Discovery and classification of compact radio sources in the MeerKAT Galactic Centre data
- Authors: Rammala, Isabella Dineo
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432218 , vital:72852
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Physics and Electronics, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Rammala, Isabella Dineo
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432218 , vital:72852
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Physics and Electronics, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of phthalocyanines through finding the ideal combination of substituents in push-pull phthalocyanine-based systems
- Nkhahle, Reitumetse Precious
- Authors: Nkhahle, Reitumetse Precious
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432578 , vital:72882 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432578
- Description: Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are a class of synthetic pigments with a similar structure to porphyrins. The work presented in this thesis is centred around these electron-rich macrocycles and their use in electrocatalysis. This body of work provides a more rigorous analysis on asymmetric Pcs, focusing on finding the “ideal” combination of substituents in the synthesis of A3B-type Pcs and how these asymmetric structures compare with their symmetric counterparts (A4) in the electrocatalysis of hydrazine and nitrite. The choice in substituents in the syntheses of the Pcs was such that there is both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups to induce a push-pull effect. In the studies involving the electrocatalysis of hydrazine, asymmetric cobalt Pcs (CoPcs) possessing alkyl groups as the primary substituents, with variations in the acid-containing group, along with their symmetric counterparts, probes with potential for further improvement were identified. Using voltammetric and amperometric techniques, the analyte-electrode kinetics, mechanism in which the electrochemical reaction proceeds along with the limits of detection (LoD) were determined. In the general sense, the pentadecylphenoxy-derived CoPcs performed better than those containing the tert-butyl substituent as the dominant substituent with the asymmetric CoPcs producing more favourable results than their symmetric analogues. With respect to the probes designed for nitrite, a multi-dimensional approach was undertaken in that acetaminophen was chosen as the primary substituent whilst multiple changes in the asymmetric component were made. In addition to varying the carboxylic acid-containing substituent, alkyne- and amine-based substituents were also explored in which the alkyne-containing Pc was anchored onto the electrode surface through click chemistry while the amine-bearing Pc was covalently linked (and π-stacked) to nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs). Another component that was altered was the central metal where CoPcs were compared to manganese Pcs (MnPcs). The most desirable peak oxidation potential for nitrite was observed in the MnPcs as it was the lowest with adsorption sometimes being a better suited method of electrode modification relative to clicking. The inclusion of NGQDs was found to be beneficial when combined with the symmetric CoPc whilst in the presence of an asymmetric Pc complex, less desirable results were observed. Overall, there were variations in the results with the symmetric CoPc sometimes being better than some of the asymmetric CoPcs demonstrating that a blanket-approach in terms of synthesizing and applying asymmetric Pcs is not always viable. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Nkhahle, Reitumetse Precious
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432578 , vital:72882 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432578
- Description: Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are a class of synthetic pigments with a similar structure to porphyrins. The work presented in this thesis is centred around these electron-rich macrocycles and their use in electrocatalysis. This body of work provides a more rigorous analysis on asymmetric Pcs, focusing on finding the “ideal” combination of substituents in the synthesis of A3B-type Pcs and how these asymmetric structures compare with their symmetric counterparts (A4) in the electrocatalysis of hydrazine and nitrite. The choice in substituents in the syntheses of the Pcs was such that there is both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups to induce a push-pull effect. In the studies involving the electrocatalysis of hydrazine, asymmetric cobalt Pcs (CoPcs) possessing alkyl groups as the primary substituents, with variations in the acid-containing group, along with their symmetric counterparts, probes with potential for further improvement were identified. Using voltammetric and amperometric techniques, the analyte-electrode kinetics, mechanism in which the electrochemical reaction proceeds along with the limits of detection (LoD) were determined. In the general sense, the pentadecylphenoxy-derived CoPcs performed better than those containing the tert-butyl substituent as the dominant substituent with the asymmetric CoPcs producing more favourable results than their symmetric analogues. With respect to the probes designed for nitrite, a multi-dimensional approach was undertaken in that acetaminophen was chosen as the primary substituent whilst multiple changes in the asymmetric component were made. In addition to varying the carboxylic acid-containing substituent, alkyne- and amine-based substituents were also explored in which the alkyne-containing Pc was anchored onto the electrode surface through click chemistry while the amine-bearing Pc was covalently linked (and π-stacked) to nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs). Another component that was altered was the central metal where CoPcs were compared to manganese Pcs (MnPcs). The most desirable peak oxidation potential for nitrite was observed in the MnPcs as it was the lowest with adsorption sometimes being a better suited method of electrode modification relative to clicking. The inclusion of NGQDs was found to be beneficial when combined with the symmetric CoPc whilst in the presence of an asymmetric Pc complex, less desirable results were observed. Overall, there were variations in the results with the symmetric CoPc sometimes being better than some of the asymmetric CoPcs demonstrating that a blanket-approach in terms of synthesizing and applying asymmetric Pcs is not always viable. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Exploring the drivers of co-occurring multiple non-native fish assemblages within an invaded and flow-modified African river system
- Authors: Mpopetsi, Pule Peter
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431871 , vital:72810 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431871
- Description: Globally, there is growing concern on the negative impacts of species invasions and habitat disturbance because these have been shown to have the potential to disrupt native community structure and function. In some instances, these two stressors can occur in concert, such as in river systems associated with inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) schemes. The Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is an example of a system affected by both habitat modification and multiple fish invasions largely because of an IBWT scheme. The opening of the Orange-Fish IBWT, which transfers water from the Orange River to the Great Fish River, modified the latter’s natural flow regime from irregular seasonal to perennial. In addition, the IBWT facilitated translocations of five fish species from the Gariep Dam (Orange River system) into the Great Fish River system. Proliferation of these non-native fish species, along with that of other fish species introduced for angling and biological control, raise questions on the mechanisms facilitating their existence within this highly modified river system. This thesis explored mechanisms associated with co-occurrences of these multiple non-native fishes within the Great Fish River. A comparison of historical and contemporary records on the ichthyofauna of the Great Fish River revealed that, of the 11 non-native fishes reported in this system, seven have established successfully, three have failed to establish and the status of one was uncertain. The Orange-Fish IBWT and angling were the main vectors of these invasions, accounting for 36% and 46%, respectively. The study also found that most established non-native fish species were large sized, had high longevity and wide habitat tolerance. Trait-based approaches were employed to investigate the role of functional diversity of non-native and native fishes in relation to their composition, distribution and environmental relationships. Although considerable interspecific variation in body morphology-related functional traits among species were observed, there was no clear distinction in these traits between native and non-native fish assemblages on a trait-ordination space. Furthermore, there were weak species-trait-environment relationships, suggesting that environmental filtering was less plausible in explaining the occurrence patterns of these fishes. Stable isotope-based trophic relationships were evaluated in three invaded sections: the upper (UGFR) mainstem sections of the Great Fish River; and lower (LGFR) mainstem sections of the Great Fish River; and its tributary, the Koonap River. It was observed that native and non-native fish assemblages exhibited variation in isotopic diversity typified by low isotopic diversity overlaps in UGFR and Koonap River, whereas the LGFR was characterised by high isotopic diversity overlap. Within the invaded sections, non-native fishes were found to have isotopic niches characterised by variable isotopic niche sizes and were more isotopically dissimilar with propensity towards trophic differentiation within the UGFR and Koonap River but were mostly characterised by high isotope niche overlaps in the LGFR. Overall, these results provided evidence of trophic niche differentiation as a probable mechanism associated with the co-occurrences of the non-native fishes. However, mechanisms facilitating these co-occurrences within the invaded sections appears to be complex, context-specific and, in some cases, unclear. Lastly, machine learning techniques, boosted (BRT) and multivariate (MRT) regression trees, revealed that the flow-disturbed habitats were invaded by multiple non-native species, whereas the non-disturbed headwaters remained invasion free. In addition, non-native species were predicted to co-occur with native species within the mainstem and large tributary sections of the Great Fish River system. Thus, the IBWT-disturbed mainstem sections were predicted to be more prone to multiple invasions compared to undisturbed headwater tributaries. , Tlhaselo ka mefuta ya diphoofolo-tsa-matswantle (non-native species), ha mmoho le phetolo/tsenyehelo ya bodulo ba diphoofolo-tsa-lehae (native species), di nkuwa ele tse pedi tsa tse kgolo ka ho fetisisa hara ditshoso tse kgahlanong le paballo kapa tshireletso ya diphoofolo-tsa-lehae tse phelang dinokeng kapa metsing. Maemong a mang, dikgatello tsena tse pedi dika etsahala ka nako e le nngwe, jwalo ka dinokeng tseo di amanang le maano a ho fetisa/tsamaisa metsi pakeng tsa dinoka tse fapa-fapaneng (IBWT). Enngwe ya dinoka tse jwalo, ke noka e bitswang ka Great Fish River, e fumanehang Kapa-Botjabela (Eastern Cape) ka hara naha ya Afrika Borwa (South Africa). Noka ena ya Great Fish River e angwa ke tshenyehelo ya bodulo ba ditlhapi-tsa-lehae, ha mmoho le tlhaselo ya tsona ka ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle. Tsena di etsahala hahololo ka lebaka la morero kapa leano la phepelo ya metsi le bitswang Orange-Fish IBWT, leo lona le ileng la fetola phallo ya tlhaho ya metsi a Great Fish River. Ho feta moo, leano lena la phephelo yametsi, Orange-Fish IBWT, le entse hore ho be bonolo ho fetisetswa ha mefuta e mehlano ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ho tloha letamong le bitswang Gariep Dam, hoya kena ka hara noka ya Great Fish River. Ditla morao tsa tsena tsohle, ebile ho ata ha mefuta e mengata ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ya Great Fish River. Ho ata hona ha ditlapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ena ya Great Fish River, ho hlahisa dipotso mabapi le mekgwa e bebofatsang ho phela ha ditlhapi tsena tsa matswantle ka hara noka ena; hore ana ebe diphela jwang ka hara noka ya Great Fish River? Ka hona, sepheo le merero wa thuto ena ke ho phuputsa mekgwa e bebofatsang ho phela ha mefuta ena e fapaneng ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ya Great Fish River. Dipheto tsa diphuputso di hlalosa hore, ha jwale, ka hara noka ena ya Great Fish River, hona le ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle tse leshome le motso o mong (11). Bosupa (7) ba tsona di phela ka katleho, ha tse tharo di hlolehile ho theha (3), mme e le nngwe (1) boemo ba teng ha bo hlake. Hare lekola hore ke efeng mekgwa e amanang le ho ata ha ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara Great Fish River, re fumana hore leano la phephelo ya metsi la Orange-Fish IBWT ka 36%, ha mmoho le boithapollo ba ho tshwasa ditlhapi (angling) ka 46%, ene ele tsona tsela tsa ho kena ha ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara Great Fish River, tse ka sehlohong. Re fumantsha hape hore katleho ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle e amahangwa le hore di boholo bo bokae, le hore diphela nako e ka kang. Mohlala, ditlhapi tse kgolo tse phelang nako etelele ka tlhaho ya tsona, di amahangwa le katleho ya ho theha ka hara noka ena. Ha tseo tse phelang nako e kgutshwanyane tsona disa amahangwe leho atleha ka hara noka ena. Tse ding tsa dipheto di hlalosa hore, ditlhapi-tsa-lehae le ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle, ka karolelano, hadi fapane haholo ka dibopeho tsa mmele, dihlopa tsena tse pedi diya tshwana. Re fumantsha hape hore dihlopa tsena tse pedi tsa ditlapi dija mefuta e fapaneng ya dijo. Eleng engwe ya dintho tse netefatsang katleho ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ena ya Great fish river. Hona keka lebaka la hore, dihlopa tsena tse pedi hadi bakisane dijo, empa di phela ka mefuta e fapaneng ya dijo. Hare phethela, re fumantsha hore mefuta e fapafapaneng ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle e fumaneha feela ka hara madulo a amahangwang le phethoho ya phallo ya metsi (flow alteration), madulo asa amahangwang le phetoho ya phallo ya metsi ona ane a hloka ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle. Sena se bolela hore phetolo ya phallo ya metsi ya Great Fish River, ka lebaka la Orange-Fish IBWT, e fokoditse matla a noka ena ho lwantsha tlhaselo ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle. Ka hona, ho bobebe hore ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle di thehe ka katleho ka hara noka ena. Tsena tsohle keka baka la phetolo ya phallo ya metsi a Great Fish River e bakilweng ke leano la phephelo ya metsi la Orange-Fish IBWT. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Mpopetsi, Pule Peter
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431871 , vital:72810 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431871
- Description: Globally, there is growing concern on the negative impacts of species invasions and habitat disturbance because these have been shown to have the potential to disrupt native community structure and function. In some instances, these two stressors can occur in concert, such as in river systems associated with inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) schemes. The Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is an example of a system affected by both habitat modification and multiple fish invasions largely because of an IBWT scheme. The opening of the Orange-Fish IBWT, which transfers water from the Orange River to the Great Fish River, modified the latter’s natural flow regime from irregular seasonal to perennial. In addition, the IBWT facilitated translocations of five fish species from the Gariep Dam (Orange River system) into the Great Fish River system. Proliferation of these non-native fish species, along with that of other fish species introduced for angling and biological control, raise questions on the mechanisms facilitating their existence within this highly modified river system. This thesis explored mechanisms associated with co-occurrences of these multiple non-native fishes within the Great Fish River. A comparison of historical and contemporary records on the ichthyofauna of the Great Fish River revealed that, of the 11 non-native fishes reported in this system, seven have established successfully, three have failed to establish and the status of one was uncertain. The Orange-Fish IBWT and angling were the main vectors of these invasions, accounting for 36% and 46%, respectively. The study also found that most established non-native fish species were large sized, had high longevity and wide habitat tolerance. Trait-based approaches were employed to investigate the role of functional diversity of non-native and native fishes in relation to their composition, distribution and environmental relationships. Although considerable interspecific variation in body morphology-related functional traits among species were observed, there was no clear distinction in these traits between native and non-native fish assemblages on a trait-ordination space. Furthermore, there were weak species-trait-environment relationships, suggesting that environmental filtering was less plausible in explaining the occurrence patterns of these fishes. Stable isotope-based trophic relationships were evaluated in three invaded sections: the upper (UGFR) mainstem sections of the Great Fish River; and lower (LGFR) mainstem sections of the Great Fish River; and its tributary, the Koonap River. It was observed that native and non-native fish assemblages exhibited variation in isotopic diversity typified by low isotopic diversity overlaps in UGFR and Koonap River, whereas the LGFR was characterised by high isotopic diversity overlap. Within the invaded sections, non-native fishes were found to have isotopic niches characterised by variable isotopic niche sizes and were more isotopically dissimilar with propensity towards trophic differentiation within the UGFR and Koonap River but were mostly characterised by high isotope niche overlaps in the LGFR. Overall, these results provided evidence of trophic niche differentiation as a probable mechanism associated with the co-occurrences of the non-native fishes. However, mechanisms facilitating these co-occurrences within the invaded sections appears to be complex, context-specific and, in some cases, unclear. Lastly, machine learning techniques, boosted (BRT) and multivariate (MRT) regression trees, revealed that the flow-disturbed habitats were invaded by multiple non-native species, whereas the non-disturbed headwaters remained invasion free. In addition, non-native species were predicted to co-occur with native species within the mainstem and large tributary sections of the Great Fish River system. Thus, the IBWT-disturbed mainstem sections were predicted to be more prone to multiple invasions compared to undisturbed headwater tributaries. , Tlhaselo ka mefuta ya diphoofolo-tsa-matswantle (non-native species), ha mmoho le phetolo/tsenyehelo ya bodulo ba diphoofolo-tsa-lehae (native species), di nkuwa ele tse pedi tsa tse kgolo ka ho fetisisa hara ditshoso tse kgahlanong le paballo kapa tshireletso ya diphoofolo-tsa-lehae tse phelang dinokeng kapa metsing. Maemong a mang, dikgatello tsena tse pedi dika etsahala ka nako e le nngwe, jwalo ka dinokeng tseo di amanang le maano a ho fetisa/tsamaisa metsi pakeng tsa dinoka tse fapa-fapaneng (IBWT). Enngwe ya dinoka tse jwalo, ke noka e bitswang ka Great Fish River, e fumanehang Kapa-Botjabela (Eastern Cape) ka hara naha ya Afrika Borwa (South Africa). Noka ena ya Great Fish River e angwa ke tshenyehelo ya bodulo ba ditlhapi-tsa-lehae, ha mmoho le tlhaselo ya tsona ka ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle. Tsena di etsahala hahololo ka lebaka la morero kapa leano la phepelo ya metsi le bitswang Orange-Fish IBWT, leo lona le ileng la fetola phallo ya tlhaho ya metsi a Great Fish River. Ho feta moo, leano lena la phephelo yametsi, Orange-Fish IBWT, le entse hore ho be bonolo ho fetisetswa ha mefuta e mehlano ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ho tloha letamong le bitswang Gariep Dam, hoya kena ka hara noka ya Great Fish River. Ditla morao tsa tsena tsohle, ebile ho ata ha mefuta e mengata ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ya Great Fish River. Ho ata hona ha ditlapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ena ya Great Fish River, ho hlahisa dipotso mabapi le mekgwa e bebofatsang ho phela ha ditlhapi tsena tsa matswantle ka hara noka ena; hore ana ebe diphela jwang ka hara noka ya Great Fish River? Ka hona, sepheo le merero wa thuto ena ke ho phuputsa mekgwa e bebofatsang ho phela ha mefuta ena e fapaneng ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ya Great Fish River. Dipheto tsa diphuputso di hlalosa hore, ha jwale, ka hara noka ena ya Great Fish River, hona le ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle tse leshome le motso o mong (11). Bosupa (7) ba tsona di phela ka katleho, ha tse tharo di hlolehile ho theha (3), mme e le nngwe (1) boemo ba teng ha bo hlake. Hare lekola hore ke efeng mekgwa e amanang le ho ata ha ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara Great Fish River, re fumana hore leano la phephelo ya metsi la Orange-Fish IBWT ka 36%, ha mmoho le boithapollo ba ho tshwasa ditlhapi (angling) ka 46%, ene ele tsona tsela tsa ho kena ha ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara Great Fish River, tse ka sehlohong. Re fumantsha hape hore katleho ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle e amahangwa le hore di boholo bo bokae, le hore diphela nako e ka kang. Mohlala, ditlhapi tse kgolo tse phelang nako etelele ka tlhaho ya tsona, di amahangwa le katleho ya ho theha ka hara noka ena. Ha tseo tse phelang nako e kgutshwanyane tsona disa amahangwe leho atleha ka hara noka ena. Tse ding tsa dipheto di hlalosa hore, ditlhapi-tsa-lehae le ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle, ka karolelano, hadi fapane haholo ka dibopeho tsa mmele, dihlopa tsena tse pedi diya tshwana. Re fumantsha hape hore dihlopa tsena tse pedi tsa ditlapi dija mefuta e fapaneng ya dijo. Eleng engwe ya dintho tse netefatsang katleho ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle ka hara noka ena ya Great fish river. Hona keka lebaka la hore, dihlopa tsena tse pedi hadi bakisane dijo, empa di phela ka mefuta e fapaneng ya dijo. Hare phethela, re fumantsha hore mefuta e fapafapaneng ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle e fumaneha feela ka hara madulo a amahangwang le phethoho ya phallo ya metsi (flow alteration), madulo asa amahangwang le phetoho ya phallo ya metsi ona ane a hloka ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle. Sena se bolela hore phetolo ya phallo ya metsi ya Great Fish River, ka lebaka la Orange-Fish IBWT, e fokoditse matla a noka ena ho lwantsha tlhaselo ya ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle. Ka hona, ho bobebe hore ditlhapi-tsa-matswantle di thehe ka katleho ka hara noka ena. Tsena tsohle keka baka la phetolo ya phallo ya metsi a Great Fish River e bakilweng ke leano la phephelo ya metsi la Orange-Fish IBWT. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Exploring the interplay between foundation phase learners’ home and school literacy practices
- Authors: Magxala, Xoliswa Patience
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431587 , vital:72788 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431587
- Description: The thesis looked at Foundation Phase children’s early home literacy practices and examined how these literacy practices are adopted at school in Libode, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, a rural area. The purpose of the study was to determine how early literacy practices at home are adopted in classrooms. The study aimed to determine the relationship between home and school literacy. To understand the literacy practices used at home and school by four Foundation Phase children and four Foundation Phase teachers, an interpretive ethnographic study design was used. Participants who spoke isiXhosa as their first language participated in data collection using structured observations, video and audio recordings, field notes, and unstructured interviews. The study’s framework, the Cultural Historical Activity Theory, was used as a tool to collect, examine, and interpret data through its various components. Themes were identified, arranged, and categorized. The findings revealed children from low socioeconomic backgrounds have rich literacy practices. Teachers do not acknowledge or recognize the contributions that these children’s cultural backgrounds make. The study recommends that schools start acknowledging the advantages that children’s environments have for them. It also suggests that teachers build on the knowledge that children bring from home, as this will have an impact on how they behave in class because students bring their family’s literacy habits, which serve as the foundation for their academic literacy habits, to school. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes in Africa, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Magxala, Xoliswa Patience
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431587 , vital:72788 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431587
- Description: The thesis looked at Foundation Phase children’s early home literacy practices and examined how these literacy practices are adopted at school in Libode, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, a rural area. The purpose of the study was to determine how early literacy practices at home are adopted in classrooms. The study aimed to determine the relationship between home and school literacy. To understand the literacy practices used at home and school by four Foundation Phase children and four Foundation Phase teachers, an interpretive ethnographic study design was used. Participants who spoke isiXhosa as their first language participated in data collection using structured observations, video and audio recordings, field notes, and unstructured interviews. The study’s framework, the Cultural Historical Activity Theory, was used as a tool to collect, examine, and interpret data through its various components. Themes were identified, arranged, and categorized. The findings revealed children from low socioeconomic backgrounds have rich literacy practices. Teachers do not acknowledge or recognize the contributions that these children’s cultural backgrounds make. The study recommends that schools start acknowledging the advantages that children’s environments have for them. It also suggests that teachers build on the knowledge that children bring from home, as this will have an impact on how they behave in class because students bring their family’s literacy habits, which serve as the foundation for their academic literacy habits, to school. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes in Africa, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Falcipain 2 and 3 as malarial drug targets: deciphering the effects of missense mutations and identification of allosteric modulators via computational approaches
- Authors: Okeke, Chiamaka Jessica
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432170 , vital:72848 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432170
- Description: Malaria, caused by an obligate unicellular protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium, is a disease of global health importance that remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported nearly 247 million malaria cases in 2021, causing 619,000 deaths, the vast majority ascribed to pregnant women and young children in sub-Saharan Africa. A critical component of malaria mitigation and elimination efforts worldwide is antimalarial drugs. However, resistance to available antimalarial drugs jeopardizes the treatment, prevention, and eradication of the disease. The recent emergence and spread of resistance to artemisinin (ART), the currently recommended first-line antimalarial drug, emphasizes the need to understand the resistance mechanism and apply this knowledge in developing new drugs that are effective against malaria. An insight into ART's mechanism of action indicates that ferrous iron (Fe2+) or heme, released when hemoglobin is degraded, cleaves the endoperoxide bridge. As a result, free radicals are formed, which alkylate many intracellular targets and result in plasmodial proteopathy. Aside from the existing evidence that mutations in the Kelch 13 protein propeller domain affect ART sensitivity and clearance rate by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasites, recent investigations raise the possibility that additional target loci may be involved, and these include a nonsense (S69stop) and four missense variants (K255R, N257E, T343P, and D345G) in falcipain 2 (FP-2) protein. FP-2 and falcipain 3 (FP-3) are cysteine proteases responsible for hydrolyzing hemoglobin in the host erythrocytic cycle, a key virulence factor for malaria parasite growth and metabolism. Due to the obligatory nature of the hemoglobin degradation process, both proteases have become potential antimalarial drug targets attracting attention in recent years for the development of blood-stage antimalarial drugs. The alteration of the expression profile of FP-2 and FP-3 through gene manipulation approaches (knockout) or compound inhibition assays, respectively, induced parasites with swollen food vacuoles due to the accumulation of undegraded hemoglobin. Furthermore, missense mutations in FP-2 confer parasites with decreased ART sensitivity, probably due to altered enzyme efficiency and momentary decreased hemoglobin degradation. Hence, understanding how these mutations affect FP-2 (including those implicated in ART resistance) and FP-3 is imperative to finding potentially effective inhibitors. The first aim of this thesis is to characterize the effects of missense mutations on the partial zymogen complex and the catalytic domain of FP-2 and FP-3 using a range of computational approaches and tools such as homology modeling, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, comparative essential dynamics, dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis, weighted residue contact map analysis, amongst others. The Pf genomic resource database (PlasmoDB) identified 41 missense mutations located in the partial zymogen and catalytic domains of FP-2 and FP-3. Using structure-based tools, six putative allosteric pockets were identified in FP-2 and FP-3. The effect of mutations on the whole protein, the central core, binding pocket residues and allosteric pockets was evaluated. The accurate 3D homology models of the WT and mutants were calculated. MD simulations were performed on the various systems as a quick starting point. MD simulations have provided a cornerstone for establishing numerous computational tools for describing changes arising from mutations, ligand binding, and environmental changes such as pH and temperature. Post-MD analysis was performed in two stages viz global and local analysis. Global analysis via radius of gyration (Rg) and comparative essential dynamic analysis revealed the conformational variability associated with all mutations. In the catalytic domain of FP-2, the presence of M245I mutation triggered the formation of a cryptic pocket via an exclusive mechanism involving the fusion of pockets 2 and 6. This striking observation was also detected in the partial zymogen complex of FP-2 and induced by A159V, M245I and E249A mutations. A similar observation was uncovered in the presence of A422T mutation in the catalytic domain of FP-3. Local DRN and contact map analyses identified conserved inter-residue interaction changes on important communication networks. This study brings a novel understanding of the effects of missense mutations in FP-2 and FP-3 and provides important insight which may help discover new anti-hemoglobinase drugs. The second aim is the identification of potential allosteric ligands against the WT and mutant systems of FP-2 and FP-3 using various computational tools. Of the six potential allosteric pockets identified in FP-2 and FP-3, pocket 1 was evaluated by SiteMap as the most druggable in both proteins. This pipeline was implemented to screen pocket 1 of FP-2 and FP-3 against 2089 repositionable compounds obtained from the DrugBank database. In order to ensure selectivity and specificity to the Plasmodium protein, the human homologs (Cat K and Cat L) were screened, and compounds binding to these proteins were exempted from further analysis. Subsequently, eight compounds (DB00128, DB00312, DB00766, DB00951, DB02893, DB03754, DB13972, and DB14159) were identified as potential allosteric hits for FP-2 and five (DB00853, DB00951, DB01613, DB04173 and DB09419) for FP-3. These compounds were subjected to MD simulation and post-MD trajectory analysis to ascertain their stability in their respective protein structures. The effects of the stable compounds on the WT and mutant systems of FP-2 and FP-3 were then evaluated using DRN analysis. Attention has recently been drawn towards identifying novel allosteric compounds targeting FP-2 and FP-3; hence this study explores the potential allosteric inhibitory mechanisms in the presence and absence of mutations in FP-2 and FP-3. Overall, the results presented in this thesis provide (i) an understanding of the role mutations in the partial zymogen complex play in the activation of the active enzyme, (ii) an insight into the possible allosteric mechanisms induced by mutations on the active enzymes, and (iii) a computational pipeline for the development of novel allosteric modulators for malaria inhibition studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Okeke, Chiamaka Jessica
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432170 , vital:72848 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432170
- Description: Malaria, caused by an obligate unicellular protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium, is a disease of global health importance that remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported nearly 247 million malaria cases in 2021, causing 619,000 deaths, the vast majority ascribed to pregnant women and young children in sub-Saharan Africa. A critical component of malaria mitigation and elimination efforts worldwide is antimalarial drugs. However, resistance to available antimalarial drugs jeopardizes the treatment, prevention, and eradication of the disease. The recent emergence and spread of resistance to artemisinin (ART), the currently recommended first-line antimalarial drug, emphasizes the need to understand the resistance mechanism and apply this knowledge in developing new drugs that are effective against malaria. An insight into ART's mechanism of action indicates that ferrous iron (Fe2+) or heme, released when hemoglobin is degraded, cleaves the endoperoxide bridge. As a result, free radicals are formed, which alkylate many intracellular targets and result in plasmodial proteopathy. Aside from the existing evidence that mutations in the Kelch 13 protein propeller domain affect ART sensitivity and clearance rate by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasites, recent investigations raise the possibility that additional target loci may be involved, and these include a nonsense (S69stop) and four missense variants (K255R, N257E, T343P, and D345G) in falcipain 2 (FP-2) protein. FP-2 and falcipain 3 (FP-3) are cysteine proteases responsible for hydrolyzing hemoglobin in the host erythrocytic cycle, a key virulence factor for malaria parasite growth and metabolism. Due to the obligatory nature of the hemoglobin degradation process, both proteases have become potential antimalarial drug targets attracting attention in recent years for the development of blood-stage antimalarial drugs. The alteration of the expression profile of FP-2 and FP-3 through gene manipulation approaches (knockout) or compound inhibition assays, respectively, induced parasites with swollen food vacuoles due to the accumulation of undegraded hemoglobin. Furthermore, missense mutations in FP-2 confer parasites with decreased ART sensitivity, probably due to altered enzyme efficiency and momentary decreased hemoglobin degradation. Hence, understanding how these mutations affect FP-2 (including those implicated in ART resistance) and FP-3 is imperative to finding potentially effective inhibitors. The first aim of this thesis is to characterize the effects of missense mutations on the partial zymogen complex and the catalytic domain of FP-2 and FP-3 using a range of computational approaches and tools such as homology modeling, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, comparative essential dynamics, dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis, weighted residue contact map analysis, amongst others. The Pf genomic resource database (PlasmoDB) identified 41 missense mutations located in the partial zymogen and catalytic domains of FP-2 and FP-3. Using structure-based tools, six putative allosteric pockets were identified in FP-2 and FP-3. The effect of mutations on the whole protein, the central core, binding pocket residues and allosteric pockets was evaluated. The accurate 3D homology models of the WT and mutants were calculated. MD simulations were performed on the various systems as a quick starting point. MD simulations have provided a cornerstone for establishing numerous computational tools for describing changes arising from mutations, ligand binding, and environmental changes such as pH and temperature. Post-MD analysis was performed in two stages viz global and local analysis. Global analysis via radius of gyration (Rg) and comparative essential dynamic analysis revealed the conformational variability associated with all mutations. In the catalytic domain of FP-2, the presence of M245I mutation triggered the formation of a cryptic pocket via an exclusive mechanism involving the fusion of pockets 2 and 6. This striking observation was also detected in the partial zymogen complex of FP-2 and induced by A159V, M245I and E249A mutations. A similar observation was uncovered in the presence of A422T mutation in the catalytic domain of FP-3. Local DRN and contact map analyses identified conserved inter-residue interaction changes on important communication networks. This study brings a novel understanding of the effects of missense mutations in FP-2 and FP-3 and provides important insight which may help discover new anti-hemoglobinase drugs. The second aim is the identification of potential allosteric ligands against the WT and mutant systems of FP-2 and FP-3 using various computational tools. Of the six potential allosteric pockets identified in FP-2 and FP-3, pocket 1 was evaluated by SiteMap as the most druggable in both proteins. This pipeline was implemented to screen pocket 1 of FP-2 and FP-3 against 2089 repositionable compounds obtained from the DrugBank database. In order to ensure selectivity and specificity to the Plasmodium protein, the human homologs (Cat K and Cat L) were screened, and compounds binding to these proteins were exempted from further analysis. Subsequently, eight compounds (DB00128, DB00312, DB00766, DB00951, DB02893, DB03754, DB13972, and DB14159) were identified as potential allosteric hits for FP-2 and five (DB00853, DB00951, DB01613, DB04173 and DB09419) for FP-3. These compounds were subjected to MD simulation and post-MD trajectory analysis to ascertain their stability in their respective protein structures. The effects of the stable compounds on the WT and mutant systems of FP-2 and FP-3 were then evaluated using DRN analysis. Attention has recently been drawn towards identifying novel allosteric compounds targeting FP-2 and FP-3; hence this study explores the potential allosteric inhibitory mechanisms in the presence and absence of mutations in FP-2 and FP-3. Overall, the results presented in this thesis provide (i) an understanding of the role mutations in the partial zymogen complex play in the activation of the active enzyme, (ii) an insight into the possible allosteric mechanisms induced by mutations on the active enzymes, and (iii) a computational pipeline for the development of novel allosteric modulators for malaria inhibition studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Field facilitation in open and distance learning in resource-constrained environments: a case of Mzuzu University, Malawi
- Authors: Kalima, Robert Chagwamtsoka
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431554 , vital:72785 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431554
- Description: As part of the drive to enhance students’ learning experiences and success for students pursuing the B.Ed Science programme through distance education at Mzuzu University (Mzuni), the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Steering Committee of Mzuni introduced the field facilitation strategy in 2014 to provide additional academic support to such students off campus. There have been questions, though, regarding the effectiveness of this strategy in terms of enhancement of student learning and success. This study, therefore, sought to examine the current field facilitation strategy in the B.Ed Science programme under the ODL mode of delivery, with a view to proposing improvements that would be made to the field facilitation strategy so that it enables enhanced learning and success in Science and Mathematics at Mzuni. Efforts to improve the current field facilitation strategy have been informed by an empirically based understanding of the shortfalls and strengths of the existing field facilitation strategy for ODL students in the B.Ed Science programme. To enhance students’ learning and success for ODL students in resource-constrained contexts such as Mzuni and similar contexts, the study adopted a qualitative case study design guided by tools from the second generation of the Cultural Historical Activity Theory. Qualitative data was obtained in two phases, a contextual profiling phase and a modified Change Laboratory Workshop phase. The modified Change Laboratory Workshops were conducted through the social media application ‘WhatsApp’ rather than in person as is usually done. Qualitative data in the contextual profiling phase was obtained from three categories of participants, namely, Science and Mathematics lecturers, Science and Mathematics field facilitators, and Science and Mathematics students. The contextual profiling phase included surveys, focus group interviews, individual interviews with lecturers at Mzuni and the field facilitators from the five satellite learning centres of Mzuni, and document analysis. The contextual profiling data acted as the mirror data for the next phase of data generation (Change Laboratory Workshop phase). The findings indicated that the support currently rendered by field facilitators to ODL Science and Mathematics students was inadequate and consisted of a shallow mode of instruction focusing on v traditional ways of teaching and learning. This meant that the field facilitators focused on lecturing as a pedagogical strategy for supporting the learning of Science and Mathematics. This was largely because the support offered to field facilitators by Mzuni was inadequate and did not empower them to generate their own strategies of conducting field facilitation innovatively and creatively, which would in turn empower the students to engage actively and reflectively in their own learning activities. This was due to structural, historical and cultural tensions that existed in the larger system (the university system). The implementation of the field facilitation strategy was challenged by such conflicts in the university structure which manifested themselves in the smaller activity system (the field facilitation activity system) which is the focus of this study. Thematically, such conflicts included students’ attributes, institutional policies, institutional pedagogy and the material and digital divide which Mzuni has not harnessed to support field facilitation. The study further established that institutional sensitivity to the conflicts raised above would result in an improved field facilitation strategy as the conflicts at the higher level (university level) have an impact on what happens in the smaller systems, for example the ODL in general and the field facilitation activity system in particular. The improved field facilitation strategy was supposed to recognise ODL students as students in transit from the traditional face-to-face learning context to the novel ODL learning context. As such, the transitional period of study from secondary school to university, particularly to year one, required an intensive field facilitation support strategy, and thus greater institutional support for both field facilitators and students for enhanced learning experiences and success that would eventually result in improved students’ retention and throughput. The findings of this study will therefore inform all those involved in ODL, particularly those in resource-constrained contexts, to be conscious when implementing ODL innovations. Serious consideration of the contexts in which the innovations are to be implemented is critical. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Primary and Early Childhood Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Kalima, Robert Chagwamtsoka
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431554 , vital:72785 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431554
- Description: As part of the drive to enhance students’ learning experiences and success for students pursuing the B.Ed Science programme through distance education at Mzuzu University (Mzuni), the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Steering Committee of Mzuni introduced the field facilitation strategy in 2014 to provide additional academic support to such students off campus. There have been questions, though, regarding the effectiveness of this strategy in terms of enhancement of student learning and success. This study, therefore, sought to examine the current field facilitation strategy in the B.Ed Science programme under the ODL mode of delivery, with a view to proposing improvements that would be made to the field facilitation strategy so that it enables enhanced learning and success in Science and Mathematics at Mzuni. Efforts to improve the current field facilitation strategy have been informed by an empirically based understanding of the shortfalls and strengths of the existing field facilitation strategy for ODL students in the B.Ed Science programme. To enhance students’ learning and success for ODL students in resource-constrained contexts such as Mzuni and similar contexts, the study adopted a qualitative case study design guided by tools from the second generation of the Cultural Historical Activity Theory. Qualitative data was obtained in two phases, a contextual profiling phase and a modified Change Laboratory Workshop phase. The modified Change Laboratory Workshops were conducted through the social media application ‘WhatsApp’ rather than in person as is usually done. Qualitative data in the contextual profiling phase was obtained from three categories of participants, namely, Science and Mathematics lecturers, Science and Mathematics field facilitators, and Science and Mathematics students. The contextual profiling phase included surveys, focus group interviews, individual interviews with lecturers at Mzuni and the field facilitators from the five satellite learning centres of Mzuni, and document analysis. The contextual profiling data acted as the mirror data for the next phase of data generation (Change Laboratory Workshop phase). The findings indicated that the support currently rendered by field facilitators to ODL Science and Mathematics students was inadequate and consisted of a shallow mode of instruction focusing on v traditional ways of teaching and learning. This meant that the field facilitators focused on lecturing as a pedagogical strategy for supporting the learning of Science and Mathematics. This was largely because the support offered to field facilitators by Mzuni was inadequate and did not empower them to generate their own strategies of conducting field facilitation innovatively and creatively, which would in turn empower the students to engage actively and reflectively in their own learning activities. This was due to structural, historical and cultural tensions that existed in the larger system (the university system). The implementation of the field facilitation strategy was challenged by such conflicts in the university structure which manifested themselves in the smaller activity system (the field facilitation activity system) which is the focus of this study. Thematically, such conflicts included students’ attributes, institutional policies, institutional pedagogy and the material and digital divide which Mzuni has not harnessed to support field facilitation. The study further established that institutional sensitivity to the conflicts raised above would result in an improved field facilitation strategy as the conflicts at the higher level (university level) have an impact on what happens in the smaller systems, for example the ODL in general and the field facilitation activity system in particular. The improved field facilitation strategy was supposed to recognise ODL students as students in transit from the traditional face-to-face learning context to the novel ODL learning context. As such, the transitional period of study from secondary school to university, particularly to year one, required an intensive field facilitation support strategy, and thus greater institutional support for both field facilitators and students for enhanced learning experiences and success that would eventually result in improved students’ retention and throughput. The findings of this study will therefore inform all those involved in ODL, particularly those in resource-constrained contexts, to be conscious when implementing ODL innovations. Serious consideration of the contexts in which the innovations are to be implemented is critical. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Primary and Early Childhood Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
From euphoria to disenchantment: the intangible in Black post-apartheid South African fiction
- Authors: Kenqu, Amanda Yoliswa
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432466 , vital:72873
- Description: Access restricted. Exptected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Kenqu, Amanda Yoliswa
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432466 , vital:72873
- Description: Access restricted. Exptected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
From more sustainable isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions to spiro-heterocyclic compound syntheses
- Authors: Salami, Sodeeq Aderotimi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432229 , vital:72853 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432229
- Description: The global pharmaceutical industry has undergone profound transformations in the past two decades in the search for new drugs. For this reason, most pharmaceutical companies made significant investments not only in the development of new drugs but new methodologies. Modern drug development is confronted with the challenge of developing chemical reactions that are highly capable of providing most of the elements of structural complexity and diversity with the fewest possible synthetic steps for the specific target with the most intriguing properties. The discovery of more sustainable, environmentally friendly reactions capable of forming multiple bonds in a single step has been a challenge in organic synthesis over the years. Many organic chemists have recently started focusing on creative ways of reducing environmental pollution. The use of hazardous solvents has been reduced or eliminated in research to limit harm to both people and the environment. The pursuit of this goal has drawn many organic chemists to the study of various sustainable synthetic techniques including catalysis, aqueous organic reactions and mechanochemistry. The scope of this thesis was to apply sustainable techniques to design multicomponent synthetic protocols for the Passerini reaction and further apply these new protocols to construct spiro-heterocyclic compounds, all based on green chemistry principles. There is a need to develop rapid, efficient, and versatile strategies for the synthesis of bioactive molecules via multicomponent reactions. This project tried to avoid some of the pitfalls of traditional approaches, such as toxicity, low yield, long reaction times, harsh conditions, experimental complexity, and limited functionalization scope. This was achieved by focussing on the use of isonitriles and isothiocyanates as key reactive intermediates, and making extensive use of aqueous reaction conditions, mechanochemistry and microwave activation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Salami, Sodeeq Aderotimi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432229 , vital:72853 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432229
- Description: The global pharmaceutical industry has undergone profound transformations in the past two decades in the search for new drugs. For this reason, most pharmaceutical companies made significant investments not only in the development of new drugs but new methodologies. Modern drug development is confronted with the challenge of developing chemical reactions that are highly capable of providing most of the elements of structural complexity and diversity with the fewest possible synthetic steps for the specific target with the most intriguing properties. The discovery of more sustainable, environmentally friendly reactions capable of forming multiple bonds in a single step has been a challenge in organic synthesis over the years. Many organic chemists have recently started focusing on creative ways of reducing environmental pollution. The use of hazardous solvents has been reduced or eliminated in research to limit harm to both people and the environment. The pursuit of this goal has drawn many organic chemists to the study of various sustainable synthetic techniques including catalysis, aqueous organic reactions and mechanochemistry. The scope of this thesis was to apply sustainable techniques to design multicomponent synthetic protocols for the Passerini reaction and further apply these new protocols to construct spiro-heterocyclic compounds, all based on green chemistry principles. There is a need to develop rapid, efficient, and versatile strategies for the synthesis of bioactive molecules via multicomponent reactions. This project tried to avoid some of the pitfalls of traditional approaches, such as toxicity, low yield, long reaction times, harsh conditions, experimental complexity, and limited functionalization scope. This was achieved by focussing on the use of isonitriles and isothiocyanates as key reactive intermediates, and making extensive use of aqueous reaction conditions, mechanochemistry and microwave activation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Health communication for antimicrobial resistance and stewardship in the Makana Local Municipality, South Africa
- Authors: Sharma, Samridhi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431531 , vital:72783
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Sharma, Samridhi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431531 , vital:72783
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
HOP abundance affects nuclear pore components and the export of protein and RNA cargo
- Authors: Oladipo, Hannah Oluwakemi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432192 , vital:72850
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Oladipo, Hannah Oluwakemi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432192 , vital:72850
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Identification of novel therapeutic agents targeting Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) lytic replication
- Authors: Okpara, Michael Obinna
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432181 , vital:72849
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Okpara, Michael Obinna
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432181 , vital:72849
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
In silico characterization of missense mutations in infectious diseases: case studies of tuberculosis and COVID-19
- Authors: Barozi, Victor
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Microbial mutation , COVID-19 (Disease) , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Antitubercular agents , Tuberculosis , Molecular dynamics , Single nucleotide polymorphisms
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431626 , vital:72791 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431626
- Description: One of the greatest challenges facing modern medicine and the global public health today is antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR). This “silent pandemic,” as coined by the world health organization (WHO), is steadily increasing with an estimated 4.95 million mortalities attributed to AMR in 2019, 1.27 million of which were directly linked to AMR. Some of the contributors to AMR include self-prescription, drug overuse, sub-optimal drug prescriptions by health workers, and inaccessibility to drugs, especially in remote areas, which leads to poor adherence. The situation is aggravated by the upsurge of new zoonotic infections like the coronavirus disease 2019, which present unique challenges and take the bulk of resources hence stunting the fight against AMR. Quite alarming still is our current antimicrobial arsenal, which hasn’t had any novel antimicrobial drug discovery/addition, of a new class, since the 1980s. This puts a burden on the existing broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs which are already struggling against multi-drug resistant strains like multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Besides the search for new antimicrobial agents, the other avenue for addressing AMR is studying drug resistance mechanisms, especially single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that change drug target characteristics. With the advancement of computational power and data storage resources, computational approaches can be applied in mutational studies to provide insight into the drug resistance mechanisms with an aim to inform future drug design and development. Therefore, in the first part of this thesis, we employ integrative in silico approaches, including 3D structure modeling, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, comparative essential dynamics (ED), and protein network analysis approaches i.e., dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis to decipher drug resistance mechanisms in tuberculosis (TB). This involved an investigation of the drug resistance mutations in the catalase-peroxidase (KatG) and pyrazinamidase (MtPncA) enzymes which are responsible for activation of TB first-line drugs; Isoniazid (INH) and Pyrazinamide (PZA), respectively. In the case of KatG, eleven high confidence (HC) KatG mutations associated with a high prevalence of phenotypic INH resistance were identified and their 3D structures modeled before subjecting them to MD simulations. Global analysis showed an unstable KatG structure and active site environment in the mutants compared to the wildtype. Active site dynamics in the mutants compromised cofactor (heme) interactions resulting in less bonds/interactions compared to the wildtype. Given the importance of the heme, reduced interactions affect enzyme function. Trajectory analysis also showed asymmetric protomer behavior both in the wildtype and mutant systems. DRN analysis identified the KatG dimerization domain and C-terminal domain as functionally important and influential in the enzyme function as per betweenness centrality and eigenvector centrality distribution. In the case of the MtPncA enzyme, our main focus was on understanding the MtPncA binding ability of Nicotinamide (an analogue of PZA) in comparison to PZA, especially in the presence of 82 resistance conferring MtPncA mutations. Like in KatG, the mutant structures were modeled and subjected to MD simulations and analysis. Interestingly, more MtPncA mutants favored NAM interactions compared to PZA i.e., 34 MtPncA mutants steadily coordinated NAM compared to 21 in the case of PZA. Trajectory and ligand interaction analysis showed how increased active site lid loop dynamics affect the NAM binding, especially in the systems with the active site mutations i.e., H51Y, W68R, C72R, L82R, K96N, L159N, and L159R. This led to fewer protein-ligand interactions and eventually ligand ejection. Network analysis further identified the protein core, metal binding site (MBS), and substrate binding site as the most important regions of the enzyme. Furthermore, the degree of centrality analysis showed how specific MtPncA mutations i.e., C14H, F17D, and T412P, interrupt intra-protein communication from the MtPncA core to the MBS, affecting enzyme activity. The analysis of KatG and MtPncA enzyme mutations not only identified the effects of mutations on enzyme behaviour and communication, but also established a framework of computational approaches that can be used for mutational studies in any protein. Besides AMR, the continued encroachment of wildlife habitats due to population growth has exposed humans to wildlife pathogens leading to zoonotic diseases, a recent example being coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the second part of the thesis, the established computational approaches in Part 1, were employed to investigate the changes in inter-protein interactions and communication patterns between the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with the human host receptor protein (ACE2: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) consequent to mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). Here, the focus was on RBD mutations of the Omicron sub-lineages. We identified four Omicron-sub lineages with RBD mutations i.e., BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4. Each sub-lineage mutations were modeled into RBD structure in complex with the hACE2. MD analysis of the RBD-hACE2 complex highlighted how the RBD mutations change the conformational flexibility of both the RBD and hACE2 compared to the wildtype (WT). Furthermore, DRN analysis identified novel allosteric paths composed of residues with high betweenness and eigenvector centralities linking the RBD to the hACE2 in both the wildtype and mutant systems. Interestingly, these paths were modified with the progression of Omicron sub-lineages, highlighting how the virus evolution affects protein interaction. Lastly, the effect of mutations on S RBD and hACE2 interaction was investigated from the hACE2 perspective by focusing on mutations in the hACE2 protein. Here, naturally occurring hACE2 polymorphisms in African populations i.e., S19P, K26R, M82I, K341R, N546D, and D597Q, were identified and their effects on RBD-hACE2 interactions investigated in presence of the Omicron BA.4/5 RBD mutations. The hACE2 polymorphisms subtly affected the complex dynamics; however, RBD-hACE2 interaction analysis showed that hACE2 mutations effect the complex formation and interaction. Here, the K26R mutation favored RBD-hACE2 interactions, whereas S19P resulted in fewer inter-protein interactions than the reference system. The M82I mutation resulted in a higher RBD-hACE2 binding energy compared to the wildtype meaning that the mutation might not favor RBD binding to the hACE2. On the other hand, K341R had the most RBD-hACE2 interactions suggesting that it probably favors RBD binding to the hACE2. N546D and D597Q had diminutive differences to the reference system. Interestingly, the network of high betweenness centrality residues linking the two proteins, as seen in the previous paragraph, were maintained/modified in presence of hACE2 mutations. HACE2 mutations also changed the enzyme network patterns resulting in a concentration of high eigenvector centrality residues around the zinc-binding and active site region, ultimately influencing the enzyme functionality. Altogether, the thesis highlights fundamental structural and network changes consequent to mutations both in TB and COVID-19 proteins of interest using in silico approaches. These approaches not only provide a new context on impact of mutations in TB and COVID target proteins, but also presents a framework that be implemented in other protein mutation studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Barozi, Victor
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Microbial mutation , COVID-19 (Disease) , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Antitubercular agents , Tuberculosis , Molecular dynamics , Single nucleotide polymorphisms
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431626 , vital:72791 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431626
- Description: One of the greatest challenges facing modern medicine and the global public health today is antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR). This “silent pandemic,” as coined by the world health organization (WHO), is steadily increasing with an estimated 4.95 million mortalities attributed to AMR in 2019, 1.27 million of which were directly linked to AMR. Some of the contributors to AMR include self-prescription, drug overuse, sub-optimal drug prescriptions by health workers, and inaccessibility to drugs, especially in remote areas, which leads to poor adherence. The situation is aggravated by the upsurge of new zoonotic infections like the coronavirus disease 2019, which present unique challenges and take the bulk of resources hence stunting the fight against AMR. Quite alarming still is our current antimicrobial arsenal, which hasn’t had any novel antimicrobial drug discovery/addition, of a new class, since the 1980s. This puts a burden on the existing broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs which are already struggling against multi-drug resistant strains like multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Besides the search for new antimicrobial agents, the other avenue for addressing AMR is studying drug resistance mechanisms, especially single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that change drug target characteristics. With the advancement of computational power and data storage resources, computational approaches can be applied in mutational studies to provide insight into the drug resistance mechanisms with an aim to inform future drug design and development. Therefore, in the first part of this thesis, we employ integrative in silico approaches, including 3D structure modeling, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, comparative essential dynamics (ED), and protein network analysis approaches i.e., dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis to decipher drug resistance mechanisms in tuberculosis (TB). This involved an investigation of the drug resistance mutations in the catalase-peroxidase (KatG) and pyrazinamidase (MtPncA) enzymes which are responsible for activation of TB first-line drugs; Isoniazid (INH) and Pyrazinamide (PZA), respectively. In the case of KatG, eleven high confidence (HC) KatG mutations associated with a high prevalence of phenotypic INH resistance were identified and their 3D structures modeled before subjecting them to MD simulations. Global analysis showed an unstable KatG structure and active site environment in the mutants compared to the wildtype. Active site dynamics in the mutants compromised cofactor (heme) interactions resulting in less bonds/interactions compared to the wildtype. Given the importance of the heme, reduced interactions affect enzyme function. Trajectory analysis also showed asymmetric protomer behavior both in the wildtype and mutant systems. DRN analysis identified the KatG dimerization domain and C-terminal domain as functionally important and influential in the enzyme function as per betweenness centrality and eigenvector centrality distribution. In the case of the MtPncA enzyme, our main focus was on understanding the MtPncA binding ability of Nicotinamide (an analogue of PZA) in comparison to PZA, especially in the presence of 82 resistance conferring MtPncA mutations. Like in KatG, the mutant structures were modeled and subjected to MD simulations and analysis. Interestingly, more MtPncA mutants favored NAM interactions compared to PZA i.e., 34 MtPncA mutants steadily coordinated NAM compared to 21 in the case of PZA. Trajectory and ligand interaction analysis showed how increased active site lid loop dynamics affect the NAM binding, especially in the systems with the active site mutations i.e., H51Y, W68R, C72R, L82R, K96N, L159N, and L159R. This led to fewer protein-ligand interactions and eventually ligand ejection. Network analysis further identified the protein core, metal binding site (MBS), and substrate binding site as the most important regions of the enzyme. Furthermore, the degree of centrality analysis showed how specific MtPncA mutations i.e., C14H, F17D, and T412P, interrupt intra-protein communication from the MtPncA core to the MBS, affecting enzyme activity. The analysis of KatG and MtPncA enzyme mutations not only identified the effects of mutations on enzyme behaviour and communication, but also established a framework of computational approaches that can be used for mutational studies in any protein. Besides AMR, the continued encroachment of wildlife habitats due to population growth has exposed humans to wildlife pathogens leading to zoonotic diseases, a recent example being coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the second part of the thesis, the established computational approaches in Part 1, were employed to investigate the changes in inter-protein interactions and communication patterns between the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with the human host receptor protein (ACE2: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) consequent to mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). Here, the focus was on RBD mutations of the Omicron sub-lineages. We identified four Omicron-sub lineages with RBD mutations i.e., BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4. Each sub-lineage mutations were modeled into RBD structure in complex with the hACE2. MD analysis of the RBD-hACE2 complex highlighted how the RBD mutations change the conformational flexibility of both the RBD and hACE2 compared to the wildtype (WT). Furthermore, DRN analysis identified novel allosteric paths composed of residues with high betweenness and eigenvector centralities linking the RBD to the hACE2 in both the wildtype and mutant systems. Interestingly, these paths were modified with the progression of Omicron sub-lineages, highlighting how the virus evolution affects protein interaction. Lastly, the effect of mutations on S RBD and hACE2 interaction was investigated from the hACE2 perspective by focusing on mutations in the hACE2 protein. Here, naturally occurring hACE2 polymorphisms in African populations i.e., S19P, K26R, M82I, K341R, N546D, and D597Q, were identified and their effects on RBD-hACE2 interactions investigated in presence of the Omicron BA.4/5 RBD mutations. The hACE2 polymorphisms subtly affected the complex dynamics; however, RBD-hACE2 interaction analysis showed that hACE2 mutations effect the complex formation and interaction. Here, the K26R mutation favored RBD-hACE2 interactions, whereas S19P resulted in fewer inter-protein interactions than the reference system. The M82I mutation resulted in a higher RBD-hACE2 binding energy compared to the wildtype meaning that the mutation might not favor RBD binding to the hACE2. On the other hand, K341R had the most RBD-hACE2 interactions suggesting that it probably favors RBD binding to the hACE2. N546D and D597Q had diminutive differences to the reference system. Interestingly, the network of high betweenness centrality residues linking the two proteins, as seen in the previous paragraph, were maintained/modified in presence of hACE2 mutations. HACE2 mutations also changed the enzyme network patterns resulting in a concentration of high eigenvector centrality residues around the zinc-binding and active site region, ultimately influencing the enzyme functionality. Altogether, the thesis highlights fundamental structural and network changes consequent to mutations both in TB and COVID-19 proteins of interest using in silico approaches. These approaches not only provide a new context on impact of mutations in TB and COVID target proteins, but also presents a framework that be implemented in other protein mutation studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
InVisible freedom fighter: a critical analysis of portrayals of women in archival photographs, independence monuments and contemporary art in Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) and Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia)
- Authors: Kalichini, Gladys Melina
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432433 , vital:72870 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432433
- Description: This doctoral dissertation in art history develops a notion of invisibility by critically analysing processes in which narratives about women are either concealed or uncovered in visual portrayals relating to the independence of Zambia (former Northern Rhodesia) and Zimbabwe (previously Southern Rhodesia). This study concentrates on three main visual categories that include archival photographs, national monuments, and visual art. It critically engages with concepts of memory and history through a framework of gender. The concept of invisibility developed in this thesis articulates a dynamic process in which independence narratives evolve over time, sometimes revealing memories associated with women and at other times rendering women invisible. National liberation in many African states is dominantly accredited to the political parties that were in power at the time of independence. In Zambia, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) is acknowledged for spearheading efforts to overthrow the colonial administration, while in Zimbabwe it is the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF). Both political parties were headed by men, and the majority of their memberships was also comprised of men; as such, the dominant narratives largely illuminate the stories of men associated with these political parties. The overarching argument of this doctoral dissertation is that there is a gender bias inherent in dominant independence struggles narratives that are communicated through cultural heritage sites such as monuments and archives. In this study, art and art making inform theory as the methodological approach takes the direction in which selected artworks and visual materials are employed as a starting point of considering concepts that relate to the visibilities of stories about women. This approach cogitates the function of art, visual culture, and art history in the production of knowledges that foster in-depth understandings of concepts that explain social phenomena such as historical erasure. This doctoral dissertation in art history is divided into two parts, A and B, that conceptually complement each other. In section A which comprises of chapters one and two, the study develops an alternative visual archive that surveys the involvements of six specific women in the attainment of national independence in their respective countries, and critically analyses the Freedom Statue in Zambia and the National Heroes Acre in Zimbabwe as monuments dedicated to commemorating the independence struggle in the two countries. In Chapters three to five which form the second section of this dissertation, the emphasis of the discussion is on how selected visual artworks of three selected artists disrupt, counter or engage with dominant historical accounts that either exclude or marginalise narratives about women. The three artists include myself, Gladys Kalichini, and Zimbabwean born artists Kudzanai Chiurai and Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude. This thesis offers a culturally rich conversation about visual representations of social, political and cultural roles women performed in the colonial times in Northern and Southern Rhodesia and gives insight into the evolution of the luminosity of contemporary performances of women’s social collectives in Zambia and Zimbabwe. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Kalichini, Gladys Melina
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432433 , vital:72870 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432433
- Description: This doctoral dissertation in art history develops a notion of invisibility by critically analysing processes in which narratives about women are either concealed or uncovered in visual portrayals relating to the independence of Zambia (former Northern Rhodesia) and Zimbabwe (previously Southern Rhodesia). This study concentrates on three main visual categories that include archival photographs, national monuments, and visual art. It critically engages with concepts of memory and history through a framework of gender. The concept of invisibility developed in this thesis articulates a dynamic process in which independence narratives evolve over time, sometimes revealing memories associated with women and at other times rendering women invisible. National liberation in many African states is dominantly accredited to the political parties that were in power at the time of independence. In Zambia, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) is acknowledged for spearheading efforts to overthrow the colonial administration, while in Zimbabwe it is the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF). Both political parties were headed by men, and the majority of their memberships was also comprised of men; as such, the dominant narratives largely illuminate the stories of men associated with these political parties. The overarching argument of this doctoral dissertation is that there is a gender bias inherent in dominant independence struggles narratives that are communicated through cultural heritage sites such as monuments and archives. In this study, art and art making inform theory as the methodological approach takes the direction in which selected artworks and visual materials are employed as a starting point of considering concepts that relate to the visibilities of stories about women. This approach cogitates the function of art, visual culture, and art history in the production of knowledges that foster in-depth understandings of concepts that explain social phenomena such as historical erasure. This doctoral dissertation in art history is divided into two parts, A and B, that conceptually complement each other. In section A which comprises of chapters one and two, the study develops an alternative visual archive that surveys the involvements of six specific women in the attainment of national independence in their respective countries, and critically analyses the Freedom Statue in Zambia and the National Heroes Acre in Zimbabwe as monuments dedicated to commemorating the independence struggle in the two countries. In Chapters three to five which form the second section of this dissertation, the emphasis of the discussion is on how selected visual artworks of three selected artists disrupt, counter or engage with dominant historical accounts that either exclude or marginalise narratives about women. The three artists include myself, Gladys Kalichini, and Zimbabwean born artists Kudzanai Chiurai and Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude. This thesis offers a culturally rich conversation about visual representations of social, political and cultural roles women performed in the colonial times in Northern and Southern Rhodesia and gives insight into the evolution of the luminosity of contemporary performances of women’s social collectives in Zambia and Zimbabwe. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Jazz pedagogical strategies: an A/R/Tographic investigation into the implementation of the South African jazz CAPS syllabus
- Authors: Rungan, Natalie
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432488 , vital:72875 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432488
- Description: The Jazz stream of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement Further Education and Training music curriculum was introduced in South Africa in 2012 (DBE, 2011a). Despite the intentions of the government to promote diversity, social transformation, and inclusion, subject music is still weighted towards Western Art Music, perpetuating past biases of a Eurocentric model for music education. This study, which uses a mixed-method approach, seeks to create strategies to advance Jazz education in South Africa through an a/r/tographic analysis of the author’s Jazz pedagogical methods at Durban High School in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Key approaches include curriculum theory, currere, a/r/tography, among others. After reviewing Jazz pedagogy in the U.S.A. and South Africa as a starting point, using Pinar’s (1994) method of currere, the author demonstrates how past personal music educational processes have led to present Jazz pedagogical methods. Six original compositions were written that outline the influences that infused these methods and added to the creative output related to this research. Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the Jazz community to gain perspective about the current state of Jazz education, and with students to provide insight into their reactions to the Jazz stream of CAPS. This presents new information about the curriculum from a learners’ perspective. Ethical clearance for research with children was sought and received (Appendix A). Findings show that the ability of learners to recognise the value in, and identity relating to, their African culture through Jazz points to a pivotal departure from previous Eurocentric music education models. However, despite South Africa being positioned as one of the only countries offering Jazz as a subject choice to high school learners, the selection of Jazz in the subject of Music remains underutilised. This study concludes that for Jazz education to advance in South African high schools, there needs to be intentional engagement with Jazz professionals at the high school level. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Rungan, Natalie
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432488 , vital:72875 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432488
- Description: The Jazz stream of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement Further Education and Training music curriculum was introduced in South Africa in 2012 (DBE, 2011a). Despite the intentions of the government to promote diversity, social transformation, and inclusion, subject music is still weighted towards Western Art Music, perpetuating past biases of a Eurocentric model for music education. This study, which uses a mixed-method approach, seeks to create strategies to advance Jazz education in South Africa through an a/r/tographic analysis of the author’s Jazz pedagogical methods at Durban High School in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Key approaches include curriculum theory, currere, a/r/tography, among others. After reviewing Jazz pedagogy in the U.S.A. and South Africa as a starting point, using Pinar’s (1994) method of currere, the author demonstrates how past personal music educational processes have led to present Jazz pedagogical methods. Six original compositions were written that outline the influences that infused these methods and added to the creative output related to this research. Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the Jazz community to gain perspective about the current state of Jazz education, and with students to provide insight into their reactions to the Jazz stream of CAPS. This presents new information about the curriculum from a learners’ perspective. Ethical clearance for research with children was sought and received (Appendix A). Findings show that the ability of learners to recognise the value in, and identity relating to, their African culture through Jazz points to a pivotal departure from previous Eurocentric music education models. However, despite South Africa being positioned as one of the only countries offering Jazz as a subject choice to high school learners, the selection of Jazz in the subject of Music remains underutilised. This study concludes that for Jazz education to advance in South African high schools, there needs to be intentional engagement with Jazz professionals at the high school level. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Kenyan comedy: transmogrifying stereotypes and fashioning a ‘Kenyanness’ of aesthetic escapism
- Authors: Lumasia, Patrick Chesi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432477 , vital:72874 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432477
- Description: Despite the proliferation of stereotypes in Kenyan comedy, little research exists to show the two intersect to shape a peculiar notion of ‘Kenyanness’. Indeed, Kenyan comedy, besides reproducing and playing on the quotidian and the historical, is heavily invested with ethnic and gender stereotypes that reflect the Kenyan milieu as it intersects with the global. This comedy is oftentimes seen by some critics as detrimental to Kenyan society because it supposedly shapes and reinforces ethnic and/or gender relations in the country. However, this study contends that Kenyan comedy is open to multiple interpretations and meaning contestations that are not necessarily clear to the comedians and audiences due to the asymmetry that abounds between the production and consumption ends of the comedy’s spectrum. The comedy is therefore ambivalent. This research seeks to demonstrate that Kenyan comedy—as a form of entertainment and critique of society—does not seek to fix and reify Kenyan identities. Instead, the comedy frees these identities from the presumed vice-hold, constricting world of stereotypes by disrupting the linearity of the stereotypes, thereby unsettling the hierarchical structure of hegemonic ideology embedded in them through postmodern humour: a form of humour amenable to postmodern sensibilities. To this end, the comedy offers Kenyans momentary escape into a comedic utopia, through which, they address pertinent issues affecting their nationhood, even as they endeavor to fashion a ‘Kenyanness’ of aesthetic escapism that is celebratory of the country’s rich socio-cultural diversity. The study employs Jörg Schweinitz’s (2011) stereotype theory and the postpositivist realist theory of identity in its study of stand-up, scripted episodic and topical comedy as transposed on to YouTube. Specifically, the thesis considers: the Churchill Show (2012 – 2022) that aired on NTV; 2012–2022; The Real Househelps of Kawangware (2014–2021) on KTN/NTV; Auntie Boss (2016–2021) on NTV; The Wicked Edition and The Trending Trend Talkers (2014–). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Lumasia, Patrick Chesi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432477 , vital:72874 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432477
- Description: Despite the proliferation of stereotypes in Kenyan comedy, little research exists to show the two intersect to shape a peculiar notion of ‘Kenyanness’. Indeed, Kenyan comedy, besides reproducing and playing on the quotidian and the historical, is heavily invested with ethnic and gender stereotypes that reflect the Kenyan milieu as it intersects with the global. This comedy is oftentimes seen by some critics as detrimental to Kenyan society because it supposedly shapes and reinforces ethnic and/or gender relations in the country. However, this study contends that Kenyan comedy is open to multiple interpretations and meaning contestations that are not necessarily clear to the comedians and audiences due to the asymmetry that abounds between the production and consumption ends of the comedy’s spectrum. The comedy is therefore ambivalent. This research seeks to demonstrate that Kenyan comedy—as a form of entertainment and critique of society—does not seek to fix and reify Kenyan identities. Instead, the comedy frees these identities from the presumed vice-hold, constricting world of stereotypes by disrupting the linearity of the stereotypes, thereby unsettling the hierarchical structure of hegemonic ideology embedded in them through postmodern humour: a form of humour amenable to postmodern sensibilities. To this end, the comedy offers Kenyans momentary escape into a comedic utopia, through which, they address pertinent issues affecting their nationhood, even as they endeavor to fashion a ‘Kenyanness’ of aesthetic escapism that is celebratory of the country’s rich socio-cultural diversity. The study employs Jörg Schweinitz’s (2011) stereotype theory and the postpositivist realist theory of identity in its study of stand-up, scripted episodic and topical comedy as transposed on to YouTube. Specifically, the thesis considers: the Churchill Show (2012 – 2022) that aired on NTV; 2012–2022; The Real Househelps of Kawangware (2014–2021) on KTN/NTV; Auntie Boss (2016–2021) on NTV; The Wicked Edition and The Trending Trend Talkers (2014–). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Learning to make a difference: Small-scale women farmers in social learning spaces for climate action
- Authors: Chanyau, Ludwig
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Social learning South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Value creation , Environmental education South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Climatic changes Study and teaching South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Communities of practice , Crops and climate South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Women farmers South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Farms, Small South Africa , Agricultural ecology South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402944 , vital:69908 , DOI 10.21504/10962/402944
- Description: How do women farmers in Africa learn about climate change? What is quality climate change learning for farmers? How do farmers interface new knowledge with their long-held and trusted traditional knowledge? How do we evaluate learning at farm level and beyond? Using Okoli’s theory mining review, I untangled a tripartite knot of social learning literature to find Social Learning Theory (SLT) suitable for a study to explore my practical and scholarly curiosity as reflected in the above questions. Wenger’s theory of Social Learning emerged as the most appropriate for my research. The second phase of my study explored the climate change learning and practice terrain for small-scale women farmers, analysing the connection between learning, practice, and the resultant value in two case study areas, municipalities in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In addition to a paper on SLT mining review that unravels and chooses between the strands of social learning, the two case studies resulted in three articles that responded to the study’s objectives and the research questions. The thesis is introduced and synthesised through five 'book-end' chapters, as well as through these four articles. What were my findings? In the first case study, in the drought-stricken Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, I gathered the data through individual semi-structured interviews with farmers, extension officers and representatives of the involved organisations. I also conducted a group interview with farmers and analysed documents to supplement interview data. I analysed the data using concepts of Communities of Practice (CoP) and SLT to map out the learning and practice landscape. I discovered a constellation of CoPs interconnected by the shared drive for adaptive water management. The constellation is made up of tertiary institutions, government departments, non-governmental organisations and farmers of varying experiences and competencies, with women emerging as the more proactive gender, and state-led extension services being willing but overstretched and under-resourced. SLT effectively traced the apparent fragmented learning within and outside the CoPs and the sudden and extensive shifts in the CoP boundaries, especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the increased adoption of digital learning platforms. Despite the richness and diversity brought by the emergent new learning networks that involve participants in the province and further afield, the adoption of digital learning platforms worsened the existing generational digital divide among farmers. iii In the second case study, in the water scarce Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, I adopted the Value Creation Framework (VCF) to conduct an ethnographic evaluation that used semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document analysis of the learning experiences of women farmers in a social movement on agroecology. I found that the farmer-centred learning approach of the movement has created value for the farmers involved, evidenced by the adoption of agroecology by over 2700 members (including new urban farmers who are occupying open spaces typically used as dumpsites). The learning approach has facilitated expansive learning, enhanced resource mobilisation, new collaborations, partnerships, and seed sharing networks. Additionally, it necessitated context-appropriate and transformative changes to intersectional justice issues associated with historical inequalities in access to land and water and gender discrimination, leading to improved practices, new access to markets and improved quality yields. These are examples of immediate, potential, applied, realised, orienting, enabling and transformative as well as strategic value, as defined by the VCF. In reflecting on how women farmers learn in these social learning spaces I elucidate the learning impact pathways and local contextual influences in shifting CoP boundaries, domains, and practices during the climate crisis as it intersects with other compounding factors. I generated insights that could be useful for stakeholders in the agricultural (extension) sector to build better pathways for emancipatory and empowering expansive social learning in contexts characterised by resource constraints, but also by strong women-led agency. Such learning could make a difference and cushion small-scale farming from collapse especially in times of unprecedented changes. The agroecology movement and associated communities of practice explored in this study create transformative social learning spaces that are able to respond to climate change, and hence a model that state-led extension might want to adopt in other resource-constrained contexts. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Chanyau, Ludwig
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Social learning South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Value creation , Environmental education South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Climatic changes Study and teaching South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Communities of practice , Crops and climate South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Women farmers South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Farms, Small South Africa , Agricultural ecology South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402944 , vital:69908 , DOI 10.21504/10962/402944
- Description: How do women farmers in Africa learn about climate change? What is quality climate change learning for farmers? How do farmers interface new knowledge with their long-held and trusted traditional knowledge? How do we evaluate learning at farm level and beyond? Using Okoli’s theory mining review, I untangled a tripartite knot of social learning literature to find Social Learning Theory (SLT) suitable for a study to explore my practical and scholarly curiosity as reflected in the above questions. Wenger’s theory of Social Learning emerged as the most appropriate for my research. The second phase of my study explored the climate change learning and practice terrain for small-scale women farmers, analysing the connection between learning, practice, and the resultant value in two case study areas, municipalities in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In addition to a paper on SLT mining review that unravels and chooses between the strands of social learning, the two case studies resulted in three articles that responded to the study’s objectives and the research questions. The thesis is introduced and synthesised through five 'book-end' chapters, as well as through these four articles. What were my findings? In the first case study, in the drought-stricken Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, I gathered the data through individual semi-structured interviews with farmers, extension officers and representatives of the involved organisations. I also conducted a group interview with farmers and analysed documents to supplement interview data. I analysed the data using concepts of Communities of Practice (CoP) and SLT to map out the learning and practice landscape. I discovered a constellation of CoPs interconnected by the shared drive for adaptive water management. The constellation is made up of tertiary institutions, government departments, non-governmental organisations and farmers of varying experiences and competencies, with women emerging as the more proactive gender, and state-led extension services being willing but overstretched and under-resourced. SLT effectively traced the apparent fragmented learning within and outside the CoPs and the sudden and extensive shifts in the CoP boundaries, especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the increased adoption of digital learning platforms. Despite the richness and diversity brought by the emergent new learning networks that involve participants in the province and further afield, the adoption of digital learning platforms worsened the existing generational digital divide among farmers. iii In the second case study, in the water scarce Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, I adopted the Value Creation Framework (VCF) to conduct an ethnographic evaluation that used semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document analysis of the learning experiences of women farmers in a social movement on agroecology. I found that the farmer-centred learning approach of the movement has created value for the farmers involved, evidenced by the adoption of agroecology by over 2700 members (including new urban farmers who are occupying open spaces typically used as dumpsites). The learning approach has facilitated expansive learning, enhanced resource mobilisation, new collaborations, partnerships, and seed sharing networks. Additionally, it necessitated context-appropriate and transformative changes to intersectional justice issues associated with historical inequalities in access to land and water and gender discrimination, leading to improved practices, new access to markets and improved quality yields. These are examples of immediate, potential, applied, realised, orienting, enabling and transformative as well as strategic value, as defined by the VCF. In reflecting on how women farmers learn in these social learning spaces I elucidate the learning impact pathways and local contextual influences in shifting CoP boundaries, domains, and practices during the climate crisis as it intersects with other compounding factors. I generated insights that could be useful for stakeholders in the agricultural (extension) sector to build better pathways for emancipatory and empowering expansive social learning in contexts characterised by resource constraints, but also by strong women-led agency. Such learning could make a difference and cushion small-scale farming from collapse especially in times of unprecedented changes. The agroecology movement and associated communities of practice explored in this study create transformative social learning spaces that are able to respond to climate change, and hence a model that state-led extension might want to adopt in other resource-constrained contexts. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Leverage points for meaningful participatory governance: lessons from the Tsitsa River catchment, South Africa
- Authors: Fry, Anthony St Leger
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Watershed management South Africa Eastern Cape Citizen participation , Political participation South Africa , Twelve leverage points , Transdisciplinarity , Socio-ecological system
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431714 , vital:72798 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431714
- Description: South Africa underwent the renowned transition into a representative multiracial democracy in 1994. While there has been notable progress in many developmental aspects of South African society, many inherited dilemmas persist, and myriad novel ones are emerging. In land and water governance, the nascent institutions do not reflect the visions laid out in the pioneering and substantive legislation, policies, and guidelines generated in the post-1994 period. Unaddressed dilemmas include widespread failures in local water governance, persistent inequality of access to land and water, poor or non-existent service delivery in rural areas, underdeveloped institutions for integrated and inclusive water resource management, and pernicious divisions between institutions. Overcoming these challenges, which are embedded in complex social-ecological systems across South Africa, will require the collaborative effort of diverse actors from different levels and sectors of society. So how do we foster meaningful participation in ways that are not tyrannical, tokenistic, or manipulative? How do we build local institutions that make sense in the broader political system and in the lives of rural residents? How do we support institutions that meaningfully include diverse voices and enable tangible development outcomes? This thesis explores these questions as part of the Tsitsa Project, a transdisciplinary landscape management project working in the Tsitsa River Catchment (TsRC) in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Based on the valuable water resources, severe ecosystem degradation, overlapping traditional and democratic governance systems, and impoverished population, the TsRC is a worthwhile candidate for in-depth study paired with innovative efforts towards systemic development. The single place-based case study approach drew on systems thinking within an evolving transdisciplinary methodology. Qualitative data were collected through extended fieldwork and analysed through an adaptive and iterative approach. Governance mapping elucidated the multiple levels of governance, and a systemic analysis explored meaningful participation at the local level through causal diagramming and observation-based narratives. From the findings, a synthetic analysis identified high leverage points to enable participatory governance interventions to have more sustained impacts. Governance manifestations in the TsRC generally align with existing descriptions of the fractures and associated dilemmas across South Africa, with the added complexities of being a rural landscape in which democratic and traditional governance systems overlap and interact. Local participatory institutions need to endure the broader instability and dysfunction. Interventions must, therefore, be oriented towards trust building and shared understanding while using more practical interventions that provide tangible outcomes, enable in-practice capacity development, and support platforms for all actors to experience and practice meaningful participation together. This thesis aims to unearth the lessons that one small rural catchment might hold for the governance of complex, contested land and for water governance contexts more broadly. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Fry, Anthony St Leger
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Watershed management South Africa Eastern Cape Citizen participation , Political participation South Africa , Twelve leverage points , Transdisciplinarity , Socio-ecological system
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431714 , vital:72798 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431714
- Description: South Africa underwent the renowned transition into a representative multiracial democracy in 1994. While there has been notable progress in many developmental aspects of South African society, many inherited dilemmas persist, and myriad novel ones are emerging. In land and water governance, the nascent institutions do not reflect the visions laid out in the pioneering and substantive legislation, policies, and guidelines generated in the post-1994 period. Unaddressed dilemmas include widespread failures in local water governance, persistent inequality of access to land and water, poor or non-existent service delivery in rural areas, underdeveloped institutions for integrated and inclusive water resource management, and pernicious divisions between institutions. Overcoming these challenges, which are embedded in complex social-ecological systems across South Africa, will require the collaborative effort of diverse actors from different levels and sectors of society. So how do we foster meaningful participation in ways that are not tyrannical, tokenistic, or manipulative? How do we build local institutions that make sense in the broader political system and in the lives of rural residents? How do we support institutions that meaningfully include diverse voices and enable tangible development outcomes? This thesis explores these questions as part of the Tsitsa Project, a transdisciplinary landscape management project working in the Tsitsa River Catchment (TsRC) in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Based on the valuable water resources, severe ecosystem degradation, overlapping traditional and democratic governance systems, and impoverished population, the TsRC is a worthwhile candidate for in-depth study paired with innovative efforts towards systemic development. The single place-based case study approach drew on systems thinking within an evolving transdisciplinary methodology. Qualitative data were collected through extended fieldwork and analysed through an adaptive and iterative approach. Governance mapping elucidated the multiple levels of governance, and a systemic analysis explored meaningful participation at the local level through causal diagramming and observation-based narratives. From the findings, a synthetic analysis identified high leverage points to enable participatory governance interventions to have more sustained impacts. Governance manifestations in the TsRC generally align with existing descriptions of the fractures and associated dilemmas across South Africa, with the added complexities of being a rural landscape in which democratic and traditional governance systems overlap and interact. Local participatory institutions need to endure the broader instability and dysfunction. Interventions must, therefore, be oriented towards trust building and shared understanding while using more practical interventions that provide tangible outcomes, enable in-practice capacity development, and support platforms for all actors to experience and practice meaningful participation together. This thesis aims to unearth the lessons that one small rural catchment might hold for the governance of complex, contested land and for water governance contexts more broadly. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Lifting the veil on the "Untouchable": a study of Muslims living with HIV in Durban, South Africa
- Authors: Shaik, Shabnam
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432518 , vital:72877 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432519
- Description: HIV and AIDS has been prominently studied, by both biomedical and social scientists, since the 1980s. Despite the extensive research that has emerged globally, Muslims have largely been absent in much of the discourse on HIV and AIDS. While the disease is said to be under control in many parts of the world, hidden populations pose a risk to increase in prevalence. Muslims living with HIV are one such hidden population and are only recently gaining representation in studies on HIV and AIDS. Quantitative studies reflect a sharp increase in HIV prevalence in countries with significant Muslim populations, however, more in-depth qualitative studies are needed to garner an understanding of the nature of the disease among Muslims. Muslims have a long history in South Africa, beginning with indentured slavery in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in 1860. There are no specific HIV and AIDS prevention campaigns directed at Muslims in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Muslims in Durban do not regard HIV is a significant concern for them due to religious doctrine, which they believe if followed will keep them safe from infection. My findings suggest that there is cause for concern over the spread of HIV and AIDS amongst Muslims in Durban. The hidden nature of the disease in the Muslim community has created challenges to curbing the spread of the disease due to the concealment of its presence and the marginalisation of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS. This study conceptualises the HIV and AIDS lived experience amongst Muslims in Durban, South Africa, and uncovers the social and cultural context of the disease. The qualitative study used life histories with ten Muslims living with HIV and semi-structured and unstructured interviews with ten caregivers, five health care professionals and two religious leaders to gain a detailed understanding of the lived experiences of Muslims in Durban. Through the lenses of Purity and Danger, Stigma and Spoilt Identity, and Social Death, this study found that religion [Islam] and its strong moral code influences understandings and perceptions of HIV and AIDS which, in turn affects diagnosis, treatment, care, social identity, and the social well-being of Muslims living with HIV who face stigma, discrimination, shame, and ostracisation from their own community. This study highlights the gaps in the literature on Muslims living with HIV and by providing insight into the lives of participants, the study draws attention to the plight of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS (MLWHIV) and encourages more qualitative studies to be conducted so that a multifaceted understanding of Muslims living with HIV can be created. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Shaik, Shabnam
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432518 , vital:72877 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432519
- Description: HIV and AIDS has been prominently studied, by both biomedical and social scientists, since the 1980s. Despite the extensive research that has emerged globally, Muslims have largely been absent in much of the discourse on HIV and AIDS. While the disease is said to be under control in many parts of the world, hidden populations pose a risk to increase in prevalence. Muslims living with HIV are one such hidden population and are only recently gaining representation in studies on HIV and AIDS. Quantitative studies reflect a sharp increase in HIV prevalence in countries with significant Muslim populations, however, more in-depth qualitative studies are needed to garner an understanding of the nature of the disease among Muslims. Muslims have a long history in South Africa, beginning with indentured slavery in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in 1860. There are no specific HIV and AIDS prevention campaigns directed at Muslims in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Muslims in Durban do not regard HIV is a significant concern for them due to religious doctrine, which they believe if followed will keep them safe from infection. My findings suggest that there is cause for concern over the spread of HIV and AIDS amongst Muslims in Durban. The hidden nature of the disease in the Muslim community has created challenges to curbing the spread of the disease due to the concealment of its presence and the marginalisation of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS. This study conceptualises the HIV and AIDS lived experience amongst Muslims in Durban, South Africa, and uncovers the social and cultural context of the disease. The qualitative study used life histories with ten Muslims living with HIV and semi-structured and unstructured interviews with ten caregivers, five health care professionals and two religious leaders to gain a detailed understanding of the lived experiences of Muslims in Durban. Through the lenses of Purity and Danger, Stigma and Spoilt Identity, and Social Death, this study found that religion [Islam] and its strong moral code influences understandings and perceptions of HIV and AIDS which, in turn affects diagnosis, treatment, care, social identity, and the social well-being of Muslims living with HIV who face stigma, discrimination, shame, and ostracisation from their own community. This study highlights the gaps in the literature on Muslims living with HIV and by providing insight into the lives of participants, the study draws attention to the plight of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS (MLWHIV) and encourages more qualitative studies to be conducted so that a multifaceted understanding of Muslims living with HIV can be created. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Liposomal formulations of metallophthalocyanines-nanoparticle conjugates for hypoxic photodynamic therapy and photoelectrocatalysis
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi Ugochinyere
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432159 , vital:72847 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432159
- Description: This thesis investigates new strategies to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) under hypoxic conditions using in-vitro cancer cell models. Phthalocyanines are chosen as viable photosensitizer complexes owing to the favourable absorption properties. To this end, this thesis reports on the synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of various zinc and silicon phthalocyanines (Pcs). To afford better photophysicochemical properties, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. All the studied Pcs showed relatively high triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields corresponding to their low fluorescence quantum yields. The various mechanisms for hypoxic response include (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen-independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles which serve to supplement in-vitro oxygen concentrations using MPcs or MPc-NPs conjugates. The mechanisms were assessed using electrochemical, computational techniques and catalase mimicking experiments. The as-synthesised Pcs or Pc-NPs were subjected to liposomal loading before PDT studies which led to enhanced biocompatibility and aqueous dispersity. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity tests and photodynamic therapy activities of the fabricated Pc-liposomes and Pc-NPs-liposomes on either Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) or Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells are presented herein. This work further showed that folic acid (FA) functionalization of liposomes could be exploited for active drug delivery and herein led to an almost 3-fold increase in drug uptake vs non-FA functionalised liposomes in accordance with folate receptor (FR) expression levels between HeLa and MCF-7 cells. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of selected Pc complexes and conjugates were accessed using MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines. The various mechanisms; (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen -independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles were shown to adequately compensate for the otherwise attenuation of PDT activity under hypoxia. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi Ugochinyere
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432159 , vital:72847 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432159
- Description: This thesis investigates new strategies to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) under hypoxic conditions using in-vitro cancer cell models. Phthalocyanines are chosen as viable photosensitizer complexes owing to the favourable absorption properties. To this end, this thesis reports on the synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of various zinc and silicon phthalocyanines (Pcs). To afford better photophysicochemical properties, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. All the studied Pcs showed relatively high triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields corresponding to their low fluorescence quantum yields. The various mechanisms for hypoxic response include (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen-independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles which serve to supplement in-vitro oxygen concentrations using MPcs or MPc-NPs conjugates. The mechanisms were assessed using electrochemical, computational techniques and catalase mimicking experiments. The as-synthesised Pcs or Pc-NPs were subjected to liposomal loading before PDT studies which led to enhanced biocompatibility and aqueous dispersity. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity tests and photodynamic therapy activities of the fabricated Pc-liposomes and Pc-NPs-liposomes on either Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) or Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells are presented herein. This work further showed that folic acid (FA) functionalization of liposomes could be exploited for active drug delivery and herein led to an almost 3-fold increase in drug uptake vs non-FA functionalised liposomes in accordance with folate receptor (FR) expression levels between HeLa and MCF-7 cells. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of selected Pc complexes and conjugates were accessed using MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines. The various mechanisms; (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen -independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles were shown to adequately compensate for the otherwise attenuation of PDT activity under hypoxia. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Mechanisms conditioning the implementation of an integrated quality assurance and enhancement approach at a South African University of Technology
- Authors: Mabote, Ntele Emily
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431576 , vital:72787 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431576
- Description: Literature related to quality in higher education argues that achieving an integrated approach which balances improvement and accountability in a single quality assurance (QA) system, is not easy. In response to the literature, I decided to conduct a realist study to identify mechanisms that can enable or constrain the implementation of an integrated approach in a single quality assurance system at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). The scope of my study was limited to teaching and learning as one of the University’s core functions. An integrated approach encouraged a deliberate focus and attention on transformative learning and teaching. The main research question, “what mechanisms enable or constrain the implementation of an integrated approach to quality assurance and enhancement at the Tshwane University of Technology,” underpinned this study. I used Bhaskar’s critical realist philosophy as an underlabourer for the study and Archer’s social realism as an analytical framework to enable me to seek answers to the research questions. The study took the form of a case study at TUT. Data was generated through document analysis and thirty-five semi-structured interviews with agents from across the various levels and campuses of TUT. In keeping with a social realist study, I used Archer’s concept of analytical dualism to analyse structure, culture, and agency separately, and their interplay. My findings indicated that compliance and accountability are related cultural mechanisms and were dominant in the University’s cultural system. This signalled a strong emphasis on quality assurance (QA) rather than quality enhancement (QE). In addition, the findings showed that the University has established sufficient structural and agential enablements to assure the quality of learning and teaching. However, there is a need to integrate transformative cultural mechanisms into the University’s QA system. Furthermore, there were limited structural, cultural, and agential enablements to encourage enhancement. In this regard, I recommended mechanisms that should be in place for an integrated QA and QE approach to be successful at TUT. My main argument is that an institutional context that encourages structural, cultural, and agential QA and QE mechanisms to work in tandem can enable an integrated QA and QE approach. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Mabote, Ntele Emily
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431576 , vital:72787 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431576
- Description: Literature related to quality in higher education argues that achieving an integrated approach which balances improvement and accountability in a single quality assurance (QA) system, is not easy. In response to the literature, I decided to conduct a realist study to identify mechanisms that can enable or constrain the implementation of an integrated approach in a single quality assurance system at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). The scope of my study was limited to teaching and learning as one of the University’s core functions. An integrated approach encouraged a deliberate focus and attention on transformative learning and teaching. The main research question, “what mechanisms enable or constrain the implementation of an integrated approach to quality assurance and enhancement at the Tshwane University of Technology,” underpinned this study. I used Bhaskar’s critical realist philosophy as an underlabourer for the study and Archer’s social realism as an analytical framework to enable me to seek answers to the research questions. The study took the form of a case study at TUT. Data was generated through document analysis and thirty-five semi-structured interviews with agents from across the various levels and campuses of TUT. In keeping with a social realist study, I used Archer’s concept of analytical dualism to analyse structure, culture, and agency separately, and their interplay. My findings indicated that compliance and accountability are related cultural mechanisms and were dominant in the University’s cultural system. This signalled a strong emphasis on quality assurance (QA) rather than quality enhancement (QE). In addition, the findings showed that the University has established sufficient structural and agential enablements to assure the quality of learning and teaching. However, there is a need to integrate transformative cultural mechanisms into the University’s QA system. Furthermore, there were limited structural, cultural, and agential enablements to encourage enhancement. In this regard, I recommended mechanisms that should be in place for an integrated QA and QE approach to be successful at TUT. My main argument is that an institutional context that encourages structural, cultural, and agential QA and QE mechanisms to work in tandem can enable an integrated QA and QE approach. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13