Remedial program on learners’ proficiency in english second language: a case of two township schools in king William’s town education district.
- Authors: Moyo, Thembekile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Reading -- Remedial teaching Reading (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17910 , vital:41977
- Description: Literature indicates that there is a national crisis about learners who cannot read for comprehension at the primary level. However, there is limited literature that talks about effective remediation programmes in developing countries. This had a negative impact on the Matric results in the past years. Statistics have always shown the rural provinces such as Eastern Cape to be the most affected province with these poor results, due to the low levels of learners’ reading skills. This study focused on the remedial programme on learners’ proficiency in English second language, which was conducted in two township schools in King William’s Town District. This explored the remedial programme that could be used to help learners become proficient readers who could be able to read for meaning and comprehension. A case study research design was used where two township schools were sampled. A qualitative approach located in the interpretive paradigm was used to carry out the study. The purposive and the sampling procedure were used to solicit information from principals, educators, and learners. The data was collected through interviews, observations and focus groups. Its focus was to establish a remedial programme to improve learners’ proficiency in English second language. The findings revealed that a lack of English proficiency has a negative effect on the learners’ performance. The findings also revealed that the repetition of concepts helps the learners to master and increase their vocabulary and comprehension. A need for learner teacher support materials (LTSM) was revealed to equip the educators with knowledge and skills for teaching diversity in the classroom. The study recommends provision for trained remedial educators in all schools to attend to the individual needs of learners appropriately. Universities should include a component of remedial education in the training of educators, as they are the ones expected to remediate the struggling learners. Parents should encourage their children to be actively involved in learning the language of teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Moyo, Thembekile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Reading -- Remedial teaching Reading (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17910 , vital:41977
- Description: Literature indicates that there is a national crisis about learners who cannot read for comprehension at the primary level. However, there is limited literature that talks about effective remediation programmes in developing countries. This had a negative impact on the Matric results in the past years. Statistics have always shown the rural provinces such as Eastern Cape to be the most affected province with these poor results, due to the low levels of learners’ reading skills. This study focused on the remedial programme on learners’ proficiency in English second language, which was conducted in two township schools in King William’s Town District. This explored the remedial programme that could be used to help learners become proficient readers who could be able to read for meaning and comprehension. A case study research design was used where two township schools were sampled. A qualitative approach located in the interpretive paradigm was used to carry out the study. The purposive and the sampling procedure were used to solicit information from principals, educators, and learners. The data was collected through interviews, observations and focus groups. Its focus was to establish a remedial programme to improve learners’ proficiency in English second language. The findings revealed that a lack of English proficiency has a negative effect on the learners’ performance. The findings also revealed that the repetition of concepts helps the learners to master and increase their vocabulary and comprehension. A need for learner teacher support materials (LTSM) was revealed to equip the educators with knowledge and skills for teaching diversity in the classroom. The study recommends provision for trained remedial educators in all schools to attend to the individual needs of learners appropriately. Universities should include a component of remedial education in the training of educators, as they are the ones expected to remediate the struggling learners. Parents should encourage their children to be actively involved in learning the language of teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Remediation of metal ions in aqueous solution using activated carbon from Zea may stem
- Authors: Matandabuzo, Mzukisi
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021328
- Description: Zea mays stem and its activated carbon were prepared through chemical activation method using four different activating reagents (NaOH, H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄, KOH) and were used as adsorbents for the removal of Pb(II), Cu(II), Hg(II) and Cr(III) from aqueous solution. The results shows that activated carbon has high surface area and pore volume compared to the powdered raw Zea mays stem. Prepared activated carbon was characterized using physico-chemical properties such as carbon yield, iodine number, moisture content, percentage adsorption, and analytical instruments such as Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), powder X-ray Diffraction (pXRD). The adsorption of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cr(III) ions were pH, contact time, and concentration dependent. Based on the results obtained from the batch experiments, activated carbon prepared from Zea mays stem is not good enough for the removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solution. Adsorption ability was calculated and found to be 66.67% for activated carbon obtained from H₂SO₄, 21.21% for activated carbon obtained from KOH, and 20% for activated carbons obtained from NaOH and H₃PO₄. The pH 5-6 was chosen for all experiments, contact time was 2 hours, and adsorbent dosage was 2 g, initial concentration range from 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ppm at room temperature. The metal ion removal trend was found in the order Pb(II)>Cu(II)>Cr(III)>>Hg(II). The Langmuir model fitted well in most of the cases with > 0.99. Consequently, the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) followed Langmuir isotherm model while that of Cr(III) best fitted the Freundlich isotherm model. The results indicated that the adsorption process followed two possible mechanisms. (I) Metal ion – adsorbent complex model and (II) Metal ion – ion-exchange adsorbent complex model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Matandabuzo, Mzukisi
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021328
- Description: Zea mays stem and its activated carbon were prepared through chemical activation method using four different activating reagents (NaOH, H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄, KOH) and were used as adsorbents for the removal of Pb(II), Cu(II), Hg(II) and Cr(III) from aqueous solution. The results shows that activated carbon has high surface area and pore volume compared to the powdered raw Zea mays stem. Prepared activated carbon was characterized using physico-chemical properties such as carbon yield, iodine number, moisture content, percentage adsorption, and analytical instruments such as Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), powder X-ray Diffraction (pXRD). The adsorption of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cr(III) ions were pH, contact time, and concentration dependent. Based on the results obtained from the batch experiments, activated carbon prepared from Zea mays stem is not good enough for the removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solution. Adsorption ability was calculated and found to be 66.67% for activated carbon obtained from H₂SO₄, 21.21% for activated carbon obtained from KOH, and 20% for activated carbons obtained from NaOH and H₃PO₄. The pH 5-6 was chosen for all experiments, contact time was 2 hours, and adsorbent dosage was 2 g, initial concentration range from 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ppm at room temperature. The metal ion removal trend was found in the order Pb(II)>Cu(II)>Cr(III)>>Hg(II). The Langmuir model fitted well in most of the cases with > 0.99. Consequently, the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) followed Langmuir isotherm model while that of Cr(III) best fitted the Freundlich isotherm model. The results indicated that the adsorption process followed two possible mechanisms. (I) Metal ion – adsorbent complex model and (II) Metal ion – ion-exchange adsorbent complex model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Removal rate of endocrine disruptors (phthalates and phenolic compounds) in effluents of selected wastewater treatment plants operated under different treatment technologies in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Salaudeen, Taofeek Gbenga
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water -- Purification Phenols
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8552 , vital:33113
- Description: The presence of phthalate esters (PAEs) and certain phenolic compounds widely known as endocrine disruptors in environmental waters such as treated wastewaters constitutes health hazard to human and aquatic lives. Unfortunately, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) only partially remove these synthetic chemical compounds from wastewater. In order to forestall the health challenge faced by rural dwellers, which rely on surface water for their daily needs, the present study embarked on investigating these endocrine disruptors in Municipal wastewater in the Amathole and Buffalo Districts in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and their removal rate by different WWTP technologies. One WWTP each from Adelaide, Alice, Bedford, Berlin and Seymour, using activated sludge (AS), trickling filter (TF), and oxidation pond (OP) technology were randomly selected. Some physicochemical parameters of these wastewaters were determined on-site using standard methods and the extraction method for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water was validated using solid phase extraction (SPE). Extracts were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Nine phenolic compounds; phenol (PH), 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (4-C-3MP), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and six priority PAEs namely; dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) were the investigated EDCs. PAEs were extracted from dried sludge samples in an ultrasonic bath using dichloromethane. Some physicochemical parameters of the wastewater assessed revealed that treatment processes of AS, TF, and OP reduced turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) while dissolved oxygen (DO) was increased. There was no significant influence on temperature and pH across the sampling points. Except for turbidity, the quality of effluent released mostly falls within South Africa standard limits for domestic and recreational water. The nine phenolic compounds were detected across the sampling points for all the WWTPs at different frequencies. The prominent phenolic compounds were 2-NP, 4-C-3MP, PCP, and 2,4-DMP with concentrations ranging from 3.3 (2,4-DMP) – 83.0 μgL-1 (4-C-3MP) in the influents. However, their concentrations in the effluents and receiving water bodies were below tolerable limits of 5 μgL-1 set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the European Union (EU) for domestic use. The removal capacities of the WWTPs varied between 33 and 96 percent. The six PAEs were detected in all water samples from all the WWTPs. DBP was the most abundant compound in all the sampling points and sometimes DEHP in some receiving waters. The maximum detection for DBP in influent, effluent, downstream and sludge were 2,488 μgL-1 (Alice), 26.47 μgL-1 (Adelaide), 115.3 μgL-1 (Seymour) and 1,249 μg/g dw (Alice), respectively. DEHP was the highest detected PAE in the upstream 17.53 μgL-1 (Seymour). There was a notable reduction of all PAEs in the final effluent with a removal efficiency which varied as much as 61.9 – 99.5 percent except for AS in Seymour which operated a single tank system (27.3 - 93.7 percent). Removal mechanisms continued more on adsorption on settling particles and sludge than biodegradation as this study found a high positive correlation between TSS, turbidity and PAEs removal. The concentrations of PAEs detected in the receiving waters were above 1.3 and 3μgL-1 limit standard set by the EU and USEPA, respectively for DEHP in surface water. Similarly, the average concentrations of DBP, BBP, DEHP and DOP which vary as much as 25.97 (BBP) – 1249 μg/g d.w (DBP) in sludge samples were above EU legislation of 100 μg/g d.w. for agricultural use. AS technology, showed a better performance in the removal of PAEs (77 – 99 percent), followed by TF (76 – 98 percent) and OP (61 – 98 percent). In conclusion, the PAE concentration in the WWTP effluents impacted negatively on the receiving water bodies and sewage sludge unlike the phenolic compounds that were notably reduced below the acceptable limits. Perhaps, due to the meagre amounts of the phenolic compounds that was detected entering the WWTPs. In order to avert the potential health risk to aquatic organisms’ and rural dwellers, it is exigent that constituted authorities gather more information on micro-pollutants in the environment as a basis for regulations on the use of these dangerous chemicals in industries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Salaudeen, Taofeek Gbenga
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water -- Purification Phenols
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8552 , vital:33113
- Description: The presence of phthalate esters (PAEs) and certain phenolic compounds widely known as endocrine disruptors in environmental waters such as treated wastewaters constitutes health hazard to human and aquatic lives. Unfortunately, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) only partially remove these synthetic chemical compounds from wastewater. In order to forestall the health challenge faced by rural dwellers, which rely on surface water for their daily needs, the present study embarked on investigating these endocrine disruptors in Municipal wastewater in the Amathole and Buffalo Districts in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and their removal rate by different WWTP technologies. One WWTP each from Adelaide, Alice, Bedford, Berlin and Seymour, using activated sludge (AS), trickling filter (TF), and oxidation pond (OP) technology were randomly selected. Some physicochemical parameters of these wastewaters were determined on-site using standard methods and the extraction method for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water was validated using solid phase extraction (SPE). Extracts were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Nine phenolic compounds; phenol (PH), 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (4-C-3MP), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and six priority PAEs namely; dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) were the investigated EDCs. PAEs were extracted from dried sludge samples in an ultrasonic bath using dichloromethane. Some physicochemical parameters of the wastewater assessed revealed that treatment processes of AS, TF, and OP reduced turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) while dissolved oxygen (DO) was increased. There was no significant influence on temperature and pH across the sampling points. Except for turbidity, the quality of effluent released mostly falls within South Africa standard limits for domestic and recreational water. The nine phenolic compounds were detected across the sampling points for all the WWTPs at different frequencies. The prominent phenolic compounds were 2-NP, 4-C-3MP, PCP, and 2,4-DMP with concentrations ranging from 3.3 (2,4-DMP) – 83.0 μgL-1 (4-C-3MP) in the influents. However, their concentrations in the effluents and receiving water bodies were below tolerable limits of 5 μgL-1 set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the European Union (EU) for domestic use. The removal capacities of the WWTPs varied between 33 and 96 percent. The six PAEs were detected in all water samples from all the WWTPs. DBP was the most abundant compound in all the sampling points and sometimes DEHP in some receiving waters. The maximum detection for DBP in influent, effluent, downstream and sludge were 2,488 μgL-1 (Alice), 26.47 μgL-1 (Adelaide), 115.3 μgL-1 (Seymour) and 1,249 μg/g dw (Alice), respectively. DEHP was the highest detected PAE in the upstream 17.53 μgL-1 (Seymour). There was a notable reduction of all PAEs in the final effluent with a removal efficiency which varied as much as 61.9 – 99.5 percent except for AS in Seymour which operated a single tank system (27.3 - 93.7 percent). Removal mechanisms continued more on adsorption on settling particles and sludge than biodegradation as this study found a high positive correlation between TSS, turbidity and PAEs removal. The concentrations of PAEs detected in the receiving waters were above 1.3 and 3μgL-1 limit standard set by the EU and USEPA, respectively for DEHP in surface water. Similarly, the average concentrations of DBP, BBP, DEHP and DOP which vary as much as 25.97 (BBP) – 1249 μg/g d.w (DBP) in sludge samples were above EU legislation of 100 μg/g d.w. for agricultural use. AS technology, showed a better performance in the removal of PAEs (77 – 99 percent), followed by TF (76 – 98 percent) and OP (61 – 98 percent). In conclusion, the PAE concentration in the WWTP effluents impacted negatively on the receiving water bodies and sewage sludge unlike the phenolic compounds that were notably reduced below the acceptable limits. Perhaps, due to the meagre amounts of the phenolic compounds that was detected entering the WWTPs. In order to avert the potential health risk to aquatic organisms’ and rural dwellers, it is exigent that constituted authorities gather more information on micro-pollutants in the environment as a basis for regulations on the use of these dangerous chemicals in industries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Renaissance and Enlightenment Philosophy: PHL 211
- Authors: Van der Nest, M , Olivier, A
- Date: 2011-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011204
- Description: Renaissance and Enlightenment Philosophy: PHL 211, examination June 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-06
- Authors: Van der Nest, M , Olivier, A
- Date: 2011-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011204
- Description: Renaissance and Enlightenment Philosophy: PHL 211, examination June 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-06
Representation of the twentieth century socio-economic and political history of Red Location New Brighton (Port Elizabeth) 1903-1963
- Authors: Maliza, Nokuzola Thozama
- Date: 2012-01
- Subjects: History -- Economic conditions , World politics -- South Africa , Squatter settlements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26415 , vital:65306
- Description: This study sets out to recapture the rich history and diverse culture of Red Location, New Brighton. Port Elizabeth. It explains the reasons for the establishment of Red Location in 1903, and goes on to look at the Economic and Social life of the Community. Two chapters are then devoted to political struggles in Red Location and New Brighton, long regarded as one of the most militant African townships in the apartheid era. Finally, we look at the way in which Red Location has been represented in the substantial Red Location Museum project, and the extent to which the Museum reflects the historical reality. , Thesis (MHIS) -- Faculty of Humanities, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-01
- Authors: Maliza, Nokuzola Thozama
- Date: 2012-01
- Subjects: History -- Economic conditions , World politics -- South Africa , Squatter settlements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26415 , vital:65306
- Description: This study sets out to recapture the rich history and diverse culture of Red Location, New Brighton. Port Elizabeth. It explains the reasons for the establishment of Red Location in 1903, and goes on to look at the Economic and Social life of the Community. Two chapters are then devoted to political struggles in Red Location and New Brighton, long regarded as one of the most militant African townships in the apartheid era. Finally, we look at the way in which Red Location has been represented in the substantial Red Location Museum project, and the extent to which the Museum reflects the historical reality. , Thesis (MHIS) -- Faculty of Humanities, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-01
Reproductive performance of cows in sweet and sour veld types under communal production systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Nqeno, Noluvuyo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/141 , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Description: The objective of the study was to evaluate cow reproductive performance in the sweetveld and sourveld communal grazing areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In the first experiment, farmer perceptions were obtained using participatory rural appraisals. Farmers ranked lack of fences, tick-borne diseases, poor animal condition during winter and poor breeding practices, respectively as major constraints limiting cattle production in the Eastern Cape. Cattle, sheep and goats, in that order, were ranked as the most important livestock species and were mainly kept for meat, cash and ceremonies, respectively. The non-descript cattle breed was the most common breed found in the smallholder areas. Most farmers preferred Nguni breed because of its adaptive attributes. In the second experiment, structured questionnaires were administered, between June and August 2006, to a total of 551 farmers from 10 communities of the Eastern Cape. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between the use of pregnancy diagnoses and community. About 87 and 77 % of the interviewed farmers did not respond on the extent of pregnancy and calving rates in their herds. A higher proportion of farmers from Hekele (51%) and from Upper Mnxe (45.3%) communities reported low number of bulls as a major constraint to cow reproductive performance. Body condition and ovarian activity were measured in the sweet and sour veld types. Body condition score of animals was measured from March iii 2007 until January 2008 and ovarian activity of cows was performed by a veterinarian through rectal palpation in June, August and October 2007 and January 2008. From March to July, there was a marked decline in body condition on both veld types. In the sweetveld, body condition improved from September until January, whereas in the sourveld the improvement in body condition started in October. The cows in both veld types conceived throughout the year. Most cows in the sweetveld were cycling in January and August (P<0.05) whereas in the sourveld there was no distinct period when the animals were cycling. Overall, there were no differences in the proportion of cows that were cycling between the sour and sweet veldts (P>0.05). There were more cows cycling in sourveld in October than in the sweetveld. Reproductive performance of cows in communal areas could, therefore, be determined by levels and quality of nutrition. Keywords: Participatory rural appraisals; Structured questionnaires; Farmer participation; Farmer perceptions; Body condition scoring; Ovarian activity; Pregnancy diagnoses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Nqeno, Noluvuyo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/141 , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Description: The objective of the study was to evaluate cow reproductive performance in the sweetveld and sourveld communal grazing areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In the first experiment, farmer perceptions were obtained using participatory rural appraisals. Farmers ranked lack of fences, tick-borne diseases, poor animal condition during winter and poor breeding practices, respectively as major constraints limiting cattle production in the Eastern Cape. Cattle, sheep and goats, in that order, were ranked as the most important livestock species and were mainly kept for meat, cash and ceremonies, respectively. The non-descript cattle breed was the most common breed found in the smallholder areas. Most farmers preferred Nguni breed because of its adaptive attributes. In the second experiment, structured questionnaires were administered, between June and August 2006, to a total of 551 farmers from 10 communities of the Eastern Cape. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between the use of pregnancy diagnoses and community. About 87 and 77 % of the interviewed farmers did not respond on the extent of pregnancy and calving rates in their herds. A higher proportion of farmers from Hekele (51%) and from Upper Mnxe (45.3%) communities reported low number of bulls as a major constraint to cow reproductive performance. Body condition and ovarian activity were measured in the sweet and sour veld types. Body condition score of animals was measured from March iii 2007 until January 2008 and ovarian activity of cows was performed by a veterinarian through rectal palpation in June, August and October 2007 and January 2008. From March to July, there was a marked decline in body condition on both veld types. In the sweetveld, body condition improved from September until January, whereas in the sourveld the improvement in body condition started in October. The cows in both veld types conceived throughout the year. Most cows in the sweetveld were cycling in January and August (P<0.05) whereas in the sourveld there was no distinct period when the animals were cycling. Overall, there were no differences in the proportion of cows that were cycling between the sour and sweet veldts (P>0.05). There were more cows cycling in sourveld in October than in the sweetveld. Reproductive performance of cows in communal areas could, therefore, be determined by levels and quality of nutrition. Keywords: Participatory rural appraisals; Structured questionnaires; Farmer participation; Farmer perceptions; Body condition scoring; Ovarian activity; Pregnancy diagnoses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Research Methodology: IPS 515
- Authors: Nel, A , Bosman, L
- Date: 2010-08
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17482 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010447
- Description: Research Methodology: IPS 515, Honours degree supplementary examination August 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-08
- Authors: Nel, A , Bosman, L
- Date: 2010-08
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17482 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010447
- Description: Research Methodology: IPS 515, Honours degree supplementary examination August 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-08
Research Methodology: IPS 515
- Authors: Samuel, M O , Berry, D M
- Date: 2011-08
- Subjects: Research -- Methodology
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010449
- Description: Research Methodology: IPS 515, examination August 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-08
- Authors: Samuel, M O , Berry, D M
- Date: 2011-08
- Subjects: Research -- Methodology
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010449
- Description: Research Methodology: IPS 515, examination August 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-08
Research Methods in Sport and Physical Activity: HUS 513
- Lyoka, P A, Xoxo, T D, Welman, K
- Authors: Lyoka, P A , Xoxo, T D , Welman, K
- Date: 2011-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18247 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011240
- Description: Research Methods in Sport and Physical Activity: HUS 513, degree examination June 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-06
- Authors: Lyoka, P A , Xoxo, T D , Welman, K
- Date: 2011-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18247 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011240
- Description: Research Methods in Sport and Physical Activity: HUS 513, degree examination June 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-06
Research Methods: SOC 211
- Authors: Wana, L , Makapela, L S
- Date: 2008-07
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010528
- Description: Research Methods:SOC 211, supplementary examinations July 2008.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2008-07
- Authors: Wana, L , Makapela, L S
- Date: 2008-07
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010528
- Description: Research Methods:SOC 211, supplementary examinations July 2008.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2008-07
Research Methods: SOC 211E & INS 211E
- Akpan, Wilson, Jaffray, Penny
- Authors: Akpan, Wilson , Jaffray, Penny
- Date: 2008-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17960 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010531
- Description: Research Methods: SOC 211E & INS 211E, examination June 2008.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2008-06
- Authors: Akpan, Wilson , Jaffray, Penny
- Date: 2008-06
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17960 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010531
- Description: Research Methods: SOC 211E & INS 211E, examination June 2008.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2008-06
Research supervision experiences of masters in education students at a South African University
- Authors: Ganqa, Ncumisa Hazel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Graduate students -- Research -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/473 , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Graduate students -- Research -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- Quality control
- Description: In recent years, transformation in South African Universities saw an increase in the number of postgraduate students enrolling for Masters’ research programmes as access and educational opportunities have been widened. The purpose of this research was to investigate research supervision experiences of Masters postgraduate students. A qualitative, contextual, descriptive and phenomenological research design was used to explore the experiences of the 2010 MEd cohort at a purposively chosen university. This was a small scale study of six participants in different stages of their research projects sampled purposively. The preferred phenomenological interview method of gathering information from the subjects was in-depth unstructured interviews. This research study revealed that the postgraduate students at the University under investigation still continue to experience the traditional model of a single supervisor supervising a strictly research based work. The most crucial component of research supervision experiences that emerged was the quality of supervision between supervisors and supervisees which revealed power struggles in supervisory relationships. Such relationships emerged as push and pull, fight or flight amongst different individual participants and their supervisors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ganqa, Ncumisa Hazel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Graduate students -- Research -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/473 , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Graduate students -- Research -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- Quality control
- Description: In recent years, transformation in South African Universities saw an increase in the number of postgraduate students enrolling for Masters’ research programmes as access and educational opportunities have been widened. The purpose of this research was to investigate research supervision experiences of Masters postgraduate students. A qualitative, contextual, descriptive and phenomenological research design was used to explore the experiences of the 2010 MEd cohort at a purposively chosen university. This was a small scale study of six participants in different stages of their research projects sampled purposively. The preferred phenomenological interview method of gathering information from the subjects was in-depth unstructured interviews. This research study revealed that the postgraduate students at the University under investigation still continue to experience the traditional model of a single supervisor supervising a strictly research based work. The most crucial component of research supervision experiences that emerged was the quality of supervision between supervisors and supervisees which revealed power struggles in supervisory relationships. Such relationships emerged as push and pull, fight or flight amongst different individual participants and their supervisors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Research Techniques in Pasture Managament: AGP 602
- Authors: Sikhalazo, Dube , Dziba, L
- Date: 2000-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17709 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010114
- Description: Research Techniques in Pasture Managament: AGP 602, degree examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2000-11
- Authors: Sikhalazo, Dube , Dziba, L
- Date: 2000-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17709 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010114
- Description: Research Techniques in Pasture Managament: AGP 602, degree examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2000-11
Reservoir rock preoperty and hydrocarbon potentieal in the offshore gamtoos and algoa basins, South Africa
- Authors: Mokoele, Salmina Phuti
- Date: 2022-07
- Subjects: Hydrocarbon reservoirs , South Africa -- Gamtoos River , Gamtoos Estuary (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27981 , vital:71409
- Description: Various research methods were employed to evaluate reservoir rock properties and source rock maturity for hydrocarbon potential in the offshore Gamtoos and Algoa basins, including lithostratigraphy, facies analysis, petrography, geophysics, geochemistry and basin modelling. Sedimentary facies were identified in the Gamtoos Basin along with their inferred depositional systems, mainly from the synrift I and II successions. This was also supplemented by lithostratigraphic evaluation of 12 wells across the study area. Facies analysis was applied to describe different rock types with depositional signatures by using the following parameters: grain fabric/texture, primary sedimentary structures, and fossil contents. Different types of lithofacies and biofacies were recorded indicating variations in bioturbation from low to high intensities. The results revealed a total of 15 types of facies from five cores, which were further subdivided into 8 types of sandstones, 3 types of siltstones, 3 types of mudstones and 1 type of conglomerate. Furthermore, five facies associations FA1 to FA5 were recognized from core evaluation: hemipelagite facies association, fine-grained, thinly bedded heterolithic sandstone-mudstone facies association (low-density turbidity flows), medium to coarse grained massive sandstone facies association high-density turbidity flows, debrites hybrid facies association and coarse grained conglomerate facies association. In terms of lithostratigraphic sequence, they correspond with fine- to medium-grained massive sandstone units of the Ta division, horizontal laminated sandstone units of the Tb division, fine to medium grained wavy laminated sandstone units of the Tc division, parallel laminated siltstones intercalated with fine grained ripple and lenticular sandstones of the Tc to Td divisions and fine grained massive, bedded siltstone units of the Te division. Both the Gamtoos and Algoa offshore basins comprise wells with proven source rock presence. Results from geochemical evaluations have revealed the presence of significant quantities of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian) source rock intervals. The wells used for this research intersected a total of 25 source rocks across the various age groups with an average thickness of 70 m. Source rocks with hydrocarbon potentials were intersected at Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian successions. The source rocks indicate good to excellent quality of hydrocarbons with the potential to generate both oil to gas. For example, Tithonian source rock shows a tremendous petroleum generation potential with mostly type II (oil prone) and type II/III (oil to gas prone) kerogen. The data suggests that the Tithonian source rock was mainly deposited in marine depositional settings with planktons being the main source of kerogen. Some of the kerogen could have originated from limited quantities of algae (marine settings) and terrestrial plants. The source rock indicates a potential to generate variable hydrocarbons from oil, wet gas and dry gas. The Kimmeridgian and Tithonian source rocks range from main oil window to post gas mature zone. In the south-eastern part of the offshore Gamtoos Basin, deep marine shale source rocks were deposited between the Kimmeridgian and Tithonian age and these marine conditions continued throughout the synrift stage. The Algoa Basin indicates the deposition of deep-water shale source rocks resulting from a transgression period. The Berriasian source rock indicates a range in maturity from the early oil to gas windows in the Gamtoos graben between 126 Ma and present day. The source rock further shows a maximum transformation ratio of 100 percent at well Ha-D1 in the Gamtoos Basin. The Valanginian source rock indicates a range in maturity from early to late oil windows in the Algoa Basin with extremely low rates of transformation at a maximum of 24.67 percentage at well Hb-B1. The Hauterivian source rock dominantly plots within the early to main oil windows with vitrinite values between 0.6 and 0.8 percent. Results obtained from this research indicate the presence of moderate to good quality source rocks from the Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian. Majority of the source rocks have type III kerogen which is most likely to generate gas. The study area shows the presence of good quality source rocks with good petroleum generation potentials. The source rocks also show the ability to generate and expel hydrocarbons. The deeper sections of the grabens indicate high maturity levels with source rocks dominantly in the gas and late oil windows while the flanks are indicative of lower maturity stages between early and main oil windows. The best source rocks were mainly intersected and modelled from the synrift section while the upper transitional to drift sections indicate good quality reservoir rocks. The upper sections of the study area show a tremendous improvement in the quality of the reservoirs with porosity levels recorded to be up to 26 percent. The porosity levels increase up to 17 percent at well Ha-B2. This generally improved the potential for good reservoirs in the area from what has been intersected by the wells to the entire study area with the presence of effective traps and seals. The influence of hydrothermal alteration and chlorite cementation is quite low at these shallower sequences which further improved the quality of these reservoirs. Some of the sandstones intersected from the synrift sections range from very fine to coarse grained in texture with very low permeability and porosity due to extensive carbonate cementation, and also affected by hydrothermal alteration resulted from the extensive faulting in the area. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-07
- Authors: Mokoele, Salmina Phuti
- Date: 2022-07
- Subjects: Hydrocarbon reservoirs , South Africa -- Gamtoos River , Gamtoos Estuary (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27981 , vital:71409
- Description: Various research methods were employed to evaluate reservoir rock properties and source rock maturity for hydrocarbon potential in the offshore Gamtoos and Algoa basins, including lithostratigraphy, facies analysis, petrography, geophysics, geochemistry and basin modelling. Sedimentary facies were identified in the Gamtoos Basin along with their inferred depositional systems, mainly from the synrift I and II successions. This was also supplemented by lithostratigraphic evaluation of 12 wells across the study area. Facies analysis was applied to describe different rock types with depositional signatures by using the following parameters: grain fabric/texture, primary sedimentary structures, and fossil contents. Different types of lithofacies and biofacies were recorded indicating variations in bioturbation from low to high intensities. The results revealed a total of 15 types of facies from five cores, which were further subdivided into 8 types of sandstones, 3 types of siltstones, 3 types of mudstones and 1 type of conglomerate. Furthermore, five facies associations FA1 to FA5 were recognized from core evaluation: hemipelagite facies association, fine-grained, thinly bedded heterolithic sandstone-mudstone facies association (low-density turbidity flows), medium to coarse grained massive sandstone facies association high-density turbidity flows, debrites hybrid facies association and coarse grained conglomerate facies association. In terms of lithostratigraphic sequence, they correspond with fine- to medium-grained massive sandstone units of the Ta division, horizontal laminated sandstone units of the Tb division, fine to medium grained wavy laminated sandstone units of the Tc division, parallel laminated siltstones intercalated with fine grained ripple and lenticular sandstones of the Tc to Td divisions and fine grained massive, bedded siltstone units of the Te division. Both the Gamtoos and Algoa offshore basins comprise wells with proven source rock presence. Results from geochemical evaluations have revealed the presence of significant quantities of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian) source rock intervals. The wells used for this research intersected a total of 25 source rocks across the various age groups with an average thickness of 70 m. Source rocks with hydrocarbon potentials were intersected at Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian successions. The source rocks indicate good to excellent quality of hydrocarbons with the potential to generate both oil to gas. For example, Tithonian source rock shows a tremendous petroleum generation potential with mostly type II (oil prone) and type II/III (oil to gas prone) kerogen. The data suggests that the Tithonian source rock was mainly deposited in marine depositional settings with planktons being the main source of kerogen. Some of the kerogen could have originated from limited quantities of algae (marine settings) and terrestrial plants. The source rock indicates a potential to generate variable hydrocarbons from oil, wet gas and dry gas. The Kimmeridgian and Tithonian source rocks range from main oil window to post gas mature zone. In the south-eastern part of the offshore Gamtoos Basin, deep marine shale source rocks were deposited between the Kimmeridgian and Tithonian age and these marine conditions continued throughout the synrift stage. The Algoa Basin indicates the deposition of deep-water shale source rocks resulting from a transgression period. The Berriasian source rock indicates a range in maturity from the early oil to gas windows in the Gamtoos graben between 126 Ma and present day. The source rock further shows a maximum transformation ratio of 100 percent at well Ha-D1 in the Gamtoos Basin. The Valanginian source rock indicates a range in maturity from early to late oil windows in the Algoa Basin with extremely low rates of transformation at a maximum of 24.67 percentage at well Hb-B1. The Hauterivian source rock dominantly plots within the early to main oil windows with vitrinite values between 0.6 and 0.8 percent. Results obtained from this research indicate the presence of moderate to good quality source rocks from the Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian. Majority of the source rocks have type III kerogen which is most likely to generate gas. The study area shows the presence of good quality source rocks with good petroleum generation potentials. The source rocks also show the ability to generate and expel hydrocarbons. The deeper sections of the grabens indicate high maturity levels with source rocks dominantly in the gas and late oil windows while the flanks are indicative of lower maturity stages between early and main oil windows. The best source rocks were mainly intersected and modelled from the synrift section while the upper transitional to drift sections indicate good quality reservoir rocks. The upper sections of the study area show a tremendous improvement in the quality of the reservoirs with porosity levels recorded to be up to 26 percent. The porosity levels increase up to 17 percent at well Ha-B2. This generally improved the potential for good reservoirs in the area from what has been intersected by the wells to the entire study area with the presence of effective traps and seals. The influence of hydrothermal alteration and chlorite cementation is quite low at these shallower sequences which further improved the quality of these reservoirs. Some of the sandstones intersected from the synrift sections range from very fine to coarse grained in texture with very low permeability and porosity due to extensive carbonate cementation, and also affected by hydrothermal alteration resulted from the extensive faulting in the area. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-07
Resilience towards adverse childhood experiences among public secondary school students in Alice, South Africa
- Authors: Obisesan , Matthew Tobiloba
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Child development Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16769 , vital:40772
- Description: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are of great concerns in public health. They are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood. ACEs include various forms of abuse and maltreatment which can be emotional, physical, verbal and sexual, different degrees of household dysfunction such as growing up with substance abuse like drugs and alcohol, witnessing domestic violence, mental illnesses, crime in the home and parental disharmony. Although childhood adversities and traumatic experiences occur before the individual is 18 years of age, the effects of such experiences can last a lifetime causing mental and chronic medical illnesses. Resilience is perceived as an antidote to the detrimental effect of ACEs. It is a situation in which an individual displays a high level of effectiveness after a significant misfortune or adversity. This study was conducted to assess the level of resilience towards adverse childhood experiences among public secondary school children in Alice. Data were collected with the aid of a wellstructured questionnaire from 418 public high school students using Convenience sampling method. Factors influencing resilience among the learners were examined. Consequently, the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordered logit regression model. From the results, it is observed that the majority of the learners live with their grandparents and the most prevalent form of ACEs is emotional abuse, followed by sexual abuse while community violence is the least common childhood adversity. This study further reveals that some of the respondents experienced more than one form of adverse childhood experience. In addition, irrespective of what the students have been through, they are largely observed to be resilient. Analysis from the ordered logit regression model shows that age, class in school, gender, religion, race and who the student lives with are significantly related to resilience. The study, therefore, recommends a functional counseling unit in the schools while student-teacher relationship must be encouraged
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Obisesan , Matthew Tobiloba
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Child development Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16769 , vital:40772
- Description: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are of great concerns in public health. They are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood. ACEs include various forms of abuse and maltreatment which can be emotional, physical, verbal and sexual, different degrees of household dysfunction such as growing up with substance abuse like drugs and alcohol, witnessing domestic violence, mental illnesses, crime in the home and parental disharmony. Although childhood adversities and traumatic experiences occur before the individual is 18 years of age, the effects of such experiences can last a lifetime causing mental and chronic medical illnesses. Resilience is perceived as an antidote to the detrimental effect of ACEs. It is a situation in which an individual displays a high level of effectiveness after a significant misfortune or adversity. This study was conducted to assess the level of resilience towards adverse childhood experiences among public secondary school children in Alice. Data were collected with the aid of a wellstructured questionnaire from 418 public high school students using Convenience sampling method. Factors influencing resilience among the learners were examined. Consequently, the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordered logit regression model. From the results, it is observed that the majority of the learners live with their grandparents and the most prevalent form of ACEs is emotional abuse, followed by sexual abuse while community violence is the least common childhood adversity. This study further reveals that some of the respondents experienced more than one form of adverse childhood experience. In addition, irrespective of what the students have been through, they are largely observed to be resilient. Analysis from the ordered logit regression model shows that age, class in school, gender, religion, race and who the student lives with are significantly related to resilience. The study, therefore, recommends a functional counseling unit in the schools while student-teacher relationship must be encouraged
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Resource Allocation Framework in Fog Computing for the Internet of Things Environments
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Internet of things Cloud computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Computer Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18498 , vital:42575
- Description: Fog computing plays a pivotal role in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem because of its ability to support delay-sensitive tasks, bringing resources from cloud servers closer to the “ground” and support IoT devices that are resource-constrained. Although fog computing offers some benefits such as quick response to requests, geo-distributed data processing and data processing in the proximity of the IoT devices, the exponential increase of IoT devices and large volumes of data being generated has led to a new set of challenges. One such problem is the allocation of resources to IoT tasks to match their computational needs and quality of service (QoS) requirements, whilst meeting both task deadlines and user expectations. Most proposed solutions in existing works suggest task offloading mechanisms where IoT devices would offload their tasks randomly to the fog layer or cloud layer. This helps in minimizing the communication delay; however, most tasks would end up missing their deadlines as many delays are experienced during offloading. This study proposes and introduces a Resource Allocation Scheduler (RAS) at the IoT-Fog gateway, whose goal is to decide where and when a task is to be offloaded, either to the fog layer, or the cloud layer based on their priority needs, computational needs and QoS requirements. The aim directly places work within the communication networks domain, in the transport layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. As such, this study follows the four phases of the top-down approach because of its reusability characteristics. To validate and test the efficiency and effectiveness of the RAS, the fog framework was implemented and evaluated in a simulated smart home setup. The essential metrics that were used to check if round-trip time was minimized are the queuing time, offloading time and throughput for QoS. The results showed that the RAS helps to reduce the round-trip time, increases throughput and leads to improved QoS. Furthermore, the approach addressed the starvation problem, a phenomenon that tends to affect low priority tasks. Most importantly, the results provides evidence that if resource allocation and assignment are appropriately done, round-trip time can be reduced and QoS can be improved in fog computing. The significant contribution of this research is the novel framework which minimizes round-trip time, addresses the starvation problem and improves QoS. Moreover, a literature reviewed paper which was regarded by reviewers as the first, as far as QoS in fog computing is concerned was produced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Internet of things Cloud computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Computer Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18498 , vital:42575
- Description: Fog computing plays a pivotal role in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem because of its ability to support delay-sensitive tasks, bringing resources from cloud servers closer to the “ground” and support IoT devices that are resource-constrained. Although fog computing offers some benefits such as quick response to requests, geo-distributed data processing and data processing in the proximity of the IoT devices, the exponential increase of IoT devices and large volumes of data being generated has led to a new set of challenges. One such problem is the allocation of resources to IoT tasks to match their computational needs and quality of service (QoS) requirements, whilst meeting both task deadlines and user expectations. Most proposed solutions in existing works suggest task offloading mechanisms where IoT devices would offload their tasks randomly to the fog layer or cloud layer. This helps in minimizing the communication delay; however, most tasks would end up missing their deadlines as many delays are experienced during offloading. This study proposes and introduces a Resource Allocation Scheduler (RAS) at the IoT-Fog gateway, whose goal is to decide where and when a task is to be offloaded, either to the fog layer, or the cloud layer based on their priority needs, computational needs and QoS requirements. The aim directly places work within the communication networks domain, in the transport layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. As such, this study follows the four phases of the top-down approach because of its reusability characteristics. To validate and test the efficiency and effectiveness of the RAS, the fog framework was implemented and evaluated in a simulated smart home setup. The essential metrics that were used to check if round-trip time was minimized are the queuing time, offloading time and throughput for QoS. The results showed that the RAS helps to reduce the round-trip time, increases throughput and leads to improved QoS. Furthermore, the approach addressed the starvation problem, a phenomenon that tends to affect low priority tasks. Most importantly, the results provides evidence that if resource allocation and assignment are appropriately done, round-trip time can be reduced and QoS can be improved in fog computing. The significant contribution of this research is the novel framework which minimizes round-trip time, addresses the starvation problem and improves QoS. Moreover, a literature reviewed paper which was regarded by reviewers as the first, as far as QoS in fog computing is concerned was produced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Resting site ecology and microhabitat use of the Mozambique thicket rat (Grammomys cometes) in a riverine Combretum forest
- Authors: Gebe, Zimkhitha
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11794 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019768
- Description: Very little is known about the resting and spatial ecology of the Mozambique thicket rat, Grammomys cometes, a rodent species distributed in two disjoint populations in South Africa and Mozambique. The present study focused on determining the characteristics and usage patterns of resting sites, as well as the microhabitat use and selection of this species during its activity period. Broadly, I predicted that resting ecology and space use would be affected by environmental, climatic, social and sexual factors. I also hypothesized that predatory risk could affect thicket rat behaviour. Field work took place in the Great Fish River Reserve complex (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa), in a stretch of riverine Combretum forest (length × breadth: ca. 500 × 100 m) located in the western section of the conservation area. Overall, 38 different rats (22 males and 16 females) were trapped and radio-tracked for varying periods between July 2011 and November 2012. Individual rats used a mean of 2.54 1.89 different resting sites (range: 1–9) during each tracking session and resting-site fidelity averaged 85 17%. Overall, 27% of the 131 resting sites identified were artificial wooden nestboxes, 45% were inside branches, 21% were inside trunks, 3% were located on the ground, 2% in bushes, 1% inside dead logs, with one uncertain location (1%). Cape bushwillows Combretum caffrum were the predominant trees (60.32%) used for the resting sites, probably due to their abundance in the forest, and their propension to rot from the inside and provide natural cavities. The mean height of resting sites used by thicket rats was 217 119 cm, and the mean circumference of branches and trunks was 79 35 cm, with no seasonal and sexual variation. In contrast, males exhibited an overall lower percentage usage of individual resting sites than females, probably due to their increased movements during the long mating season. Percentage usage was significantly higher during the cold season, likely for thermoregulatory seasons. Nearly 50% of the resting sites were shared with an average ( SD) of 3.20 1.25 individuals (range: 2–6). However, simultaneous use of resting sites only took place in about 8% of locations. Sharing involved 2–3 males in 90% of the cases. It is suggested that females are solitary but not territorial, while at least some males are more social or tolerant towards each other, and have overlapping ‘home ranges’. These observations could be indicative of a promiscuous mating system. v Microhabitat use and selection were determined by conducting a 5-day trapping session during each season between June 2011 and May 2012. A grid of 96 stations (16 rows 6 lines) was set at the study site, with pairs of traps per station placed at 10-m intervals, at different heights and on different types of vegetative stands. Several variables describing microhabitat structure were recorded seasonally at each station. Thicket rats (38 individuals captured 91 times) were captured mostly at night, with an overall trapping success of 2.16 0.27% over the year. The average height at which rats were trapped (140 65 cm) was significantly higher than the height of traps set in the field (99 ± 75 cm). A large proportion of traps (31.3%) where rats were caught were placed on Combretum caffrum trees, and majoritarily on trunks (46%), tree canopy (19%) and woody lace (19%). Bonferroni Z tests indicated that thicket rats actively avoided trap stations with less than 50% canopy cover as well as areas that had arboreal connections in less than 50% of the directions. Rats also significantly avoided traps that were set in bushes and on the ground, irrespective of whether these were situated in open terrain or surrounded by some vegetation. Generalized Linear Models confirmed that two main predictors (Cover >150 cm and height) had a significant positive effect on the use of traps and on the numbers of visits to, and different animals caught at, trapping stations. All other variables, including connectivity with the surrounding vegetation, tree species, vegetation type and position in which the traps were placed, and tree trunk/branch circumference at trap height, did not have any significant effects. This study confirms that thicket rats are essentially nocturnal, arboreal and prefer dense canopy cover, possibly because this decreases predation risk at the microhabitat level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Gebe, Zimkhitha
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11794 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019768
- Description: Very little is known about the resting and spatial ecology of the Mozambique thicket rat, Grammomys cometes, a rodent species distributed in two disjoint populations in South Africa and Mozambique. The present study focused on determining the characteristics and usage patterns of resting sites, as well as the microhabitat use and selection of this species during its activity period. Broadly, I predicted that resting ecology and space use would be affected by environmental, climatic, social and sexual factors. I also hypothesized that predatory risk could affect thicket rat behaviour. Field work took place in the Great Fish River Reserve complex (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa), in a stretch of riverine Combretum forest (length × breadth: ca. 500 × 100 m) located in the western section of the conservation area. Overall, 38 different rats (22 males and 16 females) were trapped and radio-tracked for varying periods between July 2011 and November 2012. Individual rats used a mean of 2.54 1.89 different resting sites (range: 1–9) during each tracking session and resting-site fidelity averaged 85 17%. Overall, 27% of the 131 resting sites identified were artificial wooden nestboxes, 45% were inside branches, 21% were inside trunks, 3% were located on the ground, 2% in bushes, 1% inside dead logs, with one uncertain location (1%). Cape bushwillows Combretum caffrum were the predominant trees (60.32%) used for the resting sites, probably due to their abundance in the forest, and their propension to rot from the inside and provide natural cavities. The mean height of resting sites used by thicket rats was 217 119 cm, and the mean circumference of branches and trunks was 79 35 cm, with no seasonal and sexual variation. In contrast, males exhibited an overall lower percentage usage of individual resting sites than females, probably due to their increased movements during the long mating season. Percentage usage was significantly higher during the cold season, likely for thermoregulatory seasons. Nearly 50% of the resting sites were shared with an average ( SD) of 3.20 1.25 individuals (range: 2–6). However, simultaneous use of resting sites only took place in about 8% of locations. Sharing involved 2–3 males in 90% of the cases. It is suggested that females are solitary but not territorial, while at least some males are more social or tolerant towards each other, and have overlapping ‘home ranges’. These observations could be indicative of a promiscuous mating system. v Microhabitat use and selection were determined by conducting a 5-day trapping session during each season between June 2011 and May 2012. A grid of 96 stations (16 rows 6 lines) was set at the study site, with pairs of traps per station placed at 10-m intervals, at different heights and on different types of vegetative stands. Several variables describing microhabitat structure were recorded seasonally at each station. Thicket rats (38 individuals captured 91 times) were captured mostly at night, with an overall trapping success of 2.16 0.27% over the year. The average height at which rats were trapped (140 65 cm) was significantly higher than the height of traps set in the field (99 ± 75 cm). A large proportion of traps (31.3%) where rats were caught were placed on Combretum caffrum trees, and majoritarily on trunks (46%), tree canopy (19%) and woody lace (19%). Bonferroni Z tests indicated that thicket rats actively avoided trap stations with less than 50% canopy cover as well as areas that had arboreal connections in less than 50% of the directions. Rats also significantly avoided traps that were set in bushes and on the ground, irrespective of whether these were situated in open terrain or surrounded by some vegetation. Generalized Linear Models confirmed that two main predictors (Cover >150 cm and height) had a significant positive effect on the use of traps and on the numbers of visits to, and different animals caught at, trapping stations. All other variables, including connectivity with the surrounding vegetation, tree species, vegetation type and position in which the traps were placed, and tree trunk/branch circumference at trap height, did not have any significant effects. This study confirms that thicket rats are essentially nocturnal, arboreal and prefer dense canopy cover, possibly because this decreases predation risk at the microhabitat level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Retaining learners in primary schools in the East London education district: policy implications
- Authors: Kumanda,Nomaroma
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Learning ability Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6114 , vital:29492
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate different ways of retaining learners in teaching and learning practices in grade seven classrooms. The study was conducted in two East London Primary schools. The research took the form of a qualitative interpretive case study focusing on a study sample. The qualitative methods allowed the researcher to gather data in order to describe and interpret teachers‟ knowledge in retaining learners in grade seven classrooms. This critical analysis explored the literature relating to retention of learners if they fail to meet proficiency requirements. The research made use of a qualitative, mixedmethod, and meta-analysis techniques to collect and analyse the data. The study is systematically analysed and categorized according to three themes: retention and social promotion policy effectiveness, causes of dropping out and identification of curriculum and program options. The findings suggested that retaining learners may have some positive effects in the short-term, but that may diminish with time and age. Early detection of academic deficiencies by teachers can possibly prevent negative psychological effects and dropping out due to retention. Student retention in public schools is comparatively poor in traditional education and in some contexts, embarrassingly low. Literature on the subject of student retention in public schools indicates that even when interventions are designed and undertaken to improve student‟s retention, they tend to fall short. The main aim of this dissertation therefore is to better understand and measure learners‟ attitudes and perceptions towards the effectiveness of learning. In view of this, it is hoped that the study can determine how these strategies can be used optimally to improve student retention at lower grades in the East London District in Eastern Cape. The findings at its best indicate what possible method that could be used to improve retention of learners, by enhancing their teaching/ learning and improving the efficacy of Eastern Cape school‟s existing student support system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kumanda,Nomaroma
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Learning ability Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6114 , vital:29492
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate different ways of retaining learners in teaching and learning practices in grade seven classrooms. The study was conducted in two East London Primary schools. The research took the form of a qualitative interpretive case study focusing on a study sample. The qualitative methods allowed the researcher to gather data in order to describe and interpret teachers‟ knowledge in retaining learners in grade seven classrooms. This critical analysis explored the literature relating to retention of learners if they fail to meet proficiency requirements. The research made use of a qualitative, mixedmethod, and meta-analysis techniques to collect and analyse the data. The study is systematically analysed and categorized according to three themes: retention and social promotion policy effectiveness, causes of dropping out and identification of curriculum and program options. The findings suggested that retaining learners may have some positive effects in the short-term, but that may diminish with time and age. Early detection of academic deficiencies by teachers can possibly prevent negative psychological effects and dropping out due to retention. Student retention in public schools is comparatively poor in traditional education and in some contexts, embarrassingly low. Literature on the subject of student retention in public schools indicates that even when interventions are designed and undertaken to improve student‟s retention, they tend to fall short. The main aim of this dissertation therefore is to better understand and measure learners‟ attitudes and perceptions towards the effectiveness of learning. In view of this, it is hoped that the study can determine how these strategies can be used optimally to improve student retention at lower grades in the East London District in Eastern Cape. The findings at its best indicate what possible method that could be used to improve retention of learners, by enhancing their teaching/ learning and improving the efficacy of Eastern Cape school‟s existing student support system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Rethinking the role of councilors in a digital era governance:: a critical analysis of Shinyanga Municipality and Nzega District Council in Tanzania
- Linje, Anna Peter https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-3309
- Authors: Linje, Anna Peter https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-3309
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Internet in public administration , Information technology Political aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21759 , vital:51749
- Description: This study endeavored to rethink the roles of councilors in a digital era governance. The essence of councils’ role according to Adams (2013), is that they are the only level of government with a legislative mandate for the well-being of people and responsive to local risks and opportunities. Therefore, it is important to rethink their roles as they require a full range of interactions which can now be facilitated by the use of digital potentials (Adams, 2013). The study explored the councilors’ undertakings to understand the current situation and if they embrace the new forms of digital governance. Also, the researcher reviewed the laws and policies guiding the councilors in their undertakings and if they accommodated the digital era requirements. Moreover, the researcher examined the capacity of councilors and the challenges they face in their undertakings. The study employed a qualitative approach, whereby semistructured interviews, observation and documentary review were used to collect data. The findings revealed that councils’ practices and processes continue to be outside the digital age. One of the major factors was a dearth of limited practical experiences to upkeep the digital governance opportunities and tailor their decisions accordingly. Regarding legislatives, the findings showed that there was evidence of formulation of new legislatives including the current ICT policy (2016) that respond to the digital governance. Yet, it was indicated that the digital legislatives were not well captured by the individual councilors, while the enforcement mechanisms were still at its infancy. Also, councils could not provide a clear digital platform framework. The capacity of councilors was found to be insufficient, they were not well equipped in terms of facilities, skills and digital technicalities. Generally, lack of political readiness, spirit of fear and poor digital infrastructure were major challenges. The study recommended councils adopt new ways in parallel with the existing ones, this should be inclusive of frequent trainings. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
- Authors: Linje, Anna Peter https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-3309
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Internet in public administration , Information technology Political aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21759 , vital:51749
- Description: This study endeavored to rethink the roles of councilors in a digital era governance. The essence of councils’ role according to Adams (2013), is that they are the only level of government with a legislative mandate for the well-being of people and responsive to local risks and opportunities. Therefore, it is important to rethink their roles as they require a full range of interactions which can now be facilitated by the use of digital potentials (Adams, 2013). The study explored the councilors’ undertakings to understand the current situation and if they embrace the new forms of digital governance. Also, the researcher reviewed the laws and policies guiding the councilors in their undertakings and if they accommodated the digital era requirements. Moreover, the researcher examined the capacity of councilors and the challenges they face in their undertakings. The study employed a qualitative approach, whereby semistructured interviews, observation and documentary review were used to collect data. The findings revealed that councils’ practices and processes continue to be outside the digital age. One of the major factors was a dearth of limited practical experiences to upkeep the digital governance opportunities and tailor their decisions accordingly. Regarding legislatives, the findings showed that there was evidence of formulation of new legislatives including the current ICT policy (2016) that respond to the digital governance. Yet, it was indicated that the digital legislatives were not well captured by the individual councilors, while the enforcement mechanisms were still at its infancy. Also, councils could not provide a clear digital platform framework. The capacity of councilors was found to be insufficient, they were not well equipped in terms of facilities, skills and digital technicalities. Generally, lack of political readiness, spirit of fear and poor digital infrastructure were major challenges. The study recommended councils adopt new ways in parallel with the existing ones, this should be inclusive of frequent trainings. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10