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Pharmacist perceptions of pharmacy support personnel in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Worthington, Nicole
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Pharmacists -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42434 , vital:36659
  • Description: Pharmacy support personnel (PSP) are employed across multiple pharmaceutical sectors in South Africa. They assist pharmacists in the manufacturing sector, while under their direct, personal supervision, to carry out the pharmacists’ functions listed in the South African Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines, within a defined scope of practice. Prior to 2013, all PSP training was workplace-based. The recent introduction of a university-based qualification for PSP has resulted in two routes for students to qualify as PSP. This study employed a qualitative, phenomenological design using semistructured interviews with pharmacists employed in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Their perceptions regarding PSP who had trained via the two training routes where interpreted through thematic analysis in order to determine whether a perceived difference in the abilities of the two cadres of PSP exists. Pharmacists generally expressed a more positive perception of PSP who qualified through the university-based programme. Strengths and weaknesses of both routes of training were identified, with areas of possible improvement identified for both programmes. Furthermore, a mutually supportive pharmacist – PSP relationship was deemed important in order to achieve optimal functionality in the workplace. The need for both pharmacists and PSP to be made aware of the roles that they play in this relationship was highlighted.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The experiences of recently diagnosed HIV-positive individuals, as shared on an online forum

  • Authors: Wylde, Charlotte Anne
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: HIV-positive persons Social networks , HIV infections Diagnosis Psychological aspects , HIV infections Social aspects , HIV infections Electronic discussion groups , Internet Social aspects , Stigma (Social psychology) , Phenomenological psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60222 , vital:27756
  • Description: An HIV-positive diagnosis can be an overwhelming and traumatic experience. This study explores the experiences of receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis. Employing an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a sample of the initial posts from threads on an online forum, was collected and explored, in order to determine the dominant themes from the experiences expressed in the posts, as well as the support sought from the forum. The online forum was accessed as an unobtrusive observer, and posts from January to December 2015 were explored. The online forum provides a platform for disclosure following an HIV-positive diagnosis, when anxiety and fear of stigma can impact on an individual’s ability to disclose to their social support network of family and friends. The experiences expressed on the online forum reflect the emotional, mental and physical impact of an HIV-positive diagnosis on an individual. The findings in this study reflected themes of shock, guilt and hopelessness, and concerns and fears regarding disclosure and stigma associated with HIV, as well as the importance of social support for the coping mechanisms of individuals after receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis. This research demonstrates the importance of Internet accessibility for information and support for chronic illnesses, such as HIV, and the role of the online forum platform for providing a safe environment for individuals recently diagnosed HIVpositive.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The impact of leadership on job satisfaction at a specific bank in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Wyngaard, Shaun Peter
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Leadership , Bank employees Job satisfaction , Labor turnover , Transformational leadership , Bank management South Africa Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62050 , vital:28099
  • Description: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between leadership and employee job satisfaction in the banking sector of South Africa. The study drew from the fact that there is a growing emphasis in organisations to reduce employee turnover by keeping their employees satisfied. The ultimate performance, effectiveness and competitiveness of an organisation are directly related to an organisation’s ability to keep its employees optimally productive and satisfied. Numerous research studies have been conducted on transformational, transactional and passive-avoidant leadership to determine the significance of their respective relationship with the job satisfaction of employees in different scenarios. Results show that the transformational leadership style has a significant relationship with job satisfaction; while the transactional leadership style or the passive-avoidant style are applied according to changing circumstances. The study adopted a quantitative approach, using online questionnaires as an instrument for collecting primary data. The target population of the study was 380 bank employees, and the target sample was 218; 121 questionnaires were completed and used as the actual final sample. Questionnaires were completed from managers and employees of the selected bank, with the two population groups being investigated using different scales. SPSS was used in analysing the collected data. The findings of this research showed that the leadership styles under investigation have a direct impact on the job satisfaction of employees. Transformational leadership was found to have a significant positive relationship with job satisfaction, while the relationship between transactional leadership and job satisfaction was positive but moderate. A significant negative relationship was found between passive-avoidant leadership and job satisfaction. It is thus the responsibility of the financial institution under investigation to highlight the significant links and benefits of this leadership style to its management to ensure increased job satisfaction and lower turnover of employees in the institution. Literature explored in this study supported the close link between the different leadership styles and job satisfaction.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Ratifying the ILO convention no. 102 (social security minimum standards convention, 1952) by South Africa

  • Authors: Xakaxa, Xoliswa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Social security -- South Africa , Social security -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Labor laws and legislation, International
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36452 , vital:33945
  • Description: Twenty-three (23) years have elapsed since South Africa parted ways with the apartheid system. Nevertheless, poverty, inequality, and unemployment pose the greatest threat to human dignity and social cohesion. Section 27 (1) (c) of the Constitution obligates the state to develop a comprehensive social security system. It affirms the universal right to access social security, including appropriate social assistance for those unable to support themselves and their dependants. It orders the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of these rights. The underlying normative commitment of social security is the improvement of the quality of life of the population by promoting economic or material equality. The study provides a general overview of the system of Social Security in South Africa as a Member State of the ILO. In particular, the study underscores that South Africa has not ratified ILO Convention No. 102 Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 and other Conventions relevant to Social Security. The study examines the need to ratify the said Convention in order to receive extensive coverage that would, among other benefits receive guarantees for a well-established system and thereby potentially reduce poverty. The Constitution is the supreme law of the country, it clearly stipulates that when interpreting, and applying the statutes international law must be considered. The study illuminates the significant benefits the country would receive from ratifying Convention No. 102.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Synthesis of folate-conjugated palladium nanoparticles

  • Authors: Xolo, Luthando
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Nanotechnology , Nanostructured materials Complex compounds
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36442 , vital:33943
  • Description: In this study, the synthesis of two new folate-conjugated palladium (Pd) nanoparticles was carried out. This was done via two steps; firstly, the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) capped with 4-aminothiophenol (4-Atp) and secondly, they were conjugated to the folate to form Folate-4Atp-PdNPs. All the above were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) which confirmed the formation of the targeted product (PdNPs-4-Atp-folate) as well as the 2-Aet linked with folate product (2-Aet-folate). The optical properties of the products formed were characterized further by using UV-Vis spectroscopy and Photoluminescence (PL). The size and shape of the nanoparticles were obtained by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The FTIR confirmed the formation of desired nanoparticles (Fa-4Atp-PdNPs), with peak of C=O stretching vibration at 1659 cm-1. The UV-Vis showed absorption peaks at 236 nm and 285 nm which was due to n-π* and π-π* transitions. The nanoparticles also showed excitation and emission peaks at 360 nm and 455 nm from the PL when excitation wavelength was set at 270 nm. The methanol soluble nanoparticles had an average size of 36 nm while the water-soluble nanoparticles were 4 nm in size. The HRTEM also showed the methanol nanoparticles were amorphous while the water-soluble nanoparticles were crystalline. The work reports on comparison of the methanol-soluble and water-soluble nanoparticles size distribution and the effect of capping agent used on the nanoparticles.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Beneficiary perceptions regarding farm worker equity share schemes in South Africa

  • Authors: Xolo, Siyavuya Nicholas
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Investments -- South Africa , Investment analysis Land reform -- South Africa Agricultural laborers -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36323 , vital:33920
  • Description: The study aimed to assess beneficiary perceptions regarding farm worker equity share schemes in South Africa. Farm worker equity share schemes started in the early 1990s with the aim of having a special arrangement pertaining to the ownership and operation of a farm between the farmer and the farm workers. This was intended to assist farm workers in not only remaining as farm workers but also to gain ownership of the farm. This could lead to the empowerment of farm workers, better working conditions, improved living standards and their rights to land ownership. Farm worker equity share schemes have been widely reported as having failed to meet their intended objectives, thus, in 2009, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform initiated a study to assess the implementation of equity share schemes. Although the report was not made public, it reports that out of the 88 equity share schemes at the time, only nine managed to pay dividends ranging from R200 to R2000 per year. As a result, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform put a moratorium on equity share schemes; this was however removed in 2011. It is against this background that this study was undertaken to assess beneficiaries’ perceptions regarding farm worker equity share schemes in South Africa. A positivistic research paradigm was employed in this study, by means of quantitative research. Secondary data in the form of textbooks, journal articles and Internet sources provided the theoretical framework for this study. Primary data was obtained using the survey method, by means of self-administered structured questionnaires. Convenience and purposive sampling were applied in order to select 20 farms that use equity share schemes. The farms selected for this study were located in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape provinces, covering a variety of farming activities such as citrus fruits, crops, vegetables and wineries. Ideally, a total of 15 farm workers per farm were targeted. However, due to a variation in these farm worker equity share schemes, on some farms less than 15 workers and in others more than 15 workers were selected for the study; this resulted in a total sample size of 341 farm workers. Ten null-hypotheses and a hypothetical model of beneficiary perceptions regarding farm worker equity share schemes were tested. The influence of seven independent variables were tested, these are: stakeholder trust, operational risks, government interventions, two-way communication, farm worker empowerment, training and skills development, and access to resources on farm worker equity share schemes. In addition, the influence of farm worker equity share schemes on three dependent variables, namely, farming performance, sustainability and employee expectations were tested. The Statistica (version 13.2) computer programme was used to analyse the results by means of advanced statistical techniques (such as exploratory factor analysis, regression and correlation analyses) as well as descriptive analysis and frequency distributions. After various statistical procedures, the model was re-specified; some of the variables were then renamed and the hypotheses were adjusted accordingly. The empirical results showed that three key variables to the success of farm worker equity share schemes are stakeholder trust, government interventions and farm owner support. It was determined that these key variables could lead to increased farming performance, farming sustainability and meeting employee expectations. This study provided useful and practical guidelines to farm owners and administrators of equity share schemes, so as to ensure effective strategising that could enhance their competitiveness and long term survival. The findings of this study could inform strategy policy formulation and implementation in the agricultural sector, as pertaining to farm worker equity share schemes. The study used a sound and well-developed research design and methodology, which has been justified and successfully applied to this research; this method can be utilised by other similar studies to conduct empirical research in the field of farm worker equity share schemes. It is envisaged that the results and recommendations of this study could be used to implement effective strategies that could ensure the effective functioning of farm worker equity share schemes in South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Causes and impacts of delays in low-income housing projects in the greater Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffolo City Municipality

A critical assessment of the oversight role of committees of parliament : a case of the Portfolio Committee of Public Works National Parliament in South Africa 2010 - 2015

  • Authors: Yako, Roderic Ralph Odo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: South Africa -- Department of Transport Legislative oversight Legislative bodies -- Committees
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11928 , vital:39119
  • Description: The research seeks to assess the efficacy of the oversight role of portfolio committees of Parliament with specific reference to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works between 2010 and 2015. The Portfolio Committee on Public Works has an overarching oversight role over all infrastructural and maintenance services rendered by the Department of Public Works. The Department of Public Works fulfils a pivotal function in the infrastructural and maintenance service rendition to all departments in the executive. This function overlaps on provincial and local government spheres. The researcher dwells much on the capacity and competency of members of portfolio committees and support staff in their use of oversight tools, inclusive of the Theory of Change, Monitoring and Evaluation, Budget Cycle Model, Public Sector Oversight Model and Logical Framework when conducting oversight within a financial year. The critical point that was noted was the inadequate time allocated by the Joint Programme Committee for committee oversight and the inadequate capacity of members and support to apply the instruments designed for effective and efficient oversight. The dearth of application of appropriate instruments for oversight is exacerbated by the proliferation of executive government departments, which stretches the work of the Portfolio Committee of Public Works without stretching the resources. The research methodology used included data collection using questionnaires and interviews as instruments for assessment. Questionnaires were distributed to all Whips of all parties in Parliament. A sample size was measured from the total number of members of Parliament less ministers and their deputies and officials. The sample was fifty members. After analysis of the data, it transpired that the responses on the questionnaires gave a convincing result confirming some assumptions that triggered the research. The researcher arrived at conclusions and thereafter suggested recommendations. The research reflected on weaknesses and achievements of the portfolio committees in their oversight role and stressed the importance of the application and use of oversight-related tools and models in order to achieve best practices for developmental results.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Quantitation of zolpidem in biological fluids by electro-driven microextraction combined with HPLC-UV analysis

  • Authors: Yaripour, Saeid , Mohammadi, Ali , Esfanjani, Isa , Walker, Roderick B , Nojavan, Saeed
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184723 , vital:44266 , xlink:href="http://dx.doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1140"
  • Description: In this study, for the first time, an electro-driven microextraction method named electromembrane extraction combined with a simple high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection was developed and validated for the quantitation of zolpidem in biological samples. Parameters influencing electromembrane extraction were evaluated and optimized. The membrane consisted of 2-ethylhexanol immobilized in the pores of a hollow fiber. As a driving force, a 150 V electric field was applied to facilitate the analyte migration from the sample matrix to an acceptor solution through a supported liquid membrane. The pHs of donor and acceptor solutions were optimized to 6.0 and 2.0, respectively. The enrichment factor was obtained >75 within 15 minutes. The effect of carbon nanotubes (as solid nano-sorbents) on the membrane performance and EME efficiency was evaluated. The method was linear over the range of 10-1000 ng/mL for zolpidem (R2 >0.9991) with repeatability (%RSD) between 0.3 % and 7.3 % (n = 3). The limits of detection and quantitation were 3 and 10 ng/mL, respectively. The sensitivity of HPLC-UV for the determination of zolpidem was enhanced by electromembrane extraction. Finally, the method was employed for the quantitation of zolpidem in biological samples with relative recoveries in the range of 60-79 %.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Topic map for representing network security competencies

  • Authors: Yekela, Odwa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Computer networks , Computer networks -- Security measures Computers -- Access control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36368 , vital:33931
  • Description: Competencies represent the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for job roles. Organisations need to understand and grow competencies within their workforce in order to be more competitive and to maximise new market opportunities. Competency Management is the process of introducing, managing and enforcing competencies in organisations. Through this process, occupational competencies can be assessed to see if candidates match the required job role expectations. The assessment of competencies can be conceptualised from two perspectives. The rst is `competency frameworks', which describe competencies from a high-level overview. As such, they are regarded as theWhat" element of competency. The second perspective is `competencybased learning', which focuses on addressing competencies from a more detailed, task-oriented perspective. Competency-based learning is regarded as the How" element of competency. Currently, there is no available tool that can map the What" with the How" element of competency. Such a mapping would provide a more holistic approach to representing competencies. This dissertation adopts the topic map standard in order to demonstrate a holistic approach to mapping competencies, specially in network security. This is accomplished through the design and evaluation of a Design Science artefact. In this research process a topic map data model was constructed from mapping the `What' and `How' elements together. To demonstrate the applicability of the model, it was implemented in a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) recruitment scenario. The aim of this demonstration was to prove that the topic map could be implemented in an organisational context.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Coega industrial development zone as a catalyst for development in NMBM

  • Authors: Younouss, Sanda Oumarou
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Industrial development projects -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36162 , vital:33901
  • Description: It is common for countries to adopt growth-targeted strategies to address poverty and as a result, achieve development. South Africa is not an exception and that is the reason for implementing the industrial development zone (IDZ) programme, intended to achieve growth through exports. As part of this programme, the country established five IDZs, each of which operates in specific investment sectors. The economy of the Eastern Cape is experiencing difficulties in terms of unemployment, low wages and a declining population and the migration out of the Eastern Cape is due to limited job opportunities and low wages. The four largest economic sectors in the province are manufacturing, construction, agriculture and mining. The Coega IDZ (CIDZ) is located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and operates in six investment sectors, namely automotive, agro-processing and aqua farming, chemical manufacturing, business process outsourcing, energy and metals. This research investigated the contribution of the CIDZ as a tool for development in the Eastern Cape and South Africa. It further investigates its contribution to the development of the Eastern Cape in the event of its expansion across three additional investment sectors, namely electronics, clothing and furniture. With the aim of conducting a proper assessment of their contribution, the strengths and weaknesses of these three investment sectors were elucidated. Additionally, the research described the operation of four special economic zones (SEZs), namely the Zarqa Free Zone, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) and the Coega Industrial Development Zone (CIDZ). The research methodology used was that of a descriptive study (literature-based). The research revealed that there is a need to add these three investment sectors to the CIDZ in order to develop the Eastern Cape, as they have the potential to meet the challenges that the province is facing. The research led to a number of recommendations inspired by the SEZs presented in the descriptive study, to improve the contribution of the CIDZ to the development of the Eastern Cape.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A review of the implementation of the CAPS Life Skills curriculum training, as a recontextualising process, in engaging teachers in environmental education in two districts of the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Yoyo, Sindiswa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Life skills Study and teaching (Continuing education) South Africa Eastern Cape , Environmental education Curricula South Africa Eastern Cape , Teachers In-service training South Africa Eastern Cape , Curriculum change South Africa Eastern Cape , Teachers Education (Continuing education) South Africa Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61767 , vital:28057
  • Description: This study examines how the implementation of CAPS Life Skills curriculum training (as a recontextualising process) is engaging teachers in environmental education. The research was centred on training manuals for Life Skills (Official Recontextualisation Field) and their use in CAPS training at district level in two Eastern Cape sites of recontextualisation (Professional Recontextualisation Field). During the training, teachers developed lesson plans that were reviewed and group interviews were conducted on the training process and its outcomes. The manuals, training process, lesson plans and interview transcripts were analysed for evidence of environmental education, notably content, teaching and learning methods and assessment strategies. Bernstein’s (1990) framework of the pedagogic device underpins this study. Here the concept of the relay is key for tracking the "relay” of the content, teaching and learning methods and assessment strategies through the processes of recontextualisation into the lesson plans for the field of production. During the process of de-location and relocation, gaps are created and this study sought to track and probe patterns of omissions that took place during the relay process in two cases of training. The review of the in-service training course process of recontextualisation and its cascading approach exposed challenges of omission as it became clear that at each level of the recontextualisation process, gaps were apparent. The study highlighted how the 3-5 day workshop process reviewed was not a robust model for professional development. It was not effective and changes in the mode of delivery and processes of support that reach into curriculum practice in the context of the school are recommended. The study concludes that there is a need for continuous professional development as teachers need ongoing support especially for a "new” curriculum like CAPS that is content driven.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The design of a eucalyptus furniture manufacturing facility in Hogsback, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Yspeert, Hymie
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Furniture industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23727 , vital:30614
  • Description: The purpose of this research is to investigate the tectonic poten¬tial of Eucalyptus. This is done by using the design of a furniture manufacturing facility in Hogsback as a scenario through which the tectonic potential of Eucalyptus can be explored. Eucalyptus as a material for investigation was chosen because, in the context of South Africa, Eucalyptus is listed as an invasive alien species which poses certain ecological problems to our ecosystems. Yet it is known as a versatile building material. The research is qualitative and empirical in nature and takes the form of pure research. The research was done by conducting site visits and through exploratory artworks and tectonic models (sculptures), as well as by reviewing relevant literature and conducting precedent studies based thereon. It was found that the tectonic potential of Eucalyptus rests in the ma¬terial’s great structural strength, compared to its weight. The factory type proved to be suitable building type through which to investigate the tectonics of Eucalyptus given its functional and architectural concern regarding structure and tectonics. The context of Hogsback added depth to the architectural challenge in requiring a response to climatic conditions, which can vary with vast extremes and can change within a short period of time. The practical implication of this research is that Eucalyptus has great potential in the making of architecture. It therefore warrants further investigation into the material’s structural properties which, thus far, has not been widely researched. This has become more of a necessity due to the fact that it is increasingly becoming more popular as an alternative to commercial species such as pine or other wood species used in the building construction.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Core-modified rubyrins with phenanthrene-fused pyrrole rings

  • Authors: Yuan, Xuemei , Li, Minzhi , Meng, Ting , Mack, John , Soy, Rodah , Nyokong, Tebello , Zhu, Weihua , Xu, Haijun , Liang, Xu
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234568 , vital:50209 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.05.045"
  • Description: Three fused-ring-expanded rubyrins with modified macrocyclic core have been synthesized and characterized. A series of spectroscopic, electrochemical measurements and a set of theoretical calculations demonstrate that the core-modification of the inner core of rubyrins has a large influence on the electronic structure. Colorimetric changes are observe that demonstrate that these core-modified rubyrins could be used as selective Hg2+ ion sensors. These properties can be fine-tuned by introducing lipophilic substituents on the meso-aryl rings.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Use of recycled rubber tyres as an alternative ingredient in cementitious building materials

  • Authors: Yuill, Robert Mark
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Building materials , Building materials -- Environmental aspects Sustainable construction Recycled products
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29783 , vital:30777
  • Description: The need to incorporate recycled materials in building products is becoming more important than ever before. There is an abundance of waste rubber tyres which in turn results in a waste management issue. The use of waste rubber tyres in cementitious building material provides a possible solution to the problem (Kathomi, 2009:10). Previous research has shown the introduction of recycled rubber tyre crumb can improve the durability, thermal and acoustic performance in residential and commercial buildings. This could result in lives of dwellers in concrete block buildings in South Africa improving due to these characteristics whilst potentially creating a cost-effective, sustainable building material. A grading analysis, loose and compacted bulk densities and relative densities were determined to provide a mix design. Three tests were conducted for this study namely compressive strength, fire and thermal performance and acoustic performance. The testing was conducted on 100mmx100mm cubes at varying rubber replacement percentages. The replacement values were 10%, 20% and 30% tested against a control of ordinary concrete. The waste rubber crumb was a replacement for sand. The research of this study showed 20 % decrease of compression strength at 10 % rubber replacement compared to the control, 55 % decrease at 20 % rubber replacement and 75% decrease at 30 % rubber replacement. The thermal performance test showed a 24 % lower temperature for 10 % rubber replacement compared to the control, 39 % lower temperature at 20 % rubber replacement and 52 % lower temperature at 30 % rubber replacement. All rubber replacement % samples and the control performed adequately in the flame resistance test. The smoke density test showed that all rubber replacement % samples did not release a quantity of smoke which would be deemed dangerous. The acoustic performance test showed the values at 10% rubber replacement was 6 % lower; at 20% rubber replacement; 4% lower and at 30% rubber replacement 14 % lower. Based on these results, the acoustic performance regarding transmission increases with a rubber replacement % higher than 20 %.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Developmental and reproductive performance of a specialist herbivore depend on seasonality of, and light conditions experienced by, the host plant

  • Authors: Zachariades, Uyi O O, , Heshula, L U P , Hill, Martin P
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: article , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59845 , vital:27667 , https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190700
  • Description: Host plant phenology (as influenced by seasonality) and light-mediated changes in the phenotypic and phytochemical properties of leaves have been hypothesised to equivocally influence insect herbivore performance. Here, we examined the effects of seasonality, through host plant phenology (late growth-season = autumn vs flowering-season = winter) and light environment (shade vs full-sun habitat) on the leaf characteristics of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaena odorata. In addition, the performance of a specialist folivore, Pareuchaetes insulata, feeding on leaves obtained from both shaded and full-sun habitats during autumn and winter, was evaluated over two generations. Foliar nitrogen and magnesium contents were generally higher in shaded plants with much higher levels during winter. Leaf water content was higher in shaded and in autumn plants. Total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) and phosphorus contents did not differ as a function of season, but were higher in shaded foliage compared to full-sun leaves. Leaf toughness was noticeably higher on plants growing in full-sun during winter. With the exception of shaded leaves in autumn that supported the best performance [fastest development, heaviest pupal mass, and highest growth rate and Host Suitability Index (HSI) score], full-sun foliage in autumn surprisingly also supported an improved performance of the moth compared to shaded or full-sun leaves in winter. Our findings suggest that shaded and autumn foliage are nutritionally more suitable for the growth and reproduction of P. insulata. However, the heavier pupal mass, increased number of eggs and higher HSI score in individuals that fed on full-sun foliage in autumn compared to their counterparts that fed on shaded or full-sun foliage in winter suggest that full-sun foliage during autumn is also a suitable food source for larvae of the moth. In sum, our study demonstrates that seasonal and light-modulated changes in leaf characteristics can affect insect folivore performance in ways that are not linear.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Regulating essential services, maintenance services and minimum services agreements

  • Authors: Zama, Ntokozo Patrick
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Collective labor agreements
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21582 , vital:29637
  • Description: South Africa has in the recent past seen employees embarking in strike action, even in sectors designated as essential services. The impact adversely affected inter alia economic growth, investor confidence, international credit ratings and the high rate of unemployment. The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 from its inception on 11 November 1996, and as amended, in 2002 and in 2015, has brought about some minor changes to the model aimed at regulating essential services, maintenance services and minimum services agreements. This research is aimed at investigating; whether essential services, maintenance services and minimum services agreements are designed to unjustifiably limit the right to strike or not. The Constitution1 and the Labour Relations Act, 19952 encourages parties in employment relationship to engage in collective bargaining. Mechanisms such as a no duty to bargain envisaged within the current LRA regulatory framework, appears to be undermining the significance of ensuring that parties engaged within services designated as essential and maintenance services exercise their fundamental right to strike and to bargain collectively. The Essential Services Committee when dispensing with its statutory functions may be unjustifiably limiting the right to strike for employees engaged in essential and maintenance services. Some employers may be to some degree reluctant to trigger maintenance services provisions as the LRA appears to be adopting a voluntarism principle when regulating collective bargaining, as the Act is encouraging employers to deal with the provision of maintenance services within collective agreements. An introduction of a judiciable enforceable duty to bargain collectively in services designated as essential and maintenance services may compel employers to conclude minimum services agreements. The extremely low number of services designated as maintenance services is a worrying reality and the solution is urgently required.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A missing link in the estuarine nitrogen cycle?: coupled nitrification-denitrification mediated by suspended particulate matter

  • Authors: Zhu, Weijing , Wang, Cheng , Hill, Jaclyn M , He, Yangyang , Tao, Bangyi , Mao, Zhihua , Wu, Weixiang
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68368 , vital:29244 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1038/s41598-018-20688-4
  • Description: In estuarine and coastal ecosystems, the majority of previous studies have considered coupled nitrification-denitrification (CND) processes to be exclusively sediment based, with little focus onsuspended particulate matter (SPM) in the water column. Here, we present evidence of CND processes in the water column of Hangzhou Bay, one of the largest macrotidal embayments in the world.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Testing the application of coastal altimetry in two South-Eastern African bights: the relationship between mesoscale features and chlorophyll-a, cyclonic eddies in the Indian Ocean

  • Authors: Ziegler, Lisa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Oceanography -- Remote sensing -- Indian Ocean
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15225 , vital:28188
  • Description: Enhanced coastal altimetry, adaptive Leading-Edge Subwaveform(ALES), was used to study wo well known eddies along the southeastern African coast, namely the Delagoa Bight Lee Eddy and the Durban Lee Eddy. I address a two part problem. Firstly, how well does the application of coastal altimetry techniques behave in the coastal region? Secondly, is there a relationship between the eddies’ presence and chlorophyll-a (chl-a). Sea level anomalies (SLA) were computed from the re-tracked ALES data of two satellite missions — Envisat (used for Delagoa Bight eddy) and Jason -2 (for the Durban eddy) with geophysical corrections removed. These datasets were compared with the original satellite, 1 Hz RADS, AND AVISO gridded data. Two regions were selected to see if there was a biophysical link. A centre region of the eddy and an outside region of the eddy were taken. Results indicate that coastal altimetrywas successful in delimiting both features. ALES was less noisey and able to recover more data that were missed by the 1 Hz RADS dataset. Hovmöller plots showed the Delagoa Bight eddy to be more of a transient feature than semi-permanent, as had previously been suggested. Results from the linear model indicate a negative correlation between SLA and chl-a. This influence could be through facilitation of chl-a in the bight or just retaining chla. This is hard to elucidate without in situ data. These results show a promising indication that coastal altimetry will be a useful and reliable product to further biophysical coupling research along the coast.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Mature South African students’ perceptions of their transition experiences into and from university education

  • Authors: Zietsman, Louis Frederick
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Adult college students -- South Africa , Adult education -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Continuing education -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36126 , vital:33896
  • Description: Mature students and their experience of tertiary education is an area of career psychology in which there is currently a lack of research. In particular, little published data related to the transition experience of mature students into and from tertiary education is available internationally and there is even less literature examining these students within the African and South African context. This study contributes to psychology‟s broad body of knowledge as it explores the perceptions of previously employed final year South African students on their transition experience into and from tertiary education. The researcher utilised a qualitative research approach. A non-probability purposive sampling strategy was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants. All participants were considered to be mature students in their final year of university study. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. The data obtained was subjected to thematic content analysis using Tesch‟s model. Lincoln and Guba‟s model was used to assess the trustworthiness of the data obtained. The findings revealed several factors influencing mature students‟ entry or re-entry into tertiary education. Participants‟ experience of tertiary education was enriching on both a personal/career level and participants were confident in their abilities. Furthermore, it was found that transition towards a new career starts during their tertiary study and that relying on experiences of their previous job aided them in their transition from tertiary education to new career. Limitations of the study, recommendations for further research and contributions of the research were identified.
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  • Date Issued: 2018
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