List of Titles

Activated carbon from lignocellulosic waste residues: effect of activating agent on porosity characteristics and use as adsorbents for organic species

- Olorundare, O F, Okonkwo, J O, Msagati, T A M, Mamba, Bhekie B, Krause, Rui W M

Authors: Olorundare, O F , Okonkwo, J O , Msagati, T A M , Mamba, Bhekie B , Krause, Rui W M
Date: 2014
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125233 , vital:35748 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-1876-2
Description: This paper reports on the effect of activating agents such as the impregnation ratio of phosphoric acid (1:1–1:5) at constant activation temperature on the performance of porous activated carbon from waste residues (maize tassel). The variation in the impregnation ratio of the produced activated carbon (AC) from 1:1 to 1:5 enabled the preparation of a high surface area (1,263 m2/g) and a large pore volume (1.592 cm3/g) of AC produced from maize tassel (MT) using a convectional chemical activating agent (phosphoric acid). Impregnation ratios (IR) of the precursors were varied between 1:1 and 1:5 in which it was found that the ratio of 1:4 was optimal based on the high surface area, while 1:5 has the optimal pore volume value for the produced activated carbon.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children in Zimbabwe: a randomized control trial to validate a new self-reported adherence monitoring tool

- Mugore, Linnetie

Authors: Mugore, Linnetie
Date: 2014
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54734 , vital:26607
Description: Background: Among children taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), self-reports have been widely reported to over-estimate adherence levels. Pill count adherence levels are often lower than self-reported levels, with unannounced home pill count adherence being lower than facility based pill count adherence. There is often poor agreement between pill count adherence levels and those measured using other objective adherence measuring methods such as Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS®), which is widely viewed as the gold standard for adherence measurement. Objectives: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a new self-reported paediatric adherence monitoring tool, assess the feasibility of using pill count methods in monitoring adherence and identify challenges to reporting adherence among children on ART in rural and urban Zimbabwe. Methods A dual centre, superiority, parallel design RCT was conducted to evaluate the newly-developed visually- and verbally-cued „past 10 days‟ tool for the assessment of adherence in children on ART at two sites in Zimbabwe; Harare Central Children‟s Hospital in an urban setting, and Murambinda Mission Hospital, a rural site. Child-caregiver pairs presenting to one of these facilities for the child‟s review of ART and refill of the medication were recruited, signed informed consent obtained, and were randomised for self-reported adherence monitoring into either the experimental group („new 10-day tool‟) or the control group („PACTG-style‟ self-report tool). Data (demographic, socioeconomic, and reported adherence) were collected in individual interviews with child-caregiver pairs. Additional adherence monitoring methods used for both groups included the Morisky-8-Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and a facility based pill count. FGDs were held with groups of caregivers and groups of children ≥13 years of age to understand reasons for non-adherence as well as issues around reporting non-adherence. Superiority testing was conducted by comparing adherent proportions and their confidence intervals (95% CI). Further concurrent validity test was done using the Mann-Whitney U test to evaluate the relationship between the new tool and the MMAS-8 scores. Agreement between the child and caregiver reports of adherence was used as a test of reliability of the new tool using the kappa statistic. Socio-demographic, clinical and care-related factors associated with adherence were identified using reported adherence in both child and caregiver groups in a logistic regression model. Two pill count methods were assessed for feasibility using the proportions of children with complete data for calculating adherence levels, and their CI and a comparison of the two methods, a routinely-used method and one that incorporated the reported residual quantity (RRQ) of medication at last refill. Results : Analysis included 245 child-caregiver pairs, 123 in the experimental group and 122 in the control group. The median age for children was 9 years. In the experimental group, adherence by caregiver and child reports ranged from 94.3% - 98.4% and 78.4% - 96.1%, and those in the control group ranged from 89.2% - 97.5% and 71.2% - 98.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference between adherence levels in the two groups. Adherence levels measured by both the experimental and control tools were found to be associated with MMAS-8 adherence levels (p <0.05). Agreement between child- and caregiver-reported adherence was moderate though significant (kappa; 0.407, p <0.05). Only about half of the children had adequate data to compute pill counts. Proportions adherent at 95% cut-off were 39% by the „routine pill count‟ and 58% by the „Pill count RRQ‟. Being an orphan was associated with child reported-adherence whereas use of non-human reminders, having a maternal relative as a primary caregiver and knowledge of dose frequency, were all associated with caregiver-reported adherence. Major causes of non-adherence mentioned during the FGDs included interference of medication administration times with scheduling of routine socio-economic activities and lack of support from some non-biological caregivers. Reporting of non-adherence appeared to be hampered by perceptions of negative reactions by healthcare workers to these reports and by caregivers being unaware that the child missed some doses. Conclusions: The „new 10-day tool‟ was not shown to be superior to the „PACTG-style tool‟ in detecting non-adherence, however this new tool was found to be a valid and reliable adherence monitoring tool that included a moderately long recall period of 10 days, can be applied without the need for the respondent to remember names of individual medicines in the
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Adolescent pregnancy: a community engaged participatory approach to design and implement an educational intervention

- Siruma, Amanda Tatenda

Authors: Siruma, Amanda Tatenda
Date: 2014
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54656 , vital:26597
Description: Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 focuses on improving maternal health, due to global acknowledgment that no woman should have to die as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Adolescents have an increased risk of maternal death compared with older women. Adolescent pregnancy also poses a threat to the empowerment of young girls by mitigating their physical, educational, social, and economic development. In this context, maternal health promotion strategies which inclusively target adolescents are crucial, not only in improving maternal health outcomes, but also in optimising the overall transition of adolescent girls to adulthood. This study was a first time collaborative partnership of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Community Engagement Office of Rhodes University with the Angus Gillis Foundation (a non-profit community development organisation), and community participants of Glenmore and Ndwayana, two rural communities in the Eastern Cape. The aim of this study was to identify the maternal health issue of most concern to community participants and to design and implement an appropriate educational intervention for a suitable target group. During the baseline phase of this study, ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 76 community stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews (SSIs) were conducted with two Sisters-in-Charge from each Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in the study setting. Data on the stock status of World Health Organization (WHO) identified lifesaving priority medicines for women’s health was also collected at both PHCs. Thereafter, pre- and posteducational interventions SSIs with female adolescent participants were conducted. The educational intervention was followed up with the development of a booklet on reproductive health. FGD participants identified adolescent pregnancy as the maternal health issue of most concern. They also highlighted challenges in service delivery of ambulance services for expectant mothers in urgent need of transportation to a referral hospital. A majority of preintervention SSI participants indicated coercion from both younger and older men as a factor influencing early sexual debut amongst adolescent girls in their communities. Despite availability in the PHCs, challenges in accessing contraceptives were highlighted by the participants. Additionally, a number of sexually active adolescent girls defaulted on their next allocated visit to the PHC due to myths regarding use of oral and injectable contraceptives. During the educational intervention sessions, participants recognised knowledge gaps regarding reproductive health issues and the influence of peer pressure as constraining factors in preventing adolescent pregnancy. During the post-intervention phase, participants highlighted that the educational intervention of this study had provided a forum to discuss ways of preventing adolescent pregnancy. The educational booklet developed is intended to serve as a resource tool of the educational programme on prevention of adolescent pregnancy, which is expected to be incorporated into the Angus Gillis Foundation’s existing ‘Positive Health’ Programme. The results of this study show that community-based participatory research facilitated the identification of the maternal health issue of most concern to these communities. Working synergistically with key stakeholders in designing and implementing an educational intervention for preventing adolescent pregnancy provides a good foundation for future up scaling and sustainability of this educational programme.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Age, growth, reproduction and sexual dimorphism of the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, off the south-east coast of southern Africa

- Bishop, Amy Ruth

Authors: Bishop, Amy Ruth
Date: 2014
Subjects: Striped dolphin -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Striped dolphin -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dimorphism (Animals)
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
Identifier: vital:5848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011600 , Striped dolphin -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Striped dolphin -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dimorphism (Animals)
Description: The striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, is an oceanic dolphin found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. Globally populations are threatened through direct fishing, bycatch and pollution. Little is known about the life history of this species in South African waters and it is currently listed as ‘Data Deficient’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Critical to the conservation and management of this species is an understanding of basic life history parameters. For the present study, metadata and tissues from 101 stranded S. coeruleoalba along the south-east coast of southern Africa between 1969 and 2012 were analyzed to examine age and growth, male and female reproduction and sexual dimorphism. Age and growth were determined by counting the number of growth layer groups (GLG’s) present in their teeth. A von Bertalanffy growth curve gave the best fit to the data and indicated that physical maturity was reached around 21 years in males and 18 years in females. Additionally, asymptotic lengths were reached at 231cm and 224cm in males and females, respectively. The maximum ages obtained were 21 years for males and 20 years for females. Length at birth was estimated to be between 116cm and 119cm for males and between 112cm and 114cm for females. The reproductive status of the adult dolphins was assessed by histological and macroscopic analyses of gonadal tissue. Sexual maturity was attained before physical maturity in both sexes. The males reached sexual maturity between 8 and 12 years of age and between 209 and 224cm in total body length. The maximum combined testis weight comprised about 0.24% of the total body weight and sexual maturity was reached between a combined testis weight of 16 and 41g, a mean testis length of 8 and 10cm, and a mean seminiferous tubule diameter of 44 and 70μm. Females attained sexual maturity between 7 and 8 years of age and between 213 and 216 cm in total body length. The ovulation rate was 0.32 per year and the majority of ovulations occurred in the left ovary, with ovulations occurring in the right ovary only in individuals older than 10 years of age. The annual pregnancy rate was calculated to be 26%. Reproductive seasonality could not be established due to the small sample size and the absence of samples throughout the year. However, both conceptions and births appear to occur in both August and December/January. Additionally, testis weight and seminiferous tubule diameters appear to fluctuate throughout the year, which could suggest reproductive seasonality in this species. Sexual size dimorphism in mature adults was evident for a number of external measurements, however, sexual shape dimorphism was not present in this species. Mature males had significantly longer and wider pectoral fins, dorsal fins and flukes than females (p<0.05 in all cases). It was suggested that the larger appendages are required for male on male combat during intraspecific competition for females. Additionally, larger appendages aid in thermoregulation, propulsion and maneuverability. Females had a significantly greater distance between the tip upper jaw and the genital aperture and anus, which was expected due to differences in anatomy between male and female genital openings. Overall, S. coeruleoalba did not exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism and together with the relatively small testes in relation to the total body weight (0.24%) it was proposed that this species demonstrates a less extreme form of polygyny. Additionaly, the results of this study are important to the understanding of the basic biology of the species.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Aggregate stability, crust formation, steady state infiltration and mode of seedling emergence in soils with various texture and mineralogy

- Nciizah, Adornis Dakarai

Authors: Nciizah, Adornis Dakarai
Date: 2014
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Crop Science)
Identifier: vital:11871 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015539
Description: The general objective of this study was to quantify the interactive effects of soil texture and mineralogy on soil crusting, infiltration and erosion and the subsequent effects on maize seedling emergence and early development using soils collected from 14 ecotopes in the Eastern Cape Province. The specific objectives were to determine; i) particulate organic matter, soil texture and mineralogy relations, ii) aggregate stability and breakdown mechanisms as affected by soil texture and organic matter, iii) crust formation and steady state infiltration, iv) rainfall pattern effects on crusting, infiltration and erodibility and v) rainfall intensity effects on crusting and mode of seedling emergence. Particulate organic matter (POM) was fractionated into litter POM, coarse POM and fine POM. Both total soil organic matter (SOM) and the POM in each fraction were determined using the weight loss on ignition procedure. Most ecotopes were either sandy loam or sandy clay loam and primary minerals especially quartz dominated the soil mineralogy. The clay content was significantly related to the total SOM (r = 0.78), hematite (r = 0.83) and quartz (r = -0.74). Aggregate stability was determined following methods described by Le Bissonnais (1996) i.e. fast wetting (FW), slow wetting (SW) and wet stirring (WSt). Aggregate breakdown followed the order; slaking < mechanical breakdown < micro-cracking for most ecotopes except Lujiko Leeufontein and Amatola Jozini where SW and WSt resulted in the least MWD respectively. Aggregate stability was significantly correlated to POM only for FW and SW and only positive but not significant for WSt. To study crust formation, aggregate sizes <2, 2 to 3, 3 to 5 mm were exposed to 60 mm hr-1 simulated rainfall. Sieving structural crusts, ~0.2 to ~0.8 mm thick with a surface layer of loose grains overlying a thin plasmic layer, formed in all ecotopes. Crusts with strengths between 0.25 and 3.42  10-4 kg m-2 developed on the <2 mm compared to <2.23  10-4 kg m-2 in the >2 mm aggregates. The reverse occurred in Alice Jozini, which had relatively low clay content of 120 g kg-1. Two significantly different groups of the SSIR were observed. The SSIR was between 1.24 and 3.60 mm hr-1 in the group of ecotopes dominated by primary minerals and relatively lower clay content. In the second group, consisting one ecotope dominated by kaolinite and relatively higher clay content, the SSIR was 15.23 mm hr-1. Rainfall pattern i.e. rainfall applied either as an eight minute single rainstorm (SR) or four-two minute intermittent rainstorms (IR) separated by a 48 h drying period significantly (p < 0.05) affected crust strength, SSIR and erosion. The IR resulted in higher crust strength and SSIR than SR. The effect of rainfall pattern on SSIR was mostly influenced by the primary minerals namely, quartz. Three maize seeds of equal size were planted in plastic pots, pre-wetted by capillary action and then subjected to simulated rainfall at three intensities for 5 min. Rainfall intensity (30, 45 and 60 mm h-1) significantly (P < 0.05) affected crust strength and mean emergence day (MED) but not emergence percentage (EMP) and shoot length (P > 0.05). The 60 mm h-1 rainfall intensity resulted in the highest crust strength and MED.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Aggrey Klaaste : the relentless community-builder

- Mbonambi, Phakama

Authors: Mbonambi, Phakama
Date: 2014
Subjects: Klaaste, Aggrey , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Newspaper editors -- South Africa -- Biography , Nation-building -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: vital:5999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020882
Description: This thesis looks at the life and times of Aggrey Klaaste, the larger-than-life late editor of Sowetan who shot to fame by championing a novel idea of nation building. His initiative started in 1988 as flames of violence engulfed South Africa and it seemed as if an apocalypse was on the cards. Sickened by what the frustrated black community was doing to itself, for example the use of the dreadful practice of necklacing against the so-called collaborators, he called for moral regeneration. He wanted his compatriots to look into the future and take their destiny in their own hands. Through nation building he tirelessly launched into crusading journalism that sought to heal the scars of the black community after decades of apartheid. It was grassroots community building. He rewarded ordinary men and women who made a difference in their communities. He actively sought peace to end the violence of the 1980s and 1990s. He spoke his mind without wearing any ideological blinkers, even as some thought his initiative would disturb the march to freedom. He was the ultimate newspaperman. This thesis argues that by calling for reconciliation and rebuilding of battered black communities even before freedom came, Klaaste was ahead of his time and even predated Nelson Mandela. Klaaste preferred to do what was right and not be shackled to any ideology. In doing so, he angered many people who felt his thinking was derailing the struggle for freedom. But Klaaste stressed that nation building was ideologically neutral and was meant for everyone. By contradicting prevailing political orthodoxy, he very likely risked his own life. But, like a true leader, he stuck to his convictions. Klaaste was exemplary in calling for reconciliation and building when others called for breaking. Ten years after he died, as the country still grapples with issues he raised in his popular weekly column On The Line, it is worth appraising his thinking and actions. The thesis also looks at the environment that influenced his thinking. His life is interwoven with South African history. That he began his adult life shakily, spending his days in a drunken stupor at Johannesburg shebeens to being awarded the Order for Meritorious Service for his outstanding community work, makes him an interesting subject to look at. It’s a story of a man who vanquished his demons and, through his compassionate community engagement, became an asset to the country. It’s a story of redemption. As his private life attests, he was man with flaws – like anyone else. But Aggrey Klaaste strived to do what was right for his community at all times. He was a restless community builder.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Altering urbanscapes: South African writers re-imagining Johannesburg, with specific reference to Lauren Beukes, K. Sello Duiker, Nadine Gordimer and Phaswane Mpe

- Fryer, Jocelyn Teri

Authors: Fryer, Jocelyn Teri
Date: 2014
Subjects: Novelists, South African , Johannesburg (South Africa) -- History
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: vital:8481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020877
Description: The following dissertation considers the ways in which we have come to perceive of our post-apartheid South African urban spaces. It focusses on the representation of our contemporary urban spaces as I posit that they are re-imagined in the works of Phaswane Mpe, K.Sello Duiker, Nadine Gordimer and Lauren Beukes. In particular, it is concerned with the representation of Johannesburg, and specifically Hillbrow, in relation to the space of the rural, the suburban enclave and the city of Cape Town. I argue that while so-called urban ‘slums’ such as Hillbrow have been denigrated in the local imaginary, the texts that I have selected draw attention to the potentialities of such spaces. Rather than aspiring to ‘First World’ aesthetics of modernity then, we might come to see such spaces as Hillbrow anew, and even to learn from them as models, so as to better create more fully integrated and dynamic African cities.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Alternative methods used by small-holder farmers to control ticks and bovine dermatophilosis and the impact of a changing interface of Amblyomma ticks on dermatophilosis in Zimbabwe

- Ndhkovu, Daud Nyosi

Authors: Ndhkovu, Daud Nyosi
Date: 2014
Subjects: Ticks -- Control -- Africa, Southern , Dermatophilosis
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Animal Science)
Identifier: vital:11830 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019764 , Ticks -- Control -- Africa, Southern , Dermatophilosis
Description: This study was carried out to document the ethno-veterinary plants and non-plant remedies that farmers used to control dermatophilosis and ticks, and validate these in vitro and in vivo, as well as determine how the interface of Amblyomma variegatum and A. hebraeum affected the epidemiology of bovine dermatophilosis at selected small-holder areas in North-West Zimbabwe. A structured questionnaire survey was used to collect information on the control methods used by farmers for the control of bovine dermatophilosis and ticks. A total of 39 plants were used by farmers for various diseases, eleven of these plants were used for the control of dermatophilosis while three were for tick control. Across the study sites, dermatophilosis was controlled using eleven plants. Among these plants; six plants; Cissus quadrangularis, Catunaregan spinosa, Pterocarpus angolensis Carica papaya, Manihot esculenta and Blumea decurrens which were frequently used were selected for further studies. In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to validate the efficacy of these plants. The minimum inhibitory concentration and bactericidal concentration assays were used for the in vitro validation of C. quadrangularis, C. spinosa and P. angolensis. Dermatophilus congolensis was more sensitive to P. angolensis average MIC = 0.63 mg/ml than to C. quadrangularis average MIC = iii 1.25 mg/ml and C. spinosa average MIC = 2.08 mg/ml. Cissus quadrangularis was selected for in vivo studies as this plant was the one most frequently used by farmers. Its therapeutic efficacy was compared to conventional antibiotics that farmers used to treat dermatophilosis infection. In the in vivo trials C. quadrangularis did not lead to appreciable reduction in clinical disease compared to the conventional drugs. The larval packet assay was the in vitro assay used to validate the efficacy of Carica papaya, Manihot esculenta and Blumea decurrens against larvae of A. hebraeum and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Manihot esculenta at 20 % w/v exhibited the highest larvicidal activity against R. appendiculatus. In the in vivo study, efficacy of the plants were investigated on naturally tick-infested cattle. Mannihot esculenta exhibited the largest tick load reduction compared to the other two plants but its performance was lower than that of conventional acaricides. The effect of A. variegatum and A. hebraeum on bovine dermatophilosis was investigated by evaluating how the presence or absence of these ticks and other herd level risk factors predicted clinical dermatophilosis and its prevalence at herd level. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out to collect data on potential risk factors. At the same time, cattle were physically examined for the presence of bovine dermatophilosis, according to a pre-defined case definition, and presence or absence of Amblyomma ticks was also recorded. The multivariable binary logistic model was developed with disease status as outcome, tick presence and infestion and herd level risk factors as predictors. Of the herds examined clinical bovine dermatophilosis was detected in 45% (84/185; 95% CI: 38.2, 52.6%) of them. Herds infested with Amblyomma variegatum were associated with higher odds (OR= 6.8; iv 95% CI: 1.71, 27.10) of clinical dermatophilosis while the association was not significant (P > 0.05) in A. hebraeum infested herds. It was concluded that management practices aimed at movement and tick control would help reduce the prevalence of clinical dermatophilosis in herds.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

Alternative remedies used by resource-limited farmers in the treatment and manipulation of the reproductive system of non-descript goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

- Rwodzi, Maxwell

Authors: Rwodzi, Maxwell
Date: 2014
Subjects: Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
Identifier: vital:11831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019767 , Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Description: This study was carried out to determine alternative approaches used by resource-limited farmers to enhance fertility and in the treatment of reproduction ailments of goats in Mount Frere area, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Furthermore, information on farmer perceptions pertaining to these practices was also gathered. A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine materials used by resource-limited farmers to enhance fertility and treat reproductive ailments. The survey revealed 10 plant species that were commonly used for reproductive health in goats. Elephantorrhizza elephantina (37.1%) and Rhoicissus tomentosa (25.7%) were the most frequently cited plant species. Elephantorrhiza elephantina and R. tomentosa recorded the highest Fidelity Level (FL) values of 92.86% and 75% respectively, for their use in the treatment of reproductive ailments and these were the plants on which further studies were conducted. The study also revealed that farmers had different perceptions on the effectiveness of the traditional medicines. An in-vivo assessment was done to determine efficacy of E. elephantina and R. tomentosa using serum estradiol and progesterone profiles. The highest (P<0.05) serum estradiol and progesterone concentration was observed in animals administered with aqueous extracts of E. elephantina and R. tomentosa mixture while the least (P<0.05) concentrations were observed in the negative control group. Does administered with a mixture of aqueous E. elephantina and R. tomentosa extract had the highest (P<0.05) body weight (65 kg) as well as body condition scores, while the negative control which were administered with distilled water had the least body weights (54 kg) and body condition scores. Does that were administered with a mixture of E.elephantina and R. tomentosa were all pregnant with twins (100%), confirmed by a doppler ultrasound scan.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

An analysis of alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development.

- Hlanti, Msawenkosi Madoda

Authors: Hlanti, Msawenkosi Madoda
Date: 2014
Subjects: National income -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Gross domestic product -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Economic policy , South Africa -- Social conditions
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
Identifier: vital:1099 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013144
Description: The measurement of economic performance and social development has become increasingly important as societies have evolved and become more complex. At present nations do not only seek to improve economic performance but are also compelled to improve social development through improvements in socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Traditional measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is derived from United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA) have been criticised given the inability to adequately account for these social and environmental aspects of social development. Given these perceived deficiencies in the conventional measures, several alternative objective measures have been proposed in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to analyse, via a literature survey, these alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development. The alternative measures that constitute the survey are the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), the Genuine Savings (GS), and the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI). Upon the completion of the literature survey, sustainable development theory is used to evaluate the extent to which the National Accounts and the alternative objective measures are consistent with Hicksian and Fisherian definitions of income and capital, which embody the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The evaluation reveals that the National Accounts neither conform to the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income, thus could not be viewed as a measure of sustainable income. It is found that the ISEW is consistent with the Fisherian definition of income and is also a partial indicator of sustainable development. The evaluation of the GS measure reveals that it is consistent with the Hicksian definition but not the Fisherian definition. In terms of overall sustainability, it is argued that GS is a partial measure of weak sustainability. The HDI is similar to the National Accounts, in that it is neither consistent with the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income and is also not a measure of sustainability. In summary, the study demonstrates that despite GDP's shortcomings as a measure of economic performance and social development, currently, there is no alternative approach which simultaneously addresses every flaw in GDP. However, all the alternatives yield a much better approximation of social development than GDP.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

An analysis of change and transformation strategies: the Department of Home Affairs, Province of the Eastern Cape

- Biyase, Sibongiseni Nobert

Authors: Biyase, Sibongiseni Nobert
Date: 2014
Subjects: South Africa -- Department of Home Affairs , Civil service reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social change -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
Identifier: vital:8329 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020373
Description: The South African public sector is important for the sustainable growth and development of the country. One of its major responsibilities is to ensure that all citizens have access to and receive the services they need. The manner in which public sector institutions are structured has an impact on the delivery of effective and efficient services to citizens.Achieving a high degree of productivity is an important objective of public service organisations across the world given the pressure to deliver quality public goods and services within the limits of ever-increasing resource constraints. The South African Public Service is no exception to this global phenomenon. The focus on the public service is therefore continuously to improve performance to meet citizens’ needs. Where as performance is directed at measuring outputs achieved, productivity goes an important step further by measuring the relationship between the resources used to achieve outputs. The focus of this study is the analysis of change and transformation strategies in the Department of Home Affairs, Province of the Eastern Cape. The primary purpose was to assess the current state of service delivery in the Department of Home Affairs and to ascertain how continuous monitoring and evaluation could be factored in to enhance the delivery of services. The target population was the employees and clients of the Department of Home Affairs. Employees were selected randomly and asked to participate in the study. The sample was a convenient-purposive sampling and a quantitative research questionnaire was used.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

An analysis of how Zimbabwean female audiences decode meaning from the Shona-language radio programme Nguva Yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) against the background of their lived experiences

- Chihota-Charamba, Audrey

Authors: Chihota-Charamba, Audrey
Date: 2014
Subjects: Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: vital:3522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011750 , Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
Description: This study investigates the Zimbabwean women listeners of a gender-focused radio programme Nguva yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) to find out what meanings they take from the programme. Located within the broad theoretical framework of cultural studies and drawing on audience reception theories, the study focuses on the ways in which Shona-speaking women bring their understandings of their social roles, derived from their lived socio-cultural experiences of patriarchy, to their decoding of the text. The study was set in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mbare and used the qualitative research methods of individual and focus group interviews. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) of September 2008, which ended the impasse among the warring political parties, ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC and introduced a new era of collectively tackling socio-economic development, including redressing gender disparities through women’s empowerment. This study examines the factors shaping the audiences’ readings of the programme and seeks to establish whether the mass media has determining power on its audience in the reception of messages or if the audiences (women) have interpretive freedom. Using Hall’s (1980) Encoding/ Decoding model, the study examines the factors that influence the audiences’ choice in making preferred, negotiated or oppositional readings and the arguments they advance in line with those readings. While the interviews revealed that most of the female listeners “negotiated” the dominant encoded meanings, seeking their relevance to their varied situations and contexts (O’ Sullivan et al. 1994:152; Ang 1990: 159), of interest is the manner in which the women dealt with the discourse of patriarchy within the context of promoting women empowerment. The contestation between women empowerment and addressing patriarchy reflected the subverted notions of maintaining the status quo, while applauding the women’s commitment and ability to interrogate the practicality of issues under discussion and drawing lessons relevant to their day to day lives prior to making the preferred reading. As such, the study revealed that preferred readings are not always automated, but can be a result of intense interrogation among media audiences.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

An analysis of the barriers that inhibit sustainable implementation of LEAN

- Sidinile, Ayanda

Authors: Sidinile, Ayanda
Date: 2014
Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Production management
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
Identifier: vital:8934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021192
Description: With global advances in technology, many organizations are finding it difficult and quite challenging to do business as usual. Japanese companies are on top of the world economy, while many Western companies are struggling to find ways to compete with them (Womack, et al., 1990). The Japanese secret weapon “Lean Production” is no longer a secret; more and more western companies are now learning and adopting Lean techniques to remain relevant and competitive. Lean management is a consistent philosophy and a set of practices that must be maintained over time in order to see the gains (Losonci & Demeter, 2013). Lean is not a quick fix to reduce costs, but a continuous improvement journey that will transform an organization into a cost efficient value-driven system. Lean is still a fairly new phenomenon in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape. The road towards the lean implementation is viewed by many as a challenging and yet rewarding journey. South African organizations are following the trend of implementing lean in order to eliminate waste, improve quality, speed, customer satisfaction and thereby increasing profits. It is however still a long journey towards achieving total perfection. The main challenge facing South African organizations is the ability to sustain the lean improvements over a longer period. This study will focus on identifying and analyzing the main barriers that inhibit many successful organizations from sustaining lean improvement efforts.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

An analysis of the impact of an official diagnosis and label of ʹdyslexiaʹ on pupils’ self-concept and self-esteem : a sociological case study involving pupils in Grahamstown

- Johnson, Gwendolyn Gay

Authors: Johnson, Gwendolyn Gay
Date: 2014
Subjects: Dyslexic children -- Education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Self-perception in adolescence , Emotions in adolescence , Dyslexia , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: vital:3375 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013124
Description: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of how Grahamstown teenagers are affected by the label ʹdyslexiaʹ; by providing a space in which their feelings about being labelled dyslexic and their experiences can be voiced. Historically much international and local research has focussed on causation and remediation of dyslexia and has neglected the social aspects of the diagnosis. Causation and remediation are categories which form part of the medical or educational models. A social model of dyslexia needs to be applied. Due to the paucity of South African literature on the social experiences of dyslexic teenagers, this research thesis aims to add to the body of knowledge and hopefully provide an avenue for more research within the context of Sociology. This is a micro study, situated in Grahamstown Eastern Cape, South Africa, and the author recognizes that responses cannot be generalized to the greater dyslexic population. All human environments consist of objects which are given meaning through social interaction. Meaning is central to human behaviour and therefor explains the ways in which humans conduct their lives based on these meanings. For this reason George Herbert Mead’s (1934) and Herbert Blumers (1969) symbolic interactionist positions have framed the theoretical approach to this research. Qualitative methods of interviewing provide an opportunity for dyslexic individuals to discuss the meaning dyslexia gives to them, from their perspective and in their own words. The following conclusions have been arrived at: Educational psychologists in Grahamstown are reticent to diagnose individuals as dyslexic. This lack of identification hinders early intervention which can be very detrimental to individuals struggling with reading, writing and spelling as well as the associated co-morbid conditions of dyslexia. Teenagers who have had early diagnosis and intervention with support structures in place identify with their dyslexic identity more positively as they are able to make sense of their struggles of a dyslexic nature.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

An analysis of the perceptions of non-bargaining unit employees of the performance management system at Transnet Engineering

- Nel, Nico

Authors: Nel, Nico
Date: 2014
Subjects: Performance -- Management , Performance standards -- South Africa , Collective bargaining unit -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5531 , vital:20874
Description: Transnet is facing challenging market realities and a competitive operating environment. Performance management has been emphasised as a critical tool to guide Transnet in maintaining a competitive advantage. Performance management cannot be viewed in isolation from the organisational context and is inextricably linked to the Human Resources strategy, which in turn is aligned with the overall business strategy. Performance management may be defined as a systematic process by which an organisation involves its employees, as individuals and members of groups, in improving organisational effectiveness in the accomplishment of organisational mission and goals. For the purposes of this study, performance management was explored in terms of purpose, key role players, processes, criteria and challenges. The main research problem of this study was to determine the perceptions of non-bargaining unit employees of the performance management system at Transnet Engineering. The main research problem had three sub-problems which were addressed through the following actions: A literature study was conducted highlighting the importance of an effective performance management system which establishes a foundation for rewarding excellence by aligning individual objectives with organisational mission and objectives. In this way, performance management establishes clear expectations in terms of results, actions and behaviours. Through regular feedback and coaching, performance management provides a mechanism for detecting problems at an early stage and identifies ways in which to take corrective action. Perceptions of performance management are largely centred around fairness, and dependent on a number of issues, including openness, transparency, communication, and equitability, and the establishment of clear parameters of measurement such as whether both skill and effort will be evaluated. This is why it is important to link performance appraisals to employee goals. If mutually negotiated goals, which involve the participation of all stakeholders, are established at the beginning of the performance period and there is on-going feedback to employees about their performance, then performance appraisals may be perceived as objective, fair and reliable. The insights gained from the literature survey were incorporated into a survey questionnaire which was used in the empirical study to investigate the perceptions of non-bargaining unit employees of the performance management system at Transnet Engineering. This study revealed that most of the respondents were not satisfied with the performance management system within Transnet Engineering, that performance management could be enhanced by using multiple measures more frequently and that greater involvement of subordinates at each step in the performance management process would lead to a greater level of acceptance thereof.
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Quick View

An analysis of the proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Act and other employment legislation

- Moodaley, Antonio

Authors: Moodaley, Antonio
Date: 2014
Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa -- Labour Relations Act 1995
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
Identifier: vital:10301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021117
Description: South Africa’s Labour Laws should undergo drastic changes in 2014 when new amendments take effect. The bills amend the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (BCEA) and the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA). These amendments originate from the increasing “casualisation” of work prevalent in the South African Labour market and aim to address the phenomenon of labour broking, the continuous renewal of fixed-term contracts and unfair discrimination regarding wages amongst others. The legislature effected additional amendments to these Acts to align them with new developments, to improve the functioning of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and to fulfil South Africa’s obligation as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). 1 In addition, the amendments attempt to clarify the wording of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) to elucidate numerous significant judicial interpretations of various provisions of the current Act as well as to close what some believe to be loopholes in current legislation. There are differing views on the possible effects the amendments could have on the country; some believe that it will damage business while others believe it will affect job creation. 3 According to Bosch, the amendments allow employers flexibility without depriving employees of rights properly due to them. 4 The researcher emphasises topical issues such as the need for temporary employment services, entitlement to organisational rights and the abuse of fixed-term contracts and further discusses, to a lesser extent and focusing on discrimination, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act5 (BCEA) and the Employment Equity Act6 (EEA).
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2014

Showing items 101 - 120 of 1199