Showing items 241 - 260 of 818

Your selections:

Counting of finite fuzzy subsets with applications to fuzzy recognition and selection strategies

  • Authors: Talwanga, Matiki
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Möbius transformations , Fuzzy sets , Functions, Zeta , Partitions (Mathematics)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:5431 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018186
  • Description: The counting of fuzzy subsets of a finite set is of great interest in both practical and theoretical contexts in Mathematics. We have used some counting techniques such as the principle of Inclusion-Exclusion and the Mõbius Inversion to enumerate the fuzzy subsets of a finite set satisfying different conditions. These two techniques are interdependent with the M¨obius inversion generalizing the principle of Inclusion-Exclusion. The enumeration is carried out each time we redefine new conditions on the set. In this study one of our aims is the recognition and identification of fuzzy subsets with same features, characteristics or conditions. To facilitate such a study, we use some ideas such as the Hamming distance, mid-point between two fuzzy subsets and cardinality of fuzzy subsets. Finally we introduce the fuzzy scanner of elements of a finite set. This is used to identify elements and fuzzy subsets of a set. The scanning process of identification and recognition facilitates the choice of entities with specified properties. We develop a procedure of selection under the fuzzy environment. This allows us a framework to resolve conflicting issues in the market place.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Creating a safe learning environment in two schools in the Butterworth District, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Vokozela, Zandile
  • Date: 2015
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Msc (Environmental Studies)
  • Identifier: vital:11881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021297
  • Description: This study focuses on the creation of a safe learning environment at two schools in the Butterworth District of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The two schools are Ndabankulu Senior Secondary School and Butterworth High School. The study is of a comparative design and aims to assist the communities of Ndabankulu Senior Secondary School, and Butterworth High School to improve health, safety and security issues of their children by reducing their exposure to environmental risks while attending school. An ethnographic study was used to collect data and the study employed questionnaires, document analysis and interviews as methods of collecting data. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether the school is still a safe place for learning and teaching to take place without fear and harm so that both learners and teachers can attain growth and development. Physical risks were assessed through observation and document analysis. Interviews were conducted with the senior members of staff while questionnaires were issued to eighty learners and were all returned back for analysis. The content analysis and interpretation yielded findings that suggests that hazards that may harm the development of learners at Ndabankulu S.S.S. and Butterworth High school exist. The study concludes that it is crucial that strategies and necessary interventions be set up and implemented to ensure that all stakeholders perceive school safety as an important aspect, both for the benefit of the school and that of the wider society. The barriers to school safety, specifically to both schools in this study need to be attended to. The study has presented findings that are consistent with those of other studies which emphasized that if barriers to school safety are identified, confronted and tackled, the schools could benefit positively from effects of involving everyone to create a safe learning environment. The conditions under which learners receive education in South Africa have to be closely and constantly monitored by Departmental officials. Teachers and managers need to be trained in their duties so that schools become places where learners are safe and enjoy reaching their future goals.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Critical success factors to improve direct labour productivity

  • Authors: Brown, Conrad Andrew
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Automobile supplies industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa , Success in business -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020101
  • Description: An increase in the global competitiveness has forced manufacturing organisations to re-look their facility from a labour productivity standpoint. Leveraging a manufacturing operation into a competitive avantage must at all times support the organisation’s objective. It is therefore critical that the operation reviews its strategy so that it fulfils the ever changing needs in the market. Purpose – The main objective of this research is to identify the critical success factors to improve direct labour efficiency within Johnson Controls Automotive South Africa (Pty) Ltd (JCI). Design/methodology/approach – A combination of a comprehensive literature review and visits to the Uitenhage plant and head office were employed in the study. JCI practices were observed to highlight the level of direct labour productivity. This was followed by interviewing relevant and key personel who had an involvement in achieving direct labour productivity in the plant. A questionnaire-based research approach was adopted for this purpose and a total of 83 valid survey responses were received from staff in the Uitenhage plant, together with head office staff who directly supported the plant. The questionnaire was designed to identify and test perceptions of employees, regarding the factors of production, identified as sub variables. The research aim was to determine the most practical and effective strategies to improve direct labour productivity. Results were analysed and interpreted after which recommendations were formulated. Findings – Several critical success factors identified as sub variables were tested to understand their impact on direct labour productivity. Empirical results showed that organisational culture, leadership culture, employee engagement, communication and skills, development and training, had a significant effect on direct labour productivity. Respective ratings of these elements were discussed with the focus of improving this going forward. Research limitations/implications – Continued scepticim within JCI about the benefits of direct labour productivity to their business is one of the fundamental limitations this research faces. Originality/value – The novelty of the research project stems from the realization of key factors contributing to the improvement of direct labour productivity within the JCI enviroment. The results would provide JCI with indicators and guidelines for a successful implementation of direct labour productivity initiatives in the Uitenhage plant.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Cyberbullying and adolescents' self-esteem

  • Authors: Van Rensburg, Philip
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Cyberbullying , Self-esteem in adolescence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4343 , vital:20587
  • Description: Cyberbullying can be defined as the wilful and repeated harm inflicted upon others through the medium of electronic text (Patchin, 2002). Typically, cyberbullying involves sending harassing or threatening e-mails and instant messages, posting derogatory comments of someone on a website, or physically threatening or intimidating someone online. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between adolescents’ experience with cyberbullying and their level of self-esteem. There is a considerable amount of support, which has been accrued over the years, alluding to the fact that incidents involving bullying have damaging consequences upon adolescent development. One such correlation that has earned a considerable amount of interest is the consequence of bullying on selfesteem. Self-esteem can be defined as a favourable or unfavourable attitude toward the self. The current research study employed an exploratory, descriptive quantitative research design. Quantitative research focuses on using empirical data with findings based on certainty. Results are accumulated through formal measurements using prearranged instruments and analysed through the use of statistical measures. Research consisted of the completion of a biographical questionnaire which provided data on the demographics of the sample. The cyber bully/victim questionnaire provided information about the prevalence of cyberbullying behaviours among the participants. James Battle’s Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory was utilised to measure the construct of self-esteem. Participants were selected by means of non-probability sampling and comprised of a sample of grade seven learners enrolled at a primary school in George, Western Cape. Quantitativedata, obtained from the self-report questionnaires, were analysed through the use of descriptive statistics, ANOVA statistics and a Pearson R correlation coefficient. One key finding revealed that over fifty percent (51.40%) of the grade 7 participants had been involved in cyberbullying behaviours. No significant relationship was found to exist between cyberbullying and selfesteem in the grade 7 sample. Self-esteem scores did not vary significantly among the cyberbullies, cybervictims, cyberbully-victims and bystanders in the sample.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Data modelling techniques to improve student's admission criteria

  • Authors: Hutton, David
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Database management Database design
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11036 , vital:26879
  • Description: Education is commonly seen as an escape from poverty and a critical path to securing a better standard of living. This is especially relevant in the South African context, where the need is so great that in one instance people were trampled to death at the gates of a higher educational institution, whilst attempting to register for this opportunity. The root cause of this great need is a limited capacity and a demand, which outstrips the supply. This is not a problem specific to South Africa. It is however exaggerated in the South African context due to the country's lack of infrastructure and the opening of facilities to all people. Tertiary educational institutions are faced with ever-increasing applications for a limited number of available positions. This study focuses on a dataset from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology - with the aim of establishing guidelines for the use of data modelling techniques to improve student admissions criteria. The importance of data preprocessing was highlighted and generalized linear regression, decision trees and neural networks were proposed and motivated for modelling. Experimentation was carried out, resulting in a number of recommended guidelines focusing on the tremendous value of feature engineering coupled with the use of generalized linear regression as a base line. Adding multiple models was highly recommended; since it allows for greater opportunities for added insight.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Dear space dad and other stories

Decision making for investment in residential real estate

  • Authors: James, Matthew Gary Robert
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Real estate investment -- Decision making Investment analysis
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10868 , vital:26831
  • Description: Investment in residential real estate involves almost all members of the public at some stage of their lives, whether this be one's first home or the purchasing of one‟s first investment property. Understanding how to maximise the return on one's investment is something that can benefit the investor from before the investment is made until after the property has been sold, if it is sold at all. Literature surveys have concluded that there are a number of variables to consider when maximising the return on investment. As residential real estate is not a perfect science, there are guidelines and routes that are more beneficial to the investor depending on the current market, environment and economic standing. A survey was undertaken by members of the public that are involved in residential real estate investment, relative to the maximisation of the return on investment in residential real estate. The salient findings include: Investors in residential real estate spend more than average to extensive time prior, to investment researching the chosen residential real estate property; Investors in residential real estate perform a feasibility study before committing to the development whereas; Investors in residential real estate make use of financial advisors/valuers/estate agents or other investors' knowledge bases in deciding whether to invest in a residential property development; Investors in residential real estate believe that their degree of knowledge about the residential property market and residential property investments are average to very high. Investors in residential real estate somewhat agree that residential real estate investors do not effectively manage their investments. It was recommended that investors make use of help and guidance when investing in residential real estate, perform a feasibility study and ensure that they know their market before investing in a project. It was also noted that location plays a large role when deciding on an investment opportunity worth investing into. By creating awareness and ensuring that all methods and guidelines have been used to maximise the returns that their proposed residential real estate investment, investors can ensure a stronger, healthier cash flow and reap the highest possible benefits from their residential real estate portfolio.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Deconstructing Disney's diva: a feminist psychoanalytic critique of the singing princess

  • Authors: Potgieter, Liske
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Music -- Semiotics , Disney characters , Feminist music
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3379 , vital:20427
  • Description: This study contributes to the discourse of the body and the voice in feminist psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic film theory by exploring the currently under-theorised notion of the singing body in particular, as this notion finds manifestation in Disney's Singing Princess. Analyses of musical coding and other filmic tropes follow the trajectory of the Singing Princess across thirteen Disney Princess films - from her first appearance in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) through to her most recent manifestation as Elsa in Frozen (2013) - to reveal deeper insight into what she sings, how she sings and why she sings.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 2015

Defect-related photoluminescence of zinc oxide nanorods

  • Authors: Mbulanga, Crispin Munyelele
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Photoluminescence Zinc oxide
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10318 , vital:26652
  • Description: In this dissertation, Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown by a two-step chemical bath deposition method on Si substrate is characterized. Research was conducted on ZnO nanorods for the understanding of their optical properties at room temperature (RT), with the emphasis on the visible luminescence. To this end, controlled thermal treatments of as-grown ZnO nanorods were conducted under different conditions, such as annealing time and environment, at atmospheric pressure. Results related to the following studies are reported: an investigation of the structure of ZnO nanorods, an analysis of the chemical composition of the surface, an investigation of the surface stoichiometry of the rods, and a study of defect-related photoluminescence of ZnO nanorods upon thermal treatment in different ambients.To achieve this, the samples were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and room temperature (RT) photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL). As-grown ZnO nanorods exhibit a hexagonal shape and have the wurtzite structure; they have, respectively, an average length and diameter of ~900 nm and ~50 nm, and most of the rods are perpendicular to the substrate. The main extrinsic species found in as-grown nanostructures are C, H, F, S, and Cl. ToF-SIMS and XPS confirmed the presence of H related-defects, and the oxygen 1 S XPS peak at 531.5 eV is therefore assigned to oxygen bound to H-related defects. Based on stoichiometry studies, it is found that the near surface regions of as-grown ZnO nanorods (2 to 10 monolayers) are rich in Zn. The RT luminescence of as-grown ZnO nanorods exhibits a near band edge emission centered at ~379.5 nm and deep level emission extending from ~450 nm to ~850 nm. When these nanorods are thermally treated at high temperatures (>850 oC), it is found that even though their crystalline quality is preserved, their morphology is significantly affected, regardless of annealing ambient. Furthermore, in the near surface regions of annealed ZnO nanorods it is found that the Zn/O stoichiometric ratios deviate from unity. Specifically, oxygen vacancies form within the first 100 nm from the sample surface. Further from the surface, the material is deficient in Zn. It is deduced from XPS and AES that the ambient affects the activation rate of intrinsic defects. Furthermore, the only extrinsic defects that are affected by thermal treatment are found to be H-related defects. At high annealing temperatures (300 oC to ~700 oC), H-related defects are removed, and this removal process is found to affect significantly the RT luminescence properties of ZnO nanorods. Specifically, hydrogen passivates vacancy-related defects, depending on the thermal treatment. PL spectroscopy is used to follow this passivation effect as a function of annealing temperature, which causes an initial quenching followed by an enhancement of the green and the red luminescence, regardless of the ambient. Finally, the green luminescence that arises following annealing above ~800 oC is assigned to Zn vacancy-related defects, while the red luminescence that dominates the visible band of ZnO nanorods upon annealing between 400 oC and 600 oC is suggested to be due to oxygen vacancy-related defects.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Demand driven rural agricultural development in South Africa: the case of the agricultural sustainable community investment programme

  • Authors: Troosters, Wim
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa , Farms, Small -- South Africa , Farmers -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:10739 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021149
  • Description: Food security is high on the development agenda in South Africa. A wide range of agricultural interventions exist across the country initiated by various stakeholders at different levels of society. While many interventions focus on production related constraints of food security, there are far fewer that focus on the integration of smallholder farmers in the supply chain. The research subject is the Agricultural Sustainable Community Investment Project (Agri-SCIP), operating on the south coast of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. As a demand driven alternative market model, the focus of the project is on the integration of local smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply chain. The main research question is whether the participation of smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply actually has actually improved for participants of the test case. Existing barriers to entry for smallholder farmers are mitigated in the project. Through a literature review five critical factors for market participation by smallholder farmers are identified, namely transport and distance to markets, product quality, product quantity, the buyer-seller relationship and market information. A literature review and empirical data are applied to test the impact of the Agri-SCIP project on the participation of smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply chain based on these five critical factors. The data indicate that many of the existing barriers to entry in the fresh produce supply chain for the smallholder farmers are mitigated, and have been shifted to a collectively owned co-operative. Therefore, as an alternative market model, Agri-SCIP has the potential to provide a sustainable solution for smallholder development in South Africa with a strong focus on supply chain participation. The development of a strong smallholder farmers base and the development of smallholder farmers into semi-commercial farmers are potential long term results of the Agri-SCIP alternative market model.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Design and development of a multi-axis controlled thermal scanner

  • Authors: Ikho, Bambiso
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Temperature measurements Heat -- Transmission -- Measurement , Heat -- Transmission
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50066 , vital:41998
  • Description: Surface temperature measurement is applicable to a vast number of fields including manufacturing, processing, agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical fields just to name a few. Two methods for obtaining surface temperature measurements exist; ‘surface contact measurement’ in which the measuring device makes physical contact with the surface in question or alternatively, ‘non-contact surface measurement’ where there is no contact at all. Both of these methods have got advantages, as well as disadvantages. However, in recent times, non-contact methods have been preferred since they are non-intrusive and allow for remote measurements to be made. In this research, a non-contact mobile temperature measurement system is developed. The system is microcontroller-based and uses infrared sensors to acquire temperature measurements. The infrared sensors are mounted on a three-axes, x-y-z coordinate system which allows a thermal profile of a particular surface to be generated and displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in real-time. Various tests were carried out to compare contact and non-contact measurement methods; to determine the most suitable operating height for accurate non-contact measurement given a specific surface and to investigate the benefit of single and/ or multiple sensor arrangements. The research showed that a non-contact thermal scanning system could be used to obtain detailed yet accurate surface temperature measurements following an initial sensor calibration phase to determine the most favourable scanning parameters for a particular surface. The measurements taken could then be used to generate a thermal map of a surface with a significant improvement in resolution as compared with measurements taken using contact devices. The research further showed that a multiple sensor arrangement significantly reduced the time taken to generate the thermal profiles without undermining accuracy.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Design of a low-cost autonomous guided cart for material handling

  • Authors: Cawood, Gareth James
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Automobiles -- Design and construction , Automobiles -- Automatic control , Vehicles -- Automatic control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering
  • Identifier: vital:9655
  • Description: This dissertation covers the design and manufacture of an autonomous guided cart (AGC) for use in the material handling industry. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) requires a low-cost AGC for use in their Struandale plant. A budget of R35 000 per unit was proposed. The researcher, in collaboration with staff at GM, compiled a list of engineering requirements for the AGC. After research into the unique problems of the project, an examination of a previous design attempt by staff of GM Thailand, the researcher developed a new design, the subject of this report. Different solutions for each design problem were investigated before the design was finalised. A three-wheeled vehicle was designed making use of two motors in a differential-drive setup to control motion. Navigation is via a line-following mechanism, using an induction sensor-array in conjunction with a pre-laid metallic strip. To aid the design, the system was modelled to understand the different control elements at play. The researcher developed software for several aspects of the design: for the PLC controlling the system and motors; for a microcontroller that communicates with the PLC and a wireless module; for a computer server that communicates with a second wireless device, receiving information from the PLC; and a web interface to view this information. These form the SCADA integration of the project. The final product meets the GMSA specifications. It is a robot capable of towing a trolley of mass not exceeding 350 kg. While the robot is able to navigate a pre-laid route, it cannot reliably stop at marked locations. It is possible to monitor the system via a web-interface. The robot is capable of operating for an entire 8-hour shift before the batteries need to be recharged. The total cost of the prototype was R26 340.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Design, development and evaluation of novel lead compounds as HIV-1 enzyme inhibitors

  • Authors: Sekgota, Khethobole Cassius
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Enzyme inhibitors , Viruses -- Reproduction , HIV (Viruses)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4546 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017926
  • Description: This project has been concerned with the application of the Baylis-Hillman methodology to the synthesis of medicinally important diketo acid analogues (cinnamate ester-AZT conjugates and 3-hydroxy ester-AZT conjugates) as dual-action HIV-1 IN/RT inhibitors; and on exploratory studies in the preparation of 3-(amidomethyl)-(1H)-2-quinolones as PR inhibitors; and (1H)-2- quinolone-AZT conjugates as dual action IN/RT inhibitors. A series of Baylis-Hillman adducts has been prepared, typically in moderate to excellent yield, by reacting 2-nitrobenzaldehyde with methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and methyl vinyl ketone in the presence of 1,4- diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). Subsequently, various transformations that include conjugate addition of primary and secondary amines to the α,ß-unsaturated moiety to obtain 2- (aminomethyl)-3-hydroxy-3-(2-nitrophenyl)propanoate derivatives, effective SN2´ substitution of the BH ß-hydroxy by a Vilsmeier-Haack in situ-generated chloride to afford Baylis-Hillman allyl chlorides, iron in acetic acid-catalyzed cyclisation to 3-acetoxymethyl-(1H)-2-quinolone derivatives were achieved. Thus, using the Baylis-Hillman methodology, two nuanced classes of diketo acid analogues were constructed. These involved conjugating appropriate propargylamine derivatives with AZT using the „click‟ reaction. In an exploratory study, the quinolone derivative, precisely 3-acetoxymethyl- (1H)-quinol-2-one, was transformed into 3-hydroxymethyl-(1H)-quinol-2-one using potassium carbonate in a mixture of methanol and water (1:1). Following successful hydrolysis, the resulting alcohol was transformed to the corresponding chloride, 3-chloromethyl-(1H)-quinol-2- one, using thionyl chloride. Subsequent nucleophilic substitution afforded 3-(aminomethyl)- (1H)-2-quinolone derivatives which were subsequently transformed to 3-(amidomethyl)-(1H)-2- quinolones; and 3-[(propargylamino)-methyl]-(1H)-quinol-2-one as precursors to quinolone- AZT derivatives. All compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, and where appropriate, high resolution MS
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Destination marketing: George

  • Authors: Hunt, Norman William
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Place marketing -- South Africa -- George , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- George , George (South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5604 , vital:20914
  • Description: A destination is often given its identity by its brand name, creating an image thereof in the customers’ minds which means that destinations exist not only physically but also mentally in the minds of people. Destination marketers play a role in the creation of the images of such destinations which is dependent on what the destination offers in its depth and breadth. Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) should be able to not only understand their destination’s offerings but also who they are targeting and how they should market the destination. DMOs have evolved to become more than mere destination information providers as considerable destination information is now created by fellow travellers which are shared via social networks. The most important change resulting from adopting the concept of social capital in the context of tourism would be that tourism scholars and DMOs become aware of the importance of resources obtained through an individual’s social interactions. Despite the fact that the town of George has a number of attributes it is able to market to potential visitors, it does however not automatically make it a desired destination. The main objective of this treatise is to determine what would give George its marketable destination identity which will be achieved by gaining an understanding of the local residents’ viewpoints of George and to measure them according to specific attributes which are carefully formulated in a survey questionnaire. This treatise aims to determine what George can do to create a destination identity and how such an identity can be applied in the successful marketing of George as a destination town. It is an exploratory quantitative study consisting of literature and case study components used to test proposed hypotheses. It aims to provide guidance to the destination marketers by way of researched literature on the topic of destination marketing as well as offer empirical data gathered from responses to a survey conducted with local residents of George which is focused on creating a destination identity through its business, cultural and sporting events. Based on the statistical analysis of the survey results it will be shown that a relationship exists between Destination Marketing and Events, Branding and Media,which plays a pivotal role in the successful marketing of such events and thereby the brand image of the destination. Based on the literature findings and the empirical data gained for this treatise it was shown that events can be used to create a new brand image for a town like George which already possesses a natural beauty and friendly people. Examples will be discussed where destinations throughout the world have managed to change their brand without changing their environment, from which they have gained a new destination brand. George can strategically convert what it already has to become the destination of choice in terms of intra-town activities and events which could not only enhance its own economy but also that of the surrounding towns. The geographic location of George and that of the Surrounding tourist attractive towns make it possible to design and implement intra-town events with relative ease. As found in researched literature, the residents should be made part of any destination marketing campaign. These events should be designed to incorporate the surrounding towns to capitalise on the concept of intra-town events where George becomes the main centre but uses outlying towns to lure tourist. Respondents to the survey indicate that they somewhat agree that George has sufficient infrastructure to host sports (μ = 3.77), cultural (μ = 3.61) and business events (μ = 3.88) and that hosting such events in George would create job opportunities. The responses for all three event types in this regard have a mean value above μ = 4. Respondents indicated that religious events are deemed the most important (mean value μ = 4.25) while also indicating that they agreed with a mean value of μ = 4.18 that entrance fees influence their decision to attend events. The empirical research conducted in George was designed to gain a representative viewpoint of its residents in terms of what they deem the identity of George to be, the main objective (ROM) of which was to determine what would give George its destination identity. The composite image of the residents of George was measured according to specific attributes which were carefully formulated in the survey.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Determinants of internet banking adoption by banks in Ghana

  • Authors: Bart-Williams, Edem
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Internet banking -- Ghana , Banks and banking -- Ghana , Banks and banking -- Automation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3715 , vital:20457
  • Description: Growth in information and communication technology (ICT) is drastically changing the way businesses, especially in the service industries, are conducted. The financial services industry and banking in particular, is not excluded from this technology explosion. Internet banking, even though not new in advanced countries, is a new transaction channel being used by banks in some parts of Africa, especially Ghana, to offer various products and services to their customers. However, this medium has not been fully exploited by these banks as there are many hurdles the banks must triumph over. In deploying this technology and these systems, there are several factors which banks must take into consideration before fully deploying such a system to their customers, hence the motivation for this study. The absence of suitable and sufficient knowledge on this topic also exposes a “rhetoric versus reality” argument of whether the intention to adopt Internet banking is critical to the strategies and ultimate success of banks in Ghana. For banks to stay ahead of competition as well as to attract and maintain their clientele, it is of paramount importance to gather and link the perspectives of both clients and bank managers in order for banks to ensure that they perform according to the needs and expectations of their clients. In order to achieve the intended results, an empirical study was conducted by taking into consideration the viewpoints of both bank clients and bank managers in determining the factors that customers take into consideration before adopting the Internet banking medium. The primary aim of this study was to quantify significant relationships between the selected variables. Therefore the positivism research paradigm was used, while the phenomenological paradigm was employed for the measuring instruments. Because multiple sources of data were used, from the perspectives of banking clients and managers in Ghana, methodological triangulation was adopted for this study. The results of the empirical investigation showed that both groups (clients and managers) considered the variables of market share, technology acceptance, diffusion of innovation, organisational variables, organisational efficiency, and business strategy to have direct influence on the adoption of Internet banking. However, they differed in opinion concerning the degree of influence of these variables. The bank managers’ responses leaned more towards strong agreement with the importance of these variables than did those of the bank clients. Thus, for bank clients to readily adopt the Internet banking medium for their banking transactions, bank managers must take a closer look at these determinant factors described in the study. The study showed that the population group, educational and income levels exerted an influence on the perceptions clients have regarding Internet banking adoption factors. It was found that the higher the education and income levels of the clients, the easier it was for them to adopt Internet banking. Also, the male group dominated the use of the Internet banking. This is supported by the fact that there is a growing middle class in Ghana that falls within this category of banking clients.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Determination and validation of medicinal plants used by farmers to control internal and external parasites in goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Sanhokwe, Marcia
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Goats -- Parasites -- Control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2249 , vital:27718
  • Description: The broad objective of the study was to determine and validate medicinal plants used by resource-limited farmers to control internal and external parasites in goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A survey was conducted among 50 farmers and three herbalists to determine medicinal plants used to control parasites in goats. The survey revealed nine plant species belonging to eight families that were used. Among the identified plant species, Aloe ferox, Acokanthera oppositifolia and Elephantorrhiza elephantina were the plants having the highest Fidelity Level for their use, each scored 100.00 percent, followed by Albuca setosa (83.33 percent). These plants were then selected for validation studies. Gas-Chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed 7, 33, 26 and 32 bioactive phytochemicals in A. ferox, E. elephantina, A. oppositifolia and A. setosa, respectively. Terpenes and fatty acids were present, oxygenated terpenes being the most abundant hydrocarbons present in all the four plant species. The effect of acetone, methanol and ethanol extracts of leaves of Aloe ferox and Acokanthera oppositifolia on tick repellency and acaricidal activity were investigated on blood engorged Ambylomma hebraeum and Rhipicephalus decoloratus ticks at concentration 15, 30 and 50 percent. The 30 and 50 percent acetone extract of A. ferox and Dazzel dip had the highest acaricidal properties of 100 percent. The 50 percent methanol extract of A. oppositifolia and 50 percent acetone extract of A. ferox had the highest repellency activity of 89 percent and 85.33 percent, respectively. Results from this study revealed that the efficacy of medicinal plants used by farmers to control ticks vary with the type of solvent used for extracting the bioactive compounds. Furthermore, it revealed that Aloe ferox and A. opppositifolia plant extracts possess repellent and acaricidal activities. In a study to investigate the anthelminthic effect of crude extracts of Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Albuca setosa plants, significant anthelminthic effect on nematodes was observed in both plants. In this study, all E. elephantina and A. setosa extracts caused paralysis and mortality. Methanol was the most effective solvent in extracting bioactive compounds and methanol extract showed the best anthelminthic effects among the crude extracts investigated in both plants. The least time taken for the worms to be paralysed was 8.33 mins and 14.33mins in 100mg/ml methanol extracts of E. elephantina and A. setosa, resepectively. Methanol extract of E. elephantina and A. setosa (100mg/ml) had the highest anthelminthic activity and mortality was recorded after 18mins and 20mins, respectively. Results from this study revealed that these two plants possess anthelminthic activities. The study revealed that resource-limited farmers use medicinal plants to control internal and external parasites in goats. Gas-Chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry analysis showed that these plants contain bioactive compounds that have a potential in controlling parasites. Validation studies showed that A. ferox and A. oppositifolia possess repellent and acaricidal activities whereas A. setosa and E. elephantina possess anthelminthic activities.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Determination of the effects of sunlight and UV irradiation on the structure, viability and reapplication frequency of the biopesticide cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus in the protection against false codling moth infestation of citrus crops

  • Authors: Mwanza, Patrick
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Effect of ultraviolet radiation on , Natural pesticides
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6346 , vital:21075
  • Description: Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV-SA) is a baculovirus specifically pathogenic to the citrus pest false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta. CrleGV- SA is formulated as a commercial biopesticide, Cryptogran® (River Bioscience, South Africa). The virus has a stable, proteinaceous crystalline occlusion body (OB) that protects the nucleocapsid. The major limitation to the use of baculoviruses is their susceptibility to the ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight, which rapidly and greatly reduces their efficacy as biopesticides. The UVA and UVB components are the most destructive to biological organisms. To date no publication has reported the effect of UV on the structure and virulence of CrleGV, or the effectiveness of the OB as a UV protectant. In this study the effect of UV irradiation on the structure and infectivity of pure CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran® was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, qPCR, and bioassays. The project included laboratory and field studies. In the laboratory, CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran® were exposed to either UVA or UVB for periods of 24 hours to 7 days before analysis. In the field, Cryptogran® was applied to trees in a citrus orchard with young fruit. The fruit were collected from 24 hours to 28 days after application and bioassays conducted to assess the effect of sunlight over time on virus structure and efficacy when applied to the northern or southern sides of the trees. No surface morphological changes to the virus were detected using SEM. However, small compositional changes were detected by Raman spectroscopy. qPCR and bioassays demonstrated that UV irradiation damaged the viral DNA, greatly reducing the infectivity of pure CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran®. Exposure to UVB reduced the virulence of the virus more than UVA. The field studies revealed that the activity of CrleGV-SA decreased more on the northern side of the trees than on the southern side.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Determining the competency of children with developmental delays to testify in criminal trials

  • Authors: Van Niekerk, Hester Aletta
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Child witnesses -- South Africa , Developmentally disabled children -- South Africa , Children -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Evidence (Law) -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017878
  • Description: In South Africa children are required to testify under oath or admonition. The shortcomings of the competency test are of particular relevance to children with developmental disabilities, since courts are not equipped to adequately assess the competency of these children to give evidence. One component of testimonial competency, namely the understanding of the concepts truth and lies, is overemphasised and is examined with questions that are developmentally inappropriate for child witnesses in general. For children with cognitive disabilities, such questions create barriers for participation in the truth-seeking process. Consequently, convictions have been set aside on appeal owing to procedural irregularities found in the implementation of this test. In the literature review on testimonial competency, attention was given to restrictions that specific developmental disabilities impose on the perceptual, cognitive, communication and moral development of children. Two of four components – narrative ability and moral capacity – were studied in a sample of 184 children in middle childhood. Participants’ ability to give coherent and detailed accounts of events, their understanding of the concepts truth, lies, promises and the oath, and the Lyon and Saywitz oath-taking competency test, were investigated. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data analysis. Three groups were identified: those children with very limited, average or full testimonial competency. Their capacities were found to be related to maturation of cognitive functions and level of intellectual functioning. Participants were better able to demonstrate their understanding of truth and falsity by responding to the oathtaking test than giving verbal descriptions of these concepts. Whereas 1 percent of participants had a conceptual understanding of an oath, 15 percent understood the concept of a promise. Syncretism and confabulation compromised the narrative accounts of a substantial number of participants. Syncretism relates to immature narrative ability: correct details are combined in an illogical fashion. Confabulation refers to filling memory gaps with fabricated information. Guidelines on the competency determination of children with developmental disabilities were compiled. It is suggested that the competency examination be replaced by a formal, pre-trial competency assessment. The court should also receive expert evidence on how to facilitate meaningful participation when a child with sufficient testimonial competence is the witness.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Developed teacher leadership in a township high school : an interpretive case study

  • Authors: John, Daisy Mary
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher participation in administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:2052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018548
  • Description: South Africa’s future success depends on a number of national priorities, amongst them the transformation of its education system. Education is the best route to follow to alleviate poverty and many other social ills. One way to overcome some of the complex challenges and crises that we face in South African schools is to pay attention to issues of leading and leadership, including the leadership of teachers. This study is done with the hope that research into teacher leadership will be one of the answers to the crisis in education. It should become a beacon of hope for all educationists who passionately want progress in the youth of South Africa. What better way than to ‘Awaken the Sleeping Giant’ of teacher leadership, borrowing the term from Katzenmeyer and Moller (2009). This study was designed as a case study, the purpose of which was to find out about the enactment of teacher leadership in an Eastern Cape township high school as well as the enhancing and hindering factors to this enactment. This study was done as a replication study of a similar study done by a group of 11Master’s students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2010. Similar to the original study, this case study was located within the interpretive paradigm and drew on school profiling, survey questionnaires, a focus group interview, selfreflective journals and individual interviews for its methods of data collection. The study was framed by distributed leadership while Grant’s (2008; 2012) Model of teacher leadership was adopted as the analytical tool. It emerged from the data that the three teacher leaders, my primary participants, exhibited teacher leadership across all four zones of Grant’s (2008) Model. The first zone was leadership in the classroom where all three teacher leaders showed leadership to varying degrees. Zones Two to Four are about leadership beyond the classroom into the school and beyond. In Zone Two, the zone where teachers work with each other and the learners outside the classroom, substantial levels of leadership were enacted by the three teacher leaders. Zone Three, where leadership is exhibited in whole-school development, the three primary participants showed distinct leadership qualities as well. The fourth zone, which is about interaction with neighbouring schools, also revealed that all three teacher leaders demonstrated active leadership on a regular basis. Findings further revealed that there were only a few inhibiting factors to the leadership of teachers at the case study school, including limited resources and infrastructure as well as insufficient support and acknowledgement from the relevant stakeholders when leadership initiatives were made, either successfully or otherwise. However, the enhancing factors superseded the inhibiting factors. A functional committee culture guided by a shared vision existed in the case study school together with an ethos of trust which enabled the staff to work collaboratively. Though there was certainly room for improvement in leadership practices at this case study school, the enactment of teacher leadership in this school illustrated a strong case of ‘developed’ teacher leadership (Muijs& Harris, 2007) within a dispersed leadership framing (Gunter, 2005)
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Developing a cross platform IMS client using the JAIN SIP applet phone

  • Authors: Muswera, Walter Tawanda
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem , Java (Computer program language)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017934
  • Description: Since the introduction of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) in 2002, a lot of research has been conducted aimed at designing and implementing IMS capable clients and network elements. Though considerable work has been done in the development of IMS clients, there is no single, free and open source IMS client that provides researchers with all the required functionality needed to test the applications they are developing. For example, several open and closed source SIP/IMS clients are used within the Rhodes University Conver- gence Research Group (RUCRG) to test applications under development, as a result of the fact that the various SIP/IMS clients support different subsets of SIP/IMS features. The lack of a single client and the subsequent use of various clients comes with several problems. Researchers have to know how to deploy, configure, use and at times adapt the various clients to suit their needs. This can be very time consuming and, in fact, contradicts the IMS philosophy (the IMS was proposed to support rapid service creation). This thesis outlines the development of a Java-based, IMS compliant client called RUCRG IMS client, that uses the JAIN SIP Applet Phone (JSAP) as its foundation. JSAP, which originally offered only basic voice calling and instant messaging (IM) capabilities, was modified to be IMS compliant and support video calls, IM and presence using XML Configuration Access Protocol (XCAP).
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact