Cyclooxygenase-1 as an anti-stroke target: potential inhibitor identification and non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism analysis
- Authors: Muronzi, Tendai
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cerebrovascular disease , Cerebrovascular disease -- Treatment , Cerebrovascular disease -- Chemotherapy , Cyclooxygenases , High throughput screening (Drug development) , Drug development , Molecular dynamics , South African Natural Compounds Database , ZINC database
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143404 , vital:38243
- Description: Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide, with 87% of cases being ischemic stroke. The two primary therapeutic strategies to reduce post-ischemic brain damage are cellular and vascular approaches. The vascular strategy aims to rapidly re-open obstructed blood vessels, while the cellular approach aims to interfere with the signalling pathways that facilitate neuron damage and death. Unfortunately, popular vascular treatments have adverse side effects, necessitating the need for alternative chemotherapeutics. In this study, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), which plays a significant role in the post- ischemic neuroinflammation and neuronal death, was targeted for identification of novel drug compounds and to assess the effect of nsSNPs on its structure and function. In a drug discovery part, ligands from the South African Natural Compounds Database (SANCDB-https://sancdb.rubi.ru.ac.za/) and ZINC database (http://zinc15.docking.org/) were used for high-throughput virtual screening (HVTS) against COX-1. Additionally, five nsSNPs were being investigated to assess their impact on protein structure and function. Three of these SNPs were in the COX-1 dimer interface. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed asymmetric nature of the protein. Several ligands, peculiar to each monomer, exhibited favourable binding energies in the respective active sites. SNP analysis indicated effects on inter-monomer interactions and protein stability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Muronzi, Tendai
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cerebrovascular disease , Cerebrovascular disease -- Treatment , Cerebrovascular disease -- Chemotherapy , Cyclooxygenases , High throughput screening (Drug development) , Drug development , Molecular dynamics , South African Natural Compounds Database , ZINC database
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143404 , vital:38243
- Description: Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide, with 87% of cases being ischemic stroke. The two primary therapeutic strategies to reduce post-ischemic brain damage are cellular and vascular approaches. The vascular strategy aims to rapidly re-open obstructed blood vessels, while the cellular approach aims to interfere with the signalling pathways that facilitate neuron damage and death. Unfortunately, popular vascular treatments have adverse side effects, necessitating the need for alternative chemotherapeutics. In this study, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), which plays a significant role in the post- ischemic neuroinflammation and neuronal death, was targeted for identification of novel drug compounds and to assess the effect of nsSNPs on its structure and function. In a drug discovery part, ligands from the South African Natural Compounds Database (SANCDB-https://sancdb.rubi.ru.ac.za/) and ZINC database (http://zinc15.docking.org/) were used for high-throughput virtual screening (HVTS) against COX-1. Additionally, five nsSNPs were being investigated to assess their impact on protein structure and function. Three of these SNPs were in the COX-1 dimer interface. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed asymmetric nature of the protein. Several ligands, peculiar to each monomer, exhibited favourable binding energies in the respective active sites. SNP analysis indicated effects on inter-monomer interactions and protein stability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Decent work and informal employment: the case of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province (Central Business District) Zimbabwe
- Authors: Bob, Shaka Keny
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Labor -- Zimbabwe , Informal sector (Economics) -- Zimbabwe , Job creation -- Zimbabwe , Poor -- Zimbabwe -- Employment , Labor policy -- Zimbabwe , Football coaches -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115241 , vital:34104
- Description: Zimbabwe, similar to other developing countries experiences a high level of informal employment. However, most informal jobs are situated in very poor working conditions and are characterised by decent work deficits. Despite the fact that various studies have shown the importance of the informal economy in that it provides livelihood earning opportunities for the majority of people in the Global South, it has remained a largely forgotten sector in policy making in most countries. It is, therefore, important that informal work be taken seriously and efforts must be made to improve working conditions for the urban working poor in the developing world. The purpose of this study is to investigate on the self-reported experiences of informal workers to understand their perspectives surrounding the concept of decent work in the Zimbabwean context. The case study is the Bulawayo metropolitan province, and this study targeted informal workers who trade within the central business district. The study also aimed to measure the decent work deficit scores between two economic sectors (food and clothing traders). This was done by testing the suitability of the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index as a methodology of measuring decent work at a micro level. The analysis is based on a mixed methods study which was carried out through the use of a semi-structured survey. The study revealed that decent work for the sampled informal workers meant work related improvements, insurances and risk management, right of expression and business advancement skills which closely resembles the International Labour Organisation's conceptualisation of decent work. The study also highlighted that childcare assistance and disability insurance are concepts which remained excluded in the current conceptualisation of decent work. The thesis offers a new policy angle which shows that to promote decent work the concept of heterogeneity must be adopted because inequalities persist within the informal economy. The study also suggested that the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index can be used as an appropriate methodology of monitoring the progress towards achieving decent work at the micro level i.e. industry or individual level. This is because since the formation of the decent work concept; the International Labour Organisation has only provided a methodology of how to measure the progress of decent work at the county level. The survey findings revealed that food vendors scored more poorly on the decent work deficit index compared to the clothing traders. The study also identified that food vendors and clothing traders are faced with different challenges which suggests that policy makers must take that into consideration when attempting to design policies or programmes which are aimed at assisting informal workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bob, Shaka Keny
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Labor -- Zimbabwe , Informal sector (Economics) -- Zimbabwe , Job creation -- Zimbabwe , Poor -- Zimbabwe -- Employment , Labor policy -- Zimbabwe , Football coaches -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115241 , vital:34104
- Description: Zimbabwe, similar to other developing countries experiences a high level of informal employment. However, most informal jobs are situated in very poor working conditions and are characterised by decent work deficits. Despite the fact that various studies have shown the importance of the informal economy in that it provides livelihood earning opportunities for the majority of people in the Global South, it has remained a largely forgotten sector in policy making in most countries. It is, therefore, important that informal work be taken seriously and efforts must be made to improve working conditions for the urban working poor in the developing world. The purpose of this study is to investigate on the self-reported experiences of informal workers to understand their perspectives surrounding the concept of decent work in the Zimbabwean context. The case study is the Bulawayo metropolitan province, and this study targeted informal workers who trade within the central business district. The study also aimed to measure the decent work deficit scores between two economic sectors (food and clothing traders). This was done by testing the suitability of the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index as a methodology of measuring decent work at a micro level. The analysis is based on a mixed methods study which was carried out through the use of a semi-structured survey. The study revealed that decent work for the sampled informal workers meant work related improvements, insurances and risk management, right of expression and business advancement skills which closely resembles the International Labour Organisation's conceptualisation of decent work. The study also highlighted that childcare assistance and disability insurance are concepts which remained excluded in the current conceptualisation of decent work. The thesis offers a new policy angle which shows that to promote decent work the concept of heterogeneity must be adopted because inequalities persist within the informal economy. The study also suggested that the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index can be used as an appropriate methodology of monitoring the progress towards achieving decent work at the micro level i.e. industry or individual level. This is because since the formation of the decent work concept; the International Labour Organisation has only provided a methodology of how to measure the progress of decent work at the county level. The survey findings revealed that food vendors scored more poorly on the decent work deficit index compared to the clothing traders. The study also identified that food vendors and clothing traders are faced with different challenges which suggests that policy makers must take that into consideration when attempting to design policies or programmes which are aimed at assisting informal workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Default in payment, an application of statistical learning techniques
- Authors: Gcakasi, Lulama
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Credit -- South Africa -- Risk assessment , Risk management -- Statistical methods -- South Africa , Credit -- Management -- Statistical methods , Commercial statistics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141547 , vital:37984
- Description: The ability of financial institutions to detect whether a customer will default on their credit card payment is essential for its profitability. To that effect, financial institutions have credit scoring systems in place to be able to estimate the credit risk associated with a customer. Various classification models are used to develop credit scoring systems such as k-nearest neighbours, logistic regression and classification trees. This study aims to assess the performance of different classification models on the prediction of credit card payment default. Credit data is usually of high dimension and as a result dimension reduction techniques, namely principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis, are used in this study as a means to improve model performance. Two classification models are used, namely neural networks and support vector machines. Model performance is evaluated using accuracy and area under the curve (AUC). The neuarl network classifier performed better than the support vector machine classifier as it produced higher accuracy rates and AUC values. Dimension reduction techniques were not effective in improving model performance but did result in less computationally expensive models.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gcakasi, Lulama
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Credit -- South Africa -- Risk assessment , Risk management -- Statistical methods -- South Africa , Credit -- Management -- Statistical methods , Commercial statistics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141547 , vital:37984
- Description: The ability of financial institutions to detect whether a customer will default on their credit card payment is essential for its profitability. To that effect, financial institutions have credit scoring systems in place to be able to estimate the credit risk associated with a customer. Various classification models are used to develop credit scoring systems such as k-nearest neighbours, logistic regression and classification trees. This study aims to assess the performance of different classification models on the prediction of credit card payment default. Credit data is usually of high dimension and as a result dimension reduction techniques, namely principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis, are used in this study as a means to improve model performance. Two classification models are used, namely neural networks and support vector machines. Model performance is evaluated using accuracy and area under the curve (AUC). The neuarl network classifier performed better than the support vector machine classifier as it produced higher accuracy rates and AUC values. Dimension reduction techniques were not effective in improving model performance but did result in less computationally expensive models.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Defect Classification in Photovoltaic Modules through Thermal Infrared Imaging using Machine Learning
- Dunderdale, Christopher, Clohessy, C M
- Authors: Dunderdale, Christopher , Clohessy, C M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48280 , vital:40838
- Description: As the global energy demand continues to soar, solar energy has become an attractive and environmentally conscious method to meet this demand. This study examines the use of machine learning techniques for defect detection and classification in photovoltaic systems using thermal infrared images. A deep learning and feature-based approach is also investigated for the purpose of detecting and classifying defective photovoltaic modules. The VGG-16 and MobileNet deep learning models are shown to provide good performance for the classification of defects. The scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) descriptor, combined with the random forest and support vector machine classifier, is also used to discriminate between defective and non-defective photovoltaic modules in a South African setting. The successful implementation of this approach has significant potential for cost reduction in defect classification over currently available methods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dunderdale, Christopher , Clohessy, C M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48280 , vital:40838
- Description: As the global energy demand continues to soar, solar energy has become an attractive and environmentally conscious method to meet this demand. This study examines the use of machine learning techniques for defect detection and classification in photovoltaic systems using thermal infrared images. A deep learning and feature-based approach is also investigated for the purpose of detecting and classifying defective photovoltaic modules. The VGG-16 and MobileNet deep learning models are shown to provide good performance for the classification of defects. The scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) descriptor, combined with the random forest and support vector machine classifier, is also used to discriminate between defective and non-defective photovoltaic modules in a South African setting. The successful implementation of this approach has significant potential for cost reduction in defect classification over currently available methods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Defining the potential ecological roles of three sea turtle species (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata) along the Eastern seaboard of South Africa
- Authors: Ramboran, Ryan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sea turtles -- Conservation -- South Africa , Sea turtles -- Habitat -- Conservation -- South Africa Marine ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49343 , vital:41623
- Description: Sea turtles were once key species, driving the ecosystem process and energy flows, the past loss of their ecological roles, however has resulted in reduced ecosystem functionality through food web shifts and trophic cascades. Therefore understanding the past and present ecological roles of sea turtles is identified as one of the global research priorities for sea turtle management and conservation.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ramboran, Ryan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sea turtles -- Conservation -- South Africa , Sea turtles -- Habitat -- Conservation -- South Africa Marine ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49343 , vital:41623
- Description: Sea turtles were once key species, driving the ecosystem process and energy flows, the past loss of their ecological roles, however has resulted in reduced ecosystem functionality through food web shifts and trophic cascades. Therefore understanding the past and present ecological roles of sea turtles is identified as one of the global research priorities for sea turtle management and conservation.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
Design of a Traffic Surveillance Application using iFogSim
- Authors: Sinqandu, Mluleki
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cloud computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18676 , vital:42705
- Description: __iFogSim is a toolkit to model, simulate and evaluate networks of Fog computing, Edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT). This framework provides the capabilities of analysing and evaluating the performance of applications and resource management policies in Fog/IoT environments, based on which designers can model and test their applications. This thesis proposes a novel application model of a traffic surveillance vehicular network application through smart cameras using iFogSim, where the scenario of multiple vehicles tracking is considered. The effectiveness of the proposed application model is assessed and validated by simulations using a modified application model inherited from a case study of intelligent surveillance through distributed camera networks introduced. Simulations are conducted using the iFogSim tool and performance evaluation is done. The comparison between one vehicle and multiple vehicle tracking is done and the results demonstrate that the multiple vehicle application model achieves a better performance in terms of average latency and data transfer rate
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sinqandu, Mluleki
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cloud computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18676 , vital:42705
- Description: __iFogSim is a toolkit to model, simulate and evaluate networks of Fog computing, Edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT). This framework provides the capabilities of analysing and evaluating the performance of applications and resource management policies in Fog/IoT environments, based on which designers can model and test their applications. This thesis proposes a novel application model of a traffic surveillance vehicular network application through smart cameras using iFogSim, where the scenario of multiple vehicles tracking is considered. The effectiveness of the proposed application model is assessed and validated by simulations using a modified application model inherited from a case study of intelligent surveillance through distributed camera networks introduced. Simulations are conducted using the iFogSim tool and performance evaluation is done. The comparison between one vehicle and multiple vehicle tracking is done and the results demonstrate that the multiple vehicle application model achieves a better performance in terms of average latency and data transfer rate
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Design, formulation and evalauation of liposomes co-loaded with human serum Albumin and Rifampicin
- Authors: Bapolisi, Alain Murhimalika
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Liposomes , Serum albumin , Rifampin , Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161780 , vital:40670
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The high morbidity and mortality rates of TB are partly due to factors such as the lengthy regimen (of 6–24 months), the development of drug resistance, and the pathogen location within the macrophages. These, with poor physiochemical properties of existing drugs hamper the effectiveness of the treatment despite the existence of potent antibiotics such as Rifampicin (Rif). Hydrophobicity plagues many drugs, including Rif, which are then particularly affected due to inherently poor intracellular availability. Novel drug delivery approaches are therefore needed in order to optimize the cytotoxic potential of said antitubercular drugs. To improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs, numerous delivery strategies have been developed. Amongst these, the coordination of cytotoxic drugs to therapeutic proteins have shown some success for improved efficacy in the management of illnesses including infectious diseases. Of therapeutic proteins, Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is an attractive drug carrier with interestingbenefits such as low immunogenicity, antioxidant properties and improving cellular uptake ofdrugs through HSA-specific binding sites which are expressed on most cells including macrophages, where M. tuberculosis often resides. Hence, combination of Rif to HSA (Rif-HSA)seems a promising approach for improved intracellular delivery of Rif. However, the in vivo stability of colloidal protein-based therapeutics is mostly challenging and an effective vehicle is needed to control the biological fate of such conjugates.Liposomes seem to be appropriate carriers for the Rif-HSA complex due to their reputable applicability for encapsulating diverse materials (i.e., hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds or small and complex molecules) and preventing chemical and biological degradation of the cargo. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to simultaneously encapsulate Rif and HSA in liposomes, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been done before. The dual liposomes (Rif-HSA-lip) were made by a modified “Reverse Phase Evaporation” method (REV), following a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach to determine which factors impact the formulation. In addition, liposomes were made from crude soybean lecithin (CSL), rather than expensive and highly purified lipids. The liposomes were fully characterised, and the encapsulation efficiency (î) was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results were correlated with factors such as organic and aqueous phase composition, as well as the in vitro release profile of Rif. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the formation of spherical dual liposomes nanoparticles of roughly 200 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential measurements showed a negative charge (<–45 mV) and with satisfactory polydispersity (PDI<0.5). HSA dramatically improved the aqueous solubility of Rif (from1.9 mg/ml in water to around 4.3 mg/ml in HSA 10% solution) mainly due to Rif-HSA hydrophobic interactions. This resulted in a good î of almost 60% for Rif, despite the presence of bulky HSA in the lipid bilayer. These details were confirmed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and DLS data suggested the presence of HSA poking out on the surface of liposomes, which is encouraging for potential targeted delivery in the future. The in vitro release studies also depicted a substantial improvement in the diffusion of Rif in dual liposomes versus free Rif, from 65% after 12 hours for free Rif to 95% after only 5 hours for Rif- HSA-lip. Finally, stability studies conducted over 30 days at room temperature, showed that the freeze-dried formulations of Rif-HSA-lip exhibited good shelf stability over liposomes with no HSA. This study represents an illustrative example of co-loading of antibiotics and proteins into liposomes, which could encourage further development of novel nanoparticulate tools for the effective management of both drug-susceptible and -resistant infectious diseases such as TB.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bapolisi, Alain Murhimalika
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Liposomes , Serum albumin , Rifampin , Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161780 , vital:40670
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The high morbidity and mortality rates of TB are partly due to factors such as the lengthy regimen (of 6–24 months), the development of drug resistance, and the pathogen location within the macrophages. These, with poor physiochemical properties of existing drugs hamper the effectiveness of the treatment despite the existence of potent antibiotics such as Rifampicin (Rif). Hydrophobicity plagues many drugs, including Rif, which are then particularly affected due to inherently poor intracellular availability. Novel drug delivery approaches are therefore needed in order to optimize the cytotoxic potential of said antitubercular drugs. To improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs, numerous delivery strategies have been developed. Amongst these, the coordination of cytotoxic drugs to therapeutic proteins have shown some success for improved efficacy in the management of illnesses including infectious diseases. Of therapeutic proteins, Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is an attractive drug carrier with interestingbenefits such as low immunogenicity, antioxidant properties and improving cellular uptake ofdrugs through HSA-specific binding sites which are expressed on most cells including macrophages, where M. tuberculosis often resides. Hence, combination of Rif to HSA (Rif-HSA)seems a promising approach for improved intracellular delivery of Rif. However, the in vivo stability of colloidal protein-based therapeutics is mostly challenging and an effective vehicle is needed to control the biological fate of such conjugates.Liposomes seem to be appropriate carriers for the Rif-HSA complex due to their reputable applicability for encapsulating diverse materials (i.e., hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds or small and complex molecules) and preventing chemical and biological degradation of the cargo. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to simultaneously encapsulate Rif and HSA in liposomes, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been done before. The dual liposomes (Rif-HSA-lip) were made by a modified “Reverse Phase Evaporation” method (REV), following a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach to determine which factors impact the formulation. In addition, liposomes were made from crude soybean lecithin (CSL), rather than expensive and highly purified lipids. The liposomes were fully characterised, and the encapsulation efficiency (î) was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results were correlated with factors such as organic and aqueous phase composition, as well as the in vitro release profile of Rif. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the formation of spherical dual liposomes nanoparticles of roughly 200 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential measurements showed a negative charge (<–45 mV) and with satisfactory polydispersity (PDI<0.5). HSA dramatically improved the aqueous solubility of Rif (from1.9 mg/ml in water to around 4.3 mg/ml in HSA 10% solution) mainly due to Rif-HSA hydrophobic interactions. This resulted in a good î of almost 60% for Rif, despite the presence of bulky HSA in the lipid bilayer. These details were confirmed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and DLS data suggested the presence of HSA poking out on the surface of liposomes, which is encouraging for potential targeted delivery in the future. The in vitro release studies also depicted a substantial improvement in the diffusion of Rif in dual liposomes versus free Rif, from 65% after 12 hours for free Rif to 95% after only 5 hours for Rif- HSA-lip. Finally, stability studies conducted over 30 days at room temperature, showed that the freeze-dried formulations of Rif-HSA-lip exhibited good shelf stability over liposomes with no HSA. This study represents an illustrative example of co-loading of antibiotics and proteins into liposomes, which could encourage further development of novel nanoparticulate tools for the effective management of both drug-susceptible and -resistant infectious diseases such as TB.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Design, formulation and evaluation of liposomes co-loaded with human serum albumin and rifampicin
- Authors: Bapolisi, Alain Murhimalika
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Liposomes , Rifampin , Antitubercular agents , Serum albumin , Albumins , Tuberculosis -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163179 , vital:41016
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The high morbidity and mortality rates of TB are partly due to factors such as the lengthy regimen (of 6–24 months), the development of drug resistance, and the pathogen location within the macrophages. These, with poor physiochemical properties of existing drugs hamper the effectiveness of the treatment despite the existence of potent antibiotics such as Rifampicin (Rif). Hydrophobicity plagues many drugs, including Rif, which are then particularly affected due to inherently poor intracellular availability. Novel drug delivery approaches are therefore needed in order to optimize the cytotoxic potential of said antitubercular drugs. To improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs, numerous delivery strategies have been developed. Amongst these, the coordination of cytotoxic drugs to therapeutic proteins have shown some success for improved efficacy in the management of illnesses including infectious diseases. Of therapeutic proteins, Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is an attractive drug carrier with interesting benefits such as low immunogenicity, antioxidant properties and improving cellular uptake of drugs through HSA-specific binding sites which are expressed on most cells including macrophages, where M. tuberculosis often resides. Hence, combination of Rif to HSA (Rif-HSA) seems a promising approach for improved intracellular delivery of Rif. However, the in vivo stability of colloidal protein-based therapeutics is mostly challenging and an effective vehicle is needed to control the biological fate of such conjugates. Liposomes seem to be appropriate carriers for the Rif-HSA complex due to their reputable applicability for encapsulating diverse materials (i.e., hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds or small and complex molecules) and preventing chemical and biological degradation of the cargo. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to simultaneously encapsulate Rif and HSA in liposomes, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been done before. The dual liposomes (Rif-HSA-lip) were made by a modified “Reverse Phase Evaporation” method (REV), following a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach to determine which factors impact the formulation. In addition, liposomes were made from crude soybean lecithin (CSL), rather than expensive and highly purified lipids. iv The liposomes were fully characterised, and the encapsulation efficiency (î) was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results were correlated with factors such as organic and aqueous phase composition, as well as the in vitro release profile of Rif. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the formation of spherical dual liposomes nanoparticles of roughly 200 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential measurements showed a negative charge (<–45 mV) and with satisfactory polydispersity (PDI<0.5). HSA dramatically improved the aqueous solubility of Rif (from1.9 mg/ml in water to around 4.3 mg/ml in HSA 10% solution) mainly due to Rif-HSA hydrophobic interactions. This resulted in a good î of almost 60% for Rif, despite the presence of bulky HSA in the lipid bilayer. These details were confirmed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and DLS data suggested the presence of HSA poking out on the surface of liposomes, which is encouraging for potential targeted delivery in the future. The in vitro release studies also depicted a substantial improvement in the diffusion of Rif in dual liposomes versus free Rif, from 65% after 12 hours for free Rif to 95% after only 5 hours for Rif- HSA-lip. Finally, stability studies conducted over 30 days at room temperature, showed that the freeze-dried formulations of Rif-HSA-lip exhibited good shelf stability over liposomes with no HSA. This study represents an illustrative example of co-loading of antibiotics and proteins into liposomes, which could encourage further development of novel nanoparticulate tools for the effective management of both drug-susceptible and -resistant infectious diseases such as TB.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bapolisi, Alain Murhimalika
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Liposomes , Rifampin , Antitubercular agents , Serum albumin , Albumins , Tuberculosis -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163179 , vital:41016
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The high morbidity and mortality rates of TB are partly due to factors such as the lengthy regimen (of 6–24 months), the development of drug resistance, and the pathogen location within the macrophages. These, with poor physiochemical properties of existing drugs hamper the effectiveness of the treatment despite the existence of potent antibiotics such as Rifampicin (Rif). Hydrophobicity plagues many drugs, including Rif, which are then particularly affected due to inherently poor intracellular availability. Novel drug delivery approaches are therefore needed in order to optimize the cytotoxic potential of said antitubercular drugs. To improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs, numerous delivery strategies have been developed. Amongst these, the coordination of cytotoxic drugs to therapeutic proteins have shown some success for improved efficacy in the management of illnesses including infectious diseases. Of therapeutic proteins, Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is an attractive drug carrier with interesting benefits such as low immunogenicity, antioxidant properties and improving cellular uptake of drugs through HSA-specific binding sites which are expressed on most cells including macrophages, where M. tuberculosis often resides. Hence, combination of Rif to HSA (Rif-HSA) seems a promising approach for improved intracellular delivery of Rif. However, the in vivo stability of colloidal protein-based therapeutics is mostly challenging and an effective vehicle is needed to control the biological fate of such conjugates. Liposomes seem to be appropriate carriers for the Rif-HSA complex due to their reputable applicability for encapsulating diverse materials (i.e., hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds or small and complex molecules) and preventing chemical and biological degradation of the cargo. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to simultaneously encapsulate Rif and HSA in liposomes, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been done before. The dual liposomes (Rif-HSA-lip) were made by a modified “Reverse Phase Evaporation” method (REV), following a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach to determine which factors impact the formulation. In addition, liposomes were made from crude soybean lecithin (CSL), rather than expensive and highly purified lipids. iv The liposomes were fully characterised, and the encapsulation efficiency (î) was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results were correlated with factors such as organic and aqueous phase composition, as well as the in vitro release profile of Rif. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the formation of spherical dual liposomes nanoparticles of roughly 200 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential measurements showed a negative charge (<–45 mV) and with satisfactory polydispersity (PDI<0.5). HSA dramatically improved the aqueous solubility of Rif (from1.9 mg/ml in water to around 4.3 mg/ml in HSA 10% solution) mainly due to Rif-HSA hydrophobic interactions. This resulted in a good î of almost 60% for Rif, despite the presence of bulky HSA in the lipid bilayer. These details were confirmed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and DLS data suggested the presence of HSA poking out on the surface of liposomes, which is encouraging for potential targeted delivery in the future. The in vitro release studies also depicted a substantial improvement in the diffusion of Rif in dual liposomes versus free Rif, from 65% after 12 hours for free Rif to 95% after only 5 hours for Rif- HSA-lip. Finally, stability studies conducted over 30 days at room temperature, showed that the freeze-dried formulations of Rif-HSA-lip exhibited good shelf stability over liposomes with no HSA. This study represents an illustrative example of co-loading of antibiotics and proteins into liposomes, which could encourage further development of novel nanoparticulate tools for the effective management of both drug-susceptible and -resistant infectious diseases such as TB.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Detecting the transnational space: metaphysical detecting in Kazuo Ishiguro’s When we were orphans, Michiel Heyns’s Lost ground, and Amitav Gosh’s The Calcutta chromosome
- Authors: Botes, Niki
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Literature and transnationalism , Detective and mystery stories -- History and criticism , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- -- When we were orpahns , Heyns, Michiel , Heyns, Michiel -- Lost ground , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- -- The Calcutta chromosome
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140971 , vital:37933
- Description: The transnational detectives in the three primary texts under scrutiny—Kazuo Ishiguro’s When We Were Orphans, Michiel Heyns’s Lost Ground, and Amitav Ghosh’s The Calcutta Chromosome—are regarded as metaphysical detectives in this thesis. As transnational figures, they criss-cross physical and national borders, but their investigations also often require the crossing of epistemological and ontological borders, as well as thinking outside of binaries. The fictional transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in these texts all feature a lack of change and the persistence of the socio-economic inequalities and discriminations of the colonial or, in the case of Lost Ground, the apartheid past. This thesis will argue that the three texts foreground the inability to break free from conceptual frameworks and a lack in human relationships as two possible reasons why the communities and societies in question have not been able to affect change. To solve the various mysteries in the texts, the transnational detectives need to find new ways of knowing and being. The lessons that these detectives learn and the personal changes they experience serve as synecdoche for how a better tomorrow for the transnational, postcolonial world could possibly be achieved. The methodology employed in this thesis involves a comparative reading of the three primary texts. To analyse and interpret these texts, this thesis draws on the philosophies of postmodern philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Emmanuel Levinas, as well as postcolonial theorists like Edward Said, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Homi K. Bhabha. The thesis will contend that especially Derrida’s work on deconstruction, which forms the conceptual basis for Bhabha’s notion of the ‘third space,’ as well as Levinas’s anti-totalitarian approach with regard to the ethical relationship between the self and the other, are viable better ways of knowing and being in the transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in the texts. Derrida’s notion of différance and the trace, as well as Bhabha’s third space, this thesis contends, completely destabilises binary thinking and offers ways to think outside of the limited frameworks of ideological discourse. This thesis also posits that Levinas’s metaphysical and pluralistic interpretation of how the self should, and can, relate to the other, presents a better way of forming human relationships and has the potential to affect positive change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Botes, Niki
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Literature and transnationalism , Detective and mystery stories -- History and criticism , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- -- When we were orpahns , Heyns, Michiel , Heyns, Michiel -- Lost ground , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- -- The Calcutta chromosome
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140971 , vital:37933
- Description: The transnational detectives in the three primary texts under scrutiny—Kazuo Ishiguro’s When We Were Orphans, Michiel Heyns’s Lost Ground, and Amitav Ghosh’s The Calcutta Chromosome—are regarded as metaphysical detectives in this thesis. As transnational figures, they criss-cross physical and national borders, but their investigations also often require the crossing of epistemological and ontological borders, as well as thinking outside of binaries. The fictional transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in these texts all feature a lack of change and the persistence of the socio-economic inequalities and discriminations of the colonial or, in the case of Lost Ground, the apartheid past. This thesis will argue that the three texts foreground the inability to break free from conceptual frameworks and a lack in human relationships as two possible reasons why the communities and societies in question have not been able to affect change. To solve the various mysteries in the texts, the transnational detectives need to find new ways of knowing and being. The lessons that these detectives learn and the personal changes they experience serve as synecdoche for how a better tomorrow for the transnational, postcolonial world could possibly be achieved. The methodology employed in this thesis involves a comparative reading of the three primary texts. To analyse and interpret these texts, this thesis draws on the philosophies of postmodern philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Emmanuel Levinas, as well as postcolonial theorists like Edward Said, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Homi K. Bhabha. The thesis will contend that especially Derrida’s work on deconstruction, which forms the conceptual basis for Bhabha’s notion of the ‘third space,’ as well as Levinas’s anti-totalitarian approach with regard to the ethical relationship between the self and the other, are viable better ways of knowing and being in the transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in the texts. Derrida’s notion of différance and the trace, as well as Bhabha’s third space, this thesis contends, completely destabilises binary thinking and offers ways to think outside of the limited frameworks of ideological discourse. This thesis also posits that Levinas’s metaphysical and pluralistic interpretation of how the self should, and can, relate to the other, presents a better way of forming human relationships and has the potential to affect positive change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Determinants of adaptation to climate variability:A case study of crop farming households in Tyhume Valley communities Eastern Cape,South Africa.
- Authors: Mtintsilana, Olona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Climatic changes Sustainable agriculture Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18789 , vital:42733
- Description: Climate variability affects rural households and agricultural productivity, yet it is just one of many stresses that vulnerable rural households have to cope with. Climate variability is not as noticeable as weather variability, because it happens over seasons and years. It is the manner in which climate fluctuates above or below a long-term average value. Without measures at local and national level to adapt to climate variability, risk of food insecurity will continue to increase at household level. The objective of the study was to determine factors affecting adaptation to climate variability. Purposive sampling was used to identify households who participated because of un-availability of sampling frame. Information was elicited from the selected households with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of 205 farming households in Tyhume Valley communities. Data gathered was subjected to descriptive statistics, Cross tabulations and Binary logit model. The results indicate that rural households from Tyhume Valley communities practiced coping adaptation through use of the following adaptation strategies; crop rotation, planted drought resistant crops, changed planting dates and used indigenous strategies such as using ash to kill mule (intuku). Most of the households used irrigation as the coping strategy to adapt to climate variability. However, heatwave, high winds, employment status, cell phones, age and gender of the rural households’ heads have effects on households’ adaptation to climate variability in Tyhume Valley. In view of the research findings, a large number of farming households are old and are females, there is a need for development of labour saving technologies and extension services to increase the likelihood of adaptation of climate variability by vulnerable farmers such as women and elderly farmers.The study also recommends that there must be a development of infrastructure for farmers as they are negatively affect by high winds due to low infrastructural development.The study also shows that farming households who have access to cellphones are more likely to adapt to climate variability, therefore the study recommends that communication of farming households must be improved.Adapting to climate variability is an increasingly important issue in agriculture and one that is likely to persist for many years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mtintsilana, Olona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Climatic changes Sustainable agriculture Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18789 , vital:42733
- Description: Climate variability affects rural households and agricultural productivity, yet it is just one of many stresses that vulnerable rural households have to cope with. Climate variability is not as noticeable as weather variability, because it happens over seasons and years. It is the manner in which climate fluctuates above or below a long-term average value. Without measures at local and national level to adapt to climate variability, risk of food insecurity will continue to increase at household level. The objective of the study was to determine factors affecting adaptation to climate variability. Purposive sampling was used to identify households who participated because of un-availability of sampling frame. Information was elicited from the selected households with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of 205 farming households in Tyhume Valley communities. Data gathered was subjected to descriptive statistics, Cross tabulations and Binary logit model. The results indicate that rural households from Tyhume Valley communities practiced coping adaptation through use of the following adaptation strategies; crop rotation, planted drought resistant crops, changed planting dates and used indigenous strategies such as using ash to kill mule (intuku). Most of the households used irrigation as the coping strategy to adapt to climate variability. However, heatwave, high winds, employment status, cell phones, age and gender of the rural households’ heads have effects on households’ adaptation to climate variability in Tyhume Valley. In view of the research findings, a large number of farming households are old and are females, there is a need for development of labour saving technologies and extension services to increase the likelihood of adaptation of climate variability by vulnerable farmers such as women and elderly farmers.The study also recommends that there must be a development of infrastructure for farmers as they are negatively affect by high winds due to low infrastructural development.The study also shows that farming households who have access to cellphones are more likely to adapt to climate variability, therefore the study recommends that communication of farming households must be improved.Adapting to climate variability is an increasingly important issue in agriculture and one that is likely to persist for many years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Developing a Machine Learning Algorithm for Outdoor Scene Image Segmentation
- Authors: Zangwa, Yamkela
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computational intelligence Computer science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science )
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12087 , vital:39150
- Description: Image segmentation is one of the major problems in image processing, computer vision and machine learning fields. The main reason for image segmentation existence is to reduce the gap between computer vision and human vision by training computers with different data. Outdoor image segmentation and classification has become very important in the field of computer vision with its applications in woodland-surveillance, defence and security. The task of assigning an input image to one class from a fixed set of categories seem to be a major problem in image segmentation. The main question that has been addressed in this research is how outdoor image classification algorithms can be improved using Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) architecture. There has been no one segmentation method that works best on any given problem. To determine the best segmentation method for a certain dataset, various tests have to be done in order to achieve the best performance. However deep learning models have often achieved increasing success due to the availability of massive datasets and the expanding model depth and parameterisation. In this research Convolutional Neural Network architecture is used in trying to improve the implementation of outdoor scene image segmentation algorithms, empirical research method was used to answer questions about existing image segmentation algorithms and the techniques used to achieve the best performance. Outdoor scene images were trained on a pre-trained region-based convolutional neural network with Visual Geometric Group-16 (VGG-16) architecture. A pre-trained R-CNN model was retrained on five different sample data, the samples had different sizes. Sample size increased from sample one to five, to increase the size on the last two samples the data was duplicated. 21 test images were used to evaluate all the models. Researchers has shown that deep learning methods perform better in image segmentation because of the increase and availability of datasets. The duplication of images did not yield the best results; however, the model performed well on the first three samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Zangwa, Yamkela
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computational intelligence Computer science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science )
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12087 , vital:39150
- Description: Image segmentation is one of the major problems in image processing, computer vision and machine learning fields. The main reason for image segmentation existence is to reduce the gap between computer vision and human vision by training computers with different data. Outdoor image segmentation and classification has become very important in the field of computer vision with its applications in woodland-surveillance, defence and security. The task of assigning an input image to one class from a fixed set of categories seem to be a major problem in image segmentation. The main question that has been addressed in this research is how outdoor image classification algorithms can be improved using Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) architecture. There has been no one segmentation method that works best on any given problem. To determine the best segmentation method for a certain dataset, various tests have to be done in order to achieve the best performance. However deep learning models have often achieved increasing success due to the availability of massive datasets and the expanding model depth and parameterisation. In this research Convolutional Neural Network architecture is used in trying to improve the implementation of outdoor scene image segmentation algorithms, empirical research method was used to answer questions about existing image segmentation algorithms and the techniques used to achieve the best performance. Outdoor scene images were trained on a pre-trained region-based convolutional neural network with Visual Geometric Group-16 (VGG-16) architecture. A pre-trained R-CNN model was retrained on five different sample data, the samples had different sizes. Sample size increased from sample one to five, to increase the size on the last two samples the data was duplicated. 21 test images were used to evaluate all the models. Researchers has shown that deep learning methods perform better in image segmentation because of the increase and availability of datasets. The duplication of images did not yield the best results; however, the model performed well on the first three samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Developing a service model for a successful freight forwarding organisation in South Africa
- Authors: Kildase, Unathi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Physical distribution of goods -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48664 , vital:41057
- Description: The Freight Logistics Industry underpins the efficient movement of freight goods globally and supports the South African economy by accounting for 80% of the movement of goods. While South Africa’s formal trade with the rest of the continent and the world has increased steadily over the years, the country is yet to make significant inroads in some of its larger and fast-growing economies. This is despite having a substantially more diversified economic base and relatively higher levels of technological advance-ment (Department of Research and Information, 2018). Complex challenges relating to transport infrastructure (roads, customs processes, sea- and airports, amongst others), determine the efficiency with which business can be done and therefore has a direct impact on the growth of the Freight Logistics Pro-vider (FLP) industry (Belfreight, 2016). Changes in the global business environment have also led FLP’s to diversity strate-gies, incorporating asset ownership on a small to large scale in order to cope with the ever-changing demands of customers. However, at its core, the FLP industry exists to manage the freight transport process. This study investigated, through interviews and surveys involving senior industry pro-fessionals; whether a service model for a successful FLP could be developed; one that did not require asset ownership. The empirical evidence gathered yielded a list of the top FLP services currently being used in business; together with the support structures and enablers for these services in the form of transport modes. A model was then developed based on these param-eters that would best suit a small to medium sized FLP for success. Success in this study proved to be non-tangible due to the limited information available in company and industry figures, however, indication of an optimal market by product was included in the developed model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kildase, Unathi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Physical distribution of goods -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48664 , vital:41057
- Description: The Freight Logistics Industry underpins the efficient movement of freight goods globally and supports the South African economy by accounting for 80% of the movement of goods. While South Africa’s formal trade with the rest of the continent and the world has increased steadily over the years, the country is yet to make significant inroads in some of its larger and fast-growing economies. This is despite having a substantially more diversified economic base and relatively higher levels of technological advance-ment (Department of Research and Information, 2018). Complex challenges relating to transport infrastructure (roads, customs processes, sea- and airports, amongst others), determine the efficiency with which business can be done and therefore has a direct impact on the growth of the Freight Logistics Pro-vider (FLP) industry (Belfreight, 2016). Changes in the global business environment have also led FLP’s to diversity strate-gies, incorporating asset ownership on a small to large scale in order to cope with the ever-changing demands of customers. However, at its core, the FLP industry exists to manage the freight transport process. This study investigated, through interviews and surveys involving senior industry pro-fessionals; whether a service model for a successful FLP could be developed; one that did not require asset ownership. The empirical evidence gathered yielded a list of the top FLP services currently being used in business; together with the support structures and enablers for these services in the form of transport modes. A model was then developed based on these param-eters that would best suit a small to medium sized FLP for success. Success in this study proved to be non-tangible due to the limited information available in company and industry figures, however, indication of an optimal market by product was included in the developed model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Developing an organisational culture in support of organisational capacity for change: the case of a South African bank
- Authors: Dhoba, Howard
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Corporate culture , Bank management , Organizational change
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141247 , vital:37956
- Description: Business organisations are increasingly being exposed to challenging environmental pressures. It has been widely acknowledged and observed that an organisation that crafts an effective organisational culture should be well positioned to react to these threatening changes, and to proactively seize opportunities to adapt and learn. This research study seeks to investigate how an organisational culture that supports organisational capacity for change can be developed. It analyses what a banking organisation’s espoused culture is made up of and how it was formulated. A thematic analysis of how the bank’s aspirational and innovative culture contributes to the organisation’s capacity for change is also presented. Organisational management should take a leading role in developing the values and practices that foster participation, which are then imparted to the entire organisation. The research study thus only focused on analysing the development of organisational culture from the management perspective. An interpretivist research approach was adopted, with a case study design as the research method. Data was gathered through conducting personal interviews with twelve managers from a Retail and Business Banking cluster of one of the big South African banks. Numerous interventions were employed in the organisation to develop espoused values, aspirational culture and to encourage all employees to champion innovations and constantly search for better ways to offer delighting value propositions to clients. The research findings can assist managers and organisational leaders in building their organisational capacity for change through developing an effective organisational culture that supports change initiatives. Since the research study only focused on analysing the development of organisational culture from the perspective of management, further research studies may involve employees as well, due to the fact that everyone is expected to take an active role for an organisation to display the overall capability to effectively respond to a progressively volatile environment. The research was able to reveal how key initiatives that are designed from theoretical constructs can be used to deliver on an innovative organisational culture that contributes to organisational capability for change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dhoba, Howard
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Corporate culture , Bank management , Organizational change
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141247 , vital:37956
- Description: Business organisations are increasingly being exposed to challenging environmental pressures. It has been widely acknowledged and observed that an organisation that crafts an effective organisational culture should be well positioned to react to these threatening changes, and to proactively seize opportunities to adapt and learn. This research study seeks to investigate how an organisational culture that supports organisational capacity for change can be developed. It analyses what a banking organisation’s espoused culture is made up of and how it was formulated. A thematic analysis of how the bank’s aspirational and innovative culture contributes to the organisation’s capacity for change is also presented. Organisational management should take a leading role in developing the values and practices that foster participation, which are then imparted to the entire organisation. The research study thus only focused on analysing the development of organisational culture from the management perspective. An interpretivist research approach was adopted, with a case study design as the research method. Data was gathered through conducting personal interviews with twelve managers from a Retail and Business Banking cluster of one of the big South African banks. Numerous interventions were employed in the organisation to develop espoused values, aspirational culture and to encourage all employees to champion innovations and constantly search for better ways to offer delighting value propositions to clients. The research findings can assist managers and organisational leaders in building their organisational capacity for change through developing an effective organisational culture that supports change initiatives. Since the research study only focused on analysing the development of organisational culture from the perspective of management, further research studies may involve employees as well, due to the fact that everyone is expected to take an active role for an organisation to display the overall capability to effectively respond to a progressively volatile environment. The research was able to reveal how key initiatives that are designed from theoretical constructs can be used to deliver on an innovative organisational culture that contributes to organisational capability for change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Developing social indicators for the evaluation of natural resource management programmes using a capability approach in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Human, Johanna Susanna
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Natural resources -- Management -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental economics -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Subsistence farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Capabilities approach (Social sciences) , Tsitsa River Catchment (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147348 , vital:38628
- Description: The dissertation investigates how the capability approach can be used to develop social indicators for a natural resource management (NRM) programme. The study aimed to develop an understanding of what the beneficiaries of the programme value being and doing to guide the development of social indicators that will take into consideration their personal development aspirations. These valued beings and doings were then overlaid with the programme goals and objectives to identify and select the final indicators. The study was situated in the Tsitsa catchment in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and was part of a natural resource management programme, focused on land restoration and avoided degradation. Methods used to collect data for this study and develop an understanding of what the residents’ valued beings and doings were, included semi-structured interviews, workshops and document analysis. The research population was non-homogenous. I tried to include voices representing different prominent groups of land users in the study. This included established commercial farmers, emerging commercial farmers, commercial forestry, residents residing in communal areas and engaged with subsistence farming and residents from these communal areas who are now residing elsewhere but continue to have connections to the catchment. Understanding the voices of these different groups who reside in the catchment was important to develop an inclusive understanding of what residents of the catchment valued beings and doings were. The research process was supported by participatory approaches. This process, and the lessons learnt during the research process, were valuable for the further development and implementation of the planned participatory monitoring evaluation reflection and learning (PMERL) framework. The research process involved learning from the research participants about their valued beings and doings and what was important for the programme implementers. Some of the research participants from the Rhodes University implementation team (RUIT) were also involved in selecting the indicators they thought the programme should monitor. Overall, using the capability approach helped me to gain insight and understanding with regard to what the valued beings and doings are for the residents of the catchment and what they would like development programmes, such as the Tsitsa Project, to address. It was surprising to find many areas of overlap between the valued beings and doings of the different residents in the catchment, as well as the similarities between these and the goals and objectives of the Tsitsa Project. In conclusion, using the capability approach was useful to learn what was important for the residents of the catchment to help develop the social indicators but also to learn how to guide and steer participatory monitoring and evaluation processes in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Human, Johanna Susanna
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Natural resources -- Management -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental economics -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Subsistence farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Capabilities approach (Social sciences) , Tsitsa River Catchment (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147348 , vital:38628
- Description: The dissertation investigates how the capability approach can be used to develop social indicators for a natural resource management (NRM) programme. The study aimed to develop an understanding of what the beneficiaries of the programme value being and doing to guide the development of social indicators that will take into consideration their personal development aspirations. These valued beings and doings were then overlaid with the programme goals and objectives to identify and select the final indicators. The study was situated in the Tsitsa catchment in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and was part of a natural resource management programme, focused on land restoration and avoided degradation. Methods used to collect data for this study and develop an understanding of what the residents’ valued beings and doings were, included semi-structured interviews, workshops and document analysis. The research population was non-homogenous. I tried to include voices representing different prominent groups of land users in the study. This included established commercial farmers, emerging commercial farmers, commercial forestry, residents residing in communal areas and engaged with subsistence farming and residents from these communal areas who are now residing elsewhere but continue to have connections to the catchment. Understanding the voices of these different groups who reside in the catchment was important to develop an inclusive understanding of what residents of the catchment valued beings and doings were. The research process was supported by participatory approaches. This process, and the lessons learnt during the research process, were valuable for the further development and implementation of the planned participatory monitoring evaluation reflection and learning (PMERL) framework. The research process involved learning from the research participants about their valued beings and doings and what was important for the programme implementers. Some of the research participants from the Rhodes University implementation team (RUIT) were also involved in selecting the indicators they thought the programme should monitor. Overall, using the capability approach helped me to gain insight and understanding with regard to what the valued beings and doings are for the residents of the catchment and what they would like development programmes, such as the Tsitsa Project, to address. It was surprising to find many areas of overlap between the valued beings and doings of the different residents in the catchment, as well as the similarities between these and the goals and objectives of the Tsitsa Project. In conclusion, using the capability approach was useful to learn what was important for the residents of the catchment to help develop the social indicators but also to learn how to guide and steer participatory monitoring and evaluation processes in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Developing voice and leadership amongst a group of class captains
- Nehunga, Jacobina Taukondjele
- Authors: Nehunga, Jacobina Taukondjele
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia , Transformational leadership -- Namibia , Leadership in adolescents -- Namibia , Rural schools -- Namibia , School children – Namibia -- Attitudes , School management and organization – Namibia , Cultural Historical Activity Theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145034 , vital:38402
- Description: The notion that leadership can be reduced to that of a formal position such as principalship has become problematic in school leadership research and practice, globally and also in Namibia. It appears that when leadership is concentrated only at the level of a principal within schools, teachers and learners within the same school experience a lack of opportunities to contribute to leadership practices, thus losing a sense of ownership. Supporting a distributed leadership perspective and embracing transformative leadership, this study investigated how learner voice and learner leadership (see for example Mitra and Gross, 2009) can be developed within a group of class captains in a combined school in rural Namibia. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) underpinned the study which is located within a critical paradigm. Findings of the study were captured into two phases whereby phase one generated contextual profiling findings through the adoption of qualitative methods such as questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and two other participatory methods of mapping and transect walks. Phase two findings were captured through expansive learning actions in Change Laboratory Workshops. Observation notes, video recording and photographs and informal discussions were used as data sources during this phase. Both inductive and abductive analysis were employed. The findings revealed that a few enabling conditions to class captainship practice existed, but generally there was limited participation of class captains in school leadership. Class captains were seen as merely class representatives and their leadership was confined to a classroom level in the school. They performed more managerial tasks than leadership. It was also revealed that class captainship is not a documented practice in Namibia and it lacks support. Against this backdrop, during phase two of the study, seven contradictions were identified and two contradictions were prioritised for resolution during the Change Laboratory Workshops. Some of the resolutions included the development of a school based guiding document for class captains; an establishment of a class captainship club; and the promotion of a yearly election campaign of class captains. The study recommends more interventionist studies to be conducted on class captainship in order to see the practice documented in terms of policy in Namibia, perhaps in the near future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nehunga, Jacobina Taukondjele
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia , Transformational leadership -- Namibia , Leadership in adolescents -- Namibia , Rural schools -- Namibia , School children – Namibia -- Attitudes , School management and organization – Namibia , Cultural Historical Activity Theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145034 , vital:38402
- Description: The notion that leadership can be reduced to that of a formal position such as principalship has become problematic in school leadership research and practice, globally and also in Namibia. It appears that when leadership is concentrated only at the level of a principal within schools, teachers and learners within the same school experience a lack of opportunities to contribute to leadership practices, thus losing a sense of ownership. Supporting a distributed leadership perspective and embracing transformative leadership, this study investigated how learner voice and learner leadership (see for example Mitra and Gross, 2009) can be developed within a group of class captains in a combined school in rural Namibia. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) underpinned the study which is located within a critical paradigm. Findings of the study were captured into two phases whereby phase one generated contextual profiling findings through the adoption of qualitative methods such as questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and two other participatory methods of mapping and transect walks. Phase two findings were captured through expansive learning actions in Change Laboratory Workshops. Observation notes, video recording and photographs and informal discussions were used as data sources during this phase. Both inductive and abductive analysis were employed. The findings revealed that a few enabling conditions to class captainship practice existed, but generally there was limited participation of class captains in school leadership. Class captains were seen as merely class representatives and their leadership was confined to a classroom level in the school. They performed more managerial tasks than leadership. It was also revealed that class captainship is not a documented practice in Namibia and it lacks support. Against this backdrop, during phase two of the study, seven contradictions were identified and two contradictions were prioritised for resolution during the Change Laboratory Workshops. Some of the resolutions included the development of a school based guiding document for class captains; an establishment of a class captainship club; and the promotion of a yearly election campaign of class captains. The study recommends more interventionist studies to be conducted on class captainship in order to see the practice documented in terms of policy in Namibia, perhaps in the near future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Development and assessment of a fixed dose combination of perindopril arginine and indapamide loaded microparticles
- Authors: Mandava, Tavonga Tyomai
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164413 , vital:41116
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mandava, Tavonga Tyomai
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164413 , vital:41116
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Development and process verification of a linear friction welding platform for small Ti6AI4V coupons
- Mohlala, Narishe Taetso Arnold
- Authors: Mohlala, Narishe Taetso Arnold
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Friction welding , Pressure welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46196 , vital:39513
- Description: This thesis reports on a study conducted to establish the feasibility of implementing linear friction welding as a joining technique for small Ti6AI4V coupons. The main of this project is to facilitate the manufacturing of high-integrity near-net-shape components for aerospace, automotive and medical appliances. LFW is a solid-state welding technique that uses frictional heat generated by the rubbing of surfaces under an axially applied load, thereby forming a weld at temperature below beta tranus. This technique is advantageous as it has the potential to reduce defeats normally associated with conventional welding of this material. The first part of the study will describe the development of an experimental platform to facilitate the evaluation of the influence of selected process parameters on joint integrity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Development and process verification of a linear friction welding platform for small Ti6AI4V coupons
- Authors: Mohlala, Narishe Taetso Arnold
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Friction welding , Pressure welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46196 , vital:39513
- Description: This thesis reports on a study conducted to establish the feasibility of implementing linear friction welding as a joining technique for small Ti6AI4V coupons. The main of this project is to facilitate the manufacturing of high-integrity near-net-shape components for aerospace, automotive and medical appliances. LFW is a solid-state welding technique that uses frictional heat generated by the rubbing of surfaces under an axially applied load, thereby forming a weld at temperature below beta tranus. This technique is advantageous as it has the potential to reduce defeats normally associated with conventional welding of this material. The first part of the study will describe the development of an experimental platform to facilitate the evaluation of the influence of selected process parameters on joint integrity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Development finance institutions and sustainable economic development : a case of the idc South Africa
- Authors: Mare, Timothy
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48872 , vital:41166
- Description: The purpose of this research study is to assess the extent that the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) of South Africa a Development Finance Institution (DFI), has contributed to the sustainable economic development of South Africa. The objective is to quantify the impact that is attributed to the IDC’s activities in South Africa in terms of socio-economic development contributing to sustainable economic development. Social development is fundamentally important in contributing to the economic development of any country. The research constituted the collection and quantitative analysis of data using reports from the IDC. The social output index modelling developed by the World Bank was used to analyse the data and make conclusive arguments regarding the impact that the IDC was having on economic development. The findings indicate that the IDC significantly lends less comparatively to lower income groups thus resulting in a negative contribution in terms of social developmental goals. Further the analysis through social output index model suggests that the IDC in as far as socio-development is concerned did not contributing positively to sustainable economic development between 2014 and 2018 reporting periods. The following recommendations are suggested: Increase awareness about the real impact of each investment across the IDC group, this will ensure that all proposals for investment are assessed with a component focusing on a socio-developmental perspective; reduce the number of mandates that the IDC currently has and establish broader frameworks for DFIs regardless of which government is in power or control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mare, Timothy
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48872 , vital:41166
- Description: The purpose of this research study is to assess the extent that the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) of South Africa a Development Finance Institution (DFI), has contributed to the sustainable economic development of South Africa. The objective is to quantify the impact that is attributed to the IDC’s activities in South Africa in terms of socio-economic development contributing to sustainable economic development. Social development is fundamentally important in contributing to the economic development of any country. The research constituted the collection and quantitative analysis of data using reports from the IDC. The social output index modelling developed by the World Bank was used to analyse the data and make conclusive arguments regarding the impact that the IDC was having on economic development. The findings indicate that the IDC significantly lends less comparatively to lower income groups thus resulting in a negative contribution in terms of social developmental goals. Further the analysis through social output index model suggests that the IDC in as far as socio-development is concerned did not contributing positively to sustainable economic development between 2014 and 2018 reporting periods. The following recommendations are suggested: Increase awareness about the real impact of each investment across the IDC group, this will ensure that all proposals for investment are assessed with a component focusing on a socio-developmental perspective; reduce the number of mandates that the IDC currently has and establish broader frameworks for DFIs regardless of which government is in power or control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Development framework in the Mdantsane central business district
- Authors: Zenani, Pumzile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Central business district -- South Africa -- East London , City planning -- South Africa -- East London Public utilities -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47292 , vital:39840
- Description: The study sought to investigate a development performance and management of Mdantsane CBD. The performance measurement framework may enhance the chances of economic success in the CBD. The study was conducted by means of a review of related literature and by conducting an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted using a quantitative approach by distributing research questionnaires to members falling within the sample population. The primary objective of the study was to develop a framework for perceived enhanced development for the Mdantsane CBD. A descriptive survey was conducted among the population within Mdantsane Township. The framework includes strategic factors of planning during apartheid era, reviewed strategic planning during democratic era and it provides an understanding of the current spatial and physical characteristics of the study area. Key issues such as spatial planning, infrastructure, environment, health, safety, economics and management of the CBD were also identified. Findings were based on the survey’s results from the community members. Findings suggest that the following variables: strategic factors (democratic); spatial development framework and infrastructure implementation; budget alignment; PESTEL factors (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Ecological and Legal); environmental health and safety, transport and transport engineering, project management (body of knowledge) and the National Development Plan positively influenced the perceived enhanced development of Mdantsane CBD. All these variables were identified in the empirical framework affecting the perceived enhanced development of Mdantsane CBD. This study may contribute to the South African spatial and development planning body of knowledge by addressing factors which are faced by planners in development of the settlements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Zenani, Pumzile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Central business district -- South Africa -- East London , City planning -- South Africa -- East London Public utilities -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47292 , vital:39840
- Description: The study sought to investigate a development performance and management of Mdantsane CBD. The performance measurement framework may enhance the chances of economic success in the CBD. The study was conducted by means of a review of related literature and by conducting an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted using a quantitative approach by distributing research questionnaires to members falling within the sample population. The primary objective of the study was to develop a framework for perceived enhanced development for the Mdantsane CBD. A descriptive survey was conducted among the population within Mdantsane Township. The framework includes strategic factors of planning during apartheid era, reviewed strategic planning during democratic era and it provides an understanding of the current spatial and physical characteristics of the study area. Key issues such as spatial planning, infrastructure, environment, health, safety, economics and management of the CBD were also identified. Findings were based on the survey’s results from the community members. Findings suggest that the following variables: strategic factors (democratic); spatial development framework and infrastructure implementation; budget alignment; PESTEL factors (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Ecological and Legal); environmental health and safety, transport and transport engineering, project management (body of knowledge) and the National Development Plan positively influenced the perceived enhanced development of Mdantsane CBD. All these variables were identified in the empirical framework affecting the perceived enhanced development of Mdantsane CBD. This study may contribute to the South African spatial and development planning body of knowledge by addressing factors which are faced by planners in development of the settlements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Development of a low-cost bioprinting system for engineering of Human Tumour Models
- Authors: Fanucci, Sidne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163295 , vital:41026
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2020.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Fanucci, Sidne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163295 , vital:41026
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2020.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020