Evaluation of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality communication strategies in reducing the risk of water-borne diseases outbreak
- Animawun, Oluwatosin Tolulope
- Authors: Animawun, Oluwatosin Tolulope
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communication in public health Communicable diseases -- Prevention Waterborne infection -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10531 , vital:35595
- Description: Health Communication plays an important role in health sustenance. It is cardinal to disease prevention, health promotion and quality of life. Water-borne diseases are known to pose a significant threat to global health and has claimed many lives. This study seeks to evaluate Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality’s communication strategies employed in reducing the risk of water-borne diseases outbreak in the community. The research method used for this study is mixed method. In-depth interview and questionnaire was used to collect data. The two sampling procedures that were used in this study are purposive sampling for the qualitative aspect of this study and simple random sampling for the quantitative aspect of this study. The conclusion that was drawn from this study is that Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality makes use of a communication strategy, which is awareness campaign, in educating its people about water-borne diseases and its prevention but the information is limited in its reach. This study recommends that the awareness campaign done by Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality should be embarked on more frequently because the more the messages are reinforced for a long time, the more the people in the community are able to remember and the greater the likelihood that they will act upon the message. In addition, Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality should carry out evaluations like this research at least quarterly in order to assess the impact of the awareness campaigns on the Community, which can also be used as a tool to educate the people of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality about Water-borne diseases. Finally, social media is a new trend that most people are now into, most especially the youths; Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality should key into this and educate the public on platforms on social media as it can be seen as a form of reinforcing health information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Animawun, Oluwatosin Tolulope
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communication in public health Communicable diseases -- Prevention Waterborne infection -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10531 , vital:35595
- Description: Health Communication plays an important role in health sustenance. It is cardinal to disease prevention, health promotion and quality of life. Water-borne diseases are known to pose a significant threat to global health and has claimed many lives. This study seeks to evaluate Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality’s communication strategies employed in reducing the risk of water-borne diseases outbreak in the community. The research method used for this study is mixed method. In-depth interview and questionnaire was used to collect data. The two sampling procedures that were used in this study are purposive sampling for the qualitative aspect of this study and simple random sampling for the quantitative aspect of this study. The conclusion that was drawn from this study is that Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality makes use of a communication strategy, which is awareness campaign, in educating its people about water-borne diseases and its prevention but the information is limited in its reach. This study recommends that the awareness campaign done by Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality should be embarked on more frequently because the more the messages are reinforced for a long time, the more the people in the community are able to remember and the greater the likelihood that they will act upon the message. In addition, Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality should carry out evaluations like this research at least quarterly in order to assess the impact of the awareness campaigns on the Community, which can also be used as a tool to educate the people of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality about Water-borne diseases. Finally, social media is a new trend that most people are now into, most especially the youths; Raymond Mhlaba (formerly Nkonkobe) Local Municipality should key into this and educate the public on platforms on social media as it can be seen as a form of reinforcing health information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evaluation of the development and use of the institutional repository by staff and students at the University of Fort Hare in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kagoro, Kisemiire Christine
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Institutional repositories Information storage and retrieval systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MLIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6292 , vital:29556
- Description: This study sought to evaluate the development and use of Institutional Repository by staff and students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this study, staff comprised of academic staff (lecturers) and library staff. The aim of this study was to investigate the development and use of Institutional Repository at UFH. To achieve the objectives, both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed. Data was collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants of the study. Qualitative data was analysed thematically while, quantitative data was analysed statically by help of SPSS software. The results showed that: library staff and management are aware and provide support for the development and use of the Institutional Repository at the UFH; awareness level of IR among lecturers and students is still low; the infrastructure available for the use of IR is not well developed; and lastly, library users which consist of students and academic staff face various barriers in the use and support of IR development. The study recommended for dynamic training, and marketing of IR through seminars and workshops should be started by expert affiliations and universities administration to advance the idea of IR among the University community. Low levels of awareness of the university repository, funding and shortage of library staff remains an issue and could be addressed by further investigating the effectiveness of different communication channels. It is pertinent that the findings of this study would be useful in various tertiary’s institutions of higher learning across the globe in order to embark on IR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kagoro, Kisemiire Christine
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Institutional repositories Information storage and retrieval systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MLIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6292 , vital:29556
- Description: This study sought to evaluate the development and use of Institutional Repository by staff and students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this study, staff comprised of academic staff (lecturers) and library staff. The aim of this study was to investigate the development and use of Institutional Repository at UFH. To achieve the objectives, both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed. Data was collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants of the study. Qualitative data was analysed thematically while, quantitative data was analysed statically by help of SPSS software. The results showed that: library staff and management are aware and provide support for the development and use of the Institutional Repository at the UFH; awareness level of IR among lecturers and students is still low; the infrastructure available for the use of IR is not well developed; and lastly, library users which consist of students and academic staff face various barriers in the use and support of IR development. The study recommended for dynamic training, and marketing of IR through seminars and workshops should be started by expert affiliations and universities administration to advance the idea of IR among the University community. Low levels of awareness of the university repository, funding and shortage of library staff remains an issue and could be addressed by further investigating the effectiveness of different communication channels. It is pertinent that the findings of this study would be useful in various tertiary’s institutions of higher learning across the globe in order to embark on IR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evaluation of the photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of nanoconjugates of zinc phthalocyanine linked to glutathione capped Au and Au3Ag1 nanoparticles
- Oluwole, David O, Manoto, Sello L, Malabi, Rudzani, Maphanga, Charles, Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin, Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Manoto, Sello L , Malabi, Rudzani , Maphanga, Charles , Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin , Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/237886 , vital:50563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.11.019"
- Description: We report on the synthesis of glutathione capped gold (AuNPs–GSH) and gold–silver (Au3Ag1NPs–GSH) nanoparticles and their covalent attachment to Zn monocarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (1) via amide bond formation. The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the complex and its nanoconjugates were assessed. The conjugates afforded improved triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yield as well as PDT activity (except for 1-Au3Ag1NPs which afforded decreased activity) in comparison to complex 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Manoto, Sello L , Malabi, Rudzani , Maphanga, Charles , Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin , Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/237886 , vital:50563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.11.019"
- Description: We report on the synthesis of glutathione capped gold (AuNPs–GSH) and gold–silver (Au3Ag1NPs–GSH) nanoparticles and their covalent attachment to Zn monocarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (1) via amide bond formation. The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the complex and its nanoconjugates were assessed. The conjugates afforded improved triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yield as well as PDT activity (except for 1-Au3Ag1NPs which afforded decreased activity) in comparison to complex 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evidence for a new regime shift between floating and submerged invasive plant dominance in South Africa
- Strange, Emily F, Hill, Martin P, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Strange, Emily F , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423993 , vital:72114 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3506-2"
- Description: Classical biological control for the management of floating invasive plants has been highly successful in South Africa. However, restoring ecosystem services has been compromised by a new suite of submerged invasive plants. This study proposes that biological control of floating invasive macrophytes acts as a catalyst in a regime shift between floating and submerged invasive plant dominance. Regime shifts are large and sudden changes in the structure and functioning of ecosystems. The proposed shift is driven by the rapid decomposition of floating plants and subsequent increase in availability of nutrients and light. A mesocosm experiment explored the effect of biological control on floating Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) upon the growth of invasive submerged Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae), and native submerged plant species of the same family; Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss (Hydrocharitaceae). The results revealed a cascade effect of biological control of P. stratiotes on the availability of nitrogen, resulting in increased relative growth rates and invasive capacity for E. densa. In contrast, the native L. major could not compete with healthy or damaged P. stratiotes. These findings highlight the vulnerability of South African freshwater systems to submerged plant invasions and demonstrate the importance of a more holistic approach to invasive plant management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Strange, Emily F , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423993 , vital:72114 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3506-2"
- Description: Classical biological control for the management of floating invasive plants has been highly successful in South Africa. However, restoring ecosystem services has been compromised by a new suite of submerged invasive plants. This study proposes that biological control of floating invasive macrophytes acts as a catalyst in a regime shift between floating and submerged invasive plant dominance. Regime shifts are large and sudden changes in the structure and functioning of ecosystems. The proposed shift is driven by the rapid decomposition of floating plants and subsequent increase in availability of nutrients and light. A mesocosm experiment explored the effect of biological control on floating Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) upon the growth of invasive submerged Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae), and native submerged plant species of the same family; Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss (Hydrocharitaceae). The results revealed a cascade effect of biological control of P. stratiotes on the availability of nitrogen, resulting in increased relative growth rates and invasive capacity for E. densa. In contrast, the native L. major could not compete with healthy or damaged P. stratiotes. These findings highlight the vulnerability of South African freshwater systems to submerged plant invasions and demonstrate the importance of a more holistic approach to invasive plant management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evidence for protandry in Polydactylus quadrifilis in the Kwanza Estuary, Angola, and its implications for local fisheries
- Butler, Edward C, Childs, Amber-Robyn, Winkler, Alexander C, Milner, Marianne V, Potts, Warren M
- Authors: Butler, Edward C , Childs, Amber-Robyn , Winkler, Alexander C , Milner, Marianne V , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124451 , vital:35614 , https://doi.10.1007/s10641-017-0699-6
- Description: A total of 141 Polydactylus quadrifilis were sampled from the Kwanza Estuary in Angola ranging in size from 436 to 1360 mm fork-length (FL). Of these, 124 were male, six intersex and 11 female. Female fish were significantly longer (mm, FL) and heavier (kg) than males and had significantly higher gonadosomatic indices (GSI’s) than those of males and intersex fish. Transitional (intersex) gonads were delimited, with testicular and ovarian regions separated by connective tissue. The first signs of ovarian tissue appeared on the outer ventral surface of the gonad. A second layer of ovarian tissue was first noticeable at either end of the initial ovarian region and developed back towards the centre of the ventral wall to form a luminal space. Early-stage oocytes were commonly found in the outer area of male regions and residual late-stage spermatids and spermatozoa were found in the luminal space of ovarian regions, suggesting a process of sex change from the outside inwards. A loss of male function was noted with increased ovarian prevalence. Based on this evidence it is suggested that P. quadrifilis in the Kwanza Estuary are protandrous. Owing to the reliance of P. quadrifilis on large highly fecund females for egg production, it is likely that they will be sensitive to fishing practices that target larger individuals within the population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Butler, Edward C , Childs, Amber-Robyn , Winkler, Alexander C , Milner, Marianne V , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124451 , vital:35614 , https://doi.10.1007/s10641-017-0699-6
- Description: A total of 141 Polydactylus quadrifilis were sampled from the Kwanza Estuary in Angola ranging in size from 436 to 1360 mm fork-length (FL). Of these, 124 were male, six intersex and 11 female. Female fish were significantly longer (mm, FL) and heavier (kg) than males and had significantly higher gonadosomatic indices (GSI’s) than those of males and intersex fish. Transitional (intersex) gonads were delimited, with testicular and ovarian regions separated by connective tissue. The first signs of ovarian tissue appeared on the outer ventral surface of the gonad. A second layer of ovarian tissue was first noticeable at either end of the initial ovarian region and developed back towards the centre of the ventral wall to form a luminal space. Early-stage oocytes were commonly found in the outer area of male regions and residual late-stage spermatids and spermatozoa were found in the luminal space of ovarian regions, suggesting a process of sex change from the outside inwards. A loss of male function was noted with increased ovarian prevalence. Based on this evidence it is suggested that P. quadrifilis in the Kwanza Estuary are protandrous. Owing to the reliance of P. quadrifilis on large highly fecund females for egg production, it is likely that they will be sensitive to fishing practices that target larger individuals within the population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Ex-offenders' perceptions towards their sexual victimisation during incarceration : a case study of Sinthumule area under Makhado Local Municipality: Limpopo Province
- Tshidada, Thifulufhelwi Cedric
- Authors: Tshidada, Thifulufhelwi Cedric
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Prisoners--Sexual behavior Criminals--Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Criminology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17771 , vital:41199
- Description: The study aimed to investigate or to explore offenders’ perceptions on sexual assault within or during their incarceration in Makhado Correctional Centre. For the purpose of this study, the researcher is inclined to use qualitative research method because many it allows respondents to express their feelings. This is phenomenological in the sense that the researcher aimed to describe the experiences of the participants. In an attempt to resolve the research problem, the study embarked on qualitative method to guide the in depth structured interviews questions with the offenders about their experience on sexual assault during their incarceration. The researcher employed the method of field study in data collection in a natural settings or environments. The data collected were based on the research questions to establish the causes and consequences of sexual assaults and reasons why the victims are so lackadaisical in reporting sexual assaults to the authorities. Therefore, this study used the purposive sampling method to select participants. The data collection method for this research is an in-depth structured interview. In-depth interviews were repeated face-to-face between the researcher and participants in order to give the participants an opportunity to establish a better understanding. For the purpose of data analysis this study made use of content analysis which is a recommended method in qualitative study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Tshidada, Thifulufhelwi Cedric
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Prisoners--Sexual behavior Criminals--Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Criminology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17771 , vital:41199
- Description: The study aimed to investigate or to explore offenders’ perceptions on sexual assault within or during their incarceration in Makhado Correctional Centre. For the purpose of this study, the researcher is inclined to use qualitative research method because many it allows respondents to express their feelings. This is phenomenological in the sense that the researcher aimed to describe the experiences of the participants. In an attempt to resolve the research problem, the study embarked on qualitative method to guide the in depth structured interviews questions with the offenders about their experience on sexual assault during their incarceration. The researcher employed the method of field study in data collection in a natural settings or environments. The data collected were based on the research questions to establish the causes and consequences of sexual assaults and reasons why the victims are so lackadaisical in reporting sexual assaults to the authorities. Therefore, this study used the purposive sampling method to select participants. The data collection method for this research is an in-depth structured interview. In-depth interviews were repeated face-to-face between the researcher and participants in order to give the participants an opportunity to establish a better understanding. For the purpose of data analysis this study made use of content analysis which is a recommended method in qualitative study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Examination of the capacity of Limpopo water services authorities in providing access to clean drinking water and decent sanitation
- Pilusa,Kgoshi Kgashane Lucas
- Authors: Pilusa,Kgoshi Kgashane Lucas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal water supply Sanitation, Rural
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13932 , vital:39728
- Description: This study analysed the capacity of Limpopo Water Services Authorities in providing access to clean drinking water and decent sanitation. The study raised issues of the state of access to clean drinkable water and decent sanitation through the prism of the municipality and the community. Arguably, the provision of water and sanitation services collapsed, at the level of local government, during the Jacob Zuma administration, because of the escalation of violent service delivery protests due to poor administration and management. It was discovered that all Water Services Authorities owe the Department of Water Affairs exorbitant amounts of money, well into the range of millions of Rands. This prompted the Water Boards to issue threats that they would limit the provision of bulk water. Such austerity measures compromised citizens who regularly pay for the services provided; hence, it sparked violent protests. One of the major drawbacks of the current institutional arrangements arose from the overlapping mandates of the Department of Water Affairs, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water Services Authorities, Local Municipalities and the Department of Human Settlements. Consequently, the structural design of the intergovernmental system should enforce synergy between all water and sanitation units. The reports produced by all units must be scrutinised, debated and followed through. The study was anchored in a qualitative research design, grounded in the descriptive approach. Interviews were conducted to acquire information from politicians, administrators and community members. It was discovered that there were no skilled personnel in Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers and, as such, institutional capacity was in disarray. More importantly, during the interviews conducted for this study, it surfaced that financial mismanagement in all municipalities is conspicuously unacceptable, especially unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditures. These situations prevailed under the supervision of the well-established oversight institutions that were tasked to enhance the monitoring and evaluation for good governance, such as The Auditor General of South Africa, the Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector. Professionalism and quality performance remain at a low point, with no improvement in service provision. Therefore, radical enforcement of monitoring and evaluation through Auditor General of South Africa, Human Rights Commission and Public Protector, amongst others, is critical to any attempt to disrupt the status v quo. In addition, the appointment of the heads of these oversight institutions must be removed from the Presidency and be made by the Chief Justice. The encounters confronting Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers are complex and may not be resolved by the government alone, without the participation of the private sector and other actors such as Civil Society Organisations, the business community and public entities. Therefore, an area for further research could be an examination of attempts to introduce effective integrated water and sanitation governance structures, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, under robust public scrutiny in order to inform immediate and long-term interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pilusa,Kgoshi Kgashane Lucas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal water supply Sanitation, Rural
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13932 , vital:39728
- Description: This study analysed the capacity of Limpopo Water Services Authorities in providing access to clean drinking water and decent sanitation. The study raised issues of the state of access to clean drinkable water and decent sanitation through the prism of the municipality and the community. Arguably, the provision of water and sanitation services collapsed, at the level of local government, during the Jacob Zuma administration, because of the escalation of violent service delivery protests due to poor administration and management. It was discovered that all Water Services Authorities owe the Department of Water Affairs exorbitant amounts of money, well into the range of millions of Rands. This prompted the Water Boards to issue threats that they would limit the provision of bulk water. Such austerity measures compromised citizens who regularly pay for the services provided; hence, it sparked violent protests. One of the major drawbacks of the current institutional arrangements arose from the overlapping mandates of the Department of Water Affairs, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water Services Authorities, Local Municipalities and the Department of Human Settlements. Consequently, the structural design of the intergovernmental system should enforce synergy between all water and sanitation units. The reports produced by all units must be scrutinised, debated and followed through. The study was anchored in a qualitative research design, grounded in the descriptive approach. Interviews were conducted to acquire information from politicians, administrators and community members. It was discovered that there were no skilled personnel in Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers and, as such, institutional capacity was in disarray. More importantly, during the interviews conducted for this study, it surfaced that financial mismanagement in all municipalities is conspicuously unacceptable, especially unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditures. These situations prevailed under the supervision of the well-established oversight institutions that were tasked to enhance the monitoring and evaluation for good governance, such as The Auditor General of South Africa, the Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector. Professionalism and quality performance remain at a low point, with no improvement in service provision. Therefore, radical enforcement of monitoring and evaluation through Auditor General of South Africa, Human Rights Commission and Public Protector, amongst others, is critical to any attempt to disrupt the status v quo. In addition, the appointment of the heads of these oversight institutions must be removed from the Presidency and be made by the Chief Justice. The encounters confronting Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers are complex and may not be resolved by the government alone, without the participation of the private sector and other actors such as Civil Society Organisations, the business community and public entities. Therefore, an area for further research could be an examination of attempts to introduce effective integrated water and sanitation governance structures, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, under robust public scrutiny in order to inform immediate and long-term interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Examinee invariant condition of test score equating : the case of school certificate examination in computer studies for examinees across rural and urban areas of selected secondary schools in Malawi
- Authors: Phiri, Gerson Mutala
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Educational tests and measurements -- Malawi Computer studies -- Malawi -- Examinations Malawi School Certificate of Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8507 , vital:32853
- Description: This study examined the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Equating of test scores to create comparable and interchangeable scores in assessment is increasingly becoming popular to most examining bodies. However, the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) and many other examining bodies in Africa and Europe do not embrace test score equating in their assessment systems. The consequences of not equating test scores have not been clearly documented. Furthermore, there are no proper equating designs for some agencies to employ because they administer tests annually to different examinee' populations and they disclose all items after each administration. Therefore, the study sought to establish whether the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees holds for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Data were collected through two Computer Studies tests which were administered to a sample of rural and urban examinees. The data were analysed using means, standard deviations, T-tests and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that score distributions and test difficulties were similar across test forms signifying that test score equating is necessary. The classification of examinees into rural and urban geographical areas across the test forms were different before score equating, but similar after score equating. The equating of scores for the two sub-populations of rural and urban examinees displayed similarities in their Standard Error of Equating (SEE) values but they were not the same. The equated scores for rural examinees displayed more equating errors than the equated scores of urban examinees, indicating a better performance in Computer Studies by urban examinees than the performance of rural examinees. The study further revealed that equating of test scores was necessary because it was almost impossible to construct multiple forms of a test that were completely parallel. Even though test developers use the same test specifications to develop test items and make every effort to develop items in one test form as similar as possible to the items in another test form, the study has shown that there is no guarantee that the difficulty levels of the items would be the same. Among the many recommendations made, one major one is that the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) should embrace the practice of equating test scores to improve fairness of decisions which are made on examination results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Phiri, Gerson Mutala
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Educational tests and measurements -- Malawi Computer studies -- Malawi -- Examinations Malawi School Certificate of Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8507 , vital:32853
- Description: This study examined the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Equating of test scores to create comparable and interchangeable scores in assessment is increasingly becoming popular to most examining bodies. However, the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) and many other examining bodies in Africa and Europe do not embrace test score equating in their assessment systems. The consequences of not equating test scores have not been clearly documented. Furthermore, there are no proper equating designs for some agencies to employ because they administer tests annually to different examinee' populations and they disclose all items after each administration. Therefore, the study sought to establish whether the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees holds for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Data were collected through two Computer Studies tests which were administered to a sample of rural and urban examinees. The data were analysed using means, standard deviations, T-tests and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that score distributions and test difficulties were similar across test forms signifying that test score equating is necessary. The classification of examinees into rural and urban geographical areas across the test forms were different before score equating, but similar after score equating. The equating of scores for the two sub-populations of rural and urban examinees displayed similarities in their Standard Error of Equating (SEE) values but they were not the same. The equated scores for rural examinees displayed more equating errors than the equated scores of urban examinees, indicating a better performance in Computer Studies by urban examinees than the performance of rural examinees. The study further revealed that equating of test scores was necessary because it was almost impossible to construct multiple forms of a test that were completely parallel. Even though test developers use the same test specifications to develop test items and make every effort to develop items in one test form as similar as possible to the items in another test form, the study has shown that there is no guarantee that the difficulty levels of the items would be the same. Among the many recommendations made, one major one is that the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) should embrace the practice of equating test scores to improve fairness of decisions which are made on examination results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Examining factors influencing the academic performance of grade 12 learners in English language : a study of four schools in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia
- Authors: Limene, Tobias
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Nambia Language and education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9566 , vital:34792
- Description: This study examined factors that influence the academic performance of Grade 12 learners in English Language (L 2) in the Oshikoto Region. The theoretical framework that underpinned and guided the present study was the Systems Theory of von Bertalanffy (1930), supplemented and complemented by the School Context Model of Bascia (2014). These helped me to understand how the school context shapes core processes of teaching and learning. The study sample consisted of four principals, eight parents, eight teachers and thirty two learners who were purposively sampled from four selected secondary schools. The study was anchored in the pragmatic paradigm and it adopted the mixed methods research approach. Data collection instruments consisted of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Major findings were that, both Grade 12 English Language (L 2) teachers and learners lack English Language proficiency. This was due to lack of exposure to the English Language. The study also noted lack of learning materials in both school and the home. Major recommendations were that schools (principals) should expose both teachers and learners to English Language by coming up with policies that make it mandatory for teachers and learners to use English while at school. Teachers should also actively involve learners in their learning by using methods such as debates and drama. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Education, schools and parents work together to provide adequate reading materials for learners. For future research, the study recommended an in-depth qualitative study to test the findings of the present study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Limene, Tobias
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Nambia Language and education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9566 , vital:34792
- Description: This study examined factors that influence the academic performance of Grade 12 learners in English Language (L 2) in the Oshikoto Region. The theoretical framework that underpinned and guided the present study was the Systems Theory of von Bertalanffy (1930), supplemented and complemented by the School Context Model of Bascia (2014). These helped me to understand how the school context shapes core processes of teaching and learning. The study sample consisted of four principals, eight parents, eight teachers and thirty two learners who were purposively sampled from four selected secondary schools. The study was anchored in the pragmatic paradigm and it adopted the mixed methods research approach. Data collection instruments consisted of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Major findings were that, both Grade 12 English Language (L 2) teachers and learners lack English Language proficiency. This was due to lack of exposure to the English Language. The study also noted lack of learning materials in both school and the home. Major recommendations were that schools (principals) should expose both teachers and learners to English Language by coming up with policies that make it mandatory for teachers and learners to use English while at school. Teachers should also actively involve learners in their learning by using methods such as debates and drama. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Education, schools and parents work together to provide adequate reading materials for learners. For future research, the study recommended an in-depth qualitative study to test the findings of the present study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Examining the long-run equilibrium between South African and United States markets
- Authors: Meyiwa, Zenande Mandilakhe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Equilibrium (Economics) -- Mathematical models , Economics -- Mathematical models Macroeconomic studies Stock exchanges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22692 , vital:30058
- Description: The objective of this study is to examine the long-run equilibrium between the markets of South Africa and the United States of America (USA). To achieve this, the study reviews theoretical literature that examines the link between stock market returns, the real effective exchange rate and interest rates. Furthermore, the study provides a review of previous empirical literature. In addition, the study estimates a number of time series econometric techniques to examine the equilibrium between the four variables. The study estimates: The Johansen co-integration test, the Granger causality test in the VAR system; the Impulse Response Function, as well as the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition. The period under review is January 1996 to January 2016. The Granger Causality test revealed that there is a one-way causality from interest rates to the JSE ALSI (South African stock exchange) and the Russell 3000 index (USA stock market indicator), and a unidirectional causality that runs from the Russell 3000 to the real effective exchange rate. Furthermore, the study found that the real effective exchange rate Granger causes interest rates. The results for the Generalised Impulse Response Function and the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition underscore the findings of the Granger Causality test. In addition, the Generalised Impulse Response Function and the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition revealed that each variable experiences a very large response from its own shock. Since interest rates have an influence on stock market returns, the study recommended that companies listed on the JSE should develop appropriate debt management policies that will ensure cash flows are not affected when interest rates rise. The Rand/US Dollar exchange rate and US Stock market movements do not have a material effect on the JSE ALSI performance, therefore, the study recommended that the JSE can be marketed to international investors as a relatively safe market for international portfolio diversification. Lastly, South African businesses, along with local and international investors, should constantly monitor developments on the real effective exchange rate since they have an effect on interest rates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Meyiwa, Zenande Mandilakhe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Equilibrium (Economics) -- Mathematical models , Economics -- Mathematical models Macroeconomic studies Stock exchanges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22692 , vital:30058
- Description: The objective of this study is to examine the long-run equilibrium between the markets of South Africa and the United States of America (USA). To achieve this, the study reviews theoretical literature that examines the link between stock market returns, the real effective exchange rate and interest rates. Furthermore, the study provides a review of previous empirical literature. In addition, the study estimates a number of time series econometric techniques to examine the equilibrium between the four variables. The study estimates: The Johansen co-integration test, the Granger causality test in the VAR system; the Impulse Response Function, as well as the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition. The period under review is January 1996 to January 2016. The Granger Causality test revealed that there is a one-way causality from interest rates to the JSE ALSI (South African stock exchange) and the Russell 3000 index (USA stock market indicator), and a unidirectional causality that runs from the Russell 3000 to the real effective exchange rate. Furthermore, the study found that the real effective exchange rate Granger causes interest rates. The results for the Generalised Impulse Response Function and the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition underscore the findings of the Granger Causality test. In addition, the Generalised Impulse Response Function and the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition revealed that each variable experiences a very large response from its own shock. Since interest rates have an influence on stock market returns, the study recommended that companies listed on the JSE should develop appropriate debt management policies that will ensure cash flows are not affected when interest rates rise. The Rand/US Dollar exchange rate and US Stock market movements do not have a material effect on the JSE ALSI performance, therefore, the study recommended that the JSE can be marketed to international investors as a relatively safe market for international portfolio diversification. Lastly, South African businesses, along with local and international investors, should constantly monitor developments on the real effective exchange rate since they have an effect on interest rates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Expanding the SAR of Nontoxic Antiplasmodial Indolyl-3-ethanone Ethers and Thioethers:
- Lunga, Mayibongwe J, Chisango, Ruramai L, Weyers, Carli, Isaacs, Michelle, Taylor, Dale, Edkins, Adrienne L, Khanye, Setshaba D, Hoppe, Heinrich C, Veale, Clinton G L
- Authors: Lunga, Mayibongwe J , Chisango, Ruramai L , Weyers, Carli , Isaacs, Michelle , Taylor, Dale , Edkins, Adrienne L , Khanye, Setshaba D , Hoppe, Heinrich C , Veale, Clinton G L
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164389 , vital:41114 , DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800235
- Description: Despite major strides in reducing Plasmodium falciparum infections, this parasite still accounts for roughly half a million annual deaths. This problem is compounded by the decreased efficacy of artemisinin combination therapies. Therefore, the development and optimisation of novel antimalarial chemotypes is critical. In this study, we describe our strategic approach to optimise a class of previously reported antimalarials, resulting in the discovery of 1-(5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-[(4-cyanophenyl)thio]ethanone (13) and 1-(5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]ethanone (14), whose activity was equipotent to that of chloroquine against the P. falciparum 3D7 strain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Lunga, Mayibongwe J , Chisango, Ruramai L , Weyers, Carli , Isaacs, Michelle , Taylor, Dale , Edkins, Adrienne L , Khanye, Setshaba D , Hoppe, Heinrich C , Veale, Clinton G L
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164389 , vital:41114 , DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800235
- Description: Despite major strides in reducing Plasmodium falciparum infections, this parasite still accounts for roughly half a million annual deaths. This problem is compounded by the decreased efficacy of artemisinin combination therapies. Therefore, the development and optimisation of novel antimalarial chemotypes is critical. In this study, we describe our strategic approach to optimise a class of previously reported antimalarials, resulting in the discovery of 1-(5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-[(4-cyanophenyl)thio]ethanone (13) and 1-(5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]ethanone (14), whose activity was equipotent to that of chloroquine against the P. falciparum 3D7 strain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Experience of abuse: why wives do not leave
- Authors: Makhananda, Phakama
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Abused wives -- South Africa , Family violence , Abused women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10625 , vital:35645
- Description: The focus of this study is to investigate factors that cause women to remain in abusive relationships. It has also focused on investigating the experience of abuse, the consequences of abuse and the support that women desire during their time of abuse. Domestic violence against women in South Africa and globally has been increasing by the day. In 2017 there has been more than ten reports of women who have been battered by their partners in South Africa and they were reported dead, therefore the aim is to focus on investigating the reasons why women stay in abusive relationships. The research approach for the study was qualitative in nature. The study adopted snowball sampling as the sampling technique for the study and ten women who have left their partners for two years or longer were interviewed. Interviews were conducted at Living Waters Victim Empowerment Centre in East London and the data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The key finding of the study is that financial dependency, culture and children play a major role for women to stay in abusive relationships. All ten participants who were interviewed were aware that they were being abused, however, they used unemployment, children, culture and love for their partners as their reasons for remaining in abusive relationships. The study found that women have been affected physically, emotionally and psychologically by the abuse which has negatively impacted their daily functioning. 4 This study also discovered that if women receive family support during their time of abuse, they will be able to make informed decisions and leave their abusive partners. One of the recommendations of the study is that women should be encouraged to expose the abuse they are enduring through campaigns and workshops. They should also be taught skills that will assist them to escape abusive partners. There is also a need for educational programs that will focus on men and the impact of domestic violence on women and children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Makhananda, Phakama
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Abused wives -- South Africa , Family violence , Abused women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10625 , vital:35645
- Description: The focus of this study is to investigate factors that cause women to remain in abusive relationships. It has also focused on investigating the experience of abuse, the consequences of abuse and the support that women desire during their time of abuse. Domestic violence against women in South Africa and globally has been increasing by the day. In 2017 there has been more than ten reports of women who have been battered by their partners in South Africa and they were reported dead, therefore the aim is to focus on investigating the reasons why women stay in abusive relationships. The research approach for the study was qualitative in nature. The study adopted snowball sampling as the sampling technique for the study and ten women who have left their partners for two years or longer were interviewed. Interviews were conducted at Living Waters Victim Empowerment Centre in East London and the data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The key finding of the study is that financial dependency, culture and children play a major role for women to stay in abusive relationships. All ten participants who were interviewed were aware that they were being abused, however, they used unemployment, children, culture and love for their partners as their reasons for remaining in abusive relationships. The study found that women have been affected physically, emotionally and psychologically by the abuse which has negatively impacted their daily functioning. 4 This study also discovered that if women receive family support during their time of abuse, they will be able to make informed decisions and leave their abusive partners. One of the recommendations of the study is that women should be encouraged to expose the abuse they are enduring through campaigns and workshops. They should also be taught skills that will assist them to escape abusive partners. There is also a need for educational programs that will focus on men and the impact of domestic violence on women and children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Experience-based lessons from males in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth on factors that has protected them from becoming involved in gangsterism
- Authors: Davids, Desira Julie-Anne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Gang prevention -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Youth -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Social conditions , Social work with youth -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21994 , vital:29810
- Description: Limited research exists, both internationally and in the South African context, on factors protecting community members from becoming involved in gangsterism. This phenomenon has been found to be more prevalent in so-called ‘coloured’ communities and predominantly amongst males. Existing research on gangsterism mainly focus on the history and origin of gangsterism, risk factors that cause certain youth to be more vulnerable in becoming involved in gangs, and specific interventions aimed at curbing the phenomenon. The proposed study therefore aimed to explore and describe the experience-based lessons from selected males on factors that have protected them from becoming involved in gangsterism. The study employed a qualitative research approach that was explorative, descriptive and contextual in design. Participants were chosen through a purposive sampling technique and data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The trustworthiness of the research process and the findings was enhanced by employing a variety of data verification strategies. The study utilised the Ecological Systems and Resilience models as theoretical lenses. The study found that the benefits of family support, influence of faith or religion, positive role models and opportunities for furthering one’s education could be cited amongst the factors that protected participants from becoming involved in gangsterism. Amongst the recommendations of the study was lobbying for tertiary education specifically for young boys from previously disadvantaged communities plagued by social ills such as gangsterism, the restoration of disintegrated family units through the assistance of professionals, as well as the restoration and strengthening of the role of spiritual leaders in their involvement in the moral regeneration of communities. It is anticipated that findings of this study will be helpful in understanding the factors that protected males from becoming involved in gangsterism and make recommendations on how these protective factors could be strengthened so as to prevent more males from becoming involved in gangsterism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Davids, Desira Julie-Anne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Gang prevention -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Youth -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Social conditions , Social work with youth -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21994 , vital:29810
- Description: Limited research exists, both internationally and in the South African context, on factors protecting community members from becoming involved in gangsterism. This phenomenon has been found to be more prevalent in so-called ‘coloured’ communities and predominantly amongst males. Existing research on gangsterism mainly focus on the history and origin of gangsterism, risk factors that cause certain youth to be more vulnerable in becoming involved in gangs, and specific interventions aimed at curbing the phenomenon. The proposed study therefore aimed to explore and describe the experience-based lessons from selected males on factors that have protected them from becoming involved in gangsterism. The study employed a qualitative research approach that was explorative, descriptive and contextual in design. Participants were chosen through a purposive sampling technique and data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The trustworthiness of the research process and the findings was enhanced by employing a variety of data verification strategies. The study utilised the Ecological Systems and Resilience models as theoretical lenses. The study found that the benefits of family support, influence of faith or religion, positive role models and opportunities for furthering one’s education could be cited amongst the factors that protected participants from becoming involved in gangsterism. Amongst the recommendations of the study was lobbying for tertiary education specifically for young boys from previously disadvantaged communities plagued by social ills such as gangsterism, the restoration of disintegrated family units through the assistance of professionals, as well as the restoration and strengthening of the role of spiritual leaders in their involvement in the moral regeneration of communities. It is anticipated that findings of this study will be helpful in understanding the factors that protected males from becoming involved in gangsterism and make recommendations on how these protective factors could be strengthened so as to prevent more males from becoming involved in gangsterism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Experiences and mentoring needs of novice nurse educators at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sodidi, Khanyisa Annelice
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nurse educators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape College student development programs Nursing students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23175 , vital:30450
- Description: The nurse educator role is challenging to novice nurse educators and even more so when mentorship is lacking or ineffective. Novice nurse educators who enter the academic world are expected to demonstrate knowledge of both the clinical and classroom environment. Such an expectation creates role strain, stress and frustration. Mentorship has proved to make this entry easier. There appears to be a lack of mentorship for newly-appointed nurse educators in most schools and/or departments of nursing at higher education institutions in South Africa. This phenomenon prompted the researcher to investigate the experiences and mentoring needs of novice nurse educators with the goal of making recommendations on the mentorship of novice nurse educators. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual design and phenomenological approach was used to explore and describe the experiences and mentoring needs of novice nurse educators at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling of nurse educators with less than five years’ experience at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and with no experience, or less than one year’s previous experience as a nurse educator at any other nursing education institution (NEI) was used. Data was collected using face-to-face, semi-structured individual interviews and unstructured observations. Sixteen in-depth, semistructured interviews that were digitally recorded provided saturated data that was then transcribed verbatim. To ensure that the study was trustworthy, the researcher used Guba and Lincoln’s criteria, namely: credibility, confirmability, dependability and transferability. Ethical standards were maintained throughout the study as the researcher complied with the ethical principles: respect for persons, beneficence and justice. Tesch’s method of thematic analysis was used by the researcher and the independent coder to analyse data and to draw meaning from the content. The five themes that emerged from the data were: novice nurse educators experience challenges related to theoretical mentoring; novice nurse educators experience challenges related to clinical mentoring; novice nurse educators experience a lack of orientation; novice nurse educators experience a lack of resources and novice nurse educators provide recommendations in order to optimise the experience and performance of the novice nurse educators in their first year of teaching at a nursing college. The results of the study reveal that novice nurse educators have reservations about their experiences. Their insights on how their mentoring needs could have been realized were incorporated into recommendations for the mentoring of novice nurse educators. These recommendations can be adopted at local, provincial, and national levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sodidi, Khanyisa Annelice
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nurse educators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape College student development programs Nursing students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23175 , vital:30450
- Description: The nurse educator role is challenging to novice nurse educators and even more so when mentorship is lacking or ineffective. Novice nurse educators who enter the academic world are expected to demonstrate knowledge of both the clinical and classroom environment. Such an expectation creates role strain, stress and frustration. Mentorship has proved to make this entry easier. There appears to be a lack of mentorship for newly-appointed nurse educators in most schools and/or departments of nursing at higher education institutions in South Africa. This phenomenon prompted the researcher to investigate the experiences and mentoring needs of novice nurse educators with the goal of making recommendations on the mentorship of novice nurse educators. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual design and phenomenological approach was used to explore and describe the experiences and mentoring needs of novice nurse educators at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling of nurse educators with less than five years’ experience at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and with no experience, or less than one year’s previous experience as a nurse educator at any other nursing education institution (NEI) was used. Data was collected using face-to-face, semi-structured individual interviews and unstructured observations. Sixteen in-depth, semistructured interviews that were digitally recorded provided saturated data that was then transcribed verbatim. To ensure that the study was trustworthy, the researcher used Guba and Lincoln’s criteria, namely: credibility, confirmability, dependability and transferability. Ethical standards were maintained throughout the study as the researcher complied with the ethical principles: respect for persons, beneficence and justice. Tesch’s method of thematic analysis was used by the researcher and the independent coder to analyse data and to draw meaning from the content. The five themes that emerged from the data were: novice nurse educators experience challenges related to theoretical mentoring; novice nurse educators experience challenges related to clinical mentoring; novice nurse educators experience a lack of orientation; novice nurse educators experience a lack of resources and novice nurse educators provide recommendations in order to optimise the experience and performance of the novice nurse educators in their first year of teaching at a nursing college. The results of the study reveal that novice nurse educators have reservations about their experiences. Their insights on how their mentoring needs could have been realized were incorporated into recommendations for the mentoring of novice nurse educators. These recommendations can be adopted at local, provincial, and national levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Experiences of mothers attending well-baby clinics in the Buffalo City Metro Health District regarding exclusive breastfeeding
- Authors: Joseph, Valerie Jennifer
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Infants -- Nutrition Mothers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30517 , vital:30956
- Description: The researcher observed that exclusive breastfeeding amongst women for the first six months of a baby’s life is very low. The researcher therefore undertook this study to explore and describe the experiences of mothers attending well babies clinics in the Buffalo City Metro Health District regarding exclusive breastfeeding. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to conduct this research. The research population included mothers that visited the postnatal clinics and were exclusively breastfeeding their babies for the six weeks and more. Purposive sampling was used to select the research participants. The data was collected using in-depth one-on-one interviews and all interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. The data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of the text and data. A pilot study was conducted before undertaking the actual research using the same methods and design as those in the main study. Strategies were implemented throughout the study to ensure trustworthiness and adherence to ethical principles. Three themes and fourteen sub-themes emerged from the data analysis. The three main themes that emerged highlighted challenges experienced by mothers who exclusively breastfeed their babies as well as the positive experiences that they experienced. The participants also made some suggestions with regard to how exclusive breastfeeding could be enhanced among mothers who have babies. Based on the research findings, several recommendations were made, including the involvement of the private sector and Non-Profit organizations in order to improve the exclusive breastfeeding rate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Joseph, Valerie Jennifer
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Infants -- Nutrition Mothers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30517 , vital:30956
- Description: The researcher observed that exclusive breastfeeding amongst women for the first six months of a baby’s life is very low. The researcher therefore undertook this study to explore and describe the experiences of mothers attending well babies clinics in the Buffalo City Metro Health District regarding exclusive breastfeeding. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to conduct this research. The research population included mothers that visited the postnatal clinics and were exclusively breastfeeding their babies for the six weeks and more. Purposive sampling was used to select the research participants. The data was collected using in-depth one-on-one interviews and all interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. The data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of the text and data. A pilot study was conducted before undertaking the actual research using the same methods and design as those in the main study. Strategies were implemented throughout the study to ensure trustworthiness and adherence to ethical principles. Three themes and fourteen sub-themes emerged from the data analysis. The three main themes that emerged highlighted challenges experienced by mothers who exclusively breastfeed their babies as well as the positive experiences that they experienced. The participants also made some suggestions with regard to how exclusive breastfeeding could be enhanced among mothers who have babies. Based on the research findings, several recommendations were made, including the involvement of the private sector and Non-Profit organizations in order to improve the exclusive breastfeeding rate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Experiences of police officers interacting with mentally ill persons in a rural town in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mjali, Ntombekhaya Mildred
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- Care , Mentally ill offenders -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Offenses against the person -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mentally ill -- Commitment and detention -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32120 , vital:31964
- Description: The researcher worked as a psychiatric nurse in a psychiatric hospitalin Chris Hani District Municipality and observed when police officers brought mentally ill persons for admission. The mentally ill persons were dealt with harshly and in a degrading manner which raised concerns. It would seem as if police officers did not take into consideration that they were dealing with innocent individuals who were mentally ill. Therefore the researcher sought to explore how police officers experienced interacting with mentally ill persons during their everyday duties. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of police officers interacting with mentally ill persons in a rural town in the Chris Hani District Municipality. The study utilised a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The research population consisted of police officers working in a Community Service Centre in a rural town who regularly came into contact with mentally ill persons in the course of their duties. Purposive sampling was utilised to select participants.Data was collected by doing in-depth, semi-structured interviews with an interview guide until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s method of content analysis. Three themes with subthemes were identified and described. A literature control was done to compare the findings with current literature. Trustworthiness was ensured using Guba’s Model of trustworthiness. A high ethical standard was ensured throughout the research process. Police officers had regular contact with the mentally ill, usually when they were called out to a community venue where they had to intervene between an aggressive mentally ill person and the community. This gave them a skewed view of mental illness which they always associated with aggression. Police officers found it difficult to communicate with both the mentally ill person and his/her family. They stated that they did not know how to manage aggressive individuals who were not criminals. Police officers also related that they themselves felt vulnerable, they became very angry with the families and the mentally ill persons and feared that they will be harmed. They also expressed empathy with mentally ill persons. Recommendations were made that police officers should be trained on what their responsibilities were related to the mentally ill person they encounter. To equip them better to deal with the mentally ill, they should also receive training in effective communication and the management of aggression.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mjali, Ntombekhaya Mildred
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- Care , Mentally ill offenders -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Offenses against the person -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mentally ill -- Commitment and detention -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32120 , vital:31964
- Description: The researcher worked as a psychiatric nurse in a psychiatric hospitalin Chris Hani District Municipality and observed when police officers brought mentally ill persons for admission. The mentally ill persons were dealt with harshly and in a degrading manner which raised concerns. It would seem as if police officers did not take into consideration that they were dealing with innocent individuals who were mentally ill. Therefore the researcher sought to explore how police officers experienced interacting with mentally ill persons during their everyday duties. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of police officers interacting with mentally ill persons in a rural town in the Chris Hani District Municipality. The study utilised a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The research population consisted of police officers working in a Community Service Centre in a rural town who regularly came into contact with mentally ill persons in the course of their duties. Purposive sampling was utilised to select participants.Data was collected by doing in-depth, semi-structured interviews with an interview guide until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s method of content analysis. Three themes with subthemes were identified and described. A literature control was done to compare the findings with current literature. Trustworthiness was ensured using Guba’s Model of trustworthiness. A high ethical standard was ensured throughout the research process. Police officers had regular contact with the mentally ill, usually when they were called out to a community venue where they had to intervene between an aggressive mentally ill person and the community. This gave them a skewed view of mental illness which they always associated with aggression. Police officers found it difficult to communicate with both the mentally ill person and his/her family. They stated that they did not know how to manage aggressive individuals who were not criminals. Police officers also related that they themselves felt vulnerable, they became very angry with the families and the mentally ill persons and feared that they will be harmed. They also expressed empathy with mentally ill persons. Recommendations were made that police officers should be trained on what their responsibilities were related to the mentally ill person they encounter. To equip them better to deal with the mentally ill, they should also receive training in effective communication and the management of aggression.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploration and design of a synchronous message passing framework for a CPU-NPU heterogeneous architecture
- Pennefather, Sean, Bradshaw, Karen L, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Bradshaw, Karen L , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429537 , vital:72620 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8425384
- Description: In this paper we present the development of a framework for communication between an NPU (network processing unit) and CPU through synchronous message passing that is compliant with the synchronous communication events of the CSP formalisms. This framework is designed to be used for passing generic information between application components operating on both architectures and is intended to operate in conjunction with existing datapaths present on the NPU which in turn are responsible for network traffic transmission. An investigation of different message passing topologies is covered before the proposed message passing fabric is presented. As a proof of concept, an initial implementation of the fabric is developed and tested to determine its viability and correctness. Through testing it is shown that the implemented framework operates as intended. However, it is noted the throughput of the exploratory implementation is not considered suitable for high-performance applications and further evaluation is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Bradshaw, Karen L , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429537 , vital:72620 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8425384
- Description: In this paper we present the development of a framework for communication between an NPU (network processing unit) and CPU through synchronous message passing that is compliant with the synchronous communication events of the CSP formalisms. This framework is designed to be used for passing generic information between application components operating on both architectures and is intended to operate in conjunction with existing datapaths present on the NPU which in turn are responsible for network traffic transmission. An investigation of different message passing topologies is covered before the proposed message passing fabric is presented. As a proof of concept, an initial implementation of the fabric is developed and tested to determine its viability and correctness. Through testing it is shown that the implemented framework operates as intended. However, it is noted the throughput of the exploratory implementation is not considered suitable for high-performance applications and further evaluation is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploration of breastfeeding mothers’ knowledge and attitudes toward human milk donation in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Madlingozi, Nompumelelo Sibusisiwe
- Authors: Madlingozi, Nompumelelo Sibusisiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Breast milk , Breastfeeding promotion Breastfeeding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31510 , vital:31499
- Description: The beneficial effects of breastfeeding for mothers and babies are well recognized. When maternal breast milk is not available in sufficient quantity, an alternative source of nutrition is donated breast milk, particularly for ill preterm and other high-risk infants. Therefore, it was important to explore the breastfeeding mothers’ knowledge as well as their attitudes toward human milk donation and the possibilities of enhancing it. The objectives of this study were to: • To explore and describe the breastfeeding mothers’ knowledge as well as their attitudes toward human milk donation in Nelson Mandela Bay. • To make recommendations to operational/unit managers and midwives, based on the findings of the study, in order to enhance and promote human milk bank donation in Nelson Mandela Bay. The study was conducted between November 2016 and January 2017, using a quantitative approach with an explorative, descriptive, and contextual design after obtaining the necessary approval from the university and relevant authorities. The research population consisted of breastfeeding mothers who were in maternity units in either a public or a private hospital in Nelson Mandela Bay. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from conveniently sampled participants by using set inclusion and exclusion criteria after obtaining the necessary informed consent. Data was captured by the researcher on a Microsoft Excel spread sheet and was reduced and analysed with the help of a statistician who used a software package called IBM SPSS Statistics 24 to ensure the efficacy of the results. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed and 104 were returned, meaning that a response rate of 87% was achieved. From the research findings it was found that breastfeeding mothers in Nelson Mandela Bay do not know about human milk banking and donation. Breastfeeding mothers acknowledged the fact that they lacked information about human milk banking and donation. Furthermore, there are safety concerns regarding donated breast milk and all the breastfeeding mothers that were part of the study, had never used milk bank services. Based on these findings, recommendations for the incorporation of v breastfeeding and human milk bank services were made. Further recommendations were made on the inclusion of human milk services in the health education that is given during antenatal and postnatal care. The researcher used a literature control to ensure the validity and integrity of the study. Further, the quality of the study was maintained by observing the principles of reliability and validity. Ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report by adopting the principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Madlingozi, Nompumelelo Sibusisiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Breast milk , Breastfeeding promotion Breastfeeding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31510 , vital:31499
- Description: The beneficial effects of breastfeeding for mothers and babies are well recognized. When maternal breast milk is not available in sufficient quantity, an alternative source of nutrition is donated breast milk, particularly for ill preterm and other high-risk infants. Therefore, it was important to explore the breastfeeding mothers’ knowledge as well as their attitudes toward human milk donation and the possibilities of enhancing it. The objectives of this study were to: • To explore and describe the breastfeeding mothers’ knowledge as well as their attitudes toward human milk donation in Nelson Mandela Bay. • To make recommendations to operational/unit managers and midwives, based on the findings of the study, in order to enhance and promote human milk bank donation in Nelson Mandela Bay. The study was conducted between November 2016 and January 2017, using a quantitative approach with an explorative, descriptive, and contextual design after obtaining the necessary approval from the university and relevant authorities. The research population consisted of breastfeeding mothers who were in maternity units in either a public or a private hospital in Nelson Mandela Bay. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from conveniently sampled participants by using set inclusion and exclusion criteria after obtaining the necessary informed consent. Data was captured by the researcher on a Microsoft Excel spread sheet and was reduced and analysed with the help of a statistician who used a software package called IBM SPSS Statistics 24 to ensure the efficacy of the results. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed and 104 were returned, meaning that a response rate of 87% was achieved. From the research findings it was found that breastfeeding mothers in Nelson Mandela Bay do not know about human milk banking and donation. Breastfeeding mothers acknowledged the fact that they lacked information about human milk banking and donation. Furthermore, there are safety concerns regarding donated breast milk and all the breastfeeding mothers that were part of the study, had never used milk bank services. Based on these findings, recommendations for the incorporation of v breastfeeding and human milk bank services were made. Further recommendations were made on the inclusion of human milk services in the health education that is given during antenatal and postnatal care. The researcher used a literature control to ensure the validity and integrity of the study. Further, the quality of the study was maintained by observing the principles of reliability and validity. Ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report by adopting the principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploration potential for copperbelt - style mineralisation in NW Province, Zambia; soil geochemistry as a targeting tool
- Authors: Mwamba, John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- Zambia -- Copperbelt Province , River sediments -- Zambia -- Copperbelt Province , Soils -- Sampling -- Zambia -- Copperbelt Province , Prospecting -- Geophysical methods , Landsat satellites , Lufilian fold belt
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62538 , vital:28204
- Description: The NW Province of Zambia is fast becoming a major significant mining district challenging to usurp the economic importance of the traditional Copperbelt Province that has been mined for nearly a century. With latest developments at Kansanshi, Lumwana and Kalumbila mines exploration efforts in the search for Copperbelt style mineralisation have doubled up in the province in recent months. Traditional methods of stream sediment and soil sampling, geophysics, aerial photo and Landsat imagery interpretations have been employed in exploration targeting campaigns. This thesis asks the question: Can we use the Copperbelt geochemical footprint as a proxy to finding new copper deposits in NW Province? The challenge faced in such studies is that few geochemical datasets for old mines exist and the little that does is proprietary information. In some mines this dataset is entirely nonexistent - at least not in the public domain. Attempting to run orientation geochemical trials on such mines is not feasible at present due to maturity of mining and the levels of contamination of the natural environment that have occurred over several decades of mining. However, in tackling this question few Copperbelt geochemical datasets from Baluba, Nkana, Mimbula, Nchanga, Bwana Mkubwa, Mufulira West and Lufubu North were used. The findings presented in this report are that for Copperbelt style mineralisation Cu/Co, Cu/Ni, Cu/Ag ratios in soil geochemistry data should be in the ranges of 0.25 to 0.48 provided geochemical studies occurred in residual soils. These ratios hold true for sediment hosted copper-cobalt mineralisation hosted at various stratigraphic levels within the Roan Group or in upper levels elsewhere on the Central African Copperbelt. Geochemical dataset for the study areas presented in this report show that the soil geochemistry footprint in the province is not dissimilar to the soil geochemistry footprint of the traditional Copperbelt Province. This means there is great potential for finding Copperbelt style mineralisation in the province and other styles of mineralisation in which copper is associated with cobalt, lead, zinc, nickel, vanadium and molybdenum. The areas of study also possess requisite geological factors that are conducive to hosting Copperbelt style deposits. These factors include: favourable structural traps with similar trends to existing mines in the province, geophysical characteristics comparable to other deposits in the province, right geological package known to host multi-type deposits in the Katangan stratigraphic sequence, and similar geochemical footprints observed on other deposits within the Lufilian fold belt. For this reason, geochemical dataset must not be looked at in isolation but should be treated in considerations with other factors and geological environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mwamba, John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- Zambia -- Copperbelt Province , River sediments -- Zambia -- Copperbelt Province , Soils -- Sampling -- Zambia -- Copperbelt Province , Prospecting -- Geophysical methods , Landsat satellites , Lufilian fold belt
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62538 , vital:28204
- Description: The NW Province of Zambia is fast becoming a major significant mining district challenging to usurp the economic importance of the traditional Copperbelt Province that has been mined for nearly a century. With latest developments at Kansanshi, Lumwana and Kalumbila mines exploration efforts in the search for Copperbelt style mineralisation have doubled up in the province in recent months. Traditional methods of stream sediment and soil sampling, geophysics, aerial photo and Landsat imagery interpretations have been employed in exploration targeting campaigns. This thesis asks the question: Can we use the Copperbelt geochemical footprint as a proxy to finding new copper deposits in NW Province? The challenge faced in such studies is that few geochemical datasets for old mines exist and the little that does is proprietary information. In some mines this dataset is entirely nonexistent - at least not in the public domain. Attempting to run orientation geochemical trials on such mines is not feasible at present due to maturity of mining and the levels of contamination of the natural environment that have occurred over several decades of mining. However, in tackling this question few Copperbelt geochemical datasets from Baluba, Nkana, Mimbula, Nchanga, Bwana Mkubwa, Mufulira West and Lufubu North were used. The findings presented in this report are that for Copperbelt style mineralisation Cu/Co, Cu/Ni, Cu/Ag ratios in soil geochemistry data should be in the ranges of 0.25 to 0.48 provided geochemical studies occurred in residual soils. These ratios hold true for sediment hosted copper-cobalt mineralisation hosted at various stratigraphic levels within the Roan Group or in upper levels elsewhere on the Central African Copperbelt. Geochemical dataset for the study areas presented in this report show that the soil geochemistry footprint in the province is not dissimilar to the soil geochemistry footprint of the traditional Copperbelt Province. This means there is great potential for finding Copperbelt style mineralisation in the province and other styles of mineralisation in which copper is associated with cobalt, lead, zinc, nickel, vanadium and molybdenum. The areas of study also possess requisite geological factors that are conducive to hosting Copperbelt style deposits. These factors include: favourable structural traps with similar trends to existing mines in the province, geophysical characteristics comparable to other deposits in the province, right geological package known to host multi-type deposits in the Katangan stratigraphic sequence, and similar geochemical footprints observed on other deposits within the Lufilian fold belt. For this reason, geochemical dataset must not be looked at in isolation but should be treated in considerations with other factors and geological environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploring an operational strategy for South African electron microscopy facilities
- Authors: Olivier, Ezra Jacobus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electron microscopy , Production management -- South Africa Strategic planning -- South Africa Performance -- Management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34465 , vital:33383
- Description: Electron microscopy is a versatile and widely used technique in the fields of physical and biological sciences. It is a strategic enabling resource needed for innovative science and technology research to occur in the areas of nanotechnology developments. The availability of these resources worldwide are typically seen within dedicated shared electron microscopy research facilities due to the costs and operational support required in acquisition and operation of these instruments. A consequence of this is that these facilities require carefully designed operational management approaches. One of the pertinent questions within the electron microscopy community of South Africa is if electron microscopy core facilities in the country could be judged successful in the execution of their operations. Some concerns related to the skills present at these facilities as well as the management philosophy of these facilities have been raised. This study aims to investigate these factors within an South African context. In the current study, a combination of the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms was used. A survey was conducted amongst South African electron microscopy core facility users to measure their level of satisfaction and needs related to electron microscopy core facilities in South Africa. Furthermore, insights where gathered from experienced managers of electron microscopy core facilities nationally and internationally using a case study based approach. The findings were combined and compared to identify the critical factors needed to optimise the operational approaches of electron microscopy facilities in South Africa and to develop a standardised approach in judging a facility’s performance. The study provided valuable insights as to the level of satisfaction present within the electron microscopy community of South Africa related to the use of electron microscopy core facilities in the country. It also yielded important information regarding the areas where the highest need for improvement lies. The outcome of the study provides a standardized approach to the operations of electron microscopy research facilities in South Africa and their performance evaluation. A possible limitation to the study is the population sample used for the survey. The survey was completed by existing electron microscopy core facility users in South Africa. However, the experiences and needs of less frequent or potential new users of such facilities were not probed. Thus, the developed strategy may lack factors related to growing the field in South Africa if the needs of inexperienced users are not taken into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Olivier, Ezra Jacobus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electron microscopy , Production management -- South Africa Strategic planning -- South Africa Performance -- Management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34465 , vital:33383
- Description: Electron microscopy is a versatile and widely used technique in the fields of physical and biological sciences. It is a strategic enabling resource needed for innovative science and technology research to occur in the areas of nanotechnology developments. The availability of these resources worldwide are typically seen within dedicated shared electron microscopy research facilities due to the costs and operational support required in acquisition and operation of these instruments. A consequence of this is that these facilities require carefully designed operational management approaches. One of the pertinent questions within the electron microscopy community of South Africa is if electron microscopy core facilities in the country could be judged successful in the execution of their operations. Some concerns related to the skills present at these facilities as well as the management philosophy of these facilities have been raised. This study aims to investigate these factors within an South African context. In the current study, a combination of the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms was used. A survey was conducted amongst South African electron microscopy core facility users to measure their level of satisfaction and needs related to electron microscopy core facilities in South Africa. Furthermore, insights where gathered from experienced managers of electron microscopy core facilities nationally and internationally using a case study based approach. The findings were combined and compared to identify the critical factors needed to optimise the operational approaches of electron microscopy facilities in South Africa and to develop a standardised approach in judging a facility’s performance. The study provided valuable insights as to the level of satisfaction present within the electron microscopy community of South Africa related to the use of electron microscopy core facilities in the country. It also yielded important information regarding the areas where the highest need for improvement lies. The outcome of the study provides a standardized approach to the operations of electron microscopy research facilities in South Africa and their performance evaluation. A possible limitation to the study is the population sample used for the survey. The survey was completed by existing electron microscopy core facility users in South Africa. However, the experiences and needs of less frequent or potential new users of such facilities were not probed. Thus, the developed strategy may lack factors related to growing the field in South Africa if the needs of inexperienced users are not taken into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018