Left-invariant optimal control problems of the Engel group: classification, stability, and integration
- Authors: McLean, Catherine Eve
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62949 , vital:28323 , http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/62949
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
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Stories in watercolour
- Authors: Molefhe, Wame Miriam
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63552 , vital:28436
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
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Strategy implementation at the Rand Water Board
- Authors: Leaver, Brian Jeffrey
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62118 , vital:28129
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
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The current utility of oligonucleotide aptamers in targeting the MUC1 mucin tumour marker
- Authors: Flanagan, Shane Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62969 , vital:28348
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
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Evaluating the potential of monometallic and bimetallic nanomaterials as horseradish peroxidase mimetics
- Authors: Mvango, Sindisiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65134 , vital:28694
- Description: This study presents the synthesis of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (cit-AuNPs), copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs), glutathione-capped gold nanoparticles (GSH-AuNPs), 4- aminothiophenol-capped gold nanoparticles (4-ATP-AuNPs), 4-mercapto benzoic acid- capped gold nanoparticles (4-MBA-AuNPs) and copper oxide gold nanoalloys (CuO-Au nanoalloys). Microscopy and spectroscopy techniques were used to confirm the successful synthesis of these nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were studied their potential applications as horseradish peroxidase (HPR) enzyme mimetics and for the detection of glucose. The cit-AuNPs and GSH-AuNPs exhibited peroxidase-like activity towards hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with high Michaelis-Menten (Km) values of 61.5 mM and 30.8 mM, respectively. The other nanoparticles, that is, 4-ATP-AuNPs, CuONPs and CuO-Au nanoalloys gave lower Km values of 4.74 mM, 1.92 mM and 4.05 mM, respectively. The obtained Km values were comparable to those of HRP enzymes which ranged from 0.214 - 3.70 mM with 4-ATP-AuNPs and CuO-Au nanoalloys slightly higher. These values were within the reasonable experimental values of the HRP enzyme. The studies showed that the gold nanoparticles had low adsorptive efficiency towards H2O2 compared to the copper-based nanoparticles (CuONPs and CuO-Au nanoalloys). The CuO-Au nanoalloys also showed the synergistic effect between the gold and copper nanoparticles with extended linear concentration range for the quantification of H2O2. The mechanism of catalysis was confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in that the generation of reactive oxygen species was observed. The use of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) as radical quencher and 5,5- dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as a radical scavenger confirmed the production of reductive reactive oxygen species using UV-vis and EPR studies. The rate of production of reactive oxygen species in the gold-based nanoparticles was small compared to the copper-based nanoparticles, that is CuONPs and CuO-Au (bimetallic) nanoalloys. The synthesized nanoparticles were further studied their potential use in the colorimetric detection of glucose. The copper-based nanomaterials, CuONPs and CuO-Au nanoalloys, were excellent towards detection of glucose, with a limit of detection (LoD) of 9.34 pM for CuONPs and 6.75 pM for CuO-Au nanoalloys. The linear concentration (LCR) range of CuONPs was 0 to 70 pM and for CuO-Au nanoalloys the LCR was 0.0 - 30 pM. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2017
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Homecoming
- Authors: Mazwai, Nontsikelelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164930 , vital:41185
- Description: Thesis (MA)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages, 2017
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In silico analysis of plasmodium falciparum Hsp70-x for potential binding sites and hits
- Authors: Amusengeri, Arnold
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59136 , vital:27435
- Description: Restricted access-thesis embargoed for 1 year - release date April 2019
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Outcome and impact assessment in the comprehensive evaluation of rural ICT projects in developing countries
- Authors: Mtkoko, Hafeni Tulimewawa Wilhelmina Lyatenda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64483 , vital:28548 , DOI 10.21504/10962/64483
- Description: Despite existing literature that indicates that Information and communication technologies (ICTs) act as tools for social change and development, there is still limited empirical evidence that demonstrates this. An outcome and impact assessment based on a comprehensive (holistic) evaluation is deemed appropriate at a time when many ICT4D programmes fail to effectively demonstrate their impact towards rural development. A comprehensive evaluation is one that incorporates the evaluation of the need, design, implementation, outcome and impact, efficiency, and scalability of a programme. These stages make up the different domains of an evaluation lifecycle. The following study aims to develop an outcome and impact assessment framework for ICT4D programmes. It forms part of continuous research associated with the development of a rural ICT Comprehensive Evaluation framework. A theoretical approach, using Design Science and Weick’s theorizing process, was applied to investigate the development of a framework (design artefact) for outcome and impact assessment of ICT4D programmes. The theorizing process analysed existing outcome and impact assessment frameworks from social programmes, information systems/technology programmes, and ICT4D programmes. The output of the theorizing process proposes five critical themes of outcome and impact assessment of rural ICT4D programmes that should be assessed. These themes include: Strategic Value, Most Significant Change, Empowerment, Livelihoods, and Sustainability. To assess its utility, the framework was implemented in the Siyakhula Living Lab and Information and Communication Technology for Rural Education (ICT4RED) projects in South Africa. Through the application of the framework in real life ICT4D contexts, the lessons learned contributed to its revision and enhancement. The proposed framework aims to guide evaluators through the assessment of outcomes and impacts in ICT4D programmes. It provides a foundation and justification for the selected outcome and impact assessment themes that contribute to a comprehensive evaluation. An outcome and impact assessment that is informed by: baseline; needs assessment; programme theory assessment; and process assessment data, provides ICT4D evaluators and project stakeholders with meaningful outcome and impact feedback. Having such an approach to outcome and impact assessment ensures that the evaluation process is seen more holistically as part of the ICT4D project as a whole. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2017
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An unsung dialogue: music, society and the history of The Flames
- Authors: Park, Duncan Keith
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193645 , vital:45376
- Description: This research aims to examine the relationship between music and social conditions within the context of apartheid. The focus area is the city of Durban, specifically 1960-1970. A case study of the multi-racial Durban-based band, The Flames (1963 – 1972) will be used to rigorously assess the extent to which social conditions and music can affect each other in both directions. This will also be the first coherent and historical narrative of the band, The Flames. As such, the thesis aims to make an original contribution to this field of music history, while it will provide the very first academic discussion of The Flames. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2016
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Behaviour and trophic ecology of oceanic triggerfish (Canthidermis maculata) and rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) associated with floating objects in the open ocean
- Authors: Forget, Fabien Rocky Gilbert
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193531 , vital:45340
- Description: The oceanic triggerfish (Canthidermis maculata) and rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) are epipelagic species that commonly associate with floating objects throughout the world’s tropical oceans. Besides tunas, these two species often form the bulk of the aggregation and are major non-target species (bycatch) incidentally captured at fish aggregation devices (FADs) by tropical tuna purse seiners. Despite being abundant, little is known about their basic biology, ecology and associative behavior with floating objects. This thesis aims to address knowledge gaps in their associative behavior and ecology at floating objects and attempts to explore potential bycatch mitigation methods. Acoustic telemetry was used to characterise several aspects of the two species’ behavior at floating objects. Fish were captured and tagged at drifting FADs in the core of the western Indian Ocean tuna fishing grounds. Prolonged remote observations were obtained through satellite linked receivers which provided fine-scale data on the behavior of oceanic triggerfish (n= 46 919 cumulated observation days) and rainbow runner (n= 24 538 cumulated observation days). The two species remained associated with the same floating object for periods extending up to several months. The mean residence time estimated using a survival analysis was 65 days for oceanic triggerfish and 94 days for rainbow runner. A distinct diel pattern in association was observed; the two species were closely associated to the FAD during the night and increased their home range during the day while performing short excursions (oceanic triggerfish mean: 2.0 hours ±1.6 SD; rainbow runner mean: 2.4 hours ±2.2 SD) away from the FAD. Similarly, distinct patterns in the vertical movements and locomotory activity (measured using accelerometer tags) were observed as the two species increased their vertical movements and activity levels during the day. Generally, their vertical movements were largely restricted to the mixed layer (< 60 m). At night, the two species remained close to the surface (0-5 m) where they appear to be in a resting state. An interesting behavioural switch in activity levels and vertical distribution was observed for oceanic triggerfish which coincided with a change in the environment as the FAD drifted close to a cold-core cyclonic eddy. Ambient light appears to be the key stimulus triggering the observed diel behavioural patterns. species-specific vulnerability for target species, skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and non-target species, including silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), oceanic triggerfish, and rainbow runner, to the purse seine fishing gear were investigated. Hourly presence rates at FADs over 24 hours were examined to assess whether the capture rate of non-target species could be reduced at specific times during the day. Silky sharks displayed a similar associative pattern to that of targeted tunas. Moreover, the vulnerability of both target and non-target species were close to the maximum during the period of behavioural transitions at sunrise when the majority of the fishing sets are made. As such, a change in set time in the western Indian Ocean does not appear to be a feasible method to reduce capture rates of non-target species. Stomach content and stable isotope analysis were conducted on oceanic triggerfish (stomach n = 152, isotope n = 65) and rainbow runner (stomach n = 156, isotope n = 71) incidentally captured individuals at FADs by purse seiners. Typical FAD-associated prey items represented a minor component of their diet as they predominantly foraged on zooplankton and micronekton in the water column, suggesting that oceanic triggerfish and rainbow runner do not associate to floating objects for direct trophic advantages. Overlap in their dietary and isotopic niches indicates an intermediate level of competition. Overall, the spatial and trophic ecology of both species are remarkably similar and prolonged associations with FADs indicates that floating objects play a significant ecological role in the pelagic environment for the two species. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2016
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Islamic compliant short term insurance: an exploratory study to develop an Islamic compliant insurance model within a South African context
- Authors: Jeeva, Shakir
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193633 , vital:45375
- Description: In a world where there is ever increasing risks to be mitigated, either by choice or due to the law of the country, an insurance instrument is the most popular risk mitigation tool. However, from an Islamic perspective, Muslims have certain parameters to adhere to due to the laws and boundaries as set out in the Quraan, as well as the teachings of the final prophet, Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him). This has relevance in this context as, according to Islam, the conventional insurance models are in contravention of certain Islamic laws as they contain elements which are not acceptable in the Muslim faith. Therefore, the Islamic insurance models, or Takaful models, have removed the impermissible elements of usury, speculation, and uncertainty, which are all contained in the current conventional insurance models. By removing these impermissible elements from the insurance model, the Takaful model is acceptable for Muslims to use as a risk mitigation tool. The primary aim of the study sought to propose a short term Islamic compliant insurance model within a South African framework. The secondary aims were to ascertain the Islamic requirements for an Islamic insurance model, how these requirements fit into an insurance model, to then compare and contrast the differences between conventional insurance and Islamic insurance and, lastly, to explore awareness and attitudes towards Islamic insurance. Therefore, from the above, a proposed short term Islamic insurance model was developed within a South African context which conforms to the laws and boundaries of Islam, making this insurance model permissible to use as a Takaful tool. Additionally, semi structured interviews were conducted with certain research participants, using purposive sampling, to examine the attitudes and knowledge of the Muslim community towards the Takaful model within a South African context. It was concluded that while the majority of the research participants understand the Takaful model and the significance of this, they have chosen to use the conventional insurance offerings due to the fact that they were unaware of other Takaful alternatives, or due to the fact that the Takaful alternative was out-priced when compared to the conventional insurance offerings. It was therefore concluded that while there is a need for Takaful offerings within South Africa, this must be done in conjunction with additional marketing, education and competitive pricing for potential clients to consider this as an insurance option. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2016
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Human FN1 is regulated by the heat-shock response
- Authors: Dhanani, Karim Colin Hassan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193487 , vital:45336
- Description: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and heat shock factors (HSFs) are known to be involved in the epigenetic regulation of several fundamental oncogenic genes. Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein which plays key roles in cell adhesion and migration. Hsp90 binds directly to FN and Hsp90 inhibition has been shown to regulate FN protein levels and matrix formation. Where inhibition of Hsp90 with a C-terminal inhibitor (novobiocin) induced the loss of FN matrix, treatment with an N-terminal inhibitor (geldanamycin) increased FN matrix levels. GA treatment induced a strong dose and time dependent increase in FN1 promoter activity and increased total FN mRNA respectively. By contrast, NOV showed no increase in the promoter activity and no change in the expression of FN mRNA. As GA is known to induce the stress response, we investigated the relationship between the cell stress machinery and the transcriptional regulation of FN. Three putative heat shock elements (HSEs) were identified in the FN1 promoter. The loss of two of the three identified putative HSEs resulted in a loss in the basal transcriptional activity of the FN1 promoter in our reporter model. This was in addition to the loss of the induction of transcriptional activity with GA treatment observed with the full-length promoter. Binding of HSF1 to one of the putative HSEs, which was identified as potentially functional from the truncation analysis, was confirmed using ChIP. The occupancy of this HSE by HSF1 was shown to increase with GA treatment. These data support the hypothesis that FN1 is a functional HSF1 target gene. The 5' promoter regions of seven additional ECM protein encoding genes were analysed and mRNA levels were detected by quantitative RT-PCR upon treatment with GA. Collagen 4 _2 and laminin _3 mRNA were found to increase in the presence of GA, whereas collagen 4 _3 and osteopontin showed no change. Similarly to FN1, these data indicate that a subset of ECM genes may be under the regulation of the HSF1 mediated heat-shock response. This may have implications for our understanding of ECM dynamics in cancer, where the clinical application of Hsp90 inhibitors is intended. Additionally, our data provide a poten- tial underpinning for the role of the HSF1 mediated heat-shock response in several fibrotic and metabolic stress related pathologies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2015
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If I Stay Right Here
- Authors: Ngamlana, Chwayita
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193498 , vital:45337
- Description: My novella concerns the dynamics of a relationship between two girls. It shows the heterosexual‐like nature of the relationship rather than dwelling on the pressures on lesbians from society as a whole. At its core is the raw emotion and passion of the relationship, which is at the same time toxic, destructive and volatile because of their class differences and other insecurities. The work is influenced by the grit, openness, and innovation of several contemporary writers. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Institute for the Study of English in Africa, 2015
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Modification and application of the decentralised wastewater treatment technology for greywater treatment to reduce water needs
- Authors: Ngqwala, Nosiphiwe Patience
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193509 , vital:45338
- Description: Water is a scarce resource that is being acknowledged as a limiting factor to further social- economic growth and development. Demand for freshwater is increasing with corresponding increases in human population, industrial and agricultural activities. Alternative sources, such as greywater and rainwater are often polluted. Though greywater can be used for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation, it still requires some measures of treatment to improve its quality. To improve on greywater quality to facilitate its reuse, decentralised wastewater treatment technologies carry a great potential as complementary and alternative means of wastewater management particularly in peri-urban areas. Five research goals are addressed in this thesis: (i) to monitor the performance of Fly Ash Lime Filter Tower (FLFT) in the treatment of greywater; (ii) to modify the Fly Ash Lime Filter Tower in the treatment of greywater in order to reduce the pH of the greywater, and improved on the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and coliform counts; (iii) to investigate the potential of the reuse of greywater for irrigation; (iv) to undertake a techno analysis of the FLFT system for commercial use; and (v) to evaluate the use of hydrogen-sulphide (H2S) test kit to monitor faecal contamination of various water sources using a multidisciplinary approach. The modification of the FLFT indicated good treatment efficiency, reducing the concentrations of COD, chlorides, nitrates, ammonia and sulphate by 82.6%, 60.4%, 72.9%, 60.5%, and 53.9%, respectively; while the average pH was at 8.3. Greywater contains nutrients that are beneficial to the growth of most plants. Growth variables included biomass, stem height, number of leaves and number of vegetables harvested. Soil analysis showed no effects of the treated greywater on soil physico-chemical and microbial quality with bulk density 2.0g/cm3, average pH 7.4, total phosphorus 0.16mg/L 8, faecal coliform 0.3 CFU/100 ml. The tomatoes had high biomass and dry weight (150 g; 33g) than beetroot (35 g; 15 g). Crops irrigated with greywater significantly grew faster compared with those irrigated with tap water. The community approach highlighted the value of knowledge management in greywater reuse. It highlighted the importance of creating an institutional knowledge in water management using the H2S kit. The techno-economic analysis was used to evaluate key factors and the activities that are relevant to develop a sustainable FLFT in order to gain insights into the possibility of developing, and incorporating a business model framework to support decision making in value creation and value capturing during the research and the scaling up of the system. By this, a long term perspective to accomplish sustainable FLFT service businesses can be achieved. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2015
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The reform of world order?: BRICS in an Interpolar world
- Authors: Phyllis, Yvonne
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193520 , vital:45339
- Description: International relations has recently seen new developments which are unpredictable and in their infant stage. The causes of these developments are plentiful, the consequences stemming from waning unipolarity to the emergence of new fora creating their own spaces. Whatever the case, international relations is not as it was in the period just after the Cold War. As a result, the terms of global governance established after 1990 have come under serious scrutiny. This transition has the makings of a new world order, an interpolar world order. This study asserts that we no longer live in a unipolar world, nor do we live in a world which can only be described as multipolar. It makes the argument that although multipolarity is a crucial element of the world, it only offers a partial description of today’s order. The study asserts that it is interpolarity which is closest in accounting for today’s world. Not only does it describe the world as multipolar, it also describes it as interdependent. To this end, the study provides a detailed account of what is meant by an interpolar world order and how differently it explains international events. It also provides an account of factors which can develop in an interpolar world. One of these includes allowing room for emerging powers to create their own spaces in efforts of avoiding co-option while continuing to realise the importance of operating within a context of continuity. This means that emerging countries create their own spaces but they also realise the importance of working with already established regimes such as the G20. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is used as a case study to indicate one of the new developments afforded by an interpolar order-the emergence of new fora. The study asserts that although BRICS is rife with internal dissimilarities, it has indicated some degree of political will in one aspect; that is; advocating for the reform of the terms of global governance, advocating for more representative forms of global governance. The study thus explores factors of a world whose contours are gradually changing but which are unpredictable and in flux. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Political and International Studies, 2015
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An investigation into the development of knowledge and strategies for the teaching of visual literacy in under-resourced Eastern Cape schools
- Authors: Mbelani, Madeyandile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64401 , vital:28540
- Description: This thesis reports on a multiple case study PhD project that aimed to investigate meaningful and critical development of knowledge and strategies to teach visual literacy, a component of English First Additional Language (FAL) in six under-resourced schools of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The study begins by locating visual literacy within a broad framework of literacy as a social practice, and discusses its importance. Further, it discusses complexities of making sense of and teaching visual literacy, especially for the majority of in-service teachers who experienced visual literacy neither as learners nor as teacher trainees. The gap between the curriculum and teachers’ classroom practices is what triggered this study to adopt a transformative paradigm. The main research question is, “How can teacher professional development in English Language Teaching advance in-service teachers’ knowledge of and strategies for meaningful and critical teaching and learning of visual literacy?” To respond to this question, I drew on cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and critical realism (CR) to design four phases of this study that incorporated the seven stages of an expansive learning cycle. These phases focussed on exploring and expanding teachers’ sense making and teaching of visual literacy. I collected data through interviews, document analysis, videoed lessons and change laboratory (CL) workshops. I designed a data analysis tool that brought together CHAT, CR, multimodal social semiotics, critical discourse analysis and pedagogical discourse to make sense of the data. Through a process of reflexivity, the study illuminated layers of factors that constrained meaningful and critical teaching of visual literacy in the empirical, the actual and the real domains of reality. These factors include teachers’ unconscious reproduction of discourses of domination, their intolerance of diverse cultural discourses, resistance to curriculum change, and the fact that they are comfortable with the status quo. I brought these factors to CL workshops for expansive learning. The study contributes in-depth insight into English FAL in-service teacher development in the area of visual literacy. By locating the study within meaning making and teaching of visual literacy, it was possible to interrogate access, diversity, domination and design in teachers’ classroom practices. As a result of this study participants were made aware of the extent to which these factors enabled or hindered meaningful and critical teaching. Participants repositioned themselves as subjects of the activity system, thereby mobilising their agency to take control of the structures and cultures that condition their teaching.
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A study of four-dimensional oscillator groups and the associated left-invariant control affine systems
- Authors: Biggs, Rory
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164941 , vital:41186
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, 2012
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Ritualised discourse practices of feedback in a university foundation programme: a critical investigation
- Authors: Richardson, Amy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164955 , vital:41187
- Description: In order for students to become true members of academic communities of practice they need epistemological access, including guidance on central institutional knowledge-producing processes and mastery of key academic literacy practices. A powerful source of guidance is marker feedback. Drawing on key insights from the New Literacy Studies and taking up the mandate of Critical Ethnography to improve the status quo, this thesis reports on the feedback practices in a university foundation programme. The findings are based on three micro-case studies compiled and analysed by means of methods drawn from Ethnography, Sociolinguistics and Critical Analysis in conjunction with an expanded, multimodal, APPRAISAL analysis, including adjusted categories and the author’s own feedback typologies. Two major arguments emerge: the feedback provided amounts to a set of ritualised discourse practices and its effects can be likened to the product of the children’s game of Head-body-tail. Consequently, feedback conventions are opaque and, potentially, impede epistemological access. They further entrench five sets of ideologies: (1) Students must master basic English literacy before they are coached in more complex issues such as argumentation; an assumption which leads to differential socialisation. (2) There is a single set of literacy practices that is rewarded. (3) Students have different levels of authorial authority depending on their language abilities. (4) ‘Middle students’ may benefit the most from feedback. (5) Specific comments are preferred over general ones. Analysis of feedback, furthermore, shows that markers’ frames of reference shape their pedagogy and that draft and final versions of work may be framed differently by markers. These findings require a response and, in order to facilitate epistemological access, suggestions are made for improved marker training based on the problematisation of the ritual involved in marking students’ work in this university foundation programme. , Thesis (MA)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics, 2012
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The design, synthesis and antiplasmodial activity of a series of halogenated fosmidomycin analogues and hybrid drugs
- Authors: Afolayan, Anthonia Folake
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64370 , vital:28538
- Description: Malaria continues to be a devastating disease and a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. With resistance against most of the available antimalarial drugs, there is a need for ongoing research and development of antimalarial agents. Fosmidomycin and its acetyl analogue FR900098 have been identified as potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most deadly form of malaria. Clinical trials of these agents have revealed poor absorption due to their high hydrophilicity. In the present studies the effect of halogenation of the acyl chain as well as the biological effect of extending the acyl sidechain was explored. This provided the basis on which fosmidomycin hybrids were designed to investigate the feasibility of hybrid extending into NADPH binding pocket. Synthesis of a series of halogenated FR900098 analogues was carried out in three stages. This included i) The introduction of the phosphonate group by reaction with 1,3dibromopropane in an Arbuzov reaction, ii) The introduction of a hydroxamate group by reaction of the propyl phosphonate by means of a nucleophilic substitution reaction with BocNHOBn and iii) The introduction of a halogenated acyl side chain on a protected fosmidomycin backbone. The synthesis of fosmidomycin-hybrids for which chloroquinefosmidomycin hybrids were used as the prototype, involved convergence of the two separately constructed moieties i.e. fosmidomycin and the quinoline moieties in a covalent linkage. The quinoline moiety was easily synthesized from the reaction of 4,7dichloroquinoline with 1,2-diamino ethane. The aminoquinoline so formed resulted in chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 when reacted with halogenated FR900098 analogues. Antiplasmodial assays were conducted on the chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids and the halogenated fosmidomycin derivatives against the chloroquine resistant Gambian FCR-3 strain of P. falciparum. The most potent iodoacetyl fosmidomycin analogues 2.21 gave an IC50 value of 5.54 µM which is eight times more potent than the known antiplasmodial FR900098 which gave an IC50 value of 41.67 µM. All the halogenated FR900098 analogues showed better antiplasmodial activity than their non-halogenated derivatives. This indicated that the presence of halogens in the FR900098 analogues contributes to their biological Chapter 1 Literature review activity. The acetyl and propyl linked hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 showed potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 0.18 and 0.82 µM respectively. These were by far the most potent hybrids synthesized and provided leads for a new class of promising antimalarial agents. Preliminary E. coli DXR enzyme inhibition assays were carried out on the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues. The results showed good inhibition of the enzyme by the phosphonic acids of the chloroacetyl and chloropropyl analogues 2.1 and 2.2 respectively. Molecular modelling of the compounds on E. coli (PDB code: 2EGH) and P. falciparum (PDB code: 3AUA) DXR showed strong binding of the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues while the hybrids in the absence of docked NADPH showed minimum binding to the enzymes.
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An investigation into the effect of corporate philanthropy on staff wellbeing at a small company in the South African marketing industry
- Authors: Schepers, Deborah Christine
- Date: 2008-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191412 , vital:45095
- Description: In many service industries, the source of a company’s value has shifted from capital to knowledge and ideas, the quality of which is dependent on its employees (Wooldridge, 2006). In fact, human resources can be considered part of factor conditions which can positively impact on a firm’s competitive context. This impact can ultimately translate into improved financial results (Porter and Kramer, 2002). There is therefore a growing interest in ways to attract and retain talent. According to the managers of many big companies, well communicated corporate responsibility practices can improve staff attraction as well as retention rates by improving morale (CSRwire, 2002). To explore this, a small, creative company in Johannesburg which engages in charity work was selected as a case study, with the goal being to understand whether their culture of good deeds has a positive impact on staff wellbeing. While the owner of the company actively attempts to make the company an enjoyable place to work at, he appears to have initiated the philanthropic activities in a true spirit of giving, rather than with the motive of engaging staff in order to make more money. Nevertheless, the researcher’s investigative stance is that of an enlightened egoist, and the study focuses on the business case of giving being beneficial to the giver (ultimately the company) in the long term, as well as to the recipient. While the danger of suggesting that philanthropy could be instrumentalised is acknowledged (Morton, 2004), the investigation explores the possibility because such evidence could persuade other companies to become more socially concerned. Through a qualitative approach involving interviews, observation and analysis of video footage, it becomes apparent that there is clearly value for the staff in the charity work they do. Unfortunately the multiple initiatives undertaken to keep staff morale high at the company make it impossible to establish a clear link between the philanthropy and overall wellbeing, but as the study was conducted in the phenomenological paradigm the main concern was with understanding the experience of participants. However, an unexpected finding was that the employees derive great satisfaction from using their professional skills for charity work rather than just donating money to the charity. They feel that their skills uniquely position them to make significant changes to the lives of others, which gives them a sense of pride and achievement that they don’t necessarily experience in their ordinary activities at work. On the basis of this, it is recommended that companies look to involve staff with projects that require their specific expertise when evaluating philanthropic initiatives. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Investec Business School, 2008
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