Touching matters: affective entanglements in Coronatime
- Bozalek, Vivienne, Newfield, Denise, Romano, Nike, Carette, Lieve, Naidu, Katharine, Mitchell, Veronica, Noble, Alex
- Authors: Bozalek, Vivienne , Newfield, Denise , Romano, Nike , Carette, Lieve , Naidu, Katharine , Mitchell, Veronica , Noble, Alex
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160357 , vital:40438 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/1077800420960167
- Description: This article troubles touch as requiring embodied proximity, through an affective account of virtual touch during coronatime. Interested in doing academia differently, we started an online Barad readingwriting group from different locations. The coronatime void was not a vacuum, but a plenitude of possibilities for intimacy, pedagogy, learning, creativity, and adventure. Although physically apart, we met daily through Zoom, and we touched and were touched by each other and the texts we read. A montage of writing fragments and a collective artwork, based on the Massive_Micro project, highlight virtual touching. Undone, redone, and reconfigured, we became a diffractive human/nonhuman multiplicity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bozalek, Vivienne , Newfield, Denise , Romano, Nike , Carette, Lieve , Naidu, Katharine , Mitchell, Veronica , Noble, Alex
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160357 , vital:40438 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/1077800420960167
- Description: This article troubles touch as requiring embodied proximity, through an affective account of virtual touch during coronatime. Interested in doing academia differently, we started an online Barad readingwriting group from different locations. The coronatime void was not a vacuum, but a plenitude of possibilities for intimacy, pedagogy, learning, creativity, and adventure. Although physically apart, we met daily through Zoom, and we touched and were touched by each other and the texts we read. A montage of writing fragments and a collective artwork, based on the Massive_Micro project, highlight virtual touching. Undone, redone, and reconfigured, we became a diffractive human/nonhuman multiplicity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The novobiocin-induced turnover of fibronectin via low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 alters matrix morphology with physiological consequences on cell growth and migration
- Authors: Boёl, Natasha Marie-Eraine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114778 , vital:34034 , 10.21504/10962/114778
- Description: Fibronectin (FN), an extracellular matrix protein, is secreted as a soluble dimer which is assembled into an insoluble extracellular matrix. The dynamics of FN matrix assembly and degradation play a large role in cell migration and invasion thereby contributing to the metastatic potential of cancer cells. Previous studies have shown the direct binding of Heat Shock Protein 90 kDa (Hsp90) and FN in vitro, and that inhibition of Hsp90 with novobiocin (NOV) caused internalisation of the FN matrix. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a ubiquitous receptor known to bind both Hsp90 and FN. Using an LRP1 expressing Hs578T breast cancer cell line and an isogenic mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) model system of differential LRP1 expression we demonstrate that LRP1 is involved in turnover of FN in response to C-terminal Hsp90 inhibition. The first objective of this study was to identify the mechanism of NOV-induced LRP1-mediated FN turnover. Our data show that NOV-mediated FN turnover via LRP1 did not require the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play an important role in processing and degradation of the extracellular matrix and FN. In addition, the levels of the main FN receptor responsible for its extracellular assembly, β1-integrin, did not change in response to NOV. LRP1 is known to undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) which generates smaller fragments that may translocate to the nucleus and modulate gene transcription. Using inhibitors of LRP1 cleavage and nuclear fractionation we determined that LRP1 processing was not required for the NOV-induced FN response suggesting that a mechanism unrelated to LRP1 RIP is involved. A possible mechanism may be in altered Hsp90-LRP1 cell signalling as we observed disruption of the FN-Hsp90-LRP1 complex at the cell surface in NOV treated cells. How this affects downstream eHsp90-LRP1 signalling is still to be determined but may be related to a significant increase in phospho-AKT and loss of phospho-ERK upon NOV-treatment; two key signalling proteins involved in FN matrix regulation and which are downstream of LRP1 signalling. The second objective of this study was to determine the physiological consequences associated with FN turnover in response to NOV treatment. Using migration assays we demonstrated that levels of insoluble matrix-associated FN and FN concentration are not solely responsible for migratory capacity of cells on decellularized extracellular matrices, but rather that structural composition and integrity of the matrix plays a bigger role. Using confocal and scanning electron microscopy, we identified NOV treated matrices to be flatter, less mature and contain thicker, rope-like FN fibrils to which cells adhered better but were generally less proliferative. Comparatively, cells adhered less to the more mature and 3-dimensional untreated matrices but exhibited increased spreading and cell growth, which may in part be due to the thinner fibrils and web-like matrix. In summary, this study substantiates the role of LRP1 in NOV-mediated FN turnover, and provides new insights into the possible mechanisms of the Hsp90-LRP1 mediated loss of FN matrix. This is the first study to demonstrate some of the functional consequences related to FN turnover by NOV at the ECM level. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2020
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Boёl, Natasha Marie-Eraine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114778 , vital:34034 , 10.21504/10962/114778
- Description: Fibronectin (FN), an extracellular matrix protein, is secreted as a soluble dimer which is assembled into an insoluble extracellular matrix. The dynamics of FN matrix assembly and degradation play a large role in cell migration and invasion thereby contributing to the metastatic potential of cancer cells. Previous studies have shown the direct binding of Heat Shock Protein 90 kDa (Hsp90) and FN in vitro, and that inhibition of Hsp90 with novobiocin (NOV) caused internalisation of the FN matrix. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a ubiquitous receptor known to bind both Hsp90 and FN. Using an LRP1 expressing Hs578T breast cancer cell line and an isogenic mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) model system of differential LRP1 expression we demonstrate that LRP1 is involved in turnover of FN in response to C-terminal Hsp90 inhibition. The first objective of this study was to identify the mechanism of NOV-induced LRP1-mediated FN turnover. Our data show that NOV-mediated FN turnover via LRP1 did not require the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play an important role in processing and degradation of the extracellular matrix and FN. In addition, the levels of the main FN receptor responsible for its extracellular assembly, β1-integrin, did not change in response to NOV. LRP1 is known to undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) which generates smaller fragments that may translocate to the nucleus and modulate gene transcription. Using inhibitors of LRP1 cleavage and nuclear fractionation we determined that LRP1 processing was not required for the NOV-induced FN response suggesting that a mechanism unrelated to LRP1 RIP is involved. A possible mechanism may be in altered Hsp90-LRP1 cell signalling as we observed disruption of the FN-Hsp90-LRP1 complex at the cell surface in NOV treated cells. How this affects downstream eHsp90-LRP1 signalling is still to be determined but may be related to a significant increase in phospho-AKT and loss of phospho-ERK upon NOV-treatment; two key signalling proteins involved in FN matrix regulation and which are downstream of LRP1 signalling. The second objective of this study was to determine the physiological consequences associated with FN turnover in response to NOV treatment. Using migration assays we demonstrated that levels of insoluble matrix-associated FN and FN concentration are not solely responsible for migratory capacity of cells on decellularized extracellular matrices, but rather that structural composition and integrity of the matrix plays a bigger role. Using confocal and scanning electron microscopy, we identified NOV treated matrices to be flatter, less mature and contain thicker, rope-like FN fibrils to which cells adhered better but were generally less proliferative. Comparatively, cells adhered less to the more mature and 3-dimensional untreated matrices but exhibited increased spreading and cell growth, which may in part be due to the thinner fibrils and web-like matrix. In summary, this study substantiates the role of LRP1 in NOV-mediated FN turnover, and provides new insights into the possible mechanisms of the Hsp90-LRP1 mediated loss of FN matrix. This is the first study to demonstrate some of the functional consequences related to FN turnover by NOV at the ECM level. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2020
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
Integrative taxonomy reveals hidden diversity in the southern African darters genus Nannocharax Günther 1867 (Characiformes: Distichodontidae):
- Bragança, Pedro H N, Smith, Timothy G, Vreven, Emmanuel J W M N, Chakona, Albert
- Authors: Bragança, Pedro H N , Smith, Timothy G , Vreven, Emmanuel J W M N , Chakona, Albert
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163510 , vital:41044 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1111/jfb.14535
- Description: The present study explored the diversity of Nannocharax within southern Africa by implementing three species delimitation methods for a data set consisting of 37 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. Two unilocus coalescent methods, the General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and the Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), and a genetic distance method, the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), were applied. Both GMYC and bPTP delimited the same operational taxonomic units (OTUs), revealing a higher diversity for the genus in the region than previously recognised, whereas the ABGD failed to delimit the same candidate species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bragança, Pedro H N , Smith, Timothy G , Vreven, Emmanuel J W M N , Chakona, Albert
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163510 , vital:41044 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1111/jfb.14535
- Description: The present study explored the diversity of Nannocharax within southern Africa by implementing three species delimitation methods for a data set consisting of 37 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. Two unilocus coalescent methods, the General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and the Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), and a genetic distance method, the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), were applied. Both GMYC and bPTP delimited the same operational taxonomic units (OTUs), revealing a higher diversity for the genus in the region than previously recognised, whereas the ABGD failed to delimit the same candidate species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Integrative taxonomy reveals hidden diversity in the southern African darters genus Nannocharax Günther 1867 (Characiformes: Distichodontidae):
- Bragança, Pedro H N, Smith, Timothy G, Vreven, Emmanuel J W M N, Chakona, Albert
- Authors: Bragança, Pedro H N , Smith, Timothy G , Vreven, Emmanuel J W M N , Chakona, Albert
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163543 , vital:41047 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1111/jfb.14535
- Description: The present study explored the diversity of Nannocharax within southern Africa by implementing three species delimitation methods for a data set consisting of 37 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. Two unilocus coalescent methods, the General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and the Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), and a genetic distance method, the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), were applied. Both GMYC and bPTP delimited the same operational taxonomic units (OTUs), revealing a higher diversity for the genus in the region than previously recognised, whereas the ABGD failed to delimit the same candidate species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bragança, Pedro H N , Smith, Timothy G , Vreven, Emmanuel J W M N , Chakona, Albert
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163543 , vital:41047 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1111/jfb.14535
- Description: The present study explored the diversity of Nannocharax within southern Africa by implementing three species delimitation methods for a data set consisting of 37 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. Two unilocus coalescent methods, the General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and the Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), and a genetic distance method, the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), were applied. Both GMYC and bPTP delimited the same operational taxonomic units (OTUs), revealing a higher diversity for the genus in the region than previously recognised, whereas the ABGD failed to delimit the same candidate species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The economic impact of electrical meter tampering within Western Cape municipalities
- Authors: Brink, Petrus Johannes
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electric meters--Power supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47526 , vital:40125
- Description: Electricity access is fundamental for satisfying elementary human needs, raising living standards, preserving satisfactory human health, assisting in the relief of poverty and helping expedite sustainable development. Furthermore, access to electricity helps to uplift communities and empower businesses, contributing to an all-round positive environment ultimately leading to the development of a country. Worldwide, electricity is generated at identified areas and by specific entities such as Eskom in South Africa, Nampower in Namibia and LEC in Lesotho. Electricity generation, transmission, and distribution are a business just like any other business and its main goals are to service the needs of its customers as well as to make a profit and look after the interests of the shareholders. Although electricity must be made available for use by all the citizens and businesses in a country, it is not a free service and must be paid for. An electricity meter is used to measure the amount of electricity used and bill the consumer accordingly. Tampering with any electrical meters in order to avoid paying for electricity is illegal and a criminal offense. Electrical meter tampering and the economic impact it has on a utility is a massive overall problem. An initial review of the problem revealed that there are studies and published statistics for electrical meter tampering in South Africa on a national level, but that there is a lack of focus and results on a regional level. The purpose of this study is to assist regional municipalities and determine how to challenge electricity meter tampering and therefore influence the economic effect it might have on such a municipality. This study looks at investigating regional municipalities with a specific focus on municipalities situated within the Western Cape. To initiate this study, secondary data was collected from academic sources and presented in the form of a literature review. The literature review addresses research questions and objectives around the background, nature, and extent of managing electricity, electrical meters, the importance of solving the problem and the potential causes of electrical meter tampering. An interpretive research philosophy was followed and primary data was gathered through a qualitative study by interviewing eleven (11)participants from ten (10)local Western Cape Municipalities. Furthermore, it was identified that the two qualitative approaches best suited to this research was a case study and grounded theory. In order to analyse the primary data gathered, a sophisticated software programme called ATLAS.ti was used to identify themes and codes emanating from the data. The analysis of the primary data was presented in the form of columns, bar and pie charts and the key findings interpreted with reference to the secondary data gathered earlier in the study.The treatise was concluded with recommendations to municipal managers of how to challenge electrical meter tampering and what economic impact meter tampering has on their municipalities. It was left to the municipal manager’s discretion to decide if they want to share the results of the study with their senior and middle managers who acted as participants in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Brink, Petrus Johannes
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electric meters--Power supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47526 , vital:40125
- Description: Electricity access is fundamental for satisfying elementary human needs, raising living standards, preserving satisfactory human health, assisting in the relief of poverty and helping expedite sustainable development. Furthermore, access to electricity helps to uplift communities and empower businesses, contributing to an all-round positive environment ultimately leading to the development of a country. Worldwide, electricity is generated at identified areas and by specific entities such as Eskom in South Africa, Nampower in Namibia and LEC in Lesotho. Electricity generation, transmission, and distribution are a business just like any other business and its main goals are to service the needs of its customers as well as to make a profit and look after the interests of the shareholders. Although electricity must be made available for use by all the citizens and businesses in a country, it is not a free service and must be paid for. An electricity meter is used to measure the amount of electricity used and bill the consumer accordingly. Tampering with any electrical meters in order to avoid paying for electricity is illegal and a criminal offense. Electrical meter tampering and the economic impact it has on a utility is a massive overall problem. An initial review of the problem revealed that there are studies and published statistics for electrical meter tampering in South Africa on a national level, but that there is a lack of focus and results on a regional level. The purpose of this study is to assist regional municipalities and determine how to challenge electricity meter tampering and therefore influence the economic effect it might have on such a municipality. This study looks at investigating regional municipalities with a specific focus on municipalities situated within the Western Cape. To initiate this study, secondary data was collected from academic sources and presented in the form of a literature review. The literature review addresses research questions and objectives around the background, nature, and extent of managing electricity, electrical meters, the importance of solving the problem and the potential causes of electrical meter tampering. An interpretive research philosophy was followed and primary data was gathered through a qualitative study by interviewing eleven (11)participants from ten (10)local Western Cape Municipalities. Furthermore, it was identified that the two qualitative approaches best suited to this research was a case study and grounded theory. In order to analyse the primary data gathered, a sophisticated software programme called ATLAS.ti was used to identify themes and codes emanating from the data. The analysis of the primary data was presented in the form of columns, bar and pie charts and the key findings interpreted with reference to the secondary data gathered earlier in the study.The treatise was concluded with recommendations to municipal managers of how to challenge electrical meter tampering and what economic impact meter tampering has on their municipalities. It was left to the municipal manager’s discretion to decide if they want to share the results of the study with their senior and middle managers who acted as participants in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Identifying the causes of widespread illegal dumping in buffalo city metropolitan municipality and innovative waste management mechanisms
- Authors: Brown, Drayton
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal Services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Waste minimization -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50444 , vital:42168
- Description: South Africa faces the daily challenge of illegal dumping and authorities cannot seem to contain the problem. This is particularly the case in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) as the same non-effective means of curbing illegal dumping is attempted again and again. This study sought to gain insight into why residents would illegally dump waste near their homes considering the numerous negative health and environmental consequences. While many studies have focused on the quantitative aspects of waste management and illegal dumping, none have been conducted in the Eastern Cape or BCMM or enquired as to how citizens felt about the phenomena. This research utilised in-depth semi-structured interviews to gain insight into the problem of illegal dumping through the lenses of both residents and BCMM staff members. One of the key themes within the findings of the study is the apathetic nature of citizens towards their environment. There are also two predominant ways illegal dumping sites form. The first is through ‘Systemic Dumping’ which arises through the lack of waste infrastructure in low income communities and the second is ‘Ad-hoc Illegal Dumping’ which form when BCMM does not provide a timely waste management service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Brown, Drayton
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal Services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Waste minimization -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50444 , vital:42168
- Description: South Africa faces the daily challenge of illegal dumping and authorities cannot seem to contain the problem. This is particularly the case in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) as the same non-effective means of curbing illegal dumping is attempted again and again. This study sought to gain insight into why residents would illegally dump waste near their homes considering the numerous negative health and environmental consequences. While many studies have focused on the quantitative aspects of waste management and illegal dumping, none have been conducted in the Eastern Cape or BCMM or enquired as to how citizens felt about the phenomena. This research utilised in-depth semi-structured interviews to gain insight into the problem of illegal dumping through the lenses of both residents and BCMM staff members. One of the key themes within the findings of the study is the apathetic nature of citizens towards their environment. There are also two predominant ways illegal dumping sites form. The first is through ‘Systemic Dumping’ which arises through the lack of waste infrastructure in low income communities and the second is ‘Ad-hoc Illegal Dumping’ which form when BCMM does not provide a timely waste management service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Identifying the causes of widespread illegal dumping in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and innovative waste management mechanism
- Authors: Brown, Drayton
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Waste minimization -- law and legislation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49767 , vital:41798
- Description: South Africa faces the daily challenge of illegal dumping and authorities cannot seem to contain the problem. This is particularly the case in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) as the same non-effective means of curbing illegal dumping is attempted again and again. This study sought to gain insight into why residents would illegally dump waste near their homes considering the numerous negative health and environmental consequences. While many studies have focused on the quantitative aspects of waste management and illegal dumping, none have been conducted in the Eastern Cape or BCMM or enquired as to how citizens felt about the phenomena. This research utilised in-depth semi-structured interviews to gain insight into the problem of illegal dumping through the lenses of both residents and BCMM staff members. One of the key themes within the findings of the study is the apathetic nature of citizens towards their environment. There are also two predominant ways illegal dumping sites form. The first is through ‘Systemic Dumping’ which arises through the lack of waste infrastructure in low income communities and the second is ‘Ad-hoc Illegal Dumping’which form when BCMM does not provide a timely waste management service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Brown, Drayton
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Waste minimization -- law and legislation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49767 , vital:41798
- Description: South Africa faces the daily challenge of illegal dumping and authorities cannot seem to contain the problem. This is particularly the case in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) as the same non-effective means of curbing illegal dumping is attempted again and again. This study sought to gain insight into why residents would illegally dump waste near their homes considering the numerous negative health and environmental consequences. While many studies have focused on the quantitative aspects of waste management and illegal dumping, none have been conducted in the Eastern Cape or BCMM or enquired as to how citizens felt about the phenomena. This research utilised in-depth semi-structured interviews to gain insight into the problem of illegal dumping through the lenses of both residents and BCMM staff members. One of the key themes within the findings of the study is the apathetic nature of citizens towards their environment. There are also two predominant ways illegal dumping sites form. The first is through ‘Systemic Dumping’ which arises through the lack of waste infrastructure in low income communities and the second is ‘Ad-hoc Illegal Dumping’which form when BCMM does not provide a timely waste management service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Cryptocurrencies in the future of money and monetary policy
- Authors: Brown, Henry Brandon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cryptocurrencies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47495 , vital:40122
- Description: The idiosyncratic allure of cryptocurrencies, in particular Bitcoin, has attracted widespread, if reticent, attention in the financial markets. Since Bitcoin’s introduction in 2008 there has been a growing interest in digital assets possibly supplanting traditional payment methods. Two conceptual questions raised regarding cryptocurrencies are firstly, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money; secondly, what is the future of cryptocurrencies? This dissertation seeks to examine the future of cryptocurrency by reference to money and monetary policy. The further question, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money, is tested via a combination of theoretical and empirical analysis. The study explores both statistical and empirical models, in illustrative comparative detail, provided by analysis which included ADF and KPSS test models, alongside an ARMA(p,q)-GARCH(1,1) model. Cryptocurrencies present both significant benefits, alongside immense shortcomings. They provide the novel ability to conduct anonymous international transactions on a decentralised platform with lower transaction fees. However, the very nature of that anonymity could provide their downfall as much as they open a market for illicit activities. In addition, cryptocurrency’s significant energy consumption through the mining of cryptocurrencies is of concern to environmentalists. The empirical section of the dissertation consists of a comparative analysis between Bitcoin/USD time series to the Rand/USD time series, with specific attention devoted to the level of volatility of each time series. This was important in determining whether cryptocurrencies fulfil the store of value function of money. The dissertation concluded that Bitcoin/USD time series exhibited identifiable adverse characteristics of autocorrelation and ARCH effects, thus suggesting that Bitcoin/USD is strongly associated with volatility. The Rand/USD signified the same effects although of significantly lesser order than that of Bitcoin/USD. Consequently, cryptocurrencies are seen to act more as an asset than a currency. Nonetheless, cryptocurrencies seem likely to grow as a medium of exchange as more and more businesses gain knowledge of the innovation and seek to adopt innovative ways to become more efficient and follow technology trends. Currently, fiat currencies remain superior in the financial market, simply because cryptocurrencies are perceived not to fulfil the traditional functions of money. However in the future, the market share of cryptocurrencies is likely to increase, and so the future of the financial markets will surely include a coexistence of both fiat and cryptocurrencies, as people’s preferences determine where they feel safe to hold their money.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Brown, Henry Brandon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cryptocurrencies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47495 , vital:40122
- Description: The idiosyncratic allure of cryptocurrencies, in particular Bitcoin, has attracted widespread, if reticent, attention in the financial markets. Since Bitcoin’s introduction in 2008 there has been a growing interest in digital assets possibly supplanting traditional payment methods. Two conceptual questions raised regarding cryptocurrencies are firstly, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money; secondly, what is the future of cryptocurrencies? This dissertation seeks to examine the future of cryptocurrency by reference to money and monetary policy. The further question, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money, is tested via a combination of theoretical and empirical analysis. The study explores both statistical and empirical models, in illustrative comparative detail, provided by analysis which included ADF and KPSS test models, alongside an ARMA(p,q)-GARCH(1,1) model. Cryptocurrencies present both significant benefits, alongside immense shortcomings. They provide the novel ability to conduct anonymous international transactions on a decentralised platform with lower transaction fees. However, the very nature of that anonymity could provide their downfall as much as they open a market for illicit activities. In addition, cryptocurrency’s significant energy consumption through the mining of cryptocurrencies is of concern to environmentalists. The empirical section of the dissertation consists of a comparative analysis between Bitcoin/USD time series to the Rand/USD time series, with specific attention devoted to the level of volatility of each time series. This was important in determining whether cryptocurrencies fulfil the store of value function of money. The dissertation concluded that Bitcoin/USD time series exhibited identifiable adverse characteristics of autocorrelation and ARCH effects, thus suggesting that Bitcoin/USD is strongly associated with volatility. The Rand/USD signified the same effects although of significantly lesser order than that of Bitcoin/USD. Consequently, cryptocurrencies are seen to act more as an asset than a currency. Nonetheless, cryptocurrencies seem likely to grow as a medium of exchange as more and more businesses gain knowledge of the innovation and seek to adopt innovative ways to become more efficient and follow technology trends. Currently, fiat currencies remain superior in the financial market, simply because cryptocurrencies are perceived not to fulfil the traditional functions of money. However in the future, the market share of cryptocurrencies is likely to increase, and so the future of the financial markets will surely include a coexistence of both fiat and cryptocurrencies, as people’s preferences determine where they feel safe to hold their money.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An evaluation of the effectiveness of communication between the education district office and schools in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Brown, Xenophon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Communication in organizations , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50491 , vital:42203
- Description: This study focuses on an evaluation of communication effectiveness between the school administration office in Nelson Mandela Bay and its representative schools in advancing the business case of school development and heightened learner experience in line with the national development goal. The research uses a qualitative research approach to gather rich insights into the challenges, opportunities and problems that heighten and affect the quality of communication methods, channels and the roles of communication that the interviewed stakeholders representing both the district and schools depict and understand within the communication processes and methods used. Fourteen interviewees were identified using a judgemental and purposive sampling technique. They were identified from the Nelson Mandela Bay district office and schools within the district. Findings from the study reveal that the critical areas of concern include the roles of communication, stakeholder roles in the communication process, methods of communication, and challenges in communication effectiveness. While schools and the district office share the responsibility for providing quality education, it is critical that an effective communication strategy, which embraces computer-mediated communication as a supplementary tool, should be adopted to ensure that this shared mandate could be achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Brown, Xenophon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Communication in organizations , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50491 , vital:42203
- Description: This study focuses on an evaluation of communication effectiveness between the school administration office in Nelson Mandela Bay and its representative schools in advancing the business case of school development and heightened learner experience in line with the national development goal. The research uses a qualitative research approach to gather rich insights into the challenges, opportunities and problems that heighten and affect the quality of communication methods, channels and the roles of communication that the interviewed stakeholders representing both the district and schools depict and understand within the communication processes and methods used. Fourteen interviewees were identified using a judgemental and purposive sampling technique. They were identified from the Nelson Mandela Bay district office and schools within the district. Findings from the study reveal that the critical areas of concern include the roles of communication, stakeholder roles in the communication process, methods of communication, and challenges in communication effectiveness. While schools and the district office share the responsibility for providing quality education, it is critical that an effective communication strategy, which embraces computer-mediated communication as a supplementary tool, should be adopted to ensure that this shared mandate could be achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Maximal-entropy initial state of the Universe as a microscopic description of inflation:
- Brustein, Ram, Medved, A J M
- Authors: Brustein, Ram , Medved, A J M
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149682 , vital:38874 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1103/PhysRevD.101.123502
- Description: We propose that the initial state of the Universe was an isotropic state of maximal entropy. Such a state can be described in terms of a state of closed, interacting, fundamental strings in their high-temperature Hagedorn phase, which constitutes a novel microscopic model for the state of the Universe when it is at the highest sustainable temperature. This state resolves the big-bang singularity by replacing the past of the hot big-bang Universe and sets inflationary initial conditions for the subsequent evolution of the thermal radiation and the semiclassical cosmological geometry. The entropy density in this state is equal to the square root of the energy density in Planck units, while the pressure is positive and equal to the energy density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Brustein, Ram , Medved, A J M
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149682 , vital:38874 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1103/PhysRevD.101.123502
- Description: We propose that the initial state of the Universe was an isotropic state of maximal entropy. Such a state can be described in terms of a state of closed, interacting, fundamental strings in their high-temperature Hagedorn phase, which constitutes a novel microscopic model for the state of the Universe when it is at the highest sustainable temperature. This state resolves the big-bang singularity by replacing the past of the hot big-bang Universe and sets inflationary initial conditions for the subsequent evolution of the thermal radiation and the semiclassical cosmological geometry. The entropy density in this state is equal to the square root of the energy density in Planck units, while the pressure is positive and equal to the energy density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Analysing emergent time within an isolated Universe through the application of interactions in the conditional probability approach
- Authors: Bryan, Kate Louise Halse
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Space and time , Quantum gravity , Quantum theory , Relativity (Physics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146676 , vital:38547
- Description: Time remains a frequently discussed issue in physics and philosophy. One interpretation of growing popularity is the ‘timeless’ view which states that our experience of time is only an illusion. The isolated Universe model, provided by the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, supports this interpretation by describing time using clocks in the conditional probability interpretation (CPI). However, the CPI customarily dismisses interaction effects as negligible creating a potential blind spot which overlooks the potential influence of interaction effects. Accounting for interactions opens up a new avenue of analysis and a potential challenge to the interpretation of time. In aid of our assessment of the impact interaction effects have on the CPI, we present rudimentary definitions of time and its associated concepts. Defined in a minimalist manner, time is argued to require a postulate of causality as a means of accounting for temporal ordering in physical theories. Several of these theories are discussed here in terms of their respective approaches to time and, despite their differences, there are indications that the accounts of time are unified in a more fundamental theory. An analytic analysis of the CPI, incorporating two different clock choices, and a qualitative analysis both confirm that interactions have a necessary role within the CPI. The consequence of removing interactions is a maximised uncertainty in any measurement of the clock and a restriction to a two-state system, as indicated by the results of the toy models and qualitative argument respectively. The philosophical implication is that we are not restricted to the timeless view since including interactions as agents of causal interventions between systems provides an account of time as a real phenomenon. This result highlights the reliance on a postulate of causality which forms a pressing problem in explaining our experience of time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bryan, Kate Louise Halse
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Space and time , Quantum gravity , Quantum theory , Relativity (Physics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146676 , vital:38547
- Description: Time remains a frequently discussed issue in physics and philosophy. One interpretation of growing popularity is the ‘timeless’ view which states that our experience of time is only an illusion. The isolated Universe model, provided by the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, supports this interpretation by describing time using clocks in the conditional probability interpretation (CPI). However, the CPI customarily dismisses interaction effects as negligible creating a potential blind spot which overlooks the potential influence of interaction effects. Accounting for interactions opens up a new avenue of analysis and a potential challenge to the interpretation of time. In aid of our assessment of the impact interaction effects have on the CPI, we present rudimentary definitions of time and its associated concepts. Defined in a minimalist manner, time is argued to require a postulate of causality as a means of accounting for temporal ordering in physical theories. Several of these theories are discussed here in terms of their respective approaches to time and, despite their differences, there are indications that the accounts of time are unified in a more fundamental theory. An analytic analysis of the CPI, incorporating two different clock choices, and a qualitative analysis both confirm that interactions have a necessary role within the CPI. The consequence of removing interactions is a maximised uncertainty in any measurement of the clock and a restriction to a two-state system, as indicated by the results of the toy models and qualitative argument respectively. The philosophical implication is that we are not restricted to the timeless view since including interactions as agents of causal interventions between systems provides an account of time as a real phenomenon. This result highlights the reliance on a postulate of causality which forms a pressing problem in explaining our experience of time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Approaches used by NGOs in managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV(Disease)-- Psychological aspects -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49775 , vital:41799
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV(Disease)-- Psychological aspects -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49775 , vital:41799
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Approaches used by NGOs in managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa , Disease management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50457 , vital:42169
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. In addition, the negative stigma associated with HIV/AIDS has been a looming issue since 2004 which continues to undermine efforts of NGOs in their means to manage HIV/AIDS. The consequences of stigma from the findings are treatment adherence issues and little to no attendance of HIV/AIDS programs provided by the respective NGOs. Effective planning and management along with capacitated staff and volunteers increased the positive outcome of HIV/AIDS programs and services offered by the NGOs. From the study findings, it is recommended that the planning of HIV/AIDS approaches should consider resource planning to avoid abandoning projects midway due to a lack of resources. The management and monitoring of NGOs within the health sector, dealing with epidemics such as HIV/AIDS need to build on flexibility in implementation and have effective risk assessments in place as a contingency, so that corrective action is taken. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and also build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa , Disease management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50457 , vital:42169
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. In addition, the negative stigma associated with HIV/AIDS has been a looming issue since 2004 which continues to undermine efforts of NGOs in their means to manage HIV/AIDS. The consequences of stigma from the findings are treatment adherence issues and little to no attendance of HIV/AIDS programs provided by the respective NGOs. Effective planning and management along with capacitated staff and volunteers increased the positive outcome of HIV/AIDS programs and services offered by the NGOs. From the study findings, it is recommended that the planning of HIV/AIDS approaches should consider resource planning to avoid abandoning projects midway due to a lack of resources. The management and monitoring of NGOs within the health sector, dealing with epidemics such as HIV/AIDS need to build on flexibility in implementation and have effective risk assessments in place as a contingency, so that corrective action is taken. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and also build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Dimensions and indicators of non-profit financial condition: evidence from South African public universities
- Authors: Bunting, Mark B
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150296 , vital:38965 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v23i1.2974
- Description: More than three decades of research have failed to achieve convergence on a method for the measurement of non-profit financial condition, with the literature reporting a bewildering array of financial dimensions, and more than 100 ratios and indicators. This article offers a contribution to a broader discourse in non-profit financial analysis by recognising, and taking action in response to, the potential threat to research validity arising from the generally unchallenged presumption that accounting numbers provide a complete, unbiased and error-free representation of an entity’s underlying economic reality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bunting, Mark B
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150296 , vital:38965 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v23i1.2974
- Description: More than three decades of research have failed to achieve convergence on a method for the measurement of non-profit financial condition, with the literature reporting a bewildering array of financial dimensions, and more than 100 ratios and indicators. This article offers a contribution to a broader discourse in non-profit financial analysis by recognising, and taking action in response to, the potential threat to research validity arising from the generally unchallenged presumption that accounting numbers provide a complete, unbiased and error-free representation of an entity’s underlying economic reality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Ethics in context
- Burningham, Kate, Venn, Susan, Hayward, Bronwyn, Aoyagi, Midori, Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi, Mattar, Helio, Schudel, Ingrid J, Yoshida, Aya
- Authors: Burningham, Kate , Venn, Susan , Hayward, Bronwyn , Aoyagi, Midori , Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi , Mattar, Helio , Schudel, Ingrid J , Yoshida, Aya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294364 , vital:57215 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2019.1672282"
- Description: Existing literatures have discussed both ethical issues in visual research with young people, and the problems associated with applying ‘universal’ ethical guidelines across varied cultural contexts. There has been little consideration, however, of specific issues raised in projects where visual research is being conducted with young people simultaneously in multiple national contexts. This paper contributes to knowledge in this area. We reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected. Balancing the need for methods to be appropriate, ethical and feasible within each setting with the desire for sufficient consistency across the project is challenging. We argue that an ‘ethics in context’ approach and an attitude of ‘methodological immaturity’ is critical in international visual research projects with young people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Burningham, Kate , Venn, Susan , Hayward, Bronwyn , Aoyagi, Midori , Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi , Mattar, Helio , Schudel, Ingrid J , Yoshida, Aya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294364 , vital:57215 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2019.1672282"
- Description: Existing literatures have discussed both ethical issues in visual research with young people, and the problems associated with applying ‘universal’ ethical guidelines across varied cultural contexts. There has been little consideration, however, of specific issues raised in projects where visual research is being conducted with young people simultaneously in multiple national contexts. This paper contributes to knowledge in this area. We reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected. Balancing the need for methods to be appropriate, ethical and feasible within each setting with the desire for sufficient consistency across the project is challenging. We argue that an ‘ethics in context’ approach and an attitude of ‘methodological immaturity’ is critical in international visual research projects with young people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Ethics in context: Essential flexibility in an international photo-elicitation project with children and young people
- Burningham, Kate, Venn, Susan, Hayward, Bronwyn, Nissen, Sylvia, Aoyagi, Midori, Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi, Jackson, Tim, Jha, Timlendu, Mattar, Helio, Schudel, Ingrid, Yoshida, Aya
- Authors: Burningham, Kate , Venn, Susan , Hayward, Bronwyn , Nissen, Sylvia , Aoyagi, Midori , Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi , Jackson, Tim , Jha, Timlendu , Mattar, Helio , Schudel, Ingrid , Yoshida, Aya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392098 , vital:68721 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2019.1672282"
- Description: Existing literatures have discussed both ethical issues in visual research with young people, and the problems associated with applying ‘universal’ ethical guidelines across varied cultural contexts. There has been little consideration, however, of specific issues raised in projects where visual research is being conducted with young people simultaneously in multiple national contexts. This paper contributes to knowledge in this area. We reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected. Balancing the need for methods to be appropriate, ethical and feasible within each setting with the desire for sufficient consistency across the project is challenging. We argue that an ‘ethics in context’ approach and an attitude of ‘methodological immaturity’ is critical in international visual research projects with young people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Burningham, Kate , Venn, Susan , Hayward, Bronwyn , Nissen, Sylvia , Aoyagi, Midori , Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi , Jackson, Tim , Jha, Timlendu , Mattar, Helio , Schudel, Ingrid , Yoshida, Aya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392098 , vital:68721 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2019.1672282"
- Description: Existing literatures have discussed both ethical issues in visual research with young people, and the problems associated with applying ‘universal’ ethical guidelines across varied cultural contexts. There has been little consideration, however, of specific issues raised in projects where visual research is being conducted with young people simultaneously in multiple national contexts. This paper contributes to knowledge in this area. We reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected. Balancing the need for methods to be appropriate, ethical and feasible within each setting with the desire for sufficient consistency across the project is challenging. We argue that an ‘ethics in context’ approach and an attitude of ‘methodological immaturity’ is critical in international visual research projects with young people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Think Piece. Working for Living: Popular Education as/at Work for Social-ecological Justice
- Burt, Jane C, James, Anna, Walters, Shirley, Von Kotze, Astrid
- Authors: Burt, Jane C , James, Anna , Walters, Shirley , Von Kotze, Astrid
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/388150 , vital:68310 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/165826"
- Description: Drawing on the working lives of popular educators who are striving for socioeconomic and socio-ecological justice, we demonstrate how popular education is a form of care work which is feminised, often undervalued and unrecognised as highly skilled work. It is relational work that aims to forge solidarity with communities and the environment. Given the state of the planet, the radical transformations that are needed, and the future projection of ‘work’ as including the care economy in large measure, we argue that popular education is a generative site for further exploration of research into work and learning. However, to move popular education as work from the margins means to rethink the current economic system of value. Addressing the contradiction that undervalues work for life/living, popular education engages transformative action motivated by a deep sense of solidarity and a focus on imagining alternatives as an act of hope.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Burt, Jane C , James, Anna , Walters, Shirley , Von Kotze, Astrid
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/388150 , vital:68310 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/165826"
- Description: Drawing on the working lives of popular educators who are striving for socioeconomic and socio-ecological justice, we demonstrate how popular education is a form of care work which is feminised, often undervalued and unrecognised as highly skilled work. It is relational work that aims to forge solidarity with communities and the environment. Given the state of the planet, the radical transformations that are needed, and the future projection of ‘work’ as including the care economy in large measure, we argue that popular education is a generative site for further exploration of research into work and learning. However, to move popular education as work from the margins means to rethink the current economic system of value. Addressing the contradiction that undervalues work for life/living, popular education engages transformative action motivated by a deep sense of solidarity and a focus on imagining alternatives as an act of hope.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A psychobiography of Viktor Emil Frankl
- Authors: Bushkin, Hanan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Frankl, Viktor Emil
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46440 , vital:39566
- Description: The first study conducted in South Africa of a prominent figure traces back as far as 1939. Since then, extensive research has been done in the field of psychobiography, resulting in a growing interest in this field and evolving into an established research genre in South Africa. Despite the increase in the use of psychobiographies as a research approach internationally and specifically in South Africa, its use is still considered relatively under-utilised and, therefore, the pursuit of further development of psychobiographies in South Africa is required. In light of South Africa’s effort to promote and advance the use of psychobiographies, South African researchers may be motivated to continue studying significant and exceptional lives in South Africa and abroad. Viktor Frankl was selected for this study based on his uniqueness, significance and his interesting life. He is also considered an exceptional individual who has shaped modern psychological thinking. Frankl had written over 40 books on his theory and many studies have been conducted based on his existential theory. Frankl’s contribution to the academic world has been recognised and acknowledged by significant institutions through his own and others’ research. Although much has been written on the life and work of Frankl, none of the literature utilises specific psychological focus and no psychobiographical study of the life of Frankl exists. Therefore, the researcher selected Frankl as the subject for this psychobiography through purposive sampling. The aim of the study was to provide a psychological exploration and description of Frankl’s life against the backdrop of his socio-cultural context. In order to achieve this aim, the researcher employed two psychological frameworks to guide in the description and exploration of his life. The psychological frameworks included Levinson’s life structure theory of adult development and Frankl’s existential theory. The study aimed to describe Frankl’s development with the use of Levinson’s theory while describing how he attained meaning in his life with the use of his own existential theory. Due to the exploratory-descriptive nature of this study, the objective fell within the inductive research approach. The researcher utilised a systematic coding method to arrange the data. The theoretical framework of Levinson’s life structure theory guided the coding system, as well as the key concepts of Frankl’s existential theory. In addition, the researcher utilised Alexander’s guidelines for the extraction of salient data, together with McAdam’s methods and recommendations for managing the data. Lastly, the researcher followed the 12-step method of conducting a psychobiography, as proposed by Du Plessis. Findings from this study found a correlation between Frankl’s life and the eras and transitional periods as theorised by Levinson’s theory. The findings of this study, therefore, support the use of Levinson’s theory with regards to the time frames and its use in understanding Frankl’s development. Also, the researcher found that Levinson’s theory was useful in understanding Frankl’s personality development within his context throughout his lifespan. With regards to Frankl’s existential theory, the researcher found that the use of the theory was suitable in understanding Frankl’s search for meaning. Frankl’s concepts of freedom of will, will to meaning, meaning of life, existential vacuum, supra-meaning, dimensional ontology, the three triads and noö-dynamics assisted in explaining Frankl’s drive to find meaning in his life, take responsibility to attain such meaning and to strive for transcendence beyond his suffering. The researcher found Frankl’s theory useful in explaining his drive, motives, needs and patterns of behaviour within this context. The holistic and integrative approach of the study allowed for an in-depth exploration and description of Frankl’s life and development within his socio-historical context. In addition to contributing to the existing body of knowledge on Frankl, his life and his theory, the study also contributed to the growing field of psychobiographical research. The study acknowledged and highlighted that further in-depth examination of the lives of extraordinary personalities could significantly contribute to psychobiographical studies. Based on the psychological frameworks used to explore and describe Frankl’s life, recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bushkin, Hanan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Frankl, Viktor Emil
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46440 , vital:39566
- Description: The first study conducted in South Africa of a prominent figure traces back as far as 1939. Since then, extensive research has been done in the field of psychobiography, resulting in a growing interest in this field and evolving into an established research genre in South Africa. Despite the increase in the use of psychobiographies as a research approach internationally and specifically in South Africa, its use is still considered relatively under-utilised and, therefore, the pursuit of further development of psychobiographies in South Africa is required. In light of South Africa’s effort to promote and advance the use of psychobiographies, South African researchers may be motivated to continue studying significant and exceptional lives in South Africa and abroad. Viktor Frankl was selected for this study based on his uniqueness, significance and his interesting life. He is also considered an exceptional individual who has shaped modern psychological thinking. Frankl had written over 40 books on his theory and many studies have been conducted based on his existential theory. Frankl’s contribution to the academic world has been recognised and acknowledged by significant institutions through his own and others’ research. Although much has been written on the life and work of Frankl, none of the literature utilises specific psychological focus and no psychobiographical study of the life of Frankl exists. Therefore, the researcher selected Frankl as the subject for this psychobiography through purposive sampling. The aim of the study was to provide a psychological exploration and description of Frankl’s life against the backdrop of his socio-cultural context. In order to achieve this aim, the researcher employed two psychological frameworks to guide in the description and exploration of his life. The psychological frameworks included Levinson’s life structure theory of adult development and Frankl’s existential theory. The study aimed to describe Frankl’s development with the use of Levinson’s theory while describing how he attained meaning in his life with the use of his own existential theory. Due to the exploratory-descriptive nature of this study, the objective fell within the inductive research approach. The researcher utilised a systematic coding method to arrange the data. The theoretical framework of Levinson’s life structure theory guided the coding system, as well as the key concepts of Frankl’s existential theory. In addition, the researcher utilised Alexander’s guidelines for the extraction of salient data, together with McAdam’s methods and recommendations for managing the data. Lastly, the researcher followed the 12-step method of conducting a psychobiography, as proposed by Du Plessis. Findings from this study found a correlation between Frankl’s life and the eras and transitional periods as theorised by Levinson’s theory. The findings of this study, therefore, support the use of Levinson’s theory with regards to the time frames and its use in understanding Frankl’s development. Also, the researcher found that Levinson’s theory was useful in understanding Frankl’s personality development within his context throughout his lifespan. With regards to Frankl’s existential theory, the researcher found that the use of the theory was suitable in understanding Frankl’s search for meaning. Frankl’s concepts of freedom of will, will to meaning, meaning of life, existential vacuum, supra-meaning, dimensional ontology, the three triads and noö-dynamics assisted in explaining Frankl’s drive to find meaning in his life, take responsibility to attain such meaning and to strive for transcendence beyond his suffering. The researcher found Frankl’s theory useful in explaining his drive, motives, needs and patterns of behaviour within this context. The holistic and integrative approach of the study allowed for an in-depth exploration and description of Frankl’s life and development within his socio-historical context. In addition to contributing to the existing body of knowledge on Frankl, his life and his theory, the study also contributed to the growing field of psychobiographical research. The study acknowledged and highlighted that further in-depth examination of the lives of extraordinary personalities could significantly contribute to psychobiographical studies. Based on the psychological frameworks used to explore and describe Frankl’s life, recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Exploring how mobile phones mediate bonding, bridging and linking social capital in a South African rural area
- Buthelezi, Stella Mbalenhle Nomfundo
- Authors: Buthelezi, Stella Mbalenhle Nomfundo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social capital (Sociology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cell phone users -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cell phones -- Sociological aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cell phones -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social media -- Influence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , WhatsApp (Application software) -- Sociological aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163419 , vital:41035
- Description: Many contemporary ICT for development (ICT4D) studies focus on the benefits of mobile phones on the socio-economic development of marginalised communities. For many people in poorly resourced rural areas, one of the significant benefits of mobile phone usage is the expansion of social networks for resources or support. Social capital is one of the concepts that have been found to directly or indirectly influence many aspects of social life, communities and development. In the present study, I explore how mobile phones mediate bonding, bridging and linking social capital in a rural area on the Wild Coast of South Africa, Dwesa. I use individual semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected participants who are mobile phone owners in the area. I employ a thematic analysis to analyse their responses in relation to three dimensions of social capital, i.e. 1) trust and solidarity, 2) social cohesion and inclusion and 3) collective action and empowerment. Like in many South African rural areas, in Dwesa there is endemic poverty, inadequate services and infrastructure and high unemployment. The study found that by increased communication, mobile phones mostly strengthen bonding social capital between close ties who rely on each other for various forms of support. Mobile phones also facilitate the building of bridging social capital among members of various community groups by using WhatsApp group chats and Facebook. The little evidence on the relationship between mobile phone use and linking social capital in the area relates to group networks providing opportunities for interaction between community members and individuals in tertiary institutions and local government positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Buthelezi, Stella Mbalenhle Nomfundo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social capital (Sociology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cell phone users -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cell phones -- Sociological aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cell phones -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social media -- Influence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , WhatsApp (Application software) -- Sociological aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163419 , vital:41035
- Description: Many contemporary ICT for development (ICT4D) studies focus on the benefits of mobile phones on the socio-economic development of marginalised communities. For many people in poorly resourced rural areas, one of the significant benefits of mobile phone usage is the expansion of social networks for resources or support. Social capital is one of the concepts that have been found to directly or indirectly influence many aspects of social life, communities and development. In the present study, I explore how mobile phones mediate bonding, bridging and linking social capital in a rural area on the Wild Coast of South Africa, Dwesa. I use individual semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected participants who are mobile phone owners in the area. I employ a thematic analysis to analyse their responses in relation to three dimensions of social capital, i.e. 1) trust and solidarity, 2) social cohesion and inclusion and 3) collective action and empowerment. Like in many South African rural areas, in Dwesa there is endemic poverty, inadequate services and infrastructure and high unemployment. The study found that by increased communication, mobile phones mostly strengthen bonding social capital between close ties who rely on each other for various forms of support. Mobile phones also facilitate the building of bridging social capital among members of various community groups by using WhatsApp group chats and Facebook. The little evidence on the relationship between mobile phone use and linking social capital in the area relates to group networks providing opportunities for interaction between community members and individuals in tertiary institutions and local government positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Can fishing tourism contribute to conservation and sustainability via ecotourism?: a case study of the Fishery for Giant African Threadfin Polydactylus quadrifilis on the Kwanza Estuary, Angola
- Butler, Edward C, Childs, Amber-Robyn, Saayman, Andrea, Potts, Warren M
- Authors: Butler, Edward C , Childs, Amber-Robyn , Saayman, Andrea , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149253 , vital:38819 , https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104221
- Description: It has been suggested that tourism fisheries can raise the value of landed catch, provide alternative livelihoods for local artisanal fishers and, because recreationally caught fishes are often released, simultaneously conserve stocks. However, for fishing tourism to meet ecotourism standards, sustainable, local economic benefit is imperative. This study aimed to assess the direct economic contribution of the recreational fishery for Polydactylus quadrifilis on the Kwanza Estuary, Angola. The recreational fishery contributed significantly to economic productivity in an otherwise rural area, generating a total revenue (TR) of $236,826 per four-month fishing season.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Butler, Edward C , Childs, Amber-Robyn , Saayman, Andrea , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149253 , vital:38819 , https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104221
- Description: It has been suggested that tourism fisheries can raise the value of landed catch, provide alternative livelihoods for local artisanal fishers and, because recreationally caught fishes are often released, simultaneously conserve stocks. However, for fishing tourism to meet ecotourism standards, sustainable, local economic benefit is imperative. This study aimed to assess the direct economic contribution of the recreational fishery for Polydactylus quadrifilis on the Kwanza Estuary, Angola. The recreational fishery contributed significantly to economic productivity in an otherwise rural area, generating a total revenue (TR) of $236,826 per four-month fishing season.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020