural exploration
- Authors: Jacobs, Nadine
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obesity -- Psychological aspects , Obesity -- Research Behavior modification Psychophysiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17569 , vital:28379
- Description: Obesity is fast becoming a worldwide issue with detrimental health consequences. The increasing availability of effective nutritional strategies, physical exercise regimes and behaviour modification approaches to weight loss do not offer a satisfactory explanation as to why only two to five percent of people who have lost weight successfully manage to retain the weight loss over the long term. By referring to several concepts on how the symbols of food originate in the unconscious and end up becoming the unconscious impetus for conscious thought and dietary behaviours relating to food, the complexity of food pathologies, with specific reference to obesity is explored. The study presents a narrative review of the available literature on symbols in a variety of cultural-historical contexts through the theoretical lens of the psychoanalytic framework. The study contributed to the current treatment approaches to obesity, by highlighting how the unconscious content of the psyche serve to compromise conscious efforts to address the problem of obesity. Also, the need for further research into the development of a model that, by incorporating the psychoanalytic approach to obesity, will support the long-term success of weight loss intervention by addressing the underlying issues, is emphasised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An experimental study of self-regulated learning with mathematically gifted pupils in Nigerian primary schools
- Authors: Zaram, Gyang Nyam
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Nigeria , Numeracy -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Nigeria Gifted children -- Education -- Curricula Gifted children -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13381 , vital:27180
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine whether gifted pupils can master an enriched advanced level curriculum in mathematics using self-regulated learning strategies. A mathematics curriculum for class five primary school learners in Nigeria was developed for this study. An empirical study was conducted on primary five pupils who were seen to be significantly gifted in mathematics. The study employed the quantitative method of research, that is, the true experimental research. The pre-test, post-test control group design was used. Sixty gifted pupils who participated in a mathematics enrichment programme (MEP) were assigned into two groups of the control group and experimental group with thirty pupils forming each group. The control group was exposed to direct teaching (DT) while the experimental group used self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies. Four teachers served as facilitators in the MEP. The teaching and learning activities were carried out at a higher cognitive level as opposed to the regular curriculum, ensuring that the contents of the MEP were enriched and accelerated. Pupils in both the experimental group and the control group were administered a pre-test, problem-solving exercises, and post-test. These pupils also completed an attitudinal questionnaire to provide feedback about the MEP. The empirical results show that gifted pupils in primary five are capable of self-regulating their own learning through self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and self-reinforcement. The empirical results also show that there is a significant relationship between self-regulated learning, gifted learners, and an enriched advanced level differentiated curriculum as a realistic alternative to the present regular curriculum for gifted pupils in the mainstream of education. The findings further show that the lack of differentiation of instruction, lack of facilities such as libraries, media centres, and support materials contributes to low achievement of gifted pupils. Furthermore, the findings show that pupils were challenged and motivated with the MEP to the extent that they were engaged to think divergently and applied their metacognitive skills in finding solutions to mathematical problems. Therefore, the findings of this study could have significant implications for the future direction of gifted primary school education as well as teacher education. This study has made a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge for implementing an enriched advanced level curriculum using SRL strategies for mathematically gifted pupils in the mainstream of primary school education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zaram, Gyang Nyam
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Nigeria , Numeracy -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Nigeria Gifted children -- Education -- Curricula Gifted children -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13381 , vital:27180
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine whether gifted pupils can master an enriched advanced level curriculum in mathematics using self-regulated learning strategies. A mathematics curriculum for class five primary school learners in Nigeria was developed for this study. An empirical study was conducted on primary five pupils who were seen to be significantly gifted in mathematics. The study employed the quantitative method of research, that is, the true experimental research. The pre-test, post-test control group design was used. Sixty gifted pupils who participated in a mathematics enrichment programme (MEP) were assigned into two groups of the control group and experimental group with thirty pupils forming each group. The control group was exposed to direct teaching (DT) while the experimental group used self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies. Four teachers served as facilitators in the MEP. The teaching and learning activities were carried out at a higher cognitive level as opposed to the regular curriculum, ensuring that the contents of the MEP were enriched and accelerated. Pupils in both the experimental group and the control group were administered a pre-test, problem-solving exercises, and post-test. These pupils also completed an attitudinal questionnaire to provide feedback about the MEP. The empirical results show that gifted pupils in primary five are capable of self-regulating their own learning through self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and self-reinforcement. The empirical results also show that there is a significant relationship between self-regulated learning, gifted learners, and an enriched advanced level differentiated curriculum as a realistic alternative to the present regular curriculum for gifted pupils in the mainstream of education. The findings further show that the lack of differentiation of instruction, lack of facilities such as libraries, media centres, and support materials contributes to low achievement of gifted pupils. Furthermore, the findings show that pupils were challenged and motivated with the MEP to the extent that they were engaged to think divergently and applied their metacognitive skills in finding solutions to mathematical problems. Therefore, the findings of this study could have significant implications for the future direction of gifted primary school education as well as teacher education. This study has made a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge for implementing an enriched advanced level curriculum using SRL strategies for mathematically gifted pupils in the mainstream of primary school education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Acacia mearnsii De Wild stem bark and its antinociceptive properties
- Avoseh, Opeyemi N, Oyedeji, Opeoluwa O, Aremu, Olukayode, Nkeh-Chungag, Benedicta N, Songca, Sandile P, Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi, Mohan, Sneha, Oluwafemi, Oluwatobi S
- Authors: Avoseh, Opeyemi N , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa O , Aremu, Olukayode , Nkeh-Chungag, Benedicta N , Songca, Sandile P , Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi , Mohan, Sneha , Oluwafemi, Oluwatobi S
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Metal nanoparticles , Acacia mearnsii , Nociceptive pain
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1528 , vital:37774 , https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2017.1287310
- Description: The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using the hydrosol extract of the dry stem bark of Acacia mearnsii as reducing and capping agents, and their antinociceptive properties are hereby reported. By varying the temperature and reaction time, the temporal evolution of the optical and morphological properties of the as-synthesized material was investigated. The NPs were characterized by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD) The optical analyses show that the position of the maximum surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak is red-shifted as the reaction temperature decreased. The TEM micrographs show that the as-synthesized Ag-NPs are spherical while the X-ray diffraction shows that the material is highly crystalline with face-centered cubic structures. The anti-inflammatory efficacy, analyzed by the formalin model, indicates that the as-synthesized Ag-NPs are very effective, with an inhibition rate of about 76%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Avoseh, Opeyemi N , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa O , Aremu, Olukayode , Nkeh-Chungag, Benedicta N , Songca, Sandile P , Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi , Mohan, Sneha , Oluwafemi, Oluwatobi S
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Metal nanoparticles , Acacia mearnsii , Nociceptive pain
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1528 , vital:37774 , https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2017.1287310
- Description: The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using the hydrosol extract of the dry stem bark of Acacia mearnsii as reducing and capping agents, and their antinociceptive properties are hereby reported. By varying the temperature and reaction time, the temporal evolution of the optical and morphological properties of the as-synthesized material was investigated. The NPs were characterized by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD) The optical analyses show that the position of the maximum surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak is red-shifted as the reaction temperature decreased. The TEM micrographs show that the as-synthesized Ag-NPs are spherical while the X-ray diffraction shows that the material is highly crystalline with face-centered cubic structures. The anti-inflammatory efficacy, analyzed by the formalin model, indicates that the as-synthesized Ag-NPs are very effective, with an inhibition rate of about 76%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Malawi’s foreign policy decision-making: the 2012 Malawi-Tanzania boundary dispute
- Kaunda, Mapopa Charles Martin Sazamleke
- Authors: Kaunda, Mapopa Charles Martin Sazamleke
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59225 , vital:27484
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kaunda, Mapopa Charles Martin Sazamleke
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59225 , vital:27484
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Yokwana, Aphelele Lucia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Vegetables -- Marketing Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetable trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11906 , vital:39117
- Description: The study investigates the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Vegetables as a group of horticultural crops are important for their contribution as an income support to a large proportion of the rural households. However, enhancing vegetable farmers to reach markets and actively engage in the markets is a key challenge influencing vegetable production in South Africa. The perishable nature of vegetables demands effective marketing channels. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors affecting vegetable farmers’ choice of market channels in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The study adopted a multistage stratified sampling method. Multi-stage sampling was done in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from the different wards in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. This was done through stratification by separating vegetable smallholder farmers and homesteads within that area (different villages within the area). This was followed by employing quota sampling through the different households and smallholder farmers within those areas in order to determine households and smallholder farmers that are able to provide the needed information concerning the choice of market channels. By stratified random sampling based on village, project membership and smallholder farmers, a sample of 110 heads of households was chosen for the study in eight different wards of KSD. The sampling for this study was based on a large sampling technique of n ≥ 30 as there is no information regarding the population of the total number of homesteads and smallholder farmers that are under each traditional leader (chief) in these study sites. This sample comprises homesteads and smallholder farmers that took part in vegetable production. A structured questionnaire together with field observations and measurements were adopted for obtaining information from household respondents. Descriptive statistics (percentages, means, frequency tables and figures) and a Multinomial logistic regression model have been used to analyze the data. From the Multinomial logistic regression results, farming experience is positively related to choice of farm gate market channel at 1percent level of significance. The age of vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. The level of education of the vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. Moreover, the results also showed that the inputs used are positively related to the choice of farm-gate as well as direct to consumer market channels at 5percent significance level. Similarly, means of transportation used and choice of marketing channel of the vegetable farmers are positively related at 1percent significance level at the direct to consumer choice of market channel. Furthermore, access to extension services indicated a positive relationship to the choice of market channel amongst the smallholder vegetable farmers for the direct to consumer at 5percent level of significance which is insignificant for that of the farm-gate. There is therefore, need for strong extension support in assisting the farmers to diversify their production, provide market information thereby enhancing production and opening up channels for market accessibility. This is seen to enhance rural households’ livelihood outcomes in agricultural production thereby improving the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers and alleviating poverty and improving food security. More so, the government and research institutes need to organize workshops and extension programs in famer’ training for more efficiency in their vegetable production and marketing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Yokwana, Aphelele Lucia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Vegetables -- Marketing Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetable trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11906 , vital:39117
- Description: The study investigates the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Vegetables as a group of horticultural crops are important for their contribution as an income support to a large proportion of the rural households. However, enhancing vegetable farmers to reach markets and actively engage in the markets is a key challenge influencing vegetable production in South Africa. The perishable nature of vegetables demands effective marketing channels. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors affecting vegetable farmers’ choice of market channels in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The study adopted a multistage stratified sampling method. Multi-stage sampling was done in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from the different wards in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. This was done through stratification by separating vegetable smallholder farmers and homesteads within that area (different villages within the area). This was followed by employing quota sampling through the different households and smallholder farmers within those areas in order to determine households and smallholder farmers that are able to provide the needed information concerning the choice of market channels. By stratified random sampling based on village, project membership and smallholder farmers, a sample of 110 heads of households was chosen for the study in eight different wards of KSD. The sampling for this study was based on a large sampling technique of n ≥ 30 as there is no information regarding the population of the total number of homesteads and smallholder farmers that are under each traditional leader (chief) in these study sites. This sample comprises homesteads and smallholder farmers that took part in vegetable production. A structured questionnaire together with field observations and measurements were adopted for obtaining information from household respondents. Descriptive statistics (percentages, means, frequency tables and figures) and a Multinomial logistic regression model have been used to analyze the data. From the Multinomial logistic regression results, farming experience is positively related to choice of farm gate market channel at 1percent level of significance. The age of vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. The level of education of the vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. Moreover, the results also showed that the inputs used are positively related to the choice of farm-gate as well as direct to consumer market channels at 5percent significance level. Similarly, means of transportation used and choice of marketing channel of the vegetable farmers are positively related at 1percent significance level at the direct to consumer choice of market channel. Furthermore, access to extension services indicated a positive relationship to the choice of market channel amongst the smallholder vegetable farmers for the direct to consumer at 5percent level of significance which is insignificant for that of the farm-gate. There is therefore, need for strong extension support in assisting the farmers to diversify their production, provide market information thereby enhancing production and opening up channels for market accessibility. This is seen to enhance rural households’ livelihood outcomes in agricultural production thereby improving the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers and alleviating poverty and improving food security. More so, the government and research institutes need to organize workshops and extension programs in famer’ training for more efficiency in their vegetable production and marketing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Effects of loading time and lairage duration on pig behaviour, sex and lairage time on pork physio-chemical characteristics
- Authors: Ntlatywa, Bongiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pork -- Quality Meat -- Quality Loading and unloading
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12270 , vital:39225
- Description: The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of loading time, transportation unloading and lairage period, their subsequent effect on responses behaviour and the effect of sex and lairage period on the meat quality of cross breeds reared in commercial farm. The first part of the study assessed the behaviour of pigs during loading at the farm, offloading and in the lairages. A total of 900 pigs from 5 trips (180 per trip) were monitored on behaviour from farm to slaughter plant. The pigs were transported to a commercial abattoir which is 120 km distance, travelling for 2 hours from the farm. The results revealed that time spent in loading pigs was more than when offloading pigs. The frequency of slipping or falling-off in pigs was high (18percent) than voluntary movement (8percent) during loading times (χ2 >0.05) that when off-loading. A significant difference was determined on the avoidance (χ2=0.03), mounting behaviour (χ2 =0.01) and vocal sound (χ2 =0.02) during loading time on each observation day. Furthermore there was no significant difference determined on the time and day of observation in the lairages. These results also reveal that the avoidance behaviour was the highest (47percent) while fighting (34percent) and vocalizing were the least compared to other behaviour during the first 30 minutes after arrival at the abattoir. Moreover, the lying behaviour was found to have highest frequency (15percent) on day 6 compared to other sampling days. These results reveal that time of loading pigs had an influence on pigs’ behaviour before slaughter and consequently that affected physiological features and meat quality. The second section of the study assessed sex and the different lairage time effects on the pork quality attributes. A total of fifty four pigs, 22 weeks old of different sex (26 boars x 28 gilts) reared on a commercial farm and transported to the abattoir on the same day was used in this study. At the abattoir, pigs were grouped according to lairage periods of 17 hours (Group1; 13 gilts and 14 boars) and 36 hours (Group 2; 15 gilts and 12 boars). Results showed no significant difference on the sex of pigs (P >0.05) and meat pH. However, lairage time influenced the thawing loss (P= 0.02) of meat and also the interactions of sex by lairage had a significant difference (P= 0.04) on meat tenderness. There was a positive significant correlation found between sex and meat attributes values were high in boars (r= 0.61) than in gilts (r = 0.49). A negative correlation between a*and WBSF on lairage group1 (r= -0.52) was determined while on group 2 there was a positive correlation between a* and b* (r=0.49). This study suggest that a proper timing on farm feed withdrawal in combination with a sufficient lairage at the slaughter plant may result in better carcass and meat quality traits. Communication among producers and abattoirs is critical when planning the fasting and lairage times in order to elude carcass and technological pork quality complications. To conclude, there is influence caused by time of loading in stressing pigs before transportation and slaughter as aggressive behaviour showed and also lairage time affected meat quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntlatywa, Bongiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pork -- Quality Meat -- Quality Loading and unloading
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12270 , vital:39225
- Description: The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of loading time, transportation unloading and lairage period, their subsequent effect on responses behaviour and the effect of sex and lairage period on the meat quality of cross breeds reared in commercial farm. The first part of the study assessed the behaviour of pigs during loading at the farm, offloading and in the lairages. A total of 900 pigs from 5 trips (180 per trip) were monitored on behaviour from farm to slaughter plant. The pigs were transported to a commercial abattoir which is 120 km distance, travelling for 2 hours from the farm. The results revealed that time spent in loading pigs was more than when offloading pigs. The frequency of slipping or falling-off in pigs was high (18percent) than voluntary movement (8percent) during loading times (χ2 >0.05) that when off-loading. A significant difference was determined on the avoidance (χ2=0.03), mounting behaviour (χ2 =0.01) and vocal sound (χ2 =0.02) during loading time on each observation day. Furthermore there was no significant difference determined on the time and day of observation in the lairages. These results also reveal that the avoidance behaviour was the highest (47percent) while fighting (34percent) and vocalizing were the least compared to other behaviour during the first 30 minutes after arrival at the abattoir. Moreover, the lying behaviour was found to have highest frequency (15percent) on day 6 compared to other sampling days. These results reveal that time of loading pigs had an influence on pigs’ behaviour before slaughter and consequently that affected physiological features and meat quality. The second section of the study assessed sex and the different lairage time effects on the pork quality attributes. A total of fifty four pigs, 22 weeks old of different sex (26 boars x 28 gilts) reared on a commercial farm and transported to the abattoir on the same day was used in this study. At the abattoir, pigs were grouped according to lairage periods of 17 hours (Group1; 13 gilts and 14 boars) and 36 hours (Group 2; 15 gilts and 12 boars). Results showed no significant difference on the sex of pigs (P >0.05) and meat pH. However, lairage time influenced the thawing loss (P= 0.02) of meat and also the interactions of sex by lairage had a significant difference (P= 0.04) on meat tenderness. There was a positive significant correlation found between sex and meat attributes values were high in boars (r= 0.61) than in gilts (r = 0.49). A negative correlation between a*and WBSF on lairage group1 (r= -0.52) was determined while on group 2 there was a positive correlation between a* and b* (r=0.49). This study suggest that a proper timing on farm feed withdrawal in combination with a sufficient lairage at the slaughter plant may result in better carcass and meat quality traits. Communication among producers and abattoirs is critical when planning the fasting and lairage times in order to elude carcass and technological pork quality complications. To conclude, there is influence caused by time of loading in stressing pigs before transportation and slaughter as aggressive behaviour showed and also lairage time affected meat quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017