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The influence of citrus orchard age on the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes

  • Authors: Albertyn ,Sonnica , Moore, Sean D , Marsberg, Tamryn , Coombes, Candice A , Hill, Martin P
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417545 , vital:71462 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-cristal-v10-n1-a7"
  • Description: A three-year survey of the ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) was undertaken on soils from citrus orchards of different ages to determine the influence of orchard age on the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes. The influence of mulch and irrigation method on the occurrence of EPN and EPF was also determined. Most of the isolates recovered (n = 810) were Beauveria sp. (87.88% of all isolates), followed by Metarhizium sp. (11.87% of all isolates). Only 0.24% of soil samples collected during this study tested positive for EPN. All EPN isolates recovered were Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. No significant differences in EPF occurrence were recorded between orchards under drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation. EPF occurrence was significantly lower (P = 0.016) in orchards covered by mulch (31.85% ± 2.07% occurrence) than in orchards with no covering (38.57% ± 1.57% occurrence). EPF occurrence of 40.33 ± 2.13% was highest in non-bearing orchards, followed by mature orchards (nine years or older) (36.76 ± 2.05% of samples) with the lowest EPF occurrence of 25.30 ± 2.02% reported in juvenile orchards (four to eight years old). Juvenile orchards sustain significantly less EPF than mature and non-bearing orchards because of the combined negative impact of less favourable environmental conditions (lower shade density) and fungicide applications.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2020

The influence of citrus orchard age on the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes

  • Authors: Albertyn, Sonnica , Moore, Sean D , Marsberg, Tamryn , Coombes, Candice A , Hill, Martin P
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417790 , vital:71486 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1830949"
  • Description: A three-year survey of the ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) was undertaken on soils from citrus orchards of different ages to determine the influence of orchard age on the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes. The influence of mulch and irrigation method on the occurrence of EPN and EPF was also determined. Most of the isolates recovered (n = 810) were Beauveria sp. (87.88% of all isolates), followed by Metarhizium sp. (11.87% of all isolates). Only 0.24% of soil samples collected during this study tested positive for EPN. All EPN isolates recovered were Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. No significant differences in EPF occurrence were recorded between orchards under drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation. EPF occurrence was significantly lower (P = 0.016) in orchards covered by mulch (31.85% ± 2.07% occurrence) than in orchards with no covering (38.57% ± 1.57% occurrence). EPF occurrence of 40.33 ± 2.13% was highest in non-bearing orchards, followed by mature orchards (nine years or older) (36.76 ± 2.05% of samples) with the lowest EPF occurrence of 25.30 ± 2.02% reported in juvenile orchards (four to eight years old). Juvenile orchards sustain significantly less EPF than mature and non-bearing orchards because of the combined negative impact of less favourable environmental conditions (lower shade density) and fungicide applications.
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  • Date Issued: 2021

Schema therapy for anorexia nervosa: an intensive systematic individual case study

  • Authors: Alexander, Graham
  • Date: 2021-10-29
  • Subjects: Eating disorders , Anorexia nervosa , Anorexia nervosa Treatment , Anorexia nervosa Case studies , Schema-focused cognitive therapy , Anorexic overcontroller , Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/196082 , vital:45724 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/196082
  • Description: Developed more than three decades ago, schema therapy (ST) was born out of a need for a more effective way of working with difficult and challenging cases where patients were clearly unresponsive to the existing short-term cognitive therapies. While anchored in the primary theoretical orientation of cognitive therapy, ST has carefully integrated techniques and principles from attachment and object-relations therapies, as well as humanistic, gestalt and experiential therapies. The mode model emphasises the concept of “multiplicity” in terms of which the self is functionally divided into parts or schema modes. For a little more than a decade there has been growing interest amongst researcher-clinicians in the application of ST for the treatment of eating disorders (EDs) (Waller, et al., 2007; Simpson, 2012; Edwards, 2015; Munro et al., 2016; Simpson, 2016; Munro et al., 2016). While multivariate studies can provide quantifiable evidence for the efficacy of ST for treating EDs, systematic case-based research offers a means of engaging in an intensive analysis and description of the complex and subtle processes that unfold over time in a real-life therapeutic environment (Edwards et al., 2004; Yin, 1994). This research method also provides an opportunity for the refining of the clinical treatment model as well as its testing. Ten participants were assessed and treated with schema therapy. However, because of the large amount of data gathered, a decision was made to write up only one as an intensive systematic individual case study. Alison, an elderly woman with a longstanding history of AN who had been largely unresponsive to considerable previous therapies, received 100 ST sessions over a two-year period and showed a very positive response. The many challenges that arose and the way these were addressed within the ST framework provide an in-depth account of the application of the ST mode model for the treatment of AN. This is presented in a detailed therapy narrative. After results of the quantitative measures are provided, the next three chapters address three interpretative questions pertaining to the Healthy Adult/Vulnerable Child dyadic relationship, the processes of working with the Angry Child mode, and the conceptualising of an AN-specific coping mode. Several conclusions are drawn about the strengths of the schema therapy model and its particular application to AN. Amongst these is the importance of having a comprehensive case conceptualisation that serves as a collaborative “road map” with which to negotiate the unfolding collaborative therapeutic process. Another is the identifying of the “Anorexic Overcontroller” as a stand-alone coping mode that clarifies the functions of AN to hinder schema-based emotional injury, but paradoxically, still denies the individual’s basic core needs being met. Such a conceptualisation significantly assisted in the suspension of anorexic behaviour. A further significant observation is how emotion-focused work (especially within the context of chair work and imagery) brought therapy to life and was particularly effective in mobilising the conflict between internal voices. Another outstanding feature is how the building of a strong Healthy Adult mode proved vital in the healing process and the development of patient autonomy. Finally, therapy revealed how central the establishment of a sturdy, warm and loving therapeutic relationship is, and how influential the resonance between the therapist and patient is in the outcome of treatment. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-10-29

The memory altar

A phenomenological investigation of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient

  • Authors: Allen, Jennifer Ann
  • Date: 1987
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193129 , vital:45301
  • Description: The aim of this project is to come to an understanding of how the situation of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient is lived by the beginning therapist and what meaning this situation holds for him. The writer's interest in this phenomenon grew out of her own experience of this situation as a clinical Masters coursework student, an experience which was of important to the writer and meaningful still as a therapist in training. In dialogue with experienced therapists the importance of this situation was again made apparant. It was the opinion of these therapists that although for some the details of this experience had become dulled by time, what remained meaningful to them was that this experience was seen as the beginning of a project which remains important to them - they identified this situation as an important moment in the history of their development as psychotherapists. In the hope that the literature pertaining to psychotherapy would throw some light on this situation, the writer turned to a number of sources in this area to discover that no literature available to her elucidated this situation in a holistic manner. This led the writer to go back to the beginning therapists themselves so that they may speak for themselves of their experience of this situation. A phenomenological method of enquiry is implemented in this study as it renders the subject matter accessible to investigation, and allows it to reveal itself as it essentially is. This project is then an attempt to come to a general description of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient and thus to articulate the structure of the beginning therapist's lived situation (world) in this context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1987
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  • Date Issued: 1987

An appraisal of community-based childcare practices in rural Malawi: The case of Malili Traditional Authority Area, Lilongwe District.

  • Authors: Alufandika,Dina
  • Date: 2012-11
  • Subjects: Tribal government , Child Welfare
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23259 , vital:56857
  • Description: The government of Malawi established the community based childcare (CBCC) programme with the aim of addressing early childhood problems and achieve national development in the long run. The CBCC programme, as one of the approaches to early childhood development (ECD), is guided by the national early childhood development policy. It promotes some practices that somehow deviate from the traditional childcare ways that communities have always known. Experience has shown that programmes that have elements of conflict with commonly held beliefs are bound to meet with resistance in society. The study employed a mini survey, focus group discussion, observation and document review to understand how the CBCC childcare practices in Malili intersect with commonly held beliefs about childcare as well as how they reflect on the national ECD policy. The study also focused on understanding the perceptions of community members on the CBCC programme. The study revealed that while some aspects of CBCC delivery conform to commonly held beliefs about childcare in the area under study, others diverge from such beliefs. Such convergence and divergence appear to be in line with the propositions of transformalist globalisation theory- one of the perspectives adopted for the study. The study also found that care practices at CBCC are not a true reflection of the national ECD policy as community members’ perceptions, poor community participation, poverty and lack of caregiver training in ECD contribute towards poor quality of care in CBCC, contrary to what is defined in the national ECD policy. The study also found that while both CBCC caregivers and sampled community members perceived the quality of care at the centers as poor, caregivers had a more positive perception towards the CBCC than community members. The study indicated that CBCC are centres of desperation for low economic status communities. Findings from the research have revealed that cultural values and commonly held beliefs, and exposure to new knowledge through globalisation play a role in determining childcare practices as well as perceptions towards them. In this sense the study has indicated that meanings that communities attach to development interventions influence their actions and perceptions towards it. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2012-11

Exploring ESL teachers’ self-developed pedagogical practices for teaching reading comprehension in Namibian primary schools

  • Authors: Alumbungu, Marta Ndakalako
  • Date: 2023-10-13
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419714 , vital:71669
  • Description: Embargoed. Possible release date 2026 pending publication. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023-10-13

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of polymer-based wound dressings for the management of chronic wounds

  • Authors: Alven, Sibusiso
  • Date: 2022
  • Subjects: Toxicity testing -- In vitro , Wound healing , Chronic diseases
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27992 , vital:71414
  • Description: Microbial infections are responsible for the retarded recovery process of chronic wounds. Polymer-based scaffolds possess features suitable for the treatment of chronic injuries. However, these scaffolds are commonly encapsulated with therapeutic agents to enhance their biological activities, including antibacterial efficacy. In this research, two types of polymer-based scaffolds were formulated and evaluated as effective formulations for the treatment of chronic wounds: sponges and topical gels. Sponges were formulated from cross-linking of gelatin and PEG. Ag nanoparticles and metronidazole were incorporated into the sponges to improve their antibacterial activity. Topical gels were loaded with essential oils and Ag nanoparticles and prepared from CMC and poloxamer. The prepared sponges and topical gels were evaluated using various analysis and characterization techniques. SEM/EDX, FTIR, and TGA were employed to characterize gelatin/PEG hybrid sponges followed by porosity, in vitro biodegradability, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial studies. FTIR, SEM/EDX, and TGA confirmed their physicochemical properties and successful fabrication of sponges loaded with metronidazole and Ag nanoparticles. The sponges were biodegradable, indicating their capability to induce skin regeneration. The drug release studies showed a rapid release of metronidazole 28.32-71.97 percent from the sponges over the first hour, followed by a sustained drug release. The Ag nanoparticles were released in a sustained manner, suggesting that these sponges can rapidly destroy bacteria and inhibit persisting bacterial infections as well as protect the lesion bed from further bacteria infections. The in vitro antibacterial studies of sponges displayed superior antibacterial activity against most of the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria strains commonly found in chronic wound infections with a MIC value of 15.625 μg/mL. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments revealed excellent biocompatibility with a percent cell viability of more than 70 percent. The in vitro wound scratch healing assay exhibited that the sponges encapsulated with only metronidazole promoted high cell migration than the dual drug-loaded sponges and untreated cells, suggesting its potential to quicken the wound healing process. CMC/Poloxamer topical gels were also characterized by FTIR, followed by pH, viscosity, spreadability, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial studies. FTIR showed successful preparation of CMC/Poloxamer topical gels loaded with essential oils and Ag nanoparticles. The topical gels exhibited pH in the range of 5.20-6.68, spreadability between 5.4 and 5.9 cm, and viscosity ranged from 216 to 1200 cP at 50 rpm and 210–858 cP at 100 rpm. The in vitro drug release studies demonstrated that Ag nanoparticles were released from the topical gels in a sustained manner. Most formulated topical gels demonstrated superior antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains than the blank gel and controls. The cytotoxicity analysis displayed more than 90.83 percent cell viability for the topical gels, revealing excellent biocompatibility. The outcomes revealed that the topical gels enriched with essential oils lavender and tea tree and Ag nanoparticles and sponges incorporated with metronidazole and Ag nanoparticles are potential wound dressing scaffolds that can be employed for the treatment of chronic infected injuries. The in vitro wound healing experiments showed that the HaCaT cells cultured with gels co-enriched with lavender oil and Ag nanoparticles possessed a higher rate of closure in comparison to the untreated cells for 96 hours. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022

Foreign direct investment, trade openness and economic growth linkages: the role of exchange rate regime choice in South Africa

  • Authors: Amoah, Edmund Vincent Nyarko
  • Date: 2020-04
  • Subjects: Investment -- South Africa , Foreign Exchange rates
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57523 , vital:58058
  • Description: For a country to ensure economic stability, growth, development, and technological advancement, FDI and trade openness play a vital role in achieving such development. Economic growth leads to employment creation and poverty reduction. FDI inflows are important to countries, especially in developing countries, as they enhance domestic savings and capital inflows from abroad. It further accumulates the transfer of technology, speeds up competition and pushes for a more positive development of firms. On the other hand, trade openness involves the removal or relaxation of trade barriers that hinder the free flow of trade between countries. FDI and trade openness is viewed as a catalyst to economic growth. However, FDI, trade openness, and economic growth are largely influenced by the exchange rate regime choice of a country. South Africa’s economy is founded on the principles of trade openness and strives to attract FDI and ensure economic growth. The country has also transitioned from different exchange rate regime choices, and currently adopts the free-floating exchange rate regime choice. These policies are aimed to enhance growth and better the lives of the people. However, this is not the case as unemployment continues to rise. Economic growth has not appreciated to the level the country aims to reach. Economic growth has shown a downward trend over the past years. These indicators raise the question about the impact of FDI, trade openness, and economic growth, and the role of exchange rate regime policies implemented in the country for many decades. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the linkages between FDI, trade openness, economic growth, and the role of the exchange rate regime choice. Specific objectives of the study include: first, to establish whether there is a direct relationship between FDI, trade openness, and economic growth, or not and, second, to investigate the effect of exchange rate regime choice on foreign direct investment, trade openness and economic growth. To achieve these objectives, the study made use of secondary data and quantitative research design. Data was collected from different sources namely, the statistics South Africa data base, world development indicators, the international monetary fund, and the Reserve Bank of South Africa. Data was collected from 1995 to 2018. In the aspect of vi data analysis, Stata, a statistical computer software and time series was used to analyse the data for the current study. The study employed an estimation technique such as the ARDL. This was to ensure that variables are I (0) or I (1). The Zivot-Andrews test was employed to investigate all possible structural breaks. Due to its inability to deal with more than one structural break, CLEMAO, or IO routine, was introduced to close the gap and to allow for a possible two event of structural break in time series. The study performed a granger causality test to determine the causalities that arose among the variables under study. The results showed no granger causality between GDP and FDI. A uni-directional granger causality was found to flow from GDP to trade openness, FDI to trade openness and FDI to exchange rate. A bi-directional causality was established between GDP and exchange rate, and between trade openness and exchange rate. The study employed critical values because the sample size appeared to be small in nature. The F statistics from the ARDL appeared to be greater than the critical value, which symbolizes a long-run relationship of the variables currently under study. A Gregory-Hansen cointegration test was introduced to handle the concept of regime changes in the current study. Findings from the ARDL with known structural break for exchange rate regime choice revealed that, exchange rate had a positive significant impact on economic growth in the short-run, whereas it had a significant negative impact on economic growth in the long-run. This implies that, during the initial stages of an exchange rate policy, the South African rand appreciated, leading to a boost in economic growth. A change from managed float exchange rate regime to a free float exchange rate regime caused a 1.49 percent increase in economic growth. This was an indication that the free float exchange rate is a better choice compared to a managed float exchange rate. Based on these findings, the study recommended that South Africa should continue with free float exchange rate policy as it is found to promote economic growth. To attract FDI, the study recommended that economic restrictions on foreign investors should be minimised. However, the South African government should encourage foreign investors to provide training and skills to South Africans who are employed in their establishments. This will in the long-run contribute to technology and human capital transfer needed by vii the country to stimulate economic growth. Finally, the study recommended that South African government should curb the importation of certain goods and services which are locally produced. This will improve economic growth and enhance employment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-04

The impacts of anthropogenic fires in West African savanna woodlands and parklands: the case of the Guinea savanna, Ghana

  • Authors: Amoako, Esther Ekua Amfoa
  • Date: 2022-10-14
  • Subjects: Firemaking Ghana , Agroforestry Ghana , Parks Fire management Ghana , Nature Effect of human beings on Ghana , Land use Ghana , Savanna ecology Ghana , Traditional ecological knowledge Ghana
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365610 , vital:65764 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365610
  • Description: Fire is recognised as an important factor influencing the structure and function of tropical savannas. Despite the extensive studies conducted on the effects of fire on global savannas, there are relatively few studies focusing on fire-assisted land use practices in the agroforestry parkland of the Sudano-Guinean savannas of West Africa. The region experiences recurrent fires in the dry season which begins from November to April. The fires are anthropogenic and are mainly caused through rural livelihoods and cultural practices such as farming - to remove debris from crop fields and to improve soil fertility and hunting to flush out animals, among other reasons. This study therefore sought to: 1. contribute to the understanding of fire-assisted traditional land use practices, people’s knowledge and perceptions of fire use and fire regime: 2. analyse the effects of fire on vegetation, and 3. determine the effects of fire on soils in the Guinea savanna woodlands and parklands of Ghana. Study sites (burnt and unburnt land use types) were selected based on five-year daily fire counts (2013-2017) data, obtained from the Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre (EORIC), Ghana in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Meraka Institute, South Africa. Fire densities were calculated for the 18 districts in the Guinea savanna (Northern Region of Ghana). The districts were stratified into low, medium and high fire frequency areas. The East Gonja district recorded the highest fire density (1.0 fires km-2) while Tamale recorded the lowest fire density (0.3 fires km-2). Of the eighteen districts, six districts were purposively selected and ten communities sampled. Firstly, I investigated the frequency of fire use and control, perceptions of fire regime for selected livelihood and socio-cultural activities in the six districts. The majority of respondents (83%) across the study districts indicated that they used fire once a year for at least one of the following activities: land preparation, weed/grass/pest control, burning stubble after harvest, bush clearing around homesteads, firebreaks, charcoal burning and hunting. The study showed the highest frequency of fire use in the dry season was for land preparation for cropping. However, less than a fifth of the respondents (17%) indicated that they did not use fire for any of the above activities. The results of a multiple regression predicted fire activities in the dry season from gender, age, level of education, occupation and household size. Secondly, the study examined how fire influenced the population structure and abundance of two economically important woody species Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn. (Shea tree) and Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill. & Perr. (African Birch) in burnt and unburnt land-use types. Stand basal area, mean densities of juveniles and adult trees and Simpson’s index of dominance were determined. Eight diameter size classes of each species were analysed by comparing their observed distributions to a three-parameter Weibull distribution across the land use types. A total of 3,366 individuals of A. leiocarpa (n = 1,846) and V. paradoxa (n = 1,520) were enumerated. The highest total basal area of Anogeissus leiocarpa (16.9 m2/ha) was estimated in sacred groves whereas Vitellaria. paradoxa (20.6 m2 /ha) was found in unburnt woodland. The highest mean densities of A. leiocarpa (22.7±29.7 stems/ha) and V. paradoxa (15.3±2.2 stems/ha) were found in sacred in groves. Anogeissus leiocarpa was, however, absent in fallows and burnt crop fields. A somewhat inverse J-shaped distribution was found in sacred groves for both species. Thirdly, the study compared species composition in early burnt, late burnt and unburnt plots in a protected area where fire was regulated. Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn., Terminalia avicennioides Guill. & Perr., Combretum adenogonium Steud. ex A. Rich. and Combretum molle R. Br. Ex. G. Don. were the most common and abundant in all treatments. Late burnt and unburnt plots recorded the lowest diversity amongst the three treatments. Unburnt plots had higher tree density than burnt plots. A Detrended Canonical Analysis showed a changing trend, indicating a moderately strong positive association between burning time and species composition. The first and second axes contributed 53% and 12% variation, respectively. Most of the species found in axis one had fairly strong positive association to early and late burnt treatment than unburnt treatments. Finally, the effects of fire on soil properties in burnt and unburnt crop fields and woodland in the ten communities were also investigated. A total of 151 composite samples in selected burnt and unburnt land use types (burnt crop field n=20; unburnt crop field n=27; burnt woodland n=53, unburnt woodland n=51) were analysed. The variables analysed were pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (P), Exchangeable bases - potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), cation exchange and soil texture. Total N, SOC, pH and Ca differed significantly across the burnt and unburnt land-use types. A principal component analysis showed a stronger association and more positive gradient in woodlands than in crop fields. Total N showed a positive association with SOC, whereas silt showed a negative association to sand and clay. Traditional knowledge and perceptions of users of savanna agroforestry parklands can inform the formulation of local by-laws for community fire management as well as national policy regulation on fire use in the savanna through the interlinked analysis of social and ecological systems as have been elucidated in this study. The results on vegetation assessment revealed that fire practices and land uses influenced size class distribution of the two study species as well as the densities of woody species in traditional crop fields and the National Park. The unstable populations observed in most land uses and the absence of A. leiocarpa in crop fields and fallows call for education and policy actions on the use of fire in parklands of West Africa. Furthermore, fires positively influenced some soil properties in both woodlands and crop fields confirming one of the emphasised reasons why rural subsistence farmers use fire. As an environmental management decision and land use policy intervention, early dry season burning could be an option to curbing the indiscriminate and unplanned fire use. Also, the protection of trees on farm lands could check the unstable population structure of economically important woody species leading to the different structures that deviated from the recommended reverse J-shaped distribution curve observed in these agroforestry parklands. The management of socio-ecological systems such as the agroforestry parklands of West Africa require a holistic understanding of the complexity of the different resource systems, units and actors involved for sustainable management of these natural resources. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-10-14

Pragmatic research design

  • Authors: Amos, Trevor L , Pearse, Noel J
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/270943 , vital:54494 , xlink:href="https://academic-publishing.org/index.php/ejbrm/article/view/1230/1193"
  • Description: The creation of wealth is an important issue in any society, and entrepreneurship is regarded as an important catalyst in the creation of new wealth. This presents a challenge to develop entrepreneurship successfully. An important site for the development of entrepreneurship is higher education. The challenge however, is that there is a lack of a general understanding on how to educate students for entrepreneurship. In addition, current thought and practice on entrepreneurship education is historically biased, implying that graduates are essentially prepared for the past instead of for the future. From the perspective of higher education, the problem is how to develop current students to be entrepreneurial in the future. What is needed is to project into the future and then to develop an understanding of what should be taught as well as how it should be taught today. A versatile research technique that can assist in achieving this objective is the Delphi technique, as it is used to conduct futures research or research into areas where knowledge is incomplete. The Delphi method is a type of group interview, using the collective opinion of knowledgeable experts. The technique makes use of several rounds of data collection and feedback to create a consensus of opinion. Making use of the Delphi technique, research is being designed that will formulate expert‑based strategic guidelines on entrepreneurial education within the South African higher education sector. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the research design considerations that arise in the use of the Delphi technique for this purpose and how they are addressed. The main characteristics of the Delphi are presented and arguments for the use of the Delphi within a constructivist paradigm are discussed. Practical issues related to the design of the Delphi, panel‑member selection, and the formulation of panel questions, are examined. In illustrating these design considerations, the paper demonstrates a pragmatic approach to research design as well as the importance of creating coherence between the research question, the research paradigm, the research method and its use, encouraging research practitioners to adopt a more systematic, deliberate and philosophically‑based approach to research design.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Transformational leadership and organisational effectiveness in the administration of cricket in South Africa

  • Authors: Amos, Trevor L
  • Date: 1999
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/270958 , vital:54495 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-682622887"
  • Description: After years of isolation from the international sporting arena, South African sports teams have recently achieved much success. This article is concerned specifically with managing for organisational effectiveness in South African cricket According to the theory of transformational leadership, there should be a positive relationship between this style of leadership and organisational effectiveness. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to collect information about leadership while data for organisational effectiveness, the dependent variable, was collected using the Effectiveness Survey for Cricket Administration. Most of the results regarding the relationship of the transformational leadership factors and organisational effectiveness were significant. On the other hand, most of the results regarding the relationship of the transactional leadership factors and organisational effectiveness were not significant. The overall results provide general support of Bass' (1990) argument of the universal application of the transformational leadership theory.
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  • Date Issued: 1999

Management education and training

  • Authors: Amos, Trevor L , Quinn, Lynn
  • Date: 1997
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/270902 , vital:54490 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10113487_559"
  • Description: The paper outlines the role of language in leaming and cognitive development and argues that management education and training needs to be integrated with language development to enable students to cope with the demands made of them at university as well as with those of careers in the business world. An integrated language developmEint project developed by the Depanment of Management and academic language practitioners at Rhodes Uhlvetsity is descriptionbed and suggestions are outlined as to how university Management departments can integrate language development in their mainstream teaching.
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  • Date Issued: 1997

Integrating the development of academic literacy into mainstream teaching and learning

  • Authors: Amos, Trevor L
  • Date: 1999
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/270891 , vital:54489 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10113487_947"
  • Description: Higher education is challenged to develop effective and independent learners of students who experience learning difficulties. These students are however, (potentially) able to engage in and do not necessarily lack the the inherent bstract cognitive capability necessary for academic success. The aim of this article is to be done in practice to integrate the development of academic literacy into mainstream teaching and learning.
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  • Date Issued: 1999

Understanding and responding to student learning difficulties within the higher education context

  • Authors: Amos, Trevor L , Fischer, Sarah
  • Date: 1998
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/270972 , vital:54497 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10113487_570"
  • Description: Higher education in South Africa is challenged to promote the academic success of students through quality teaching and learning. This article provides a sound theoretical understanding of student learning difficulties as difficulties of accessing and mastering the cognitive processes entailed in the groundrules of the specific academic disciplines within higher education Based on this theoretical groundwork. the article argues for the integration of academic development into the mainstream teaching and learning activities of specific disciplines where the tutorial system is used to develop the specific academic literacy required for success within the discipline.
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  • Date Issued: 1998

Factors Influencing the Entrepreneurial Orientation of Students

  • Authors: Amos, Trevor L , Louw, L , Baxter, Jeremy
  • Date: 2001
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/270879 , vital:54488 , xlink:href="https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jas.2001.329.334"
  • Description: With entrepreneurship being an important catalyst in wealth creation, it is imperative that entrepreneurs be developed. The aim of this exploratory research is to contribute to our understanding of the development of entrepreneurs and to encourage further research in the area. This paper proposes a model of entrepreneurship and tests the influencing factors on this model. Based on the findings of this research, it appears that entrepreneurial activity of family members influences the development of entrepreneurship more than gender, race, age or education. With education being a logical site for the development of entrepreneurship within society, this finding raises more questions than it provides answers, highlighting the need for educators to critically review the educational process if entrepreneurship is to be a realistic outcome.
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  • Date Issued: 2001

A systematic review of published literature examining the link between maternal attachment and adolescent anxiety

  • Authors: Amos-Brown, Alexa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-3176
  • Date: 2022-02
  • Subjects: Adolescent psychopathology , Teenagers -- Mental health
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23677 , vital:58295
  • Description: Aim: Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in mental health challenges in adolescents, specifically anxiety and depression. There has thus been concern around what could be causing this increase. The present study therefore aimed to examine the link between maternal attachment and adolescent anxiety. Methodology: The research was conducted using a qualitative systematic review as the methodological approach. The sample included ten academic journal articles. These articles were searched using Google Scholar and The University of Fort Hare’s library database search engine. Final articles were selected based on the systematic review process of ensuring that the articles matched the inclusion criteria, centred on the main research question and sub-questions. Findings and Results: At the end of the systematic review process, the final literature articles were analysed using thematic analysis, which identified, analysed, and reported emerging themes. The study revealed that secure attachment and sensitive parenting buffer and protect against the risk and onset of anxiety and adolescent internalizing behaviours. The thematic analysis findings identified emerging themes based on the data analysis, which include: ‘Sensitive parenting as a buffer’, ‘Quality attachment protects’, ‘Safe haven’, ‘Insecure attachment precedes emotion regulation difficulties’, ‘Insecure attachment is associated with anxiety’, ‘Social problems,’ and ‘Negative parental-control undermines attachment security’. Conclusion and recommendations: The extracts provided by the literature were able to successfully give sufficient information to meet all of my study’s research objectives. The findings revealed that very few articles spoke about interventions that can be applied to assist in the development of healthy maternal attachment. Therefore, it is recommended that research be conducted on attachment-based interventions and building restorative adolescent attachment bonds. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-02

Paper recycling patterns and potential interventions in the education sector: A case study of paper streams at Rhodes University, South Africa

  • Authors: Amutenya, N , Shackleton, Charlie M , Whittington-Jones, Kevin J
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181180 , vital:43705 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.12.001"
  • Description: This paper considers the use of paper by academics and student computer laboratories at Rhodes University as a basis for identifying areas to reduce the amounts used and increase rates of recycling. A sample of 50 academic staff monitored the volume and purpose of the paper they used over 5 months, and the procurement officers in all the academic departments were interviewed regarding the total amount of paper used per academic department. Mean use was 34 ± 20 new sheets of paper per working day, of which 3% were trashed, 15% were kept for later use (as scrap or printed on the opposite side) and 79% were given out as notes to students, filed as records or posted out as mail to other departments or institutions. There was a significant relationship between number of students served by a department and the overall demand for paper, as well the number of staff per department and the number of recycling bins. The university could save approximately US$ 7000 per year for every 10% reduction in current use of paper (12,784 reams/year). Reduction in paper usage could be achieved through an increase in re-use of paper, printing handouts for students on both sides of each sheet of paper and by investing in printers that are capable of printing on both sides of a sheet of paper. Double-sided printers are only 20–25% more expensive than single-sided ones, but will potentially reduce paper usage by half. A 40% reduction would save the university approximately US $ 20,000 per year in direct costs, and more in reduced waste streams, as well as help promote the environmental image of the university. On a per unit basis, the higher costs for a double-sided printer in offices would be repaid in 9 months or less through reduced paper use.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

A Systematic Visualisation Framework for Radio-Imaging Pipelines

  • Authors: Andati, Lexy Acherwa Livoyi
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Radio interferometers , Radio astronomy -- Data processing , Radio astronomy -- Data processing -- Software , Jupyter
  • Language: English
  • Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177338 , vital:42812
  • Description: Pipelines for calibration and imaging of radio interferometric data produce many intermediate images and other data products (gain tables, etc.) These often contain valuable information about the quality of the data and the calibration, and can provide the user with valuable insights, if only visualised in the right way. However, the deluge of data that we’re experiencing with modern instruments means that most of these products are never looked at, and only the final images and data products are examined. Furthermore, the variety of imaging algorithms currently available, and the range of their options, means that very different results can be produced from the same set of original data. Proper understanding of this requires a systematic comparison that can be carried out both by individual users locally, and by the community globally. We address both problems by developing a systematic visualisation framework based around Jupyter notebooks, enriched with interactive plots based on the Bokeh and Datashader visualisation libraries. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Department of Physics and Electronics, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

Revisiting Coloniasm : An exploration of its legacy in four African texts

  • Authors: Andzongo, Marjorie Debande Eseme
  • Date: 2011-01
  • Subjects: Colonies -- History , Africa -- Colonisation , Africa -- Politics and government
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23282 , vital:57019
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to revisit the topic of colonialism once more, in order to ascertain whether it had both negative and positive impacts in Africa. This is so because colonialism is mostly renowned for its negative attributes, therefore, the study attempted to give a more balanced analysis of colonialism and its effects on the colonies and colonised subjects. To this effect, the study examined four African texts: Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart(1967), Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Ngugi Wa Mirri’s I Will Marry When I Want (1982), Mongo Beti’s Mission to Kala (1957) and Sembene Ousmane’s The Last of The Empire (1983). The analysis showed that colonialism did have damaging and constructive impacts on the former colonies. However, these constructive impacts have their limitations where Africans are concerned. The study also came to the conclusion that despite the destructiveness of colonialism there are vital aspects of the Western civilisation that need to be and have been accommodated by Africans. Therefore, amalgamating the positives of various cultures rather than trying to separate them, is the way forward for people of any race as the world has undeniably become a global village. It is easy to see the wrongs and injustices of European Imperialism in Africa. African culture was damaged. The Europeans did not understand tribal differences and tribal customs. They did not even try to understand. The Europeans forced the Africans to learn new ways. They tried to make the Africans feel inferior. They forced the Africans to accept European government, religion, and languages. They drew up colonial boundaries without giving any thought to splitting up tribes. Some of the things the Europeans did in Africa helped the natives. But most of those things were done for the sake of the Europeans. Railway systems, roads, and schools were built and the continent of Africa was opened up to the rest of the world. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2011
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