An assessment of communication strategies utilised at Guangzhou Instititute of Resources Separation Sciences (GIRSS)
- Authors: Huang, Lin
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Business communication , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/203 , Business communication , Communication in management
- Description: The main problem of this study was to assess the communication strategies used by GIRSS to achieve organisational goals. To address this problem, a theoretical study was undertaken to identify the communication strategies used in organisations. The theoretical guidelines for effective communication were integrated into a communication model, which consisted of the following components: · The establishment of organisational communication structures; · The selection of appropriate communication media; IV · The management of communication barriers; and · Addressing the challenges in organisational communication. Based on the model, a survey questionnaire was developed to assess the extent to which GIRSS made use of these strategies. The questionnaire was administered to both managers and non-managers in the organisation. Due to the distance between South Africa and China, the questionnaire was administered via e-mail. The empirical results revealed that some of the theoretical guidelines were followed, but there was room for improvement in terms of communication strategies used at GIRSS. Specifically it was found that many barriers existed as a result of status and other differences, which influenced communication in the organisation. Communication in organisations is very important as it contributes to goal attainment, satisfaction, cooperation and problem-solving. Communication is a skill that can be learned, and managers as well as employees should consider the results of the study to initiate changes to the communication strategies used in the organization.
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- Date Issued: 2004
An evaluation of the implementation of curriculum 2005 in grade 7 in the Motherwell primary schools
- Authors: Rulashe, Brenda Lavisa
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Education, Primary -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/231 , Education, Primary -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This study focuses on the effective implementation of C2005 by the Grade 7 teachers in the Motherwell area. For teachers to meet the demands of the new curriculum, in-service training is needed to develop them to be competent in all the aspects required for the use of the OBE approach. The main research question is: How have Grade 7 teachers in Motherwell implemented C2005 in their classrooms? Questionnaires and interviews were used as tools to collect the data. The data was collected from five selected primary schools in the Motherwell area. The teachers’ responses obtained from questionnaires and interviews were analyzed both statistically (using tables) and descriptively (telling teachers’ stories). Responses determined the competence of teachers in four areas, namely, teaching methods, content, classroom organization and assessment of learners. An account of inservice training courses attended by teachers is provided. These courses revealed the problems encountered by teachers during the implementation process and the subsequent assisstance they received. The data provided in this study is in line with the research done by the Review Committee (Chisholm, 2000) in the Eastern Cape. Recommendations of the Review Committee gave rise to the establishment of the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). The responses from this study confirmed the need for retraining of teachers to develop their competences. This study urges the Department of Education to focus on establishing methods of training that will develop teachers in their teaching experience. The SMTs should also be able to assist teachers with the problems they encounter in their schools. Teachers should be able to take responsibility for their learners’ competence and take ownership of changes in their schools. The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed in this thesis and conclusions arrived at, are those of the author and not necessarily to be attributed to the National Research Foundation
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- Date Issued: 2004
An investigation into the antibacterial activites of medicinal plants traditionally used in the Eastern Cape to treat lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients
- Authors: Wilson, Katherine Leigh
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/242 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are very serious and are usually fatal. Prolonged antibiotic treatment can result in the development of antibiotic resistance. Thus, studies are required to determine if traditional medicinal plants have any significant effects (i.e. antibacterial effects in this case) on certain bacteria causing lung infections in CF patients, providing possible alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to test the effects of several Eastern Cape medicinal plants on specific bacteria causing lung infections in CF patients, for possible antibacterial activities. Four plants traditionally used to treat lung infections (Artemisia afra, Dodonaea angustifolia, Leonotis leonurus & Tulbaghia violacea), and different strains of four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas species & Klebsiella pneumoniae), usually causing lung infections were investigated. Methanol, aqueous and acetone extraction methods were used to make extracts of the various plants chosen. A decoction of each plant was also investigated. An adapted microtitre plate method for testing the antibacterial activity of the plant extracts against the chosen bacteria was used. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each plant extract was determined by means of this method.
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- Date Issued: 2004
An investigation into the effects of co-operative learning strategies on the test results of science students at N3 level at the Port Elizabeth College for Further Education and Training
- Authors: Ferreira, Dennis Compton
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Group work in education , Examinations -- Validity , Science students -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , College students -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9488 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/245 , Group work in education , Examinations -- Validity , Science students -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , College students -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The poor academic performance of Engineering Science N3 students at the Port Elizabeth College for Further Education and Training prompted me to conduct this study. The aim thereof was to investigate the influence that a co-operative learning strategy would have on the test results of students who enrolled for this programme. The hypothesis being tested in this study was whether co-operative learning strategies would improve the test results of science students in the N3 Engineering Science class. A literature review on co-operative learning, its principles as well as the role of the lecturer as facilitator was conducted. In addition, the different types of co-operative learning techniques were investigated so that an approach conducive to the needs of students studying at Further Education and Training Colleges could be selected. The Student Team Achievement Divisions (STAD) technique was deemed to be the most suitable approach. Both qualitative and quantitative data gathering techniques are employed in this study. Interviews were carried out with fellow lecturers at the Port Elizabeth College to determine what teaching strategies are generally implemented in the N3 class. Experimental research involving two groups of 30 students was then conducted to determine the results of students. The one group (experimental) was subjected to an intervention, namely the STAD co-operative learning technique while the other group (control) was taught using the traditional method of talk and chalk. This intervention took place over a period of ix two weeks. However, prior to the co-operative learning intervention and before students were divided into groups, they were taught as a single group for a period of two weeks. The total time spent on this experiment was therefore four weeks. Student test scores gathered from the experiment was statistically analysed and reported on in chapter five. These results indicated that the experimental group out-performed the control group by a significant margin. The higher academic achievement of students in the experimental group could only be attributed to the alternative teaching strategy (STAD) which was absent in the teaching of the control group. This proved the hypothesis.
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- Date Issued: 2004
Implementing an activity-based costing model
- Authors: Cohen, Howard
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Activity-based costing , Managerial accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/240 , Activity-based costing , Managerial accounting
- Description: Activity-based costing (ABC) is a forward-looking product costing method. Unlike traditional volume-based approaches, which are historically oriented, ABC concepts guide managers in seeking the best strategies to pursue in the future. This product costing method can be a valuable tool in planning and managing costs not only in the manufacturing area, but also in all aspects of business operations, from product design to distribution. Although its main advantage is its ability to provide more realistic product cost information for financial reporting purposes, use of ABC can lead to a better understanding of the strategic linkages existing between the various cost areas in the organisation. It enables managers to have a holistic view of cost management. ABC was developed to better understand, manage and control the overheads. The brief fundamental of ABC is: Products consume activities, activities consume resources, and resources consume costs. Based upon this fundamental principle, ABC can trace the cost from resources to activities that are consumed by product manufacturing processes as well as from activities to products. ABC investigates the transactions that trigger cost instead of concentrating solely on measures of physical volume or a certain amount of labour hours. Compared to the traditional costing systems, ABC can not only answer how much product cost is but also tell executives the factors triggering costs and the way to manage costs. ABC helps managers make better decisions about product design, pricing, marketing, and mix and encourages continual improvement. Unlike the traditional method, instead of using the single pre-determined overhead rate to absorb the indirect cost to products, ABC uses actual incurred cost to v determine the product cost. By tracing the absorption process of indirect cost, ABC would provide more information to management and help it find better ways to manage costs. However, the cost drivers used in ABC are constants but the cost driver rates are continually changing. ABC still uses predetermined cost drivers so it has the same fundamental problem as the traditional methods for estimating.
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- Date Issued: 2004
Optimization of a manufacturing process for atrazine with a focus on waste minimization
- Authors: Mtyopo, Mteteleli Bethwell
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Waste minimization , Atrazine -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/259 , Waste minimization , Atrazine -- Environmental aspects
- Description: Chemical synthesis is not complete without waste treatment. There is no chemical process that does not produce waste. The untreated effluent discharged by chemical industries poses a major environmental concern. This dissertation describes the results of an investigation carried out on the formation of by-products (impurities) during the synthesis of atrazine by neutralization of the reaction mixture during the actual synthesis procedure, and prior to disposal using carbon dioxide or hydrochloric acid. The main objectives for the said investigation were: {u100083} To optimise the reaction parameters to obtain a higher yield and purity of atrazine. {u100083} To evaluate the use of carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid to neutralise the reaction mixture. {u100083} To study the solids present in the effluent. Synthetic reactions were carried out in the presence of an organic solvent, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The synthesis of atrazine was optimised in terms of addition sequence and rates of amine reagents and base (proton acceptor) additions by means of bench scale reactions. It was found that addition of a neutralising step (hydrochloric acid or carbon dioxide) to neutralise the basic reaction mixture prior to and after addition of the secondary amine and the base minimizes the formation of by-products. Of particular importance in ensuring high yields and selectivity to the atrazine product was temperature control, pH control, reagent ratios, addition rates and mixing. The latter was important in view of the rapid reaction of amine/NaOH with cyanuric chloride, as well as the possible reaction of mono-i, the reaction intermediate, with IPA in cases of excesses of reagent. Under optimum conditions, an atrazine composition of >97% was achieved where the resultant product was well within stipulated product specifications.
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- Date Issued: 2004
Replacing maize with barley in concetrates fed to jersey cows grazing on kikuyu/ryegrass pasture
- Authors: Lehmann, Maryna
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Jersey cattle -- Feeding and feeds , Dairy cattle -- Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10732 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/181 , Jersey cattle -- Feeding and feeds , Dairy cattle -- Feeding and feeds
- Description: The aim of the first study was to determine if barley could replace maize as an energy source in concentrates fed to dairy cows grazing on kikuyu/ryegrass pasture without affecting the milk production, milk composition, or cause metabolic disorders. Sixty Jersey cows, in early to mid lactation were randomly allocated to one of five treatments (n = 12) based on feeding concentrates with different ratios of maize to barley, ranging from 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, respectively. Concentrates contained 12 MJ ME kg -1 and 130g CP kg-1 DM and cows were fed 3 kg (as-is) concentrate after each milking for a period of 42 days (14-day adaptation and 28-day measurement). Cows strip-grazed the irrigated kikuyu/ryegrass pastures (15.7 ± 1.8 percent DM; 20.2 ± 4.3 percent CP; 44.7 ± 3.5 percent NDF). Milk weights were recorded daily and milk samples collected weekly and analyzed for milk fat and protein content. Body condition score and live weight were recorded at the start and end of the experimental period. Data of all the studies were subjected to a one-way ANOVA. Daily milk yield, FCM, MUN, milk fat yield, milk fat percent, protein yield, protein percent, live weight change, or body condition score change were not affected by treatment and values were 15.8 kg, 17.2 kg, 14.9 mg dl-1, 0.72 kg, 4.56 percent, 0.59 kg, 3.77 percent, 6.67 kg, and 0.15 BCS; 15.6 kg, 17.4 kg, 15.2 mg dl-1, 0.73 kg, 4.3 percent, 0.57 kg, 3.71 percent, 1.33 kg and 0.04 BCS; 17.2 kg, 17.9 kg, 15.2 mg dl-1, 0.74 kg, 4.36 percent, 0.63 kg, 3.71 percent, 0.33 kg and 0.08 BCS; 15.6 kg, 16.4 kg, 15.5 mg dl-1, 0.67 kg, 4.33 percent, 0.60 kg, 3.83 percent, -1.46 kg and 0.11 BCS; and 15.0 kg, 16.0 kg, 15.5 mg dl-1, 0.67 kg, 4.57 percent, 0.57 kg, 3.85 percent, 8.86 kg, and 0.05 BCS, respectively for the cows fed 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 maize to barley ratio concentrate. According to these results, barley can replace maize without significantly affecting the milk production or milk composition. None of the cows presented any visible symptoms of acidosis. As it was clear from the results in the first study that maize could replace barley the aim of study 2A was therefore focused on determining the effect of feeding different levels of such a barley-based (2.4, 4.8 or 7.2 kg cow-1day-1) concentrate, on milk production, milk composition and live weight change of Jersey cows on kikuyu/ryegrass pasture (23.1 ± 2.95 percent DM, 11.1 ± 0.11 percent CP, 60.8 ± 0.58 percent NDF). Forty-five Jersey cows (early- to mid lactation), were randomly allocated to one of three treatments (n = 15) involving different levels of concentrate (12 MJ ME and 130g CP kg-1 DM) feeding for a period of 42 days (14-day adaptation and 28-day measurement). Milk weights were also recorded daily, and milk samples collected weekly, and analyzed for milk fat and protein. Body condition score and live weight were recorded at the start and end of the experimental period. The results of this study indicated that increasing the concentrate level from 2.4 to 4.8 and 7.2kg cow-1day-1 did not increase the milk yield (14.0 kg, 15.2 kg, 14.4 kg; P = 0.19). The FCM production increased from 15.8 to 17.5kg (P = 0.04) as the concentrate level increased from 2.4 to 4.8kg cow-1day-1. Increasing the concentrate from 4.8 to 7.2kg cow-1day-1 did not result in a significant increase in FCM. The milk protein percent increased significantly from 3.4 - 3.6 percent when the concentrate feeding level was increased from 2.4 to 7.2kg cow-1day-1. The MUN levels were 17.09 mg dl-1, 16.03 5 mg dl-1, and 16.36 mg dl-1 for the 2.4, 4.8 and 7.2kg cow-1day-1 concentrate levels, respectively. This is well within the recommended MUN levels (12 – 18 mg dl-1) indicating that sufficient protein was fed to cows. Increasing the concentrate level from 4.8 to 7.2 kg cow-1day-1 did not increase production, probably due to a higher pasture substitution rate. Supplementing large quantities of rapidly fermentable grains, such as barley, can suppress rumen pH and may have a negative effect on the rate and extent of fibre digestion in the rumen. Therefore the aim of study 2B was not only to determine the effect of feeding different levels of a barley-based concentrate, on milk production, milk composition and live weight change, but was also to determine the effect of a low (4.8 kg cow-1day-1) versus a high (7.2 kg cow-1day-1) level of barley-based concentrate supplementation on ruminal DM and NDF degradability of Westerworld ryegrass sampled from the pastures that these cows were grazing on. Sixty Jersey cows (early- to mid lactation), were randomly allocated to one of three treatments (n = 20) involving different levels of concentrate feeding. Concentrate (12 MJ ME, 130g CP kg-1 DM) was fed at 2.4, 4.8 or 7.2 kg cow-1day-1 for a period of 74 days (14-day adaptation and 60-day measurement). These cows stripgrazed irrigated kikuyu/ryegrass pastures (14.7 ± 4.37 percent DM, 25.1 ± 1.53 percent CP, and 44.4 ± 2.58 percent NDF) at a daily pasture allocation of 10 kg DM cow-1. Milk weights were recorded daily and milk samples collected weekly and analyzed for milk fat and protein. Body condition score and live weight were recorded at the start and end of the experimental period. Twelve Jersey cows, fitted with ruminal cannulae, were randomly allocated to two of the three treatments in the production study and received either 2.4 or 7.2 kg cow-1 day-1, of the same barley-based concentrate, in a two-period crossover design. These cows strip-grazed the same irrigated kikuyu/ryegrass pastures as the sixty cows in the production study. Each period consisted of 21 days for adaptation and seven days for data collection. Rumen liquor samples were collected every 4 hours within a 24-hour cycle and repeated once. Rumen pH was measured immediately, recorded, and the supernatant fluid preserved and frozen, pending VFA analysis. The in situ nylon bag technique was used to determine DM and NDF degradation and dried samples of Westerworld ryegrass pasture were incubated for 0, 4, 8, 12, 20, 30, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The data were fitted in the non-linear model p = a + b (1-exp-ct) (Ørskov & McDonald, 1979). Daily milk production, fat corrected milk, milk fat yield and milk fat percent were not affected by treatment and values were 17.3 kg, 18.4 kg, 0.76 kg and 4.42 percent; 19.0 kg, 20.0 kg, 0.82 kg and 4.35 percent; and 18.1 kg, 19.1 kg, 0.79 kg and 4.37 percent for the 2.4, 4.8 and 7.2 kg cow-1 day-1 concentrate treatments, respectively. Milk protein percentage of cows on the 7.2 kg concentrate cow-1 day-1 was significantly higher than that of cows on 4.2 kg concentrate cow-1 day-1 feeding level. Live weight increased significantly as the level of concentrate feeding increased and values were 17.9 kg; and 28.9 kg on the 2.4 and 7.2kg concentrate treatment, respectively. There was a significant increase in the live weight of cows that were fed 7.2 kg cow-1 day-1 (as-is) in comparison to those cows that were fed 2.4 kg concentrate cow-1 day-1 (as-is). This may have resulted from more nutrients being partitioned to live weight gain rather than milk production. No further response in milk production was observed when concentrate daily feeding was increased from 4.8 to 7.2 kg cow-1 day-1. It is postulated that the higher concentrate allowance resulted in a higher substitution rate and lower DMI intake from pasture. 6 There was no significant decline in the rumen pH (6.2 ± 0.4 and 6.2 ± 0.5) when the concentrate level was increased from 2.4 to 7.2 kg cow-1 day-1 (as-is). The total VFA (118.1 ± 45.9 and 139.4 ± 45.6 mmol L-1) and isovalerate (0.009 ± 0.07 and 0.248 ± 0.52 mmol L-1) increased significantly when the concentrate was increased from 2.4 to 7.2 kg cow-1day-1. No other rumen parameters were affected by treatment. Ruminal DM and NDF degradability of the Kikuyu/ryegrass pature were not affected by the level of concentrate supplementation. An increase in the concentrate level from 2.4 to 7.2 kg cow-1day-1 did not reduce degradability of either DM (94.67 ± 5.97, 94.49 ± 5.09; P = 0.919) or NDF (92.15 ± 8.69, 94.4 ± 11.73; P = 0.451), respectively. Results of rumen parameters and PD values were within the range reported by Bargo et al., (2003), viz. pH 5.76 – 6.29, NH3-N concentration 8.7 – 32.2 mg dl-1, total VFA concentration 90.3 - 151.4 mmol L-1 and PD values 89.5 – 93.5 % reported by Bargo et al. (2003). According to these authors, there is no simple relationship between any amount of the concentrate supplemented, and the ruminal pH and concentrate feeding only affects the in situ ruminal digestion of pasture when it is fed, at quantities higher than 8 kg DM cow-1day-1 (Bargo et al., 2003).
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- Date Issued: 2004
The effect of ozone on the production of broiler
- Authors: Amwele, Hilma Rantilla
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) , Ozone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10585 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/226 , Broilers (Chickens) , Ozone
- Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ozone (O3) on mature body weight (MBW), feed conversion rate (FCR), mortality rate (MR) and ammonia (NH3) production of broiler chickens (referred to as “broilers” in this thesis) under controlled conditions. Ozone was used for the purifying of air and water in order to eliminate harmful microorganisms. Two trials were conducted over a twelve week production period. In experiment 1, day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to a control (n=130) and treatment (n=130) group. The treatment groups were exposed to ozone continuously for the entire period of the trial. Both air and water were ozonated on a 24 hours daily basis, while the control group was reared under normal commercial conditions. In experiment 2: day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to a control (n=123) and a treatment (n=123) group. The treatment group was exposed to ozone for 3 hours per day for the entire period of the trial. Both air and water were ozonated, where the air was treated for 3 hours/day and the water for 1 hour/day during the entire production period. The control group was reared under normal commercial conditions. The results indicate that broilers exposed to continuous O3 (0.1 ppm) conditions had significantly higher (P< 0.001) mortality rates than the control group. The treatment group had a mortality rate of 55.38% compared to the 5.38% for the control group. No significant difference (P= 0. 2468) for MBW was found between the broilers that were reared in the O3 environment compared to the control iii group. Although the control group were on average 200g heavier at the end of the trial. No significant difference (p = 0. 6143) was recorded in FCR between the O3 and control groups. However the FCR of the broilers treated with O3 was lower by 100g than that of the control group. The O3 significantly (P< 0. 0001) reduced the NH3 in the treatment group. When the trial was repeated with limited exposure to an O3 environment there was no significant difference in MBW (P = 0. 0979), FCR (P = 0. 8913) and MR (P = 0. 1108) between the treatment and control groups. However, ammonia levels were lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. When the data was further analyzed comparing the two trials, the results indicated that there was no significant difference (P = 0. 4112) in the MBW for the broilers reared under normal conditions (control group) from experiment 1 and experiment 2, while a significant difference (P = 0. 0002) was recorded between the broilers reared under continuous O3 and regulated O3 conditions from experiment 1 and experiment 2 respectively. When the FCR data was analyzed using the Gompertz equation a significant difference (P = 0.0403) in the FCR of broilers reared in the control group between experiment 1 and experiment 2 was recorded (Table 8). No significant difference (P = 0.3226) in the FCR of broilers raised under O3 conditions of continuous and regulated O3 production were reported between experiment 1 and experiment 2. A highly significant difference (P = 0. 0001) in the MR of broilers reared under ozone conditions was recorded between experiment 1 and experiment 2. In experiment 1, the MR was 55.38% while in experiment 2 the MR was only 8.78%. A significant difference (P = 0.0355) was also recorded in the MR of broilers that iv were raised in the control groups between experiment 1 and experiment 2. The MR for broilers in the control group was 5.38% in experiment 1 and for experiment 2 it was 9.74%. The mortality rate of broilers raised in the control groups conditions increased by approximately 4% points or 81% between experiment 1 and experiment 2. The level (0.1 ppm) of ozone production had a limited effect on the MBW and FCR of broilers, however it is evident that ozone is toxic to broilers when they are exposed to a continuous ozonated environment. Ozone was however effective in controlling ammonia levels.
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- Date Issued: 2004