NMMU business school alumni satisfaction factors with the MBA program
- Authors: Bosman, Jeremy Maurice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Master of business administration degree , Students -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14686 , vital:27822
- Description: In a fast-paced dynamic world, the key to success lies in the ability to accept change and to rapidly respond to demands placed by ever increasing competitive environments. In business, the impact of products and services in meeting or exceeding customer’s expectations in such environments is measured by customer satisfaction and the importance thereof cannot be downplayed, thus providing management with a metric that guides and augments change. Subsequently, these dynamic competitive forces are pushing sectors such as Higher Education into the realm of service industries, where stakeholders such as students and alumni are viewed as customers. Correspondingly, measuring their satisfaction has become important as this provides strategic insight, whilst enhancing academic programmes and the student experience. The purpose of this research study was to identify the factors that determined satisfaction with the MBA programme as viewed by students and the alumni of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Business School. Furthermore, it advanced the field of stakeholder theory by identifying alumni as a key stakeholder in business schools. Consequently, the research was exploratory and consisted of quantitative and literature components where hypotheses were developed and relationships between factors analysed, in addition to the literature reviewed. The literature introduced key concepts to this study, such as alumni as stakeholder, alumni satisfaction, satisfaction with the MBA programme, measuring alumni satisfaction, MBA alumni networks and alumni communication. The factors that determined alumni satisfaction were identified by means of a statistical analysis of the data collected by the research instruments. Correspondingly, the findings indicate various factors determine satisfaction with the independent variables highlighted in this study, which are the Facilities, the MBA Programme, the Social Experience, the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter, the NMMU Business School brand and Communication. Furthermore, it was established that there is a significant link between Social Experience, the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter, the NMMU Business School Brand, Communication and Alumni Satisfaction.As services industries such as Higher Educational Institutions get exposed to competitive pressure, customer satisfaction comes to the fore and there are certain factors that need to be addressed to enhance satisfaction. Subsequently, this study highlights this pressure and satisfaction levels can certainly be improved by the institution across all the independent variables identified, especially in areas such as the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter and Communication. Consequently, the NMMU Business School, for the first time have metrics to identify the factors that determine satisfaction with the MBA programme as viewed by their alumni and resultantly can strategically benefit by taking the views of their most important stakeholder into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bosman, Jeremy Maurice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Master of business administration degree , Students -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14686 , vital:27822
- Description: In a fast-paced dynamic world, the key to success lies in the ability to accept change and to rapidly respond to demands placed by ever increasing competitive environments. In business, the impact of products and services in meeting or exceeding customer’s expectations in such environments is measured by customer satisfaction and the importance thereof cannot be downplayed, thus providing management with a metric that guides and augments change. Subsequently, these dynamic competitive forces are pushing sectors such as Higher Education into the realm of service industries, where stakeholders such as students and alumni are viewed as customers. Correspondingly, measuring their satisfaction has become important as this provides strategic insight, whilst enhancing academic programmes and the student experience. The purpose of this research study was to identify the factors that determined satisfaction with the MBA programme as viewed by students and the alumni of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Business School. Furthermore, it advanced the field of stakeholder theory by identifying alumni as a key stakeholder in business schools. Consequently, the research was exploratory and consisted of quantitative and literature components where hypotheses were developed and relationships between factors analysed, in addition to the literature reviewed. The literature introduced key concepts to this study, such as alumni as stakeholder, alumni satisfaction, satisfaction with the MBA programme, measuring alumni satisfaction, MBA alumni networks and alumni communication. The factors that determined alumni satisfaction were identified by means of a statistical analysis of the data collected by the research instruments. Correspondingly, the findings indicate various factors determine satisfaction with the independent variables highlighted in this study, which are the Facilities, the MBA Programme, the Social Experience, the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter, the NMMU Business School brand and Communication. Furthermore, it was established that there is a significant link between Social Experience, the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter, the NMMU Business School Brand, Communication and Alumni Satisfaction.As services industries such as Higher Educational Institutions get exposed to competitive pressure, customer satisfaction comes to the fore and there are certain factors that need to be addressed to enhance satisfaction. Subsequently, this study highlights this pressure and satisfaction levels can certainly be improved by the institution across all the independent variables identified, especially in areas such as the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter and Communication. Consequently, the NMMU Business School, for the first time have metrics to identify the factors that determine satisfaction with the MBA programme as viewed by their alumni and resultantly can strategically benefit by taking the views of their most important stakeholder into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
No evidence for association with APOL1 kidney disease risk alleles and Human African Trypanosomiasis in two Ugandan populations:
- Kimuda, Magambo Phillip, Noyes, Harry, Mulindwa, Julius, Enyaru, John, Alibu, Vincent Pius, Sidibe, Issa, Mumba, Dieuodonne, Hertz-Fowler, Christiane, MacLeod, Annette, Tastan Bishop, Özlem, Matovu, Enock
- Authors: Kimuda, Magambo Phillip , Noyes, Harry , Mulindwa, Julius , Enyaru, John , Alibu, Vincent Pius , Sidibe, Issa , Mumba, Dieuodonne , Hertz-Fowler, Christiane , MacLeod, Annette , Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Matovu, Enock
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148272 , vital:38725 , doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006300
- Description: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) manifests as an acute form caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (Tbr) and a chronic form caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (Tbg). Previous studies have suggested a host genetic role in infection outcomes, particularly for APOL1. We have undertaken a candidate gene association studies (CGAS) in a Ugandan Tbr and a Tbg HAT endemic area, to determine whether polymorphisms in IL10, IL8, IL4, HLAG, TNFA, TNX4LB, IL6, IFNG, MIF, APOL1, HLAA, IL1B, IL4R, IL12B, IL12R, HP, HPR, and CFH have a role in HAT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kimuda, Magambo Phillip , Noyes, Harry , Mulindwa, Julius , Enyaru, John , Alibu, Vincent Pius , Sidibe, Issa , Mumba, Dieuodonne , Hertz-Fowler, Christiane , MacLeod, Annette , Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Matovu, Enock
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148272 , vital:38725 , doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006300
- Description: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) manifests as an acute form caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (Tbr) and a chronic form caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (Tbg). Previous studies have suggested a host genetic role in infection outcomes, particularly for APOL1. We have undertaken a candidate gene association studies (CGAS) in a Ugandan Tbr and a Tbg HAT endemic area, to determine whether polymorphisms in IL10, IL8, IL4, HLAG, TNFA, TNX4LB, IL6, IFNG, MIF, APOL1, HLAA, IL1B, IL4R, IL12B, IL12R, HP, HPR, and CFH have a role in HAT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Nocturnal oviposition behavior of blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the southern hemisphere (South Africa and Australia) and its forensic implications:
- Williams, Kirstin A, Wallman, James F, Lessard, Bryan D, Kavazos, Christopher R J, Mazungula, D Nkosinathi, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Williams, Kirstin A , Wallman, James F , Lessard, Bryan D , Kavazos, Christopher R J , Mazungula, D Nkosinathi , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140832 , vital:37922 , DOI: 10.1007/s12024-017-9861-x
- Description: Published research has offered contradictory evidence of the occurrence of nocturnal oviposition by carrion-breeding blowflies, a behavior that can affect the interpretation of forensic estimates of a minimum post mortem interval (minPMI) by up to 12 hours, depending on latitude and season. The majority of published studies are from the northern hemisphere. Field experiments were conducted in South Africa and Australia that extend observations to species of the southern hemisphere. Various vertebrate carrion was exposed at night in summer under different lunar phases and/or artificial lighting, and in woodland and pasture areas. Three laboratory experiments were also conducted. No nocturnal oviposition occurred outdoors in Berry, Australia, but Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia sericata and Chrysomya megacephala laid eggs outdoors at night in Grahamstown and Durban, South Africa. In laboratory experiments L. sericata, L. cuprina, Chrysomya chloropyga and Chrysomya putoria laid eggs and Calliphora augur deposited larvae under nocturnal conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Williams, Kirstin A , Wallman, James F , Lessard, Bryan D , Kavazos, Christopher R J , Mazungula, D Nkosinathi , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140832 , vital:37922 , DOI: 10.1007/s12024-017-9861-x
- Description: Published research has offered contradictory evidence of the occurrence of nocturnal oviposition by carrion-breeding blowflies, a behavior that can affect the interpretation of forensic estimates of a minimum post mortem interval (minPMI) by up to 12 hours, depending on latitude and season. The majority of published studies are from the northern hemisphere. Field experiments were conducted in South Africa and Australia that extend observations to species of the southern hemisphere. Various vertebrate carrion was exposed at night in summer under different lunar phases and/or artificial lighting, and in woodland and pasture areas. Three laboratory experiments were also conducted. No nocturnal oviposition occurred outdoors in Berry, Australia, but Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia sericata and Chrysomya megacephala laid eggs outdoors at night in Grahamstown and Durban, South Africa. In laboratory experiments L. sericata, L. cuprina, Chrysomya chloropyga and Chrysomya putoria laid eggs and Calliphora augur deposited larvae under nocturnal conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Nonlinear interactions of zinc phthalocyanine-graphene quantum dots nanocomposites: Investigation of effects of surface functionalization with heteroatoms
- Bankole, Owolabi M, Achadu, Ojodomo J, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Bankole, Owolabi M , Achadu, Ojodomo J , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188474 , vital:44757 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-016-2008-8"
- Description: This study reports the development of functional optical limiting materials composed of pristine graphene (GQDs), nitrogen-doped (NGQDs) and sulfur-nitrogen co-doped (SNGQDs) graphene quantum dots covalently linked to mono-amino substituted zinc phthalocyanine (Pc). Open aperture Z-scan technique was employed to monitor the behaviour of the conjugates under tightly focussed Gaussian laser beam using a mode-locked Nd:YAG laser delivering 10 nanosecond (FWHM) pulses at 532 nm wavelength. Nonlinear effect due to reverse saturable absorption was the predominant mechanism; and was attributed to the moderately enhanced triplet population. The major factor(s) responsible for the enhanced nonlinearities in the Pc-NGQDs and Pc-SNGQDs was fully described and attributed to the surface defects caused by the presence of heteroatoms of N and S.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bankole, Owolabi M , Achadu, Ojodomo J , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188474 , vital:44757 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-016-2008-8"
- Description: This study reports the development of functional optical limiting materials composed of pristine graphene (GQDs), nitrogen-doped (NGQDs) and sulfur-nitrogen co-doped (SNGQDs) graphene quantum dots covalently linked to mono-amino substituted zinc phthalocyanine (Pc). Open aperture Z-scan technique was employed to monitor the behaviour of the conjugates under tightly focussed Gaussian laser beam using a mode-locked Nd:YAG laser delivering 10 nanosecond (FWHM) pulses at 532 nm wavelength. Nonlinear effect due to reverse saturable absorption was the predominant mechanism; and was attributed to the moderately enhanced triplet population. The major factor(s) responsible for the enhanced nonlinearities in the Pc-NGQDs and Pc-SNGQDs was fully described and attributed to the surface defects caused by the presence of heteroatoms of N and S.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Nonlinear optical behavior of lanthanide phthalocyanines and their conjugates with a selection of nanomaterials
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloano Edward
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4580 , vital:20695
- Description: This thesis presents novel asymmetrical and symmetrical lanthanide phthalocyanines (Pcs) characterized using a number techniques including proton nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, time correlated single photon counting, FTIR spectrometry, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, UV-Vis spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy and CHNS elemental analysis. The design of theses lanthanide Pcs takes the form of mononuclear, binuclear, trinuclear, bis- and tris(phthalocyanines). Nanomaterials such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS) (oxidized and reduced) were employed for covalent linkage to mono- and binuclear phthalocyanines as conjugates. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize ZnO NPs, MWCNTs and GONS alone and when linked to lanthanide Pcs. Lanthanide Pcs alone and when linked to ZnO NPs, MWCNTs and GONS where embedded in polymers such as poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly (bisphenol A carbonate) (PBC) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) for thin film preparation. The thickness of the thin films was determined by utilization of the knife edge attachment of the A Bruker D8 Discover X-ray diffraction (XRD). Optical limiting properties of lanthanide Pcs alone and as conjugates in solution and when incorporated into polymers were determined by employing a Z-scan technique. It emerged that low symmetry lanthanide Pcs (19, 20 and 21), the blue forms of bis(phthalocyanines) (only in solution; 24 and 28) as well as tris(phthalocyanines) (30 and 31) exhibit low limiting threshold (Ilim) values in solution and thin films (particularly PBC and PAA). The low limiting threshold values make these lanthanide Pcs reliable optical limiters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloano Edward
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4580 , vital:20695
- Description: This thesis presents novel asymmetrical and symmetrical lanthanide phthalocyanines (Pcs) characterized using a number techniques including proton nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, time correlated single photon counting, FTIR spectrometry, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, UV-Vis spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy and CHNS elemental analysis. The design of theses lanthanide Pcs takes the form of mononuclear, binuclear, trinuclear, bis- and tris(phthalocyanines). Nanomaterials such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS) (oxidized and reduced) were employed for covalent linkage to mono- and binuclear phthalocyanines as conjugates. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize ZnO NPs, MWCNTs and GONS alone and when linked to lanthanide Pcs. Lanthanide Pcs alone and when linked to ZnO NPs, MWCNTs and GONS where embedded in polymers such as poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly (bisphenol A carbonate) (PBC) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) for thin film preparation. The thickness of the thin films was determined by utilization of the knife edge attachment of the A Bruker D8 Discover X-ray diffraction (XRD). Optical limiting properties of lanthanide Pcs alone and as conjugates in solution and when incorporated into polymers were determined by employing a Z-scan technique. It emerged that low symmetry lanthanide Pcs (19, 20 and 21), the blue forms of bis(phthalocyanines) (only in solution; 24 and 28) as well as tris(phthalocyanines) (30 and 31) exhibit low limiting threshold (Ilim) values in solution and thin films (particularly PBC and PAA). The low limiting threshold values make these lanthanide Pcs reliable optical limiters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Nonlinear optical dynamics of benzothiazole derivatized phthalocyanines in solution, thin films and when conjugated to nanoparticles
- Nwaji, Njemuwa, Jones, Benjamin, Mack, John, Oluwole, David O, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Jones, Benjamin , Mack, John , Oluwole, David O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190426 , vital:44993 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.05.042"
- Description: Benzothiazole phthalocynines complexes: tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato] indium(III) chloride (1) and tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] indium(III) chloride (2) were synthesisized and their nanosecond nonlinear optical behaviours in solution, solid state and when conjugated to metallic nanoparticles were examined and compared to those of the corresponding ZnPc and GaPc which are designated as: tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (3), tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato] gallium(III) chloride (4), tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (5) and tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] gallium(III) chloride (6). Trends in the electronic structures were identified through a comparison of the UV–vis absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy of the complexes and calculated spectra predicted by time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Of all the complexes and nanoconjugates, complex 2 (containing sulphur linkages and In as a central metal) gave the best optical limiting behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Jones, Benjamin , Mack, John , Oluwole, David O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190426 , vital:44993 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.05.042"
- Description: Benzothiazole phthalocynines complexes: tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato] indium(III) chloride (1) and tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] indium(III) chloride (2) were synthesisized and their nanosecond nonlinear optical behaviours in solution, solid state and when conjugated to metallic nanoparticles were examined and compared to those of the corresponding ZnPc and GaPc which are designated as: tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (3), tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato] gallium(III) chloride (4), tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (5) and tetrakis[(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] gallium(III) chloride (6). Trends in the electronic structures were identified through a comparison of the UV–vis absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy of the complexes and calculated spectra predicted by time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Of all the complexes and nanoconjugates, complex 2 (containing sulphur linkages and In as a central metal) gave the best optical limiting behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Nonlinear optical properties of Sn(IV) phthalocyanines: experimental and theoretical approach
- Authors: Louzada, Marcel Severiano
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nonlinear optics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57852 , vital:26996
- Description: This work presents the nonlinear properties of six Sn(IV) Phthalocyanines. Three of the phthalocyanines are linked by an alkylthiol substituent and the rest are linked with a phenoxy substituent. For all six compounds non-linear optic analysis was carried out in four solvents: chloroform, toluene, dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofuran, and their differences were recorded. Calculation of the linear, singlet excited, triplet excited and two photon absorption cross-sections were also carried out and the results compared. To form a comparison the first order hyperpolarizabilities, DFT calculations were also performed and the results compared to see if the behaviour between the two properties can be predicted using DFT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Louzada, Marcel Severiano
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nonlinear optics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57852 , vital:26996
- Description: This work presents the nonlinear properties of six Sn(IV) Phthalocyanines. Three of the phthalocyanines are linked by an alkylthiol substituent and the rest are linked with a phenoxy substituent. For all six compounds non-linear optic analysis was carried out in four solvents: chloroform, toluene, dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofuran, and their differences were recorded. Calculation of the linear, singlet excited, triplet excited and two photon absorption cross-sections were also carried out and the results compared. To form a comparison the first order hyperpolarizabilities, DFT calculations were also performed and the results compared to see if the behaviour between the two properties can be predicted using DFT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Nonlinear optical responses of phthalocyanines in the presence of nanomaterials or when embedded in polymeric materials
- Authors: Bankole, Owolabi Mutolib
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Phthalocyanines -- Optical properties , Alkynes , Triazoles , Nonlinear optics , Photochemistry , Complex compounds , Amines , Mercaptopyridine
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/45794 , vital:25548
- Description: This work describes the synthesis, photophysical and nonlinear optical characterizations of alkynyl Pcs (1, 2, 3, 8 and 9), 1,2,3-triazole ZnPc (4), mercaptopyridine Pcs (5, 6 and 7) and amino Pcs (10 and 11). Complexes 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 11 were newly synthesized and characterized using techniques including 1H-NMR, MALDI-TOF, UV-visible spectrophotometry, FTIR and elemental analysis. The results of the characterizations were in good agreement with their molecular structures, and confirmed the purity of the new molecules. Complex 10 was covalently linked to pristine graphene (GQDs), nitrogen- doped (NGQDs), and sulfur-nitrogen co-doped (SNGQDs) graphene quantum dots; gold nanoparticles (AuNPs); poly(acrylic acid) (PAA); Fe3O4@Ag core-shell and Fe3O4- Ag hybrid nanoparticles via covalent bonding. Complex 11 was linked to Agx Auy alloy nanoparticles via NH2-Au and/or Au-S bonding, 2 and 3 were linked to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via clicked reactions. Evidence of successful conjugation of 2, 3, 10 and 11 to nanomaterials was revealed within the UV-vis, EDS, TEM, XRD and XPS spectra. Optical limiting (OL) responses of the samples were evaluated using open aperture Z-scan technique at 532 nm and 10 ns radiation in solution or when embedded in polymer mixtures. The analyses of the Z-scan data for the studied samples did fit to a two-photon absorption mechanism (2PA), but the Pcs and Pc-nanomaterial or polymer composites also possess the multi-photon absorption mechanisms aided by the triplet-triplet population to have reverse saturable absorption (RSA) occur. Phthalocyanines doped in polymer matrices showed larger nonlinear absorption coefficients (ßeff), third-order susceptibility (Im [x(3)]) and second-order hyperpolarizability (y), with an accompanying low intensity threshold (Ium) than in solution. Aggregation in DMSO negatively affected NLO behaviour of Pcs (8 as a case study) at low laser power, and improved at relatively higher laser power. Heavy atom-substituted Pcs (6) enhanced NLO and OL properties than lighter atoms such as 5 and 7. Direct relationship between enhanced photophysical properties and nonlinear effects favoured by excited triplet absorption of the 2, 3, 10 and 11 in presence of nanomaterials was established. Major factor responsible for the enhanced nonlinearities of 10 in the presence of NGQDs and SNGQDs were fully described and attributed to the surface defects caused by the presence of heteroatoms such as nitrogen and sulfur. The studies showed that phthalocyanines-nanomaterial composites were useful in applications such as optical switching, pulse compressor and laser pulse narrowing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bankole, Owolabi Mutolib
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Phthalocyanines -- Optical properties , Alkynes , Triazoles , Nonlinear optics , Photochemistry , Complex compounds , Amines , Mercaptopyridine
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/45794 , vital:25548
- Description: This work describes the synthesis, photophysical and nonlinear optical characterizations of alkynyl Pcs (1, 2, 3, 8 and 9), 1,2,3-triazole ZnPc (4), mercaptopyridine Pcs (5, 6 and 7) and amino Pcs (10 and 11). Complexes 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 11 were newly synthesized and characterized using techniques including 1H-NMR, MALDI-TOF, UV-visible spectrophotometry, FTIR and elemental analysis. The results of the characterizations were in good agreement with their molecular structures, and confirmed the purity of the new molecules. Complex 10 was covalently linked to pristine graphene (GQDs), nitrogen- doped (NGQDs), and sulfur-nitrogen co-doped (SNGQDs) graphene quantum dots; gold nanoparticles (AuNPs); poly(acrylic acid) (PAA); Fe3O4@Ag core-shell and Fe3O4- Ag hybrid nanoparticles via covalent bonding. Complex 11 was linked to Agx Auy alloy nanoparticles via NH2-Au and/or Au-S bonding, 2 and 3 were linked to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via clicked reactions. Evidence of successful conjugation of 2, 3, 10 and 11 to nanomaterials was revealed within the UV-vis, EDS, TEM, XRD and XPS spectra. Optical limiting (OL) responses of the samples were evaluated using open aperture Z-scan technique at 532 nm and 10 ns radiation in solution or when embedded in polymer mixtures. The analyses of the Z-scan data for the studied samples did fit to a two-photon absorption mechanism (2PA), but the Pcs and Pc-nanomaterial or polymer composites also possess the multi-photon absorption mechanisms aided by the triplet-triplet population to have reverse saturable absorption (RSA) occur. Phthalocyanines doped in polymer matrices showed larger nonlinear absorption coefficients (ßeff), third-order susceptibility (Im [x(3)]) and second-order hyperpolarizability (y), with an accompanying low intensity threshold (Ium) than in solution. Aggregation in DMSO negatively affected NLO behaviour of Pcs (8 as a case study) at low laser power, and improved at relatively higher laser power. Heavy atom-substituted Pcs (6) enhanced NLO and OL properties than lighter atoms such as 5 and 7. Direct relationship between enhanced photophysical properties and nonlinear effects favoured by excited triplet absorption of the 2, 3, 10 and 11 in presence of nanomaterials was established. Major factor responsible for the enhanced nonlinearities of 10 in the presence of NGQDs and SNGQDs were fully described and attributed to the surface defects caused by the presence of heteroatoms such as nitrogen and sulfur. The studies showed that phthalocyanines-nanomaterial composites were useful in applications such as optical switching, pulse compressor and laser pulse narrowing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Nontsizi Mgqwetho’s the nation’s bounty: a prophetic voice towards an African literary theory
- Authors: Nxasana, Thulani
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4547 , vital:20687
- Description: This thesis seeks to examine the ways in which Africans and African scholarship in particular have relied on the West to lead the way in scientific inquiry, theory and ways of approaching literary texts thus the stunting effects of this in the growth and development of uniquely African literary scholarship and theorising. In his seminal work, Decolonising the Mind, Wa Thiong’o (1987a) stresses that “...how we view ourselves, our environment even, is very much dependent on where we stand in relationship to imperialism in its colonial and neocolonial stages; that if we are to do anything about our individual and collective being today, then we have to coldly and consciously look at what imperialism has been doing to us and to our view of ourselves in the universe” (Wa Thiong’o, 1987a, p.88). Although most African countries obtained their liberation decades ago, seemingly western cultural imperialism still dominates and plagues the African psyche; hence they largely look to the West and ways of the West for established and emergent theoretical conceptions. This thesis aims to interrogate popular western literary theories unquestioningly used to analyse African works, particularly feminism and post-colonial theory; furthermore, to show crucial factors not taken into account such as the evolving power dynamics in African societies, the role of the “sacred” or spirituality which often forms and informs the dynamics of the text, and lastly, based on the poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho, to advocate for the need for an African literary theory and put forward the essential tenets of such a theory. The poetry of Xhosa poet, Nontsizi Mgqwetho, is used to analyse the complexities and dynamics of African literary production written in African languages; her poetry is written in isiXhosa to a Xhosa audience, a far cry from the assumption that African literary texts are concerned with writing to the “centre” as post-colonial theorists claim. Her work explicitly provides Africans with an approach to overcome territorial and cultural imperialism; she sees within the African psyche and traditional values empowering modes of resistance against any type of domination and through her poetry illustrates meaningful ways that Africans can critically engage with and examine the positives and negatives of cultural exchange and or assimilation, and the effects thereof while at the same time remaining proudly Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nxasana, Thulani
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4547 , vital:20687
- Description: This thesis seeks to examine the ways in which Africans and African scholarship in particular have relied on the West to lead the way in scientific inquiry, theory and ways of approaching literary texts thus the stunting effects of this in the growth and development of uniquely African literary scholarship and theorising. In his seminal work, Decolonising the Mind, Wa Thiong’o (1987a) stresses that “...how we view ourselves, our environment even, is very much dependent on where we stand in relationship to imperialism in its colonial and neocolonial stages; that if we are to do anything about our individual and collective being today, then we have to coldly and consciously look at what imperialism has been doing to us and to our view of ourselves in the universe” (Wa Thiong’o, 1987a, p.88). Although most African countries obtained their liberation decades ago, seemingly western cultural imperialism still dominates and plagues the African psyche; hence they largely look to the West and ways of the West for established and emergent theoretical conceptions. This thesis aims to interrogate popular western literary theories unquestioningly used to analyse African works, particularly feminism and post-colonial theory; furthermore, to show crucial factors not taken into account such as the evolving power dynamics in African societies, the role of the “sacred” or spirituality which often forms and informs the dynamics of the text, and lastly, based on the poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho, to advocate for the need for an African literary theory and put forward the essential tenets of such a theory. The poetry of Xhosa poet, Nontsizi Mgqwetho, is used to analyse the complexities and dynamics of African literary production written in African languages; her poetry is written in isiXhosa to a Xhosa audience, a far cry from the assumption that African literary texts are concerned with writing to the “centre” as post-colonial theorists claim. Her work explicitly provides Africans with an approach to overcome territorial and cultural imperialism; she sees within the African psyche and traditional values empowering modes of resistance against any type of domination and through her poetry illustrates meaningful ways that Africans can critically engage with and examine the positives and negatives of cultural exchange and or assimilation, and the effects thereof while at the same time remaining proudly Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Normal Anatomy and Histology of Larval and Adult Caridina nilotica
- Authors: Grace Emily Okuthe
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5538 , vital:44599
- Full Text:
- Authors: Grace Emily Okuthe
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5538 , vital:44599
- Full Text:
Objectivity of the subjective quality: Convergence on competencies expected of doctoral graduates
- Kariyana, Israel, Sonn, Reynold A., Marongwe, Newlin
- Authors: Kariyana, Israel , Sonn, Reynold A. , Marongwe, Newlin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa Doctoral students Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5794 , vital:44645 , https://DOI:10.1080/2331186X.2017.1390827
- Description: This study assessed the competencies expected of doctoral graduates. Twelve purposefully sampled education experts provided the data. A case study design within a qualitative approach was adopted. Data were gathered through interviews and thematically analysed. Member checking ensured data trustworthiness. Factors affecting the quality of a doctoral graduate were said to be embedded in characteristics of universities and doctoral students. Competencies expected of doctoral graduates included being autonomous researchers and knowledge producers and consumers. Measures to enhance competence of doctoral graduates comprised implementing rigorous institutional mandates and creating doctoral collaborative communities. The study recommends higher education institutions to pragmatically capacitate supervisors and implement rigorous institutional doctoral transformation programmes. Subjects: Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Social Sciences; Education; Humanities Keywords: doctoral graduates; competencies; supervisors; higher education institutions
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kariyana, Israel , Sonn, Reynold A. , Marongwe, Newlin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa Doctoral students Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5794 , vital:44645 , https://DOI:10.1080/2331186X.2017.1390827
- Description: This study assessed the competencies expected of doctoral graduates. Twelve purposefully sampled education experts provided the data. A case study design within a qualitative approach was adopted. Data were gathered through interviews and thematically analysed. Member checking ensured data trustworthiness. Factors affecting the quality of a doctoral graduate were said to be embedded in characteristics of universities and doctoral students. Competencies expected of doctoral graduates included being autonomous researchers and knowledge producers and consumers. Measures to enhance competence of doctoral graduates comprised implementing rigorous institutional mandates and creating doctoral collaborative communities. The study recommends higher education institutions to pragmatically capacitate supervisors and implement rigorous institutional doctoral transformation programmes. Subjects: Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Social Sciences; Education; Humanities Keywords: doctoral graduates; competencies; supervisors; higher education institutions
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Observing and evaluating creative mathematical reasoning through selected VITALmaths video clips and collaborative argumentation
- Authors: Kellen, Matthew Earl
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) South Africa Grahamstown , Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) Audio-visual aids , Reasoning , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6107 , vital:21032
- Description: Creative mathematical reasoning is a definition that the NCS policies allude to when they indicate the necessity for students to, “identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.”(NCS, 2011: 9). Silver (1997) and Lithner (2008) focus on creativity of reasoning in terms of the flexibility, fluency and novelty in which one approaches a mathematical problem. Learners who can creatively select appropriate strategies that are mathematically founded, and justify their answers use creative mathematical reasoning. This research uses Visual Technology for the Autonomous Learning of Mathematics (VITALmaths) video clips that pose mathematics problems to stimulate articulated reasoning among small multi-age, multi-ability Grade 9 peer groups. Using VITALmaths clips that pose visual and open-ended task, set the stage for collaborative argumentation between peers. This study observes creative mathematical reasoning in two ways: Firstly by observing the interaction between peers in the process of arriving at an answer, and secondly by examining the end product of the peer group’s justification of their solution. (Ball & Bass, 2003) Six grade 8 and 9 learners from no-fee public schools in the township of Grahamstown, South Africa were selected for this case study. Participants were a mixed ability, mixed gendered, sample group from an after-school programme which focused on creating a space for autonomous learning. The six participants were split into two groups and audio and video recorded as they solved selected VITALmaths tasks and presented their evidence and solutions to the tasks. Audio and video recordings and written work were used to translate, transcribe, and code participant interactions according to a framework adapted from Krummheuer (2007) and Lithner (2008) and Silver (1997) and Toulmin (1954). This constituted the analysis of the process of creative mathematical reasoning. Group presentations of evidence and solutions to the VITALmaths tasks, were used in conjunction with an evaluation framework adapted from Lithner (2008) and Campos (2010). This was the product analysis of creative mathematical reasoning. This research found that there was significant evidence of creative mathematical reasoning in the process and product evaluation of group interactions and solutions. Process analysis showed that participants were very active, engaged, and creative in their participation, but struggled to integrate and implement ideas cohesively. Product analysis similarly showed that depth and concentration of strategies implemented are key to correct and exhaustive mathematically grounded solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kellen, Matthew Earl
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) South Africa Grahamstown , Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) Audio-visual aids , Reasoning , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6107 , vital:21032
- Description: Creative mathematical reasoning is a definition that the NCS policies allude to when they indicate the necessity for students to, “identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.”(NCS, 2011: 9). Silver (1997) and Lithner (2008) focus on creativity of reasoning in terms of the flexibility, fluency and novelty in which one approaches a mathematical problem. Learners who can creatively select appropriate strategies that are mathematically founded, and justify their answers use creative mathematical reasoning. This research uses Visual Technology for the Autonomous Learning of Mathematics (VITALmaths) video clips that pose mathematics problems to stimulate articulated reasoning among small multi-age, multi-ability Grade 9 peer groups. Using VITALmaths clips that pose visual and open-ended task, set the stage for collaborative argumentation between peers. This study observes creative mathematical reasoning in two ways: Firstly by observing the interaction between peers in the process of arriving at an answer, and secondly by examining the end product of the peer group’s justification of their solution. (Ball & Bass, 2003) Six grade 8 and 9 learners from no-fee public schools in the township of Grahamstown, South Africa were selected for this case study. Participants were a mixed ability, mixed gendered, sample group from an after-school programme which focused on creating a space for autonomous learning. The six participants were split into two groups and audio and video recorded as they solved selected VITALmaths tasks and presented their evidence and solutions to the tasks. Audio and video recordings and written work were used to translate, transcribe, and code participant interactions according to a framework adapted from Krummheuer (2007) and Lithner (2008) and Silver (1997) and Toulmin (1954). This constituted the analysis of the process of creative mathematical reasoning. Group presentations of evidence and solutions to the VITALmaths tasks, were used in conjunction with an evaluation framework adapted from Lithner (2008) and Campos (2010). This was the product analysis of creative mathematical reasoning. This research found that there was significant evidence of creative mathematical reasoning in the process and product evaluation of group interactions and solutions. Process analysis showed that participants were very active, engaged, and creative in their participation, but struggled to integrate and implement ideas cohesively. Product analysis similarly showed that depth and concentration of strategies implemented are key to correct and exhaustive mathematically grounded solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Occupational exposure to tuberculosis: knowledge and practices of employees at specialised tuberculosis hospitals
- Authors: Ndlebe, Lusanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Hospitals -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- Health risk assessment -- South Africa Tuberculosis -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14245 , vital:27490
- Description: Knowledge and safer practices regarding occupational exposure are crucial to all employees working in healthcare facilities, especially Tuberculosis (TB) hospitals. This study aimed to explore and describe the knowledge and practices of employees working in three specialised TB hospitals regarding occupational exposure to TB. The results of the study will be used to make recommendations to the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) and hospital managers that could assist in reducing the prevalence of occupational TB. This quantitative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted in three specialised TB hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD). Convenience sampling was used to select the research participants. The knowledge and practices of 181 employees towards occupational exposure to TB and infection control was measured through a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire covered areas such as the knowledge of TB and infection control, the infection control policy, infrastructure as well as patient transportation. The whole population was targeted and out of a potential 253 employees, 181 were on duty during the stage of data collection and agreed to willingly participate in the study. The data was analysed descriptively using MS excel and MS word. This study revealed that 69% (n=124/181) of employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD have adequate knowledge of infection control. However, only 10% (n=18/181) of employees reported appropriate infection control practices, while almost half of the participants 42% (n=76) apparently practice infection control poorly. The majority (78%, n=141) of the employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD reported knowing about the availability of an infection control policy in their respective hospitals, however only 42 % (n=76) have reportedly read the policy. In conclusion, knowledge and practices regarding occupational exposure in specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD is not optimal. It is however, important to note that the majority of employees have knowledge about the TB disease itself and its symptoms. Recommendations were made in order to improve infection control knowledge and practices. These include the development of a plan for purchasing of equipment to address infection control, development of a curriculum specific for non-nursing personnel and the establishment of a plan to ensure the availability of patient consultation rooms and dining halls. A further recommendation deemed important by the researcher was isolation glass as a compulsory specification when purchasing patient transportation vehicles, in order to provide protection for the drivers transporting patients to and from the hospital.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ndlebe, Lusanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Hospitals -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- Health risk assessment -- South Africa Tuberculosis -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14245 , vital:27490
- Description: Knowledge and safer practices regarding occupational exposure are crucial to all employees working in healthcare facilities, especially Tuberculosis (TB) hospitals. This study aimed to explore and describe the knowledge and practices of employees working in three specialised TB hospitals regarding occupational exposure to TB. The results of the study will be used to make recommendations to the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) and hospital managers that could assist in reducing the prevalence of occupational TB. This quantitative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted in three specialised TB hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD). Convenience sampling was used to select the research participants. The knowledge and practices of 181 employees towards occupational exposure to TB and infection control was measured through a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire covered areas such as the knowledge of TB and infection control, the infection control policy, infrastructure as well as patient transportation. The whole population was targeted and out of a potential 253 employees, 181 were on duty during the stage of data collection and agreed to willingly participate in the study. The data was analysed descriptively using MS excel and MS word. This study revealed that 69% (n=124/181) of employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD have adequate knowledge of infection control. However, only 10% (n=18/181) of employees reported appropriate infection control practices, while almost half of the participants 42% (n=76) apparently practice infection control poorly. The majority (78%, n=141) of the employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD reported knowing about the availability of an infection control policy in their respective hospitals, however only 42 % (n=76) have reportedly read the policy. In conclusion, knowledge and practices regarding occupational exposure in specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD is not optimal. It is however, important to note that the majority of employees have knowledge about the TB disease itself and its symptoms. Recommendations were made in order to improve infection control knowledge and practices. These include the development of a plan for purchasing of equipment to address infection control, development of a curriculum specific for non-nursing personnel and the establishment of a plan to ensure the availability of patient consultation rooms and dining halls. A further recommendation deemed important by the researcher was isolation glass as a compulsory specification when purchasing patient transportation vehicles, in order to provide protection for the drivers transporting patients to and from the hospital.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Official development assistance as a means to poverty alleviation: evidence from Cameroon
- Authors: Anong, Moussa Moses
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- Cameroon , Community development -- Cameroon Cameroon -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13800 , vital:27309
- Description: Despite the increased popularity of development aid flows from rich nations to poorer ones in the form of Official Development Assistance (ODA), rampant poverty still prevails in the recipient nations. This perhaps explains the lingering debate on the effectiveness of ODA in curbing poverty. Based on Cameroon, this study aims to ascertain if ODA can be relied upon as a tool to fight poverty. The researcher seeks to determine if ODA disbursed to Cameroon has resulted in poverty alleviation among the impoverished from 1980 to 2014, be it directly or indirectly. To this effect, the first research question looks at what the possible causes of poverty in Cameroon are. The second research question dwells on the pattern of ODA to Cameroon over the study period from 1980 to 2014. The final research question seeks to determine the Cameroonian poverty levels over the same period. The definition of poverty in terms of the Human Development Index (HDI) and its three poverty determinants as utilized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is adopted as a theoretical base for this research. These determinants of poverty are life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. While the literature review is utilised to outline the on-going debate on the effects of ODA on economic growth and poverty alleviation, it equally provides possible causes of poverty in Cameroon. These include the prevalence of factors such as poor governance, the swindling of public funds without fear, the normalisation of bribes in return for public services, the lack of decentralized administrative and civil services, and the disproportionate distribution of state earnings. Meanwhile, secondary published data sourced from reputable multilateral bodies is used to determine the trend of ODA to Cameroon over the period from 1980 to 2014. This is then correlated with poverty figures over the same period as expressed by the three human development factors or poverty determinants. The research adopts a quantitative approach as correlations and regressions of obtained secondary data are made used of. The results of the correlations reveal that ODA may not be relied upon as a tool for alleviating poverty in Cameroon due to the statistically insignificant relationships it seems to display with all three poverty determinants. The regression results show on the one hand that ODA has insignificant relationships with life expectancy at birth and mean years of schooling, while on the other hand, ODA and GNI per capita display an inverse relationship that is judged to be statistically significant. High ODA figures can therefore be associated with lower GNI per capita values in Cameroon, based on this study. This means that ODA can be assumed to negatively affect the real income of Cameroonians. A reduction in real income might equally lead to a reduced potential to afford basic necessities like healthcare, schooling and housing. As these essentials are not provided for free in Cameroon, this reduced real income may further be held responsible for an overall deterioration of the quality of life. Based on the above findings, the researcher recommends that aid recipient governments put in place supportive systems and strong institutions that are void of corruption and unnecessary bureaucracy so as to better benefit from foreign aid inflows. African countries like Cameroon also need to develop their internal resources and use them to finance and promote their own growth instead of rely on donor funding with diminishing returns. Likewise, the government needs to improve its level of human development through diverting more funds towards developing and facilitating the poor’s access to the country’s education, healthcare, road network and basic amenities like water and sanitation. Finally, inflows in the form of loans rather than grants can better be utilized to promote positive economic growth. While loans are mostly diverted to productive activities, grants may promote dependency, rent-seeking behaviour and bureaucracy. This study is one of the few that relies on country-level data. Most existing studies on foreign aid and its related effects on poverty alleviation were conducted using cross-country data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Anong, Moussa Moses
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- Cameroon , Community development -- Cameroon Cameroon -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13800 , vital:27309
- Description: Despite the increased popularity of development aid flows from rich nations to poorer ones in the form of Official Development Assistance (ODA), rampant poverty still prevails in the recipient nations. This perhaps explains the lingering debate on the effectiveness of ODA in curbing poverty. Based on Cameroon, this study aims to ascertain if ODA can be relied upon as a tool to fight poverty. The researcher seeks to determine if ODA disbursed to Cameroon has resulted in poverty alleviation among the impoverished from 1980 to 2014, be it directly or indirectly. To this effect, the first research question looks at what the possible causes of poverty in Cameroon are. The second research question dwells on the pattern of ODA to Cameroon over the study period from 1980 to 2014. The final research question seeks to determine the Cameroonian poverty levels over the same period. The definition of poverty in terms of the Human Development Index (HDI) and its three poverty determinants as utilized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is adopted as a theoretical base for this research. These determinants of poverty are life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. While the literature review is utilised to outline the on-going debate on the effects of ODA on economic growth and poverty alleviation, it equally provides possible causes of poverty in Cameroon. These include the prevalence of factors such as poor governance, the swindling of public funds without fear, the normalisation of bribes in return for public services, the lack of decentralized administrative and civil services, and the disproportionate distribution of state earnings. Meanwhile, secondary published data sourced from reputable multilateral bodies is used to determine the trend of ODA to Cameroon over the period from 1980 to 2014. This is then correlated with poverty figures over the same period as expressed by the three human development factors or poverty determinants. The research adopts a quantitative approach as correlations and regressions of obtained secondary data are made used of. The results of the correlations reveal that ODA may not be relied upon as a tool for alleviating poverty in Cameroon due to the statistically insignificant relationships it seems to display with all three poverty determinants. The regression results show on the one hand that ODA has insignificant relationships with life expectancy at birth and mean years of schooling, while on the other hand, ODA and GNI per capita display an inverse relationship that is judged to be statistically significant. High ODA figures can therefore be associated with lower GNI per capita values in Cameroon, based on this study. This means that ODA can be assumed to negatively affect the real income of Cameroonians. A reduction in real income might equally lead to a reduced potential to afford basic necessities like healthcare, schooling and housing. As these essentials are not provided for free in Cameroon, this reduced real income may further be held responsible for an overall deterioration of the quality of life. Based on the above findings, the researcher recommends that aid recipient governments put in place supportive systems and strong institutions that are void of corruption and unnecessary bureaucracy so as to better benefit from foreign aid inflows. African countries like Cameroon also need to develop their internal resources and use them to finance and promote their own growth instead of rely on donor funding with diminishing returns. Likewise, the government needs to improve its level of human development through diverting more funds towards developing and facilitating the poor’s access to the country’s education, healthcare, road network and basic amenities like water and sanitation. Finally, inflows in the form of loans rather than grants can better be utilized to promote positive economic growth. While loans are mostly diverted to productive activities, grants may promote dependency, rent-seeking behaviour and bureaucracy. This study is one of the few that relies on country-level data. Most existing studies on foreign aid and its related effects on poverty alleviation were conducted using cross-country data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Oldest known naiaditid bivalve from the high-latitude Late Devonian (Famennian) of South Africa offers clues to survival strategies following the Hangenberg mass extinction
- Scholze, Frank, Gess, Robert W
- Authors: Scholze, Frank , Gess, Robert W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/73921 , vital:30241 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.01.018
- Description: A phased mass extinction event (which culminated in the Hangenberg event) marked the end of the Devonian period and had a significant impact on the palaeoecology and faunal diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate communities. In the present study the taxonomy of bivalves from the Waterloo Farm lagerstätte of the Upper Devonian, Famennian, Witpoort Formation (Witteberg Group, Cape Supergroup) was studied and compared with known Carboniferous examples. For the first time, Devonian bivalves of the Naiaditidae are described from a high-latitude palaeogeographic setting of Gondwana. The presented data suggests a high-latitude origin for post-Hangenberg event Naiaditidae, found at lower latitudes during the Early Carboniferous. This may have resulted from migration to lower latitudes in response to reduced global temperatures, which were associated with climatic perturbation at the time of the Hangenberg event, and which persisted into the Early Carboniferous. Taxa that were adapted to temperature ranges existing at high latitudes during the Late Devonian are likely to have followed these temperature ranges towards lower latitudes with decreasing global temperatures. Here they may have occupied free ecospace available in the aftermath of the Late Devonian extinction event.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Scholze, Frank , Gess, Robert W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/73921 , vital:30241 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.01.018
- Description: A phased mass extinction event (which culminated in the Hangenberg event) marked the end of the Devonian period and had a significant impact on the palaeoecology and faunal diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate communities. In the present study the taxonomy of bivalves from the Waterloo Farm lagerstätte of the Upper Devonian, Famennian, Witpoort Formation (Witteberg Group, Cape Supergroup) was studied and compared with known Carboniferous examples. For the first time, Devonian bivalves of the Naiaditidae are described from a high-latitude palaeogeographic setting of Gondwana. The presented data suggests a high-latitude origin for post-Hangenberg event Naiaditidae, found at lower latitudes during the Early Carboniferous. This may have resulted from migration to lower latitudes in response to reduced global temperatures, which were associated with climatic perturbation at the time of the Hangenberg event, and which persisted into the Early Carboniferous. Taxa that were adapted to temperature ranges existing at high latitudes during the Late Devonian are likely to have followed these temperature ranges towards lower latitudes with decreasing global temperatures. Here they may have occupied free ecospace available in the aftermath of the Late Devonian extinction event.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Omics-based molecular techniques in oral pathology centred cancer: prospect and challenges in Africa
- Adeola, Henry A., Soyele, Olujide.O., Adefuye, Anthonio O., Jimoh, Sikiru A., Butali, Azeez
- Authors: Adeola, Henry A. , Soyele, Olujide.O. , Adefuye, Anthonio O. , Jimoh, Sikiru A. , Butali, Azeez
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Eastern Cape, South Africa Oral mucosa--Cancer Oral Pathology Cancer Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5857 , vital:44658 , https://DOI10.1186/s12935-017-0432-8
- Description: Background:The completion of the human genome project and the accomplished milestones in the human proteome project; as well as the progress made so far in computational bioinformatics and “big data” processing have contributed immensely to individualized/personalized medicine in the developed world.Main body:At the dawn of precision medicine, various omics-based therapies and bioengineering can now be applied accurately for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and risk stratification of cancer in a manner that was hitherto not thought possible. The widespread introduction of genomics and other omics-based approaches into the postgraduate training curriculum of diverse medical and dental specialties, including pathology has improved the proficiency of practitioners in the use of novel molecular signatures in patient management. In addition, intricate details about disease disparity among different human populations are beginning to emerge. This would facilitate the use of tailor-made novel theranostic methods based on emerging molecular evidences.Conclusion:In this review, we examined the challenges and prospects of using currently available omics-based technologies vis-à-vis oral pathology as well as prompt cancer diagnosis and treatment in a resource limited setting.Keywords:Omics-based, Molecular, Developing world, Oral pathology, Challenges
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Omics-based molecular techniques in oral pathology centred cancer: prospect and challenges in Africa
- Authors: Adeola, Henry A. , Soyele, Olujide.O. , Adefuye, Anthonio O. , Jimoh, Sikiru A. , Butali, Azeez
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Eastern Cape, South Africa Oral mucosa--Cancer Oral Pathology Cancer Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5857 , vital:44658 , https://DOI10.1186/s12935-017-0432-8
- Description: Background:The completion of the human genome project and the accomplished milestones in the human proteome project; as well as the progress made so far in computational bioinformatics and “big data” processing have contributed immensely to individualized/personalized medicine in the developed world.Main body:At the dawn of precision medicine, various omics-based therapies and bioengineering can now be applied accurately for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and risk stratification of cancer in a manner that was hitherto not thought possible. The widespread introduction of genomics and other omics-based approaches into the postgraduate training curriculum of diverse medical and dental specialties, including pathology has improved the proficiency of practitioners in the use of novel molecular signatures in patient management. In addition, intricate details about disease disparity among different human populations are beginning to emerge. This would facilitate the use of tailor-made novel theranostic methods based on emerging molecular evidences.Conclusion:In this review, we examined the challenges and prospects of using currently available omics-based technologies vis-à-vis oral pathology as well as prompt cancer diagnosis and treatment in a resource limited setting.Keywords:Omics-based, Molecular, Developing world, Oral pathology, Challenges
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
On the Derivation of Nonclassical Symmetries of the Black–Scholes Equation via an Equivalence Transformation
- Authors: Winter Sinkala
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Research Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5642 , vital:44619
- Full Text:
- Authors: Winter Sinkala
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Research Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5642 , vital:44619
- Full Text:
On the sensitivity of thermally and optically stimulated luminescence of α-Al2O3: C and α-Al2O3: C, Mg
- Kalita, Jitumani M, Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Authors: Kalita, Jitumani M , Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/119803 , vital:34784 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2017.03.006
- Description: The luminescence sensitivity of α-Al2O3:C and α-Al2O3:C, Mg is of interest because of the contemporary use of these materials in dosimetry related applications. We report investigations concerning the change in sensitivity of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) from α-Al2O3:C and α-Al2O3:C, Mg with re-use. The study was carried out on a set of un-annealed samples and others annealed at 700 and 900 °C. The TL and OSL sensitivity in α-Al2O3:C and α-Al2O3:C, Mg was found to increase with sample re-use whether the intensity was monitored as peak area or peak height for the main TL peak or, in the case of OSL, as the maximum intensity or the area under a decay curve. The fractional increase in area under either the main TL peak or the OSL decay curve exceeds that of the TL peak height or maximum OSL intensity when samples are re-used. However, when un-annealed samples are used, any increase in TL peak height or peak area per measurement is less than observed in annealed samples. It is also interesting to note that the change in maximum OSL intensity or OSL area is minimal for samples annealed at 900 °C. In general, the TL sensitivity in α-Al2O3:C increases more than that in α-Al2O3:C, Mg with re-use. On the other hand, the OSL sensitivity in α-Al2O3:C, Mg increases more than that in α-Al2O3:C with re-use. These findings suggest that it is advisable to take into account the fractional increase in sensitivity per measurement when one uses α-Al2O3:C as a TL dosimeter and α-Al2O3:C, Mg as an OSL dosimeter.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kalita, Jitumani M , Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/119803 , vital:34784 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2017.03.006
- Description: The luminescence sensitivity of α-Al2O3:C and α-Al2O3:C, Mg is of interest because of the contemporary use of these materials in dosimetry related applications. We report investigations concerning the change in sensitivity of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) from α-Al2O3:C and α-Al2O3:C, Mg with re-use. The study was carried out on a set of un-annealed samples and others annealed at 700 and 900 °C. The TL and OSL sensitivity in α-Al2O3:C and α-Al2O3:C, Mg was found to increase with sample re-use whether the intensity was monitored as peak area or peak height for the main TL peak or, in the case of OSL, as the maximum intensity or the area under a decay curve. The fractional increase in area under either the main TL peak or the OSL decay curve exceeds that of the TL peak height or maximum OSL intensity when samples are re-used. However, when un-annealed samples are used, any increase in TL peak height or peak area per measurement is less than observed in annealed samples. It is also interesting to note that the change in maximum OSL intensity or OSL area is minimal for samples annealed at 900 °C. In general, the TL sensitivity in α-Al2O3:C increases more than that in α-Al2O3:C, Mg with re-use. On the other hand, the OSL sensitivity in α-Al2O3:C, Mg increases more than that in α-Al2O3:C with re-use. These findings suggest that it is advisable to take into account the fractional increase in sensitivity per measurement when one uses α-Al2O3:C as a TL dosimeter and α-Al2O3:C, Mg as an OSL dosimeter.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
On the shop-floor: ten years at Ford
- Authors: Cilibe, Mpumelelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century , Autobiographical fiction, South African (English) 21st century , Xhosa fiction 21st century , Short stories, Xhosa 21st century
- Language: English , Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7257 , vital:21234
- Description: My autobiographical novella covers a period of my life between 1974 and 1984, when I worked at the Ford Motor company Struandale Assembly plant in Port Elizabeth. This period predated the formation of NUMSA (the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa) and COSATU - it was a time when automobile industry workers broke away from the race- based unions to form MACWUSA (Motor Assemblers and Component Workers Union of SA). Around the same time Rev Leon Sullivan was putting pressure on US companies, including Ford, to move away from apartheid labour practices. As quite an angry young man influenced by the Black Consciousness movement, I got deeply involved in union activities mainly for my own survival, and as a personal reaction to racism in the workplace. The story is told in a realist style, with many anecdotal detours giving the flavour of life in New Brighton in the 1980s. Important influences have been Bloke Modisane's autobiography, Blame Me on History and Studs Terkel's interviews of Ford plant workers and management in his book Working. , Growing up in New Brighton gave me so many stories that had never been written before but that were told person to person by the residents of my neighbourhood. Some of the tales in this collection are based on such stories. Others are stories that are reminiscent of childhood while growing up with an elder brother. I take the inspiration from different books that are in line with the stories that I am writing: collections of Extreme Fiction - Fabulists and Formalists that were edited by Robin Hemley and Michael Martone and The Best Bizarro Fiction of the Decade edited by Jeremy Robert Johnson and Cameron Pierce. Some stories by L.L. Ngewu and L.S. Ngcangata, and a novellette by P.T. Mtuze, Alitshoni Lingaphumi, also bring much influence as they reveal suffering in the lives of black people who endured forced removals, and other situations that are of interest to build my stories on. , Le ngqokolela yamabali iqulathe amabali asekelwe kumabali endandiweva ebaliswa ebuntwaneni bam ndisakhula. Amanye amabali angeenkumbulo zasebuntwaneni ngethuba ndandikhula nomkhuluwa wam ongasaphiliyo. Ifuthe lokuwaqamba ndilifumene kwiincwadi zababhali abanje ngabo bafumaneka kwiingqokolela ezihlelwe nguRobin Hemley no Michael Martone kwincwadi ethi Extreme Fiction - Fabulists and Formalists, noJeremy Robert Johnson enoCameron Pierce kwingqokolela ethi, The Best Bizarro Fiction of the Decade. Amanye amabali abenefuthe ndiwafumene kwiincwadi zooP.T. Mtuze, kwinovella yakhe ethi Alitshoni Lingaphumi, nakwezoL.L. Ngewu noL.S. Ngcangatha apho babalisa ngobomi basekuhlaleni ngexesha abantu babedudulwa befuduswa ngetshova ukususwa kwiindawo zabo zokuhlala. , This thesis is presented in two parts: English and isiXhosa
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Cilibe, Mpumelelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century , Autobiographical fiction, South African (English) 21st century , Xhosa fiction 21st century , Short stories, Xhosa 21st century
- Language: English , Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7257 , vital:21234
- Description: My autobiographical novella covers a period of my life between 1974 and 1984, when I worked at the Ford Motor company Struandale Assembly plant in Port Elizabeth. This period predated the formation of NUMSA (the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa) and COSATU - it was a time when automobile industry workers broke away from the race- based unions to form MACWUSA (Motor Assemblers and Component Workers Union of SA). Around the same time Rev Leon Sullivan was putting pressure on US companies, including Ford, to move away from apartheid labour practices. As quite an angry young man influenced by the Black Consciousness movement, I got deeply involved in union activities mainly for my own survival, and as a personal reaction to racism in the workplace. The story is told in a realist style, with many anecdotal detours giving the flavour of life in New Brighton in the 1980s. Important influences have been Bloke Modisane's autobiography, Blame Me on History and Studs Terkel's interviews of Ford plant workers and management in his book Working. , Growing up in New Brighton gave me so many stories that had never been written before but that were told person to person by the residents of my neighbourhood. Some of the tales in this collection are based on such stories. Others are stories that are reminiscent of childhood while growing up with an elder brother. I take the inspiration from different books that are in line with the stories that I am writing: collections of Extreme Fiction - Fabulists and Formalists that were edited by Robin Hemley and Michael Martone and The Best Bizarro Fiction of the Decade edited by Jeremy Robert Johnson and Cameron Pierce. Some stories by L.L. Ngewu and L.S. Ngcangata, and a novellette by P.T. Mtuze, Alitshoni Lingaphumi, also bring much influence as they reveal suffering in the lives of black people who endured forced removals, and other situations that are of interest to build my stories on. , Le ngqokolela yamabali iqulathe amabali asekelwe kumabali endandiweva ebaliswa ebuntwaneni bam ndisakhula. Amanye amabali angeenkumbulo zasebuntwaneni ngethuba ndandikhula nomkhuluwa wam ongasaphiliyo. Ifuthe lokuwaqamba ndilifumene kwiincwadi zababhali abanje ngabo bafumaneka kwiingqokolela ezihlelwe nguRobin Hemley no Michael Martone kwincwadi ethi Extreme Fiction - Fabulists and Formalists, noJeremy Robert Johnson enoCameron Pierce kwingqokolela ethi, The Best Bizarro Fiction of the Decade. Amanye amabali abenefuthe ndiwafumene kwiincwadi zooP.T. Mtuze, kwinovella yakhe ethi Alitshoni Lingaphumi, nakwezoL.L. Ngewu noL.S. Ngcangatha apho babalisa ngobomi basekuhlaleni ngexesha abantu babedudulwa befuduswa ngetshova ukususwa kwiindawo zabo zokuhlala. , This thesis is presented in two parts: English and isiXhosa
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
One size does not fit all: critical insights for effective community-based resource management in Melanesia
- Aswani, Shankar, Albert, Simon, Love, Mark
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Albert, Simon , Love, Mark
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145392 , vital:38434 , DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2017.03.041
- Description: In recent years, Fiji's approach of combining traditional systems of community-based coastal management and modern management systems has become a successful blueprint for marine conservation, particularly the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network model. As a result of this success, conservation practitioners have imported the Fiji LMMA model to the Solomon Islands and in Vanuatu in hope of replicating the purported success attained in Fiji. This paper argues that because tenure systems and associated political systems in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are substantially different, one cannot simply extrapolate the more centralized tenurial and political Fiji model to the decentralized tenurial and politically eclectic Solomons and Vanuatu. This paper provides an analysis of some of the various approaches used in these countries to make a case for why socio-political diversity and historical particulars matter to resource management and conservation-in-practice (and for any development interventions).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Albert, Simon , Love, Mark
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145392 , vital:38434 , DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2017.03.041
- Description: In recent years, Fiji's approach of combining traditional systems of community-based coastal management and modern management systems has become a successful blueprint for marine conservation, particularly the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network model. As a result of this success, conservation practitioners have imported the Fiji LMMA model to the Solomon Islands and in Vanuatu in hope of replicating the purported success attained in Fiji. This paper argues that because tenure systems and associated political systems in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are substantially different, one cannot simply extrapolate the more centralized tenurial and political Fiji model to the decentralized tenurial and politically eclectic Solomons and Vanuatu. This paper provides an analysis of some of the various approaches used in these countries to make a case for why socio-political diversity and historical particulars matter to resource management and conservation-in-practice (and for any development interventions).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017