A framework to investigate risk management in commercial banks
- Authors: Fick, William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Risk management , Risk management , Asset-liability management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009429 , Banks and banking -- Risk management , Risk management , Asset-liability management
- Description: Businesses are continuously exposed to a changing business environment which may either exert positive or negative influences on profitability. The banking industry, in particular, is highly competitive and bank failures can have significant consequences for customers. Commercial banks, therefore, have a responsibility to protect their customers by implementing sound risk management strategies. In light of the recent financial crises (since 2007), risk management has once again become a popular topic of discussion since adequate risk management should have prevented or minimised the impact of the risks faced by failed banks. The primary objective of this study was to develop a framework that could be used by South African commercial banks to investigate risk management. Qualitative research was conducted in this regard. From this, findings and recommendations were derived in order to provide banks with a tool by which they could assess their exposure to risk. Various journals, websites, newspapers, bank reports and textbooks were consulted in support of the literature. The literature provided background information on the history and development of the risk management process. Considerable attention was given to the categories of risk that an adequate risk management framework should address. Furthermore, the current models used to manage risk in commercial bank were provided, as well as the specific reasons for bank failures. The main findings of this study were the identification of the most significant reasons for banking failures. These were identified as capital inadequacy, credit risk due to non-performing loans and a lack of banking supervision. In addition to these reasons, several other contributing principles were identified as important factors to be included in a risk management framework. A risk management framework was thus constructed in Table 5.1 based on the literature regarding global banking failures and the relevant conclusions made by the researcher.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Fick, William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Risk management , Risk management , Asset-liability management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009429 , Banks and banking -- Risk management , Risk management , Asset-liability management
- Description: Businesses are continuously exposed to a changing business environment which may either exert positive or negative influences on profitability. The banking industry, in particular, is highly competitive and bank failures can have significant consequences for customers. Commercial banks, therefore, have a responsibility to protect their customers by implementing sound risk management strategies. In light of the recent financial crises (since 2007), risk management has once again become a popular topic of discussion since adequate risk management should have prevented or minimised the impact of the risks faced by failed banks. The primary objective of this study was to develop a framework that could be used by South African commercial banks to investigate risk management. Qualitative research was conducted in this regard. From this, findings and recommendations were derived in order to provide banks with a tool by which they could assess their exposure to risk. Various journals, websites, newspapers, bank reports and textbooks were consulted in support of the literature. The literature provided background information on the history and development of the risk management process. Considerable attention was given to the categories of risk that an adequate risk management framework should address. Furthermore, the current models used to manage risk in commercial bank were provided, as well as the specific reasons for bank failures. The main findings of this study were the identification of the most significant reasons for banking failures. These were identified as capital inadequacy, credit risk due to non-performing loans and a lack of banking supervision. In addition to these reasons, several other contributing principles were identified as important factors to be included in a risk management framework. A risk management framework was thus constructed in Table 5.1 based on the literature regarding global banking failures and the relevant conclusions made by the researcher.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A review of the performance of Botswana citizen building contractors
- Authors: Muche, Freeman Hansungule
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Contractors , Building -- Botswana , Construction industry -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1336 , Contractors , Building -- Botswana , Construction industry -- Botswana
- Description: Botswana was left underdeveloped in 1966 when it gained its independence from Great Britain. However, with the discovery of diamonds in the late 1970s, the economy of the country changed and two decades later the construction industry had experienced phenomenal growth. A growth propelled by the dominance of foreign contractors and the few citizen contractors available at the time resulted in a competitive environment in the industry. However, citizen contractors were unable to compete on the same level with their foreign counterparts, which was attributable to various factors such as a lack of resources and of business and technical experience. Being a major player in the construction industry, and realising the need to equip and encourage its own base of citizen contractors to actively participate in construction activities, the government of Botswana adopted new measures and policies that were meant to address the imbalances in the construction industry much to the advantage of citizen contractors. The rationale behind this study is to investigate the performance of citizen building contractors following the introduction of preferential procurement policies by the government of Botswana. This research study adopted the descriptive and analytical survey method which entailed the use of questionnaires and a review of the related literature for gathering relevant data. The sample strata included building contractors, consultants, and clients in the Botswana construction industry in Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-phikwe, Maun, Serowe, and Lobatse. The empirical findings revealed that there is indeed a need to review some of the government assistance programs for citizen contractors in order to avoid the abuse of government resources and to further increase the citizen contractor’s knowledge base, skills, resources and capacity through mentorship and workshops. vi It is therefore incumbent upon government to protect those beneficiaries who genuinely require such assistance by critical assessment of the ineffective policies for the benefit of the whole industry
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Muche, Freeman Hansungule
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Contractors , Building -- Botswana , Construction industry -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1336 , Contractors , Building -- Botswana , Construction industry -- Botswana
- Description: Botswana was left underdeveloped in 1966 when it gained its independence from Great Britain. However, with the discovery of diamonds in the late 1970s, the economy of the country changed and two decades later the construction industry had experienced phenomenal growth. A growth propelled by the dominance of foreign contractors and the few citizen contractors available at the time resulted in a competitive environment in the industry. However, citizen contractors were unable to compete on the same level with their foreign counterparts, which was attributable to various factors such as a lack of resources and of business and technical experience. Being a major player in the construction industry, and realising the need to equip and encourage its own base of citizen contractors to actively participate in construction activities, the government of Botswana adopted new measures and policies that were meant to address the imbalances in the construction industry much to the advantage of citizen contractors. The rationale behind this study is to investigate the performance of citizen building contractors following the introduction of preferential procurement policies by the government of Botswana. This research study adopted the descriptive and analytical survey method which entailed the use of questionnaires and a review of the related literature for gathering relevant data. The sample strata included building contractors, consultants, and clients in the Botswana construction industry in Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-phikwe, Maun, Serowe, and Lobatse. The empirical findings revealed that there is indeed a need to review some of the government assistance programs for citizen contractors in order to avoid the abuse of government resources and to further increase the citizen contractor’s knowledge base, skills, resources and capacity through mentorship and workshops. vi It is therefore incumbent upon government to protect those beneficiaries who genuinely require such assistance by critical assessment of the ineffective policies for the benefit of the whole industry
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Factors influencing job satisfaction
- Authors: Hansia, Bradley L
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8688 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1111 , Job satisfaction
- Description: The harassed boss who faces an office full of mutinous, recalcitrant staff every morning may not believe it, but half of South Africa’s employees love their jobs and their employers. That’s according to TNS Research Surveys, which recently released the results of a survey into employee wellbeing and commitment. TNS director Neil Higgs issued a caution, though: because of the tough economic times, employers are likely to be stuck with the malcontents among their staff for longer than they might like (Ferreira, 2009). From the above mentioned it can be deduced that there are many employees who are currently not satisfied with their jobs. This poses a danger for employers and their productivity, as an unsatisfied employee is likely to be an unproductive employee. Satisfied employees are likely to make a better contribution to the economic growth of this country as more drive and motivation will be shown in the workplace. In these tough economic times, those employees who are not satisfied with their jobs are less likely to find employment elsewhere as mentioned above. The main purpose of this research paper was to identify certain factors impacting on job satisfaction. The first step was to complete a literature study on the selected factors which impacts on job satisfaction. The factors selected were that of recruitment and selection, rewards offered by employers, personality of employees and leadership characteristics of superiors. The literature study revealed which methods to use in attempting to deal with the selected factors impacting on job satisfaction. Secondly, the views of staff in various departments and views of staff specifically in the Human Resources department of the selected company were asked various questions in an empirical study. These questions were based on the selected factors mentioned in the previous paragraph, this involved them completing questionnaires. v Based on the findings of the literature study and the empirical study, the last step was to make recommendations to the selected company on how to improve job satisfaction of employees. Recommendations were also made as to what to look for to make it easier in recruiting new employees, who are likely to have enhanced job satisfaction for the good of the company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hansia, Bradley L
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8688 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1111 , Job satisfaction
- Description: The harassed boss who faces an office full of mutinous, recalcitrant staff every morning may not believe it, but half of South Africa’s employees love their jobs and their employers. That’s according to TNS Research Surveys, which recently released the results of a survey into employee wellbeing and commitment. TNS director Neil Higgs issued a caution, though: because of the tough economic times, employers are likely to be stuck with the malcontents among their staff for longer than they might like (Ferreira, 2009). From the above mentioned it can be deduced that there are many employees who are currently not satisfied with their jobs. This poses a danger for employers and their productivity, as an unsatisfied employee is likely to be an unproductive employee. Satisfied employees are likely to make a better contribution to the economic growth of this country as more drive and motivation will be shown in the workplace. In these tough economic times, those employees who are not satisfied with their jobs are less likely to find employment elsewhere as mentioned above. The main purpose of this research paper was to identify certain factors impacting on job satisfaction. The first step was to complete a literature study on the selected factors which impacts on job satisfaction. The factors selected were that of recruitment and selection, rewards offered by employers, personality of employees and leadership characteristics of superiors. The literature study revealed which methods to use in attempting to deal with the selected factors impacting on job satisfaction. Secondly, the views of staff in various departments and views of staff specifically in the Human Resources department of the selected company were asked various questions in an empirical study. These questions were based on the selected factors mentioned in the previous paragraph, this involved them completing questionnaires. v Based on the findings of the literature study and the empirical study, the last step was to make recommendations to the selected company on how to improve job satisfaction of employees. Recommendations were also made as to what to look for to make it easier in recruiting new employees, who are likely to have enhanced job satisfaction for the good of the company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Designing adaptaptive user interfaces for enterprise resource planning systems for small enterprises
- Authors: Singh, Akash
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10458 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2073 , User interfaces (Computer systems)
- Description: It is widely acknowledged that enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems suffer from complex user interfaces. The complexity of these user interfaces negatively affects the usability of these systems. Current research has shown that a need exists to improve the overall usability of ERP systems. This research proposes the use of adaptive user interfaces (AUIs) as a means of improving the overall usability of ERP systems. Research has shown that AUIs are capable of improving system usability by reducing user interface complexity and improving the overall user experience. The primary objective of this research was to determine how AUIs could be designed to improve the usability of ERP systems. An adaptation taxonomy, ERP system architecture (incorporating an AUI), a set of AUI components and a set of usability heuristics for ERP systems were proposed to support the design, development and evaluation of AUIs for ERP systems. The proposed adaptation taxonomy provides support for three types of adaptation: content adaptation, presentation adaptation and navigation adaptation. The proposed ERP system architecture is a three-tiered system architecture, consisting of a Presentation Layer (incorporating an AUI), an Application Layer and a Database Layer. The proposed set of AUI components comprise a user model, a task model and a dialog model. The set of proposed usability heuristics aims to identify usability issues of ERP systems within the areas of Navigation, Presentation, Task Support, Learnability and Customisation. An AUI prototype was developed based on selected adaptive techniques from the proposed adaptation taxonomy and selected components from the proposed system architecture. All of the proposed AUI components were implemented. The AUI prototype was developed for an existing ERP system, namely SAP Business One (SBO). This prototype was designed, in order to resolve the usability issues of SBO identified through the use of the proposed set of heuristics. The development of the AUI prototype was made possible through the use of a software development kit (SDK) provided with SBO. The AUI prototype made use of content adaptation, presentation adaptation and navigation adaptation in order to address the identified usability issues. An empirical evaluation was conducted on the AUI prototype to determine whether it provided any usability benefits over the standard SBO system. The results from the empirical evaluation revealed that the AUI presented usability benefits with regard to learnability and satisfaction. Users who used the AUI prototype were able to learn how to use the ERP system a lot quicker and were more satisfied than users of the standard SBO system. The successful implementation of the AUI prototype provided practical evidence that the proposed adaptation taxonomy and the proposed system architecture can be implemented. This research has provided empirical evidence that the use of AUIs can improve the usability of ERP systems. Future research has outlined several possibilities to utilise and enhance the proposed adaptation taxonomy, the ERP system architecture and ERP heuristics, for the purpose of furthering research within the area of AUIs for ERP systems.
- Full Text:
Designing adaptaptive user interfaces for enterprise resource planning systems for small enterprises
- Authors: Singh, Akash
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10458 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2073 , User interfaces (Computer systems)
- Description: It is widely acknowledged that enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems suffer from complex user interfaces. The complexity of these user interfaces negatively affects the usability of these systems. Current research has shown that a need exists to improve the overall usability of ERP systems. This research proposes the use of adaptive user interfaces (AUIs) as a means of improving the overall usability of ERP systems. Research has shown that AUIs are capable of improving system usability by reducing user interface complexity and improving the overall user experience. The primary objective of this research was to determine how AUIs could be designed to improve the usability of ERP systems. An adaptation taxonomy, ERP system architecture (incorporating an AUI), a set of AUI components and a set of usability heuristics for ERP systems were proposed to support the design, development and evaluation of AUIs for ERP systems. The proposed adaptation taxonomy provides support for three types of adaptation: content adaptation, presentation adaptation and navigation adaptation. The proposed ERP system architecture is a three-tiered system architecture, consisting of a Presentation Layer (incorporating an AUI), an Application Layer and a Database Layer. The proposed set of AUI components comprise a user model, a task model and a dialog model. The set of proposed usability heuristics aims to identify usability issues of ERP systems within the areas of Navigation, Presentation, Task Support, Learnability and Customisation. An AUI prototype was developed based on selected adaptive techniques from the proposed adaptation taxonomy and selected components from the proposed system architecture. All of the proposed AUI components were implemented. The AUI prototype was developed for an existing ERP system, namely SAP Business One (SBO). This prototype was designed, in order to resolve the usability issues of SBO identified through the use of the proposed set of heuristics. The development of the AUI prototype was made possible through the use of a software development kit (SDK) provided with SBO. The AUI prototype made use of content adaptation, presentation adaptation and navigation adaptation in order to address the identified usability issues. An empirical evaluation was conducted on the AUI prototype to determine whether it provided any usability benefits over the standard SBO system. The results from the empirical evaluation revealed that the AUI presented usability benefits with regard to learnability and satisfaction. Users who used the AUI prototype were able to learn how to use the ERP system a lot quicker and were more satisfied than users of the standard SBO system. The successful implementation of the AUI prototype provided practical evidence that the proposed adaptation taxonomy and the proposed system architecture can be implemented. This research has provided empirical evidence that the use of AUIs can improve the usability of ERP systems. Future research has outlined several possibilities to utilise and enhance the proposed adaptation taxonomy, the ERP system architecture and ERP heuristics, for the purpose of furthering research within the area of AUIs for ERP systems.
- Full Text:
Rhenium complexes with multidentate imine-, amine-, thione-, thiol-, hydroxy- and carboxamide chelates
- Authors: Habarurema, Gratien
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Rhenium Metal complexes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12679 , vital:27106
- Description: This study entails the synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of new rhenium complexes with multidentate imine-, amine-, thione-, thiol-, hydroxy- and carboxamide chelates in various oxidation states. Rhenium(I) and (V) complexes with imidazolidine, pyrimidine and bridging pyridyl derivatives are reported in Chapter 3. The reactions of the potential tridentate N,N,Odonor ligand 2,2'-dipyridylketone (dpk) with trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2], (n-Bu4N)[ReOCl4] and trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] led to the isolation of cis-[ReOCl2(edpm)], cis-[ReOCl2(dpk.OH)] and [ReO3(dpk.OH)] respectively (see Scheme 1). The reaction of (E)-N-((pyridine-2-yl)methylene)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine (pbt) with trans- [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] produced a mononuclear oxorhenium(V) complex cis- [ReOCl2(epm)(PPh3)]. Both dpk and pbt exhibited a nucleophilic attack by acetonitrile (for Hedpm), water (for dpk) and ethanol (for pbt) leading to chelates that act as uninegative tridentate N,N,O- and bidentate N,O-donor chelates respectively. The reaction of [Re(CO)5Cl] with 2,3-dihydro-2,2-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (H2dpb), (2,6-diaza-cyclohex-1-enylolonium)2-aza-benzoate (H2den) and 2-(2-(pyridine-2-yl)imidazolidin-2-yl)pyridine (H2pip) (see Scheme 1) gave rise to novel rhenium(I) complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(H2dmb)Cl], fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhdm)] and fac-[Re(CO)3(H2pip)]Cl respectively. The monomeric cationic salt fac-[Re(CO)3(H2salbam)]Br and ligand-bridged dimer fac- (μ-H2salet)[Re(CO)3]2 complexes were formed by the reactions of [Re(CO)5X] (X = Br or Cl) with the potentially heptadentate Schiff base 2,2,2-tris (salicylideneimino)- triethylamine (H3salet; Scheme 2) respectively. The reactions of the potentially hexadentate ligands acting as tridentate monoanionic N,N,O- or N,O,O-donor chelates N1-(3-(2-hydroxy enzylideneamino) propylamino) ethyl)benzylidenepropane-1,3-diamine (H2salpd) and N,N -bis(salicylidene) -3,6-dioxa-1,8-diaminooctane (H2saldane) (Scheme 2) with [Re(CO)5Cl] led to the isolation of the mononuclear and dinuclear complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(Hsaldane)] and fac-(μ-salpd)[Re(CO)3]2 respectively. The reactions of [Re(CO)5Cl] with the tetradentate ligands 2-{[2-hydroxy-3-{[(E)-(2- hydroxyphenyl)-methylidene]amino}propyl)imino]methyl}phenol (H2hmp), 6-((6E)- ((3E)-3-((oxocyclohexa-2,4-dienyl)methyleneamino)-2-hydroxypropylimino)methyl)- cyclohexa-2,4-dienone (H2hcd.H2O) zwitterion and 2-((1E)-1-((E)-3-(2-hydoxyphenylmethylideneamino)propylimino)methyl)phenol (H2hdp) (see Scheme 2) resulted in the formation of the neutral fac-[Re(CO)3(Hamp)], fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhetp)] and fac- [Re(CO)3(Happ)] respectively. The treatment of 2-((3-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-propylamino)methyl)phenol (H2hbp) with [Re(CO)3Cl] and trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] gave the fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhbp)] and (μ-O)[ReO(hbp)]2 complexes. The reactions of the ligands H2hmp, H2hdp and H2hap (see Scheme 2) with trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] and trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] produced dinuclear oxo-bridged rhenium(V) complexes (μ-O)[ReO(hmp)]2, [(μ-O)[ReO(hdp)]2 and (μ-O)[ReO(hap)]2 respectively. The neutral and anionic binding modes of thiosemicarbazones to the fac-[Re(CO)3]+, cis- [ReO2]+ and trans-[ReO2]+ cores have been investigated in Chapter 6. The reactions of the potentially tridentate ligand 1-{1-(2- hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene}-4- phenylthiosemicarbazide (H2hpt) (see Scheme 3) with [Re(CO)5Cl], cis-[ReO2I(PPh3)2]cand trans-[ReO2(py)4]Cl led to the isolation of the complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(H2hpt)2]Cl, [Re(hipt)(Hipht)(PPh3)] and trans-[ReO(hpt)(Hhpt)] respectively. The X-ray crystal analysis of the complexes show that the ligand H2hpt exhibits decomposition, thiol-enol tautomerism and a thiolate-iminium zwitterionic process, and coordinates in the neutral form via its thione sulfur and nitrogen and anionic through the azo nitrogen, thiolate sulfur and acetophenolic oxygen. A series of nitrogen-heterocyclic amide-, acid-, thiol- and diol-based ligands as well as their related monomeric rhenium(III) and (V) complexes have also been studied (see Chapter 7). The reaction of N-(2-(pyrazine-2-carboxamido)phenyl)pyrazine-2- carboxamide (H2ppc) (Scheme 3) with trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] yielded the complex trans- [ReBr2(Hppca)(PPh3)2]. The reactions of trans-[ReOX3(PPh3)2] (X = Cl, Br) with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2pda) produced the neutral oxorhenium(V) complexes [ReOX2(epca)(PPh3)]. The treatment of trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] with 2-mercaptopyridine- 3-carboxylic acid (H2mpc) gave rise to the rhenium(III) complex [Re(empc)3(PPh3)]. The reaction of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (H2bhp) with trans-[ReOI2(EOt)(PPh3)2], trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] and [Re(CO)5Cl] gave the complexes [ReO(Hbhp)2(PPh3)]I.PPh3, cis-[ReOBr2(Hbhp)(PPh3)] and fac-(μ- O)2[Re(CO)3(Hbhp)]2 respectively. Their X-ray crystal structures indicate that the ligand acts as a bidentate monoanionic N,O-donor chelate leaving a free aliphatic hydroxyl group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Habarurema, Gratien
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Rhenium Metal complexes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12679 , vital:27106
- Description: This study entails the synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of new rhenium complexes with multidentate imine-, amine-, thione-, thiol-, hydroxy- and carboxamide chelates in various oxidation states. Rhenium(I) and (V) complexes with imidazolidine, pyrimidine and bridging pyridyl derivatives are reported in Chapter 3. The reactions of the potential tridentate N,N,Odonor ligand 2,2'-dipyridylketone (dpk) with trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2], (n-Bu4N)[ReOCl4] and trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] led to the isolation of cis-[ReOCl2(edpm)], cis-[ReOCl2(dpk.OH)] and [ReO3(dpk.OH)] respectively (see Scheme 1). The reaction of (E)-N-((pyridine-2-yl)methylene)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine (pbt) with trans- [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] produced a mononuclear oxorhenium(V) complex cis- [ReOCl2(epm)(PPh3)]. Both dpk and pbt exhibited a nucleophilic attack by acetonitrile (for Hedpm), water (for dpk) and ethanol (for pbt) leading to chelates that act as uninegative tridentate N,N,O- and bidentate N,O-donor chelates respectively. The reaction of [Re(CO)5Cl] with 2,3-dihydro-2,2-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (H2dpb), (2,6-diaza-cyclohex-1-enylolonium)2-aza-benzoate (H2den) and 2-(2-(pyridine-2-yl)imidazolidin-2-yl)pyridine (H2pip) (see Scheme 1) gave rise to novel rhenium(I) complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(H2dmb)Cl], fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhdm)] and fac-[Re(CO)3(H2pip)]Cl respectively. The monomeric cationic salt fac-[Re(CO)3(H2salbam)]Br and ligand-bridged dimer fac- (μ-H2salet)[Re(CO)3]2 complexes were formed by the reactions of [Re(CO)5X] (X = Br or Cl) with the potentially heptadentate Schiff base 2,2,2-tris (salicylideneimino)- triethylamine (H3salet; Scheme 2) respectively. The reactions of the potentially hexadentate ligands acting as tridentate monoanionic N,N,O- or N,O,O-donor chelates N1-(3-(2-hydroxy enzylideneamino) propylamino) ethyl)benzylidenepropane-1,3-diamine (H2salpd) and N,N -bis(salicylidene) -3,6-dioxa-1,8-diaminooctane (H2saldane) (Scheme 2) with [Re(CO)5Cl] led to the isolation of the mononuclear and dinuclear complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(Hsaldane)] and fac-(μ-salpd)[Re(CO)3]2 respectively. The reactions of [Re(CO)5Cl] with the tetradentate ligands 2-{[2-hydroxy-3-{[(E)-(2- hydroxyphenyl)-methylidene]amino}propyl)imino]methyl}phenol (H2hmp), 6-((6E)- ((3E)-3-((oxocyclohexa-2,4-dienyl)methyleneamino)-2-hydroxypropylimino)methyl)- cyclohexa-2,4-dienone (H2hcd.H2O) zwitterion and 2-((1E)-1-((E)-3-(2-hydoxyphenylmethylideneamino)propylimino)methyl)phenol (H2hdp) (see Scheme 2) resulted in the formation of the neutral fac-[Re(CO)3(Hamp)], fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhetp)] and fac- [Re(CO)3(Happ)] respectively. The treatment of 2-((3-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-propylamino)methyl)phenol (H2hbp) with [Re(CO)3Cl] and trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] gave the fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhbp)] and (μ-O)[ReO(hbp)]2 complexes. The reactions of the ligands H2hmp, H2hdp and H2hap (see Scheme 2) with trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] and trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] produced dinuclear oxo-bridged rhenium(V) complexes (μ-O)[ReO(hmp)]2, [(μ-O)[ReO(hdp)]2 and (μ-O)[ReO(hap)]2 respectively. The neutral and anionic binding modes of thiosemicarbazones to the fac-[Re(CO)3]+, cis- [ReO2]+ and trans-[ReO2]+ cores have been investigated in Chapter 6. The reactions of the potentially tridentate ligand 1-{1-(2- hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene}-4- phenylthiosemicarbazide (H2hpt) (see Scheme 3) with [Re(CO)5Cl], cis-[ReO2I(PPh3)2]cand trans-[ReO2(py)4]Cl led to the isolation of the complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(H2hpt)2]Cl, [Re(hipt)(Hipht)(PPh3)] and trans-[ReO(hpt)(Hhpt)] respectively. The X-ray crystal analysis of the complexes show that the ligand H2hpt exhibits decomposition, thiol-enol tautomerism and a thiolate-iminium zwitterionic process, and coordinates in the neutral form via its thione sulfur and nitrogen and anionic through the azo nitrogen, thiolate sulfur and acetophenolic oxygen. A series of nitrogen-heterocyclic amide-, acid-, thiol- and diol-based ligands as well as their related monomeric rhenium(III) and (V) complexes have also been studied (see Chapter 7). The reaction of N-(2-(pyrazine-2-carboxamido)phenyl)pyrazine-2- carboxamide (H2ppc) (Scheme 3) with trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] yielded the complex trans- [ReBr2(Hppca)(PPh3)2]. The reactions of trans-[ReOX3(PPh3)2] (X = Cl, Br) with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2pda) produced the neutral oxorhenium(V) complexes [ReOX2(epca)(PPh3)]. The treatment of trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] with 2-mercaptopyridine- 3-carboxylic acid (H2mpc) gave rise to the rhenium(III) complex [Re(empc)3(PPh3)]. The reaction of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (H2bhp) with trans-[ReOI2(EOt)(PPh3)2], trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] and [Re(CO)5Cl] gave the complexes [ReO(Hbhp)2(PPh3)]I.PPh3, cis-[ReOBr2(Hbhp)(PPh3)] and fac-(μ- O)2[Re(CO)3(Hbhp)]2 respectively. Their X-ray crystal structures indicate that the ligand acts as a bidentate monoanionic N,O-donor chelate leaving a free aliphatic hydroxyl group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Xenophobia and media: an exploratory study on the public perception of the Nelson Mandela Bay Community
- Authors: Mohamed, Osman Abdi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1330 , Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Description: Development in South Africa at present is at a crossroads; it could become injected with new energy or it could collapse. The presence of foreigners, especially those from Africa is in contention. Some argue that they help the economy whilst others argue they are a hindrance to locals and their employment worth. The “truth” regarding these may not be immediately recognisable and thus open to questioning depending on perception. The press plays a large role in these perceptions and has been criticised for the way it covers issues of public interest. it is envisaged that this study will be a useful contribution to the limited body of literature on xenophobia and media. The purpose of the study is to give foundation to the assumption that the media's constantly negative coverage of foreigner poses a very real threat to human rights as purported in South Africa‟s constitution, in addition to the economic significance, whether positive or not. This study highlights the perception that Nelson Mandela Bay residents have of foreign nationals, and whether negative reporting in the media has influenced residents' views of foreign nationals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mohamed, Osman Abdi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1330 , Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Description: Development in South Africa at present is at a crossroads; it could become injected with new energy or it could collapse. The presence of foreigners, especially those from Africa is in contention. Some argue that they help the economy whilst others argue they are a hindrance to locals and their employment worth. The “truth” regarding these may not be immediately recognisable and thus open to questioning depending on perception. The press plays a large role in these perceptions and has been criticised for the way it covers issues of public interest. it is envisaged that this study will be a useful contribution to the limited body of literature on xenophobia and media. The purpose of the study is to give foundation to the assumption that the media's constantly negative coverage of foreigner poses a very real threat to human rights as purported in South Africa‟s constitution, in addition to the economic significance, whether positive or not. This study highlights the perception that Nelson Mandela Bay residents have of foreign nationals, and whether negative reporting in the media has influenced residents' views of foreign nationals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Teacher adaptation of a curriculum during implementation
- Authors: Childs, Margaret Mary
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Curriculum change -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:9486 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/377 , Curriculum change -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate to what extent foundation phase teachers adapt Curriculum 2005. The study was guided by two research questions: (1) What are the critical components of Curriculum 2005 (foundation phase)? (2) What are the adaptations that teachers have made in teaching this curriculum? The specific focus of this study is foundation phase teachers’ initial implementation of the revised version of Curriculum 2005, the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). An Innovation Configuration Checklist was developed identifying the critical components of the RNCS and the variations of each. Using the checklist, foundation phase teachers were surveyed to establish the adaptations being made during implementation. The findings of this study indicate that there is less active learning and more teacher directed activity than is required by the RNCS. Assessment appears to be a problem area. Most teachers understand what is expected of them in terms of assessment and attempt to put it into practice. Assessment has however, proved to be burdensome and time consuming. Teachers’ planning demonstrates a sound understanding of the procedures to be followed. Teachers do however, need support in terms of deeper pedagogical content knowledge. Although teachers comply with the technical aspects of curriculum development they neglect the emancipatory aspects of the RNCS. The situation in foundation phase classrooms might be described as one where much change is taking place, but little transformation is happening at present. Teachers are nevertheless, reflecting on how to improve their teaching and continue to explore ways to adapt and improve the RNCS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Childs, Margaret Mary
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Curriculum change -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:9486 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/377 , Curriculum change -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate to what extent foundation phase teachers adapt Curriculum 2005. The study was guided by two research questions: (1) What are the critical components of Curriculum 2005 (foundation phase)? (2) What are the adaptations that teachers have made in teaching this curriculum? The specific focus of this study is foundation phase teachers’ initial implementation of the revised version of Curriculum 2005, the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). An Innovation Configuration Checklist was developed identifying the critical components of the RNCS and the variations of each. Using the checklist, foundation phase teachers were surveyed to establish the adaptations being made during implementation. The findings of this study indicate that there is less active learning and more teacher directed activity than is required by the RNCS. Assessment appears to be a problem area. Most teachers understand what is expected of them in terms of assessment and attempt to put it into practice. Assessment has however, proved to be burdensome and time consuming. Teachers’ planning demonstrates a sound understanding of the procedures to be followed. Teachers do however, need support in terms of deeper pedagogical content knowledge. Although teachers comply with the technical aspects of curriculum development they neglect the emancipatory aspects of the RNCS. The situation in foundation phase classrooms might be described as one where much change is taking place, but little transformation is happening at present. Teachers are nevertheless, reflecting on how to improve their teaching and continue to explore ways to adapt and improve the RNCS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Soul tattoos : an exploration of the therapeutic self - the indelible and the disposable
- Authors: Naidoo, Leanne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Tattooing -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/373 , Tattooing -- Therapeutic use
- Description: From a social constructionist perspective, the self of the therapist is the only tool that she takes into therapy with her. The study of the therapeutic self therefore becomes important as this impacts on the quality of therapy received by the client. This treatise explores the development of the researcher’s therapeutic self through the storying of significant learning experiences in the course of her training in counselling psychology. An analysis of the narrative reveals the substance of some of the soul tattoos that make up her therapeutic self. The study was undertaken from an action research approach, thus emphasising the investigation of the therapeutic self in the field and feeding this information back into the practice of counselling psychology in the course of the research project. The themes extracted in the analysis reveal the process of action learning and what constituted significant learning experiences for the researcher. The researcher found that certain conditions were required for the formation of soul tattoos and that merely obtaining a masters degree in counselling psychology was not sufficient preparation for the practice of counselling psychology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Naidoo, Leanne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Tattooing -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/373 , Tattooing -- Therapeutic use
- Description: From a social constructionist perspective, the self of the therapist is the only tool that she takes into therapy with her. The study of the therapeutic self therefore becomes important as this impacts on the quality of therapy received by the client. This treatise explores the development of the researcher’s therapeutic self through the storying of significant learning experiences in the course of her training in counselling psychology. An analysis of the narrative reveals the substance of some of the soul tattoos that make up her therapeutic self. The study was undertaken from an action research approach, thus emphasising the investigation of the therapeutic self in the field and feeding this information back into the practice of counselling psychology in the course of the research project. The themes extracted in the analysis reveal the process of action learning and what constituted significant learning experiences for the researcher. The researcher found that certain conditions were required for the formation of soul tattoos and that merely obtaining a masters degree in counselling psychology was not sufficient preparation for the practice of counselling psychology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Visualising M-learning system usage data
- Authors: Kamuhanda, Dany
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Database management Information visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11015 , vital:26876
- Description: Data storage is an important practice for organisations that want to track their progress. The evolution of data storage technologies from manual methods of storing data on paper or in spreadsheets, to the automated methods of using computers to automatically log data into databases or text files has brought an amount of data that is beyond the level of human interpretation and comprehension. One way of addressing this issue of interpreting large amounts of data is data visualisation, which aims to convert abstract data into images that are easy to interpret. However, people often have difficulty in selecting an appropriate visualisation tool and visualisation techniques that can effectively visualise their data. This research proposes the processes that can be followed to effectively visualise data. Data logged from a mobile learning system is visualised as a proof of concept to show how the proposed processes can be followed during data visualisation. These processes are summarised into a model that consists of three main components: the data, the visualisation techniques and the visualisation tool. There are two main contributions in this research: the model to visualise mobile learning usage data and the visualisation of the usage data logged from a mobile learning system. The mobile learning system usage data was visualised to demonstrate how students used the mobile learning system. Visualisation of the usage data helped to convert the data into images (charts and graphs) that were easy to interpret. The evaluation results indicated that the proposed process and resulting visualisation techniques and tool assisted users in effectively and efficiently interpreting large volumes of mobile learning system usage data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kamuhanda, Dany
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Database management Information visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11015 , vital:26876
- Description: Data storage is an important practice for organisations that want to track their progress. The evolution of data storage technologies from manual methods of storing data on paper or in spreadsheets, to the automated methods of using computers to automatically log data into databases or text files has brought an amount of data that is beyond the level of human interpretation and comprehension. One way of addressing this issue of interpreting large amounts of data is data visualisation, which aims to convert abstract data into images that are easy to interpret. However, people often have difficulty in selecting an appropriate visualisation tool and visualisation techniques that can effectively visualise their data. This research proposes the processes that can be followed to effectively visualise data. Data logged from a mobile learning system is visualised as a proof of concept to show how the proposed processes can be followed during data visualisation. These processes are summarised into a model that consists of three main components: the data, the visualisation techniques and the visualisation tool. There are two main contributions in this research: the model to visualise mobile learning usage data and the visualisation of the usage data logged from a mobile learning system. The mobile learning system usage data was visualised to demonstrate how students used the mobile learning system. Visualisation of the usage data helped to convert the data into images (charts and graphs) that were easy to interpret. The evaluation results indicated that the proposed process and resulting visualisation techniques and tool assisted users in effectively and efficiently interpreting large volumes of mobile learning system usage data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Trends of parent involvement in the intermediate phase in Jan Nomjana J.S.S at Kotana administration area of Ngqamakwe
- Authors: Gwalisa, Nondumiso Enid
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Home and school -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Parent-teacher relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9223 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020951
- Description: This research sought to better understand and explain the factors that account for the non-involvement of parents in their children’s school affairs. It also sought to recommend to the Department of Education developmental strategies that can be utilised towards ensuring the participation of parents by equipping them with knowledge and skills that can help them to become more involved in the success of their children in schools. This research employed a case study design to collect data from parents and teachers using qualitative methods. The qualitative approach was considered appropriate because it affords both exploration and explanation of parents’ non-involvement in the Kotana administrative Area in which three schools were selected by the researcher. Interviews with a total of nine participants constituted by both parents and teachers were conducted. These tape recorded interviews were then transcribed and interpreted by the researcher. Emerging themes were then extracted and presented as explanatory findings on the issue of the non-involvement of parents in their children’s schooling matters. The study found that the level of education; fear of victimisation; language barrier; poor communication of information; lack of personal time; lack of confidence on the part of parents; cultural expectations; transport problems; misbehaviour by teenagers; HIV and AIDS; and the new curriculum accounts for parental non-involvement, and uncovered reasons for non-participation by parents in the affairs of their children at school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gwalisa, Nondumiso Enid
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Home and school -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Parent-teacher relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9223 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020951
- Description: This research sought to better understand and explain the factors that account for the non-involvement of parents in their children’s school affairs. It also sought to recommend to the Department of Education developmental strategies that can be utilised towards ensuring the participation of parents by equipping them with knowledge and skills that can help them to become more involved in the success of their children in schools. This research employed a case study design to collect data from parents and teachers using qualitative methods. The qualitative approach was considered appropriate because it affords both exploration and explanation of parents’ non-involvement in the Kotana administrative Area in which three schools were selected by the researcher. Interviews with a total of nine participants constituted by both parents and teachers were conducted. These tape recorded interviews were then transcribed and interpreted by the researcher. Emerging themes were then extracted and presented as explanatory findings on the issue of the non-involvement of parents in their children’s schooling matters. The study found that the level of education; fear of victimisation; language barrier; poor communication of information; lack of personal time; lack of confidence on the part of parents; cultural expectations; transport problems; misbehaviour by teenagers; HIV and AIDS; and the new curriculum accounts for parental non-involvement, and uncovered reasons for non-participation by parents in the affairs of their children at school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Atmospheric pressure metal-organic vapour phase epitaxial growth of InAs/GaSb strained layer superlattices
- Authors: Miya, Senzo Simo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Gallium arsenide semiconductors , Organometallic compounds , Compound semiconductors , Metal organic chemical vapor deposition , Superlattices as materials , Epitaxy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020866
- Description: The importance of infrared (IR) technology (for detection in the 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm atmospheric windows) has spread from military applications to civilian applications since World War II. The commercial IR detector market in these wavelength ranges is dominated by mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) alloys. The use of these alloys has, however, been faced with technological difficulties. One of the materials that have been tipped to be suitable to replace MCT is InAs/InxGa1-xSb strained layer superlattices (SLS’s). Atmospheric pressure metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) has been used to grow InAs/GaSb strained layer superlattices (SLS’s) at 510 °C in this study. This is a starting point towards the development of MOVPE InAs/InxGa1-xSb SLS’s using the same system. Before the SLS’s could be attempted, the growth parameters for GaSb were optimised. Growth parameters for InAs were taken from reports on previous studies conducted using the same reactor. Initially, trimethylgallium, a source that has been used extensively in the same growth system for the growth of GaSb and InxGa1-xSb was intended to be used for gallium species. The high growth rates yielded by this source were too large for the growth of SLS structures, however. Thus, triethylgallium (rarely used for atmospheric pressure MOVPE) was utilized. GaSb layers (between 1 and 2 μm thick) were grown at two different temperatures (550 °C and 510 °C) with a varying V/III ratio. A V/III ratio of 1.5 was found to be optimal at 550 °C. However, the low incorporation efficiency of indium into GaSb at this temperature was inadequate to obtain InxGa1-xSb with an indium mole fraction (x) of around 0.3, which had previously been reported to be optimal for the performance of InAs/InxGa1-xSb SLS’s, due to the maximum splitting of the valence mini bands for this composition. The growth temperature was thus lowered to 510 °C. This resulted in an increase in the optimum V/III ratio to 1.75 for GaSb and yielded much higher incorporation efficiencies of indium in InxGa1-xSb. However, this lower growth temperature also produced poorer surface morphologies for both the binary and ternary layers, due to the reduced surface diffusion of the adsorbed species. An interface control study during the growth of InAs/GaSb SLS’s was subsequently conducted, by investigating the influence of different gas switching sequences on the interface type and quality. It was noted that the growth of SLS’s without any growth interruptions at the interfaces leads to tensile strained SLS’s (GaAs-like interfaces) with a rather large lattice mismatch. A 5 second flow of TMSb over the InAs surface and a flow of H2 over GaSb surface yielded compressively strained SLS’s. Flowing TMIn for 1 second and following by a flow of TMSb for 4 seconds over the GaSb surface, while flowing H2 for 5 seconds over the InAs surface, resulted in SLS’s with GaAs-like interfacial layers and a reduced lattice mismatch. Temperature gradients across the surface of the susceptor led to SLS’s with different structural quality. High resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) was used to determine the thicknesses as well as the type of interfacial layers. The physical parameters of the SLS’s obtained from simulating the HRXRD spectra were comparable to the parameters obtained from cross sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) images. The thicknesses of the layers and the interface type played a major role in determining the cut-off wavelength of the SLS’s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Miya, Senzo Simo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Gallium arsenide semiconductors , Organometallic compounds , Compound semiconductors , Metal organic chemical vapor deposition , Superlattices as materials , Epitaxy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020866
- Description: The importance of infrared (IR) technology (for detection in the 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm atmospheric windows) has spread from military applications to civilian applications since World War II. The commercial IR detector market in these wavelength ranges is dominated by mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) alloys. The use of these alloys has, however, been faced with technological difficulties. One of the materials that have been tipped to be suitable to replace MCT is InAs/InxGa1-xSb strained layer superlattices (SLS’s). Atmospheric pressure metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) has been used to grow InAs/GaSb strained layer superlattices (SLS’s) at 510 °C in this study. This is a starting point towards the development of MOVPE InAs/InxGa1-xSb SLS’s using the same system. Before the SLS’s could be attempted, the growth parameters for GaSb were optimised. Growth parameters for InAs were taken from reports on previous studies conducted using the same reactor. Initially, trimethylgallium, a source that has been used extensively in the same growth system for the growth of GaSb and InxGa1-xSb was intended to be used for gallium species. The high growth rates yielded by this source were too large for the growth of SLS structures, however. Thus, triethylgallium (rarely used for atmospheric pressure MOVPE) was utilized. GaSb layers (between 1 and 2 μm thick) were grown at two different temperatures (550 °C and 510 °C) with a varying V/III ratio. A V/III ratio of 1.5 was found to be optimal at 550 °C. However, the low incorporation efficiency of indium into GaSb at this temperature was inadequate to obtain InxGa1-xSb with an indium mole fraction (x) of around 0.3, which had previously been reported to be optimal for the performance of InAs/InxGa1-xSb SLS’s, due to the maximum splitting of the valence mini bands for this composition. The growth temperature was thus lowered to 510 °C. This resulted in an increase in the optimum V/III ratio to 1.75 for GaSb and yielded much higher incorporation efficiencies of indium in InxGa1-xSb. However, this lower growth temperature also produced poorer surface morphologies for both the binary and ternary layers, due to the reduced surface diffusion of the adsorbed species. An interface control study during the growth of InAs/GaSb SLS’s was subsequently conducted, by investigating the influence of different gas switching sequences on the interface type and quality. It was noted that the growth of SLS’s without any growth interruptions at the interfaces leads to tensile strained SLS’s (GaAs-like interfaces) with a rather large lattice mismatch. A 5 second flow of TMSb over the InAs surface and a flow of H2 over GaSb surface yielded compressively strained SLS’s. Flowing TMIn for 1 second and following by a flow of TMSb for 4 seconds over the GaSb surface, while flowing H2 for 5 seconds over the InAs surface, resulted in SLS’s with GaAs-like interfacial layers and a reduced lattice mismatch. Temperature gradients across the surface of the susceptor led to SLS’s with different structural quality. High resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) was used to determine the thicknesses as well as the type of interfacial layers. The physical parameters of the SLS’s obtained from simulating the HRXRD spectra were comparable to the parameters obtained from cross sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) images. The thicknesses of the layers and the interface type played a major role in determining the cut-off wavelength of the SLS’s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The value of measuring brand equity: the Ceres Fruit Juices case
- Authors: Khumalo, Wilson Mdala
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Brand name products -- Management -- Case studies , Branding (Marketing) , Customer relations -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/995 , Brand name products -- Management -- Case studies , Branding (Marketing) , Customer relations -- Management
- Description: Measuring brand equity is an important brand management function but, the appropriateness of brand equity measurement methods remain a concern. This study applied levels three of brand equity measurement approach to have an understanding of consumers’ brand perception. It is hoped that this understanding could give brand managers the necessary tool to develop and deploy effective and efficient brand management strategies and tactics. At Ceres Fruit Juices (CFJ), brand equity is used to improve competitive marketing actions, gain larger margins, intermediary co-operation and management support for brand extension. This study measures CFJ Brand equity to understand consumers’ perception so that this understanding can be used to develop responsive brand management strategies and tactics. Brand equity measurement methods and model found in the literature shows that measurement success depends on the suitability of the method used. However, customers’ perception is at the centre of brand equity measurement approach – level three used in this study. With merger and acquisition taking place at Ceres Fruit Juices, brand equity measurement emerged as an important brand management function to leverage real brand value. This would inevitably lead to an improvement in customer service through adequate understanding of customers brand perception. Understanding gives brand managers the necessary tool to deploy responsive and efficient brand management strategies and tactics to lessen the severity of the negative impact merger and acquisition may have on brand equity. Thus, this study found measurement model and method to be an essential element of brand equity measurement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Khumalo, Wilson Mdala
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Brand name products -- Management -- Case studies , Branding (Marketing) , Customer relations -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/995 , Brand name products -- Management -- Case studies , Branding (Marketing) , Customer relations -- Management
- Description: Measuring brand equity is an important brand management function but, the appropriateness of brand equity measurement methods remain a concern. This study applied levels three of brand equity measurement approach to have an understanding of consumers’ brand perception. It is hoped that this understanding could give brand managers the necessary tool to develop and deploy effective and efficient brand management strategies and tactics. At Ceres Fruit Juices (CFJ), brand equity is used to improve competitive marketing actions, gain larger margins, intermediary co-operation and management support for brand extension. This study measures CFJ Brand equity to understand consumers’ perception so that this understanding can be used to develop responsive brand management strategies and tactics. Brand equity measurement methods and model found in the literature shows that measurement success depends on the suitability of the method used. However, customers’ perception is at the centre of brand equity measurement approach – level three used in this study. With merger and acquisition taking place at Ceres Fruit Juices, brand equity measurement emerged as an important brand management function to leverage real brand value. This would inevitably lead to an improvement in customer service through adequate understanding of customers brand perception. Understanding gives brand managers the necessary tool to deploy responsive and efficient brand management strategies and tactics to lessen the severity of the negative impact merger and acquisition may have on brand equity. Thus, this study found measurement model and method to be an essential element of brand equity measurement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The development and optimization of a cosmetic formulation that facilitates the process of detangling braids from African hair
- Authors: Mkentane, Kwezikazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10366 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1662 , Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Description: A large number of people throughout the world have naturally kinky hair that may be very difficult to manage. These people often subject their hair to vigorous and harsh treatment processes in order to straighten it and hence make it more manageable. Hair braiding is a popular and fashionable trend amongst many people, in particular people of African descent. Braided hairstyles serve to preserve hair and protect it, and to give it time to rejuvenate after a period of harsh treatment. During the braiding process synthetic hair is attached to natural hair by weaving a length of the natural hair into one end of each braid. Other materials like wool or cotton may be use used to achieve different hairstyles and textures. Several strands of natural hair are used to secure each braid. The braids are normally left intact for a number of weeks or even months. Although braiding is a helpful African hair grooming practice, the process of taking down or detangling the braids is labor intensive and entails each braid being cut just below where the natural hair ceases and the natural hair being untangled from the braid using a safety pin, a needle or a fine toothed comb. The labor and long hours required to detangle braided hairstyles often results in braid wearers frustratingly pulling on their braided hair. This behavior inevitably destroys the hair follicle and leaves the hair damaged. According to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town’s dermatology department, braiding may be the root cause of traction alopecia (TA) amongst braid wearers. Traction alopecia is a form of alopecia, or gradual hair loss that is caused primarily by excessive pulling forces applied to the hair. The purpose of this current study was to investigate the factors, other than braid tightness, that affect the way and ease with which braids are detangled from the human hair. The study hypothesized that frictional forces present in braided hair were amongst these factors. It was hypothesized that introducing a lubricating formulation in the braids would allow for easier braid detangling. In order to decrease the prevalence of traction alopecia from braided hair, two hair strengthening actives were included in the test formulation. The study investigated the effects of the test formulations on braid detangling, hair friction and on the tensile strength of human hair. The study found that the method used did not pick up any significant differences between the braid detangling forces of treated braids when compared to the braid vi detangling forces of untreated hair. The same method used to measure braid detangling forces was able to show that there are variations in the braid detangling forces of different sections along the braid length. The method to measure braid detangling was based on the principles of hair combability measurements. The study also found that although the method used to measure braid detangling forces was unsuccessful in picking up significant differences in braid detangling forces of treated hair and untreated hair, the method used to measure the frictional forces of human hair showed that the frictional forces of hair treated with test formulations were significantly different than that of untreated hair. The method used to measure frictional forces was based on the capstan approach. The Capstan method measures the forces required to slide a weighted hair fibre over a curved surface of reference material. The interaction between the weighted fibre and the reference material simulates the movement of hair out of a braid ensemble in the braid detangling process. The optimum mixture with the minimum coefficient of friction, predicted a coefficient of friction of 0.61 ± 0.04. The optimum formulation was found to be one that contained 30% Cyclopentasiloxane , 0% PEG-12 Dimethicone, 10% 18-MEA, 29% water, 10% hair strengthening actives, 12.86% emulsifier combination and 8% other oils. The study also showed that including hair strengthening actives, such as hydrolysed proteins had significant effects in the tensile strength properties of chemically treated African hair.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mkentane, Kwezikazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10366 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1662 , Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Description: A large number of people throughout the world have naturally kinky hair that may be very difficult to manage. These people often subject their hair to vigorous and harsh treatment processes in order to straighten it and hence make it more manageable. Hair braiding is a popular and fashionable trend amongst many people, in particular people of African descent. Braided hairstyles serve to preserve hair and protect it, and to give it time to rejuvenate after a period of harsh treatment. During the braiding process synthetic hair is attached to natural hair by weaving a length of the natural hair into one end of each braid. Other materials like wool or cotton may be use used to achieve different hairstyles and textures. Several strands of natural hair are used to secure each braid. The braids are normally left intact for a number of weeks or even months. Although braiding is a helpful African hair grooming practice, the process of taking down or detangling the braids is labor intensive and entails each braid being cut just below where the natural hair ceases and the natural hair being untangled from the braid using a safety pin, a needle or a fine toothed comb. The labor and long hours required to detangle braided hairstyles often results in braid wearers frustratingly pulling on their braided hair. This behavior inevitably destroys the hair follicle and leaves the hair damaged. According to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town’s dermatology department, braiding may be the root cause of traction alopecia (TA) amongst braid wearers. Traction alopecia is a form of alopecia, or gradual hair loss that is caused primarily by excessive pulling forces applied to the hair. The purpose of this current study was to investigate the factors, other than braid tightness, that affect the way and ease with which braids are detangled from the human hair. The study hypothesized that frictional forces present in braided hair were amongst these factors. It was hypothesized that introducing a lubricating formulation in the braids would allow for easier braid detangling. In order to decrease the prevalence of traction alopecia from braided hair, two hair strengthening actives were included in the test formulation. The study investigated the effects of the test formulations on braid detangling, hair friction and on the tensile strength of human hair. The study found that the method used did not pick up any significant differences between the braid detangling forces of treated braids when compared to the braid vi detangling forces of untreated hair. The same method used to measure braid detangling forces was able to show that there are variations in the braid detangling forces of different sections along the braid length. The method to measure braid detangling was based on the principles of hair combability measurements. The study also found that although the method used to measure braid detangling forces was unsuccessful in picking up significant differences in braid detangling forces of treated hair and untreated hair, the method used to measure the frictional forces of human hair showed that the frictional forces of hair treated with test formulations were significantly different than that of untreated hair. The method used to measure frictional forces was based on the capstan approach. The Capstan method measures the forces required to slide a weighted hair fibre over a curved surface of reference material. The interaction between the weighted fibre and the reference material simulates the movement of hair out of a braid ensemble in the braid detangling process. The optimum mixture with the minimum coefficient of friction, predicted a coefficient of friction of 0.61 ± 0.04. The optimum formulation was found to be one that contained 30% Cyclopentasiloxane , 0% PEG-12 Dimethicone, 10% 18-MEA, 29% water, 10% hair strengthening actives, 12.86% emulsifier combination and 8% other oils. The study also showed that including hair strengthening actives, such as hydrolysed proteins had significant effects in the tensile strength properties of chemically treated African hair.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a context for social work practice placement
- Authors: Cummings, Nicki
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social service -- Fieldwork -- South Africa Social work education -- South Africa , Employee assistance programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15314 , vital:28218
- Description: The Bachelor of Social Work degree is a four year course consisting of classroom and field practicum training. In 2013, the Automotive Information and Development Centre (AIDC) and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University agreed upon placing fourth year social work students within the Employee Assistance Programs affiliated with the AIDC. The research goal of this study is to enhance an understanding of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) as a context for practicum training for (4th) fourth year social work students by exploring and describing the perceptions and experiences of students, campus supervisors and EAP company representatives. In this respect, the study seeks to determine whether EAP provides the opportunity to meet the Exit Level Outcomes for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. This study is focussed on the practical application of social work knowledge and skills; it is framed within the principles of the Outcomes Based Educational Approach to Education. It was thus considered relevant to introduce a literature review on this particular approach with the focus on the achievement of outcomes. In order to understand whether EAP is an effective learning context the researcher needed to understand how students apply the experience and bridge the gap between theory and practice to gain meaning and understanding and, essentially, learn from the practicum training experience thus further enhancing the framework. The experiential learning cycle presented by Kolb (1984) extended the framework to provide an appropriate model for facilitating learning by linking practice to theory and knowledge. Kolb’s experiential learning cycle was thus explored. The study utilised an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative approach, which is contextual in nature. Non-probability, purposive sampling was utilised to select fourth year social work students, supervisors and company representatives who were involved with EAPs and fourth year social work students at their company. Data collection incorporated semi-structured interviews. Data analysis resulted in themes, sub-themes, categories and sub-categories emerging. Upon analysis of these themes, it was clear that with the appropriate support and creativity, students were able to meet the required Exit Level Outcomes of the Bachelor of Social Work degree. The study concludes that the overall the experience of fourth year social work students placed at EAP companies has been a positive one, with students meeting the Exit Level Outcomes for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Although this was a positive experience, greater preparation is required and communication between the relevant parties needs to be improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Cummings, Nicki
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social service -- Fieldwork -- South Africa Social work education -- South Africa , Employee assistance programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15314 , vital:28218
- Description: The Bachelor of Social Work degree is a four year course consisting of classroom and field practicum training. In 2013, the Automotive Information and Development Centre (AIDC) and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University agreed upon placing fourth year social work students within the Employee Assistance Programs affiliated with the AIDC. The research goal of this study is to enhance an understanding of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) as a context for practicum training for (4th) fourth year social work students by exploring and describing the perceptions and experiences of students, campus supervisors and EAP company representatives. In this respect, the study seeks to determine whether EAP provides the opportunity to meet the Exit Level Outcomes for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. This study is focussed on the practical application of social work knowledge and skills; it is framed within the principles of the Outcomes Based Educational Approach to Education. It was thus considered relevant to introduce a literature review on this particular approach with the focus on the achievement of outcomes. In order to understand whether EAP is an effective learning context the researcher needed to understand how students apply the experience and bridge the gap between theory and practice to gain meaning and understanding and, essentially, learn from the practicum training experience thus further enhancing the framework. The experiential learning cycle presented by Kolb (1984) extended the framework to provide an appropriate model for facilitating learning by linking practice to theory and knowledge. Kolb’s experiential learning cycle was thus explored. The study utilised an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative approach, which is contextual in nature. Non-probability, purposive sampling was utilised to select fourth year social work students, supervisors and company representatives who were involved with EAPs and fourth year social work students at their company. Data collection incorporated semi-structured interviews. Data analysis resulted in themes, sub-themes, categories and sub-categories emerging. Upon analysis of these themes, it was clear that with the appropriate support and creativity, students were able to meet the required Exit Level Outcomes of the Bachelor of Social Work degree. The study concludes that the overall the experience of fourth year social work students placed at EAP companies has been a positive one, with students meeting the Exit Level Outcomes for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Although this was a positive experience, greater preparation is required and communication between the relevant parties needs to be improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Robert Pattison as the object of desire: an investigation into the representation of the Twilight saga in online media
- Authors: Martin, Shelley-Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Online social networks , Social media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8418 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014075
- Description: This study aimed to provide researchers in the development of media studies with research into understanding the star as the object of desire in a contemporary context, using Robert Pattinson as the star and The Twilight Saga, which made him famous, as an example of the effects that the use of social and online media have on audiences in terms of their perception and identification of a particular star. This study drew from literature and theories such as stardom, star as the object of desire, audience theory, fantasy, desire and escapism as well as theory on globalisation, the mass media and online and social media. Whilst social and online media have been in existence for a number of years, there is little research that has been performed in order to determine whether or not the use of social and online media directly affect users’ understanding and perception of certain stars and films. There has also been little research performed in order to gain an understanding of fantasy and desire, in terms of films and film stars, outside the constraints of the cinema. This study examined this notion, noting that The Twilight Saga has been successful production worldwide, in order to discover whether or not the use of social and online media perpetuates obsession in the fans and audience members. The first part of the study that was conducted, applied certain theories discussed and developed in the literature review, to Robert Pattinson and The Twilight Saga in order to obtain a better understanding of the star and the film series in terms of cinema, stardom, fantasy and escapism and online and social media. A comparative case study of six online articles, from prominent online sources featuring Pattinson, was then conducted in order to investigate Pattinson’s image and status in the online community. Finally, a content analysis of various online and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube was performed in order to find out what type of information and imagery was being generated about Pattinson and the Saga as well as to investigate how fans and followers engaged with the different media channels and what kinds of comments they were making about the star and the Saga. It was found that Pattinson, the character he plays in the film series, Edward Cullen, and The Twilight Saga have a large presence on key social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, with a vast amount of followers and fans; Facebook and Twitter being the most popular and interactive media avenues. It was also found that Pattinson, Edward and The Twilight Saga, through the avid use of the social media tools, elicited and incited signs of obsession, fantasy and desire within an extensive amount of fans and followers, outside the constraints of the cinema
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Martin, Shelley-Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Online social networks , Social media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8418 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014075
- Description: This study aimed to provide researchers in the development of media studies with research into understanding the star as the object of desire in a contemporary context, using Robert Pattinson as the star and The Twilight Saga, which made him famous, as an example of the effects that the use of social and online media have on audiences in terms of their perception and identification of a particular star. This study drew from literature and theories such as stardom, star as the object of desire, audience theory, fantasy, desire and escapism as well as theory on globalisation, the mass media and online and social media. Whilst social and online media have been in existence for a number of years, there is little research that has been performed in order to determine whether or not the use of social and online media directly affect users’ understanding and perception of certain stars and films. There has also been little research performed in order to gain an understanding of fantasy and desire, in terms of films and film stars, outside the constraints of the cinema. This study examined this notion, noting that The Twilight Saga has been successful production worldwide, in order to discover whether or not the use of social and online media perpetuates obsession in the fans and audience members. The first part of the study that was conducted, applied certain theories discussed and developed in the literature review, to Robert Pattinson and The Twilight Saga in order to obtain a better understanding of the star and the film series in terms of cinema, stardom, fantasy and escapism and online and social media. A comparative case study of six online articles, from prominent online sources featuring Pattinson, was then conducted in order to investigate Pattinson’s image and status in the online community. Finally, a content analysis of various online and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube was performed in order to find out what type of information and imagery was being generated about Pattinson and the Saga as well as to investigate how fans and followers engaged with the different media channels and what kinds of comments they were making about the star and the Saga. It was found that Pattinson, the character he plays in the film series, Edward Cullen, and The Twilight Saga have a large presence on key social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, with a vast amount of followers and fans; Facebook and Twitter being the most popular and interactive media avenues. It was also found that Pattinson, Edward and The Twilight Saga, through the avid use of the social media tools, elicited and incited signs of obsession, fantasy and desire within an extensive amount of fans and followers, outside the constraints of the cinema
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The role of language and mediation in selected aspects of contemporary culture
- Authors: Allen, Nicholas Peter Legh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Language and languages -- Philosophy , Language and education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/468 , Language and languages -- Philosophy , Language and education
- Description: Statement of the Problem: Specifically, how suitable is a textual language in communicating “irrational concepts” and religious myths designed to explain the irrational? Furthermore, how important is the mastery of a textual language apropos of our conceptual processes and in what ways can the structure of a specific language-game impact on a person’s conceptual abilities? To undertake this enquiry, certain assumptions will have to be made. For example, it is accepted that everything we interpret and ultimately understand is mediated solely through language in the broad sense (which includes visual cognition or literacy). Here it is accepted that without language we cannot think. Indeed, even our most private thoughts are based on a language, which embodies communally sanctioned criteria. Hypothesis: It is then the premise of this dissertation that the very architecture of a person’s mother-tongue has a profound influence on the worldview and perception of a particular person. Also it is possible to consider that certain languages, by virtue of their very structure, either hinder or facilitate certain cognitive development or potential. Further, if we could but increase the linguistic proficiency of our citizens, we will be better positioned to develop a critical mass of people who are problem solvers, mathematicians and conceptualizers; and who will address the shortfall of graduates in science, engineering, technology and business in South Africa. If in any way accurate, this would tend to imply that (inter alia) the retention rate of potential graduates in the SET and business disciplines will be significantly improved if educational policy-makers embraced even the most basic tenets of the linguistic paradigm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Allen, Nicholas Peter Legh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Language and languages -- Philosophy , Language and education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/468 , Language and languages -- Philosophy , Language and education
- Description: Statement of the Problem: Specifically, how suitable is a textual language in communicating “irrational concepts” and religious myths designed to explain the irrational? Furthermore, how important is the mastery of a textual language apropos of our conceptual processes and in what ways can the structure of a specific language-game impact on a person’s conceptual abilities? To undertake this enquiry, certain assumptions will have to be made. For example, it is accepted that everything we interpret and ultimately understand is mediated solely through language in the broad sense (which includes visual cognition or literacy). Here it is accepted that without language we cannot think. Indeed, even our most private thoughts are based on a language, which embodies communally sanctioned criteria. Hypothesis: It is then the premise of this dissertation that the very architecture of a person’s mother-tongue has a profound influence on the worldview and perception of a particular person. Also it is possible to consider that certain languages, by virtue of their very structure, either hinder or facilitate certain cognitive development or potential. Further, if we could but increase the linguistic proficiency of our citizens, we will be better positioned to develop a critical mass of people who are problem solvers, mathematicians and conceptualizers; and who will address the shortfall of graduates in science, engineering, technology and business in South Africa. If in any way accurate, this would tend to imply that (inter alia) the retention rate of potential graduates in the SET and business disciplines will be significantly improved if educational policy-makers embraced even the most basic tenets of the linguistic paradigm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
An investigation of the in vitro anticancer properties of selected platinum compounds
- Authors: Du Plessis-Stoman, Debbie
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Antineoplastic agents , Platinum compounds , Cancer -- Immunological aspects , Cancer -- Chemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10334 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012002 , Antineoplastic agents , Platinum compounds , Cancer -- Immunological aspects , Cancer -- Chemotherapy
- Description: This dissertation mainly deals with some biochemical aspects regarding the efficacy of novel platinum anticancer compounds, as part of a broader study in which both chemistry and biochemistry are involved. Various novel diamine and N-S donor chelate compounds of platinum II and IV have been developed in which factors such as stereochemistry, ligand exchange rate and biocompatibility were considered as additional parameters. In the first order testing, each of these compounds was tested with reference to their “killing” potential by comparing their rate of killing, over a period of 48 hours with those of cisplatin and oxaliplatin. Some 80 compounds were tested in this way. Although only a few could be regarded as equal to or even better than cisplatin and oxaliplatin, the testing of these compounds on cancer cells provided useful knowledge for the further development of novel compounds. Four of the better compounds, namely Y9, Y14, Y16 and Lt16.2 were selected for further studies to obtain more detailed knowledge of their anticancer action, including some flow cytometric studies. In addition to the above, cisplatin resistant cells were produced for each of the three different cell lines tested, namely, HeLa, HT29 and MCF7 cancer cell lines, by intermittent and incremental exposure to cisplatin (all the cell lines tested became resistant to cisplatin). Each of the selected compounds were exposed to the cells in the same manner, in order to attempt the induction of resistance against these compounds in the three cell lines tested (i.e. whether these cells will become resistant to the various compounds). Each of these selected platinum containing compounds were subsequently tested against the “cisplatin resistant” cell lines in order to determine their efficacy against such cells. One such compound could be singled out, since cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) do not become resistant to it. This behaviour is similar to that of oxaliplatin against cervical cancer and colon cancer (HT29) cells (oxaliplatin is the number one treatment for colon cancer at present). This compound also proved to be more active against cisplatin resistant cell lines. It was found that all the compounds induced apoptosis in the cell lines tested as well as inhibit the DNA cycle at one or more phase. Finally, an effort was made to evaluate the different compounds by comparing them with respect to their properties relating to anticancer action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Du Plessis-Stoman, Debbie
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Antineoplastic agents , Platinum compounds , Cancer -- Immunological aspects , Cancer -- Chemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10334 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012002 , Antineoplastic agents , Platinum compounds , Cancer -- Immunological aspects , Cancer -- Chemotherapy
- Description: This dissertation mainly deals with some biochemical aspects regarding the efficacy of novel platinum anticancer compounds, as part of a broader study in which both chemistry and biochemistry are involved. Various novel diamine and N-S donor chelate compounds of platinum II and IV have been developed in which factors such as stereochemistry, ligand exchange rate and biocompatibility were considered as additional parameters. In the first order testing, each of these compounds was tested with reference to their “killing” potential by comparing their rate of killing, over a period of 48 hours with those of cisplatin and oxaliplatin. Some 80 compounds were tested in this way. Although only a few could be regarded as equal to or even better than cisplatin and oxaliplatin, the testing of these compounds on cancer cells provided useful knowledge for the further development of novel compounds. Four of the better compounds, namely Y9, Y14, Y16 and Lt16.2 were selected for further studies to obtain more detailed knowledge of their anticancer action, including some flow cytometric studies. In addition to the above, cisplatin resistant cells were produced for each of the three different cell lines tested, namely, HeLa, HT29 and MCF7 cancer cell lines, by intermittent and incremental exposure to cisplatin (all the cell lines tested became resistant to cisplatin). Each of the selected compounds were exposed to the cells in the same manner, in order to attempt the induction of resistance against these compounds in the three cell lines tested (i.e. whether these cells will become resistant to the various compounds). Each of these selected platinum containing compounds were subsequently tested against the “cisplatin resistant” cell lines in order to determine their efficacy against such cells. One such compound could be singled out, since cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) do not become resistant to it. This behaviour is similar to that of oxaliplatin against cervical cancer and colon cancer (HT29) cells (oxaliplatin is the number one treatment for colon cancer at present). This compound also proved to be more active against cisplatin resistant cell lines. It was found that all the compounds induced apoptosis in the cell lines tested as well as inhibit the DNA cycle at one or more phase. Finally, an effort was made to evaluate the different compounds by comparing them with respect to their properties relating to anticancer action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Investigating the benefits of using selected lean techniques at a South African exhaust manufacturer-a case study
- Authors: Louw, Andre
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Automobile supplies industry , Factories
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1518 , Automobile supplies industry , Factories
- Description: This study investigates the implementation of supermarket-based scheduling of parts at a South African exhaust manufacturing plant. The study firstly investigates the requirements the manufacturer had to contend with in ensuring a valuable contract was won. The nature of the contract is such that it warrants building of a new facility. The design of the facility and the manufacturing processes is of importance as some Lean techniques are employed during these early stages. The research takes the form of a case study and data is collected mainly through interviews with staff, but also from direct observations on the shop-floor. Interviews were conducted with: - key project leaders responsible for the original design and commissioning of the facility; - production managers and technical staff currently operating the plant; and - shop-floor personnel involved in daily production and logistics operations within the plant. The as-built facility and procedures are compared with literature found on the topic of Lean manufacturing. Various findings are recorded, both on conforming to and not conforming to typical Lean theory. Potential changes are suggested in the following areas: - a Pull strategy is proposed to coincide with the appointment of a so-called pacemaker station; - a pacemaker would need to be further supported by a production leveling strategy; - although quality delivered to the customer is reported as very high, potential improvements are still possible by introducing an "at source" approach to reduce rework; and - finally, a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) program will serve to reduce downtime even further.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Louw, Andre
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Automobile supplies industry , Factories
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1518 , Automobile supplies industry , Factories
- Description: This study investigates the implementation of supermarket-based scheduling of parts at a South African exhaust manufacturing plant. The study firstly investigates the requirements the manufacturer had to contend with in ensuring a valuable contract was won. The nature of the contract is such that it warrants building of a new facility. The design of the facility and the manufacturing processes is of importance as some Lean techniques are employed during these early stages. The research takes the form of a case study and data is collected mainly through interviews with staff, but also from direct observations on the shop-floor. Interviews were conducted with: - key project leaders responsible for the original design and commissioning of the facility; - production managers and technical staff currently operating the plant; and - shop-floor personnel involved in daily production and logistics operations within the plant. The as-built facility and procedures are compared with literature found on the topic of Lean manufacturing. Various findings are recorded, both on conforming to and not conforming to typical Lean theory. Potential changes are suggested in the following areas: - a Pull strategy is proposed to coincide with the appointment of a so-called pacemaker station; - a pacemaker would need to be further supported by a production leveling strategy; - although quality delivered to the customer is reported as very high, potential improvements are still possible by introducing an "at source" approach to reduce rework; and - finally, a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) program will serve to reduce downtime even further.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Experiences of mothers relating to live premature birth and the premature infant at a private hospital in the Eastern Cape
- Martin, Samantha Rochelle, Rall, Nadine
- Authors: Martin, Samantha Rochelle , Rall, Nadine
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Premature infants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Premature labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11482 , vital:26931
- Description: Premature births, which are among the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in South Africa, often result not only in adverse effects on the infant due to the poorly developed organs and systems, but also affect the mother. Much literature exists about the causes of premature birth, clinical manifestations and management of premature infants; but healthcare practitioners, researchers and authors have not reported much on the mothers’ thoughts and feelings while going through the experience of premature labour and birth. This study deals with the experiences of mothers relating to live premature birth and the premature infant at a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, an urban area within the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of mothers relating to live premature birth and the premature infant at a private hospital in the Eastern Cape Province and to make recommendations based on the research findings which could be utilised by midwives when caring for mothers who had experienced a premature birth. This study, which is qualitative in nature, utilised an explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The population of the study was mothers between the ages of 18 and 38 years who had had a premature birth and were of a gestational age ranging from 28 to 34 weeks. Data collection took place at a private hospital in the Eastern Cape Province over a period of five months. A private room that was designated for the data collection and was not far from the unit where the neonate was kept, proved to be suitable for data-collection purposes. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted and recorded with an audio digital taperecorder, with a purposefully selected sample of 12 mothers including the pilot study. Data analysis followed formally after data saturation and the data collected was transcribed verbatim and analysed as recommended by Tesch, namely, data coding. An independent coder was used to verify and finalise the results. Two main themes with three sub-themes each and several categories emerged from the data analysis. The two main themes were that: 1. participants had experienced premature birth as an unexpected and traumatic occurrence; and 2. participants had experienced positive support as a coping mechanism throughout the premature birth. Direct quotations were used from the raw data collected to support the description of experiences and findings of this study. Trustworthiness of the study was maintained by using the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were used to ensure that the research was conducted in an ethical manner. A summary of the study including limitations, recommendations and conclusions was provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Martin, Samantha Rochelle , Rall, Nadine
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Premature infants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Premature labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11482 , vital:26931
- Description: Premature births, which are among the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in South Africa, often result not only in adverse effects on the infant due to the poorly developed organs and systems, but also affect the mother. Much literature exists about the causes of premature birth, clinical manifestations and management of premature infants; but healthcare practitioners, researchers and authors have not reported much on the mothers’ thoughts and feelings while going through the experience of premature labour and birth. This study deals with the experiences of mothers relating to live premature birth and the premature infant at a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, an urban area within the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of mothers relating to live premature birth and the premature infant at a private hospital in the Eastern Cape Province and to make recommendations based on the research findings which could be utilised by midwives when caring for mothers who had experienced a premature birth. This study, which is qualitative in nature, utilised an explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The population of the study was mothers between the ages of 18 and 38 years who had had a premature birth and were of a gestational age ranging from 28 to 34 weeks. Data collection took place at a private hospital in the Eastern Cape Province over a period of five months. A private room that was designated for the data collection and was not far from the unit where the neonate was kept, proved to be suitable for data-collection purposes. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted and recorded with an audio digital taperecorder, with a purposefully selected sample of 12 mothers including the pilot study. Data analysis followed formally after data saturation and the data collected was transcribed verbatim and analysed as recommended by Tesch, namely, data coding. An independent coder was used to verify and finalise the results. Two main themes with three sub-themes each and several categories emerged from the data analysis. The two main themes were that: 1. participants had experienced premature birth as an unexpected and traumatic occurrence; and 2. participants had experienced positive support as a coping mechanism throughout the premature birth. Direct quotations were used from the raw data collected to support the description of experiences and findings of this study. Trustworthiness of the study was maintained by using the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were used to ensure that the research was conducted in an ethical manner. A summary of the study including limitations, recommendations and conclusions was provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Music as social discourse : the contribution of popular music to the awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Nairobi, Kenya
- Authors: Gitonga, Priscilla Nyawira
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Songs and music -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Music therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:8510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/962 , AIDS (Disease) -- Songs and music -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Music therapy
- Description: This dissertation is a critical, theoretical study focussing is on the contribution that popular music makes towards raising awareness and promoting the prevention of HIV/Aids in Nairobi, Kenya. Towards this end, an analysis of the lyrics and musical gestures of four Kenyan pop music songs is undertaken in order to highlight their communicative capabilities in this regard. These songs, namely, are Lulumbe by Wasike wa Musungu, Juala by Circute and Jo-el, Vuta Pumz by The Longombas, and Dunia Mbaya Chunguze by Princess Jully. The context in which these musical analyses occur is provided in: - An overview of the Kenya of today, in particular that of the diverse and hybrid ethnic, linguistic, musical and cultural practices of Nairobi, and of the various youth cultures in that city, as well as in an overview of the extent of the HIV/Aids pandemic in Kenya, especially amongst the youth of Nairobi, with some reflection on existing interventions. - An overview of current trends in popular music analysis and an explanation of the author’s own eclectic semiotic analytical methodology within this context. The study concludes that a repeating strategy may be discerned on the part of the composers and performers in question, namely, to first engage audiences through language and music with which they are familiar, and then to encourage audiences to confront the unknown and unfamiliar in music and language, but also ultimately in terms of their social practices. The known and the familiar is highlighted both in the lyrics and in the music itself. It includes use of commonlyspoken languages and dialects, popular musical styles typical of the particular sub-culture, and references to the day-to-day experiences of the ordinary person.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gitonga, Priscilla Nyawira
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Songs and music -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Music therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:8510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/962 , AIDS (Disease) -- Songs and music -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Nairobi -- Kenya , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Music therapy
- Description: This dissertation is a critical, theoretical study focussing is on the contribution that popular music makes towards raising awareness and promoting the prevention of HIV/Aids in Nairobi, Kenya. Towards this end, an analysis of the lyrics and musical gestures of four Kenyan pop music songs is undertaken in order to highlight their communicative capabilities in this regard. These songs, namely, are Lulumbe by Wasike wa Musungu, Juala by Circute and Jo-el, Vuta Pumz by The Longombas, and Dunia Mbaya Chunguze by Princess Jully. The context in which these musical analyses occur is provided in: - An overview of the Kenya of today, in particular that of the diverse and hybrid ethnic, linguistic, musical and cultural practices of Nairobi, and of the various youth cultures in that city, as well as in an overview of the extent of the HIV/Aids pandemic in Kenya, especially amongst the youth of Nairobi, with some reflection on existing interventions. - An overview of current trends in popular music analysis and an explanation of the author’s own eclectic semiotic analytical methodology within this context. The study concludes that a repeating strategy may be discerned on the part of the composers and performers in question, namely, to first engage audiences through language and music with which they are familiar, and then to encourage audiences to confront the unknown and unfamiliar in music and language, but also ultimately in terms of their social practices. The known and the familiar is highlighted both in the lyrics and in the music itself. It includes use of commonlyspoken languages and dialects, popular musical styles typical of the particular sub-culture, and references to the day-to-day experiences of the ordinary person.
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- Date Issued: 2009