An evaluation of whether the management practices of four companies (representing the printing industry in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) have affected their profitability and success in the period 2003-2004
- Authors: Farren, Sean Michael
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Printing industry -- Zimbabwe Organization change -- Zimbabwe Success in business -- Zimbabwe Management -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:817 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007926
- Description: Nohria, Joyce and Roberson, a trio of academics in the United States, wrote an article in the July issue of the Harvard Business Review in 2003 entitled "What Really Works". For several years they had studied the management practices of 160 companies in the United States with a view to determining what made certain companies consistently successful. They found that the most profitable companies in their study were not successful because they utilised the latest management tools and techniques, but rather that they had a strong grasp of business basics. Companies outperformed their industrial peers, because they excelled at what they called the four primary management practices - Strategy, Execution, Culture and Structure. These practices were supplemented by a proficiency in any two out of four secondary practices - Talent, Innovation, Leadership and Mergers and Partnerships. They called this winning combination the 4 + 2 Formula for business success. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether competence in these management practices applies in the Third World. The study will concentrate on four companies representing the printing industry in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean companies are faced with a number of unusual obstacles that do not exist in First World free market economies. This study will attempt to examine the nature of the obstacles faced and how each company deals with them. It will determine whether the management practices outlined by Nohria et ai, are valued to the same degree in the Zimbabwean context, and how far they contribute to profitability.Because of the pace of change in Zimbabwe, the research will focus on the period 2003 - 2004 and evaluate another management practice - change management. The forces of change can often be so radically negative, that if companies are not adequately prepared, they may face imminent collapse. Change management, the process of anticipating, reacting to and driving forces of change, has become a vital competency. Without it, the prospects of profitability and success in the Zimbabwean environment are slim. For this reason, this management practice will be given the same focus as those eight discussed by Nohria et al.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Farren, Sean Michael
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Printing industry -- Zimbabwe Organization change -- Zimbabwe Success in business -- Zimbabwe Management -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:817 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007926
- Description: Nohria, Joyce and Roberson, a trio of academics in the United States, wrote an article in the July issue of the Harvard Business Review in 2003 entitled "What Really Works". For several years they had studied the management practices of 160 companies in the United States with a view to determining what made certain companies consistently successful. They found that the most profitable companies in their study were not successful because they utilised the latest management tools and techniques, but rather that they had a strong grasp of business basics. Companies outperformed their industrial peers, because they excelled at what they called the four primary management practices - Strategy, Execution, Culture and Structure. These practices were supplemented by a proficiency in any two out of four secondary practices - Talent, Innovation, Leadership and Mergers and Partnerships. They called this winning combination the 4 + 2 Formula for business success. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether competence in these management practices applies in the Third World. The study will concentrate on four companies representing the printing industry in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean companies are faced with a number of unusual obstacles that do not exist in First World free market economies. This study will attempt to examine the nature of the obstacles faced and how each company deals with them. It will determine whether the management practices outlined by Nohria et ai, are valued to the same degree in the Zimbabwean context, and how far they contribute to profitability.Because of the pace of change in Zimbabwe, the research will focus on the period 2003 - 2004 and evaluate another management practice - change management. The forces of change can often be so radically negative, that if companies are not adequately prepared, they may face imminent collapse. Change management, the process of anticipating, reacting to and driving forces of change, has become a vital competency. Without it, the prospects of profitability and success in the Zimbabwean environment are slim. For this reason, this management practice will be given the same focus as those eight discussed by Nohria et al.
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An exploration of constructions of masculinity : a narrative study of young Zulu men's stories of 'being a man'
- Authors: Maxwell, Justin Kennedy
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Masculinity -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Men -- South Africa -- Psychology , Discourse analysis, Narrative -- Psychological aspects , Zulu (African people) -- Social life and customs , Men -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3251 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015763
- Description: Previously understood as a fixed and universal set of behaviours social constructionists are now arguing that masculinity is contextual and fluid, reflecting a multiplicity of different understandings. Within any 'cultural environment' the discourse of masculinity, culturally and historically bound, expresses attitudes and behaviours that shape the understanding of what it means to be a man. Adopting a narrative approach and analysis this research explores the stories of six Zulu men in seeking to elicit the aspects of their masculinity and show how these men negotiate an identity 'position' from the social narratives available to them. It was found that while the ideal Adult (responsible) man contrasts with the Young man's ('isoka' ) position there is a consistently hegemonic and patriarchal notion of masculinity.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maxwell, Justin Kennedy
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Masculinity -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Men -- South Africa -- Psychology , Discourse analysis, Narrative -- Psychological aspects , Zulu (African people) -- Social life and customs , Men -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3251 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015763
- Description: Previously understood as a fixed and universal set of behaviours social constructionists are now arguing that masculinity is contextual and fluid, reflecting a multiplicity of different understandings. Within any 'cultural environment' the discourse of masculinity, culturally and historically bound, expresses attitudes and behaviours that shape the understanding of what it means to be a man. Adopting a narrative approach and analysis this research explores the stories of six Zulu men in seeking to elicit the aspects of their masculinity and show how these men negotiate an identity 'position' from the social narratives available to them. It was found that while the ideal Adult (responsible) man contrasts with the Young man's ('isoka' ) position there is a consistently hegemonic and patriarchal notion of masculinity.
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An exploration of health professional's perceptions of the role of clinical psychologists
- Authors: Zitianellis, Marina Sophia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3091 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002601 , Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Description: The South African government has initiated the transformation of health services in the country towards primary health care (PHC) in order to provide comprehensive care to individuals and families. The move to PHC involves an increased need for collaboration between health professionals. It is proposed that for effective team-work to take place, an understanding of the roles and functions of team members is imperative in providing quality mental health care. This study explored health professionals’ perceptions of the role and function of clinical psychologists working as part of a health care team in a community context. Three focus groups and three individual interviews were conducted with social workers, nurses and doctors. The data was then processed and analysed using a grounded theory method. The research highlighted the importance of knowledge, and how this affects referrals, perceptions, inter-professional relations and the perceived usefulness of clinical psychology and clinical psychologists. What is of significance is the potential power that the health professionals have as gatekeepers between the general public and clinical psychologists.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zitianellis, Marina Sophia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3091 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002601 , Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Description: The South African government has initiated the transformation of health services in the country towards primary health care (PHC) in order to provide comprehensive care to individuals and families. The move to PHC involves an increased need for collaboration between health professionals. It is proposed that for effective team-work to take place, an understanding of the roles and functions of team members is imperative in providing quality mental health care. This study explored health professionals’ perceptions of the role and function of clinical psychologists working as part of a health care team in a community context. Three focus groups and three individual interviews were conducted with social workers, nurses and doctors. The data was then processed and analysed using a grounded theory method. The research highlighted the importance of knowledge, and how this affects referrals, perceptions, inter-professional relations and the perceived usefulness of clinical psychology and clinical psychologists. What is of significance is the potential power that the health professionals have as gatekeepers between the general public and clinical psychologists.
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An exploration of the effect of market-driven journalism on The Monitor newspaper's editorial content
- Authors: Agaba, Grace Rwomushana
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Monitor (Uganda) , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Journalism, Commercial -- Uganda , Mass media and public opinion -- Uganda , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Freedom of the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Journalism -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002869 , Monitor (Uganda) , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Journalism, Commercial -- Uganda , Mass media and public opinion -- Uganda , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Freedom of the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Journalism -- Social aspects
- Description: The media today are under pressure from various fronts including governments, businesses as well as cultural interests. In the developed world, this pressure that led to the emergence of a new form of journalism that puts the demands of the market at the forefront. This commercial oriented journalism gives priority to articles that attract mass audiences like entertainment while it downplays information that promotes debates that is necessary for citizens to be able to have a voice on the issues that affect them. And since participation and discussion are cornerstones of a democratic process, market-driven journalism undermines democracy because it narrows down the forum for debate. As a result, active citizens are turned into passive observers in society. Although several studies about this phenomenon have been done in the western world, the same is happening in Africa because the media face similar challenges as in the West; challenges of globalisation and media conglomeration facilitated by the rapid advancing technology. This study, which is informed by political economy and market-driven journalism theories, notes that the media in Uganda are also faced with these challenges. The study is focused on Uganda’s only independent newspaper, The Monitor. The findings indicate that market-driven journalism is taking root at the expense of journalism that promotes citizenship and debate such as political reporting and opinions. For example, there has been an increase of entertainment, sports and supplement articles in The Monitor as compared to declining political reporting and opinions. More so, investigative reporting has dwindled over the years at the expense of increasing use of press releases. This is because entertainment and sports articles can attract big audiences that the newspaper needs to sell to advertisers. Advertisers are important because they provide financial support to the newspaper. However, in a country where democracy is in its formative stages, public information is necessary not only for citizens to make informed decisions but also to spur economic as well as social development.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agaba, Grace Rwomushana
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Monitor (Uganda) , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Journalism, Commercial -- Uganda , Mass media and public opinion -- Uganda , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Freedom of the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Journalism -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002869 , Monitor (Uganda) , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Journalism, Commercial -- Uganda , Mass media and public opinion -- Uganda , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Uganda , Freedom of the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Journalism -- Social aspects
- Description: The media today are under pressure from various fronts including governments, businesses as well as cultural interests. In the developed world, this pressure that led to the emergence of a new form of journalism that puts the demands of the market at the forefront. This commercial oriented journalism gives priority to articles that attract mass audiences like entertainment while it downplays information that promotes debates that is necessary for citizens to be able to have a voice on the issues that affect them. And since participation and discussion are cornerstones of a democratic process, market-driven journalism undermines democracy because it narrows down the forum for debate. As a result, active citizens are turned into passive observers in society. Although several studies about this phenomenon have been done in the western world, the same is happening in Africa because the media face similar challenges as in the West; challenges of globalisation and media conglomeration facilitated by the rapid advancing technology. This study, which is informed by political economy and market-driven journalism theories, notes that the media in Uganda are also faced with these challenges. The study is focused on Uganda’s only independent newspaper, The Monitor. The findings indicate that market-driven journalism is taking root at the expense of journalism that promotes citizenship and debate such as political reporting and opinions. For example, there has been an increase of entertainment, sports and supplement articles in The Monitor as compared to declining political reporting and opinions. More so, investigative reporting has dwindled over the years at the expense of increasing use of press releases. This is because entertainment and sports articles can attract big audiences that the newspaper needs to sell to advertisers. Advertisers are important because they provide financial support to the newspaper. However, in a country where democracy is in its formative stages, public information is necessary not only for citizens to make informed decisions but also to spur economic as well as social development.
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An exploration of the role of uniforms in contributing to the embedding and transmitting of organizational culture
- Authors: Gibson-Tessendorf, Cornel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Corporate culture Clothing and dress -- Social aspects Employees -- Uniform Uniforms
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:1170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002786
- Description: Many companies today are using some form of uniforms for employees. This research is an exploration of the role of uniforms in contributing to the embedding and transmitting of organizational culture. Culture is the experiences and common learning of the organization that results in shared values and beliefs. According to Schein (1985: 14) culture has three levels, namely: artifacts, values, and basic underlying assumptions. The first level of the culture consists of the physical constructs of the organization, and therefore includes the uniforms, which is the focus of this study. Schein (1985: 223) further proposes that culture can be embedded and transmitted through various mechanisms. The research was conducted in the constructivist paradigm, at a tertiary institution of higher learning in Eastern Cape, South Africa. To ensure triangulation, three sources of data were used, namely: documentation; observation; and both individual and focus group interviews. The researcher argues that uniforms played a role in the embedding of the sample organization’s three levels of culture, which were expressed in terms of Hofstede’s (1991: 07) culture dimensions. Firstly, the use of the different uniforms by different groups, as well as the ranking indicated by the uniforms, played a role in embedding the high power distance culture. Secondly, the symbolism of security portrayed by the uniform played a role in embedding the high uncertainty avoidance culture. Thirdly, it was found that the uniform created unity amongst groups, resulting in greater expression of collectivism. Fourthly, the use of sensible and practical uniforms plays a role in embedding the feminine culture where competitiveness is avoided and relationships are nurtured. Lastly, the uniform plays a possible role in transforming the culture from short-term to a long-term orientation that focuses on the future.
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- Authors: Gibson-Tessendorf, Cornel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Corporate culture Clothing and dress -- Social aspects Employees -- Uniform Uniforms
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:1170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002786
- Description: Many companies today are using some form of uniforms for employees. This research is an exploration of the role of uniforms in contributing to the embedding and transmitting of organizational culture. Culture is the experiences and common learning of the organization that results in shared values and beliefs. According to Schein (1985: 14) culture has three levels, namely: artifacts, values, and basic underlying assumptions. The first level of the culture consists of the physical constructs of the organization, and therefore includes the uniforms, which is the focus of this study. Schein (1985: 223) further proposes that culture can be embedded and transmitted through various mechanisms. The research was conducted in the constructivist paradigm, at a tertiary institution of higher learning in Eastern Cape, South Africa. To ensure triangulation, three sources of data were used, namely: documentation; observation; and both individual and focus group interviews. The researcher argues that uniforms played a role in the embedding of the sample organization’s three levels of culture, which were expressed in terms of Hofstede’s (1991: 07) culture dimensions. Firstly, the use of the different uniforms by different groups, as well as the ranking indicated by the uniforms, played a role in embedding the high power distance culture. Secondly, the symbolism of security portrayed by the uniform played a role in embedding the high uncertainty avoidance culture. Thirdly, it was found that the uniform created unity amongst groups, resulting in greater expression of collectivism. Fourthly, the use of sensible and practical uniforms plays a role in embedding the feminine culture where competitiveness is avoided and relationships are nurtured. Lastly, the uniform plays a possible role in transforming the culture from short-term to a long-term orientation that focuses on the future.
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An exploration of understandings and expectations around differentiation in mathematics, science and technology education
- Authors: Cherub, Fauzia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa Educational evaluation -- South Africa Comparative education Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Education and state -- South Africa Differentiation (Sociology) Competency-based education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008179
- Description: The exploratory study presented in this thesis is a case study, interpretive in nature and located in the qualitative paradigm. The conceptual focus is on differentiation, recognizing that learners vary from one another and so will need educators to consider a wide range of factors to enable learners to learn. The objectives of the study are: • To identify what Whole School Evaluation (WSE) supervisors understand by the term differentiation (conceptual) • To identify how WSE supervisors expect differentiation to be achieved by educators (conceptual). [n order to contextualise this research, a further objective was considered necessary: • To identify the roles of WSE supervisors (contextual) This was set in the context of mathematics, science and technology education. The study was carried out with a group of ten WSE supervisors who were involved in evaluating Mathematics, Science and or Technology education in the GET (General Education and Training) Band. Analysis of questionnaires and documents led to the identification of supervisory roles, while analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed a range of dimensions related to differentiation understandings and expectations. These dimensions have been developed into a typology which is then drawn upon in the development of a new conceptual model of differentiation, particularly relevant to the South African context. Findings presented in the study represent an attempt to understand and make recommendations related to policy, practice, research, curriculum and learning support material (LSM) development, training and evaluation. Textual layering in the form of reflective footnotes and issue boxes. plus specific reflective sections in the main text e.g. limitations and assumptions, help the text to achieve this goal. While the study was focused on the context of mathematics, science and technology education, it became apparent that the findings could be applied across all the learning areas.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cherub, Fauzia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa Educational evaluation -- South Africa Comparative education Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Education and state -- South Africa Differentiation (Sociology) Competency-based education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008179
- Description: The exploratory study presented in this thesis is a case study, interpretive in nature and located in the qualitative paradigm. The conceptual focus is on differentiation, recognizing that learners vary from one another and so will need educators to consider a wide range of factors to enable learners to learn. The objectives of the study are: • To identify what Whole School Evaluation (WSE) supervisors understand by the term differentiation (conceptual) • To identify how WSE supervisors expect differentiation to be achieved by educators (conceptual). [n order to contextualise this research, a further objective was considered necessary: • To identify the roles of WSE supervisors (contextual) This was set in the context of mathematics, science and technology education. The study was carried out with a group of ten WSE supervisors who were involved in evaluating Mathematics, Science and or Technology education in the GET (General Education and Training) Band. Analysis of questionnaires and documents led to the identification of supervisory roles, while analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed a range of dimensions related to differentiation understandings and expectations. These dimensions have been developed into a typology which is then drawn upon in the development of a new conceptual model of differentiation, particularly relevant to the South African context. Findings presented in the study represent an attempt to understand and make recommendations related to policy, practice, research, curriculum and learning support material (LSM) development, training and evaluation. Textual layering in the form of reflective footnotes and issue boxes. plus specific reflective sections in the main text e.g. limitations and assumptions, help the text to achieve this goal. While the study was focused on the context of mathematics, science and technology education, it became apparent that the findings could be applied across all the learning areas.
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An exploratory study of inclusion of learners with visual impairment into mainstream schools : the learners' parents' and educators' perspectives
- Authors: Ngxata, Ncediwe Gratia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Blind -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Children with visual disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape People with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Parents of children with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:5954 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008096
- Description: The study explores the experiences of inclusion of learners with visual impairment into mainstream schools in Mdantsane and Duncan Village in the Eastern Cape. The learners previously attended a special school away from home for the visually impaired in Port Elizabeth. The study delves into the barriers to inclusion as identified by the parents, educators and learners. A study of this nature was essential as many learners with visual impairment, are sent away to special schools on the grounds that they are unfit to attend mainstream schools when they could do well in mainstream schools when provided with appropriate support. As inclusive education is fairly new in South Africa, studies of this kind provide the Department of Education with some understanding of what the situation is with regard to the implementation of inclusive policies. The study attempts to establish from the participants what they think inclusive education is, the reason for introducing inclusive education, the barriers to inclusive education and the kind of support required to implement inclusive education in South Africa. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. A sample of educators, learners and parents was selected from two high schools and one primary school. Coding was used in data reduction and analysis. The study revealed that some learners, educators and parents are not totally against inclusive education as long as they could be provided with the necessary support. The study also revealed the excitement of learners and parents about attending nearby schools which are close to their homes. However two parents and learners are not satisfied due to lack of support and would rather go back to special school. The study ends with recommendations about how inclusive education could be intensified to ensure that learners with disabilities benefit from the mainstream schools. There is no doubt that this research study will be a strong contribution towards inclusive education initiatives particularly with regard to learners with visual impairment in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngxata, Ncediwe Gratia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Blind -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Children with visual disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape People with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Parents of children with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:5954 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008096
- Description: The study explores the experiences of inclusion of learners with visual impairment into mainstream schools in Mdantsane and Duncan Village in the Eastern Cape. The learners previously attended a special school away from home for the visually impaired in Port Elizabeth. The study delves into the barriers to inclusion as identified by the parents, educators and learners. A study of this nature was essential as many learners with visual impairment, are sent away to special schools on the grounds that they are unfit to attend mainstream schools when they could do well in mainstream schools when provided with appropriate support. As inclusive education is fairly new in South Africa, studies of this kind provide the Department of Education with some understanding of what the situation is with regard to the implementation of inclusive policies. The study attempts to establish from the participants what they think inclusive education is, the reason for introducing inclusive education, the barriers to inclusive education and the kind of support required to implement inclusive education in South Africa. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. A sample of educators, learners and parents was selected from two high schools and one primary school. Coding was used in data reduction and analysis. The study revealed that some learners, educators and parents are not totally against inclusive education as long as they could be provided with the necessary support. The study also revealed the excitement of learners and parents about attending nearby schools which are close to their homes. However two parents and learners are not satisfied due to lack of support and would rather go back to special school. The study ends with recommendations about how inclusive education could be intensified to ensure that learners with disabilities benefit from the mainstream schools. There is no doubt that this research study will be a strong contribution towards inclusive education initiatives particularly with regard to learners with visual impairment in the Eastern Cape Province.
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An intersubjective perspective on the role of personal therapy in being a psychotherapist
- Authors: Haumann, Hester Johanna
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychodynamic psychotherapy Psychotherapy Clinical psychology Psychotherapists -- Psychology Psychoanalysis Countertransference(Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2988 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002497
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore how personal therapy influences experienced psychodynamic psychotherapists’ ways of being clinicians, and, by implication, their professional development. A hermeneutic research method, which also drew upon aspects of grounded theory methodology, was therefore devised to explore and examine how personal therapy and professional practice relate to each other and to the therapist’s development, and to deepen this descriptive account into a more differentiated and theoretically viable understanding. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight psychodynamic psychotherapists who were working as clinicians and who were concurrently in therapy. Keeping the research objective in mind, a list of questions was developed from the interview material through which the data was re-read and edited. In accordance with the aims of the study, and as suggested by the results of the initial phase of the textual analysis, intersubjective theory, mainly that of Jessica Benjamin, was used to generate a conceptual framework through which the interview material was further interpreted. This foregrounded the shifting power distributions and the varying processes of identification between the treating therapists and the participants. The Jungian notion of the wounded healer was intersubjectively reconfigured as indicating a therapist whose (often unacknowledged) needs and vulnerabilities engender a proclivity to relate to patients as objects rather than subjects. The participants could all be described as having started out their professional lives as wounded healers. The effects of personal therapy on their clinical work were conceptualised in terms of increased abilities for subject-to-subject relating. These were linked to augmented capacities for reflective and symbolic thinking and an enhanced openness to the implicit, unformulated and opaque aspects of experiences in the therapeutic space. Finally an intersubjective model of personal therapy and development as a therapist was generated. It was concluded that because of the focus on the therapeutic relationship as the vehicle for change in psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as the current increasing emphasis on the use of the therapist’s subjectivity, the therapist’s capacity to engage in and sustain subject-tosubject relating and, by implication, the therapist’s personal therapy, are of pivotal importance for all therapists doing the work of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Haumann, Hester Johanna
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychodynamic psychotherapy Psychotherapy Clinical psychology Psychotherapists -- Psychology Psychoanalysis Countertransference(Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2988 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002497
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore how personal therapy influences experienced psychodynamic psychotherapists’ ways of being clinicians, and, by implication, their professional development. A hermeneutic research method, which also drew upon aspects of grounded theory methodology, was therefore devised to explore and examine how personal therapy and professional practice relate to each other and to the therapist’s development, and to deepen this descriptive account into a more differentiated and theoretically viable understanding. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight psychodynamic psychotherapists who were working as clinicians and who were concurrently in therapy. Keeping the research objective in mind, a list of questions was developed from the interview material through which the data was re-read and edited. In accordance with the aims of the study, and as suggested by the results of the initial phase of the textual analysis, intersubjective theory, mainly that of Jessica Benjamin, was used to generate a conceptual framework through which the interview material was further interpreted. This foregrounded the shifting power distributions and the varying processes of identification between the treating therapists and the participants. The Jungian notion of the wounded healer was intersubjectively reconfigured as indicating a therapist whose (often unacknowledged) needs and vulnerabilities engender a proclivity to relate to patients as objects rather than subjects. The participants could all be described as having started out their professional lives as wounded healers. The effects of personal therapy on their clinical work were conceptualised in terms of increased abilities for subject-to-subject relating. These were linked to augmented capacities for reflective and symbolic thinking and an enhanced openness to the implicit, unformulated and opaque aspects of experiences in the therapeutic space. Finally an intersubjective model of personal therapy and development as a therapist was generated. It was concluded that because of the focus on the therapeutic relationship as the vehicle for change in psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as the current increasing emphasis on the use of the therapist’s subjectivity, the therapist’s capacity to engage in and sustain subject-tosubject relating and, by implication, the therapist’s personal therapy, are of pivotal importance for all therapists doing the work of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
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An investigation into improved ionospheric F1 layer predictions over Grahamstown, South Africa
- Authors: Jacobs, Linda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5511 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008094 , Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Description: This thesis describes an analysis of the F1 layer data obtained from the Grahamstown (33.32°S, 26.500 E), South Africa ionospheric station and the use of this data in improving a Neural Network (NN) based model of the F1 layer of the ionosphere. An application for real-time ray tracing through the South African ionosphere was identified, and for this application real-time evaluation of the electron density profile is essential. Raw real-time virtual height data are provided by a Lowell Digisonde (DPS), which employs the automatic scaling software, ARTIST whose output includes the virtual-toreal height data conversion. Experience has shown that there are times when the ray tracing performance is degraded because of difficulties surrounding the real-time characterization of the F1 region by ARTIST. Therefore available DPS data from the archives of the Grahamstown station were re-scaled manually in order to establish the extent of the problem and the times and conditions under which most inaccuracies occur. The re-scaled data were used to update the F1 contribution of an existing NN based ionospheric model, the LAM model, which predicts the values of the parameters required to produce an electron density profile. This thesis describes the development of three separate NNs required to predict the ionospheric characteristics and coefficients that are required to describe the F1 layer profile. Inputs to the NNs include day number, hour and measures of solar and magnetic activity. Outputs include the value of the critical frequency of the F1 layer, foF1, the real height of reflection at the peak, hmFl, as well as information on the state of the F1 layer. All data from the Grahamstown station from 1973 to 2003 was used to train these NNs. Tests show that the predictive ability of the LAM model has been improved by incorporating the re-scaled data.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jacobs, Linda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5511 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008094 , Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Description: This thesis describes an analysis of the F1 layer data obtained from the Grahamstown (33.32°S, 26.500 E), South Africa ionospheric station and the use of this data in improving a Neural Network (NN) based model of the F1 layer of the ionosphere. An application for real-time ray tracing through the South African ionosphere was identified, and for this application real-time evaluation of the electron density profile is essential. Raw real-time virtual height data are provided by a Lowell Digisonde (DPS), which employs the automatic scaling software, ARTIST whose output includes the virtual-toreal height data conversion. Experience has shown that there are times when the ray tracing performance is degraded because of difficulties surrounding the real-time characterization of the F1 region by ARTIST. Therefore available DPS data from the archives of the Grahamstown station were re-scaled manually in order to establish the extent of the problem and the times and conditions under which most inaccuracies occur. The re-scaled data were used to update the F1 contribution of an existing NN based ionospheric model, the LAM model, which predicts the values of the parameters required to produce an electron density profile. This thesis describes the development of three separate NNs required to predict the ionospheric characteristics and coefficients that are required to describe the F1 layer profile. Inputs to the NNs include day number, hour and measures of solar and magnetic activity. Outputs include the value of the critical frequency of the F1 layer, foF1, the real height of reflection at the peak, hmFl, as well as information on the state of the F1 layer. All data from the Grahamstown station from 1973 to 2003 was used to train these NNs. Tests show that the predictive ability of the LAM model has been improved by incorporating the re-scaled data.
- Full Text:
An investigation into perceptions of learner participation in the governance of secondary schools
- Authors: Nongubo, Mphuthumi J
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education and state -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa , Education, Secondary -- South Africa , Student government -- South Africa , Student participation in administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2007 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015747
- Description: The question of learner participation or involvement in school governance has been a thorny issue in South Africa for decades. This study investigated secondary learners’ participation in the governance of their schools through representation by the Representative Council of Learners (RCLs), formerly known as school representative councils (SRCs). The study attempted to find out how learners participation is perceived by both the RCLs and the School Management Teams (SMTs). The study was conducted in five secondary schools in the Eastern Cape townships of Grahamstown. The research participants were members of School Management Teams and Representative Councils of Learners from these schools. The study was oriented in an interpretive paradigm following a qualitative approach. Questionnaires and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used to explore the perceptions of the two groups involved. The Department of Education documents that sanction RCL participation were referred to throughout and especially when analysing the respondents’ views. The main finding of the study is that learner involvement in school governance is still problematic, though it is presently provided for by policies that govern schools, including the South African Schools Act and the Guides for Representative Councils of Learners of 1999, in which their roles are outlined. The findings of the study reveal an indecisive and autocratic mindset among educators regarding the issue of learner involvement in governance and management. Furthermore, the Department of Education documents in place betray a narrow conception of RCL participation in school governance and still display an element of mistrust towards the learners concerning their roles in governance. As a result of these forces, the democratic potential of learner participation is undermined, and RCLs compromised as legitimate stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nongubo, Mphuthumi J
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education and state -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa , Education, Secondary -- South Africa , Student government -- South Africa , Student participation in administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2007 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015747
- Description: The question of learner participation or involvement in school governance has been a thorny issue in South Africa for decades. This study investigated secondary learners’ participation in the governance of their schools through representation by the Representative Council of Learners (RCLs), formerly known as school representative councils (SRCs). The study attempted to find out how learners participation is perceived by both the RCLs and the School Management Teams (SMTs). The study was conducted in five secondary schools in the Eastern Cape townships of Grahamstown. The research participants were members of School Management Teams and Representative Councils of Learners from these schools. The study was oriented in an interpretive paradigm following a qualitative approach. Questionnaires and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used to explore the perceptions of the two groups involved. The Department of Education documents that sanction RCL participation were referred to throughout and especially when analysing the respondents’ views. The main finding of the study is that learner involvement in school governance is still problematic, though it is presently provided for by policies that govern schools, including the South African Schools Act and the Guides for Representative Councils of Learners of 1999, in which their roles are outlined. The findings of the study reveal an indecisive and autocratic mindset among educators regarding the issue of learner involvement in governance and management. Furthermore, the Department of Education documents in place betray a narrow conception of RCL participation in school governance and still display an element of mistrust towards the learners concerning their roles in governance. As a result of these forces, the democratic potential of learner participation is undermined, and RCLs compromised as legitimate stakeholders.
- Full Text:
An investigation into the antidepressant activity of hypericum perforatum
- Authors: Stephens, Linda Lee
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Hypericum perforatum -- Physiological effect Hypericum perforatum -- Therapeutic use Antidepressants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003271
- Description: Hypericum perforatum is a herbal medicine that has been used for centuries for the treatment of depression. Many studies have been conducted in the Northern hemisphere on the efficacy of the HP extracts produced there. These studies include clinical trials and pharmacological investigations using a standardised HP extract or a fraction of the HP extract containing certain compounds, such as hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforin and several of the flavonoids thought to be responsible for the antidepressant activity. The mechanism of action of HP and its constituents is still not completely clear and it is speculated that the antidepressant activity is the result of several of the compounds acting synergistically. HP is indigenous to and also cultivated in the Western Cape of South Africa. Extracts from these plants are sold in the local health shops and there are no previous studies evaluating the efficacy of these products. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the antidepressant activity of one of these products and two of its constituents, quercetin and caffeic acid, to gain further insight into their mode of antidepressant action and to compare these results with similar studies which used a standardised extract produced in the northern hemisphere. The first study investigated the effect of HP, quercetin and caffeic acid on pineal metabolism. Changes in the synthesis of melatonin produced by the pineal gland have been implicated in depression. The results showed an increase in the level of melatonin produced in the animals treated with quercetin, which suggests that this compound may mediate antidepressant activity through such a mechanism. There are no previous reports on the in vivo effects of HP or any of its constituents on pineal metabolism. The second study investigated the effect of HP, quercetin and caffeic acid on the activity of the liver enzyme, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Inhibition of this enzyme has been shown to increase plasma levels of tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin and thereby result in increased serotonin levels in the brain. Low levels of serotonin in the brain have been implicated in depression. This study revealed significant inhibition of TDO by caffeic acid and this suggests that this constituent of HP could be contributing to its antidepressant activity through such a mechanism. There are no previous reports investigating the in vivo effect of HP or any of its constituents on TDO activity. Modulation of the levels of indoleamines, serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) as well as the metabolites, 3,4 dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovallinic acid (HVA) in the brain have been implicated in the neuropharmacology of depression. Different studies using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to determine changes in the levels of these indoleamines brought about after treatment with HP caffeic acid and quercetin. The results of the ELISA study showed significant increases in 5-HT levels in the brains of the animals treated with caffeic acid and quercetin. The results of the HPLC-ECD studies also revealed significant increases in 5-HT levels and a decrease in the turnover of 5-HT in the animals treated with quercetin. A significant increase in DA levels in the animals treated with quercetin was shown in both the HPLC-ECD and LC-MS studies. There was also an increase in DA turnover in the animals treated with HP shown in the HPLC-ECD and LC-MS studies. These results suggest that HP and its constituents, quercetin and caffeic acid mediate their antidepressant effects through serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Adaptive changes in the density of b-adrenergic (b-AR), 5-HT2 and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been implicated in depression. Several studies, investigating the effect of treatment with HP and quercetin on these different receptor densities, were undertaken using radioactive binding assays. Treatment with HP resulted in significant down regulation of b-AR and NMDA receptor densities and up-regulation of 5HT2 receptors. The effects on the b-AR and 5-HT2 receptors are similar to the results reported using HP in the Northern hemisphere, but the effect on the NMDA receptors is novel providing insight into the mode of action of HP. Apoptosis of neuronal cells has been implicated in neuro-degenerative and depressive disorders. Detection of apoptosis, using fluorescent microscopy observed through the labelling of DNA strand breaks, showed a decrease in the amount of apoptosis in the animals treated with HP and quercetin. This adds further support for the use of HP as an antidepressant and these results are similar to results reported from the Northern hemisphere. The results of all these studies suggest that the quality of the locally produced tincture is similar in efficacy to that of the standardised product of the Northern hemisphere.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stephens, Linda Lee
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Hypericum perforatum -- Physiological effect Hypericum perforatum -- Therapeutic use Antidepressants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003271
- Description: Hypericum perforatum is a herbal medicine that has been used for centuries for the treatment of depression. Many studies have been conducted in the Northern hemisphere on the efficacy of the HP extracts produced there. These studies include clinical trials and pharmacological investigations using a standardised HP extract or a fraction of the HP extract containing certain compounds, such as hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforin and several of the flavonoids thought to be responsible for the antidepressant activity. The mechanism of action of HP and its constituents is still not completely clear and it is speculated that the antidepressant activity is the result of several of the compounds acting synergistically. HP is indigenous to and also cultivated in the Western Cape of South Africa. Extracts from these plants are sold in the local health shops and there are no previous studies evaluating the efficacy of these products. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the antidepressant activity of one of these products and two of its constituents, quercetin and caffeic acid, to gain further insight into their mode of antidepressant action and to compare these results with similar studies which used a standardised extract produced in the northern hemisphere. The first study investigated the effect of HP, quercetin and caffeic acid on pineal metabolism. Changes in the synthesis of melatonin produced by the pineal gland have been implicated in depression. The results showed an increase in the level of melatonin produced in the animals treated with quercetin, which suggests that this compound may mediate antidepressant activity through such a mechanism. There are no previous reports on the in vivo effects of HP or any of its constituents on pineal metabolism. The second study investigated the effect of HP, quercetin and caffeic acid on the activity of the liver enzyme, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Inhibition of this enzyme has been shown to increase plasma levels of tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin and thereby result in increased serotonin levels in the brain. Low levels of serotonin in the brain have been implicated in depression. This study revealed significant inhibition of TDO by caffeic acid and this suggests that this constituent of HP could be contributing to its antidepressant activity through such a mechanism. There are no previous reports investigating the in vivo effect of HP or any of its constituents on TDO activity. Modulation of the levels of indoleamines, serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) as well as the metabolites, 3,4 dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovallinic acid (HVA) in the brain have been implicated in the neuropharmacology of depression. Different studies using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to determine changes in the levels of these indoleamines brought about after treatment with HP caffeic acid and quercetin. The results of the ELISA study showed significant increases in 5-HT levels in the brains of the animals treated with caffeic acid and quercetin. The results of the HPLC-ECD studies also revealed significant increases in 5-HT levels and a decrease in the turnover of 5-HT in the animals treated with quercetin. A significant increase in DA levels in the animals treated with quercetin was shown in both the HPLC-ECD and LC-MS studies. There was also an increase in DA turnover in the animals treated with HP shown in the HPLC-ECD and LC-MS studies. These results suggest that HP and its constituents, quercetin and caffeic acid mediate their antidepressant effects through serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Adaptive changes in the density of b-adrenergic (b-AR), 5-HT2 and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been implicated in depression. Several studies, investigating the effect of treatment with HP and quercetin on these different receptor densities, were undertaken using radioactive binding assays. Treatment with HP resulted in significant down regulation of b-AR and NMDA receptor densities and up-regulation of 5HT2 receptors. The effects on the b-AR and 5-HT2 receptors are similar to the results reported using HP in the Northern hemisphere, but the effect on the NMDA receptors is novel providing insight into the mode of action of HP. Apoptosis of neuronal cells has been implicated in neuro-degenerative and depressive disorders. Detection of apoptosis, using fluorescent microscopy observed through the labelling of DNA strand breaks, showed a decrease in the amount of apoptosis in the animals treated with HP and quercetin. This adds further support for the use of HP as an antidepressant and these results are similar to results reported from the Northern hemisphere. The results of all these studies suggest that the quality of the locally produced tincture is similar in efficacy to that of the standardised product of the Northern hemisphere.
- Full Text:
An investigation into the neuroprotective properties of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen
- Authors: Maharaj, Himant
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Aspirin Acetaminophen Analgesics Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment Parkinson's disease
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3769 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003247
- Description: The potent analgesic property of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen makes these the most commonly used analgesics in the world. Easy accessibility and cost effectiveness of these agents are attractive to patients seeking pain relief. However, the abuse of nonnarcotic analgesics such as acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid by alcoholics and patients seeking to relieve dysphoric moods is well documented. These agents therefore impact on the brain neurotransmitter levels and therefore all processes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters may be affected. The use of non-narcotic analgesics has been reported to reduce the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The mode of action by which acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen elicit neuroprotection is however unclear as many mechanisms of action have been inconclusively postulated. The first part of this study aims to elucidate the various mechanisms by which acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen affect the enzymes responsible for the catabolism of tryptophan, which is a precursor for the mood elevating neurotransmitter serotonin, as well as to investigate whether these agents alter the interplay between serotonin and pineal indole metabolism. The second part of this study focuses on the neuroprotective properties of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen utilizing the neurotoxic metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, quinolinic acid and the potent Parkinsonian neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). The ability of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen to alter TRP metabolism was determined by investigating the effects of these agents on the primary enzymes of the kynurenine pathway i.e. tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase as well as to investigate whether these agents would have any effects on 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase. 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase is the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of quinolinic acid. Acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen alter tryptophan metabolism by inhibiting tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase thus increasing the availability of tryptophan for the production of serotonin. Acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen also inhibit 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase thus implying that these agents could reduce quinolinic acid production. Acetaminophen administration in rats induces a rise in serotonin and norepinephrine in the forebrain. Acetylsalicylic acid curtails the acetaminophen-induced rise in brain norepinephrine levels as well as enhances serotonin metabolism, indicating that analgesic preparations containing both agents would be advantageous, as this would prevent acetaminophen-induced mood elevation. The results from the pineal indole metabolism study show that acetylsalicylic acid enhances pineal metabolism of serotonin whereas acetaminophen induces an increase in melatonin levels in the pineal gland. Neuronal damage due to oxidative stress has been implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders such as AD and PD. The second part of the study aims to elucidate and characterize the mechanism by which acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen afford neuroprotection. The hippocampus is an important region of the brain responsible for memory. Agents such as quinolinic acid that are known to induce stress in this area have detrimental effects and could lead to various types of dementia. The striatum is also a vulnerable region to oxidative stress and hence (MPP+), which is toxic for this particular region of the brain, was also used as a neurotoxin. The results show that ASA and acetaminophen alone and in combination, are potent superoxide anion scavengers. In addition, the results imply that these agents offer protection against oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation induced by several neurotoxins in rat brain particularly, the hippocampus and striatum. Histological studies, using Nissl staining and Acid fuchsin, show that acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen are able to protect hippocampal neurons against quinolinic acidinduced necrotic cell death. Immunohistochemical investigations show that QA induces apoptotic cell death in the hippocampus, which is inhibited by ASA and acetaminophen. In addition, ASA and acetaminophen inhibited MPP+ induced apoptotic cell death in the rat striatum. The study also sought to elucidate possible mechanisms by which ASA and acetaminophen exert neuroprotective effects in the presence of MPP+ as these agents are shown to prevent the MPP+-induced reduction in dopamine levels. The results show that acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen inhibit the action of this neurotoxin on the mitochondrial electron transport chain, a common source of free radicals in the cell. In addition, these agents were shown to block the neurotoxic effects of MPP+ on the enzymatic defence system of the brain i.e. superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. The reduction in glutathione levels induced by MPP+ is significantly inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen. The results imply that these agents are capable of not only scavenging free radicals but also enhance the cell defence mechanism against toxicity in the presence of MPP+. These agents also block the MPP+-induced inhibition of dopamine uptake into the cell. This would therefore reduce auto-oxidation of dopamine thus implying another mechanism by which these agents exert a neuroprotective role in MPP+-induced neurotoxicity. The discovery of neuroprotective properties of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen is important considering the high usage of these agents and the increased incidence in neurological disorders. The findings of this thesis point to the need for clinical studies to be conducted as the results show acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen to have a definite role to play as antioxidants. This study therefore provides novel information regarding the neuroprotective effects of these agents and favours the use of these agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD and PD, in which oxidative stress is implicated.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maharaj, Himant
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Aspirin Acetaminophen Analgesics Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment Parkinson's disease
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3769 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003247
- Description: The potent analgesic property of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen makes these the most commonly used analgesics in the world. Easy accessibility and cost effectiveness of these agents are attractive to patients seeking pain relief. However, the abuse of nonnarcotic analgesics such as acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid by alcoholics and patients seeking to relieve dysphoric moods is well documented. These agents therefore impact on the brain neurotransmitter levels and therefore all processes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters may be affected. The use of non-narcotic analgesics has been reported to reduce the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The mode of action by which acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen elicit neuroprotection is however unclear as many mechanisms of action have been inconclusively postulated. The first part of this study aims to elucidate the various mechanisms by which acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen affect the enzymes responsible for the catabolism of tryptophan, which is a precursor for the mood elevating neurotransmitter serotonin, as well as to investigate whether these agents alter the interplay between serotonin and pineal indole metabolism. The second part of this study focuses on the neuroprotective properties of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen utilizing the neurotoxic metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, quinolinic acid and the potent Parkinsonian neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). The ability of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen to alter TRP metabolism was determined by investigating the effects of these agents on the primary enzymes of the kynurenine pathway i.e. tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase as well as to investigate whether these agents would have any effects on 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase. 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase is the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of quinolinic acid. Acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen alter tryptophan metabolism by inhibiting tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase thus increasing the availability of tryptophan for the production of serotonin. Acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen also inhibit 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase thus implying that these agents could reduce quinolinic acid production. Acetaminophen administration in rats induces a rise in serotonin and norepinephrine in the forebrain. Acetylsalicylic acid curtails the acetaminophen-induced rise in brain norepinephrine levels as well as enhances serotonin metabolism, indicating that analgesic preparations containing both agents would be advantageous, as this would prevent acetaminophen-induced mood elevation. The results from the pineal indole metabolism study show that acetylsalicylic acid enhances pineal metabolism of serotonin whereas acetaminophen induces an increase in melatonin levels in the pineal gland. Neuronal damage due to oxidative stress has been implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders such as AD and PD. The second part of the study aims to elucidate and characterize the mechanism by which acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen afford neuroprotection. The hippocampus is an important region of the brain responsible for memory. Agents such as quinolinic acid that are known to induce stress in this area have detrimental effects and could lead to various types of dementia. The striatum is also a vulnerable region to oxidative stress and hence (MPP+), which is toxic for this particular region of the brain, was also used as a neurotoxin. The results show that ASA and acetaminophen alone and in combination, are potent superoxide anion scavengers. In addition, the results imply that these agents offer protection against oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation induced by several neurotoxins in rat brain particularly, the hippocampus and striatum. Histological studies, using Nissl staining and Acid fuchsin, show that acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen are able to protect hippocampal neurons against quinolinic acidinduced necrotic cell death. Immunohistochemical investigations show that QA induces apoptotic cell death in the hippocampus, which is inhibited by ASA and acetaminophen. In addition, ASA and acetaminophen inhibited MPP+ induced apoptotic cell death in the rat striatum. The study also sought to elucidate possible mechanisms by which ASA and acetaminophen exert neuroprotective effects in the presence of MPP+ as these agents are shown to prevent the MPP+-induced reduction in dopamine levels. The results show that acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen inhibit the action of this neurotoxin on the mitochondrial electron transport chain, a common source of free radicals in the cell. In addition, these agents were shown to block the neurotoxic effects of MPP+ on the enzymatic defence system of the brain i.e. superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. The reduction in glutathione levels induced by MPP+ is significantly inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen. The results imply that these agents are capable of not only scavenging free radicals but also enhance the cell defence mechanism against toxicity in the presence of MPP+. These agents also block the MPP+-induced inhibition of dopamine uptake into the cell. This would therefore reduce auto-oxidation of dopamine thus implying another mechanism by which these agents exert a neuroprotective role in MPP+-induced neurotoxicity. The discovery of neuroprotective properties of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen is important considering the high usage of these agents and the increased incidence in neurological disorders. The findings of this thesis point to the need for clinical studies to be conducted as the results show acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen to have a definite role to play as antioxidants. This study therefore provides novel information regarding the neuroprotective effects of these agents and favours the use of these agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD and PD, in which oxidative stress is implicated.
- Full Text:
An investigation into the pharmacological properties of propolis
- Authors: Hu, Fuliang
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Propolis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007955
- Description: Propolis is a traditional value-added product from beekeeping, and has been widely used in medicine and the chemical industry because of its extensive biological activities. In this dissertation some pharmacological properties of propolis extracted by ethanol (EEP) and water (WSP) were studied by means of modem pharmacological methods. The results of the experiments show the following: 1. Both EEP and WSD led to decreased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HBA1c), Fructosamine (FRU), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), malonaldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) in the serum of fasting rats; and, to increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rats with diabetes mellitus. This suggests that propolis can control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose, blood lipid and protein, leading to decreased outputs of lipid peroxidation and scavenging free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus. 2. Both EEP and WSD showed inhibitory effects on swelling induced by Freund's complete adjuvant and decreased the degree of local inflammatory responses; significantly inhibited the increase of interleukin-6 (lL-6) in inflamed tissues, but had no significant effect on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-y (IFN-y). The results are consistent with the interpretation that EEP and WSD may exert these effects by inhibiting the activation and differentiation of mononuclear macrophages. 3. Both EEP and WSD exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models with respect to thoracic capillary vessel leakage in mice, Carrageenan-induced oedema, Carrageen-aninduced pleurisy and acute lung damage in rats. The mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effects probably involve decreasing prostaglandin and NO levels. 4. Both EEP and WSD had an inhibitory effect on the level of TG, TC, LDL-C, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) in serum, and TC, TG and MDA in liver of hyperlipidemic SD rats; but were without effects on HDL-C, MDA, SOD and NO in serum. EEP also reduced body weight, liver weight and liver index, but WSD did not reduce those indexes. The results showed that the two extracts contribute to the improvement of lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats and provide them with the required anti-oxidative activity. 5. The 80% ethanol extracts of propolis had the highest flavonoid content. The flavone content of water extracts of propolis were obtained with a natural surface-active agent, under ultrasonic perturbation at 80°C, for 12 h and was 6.7 times greater than that of propolis extracted with water at room temperature. Compared to EEP, WSD has the same or a greater anti-tumor or anti-inflammation effect at the same dosage, and shows considerable pharmacological potential especially because of its low side effects and ease of preparation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hu, Fuliang
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Propolis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007955
- Description: Propolis is a traditional value-added product from beekeeping, and has been widely used in medicine and the chemical industry because of its extensive biological activities. In this dissertation some pharmacological properties of propolis extracted by ethanol (EEP) and water (WSP) were studied by means of modem pharmacological methods. The results of the experiments show the following: 1. Both EEP and WSD led to decreased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HBA1c), Fructosamine (FRU), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), malonaldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) in the serum of fasting rats; and, to increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rats with diabetes mellitus. This suggests that propolis can control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose, blood lipid and protein, leading to decreased outputs of lipid peroxidation and scavenging free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus. 2. Both EEP and WSD showed inhibitory effects on swelling induced by Freund's complete adjuvant and decreased the degree of local inflammatory responses; significantly inhibited the increase of interleukin-6 (lL-6) in inflamed tissues, but had no significant effect on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-y (IFN-y). The results are consistent with the interpretation that EEP and WSD may exert these effects by inhibiting the activation and differentiation of mononuclear macrophages. 3. Both EEP and WSD exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models with respect to thoracic capillary vessel leakage in mice, Carrageenan-induced oedema, Carrageen-aninduced pleurisy and acute lung damage in rats. The mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effects probably involve decreasing prostaglandin and NO levels. 4. Both EEP and WSD had an inhibitory effect on the level of TG, TC, LDL-C, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) in serum, and TC, TG and MDA in liver of hyperlipidemic SD rats; but were without effects on HDL-C, MDA, SOD and NO in serum. EEP also reduced body weight, liver weight and liver index, but WSD did not reduce those indexes. The results showed that the two extracts contribute to the improvement of lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats and provide them with the required anti-oxidative activity. 5. The 80% ethanol extracts of propolis had the highest flavonoid content. The flavone content of water extracts of propolis were obtained with a natural surface-active agent, under ultrasonic perturbation at 80°C, for 12 h and was 6.7 times greater than that of propolis extracted with water at room temperature. Compared to EEP, WSD has the same or a greater anti-tumor or anti-inflammation effect at the same dosage, and shows considerable pharmacological potential especially because of its low side effects and ease of preparation.
- Full Text:
An investigation into the possible neuroprotective or neurotoxic properties of metrifonate
- Authors: Ramsunder, Adrusha
- Date: 2005 , 2013-06-11
- Subjects: Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment , Metrifonate
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007560 , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment , Metrifonate
- Description: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, in which there is a marked decline in neurotransmitters, especially those of the cholinergic pathways. One of the approaches to the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease is the inhibition of the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, using an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. One such drug tested, is the organophosphate, metrifonate. Any drug used for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders should preferably not induce further neurological damage. Thus, in the present study, we investigated whether or not metrifonate is neuroprotective. The in vivo and in vitro effect of this drug on free radicals generation shows that metrifonate increases the level ofthese reactive species. Lipid peroxidation induced using quinolinic acid (QA) and iron (II) and show that metrifonate increased the peroxidative damage induced by using quinolinic acid. Metrifonate is also able to induce lipid peroxidation both in vivo and in vitro. This was reduced in vitro in the presence of melatonin. Using iron (II), in vi/ro, there was no significant difference in the level of lipid peroxidation in the presence of this drug. An investigation of the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and complex I of the electron transport chain in the presence of metrifonate revealed that metrifonate reduces the activity of the electron transport chain at the level of complex I. The activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain was restored in the presence of melatonin. Pineal organ culture showed that metrifonate does not increase melatonin production. Histological and apoptosis studies show that tissue necrosis and apoptosis respectively, occur in the presence of this agent, which is reduced in the presence of melatonin. Metal binding studies were performed USing ultraviolet spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis to examine the interaction of metrifonate with iron (II) and iron (III). No shift in the peak was observed in the ultraviolet spectrum when iron (ll) was added to metrifonate. Electrochemical studies show that there may be a very weak or no ligand formed between the metal and drug. This study shows that while drugs such as metrifonate may be beneficial in restoring cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease, it could also have the potential to enhance neurodegeneration, thus worsening the condition, in the long term. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ramsunder, Adrusha
- Date: 2005 , 2013-06-11
- Subjects: Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment , Metrifonate
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007560 , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment , Metrifonate
- Description: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, in which there is a marked decline in neurotransmitters, especially those of the cholinergic pathways. One of the approaches to the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease is the inhibition of the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, using an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. One such drug tested, is the organophosphate, metrifonate. Any drug used for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders should preferably not induce further neurological damage. Thus, in the present study, we investigated whether or not metrifonate is neuroprotective. The in vivo and in vitro effect of this drug on free radicals generation shows that metrifonate increases the level ofthese reactive species. Lipid peroxidation induced using quinolinic acid (QA) and iron (II) and show that metrifonate increased the peroxidative damage induced by using quinolinic acid. Metrifonate is also able to induce lipid peroxidation both in vivo and in vitro. This was reduced in vitro in the presence of melatonin. Using iron (II), in vi/ro, there was no significant difference in the level of lipid peroxidation in the presence of this drug. An investigation of the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and complex I of the electron transport chain in the presence of metrifonate revealed that metrifonate reduces the activity of the electron transport chain at the level of complex I. The activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain was restored in the presence of melatonin. Pineal organ culture showed that metrifonate does not increase melatonin production. Histological and apoptosis studies show that tissue necrosis and apoptosis respectively, occur in the presence of this agent, which is reduced in the presence of melatonin. Metal binding studies were performed USing ultraviolet spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis to examine the interaction of metrifonate with iron (II) and iron (III). No shift in the peak was observed in the ultraviolet spectrum when iron (ll) was added to metrifonate. Electrochemical studies show that there may be a very weak or no ligand formed between the metal and drug. This study shows that while drugs such as metrifonate may be beneficial in restoring cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease, it could also have the potential to enhance neurodegeneration, thus worsening the condition, in the long term. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
An investigation into unintentional information leakage through electronic publication
- Forrester, Jock, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Forrester, Jock , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428814 , vital:72538 , https://digifors.cs.up.ac.za/issa/2005/Proceedings/Poster/012_Article.pdf
- Description: Organisations are publishing electronic documents on their websites, via email to clients and potentially un-trusted third parties. This trend can be attributed to the ease of use of desktop publishing/editing soft-ware as well as the increasingly connected environment that employ-ees work in. Advanced document editors have features that enable the use of group editing, version control and multi-user authoring. Unfortu-nately these advanced features also have their disadvantages. Metadata used to enable the collaborative features can unintentionally expose confidential data to unauthorised users once the document has been published.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Forrester, Jock , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428814 , vital:72538 , https://digifors.cs.up.ac.za/issa/2005/Proceedings/Poster/012_Article.pdf
- Description: Organisations are publishing electronic documents on their websites, via email to clients and potentially un-trusted third parties. This trend can be attributed to the ease of use of desktop publishing/editing soft-ware as well as the increasingly connected environment that employ-ees work in. Advanced document editors have features that enable the use of group editing, version control and multi-user authoring. Unfortu-nately these advanced features also have their disadvantages. Metadata used to enable the collaborative features can unintentionally expose confidential data to unauthorised users once the document has been published.
- Full Text:
An investigation of an undergraduate course module on the ethical aspects of information systems
- Authors: Charlesworth, Matthew
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Information technology , Information technology -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computers -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Computer engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Software engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Information technology -- study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1139 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002768 , Information technology , Information technology -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computers -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Computer engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Software engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Information technology -- study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula
- Description: An increased emphasis is being placed on ethics in Information Systems. An investigation of: the relevant literature which highlighted the growth of, and importance in understanding the moral philosophies which underlie Computer Ethics; and the official curricula recommendations that have increasingly and consistently recommended inclusion of courses describing the Social, Professional and Ethical responsibilities of Information Systems Professionals; and informed by the observations from two empirical Studies that showed the extent of unethical behaviour, and how this behaviour is diminished in those who have received formal tertiary level education resulted in a proposed new course module on Ethics in Information Systems. The module follows a sandwich-approach whereby two stand-alone modules are conducted on either side of integrated Computer Ethics content within the rest of the curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Charlesworth, Matthew
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Information technology , Information technology -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computers -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Computer engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Software engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Information technology -- study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1139 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002768 , Information technology , Information technology -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computers -- Moral and ethical aspects , Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Computer engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Software engineering -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula , Information technology -- study and teaching (Higher) -- Curricula
- Description: An increased emphasis is being placed on ethics in Information Systems. An investigation of: the relevant literature which highlighted the growth of, and importance in understanding the moral philosophies which underlie Computer Ethics; and the official curricula recommendations that have increasingly and consistently recommended inclusion of courses describing the Social, Professional and Ethical responsibilities of Information Systems Professionals; and informed by the observations from two empirical Studies that showed the extent of unethical behaviour, and how this behaviour is diminished in those who have received formal tertiary level education resulted in a proposed new course module on Ethics in Information Systems. The module follows a sandwich-approach whereby two stand-alone modules are conducted on either side of integrated Computer Ethics content within the rest of the curriculum.
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An investigation of female leaders' perceptions of organisational culture and leadership in a Catholic High School
- Jean-Louis, Lily-Claire Virginie
- Authors: Jean-Louis, Lily-Claire Virginie
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Catholic schools -- South Africa -- Administration School management and organization -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa Corporate culture -- South Africa Women school administrators -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003507
- Description: For the past thirty years, leadership theories have focused on the importance of the individual within the school organisation. The shared assumptions and beliefs of the individuals working in the same organisation shape the school’s organisational culture, and organisational culture is a salient factor which should be considered when understanding educational leadership. The focus of my study is to explore the relationship between organisational culture and leadership. In the same context, new approaches to the study of leadership have explored the issue of gender in leadership. Female leadership studies - the second focus of this study - seek not only to restore the place of the individual but also argue a place for women in educational leadership. Based in the interpretive paradigm, this is a case study of a Catholic all-girl secondary school called the Loreto Convent School of Pretoria. Historically, the Loreto schools have aimed at promoting and empowering girls’ education and female leadership. It was therefore an appropriate site in which to explore organisational culture and its relationship with leadership, particularly female leadership. I purposefully chose three of the school’s female leaders - the school’s principal, the High school Head of Department and the High school head girl - focusing on their perceptions and experiences of their leadership and the school’s culture. My research findings show that an understanding of the relationship between organisational culture and leadership cannot be complete without acknowledging the importance of the leader as an individual, with his/her personal background and values, taking into account gender as well as the multiple roles that the individual has in society. Furthermore, the ‘humane’ characteristic of educational leadership leads to an understanding that the leader is often confronted with conflicting situations where he/she is caught between personal/organisational values and the need to achieve the task. Finally, my findings show that contemporary leaders are now called upon to work and participate in the promotion of social justice in order to fight against society’s socio-economic inequality and improve the quality of education and life.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jean-Louis, Lily-Claire Virginie
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Catholic schools -- South Africa -- Administration School management and organization -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa Corporate culture -- South Africa Women school administrators -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003507
- Description: For the past thirty years, leadership theories have focused on the importance of the individual within the school organisation. The shared assumptions and beliefs of the individuals working in the same organisation shape the school’s organisational culture, and organisational culture is a salient factor which should be considered when understanding educational leadership. The focus of my study is to explore the relationship between organisational culture and leadership. In the same context, new approaches to the study of leadership have explored the issue of gender in leadership. Female leadership studies - the second focus of this study - seek not only to restore the place of the individual but also argue a place for women in educational leadership. Based in the interpretive paradigm, this is a case study of a Catholic all-girl secondary school called the Loreto Convent School of Pretoria. Historically, the Loreto schools have aimed at promoting and empowering girls’ education and female leadership. It was therefore an appropriate site in which to explore organisational culture and its relationship with leadership, particularly female leadership. I purposefully chose three of the school’s female leaders - the school’s principal, the High school Head of Department and the High school head girl - focusing on their perceptions and experiences of their leadership and the school’s culture. My research findings show that an understanding of the relationship between organisational culture and leadership cannot be complete without acknowledging the importance of the leader as an individual, with his/her personal background and values, taking into account gender as well as the multiple roles that the individual has in society. Furthermore, the ‘humane’ characteristic of educational leadership leads to an understanding that the leader is often confronted with conflicting situations where he/she is caught between personal/organisational values and the need to achieve the task. Finally, my findings show that contemporary leaders are now called upon to work and participate in the promotion of social justice in order to fight against society’s socio-economic inequality and improve the quality of education and life.
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An investigation of hair modelling and rendering techniques with emphasis on African hairstyles
- Authors: Patrick, Deborah Michelle
- Date: 2005 , 2013-10-17
- Subjects: RenderMan , Hairstyles -- Africa , Hairstyles -- Computer simulation -- Africa , Hairdressing of Black people , Computer graphics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006561 , RenderMan , Hairstyles -- Africa , Hairstyles -- Computer simulation -- Africa , Hairdressing of Black people , Computer graphics
- Description: Many computer graphics applications make use of virtual humans. Methods for modelling and rendering hair are needed so that hairstyles can be added to the virtual humans. Modelling and rendering hair is challenging due to the large number of hair strands and their geometric properties, the complex lighting effects that occur among the strands of hair, and the complexity and large variation of human hairstyles. While methods have been developed for generating hair, no methods exist for generating African hair, which differs from hair of other ethnic groups. This thesis presents methods for modelling and rendering African hair. Existing hair modelling and rendering techniques are investigated, and the knowledge gained from the investigation is used to develop or enhance hair modelling and rendering techniques to produce three different forms of hair commonly found in African hairstyles. The different forms of hair identified are natural curly hair, straightened hair, and braids or twists of hair. The hair modelling techniques developed are implemented as plug-ins for the graphics program LightWave 3D. The plug-ins developed not only model the three identified forms of hair, but also add the modelled hair to a model of a head, and can be used to create a variety of African hairstyles. The plug-ins significantly reduce the time spent on hair modelling. Tests performed show that increasing the number of polygons used to model hair increases the quality of the hair produced, but also increases the rendering time. However, there is usually an upper bound to the number of polygons needed to produce a reasonable hairstyle, making it feasible to add African hairstyles to virtual humans. The rendering aspects investigated include hair illumination, texturing, shadowing and antialiasing. An anisotropic illumination model is developed that considers the properties of African hair, including the colouring, opacity and narrow width of the hair strands. Texturing is used in several instances to create the effect of individual strands of hair. Results show that texturing is useful for representing many hair strands because the density of the hair in a texture map does not have an effect on the rendering time. The importance of including a shadowing technique and applying an anti-aliasing method when rendering hair is demonstrated. The rendering techniques are implemented using the RenderMan Interface and Shading Language. A number of complete African hairstyles are shown, demonstrating that the techniques can be used to model and render African hair successfully. , GNU Ghostscript 7.07
- Full Text:
- Authors: Patrick, Deborah Michelle
- Date: 2005 , 2013-10-17
- Subjects: RenderMan , Hairstyles -- Africa , Hairstyles -- Computer simulation -- Africa , Hairdressing of Black people , Computer graphics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006561 , RenderMan , Hairstyles -- Africa , Hairstyles -- Computer simulation -- Africa , Hairdressing of Black people , Computer graphics
- Description: Many computer graphics applications make use of virtual humans. Methods for modelling and rendering hair are needed so that hairstyles can be added to the virtual humans. Modelling and rendering hair is challenging due to the large number of hair strands and their geometric properties, the complex lighting effects that occur among the strands of hair, and the complexity and large variation of human hairstyles. While methods have been developed for generating hair, no methods exist for generating African hair, which differs from hair of other ethnic groups. This thesis presents methods for modelling and rendering African hair. Existing hair modelling and rendering techniques are investigated, and the knowledge gained from the investigation is used to develop or enhance hair modelling and rendering techniques to produce three different forms of hair commonly found in African hairstyles. The different forms of hair identified are natural curly hair, straightened hair, and braids or twists of hair. The hair modelling techniques developed are implemented as plug-ins for the graphics program LightWave 3D. The plug-ins developed not only model the three identified forms of hair, but also add the modelled hair to a model of a head, and can be used to create a variety of African hairstyles. The plug-ins significantly reduce the time spent on hair modelling. Tests performed show that increasing the number of polygons used to model hair increases the quality of the hair produced, but also increases the rendering time. However, there is usually an upper bound to the number of polygons needed to produce a reasonable hairstyle, making it feasible to add African hairstyles to virtual humans. The rendering aspects investigated include hair illumination, texturing, shadowing and antialiasing. An anisotropic illumination model is developed that considers the properties of African hair, including the colouring, opacity and narrow width of the hair strands. Texturing is used in several instances to create the effect of individual strands of hair. Results show that texturing is useful for representing many hair strands because the density of the hair in a texture map does not have an effect on the rendering time. The importance of including a shadowing technique and applying an anti-aliasing method when rendering hair is demonstrated. The rendering techniques are implemented using the RenderMan Interface and Shading Language. A number of complete African hairstyles are shown, demonstrating that the techniques can be used to model and render African hair successfully. , GNU Ghostscript 7.07
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An investigation of how Kampala teenagers who read Straight talk negotiate HIV/AIDS messages
- Kaija, Barbara Night Mbabazi
- Authors: Kaija, Barbara Night Mbabazi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Uganda -- Kampala Straight talk AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- Uganda -- Kampala Teenagers -- Diseases -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching AIDS (Disease) in mass media Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Uganda -- Kampala
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3440 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002894
- Description: This study is a qualitative ethnographic investigation of how teenagers in Kampala, Uganda, who read the HIV/AIDS publication aimed at adolescents, Straight Talk, negotiate HIV/AIDS messages. It seeks to establish to what extent these secondary school teenagers accept the key messages (known as ABC; Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom) and understand the factual aspects of the messages about HIV/AIDS, its process of transmission and prevention. It also seeks to probe how the lived realities of the teenagers affect their particular negotiations of the HIV/AIDS messages. It includes a focus on how proximity to HIV/AIDS, gender and family economic disposition might affect teenagers, negotiation of the HIV/AIDS meanings. To investigate the respondents’ reception of HIV/AIDS messages, the study employed focus groups that consisted of two stages, namely the ‘news game’ and group discussions. In the ‘news game’ stage (Philo, 1990; Kitzinger, 1993) the teenage participants were required to produce a version of a one-page copy of an HIV/AIDS newspaper targeting teenagers. In the second stage of the focus group a structured discussion probed the teenagers’ negotiation of the HIV/AIDS media messages. In the news game, the teenagers on the whole reproduced the key Straight Talk HIV/AIDS messages ‘Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom’ and also images showing the effects of HIV/AIDS but featured fewer images depicting the factual aspects of HIV/AIDS process of transmission and risky behaviour. In the structured discussion that followed the news game, it was evident that not all the teenagers necessarily believed the messages they produced. In spite of producing the ABC Straight Talk messages, some of them were uncertain and confused about the absolute safety of the condom because of fears that they were either porous, expired or would interfere with sexual pleasure. Secondly, though many of the teenagers in the study reproduced images that showed that they consider marriage as desirable and talked about their desire to abstain from sex till marriage, a considerable number think abstinence is not achievable due to competing values. Thirdly, the participant teenagers could differentiate between HIV and AIDS but many did not realise that with the advent of anti-retroviral drugs even people who have AIDS can look normal. In spite of repeating the Straight Talk message that “no one was safe” and being aware of the risky behaviour that their fellow teenagers get involved in, the teenagers seemed to think that their age cohort is safe from HIV and it is the adults who are likely to infect them. The study findings further indicate that the teenagers’ lived experience at times influence their negotiation of HIV/AIDS media messages. This was probed in terms of economic standing, gender and proximity to HIV/AIDS. In relation to gender one surprising discovery was that certain girls in the study feared getting pregnant more than getting HIV/AIDS. The study finally suggests that these findings are of significance for designing future media initiatives in relation to HIV/AIDS.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kaija, Barbara Night Mbabazi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Uganda -- Kampala Straight talk AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- Uganda -- Kampala Teenagers -- Diseases -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching AIDS (Disease) in mass media Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Uganda -- Kampala
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3440 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002894
- Description: This study is a qualitative ethnographic investigation of how teenagers in Kampala, Uganda, who read the HIV/AIDS publication aimed at adolescents, Straight Talk, negotiate HIV/AIDS messages. It seeks to establish to what extent these secondary school teenagers accept the key messages (known as ABC; Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom) and understand the factual aspects of the messages about HIV/AIDS, its process of transmission and prevention. It also seeks to probe how the lived realities of the teenagers affect their particular negotiations of the HIV/AIDS messages. It includes a focus on how proximity to HIV/AIDS, gender and family economic disposition might affect teenagers, negotiation of the HIV/AIDS meanings. To investigate the respondents’ reception of HIV/AIDS messages, the study employed focus groups that consisted of two stages, namely the ‘news game’ and group discussions. In the ‘news game’ stage (Philo, 1990; Kitzinger, 1993) the teenage participants were required to produce a version of a one-page copy of an HIV/AIDS newspaper targeting teenagers. In the second stage of the focus group a structured discussion probed the teenagers’ negotiation of the HIV/AIDS media messages. In the news game, the teenagers on the whole reproduced the key Straight Talk HIV/AIDS messages ‘Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom’ and also images showing the effects of HIV/AIDS but featured fewer images depicting the factual aspects of HIV/AIDS process of transmission and risky behaviour. In the structured discussion that followed the news game, it was evident that not all the teenagers necessarily believed the messages they produced. In spite of producing the ABC Straight Talk messages, some of them were uncertain and confused about the absolute safety of the condom because of fears that they were either porous, expired or would interfere with sexual pleasure. Secondly, though many of the teenagers in the study reproduced images that showed that they consider marriage as desirable and talked about their desire to abstain from sex till marriage, a considerable number think abstinence is not achievable due to competing values. Thirdly, the participant teenagers could differentiate between HIV and AIDS but many did not realise that with the advent of anti-retroviral drugs even people who have AIDS can look normal. In spite of repeating the Straight Talk message that “no one was safe” and being aware of the risky behaviour that their fellow teenagers get involved in, the teenagers seemed to think that their age cohort is safe from HIV and it is the adults who are likely to infect them. The study findings further indicate that the teenagers’ lived experience at times influence their negotiation of HIV/AIDS media messages. This was probed in terms of economic standing, gender and proximity to HIV/AIDS. In relation to gender one surprising discovery was that certain girls in the study feared getting pregnant more than getting HIV/AIDS. The study finally suggests that these findings are of significance for designing future media initiatives in relation to HIV/AIDS.
- Full Text:
An investigation of information security in small and medium enterprises (SME's) in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Upfold, Christopher Tennant
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Computer security -- South Africa Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management information systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Computer security -- Standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:727 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003847
- Description: Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) embrace a wide range of information systems and technology that range from basic bookkeeping and general purpose office packages, through to advanced E-Business Web portals and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). A survey, based on SABS ISO/IEC 17799 was administered to a select number of SME’s in the services sector, in the Eastern Cape. The results of the survey revealed that the level of information security awareness amongst SME leadership is as diverse as the state of practice of their information systems and technology. Although a minority of SME’s do embrace security frameworks such as SABS ISO/IEC 17799 or the International equivalent, BS7799, most SME leaders have not heard of security standards, and see information security as a technical intervention designed to address virus threats and data backups. Furthermore, there are several “stripped-down” standards and guidelines for SME’s, based mostly on SABS ISO/IEC 17799, but designed as streamlined, more easily implemented options. Again, these “lighter” frameworks are scarcely used and largely unknown by SME’s. Far from blaming SME leadership for not understanding the critical issues surrounding information security, the research concludes that SME leadership need to engage, understand and implement formal information security processes, failing which their organisations may be severely impacted by inadvertent threats / deliberate attacks on their information systems which could ultimately lead to business failure.
- Full Text:
An investigation of information security in small and medium enterprises (SME's) in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Upfold, Christopher Tennant
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Computer security -- South Africa Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management information systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Computer security -- Standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:727 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003847
- Description: Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) embrace a wide range of information systems and technology that range from basic bookkeeping and general purpose office packages, through to advanced E-Business Web portals and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). A survey, based on SABS ISO/IEC 17799 was administered to a select number of SME’s in the services sector, in the Eastern Cape. The results of the survey revealed that the level of information security awareness amongst SME leadership is as diverse as the state of practice of their information systems and technology. Although a minority of SME’s do embrace security frameworks such as SABS ISO/IEC 17799 or the International equivalent, BS7799, most SME leaders have not heard of security standards, and see information security as a technical intervention designed to address virus threats and data backups. Furthermore, there are several “stripped-down” standards and guidelines for SME’s, based mostly on SABS ISO/IEC 17799, but designed as streamlined, more easily implemented options. Again, these “lighter” frameworks are scarcely used and largely unknown by SME’s. Far from blaming SME leadership for not understanding the critical issues surrounding information security, the research concludes that SME leadership need to engage, understand and implement formal information security processes, failing which their organisations may be severely impacted by inadvertent threats / deliberate attacks on their information systems which could ultimately lead to business failure.
- Full Text: