Designing writing groups to support postgraduate students’ academic writing: a case study from a South African university
- Authors: Wilmot, Kirstin
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66267 , vital:28926 , https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2016.1238775
- Description: publisher version , This paper reports on a writing group pilot programme implemented at a South African university. Drawing on literature, anonymous student evaluations and facilitator observations, it discusses the use of writing groups for supporting postgraduate academic writing practices. Developed within a broader postgraduate academic writing support programme, the paper discusses a case study of two pilot writing groups: a multidisciplinary long-term group and a disciplinary short-term ‘writing-intensive’ group. The findings indicate that the overall experience of the writing group was a positive one, with each group presenting varied ‘success’ aspects as well as challenges. Insights gleaned may contribute to our understanding of how these groups can be utilised to support postgraduate students and how different kinds of groups can be developed to serve particular student needs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the inclusion of a disciplinary expert, which proved particularly useful in this pilot.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Wilmot, Kirstin
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66267 , vital:28926 , https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2016.1238775
- Description: publisher version , This paper reports on a writing group pilot programme implemented at a South African university. Drawing on literature, anonymous student evaluations and facilitator observations, it discusses the use of writing groups for supporting postgraduate academic writing practices. Developed within a broader postgraduate academic writing support programme, the paper discusses a case study of two pilot writing groups: a multidisciplinary long-term group and a disciplinary short-term ‘writing-intensive’ group. The findings indicate that the overall experience of the writing group was a positive one, with each group presenting varied ‘success’ aspects as well as challenges. Insights gleaned may contribute to our understanding of how these groups can be utilised to support postgraduate students and how different kinds of groups can be developed to serve particular student needs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the inclusion of a disciplinary expert, which proved particularly useful in this pilot.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
Detection of early warning signs of currency crises in South Africa
- Gondoza, Gladys Nicola Fernandes
- Authors: Gondoza, Gladys Nicola Fernandes
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Financial crises -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30238 , vital:30905
- Description: In a world characterised by globalisation, particularly increased financial integration and capital mobility, international economic theory stipulates that countries rather maintain a floating exchange rate system than a fixed exchange rate system in order to have less susceptibility to currency crises (Glick & Hutchison, 2011). South Africa, the economic powerhouse of Africa, is an interesting case to examine. It has a floating exchange rate and should thus be more resistant to currency crises due to market adjustment expectations that limit the build-up of pressure in its foreign exchange markets. South Africa’s foreign exchange market is characterised as volatile with recurring turbulent periods with currency crises observed in 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2008, of which the 2007/2008 global financial crisis was the worst the world had experienced since the Great Depression of the 1930s and it had a significant, negative impact on the South African economy and certainly exposed the country’s vulnerably (South African Reserve Bank, 2012). Having experienced these periods of currency crisis in South Africa and with no specific tool adequately tested and developed for the South African economy to accurately detect such an event before its occurrence, this research was an attempt to fill this gap within the economics discipline. The purpose of this thesis was to examine and make use of Early Warning System (EWS) models to ascertain which one best identifies potential early warning signs of a currency crisis in South Africa. To achieve this, the study tested two standard and commonly used EWS models, namely the Signals and probit models. Added to these approaches, two newer EWS models, namely the Markov regime switching model and the artificial neural networks model were tested. To date only two studies on EWS models for currency crises have been conducted in South Africa. Knedlik (2006) used the signals approach and Knedlik and Scheufele (2007) used the signals, probit/logit and Markov regime switching approaches. Both studies recommended that further research was needed. With this in mind, this thesis built on these studies by extending the sample period under observation from 1993/02 to 2017/03 to fully capture the probability of the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. This study separated the sample period into two parts, a first period (1993/02 – 2004/12) catering for the July 1998 and December 2001 crises and a second period (2005/01 – 2017/03) catering for the October 2008 crisis. This was done to separately observe how well the models detected early warning signs of the October 2008 crisis due to its global nature. By exploring the potential of artificial intelligence by employing the non-parametric approach of artificial neural networks, which has not yet been applied in the South African context for the probability prediction of currency crises, and comparing its prediction performance to the signals, the probit and the Markov regime switching EWS models, this thesis fills an existing information gap. This study found that of these four EWS models for predicting the probabilities of currency crises within the 24-month crisis window, the signals model performed better than the other models for the period 1993/02 – 2004/12. However, the final-outcome of the best model in probability prediction of South African currency crises is not straightforward for this period, as the artificial neural network model and Markov regime switching model performed almost as well as the signals model. During the period 2005/01 – 2017/03, the artificial neural networks model outperformed the other three models in capturing the global financial crisis of 2007/2008, specifically with regard to the evaluations of the percentage of pre-crisis periods called correctly and the percentage of tranquil periods called correctly. As the cut-off probability increases, the artificial neural networks model is the superior model and is not closely followed by the other models. The artificial neural network model also indicated a stable / tranquil economy during the period following the global financial crisis (from about 2009 – 2017), which is a true reflection of that period. The findings of this study suggest that the artificial neural network model is a powerful tool in the probability prediction of early warning signs of currency crises in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Gondoza, Gladys Nicola Fernandes
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Financial crises -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30238 , vital:30905
- Description: In a world characterised by globalisation, particularly increased financial integration and capital mobility, international economic theory stipulates that countries rather maintain a floating exchange rate system than a fixed exchange rate system in order to have less susceptibility to currency crises (Glick & Hutchison, 2011). South Africa, the economic powerhouse of Africa, is an interesting case to examine. It has a floating exchange rate and should thus be more resistant to currency crises due to market adjustment expectations that limit the build-up of pressure in its foreign exchange markets. South Africa’s foreign exchange market is characterised as volatile with recurring turbulent periods with currency crises observed in 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2008, of which the 2007/2008 global financial crisis was the worst the world had experienced since the Great Depression of the 1930s and it had a significant, negative impact on the South African economy and certainly exposed the country’s vulnerably (South African Reserve Bank, 2012). Having experienced these periods of currency crisis in South Africa and with no specific tool adequately tested and developed for the South African economy to accurately detect such an event before its occurrence, this research was an attempt to fill this gap within the economics discipline. The purpose of this thesis was to examine and make use of Early Warning System (EWS) models to ascertain which one best identifies potential early warning signs of a currency crisis in South Africa. To achieve this, the study tested two standard and commonly used EWS models, namely the Signals and probit models. Added to these approaches, two newer EWS models, namely the Markov regime switching model and the artificial neural networks model were tested. To date only two studies on EWS models for currency crises have been conducted in South Africa. Knedlik (2006) used the signals approach and Knedlik and Scheufele (2007) used the signals, probit/logit and Markov regime switching approaches. Both studies recommended that further research was needed. With this in mind, this thesis built on these studies by extending the sample period under observation from 1993/02 to 2017/03 to fully capture the probability of the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. This study separated the sample period into two parts, a first period (1993/02 – 2004/12) catering for the July 1998 and December 2001 crises and a second period (2005/01 – 2017/03) catering for the October 2008 crisis. This was done to separately observe how well the models detected early warning signs of the October 2008 crisis due to its global nature. By exploring the potential of artificial intelligence by employing the non-parametric approach of artificial neural networks, which has not yet been applied in the South African context for the probability prediction of currency crises, and comparing its prediction performance to the signals, the probit and the Markov regime switching EWS models, this thesis fills an existing information gap. This study found that of these four EWS models for predicting the probabilities of currency crises within the 24-month crisis window, the signals model performed better than the other models for the period 1993/02 – 2004/12. However, the final-outcome of the best model in probability prediction of South African currency crises is not straightforward for this period, as the artificial neural network model and Markov regime switching model performed almost as well as the signals model. During the period 2005/01 – 2017/03, the artificial neural networks model outperformed the other three models in capturing the global financial crisis of 2007/2008, specifically with regard to the evaluations of the percentage of pre-crisis periods called correctly and the percentage of tranquil periods called correctly. As the cut-off probability increases, the artificial neural networks model is the superior model and is not closely followed by the other models. The artificial neural network model also indicated a stable / tranquil economy during the period following the global financial crisis (from about 2009 – 2017), which is a true reflection of that period. The findings of this study suggest that the artificial neural network model is a powerful tool in the probability prediction of early warning signs of currency crises in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Determinants of household water consumption: a study on sociodemographical and psychological factors associated with intention to conserve water
- Authors: Kana, Gcobani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water conservation -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30683 , vital:31013
- Description: South Africa is a water scarce country characterised by a rainfall below the global average and has for a long time ignored the importance of treating water as a scarce commodity. Therefore, the water scarcity challenge necessitates implementation of effective water demand management strategies to stimulate behaviour changes by South African water consumers (Coetzee, Nell, & Bezuidenhout, 2016). Due to the current (2017) severe drought experienced by the City of Cape Town Municipality of the Western Cape Province in South Africa, policy makers are forced to consider water demand management strategies that are centred on behaviour change in the efforts to curtail present urban water demand while also securing future water supplies. Studies have shown that residential users are the biggest consumers of water, particularly in the larger metropolitan areas. As a result, it is crucial for policy makers to conduct research and deepen their understanding of the social and behavioural aspects of household water use (Khalid, Ahmed, & Ashraf, 2016). The aim of the current study is to identify key determinants of household water use and the objective is to assist water authorities and policy makers to improve water demand management strategies through identification of those behavioural and psycho-social factors that could be targeted by water demand management campaigns. This study is framed by the Theory of the Planned Behaviour (TPB) model and is specifically looking at investigating the role of socio-demographic, psycho-social and attitudinal factors associated with household water demand. Self-reported data from an online survey was collected from 113 respondents residing within the boundaries of the City of Cape Town (CCT) municipality. Results revealed that household culture and past behaviour (habits) were significant predictors of every day intentions to save water around the house and garden while subjective norms were associated with intentions to install water efficient appliances. The emergence of household water culture as a significant determinant of household water use suggest that policy makers should focus on water demand management campaigns that consider household water use as a collective behaviour that is influenced by behaviour of others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kana, Gcobani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water conservation -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30683 , vital:31013
- Description: South Africa is a water scarce country characterised by a rainfall below the global average and has for a long time ignored the importance of treating water as a scarce commodity. Therefore, the water scarcity challenge necessitates implementation of effective water demand management strategies to stimulate behaviour changes by South African water consumers (Coetzee, Nell, & Bezuidenhout, 2016). Due to the current (2017) severe drought experienced by the City of Cape Town Municipality of the Western Cape Province in South Africa, policy makers are forced to consider water demand management strategies that are centred on behaviour change in the efforts to curtail present urban water demand while also securing future water supplies. Studies have shown that residential users are the biggest consumers of water, particularly in the larger metropolitan areas. As a result, it is crucial for policy makers to conduct research and deepen their understanding of the social and behavioural aspects of household water use (Khalid, Ahmed, & Ashraf, 2016). The aim of the current study is to identify key determinants of household water use and the objective is to assist water authorities and policy makers to improve water demand management strategies through identification of those behavioural and psycho-social factors that could be targeted by water demand management campaigns. This study is framed by the Theory of the Planned Behaviour (TPB) model and is specifically looking at investigating the role of socio-demographic, psycho-social and attitudinal factors associated with household water demand. Self-reported data from an online survey was collected from 113 respondents residing within the boundaries of the City of Cape Town (CCT) municipality. Results revealed that household culture and past behaviour (habits) were significant predictors of every day intentions to save water around the house and garden while subjective norms were associated with intentions to install water efficient appliances. The emergence of household water culture as a significant determinant of household water use suggest that policy makers should focus on water demand management campaigns that consider household water use as a collective behaviour that is influenced by behaviour of others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Determinants of service delivery success at local government: the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Mlotywa, Nosiphiwo Grace
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Civil service -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32215 , vital:31988
- Description: The aim of the study was to identify the determinants of service delivery in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). This was necessitated by the continuous service delivery protests at the local government level. Numerous reports highlight that service delivery is still a challenge in numerous municipalities around South Africa. A questionnaire was administered to 60 respondents who were randomly sampled at various municipality offices in the BCMM. Based on the study findings, it was found that service delivery was greatly influenced by effective performance management systems, ethical organisational culture, human resource capacity, and committed leadership. Therefore, it is recommendation that the municipality prioritises training and development, leadership and organisational, culture and Human Resource Capacity. These were found to be very important in helping employees to achieve job satisfaction, which may lead to better service delivery in the end. Furthermore, the municipality should look into strengthening its consultative processes to involve the public in the decision-making processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mlotywa, Nosiphiwo Grace
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Civil service -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32215 , vital:31988
- Description: The aim of the study was to identify the determinants of service delivery in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). This was necessitated by the continuous service delivery protests at the local government level. Numerous reports highlight that service delivery is still a challenge in numerous municipalities around South Africa. A questionnaire was administered to 60 respondents who were randomly sampled at various municipality offices in the BCMM. Based on the study findings, it was found that service delivery was greatly influenced by effective performance management systems, ethical organisational culture, human resource capacity, and committed leadership. Therefore, it is recommendation that the municipality prioritises training and development, leadership and organisational, culture and Human Resource Capacity. These were found to be very important in helping employees to achieve job satisfaction, which may lead to better service delivery in the end. Furthermore, the municipality should look into strengthening its consultative processes to involve the public in the decision-making processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Determinants of Type 2 diabetes mellitus among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral drugs in the OR Tambo District, South Africa
- Authors: Bam, Nokwanda Edith
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: HIV/AIDS Diabetes mellitus (DM) -- Patients Antiretroviral drugs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Health Sciences
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1476 , vital:35976
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent adverse effect of antiretroviral drugs for those who are on ARVS. People with type 2 DM can suffer multiple complications that hinder the quality of life. In South Africa research has shown significant increase in neuropathy, heart and kidney diseases among patients living with type 2 DM and HIV/AIDS compared to DM without HIV. Accessed knowledge lacked consistency on the predictors of DM in HIV/AIDS patients with regards to the type of ARVS with higher risks of DM. Research needed to be done to find the determinants of type 2 DM in HIV/AIDS context. The purpose of this study was to describe the determinants of type 2 DM among HIV/AIDS patients on ARVS in the OR Tambo District, SA in order to develop intervention strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of type 2 DM. A quantitative research methodology using a case control retrospective study was used. A sample of 177 (33%) cases with HIV/AIDS and type 2 DM was selected using a one stage stratified sampling with allocation proportional to size of each stratum of the four sub-districts of OR Tambo District. Two non-diabetic patients with HIV/AIDS were selected as controls per case unpaired and totalled up to 354 (67%) controls. A self-administration questionnaire adopted from the WHO (2011) STEPwise surveillance tool for chronic diseases was used for data collection. Stata (standard version 13.0, Stata Corp., Lakeway Drive USA) was used for data management and analysis. Findings of the study revealed determinants of type 2 DM grouped as the socio-demographic determinants; tertiary education and marital status, levels of physical activities; lack of vigorous activity and sport, types of diets; high fruits and vegetables and healthy eating out at restaurants, arterial blood pressure; lack of routine BP check and known HPT and types of ARVS used in HIV/AIDS therapy. Compared with patients who received FDC, the risk of type 2 DM was 43 times and 22 higher when a tri-therapy regimen contained Ritonavir and Lopinavir respectively . The majority of DM patients (n=177) were diagnosed type 2 DM after ARVS at n=108 (61%). In managing the diabetic patients a shift from a single disease to multiple-chronic disease focus is required to mitigate the complex drug interactions that exist in the control of NCDs such as HIV/AIDS, DM, HPT and other long-term diseases. The HIV/AIDS and type 2 DM awareness and care intervention strategy is recommended as healthy lifestyle, monitoring of side effects and drug interactions, enhanced FDC roll out and elimination of unsafe ARVS to improve the health outcomes of type 2 DM patients in an HIV/AIDS context in OR Tambo District.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bam, Nokwanda Edith
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: HIV/AIDS Diabetes mellitus (DM) -- Patients Antiretroviral drugs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Health Sciences
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1476 , vital:35976
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent adverse effect of antiretroviral drugs for those who are on ARVS. People with type 2 DM can suffer multiple complications that hinder the quality of life. In South Africa research has shown significant increase in neuropathy, heart and kidney diseases among patients living with type 2 DM and HIV/AIDS compared to DM without HIV. Accessed knowledge lacked consistency on the predictors of DM in HIV/AIDS patients with regards to the type of ARVS with higher risks of DM. Research needed to be done to find the determinants of type 2 DM in HIV/AIDS context. The purpose of this study was to describe the determinants of type 2 DM among HIV/AIDS patients on ARVS in the OR Tambo District, SA in order to develop intervention strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of type 2 DM. A quantitative research methodology using a case control retrospective study was used. A sample of 177 (33%) cases with HIV/AIDS and type 2 DM was selected using a one stage stratified sampling with allocation proportional to size of each stratum of the four sub-districts of OR Tambo District. Two non-diabetic patients with HIV/AIDS were selected as controls per case unpaired and totalled up to 354 (67%) controls. A self-administration questionnaire adopted from the WHO (2011) STEPwise surveillance tool for chronic diseases was used for data collection. Stata (standard version 13.0, Stata Corp., Lakeway Drive USA) was used for data management and analysis. Findings of the study revealed determinants of type 2 DM grouped as the socio-demographic determinants; tertiary education and marital status, levels of physical activities; lack of vigorous activity and sport, types of diets; high fruits and vegetables and healthy eating out at restaurants, arterial blood pressure; lack of routine BP check and known HPT and types of ARVS used in HIV/AIDS therapy. Compared with patients who received FDC, the risk of type 2 DM was 43 times and 22 higher when a tri-therapy regimen contained Ritonavir and Lopinavir respectively . The majority of DM patients (n=177) were diagnosed type 2 DM after ARVS at n=108 (61%). In managing the diabetic patients a shift from a single disease to multiple-chronic disease focus is required to mitigate the complex drug interactions that exist in the control of NCDs such as HIV/AIDS, DM, HPT and other long-term diseases. The HIV/AIDS and type 2 DM awareness and care intervention strategy is recommended as healthy lifestyle, monitoring of side effects and drug interactions, enhanced FDC roll out and elimination of unsafe ARVS to improve the health outcomes of type 2 DM patients in an HIV/AIDS context in OR Tambo District.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Determining productivity, residual damage and cost of two alternative harvesting systems in pinus elliottii thinning
- Dembure, Tigere Pasca, Spinelli, Raffaele, Ramantswana, Muedanyi
- Authors: Dembure, Tigere Pasca , Spinelli, Raffaele , Ramantswana, Muedanyi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pinus caribaea , Forests and forestry Logging Harvesting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22016 , vital:29813
- Description: Pinus elliottii is the second most dominant softwood grown in the South African plantation forestry industry. It possesses desirable timber characteristics and is useful for production of solid wood products. In the silviculture of softwoods (grown for solid wood products), thinning is an important tending operation. It is necessary for stand hygiene and volume increment of residual trees through the creation of growing space. The selection of a suitable harvesting system for thinning is vital. The system of choice has to attain higher productivity, cause the least damage to residual trees and must be cost effective. From as early as 2000 the South African forestry industry witnessed a general shift towards the use of fully mechanised cut-to-length harvesting systems. This has been a result of high labour turnover, increased labour costs, increased timber demand and the effects of HIV and AIDS on forestry workers. With this recent introduction of mechanised systems, they have not been benchmarked against conventional harvesting systems. In this regard, two harvesting systems were studied side-by-side for productivity, residual damage and cost in a seventh row second thinning operation in P. elliottii stands. First thinnings generate poor financial returns since small trees are harvested and they have a relatively low financial value but have a relatively high operational cost per unit harvested. The second thinning operation is usually the thinning operation that is most likely to result in an intermediate financial return for the organisation, hence the need to benchmark these harvesting systems during the second thinning. These systems were a fully mechanised cut-to-length (CTL) and a semi-mechanised tree length (TL) system. The fully mechanised system comprised of a harvester (felling) and a forwarder (extracting) and the semi-system consisted of felling by chainsaw, tractor extraction, roadside processing by chainsaw and stacking by three-wheeled logger. Two uniform compartments planted with P. elliottii were selected for the study. A total number of 32 plots (16 plots per compartment) were marked and randomly assigned between the two treatments, each plot comprised of seven rows, with the middle row clear-cut and three rows on either side, where marked trees were selectively removed. Within each plot, the number of removal trees ranged from 80 to 105. The diameter, height and form of each removal tree were measured to determine tree volume and ultimately determine productivity. Before analysis, plot characteristics were compared to determine if conditions were equal for both treatments using the Mann-Whitney test at alpha level ˂ 0.05. There was a statistically significant difference in total operator efficiency between the two systems (p ˂ 0.0001). The fully mechanised system attained higher levels of productivity than the semi-mechanised system (15.58 m3/SMH versus 5.26 m3/SMH, for felling and 15.56 m3/SMH versus 5.29 m3/SMH, for the extraction operation). Operator productivity comparisons were restricted to the two harvester operators, and one operator achieved 16.9 m3/SMH while the other operator achieved 14.3 m3/SMH. Different operator working technique contributed to the productivity differences with one operator spending (on average) four seconds less per tree on the fell-process work element. Residual tree damage was assessed immediately after all felling and extraction had taken place. Damage size was measured as ellipse surface area. For each record of residual damage, the damage type was noted, damage position along the stem, and tree position from extraction trail. The most predominant damage type was bark peel. The motor-manual system caused five per cent damage and the fully mechanised system inflicted only three per cent damage to the residual trees. Residual tree damage from the semi-mechanised system mainly occurred at the root zone, and occurred more frequently on edge trees. The mechanised CTL system was characterised by high investment and operational costs. The mechanised system incurred 3037.75 R/SMH while the semi-mechanised system incurred 1667.10 R/SMH. The difference in total costs per year between both systems was 56.29 per cent, with the fully mechanised system being more expensive. The high capacity and the superior technology of mechanised harvesting systems may not be fully exploited in thinnings, therefore harvesting systems with lower capital costs and reasonable productivity can be competitive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dembure, Tigere Pasca , Spinelli, Raffaele , Ramantswana, Muedanyi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pinus caribaea , Forests and forestry Logging Harvesting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22016 , vital:29813
- Description: Pinus elliottii is the second most dominant softwood grown in the South African plantation forestry industry. It possesses desirable timber characteristics and is useful for production of solid wood products. In the silviculture of softwoods (grown for solid wood products), thinning is an important tending operation. It is necessary for stand hygiene and volume increment of residual trees through the creation of growing space. The selection of a suitable harvesting system for thinning is vital. The system of choice has to attain higher productivity, cause the least damage to residual trees and must be cost effective. From as early as 2000 the South African forestry industry witnessed a general shift towards the use of fully mechanised cut-to-length harvesting systems. This has been a result of high labour turnover, increased labour costs, increased timber demand and the effects of HIV and AIDS on forestry workers. With this recent introduction of mechanised systems, they have not been benchmarked against conventional harvesting systems. In this regard, two harvesting systems were studied side-by-side for productivity, residual damage and cost in a seventh row second thinning operation in P. elliottii stands. First thinnings generate poor financial returns since small trees are harvested and they have a relatively low financial value but have a relatively high operational cost per unit harvested. The second thinning operation is usually the thinning operation that is most likely to result in an intermediate financial return for the organisation, hence the need to benchmark these harvesting systems during the second thinning. These systems were a fully mechanised cut-to-length (CTL) and a semi-mechanised tree length (TL) system. The fully mechanised system comprised of a harvester (felling) and a forwarder (extracting) and the semi-system consisted of felling by chainsaw, tractor extraction, roadside processing by chainsaw and stacking by three-wheeled logger. Two uniform compartments planted with P. elliottii were selected for the study. A total number of 32 plots (16 plots per compartment) were marked and randomly assigned between the two treatments, each plot comprised of seven rows, with the middle row clear-cut and three rows on either side, where marked trees were selectively removed. Within each plot, the number of removal trees ranged from 80 to 105. The diameter, height and form of each removal tree were measured to determine tree volume and ultimately determine productivity. Before analysis, plot characteristics were compared to determine if conditions were equal for both treatments using the Mann-Whitney test at alpha level ˂ 0.05. There was a statistically significant difference in total operator efficiency between the two systems (p ˂ 0.0001). The fully mechanised system attained higher levels of productivity than the semi-mechanised system (15.58 m3/SMH versus 5.26 m3/SMH, for felling and 15.56 m3/SMH versus 5.29 m3/SMH, for the extraction operation). Operator productivity comparisons were restricted to the two harvester operators, and one operator achieved 16.9 m3/SMH while the other operator achieved 14.3 m3/SMH. Different operator working technique contributed to the productivity differences with one operator spending (on average) four seconds less per tree on the fell-process work element. Residual tree damage was assessed immediately after all felling and extraction had taken place. Damage size was measured as ellipse surface area. For each record of residual damage, the damage type was noted, damage position along the stem, and tree position from extraction trail. The most predominant damage type was bark peel. The motor-manual system caused five per cent damage and the fully mechanised system inflicted only three per cent damage to the residual trees. Residual tree damage from the semi-mechanised system mainly occurred at the root zone, and occurred more frequently on edge trees. The mechanised CTL system was characterised by high investment and operational costs. The mechanised system incurred 3037.75 R/SMH while the semi-mechanised system incurred 1667.10 R/SMH. The difference in total costs per year between both systems was 56.29 per cent, with the fully mechanised system being more expensive. The high capacity and the superior technology of mechanised harvesting systems may not be fully exploited in thinnings, therefore harvesting systems with lower capital costs and reasonable productivity can be competitive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Determining the effect of ocean proximity on residential property prices in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Hibbers, Vicky
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Mathematical models , Real property -- Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Real estate management -- Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Real property -- Valuation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22204 , vital:29874
- Description: Economic contribution studies, including those from a maritime perspective, are of great interest to both governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as researchers. This interest stems from the increased pressure on land-based resources, and it is expected that this interest in maritime economics will increase (Hosking, Lee, Kaczynsky, Hosking, du Preez and Haines, 2014). A few studies have been undertaken in order to investigate the ocean’s economic contribution in South Africa (Hosking et al., 2014). However, there are other, often overlooked, benefits that the ocean may bring to localised economies, namely its contribution to residential property markets. Over the last decade, this area of research has received considerable international attention (Rinehart and Pompe, 1994; Rush and Briggink, 2000; Taylor and Smith, 2000; Boarnet and Chalermpong, 2001; Major and Lusht, 2004; Conroy and Milosch, 2009; Scorse, Reynolds and Sackett, 2015). The studies revealed the existence of an ocean premium, which is an additional amount added to the value of a home due to it being located near the ocean. However, from a South African perspective, there is a lack of studies in this area. This study seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge by determining the effect of ocean proximity on property prices in Summerstrand, a suburb in Port Elizabeth. The hedonic price model is applied in this regard. A sample size of 104 properties was used for the study, and the various characteristics of the properties obtained from multiple sources. Most importantly, sales prices were obtained from the South African Property Transfer Guide (SAPTG). As the houses were sold in different time periods, it was necessary to adjust the prices to constant 2016 rands. The ABSA house price index was used for this, in order to account for any inflationary changes over the various periods. The results of the study revealed that proximity to the ocean had a statistically significant positive effect on adjacent residential property prices in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. More specifically, proximity to the ocean is valued at between R133.35 and R329.59 per meter closer to the ocean. From a policy perspective, quantifying this coastal premium in Port Elizabeth may encourage the continued conservation of marine resources within Nelson Mandela Bay. Various studies have shown the positive impact conservation has on property prices, resulting in significant premiums being attached to housing prices, even when property characteristics changed (Leeson, 2012; Chamblee, Colwell, Dehring and Depken, 2011). Economic analysis, which includes hedonic pricing, has also had an impact on the evaluation of environmental policies, with Government agencies being the first to fund studies in order to determine the effects of various externalities on housing prices. On the other hand, litigation has had an even more significant impact on policies, due to it being more tangible evidence (Palmquist and Smith, 2001). The manner in which government, and other bodies, assess and measure property values can also be improved upon. Through the separation of housing characteristics, the true value of the property can be determined. This can result in improved accuracy of property tax calculations, and a more accurate value of future developments (Gilbert, 2013). This can help ensure no unnecessary cost expenditure by both government, and property developers, especially considering the volatile nature of the housing market (Gilbert, 2013). The results of this dissertation are subject to two important qualifications. Firstly, the study does not account for the imperfect information that might be present in the market. Secondly, the relatively small sample size could limit the results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Hibbers, Vicky
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Mathematical models , Real property -- Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Real estate management -- Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Real property -- Valuation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22204 , vital:29874
- Description: Economic contribution studies, including those from a maritime perspective, are of great interest to both governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as researchers. This interest stems from the increased pressure on land-based resources, and it is expected that this interest in maritime economics will increase (Hosking, Lee, Kaczynsky, Hosking, du Preez and Haines, 2014). A few studies have been undertaken in order to investigate the ocean’s economic contribution in South Africa (Hosking et al., 2014). However, there are other, often overlooked, benefits that the ocean may bring to localised economies, namely its contribution to residential property markets. Over the last decade, this area of research has received considerable international attention (Rinehart and Pompe, 1994; Rush and Briggink, 2000; Taylor and Smith, 2000; Boarnet and Chalermpong, 2001; Major and Lusht, 2004; Conroy and Milosch, 2009; Scorse, Reynolds and Sackett, 2015). The studies revealed the existence of an ocean premium, which is an additional amount added to the value of a home due to it being located near the ocean. However, from a South African perspective, there is a lack of studies in this area. This study seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge by determining the effect of ocean proximity on property prices in Summerstrand, a suburb in Port Elizabeth. The hedonic price model is applied in this regard. A sample size of 104 properties was used for the study, and the various characteristics of the properties obtained from multiple sources. Most importantly, sales prices were obtained from the South African Property Transfer Guide (SAPTG). As the houses were sold in different time periods, it was necessary to adjust the prices to constant 2016 rands. The ABSA house price index was used for this, in order to account for any inflationary changes over the various periods. The results of the study revealed that proximity to the ocean had a statistically significant positive effect on adjacent residential property prices in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. More specifically, proximity to the ocean is valued at between R133.35 and R329.59 per meter closer to the ocean. From a policy perspective, quantifying this coastal premium in Port Elizabeth may encourage the continued conservation of marine resources within Nelson Mandela Bay. Various studies have shown the positive impact conservation has on property prices, resulting in significant premiums being attached to housing prices, even when property characteristics changed (Leeson, 2012; Chamblee, Colwell, Dehring and Depken, 2011). Economic analysis, which includes hedonic pricing, has also had an impact on the evaluation of environmental policies, with Government agencies being the first to fund studies in order to determine the effects of various externalities on housing prices. On the other hand, litigation has had an even more significant impact on policies, due to it being more tangible evidence (Palmquist and Smith, 2001). The manner in which government, and other bodies, assess and measure property values can also be improved upon. Through the separation of housing characteristics, the true value of the property can be determined. This can result in improved accuracy of property tax calculations, and a more accurate value of future developments (Gilbert, 2013). This can help ensure no unnecessary cost expenditure by both government, and property developers, especially considering the volatile nature of the housing market (Gilbert, 2013). The results of this dissertation are subject to two important qualifications. Firstly, the study does not account for the imperfect information that might be present in the market. Secondly, the relatively small sample size could limit the results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing a citizen technician based approach to suspended sediment monitoring in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Bannatyne, Laura Joan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sediments (Geology) -- Management , Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- Monitoring -- Citizen participation , Tsitsa River
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62593 , vital:28211
- Description: Suspended sediment (SS) in channels is spatiotemporally heterogeneous and, over the long term, is known to be moved predominantly by flood flows with return periods of ~1 - 1.5 years. Flood flows in the Tsitsa catchment (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) are unpredictable, and display a wide range of discharges. Direct, flood-focused SS sampling at sub-catchment scale was required to provide a SS baseline against which to monitor the impact on SS of catchment rehabilitation interventions, to determine the relative contributions of sub-catchments to SS loads and yields at the site of the proposed Ntabelanga Dam wall, and to verify modelled SS baselines, loads and yields. Approaches to SS sampling relying on researcher presence and/or installed equipment to adequately monitor SS through flood flows were precluded by cost, and the physical and socioeconomic conditions in the project area. A citizen technician (CT)-based flood-focused approach to direct SS sampling was developed and implemented. It was assessed in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, the proficiency of the laboratory analysis methods, and the accuracy of the resulting SS data. A basic laboratory protocol for SSC analysis was developed, but is not the focus of this thesis. Using basic sampling equipment and smartphone-based reporting protocols, local residents at eleven points on the Tsitsa River and its major tributaries were employed as CTs. They were paid to take water samples during daylight hours at sub-daily timestep, with the emphasis on sampling through flood flows. The method was innovative in that it opted for manual sampling against a global trend towards instrumentation. Whilst the management of CTs formed a significant project component, the CTs benefitted directly through remuneration and work experience opportunities. The sampling method was evaluated at four sites from December 2015 - May 2016. The CTs were found to have efficiently and effectively sampled SS through a range of water levels, particularly in the main Tsitsa channel. An acceptable level of proficiency and accuracy was achieved, and many flood events were successfully defined by multiple data points. The method was chiefly limited by the inability of CTs to sample overnight rises and peaks occurring as a result of afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in small tributaries. The laboratory process was responsible for some losses in proficiency and accuracy. Improved laboratory quality control was therefore recommended. The CT-based approach can be adapted to other spatial and temporal scales in other areas, and to other environmental monitoring applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bannatyne, Laura Joan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sediments (Geology) -- Management , Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- Monitoring -- Citizen participation , Tsitsa River
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62593 , vital:28211
- Description: Suspended sediment (SS) in channels is spatiotemporally heterogeneous and, over the long term, is known to be moved predominantly by flood flows with return periods of ~1 - 1.5 years. Flood flows in the Tsitsa catchment (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) are unpredictable, and display a wide range of discharges. Direct, flood-focused SS sampling at sub-catchment scale was required to provide a SS baseline against which to monitor the impact on SS of catchment rehabilitation interventions, to determine the relative contributions of sub-catchments to SS loads and yields at the site of the proposed Ntabelanga Dam wall, and to verify modelled SS baselines, loads and yields. Approaches to SS sampling relying on researcher presence and/or installed equipment to adequately monitor SS through flood flows were precluded by cost, and the physical and socioeconomic conditions in the project area. A citizen technician (CT)-based flood-focused approach to direct SS sampling was developed and implemented. It was assessed in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, the proficiency of the laboratory analysis methods, and the accuracy of the resulting SS data. A basic laboratory protocol for SSC analysis was developed, but is not the focus of this thesis. Using basic sampling equipment and smartphone-based reporting protocols, local residents at eleven points on the Tsitsa River and its major tributaries were employed as CTs. They were paid to take water samples during daylight hours at sub-daily timestep, with the emphasis on sampling through flood flows. The method was innovative in that it opted for manual sampling against a global trend towards instrumentation. Whilst the management of CTs formed a significant project component, the CTs benefitted directly through remuneration and work experience opportunities. The sampling method was evaluated at four sites from December 2015 - May 2016. The CTs were found to have efficiently and effectively sampled SS through a range of water levels, particularly in the main Tsitsa channel. An acceptable level of proficiency and accuracy was achieved, and many flood events were successfully defined by multiple data points. The method was chiefly limited by the inability of CTs to sample overnight rises and peaks occurring as a result of afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in small tributaries. The laboratory process was responsible for some losses in proficiency and accuracy. Improved laboratory quality control was therefore recommended. The CT-based approach can be adapted to other spatial and temporal scales in other areas, and to other environmental monitoring applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing a model for promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Gomwe, Howard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Physical fitness for children -- South Africa Physical education for children Schools -- Health promotion services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10050 , vital:35307
- Description: The challenge of low level participation in physical activity and, consequently, limited physical fitness has been acknowledged as being a national public health concern in South African schools. The main aim of this study was to develop a behavioural model for promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The first thing was to determine their physical fitness level and body composition then develop a behavioural model based on the findings. The study was conducted in three phases. A quantitative, qualitative and theory-generating research design was conducted using questionnaires, deductive and inductive strategies and literature triangulation. The study involved primary school learners: 356 boys and 520 girls aged 9-14 years old, who were randomly selected. Anthropometric assessments were conducted using ISAK (Marfell-Jones et al., 2006) and EUROFIT (1988) test batteries.The following measurements of body mass, stature, skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), waist circumference and gluteal were taken. The percent BF was calculated from a sum of two skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), using Slaughter et al.‘ s (1988) equation to predict body fat. Physical fitness measurements included sit and reach, push-ups, sit-ups and a 20 metre shuttle run. Physical activity level and sedentary behaviour were assessed by means of self-report questionnaires. Demographic, psychological and environmental variables were also measured by a self-report questionnaire. Six focus group discussions were conducted with school learners. The physical fitness levels were categorized as hypoactive, minimal active and inactive. Sedentary behaviours were categorized by number of minutes spent on sedentary activities. Dietary intake was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Food intake was classified as healthy, unhealthy/junk and traditional food. Body composition was measured by calculating body mass index (BMI) (weight/height2) and waist-to-hip ratio, respectively. Categories: underweight: 0<18, normal weight: 18, 5<25, overweight: 25<30 or obese: 30 and blood pressure measurements were classified as healthy and unhealthy. The main findings were as follows: underweight 60, 25 percent: normal weight 30, 54 percent: overweight 4, 18 percent: and obese 5, 02 percent: for the peri-urban school learners. Underweight 64, 78 percent: normal 31, 52 percent: overweight 2,83 percent: and obesity 0,87 percent:for the rural school learners. 56,25 percent underweight: 36,93 percent normal weight: 5,68 percent overweight: and 1,14 percent obese for the urban school learners. The mean body mass of learners from three locations were urban 40.0±10.185; peri-urban 39.8±10.181 and rural 38.7±10.279, respectively. (Chi-square = 3.3107; P=0.191). The mean values stature of all the three residences are urban; 144.1 ±10.400 peri-urban 144.4±9.187 and rural 143.7±12.617 (Chi-square = 1.2651; P=0.5312). The mean waist circumference for urban was (78.4±9.493), peri-urban (78.4±9.399) and rural was (77.1±10.214), respectively (Z=2.474;p=0.2903). The triceps value (z=21.4565p <.0001). Urban (13.9±5.589), (12.5±6.023) for peri-urban and (12.1±6.390) for rural. Subscapular (z=4.1151;p=0.1278). Urban area had (9.3±5.426), (9.3±5.463) for peri-urban and (8.9±6.381) for rural. The mean systolic blood pressure of urban school learners was (109.2±19.512), (107.9±19.273) for peri-urban and (107.4±19.488) for rural school learners. Lumbar and hamstring flexibility (z= 57.733; p<.0001). (25.3±5.507) for urban, (23.0±6.435) for peri-urban and (26.9±6.854) for rural. Sit-up (z=9.8414;p=0.0073). (18.3±12.571) for urban, (19.7±12.323) for peri-urban and (21.7±13.782) for rural area. Push-ups (z= 37.7591p=<.00001). (15.8±10.285) for urban, (18.5±11.086) for peri-urban and (20.9±9.981) for rural area. Maximal oxygen intake (z= 163.186p=<.0001). (25.0±6.454) for urban, (29.9±7.225) for peri-urban and (35.5±11.085) for rural area. PA enjoyment (4.1±0.698) for urban, (4.0±0.764) for peri-urban, (4.0±0.799) for rural. With regard to health-related physical fitness, the learners in the rural and peri-urban better than those in urban areas. PA attitude (z=7.5507;p=0.0563), (2.5±0.792) for urban area, (2.6±0.802) for peri-urban and (2.7±0.890) for rural area. Parental role modelling in PA (z=0.3083; p=<.000). (3.1±1.008) for urban area, (3.3±0.916) for peri-urban (3.1±0.981) for rural area. Peer encouragement (z=2.5367; p=0.2813) (3.4±0.893) for urban, (3.3±1.064) for peri-urban, (3.3±1.005) for rural area. Parental encouragement (z= 7.2266p=0.027),(3.7±0.985) for urban area, (3.5±0.906) for peri-urban and (3.7±0.774 ) for rural area. Teacher encouragement (z=2.0069p=0.3668).The mean values for three residences are (3.5±0.802) for urban area, (3.4±0.784) for peri-urban, (3.5±0.733) for rural areas. Most of the school learners in all the three residences prefer unhealthy/junky food. Based on the results, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data to identify and analyse the factors for model development. The findings indicated that there is evidence of low level of physical fitness and high prevalence of excessive weight and obesity among primary school learners, the study, therefore, suggests the development of the behavioural model to enhance physical fitness and prevent or reduce overweight/obesity among school learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Gomwe, Howard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Physical fitness for children -- South Africa Physical education for children Schools -- Health promotion services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10050 , vital:35307
- Description: The challenge of low level participation in physical activity and, consequently, limited physical fitness has been acknowledged as being a national public health concern in South African schools. The main aim of this study was to develop a behavioural model for promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The first thing was to determine their physical fitness level and body composition then develop a behavioural model based on the findings. The study was conducted in three phases. A quantitative, qualitative and theory-generating research design was conducted using questionnaires, deductive and inductive strategies and literature triangulation. The study involved primary school learners: 356 boys and 520 girls aged 9-14 years old, who were randomly selected. Anthropometric assessments were conducted using ISAK (Marfell-Jones et al., 2006) and EUROFIT (1988) test batteries.The following measurements of body mass, stature, skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), waist circumference and gluteal were taken. The percent BF was calculated from a sum of two skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), using Slaughter et al.‘ s (1988) equation to predict body fat. Physical fitness measurements included sit and reach, push-ups, sit-ups and a 20 metre shuttle run. Physical activity level and sedentary behaviour were assessed by means of self-report questionnaires. Demographic, psychological and environmental variables were also measured by a self-report questionnaire. Six focus group discussions were conducted with school learners. The physical fitness levels were categorized as hypoactive, minimal active and inactive. Sedentary behaviours were categorized by number of minutes spent on sedentary activities. Dietary intake was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Food intake was classified as healthy, unhealthy/junk and traditional food. Body composition was measured by calculating body mass index (BMI) (weight/height2) and waist-to-hip ratio, respectively. Categories: underweight: 0<18, normal weight: 18, 5<25, overweight: 25<30 or obese: 30 and blood pressure measurements were classified as healthy and unhealthy. The main findings were as follows: underweight 60, 25 percent: normal weight 30, 54 percent: overweight 4, 18 percent: and obese 5, 02 percent: for the peri-urban school learners. Underweight 64, 78 percent: normal 31, 52 percent: overweight 2,83 percent: and obesity 0,87 percent:for the rural school learners. 56,25 percent underweight: 36,93 percent normal weight: 5,68 percent overweight: and 1,14 percent obese for the urban school learners. The mean body mass of learners from three locations were urban 40.0±10.185; peri-urban 39.8±10.181 and rural 38.7±10.279, respectively. (Chi-square = 3.3107; P=0.191). The mean values stature of all the three residences are urban; 144.1 ±10.400 peri-urban 144.4±9.187 and rural 143.7±12.617 (Chi-square = 1.2651; P=0.5312). The mean waist circumference for urban was (78.4±9.493), peri-urban (78.4±9.399) and rural was (77.1±10.214), respectively (Z=2.474;p=0.2903). The triceps value (z=21.4565p <.0001). Urban (13.9±5.589), (12.5±6.023) for peri-urban and (12.1±6.390) for rural. Subscapular (z=4.1151;p=0.1278). Urban area had (9.3±5.426), (9.3±5.463) for peri-urban and (8.9±6.381) for rural. The mean systolic blood pressure of urban school learners was (109.2±19.512), (107.9±19.273) for peri-urban and (107.4±19.488) for rural school learners. Lumbar and hamstring flexibility (z= 57.733; p<.0001). (25.3±5.507) for urban, (23.0±6.435) for peri-urban and (26.9±6.854) for rural. Sit-up (z=9.8414;p=0.0073). (18.3±12.571) for urban, (19.7±12.323) for peri-urban and (21.7±13.782) for rural area. Push-ups (z= 37.7591p=<.00001). (15.8±10.285) for urban, (18.5±11.086) for peri-urban and (20.9±9.981) for rural area. Maximal oxygen intake (z= 163.186p=<.0001). (25.0±6.454) for urban, (29.9±7.225) for peri-urban and (35.5±11.085) for rural area. PA enjoyment (4.1±0.698) for urban, (4.0±0.764) for peri-urban, (4.0±0.799) for rural. With regard to health-related physical fitness, the learners in the rural and peri-urban better than those in urban areas. PA attitude (z=7.5507;p=0.0563), (2.5±0.792) for urban area, (2.6±0.802) for peri-urban and (2.7±0.890) for rural area. Parental role modelling in PA (z=0.3083; p=<.000). (3.1±1.008) for urban area, (3.3±0.916) for peri-urban (3.1±0.981) for rural area. Peer encouragement (z=2.5367; p=0.2813) (3.4±0.893) for urban, (3.3±1.064) for peri-urban, (3.3±1.005) for rural area. Parental encouragement (z= 7.2266p=0.027),(3.7±0.985) for urban area, (3.5±0.906) for peri-urban and (3.7±0.774 ) for rural area. Teacher encouragement (z=2.0069p=0.3668).The mean values for three residences are (3.5±0.802) for urban area, (3.4±0.784) for peri-urban, (3.5±0.733) for rural areas. Most of the school learners in all the three residences prefer unhealthy/junky food. Based on the results, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data to identify and analyse the factors for model development. The findings indicated that there is evidence of low level of physical fitness and high prevalence of excessive weight and obesity among primary school learners, the study, therefore, suggests the development of the behavioural model to enhance physical fitness and prevent or reduce overweight/obesity among school learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing a multi-sectoral integrative licensing and monitoring framework to align and integrate biodiversity and environmental water quality in the coal mining development life-cycle
- Munnik, Victor, Humby, T, Van der Waals, J, Houdet, J, Thompson, Gareth, Keighley, Tia-Kristi, Cobbing, Ben, Palmer, Carolyn G
- Authors: Munnik, Victor , Humby, T , Van der Waals, J , Houdet, J , Thompson, Gareth , Keighley, Tia-Kristi , Cobbing, Ben , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437825 , vital:73415 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0001-9 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2355_final.pdf
- Description: This research report emanates from a fine, which was paid and then transferred to the Water Research Commission for purposes of re-search. As a result of a plea bargain, an agreement was reached in the Ermelo regional court (Mpumalanga) in 2009 (Case no ESH 82/11: Ermelo CAS 462/07/2009), the summary outcome of which is described below.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Munnik, Victor , Humby, T , Van der Waals, J , Houdet, J , Thompson, Gareth , Keighley, Tia-Kristi , Cobbing, Ben , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437825 , vital:73415 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0001-9 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2355_final.pdf
- Description: This research report emanates from a fine, which was paid and then transferred to the Water Research Commission for purposes of re-search. As a result of a plea bargain, an agreement was reached in the Ermelo regional court (Mpumalanga) in 2009 (Case no ESH 82/11: Ermelo CAS 462/07/2009), the summary outcome of which is described below.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing an electromagnetic noise generator to protect a Raspberry Pi from side channel analysis
- Frieslaar, Ibraheem, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Frieslaar, Ibraheem , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429511 , vital:72618 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8531950
- Description: This research investigates the Electromagnetic (EM) side channel leakage of a Raspberry Pi 2 B+. An evaluation is performed on the EM leakage as the device executes the AES-128 cryptographic algorithm contained in the libcrypto++ library in a threaded environment. Four multi-threaded implementations are evaluated. These implementations are Portable Operating System Interface Threads, C++11 threads, Threading Building Blocks, and OpenMP threads. It is demonstrated that the various thread techniques have distinct variations in frequency and shape as EM emanations are leaked from the Raspberry Pi. It is demonstrated that the AES-128 cryptographic implementation within the libcrypto++ library on a Raspberry Pi is vulnerable to Side Channel Analysis (SCA) attacks. The cryptographic process was seen visibly within the EM spectrum and the data for this process was extracted where digital filtering techniques was applied to the signal. The resultant data was utilised in the Differential Electromagnetic Analysis (DEMA) attack and the results revealed 16 sub-keys that are required to recover the full AES-128 secret key. Based on this discovery, this research introduced a multi-threading approach with the utilisation of Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) to serve as a software based countermeasure to mitigate SCA attacks. The proposed countermeasure known as the FRIES noise generator executed as a Daemon and generated EM noise that was able to hide the cryptographic implementations and prevent the DEMA attack and other statistical analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Frieslaar, Ibraheem , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429511 , vital:72618 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8531950
- Description: This research investigates the Electromagnetic (EM) side channel leakage of a Raspberry Pi 2 B+. An evaluation is performed on the EM leakage as the device executes the AES-128 cryptographic algorithm contained in the libcrypto++ library in a threaded environment. Four multi-threaded implementations are evaluated. These implementations are Portable Operating System Interface Threads, C++11 threads, Threading Building Blocks, and OpenMP threads. It is demonstrated that the various thread techniques have distinct variations in frequency and shape as EM emanations are leaked from the Raspberry Pi. It is demonstrated that the AES-128 cryptographic implementation within the libcrypto++ library on a Raspberry Pi is vulnerable to Side Channel Analysis (SCA) attacks. The cryptographic process was seen visibly within the EM spectrum and the data for this process was extracted where digital filtering techniques was applied to the signal. The resultant data was utilised in the Differential Electromagnetic Analysis (DEMA) attack and the results revealed 16 sub-keys that are required to recover the full AES-128 secret key. Based on this discovery, this research introduced a multi-threading approach with the utilisation of Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) to serve as a software based countermeasure to mitigate SCA attacks. The proposed countermeasure known as the FRIES noise generator executed as a Daemon and generated EM noise that was able to hide the cryptographic implementations and prevent the DEMA attack and other statistical analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing an integrated model to improve effectiveness of asset maintenance management systems for FMCG organisations in South Africa
- Authors: Njezula, Azola
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Maintenance -- Management , Plant maintenance -- South Africa -- Management Total productive maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22868 , vital:30113
- Description: Maintenance has traditionally been viewed by organisations as negatively affecting profitability and productivity. It is also often viewed as fixing things when they are broken, non-value adding, unpredictable, and never a positive contributor to a company’s overall effectiveness. For this reason organisations are constantly seeking proactive maintenance strategies that will turn around this traditional view of maintenance. These strategies will also help organisations gain competitive advantage, and improve productivity and profitability. In the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, maintenance is under increasing pressure from the regulatory bodies in terms of safety and quality regulations that are getting stringent. The pressure for FMCG organisations is to produce products that are cleaner, safer, and greener, with minimal or no consumer complaints. There is also a need for environmental sustainability, reduction in waste, and effective usage of energy, water, and materials. The maintenance team is instrumental in these reductions and in ensuring regulatory compliance. As legislated by the South African government authorities, it is compulsory for FMCG organisations to comply with regulations. These regulations are designed to safeguard consumer health and safety. The focus of the regulations is throughout the value chain of the business for transparent record keeping. The current study investigated how to improve the effectiveness of maintenance management systems for FMCG organisations. The effectiveness was compared to best maintenance management practices that literature provides. The name of the company used for the research will not be disclosed for confidentiality reasons, and it will be called ‘Selected FMCG’ for the purpose of the study. The company is a chocolate making factory based in East London. This study aims to identify the problems facing the maintenance management system within the factory. The best practices that literature provides for maintenance were used to develop an effective asset maintenance management system for Selected FMCG.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Njezula, Azola
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Maintenance -- Management , Plant maintenance -- South Africa -- Management Total productive maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22868 , vital:30113
- Description: Maintenance has traditionally been viewed by organisations as negatively affecting profitability and productivity. It is also often viewed as fixing things when they are broken, non-value adding, unpredictable, and never a positive contributor to a company’s overall effectiveness. For this reason organisations are constantly seeking proactive maintenance strategies that will turn around this traditional view of maintenance. These strategies will also help organisations gain competitive advantage, and improve productivity and profitability. In the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, maintenance is under increasing pressure from the regulatory bodies in terms of safety and quality regulations that are getting stringent. The pressure for FMCG organisations is to produce products that are cleaner, safer, and greener, with minimal or no consumer complaints. There is also a need for environmental sustainability, reduction in waste, and effective usage of energy, water, and materials. The maintenance team is instrumental in these reductions and in ensuring regulatory compliance. As legislated by the South African government authorities, it is compulsory for FMCG organisations to comply with regulations. These regulations are designed to safeguard consumer health and safety. The focus of the regulations is throughout the value chain of the business for transparent record keeping. The current study investigated how to improve the effectiveness of maintenance management systems for FMCG organisations. The effectiveness was compared to best maintenance management practices that literature provides. The name of the company used for the research will not be disclosed for confidentiality reasons, and it will be called ‘Selected FMCG’ for the purpose of the study. The company is a chocolate making factory based in East London. This study aims to identify the problems facing the maintenance management system within the factory. The best practices that literature provides for maintenance were used to develop an effective asset maintenance management system for Selected FMCG.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing and testing the congruency of selected biological indicators and an existing tool designed to assess wetland health in agricultural settings in the KZN Midlands
- Authors: Kubheka, Patrick Skhumbuzo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wetland management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wetland ecology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Environmental monitoring -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Water quality biological assessment -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58310 , vital:27211
- Description: Despite the fact that wetlands have been understood to be important for a wide range of ecosystem services, wetlands continue to be degraded globally. There has been a growing need to develop biomonitoring tools that reflect the present ecological state of wetlands, but very few attempts have been made in South Africa to achieve this, and those that have attempted this have generally achieved limited success. This study was conducted to develop and test the congruency of four selected biological indicators (dragonflies, frogs, macroinveterbrates and plants) in relation to the assessment of present ecological state using an existing method in South Africa, "WET-Health". WET-Health assessments rely primarily on transformations to a wetland that result from human impacts in both the catchment and the wetland itself. Using the tool, a health score is obtained that is consistent with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) current "present ecological state” as applied to river health assessment. The study was conducted in agricultural settings of the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal based on 13 wetlands. The selected wetlands were scored using WET - Health and grouped in four different ecological condition classes (A, B, C and D). Physical characteristics (wetland area, mean depth), biological characteristics (species cover/abundance, presence and species richness), and chemical characteristics (ammonia, pH, sulphate, nitrogen and phosphate) were also recorded in the selected wetlands. Nineteen different species of dragonfly were recorded in this study. The study demonstrated that dragonflies are a promising bioindicator of wetland present ecological state as the dragonfly index was found to be closely correlated with WET- Health scores. Open water bodies within the selected wetlands were the focus of dragonfly sampling, as male dragonflies are territorial and they will patrol or be found around this habitat. Emergent vegetation dominated by sedges formed the focus of macroinvertebrate sampling in this study because greater numbers of macroinvertebrate families were found in this biotope in comparison to open water areas with no emergent vegetation. A total of 47 macroinvertebrate families were recorded in this study, but SASS5 scores based on macroinvetebrates showed no correlation with WET-Health scores. A total of 10 different frog species were recorded in this study. All the species were common frog species found in most parts of the country. Frog species richness and occurrence showed no correlation with WET- Health scores. A total of twenty samples of two meter radius were measured per wetland and sampled for plant species and estimation of cover-abundance of each species per sample. Over 50 different plant species were recorded in this study, and both species accumulation and species richness showed a degree of correlation with WET-Health scores. All the wetlands in class A had generally higher species accumulation rate and species richness compared to the other wetland classes. In addition to testing the congruency of four selected biological indicators with WET- Health, water quality was measured in all the wetlands. Wetlands in class A were associated with improved water quality as the water passes through the wetland. However, wetlands in class C and D did not show consistently improved water quality between the apex and the toe of these wetlands. In some cases the water quality deteriorated as it passed through wetlands in these two classes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kubheka, Patrick Skhumbuzo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wetland management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wetland ecology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Environmental monitoring -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Water quality biological assessment -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58310 , vital:27211
- Description: Despite the fact that wetlands have been understood to be important for a wide range of ecosystem services, wetlands continue to be degraded globally. There has been a growing need to develop biomonitoring tools that reflect the present ecological state of wetlands, but very few attempts have been made in South Africa to achieve this, and those that have attempted this have generally achieved limited success. This study was conducted to develop and test the congruency of four selected biological indicators (dragonflies, frogs, macroinveterbrates and plants) in relation to the assessment of present ecological state using an existing method in South Africa, "WET-Health". WET-Health assessments rely primarily on transformations to a wetland that result from human impacts in both the catchment and the wetland itself. Using the tool, a health score is obtained that is consistent with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) current "present ecological state” as applied to river health assessment. The study was conducted in agricultural settings of the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal based on 13 wetlands. The selected wetlands were scored using WET - Health and grouped in four different ecological condition classes (A, B, C and D). Physical characteristics (wetland area, mean depth), biological characteristics (species cover/abundance, presence and species richness), and chemical characteristics (ammonia, pH, sulphate, nitrogen and phosphate) were also recorded in the selected wetlands. Nineteen different species of dragonfly were recorded in this study. The study demonstrated that dragonflies are a promising bioindicator of wetland present ecological state as the dragonfly index was found to be closely correlated with WET- Health scores. Open water bodies within the selected wetlands were the focus of dragonfly sampling, as male dragonflies are territorial and they will patrol or be found around this habitat. Emergent vegetation dominated by sedges formed the focus of macroinvertebrate sampling in this study because greater numbers of macroinvertebrate families were found in this biotope in comparison to open water areas with no emergent vegetation. A total of 47 macroinvertebrate families were recorded in this study, but SASS5 scores based on macroinvetebrates showed no correlation with WET-Health scores. A total of 10 different frog species were recorded in this study. All the species were common frog species found in most parts of the country. Frog species richness and occurrence showed no correlation with WET- Health scores. A total of twenty samples of two meter radius were measured per wetland and sampled for plant species and estimation of cover-abundance of each species per sample. Over 50 different plant species were recorded in this study, and both species accumulation and species richness showed a degree of correlation with WET-Health scores. All the wetlands in class A had generally higher species accumulation rate and species richness compared to the other wetland classes. In addition to testing the congruency of four selected biological indicators with WET- Health, water quality was measured in all the wetlands. Wetlands in class A were associated with improved water quality as the water passes through the wetland. However, wetlands in class C and D did not show consistently improved water quality between the apex and the toe of these wetlands. In some cases the water quality deteriorated as it passed through wetlands in these two classes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing leadership and learner voice: a formative intervention in a Learner Representative Council in a Namibian secondary school
- Authors: Haipa, Vistorina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia , Educational leadership -- Namibia , Education, Secondary -- Namibia , Student government -- Namibia , Student participation in administration -- Namibia , Student participation in administration -- Law and legislation -- Namibia , Cultural Historical Activity Theory
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62188 , vital:28136
- Description: Learner participation in leadership in Namibian schools was legislated in 2001 through the Namibian Education Act, No. 16 of 2001. This has then become a requirement for all secondary schools to establish a Learner Representative Council (LRC). However, this legislation only gives mandates to schools with grade 8-12. Despite the impetus of having a LRC in secondary schools, learner leadership and voice remains limited, given that we are 26 years into our democracy. This awakened my interest to conduct a study aimed at developing leadership and voice within the LRC in a Namibian secondary school. Additionally, this study was conducted to contribute to filling the gap in literature of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) studies in the field of Education Leadership and Management. In this critical case orientation, the LRC were the subjects and the object of the activity was voice and leadership development within the LRC. I investigated participants’ perspectives on LRC leadership opportunities that existed in the case study school as well as factors that enabled and constrained leadership and voice development within the LRC of Omukumo (pseudonym) Secondary School in the northern part of Namibia. My study adopted a formative intervention design, using qualitative methodologies such as document analysis, observation, interviews, questionnaires and Change Laboratory Workshops. This study was framed by the second generation of CHAT. CHAT in this study was used as a methodological and analytical tool to surface the contradictions. Additionally, data were analysed by means of constructing categories and themes. Five sets of findings emerged: (1) a lack of conceptual awareness of the construct ‘learner leadership’: learner leadership was understood in terms of the LRC, (2) LRC members were not really acknowledged as equal participants in the school decision-making due to unequal power relations between the teachers and the LRC members, (3) misinterpretation of LRC policy that speak about the establishment of learners club and inadequate LRC training hindered the development of voice and leadership within the LRC, (4) the overall leadership role assigned to the LRC was to oversee the adherence of the school rules, and last (5) learner leadership and voice was still developing in the case study school. My key recommendation based on the research findings is the need for on-going LRC training at regional level; a need for large scale comparative studies between two African countries (Namibia, & South Africa) on the topic of learner leadership development and last, a need for workshops to train teachers on the implementation of national policies in schools, in particular those that speak to issues of learner voice and leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Haipa, Vistorina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia , Educational leadership -- Namibia , Education, Secondary -- Namibia , Student government -- Namibia , Student participation in administration -- Namibia , Student participation in administration -- Law and legislation -- Namibia , Cultural Historical Activity Theory
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62188 , vital:28136
- Description: Learner participation in leadership in Namibian schools was legislated in 2001 through the Namibian Education Act, No. 16 of 2001. This has then become a requirement for all secondary schools to establish a Learner Representative Council (LRC). However, this legislation only gives mandates to schools with grade 8-12. Despite the impetus of having a LRC in secondary schools, learner leadership and voice remains limited, given that we are 26 years into our democracy. This awakened my interest to conduct a study aimed at developing leadership and voice within the LRC in a Namibian secondary school. Additionally, this study was conducted to contribute to filling the gap in literature of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) studies in the field of Education Leadership and Management. In this critical case orientation, the LRC were the subjects and the object of the activity was voice and leadership development within the LRC. I investigated participants’ perspectives on LRC leadership opportunities that existed in the case study school as well as factors that enabled and constrained leadership and voice development within the LRC of Omukumo (pseudonym) Secondary School in the northern part of Namibia. My study adopted a formative intervention design, using qualitative methodologies such as document analysis, observation, interviews, questionnaires and Change Laboratory Workshops. This study was framed by the second generation of CHAT. CHAT in this study was used as a methodological and analytical tool to surface the contradictions. Additionally, data were analysed by means of constructing categories and themes. Five sets of findings emerged: (1) a lack of conceptual awareness of the construct ‘learner leadership’: learner leadership was understood in terms of the LRC, (2) LRC members were not really acknowledged as equal participants in the school decision-making due to unequal power relations between the teachers and the LRC members, (3) misinterpretation of LRC policy that speak about the establishment of learners club and inadequate LRC training hindered the development of voice and leadership within the LRC, (4) the overall leadership role assigned to the LRC was to oversee the adherence of the school rules, and last (5) learner leadership and voice was still developing in the case study school. My key recommendation based on the research findings is the need for on-going LRC training at regional level; a need for large scale comparative studies between two African countries (Namibia, & South Africa) on the topic of learner leadership development and last, a need for workshops to train teachers on the implementation of national policies in schools, in particular those that speak to issues of learner voice and leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and assessment of a smart thermosetting intranasal hydrogel for lamotrigine
- Authors: Melamane, Siyabonga
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62975 , vital:28349
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Melamane, Siyabonga
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62975 , vital:28349
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and assessment of gastroretentive sustained release captopril micro-balloons
- Authors: Oridota, Omoyosola Omolola
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63491 , vital:28419
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Oridota, Omoyosola Omolola
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63491 , vital:28419
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and evaluation of a web application employing artificial neural networks to facilitate the prediction of antiretroviral drug resistance in patients infected with HIV-1 subtype B
- Authors: Nabatanzi, Margaret
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63396 , vital:28406
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nabatanzi, Margaret
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63396 , vital:28406
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and evaluation of the coach-athlete relationship enhancement intervention
- Authors: Kuit, Wim
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations , Coaching (Athletics) -- Psychological aspects Sports -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22508 , vital:29989
- Description: An expanding body of sport psychology theory and research has highlighted the central role of the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) in the performance, satisfaction and well-being of coaches as well as athletes. Models have been developed that identify the key dimensions of CAR quality and the interpersonal behaviour that maintains it, but there remains a need for interventions that support coaches and athletes to optimise their interpersonal skills. This can be done by harnessing recent advances in personality theory which emphasise a more holistic and developmental view of the person and provide a basis for greater mutual understanding and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change in the CAR. The aims of this study were to develop the Coach-Athlete Relationship Enhancement (CARE) intervention through an integration of the Enneagram personality typology with current models of the CAR, and then to evaluate the impact of the CARE intervention on CAR quality. Sixty-two university-level athletes and their nine coaches participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the CARE intervention significantly enhanced CAR quality, including direct and meta-perceptions of closeness, commitment and complementarity, as well as co-orientation. Intervention outcomes included enhanced mutual understanding in the CAR, enhanced self-awareness, enhanced team relationships, and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change. These outcomes were associated with a shared awareness between coaches and athletes of their Enneagram personality type traits and motivations. Coach-athlete relationship quality was further enhanced by re-constructing coaches’ and athletes’ personal narratives based on self-descriptions of Enneagram type strengths, and a redefinition of individuals’ core motivations to incorporate adaptive interpersonal behaviour change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kuit, Wim
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations , Coaching (Athletics) -- Psychological aspects Sports -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22508 , vital:29989
- Description: An expanding body of sport psychology theory and research has highlighted the central role of the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) in the performance, satisfaction and well-being of coaches as well as athletes. Models have been developed that identify the key dimensions of CAR quality and the interpersonal behaviour that maintains it, but there remains a need for interventions that support coaches and athletes to optimise their interpersonal skills. This can be done by harnessing recent advances in personality theory which emphasise a more holistic and developmental view of the person and provide a basis for greater mutual understanding and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change in the CAR. The aims of this study were to develop the Coach-Athlete Relationship Enhancement (CARE) intervention through an integration of the Enneagram personality typology with current models of the CAR, and then to evaluate the impact of the CARE intervention on CAR quality. Sixty-two university-level athletes and their nine coaches participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the CARE intervention significantly enhanced CAR quality, including direct and meta-perceptions of closeness, commitment and complementarity, as well as co-orientation. Intervention outcomes included enhanced mutual understanding in the CAR, enhanced self-awareness, enhanced team relationships, and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change. These outcomes were associated with a shared awareness between coaches and athletes of their Enneagram personality type traits and motivations. Coach-athlete relationship quality was further enhanced by re-constructing coaches’ and athletes’ personal narratives based on self-descriptions of Enneagram type strengths, and a redefinition of individuals’ core motivations to incorporate adaptive interpersonal behaviour change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and optimisation of a novel Plasmodium falciparum Hsp90-Hop interaction assay
- Authors: Wambua, Lynn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum , Molecular chaperones , Heat shock proteins , Protein-protein interactions , Antimalarials
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62626 , vital:28216
- Description: Protein-protein interactions are involved in a range of disease processes and thus have become the focus of many drug discovery programs. Widespread drug resistance to all currently used antimalarial drugs drives the search for alternative drug targets with novel mechanisms of action that offer new therapeutic options. Molecular chaperones such as heat shock proteins facilitate protein folding, play a role in protein trafficking and prevent protein misfolding in cells under stress. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a well-studied chaperone that has been the focus of cancer drug development with moderate success. In Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), heat shock proteins are thought to play a vital role in parasite survival of the physiologically diverse habitats of the parasite lifecycle and because Hsp90 is prominently expressed in P. falciparum, the chaperone is considered a potentially ideal drug target. Hsp90 function in cells is regulated by interactions with co-chaperones, which includes Heat shock protein 70-Heat shock protein 90 organising protein (Hop). As opposed to directly inhibiting Hsp90 activity, targeting Hsp90 interaction with Hop has recently been suggested as an alternative method of Hsp90 inhibition that has not been explored in P. falciparum. The aim of this research project was to demonstrate PfHsp90 and PfHop robustly interact in vitro and to facilitate high-throughput screening of PfHsp90-PfHop inhibitors by developing and optimising a novel plate capture Hsp90-Hop interaction assay. To establish the assay, the respective domains of the proteins that mediate Hsp90-Hop interaction were used (Hsp90 C- terminal domain and Hop TPR2A domain). The human Hsp90 C-terminal domain and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) coding sequences were cloned into pET-28a(+) and murine and P. falciparum TPR2A sequences into pGEX-4T-1 plasmids to enable expression of histidine-tagged and GST fusion proteins, respectively, in Escherichia coli. The P. falciparum Hsp90 C-terminal domain sequence cloned into pET-28a(+) was supplied by GenScript. The constructs were transformed into T7 Express lysYcompetent E. coli cells and subsequent small- scale expression studies showed the recombinant proteins were expressed in a soluble form allowing for subsequent protein purification. Purification of the recombinant proteins was achieved using nickel-NTA and glutathione affinity chromatography for the His-tagged (Hsp90 C-terminal domains and GST) and GST fusion proteins (TPR2A domains), respectively. The purified proteins were used to establish and optimise mammalian and P. falciparum Hsp90- Hop interaction assays on nickel-coated plates by immobilising the His-tagged C-terminal domains on the plates and detecting the binding of the GST-TPR2A domains using a colorimetric GST enzyme assay. Z’-factor values above 0.5 were observed for both assays indicating good separation between the protein interaction signals and negative control background signals, although relatively high background signals were observed for the mammalian interaction due to non-specific binding of murine TPR2A to the plate. Designed human and P. falciparum TPR peptides were observed to be effective inhibitors of the mammalian and P. falciparum interactions, demonstrating the assay’s ability to respond to inhibitor compounds. Comparison of assay performance using GST assay kit reagents and lab- prepared reagents showed the assay was more efficient using lab-prepared reagents, however, lower GST signals were observed when comparing assay performance using a custom prepared Ni-NTA plate to a purchased Ni-NTA plate. The Hsp90-Hop interaction assays were also performed using an alternative assay format in which the GST-TPR2A fusion proteins were immobilised on glutathione-coated plates and binding of the His-tagged C-terminal domains detected with a nickel-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and a colorimetric HRP substrate. The assay showed higher interaction signals for the P. falciparum proteins but comparatively low signals for the mammalian proteins. Z’-factor values for the assay were above 0.8 for both protein sets, suggesting this assay format is superior to the GST assay. However, further optimisation of this assay format is required. This study demonstrated direct binding of PfHsp90-PfHop in vitro and established a novel and robust PfHsp90-PfHop interaction assay format that can be used in future screening campaigns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Wambua, Lynn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum , Molecular chaperones , Heat shock proteins , Protein-protein interactions , Antimalarials
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62626 , vital:28216
- Description: Protein-protein interactions are involved in a range of disease processes and thus have become the focus of many drug discovery programs. Widespread drug resistance to all currently used antimalarial drugs drives the search for alternative drug targets with novel mechanisms of action that offer new therapeutic options. Molecular chaperones such as heat shock proteins facilitate protein folding, play a role in protein trafficking and prevent protein misfolding in cells under stress. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a well-studied chaperone that has been the focus of cancer drug development with moderate success. In Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), heat shock proteins are thought to play a vital role in parasite survival of the physiologically diverse habitats of the parasite lifecycle and because Hsp90 is prominently expressed in P. falciparum, the chaperone is considered a potentially ideal drug target. Hsp90 function in cells is regulated by interactions with co-chaperones, which includes Heat shock protein 70-Heat shock protein 90 organising protein (Hop). As opposed to directly inhibiting Hsp90 activity, targeting Hsp90 interaction with Hop has recently been suggested as an alternative method of Hsp90 inhibition that has not been explored in P. falciparum. The aim of this research project was to demonstrate PfHsp90 and PfHop robustly interact in vitro and to facilitate high-throughput screening of PfHsp90-PfHop inhibitors by developing and optimising a novel plate capture Hsp90-Hop interaction assay. To establish the assay, the respective domains of the proteins that mediate Hsp90-Hop interaction were used (Hsp90 C- terminal domain and Hop TPR2A domain). The human Hsp90 C-terminal domain and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) coding sequences were cloned into pET-28a(+) and murine and P. falciparum TPR2A sequences into pGEX-4T-1 plasmids to enable expression of histidine-tagged and GST fusion proteins, respectively, in Escherichia coli. The P. falciparum Hsp90 C-terminal domain sequence cloned into pET-28a(+) was supplied by GenScript. The constructs were transformed into T7 Express lysYcompetent E. coli cells and subsequent small- scale expression studies showed the recombinant proteins were expressed in a soluble form allowing for subsequent protein purification. Purification of the recombinant proteins was achieved using nickel-NTA and glutathione affinity chromatography for the His-tagged (Hsp90 C-terminal domains and GST) and GST fusion proteins (TPR2A domains), respectively. The purified proteins were used to establish and optimise mammalian and P. falciparum Hsp90- Hop interaction assays on nickel-coated plates by immobilising the His-tagged C-terminal domains on the plates and detecting the binding of the GST-TPR2A domains using a colorimetric GST enzyme assay. Z’-factor values above 0.5 were observed for both assays indicating good separation between the protein interaction signals and negative control background signals, although relatively high background signals were observed for the mammalian interaction due to non-specific binding of murine TPR2A to the plate. Designed human and P. falciparum TPR peptides were observed to be effective inhibitors of the mammalian and P. falciparum interactions, demonstrating the assay’s ability to respond to inhibitor compounds. Comparison of assay performance using GST assay kit reagents and lab- prepared reagents showed the assay was more efficient using lab-prepared reagents, however, lower GST signals were observed when comparing assay performance using a custom prepared Ni-NTA plate to a purchased Ni-NTA plate. The Hsp90-Hop interaction assays were also performed using an alternative assay format in which the GST-TPR2A fusion proteins were immobilised on glutathione-coated plates and binding of the His-tagged C-terminal domains detected with a nickel-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and a colorimetric HRP substrate. The assay showed higher interaction signals for the P. falciparum proteins but comparatively low signals for the mammalian proteins. Z’-factor values for the assay were above 0.8 for both protein sets, suggesting this assay format is superior to the GST assay. However, further optimisation of this assay format is required. This study demonstrated direct binding of PfHsp90-PfHop in vitro and established a novel and robust PfHsp90-PfHop interaction assay format that can be used in future screening campaigns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and validation of a health literacy measure for limited literacy public sector patients in South Africa
- Authors: Marimwe, Chipiwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health literacy -- South Africa , Patient education -- South Africa , Communication in medicine -- South Africa , Health literacy -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Poor -- Medical care -- South Africa , Analysis of variance , Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62661 , vital:28227
- Description: The growing complexity of healthcare demands greater patient involvement and skills to navigate this complex system. It has therefore become increasingly important to identify individuals with inadequate health literacy, by using efficient, short and reliable measures for doing so. Most research on the development and validation of health literacy tests has been conducted in high-income countries, with very little reported from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Existing health literacy measures have come under scrutiny for their lack of cultural sensitivity, bias towards certain population groups and failure to acknowledge health literacy as a multidimensional concept. These measures usually have limited application in LMICs due to the significantly different structuring of healthcare systems, they overlook the extreme discrepancies in educational levels, and rely too heavily on the ability to read health information. No health literacy data for South Africa are available, and only a few health literacy-based research papers have been published in this country. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a health literacy measure that is contextually and culturally appropriate to measure health literacy in limited literacy public sector patients in South Africa. An Item Bank of 30 questions was developed with the input of a diverse expert consultant panel, and included skills-based and self-reported questions which ensured cultural, contextual and educational level appropriateness. The Information and Support for Health Actions Questionnaire (ISHA-Q) is a health literacy measure developed to assess health literacy for LMICs which includes 14 core scales. These were useful in ensuring coverage of a range of health literacy constructs within the Item Bank. The 30 questions were then allocated to one of three health literacy domains: Procedural knowledge, Factual knowledge and Access to healthcare, health services and social support. Ethical approval for the study was obtained. The questions were translated into isiXhosa and underwent pilot testing. Following pilot testing, 120 isiXhosa first-language speakers, at least 18 years old, who attended public sector facilities and had a maximum 12 years of education were recruited from a primary healthcare clinic in Grahamstown. An interpreter was trained and he participated in all interviews. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the 30-question Item Bank. The Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL) was used as the primary comparator.The second phase of the study involved the refinement of the 30 questions in the Item Bank, which involved a multi-stage process. Data were analysed statistically using t-test, correlations, chi-square and ANOVA tests at a 5% level of significance, in order to identify problematic questions. Item Response Theory was used to ascertain difficulty and discriminatory ability of the questions. Each question was further subjected to in-depth interrogation by a panel of healthcare professionals to ensure that questions were supported by the conceptual framework and the definitions of health literacy adopted for this study. The number of questions was reduced from 30 to 12, and formed the new Health Literacy Test - Limited Literacy (HELT-LL). To validate the HELT-LL, 210 patients with the same inclusion criteria as previously noted, were recruited from four primary healthcare clinics in the Eastern Cape Province. Individual interviews were conducted with the assistance of the interpreter to collect sociodemographic data as well as data from the HELT-LL, the primary comparator (MSFHL), and a secondary comparator which was a South African modified version of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS-SA). The HELT-LL was re-administered to 40 patients in a follow-up interview two weeks later. The HELT-LL categorised only 17.6% of the patients as having adequate health literacy, just over a third with inadequate health literacy, and the majority with marginal health literacy. Questions in the cognitively demanding Procedural knowledge domain were the most poorly answered, with a mean score of 48.6±24.9%. Patients had great difficulty performing the basic numeric tasks in this domain. The overall mean score for the HELT-LL was 52.8±18.4%, compared with the more cognitively demanding NVS-SA with a mean of 28.6±21.1%, and clearly illustrated the impact of the strategy to include in the HELT-LL a variety of questions with differing cognitive load. The MSFHL, which is based on demographic characteristics and perceived difficulties with reading and writing, had an overall mean score of 44.4±26.2%. Demographic characteristics including age, education and English literacy, were found to be good predictors of limited health literacy, with significant correlations being found between these variables and the mean HELT-LL score. An acceptable value for Cronbach’s alpha, excellent test-retest reliability and excellent concurrent validity show that the HELT-LL is a valid and reliable measure of health literacy in our target population. As there is a paucity of health literacy research emanating from developing countries, this study presents a significant contribution to literature. It is the first study to report the development and validation of a health literacy measure to address the dearth of available health literacy measures applicable for South Africa. If implemented for use in clinical settings and for research purposes, it could provide valuable South African health literacy data which could inform the development of interventions focusing on improving health literacy and health outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Marimwe, Chipiwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health literacy -- South Africa , Patient education -- South Africa , Communication in medicine -- South Africa , Health literacy -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Poor -- Medical care -- South Africa , Analysis of variance , Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62661 , vital:28227
- Description: The growing complexity of healthcare demands greater patient involvement and skills to navigate this complex system. It has therefore become increasingly important to identify individuals with inadequate health literacy, by using efficient, short and reliable measures for doing so. Most research on the development and validation of health literacy tests has been conducted in high-income countries, with very little reported from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Existing health literacy measures have come under scrutiny for their lack of cultural sensitivity, bias towards certain population groups and failure to acknowledge health literacy as a multidimensional concept. These measures usually have limited application in LMICs due to the significantly different structuring of healthcare systems, they overlook the extreme discrepancies in educational levels, and rely too heavily on the ability to read health information. No health literacy data for South Africa are available, and only a few health literacy-based research papers have been published in this country. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a health literacy measure that is contextually and culturally appropriate to measure health literacy in limited literacy public sector patients in South Africa. An Item Bank of 30 questions was developed with the input of a diverse expert consultant panel, and included skills-based and self-reported questions which ensured cultural, contextual and educational level appropriateness. The Information and Support for Health Actions Questionnaire (ISHA-Q) is a health literacy measure developed to assess health literacy for LMICs which includes 14 core scales. These were useful in ensuring coverage of a range of health literacy constructs within the Item Bank. The 30 questions were then allocated to one of three health literacy domains: Procedural knowledge, Factual knowledge and Access to healthcare, health services and social support. Ethical approval for the study was obtained. The questions were translated into isiXhosa and underwent pilot testing. Following pilot testing, 120 isiXhosa first-language speakers, at least 18 years old, who attended public sector facilities and had a maximum 12 years of education were recruited from a primary healthcare clinic in Grahamstown. An interpreter was trained and he participated in all interviews. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the 30-question Item Bank. The Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL) was used as the primary comparator.The second phase of the study involved the refinement of the 30 questions in the Item Bank, which involved a multi-stage process. Data were analysed statistically using t-test, correlations, chi-square and ANOVA tests at a 5% level of significance, in order to identify problematic questions. Item Response Theory was used to ascertain difficulty and discriminatory ability of the questions. Each question was further subjected to in-depth interrogation by a panel of healthcare professionals to ensure that questions were supported by the conceptual framework and the definitions of health literacy adopted for this study. The number of questions was reduced from 30 to 12, and formed the new Health Literacy Test - Limited Literacy (HELT-LL). To validate the HELT-LL, 210 patients with the same inclusion criteria as previously noted, were recruited from four primary healthcare clinics in the Eastern Cape Province. Individual interviews were conducted with the assistance of the interpreter to collect sociodemographic data as well as data from the HELT-LL, the primary comparator (MSFHL), and a secondary comparator which was a South African modified version of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS-SA). The HELT-LL was re-administered to 40 patients in a follow-up interview two weeks later. The HELT-LL categorised only 17.6% of the patients as having adequate health literacy, just over a third with inadequate health literacy, and the majority with marginal health literacy. Questions in the cognitively demanding Procedural knowledge domain were the most poorly answered, with a mean score of 48.6±24.9%. Patients had great difficulty performing the basic numeric tasks in this domain. The overall mean score for the HELT-LL was 52.8±18.4%, compared with the more cognitively demanding NVS-SA with a mean of 28.6±21.1%, and clearly illustrated the impact of the strategy to include in the HELT-LL a variety of questions with differing cognitive load. The MSFHL, which is based on demographic characteristics and perceived difficulties with reading and writing, had an overall mean score of 44.4±26.2%. Demographic characteristics including age, education and English literacy, were found to be good predictors of limited health literacy, with significant correlations being found between these variables and the mean HELT-LL score. An acceptable value for Cronbach’s alpha, excellent test-retest reliability and excellent concurrent validity show that the HELT-LL is a valid and reliable measure of health literacy in our target population. As there is a paucity of health literacy research emanating from developing countries, this study presents a significant contribution to literature. It is the first study to report the development and validation of a health literacy measure to address the dearth of available health literacy measures applicable for South Africa. If implemented for use in clinical settings and for research purposes, it could provide valuable South African health literacy data which could inform the development of interventions focusing on improving health literacy and health outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018