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Understanding the replication biology of Providence virus: elucidating the function of non-structural proteins

  • Authors: Nakayinga, Ritah
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Insects Viruses , Viruses Reproduction , Tombusviridae , RNA viruses , RNA polymerases
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193930 , vital:45408
  • Description: Tetraviruses are non-enveloped, small insect RNA viruses with a single stranded positive RNA genome that is either monopartite or bipartite. Providence virus (PrV) is the only member of the three tetravirus families with a viral replicase similar to the replicases of tombusviruses and umbraviruses. The principle aim of this thesis was to study PrV replication, focusing on subcellular localization and potential interactions between PrV replication proteins. The first objective of this study was to generate an anti-p104 antibody that does not cross-react with p40. Expression of the C-terminal portion of p104 in E. coli resulted in no detectable protein. Further expression in an insect cell based expression system resulted in the production of an insoluble protein. Attempts to improve protein solubility with a range of solubilization treatments were unsuccessful. Bioinformatic analysis was used to detect an antigenic region at the C-terminus of p104 and the peptide was used to raise anti-p104 antibodies. These antibodies did not detect native protein by western blot detection however they were used for immunoprecipitation. The establishment of the subcellular localization of PrV required two approaches; immunofluorescence in persistently infected Helicoverpa zea MG8 cells using antip40 and anti-dsRNA antibodies and the expression of EGFP-replicase fusion protein in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells. Replication of PrV was found to take place in cytosolic punctate structures. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that p40 self-interacts and interacts with p104. Bioinformatic analysis of PrV p104 suggests that the RdRp is similar to viral RdRps of the carmo-like supergroup II. Potential RNA binding regions are present within p104. A potential p40 interaction domain that shares hydrophilic and surface exposed properties with the TBSV p33 interaction domain is present. A putative arginine-rich region and disordered C-terminal region is present in p130. In conclusion, PrV p104 is the viral replicase. The resemblance of the expression strategy and putative functional domains with tombusviruses and umbraviruses suggest that PrV replication is related to the replication system of the tombusviruses and umbraviruses. This has led to propose that tetravirus replication strategies are diverse and raises questions on the origin and evolution of PrV. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Knowledge and perceptions of healthcare workers of the prescripts and implications of the Sexual Offences and Related matters amendment Act 5 of 2015 as applied to adolescent sexual and Reproductive health services in the Buffalo City Municipality

  • Authors: Nake, Khanyisile
  • Date: 2020-11
  • Subjects: Teenagers--Medical care--Law and legislation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22885 , vital:53179
  • Description: Background: In 2015, South Africa amended its Sexual Offences Act to address several disparities surrounding the issue of consensual sex among minors. The amendment has been faced with mixed reactions from the stakeholders with some supporting it while others opposing it. This study was conducted in clinics in East London to explore the knowledge and perception of healthcare workers about the prescripts of the ‘Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 5 of 2015 and their implications to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services. The purpose of the study was to explore the knowledge and perception of healthcare workers about the prescripts of the ‘Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 5 of 2015 and their implications to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services provision in Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methodology: This study applied the qualitative research approach and used a combination of descriptive and exploratory research design. Three clinic managers and nine professional nurses participated in the in-depth interviews. Thirteen general healthcare practitioners responsible for adolescents, sexual and reproductive health participated in key-informant interviews. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The study found that although healthcare practitioners are aware of the amendment act. However, there was inadequate understanding of the precise implications of this statutory initiative. Many of the participants were not informed of the intent of this act, whilst others suggested that they were not well trained regarding this act due to lack of funding in their respective clinics. Mixed views and perceptions on the impact of this act on their duties, on minors and on the general population were identified. Some were of the view that the Act will make it difficult to control the children while other welcomed it, because it leads to less teenage pregnancies, street abortions, and other similar experiences. Conclusion: In order to overcome these differences in perceptions, the Department of Health must create awareness among staff of the Act and its purpose. Develop initiatives to create understanding of the Act by all members of society to ensure the success of these legislative frameworks. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-11

A MIGHTEE Investigation of radio quiet AGN

  • Authors: Namane, Neo
  • Date: 2024-04-04
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435367 , vital:73151
  • Description: This study is aimed at being an overview and investigation of the behaviour and morphology of radio quiet (RQ) active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the radio and optical/near-infrared (NIR) bands. It is hoped that a concise description of the relation that exists between accretion activity and star formation (SF) will be achieved through utilization of multiwavelength astronomy analysis. This analysis includes the processing of data acquired from the MeerKAT International GHz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration survey (MIGHTEE), the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the Hyper Suprime Camera (HSC) mounted on the Subaru telescope and the VISTA telescope. In this thesis, several targets were observed using SALT spectroscopy, but a redshift of only one of them was obtained. Lastly, it was established that for the sample of RQ AGN studied, the AGN contribute a large fraction of the radio emission observed. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Physics and Electronics, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04-04

Investigation of the Chemical Nature and Species Distribution of Nitromethane in Inert Solvents

  • Authors: Namntu, Vuyokozi
  • Date: 2014
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2964 , vital:43106
  • Description: The solution behaviour of nitromethane in inert solvents; carbon tetrachloride, n-hexane and cyclohexane is rigorously investigated using mainly spectroscopic and computational techniques. Analysis of Proton (1H) and Carbon 13 (13C) NMR spectral data reveal that nitromethane solutions in inert solvents form associated species to varying degrees of complexity. A cyclic dimer is postulated as the energetically most favourable chemical species at low solute concentrations. Infrared spectra studied in the overtone region and UV-Visible spectral data confirm the presence of multiple associated chemical species at different solute concentrations with the degree of association progressively increasing with increase in concentration of the solute. The species involved in the association of nitromethane is formulated as (CH3NO2)2n, where n=0, 1,2 and 3, for the monomer, dimer and higher order polymers respectively. Line-shape analysis of both infrared and UV spectra show the onset of a plateau at molar solute concentrations of 0.616 molar described by the point of inflection in the absorption curve at around 0.055 cm-1 , in the second overtone. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Integrating Indigenous Ugandan social ethics into an education foundations curriculum: teacher educator’s perspectives

  • Authors: Nampijja, Florence Kirabo
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Indigenous peoples – Education--Africa , Decolonization Africa-Uganda , Curriculum change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53552 , vital:45436
  • Description: The research claims that curriculum in Uganda is too westernized to the extent that indigenous Ugandan social ethics which informed pre- colonial curriculum have been totally neglected. Consequently, there are many learned but few socially educated persons in the country. Findings highlighted that teacher educators supported the integration of relevant indigenous knowledges into curriculum because indigenous knowledge is directly linked to the environment within which Ugandan students live, studies and operates after studies. They also believed that IUSEs provides a bedrock for professional conduct to flourish and thus, must be treated as an important component of the curriculum. However, though participants acknowledged the advantages of integrating IUSE into curriculum, they identified a number of obstacles to the integration of IUSEs. For instance: lack of consensus of IUSEs among the fifty-six tribes in Uganda; lack of support by the civil service deployment policy. Some confessed to the lack of adequate knowledge about IUSEs; the feeling of cognitive imperialism that is still possessed by some teacher educators and others. Among the strategies to be used for successful integration, teacher educators highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, adopting the use of local languages as a medium of instruction and others. Data also revealed that the EFC currently aims at professional mentorship and giving employable skills to the students. The Such a situation manifests itself in the degeneration of ethical values by many Ugandans. This study examined teacher educators’ perspectives on integrating IUSEs in an Education Foundations curriculum (EFC). I used the decolonization theory, anti-colonial theory and indigenous knowledge discursive framework as lenses that framed the study. The findings from the study have implications for formulation of an education philosophy that is anchored in a national philosophy should be designed to guide curriculum designers in Uganda. The study further recommended that NCHE should compel all universities to integrate IUSEs into curriculum treating IUSEs as part of the minimum standards that must be satisfied before program accreditation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

It's all in your head

  • Authors: Namukuta, Sonia Charity Sajjabi
  • Date: 2024-04-04
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435536 , vital:73166
  • Description: My thesis is a collection of short stories that delve into the multifaceted nature of death, with a specific emphasis on murder, violence, death and their profound aftermath, including themes of loss, grief, and trauma. These stories offer diverse perspectives, narrated by perpetrators, voiceless victims, and those left to pick up the shattered pieces. Additionally, some stories are seen through the eyes of those tasked with handling the bodies. Often set in unnamed locations, they delve into imaginary and fantastical worlds, while remaining grounded in recognisable situations and spaces. I draw inspiration from popular and genre fiction such as horror, crime fiction and true crime stories, but approach my writing from a psychological lens, employing stylistic experimentation to challenge readers' expectations. The power of silence is a recurring motif. Rather than focusing on unearthing facts or revealing the "truth" like crime fiction often does, my narratives delve into what isn't or at times cannot be told — the unsayable. Some of my stories explore silence inherent in violence, grief, and the inability to articulate one's experience in the face of a violent act or a life prematurely ended. Others delve into the silence of untold stories and the dark secrets of the perpetrators. By exploring these contrasting perspectives, I aim to offer a nuanced exploration of death and its aftermath. The writing styles of Stephen Graham Jones, Lydia Davis, and Kuzhali Manickavel influence my work. Lydia Davis, known for her mastery of very short, flash fiction, ranging from single sentences to a paragraph or two, inspires me with her precise observations of the human condition. Her minimalist prose, carefully selecting and arranging words and sentences, encapsulates the power of less-is-more storytelling. Manickavel creates surreal yet tangible worlds, combining idiosyncratic, intense and eerie elements with unfiltered expression. Drawing from her ability to blur the lines between the surreal and the real, I infuse my stories with a sense of disquieting authenticity. Stephen Graham Jones stands out for his ability to explore morbid themes in a compelling and unconventional manner. His experimentation with horror fiction tropes, the visceral realism of his prose, and his complex characters inspire me to capture the unsettling feeling that something dreadful has occurred without explicitly detailing the facts and intricacies. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04-04

Mobilising indigenous technologies of making oshikundu and uumboloto to motivate and enable sense making of the topic carbon dioxide by grade 8 rural school learners

  • Authors: Nandjedi, Fredinard Nghinaounditala
  • Date: 2022-10-14
  • Subjects: Science Study and teaching (Secondary) Social aspects Namibia , Culturally relevant pedagogy Namibia , Ethnoscience Namibia , Carbon dioxide
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405357 , vital:70164
  • Description: Poor performance in Science has been noted in most rural schools and this has become a concern to education planners and implementers. Part of the failure is said to be caused by inadequate school resources, under-preparedness of teachers to teach Science, poor command of the Language of Learning and Teaching, negative attitudes that are accompanied by lack of insights into the value of Science, low self-efficacy, and poor-quality environments for learning Science. In this regard, literature has revealed that many Science teachers in Namibia do not consider learners’ local indigenous knowledge (IK) also known as indigenous technology to mediate learning. Yet, it is a requirement of the Namibian Science curriculum. I assume that this could be due in part to the fact that the Science curriculum is not explicit on how IK should be integrated into Science teaching. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to explore the opportunities IK integration into Science may offer in mediating learning and sense-making on the topic of carbon dioxide (CO2). Learners’ indigenous technological practices of making oshikundu and uumboloto were used as vehicles of learning. This qualitative case study is underpinned by the interpretive and indigenous research paradigms. Within the indigenous research paradigm, I focused on the Ubuntu perspective. This study was conducted at a rural under-resourced school in the Ohangwena region in Namibia. Thirty Grade 8 learners, one science teacher and two expert community members were involved as participants. Data were gathered using focus group interviews (sharing circles), group activities, participatory observations, and journal reflections. Data interpretation and analysis were done using Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Ogunniyi’s contiguity argumentative theory. A thematic approach to data analysis was adopted. That is, an inductive approach was employed whereby sub-themes were identified, and thereafter common sub-themes were combined into themes. The findings of this study revealed that the process of making oshikundu and uumboloto can be used to enable learners to make sense of the topic of CO2 and other related concepts. Furthermore, the study revealed that hands-on practical activities done with easily accessible resources which are related to learners’ indigenous technologies help learners learn Science easily. The study thus recommends that educators should use oshikundu and/or uumboloto to mediate learning of topics such as CO2. Science teachers should always try to tap into learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds in their lessons to enhance better understanding of Science concepts. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-10-14

Wildlife-vehicle collisions mitigation measures using road ecological data and deep learning

  • Authors: Nandutu, Irene
  • Date: 2023-10-13
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431907 , vital:72814
  • Description: Access restricted. Expected release in 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Mathematics, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023-10-13

An investigation into the efficacy of English language literacy support for students at the Ibika campus of the Walter Sisulu University.

  • Authors: Napier, Astrid
  • Date: 2011-01
  • Subjects: English Language , Study and Teaching , Information Literacy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23851 , vital:60919
  • Description: Institutions of higher learning are experiencing high failure rates, and this according to Scott, Yeld and Hendry (2007) can partly be attributed to the lack of adequate support for students after they have been admitted. Adequate support is very necessary, since research has shown that many students, especially those from former Department of Education and Training, are underprepared for tertiary institutions. Students at the Ibika Campus, the site where the research took place, are predominately from the former Department of Education and Training. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate why students at the Ibika Campus of the Walter Sisulu University seem to encounter problems with English mastery even though English language support services have been instituted; to discover what the perceptions of the WSU students and staff were with regard to the English support services; to determine what challenges the support services had , if any, in providing best service and to ascertain whether the English support services could be enhanced. The research was conducted at the Ibika Campus of the WSU. The design was that of the case study and a mixed method methodology was used. A total sample of 142 students, 5 staff members from the library, 1 staff member from the WC and 5 staff members from computer laboratories, as well as 12 staff members from the Ibika campus participated. A non probability sampling method was used. Students were selected from 1st year, second year and third year of their respective studies, ranging across the 14 departments at Ibika campus. Lecturing staff members were also selected across these departments. The instruments were structured questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicated that the English support services faced many challenges in their endeavor to provide services to students and the conclusion is that the English Language support services were therefore not as effective as it could be in giving support to students. It is recommended that the English Language support services immediately be improved in terms of space, since the venues for all three support services are too small, human resources and resources that support Teaching and Learning. It is further recommended that the university authorities seriously consider implementing an assessment test for all new entrants to the university, in order to establish who were in need of English Language support, and that these students be immersed in a programme that will assist them to improve their English Language proficiency. Finally, it is recommended that students complete a graduation threshold English proficiency examination in order that the institution can have confidence that students are proficient in English. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2011
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  • Date Issued: 2011-01

An investigation into the efficacy of English language literacy support for students at the Ibika campus of the Walter Sisulu university.

  • Authors: Napier, Astrid
  • Date: 2011_01
  • Subjects: Study and Teaching , Information Literacy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23498 , vital:57953
  • Description: Institutions of higher learning are experiencing high failure rates, and this according to Scott, Yeld and Hendry (2007) can partly be attributed to the lack of adequate support for students after they have been admitted. Adequate support is very necessary, since research has shown that many students, especially those from former Department of Education and Training, are underprepared for tertiary institutions. Students at the Ibika Campus, the site where the research took place, are predominately from the former Department of Education and Training. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate why students at the Ibika Campus of the Walter Sisulu University seem to encounter problems with English mastery even though English language support services have been instituted; to discover what the perceptions of the WSU students and staff were with regard to the English support services; to determine what challenges the support services had , if any, in providing best service and to ascertain whether the English support services could be enhanced. The research was conducted at the Ibika Campus of the WSU. The design was that of the case study and a mixed method methodology was used. A total sample of 142 students, 5 staff members from the library, 1 staff member from the WC and 5 staff members from computer laboratories, as well as 12 staff members from the Ibika campus participated. A non probability sampling method was used. Students were selected from 1st year, second year and third year of their respective studies, ranging across the 14 departments at Ibika campus. Lecturing staff members were also selected across these departments. The instruments were structured questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicated that the English support services faced many challenges in their endeavor to provide services to students and the conclusion is that the English Language support services were therefore not as effective as it could be in giving support to students. It is recommended that the English Language support services immediately be improved in terms of space, since the venues for all three support services are too small, human resources and resources that support Teaching and Learning. It is further recommended that the university authorities seriously consider implementing an assessment test for all new entrants to the university, in order to establish who were in need of English Language support, and that these students be immersed in a programme that will assist them to improve their English Language proficiency. Finally, it is recommended that students complete a graduation threshold English proficiency examination in order that the institution can have confidence that students are proficient in English. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Education, 2011
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  • Date Issued: 2011_01

The nexus between territorial border controls, informal cross border trading and economic security in Zimbabwe: the case of Beitbridge Border Post

  • Authors: Nare, Hilary
  • Date: 2022-10-14
  • Subjects: Informal sector (Economics) Zimbabwe , South Africa Commerce Zimbabwe , Border security Zimbabwe , Economic security Zimbabwe , Beitbridge (Zimbabwe) , Zimbabwe Politics and government , Zimbabwe Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365977 , vital:65807 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365977
  • Description: Informal cross border trade is central to the lives of many Zimbabweans, with informal trade across the Zimbabwean-South African border being of particular importance. This entails travelling through the Beitbridge border post on the Zimbabwean side, with Zimbabwean informal traders purchasing items in South Africa for resale in Zimbabwe. In doing so, they contribute not only to their own economic security but likely to the economic security of other Zimbabweans deeply affected by the ongoing crisis in the country. Often times, when examining the lives of Zimbabwe’s informal traders, the border post is not subjected to sustained focus and analysis. Yet, border posts (like the Beitbridge border post) are complex social institutions which configure the lives and livelihoods of cross border traders in multiple ways, and which informal traders often have to negotiate their way through. In this context, this thesis provides a critical analysis of border control management at the Beitbridge border post with particular reference to the activities of Zimbabwean informal cross border traders. The Beitbridge border post, like all border posts, has multiple functions. As a territorial border post, it seeks to maintain the national sovereignty of the Zimbabwean nation- state, and it monitors and controls the movement of people and goods in both directions. Currently, it is doing so at a time when the vast majority of Zimbabweans are suffering from varying levels of economic insecurity. The extent to which these functions are performed, and the manner in which they are performed, depends fundamentally on what takes place at the Beitbridge border post. This refers to the performance of both human subjects (border control officers of various kinds) and inanimate objects (such as scanners and cameras), both of which enact agency. Combined with these is the agency of cross border traders, who are compelled to navigate their way in and through these dimensions of the border control system. The thesis examines this by drawing heavily upon Actor-Network Theory. It is based on research undertaken at Beitbridge border post, involving 50 interviews with primarily current and former border control officers as well as informal cross border traders. Findings of this study show that deficiencies in border control management and border porosity at Beitbridge have led to a flourishing of informal cross border trade and, in turn, contributed to economic security in Zimbabwe, including during the time of Covid-19. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-10-14

Strategies for empowering Kenya's informal economy to realise its full potential for socio- economic development

  • Authors: Nason, Benson Vundi
  • Date: 2010-12
  • Subjects: Informal sector (Economics) -- Kenya , Kenya -- Economic conditions , Economic development
  • Language: English
  • Type: text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25676 , vital:64425
  • Description: This study attempted to identify realistic strategies that are accepted by those in the Jua Kali sector of Kenya’s informal economy. The strategies were seen as being relevant, practical and achievable in integrating the sector, or some parts of it, in the formal economy. Special attention was given to export potential as the driving force in socio-economic development. Since Jua Kali enterprises are widely spread throughout an area covering all the more heavily populated regions of Kenya, including many small villages as well as major towns, a comprehensive, nationwide study was out of the question. For this reason, the study was limited to the following areas with known and readily accessible concentrations of Jua Kali entrepreneurs. This included key suburbs of Nairobi and key regional towns like Machakos, Athi River and Mlolongo. The objectives of the study were to establish the problems faced by the informal sector in Kenya, to find out how such problems have affected the relevant artisans, to investigate if the artisans were aware of those problems and what they were doing if anything, to solve the problems they encountered. Finally, the study sought to establish what the other stakeholders were doing to improve the informal sector. The bulk of the literature reviewed underscored the facts that: the manufacturing sub–sector of Kenya’s informal economy has immense potential as an engine for driving the nation’s economy. Secondly, the full potential of the informal sector will only be realised if the manufacturers concerned are empowered to develop their own strategies for developing the informal economy. Such strategies should aim towards the goal of producing and marketing high quality products that are sold to both local and at the international markets via exports. The study adopted critical ethnography as its research method. Critical ethnography as a method requires a plan for the conducting of field research that is reflexive in nature whereby the researcher facilitates a consensual process in which the subjects reflect on their own situation and develop their own solutions to problems. In the present case the process was a communal one with a consensual decision making and actions by the subjects. All interpretations and meaning to activities and actions to be taken were thereof informed by the subjects being studied. At the end of the study, the findings of the analysis were presented to each of the participating subjects for their final comments with those comments being incorporated in the report. The principles of critical ethnography therefore, were seen as providing an ideal framework for exploring the possibilities of self–empowerment that enabled the subjects of the study to fulfil their potential within this important sector. Data analysis and presentation have been presented using tables. Finally, the study’s conclusions and recommendations have been presented in the relevant and subsequent chapters therein. As opportunities and resources will allow in the future, the dissemination of the study findings will continue to be facilitated throughout the country of Kenya. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
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  • Date Issued: 2010-12

Fixed point theory in metric and normed Spaces

  • Authors: Naude, Luan
  • Date: 2022-12
  • Subjects: Metric spaces – South Africa , Banach spaces – South Africa , Mappings (Mathematics)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59898 , vital:62686
  • Description: In this dissertation, we present major results in the theory of fixed points in metric and normed spaces. We start with a review of the Banach fixed point theorem and some of its applications (in systems of linear equations, differential equations, integral equations, and dynamical systems), and then discuss many of its extensions and generalizations. We look at the theorem of Edelstein ([8, Remark 3.1]) in compact metric spaces, and a generalizaton of it proved by Suzuki ([19, Theorem 3]) in 2009. We then give a detailed account of the work of Meyers: In [11], Meyers proved generalizations of the Banach fixed point theorem to uniform local contractions, and, in [10], a converse to the Banach fixed point theorem. Finally, we look at some of Browder’s work in fixed point theory. In [6], he showed the existence of fixed points for nonexpansive mappings on bounded, closed, and convex sets in uniformly convex Banach spaces, and, in [5], he proved similar results in Hilbert spaces using a connection between nonexpansive mappings and monotone operators. Keywords: Fixed point, Functional analysis, Metric spaces, Banach spaces, Hilbert spaces, contractions, Banach fixed point theorem, nonexpansive mappings. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-12

Using information visualization to support the self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

  • Authors: Nauder, Meggan Kate
  • Date: 2022-04
  • Subjects: Information visualization , Diabetics --Treatment --South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55711 , vital:53409
  • Description: The globally increasing number of individuals suffering from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a completely preventable incurable disease of the pancreas, highlights the need for an effective tool for users to understand the relationship between their behaviours and the effect that those behaviours can have on their blood glucose levels (BGLs). There are few Information Visualisation (IV) tools available that can be used to reduce the cognition required to understand correlations between behaviour and BGLs. Existing tools require time-consuming, lengthy inputs and provide simple visualisations that do not show correlations. This leads to ineffective self-management of T2DM. Information Visualisation (IV) techniques can be used to support effective self-management of T2DM and reduce the cognition required to interpret DM data. Suitable IV techniques were identified and used to visualize T2DM data to aid in the self-management of the disease. Temporal charts, i.e. The Bar, Pie and Line Chart as well as heat maps, were selected as the most appropriate IV techniques to visualize T2DM data as they support time-series data well. A prototype, MedicMetric was created as an IV tool for visualizing T2DM data. MedicMetric incorporated three designed charts, namely the Change Rate Line View, the Radial Progress View, and the Annotated Line View. The Change Rate Line View and Annotated Line View both used line IV techniques, while the Radial Progress View made use of the bar IV technique. The Change Rate Line View performed the worst overall. A usability evaluation was conducted to compare these techniques and to determine which technique is most suitable for visualizing T2DM data. The results leaned significantly in favour of the Annotated Line View. This view is most similar to the line charts typically used in other IV tools. For this reason, the MedicMetric app was briefly compared to the MySygr and Diabetes:M application. In effectiveness and efficiency, MedicMetric and MySugr obtained almost identical results. However, participants indicated that MedicMetric supported their tasks using the Visual Information Seeking Mantra (VISM) the best overall, with 100% of participants stating that they would prefer to use the MedicMetric application. Several usability problems were identified with the IV techniques and they were addressed shortly after the study was complete. Overall participants were most satisfied with the Annotated Line View. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computing Sciences, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-04

Une analyse critique de deux adaptations filmiques de Les Liaisons dangereuses de Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

  • Authors: Naumann, Tyler
  • Date: 2021-10-29
  • Subjects: Film adaptations History and criticism , Laclos, Choderlos de, 1741-1803. Liaisons dangereuses Criticism and interpretation , Liaisons dangereuses (Motion picture) History and criticism , French fiction 18th century History and criticism , Semiotics and motion pictures , Translating and interpreting in motion pictures , Continuum of proximity
  • Language: French
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190284 , vital:44980
  • Description: Film adaptation has been practised since the emergence of cinema in France in the early twentieth century. Theorists have identified, however, that a detailed system of analysis of film adaptations remains lacking and that there is a dearth of detailed case studies. This study adopts the lens of intersemiotic translation and seeks to apply a system of analysis, comprised of a synthesis of three existing systems (Cattrysse, Metz, McFarlane). The semiotic transferal of five key sequences from the source text are analysed in their film adaptations. The source text, Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, an eighteenth-century epistolary novel focusing on the erotic exploits of two nobles in French high society, was chosen for its challenging nature as a film adaptation. Two film adaptations, that at first glance seem to be at the opposing extremes of film adaptation classification: ‘free’ and ‘close’; have been chosen to firstly, better understand the mechanics of the semiotic transferal process, and secondly, to identify at which points these adaptations are constituted as ‘free’ or ‘close’. Since the domain’s theorisation in the early 1930’s, the fidelity debate has remained omnipresent in the analysis of film adaptation. Even though theorists have tried to move away from the fidelity debate, it remains indispensable when comparing an adaptation with the original text and is a key point of departure when analysing the semiotic transferal between source text and screen. Through the lens of translation, theorists have come to question the binary classifications of film adaptations: ‘free’ and ‘close’. Contemporary theorists suggest that proximity to the source text operates on a continuum rather than as a fixed category. As a result of the multi-layered system of analysis used in this study, it has been concluded that the two film adaptations chosen are both ‘free’ and ‘close’ at varying points. Intersemiotic translation used in comparative film adaptations studies is therefore a useful methodological tool that allows for a more detailed and nuanced analysis and strengthens the case for using a continuum of proximity rather than fixed classifications. , Depuis l’émergence du cinéma en France au début du XXe siècle, il existe des adaptations filmiques. Les théoriciens de ce domaine constatent pourtant le manque d’un système d’analyse détaillé de ces adaptations. En plus, il y a une pénurie de cas d’études détaillés. La présente étude vise à prendre l’optique de la traduction intersémiotique et à appliquer un système d’analyse, qui se compose d’une synthèse de trois systèmes existants (Cattrysse, Metz, McFarlane). Le transfert sémiotique sera analysé de cinq séquences clefs du texte source. Le texte source, Les Liaisons dangereuses de Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, roman épistolaire du XVIIIe siècle qui se focalise sur les conquêtes amoureuses de deux aristocrates, a été choisi pour sa nature stimulante en tant que projet d’adaptation filmique. Nous avons choisi deux adaptations, qui à première vue, semblent être aux extrêmes opposés de classements des adaptations filmiques : ‘approchant’ et ‘libre’, pour découvrir les mécanismes du processus du transfert sémiotique, et en deuxième lieu, pour identifier à quels points ces adaptations seraient ‘approchantes’ ou ‘libres’. Dès la théorisation du domaine au début des années 1930, le débat de la fidélité est resté omniprésent dans les analyses des adaptations filmiques. Comparer une adaptation filmique au texte source est fait, et reste un point de départ essentiel lorsque l’analyse du transfert sémiotique entre le texte source et l’écran s’effectue. À travers l’optique de la traduction intersémiotique, les théoriciens ont remis en question les classifications binaires des adaptations filmiques : ‘approchante’, ‘hybride’, et ‘libre’. Les théoriciens contemporains suggèrent que la proximité du texte source s’opère sur un continuum au lieu d’être précisée dans des classements fixes. Grâce au système à multiples composantes utilisé dans cette étude, il a été conclu que les deux adaptations filmiques choisies sont toutes les deux ‘approchantes’ et ‘libres’ aux points variés. La traduction intersémiotique utilisée dans les études comparatives des adaptations filmiques constitue donc un outil méthodologue indispensable qui permet une analyse détaillée et nuancée, et qui renforce les arguments en faveur de l’emploi d’un continuum de proximité qui contourne le problème d’étiquettes rigides et binaires. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, French Studies, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-10-29

Investigation of molecular mechanism of recognition between citral and MARK4: A newer therapeutic approach to attenuate cancer cell progression

  • Authors: Naz, Farha , Khan, Faez I , Mohammad, Taj , Khan, Parvez , Manzoor, Saaliqa , Hasan, Gulam M , Lobb, Kevin A , Luqman, Suaib , Ahmad, Faizan , Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447967 , vital:74687 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.10.143"
  • Description: Microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a member of AMP-activated protein kinase, found to be involved in apoptosis, inflammation and many other regulatory pathways. Since, its aberrant expression is directly associated with the cell cycle and thus cancer. Therefore, MARK4 is being considered as a potential drug target for cancer therapy. Here, we investigated the mechanism of inhibition of MARK4 activity by citral. Docking studies suggested that citral effectively binds to the active site cavity, and complex is stabilized by several interactions. We further performed molecular dynamics simulation of MARK4-citral complex under explicit water condition for 100 ns and observed that binding of citral to MARK4 was quite stable. Fluorescence binding studies suggested that citral strongly binds to MARK4 and thereby inhibits its enzyme activity which was measured by the kinase inhibition assay. We further performed MTT assay and observed that citral inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This work provides a newer insight into the use of citral as novel cancer therapeutics through the MARK4 inhibition. Results may be employed to design novel therapeutic molecule using citral as a scaffold for MARK4 inhibition to fight related diseases.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Status of physical activity and physical fitness among intermediate-phase schoolchildren from marginalised communities in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Ncanywa, Sesethu
  • Date: 2022-04
  • Subjects: Child development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children -- Physiology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55833 , vital:53905
  • Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the current status of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) of intermediate-phase schoolchildren from marginalised communities in Port Elizabeth. A total of 985 schoolchildren (n=505 boys, n=474 girls) aged 8 to 16 years, from eight quintile 3 government schools participated in this study. These schools included four schools from the Township area and four from the Northern areas in Port Elizabeth. The tests included in the study were PA (Actigraph accelerometer), PF (20 m shuttle run test and grip strength), and body composition (body mass index and body fat percentage). Results showed that girls had higher body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%), lower VO2max, less time spent on average per day on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and lower grip strength (GS) as compared to boys (p0.05). No significant differences were found between the two geographic areas with regards to VO2max, GS, BMI and BF% (p>0.05). However, when confounding variables were considered, there was a significant difference in the BMI (p=0.0007), BF% (p=0.0003) and GS (p=0.0004) of the children from the two geographic areas. A negative correlation was found between VO2max and BMI A positive correlation was found between VO2max and MVPA . Overall, girls seem to be more at risk than boys for future non communicable diseases. These findings highlight the importance of promoting PA and monitored PF in children, and particularly in girls from marginalised communities. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of lifestyle Sciences, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-04

Vernacular sound technologies: experimenting with reverb in isiXhosa choral recordings

  • Authors: Ncanywa, Sibusiso
  • Date: 2023-10-13
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432147 , vital:72846
  • Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023-10-13

An analysis of schooling outcomes in the Eastern Cape, using production function approach

  • Authors: Ncanywa, Thobeka
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Education -- Economic aspects , Production functions (Economic theory) , School management and organization
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26570 , vital:65656
  • Description: This study analysed the schooling outcomes of the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education in the period heading into the second decade of democracy. The main objective of the thesis is to discover what constitutes the education production function of the Eastern Cape schooling system. In an attempt to reach this objective, the study adopted an education production function approach to answer the questions of what constitute the Eastern Cape education production function, what the effects are of the Dinaledi policy interventions on learner performance and the effects of district size on schooling outcomes. The main focus of the constituents of the production function is on the level of the former Bantustan penalty and Department of Education and Training (DET) penalty in relation to former White schools; as well as the quality of educators in the province. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and quantile regressions were used to analyse the data and the Annual National Assessment (ANA) represented schooling outcomes and was estimated against school, educator and community characteristics. The results indicated a strong relationship between schooling outcomes and the school inputs that were used in the study. The effects of the Dinaledi intervention programme were analysed using the grade 12 panel data for the period from 2008 to 2013, where event dropout rates represented schooling outcomes. The findings that emerged from this study indicated that this programme provides a model that can improve the Eastern Cape schooling outcomes. The effects of district size on schooling outcomes were analysed with the regression discontinuity design technique and this revealed that district sizes have an impact on schooling outcomes. Overall, the results suggested that White schools perform better than their counterparts; that placing schools in quintiles is a good policy intervention; and that educator quality is associated with schooling outcomes. The key findings from this research were the continuing existence of the apartheid legacy in Black schools; poor educator quality; an inappropriate language of instruction; gender inequalities in performance and an uneven distribution of schools in districts. The recommendations for this research are to pay more attention to the improvement of educator quality in terms of educator qualifications, training and remuneration; implement a programme like the Dinaledi programme to all schools, as it provides resources to schools; and enforce the district size as informed by the district act so as to improve the support that district officials give to schools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Records management by the Wesley community small-scale farmers in the Ngqushwa Municipality of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Ncanywa, Ziyanda https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5075-7448
  • Date: 2018-05
  • Subjects: Records -- Management , Farms, Small
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25305 , vital:64142
  • Description: The study sought to investigate records management programmes by small-scale farmers, focussing on small-scale farmers in Wesley Community in Eastern Cape South Africa. The objectives of the study were to: Determine the types of records kept by small-scale farmers in Wesley Community; Assess records the records management practices used by small-scale farmers in Wesley Community; Find out the benefits of managing farm records by small-scale farmers in Wesley Community; and Identify the constraints small-scale farmers in Wesley Community encounter in the management of their farm records. This study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The researcher followed a methodological path that began with a thorough literature review and a careful and thoughtful posing of research questions and objectives. A sample of Wesley Community small-scale farmers was chosen using both convenience and snowball sampling where available and willing farmers were interviewed using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Collected data were analysed using Microsoft Excel 2010. The study found that an encouraging number of small-scale farmers keep records. The records kept by small-scale farmers, however, some of them are not organised or being kept in a systematic way. Small-scale farmers do find record keeping very beneficial and are interested in keeping more records. Illiteracy and low self-esteem proved to be constraints when it comes to small-scale farmers’ records keeping and management. It was concluded that small-scale farmers do keep records. The manner in which the records are kept is mostly systematic. There a benefits of keeping records for farmers even though small-scale farmers face a few constrains when it comes to record keeping. From the findings it is recommended that: the government offer basic education classes for small-scale farmers, records management awards to motivate small-scale farmers and records management training for small-scale farmers. , Thesis (MLIS) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2018
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  • Date Issued: 2018-05
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