Photo-physicochemical studies and photodynamic therapy activity of indium and gallium phthalocyanines
- Authors: Tshangana, Charmaine Sesethu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Quantum dots , Nanoparticles , Photochemotherapy , Phthalocyanines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4548 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017928
- Description: The potential toxicity of seven different types of quantum dots without shell (L-cysteine-CdTe, TGA-CdTe, MPA-CdTe, TGA-CdSe) and with the shell (GSH-CdSe@ZnS, GSH-CdTe@ZnS,) with different capping agents were evaluated. The growth inhibitory effects of the various quantum dots on human pancreatic BON cancerous cells were determined. The least cytotoxic of the various quantum dots synthesized and the one displaying the lowest growth inhibitory potential and no embryotoxicity was determined to be the GSH-CdSe@ZnS quantum dots. The GSH-CdSe@ZnS quantum dots were then conjugated to gallium, aluminium and indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine and the photophysical behaviour of the conjugates studied for potential use in photodynamic therapy and imaging applications. The sizes, morphology, thermal stability and confirmation of successful conjugation was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The study was extended by conjugating amino functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) to indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine to study the photophysical behaviour of the conjugate as a potential bi-functional anti-cancer agent (hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy applications). A three-in-one multifunctional nanocomposite comprising of the quantum dots, magnetic nanoparticles and indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine was developed with the aim of developing a multifunctional composite that is able detect, monitor and treat cancer. All conjugates showed improved and enhanced photophysical behaviour. Finally, GSH-CdSe@ZnS conjugated to aluminium octacarboxy phthalocyanine was applied in human pancreatic carcinoid BON cells. The conjugates induced cell death dose-dependently.
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Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities of porphyrin- and phthalocyanine-platinum nanoparticle conjugates
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni Elizabeth
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Photochemotherapy , Anti-infective agents , Porphyrins , Phthalocyanines , Platinum , Nanoparticles , Bioconjugates , Electrospinning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017919
- Description: This work reports on the conjugation of differently shaped Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) with ClGa(III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (1) as well as chloro - (5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4- (4- carboxy phenycarbonoimidoyl) phenyl) porphyrinato) gallium(III) (2) The work also reports on platination of dihydroxosilicon octacarboxyphthalocyanine (OH)₂SiOCPc (3) to give dihydroxosilicontris(diaquaplatinum)octacarboxyphthalocyanine (OH)₂SiOCPc(Pt)₃ (4). The resulting conjugates were used for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The degree of photo-inactivation is dependent on concentration of the conjugates, light dose (fluence) and illumination time. The log reduction obtained for 1 when conjugated to cubic PtNPs was 4.64 log (which indicate 99.99 percent of the bacteria have been killed), which is much higher than 3.94 log unit for 1-hexagonal PtNPs and 3.31 log units for 1-unshaped PtNPs. Complex 2 conjugated to hexagonal PtNPs showed 18 nm red shift in the Soret band when compared to 2 alone. Complex 2 and 2-hexagonal PtNPs as well showed promising photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans in solution where the log reduction obtained was 4.92, 3.76, and 3.95 respectively for 2-hexagonal PtNPs. The singlet oxygen quantum yields obtained were higher at 0.56 for 2-hexagonl PtNPs in DMF while that of 2 was 0.52 in the same solvent. This resulted in improved PACT activity for 2-hexagonal PtNPs compared to 2. Complex 4 showed slight blue shifting of the absorption spectrum when compared to complex 3 The antimicrobial activity of 4 were promising as the highest log reduction value was observed when compared to the porphyrin conjugates.
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Population estimates and spatial ecology of brown hyaenas in Kwandwe private game reserve
- Authors: Welch, Rebecca Jane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Brown hyaena -- Reintroduction -- South Africa , Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5932 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017810
- Description: During the last 25 years, the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa has seen the establishment of many small to medium sized (≤ 440km2) game reserves. These reserves have reintroduced many of the larger indigenous wildlife that had been extirpated by the early 20th century. As such, these reserves and wildlife introductions have created many research opportunities, including investigations on the ecology of reintroduced carnivores in the Thicket biome. Brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) are one of the large carnivore species that have been reintroduced into the area. As these animals have predominantly been studied in more open, arid systems, their reintroduction has provided an excellent opportunity to study the species in an alternate natural habitat. Information gathered from such investigations adds to our knowledge of the species and also provides information for the management of brown hyaenas within small, enclosed reserves. Data were collected over the period of one calendaryear, from February 2013 to February 2014 at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Brown hyaena population estimates were calculated using capture-recapture methods from individually identifiable images captured during a three month camera trapping survey. Images of brown hyaenas were separated into left- and right-side profiles. Twenty-eight individuals were positively identified from left-side images and 27 from right-side images. Non-spatial and spatially explicit capture-recapture analyses were both run in the program DENSITY 5.0. Density estimates ranged from 14 to 20 individuals/100km2 (equivalent to a total abundance of 26-37 individuals) depending on the method used. Despite the range of estimates, all are considerably higher than in other areaswhere densities have been calculated. Satellite/GPS collars were fitted to three individual brown hyaenas (two males and one female) to measure their home range size and use of space. Home range size was calculated using two different methods, Kernel utilisation distributions and Brownian bridges. Home range estimates were similar using both methods; however Brownian bridge methods appeared to exaggerate the use of space by individuals. Kernel home range sizes for the three individuals ranged between 42.62km2 and 79.88km2. These estimates are considerably smaller than previous findings from other parts of Africa and suggest that sufficient resources may be available within this enclosed system. The results from this study suggest that brown hyaenas are successful generalists in this enclosed system and are able to persist at high densities and occupy relatively small home ranges. This information is important for the managers of small reserves who wish to reintroduce brown hyaenas. Should brown hyaenas be introduced into reserves in the Thicket biome with sufficient resources, the numbers are likely to increase rapidly. If high numbers are not desired then preventative measures (e.g. contraception) should be investigated before release.
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Post-treatment technologies for integrated algal pond systems
- Authors: Westensee, Dirk Karl
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Water -- Purification -- Filtration , Water -- Purification -- Slow sand filtration , Sewage -- Purification -- Anaerobic treatment , Sewage -- Purification -- Biological treatment , Algae -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5958 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018180
- Description: Integrated Algae Pond Systems (IAPS) are a derivation of the Oswald designed Algal Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems (AIWPS®) and combine the use of anaerobic and aerobic bioprocesses to effect wastewater treatment. IAPS technology was introduced to South Africa in 1996 and a pilot plant designed and commissioned at the Belmont Valley WWTW in Grahamstown. The system has been in continual use since implementation and affords a secondarily treated water for reclamation according to its design specifications which most closely resemble those of the AIWPS® Advanced Secondary Process developed by Oswald. As a consequence, and as might be expected, while the technology performed well and delivered a final effluent superior to most pond systems deployed in South Africa it was unable to meet The Department of Water Affairs General Standard for nutrient removal and effluent discharge. The work described in this thesis involved the design, construction, and evaluation of several tertiary treatment units (TTU') for incorporation into the IAPS process design. Included were; Maturation Ponds (MP), Slow Sand Filter (SSF) and Rock Filters (RF). Three MP's were constructed in series with a 12 day retention time and operated in parallel with a two-layered SSF and a three-stage RF. Water quality of the effluent emerging from each of these TTU's was monitored over a 10 month period. Significant decreases in the chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium-N, phosphate-P, nitrate-N, faecal coliforms (FC) and total coliforms (TC) were achieved by these TTU's. On average, throughout the testing period, water quality was within the statutory limit for discharge to a water course that is not a listed water course, with the exception of the total suspended solids (TSS). The RF was determined as the most suitable TTU for commercial use due to production of a better quality water, smaller footprint, lower construction costs and less maintenance required. From the results of this investigation it is concluded that commercial deployment of IAPS for the treatment of municipal sewage requires the inclusion of a suitable TTU. Furthermore, and based on the findings presented, RF appears most appropriate to ensure that quality of the final effluent meets the standard for discharge.
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Prediction of interacting motifs within the protein subunits of Picornavirus capsids
- Authors: Ross, Caroline Jane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Picornaviruses , Antiviral agents , Poliovirus , Coxsackieviruses , Hepatitis A virus , Foot-and-mouth disease virus , Viral proteins
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017912
- Description: The Picornaviridae family contains a number of pathogens which are economically important including Poliovirus, Coxsakievirus, Hepatitis A Virus, and Foot-and-Mouth-Disease-Virus. Recently the emergence of novel picornaviruses associated with gastrointestinal, neurological and respiratory diseases in humans has been reported. Although effective vaccines for viruses such as FMDV, PV and HAV have been developed there are currently no antivirals available for the treatment of picornavirus infections. Picornaviruses proteins are classified as: the structural proteins VP1, VP2, VP3 and VP4 which form the subunits of the viral capsid and the replication proteins which function as proteases, RNA-polymerases, primers and membrane binding proteins. Although the host specificity and viral pathogenicity varies across members of the family, the icosahedral capsid is highly conserved. The capsid consists of 60 protomers, each containing a single copy of VP1, VP2 and VP3. A fourth capsid protein, VP4, resides on the internal side of the capsid. Capsid assembly is integral to life-cycle of picornaviruses; however the process is complex and not fully-understood. The overall aim of the study was to broaden the understanding of the evolution and function of the structural proteins across the Picornaviridae family. Firstly a comprehensive analysis of the phylogenetic relationships amongst the individual structural proteins was performed. The functions of the structural proteins were further investigated by an exhaustive motif analysis. A subsequent structural analysis of highly conserved motifs was performed with respect to representative enteroviruses, Foot-and-Mouth-Disease-Virus and Theiler’s Virus. This was supplemented by the in silico prediction of interacting residues within the crystal structures of these protomers. Findings in this study suggest that the capsid proteins may be evolving independently from the replication proteins through possible inter-typic recombination of functional protein regions. Moreover the study predicts that protomer assembly may be facilitated through a network of multiple subunit-subunit interactions. Multiple conserved motifs and principle residues predicted to facilitate capsid subunit-subunit interactions were identified. It was also concluded that motif conservation may support the theory of inter-typic recombination between closely related virus sub-types. As capsid assembly is critical to the viral life-cycle, the principle interacting motifs may serve as novel drug targets for the antiviral treatment of picornavirus infections. Thus the findings in the study may be fundamental to the development of treatments which are more economically feasible or clinically effective than current vaccinations.
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Professional development among counselling psychology interns : exploring critical incidents
- Authors: Teixeira, Beverley
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Counseling psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Critical incident technique , Career development -- South Africa , Internship programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3265 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017888
- Description: The journey towards becoming a counselling psychologist, in South Africa, includes the completion a 12 month internship. The internship year holds many challenges and demands for novice professionals and aims to assist them in making the transition from student to professional. This study aims to explore the subjective experiences of intern counselling psychologists and the critical incidents which assist them in making this transition. In addition, it aims to identify experiences impacting on the interns’ professional development and professional identity. Three registered counselling psychologists, who completed their internship at a South African university counselling centre within the last year, were recruited and participated in individual interviews. These interviews were semi-structured and followed the Critical Incident Technique method. Each interview was voice recorded and transcribed. The data collected was analysed using thematic content analysis. As the research design is qualitative, using a phenomenological approach, the focus is on presenting information-rich and detailed descriptions of participants “lived” experiences of their internship year. It attempts to understand significant incidents or events which influenced the participants’ professional and personal development as they navigate through this ambiguous period to become independent and ethical practitioners. Four predominant themes emerged from the data collected, which include a discussion pertaining to professional boundaries and limitations, learning within the internship environment, the effects of professional and personal support and, lastly, the transition from dependent to independent professional functioning.
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Properties of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) over the Western Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Tyalimpi, Vumile Mike
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Doppler radar , Geographic information systems , Traveling ionospheric disturbances -- south Africa , Ionospheric disturbances -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017901
- Description: Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are said to be produced by atmospheric gravitational waves propagating through the neutral ionosphere. These are smaller in amplitude and period when compared to most ionospheric disturbances and hence more difficult to measure. Very little is known about the properties of the travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) over the Southern Hemisphere regions since studies have been conducted mostly over the Northern Hemisphere regions. This study presents a framework, using a High Frequency (HF) Doppler radar to investigate the physical properties and the possible driving mechanisms of TIDs. This research focuses on studying the characteristics of the TIDs, such as period, velocity and temporal variations, using HF Doppler measurements taken in South Africa. By making use of a Wavelet Analysis technique, the TIDs’ characteristics were determined. A statistical summary on speed and direction of propagation of the observed TIDs was performed. The winter medium scale travelling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observed are generally faster than the summer MSTIDs. For all seasons, the MSTIDs had a preferred south-southwest direction of propagation. Most of the large scale travelling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) were observed during the night and of these, the spring LSTIDs were fastest when compared to autumn and summer LSTIDs. The general direction of travel of the observed LSTIDs is south-southeast. Total Electron Content (TEC), derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements, were used to validate some of the TID results obtained from the HF Doppler data. The Horizontal Wind Model (HWM07), magnetic K index, and solar terminators were used to determine the possible sources of the observed TIDs. Only 41% of the observed TIDs were successfully linked to their possible sources of excitation. The information gathered from this study will be valuable in future radio communications and will serve as means to improve the existing ionospheric models over the South African region.
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Pseudo-random access compressed archive for security log data
- Authors: Radley, Johannes Jurgens
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Computer security , Information storage and retrieval systems , Data compression (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4723 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020019
- Description: We are surrounded by an increasing number of devices and applications that produce a huge quantity of machine generated data. Almost all the machine data contains some element of security information that can be used to discover, monitor and investigate security events.The work proposes a pseudo-random access compressed storage method for log data to be used with an information retrieval system that in turn provides the ability to search and correlate log data and the corresponding events. We explain the method for converting log files into distinct events and storing the events in a compressed file. This yields an entry identifier for each log entry that provides a pointer that can be used by indexing methods. The research also evaluates the compression performance penalties encountered by using this storage system, including decreased compression ratio, as well as increased compression and decompression times.
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Public understanding of malaria in pregnancy : selected Dar es Salaam audiences' reception of the health education film Chumo
- Authors: Nkwera, Godfrey
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Chumo (Television program) , Malaria in pregnancy -- Tanzania -- Dar es Salaam , Health education -- Tanzania -- Dar es Salaam , Communication in medicine -- Tanzania -- Dar es Salaam , Sex role -- Tanzania -- Dar es Salaam , Health behavior -- Tanzania -- Dar es Salaam , Health behavior -- Sex differences -- Tanzania -- Dar es Salaam
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3544 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017785
- Description: This study examines the impact of a health education film, Chumo, in Dar es Salaam on knowledge about malaria in pregnancy. Specifically, the study examines the meanings that the selected audiences make after watching the film. Drawing on the tradition of ‘reception studies’, the data for this study was generated through focus group discussions. These discussions were preceded by thematic analysis of the film and its script. An analysis of the audiences’ responses reveals that Chumo, mostly, successfully conveyed new knowledge about malaria in pregnancy, and reinforced existing knowledge bases about the disease. The audiences were able to ‘decipher’ most of the preferred meanings (of the producers) with regard to the disease, particularly in relation to the transmission of the disease and its prevention in pregnant woman. For example, the analysis indicates that both women and men become more aware of the importance of attending antenatal care sessions at local clinics (hereafter ANC). An interesting finding is that men, mostly, expressed a reluctance to attend ANC with their wives because they fear having to undergo HIV/AIDS testing. Men also expressed the sentiment that attending ANC is a women’s responsibility. The discussion groups also raised issues about the use of insecticide-treated nets - some people believe that using them will affect their health because of the chemicals used to treat the nets. From the reception analysis, various other meanings and themes, relating to the choice of storylines and gender stereotypes used in the story, were raised in discussion. The study attempted to assess whether the storyline was advantageous in conveying the core educational messages, or if some elements of the storyline either ‘got in the way’ or reinforced gender roles in ways that may or may not be helpful in terms of combatting malaria in pregnancy. The study also found that Chumo stimulated interpersonal communication, which may trigger behaviour change. It can be demonstrated, at least for the participants in these focus groups, that the film motivated positive attitudes towards behaviour change, i.e. created at least some intention to change. However, interpersonal communication and attitude to change are not, of course, actual change of behaviour: these elements only indicate the possibility of behaviour change in the future. Further study needs to be undertaken to explore whether the actual change took place and whether the change is a result of the exposure to Chumo.
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PyMORESANE: A Pythonic and CUDA-accelerated implementation of the MORESANE deconvolution algorithm
- Authors: Kenyon, Jonathan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Imaging systems in astronomy , MOdel REconstruction by Synthesis-ANalysis Estimators (MORESANE)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5563 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020098
- Description: The inadequacies of the current generation of deconvolution algorithms are rapidly becoming apparent as new, more sensitive radio interferometers are constructed. In light of these inadequacies, there is renewed interest in the field of deconvolution. Many new algorithms are being developed using the mathematical framework of compressed sensing. One such technique, MORESANE, has recently been shown to be a powerful tool for the recovery of faint difuse emission from synthetic and simulated data. However, the original implementation is not well-suited to large problem sizes due to its computational complexity. Additionally, its use of proprietary software prevents it from being freely distributed and used. This has motivated the development of a freely available Python implementation, PyMORESANE. This thesis describes the implementation of PyMORESANE as well as its subsequent augmentation with MPU and GPGPU code. These additions accelerate the algorithm and thus make it competitive with its legacy counterparts. The acceleration of the algorithm is verified by means of benchmarking tests for varying image size and complexity. Additionally, PyMORESANE is shown to work not only on synthetic data, but on real observational data. This verification means that the MORESANE algorithm, and consequently the PyMORESANE implementation, can be added to the current arsenal of deconvolution tools.
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Recent developments in banking supervision and the soundness of the financial system : a comparative study of South Africa, Brazil and China
- Authors: Gutu, Taurai Fortune
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Basel III (2010) , Bank management -- South Africa , Bank management -- Brazil , Bank management -- China , Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 , Ratio analysis , Liquidity (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020892
- Description: While the 2008 financial crisis has come and gone, its effects on the global financial sector still show. Globalisation has since changed the way that banks do business, and increased competitiveness and with it the level of risk within the international banking community. Therefore, because of these prolonged effects of the financial crisis and the rise in the level of risk in banking, regulators deemed it fit to make the global financial sector safer and sounder. As a result, the BASEL III Capital Accord was introduced with tighter capital adequacy and liquidity ratio requirements; as well as also introducing the leverage ratio. In this paper, through the study of the rules and regulations on banks in South Africa, Brazil and China, it was discovered that all three countries have since begun the implementation of the new Accord as from January 2013. While preparatory measures may be different, there is a general sense of regulatory alignment among the three countries. By analysing the capital adequacy, liquidity and leverage ratios of the three countries, it was also established that these ratios are interconnected, with the capital adequacy ratio being the most important one. The study concludes that, with proper implementation of these ratios and effective management, countries implementing the BASEL III regulations would be in a stronger position to achieve soundness in their banking systems. , Gutu, Taurai Fortunate
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Reconceptualising notions of South African Indianess : a personal narrative
- Authors: Kunvar, Yogita
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: East Indians -- South Africa , East Indians -- South Africa -- Ethnic identity , East Indians -- Cultural assimilation -- South Africa , National characteristics, East Indian , East Indian diaspora , Identity (Psychology) , South Africa -- Social conditions -- 1961-1994 , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1948-1994 , South Africa -- Race relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2123 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017767
- Description: The theoretical challenge of conceptualising South African Indianess is suffused with a plethora of variables that suggest complexity. While being misleadingly homogenous, Indian identity encompasses a multitude of expressions. This thesis seeks to reconceptualise notions of South African Indianess through personal narrative. The research context is contemporary South Africa with a specific focus on Johannesburg’s East Rand Reef. Inspired by the dearth of literature on contemporary Indianess this study addresses the gap in the present discourse. Following the autoethnographic work of Motzafi-Haller (1997) and Narayan (1993) the thesis presents a layered narrative by juxtaposing the experiences of research participants with my own. Using multi-sited autoethnographic data the thesis explores the question of what it means to be Indian in relation to South Africa’s Apartheid past. By drawing on concepts in popular diaspora theory and critiquing their application, the thesis illustrates the inadequacies inherent in the definitions of diaspora and suggests a broader understanding of its application. Through exploring layers of Indianess the thesis illustrates the inherent complexity in reconceptualising South African Indianess. The study suggests that as a result of changing global and local flows, South African Indians are reconceptualising what it means to be South African Indian.
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Regolith mapping and gold geochemical anomalies in the Siguiri Gold Mine of AngloGold Ashanti, Guinea, West Africa
- Authors: Bah, Boubacar
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. , Regolith -- Guinea -- Siguiri (Region) , Gold mines and mining -- Guinea -- Siguiri (Region) , Geochemical surveys -- Guinea -- Siguiri (Region) , Soil surveys -- Geochemical methods -- Guinea -- Siguiri (Region) , Kriging
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5090 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019878
- Description: Gold exploration in the laterite terrains of the Siguiri basin (Guinea-West Africa) is discussed in this thesis. It seeks to propose and develop effective and reliable geochemical exploration techniques applied in such laterite terrains. The study is also intended to investigate and provide some geological clues as to why, in some target areas, the reconnaissance test drilling across the geochemical anomalies couldn’t intersect economic gold mineralisation. Targets were generated based on soil geochemical results, some of which were drilled without delivering economic discoveries even on areas with strong and consistent geochemical signatures. To find the failure and define the appropriate methods to be used is the core of the thesis. More importantly, the geological observation is aimed at sourcing and establishing the nature and validity of geochemical anomalies within the license area and their relationship with the underlying lithologies and structural networks. The geological field work conducted during this study is mostly based on regolith and surface geological mapping. The thick laterite cover, deep weathering, bedrock geology, gold geochemistry (the gold geochemical anomalous results are defined according to historical data before 2007), soil formations and variations in climate conditions are emphasized to illustrate the importance of mineral element mobility and dispersion in the weathering profiles. The knowledge and experience in regolith geochemistry and regolith mapping provide the advantage to exploration geologists. The depletion of ore resources and reserves in Siguiri and the continuous decline of the gold price in comparison to the complexity of exploring for gold are demanding more scientific-related thoughts and techniques to be integrated in the available geological, geochemical and geophysical information so as to reduce costs. The integration of good exploration strategy and technique may result in the possibility of making viable discoveries in this highly competitive geological environment where the mineral resources become depleted every day.
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Religious musical performance as an articulation of transformation : a study of how the Tsonga Presbyterians of the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique negotiate their indigenous Tsonga and Swiss reformed church heritages
- Authors: Germiquet, Nicole Madeleine
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Igreja Presbiteriana de Moçambique , Sacred music -- Mozambique , Church music -- Mozambique , Church music -- Presbyterian , Tsonga (African people) -- Mozambique -- Music , Ethnomusicology , Church music -- Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020836
- Description: The Presbyterian Church of Mozambique (IPM) has its origins in the Swiss Mission and the European Reformed Church. An ethnomusicological study was conducted on the music of the IPM in order to uncover its musical influences. The musical influences were found to pertain to an indigenous Tsonga musical character, as well as to a Reformed Church musical tradition. By situating the discussion in this thesis within the perspective that music may reflect that which is not explicitly spoken about in words, the music of the IPM was shown to reflect the dual-heritage of the members of the IPM. Thus, this thesis attempts to answer the questions: how is the music of the IPM a reflection of the Tsonga Presbyterians’ dual-heritage?; and how do the Tsonga Presbyterians negotiate their dual-heritage? It was found that the Tsonga Presbyterians negotiate their dual-heritage by blending a Reformed Church performance style with a Tsonga one. For example, the music in the form of hymns and church songs, performed by church choirs, is shown to be didactic in nature where the lyrics are the most important aspect of the music. The didactic nature of the music is a principle of the Reformation carried forth in the music of the IPM. Although music serves to transmit the Christian message and is used as a means of praising the Christian God in the IPM, it also exists on the level in which the indigenous Tsonga heritage may be incorporated into the Christian lives of the members of the IPM without having an impact on the Reformed Church belief system. This is where the members have the freedom to blend their musical heritages. Music, in this instance, is shown to be a powerful tool by which the importance of an indigenous, and an appropriated, heritage may be garnered and observed.Looking to the historical aspects of the IPM, the music and language literacy education, provided by Swiss missionaries on the mission stations, was shown to have had an influence on Tsonga hymn composition. Along with the mobile phone, the observed decrease in music literacy at Antioka was situated within a discussion that looked at the influence of these aspects on the transmission, conservation and continuation of music in the IPM. Throughout the thesis, social transformation is referred to and the manner in which the music of the IPM is conserved or continued is an indication of how musical transformation may reflect social transformation.
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Review of two sustainability learning programmes for industrial settings in relation to emerging green learning aspects
- Authors: Visagie, Martha Jacoba
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Environmental education , Sustainable development -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Natural resources -- Management -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Environmental economics -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Green movement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2049 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017360
- Description: Driven by the needs of growing populations, industrial and governing powers are successfully accelerating the rate of industrial consumption, production and employment as if the earth’s resources are in unlimited supply. In contrast, a range of international sustainable development forums, inspired by visionary individuals, have made significant progress in creating awareness that the footprint of human activity is exceeding the earth’s sink and source capacity; and educating people in government, workplaces and communities to slow down industrial consumption and clean up production. Turning around conventional and short sighted ‘business as usual’ logic, and directing economies toward greener, long-term sustainability outcomes, still meet with resistance and hidden unsustainable agendas. The ‘green economy’ drive nevertheless since 2008 attracts financial and human resources and bold action in favour of more sustainable management of human-nature relations. The sustainable development movement for example advocates a ‘triple bottom line’ approach, holding that socially and ecologically responsible economic development would be sustainable. The sustainability movement has attained significant buy-in among governments and business communities. It forms the under-labouring philosophy of the programmes reviewed in this case study. The thesis reviews social-economic events paving the way for a global green economy. Taking a leadership role in the sustainable development movement the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) concurred to respond to the 2008 world-wide economic meltdown with a two-pronged ‘Green New Deal’ (UNEP, 2008). The Green New Deal financial package helps restore multi-national economic growth, employment and markets while re-shaping economies to follow an ecologically and socially responsible growth trajectory. South Africa implements green economy principles as part of the 2010 The New Growth Path overarching policy framework, with an implementation strategy embedded in the 2011 National Development Plan (NDP) (RSA. The Presidency, 2010; 2011). The New Growth Path emphasises that the transformation of South Africa’s un-sustainable economic and educational legacy to a more sustainable future is not expected to follow a smooth, linear process. The transition to a green economy is rather expected to be an event of “… noisy, healthy democracy” (RSA. The Presidency, 2010). A green, low carbon economy particularly constitutes a pledge to slow down and turn the human induced climate change trajectory around. McKinsey (2009) argues that this pledge is attainable on a world-wide scale, as sufficient and suitable environmentally sound techniques and technologies are already in place. Attaining buy-in from business stakeholders toward re-thinking and amending an economy’s self-defying large environmental footprint (inclusive of carbon, water and waste footprints) however requires education starting with awarenessraising followed by educational programmes and official curricula aimed at implementation and continuous improvement of green practices in day to day ‘doings and beings’ (Sen, 1997). This study at implementation level reviews two green economy training programmes and their emergence in South Africa around this rationale. The awareness generation and training programmes elected as case study examples are the ‘Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production’ (RECP) and ‘Industrial Energy Efficiency’ (IEE) programmes, of the hosting agency National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA). The RECP and IEE teams reach out to decision makers, engineers and artisans at industrial workplaces and workplace related events to add green competences to their business-as-usual skill sets. Implementing green options in industry typically slows down industrial scale resource consumption, pollution, waste generation and green-house gas (GHG) emissions while optimising resource productivity and enterprise excellence. Optimised supply side systems allow industry to reduce energy and material intensity of products thus reducing cost and producing more with less. In transitioning to a ‘Green GDP’ economy South Africa is awakening to the reality that natural resources constitute the original, albeit limited feedstock for growth and employment. The RECP and IEE approach also contribute to reduction of industrial waste, waste-to-landfill, and energy and resource security. Literature reviewed for this research provides evidence that the green economy’s triple bottom line philosophy is quantifiable thus manageable. A range of green economy management tools are emerging, including guidelines for carbon, water and environmental footprinting and the green-house gas abatement cost curve (see section 2.2.5) (McKinsey and Company, 2009). Transitioning from business as usual to ecologically sustainable industrial sectors however requires visionary, educated leadership, willing and capable of introducing modern and more efficient techniques and technologies. The boundaries of this half thesis embrace the globally and historically significant Tbilisi Declaration and other education and sustainable development agreements produced by United Nations and OECD mechanisms. Participating nations like South Africa incorporate the essence of these agreements into domestic policies and strategies, and align industries to remain competitive in international markets, which are increasingly enforcing green standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. The focus of this case study guided by inductive, abductive and retroductive inference is to understand how the two sustainability learning programmes for people in industrial workplaces, supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and relevant donors, and overseen by the South African Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), relate to emerging green learning aspects. Producing a review of this nature requires a framework of laterally understanding emerging green learning aspects, for which I have reviewed green economy literature and also green learning and conventional education and training literature respectively. Themes emerging from the literature review informed an analytical instrument (questionnaire) in Phase One. In Phase Two the questionnaire was applied through nested case study methodology to show how the educational content and approaches of the RECP and IEE programmes relate to emerging green learning aspects and as such is suitable for mainstreaming in the national educational system. From an explicit educational perspective potential partners for collaboration include the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) the South African Qualifications Authority’s (SAQA’s) Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) representing the training needs of the industrial workforce but affiliated to QCTO and SAQA. In the extended scenario the NCPC-SA as a dti programme recognises the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) as lead agency guiding implementation of South Africa’s green economy, and specifically DEA’s National Environmental Sector Skills Planning Forum (NESPF), a national leader in green skills development in South Africa, as conduit for productively mainstreaming relevant RECP and IEE content and approaches toward green skills development for the green economy.
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Short-term changes to the life history of shad, Pomatomus saltatrix (Perciformes: Pomatomidae), in Southern Angola
- Authors: Bealey, Roy Steven John
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Shad -- Angola , Bluefish -- Angola , Bluefish -- Climatic factors -- Angola , Bluefish -- Effect of temperature on -- Angola , Bluefish -- Effect of global warming on -- Angola , Bluefish -- Effect of fishing on -- Angola , Bluefish -- Life cycles , Pomatomidae -- Angola , Fishery management -- Angola , Climatic changes -- Angola
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5379 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017211
- Description: A general lack of biological information is hampering the effective management of Angola’s fisheries. While this lack of information is largely a result of the country’s extended civil war that ended in 2002, the subsequent rapid expansion of fisheries is most likely impacting fish abundance and influencing the biology of this regions fishes. Besides the influence of fisheries, the southern Angolan coastal region is considered to be a climate change “hotspot” due to rapidly (>0.8°C/decade) increasing water temperatures. These changes are thought to drive further changes to the biology of fishes. It is therefore critical to provide baseline biological information and to identify the impacts of exploitation and warming on the biology of southern Angolan fishes. Pomatomus saltatrix is a warm-temperate marine fish species that forms an important component of fisheries throughout its broad distribution. P. saltatrix is a migratory predator that displays variable growth and maturity schedules. Typically it is heavily targeted in a range of coastal fisheries of Angola and is therefore an ideal candidate to study the biological impacts of exploitation and climate change. The aim of this study was to provide the first description of P. saltatrix biology in Angola and examine recent changes of the species biological parameters in an attempt to uncouple fishery driven from climate driven changes. Samples of P. saltatrix were collected monthly using standardised biological methods from June 2005 to December 2006 (period 1) and from June 2012 to February 2013 (period 2). The average (508mm – 1st period, 462mm – 2nd period) and maximum (760mm – 1st period, 746mm – 2nd period) size of P. saltatrix was smaller during the second period to suggest selective overharvesting of large individuals by developing fisheries. Angolan P. saltatrix grew very rapidly in their first year and thereafter, relatively slowly when compared to other populations globally. However, fish grew faster (ω = 103 – 1st period, ω = 124 – 2nd period), matured at a larger size (303mm - 1st period, 336mm - 2nd period) and younger age (0.83 years - 1st period, 0.67 years – 2nd period) during the second period. Peaks in reproductive activity remained similar (November) during both periods but a temperature anomaly appears to have influenced spawning during period 2. Sardinella aurita was the dominant prey during both periods but a greater dependence upon mugilids was observed during the second period. Although the changes in life history were not statistically significant, the faster growth observed during period two could be attributed to both increasing temperature and/or exploitation. Fishes generally grow faster, mature smaller and attain a smaller maximum size in warmer temperatures. Fisheries targeting small and large specimens of a species (as observed in this study) largely have the same impacts as ocean warming. With rapidly increasing water temperatures and exploitation rates, faster growth and earlier maturation of P. saltatrix populations will mitigate the impacts of exploitation in the short-term. However, the sustainability of Angola’s P. saltatrix stock is questionable as phenotypic adaptation will have a limited thermal scope and overexploitation will, like in all fisheries, negatively influence recruitment. Ultimately, strict monitoring, regulation and control will be necessary to ensure the sustainability of the P. saltatrix resource in Angola as it continues to face increasing anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Management guidelines and future research suggestions are therefore outlined with reference to the results of analyses conducted during this study.
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Sources of change in the money stock
- Authors: Smith, Robert Ayreton Bailey
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Money supply -- South Africa , Money -- South Africa , Banks and banking, Central -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1118 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017543
- Description: This research provides an historical, theoretical and practical appraisal of exogenous and endogenous money and money creation, with South Africa as the focus of the practical investigation. Monetary theory of recent decades can be categorised as belonging to one of two distinct paradigms: mainstream (neoclassical) or post Keynesian. The mainstream (orthodox) view presents a Euclidian or Cartesian, ergodic, deductive, and axiomatic theoretical interpretation of the world. This is perpetuated through the continued, and inaccurate, depiction in academia of exogenous money creation, the money multiplier concept, asset transformation by banks, imposed alterations to the money stock by central banks and long-run closed system equilibrium models (and associated homogeneity, and long term behavioural assumptions). In the real world, economic agents, structures, institutions and their interrelations are perpetually evolving. The post Keynesian paradigm provides the theoretical framework within which to understand such a world. Unfortunately the necessity for a multiplicity of methods and methodology makes it a paradigm that is currently prohibitively complex, preventing simple exposition. Money creation should, both historically, and according to the analysis conducted, be defined according to the actual source of change in the money stock, that is, credit extension. In a nonergodic world, changes in the stock of money take on a causal role with regard the initiation of productive processes, and thus influence future economic conditions. The simple, although powerful, technique of balance sheet analysis conducted herein provides a detailed method of identification of causal changes in money stock. Within the context of the institutional and structural environment, it clearly demonstrates the residual nature of money m modern economies. This research serves to emphasise the importance of monetary matters for economic management, as well as the important difference between the money creation process and the residual deposit securities. It serves also to discourage the perpetuation of fallacies of money creation, and capabilities of monetary authorities. In South Africa, as in most countries, the central bank can influence the conditions under which borrowers and banks mutually create money, but do not themselves create or distribute money beyond the facilitation of credit extension by banks
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Sport consumption patterns in the Eastern Cape: cricket spectators as sporting univores or omnivores
- Authors: Brock, Kelcey
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cricket -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cricket -- Social aspects , Consumption (Economics) , Consumer behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1115 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017534
- Description: Since its inception, consumption behaviour theory has developed to account for the important social aspect that underpins or at least to some extent can be used to explain consumption behaviour. Modern consumption behaviour theory is anthropocentric in nature, with people and societal influence at the forefront of the theory. To date, empirical studies on consumption behaviour of cultural activities (for example, music and arts), entertainment and sport have used Bourdieu’s (1984) omnivore/univore theory to suggest that consumption of leisure activities is bound up in social ties. To date, no such investigation has been conducted in the context of sport in South Africa. The aim of the study therefore is to investigate whether South African cricket spectators are sporting omnivores or univores, thus, essentially investigating whether sports consumption behaviour in South Africa is bound up in social ties. A number of positive economic and social ramifications could result from gaining a holistic understanding of sports consumption behaviour in South Africa. Given these ramifications, the secondary goal of the research is to identify motives for consumers making specific sport consumption decisions, and determining whether certain characteristics can be attributed to these consumption decisions. Recommendations based on the findings of the research could help various stakeholders understand sports consumption patterns in South Africa, which could in turn lead to the realization of positive economic and social benefits. The study made use of a questionnaire, administered at four different limited overs cricket matches in the 2012/13 cricket season, to obtain a range of responses reflecting specific types of consumption behaviour as well as motives for consumption decisions of cricket spectators in the Eastern Cape. Using individual binary probit models and post estimation F-tests, the results indicate that consumption behaviour of sport within South Africa predominantly differs on the grounds of education and race. This suggests that there are aspects of social connotations underpinning sports consumption behaviour within South Africa
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Statistical analysis of the ionospheric response during storm conditions over South Africa using ionosonde and GPS data
- Authors: Matamba, Tshimangadzo Merline
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Ionospheric storms -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Ionospheric storms -- South Africa -- Madimbo , Magnetic storms -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Magnetic storms -- South Africa -- Madimbo , Ionosondes , Global Positioning System
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017899
- Description: Ionospheric storms are an extreme form of space weather phenomena which affect space- and ground-based technological systems. Extreme solar activity may give rise to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and solar flares that may result in ionospheric storms. This thesis reports on a statistical analysis of the ionospheric response over the ionosonde stations Grahamstown (33.3◦S, 26.5◦E) and Madimbo (22.4◦S,30.9◦E), South Africa, during geomagnetic storm conditions which occurred during the period 1996 - 2011. Total Electron Content (TEC) derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) data by a dual Frequency receiver and an ionosonde at Grahamstown, was analysed for the storms that occurred during the period 2006 - 2011. A comprehensive analysis of the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) and TEC was done. To identify the geomagnetically disturbed conditions the Disturbance storm time (Dst) index with a storm criteria of Dst ≤ −50 nT was used. The ionospheric disturbances were categorized into three responses, namely single disturbance, double disturbance and not significant (NS) ionospheric storms. Single disturbance ionospheric storms refer to positive (P) and negative (N) ionospheric storms observed separately, while double disturbance storms refer to negative and positive ionospheric storms observed during the same storm period. The statistics show the impact of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere and indicate that negative ionospheric effects follow the solar cycle. In general, only a few ionospheric storms (0.11%) were observed during solar minimum. Positive ionospheric storms occurred most frequently (47.54%) during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. Seasonally, negative ionospheric storms occurred mostly during the summer (63.24%), while positive ionospheric storms occurred frequently during the winter (53.62%). An important finding is that only negative ionospheric storms were observed during great geomagnetic storm activity (Dst ≤ −350 nT). For periods when both ionosonde and GPS was available, the two data sets indicated similar ionospheric responses. Hence, GPS data can be used to effectively identify the ionospheric response in the absence of ionosonde data.
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Strategic thinking during a period of turbulence : a case study of the BancABC Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mberi, Mary-Jane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: BancABC (Zimbabwe) , Strategic planning -- Case studies , Strategic planning -- Zimbabwe , Inflation (Finance) -- Zimbabwe , Problem solving -- Zimbabwe , Crisis management -- Zimbabwe , Decision making -- Zimbabwe , Critical incident technique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020603
- Description: A review of strategic thinking literature indicates that research has tended to focus on experiences contributing to strategic thinking, the strategic thinking perspectives that executives are likely to follow based on the environments in which they have developed their strategic competencies, and examining executives’ cognitive maps within the context of strategic management (O’ Shannassy 2003; Kutschera, and Ryan, 2009; Meyer, 2007). As an expansion of these principles and foundations of strategic thinking, this research was a study of the extent to which strategic thinking perspectives are utilised during macro environmental turbulence. According to Cravens et al. (2009: 31) volatility, reinvention, and fundamental changes in markets present unprecedented challenges to researchers and executives. “Unfortunately, too often traditional conceptual models and theories fail to provide adequate insight for coping with this new and rapidly changing business environment. Traditional market perspectives and conceptual logic may even blind researchers and strategic decision makers to the real threats present in the changing competitive landscape and new market space, and to opportunities for added value which can be uncovered and exploited” Cravens et al. (2009: 31). Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe was a major problem from 2003 to April 2009, when the country suspended its own currency and for the next five years the country continued to struggle with various macro environmental challenges. It is this backdrop that makes this research intriguing, where the soundness of any organisation is said to be crucially linked to the soundness of the macro environment, including macroeconomic policies as well as internal governance, market discipline; regulation and supervision (Louw and Venter, 2010). The research was a case study of BancABC Zimbabwe and focused on the period 2009 to 2013. BancABC Zimbabwe is a subsidiary of ABC Holdings Limited which is listed on the Botswana and Zimbabwe stock exchanges (BancABC, 2012). The aim of the study as the first key activity was to explore and describe how the BancABC executives responded to the critical macro environmental incidents identified, at a management or executive team perspective, and secondly, whether the rational reasoning or generative reasoning perspective was dominant during the period of turbulence. The goal is to gain insights of the strategic thinking process followed by executives during a period of macro-environmental turbulence. Literature defines strategic thinking concept as the cognitive process undertaken by executives in relation to problem solving in the business context. Two main perspectives are discussed: Strategic thinking as a science (rational thinking) is the prescriptive, structured nature of strategic thinking; arguments are that it is a less complex perspective for executives to adopt. Strategic thinking as an art (generative thinking) is the perspective that allows the strategist to think outside the box and be more creative about solving strategic problems. The discussion presents how the two perspectives can be used to complement each other and provide a more robust strategic thinking framework. The multi-perspective approach to strategic thinking recommends the right balance between analysis, intuition and creativity can be used to create new frameworks and innovative solutions. The ability to balance these strategic thinking perspectives enables executives to solve strategic problems (Linkov, 1999). The research findings highlighted the effect of time and availability of information on the strategic thinking perspective adopted by executives during times of uncertainty. It was noted that when time and information were available, executives appeared to use the rational strategic thinking perspective, while if there was limited time and information to solve problems the generative thinking perspective was dominantly used. Further the importance of integrative strategic thinking which facilitates the use of both intuition and analysis when solving strategic problems in a turbulent macro environment was also highlighted. The research thesis adopted the structure of a case study, relying on the critical incident technique to create the context of the study; and can be used to explore and discuss strategic thinking for teaching purposes. The results of the study can be recognised as a contribution towards the development of strategic thinking particularly in times of turbulence. It can also form the basis for future studies in the context of strategic thinking.
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