The participatory development and implementation of a facilitator’s manual for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding
- Authors: Katsinde, Shingirai Miranda
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4201 , vital:20632
- Description: Background: Breastfeeding is a common practice, but exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is no longer a cultural norm in the majority of South African communities. Identification of facilitating and constraining factors which affect breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices is thus important. The promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is essential for improved infant health and development, especially if it takes into consideration the broader cultural and socio-economic aspects influencing these practices. This study follows up on an initial project conducted in Glenmore and Ndwayana, two rural communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The current study aimed at working with community care workers who are associated with two community based organisations, who work within three communities, Glenmore, Ndwayana and Grahamstown. The study objectives were to identify the factors that influence the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding in the communities researched, to conduct workshops with the community workers on exclusive breastfeeding practices, as well as to develop and implement a facilitator’s manual for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. Method: Using the community based participatory research approach and the PEN-3 theoretical framework to guide the research process, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 community care workers to identify the factors that affect breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. Through participatory involvement and a cyclical research process, a facilitator’s manual on breastfeeding was developed, which was used during the workshops in the training of community care workers on breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices. A pre and post intervention knowledge questionnaire was given to the community care workers to complete before and after the workshops. The facilitator’s manual was modified based on 14 months of consistent interaction with the community care workers, who provided feedback on improving the content as well as on how to enhance the cultural appropriateness of the facilitator’s manual during guided focus group discussions. Readability testing also guided further modification of the facilitator’s manual. Results:The major findings confirmed that exclusive breastfeeding for six months was no longer a common practice in these three communities. Factors affecting breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding were classified as perceptions (knowledge attitudes and beliefs), enablers (resources and facilities) and nurturers (people), in accordance with the PEN-3 model thematic categories. The knowledge questionnaire, semi-structured interview results, and data from the workshops showed that the community care workers were not sufficiently equipped with information on breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. The facilitator’s manual development and modification was made possible by inputs from the community care workers and the community based organisation liaisons. A culturally appropriate, community specific facilitator’s manual for the promotion of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding was produced. Conclusion: The factors affecting breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding were identified. These factors were useful in facilitating discussions on how to improve breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices in the communities researched. The facilitator’s manual and the workshops were useful in equipping community care workers with knowledge on breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. The involvement of community based organisations will assist to ensure sustainability of breastfeeding promotion by community care workers by adopting the facilitator’s manual as part of their women and child development programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Katsinde, Shingirai Miranda
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4201 , vital:20632
- Description: Background: Breastfeeding is a common practice, but exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is no longer a cultural norm in the majority of South African communities. Identification of facilitating and constraining factors which affect breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices is thus important. The promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is essential for improved infant health and development, especially if it takes into consideration the broader cultural and socio-economic aspects influencing these practices. This study follows up on an initial project conducted in Glenmore and Ndwayana, two rural communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The current study aimed at working with community care workers who are associated with two community based organisations, who work within three communities, Glenmore, Ndwayana and Grahamstown. The study objectives were to identify the factors that influence the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding in the communities researched, to conduct workshops with the community workers on exclusive breastfeeding practices, as well as to develop and implement a facilitator’s manual for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. Method: Using the community based participatory research approach and the PEN-3 theoretical framework to guide the research process, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 community care workers to identify the factors that affect breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. Through participatory involvement and a cyclical research process, a facilitator’s manual on breastfeeding was developed, which was used during the workshops in the training of community care workers on breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices. A pre and post intervention knowledge questionnaire was given to the community care workers to complete before and after the workshops. The facilitator’s manual was modified based on 14 months of consistent interaction with the community care workers, who provided feedback on improving the content as well as on how to enhance the cultural appropriateness of the facilitator’s manual during guided focus group discussions. Readability testing also guided further modification of the facilitator’s manual. Results:The major findings confirmed that exclusive breastfeeding for six months was no longer a common practice in these three communities. Factors affecting breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding were classified as perceptions (knowledge attitudes and beliefs), enablers (resources and facilities) and nurturers (people), in accordance with the PEN-3 model thematic categories. The knowledge questionnaire, semi-structured interview results, and data from the workshops showed that the community care workers were not sufficiently equipped with information on breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. The facilitator’s manual development and modification was made possible by inputs from the community care workers and the community based organisation liaisons. A culturally appropriate, community specific facilitator’s manual for the promotion of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding was produced. Conclusion: The factors affecting breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding were identified. These factors were useful in facilitating discussions on how to improve breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices in the communities researched. The facilitator’s manual and the workshops were useful in equipping community care workers with knowledge on breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. The involvement of community based organisations will assist to ensure sustainability of breastfeeding promotion by community care workers by adopting the facilitator’s manual as part of their women and child development programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The development of boiler control models for the optimization of boiler efficiency
- Authors: Kellerman, Andre
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Boilers Boiler-making industry , Steam-boilers Mechatronics Power electronics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48014 , vital:40463
- Description: With Eskom’s fleet rapidly reaching end of life and maintenance outages becoming more frequent, it has become more critical to be able to determine transient effects of auxiliary losses and system responses due to instabilities. A low mono-nitrogen oxide (low-NOx) burner replacement project has recently been completed at Camden power station in Ermelo. It has thus deemed itself as a perfect candidate for a model which can be used to understand the new systems’ response during transient scenarios. The aim is to develop a boiler control model to be used for simulation of various process conditions and failure scenarios in order to predict the boiler plants’ behaviour and improve its availability. Research was done on common boiler control practices and modelling of boiler control. A theoretical boiler control model was developed based on the Camden power station’s control system specification. The computational model of the boiler control was implemented in Flownex® simulation environment, which was found to be particular useful for modelling industrial applications. A number of simulations with the computational model were performed and the results were compared against the historic plant data showing good correlation. In parallel, a thermo-fluid model of the boiler was developed using Flownex® by a Masters student at the University of Cape Town, which was then integrated with the control model. The combined Flownex model was used for simulation of the following important cases: a mill trip, a Forced Draught fan trip and load changes. The obtained results show good correlation with the real plant data, indicating that the developed computational model can be considered accurate for Camden’s particular type of boiler and its control. Hence, it is envisaged that the developed combined Flownex model can be applied for simulation of the boilers of the Camden power station.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kellerman, Andre
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Boilers Boiler-making industry , Steam-boilers Mechatronics Power electronics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48014 , vital:40463
- Description: With Eskom’s fleet rapidly reaching end of life and maintenance outages becoming more frequent, it has become more critical to be able to determine transient effects of auxiliary losses and system responses due to instabilities. A low mono-nitrogen oxide (low-NOx) burner replacement project has recently been completed at Camden power station in Ermelo. It has thus deemed itself as a perfect candidate for a model which can be used to understand the new systems’ response during transient scenarios. The aim is to develop a boiler control model to be used for simulation of various process conditions and failure scenarios in order to predict the boiler plants’ behaviour and improve its availability. Research was done on common boiler control practices and modelling of boiler control. A theoretical boiler control model was developed based on the Camden power station’s control system specification. The computational model of the boiler control was implemented in Flownex® simulation environment, which was found to be particular useful for modelling industrial applications. A number of simulations with the computational model were performed and the results were compared against the historic plant data showing good correlation. In parallel, a thermo-fluid model of the boiler was developed using Flownex® by a Masters student at the University of Cape Town, which was then integrated with the control model. The combined Flownex model was used for simulation of the following important cases: a mill trip, a Forced Draught fan trip and load changes. The obtained results show good correlation with the real plant data, indicating that the developed computational model can be considered accurate for Camden’s particular type of boiler and its control. Hence, it is envisaged that the developed combined Flownex model can be applied for simulation of the boilers of the Camden power station.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The Representation of Adult Family Members in Selected Children’s Books by Roald Dahl
- Authors: Kerford, Justine
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2387 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021254
- Description: This thesis focuses on the representation of the five adult family members (mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers and aunts) that are present in a specialised corpus of Roald Dahl’s children’s literature. Children’s fiction provides insight into how society views childhood as it reflects the dominant ideologies in society (Larkin-Lieffers 2010).The family is “central to most children’s literature” (Alston 2008: 2) which makes the analysis of the family in children’s fiction important. Society favours particular representations of the family, as well as men and women, and these representations are also reflected in the fiction available to readers. I have used Critical Discourse Analysis and Corpus Linguistics in order to establish how adult family members are represented in Dahl’s fiction. The physical description and the verbs of speech that collocate significantly with the different tagged characters are analysed to establish patterns in representation. Verbs of speech give the reader information that allows them to establish the emotion and attitude of the character and this helps the reader make judgements with regards to the positive or negative perception of the character. The repeated use of particular descriptions and verbs of speech primes the reader to associate particular features with certain characters and the evaluation provided by these features bleeds over onto the characters. There is evidence of a continuum of verbs of speech moving from verbs of speech with low pitch and low volume like ‘said’ to ones with a high pitch and high volume like ‘shrieked’. The tagged characters are discussed according to the continuum to establish any patterns the verb of speech use. Women were found to collocate with verbs of speech like ‘shrieked, ‘screamed’ and ‘wailed’ which suggests that women are more hysterically emotional while men collocate with verbs of speech like ‘shouted’ and ‘yelled’ which were less hysterical and suggest aggression. Aunts were the exception to this pattern as they collocated with more masculine verbs of speech, like ‘shouted’. These patterns help establish whether or not the representations follow the dominant ideologies of women being emotional and home bound and men being aggressive and more active in the public sphere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kerford, Justine
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2387 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021254
- Description: This thesis focuses on the representation of the five adult family members (mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers and aunts) that are present in a specialised corpus of Roald Dahl’s children’s literature. Children’s fiction provides insight into how society views childhood as it reflects the dominant ideologies in society (Larkin-Lieffers 2010).The family is “central to most children’s literature” (Alston 2008: 2) which makes the analysis of the family in children’s fiction important. Society favours particular representations of the family, as well as men and women, and these representations are also reflected in the fiction available to readers. I have used Critical Discourse Analysis and Corpus Linguistics in order to establish how adult family members are represented in Dahl’s fiction. The physical description and the verbs of speech that collocate significantly with the different tagged characters are analysed to establish patterns in representation. Verbs of speech give the reader information that allows them to establish the emotion and attitude of the character and this helps the reader make judgements with regards to the positive or negative perception of the character. The repeated use of particular descriptions and verbs of speech primes the reader to associate particular features with certain characters and the evaluation provided by these features bleeds over onto the characters. There is evidence of a continuum of verbs of speech moving from verbs of speech with low pitch and low volume like ‘said’ to ones with a high pitch and high volume like ‘shrieked’. The tagged characters are discussed according to the continuum to establish any patterns the verb of speech use. Women were found to collocate with verbs of speech like ‘shrieked, ‘screamed’ and ‘wailed’ which suggests that women are more hysterically emotional while men collocate with verbs of speech like ‘shouted’ and ‘yelled’ which were less hysterical and suggest aggression. Aunts were the exception to this pattern as they collocated with more masculine verbs of speech, like ‘shouted’. These patterns help establish whether or not the representations follow the dominant ideologies of women being emotional and home bound and men being aggressive and more active in the public sphere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A survey of employee preferences in the design of a performance management system
- Authors: Keshave, Hiten
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021180
- Description: This thesis begins with an introduction to performance management and the intended aim and objective of the research. Thereafter literature findings relative to performance management and performance management systems are discussed. In the review of literature, three processes that could be implemented in a performance management system were highlighted, namely; (1) the planning process, (2) the monitoring and development process, and (3) an annual summative and feedback process. Performance management functions deemed important to employees during each process of the performance management system were identified and discussed. Subsequent to the literature review, the research methodology was described and involved the implementation of quantitative research within a post-positivist paradigm in the form of a close-ended survey questionnaire. Analysis of the data involved a gap analysis and needs analysis. The gap analysis study was based on the opinion of management respondents in comparison to the opinion of non-management respondents. Results of the gap analysis were determined based on the calculation of an importance score for each sub-group. The needs analysis study was based on the overall opinion of all respondents, and results were determined based on the calculation of an overall importance score. In light of the literature review that was conducted to inform the questionnaire design, the survey results supported the literature review of each discussed performance management function with no evident contradictions. The results of the gap analysis and needs analysis were satisfactorily met for each performance management function. On the basis of these findings, it was assumed that all the performance management functions identified in the literature are important and could be implemented in the design of a performance management system. The results highlighted the importance of a performance plan and development plan to underpin the performance management system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Keshave, Hiten
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021180
- Description: This thesis begins with an introduction to performance management and the intended aim and objective of the research. Thereafter literature findings relative to performance management and performance management systems are discussed. In the review of literature, three processes that could be implemented in a performance management system were highlighted, namely; (1) the planning process, (2) the monitoring and development process, and (3) an annual summative and feedback process. Performance management functions deemed important to employees during each process of the performance management system were identified and discussed. Subsequent to the literature review, the research methodology was described and involved the implementation of quantitative research within a post-positivist paradigm in the form of a close-ended survey questionnaire. Analysis of the data involved a gap analysis and needs analysis. The gap analysis study was based on the opinion of management respondents in comparison to the opinion of non-management respondents. Results of the gap analysis were determined based on the calculation of an importance score for each sub-group. The needs analysis study was based on the overall opinion of all respondents, and results were determined based on the calculation of an overall importance score. In light of the literature review that was conducted to inform the questionnaire design, the survey results supported the literature review of each discussed performance management function with no evident contradictions. The results of the gap analysis and needs analysis were satisfactorily met for each performance management function. On the basis of these findings, it was assumed that all the performance management functions identified in the literature are important and could be implemented in the design of a performance management system. The results highlighted the importance of a performance plan and development plan to underpin the performance management system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Investigating the high level of consumer indebtedness in the South African retail market
- Authors: Kgomo, Stephen Phuti
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer credit -- South Africa , Debt -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8450 , vital:26360
- Description: This study was aimed at investigating the high level of consumer indebtedness in the South African retail market more specifically factors that contribute to consumer indebtedness. Recommendations on how to control the level of consumer indebtedness are also presented. Consumer indebtedness is a problem in many countries around the world and as witnessed during the 2008 global financial crisis, its impact can be disastrous. Not only does it create problems for the families but also for a country and even to the extent of the whole world. The literature conducted did not reveal a study undertaken to investigate factors that impact consumer indebtedness. Eight factors were identified and explored further in this study. Results were analysed in chapter three and outcomes presented in chapter four. The method used in conducting this study is the quantitative method. A questionnaire was developed based on the literature review conducted. The questionnaire was a five point Likert scale and was distributed to the respondents in the southern area of Tshwane Municipal district. In view of a manageable number of responses, results were analysed using an excel spreadsheet. Results were verified by an independent expert. From the eight factors that are identified, one (easy access to credit) was found to impact the high level of consumer indebtedness. Although there are other weaknesses, easy access to credit is found to be the main contributor. Recommendations on the findings are presented in chapter five of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kgomo, Stephen Phuti
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer credit -- South Africa , Debt -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8450 , vital:26360
- Description: This study was aimed at investigating the high level of consumer indebtedness in the South African retail market more specifically factors that contribute to consumer indebtedness. Recommendations on how to control the level of consumer indebtedness are also presented. Consumer indebtedness is a problem in many countries around the world and as witnessed during the 2008 global financial crisis, its impact can be disastrous. Not only does it create problems for the families but also for a country and even to the extent of the whole world. The literature conducted did not reveal a study undertaken to investigate factors that impact consumer indebtedness. Eight factors were identified and explored further in this study. Results were analysed in chapter three and outcomes presented in chapter four. The method used in conducting this study is the quantitative method. A questionnaire was developed based on the literature review conducted. The questionnaire was a five point Likert scale and was distributed to the respondents in the southern area of Tshwane Municipal district. In view of a manageable number of responses, results were analysed using an excel spreadsheet. Results were verified by an independent expert. From the eight factors that are identified, one (easy access to credit) was found to impact the high level of consumer indebtedness. Although there are other weaknesses, easy access to credit is found to be the main contributor. Recommendations on the findings are presented in chapter five of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The exploration of a relationship between leadership styles and organizational commitment of Richards Bay Coal Terminal employees
- Authors: Khoali, Bafokeng Ngcobile
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:870 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021315
- Description: Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is situated in the South African deep water harbour of KwaZulu- Natal. The company provides coal mining organizations a strategic logistics link to international coal markets by enabling the use of a coal exporting facility. RBCT recognizes that its lifeblood is the human capital it retains and that achieving a competitive edge equitably and fairly through its people is a priority (du Preez, 2012). In the modern organization operating in an environment of uncertainty and constant change, employee’s commitment to the organization can be a critical determinant of its success or failure in anchoring a competitive advantage (Ulrich, 1998). The current study explored a relationship between the full range leadership styles of supervisors and the organizational commitment of the subordinates to the organization. The literature reviewed in the study includes two models; the first model is by Bass and Avolio and is referred to as the full range leadership model (FRL). This is the independent variable of the research. The dependent variable is organizational commitment, which belongs to the three component model by Meyer and Allen. These models each contain an instrument which was used on a sample of 120 non-supervisory employees. The independent variable used an instrument called the multifactor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) and the dependent used the organizational commitment questionnaire (OCQ). The data collected with these two questionnaires was then subjected to statistical scrutiny. A two-tailed Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to ascertain the strength and direction of the linear relationship, but most importantly to, at 95%-99% confidence, ascertain the statistical significance of the relationships. The findings of the study reflected no statistically significant relationships between transactional leadership and all of the three components of organizational commitment. The two components; affective and normative commitment, both reported a significant relationship with laissez-faire, whilst continuance commitment reflected insignificance. A positive significant relationship between transformational leadership and affective commitment was evident. This leadership style demonstrated no statistically significant relationship between it and continuance and normative commitment. The combined findings suggested that transactional leadership style of supervisors is somewhat unrelated to the subordinate’s need, desire and or sense of obligation to remain employed. A more transformational style of leadership appears to inspire a desire to sustain employment and affectively commit to the organization, whilst this style bears no relation to the need and sense of moral obligation of the subordinate to maintain employment. Laissez-faire reported a weak insignificant negative relationship with continuance commitment. The result suggests the independence of the subordinates’ need to maintain employment to the lack of leadership presence of the supervision. The significant relationship between laissez-faire and normative commitment may be accepted as indicative of how the absence of leadership is related to the employee’s recognition of no developmental intentions demonstrated by the supervisor. Although weak, the relationship between laissez-faire and affective commitment entails that the more prevalent the non-leadership (absence of leadership) style of the supervisor, the less desire do subordinates demonstrate to remain employed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Khoali, Bafokeng Ngcobile
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:870 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021315
- Description: Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is situated in the South African deep water harbour of KwaZulu- Natal. The company provides coal mining organizations a strategic logistics link to international coal markets by enabling the use of a coal exporting facility. RBCT recognizes that its lifeblood is the human capital it retains and that achieving a competitive edge equitably and fairly through its people is a priority (du Preez, 2012). In the modern organization operating in an environment of uncertainty and constant change, employee’s commitment to the organization can be a critical determinant of its success or failure in anchoring a competitive advantage (Ulrich, 1998). The current study explored a relationship between the full range leadership styles of supervisors and the organizational commitment of the subordinates to the organization. The literature reviewed in the study includes two models; the first model is by Bass and Avolio and is referred to as the full range leadership model (FRL). This is the independent variable of the research. The dependent variable is organizational commitment, which belongs to the three component model by Meyer and Allen. These models each contain an instrument which was used on a sample of 120 non-supervisory employees. The independent variable used an instrument called the multifactor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) and the dependent used the organizational commitment questionnaire (OCQ). The data collected with these two questionnaires was then subjected to statistical scrutiny. A two-tailed Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to ascertain the strength and direction of the linear relationship, but most importantly to, at 95%-99% confidence, ascertain the statistical significance of the relationships. The findings of the study reflected no statistically significant relationships between transactional leadership and all of the three components of organizational commitment. The two components; affective and normative commitment, both reported a significant relationship with laissez-faire, whilst continuance commitment reflected insignificance. A positive significant relationship between transformational leadership and affective commitment was evident. This leadership style demonstrated no statistically significant relationship between it and continuance and normative commitment. The combined findings suggested that transactional leadership style of supervisors is somewhat unrelated to the subordinate’s need, desire and or sense of obligation to remain employed. A more transformational style of leadership appears to inspire a desire to sustain employment and affectively commit to the organization, whilst this style bears no relation to the need and sense of moral obligation of the subordinate to maintain employment. Laissez-faire reported a weak insignificant negative relationship with continuance commitment. The result suggests the independence of the subordinates’ need to maintain employment to the lack of leadership presence of the supervision. The significant relationship between laissez-faire and normative commitment may be accepted as indicative of how the absence of leadership is related to the employee’s recognition of no developmental intentions demonstrated by the supervisor. Although weak, the relationship between laissez-faire and affective commitment entails that the more prevalent the non-leadership (absence of leadership) style of the supervisor, the less desire do subordinates demonstrate to remain employed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
In silico analysis of the effects of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms on the human macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene and their possible role in human African trypanosomiasis susceptibility
- Authors: Kimuda, Magambo Philip
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3047 , vital:20355
- Description: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 10,000 cases being reported per year. The Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) which is encoded by a functionally polymorphic gene is important in both innate andadaptive immune responses, and has been implicated in affecting the outcome and processes of several inflammatory conditions. A recent study in mice to that effect showed that MIF deficient and anti-MIF antibody treated mice showed lowered inflammatory responses, liver damage and anaemia than the wild type mice when experimentally challenged with Trypanosomes. These findings could mean that the transcript levels and/or polymorphisms in this gene can possibly affect individual risk to trypanosomiasis. This is especially of interest because there have been reports of spontaneous recovery i.e self-cure/resistance in some HAT cases in West Africa. Prior to this discovery the general paradigm was that trypanosomiasis is fatal if left untreated. The aim of this study was to gain insights into how human genetic variation in forms of nonsynonymous SNPs affects the MIF structure and function and possibly HAT susceptibility. NsSNPs in the mif gene were obtained from dbSNP. Through homology modeling, SNP prediction tools, protein interface analysis, alanine scanning, changes in free energy of folding, protein interactions calculator (PIC), and molecular dynamics simulations, SNP effects on the protein structure and function were studied. The study cohort comprised of human genome sequence data from 50 North Western Uganda Lugbara endemic individuals of whom 20 were cases (previous HAT patients) and 30 were controls (HAT free individuals). None of the 26 nsSNPs retrieved from dbSNP (July 2015) were present in the mif gene region in the study cohort. Out of the eight variants called in the mif coding region there was only one missense variant rs36065127 whose clinical significance is unknown. It was not possible to test for association of this variant with HAT due to its low global MAF that was less than 0.05. Alanine scanning provided a fast and computationally cheap means of quickly assessing nsSNPs of importance. NsSNPs that were interface residues were more likely to be hotspots (important in protein stability). Assessment of possible compensatory mutations using PIC analysis showed that some nsSNP sites were interacting with others, but this requires further experimentation. Analysis of changes in free energy using FOLDX was not enough to predict which nsSNPs would adversely affect protein structure, function and kinetics. The MD simulations were unfortunately too short to glean any meaningful inferences. This was the first genetic study carried out on the people of Lugbara ethnicity from North Western Uganda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kimuda, Magambo Philip
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3047 , vital:20355
- Description: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 10,000 cases being reported per year. The Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) which is encoded by a functionally polymorphic gene is important in both innate andadaptive immune responses, and has been implicated in affecting the outcome and processes of several inflammatory conditions. A recent study in mice to that effect showed that MIF deficient and anti-MIF antibody treated mice showed lowered inflammatory responses, liver damage and anaemia than the wild type mice when experimentally challenged with Trypanosomes. These findings could mean that the transcript levels and/or polymorphisms in this gene can possibly affect individual risk to trypanosomiasis. This is especially of interest because there have been reports of spontaneous recovery i.e self-cure/resistance in some HAT cases in West Africa. Prior to this discovery the general paradigm was that trypanosomiasis is fatal if left untreated. The aim of this study was to gain insights into how human genetic variation in forms of nonsynonymous SNPs affects the MIF structure and function and possibly HAT susceptibility. NsSNPs in the mif gene were obtained from dbSNP. Through homology modeling, SNP prediction tools, protein interface analysis, alanine scanning, changes in free energy of folding, protein interactions calculator (PIC), and molecular dynamics simulations, SNP effects on the protein structure and function were studied. The study cohort comprised of human genome sequence data from 50 North Western Uganda Lugbara endemic individuals of whom 20 were cases (previous HAT patients) and 30 were controls (HAT free individuals). None of the 26 nsSNPs retrieved from dbSNP (July 2015) were present in the mif gene region in the study cohort. Out of the eight variants called in the mif coding region there was only one missense variant rs36065127 whose clinical significance is unknown. It was not possible to test for association of this variant with HAT due to its low global MAF that was less than 0.05. Alanine scanning provided a fast and computationally cheap means of quickly assessing nsSNPs of importance. NsSNPs that were interface residues were more likely to be hotspots (important in protein stability). Assessment of possible compensatory mutations using PIC analysis showed that some nsSNP sites were interacting with others, but this requires further experimentation. Analysis of changes in free energy using FOLDX was not enough to predict which nsSNPs would adversely affect protein structure, function and kinetics. The MD simulations were unfortunately too short to glean any meaningful inferences. This was the first genetic study carried out on the people of Lugbara ethnicity from North Western Uganda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A critical analysis of the relationship between the South African Defence Force and the South African media from 1975-83
- Authors: Kirsten, Frederik Fouche
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa -- South African Defence Force , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Freedom of information -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020841
- Description: The main focus of this thesis is to show the nature of the relationship between the South African Defence Force and the local media from 1975-83. The thesis will analyse issues specifically relating to the nature of the relationship and show how and why they are relevant to understanding the authoritarianism of the apartheid state. The nature of the relationship will be conceptualised by way of the analogy of a marriage. The thesis will show that for the SADF the relationship was “a marriage of convenience” whereas for the media it was a “marriage of necessity”. This relationship operated within the context of a highly militarised society that has been termed a “Garrison State”. The apartheid government introduced legislation governing reporting of defence matters and the media (namely the South African Defence Act 1957 including amendments made up until 1980) that imposed legal constraints within which defence correspondents had to operate. Moreover, the MID’s secret monitoring of the local media reveals the extent to which the military distrusted the media. A sampling of the coverage of defence matters in a selection of newspapers will reveal how their editorial staffs and reporters operated in a situation where the flow of information was controlled by the military. This will also show that certain defence correspondents cultivated close relations with SADF personnel to ensure that they were kept informed. The thesis will also show how the SADF reacted to the international media exposure of Operation Savannah and Operation Reindeer and how the SADF sought to limit the damage to its reputation by clamping down on the local media. The creation of two media commissions both headed by Justice MT Steyn, set out to investigate the manner in which local media reported on security issues in an environment in which the media and the public were confronted by the “Total Strategy” discourse of the apartheid government. The working relationship between the SADF and the media encapsulated in the thesis can be described as highly complex and the use of the “marriage” analogy assists in understanding this relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kirsten, Frederik Fouche
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa -- South African Defence Force , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Freedom of information -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020841
- Description: The main focus of this thesis is to show the nature of the relationship between the South African Defence Force and the local media from 1975-83. The thesis will analyse issues specifically relating to the nature of the relationship and show how and why they are relevant to understanding the authoritarianism of the apartheid state. The nature of the relationship will be conceptualised by way of the analogy of a marriage. The thesis will show that for the SADF the relationship was “a marriage of convenience” whereas for the media it was a “marriage of necessity”. This relationship operated within the context of a highly militarised society that has been termed a “Garrison State”. The apartheid government introduced legislation governing reporting of defence matters and the media (namely the South African Defence Act 1957 including amendments made up until 1980) that imposed legal constraints within which defence correspondents had to operate. Moreover, the MID’s secret monitoring of the local media reveals the extent to which the military distrusted the media. A sampling of the coverage of defence matters in a selection of newspapers will reveal how their editorial staffs and reporters operated in a situation where the flow of information was controlled by the military. This will also show that certain defence correspondents cultivated close relations with SADF personnel to ensure that they were kept informed. The thesis will also show how the SADF reacted to the international media exposure of Operation Savannah and Operation Reindeer and how the SADF sought to limit the damage to its reputation by clamping down on the local media. The creation of two media commissions both headed by Justice MT Steyn, set out to investigate the manner in which local media reported on security issues in an environment in which the media and the public were confronted by the “Total Strategy” discourse of the apartheid government. The working relationship between the SADF and the media encapsulated in the thesis can be described as highly complex and the use of the “marriage” analogy assists in understanding this relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Effects of the biocontrol agent, coelocephalapion camarae kissinger, galling on petiole tissues, plant growth and stored reserves in plant parts of two lantana camara L.(verbenaceae) varieties
- Authors: Kistensamy, Yoganambal
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3126 , vital:20372
- Description: The agent evaluated in this study, Coelocephalapion camarae Kissinger (Brentidae), a petiole galling apionid, was released against Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa and has the potential to significantly contribute to the control of this noxious weed. An important aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of a biocontrol agent; include the understanding of the mechanism in which the biocontrol agent causes damage to the plant and the plant’s response to this damage. Another aspect that was considered in evaluating the effects of the apionid was the varietal differences that exist within the weedy L. camara complex. Larval feeding of C. camarae damaged the tissue in the petioles causing gall formation and this was quantified on two common South African L. camara varieties (017 and 018). Up to 100% of the vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) of effected petioles was eaten by larvae, 25 days after ovipostion in both the L. camara varieties, effectively severing the vascular connection from the leaves. The effect of feeding and galling by different population densities of C. camarae, on biomass and total soluble sugar and starch concentrations of different plant parts was measured on these two varieties during autumn, and compared to a similar study, done during summer. Relatively low galling percentages were achieved in the experiments of this study. Plant growth was less affected by apionid feeding at similar galling levels, as higher galling densities in these trials were similar to those at low exposures in trials by Baars (2002). The dry weights of all individual and combined plant parts for lantana variety 017 was less for both adult density exposures after 70 days compared to the weights of its controls, although not statistically significant at P>0.05 The opposite effect, though barely noticeable was recorded for lantana variety 018; here, the dry weights of individual plant parts and as whole plants weighed more in the plants exposed to both densities of weevil feeding and galling after 70 days, compared to its controls. Coelocephalapion camarae herbivory may thus be more effective in inflicting damage on some L. camara varieties compared to others. The effects of late season carbohydrate storage revealed that, from early- to mid-autumn starch concentrations increased significantly in stems of both L. camara varieties and L. camara var. 018 had larger starch reserves for winter. In L. camara var. 018 stems, starch increased 52 times and concentrations doubled in stems of L. camara var 017. The increase in the sugar and decrease in starch concentrations in leaves of plants of both varieties exposed to apionids in this study was attributed to a possible reduction of available nitrogen and phosphorus, due to apionid feeding, whilst starch was reallocated within the plants to stems and roots. The increase in starch concentrations in stems of plants that were exposed to apionids may have been expected, as compensation for herbivory has been associated with, increases in photosynthetic rates and the mobilization of stored resources. Herbivory by the apionid early in the growing season may be easily compensated for by L. camara as there are nutrient flushes experienced by plants that allows the maximum uptake of nutrients facilitating recovery, whereas later in the season plants suffer lower nutrient availability and don’t recover so readily. Both early and late in the season the accumulated effects of C. camarae feeding over time will undoubtedly decrease fitness of most lantana varieties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kistensamy, Yoganambal
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3126 , vital:20372
- Description: The agent evaluated in this study, Coelocephalapion camarae Kissinger (Brentidae), a petiole galling apionid, was released against Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa and has the potential to significantly contribute to the control of this noxious weed. An important aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of a biocontrol agent; include the understanding of the mechanism in which the biocontrol agent causes damage to the plant and the plant’s response to this damage. Another aspect that was considered in evaluating the effects of the apionid was the varietal differences that exist within the weedy L. camara complex. Larval feeding of C. camarae damaged the tissue in the petioles causing gall formation and this was quantified on two common South African L. camara varieties (017 and 018). Up to 100% of the vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) of effected petioles was eaten by larvae, 25 days after ovipostion in both the L. camara varieties, effectively severing the vascular connection from the leaves. The effect of feeding and galling by different population densities of C. camarae, on biomass and total soluble sugar and starch concentrations of different plant parts was measured on these two varieties during autumn, and compared to a similar study, done during summer. Relatively low galling percentages were achieved in the experiments of this study. Plant growth was less affected by apionid feeding at similar galling levels, as higher galling densities in these trials were similar to those at low exposures in trials by Baars (2002). The dry weights of all individual and combined plant parts for lantana variety 017 was less for both adult density exposures after 70 days compared to the weights of its controls, although not statistically significant at P>0.05 The opposite effect, though barely noticeable was recorded for lantana variety 018; here, the dry weights of individual plant parts and as whole plants weighed more in the plants exposed to both densities of weevil feeding and galling after 70 days, compared to its controls. Coelocephalapion camarae herbivory may thus be more effective in inflicting damage on some L. camara varieties compared to others. The effects of late season carbohydrate storage revealed that, from early- to mid-autumn starch concentrations increased significantly in stems of both L. camara varieties and L. camara var. 018 had larger starch reserves for winter. In L. camara var. 018 stems, starch increased 52 times and concentrations doubled in stems of L. camara var 017. The increase in the sugar and decrease in starch concentrations in leaves of plants of both varieties exposed to apionids in this study was attributed to a possible reduction of available nitrogen and phosphorus, due to apionid feeding, whilst starch was reallocated within the plants to stems and roots. The increase in starch concentrations in stems of plants that were exposed to apionids may have been expected, as compensation for herbivory has been associated with, increases in photosynthetic rates and the mobilization of stored resources. Herbivory by the apionid early in the growing season may be easily compensated for by L. camara as there are nutrient flushes experienced by plants that allows the maximum uptake of nutrients facilitating recovery, whereas later in the season plants suffer lower nutrient availability and don’t recover so readily. Both early and late in the season the accumulated effects of C. camarae feeding over time will undoubtedly decrease fitness of most lantana varieties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in an indigenous forest in the Keiskammahoek Forest Estate, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kiva, Luthando
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Forest ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forests and forestry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forest conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2743 , vital:28071
- Description: This study investigates environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in the Dontsa Forest Management Unit (FMU) of the Keiskammahoek Estate Forest which is located in the Amatole Mountains of the Eastern Cape in the Republic of South Africa. The patterns of forest edge movement were analysed to show trends of forest edge movement from 1975 to 1985, 1975 to 1992, 1975 to 2002, 1975 to 2014, 1985 to 1992, 1985 to 2002, 1985 to 2014, 1992 to 2002, 1992 to 2014 and 2002 to 2014 by digitizing and assessing the scale of forest edge movement using georeferenced aerial photographs. Belt transects were established in six sites that were selected on the basis of physiographic elements for determination of the driving forces of forest ecotonal changes. The results of the study show that the forest edge moved positive towards the grassland biome while in other sites there was contraction of the forest edge from 1975 to 2014. The findings of the study show that some forest patches moved with few individual pioneer species towards the grassland while indigenous species dominated in the ecotone area of the forest in other research sites. D whyteana, A latifolius, R melanophloes, A facultus, R prenoides, C aurea, C bispinosa, C inerme, and S martina are the plant species with high density in the forest ecotone while A latifolius, R prenoides, R melanophloes were highly distributed along the grassland area. The results also show that harvesting of Pinus patula and illegal harvesting of understory species are major factors that result in ecotonal changes of Dontsa FMU. The research sites adjacent to residential areas have experienced reduction of ecotone area as compared to the research sites in high altitude areas of the Amathole Mountains where there is less disturbance. The eastern facing aspect of the forest exhibited a high density of plants in the forest ecotone as compared to the west facing slope.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kiva, Luthando
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Forest ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forests and forestry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forest conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2743 , vital:28071
- Description: This study investigates environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in the Dontsa Forest Management Unit (FMU) of the Keiskammahoek Estate Forest which is located in the Amatole Mountains of the Eastern Cape in the Republic of South Africa. The patterns of forest edge movement were analysed to show trends of forest edge movement from 1975 to 1985, 1975 to 1992, 1975 to 2002, 1975 to 2014, 1985 to 1992, 1985 to 2002, 1985 to 2014, 1992 to 2002, 1992 to 2014 and 2002 to 2014 by digitizing and assessing the scale of forest edge movement using georeferenced aerial photographs. Belt transects were established in six sites that were selected on the basis of physiographic elements for determination of the driving forces of forest ecotonal changes. The results of the study show that the forest edge moved positive towards the grassland biome while in other sites there was contraction of the forest edge from 1975 to 2014. The findings of the study show that some forest patches moved with few individual pioneer species towards the grassland while indigenous species dominated in the ecotone area of the forest in other research sites. D whyteana, A latifolius, R melanophloes, A facultus, R prenoides, C aurea, C bispinosa, C inerme, and S martina are the plant species with high density in the forest ecotone while A latifolius, R prenoides, R melanophloes were highly distributed along the grassland area. The results also show that harvesting of Pinus patula and illegal harvesting of understory species are major factors that result in ecotonal changes of Dontsa FMU. The research sites adjacent to residential areas have experienced reduction of ecotone area as compared to the research sites in high altitude areas of the Amathole Mountains where there is less disturbance. The eastern facing aspect of the forest exhibited a high density of plants in the forest ecotone as compared to the west facing slope.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Local versus landscape effects of bush encroachment on plant available light, soil moisture, frost occurrence and herbaceous productivity and composition
- Authors: Klopper, Chrisna
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3137 , vital:20376
- Description: Bush encroachment is a global phenomenon and a pressing concern for South Africa rangelands. The expansion and increase in density of Vachellia karroo (hereafter referred to aAcacia karroo) has been documented in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. This increase in woody species in savannas is often at the expense of grass cover and thus is causing concern about how this will impact agriculture due to possible loss of grazing capacity. To understand the impacts of bush encroachment the effect of trees on their micro-climate and abiotic factors and in turn on the herbaceous layer needs to be examined. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of Acacia karroo encroachment on the light environment, soil moisture and frost occurrence in the sub-canopy and inter-canopy micro-habitats, and how these changes affected herbaceous player productivity and composition. Another question that is being addressed here is whether, and how, the local tree effects scale up in the landscape and whether prediction can be made based on the effects of individual trees. The study was undertaken on a farm, Endwell, in the Smaldeel, Eastern Cape. At the study site, a semi-arid savanna, Acacia karroo has been encroaching since the 1980’s. The study was conducted at three scales: landscape, stand-wide and local scale. The landscape scale was represented by four areas with 0, 21, 45 and 72% tree canopy cover, the stand-wide scale consisted of transects with varying percentages of tree canopy cover within each of the four levels of encroachment. The local scale was represented by the sub-canopy and inter-canopy environment to test the effect of trees. At the local scale plant available light and soil moisture were lower in the sub-canopy than intercanopy regions, with leaf area index being higher in the sub-canopy. This local negative effect of the tree canopy on light and soil moisture in the sub-canopy did not scale up predictably in the landscape. At the stand-wide scale light in the inter-canopy was reduced as shading increased. Frost was excluded from under the canopies and frost incidence decreased at higher tree cover. Grass productivity was reduced in the sub-canopy, possibly due to lower light and soil moisture. Overall biomass increased from the low to medium level of encroachment but lowest at the high level of encroachment. Grass composition and cover was only slightly affected by tree canopies cover and C4 grass species were still present in the sub-canopy and at lower light environments. At the levels of Acacia karroo encroachment encountered at this study site, it seems unlikely that palatable or desirable C4 would be excluded from the system and that a shift from C4 to shade-tolerant species would occur. This is due to tree canopies at the site not reducing light to such anextent that they would outcompete grasses, and likely the very low grazing pressure at thesesites. Herbaceous biomass at these sites were still sufficient to carry a fire in the inter-canopyregion and sufficient grazing for herbivores. In the sub-canopy region fires will be excluded thus with higher the portion of sub-canopy areas increasing at the high levels of encroachment they may interrupt fire spread. Thus it was concluded that Acacia karroo encroachment up to 45% tree cover is currently not creating negative feedback on herbivory, but low stocking rates appear to be key to maintain this.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Klopper, Chrisna
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3137 , vital:20376
- Description: Bush encroachment is a global phenomenon and a pressing concern for South Africa rangelands. The expansion and increase in density of Vachellia karroo (hereafter referred to aAcacia karroo) has been documented in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. This increase in woody species in savannas is often at the expense of grass cover and thus is causing concern about how this will impact agriculture due to possible loss of grazing capacity. To understand the impacts of bush encroachment the effect of trees on their micro-climate and abiotic factors and in turn on the herbaceous layer needs to be examined. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of Acacia karroo encroachment on the light environment, soil moisture and frost occurrence in the sub-canopy and inter-canopy micro-habitats, and how these changes affected herbaceous player productivity and composition. Another question that is being addressed here is whether, and how, the local tree effects scale up in the landscape and whether prediction can be made based on the effects of individual trees. The study was undertaken on a farm, Endwell, in the Smaldeel, Eastern Cape. At the study site, a semi-arid savanna, Acacia karroo has been encroaching since the 1980’s. The study was conducted at three scales: landscape, stand-wide and local scale. The landscape scale was represented by four areas with 0, 21, 45 and 72% tree canopy cover, the stand-wide scale consisted of transects with varying percentages of tree canopy cover within each of the four levels of encroachment. The local scale was represented by the sub-canopy and inter-canopy environment to test the effect of trees. At the local scale plant available light and soil moisture were lower in the sub-canopy than intercanopy regions, with leaf area index being higher in the sub-canopy. This local negative effect of the tree canopy on light and soil moisture in the sub-canopy did not scale up predictably in the landscape. At the stand-wide scale light in the inter-canopy was reduced as shading increased. Frost was excluded from under the canopies and frost incidence decreased at higher tree cover. Grass productivity was reduced in the sub-canopy, possibly due to lower light and soil moisture. Overall biomass increased from the low to medium level of encroachment but lowest at the high level of encroachment. Grass composition and cover was only slightly affected by tree canopies cover and C4 grass species were still present in the sub-canopy and at lower light environments. At the levels of Acacia karroo encroachment encountered at this study site, it seems unlikely that palatable or desirable C4 would be excluded from the system and that a shift from C4 to shade-tolerant species would occur. This is due to tree canopies at the site not reducing light to such anextent that they would outcompete grasses, and likely the very low grazing pressure at thesesites. Herbaceous biomass at these sites were still sufficient to carry a fire in the inter-canopyregion and sufficient grazing for herbivores. In the sub-canopy region fires will be excluded thus with higher the portion of sub-canopy areas increasing at the high levels of encroachment they may interrupt fire spread. Thus it was concluded that Acacia karroo encroachment up to 45% tree cover is currently not creating negative feedback on herbivory, but low stocking rates appear to be key to maintain this.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Statutory interventions of social workers in the Amathole District
- Authors: Kobese, Nozodwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Child welfare workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child welfare -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8498 , vital:26371
- Description: The issues about child protection have become a global concern. With the increase in cases of child abuse, neglect and mal-treatment, this study sought to address such issues in the South African context. The government through the Department of Social Development introduced various statutory requirements to ensure the protection of vulnerable children in South Africa. Through the use of a qualitative approach, this study investigated the duties of social workers working within statutory interventions to ensure the safety of abused and neglected children in two distinct areas in Amathole District, Eastern Cape. Semi-structured interviews from the study indicated that, social workers play major roles to ensure that vulnerable children are catered for. Their duties which are guided by law have seen so many abused children being removed from their place of abuse to better places of safety. However, despite the vigorous work done by social workers, statutory interventions still faces many challenges which make them ineffective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kobese, Nozodwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Child welfare workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child welfare -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8498 , vital:26371
- Description: The issues about child protection have become a global concern. With the increase in cases of child abuse, neglect and mal-treatment, this study sought to address such issues in the South African context. The government through the Department of Social Development introduced various statutory requirements to ensure the protection of vulnerable children in South Africa. Through the use of a qualitative approach, this study investigated the duties of social workers working within statutory interventions to ensure the safety of abused and neglected children in two distinct areas in Amathole District, Eastern Cape. Semi-structured interviews from the study indicated that, social workers play major roles to ensure that vulnerable children are catered for. Their duties which are guided by law have seen so many abused children being removed from their place of abuse to better places of safety. However, despite the vigorous work done by social workers, statutory interventions still faces many challenges which make them ineffective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Preparing for life after rugby
- Authors: Koch, Wilhelm
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Retirement -- Planning Rugby football players -- Retirement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21537 , vital:29535
- Description: The inception of rugby as a workforce in 1995 created a range of new issues surrounding sport as a vocation. With professional rugby often wearing the glamorous coat of fame and fortune, young athletes sacrifice education and learning additional life-skills in pursuit of well-paid contracts and glitzy lifestyles unaware of the realities rugby as a profession holds. One such reality is the relatively short lifespan of a professional rugby career and the fact that transition to a whole new career is firstly inevitable and secondly a very challenging process. Traditional retirement has been associated with the end of a long working career, making comprehensive lifestyle- and financial planning part of the preparation process. This process helps the retiree anticipate and understand the expected demands of life beyond a working career. In rugby however, the retirement experience of a player can be extremely difficult to cope with, especially if the player is not adequately prepared or has not planned for such an event. This leaves players vulnerable for the imminent new phase of life and often leads to physiological - and other challenges players are not able to withstand in a world outside sport (Price, 2007). The aim of this study is to identify the different aspects that influence a professional rugby player’s retirement – and transition experience into a new profession. The researcher believes that an increased understanding of how current and retired professional rugby players perceive/experienced the retirement process would assist current players to better plan and prepare for this phase of life. This ultimately would reduce the anxiety and uncertainty for life after rugby. If players are more relaxed and stress-free about their future, more focus could also be placed on the here-and-now, leading to greater performance on the current field of play. The views of both current and retired professional rugby players were captured through questionnaires distributed all around South Africa. The researcher utilised a mixed mode paradigm of both positivistic and interpretive research methods. This approach enabled him to best compare the views of the two groups and test the developed theories and hypothesis. Ultimately, the research revealed that the presence of the following variables will have a positive influence on a player’s retirement and transition experience: A) Leadership, advice and planning for retirement B) Tertiary education and additional work skills C) Popularity amongst fans and other influential people D) Sufficient wealth and E) A self-selected retirement. With these findings the researcher will develop some specific guidelines for current professional rugby players to help them firstly better prepare for their life beyond sport and secondly successfully switch to a new career. A few valuable recommendations were also made to other stakeholders to better assist and support players in their preparation and transition process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Koch, Wilhelm
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Retirement -- Planning Rugby football players -- Retirement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21537 , vital:29535
- Description: The inception of rugby as a workforce in 1995 created a range of new issues surrounding sport as a vocation. With professional rugby often wearing the glamorous coat of fame and fortune, young athletes sacrifice education and learning additional life-skills in pursuit of well-paid contracts and glitzy lifestyles unaware of the realities rugby as a profession holds. One such reality is the relatively short lifespan of a professional rugby career and the fact that transition to a whole new career is firstly inevitable and secondly a very challenging process. Traditional retirement has been associated with the end of a long working career, making comprehensive lifestyle- and financial planning part of the preparation process. This process helps the retiree anticipate and understand the expected demands of life beyond a working career. In rugby however, the retirement experience of a player can be extremely difficult to cope with, especially if the player is not adequately prepared or has not planned for such an event. This leaves players vulnerable for the imminent new phase of life and often leads to physiological - and other challenges players are not able to withstand in a world outside sport (Price, 2007). The aim of this study is to identify the different aspects that influence a professional rugby player’s retirement – and transition experience into a new profession. The researcher believes that an increased understanding of how current and retired professional rugby players perceive/experienced the retirement process would assist current players to better plan and prepare for this phase of life. This ultimately would reduce the anxiety and uncertainty for life after rugby. If players are more relaxed and stress-free about their future, more focus could also be placed on the here-and-now, leading to greater performance on the current field of play. The views of both current and retired professional rugby players were captured through questionnaires distributed all around South Africa. The researcher utilised a mixed mode paradigm of both positivistic and interpretive research methods. This approach enabled him to best compare the views of the two groups and test the developed theories and hypothesis. Ultimately, the research revealed that the presence of the following variables will have a positive influence on a player’s retirement and transition experience: A) Leadership, advice and planning for retirement B) Tertiary education and additional work skills C) Popularity amongst fans and other influential people D) Sufficient wealth and E) A self-selected retirement. With these findings the researcher will develop some specific guidelines for current professional rugby players to help them firstly better prepare for their life beyond sport and secondly successfully switch to a new career. A few valuable recommendations were also made to other stakeholders to better assist and support players in their preparation and transition process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The effectiveness of research management at a selected higher education institution
- Authors: Koeberg, Algene Maria
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Research -- Management Education, Higher -- Research , Research institutes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47959 , vital:40456
- Description: Due to the importance of research in creating sustainability of knowledge, active research management has become a highly strategic function within progressive universities. The practice of research management and administration (RMA) in higher education and elsewhere has developed considerably over the last ten to fifteen years to become an activity that encompasses significant elements of institutional strategy, policy, governance, profile, finance, people management, postgraduate research, assessment, systems, and so on.The objective of the study was to improve research administration at the selected Higher Education Institution by investigating the role of strategic planning or an institutional research plan in the university‟s research portfolio and how effective and efficient it is in terms of research administration and service delivery to staff and students. A detailed literature review was conducted on the research trends in South Africa and globally, as well as on research management in higher education. A qualitative approach was used as the most appropriate research methodology for this study.In a selected South African university, the study investigated whether an Institutional Research Plan exists within its Research Office and whether the latter is effective and efficient with regards to research administration. A questionnaire was developed to survey the directors of the NMMU Research Office. Another questionnaire was developed to survey the postgraduate students‟ and staff members‟ perceptions about the quality of services that they received from the Research Office. The results were analysed and, based on the findings, recommendations were made for further research.The empirical results show that the selected higher education institution has an Institutional Research Plan located in the institution‟s Strategic Plan. Students and staff members surveyed in the study are largely satisfied with the services they received. The study also revealed factors that negatively impact the research office in this university, namely funding constraints due to historical political views about the institution; inadequate support from other support services within institutions; and uncompetitive salaries to attract and retain strong research academics. The study provides insights into the research function of the selected university and makes recommendations on how this function could be improved in other similar institutions. In this way, the study attempts to contribute to the body of knowledge on research management at higher education institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Koeberg, Algene Maria
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Research -- Management Education, Higher -- Research , Research institutes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47959 , vital:40456
- Description: Due to the importance of research in creating sustainability of knowledge, active research management has become a highly strategic function within progressive universities. The practice of research management and administration (RMA) in higher education and elsewhere has developed considerably over the last ten to fifteen years to become an activity that encompasses significant elements of institutional strategy, policy, governance, profile, finance, people management, postgraduate research, assessment, systems, and so on.The objective of the study was to improve research administration at the selected Higher Education Institution by investigating the role of strategic planning or an institutional research plan in the university‟s research portfolio and how effective and efficient it is in terms of research administration and service delivery to staff and students. A detailed literature review was conducted on the research trends in South Africa and globally, as well as on research management in higher education. A qualitative approach was used as the most appropriate research methodology for this study.In a selected South African university, the study investigated whether an Institutional Research Plan exists within its Research Office and whether the latter is effective and efficient with regards to research administration. A questionnaire was developed to survey the directors of the NMMU Research Office. Another questionnaire was developed to survey the postgraduate students‟ and staff members‟ perceptions about the quality of services that they received from the Research Office. The results were analysed and, based on the findings, recommendations were made for further research.The empirical results show that the selected higher education institution has an Institutional Research Plan located in the institution‟s Strategic Plan. Students and staff members surveyed in the study are largely satisfied with the services they received. The study also revealed factors that negatively impact the research office in this university, namely funding constraints due to historical political views about the institution; inadequate support from other support services within institutions; and uncompetitive salaries to attract and retain strong research academics. The study provides insights into the research function of the selected university and makes recommendations on how this function could be improved in other similar institutions. In this way, the study attempts to contribute to the body of knowledge on research management at higher education institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Gradient high performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis of efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir
- Authors: Koekemoer, Sonya Mariana
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54679 , vital:26599
- Description: In 2014, approximately 6.8 million people in South Africa were HIV-positive, and the majority of those affected are aged 15 or older. A fixed-dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral (ARV) dosage form containing one non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (efavirenz) and two nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (emtricitabine and tenofovir) was licensed in South Africa in April 2013. New consolidated guidelines for HIV management and prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) were published by the South African Department of Health in December 2014 and the FDC is now the recommended first-line treatment for HIV-positive patients. According to these guidelines all such people aged 15 and older, and weighing more than 40 kg, with a CD4 count of ≤ 500/ μl will be eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) using the FDC. In addition every pregnant and breastfeeding woman is eligible for lifelong ART regardless of CD4 count and EFV can be used as first-line treatment for pregnant women regardless of the length of gestation state of the pregnancy at that time. The use of this simplified regime is likely to promote much needed and improved adherence to therapy. An investigation into the development of a stability-indicating reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the simultaneous quantitation of EFV, FTC and TNF was undertaken. Isocratic HPLC analysis was found to be unsuitable due to the highly polar FTC molecule eluting in the void. Therefore a gradient HPLC method was developed and validated. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonisation, now known as International Council for Harmonization (ICH). Correlation coefficients > 0.999 were obtained for each assessment of linearity and FTC, TNF and EFV are linear in the range 0.4-40 μg/ml, 0.6-60 μg/ml and 1.2-120 μg/ml. The equation of the best-fit least squares regression lines for FTC, TNF and EFV were y = 0.0191x+0.0007, y = 0.0163x+0.0116 and y = 0.01x+0.016, respectively. The method is accurate as the y-intercept was < 2% of the detector response for all ARV, and the method is precise in terms of intra- and inter-assay precision as all % RSD < 2%. The stability-indicating nature of the method was demonstrated under acidic, alkaline and oxidative stress in addition to UV exposure and elevated temperatures, and the individual chromatograms were overlaid using Empower® 3 Software to establish whether there was interference with the peaks of interest. The forced degradation studies demonstrated the selectivity of the method for the ARV compounds. The method was applied to assay and in vitro dissolution studies of commercially available tablets. The amount of each active ingredient released from Atripla® was determined and compared to the amount of each drug released from Aspen Efavirenz® and Truvada® (a combination of FTC and TNF). The percent FTC released from Atripla® and Truvada® was similar based on the acceptance criteria for immediate-release BCS class 1 compounds. Statistical analysis was undertaken to compare the dissolution profiles of FTC, TNF and EFV. The percent of these compounds released in these studies indicate that bioequivalence testing would be required to declare these products interchangeable. The validated RP-HPLC and in vitro dissolution test method are suitable for routine quality control testing of solid oral dosage forms containing EFV, FTC and TNF, and as the dissolution method can discriminate between different formulations of the same molecule, these tools can also be used for analysis during formulation development studies. The method is not suitable for the analysis of the ARV plasma due to lack of sensitivity and an inability to quantitate the compounds at the required concentration levels. The use of HPLC with mass spectroscopy for quantitation would enhance the sensitivity of the method and may eliminate the quantitation of the molecules in the presence of interference that was observed when using UV detection. Fixed dose combination tablets are convenient for patient therapy and it is likely that in the future more molecules will be formulated into such dosage forms. However formulations such as these can pose significant difficulties when developing and using analytical methods for the quantitation of all compounds in the dosage form at the same time, in particular when the compounds have vastly different physico-chemical properties that impact the quality of a separation and therefore the analysis. Therefore when embarking on the development of FDC product cognisance of the difficulties of developing single methods for the analyses is required and approaches to overcome these difficulties should be considered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Koekemoer, Sonya Mariana
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54679 , vital:26599
- Description: In 2014, approximately 6.8 million people in South Africa were HIV-positive, and the majority of those affected are aged 15 or older. A fixed-dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral (ARV) dosage form containing one non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (efavirenz) and two nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (emtricitabine and tenofovir) was licensed in South Africa in April 2013. New consolidated guidelines for HIV management and prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) were published by the South African Department of Health in December 2014 and the FDC is now the recommended first-line treatment for HIV-positive patients. According to these guidelines all such people aged 15 and older, and weighing more than 40 kg, with a CD4 count of ≤ 500/ μl will be eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) using the FDC. In addition every pregnant and breastfeeding woman is eligible for lifelong ART regardless of CD4 count and EFV can be used as first-line treatment for pregnant women regardless of the length of gestation state of the pregnancy at that time. The use of this simplified regime is likely to promote much needed and improved adherence to therapy. An investigation into the development of a stability-indicating reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the simultaneous quantitation of EFV, FTC and TNF was undertaken. Isocratic HPLC analysis was found to be unsuitable due to the highly polar FTC molecule eluting in the void. Therefore a gradient HPLC method was developed and validated. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonisation, now known as International Council for Harmonization (ICH). Correlation coefficients > 0.999 were obtained for each assessment of linearity and FTC, TNF and EFV are linear in the range 0.4-40 μg/ml, 0.6-60 μg/ml and 1.2-120 μg/ml. The equation of the best-fit least squares regression lines for FTC, TNF and EFV were y = 0.0191x+0.0007, y = 0.0163x+0.0116 and y = 0.01x+0.016, respectively. The method is accurate as the y-intercept was < 2% of the detector response for all ARV, and the method is precise in terms of intra- and inter-assay precision as all % RSD < 2%. The stability-indicating nature of the method was demonstrated under acidic, alkaline and oxidative stress in addition to UV exposure and elevated temperatures, and the individual chromatograms were overlaid using Empower® 3 Software to establish whether there was interference with the peaks of interest. The forced degradation studies demonstrated the selectivity of the method for the ARV compounds. The method was applied to assay and in vitro dissolution studies of commercially available tablets. The amount of each active ingredient released from Atripla® was determined and compared to the amount of each drug released from Aspen Efavirenz® and Truvada® (a combination of FTC and TNF). The percent FTC released from Atripla® and Truvada® was similar based on the acceptance criteria for immediate-release BCS class 1 compounds. Statistical analysis was undertaken to compare the dissolution profiles of FTC, TNF and EFV. The percent of these compounds released in these studies indicate that bioequivalence testing would be required to declare these products interchangeable. The validated RP-HPLC and in vitro dissolution test method are suitable for routine quality control testing of solid oral dosage forms containing EFV, FTC and TNF, and as the dissolution method can discriminate between different formulations of the same molecule, these tools can also be used for analysis during formulation development studies. The method is not suitable for the analysis of the ARV plasma due to lack of sensitivity and an inability to quantitate the compounds at the required concentration levels. The use of HPLC with mass spectroscopy for quantitation would enhance the sensitivity of the method and may eliminate the quantitation of the molecules in the presence of interference that was observed when using UV detection. Fixed dose combination tablets are convenient for patient therapy and it is likely that in the future more molecules will be formulated into such dosage forms. However formulations such as these can pose significant difficulties when developing and using analytical methods for the quantitation of all compounds in the dosage form at the same time, in particular when the compounds have vastly different physico-chemical properties that impact the quality of a separation and therefore the analysis. Therefore when embarking on the development of FDC product cognisance of the difficulties of developing single methods for the analyses is required and approaches to overcome these difficulties should be considered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers and their wild host plants in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa
- Authors: Kokwana, Bongiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Stem borers--South Africa Pests--South Africa Grain--Diseases--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Entomology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11729 , vital:39101
- Description: Lepidopteran stem borers are infamous among cereal crops and sugarcane growers because of their pests status in these crops. Lepidopteran stem borers often infest cereal crops such as maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). However, in natural habitats, the stem borers feed on a wide variety of wild host plants species in the Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Typhaceae families. Some wild host plants in close approximation of cultivated fields act as reservoirs for stem borers during the absence of cultivated crops. Understanding of the diversity of the stem borers, their host plants and their interactions was very important in development of management strategies for the stem borer populations. For an example, grasses such as Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) and Sudan grass(Sorghum vulgare var. Sudanense (Piper) Hitchc.) act as trap plants whereas other grasses such as Molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.) and legume silverleaf (Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC.) act as repellents to stem borer moths. In South Africa, studies on the diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers in wild habitats are limited. Previous studies concentrated on diversity, abundance, and distribution of stem borers and their natural enemies on cultivated crops because of the economic importance of cultivated crops. In view of the foregoing, this study was conducted to investigate the diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers and their host plants in wild habitats in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa and to generate mtDNA COI sequences of the stem borer species in natural habitats. These sequences can be accessed in databases and assist in identification of previously unknown stem borers in cultivated crops. Therefore this study contributes to development of monitoring and early identification tool of the stem borer movements between host plants assemblages. Surveys were conducted in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa during the rainy season of 2014 and 2015 in 38 localities to catalogue the diversity of lepidopteran stem borers in wild host plants. The sites visited belonged to five vegetation types: grassland, the Indian Ocean coastal belt, savanna, forest, and wetlands. A total of 237 lepidopteran stem borers was collected during study yielding 21 species that belonged to Noctuidae (Acrapex sp. 89, Acrapex sp. 90, Acrapex sp. 92, Acrapex sp., Acrapex minima, New genus NG11), Sesamia calamistis Hampson, Sesamia sp., Sesamia natalensis Le rü sp. nov., Sesamia nov sp. 4, Sesamia nov sp.36, Conicofrontia bipartita Hampson, Conicofrontia sesamoides Hampson, Conicofrontia diamensa Hampson, Pirateolea piscator Fletcher , Sciomesa mesophaea Aurivillius), Crambidae(Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Calamotropha paludella Hibner) Pyralidae (Phycitiinae sp. 1 and Phycitiinae sp. 2) and Tortricidae were recorded from 20 wild host plant species. Stem borer wild host plants species were Cymbopogon dieterlenii Stapf ex Schweick.,Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, Cymbopogon pospischilii (K. Schum.) C.E. Hubb., Digitaria macroglossa Henrad, Eriochloa meyeriana (Nees) Pilg.,Eriochloa fatmensis (Hochst. &Steud.) Clayton, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch., Miscanthus capensis (Nees) Andersson, Paspalum urvillei Steud., Panicum maximumJacq., Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud.,Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, Setaria homonyma (Steud.) Chiov.,Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf.,Cyperus divesDelile, Cyperu sdistans Pursh, Cyperus fastigiatus Rottb., Cyperus sexangularis Nees and Typha latifolia (L.).The diversity of stem borer species varied among vegetation types, host plants, and altitude. Morphological identification of specimens from these surveys indicated a high diversity of stem borer species in the Noctuidae family, followed by Pyralidae, Crambidae, and Tortricidae respectively. Of all the stem borers collected in the two provinces, noctuid species were most abundant in all vegetation types from low to high altitudes representing 62.45percent, whereas pyralids, crambids, and tortricids made up 26.58percent, 9.28percent, and 1.69percent respectively. The diversity and distribution of stem borers were affected by latitude. KwaZulu-Natal had higher latitudes ranging between -28.37717˚ and -31.07800˚ and had higher diversity, distribution and the of stem borers host plants, while Western Cape Province had lower diversity and distribution at latitudes ranging between -34.00280˚ and -34.05343˚. Morphological identification of stem borers was complemented with the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) to investigate evolutionary relationships between the stem borer species collected in this study. Of the 12 sequences searched from the databases and the Genebank only five sequences were identified to species level; UFH024 was identified as Sciomesa mesophaea, the other four were identified as Conicofrontia sesamoides, Conicofrontia bipartita; and the first ever record of Calamotropha paludella in South Africa and Pirateolea piscator. Five sequences; UFH026, UFH028, UFH029, UFH030, UFH032 were only identified to order.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kokwana, Bongiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Stem borers--South Africa Pests--South Africa Grain--Diseases--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Entomology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11729 , vital:39101
- Description: Lepidopteran stem borers are infamous among cereal crops and sugarcane growers because of their pests status in these crops. Lepidopteran stem borers often infest cereal crops such as maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). However, in natural habitats, the stem borers feed on a wide variety of wild host plants species in the Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Typhaceae families. Some wild host plants in close approximation of cultivated fields act as reservoirs for stem borers during the absence of cultivated crops. Understanding of the diversity of the stem borers, their host plants and their interactions was very important in development of management strategies for the stem borer populations. For an example, grasses such as Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) and Sudan grass(Sorghum vulgare var. Sudanense (Piper) Hitchc.) act as trap plants whereas other grasses such as Molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.) and legume silverleaf (Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC.) act as repellents to stem borer moths. In South Africa, studies on the diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers in wild habitats are limited. Previous studies concentrated on diversity, abundance, and distribution of stem borers and their natural enemies on cultivated crops because of the economic importance of cultivated crops. In view of the foregoing, this study was conducted to investigate the diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers and their host plants in wild habitats in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa and to generate mtDNA COI sequences of the stem borer species in natural habitats. These sequences can be accessed in databases and assist in identification of previously unknown stem borers in cultivated crops. Therefore this study contributes to development of monitoring and early identification tool of the stem borer movements between host plants assemblages. Surveys were conducted in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa during the rainy season of 2014 and 2015 in 38 localities to catalogue the diversity of lepidopteran stem borers in wild host plants. The sites visited belonged to five vegetation types: grassland, the Indian Ocean coastal belt, savanna, forest, and wetlands. A total of 237 lepidopteran stem borers was collected during study yielding 21 species that belonged to Noctuidae (Acrapex sp. 89, Acrapex sp. 90, Acrapex sp. 92, Acrapex sp., Acrapex minima, New genus NG11), Sesamia calamistis Hampson, Sesamia sp., Sesamia natalensis Le rü sp. nov., Sesamia nov sp. 4, Sesamia nov sp.36, Conicofrontia bipartita Hampson, Conicofrontia sesamoides Hampson, Conicofrontia diamensa Hampson, Pirateolea piscator Fletcher , Sciomesa mesophaea Aurivillius), Crambidae(Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Calamotropha paludella Hibner) Pyralidae (Phycitiinae sp. 1 and Phycitiinae sp. 2) and Tortricidae were recorded from 20 wild host plant species. Stem borer wild host plants species were Cymbopogon dieterlenii Stapf ex Schweick.,Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, Cymbopogon pospischilii (K. Schum.) C.E. Hubb., Digitaria macroglossa Henrad, Eriochloa meyeriana (Nees) Pilg.,Eriochloa fatmensis (Hochst. &Steud.) Clayton, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch., Miscanthus capensis (Nees) Andersson, Paspalum urvillei Steud., Panicum maximumJacq., Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud.,Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, Setaria homonyma (Steud.) Chiov.,Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf.,Cyperus divesDelile, Cyperu sdistans Pursh, Cyperus fastigiatus Rottb., Cyperus sexangularis Nees and Typha latifolia (L.).The diversity of stem borer species varied among vegetation types, host plants, and altitude. Morphological identification of specimens from these surveys indicated a high diversity of stem borer species in the Noctuidae family, followed by Pyralidae, Crambidae, and Tortricidae respectively. Of all the stem borers collected in the two provinces, noctuid species were most abundant in all vegetation types from low to high altitudes representing 62.45percent, whereas pyralids, crambids, and tortricids made up 26.58percent, 9.28percent, and 1.69percent respectively. The diversity and distribution of stem borers were affected by latitude. KwaZulu-Natal had higher latitudes ranging between -28.37717˚ and -31.07800˚ and had higher diversity, distribution and the of stem borers host plants, while Western Cape Province had lower diversity and distribution at latitudes ranging between -34.00280˚ and -34.05343˚. Morphological identification of stem borers was complemented with the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) to investigate evolutionary relationships between the stem borer species collected in this study. Of the 12 sequences searched from the databases and the Genebank only five sequences were identified to species level; UFH024 was identified as Sciomesa mesophaea, the other four were identified as Conicofrontia sesamoides, Conicofrontia bipartita; and the first ever record of Calamotropha paludella in South Africa and Pirateolea piscator. Five sequences; UFH026, UFH028, UFH029, UFH030, UFH032 were only identified to order.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A framework for management participation in HIV and AIDS intervention programmes: the Chris Hani District Municipality case
- Authors: Kolo, Vuyiswa Felicia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15345 , vital:28221
- Description: South Africa is one of the countries in the world with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Workplace HIV/AIDS programmes have been singled out by the Government as one of the measures to fight against the spread of the disease. However, it is quite concerning that managers in most organisations are very reluctant to actively participate in the programmes. One of such organisations is the Chris Hani District Municipality. Reluctance by managers to participate in these programmes has given rise to effects such as lower level employees also not willing to participate in the programmes; thereby undermining efforts by the municipality and the National Government as a whole to fight against the spread of the disease in South Africa. This study has developed a framework that may enable municipal managers to participate in HIV/AIDS programmes in the municipality. In addition the study has also explored factors that discourage managers from participating in HIV/AIDS programmes. The study took place in the Chris Hani municipality. The sample population was municipal managers from the different directorates. The methodological approach was quantitative. Data was collected with use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed physically and electronically by the researcher. The findings of the study show that in order for managers to actively participate in the programmes of HIV/AIDS, measures should be put place to enhance the following: self-awareness, positive attitude, effective communication, management involvement, management support, and relationship building. The researcher hopes that the study will not only enhance management participation in the Chris Hani municipality, but also other municipalities and organisations in South Africa interested in the fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kolo, Vuyiswa Felicia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15345 , vital:28221
- Description: South Africa is one of the countries in the world with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Workplace HIV/AIDS programmes have been singled out by the Government as one of the measures to fight against the spread of the disease. However, it is quite concerning that managers in most organisations are very reluctant to actively participate in the programmes. One of such organisations is the Chris Hani District Municipality. Reluctance by managers to participate in these programmes has given rise to effects such as lower level employees also not willing to participate in the programmes; thereby undermining efforts by the municipality and the National Government as a whole to fight against the spread of the disease in South Africa. This study has developed a framework that may enable municipal managers to participate in HIV/AIDS programmes in the municipality. In addition the study has also explored factors that discourage managers from participating in HIV/AIDS programmes. The study took place in the Chris Hani municipality. The sample population was municipal managers from the different directorates. The methodological approach was quantitative. Data was collected with use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed physically and electronically by the researcher. The findings of the study show that in order for managers to actively participate in the programmes of HIV/AIDS, measures should be put place to enhance the following: self-awareness, positive attitude, effective communication, management involvement, management support, and relationship building. The researcher hopes that the study will not only enhance management participation in the Chris Hani municipality, but also other municipalities and organisations in South Africa interested in the fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Comparing the perfomance of 3 to 6 year old children on the performance and practical reasoning subscales of the Griffiths mental development scales: extended revised with the foundations of learning subscale of the Griffiths III
- Authors: Kolver, Christél
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13293 , vital:27172
- Description: The developmental assessment of children is very important so that adequate resources and intervention programmes can be initiated. Updating psychometric assessments is mandatory for different reasons, which include to update norms and to add new psychometric information. It is important for psychometric assessments that measure child development to ensure that they continue to accurately reflect stages of development in a modern context. The Association for Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD) is currently in the process of revising the Griffiths Scales. One of the many unique changes includes the newly formed Foundations of Learning Subscale. This Subscale was constructed from definition, sub-constructs and items, which encompassed the critical sub-constructs from the previous Performance and Practical Reasoning Subscales, while providing greater depth to the overarching construct. This study therefore, forms part of a larger study of developing the Griffiths III and aims to compare the performance of three to six-year-old children on these three Subscales. The study employed a mixed method approach, which included 259 children matched on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised and the Griffith III. The quantitative aspect of the research included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests as well as pearson correlations. Differences and similarities were found from the results. The relationships varied from high correlation, strong relationships to low correlation, definite but small relationships. This was further explored through a qualitative analysis between the constructs assessed on each of the Subscales, as well as a qualitative analysis on the items of Subscale A, brought from Subscale E and F and the new items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kolver, Christél
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13293 , vital:27172
- Description: The developmental assessment of children is very important so that adequate resources and intervention programmes can be initiated. Updating psychometric assessments is mandatory for different reasons, which include to update norms and to add new psychometric information. It is important for psychometric assessments that measure child development to ensure that they continue to accurately reflect stages of development in a modern context. The Association for Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD) is currently in the process of revising the Griffiths Scales. One of the many unique changes includes the newly formed Foundations of Learning Subscale. This Subscale was constructed from definition, sub-constructs and items, which encompassed the critical sub-constructs from the previous Performance and Practical Reasoning Subscales, while providing greater depth to the overarching construct. This study therefore, forms part of a larger study of developing the Griffiths III and aims to compare the performance of three to six-year-old children on these three Subscales. The study employed a mixed method approach, which included 259 children matched on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised and the Griffith III. The quantitative aspect of the research included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests as well as pearson correlations. Differences and similarities were found from the results. The relationships varied from high correlation, strong relationships to low correlation, definite but small relationships. This was further explored through a qualitative analysis between the constructs assessed on each of the Subscales, as well as a qualitative analysis on the items of Subscale A, brought from Subscale E and F and the new items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Scoping of a commercial micro reformer for the production of hydrogen
- Authors: Koorts, Waldo Pieter
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Hydrogen as fuel , Fuel processors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8175 , vital:25942
- Description: Hydrogen has gained interest as fuel recently as the harmful effects of fossil fuels on the environment can no longer be ignored. Hydrogen, which produces no pollutants, forms the feed for cleaner fuel cells systems currently in use. Fuel cells, although not as economically viable as fossil fuels, have found a foothold in the energy market in various markets like power backup and use in remote locations. Production of hydrogen is still largely done via fossil fuel reforming and this technology has received renewed interest for use with fuel cells in the form of micro- reformers or fuel processors. This study entailed the performance benchmarking of a so called Best-in-Class commercial micro reformer (as available in 2010), the 1 kW WS FLOX Reformer, and was undertaken under the auspices of the national HySA programme. The study’s focus was primarily on reformate output quality (carbon monoxide concentration), and start up time, thermal efficiency and hydrogen output (15 SCLM). The reformer consisted of a combustion section encased in an outer reforming section consisting of three reactors in series, steam reforming, water gas shift and selective methanation. As-provided temperature control is simplified though the use of only one temperature setpoint in the combustion chamber and temperature control in the CO clean up stages obtained through means of heat transfer with incoming water being evaporated. Combustion takes place through flame combustion or by means of the supplier’s patented FLOX (flameless oxidation) combustion. The purchased FLOX Reformer assembly was integrated into a fully automated unit with all balance of plant components as well as microGC and flue gas analysis for measurement of outlet conditions. The FLOX Reformer was tested at multiple combustion temperatures, combustion flowrates, reforming loads and steam-to-carbon ratios to obtain a wide set of benchmark data. From the testing it was found that the reformer was able to produce the necessary 15 SCLM hydrogen with a carbon monoxide purity of less than 10 ppm as required in fuel cells for all testing if the reaction temperatures were within the recommended limits. Intermediary water gas shift analysis showed methane and carbon monoxide conversion in the reforming and water gas shift stages to be identical to thermodynamic equilibrium conversion – 95% and higher for all temperatures. iii Selective methanation conversion obtained was 99%, but not always at equilibrium conversion due to increased selective methanation temperatures, where carbon dioxide methanation was also observed at the higher temperatures. Temperature control through heat exchange with incoming water in the CO removal stages was found to be less than ideal as the temperature inside these stages fluctuated dramatically due to inaccuracies in the water pump and a lagged response to flowrate changes. Startup times of less than an hour was observed for multiple combustion flowrates and the reformer boasts a standby function to reduce this to less than half an hour. The thermal efficiency was independently confirmed and tested and found to be higher than 70 % for flame combustion and on par with other commercially available fuel processors. The suppliers trademark FLOX combustion only reaching 65% due to decreased combustion efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Koorts, Waldo Pieter
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Hydrogen as fuel , Fuel processors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8175 , vital:25942
- Description: Hydrogen has gained interest as fuel recently as the harmful effects of fossil fuels on the environment can no longer be ignored. Hydrogen, which produces no pollutants, forms the feed for cleaner fuel cells systems currently in use. Fuel cells, although not as economically viable as fossil fuels, have found a foothold in the energy market in various markets like power backup and use in remote locations. Production of hydrogen is still largely done via fossil fuel reforming and this technology has received renewed interest for use with fuel cells in the form of micro- reformers or fuel processors. This study entailed the performance benchmarking of a so called Best-in-Class commercial micro reformer (as available in 2010), the 1 kW WS FLOX Reformer, and was undertaken under the auspices of the national HySA programme. The study’s focus was primarily on reformate output quality (carbon monoxide concentration), and start up time, thermal efficiency and hydrogen output (15 SCLM). The reformer consisted of a combustion section encased in an outer reforming section consisting of three reactors in series, steam reforming, water gas shift and selective methanation. As-provided temperature control is simplified though the use of only one temperature setpoint in the combustion chamber and temperature control in the CO clean up stages obtained through means of heat transfer with incoming water being evaporated. Combustion takes place through flame combustion or by means of the supplier’s patented FLOX (flameless oxidation) combustion. The purchased FLOX Reformer assembly was integrated into a fully automated unit with all balance of plant components as well as microGC and flue gas analysis for measurement of outlet conditions. The FLOX Reformer was tested at multiple combustion temperatures, combustion flowrates, reforming loads and steam-to-carbon ratios to obtain a wide set of benchmark data. From the testing it was found that the reformer was able to produce the necessary 15 SCLM hydrogen with a carbon monoxide purity of less than 10 ppm as required in fuel cells for all testing if the reaction temperatures were within the recommended limits. Intermediary water gas shift analysis showed methane and carbon monoxide conversion in the reforming and water gas shift stages to be identical to thermodynamic equilibrium conversion – 95% and higher for all temperatures. iii Selective methanation conversion obtained was 99%, but not always at equilibrium conversion due to increased selective methanation temperatures, where carbon dioxide methanation was also observed at the higher temperatures. Temperature control through heat exchange with incoming water in the CO removal stages was found to be less than ideal as the temperature inside these stages fluctuated dramatically due to inaccuracies in the water pump and a lagged response to flowrate changes. Startup times of less than an hour was observed for multiple combustion flowrates and the reformer boasts a standby function to reduce this to less than half an hour. The thermal efficiency was independently confirmed and tested and found to be higher than 70 % for flame combustion and on par with other commercially available fuel processors. The suppliers trademark FLOX combustion only reaching 65% due to decreased combustion efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) in accessing public primary health care services in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Kose, Zamakayise Zukisa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Gay men -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4698 , vital:20652
- Description: Background: Research has shown that men who have sex with men (MSM) experience stigma, discrimination, negative and judgmental attitudes and homophobia when accessing health care services. This has resulted in limited uptake of existing HIV and AIDS services. Further, the experiences serve as barriers to seeking and accessing public primary health care services. Negative psychological outcomes and in unique cases, adverse mental health outcomes have resulted from these experiences. Aim: The study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of a sample of MSM when accessing public health care services in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). Method: A purposive sample of twenty-one MSM aged 22 to 30+ years, mainly black who lived in NMBM participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The study used the exploratory-descriptive qualitative design and thematic analysis was used to summarize findings. Findings: Findings from the study showed that MSM experience internalized stigma, perceived stigma, experienced stigma and HIV related stigma, resulting in minority stress. Experiences with health care services included long waiting time, lack of supplies, being attended to by different health care providers, health care provider insensitivity, comfort with health care provider and a need for integrating health services for MSM with general health services. Effects of stigma expressed by the men were non-disclosure of sexual orientation, reluctance to use public health facilities, negative mental health outcome and conformity to society. Conclusion: The study suggests that MSM public health services need to be improved and barriers to health access among MSM need to be addressed. Lastly, there is a need to address the health, psychological and social effects of stigma suffered by MSM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kose, Zamakayise Zukisa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Gay men -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4698 , vital:20652
- Description: Background: Research has shown that men who have sex with men (MSM) experience stigma, discrimination, negative and judgmental attitudes and homophobia when accessing health care services. This has resulted in limited uptake of existing HIV and AIDS services. Further, the experiences serve as barriers to seeking and accessing public primary health care services. Negative psychological outcomes and in unique cases, adverse mental health outcomes have resulted from these experiences. Aim: The study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of a sample of MSM when accessing public health care services in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). Method: A purposive sample of twenty-one MSM aged 22 to 30+ years, mainly black who lived in NMBM participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The study used the exploratory-descriptive qualitative design and thematic analysis was used to summarize findings. Findings: Findings from the study showed that MSM experience internalized stigma, perceived stigma, experienced stigma and HIV related stigma, resulting in minority stress. Experiences with health care services included long waiting time, lack of supplies, being attended to by different health care providers, health care provider insensitivity, comfort with health care provider and a need for integrating health services for MSM with general health services. Effects of stigma expressed by the men were non-disclosure of sexual orientation, reluctance to use public health facilities, negative mental health outcome and conformity to society. Conclusion: The study suggests that MSM public health services need to be improved and barriers to health access among MSM need to be addressed. Lastly, there is a need to address the health, psychological and social effects of stigma suffered by MSM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016