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An Investigation of the usage of teaching methods and assessment practices in environmental learning processes and emergent curriculum and sustainability competencies

  • Authors: Mkhabela, Antonia T
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa , Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa , Life sciences -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7812 , vital:21301
  • Description: This study explores the teaching and assessment practices used by teachers in environmental learning processes and emergent curriculum and sustainability competencies. The focus is the school subject Life Sciences in the Further Education and Training Phase. The study is based on four cases of teachers in schools in the Midlands area, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Lenses used to review the data included curriculum defined cognitive skills and cognitive levels to review the curriculum competencies and a systems approach to teaching and learning (Wiek, Withycombe, Redman & Mills, 2011) to review emergent sustainability competencies. This study employed qualitative methods, namely a questionnaire, stimulated recall interviews, observations (of lesson plan implementation in classrooms) and document analysis (detailing lesson plans, assessment tasks and learners’ work) to generate data. Analysis took place in four phases and included: a descriptive contextual analysis of factors influencing teaching and assessment practices; a descriptive analysis of teacher intentionality, topics, assessment planned and resources used; an analysis of emergent curriculum competencies in informal and formal assessment tasks; and, finally, a second layer of analysis describing emergent sustainability competencies in the environmental learning processes. Ethical considerations included permission for access, anonymity, participant rights and awareness of my role as cluster leader for the group of teachers involved. The study found that the nature of Life Sciences environmental topics and implementation influences the development of curriculum and sustainability competencies. Also, the choice of teaching methods influenced the emergence of particular curriculum and sustainability competencies. The findings also suggested that switching between isiZulu and English, unfamiliarity with action verbs, and the inconsistent use of higher order questions in classroom discussion, informal and formal assessment tasks might have affected success in the development of higher order thinking skills. Finally, the study revealed that environmental learning has the potential to support the development of integrated sustainability competencies. This study was driven by an interest in environmental content knowledge, teaching and assessment within the South African Fundisa for Change network of environmental educators. It is hoped that the study’s illustration of how consideration of curriculum and sustainability competencies can contribute to quality education practices in environmental learning, will be of use in this network.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation on the implementation of human settlements policy: the case of Umzimvubu Local Municipality

  • Authors: Ntshobane, Mkhwezi Ntlalontle Naledi
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: City planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19452 , vital:28880
  • Description: Since the dawn of South African democracy, the African National Congress (ANC) has been in power. This means that, since 1994, the ANC has had to remedy a lot of socio-economic challenges brought about by the apartheid regime, to ensure equal opportunities and resources allocation and also, enjoyment of these resources. Most black South Africans were marginalised and left to live in poor conditions, with no proper sanitation and other basic services. Twenty-two years later the government is still faced with the challenge of providing adequate housing to the citizens of South Africa. The attempt to transition housing into human-settlements that allow social interaction and economic activity to ensure that human-settlements are habitable is commendable. The qualitative study’s objective was to investigate the implementation of low cost human-settlements policy, and determine contributors of poor policy implementation in Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The study found that housing backlog and deplorable housing conditions exist in Umzimvubu Local Municipality and that corruption is one of the major contributors of the backlog. Poor management of financial resources has been found to be another contributing factor. It is therefore recommended that the municipality invests in programmes that can assist employees and stakeholders to improve their project and financial management skills. Consultation with other municipalities who have had successful remedies to housing backlog is highly recommended. Umzimvubu Local Municipality was the reference point of the study.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation on the motivational feattures influence on technical efficiency and profitability of smallholder irrigated crop farmers in Kwa-Nobuhle, Eastern Cape province of South Africa

  • Authors: Funde, Sibongile
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11917 , vital:39118
  • Description: Substantial impact and the importance of agriculture in the economies of the developing countries is increasingly acknowledged. Agriculture generally has shown to remain crucial to economic development. It has been noted that agricultural growth plays a pivotal role in poverty reduction and employment creation. Due to the potential of the smallholder sector to alleviate poverty and minimize unemployment rate leading to the country’s economic growth, enormous development programs have in the past and continues to be implemented by South African government. Programs such as land-based development strategies including agriculture, extension services, improved technologies including irrigation establishment, revitalization and rehabilitation, water rights legislation and financial support. However, the current state of smallholder low-agricultural productivity growth trends raises concerns on what other fundamental development strategies to implement in order to enhance agricultural productivity growth. Hence, this study seeks to address the impact of social farming on agricultural productivity by investigating smallholder farmer’s motivational features. Motivational features regarded are as important determinants of success, modify behaviour, serve to mobilize and direct energy into actions. Given the importance of motivational features and their formation in social interaction, the objective of the study was to investigate motivational features of smallholder farmers with regard to expanding irrigation land, determine technical efficiency of smallholder farmers as well as their profitability generation capability. A multistage sampling method was used that involved using purposive sampling, simple random sampling was adopted where three smallholder agriculture projects using irrigation methods to farm were selected and by use of snowball sampling the study ended up collecting data from a total of 124 respondents. The sample was chosen on the basis that smallholder farmers hold attributes that were crucial for execution of this research. The study proceeded by conducting face-to face interviews of smallholder farmers, focus groups and key informant using interview schedules and a questionnaire consisting both open and close-ended questions. Data were analysed using different methods. Firstly, data were analysed descriptively to get a deeper understanding of smallholder farmer’s socio-economic characteristics as well as their motivational features. Secondly, data were analysed statistically to determine Technical Efficiency (TE) of smallholder farmers using both Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Lastly, Gross Margin Analysis was used to measure farmer’s profitability. Results show that smallholder farmers have a range of motivational features that incorporates both productive and non-productive goals. The study made use of twenty-five goals obtained from literature studies and categorised them into six motivational feature types namely; outcome based, process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy, and household livelihood strategies. Smallholder female and male outcome based motivations were found to be statistically significant at 5percent, while process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy and household livelihood strategies motivations between them were found not to be statistically significant, which means that smallholder female and male motivations are not different and that both farmers consider such motivations at the same level. Technical Efficiency (TE) was measured using DEA method and was found to be 0.70, which is different from the TE obtained using SFA that was 0.47. Three dominant crops were produced, namely potatoes, cabbage and spinach. Cabbage crop was the most produced, had the highest gross margin results with a commercialization ratio of 0.33percent as compared to potatoes and spinach. Which indicates that cabbage is a high value crop to smallholder farmers of Kwa-Nobuhle area. In view of the research findings, it was concluded that motivational features of smallholder farmers were positively related to technical efficiency which implies that the more motivated farmers become, the higher their technical efficiency, hence their potential to expand land under irrigation. Cabbage production was high and more profitable than potatoes and spinach production. Recommendations include that government, NGO’s, private sector and institution need to promote the use of improved technologies, agricultural training and take smallholder farmer’s motivational features into account in development programmes. These actions are necessary to increase irrigated farming, overcome low-performance levels and enhance profitability of smallholder farmers, and ultimately achieve poverty alleviation and improve employment opportunities in the rural areas.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation on the perceptions of officials on their role in the rehabilitation process: the case of the East London Correctional Centre

  • Authors: Mtikitiki, Nolusindiso
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: South Africa -- Department of Correctional Services -- Administration Prison administration -- South Africa -- East London , Prisons -- South Africa -- East London -- Officials and employees Correctional personnel -- South Africa -- East London
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19277 , vital:28817
  • Description: This report is the result of a literature study and questionnaire which gave insight on the role of officials in the rehabilitation process. Correctional Services has adopted a new approach, where offenders need to change their negative behaviour and be rehabilitated. Corrections have a societal responsibility towards the community to guide the offender on his rehabilitation path. This study was conducted to give a better understanding of rehabilitation to offenders The purpose of this research is to determine if the Department of Correctional Services delivers on its legal and social responsibility towards the rehabilitation of offenders. In this study the researcher gathered information on the department policies, training of officials, the programmes currently available in Correctional Services, and also the involvement of the community in this process. Corrections cannot work alone, and needs the help of the community and leaders in the community to assist it in this process. Correctional Services faces many challenges in order to succeed in the rehabilitation of offenders. Currently there is a shortage of officials in the Department of Correctional Services, and the Department cannot, therefore, fully succeed in its rehabilitative role. Another aspect is that rehabilitation programmes are voluntary, and offenders can decide if they want to become involved or not.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An IPA study of the integration and work conditions of white teachers in historically black (township) schools

  • Authors: Seane, Boitumelo Seville
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4606 , vital:20698
  • Description: This interpretative phenomenological analysis study focuses on analyzing the lived experiences of white teachers with regards to their integration and work conditions within the context of historically black (township) schools. It consists of four aims: a) what are the experiences of white teachers teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; b) what do they experience to be major obstacles towards the day to day process of teaching and learning; c) what are the positive highlights and accomplishments they experienced while teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; d) what aspects do they deem essential for an efficient culture of teaching and learning. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with regards to the experiences of the teachers. The methodology chapter will cement the notion of the use of semi-structured interviews as a function within IPA. As a result, this should not be inadvertently be confused to be an aspect of thematic analysis which is distinctive from IPA. Four of the participants were females and one was male. The interview questions were centered on the main aims of the study. Data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The results and interpretations of narratives revealed 6 super ordinate themes. They are: a) reinforces; b) enablers and desirable principles; c) social ills and other challenges; d) organization and administration factors; e) challenges with regards to teaching and learning and lastly, f) systemic and systematic issues. The following are the key findings that emerged during the interviews: Most of the teachers felt that they were well integrated in their schools. There was one exception. There were similarities with regards to adapting to working in previously disadvantaged schools. There were variations with the length or duration of service in the teaching profession from a minimum of less than a year, an average of 14 years and a maximum of 30 years. The teachers shared major challenges with regards to discipline among learners. Most of the teachers shared that their schools were variable with regards to lack of amenities and lack of finances. The dominant aspect was that some previously disadvantaged schools had many deprivations or encountered many difficult circumstances. Most of the teachers shared concerns that learning difficulties where being overlooked and there was lack of capacity to correctly intervene with regards to them. Various social ills emerged as having some level of impact on the lives of learners within their schools. Teachers reflected on the experiences about racism and racial intolerance; racial stereotypes and myths as well as no experiences of being marginalized. There were various experiences to diversity, culture and gender. Finally, various systemic and systematic issues that pose a challenge towards education within previously disadvantaged schools emerged. This study is based on the theoretical frameworks of assimilation, integration, multi-cultural education and anti-racist education.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An optimum wind power output model for concentrator augmented wind turbines (CAWTs)

  • Authors: Shonhiwa, Chipo
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Wind power Wind turbines
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8692 , vital:33427
  • Description: The aim of this study was to develop an optimum wind power output model for concentrator augmented wind turbines (CAWTs), which can operate in low wind speed areas. This study was done using computational fluid dynamics modelling (CFD), theoretical and experimental work. Currently the wind resource is contributing 2.5percent of the global electricity supply and is anticipated to increase to by 2050. Despite this, the contribution to wind energy consumption share by South Africa is still low having just exceeded in 2015. Like many other countries, South Africa agrees that climate change is one of the biggest challenges currently being faced by mankind and acknowledges that tackling it requires collaborative effort from all. The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2010-2030) passed in 2010 targets 26.3percent renewable energy contribution to national energy consumption by the year 2030 with 10.3percent coming from wind energy hence contributing to abatement of climate change. 1518percent 1 000 MW Small wind turbines are known for their vital contribution to providing electricity in remote areas. Their power output is mainly influenced by the turbine rotor diameter and wind speed which depend on tower height. A cost benefit analysis conducted basing on increasing wind speed by increasing the turbine tower height revealed that for small wind turbines, the optimal height is . Concentrator Augmented Wind Turbines (CAWTs) are one of several concepts that have been suggested to increase the power output per unit rotor cross-sectional area by increasing the wind speed upstream of the turbine. Although some research effort has been put in this area, the major drawback is that the effect of concentrator geometry and environmental conditions on the aerodynamics and hence ultimate performance of CAWTs is still not clear. Also, the CAWTs systems that have been made so far, do not track the wind resulting in CAWT systems receiving wind from one direction thus limiting their performance. 25 m Wind has a very low energy density in nature implying that a bigger rotor area is required to harness kinetic energy for generation of meaningful electrical energy. This has resulted in higher costs of producing energy from wind than conventional sources of energy such as fossil fuels and hydro. To lower the cost of wind energy, researchers have come up with several initiatives to boost wind turbine power output. A brief review of various concepts that have been used in this study included: history of wind turbines, South Africa’s political will to abatement of climate change, wind resource assessment, power output augmentation, estimation of air density, historical development of CAWTs, fundamental parameters influencing the performance of CAWTs, mathematical modelling of wind turbines and dynamic similarity. Some facts were borrowed from these concepts to come up with the current study and explain the observations. With a view to assess any concept, it is necessary to study the fundamental basis from which it originates. Thus, it was vital to develop a fundamental basis of CAWT performance from which solutions to currently prevailing questions on the relationships among the governing parameters were obtained. The momentum theory of bare wind turbines, which is also found in literature was described. A similar approach was then used for developing the theory of CAWT systems. The theories of concentrator losses, density variation with weather conditions and turbulence modelling were also described. It was of utmost significance to evaluate the wind power potential of the Western part of the Eastern Cape Province to assess whether there would be a need for the concentrator augmented wind turbines (CAWTs) in the province and all other regions with similar or lower wind speeds in the country. In this study, five-year-long, hourly average wind speed series between January 2009 and December 2013 for six weather stations in the western part of the Eastern Cape (Bisho, Fort Beaufort, Graaff–Reinet, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and Queenstown) were statistically analysed using the Weibull distribution function. The dimensionless Weibull shape parameter varied from 1.7 to 2.2. All the values were low indicating that there is widely dispersed data. This means that the data tend to be distributed uniformly over a relatively wide range wind speed. Therefore, this has a positive implication on wind power generation in all the studied areas because if a suitable turbine is installed, it would get enough wind speed to run for the greater part of the year. The scale parameter varied between 3.5 and 6.3. The values for all the sites except Port Elizabeth were relatively low implying that the days of high wind speeds are few. Therefore, wind turbines that require high wind speeds for operation are not suitable here.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An update on the management of breast cancer in Africa

  • Authors: Vanderpuye, V , Grover, S , Hammad, N , Prabhakar, Pooja , Simonds, H , Olopade, F , Stefan, D C
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Africa Cancer--Treatment
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6048 , vital:45108 , DOI 10.1186/s13027-017-0124-y
  • Description: There is limited information about the challenges of cancer management and attempts at improving outcomes in Africa. Even though South and North Africa are better resourceds to tackle the burden of breast cancer, similar poor prognostic factors are common to all countries. The five-year overall Survival rate for breast cancer patients does not exceed 60% for any low and middle-income country (LMIC) in Africa. In spite of the gains achieved over the past decade, certain characteristics remain the same such as limited availability of breast conservation therapies, inadequate access to drugs, few oncology specialists and adherence to harmful socio-cultural practices. This review on managing breast cancer in Africa is authored by African oncologists who practice or collaborate in Africa and with hands-on experience with the realities. A search was performed via electronic databases from 1999 to 2016. (PubMed/Medline, African Journals Online) for all literature in English or translated into English, covering the terms "breast cancer in Africa and developing countries". One hundred ninety were deemed appropriate. Breast tumors are diagnosed at earlier ages and later stages than in highincome countries. There is a higher prevalence of triple-negative cancers. The limitations of poor nursing care and surgery, inadequate access to radiotherapy, poor availability of basic and modern systemic therapies translate into lower survival rate. Positive strides in breast cancer management in Africa include increased adaptation of treatment guidelines, improved pathology services including immuno-histochemistry, expansion and upgrading of radiotherapy equipment across the continent in addition to more research opportunities. This review is an update of the management of breast cancer in Africa, taking a look at the epidemiology, pathology, management resources, outcomes, research and limitations in Africa from the perspective of oncologists with local experience.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analyses of the simple harmonic oscillator and its variations

  • Authors: Bambiso, Noludwe Patience
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Harmonic analysis Vibration -- Mathematical models Oscillations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8132 , vital:31530
  • Description: Vibratory motion is fundamental to all natural phenomena. It occurs everywhere in nature, from fundamental particles to the complexity of the life of the smallest cell, to the properties of the cosmos. Its frequency ranges from those of gammarays down the spectrum of X-rays, microwave, optical and radio waves. These are common concepts in everyday life, but their origin and nature are seldom comprehended. In this thesis we look at the mathematical fundamentals and how to apply them. We start with fundamental concepts and extend them to more complicated systems. We consider methods of analysis and applications. In Chapter 2 we consider simple harmonic oscillators and their mathematical analyses and in Chapter 3 we look at applications. Chapter 4 discusses the general form of simple harmonic motion, i.e. damped and forced harmonic motion. We consider simple coupled systems and their analysis. In Chapter 5 we introduce the method of complex functions and its application to complicated compound systems. Chapter 6 introduces a novel application, that of how SHM can be used as a model for advanced effects, or acausality. Chapter 7 presents a summary and conclusion.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysing an audit cycle: a critical realist account

  • Authors: Boughey, Chrissie , McKenna, Sioux
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66741 , vital:28988 , ISSN 1470-3300 , https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1072148
  • Description: Pre-print , This paper reports on the use of a framework developed from Bhaskar's critical realism and Archer's social realism to analyse teaching- and learning-related data produced as a result of the first cycle of institutional audits in the South African higher education system. The use of the framework allows us to see what this cycle of audits did achieve, namely some change in structural systems related to teaching and learning alongside the appointment of key agents. It also allows us to see how the stagnation of sets of ideas about teaching and learning in the domain of culture may mean that an assurance of the quality of learning experiences for all students remained elusive.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of a foundational biomedical curriculum: exploring cumulative knowledge-building in the rehabilitative health professions

  • Authors: De Bie, Gabrielle
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Medical education -- Curricula , Human anatomy -- Study and teaching -- Curricula , Physiology -- Study and teaching -- Curricula , Occupational therapy -- Study and teaching -- Curricula , Physical therapy -- Study and teaching -- Curricula , Medical rehabilitation -- Study and teaching -- Curricula , Knowledge, Theory of
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/18617 , vital:22361
  • Description: This study was motivated by the researcher's experience that students in the rehabilitative health professional programmes were finding it difficult to access fundamental knowledge upon which their professional practices and clinical contexts are based. An important focus of the research was the extent to which cumulative knowledge-building was impacted after the foundational biomedical curriculum became an interdisciplinary programme. The study explored whether the organisation of the interdisciplinary foundational curriculum served the fundamental needs of the professions, and whether, as a matter of social justice, students' access to powerful knowledge was enabled by the form that the fundamental curriculum assumed. This curriculum study at a particular Faculty of Health Sciences foregrounds the structuring, organisation and differentiation of disciplinary knowledge, and reflects a twenty year period that included not only transitions in professional education but also extensive transformation in, and a different approach to, health delivery. At the institution, physiology and anatomy, the biomedical sciences basic to the health professions, underwent disciplinary merging and subsequent altered positioning in curricula. Medicine opted for a problem-based learning approach whereas the rehabilitation health sciences did not. Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) provided the means for analysis of the extent to which interdisciplinary organisation in the foundational curriculum for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy enabled integrative, cumulative building of knowledge for professional and clinical contexts. Specialisation and Semantics dimensions of Legitimation Code Theory were used to reveal the principles underpinning practices, contexts and dispositions of Anatomy and Physiology at the Faculty of Health Sciences over a twenty year period post democratisation in South Africa (1994 - 2013). Disciplinary positioning in curriculum prior- and post-merger, were compared and contrasted. LCT were used to characterise the distinctiveness of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy at the university including the kind of knowledge and the kind of knower that specialises the different professions, and what is valorised and legitimated for each kind of professional. Semantic gravity was used to explore the expected knowledge recontextualisations in diverse and complex clinical settings for each of the professions. Registered professionals who are clinical educators as well as curriculum designers for clinical studies were interviewed. Profession-specific course outlines were further data sources. The biomedical disciplines Anatomy and Physiology were characterised for their measures of distinction and their respective knowledge-knower structures. Analysis traced each discipline from its strongly classified form in autonomous curricula when there were separate learner-cohorts for physiotherapists and occupational therapists, to post-merger when the disciplines were framed as human biology in an integrated foundational curriculum for a joint cohort of students. Curricular documents for the twenty year period were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively to establish the positioning of Physiology and Anatomy before and after the disciplines merged to a single course of Human Biology. Teaching staff were interviewed for their understanding of what specialises the physiological and anatomical components of the Human Biology curriculum, what they considered as powerful knowledge for the professions, and who they envisaged as the ideal student-knower exiting the basic sciences platform to enter more advanced clinical studies. The degree of context-dependence for meaning-making in the different disciplinary domains and the condensation of meanings inherent in the respective practices and contexts, were analysed. The thesis argues that following the merger Anatomy is preferentially legitimated as powerful knowledge at the expense of Physiology; that the ideal of disciplinary integration is not reached, and that the segmental organisation and structuring of the curriculum negatively impacted on cumulative knowledge-building and application of professional knowledge in the clinical arena. After the merger the disciplines lost their shape, and in particular the hierarchical knowledge structure of Physiology collapsed. By not having access to the necessary disciplinary knowledge structures and their associated practices, students' ability for scaffolding and integrating knowledge into the clinical arena was constrained. The organisation of the current Human Biology curriculum does not facilitate cumulative learning, and in so doing may not contribute to the envisaged graduate professional who is required to practice within a complex and demanding healthcare work environment. The significance of this study conveys that interdisciplinary programmes should be carefully considered, and there is an added imperative in the health professions which ultimately realise treatment of patients. If, aside from interdisciplinary teaching, there are also merged cohorts of participant students, then a sound understanding of the epistemic requirements of each profession is required. Those involved in curriculum development in various fields need to take these recommendations into account to enable cumulative learning and enable epistemological access to powerful knowledge for an increasingly diverse student body.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of a South African cyber-security awareness campaign for schools using interdisciplinary communications frameworks

  • Authors: Leppan, Claudette
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Internet -- Safety measures Computer networks -- Security measures , Mass media and technology Mass media -- Social aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18167 , vital:28582
  • Description: To provide structure to cyber awareness and educational initiatives in South Africa, Kortjan and Von Solms (2014) developed a five-layer cyber-security awareness and education framework. The purpose of the dissertation is to determine how the framework layers can be refined through the integration of communication theory, with the intention to contribute towards the practical implications of the framework. The study is approached qualitatively and uses a case study for argumentation to illustrate how the existing framework can be further developed. Drawing on several comprehensive campaign planning models, the dissertation illustrates that not all important campaign planning elements are currently included in the existing framework. Proposed changes in the preparation layer include incorporating a situational and target audience analysis, determining resources allocated for the campaign, and formulating a communication strategy. Proposed changes in the delivery layer of the framework are concerned with the implementation, monitoring and adjustment, as well as reporting of campaign successes and challenges. The dissertation builds on, and adds to, the growing literature on the development of campaigns for cyber-security awareness and education aimed at children.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of factors affecting performance of a low-temperature Organic Rankine Cycle heat engine

  • Authors: Kalua, Tisaye Bertram
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Rankine cycle Heat engineering , Cogeneration of electric power and heat
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17844 , vital:28460
  • Description: Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) heat engines convert low-grade heat to other forms of energy such as electrical and mechanical energy. They achieve this by vaporizing and expanding the organic fluid at high pressure, turning the turbine which can be employed to run an alternator or any other mechanism as desired. Conventional Rankine Cycles operate with steam at temperatures above 400 ℃. The broad aspect of the research focussed on the generation of electricity to cater for household needs. Solar energy would be used to heat air which would in turn heat rocks in an insulated vessel. This would act as an energy storage in form of heat from which a heat transfer fluid would collect heat to supply the ORC heat engine for the generation of electricity. The objective of the research was to optimize power output of the ORC heat engine operating at temperatures between 25℃ at the condenser and 90 to 150℃ at the heat source. This was achieved by analysis of thermal energy, mechanical power, electrical power and physical parameters in connection with flow rate of working fluid and heat transfer fluids.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of the Corporate Social Investment motives and benefits behind the sponsors’ involvement with Parkrun South Africa

  • Authors: Fordyce, Jonathan
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Parkrun (Organization) , Parkrun (SA) , Blue Label Telecoms (Firm) , Dis-Chem (Firm) , Discovery Vitality (Firm) , Investments -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Sports sponsorship -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5388 , vital:20919
  • Description: This study is a qualitative investigation into the area of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) of non-profit organisations (NPOs). The focus of the study is on the non-profit organisation Parkrun South Africa (Parkrun SA) and its three major sponsors, namely Blue Label Telecoms, Discovery Vitality and Dis-Chem Pharmacies. The research analyses and subsequently posits the various benefits and motivations of the sponsors’ CSI initiative with Parkrun SA. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were carried out with the three sponsors to establish these benefits and motivations. The interviewees were selected based on their involvement and influence in establishing and governing their organisations’ CSI initiative with Parkrun SA. The research compared the benefits and motivations, highlighted by the sponsors during the interviews, to the current body of knowledge and literature on CSI. From the interviews it became evident that the benefits and motivations, pertaining to each sponsor, are well aligned to the current literature on CSI benefits and motivations. The benefits and motivations of the three organisations were also deemed very similar. Upon evaluation of the research, it became evident that the most essential motivator for all three sponsoring organisations is commercial. Key to all the sponsoring organisations involvement with Parkrun SA, is the potential return on investment through the various commercial aspects of being associated with such an initiative. Branding was the biggest benefit named by all three sponsoring organisations, however, creating a healthy society emerged as a major benefit too. It can be argued that health has become a major benefit for the sponsors because of the success and exponential growth of Parkrun SA. This growth has captured a large audience and in so doing, created major health benefits for the vast array of participants. Finally, through the data collection and analysis it became clear that the sponsors all view their CSI initiative with Parkrun SA as a major success. It is however, recommended that Parkrun SA start to grow their organisation to match the sustained growth seen in the country. There is a need to expand the organisation in terms of employees and transparent corporate reporting to deal with this growth and keep the sponsors satisfied while also keeping additional sponsors fascinated.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of the impact of Smallholder Irrigation Schemes on the choice of rural livelihood strategy and household food security in Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Christian, Mzuyanda
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4813 , vital:28526
  • Description: Since the end of Apartheid, the South African government has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation schemes, particularly in the former homeland areas. One of the primary goals for establishment of these schemes was to solve food security problems. Sadly, these efforts have not produced the desired results, and poverty has deepened. The question that can be asked is: What is it that makes South African smallholder agricultural sector seemingly impervious to the interventions that government has made in targeting smallholder farmers since the dawn of democracy in 1994? In order to address such a question, a set of structured questionnaires was used to interview 100 smallholder irrigators and 100 non-irrigators using multistage stratified random sampling technique in the Amatole, Chris Hani and OR Tambo District municipalities. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of smallholder irrigators and non-irrigators around Qamata, Pendu, Tyhefu, Merelles and Ntshongweni irrigation schemes were measured using descriptive statistics. Profitability between the two groups was measured using gross margin analysis (GM). The Probit model was used to determine the factors that affect smallholder farmer‘s choice of participation in irrigation schemes. The impact of irrigation participation on yields, crop sales and food security was estimated using the propensity score matching (PSM) technique. The impact of irrigation participation of smallholder farmer‘s choice of livelihood strategy was estimated using the multinomial regression model. The results showed that male respondents were dominant with a representation of 63 percent and average mean household size of 4 persons with the household head having spent at least 7 years at school. Farming was found to be the major (64 percent) occupation in the study area with an average income of R2 944.52 per cropping season. Both irrigating and non-irrigating smallholder farmers in the study area used improved, fertilizer and tractor for production. Overall, smallholder farmers spent 30.9 percent of their household income on food with irrigators‘food spending lower than those of non-irrigators. The gross margin analysis suggests that the irrigated farmers were in a better position to afford enough food in order to satisfy their household requirement. Findings from the Probit regression and Propensity Score Matching are consistent across the methods, indicating that irrigation participation has a positive influence on crop yields, income and consumption expenditure. Probit regression further showed that age, quality of land, access to credit, access to market, distance to the scheme and membership of another society/association have a positive impact on access and use of irrigation and are significant at p < 0.05 percent level. The Propensity Score Matching using Nearest Neighbour and Kernel Matching Methods of the outcome variables, total farm income and food consumption patterns, shows a positive and statistically significant result at p < 0.05 percent level. The nearest neighbour matching method shows that irrigators received higher farm income R2044.01 than non-irrigating farmers R622.12. The Average Treatment Effect on total food expenditure was negative both in the case of NNM and KM algorithms, indicating that participation in irrigation can decrease the expenditure levels on food from R933.30 to R926.70. This could be due to the fact that irrigating farmers produced enough for home consumption than non-irrigators. The multinomial regression model shows that irrigation participation influences smallholder farmers choice of livelihood strategy and these variables were statistically significant at p < 0.05 percent level. These results provide insights to address the question as to the appropriate development path for transition from homestead to irrigation. Continued support to smallholder farmers in the forms of funding, extension services and improved technologies is certainly needed to enhance food security.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of the reliability for the 132/66/22 KV distribution network within ESKOM’s Eastern Cape operating unit

  • Authors: Pantshwa, Athini
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Electric power distribution Electricity -- Supply -- Engineering , Smart power grids
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19750 , vital:28953
  • Description: A stable and reliable electrical power supply system is an inevitable pre-requisite for the technological and economic growth of any nation. Due to this, utilities must strive and ensure that the customer’s reliability requirements are met and that the regulators requirements are satisfied at the lowest possible cost. It is known fact around the world that 90% of the customer service interruptions are caused due to failure in distribution system. Therefore, it is worth considering reliability assessments as it provides an opportunity to incorporate the cost or losses incurred by the utilities customer as a result of power failure. This must be considered in the planning and operating practices. The system modelling and simulation study is carried out on one of the district’s distribution system which consists of 132 kV, 66 kV and 22 kV network in Aliwal North Sector ECOU. The reliability assessment is done on the 22, 66 and 132 kV system to assess the performance of the present system and also predictive reliability analysis for the future system considering load growth and system expansion. The alternative which gives low SAIDI, SAIFI and minimum breakeven costs is being assessed and considered. The reliability of 132 kV system could be further improved by constructing a new 132 kV line from a different source of supply and connecting with line coming from another district (reserve) at reasonable break even cost. The decision base could be further improved by having Aliwal North Sector context interruption cost. However, the historical data which may be used in Aliwal North Sector to acquire interruption costs from the customers are being proposed. The focus should be on improving the power quality on constrained networks first, then the reliability. Therefore for the Aliwal North power system network it is imperative that Eskom invest on the reliability of this network. This dissertation also analysed load reflected economic benefit versus performance expectations that should be optimized through achieving a balance between network performance (SAIDI) improvement, and total life cycle cost (to Eskom as well as the economy). Reliability analysis conducted in this dissertation used Aliwal North power system network as a case study; the results proved that the system is vulnerable to faults, planned and unplanned outages. Reliability evaluation studies were conducted on the system using DigSilent software in conjunction with FME. These two models gave accurate results with acceptable variance in most indices except for the ENS where the variance was quite significant. It can be concluded that DigSilent results are the most accurate results in all three reliability evaluation scenarios for the Aliwal North Power System, best interpretation being that of DigSilent.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Ant colony optimisation-based algorithms for optical burst switching networks

  • Authors: Gravett, Andrew Scott , Gibbon, Timothy B
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Distributed algorithms , Ants -- Behavior -- Mathematical models
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18939 , vital:28757
  • Description: This research developed two novel distributed algorithms inspired by Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO) for a solution to the problem of dynamic Routing and Wavelength Assignment (RWA) with wavelength continuity constraint in Optical Burst Switching (OBS) networks utilising both the traditional International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Fixed Grid Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and Flexible Spectrum scenarios. The growing demand for more bandwidth in optical networks require more efficient utilisation of available optical resources. OBS is a promising optical switching technique for the improved utilisation of optical network resources over the current optical circuit switching technique. The development of newer technologies has introduced higher rate transmissions and various modulation formats, however, introducing these technologies into the traditional ITU Fixed Grid does not efficiently utilise the available bandwidth. Flexible Spectrum is a promising approach offering a solution to the problem of improving bandwidth utilisation, which comes with a potential cost. Transmissions have the potential for impairment with respect to the increased traffic and lack of large channel spacing. Proposed routing algorithms should be aware of the linear and non-linear Physical Layer Impairments (PLIs) in order to operate closer to optimum performance. The OBS resource reservation protocol does not cater for the loss of transmissions, Burst Control Packets (BCPs) included, due to physical layer impairments. The protocol was adapted for use in Flexible Spectrum. Investigation of the use of a route and wavelength combination, from source to destination node pair, for the RWA process was proposed for ACO-based approaches to enforce the establishment and use of complete paths for greedy exploitation in Flexible Spectrum was conducted. The routing tuple for the RWA process is the tight coupling of a route and wavelength in combination intended to promote the greedy exploitation of successful paths for transmission requests. The application of the routing tuples differs from traditional ACO-based approaches and prompted the investigation of new pheromone calculation equations. The two novel proposed approaches were tested and experiments conducted comparing with and against existing algorithms (a simple greedy and an ACO-based algorithm) in a traditional ITU Fixed Grid and Flexible Spectrum scenario on three different network topologies. The proposed Flexible Spectrum Ant Colony (FSAC) approach had a markably improved performance over the existing algorithms in the ITU Fixed Grid WDM and Flexible Spectrum scenarios, while Upper Confidence Bound Routing and Wavelength Assignment (UCBRWA) algorithm was able to perform well in the traditional ITU Fixed Grid WDM scenario, but underperformed in the Flexible Spectrum scenario. The results show that the distributed ACO-based FSAC algorithm significantly improved the burst transmission success probability, providing a good solution in the Flexible Spectrum network environment undergoing transmission impairments.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Anti-fetishism: parodying the depiction of the female body as fetish

  • Authors: Pirie, René Alexis
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Body image -- Social aspects Fashion -- Social aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20377 , vital:29272
  • Description: sexual objectification of women is widespread in contemporary lifestyle and fashion magazines. Models used for advertising purposes often set a standard of beauty and youth that is unrealistic and limiting. This standard has damaging effects on women’s sense of self and their societal behaviour. Such images not only sexualise as well as fetishise women’s bodies, but also encourage self-surveillance. This research study examines Cindy Sherman, Sarah Lucas, Louise Bourgeois and Ángela Burón’s artistic responses to fetishized images of women, in order to assess what artistic strategies could be used to oppose such images in magazine advertisements. It aims to identify what anti-fetishism involves in theory and practice and to use this information to formulate an anti-fetish strategy which informs a series of anti-fetish artworks. The purpose of this series of works is to oppose the fetishization of women, particularly in magazine advertisements of high-end consumer products. The study contributes to the discourse of anti-fetishism and addresses a knowledge gap since research on anti-fetishism has much room for development. It is a Qualitative research study which adhered to a Practice-based research method. The key findings of this study are that anti-fetishism and female fetishism are approaches that differ from one another yet also overlap. Furthermore, Anti-fetishism involves the use of parodic mockery, while female fetishism is concerned mostly with undecidability as a strategy. From the examination of the artists, the anti-fetishistic strategy of parody, largely influenced the practical component of this research study. Parody offers a clear opposition to the still widespread fetishization of women in magazines both in South Africa and other Westernized countries across the world.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Anti-malarial synergy of secondary metabolites from Morinda lucida Benth.

  • Authors: Lakkakula, Jaya R , Matshaya, Thabo , Krause, Rui W M
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125609 , vital:35800 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2016.08.073
  • Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance The roots, stem and leaves of Morinda lucida are used in some African countries as treatment against different types of fevers including yellow fever, malaria, trypanosomiasis and feverish conditions during child birth. Aim of the study To determine the in vitro cell toxicity and anti-malarial activity of the extracts of stem bark of M. lucida and to identify the secondary metabolites in the extract that may be responsible for this activity. Materials and methods The cell toxicity studies of crude extract [dichloromethane (DCM): Methanol (MeOH) in a ratio of1:1 (v/v)] as well as compounds isolated from the same extract were carried out using human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa cells); while the anti-malarial activities of the same samples were performed against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. The isolation of the active compounds was carried out using chromatographic techniques (column and thin layer chromatography) where as mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as 1D- and 2D- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses were employed in the characterisation and identification of the isolated secondary metabolites. Results The pLDH and cell toxicity assays for the crude extract and the fractions of M. lucida indicated that some fractions reduced the malaria parasite viability by approximately 50% at 100 μg/mL and they were not significantly cytotoxic. An IC50 done on the crude extract gave a value of 25 μg/mL. The % cell viability for the crude extract in cell toxicity assay remained at 100%. Seven chemical constituents i.e. asperuloside (1), asperulosidic acid (2), stigmasterol (3a), β-sitosterol (3b), cycloartenol (3c), campesterol (3d) and 5,15-O-dimethylmorindol (4) were isolated from the DCM-MeOH extract of stem bark. The isolated compounds tested were not that active by themselves individually at 20 μM but their activities were increased when the isolated compounds were combined. As seen when compounds 2, 3 and 4 (% viability: 93, 123 and 101 respectively) were combined yielding an IC50 value of 17 μM. Furthermore, this is the first report of compounds 1, 2, 3c, 3d and 4 isolated from M. lucida. Conclusion The crude extract completely suppressed the growth of P. falciparum. This indicates that the crude extract contains many compounds that might be acting in synergy. The observed activity of the crude extract and the samples containing a mixture of different compounds support the traditional use of M. lucida for the treatment of malaria.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Antibacterial activities of both combined and individual medicinal plants extracts traditionally used to treat pneumonia

  • Authors: Mhango, Immaculate
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Antibacterial agents , Pneumonia -- Treatment
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19762 , vital:28959
  • Description: Pneumonia is one of the five major leading causes of death in children under-fives years and the elderly worldwide. Antibiotics used for its treatment are less potent due to bacteria development of bacteria resistant to antibiotics. This has led to a surge in search of novel drugs. There are already some drugs in clinical use that have natural products and derivatives such as quinine, morphine, vincristine, and taxol among others. The healing value of medicinal plants has been well accepted since Stone Age across the globe. This plant therapy has been prescribed and prepared independently or in combination. The following plants: Terminalia sericea, Warburgia salutaris, Dodonea angustofolia, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ballota africana, Kigelia africana and Acorus gramineus. These plants are most commonly used for treatment of pneumonia and other ailment, were studied to validate their antimicrobial activity based on scientific determination. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of these plants against bacteria pneumonia pathogens. Seven medicinal plants, independently and in combinations were relatively analysed for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Ground plant material of roots, bark and leafs were prepared with acetone, ethanol and distilled water. Dimethyl sulfoxide (10 &100%) was used as a reconstitution solvent and ciprofloxacin (10 %) as a positive control. The antimicrobial efficacy was determined using agar well diffusion and microtiter plate methods. Interaction between plants was evaluated by calculating fraction inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC). Noteworthy activity for individual studies with all test organisms was observed with T. sericea. However, highest ZOI (30 mm) was observed for B. africana ethanol extract for S. pyogenes. Weak microbial activity was noted in W. salutaris and D. angustofolia extracts with all test organisms. Good antimicrobial activity was observed in combination studies with all organisms. The potency of different plant combinations varied with highest ZOI observed with B. africana and W. salutaris ranging from 33-35 mm, conversely ZOI of 35 mm was also noted for S. aureus in B. africana and E. camaldulensis ethanol extract. Noteworthy antimicrobial activity was observed in T. sericea and D. angustofolia against all test pathogens. weak antimicrobial activity with highest MICs was observed in combinations where W. salutaris was involved. After calculating ΣFICs, strongest synergistic effect was displayed for W. salutaris and D. angustofolia against all test organisms (lowest ΣFICs 0.0491). Most plant extract combinations, displayed either synergistic, additive or indifferent effect, with few demonstrating antagonistic interactions. Significant antagonism effect was noted for S. pyogenes with T. sericea ethanol extract ΣFIC value of 15.51. Based on results of this study use of plants in combination increase antimicrobial efficacy. The antimicrobial activities; synergistic and additive effects observed adds credibility in the use of plant combination for therapeutic value in treatment of pneumonia. Future studies are recommended to identify and isolate specific active compounds involved in plant combination interactions. The importance of combination studies for possible development of new antimicrobials that can succumb bacterial resistance need to be highlighted.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017

Antidiabetic activity and mechanism of action of extracts of Brachylaena elliptica (Thurb.) DC. and Brachylaena ilicifolia (Lam) Phill & Schweick

  • Authors: Sagbo, Idowu Jonas
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Herbs -- Therapeutic use Pharmacognosy Diabetes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8154 , vital:31624
  • Description: International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that there are 415 million people globally that are suffering from diabetes and this figure is likely to double by 2040. In South Africa, the number of people suffering from diabetes is believed to be rising steadily and the current antidiabetic therapies include the use of expensive pharmaceutical drugs which after display numerous adverse side effects. Herbal medicine is an alternative treatment strategy used by many rural populations for the management of diabetes, which is cost-effective and with minimal reported side effects. The aim of this study was to validate the antidiabetic activity and to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action of the aqueous leaf extracts prepared from two plants, Brachylaena elliptica and Brachylaena ilicifolia, used by traditional healers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa for the treatment of diabetes. The current pharmaceutical drugs target site, including carbohydrate digestion, regulation of blood glucose levels through insulin levels or activating glucose uptake in liver and muscle. The plants extracts were therefore evaluated for their potential to mimic or replace these drugs. The inhibibitory effects on alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase, DPP-IV activity and pancreatic lipase were evaluated at various concentrations of the plant extracts. To evaluate the suitability of these extracts for cell based in vitro assay as well as to determine the safety of the plant extracts for human consumption, cytotoxicity towards HepG2 cells was assessed using the MTT assay. The effect of both plant extracts on glucose uptake in HepG2 and L6 cells, lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and NO production in RAW macrophages were investigated. Both plant extracts were also tested for INS-1 proliferation using the imageXpress®Micro XLS analysis. The MTT reduction assay was also used to investigate the effect of extracts on INS-1 glucose metabolism and as a reflection of insulin secretion. The inhibitory activity of the crude extracts of both plants on protein glycation, collagenase activity and CYP3A4 interaction were also evaluated The crude extracts of both plants displayed no significant inhibition on alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, lipase, protein glycation and collagenase compared to relevant standard inhibitors, acarbose, EGCG, Diprotin A, Orlistart and aminoguanidine. The mild inhibition of B. elliptica on alpha glucosidase activity at the highest concentration of the extract tested, was considered as not physiologically relevant. The aqueous extracts of bothplants showed < 40 percent cell death in HepG2 cells even at high concentration and hence support the use of the plants by traditional healers. The extracts of B. ellipticaat 25 µg/ml, displayed a proliferative effect on INS-1 cells when compared to the negative control and B. ilicifolia at 25 μg/ml. The treatment of HepG2 cells with 100 µg/mlB. elliptica and B. ilicifolia extracts revealed a higher glucose uptake of 121 percent and 123 percent respectively when compared to the pharmaceutical drug berberine. However, both plants extracts displayed weak significant glucose uptake in L6 muscle cell line at all the tested concentrations when compared to insulin at 6 μg/ml. The crude extracts of both plants demonstrated no significant effect on 3T3-L1 lipid accumulation and INS-1 glucose metabolism. The extracts of both plants strongly reduced NO production in RAW macrophages at the highest concentration (100 μg/ml) tested in this study, which at least in part, may be explained by the flavanoids and phenols content of these plants. In addition, the crude extracts of both plants displayed weak significant inhibition on the CYP3A4 activity indicating that both plant extracts do not interfere with the cytochrome P450 activation or metabolism of anti-diabetic drugs, that may be taken together with the plant extracts. In conclusion, the results obtained from this study revealed that both plants could possibly exert their hypoglycemic effect via interactions with insulin receptor, thereby enhancing glucose metabolism as well as maintaining and repairing the health state and function of the pancreatic beta cells. The findings in this study, therefore provide evidence that B. elliptica and B. ilicifolia possess antidiabetic properties, and support their folkloric use for the management of diabetes. However, due to the potential toxicity of both plant extracts, they must be prescribed with caution.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017
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