An investigation into strategies which enable South African women to break through the glass ceiling
- Authors: Peens, Maritha
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Women executives -- South Africa , Women employees -- Promotions -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employement -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/135 , Women executives -- South Africa , Women employees -- Promotions -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employement -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this study was to identify the strategies (personal and organisational) that would enable South African women to break through the glass ceiling. A questionaire was designed based on the strategies found in a literature study on the topic and used to gather inputs from executive women in South Africa. A combination of snowball and self-selection sampling was used. The questionaire was sent to 138 potential respondents, mostly by means of electronic mail. Of the 47 completed questionairs returned, 44 could be used. These were processed and anaylsed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and the STATISTICA Version 6 software. In generaL, support was found for personal strategies pertaining to career management, networking (especially the relationship building activities), the reconciliation of home and work responsibilities with the emphasis on building a support system, education, business and organisational insught, skills development and increased input, but not for the assimilation of masculine attributes. Networking opportunities and education, training and development activities were regarded as the organisational strategies with the strongest impact on career progress. The literature was confirmed regarding top management support, an organisational culture conducive to women's advancement, mentorship programmes and a few career development initiatives. Although more than half of the respondents had been exposed to employment equity and affirmative action programmes, they were perceived to have only little to moderate impact on career progress. This was also the case with diversity management programmes. Flexible work arrangements, career adaptation schemes and childcare facilities and programmes were seen as having had little impact on the respondents' career advancement. Only a few of the organisational practices to support women balancing family and work responsibilities were utilised by the respondents' employers. Respondents perceived personal strategies as having greater value than organisational strategies in their progress to executive levels.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the application of the IEEE 1394 high performance serial bus to sound installation contro
- Authors: Klinkradt, Bradley Hugh
- Date: 2003 , 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004899 , Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using existing IP-based control and monitoring protocols within professional audio installations utilising IEEE 1394 technology. Current control and monitoring technologies are examined, and the characteristics common to all are extracted and compiled into an object model. This model forms the foundation for a set of evaluation criteria against which current and future control and monitoring protocols may be measured. Protocols considered include AV/C, MIDI, QSC-24, and those utilised within the UPnP architecture. As QSC-24 and the UPnP architecture are IP-based, the facilities required to transport IP datagrams over the IEEE 1394 bus are investigated and implemented. Example QSC-24 and UPnP architecture implementations are described, which permit the control and monitoring of audio devices over the IEEE 1394 network using these IP-based technologies. The way forward for the control and monitoring of professional audio devices within installations is considered, and recommendations are provided. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the challenges facing the financial manager in South African manufacturing organisations and the ways of surmounting these challenges
- Authors: Diedericks, Petrus Philip
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Industrial management -- South Africa -- Finance , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Finance , Financial executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10876 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/244 , Industrial management -- South Africa -- Finance , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Finance , Financial executives -- South Africa
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to determine the challenges facing the financial manager in the manufacturing organisation and the possible ways of surmounting these challenges. To achieve this objective, relevant literature was reviewed and an empirical survey conducted. The main challenges identified are discussed under the following headings: · Regulatory requirements; · Information age; · Employees; · Economic environment; Each challenge was broken down into sub-challenges that were analysed using literature identified in the literature study. This information was used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which financial managers working for manufacturing organisations are challenged. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the literature study emphasising the importance of the identified challenges and the best possible ways of surmounting these challenges.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the current and potential benefits of tourism-based development in the Albany and Peddie districts
- Authors: Klinkradt, Mary Louise
- Date: 2003 , 2013-05-27
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Tourism -- South Africa -- Peddie , Ecotourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Tourism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:4811 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004904 , Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Tourism -- South Africa -- Peddie , Ecotourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Tourism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research considers the relationship between tourism and development, and how tourism can be used as a means of promoting development. In order to explore this relationship, two districts in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, the Albany and Peddie Districts have been selected as case study areas. Both the Albany and Peddie Districts are in need of development which can meet the economic and social development of the districts. One such option for the two districts is tourism-based development. This research examines the current status of tourism in both districts through the use of secondary data analysis and primary data gathered from questionnaires and interviews undertaken with tourists and representatives of key stakeholders in the tourism industry. This data was used to establish the current and future potential of tourism in the districts in terms of the availability and diversity of attractions and the tourism assets and facilities in the districts. It was also used to determine whether or not tourism, by promoting infrastructural and economic development, may lead to the socio-economic upliftment of the Albany and Peddie Districts. The results obtained from this research highlight the significant lack of tourism infrastructure in the Peddie District, and the reality that the tourism potential of the district remains untapped. With the marketing and promotion of tourism to the district, and the associated tourist requirements such as accommodation, and other facilities, tourism does hold a potential key to the socio-economic development of the district. The Albany District, however, has a well-established tourism industry, but the development spin-ofts are minimal, and the potential for further tourism-based development in the future would therefore appear to be somewhat limited. A GIS (Geographic Information System) was use to determine and detail possible tourism routes, a final outcome of the investigation being the proposal of two tourism routes to draw people into and through the study area, based on the current assets and attractions of the two districts. These routes highlight one of the options available in the districts to promote much needed development in the two districts through the use of the tourism industry. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the executive mayoral system, with reference to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Nkayitshana, Zweledinga
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Mayors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Public Management)
- Identifier: vital:10775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/246 , Mayors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: In this mini-dissertation, a study is undertaken for an investigation into the Executive Mayoral System with reference to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The mini-dissertation comprises of five chapters. The study is based on the assumption that the introduction of an executive mayoral system will enhance the decision-making and policy-making processes at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. This is also based on the assumption that all local authorities and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in particular are faced with challenges of developmental local government. The Executive Mayoral System, therefore, is expected to provide possible solutions and avenues to promote and improve socio-economic development and service delivery to strengthen the local tax base. Another challenging aspect is the capacity building for the staff members of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality especially the Executive Mayor who has all the powers vested in him. The main objectives of the research include, inter alia, to provide a brief theoretical background explanation regarding the reasons for the existence of local authorities and restructuring of local government in South Africa. To investigate and report on the implementation of the new mandate for local government with reference to the Executive Mayoral System at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. To investigate whether the Executive Mayoral System at the NMMM will contribute towards efficient and effective service delivery. This will be followed by the impact of the Metropole to promote and encourage community involvement on all the programmes of the municipality. This investigation will ensure that the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality provides conducive environment for socio-economic development and achieve the national economic strategy under Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy. To bring about experiences from other countries and learn from those experiences based on their approach to the Executive Mayoral System. An overview of the legislative framework and an explanation of selected policies for the Executive Mayoral System are made. Finally, a number of conclusions that were arrived during the study, followed by various recommendations are made. These are based on the qualitative research analysis in order to come up with solutions of ensuring sustainable service delivery with the Executive Mayoral System.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the feeding biology and factors influencing the population dynamics of Terebrasabella heterouncinata (Polychaeta: Sabellidae), a problematic tube-dwelling polychaete in farmed abalone in South Africa
- Authors: Chalmers, Russell
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Polychaeta -- South Africa , Sabellidae -- South Africa , Abalones -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005136 , Polychaeta -- South Africa , Sabellidae -- South Africa , Abalones -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa
- Description: Since the discovery of a new species of sabellid worm in 1993, the Californian and South African abalone industries have experienced increasing shell breakage and reduced growth rates of abalone, resulting in reduced market value of product. This polychaete worm can reach very high infestation levels. It was described as Terebrasabella heterouncinata in 1999, having originated from the South African coastline where it had been observed on several wild mollusc species. Although not a shell borer, it occupies tubes on the growing edge which are formed by deposition of nacreous shell over sabellid larvae by the host abalone. Heavy sabellid infestation levels have placed the economic viability of several South African farms under threat. Past research methods have not been successful in establishing effective means of eradication or control, partly due to the lack of knowledge of basic biological information on this species. This study forms the first part of an ongoing research project into the biology of terebrasabella heterouncinata. Abalone farms in South African utilise two main diets in abalone culture. An artificial formulated feed, Abfeed, is produced in South Africa and is used by the majority of farms as it increases abalone growth rate. Kelp, a natural diet of abalone, is harvested and also used as a feed. Farmers have observed higher sabellid infestation levels on Abfeed-fed abalone and suspect that diet may be an important factor influencing sabellid infestation. Abalone stocking density has also been identified as a potential factor influencing sabellid population growth on commercial farms. In order to better understand sabellid nutrition, the feeding behaviour of the sabellid in response to suspended solids of various particle size classes from both abalone diets were investigated. Both the effect of abalone diet and stocking density and their effects on sabellid morphometrics were quantified. The proximate composition and particle size distribution of suspended-solids present within kelp and Abfeed abalone raceways were also quantified. Results indicate that sabellid feeding follows no structured behavioural pattern for both abalone diets. The quantity of suspended solids in kelp raceways was greater than in Abfeed raceways (p<0.02) while there was no difference in particulate level between three abalone stocking densities (p>0.05). Protein (p<0.0001) and energy (p<0.0.1) levels of suspended solids were significantly greater in raceways dedicated to feeding Abfeed. The infestation level (number of tubes/centimetre on the grwoing edge) was significantly higher (p<0.001) in Abfeed-fed abalone. The morphometrics of the sabellids indicated that sabellids from Abfeed-fed abalone were larger in various body measurements: length (p<0.00001); neck width (p<0.001); base width (p<0.001); and surface area (p<0.001). This study suggests that abalone diet has an important influence on the infestation level and size of sabellids and that this is likely to be due to the fragmentation and leaching of nutrients from the artificially enriched commercial abalone diet.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis by microcystin-LR in the CaCo2 cell line and intestinal tract of Balb/c mice
- Authors: Botha, Nicolette
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Microcystis aeruginosa -- Toxicology , Apoptosis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:11066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/349 , Microcystis aeruginosa -- Toxicology , Apoptosis
- Description: This study reports the findings on the effect of Microcystin-LR (MCLR) on the gastrointestinal tract cells of mice and on two different cell lines, Caco2 and MCF-7. The cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa produces the potent toxin, MCLR. This toxin has been implicated in a number of cases of ill-health. It was decided to investigate whether microcystin-LR induced apoptosis in the gastrointestinal tract of mice and also which possible mechanisms were involved in the induction in vitro. Balb/c mice were given a 75% LD50 intraperitoneal dose of pure microcystin -LR and sacrificed at 8, 16, 24 and 32 hours post-exposure. The small intestinal sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined for apoptotic cells. There was a time-dependent increase in the number of apoptotic cells with most in the duodenum and the jejunum. No change in glycogen content was evident at 24 hours post exposure when PAS-stained sections were examined. To determine that microcystin was the agent responsible for the changes, fluoroscein isothiocyanate (FITC) immunostaining for the toxin was done on the sections. Apoptosis in vitro was investigated in Caco2, a cell line that behaves like normal enterocytes when the cells are differentiated at confluency, and MCF-7, a breast cancer cell line deficient in pro-caspase-3, cells by 3-[dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays and by staining with DAPI and Rhodamine 123. MCLR exposure induced apoptosis, as seen in decreased cell viability and increased leakage of LDH, as well as mitochondrial damage shown by Rhodamine staining. The MCF-7 cells, deficient in pro-caspase-3, and Caco2 cells did not show cleavage of poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP) after exposure to 50μM MCLR after 72 hours exposure. Both micro- and milli-calpain activity was however significantly increased in both cell lines exposed to the toxin. There was a significant increase in H2O2, one of the key reactive oxygen species, production during the first 30 minutes that the cells were exposed to 50 mM MCLR.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the neuroprotective properties of curcumin
- Authors: Daniel, Sheril
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Turmeric -- Therapeutic use , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3753 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003231 , Turmeric -- Therapeutic use , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Prevention
- Description: An increasing number of studies show that nutritional antioxidants such as vitamin E and polyphenols are capable of blocking neuronal death in vitro and may have therapeutic properties in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In the present study, the neuroprotective ability of one such polyphenolic antioxidant, curcumin, was investigated. Curcumin is the yellow curry spice derived from turmeric, and is widely used as a dietary component and herbal medicine in India. Most neurological disorders are postulated to have an oxidative or excitototoxic basis. Thus the effects of curcumin on oxidative stress in the rat brain were investigated. Curcumin, administered to the rat in vivo and in vitro, was able to exert protective effects on oxidative damage in the brain, induced by cyanide, a mitochondrial inhibitor. Curcumin also offered protection against quinolinic acid induced lipid peroxidation, and this protection was extended to lipid peroxidation induced by metals such as lead and cadmium in the rat brain. Experiments conducted on the pineal gland revealed an increased production of the neuroprotective hormone melatonin in presence of curcumin in vivo. The hippocampus is functionally related to vital behaviour and intellectual activities and is known to be a primary target for neuronal degeneration in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Histological studies were undertaken to assess the effects of curcumin on lead induced toxicity on the rat hippocampus, the results of which show that curcumin affords significant protection to the hippocampus of the lead treated rats. This study also sought to elucidate possible mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its neuroprotective capabilities. Curcumin was found to inhibit the action of cyanide on the mitochondrial electron transport chain, one of the most common sources of free radicals. Electrochemical, UV/VIS and Infrared spectroscopy were used to characterise interactions between curcumin and the metals lead, cadmium, iron (II) and iron (III). Curcumin was shown to directly chelate these metals with the formation and isolation of two new curcumin complexes with lead, and one complex each with cadmium and iron (III). These results suggest chelation of toxic metals as a mechanism of neuroprotection afforded by curcumin. The need for neuroprotective agents is urgent considering the rapid rise in the elderly population and the proportionate increase in neurological disorders. The findings of this study indicate that curcumin, a well-established dietary antioxidant, is capable of playing a bigger role in neuroprotection, which needs to be further explored and exploited.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the occurrence of major abscess causing bacteria at the law meat exporting abattoir in the Northern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Delport, Riëtte
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Abscess , Meat -- Microbiology , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Agricultural Management)
- Identifier: vital:10971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/249 , Abscess , Meat -- Microbiology , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Description: The main objectives of this study can be divided into four categories: a) The determination of the presence of abscesses in carcasses. b) The determination whether the abscesses are area bound. c) The determination of the causative bacteria which is responsible for abscess formation. d) The determination of the economic impact due to carcass rejections and trimmings. The research area consists of the biggest part of the Northern Cape province, which can further be divided into three main production areas, namely Groblershoop, Gordonia and Hantam. The Groblershoop area includes Groblershoop and the surrounding districts. The Gordonia area includes Upington and the Kalahari. The Hantam area includes Calvinia, Springbok and the other districts bordering the areas. All the carcasses were slaughtered at an export abattoir, namely LAW, which is situated in Groblershoop. The Upington veterinary laboratory bacteriologically cultured the abscess material and the results were processed and noted. The following results were prominent: a) It was determined that abscesses did occur in carcasses. b) It was determined that in the Hantam main production area the prevalence of abscesses is the highest, although the slaughter numbers are the lowest. c) It was determined that the bacterium that was responsible for most of the abscesses was Escherichia coli. d) It was determined that the total occurrence of bacteria did not have a significant economic impact, because there were not many carcass rejections due to abscesses. The economic impact, however, of the value of the total rejections, might become a problem.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the physico-chemical and neuroprotective properties of melatonin and 6-hydroxymelatonin
- Authors: Maharaj, Deepa Sukhdev
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Melatonin Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3768 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003246
- Description: Until the beginning of this decade the antioxidant, melatonin, had been considered as little more than a tranquilizing hormone, responsible for regulating certain circadian and circannual rhythms. However, it is the discovery of melatonin as a free radical scavenger that has generated the most interest in recent years. The reduction of melatonin with age has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD)and therefore, melatonin has been implicated to have an important clinical role in neuroprotection. Thus, for several years melatonin has attracted increasing attention from the general press with many advertisements touting this indoleamine to act as an aphrodisiac, rejuvenator, protector against diseases and a general wonder drug. However, melatonin formulations appear with no labelling for the correct storage conditions, dosage and side effects, as well as no control for purity and self-medicating with an unregulated product. In addition, there is much controversy surrounding the antioxidative properties of the indolemaine, 6-hydroxymelatonin (6-OHM). Therefore, the first part of this study aims to elucidate the physico-chemical and various stability characteristics of the pineal antioxidant, melatonin, while the second part is devoted to investigating the neuroprotective properties of the primary hepatic metabolite of melatonin, 6-OHM. The physical properties of melatonin were determined using various chemical techniques. This information served to both characterize and confirm the identity of melatonin raw material used in this study. In addition, this information serves to be essential as the physical properties of melatonin have not been reported in detail in literature, to date. Thereafter, using a validated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, the various physico-chemical and stability characteristics of melatonin were determined. Melatonin was shown to be extremely lipophilic, while the hygroscopic study indicates that melatonin raw material is extremely hygroscopic at temperatures above 40°C, whereas melatonin tablets are hygroscopic when left out of the original container. This study highlights the need for consumers to be aware of the proper storage of melatonin tablets to improve the stability and ensure long term integrity of the compound. Since, melatonin is most often administered orally, thus exposing it to a large variations in pH, within the gastrointestinal tract, it was decided to investigate the stability of melatonin over a range of pH’s and temperatures. The findings imply that melatonin is relatively stable at body temperature when ingested orally and that orally administered slow release preparations of melatonin should be relatively stable and therefore exhibit favourable bioavailability. However melatonin was shown to be unstable in solution. This provides important information and a challenge to the formulators of this drug substance in a liquid dosage form. An assessment of the photostability of melatonin dosage forms using International Committee on Harmonization (ICH) conditions revealed melatonin to be light sensitive and thus indicates a need for careful consideration of the packaging of these drug products. In addition a detailed assessment of the photochemistry and photoproducts formed during the UV photodegradation of melatonin is reported. Melatonin is shown to rapidly degrade in the presence of UV light, with the presence of oxygen accelerating the photodegradation. N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine(AFMK) and 6-OHM were identified as the major photoproducts formed and these agents have been shown previously to retain antioxidant activity. One of the concerns of using melatonin in sunscreens is its photostability. However, it is reported in this study that the degraded solution of melatonin still possesses equipotent free radical scavenging ability as melatonin, despite the absence of melatonin in solution. In addition, melatonin is shown to reduce UV-induced oxidative stress in rat skin homogenate. Thus, these results make melatonin a likely candidate for inclusion in sunscreen preparations. Neuronal damage due to oxidative stress has been implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders. 6-OHM is not only formed as the major hepatic metabolite of melatonin, but also when melatonin reacts with toxic radicals as well as UV light. Thus the second part of the study aims to elucidate and further characterize the mechanism behind 6-OHM’s neuroprotection. The results show 6-OHM to be a more potent singlet oxygen and superoxide anion scavenger than melatonin. In addition, the results show 6-OHM to offer protection against, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation induced by several neurotoxins in the rat brain and hippocampus. The hippocampus is an important region of the brain responsible for the formation of memory and any agent that induces stress in this area has detrimental effects and could lead to various types of dementia. Such agents include quinolinic acid (QA) and iron (II). Histological studies undertaken reveal that 6-OHM is able to protect hippocampal neurons against QA and iron (II) induced necrotic cell death. Immunohistochemical investigations showed that QA moderately induces apoptotic cell death in the hippocampus which is inhibited by both melatonin and 6-OHM. The study sought to elucidate possible mechanisms by which 6-OHM exerts its neuroprotective capabilities and the results show 6-OHM to inhibit the action of cyanide on the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), one of the most common sources of free radicals. In addition, 6-OHM treatment alone, increased ETC activity above basal control levels and the results show 6-OHM to increase complex I activity in the mitochondrial ETC. Electrochemical, ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV/Vis) and HPLC assessment show that an interaction exists between 6-OHM and iron (III) and 6-OHM is able to reduce iron (III) to a more biologically usable form viz. iron (II) which can be incorporated into important biomolecules such as heme. One dire consequence of this interaction is the ready provision of iron (II) to drive the Fenton reaction. However the biological and histological assessments show 6-OHM to prevent iron (II)-induced lipid peroxidation and necrotic cell death and thus, provide evidence of its antioxidant properties. The results also show 6-OHM to promote Hsp70 induction in the hippocampus. Heat shock proteins, especially Hsp 70 plays a role in cytoprotection by capturing denatured proteins and facilitating the refolding of these proteins once the stress has been relieved. 6-OHM treatment alone and together with QA was shown to increase the level of expression of Hsp70, both inducible and cognate forms of the protein. This suggests that 6-OHM helps to protect against cellular protein damage induced by any form of stress the cell may encounter. Melatonin treatment alone and in combination with QA was shown to prevent increases in the level of Hsp70 in the hippocampus, indicating that melatonin was able to reduce oxidative stress induced by QA such that Hsp70 expression was not required. The discovery of neuroprotective agents, such as melatonin and 6-OHM, is becoming important considering the rapid rise in the elderly population and the proportionate increase in neurological disorders. The findings of this study indicate the need for important information regarding the correct storage conditions and stability characteristics of melatonin dosage forms. In addition, the results indicate that 6-OHM has a definite role to play as an antioxidant. Thus further research may favour the use of these agents in the treatment of several neurodegenerative disorders.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the relationship marketing strategies applied by Eastern Cape based travel agents
- Authors: Fisher, Gary
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Relationship marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Travel agents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Marketing)
- Identifier: vital:10766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/251 , Relationship marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Travel agents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Relationship marketing has grown in importance. This growth affects all industries, including the tourism, hospitality and travel industry. Of particular importance is the bond of relationship marketing between suppliers (principals) and retailers (travel agents) in the distribution channel. The research was undertaken to: determine whether Eastern Cape travel agents perceive relationship marketing as important; establish, what the key elements of relationship marketing strategies are,according to literature; determine what marketing strategies are currently applied by Eastern Cape travel agents; provide guidelines to Eastern Cape travel agents to implement or improve their relationship marketing strategies. Fifty self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the entire population of travel agents in the Eastern Cape. A total of 30 travel agents responded. The empirical findings showed that: Most Eastern Cape travel agents perceived relationship marketing as important; Travel agents realized the importance of the management of such relationship marketing strategies; Most travel agents were aware of or used retention strategies to enhance relationship marketing strategies; Travel agents realized that to survive relationship marketing should be part of their future planning; All respondents believed that to successfully implement relationship marketing, all staff, from front-line to top-management, need to be committed to the programme. In conclusion, relationship marketing is growing in importance and all role players need to acknowledge and manage this trend. However, this research has shown that there is a paradigm shift as more travel agents are moving away from the traditional marketing to relationship marketing.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into whether a leadership and management development project changed the perceptions of the educators in a black, disadvantaged school
- Authors: Jaftha, A P
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: University of Port Elizabeth -- Institute for Development Planning and Research Delta Foundation -- Centres of Learning School management and organization -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003502
- Description: This study investigates whether a leadership and management development programme changed the management perceptions of the teachers of one of the schools that participated in the programme. The programme seeks to change the organisational culture of schools and develop effective management. The development philosophy of the programme is informed by literature on school effectiveness, organisation development, whole school development and systemic change. My research is conducted in the interpretive paradigm. Interpretive researchers view reality a construct of the human mind, and therefore the way people perceive the world is not necessarily the same since there can be different understandings of what is real. I employ convenience sampling to select the school and purposive sampling to identify my research participants. Whilst overall impression that the data conveys is that much of the programme does not seem to have had a lasting effect on the culture of the school, it nonetheless made an impression on the teachers’ perceptions of management. There clearly seems to be a greater appreciation of participative management processes. The reintroduction of proper prior planning played a decisive role in re-establishing sound work ethics at the school and contributes to a more structured approach to events at the school. Some sort of organisational learning has also been introduced at the school. The realisation on the part of the staff that they now have their destiny in their own hands is an especially critical development. And whilst the vision is not a compelling force in the organisation, it has nevertheless produced some strategic focus at the school. The insights and skills they acquired concerning resource management will also stand them in good stead.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation of code switching in different learning areas in a grade seven class
- Authors: Ndabeni, Bulelwa
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Code switching (Linguistics) -- South Africa Language and education -- South Africa Education, Bilingual -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1621 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003503
- Description: The research described in this thesis is a case study of the communicative repertoires of teachers and learners of a grade seven class in a small rural primary school. The aim of the investigation was to find out if code switching is different in content-subject classes than in an English language class. The study accomplishes this by looking at code switching in different learning areas. Different research techniques such as observations, video. recording, taking of field notes and interviews are used as the means of data collection. The study does not attempt a full linguistic description of the switches made by the research subjects. For example, it does not deal with linguistic constraints on code switching, but instead it focuses on the functional aspects of code switching. The study reveals that there are various functions of code switching in the classroom. The following are the major findings noted in this study: • Code switching is a communicative resource, which enables the teachers and learners to accomplish a considerable number and range of social and educational objectives. • Code switching is used to negotiate and renegotiate meaning. • How teachers code switch in class depends on how difficult the lesson is for the learners. • The study reveals no major differences between code switching In content subjects than in English as a subject. • Although tbe subjects engage in code switching, they seem to feel guilty about their behaviour.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation of female leaders' perceptions of themselves and their roles as leaders in a Catholic School
- Authors: Kauaria, Vejanda
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Catholic schools -- Namibia -- Administration Women school administrators -- Namibia School management and organization -- Namibia Educational leadership -- Namibia Women in public life -- Namibia Sex discrimination against women -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003508
- Description: The question of gender in leadership continues to be a contentious and poorly understood phenomenon. There seems general agreement that women do lead differently from men, and this study begins from that premise, focusing on a case in which leadership has traditionally been the domain of females. The case was chosen for its uniqueness, the assumption being that in these circumstances leadership may have developed particular characteristics. Following a qualitative approach (drawing on phenomenology), the study seeks to investigate how women leaders experience their roles as leaders. In-depth interviews made it possible for me to capture the perceptions and experiences of the three women leaders I interviewed. The study reveals that women are more inclined to use interactive styles of leadership. Women use leadership that is more participative, negotiative, cooperative, shared and collaborative. These characteristics are in line with the features of transformational leadership which differs from the more traditional transactional leadership that is more controlled and directive. The study has also shown that leadership develops from within the person of the leader as the leader is the one who spearheads the organization through vision, ideas, beliefs andassumptions. The findings of this study suggest thus that unless women are given chances to prove how they can lead, this new approach of leadership within them and that is required by modern organizations would be lost and leadership would remain relatively unchanged and undesirable. In the context of Namibia, this study should be of potential significance because of the rapid change that is taking place in the inclusion of women in leadership and management positions in education.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation of knowledge management implementation strategies
- Authors: Sunassee, Nakkiran N
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Strategic planning , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:1141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002770 , Knowledge management , Strategic planning , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Management
- Description: The world is experiencing an era which has been termed the “knowledge age” or the “knowledge economy”. In this new context, knowledge is the primary commodity, and knowledge flows are regarded as the most important factors in the economy. The management of knowledge flows within organisations has become a crucial activity because many of the activities of organisations and the broader economic and social life today are knowledge-driven. In recent years, this managerial activity has become known as Knowledge Management. Equally important are the associated Knowledge Management implementation strategies. Driven by a need expressed by the South African Motor Vehicle Industry for a knowledge management implementation strategy tailored to their needs, this research aimed to develop a knowledge management implementation strategy suited to the needs of this industry. Following an extensive literature survey and a study of the target industry using Duffy’s Knowledge Benchmarking Questionnaire, a model of knowledge management implementation is proposed that is suited to the needs of the South African Motor Vehicle Industry. The model consists of three main interlinked components: Knowledge Management of the Organisation, People, and Infrastructure and Processes. Furthermore, the model recommends a holistic approach to managing knowledge. The critical success factors of the model were tested by means of a survey of industry opinions that validated certain aspects of the model and motivated for changes in others. Additionally, despite the focus of the model on the target industry, it is considered sufficiently appropriate for use by other organisations.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation of knowledge management practices in the Old Mutual, Buffalo City Metropole branch
- Authors: Siqoko, Kolisa
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/252 , Knowledge management , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- East London
- Description: The study has sought to examine knowledge management practice in the Old Mutual, Buffalo City Metropole. The study has been conducted against the backdrop of measuring how far South African companies are in applying Knowledge Management (KM) tools and techniques to improve their competitive advantage. The study was conducted based on the assumption that insurance companies in South Africa are at the forefront in the use and application of technology. Various concepts are defined throughout the study. In reviewing literature for example, the study introduces the reader to various theories, views and approaches to KM. The most significant of these are the cultural and social systems approach on one hand and the product or process approach on the other. The study relied on the use of a variety of data collection methods such as questionnaires, interviews and participant observation for the purposes of collecting primary data. From the primary data collected, it was discovered that the largest number of responses came from marketing, sales and customer services departments. The employees have limited flexibility in terms of decision making and team work, due to the rigidity of tasks. The findings revealed that the company has a loosely structured infrastructure, where each strategic business unit (SBU) manages its own IT tools and documents. All these underlying aspects are not conducive to the promotion of and growth of KM in any company. The final chapter concludes with a model for KM implementation and the procedures to be followed to ensure that the practice adds value to the company.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation of the isolation, characterisation and application of hydantoinases for the industrial production of amino acids
- Authors: Kirchmann, Shaun
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Hydantoin Amino acids Hydrolysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3969 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004028
- Description: This thesis describes a series of investigations into the hydantoin-hydrolysing activity of bacterial strains RU-KM1 and RU-OR, which were previously isolated for their ability to hydrolyse hydantoins to amino acids. The main aim of the study was to develop biotransformations with potential application in the production of enantiomerically pure amino acids using a bioreactor based system utilising the hydantoin hydrolysing enzymes of the two isolated microorganisms. Different substituted hydantoins may be used as substrates by these enzymes for the production of a variety of amino acids. These are not only important for amino acid production, but they may be used for production of other industrially important compounds, such as semisynthetic penicillin/ampicillin, L-aspartame (sweetener), Fluvalinate (insecticide), Enalapril (ACE inhibitor). Thus, the ability of the above-mentioned strains to hydrolyse these substrates was investigated, with the view to utilizing the maximum potential of these biocatalysts. Hydantoin conversion involves a two-step hydrolysis reaction which yields, initially, an N-carbamylamino acid intermediate, and subsequently, an amino acid. The hydantoin-hydrolysing enzymes of a Pseudomonas sp. RU-KM1, and an Agrobacterium sp. RU-OR were characterised as whole cells and in a crude extract preparation, and reaction conditions for its biocatalytic application were optimised. The optimum conditions for conversion of hydantoin to glycine were found to be 1 hour at 40 °C, with conversion yields greater than 30 % achieved. The enzymes of RU-KM1 demonstrated considerable stability, retaining 80 % of their activity after storage for 2 weeks at 4 °C. The activities of the enzymes were increased by the addition of a detergent to the extraction medium, suggesting that the enzymes might be membrane-bound. The results of the determination of the metal-dependence of the hydantoinase and N-carbamoylase of RU-KM1 suggested that these enzymes required metal ions for activity, with metal ions such as Cu[superscript (2+)], Fe[superscript (2+)], and Co[superscript (2+)] resulting in no significant change in enzyme activity, however there was an activation of the enzymes when Mn[superscript (2+)] was added to the enzymes. The stereoselectivity of the enzymes was investigated, and the results suggested that the hydantoinase was D-selective, whereas the N-carbamoylase was shown to be L-selective by other researchers. The hydantoin substrate selectivity of RU-KM1 and RU-OR was investigated, and the organisms were shown to be able to hydrolyse all of the seven substrates tested. However, there was a difference in activity levels between crude extract preparations and whole cells, with crude extracts generally showing slightly lower activity than whole cells in RU-KM1, and the whole cells or RU-OR showing the lower activity than its crude extract. Some difference was also observed in the order of preference of substrates between whole cells and crude extracts. The preferred substrate for RU-KM1 whole cells was isopropylhydantoin, whereas the crude extract preparation preferentially hydrolysed p-hydroxyphenylhydantoin, achieving 57 % and 52 % conversions respectively. RU-OR whole cells preferred methylhydantoin where as the crude extract preferred isopropylhydantoin, and showed 49 % and 51 % conversions respectively. The enzymes were characterised in terms of their temperature and pH optima, inducer requirements, and product inhibition studies. The hydantoinase of RU-KM1 was shown to be inducible with low levels of hydantoin, and thermostable upto 75 °C with its optima between 60 and 70 °C. The N-carbamoylase was shown to have its optima at 50 °C. The addition of ATP (0.5 mM), DTT (1 mM) and a protease inhibitor (2 mg.mL[superscript (-1)]) all increased the hydantoinase activity of RU-KM1 crude extract, however they had very little effect on the N-carbamoylase activity. The hydantoinase enzyme from extracts of RU-KM1 was partially purified by development of cell disruption methods using mechanical and lysing enzymes, followed by precipitation and chromatographic resolution. The results obtained showed a hydantoinase enzyme of between 48 and 66 kDa. RU-KM1 was grown under fermentation conditions using different minimal media. The activity and yields under these conditions were low. Previous attempt to grow the organism in a rich medium had resulted in an increase in biomass but no hydantoinase activity. A rich medium was developed by carbon and nitrogen optimisation and yielded biomass up to 30 g.L[superscript (-1)] dry cell weight. The hydantoinase activity was restored by nitrogen starvation in stationary phase. This resulted in high biomass with increased activity. This data is currently in press. Crude extract and whole cells were immobilised on flat sheet membranes, hollow fibre membranes and in alginate beads. Low hydantoinase activity was measured in bioreactors using membranes in different configurations. A significant increase in hydantoinase activity was measured when the crude extract was immobilised in sodium alginate, as a result of stabilisation of the N-carbamoylase. Temperature and pH optima were unaffected by the immobilisation procedure, however the durability of the enzymes increased 2-fold. Different configurations of the bioreactor were investigated, as well as a hydroxyphenylhydantoin as an alternative substrate in this study. The bioreactors showed a near 95 % conversion of the hydantoin to glycine, and a 99 % conversion using HPG. In conclusion, the hydantoin-hydrolysing enzymes of RU-KM1 have been shown to be possibly membrane associated, which is a novel finding. This study has shown that the hydantoinase of RU-KM1 is D-stereoselective, with high temperature stability. A growth medium was developed for the rapid production of active biomass. A bioreactor was developed using a single and a dual biocatalyst configuration, which was capable of hydrolysing hydantoin and monosubstituted hydantoins to produce amino acids. To our knowledge this system is the first such dual biocatalyst system reported for the production of amino acids.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation of the relative importance of the media in influencing the voting behaviour of Evelyn Hone College students in Lusaka during the December, 2001 presidential elections in Zambia
- Authors: Jere, Caesar
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Voting -- Zambia Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zambia Presidents -- Zambia -- Election -- 2001
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3516 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007803
- Description: This study explores the relative importance of the media in influencing the electoral choices of a small group of Zambians, namely Evelyn Hone College students in Lusaka who participated in the December 2001 elections in Zambia. The study investigates the interplay of mediation between the lived cultural experiences of the sample of students and the impact of media messages. Students at Evelyn Hone College come from different ethnic groupings, social classes, religions and regions. They are exposed to both the state and the privately owned media, which represent a range of political viewpoints. The outcome of the December 2001 elections in Zambia gave the impression that people in urban areas in Zambia were less likely to vote on ethnic lines because they had easy access to different media, ranging from print to electronic, which provided them with diverse information about the political scene, and probably shaped their electoral choices. Conversely, their counterparts in the rural areas appeared to vote along ethnic lines, seemingly because of lack of exposure to the media. It was also assumed that most people in rural areas were not as modernized as their urban counterparts who were more exposed to enlightened sources of information such as professional groups and other elite social institutions which helped them to shape their political opinions than most rural people. The study attempts to establish to what extent the media impacted on the selected sample of urban students in the choice of their presidential candidates in the December 2001 elections in Zambia. The study further investigates to what extent other factors such as ethnic inclinations and other social predispositions influenced them in their choice of the candidates. The interviewees for this study were randomly drawn from a population of Evelyn Hone College students that voted in the December 2001 presidential elections in Zambia. The sample consisted of 30 randomly selected students who were purposely stratified in three focus groups of ten each. Each stratum represented the approximate ethnic equivalence of one of the presidential candidates who contested the December 2001 elections.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An object relational psychoanalysis of selected Tennessee Williams play texts
- Authors: Tosio, Paul
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983 Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983 -- Knowledge -- Psychology Object relations (Psychoanalysis) Psychoanalysis Drama -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2150 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002382
- Description: Tennessee Williams is a playwright of great psychological depth. This thesis probes some of the complexities of his work through the use of Object Relational Psychoanalysis, specifically employing the theories of Melanie Klein, W.R.D. Fairbairn and Donald Winnicott. The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and The Night of The Iguana are analysed from this theoretical stance. All of these plays display great perceptiveness into the human condition, accurately portraying many psychological relational themes. Certain Object Relational themes become very apparent in these analyses. These themes include, Dependency (especially in The Glass Menagerie), Reparation (particularly in A Streetcar Named Desire), Falsehood (notably in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Idealisation (evident in The Night of The Iguana), Honest Empathetic Relations (apparent in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Night of The Iguana) as well as Guilt, Object Loss, Sexual Guilt, and Obligation (recurring throughout these plays). It is advanced that Williams’ plays posses an honest and insightful understanding of human relations and, as such, are of contemporary value. This Thesis is not only an academic study, but also has practical applications for dramatists. With an increased understanding of the intrinsic tensions and motivations within such plays, offered by such psychoanalytic strategy, performance and staging of such work may be enhanced valuably.
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- Date Issued: 2003
Analysis of material flow around a retractable pin in a friction stir weld
- Authors: Georgeou, Zacharias
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Friction welding , Aluminum alloys -- Welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Mechanical Engineering)
- Identifier: vital:10812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/196 , Friction welding , Aluminum alloys -- Welding
- Description: Friction StirWelding (FSW) has been researched for a number of years since its inception in 1991. The work thus far has been based on understanding the material and thermal flow using the standard fixed pin tool. The keyhole resulting during tool extraction in a FSW weld, is a disadvantage and a current limiting factor. Eliminating this effect from a weld using a movable pin tools would make FSW more commercially viable. This dissertation focuses on the design of a novel retractable pin tool, and highlights the problems encountered during the welding of Aluminum plates, Al2024 and Al5083. Previously studied techniques of material and thermal flow were used, to investigate the effect of the tool during extraction in a FSW weld. A prototype retractable tool was designed using parametric and axiomatic design theory, and implementing a pneumatic muscle actuation system. The resulting problems in the calibration of the retractable pin tool and the resulting welds are presented, these results confirming previous studies. The movable pin produced discrepancies the heat generation around the shoulder during a FSW weld. The failure of this tool to produce a reasonable weld showed that previous ideas into the workings of a retractable pin tool requires further investigation, furthermore a fresh approach to the interpretation and understanding of the FSW weld process needs consideration.
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- Date Issued: 2003