Isolation, purification and characterization of a novel glucose oxidase from Penicillium canescens Tt42
- Authors: Simpson, Clinton
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Penicillium , Glucose , Oxidases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004034 , Penicillium , Glucose , Oxidases
- Description: A novel glucose oxidase from Penicillium canescens (Tt42) was isolated, purified and characterised. The P. canescens Tt42 was cultivated using an optimised growth medium from literature, and maximum glucose oxidase activities of 11.5 U/ml and 6.9 U/ml for the intra- and extracellular fractions were obtained. Maximum glucose oxidase production was achieved after 72 hours at 28°C which coincided with glucose depletion. A total of 1104 U (from 60ml) of glucose oxidase was produced with a biomass specific glucose oxidase activity of 1.08 Umg[superscript -1] Four methods of cell disruption were evaluated for release of intracellular glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 cells. These methods were; sonication, French press, Freeze-Thaw and a high pressure cell disrupter (Z-Plus Series) from Constant systems. All the methods were successful in releasing the intracellular glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42. The use of the Constant Systems high pressure cell disrupter was preferred, since it was the simplest and most rapid method. Ammonium sulphate precipitation was shown to be effective as an initial purification step for extracellular glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42. Comparison of the intra- and extracellular glucose oxidase fractions using isoelectric focusing showed 2 isoenzymes in both fractions. The pI values of the isoenzymes were determined to be 4.30 and 4.67, with the former being dominant. Since both the intra- and extracellular fractions contained the same isoenzymes of glucose oxidase, further purification studies were performed using the extracellular fraction. The glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was purified using 3 main techniques: ammonium sulphate precipitation (60% - 70% cut), anion exchange chromatography (Super Q 650M) and size exclusion chromatography (Sephadex S200HR). The glucose oxidase was determined to be ±80% pure by size exclusion chromatography. The final purified glucose oxidase was lyophilised, and an overall purification yield of 10.3% was achieved with an 8.6-fold purification. The purified glucose oxidase was confirmed to be catalase free. Glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was determined to be a dimeric protein (M[subscript r] ±148kDa) likely consisting of 2 equal subunits (M[subscript r] ± 70kDa). The temperature optimum range was shown to be 25-30°C. The optimum pH for the oxidation of β-D-glucose was pH 7. The enzyme was shown to be stable at 25°C for 10 hours, with a half life of approximately 30 minutes at 37°C. The lyophilised enzyme was stable at -20°C for 6 months. The properties of glucose oxidase from Tt42 were comparable to alternative glucose oxidase enzymes from Aspergillus and other Penicillium species. Glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was shown to have distinct kinetic characteristics. The V[subscript max] and K[subscript m] were shown to be 651 Umg[superscript -1] and 18.4 mM towards β-D-glucose. The catalytic kcat and specificity k[subscript cat]/K[subscript m] constants for glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 were shown to be 791 s[superscript -1] and 40 s[superscript -1]mM[superscript -1] each respectively. The specificity constant (k[subscript cat]/K[subscript m]) of glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was determined to be 1.3-fold higher than that that of A. niger (Sigma Type VII) and 8.7-fold lower than that of P. amagasakiense (ATCC 28686) from literature.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Simpson, Clinton
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Penicillium , Glucose , Oxidases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004034 , Penicillium , Glucose , Oxidases
- Description: A novel glucose oxidase from Penicillium canescens (Tt42) was isolated, purified and characterised. The P. canescens Tt42 was cultivated using an optimised growth medium from literature, and maximum glucose oxidase activities of 11.5 U/ml and 6.9 U/ml for the intra- and extracellular fractions were obtained. Maximum glucose oxidase production was achieved after 72 hours at 28°C which coincided with glucose depletion. A total of 1104 U (from 60ml) of glucose oxidase was produced with a biomass specific glucose oxidase activity of 1.08 Umg[superscript -1] Four methods of cell disruption were evaluated for release of intracellular glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 cells. These methods were; sonication, French press, Freeze-Thaw and a high pressure cell disrupter (Z-Plus Series) from Constant systems. All the methods were successful in releasing the intracellular glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42. The use of the Constant Systems high pressure cell disrupter was preferred, since it was the simplest and most rapid method. Ammonium sulphate precipitation was shown to be effective as an initial purification step for extracellular glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42. Comparison of the intra- and extracellular glucose oxidase fractions using isoelectric focusing showed 2 isoenzymes in both fractions. The pI values of the isoenzymes were determined to be 4.30 and 4.67, with the former being dominant. Since both the intra- and extracellular fractions contained the same isoenzymes of glucose oxidase, further purification studies were performed using the extracellular fraction. The glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was purified using 3 main techniques: ammonium sulphate precipitation (60% - 70% cut), anion exchange chromatography (Super Q 650M) and size exclusion chromatography (Sephadex S200HR). The glucose oxidase was determined to be ±80% pure by size exclusion chromatography. The final purified glucose oxidase was lyophilised, and an overall purification yield of 10.3% was achieved with an 8.6-fold purification. The purified glucose oxidase was confirmed to be catalase free. Glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was determined to be a dimeric protein (M[subscript r] ±148kDa) likely consisting of 2 equal subunits (M[subscript r] ± 70kDa). The temperature optimum range was shown to be 25-30°C. The optimum pH for the oxidation of β-D-glucose was pH 7. The enzyme was shown to be stable at 25°C for 10 hours, with a half life of approximately 30 minutes at 37°C. The lyophilised enzyme was stable at -20°C for 6 months. The properties of glucose oxidase from Tt42 were comparable to alternative glucose oxidase enzymes from Aspergillus and other Penicillium species. Glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was shown to have distinct kinetic characteristics. The V[subscript max] and K[subscript m] were shown to be 651 Umg[superscript -1] and 18.4 mM towards β-D-glucose. The catalytic kcat and specificity k[subscript cat]/K[subscript m] constants for glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 were shown to be 791 s[superscript -1] and 40 s[superscript -1]mM[superscript -1] each respectively. The specificity constant (k[subscript cat]/K[subscript m]) of glucose oxidase from P. canescens Tt42 was determined to be 1.3-fold higher than that that of A. niger (Sigma Type VII) and 8.7-fold lower than that of P. amagasakiense (ATCC 28686) from literature.
- Full Text:
Laboratory and field host utilization by established biological control agents of Lantana camara L. in South Africa
- Authors: Heystek, Fritz
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Weeds -- Biological control -- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5725 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005411 , Lantana camara -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Weeds -- Biological control -- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa
- Description: Varieties of Lantana camara (lantana) have been introduced into many countries of the world as ornamental plants and have become invasive weeds in many countries including South Africa. In South Africa, it mostly invades the sub-tropical eastern and northern range. Mechanical and chemical control options are expensive and ineffective. A biocontrol programme was initiated in South Africa in 1961. To date, 22 insect species, and a fungus have been introduced, of these 10, and the fungus have established. Three indigenous lepidopteran species and an exotic generalist pest mealybug are also associated with the weed. The variable success of some of the agents released on L. camara worldwide has been ascribed to a few factors. One important aspect is the large range of varieties encountered in the field. It is therefore essential to be able to predict the possible establishment and impact of agents on many varieties. Laboratory trials on five of the established agents showed clear varietal preferences. In the field, most of the biocontrol agents had limited geographic ranges, linked to altitudinal conditions, as higher populations were recorded at low lying warm summer rainfall areas. A pink and orange flower corolla lobe and throat colour combination and plants with few to medium leaf hairs were most abundant in South Africa. Most of the agent species had individual preferences towards different flower colour combinations, as the agents built up different population levels on varieties in the field, within the suitable geographic region for the insect species. Eight agents preferred smooth leaved varieties, while three preferred hairy leaves, and three had no specific preference to leaf hairiness. Varietal preferences thus did play a significant role in agent populations and accompanied impact achieved in the field. New candidate agents need to be proven specific under quarantine conditions and the results extrapolated to predict specificity in the field, while avoiding potential non-target effects. Many authors have questioned the validity of laboratory host specificity trials. The conventional wisdom is that insects portray a far wider host range in the laboratory than what they would do in the field. In other words, laboratory studies measure the physiological host range of an agent and are conservative and usually don’t reflect the ecological host range of agents in the field. To avoid unnecessary rejections of biocontrol agents, this study has made a retrospective study of the host specificity of agents established in the field. Their laboratory and field host ranges were compared and it was found that virtually all the agents reflect similar or less non-target effects in the field than predicted during multiple choice trials. Of the 14 agents, only one introduced species, Teleonemia scrupulosa, and the indigenous species, Hypena laceratalis and Aristea onychote were able to sustain populations on non-target species in the field in the absence of L. camara. Insect populations on non-target species were much reduced compared to that on L. camara. Furthermore non-target effects were only recorded on plant species closely related to the target weed. The multiple choice trials therefore predict field non-target effects accurately. Predictions of non-target effects of candidate agents can therefore be accurately predicted by laboratory studies, in terms of species likely to be affected and to what extent. One field that need further study though is the impact of non-target effects, especially on Lippia species by L. camara biocontrol agents.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Heystek, Fritz
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Weeds -- Biological control -- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5725 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005411 , Lantana camara -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa , Weeds -- Biological control -- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa
- Description: Varieties of Lantana camara (lantana) have been introduced into many countries of the world as ornamental plants and have become invasive weeds in many countries including South Africa. In South Africa, it mostly invades the sub-tropical eastern and northern range. Mechanical and chemical control options are expensive and ineffective. A biocontrol programme was initiated in South Africa in 1961. To date, 22 insect species, and a fungus have been introduced, of these 10, and the fungus have established. Three indigenous lepidopteran species and an exotic generalist pest mealybug are also associated with the weed. The variable success of some of the agents released on L. camara worldwide has been ascribed to a few factors. One important aspect is the large range of varieties encountered in the field. It is therefore essential to be able to predict the possible establishment and impact of agents on many varieties. Laboratory trials on five of the established agents showed clear varietal preferences. In the field, most of the biocontrol agents had limited geographic ranges, linked to altitudinal conditions, as higher populations were recorded at low lying warm summer rainfall areas. A pink and orange flower corolla lobe and throat colour combination and plants with few to medium leaf hairs were most abundant in South Africa. Most of the agent species had individual preferences towards different flower colour combinations, as the agents built up different population levels on varieties in the field, within the suitable geographic region for the insect species. Eight agents preferred smooth leaved varieties, while three preferred hairy leaves, and three had no specific preference to leaf hairiness. Varietal preferences thus did play a significant role in agent populations and accompanied impact achieved in the field. New candidate agents need to be proven specific under quarantine conditions and the results extrapolated to predict specificity in the field, while avoiding potential non-target effects. Many authors have questioned the validity of laboratory host specificity trials. The conventional wisdom is that insects portray a far wider host range in the laboratory than what they would do in the field. In other words, laboratory studies measure the physiological host range of an agent and are conservative and usually don’t reflect the ecological host range of agents in the field. To avoid unnecessary rejections of biocontrol agents, this study has made a retrospective study of the host specificity of agents established in the field. Their laboratory and field host ranges were compared and it was found that virtually all the agents reflect similar or less non-target effects in the field than predicted during multiple choice trials. Of the 14 agents, only one introduced species, Teleonemia scrupulosa, and the indigenous species, Hypena laceratalis and Aristea onychote were able to sustain populations on non-target species in the field in the absence of L. camara. Insect populations on non-target species were much reduced compared to that on L. camara. Furthermore non-target effects were only recorded on plant species closely related to the target weed. The multiple choice trials therefore predict field non-target effects accurately. Predictions of non-target effects of candidate agents can therefore be accurately predicted by laboratory studies, in terms of species likely to be affected and to what extent. One field that need further study though is the impact of non-target effects, especially on Lippia species by L. camara biocontrol agents.
- Full Text:
Leading strategic change: driving the transformation in the provision of legal services to the Eastern Cape Provincial government
- Authors: Beningfield, Perry Guy
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Politics and government Legal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational change Strategic planning Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003876
- Description: Effective change leadership is important to any organisation undergoing fundamental transformation. In particular, the ability of senior public sector leaders to successfully drive strategic change is crucial to meeting the developmental and service delivery challenges faced by the Province of the Eastern Cape in ensuring the effective, efficient and innovative government demanded by all its various stakeholders. The creation on 3 October of a Shared Legal Service situated in the Office of the Premier provided a unique opportunity to examine the leadership of this change initiative in the context of the organisational culture that existed in the provincial public service. This thesis consequently probes the phenomenon of effective change leadership by means of an examination of the understandings of the three change agents involved in driving the transformation of the provision of legal advisory services to the provincial administration and its constituent departments. The picture which emerges from the insights of the participants is one that casts a shadow over the validity of the contemporary theory of transformational leadership. Furthermore, the research conducted has identified the need to view the nature of effective change leadership through a more nuanced, situation-specific lens: one that appreciates the role of relationships and emotions, and that recognises the importance of culture and its impact on the success of organisational transformation. The case study of the Shared Legal Service change initiative provides useful insights into the many and varied challenges faced by public sector leaders in driving strategic transformation in the provincial administration. It offers an example of successful change leadership and demonstrates the need for change agents within the public service to harness more emotionally resonant and relational forms of leadership if they are to soar to new heights in meeting the service delivery expectations of all who look to provincial government to deliver the fruits of democracy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Beningfield, Perry Guy
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Politics and government Legal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational change Strategic planning Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003876
- Description: Effective change leadership is important to any organisation undergoing fundamental transformation. In particular, the ability of senior public sector leaders to successfully drive strategic change is crucial to meeting the developmental and service delivery challenges faced by the Province of the Eastern Cape in ensuring the effective, efficient and innovative government demanded by all its various stakeholders. The creation on 3 October of a Shared Legal Service situated in the Office of the Premier provided a unique opportunity to examine the leadership of this change initiative in the context of the organisational culture that existed in the provincial public service. This thesis consequently probes the phenomenon of effective change leadership by means of an examination of the understandings of the three change agents involved in driving the transformation of the provision of legal advisory services to the provincial administration and its constituent departments. The picture which emerges from the insights of the participants is one that casts a shadow over the validity of the contemporary theory of transformational leadership. Furthermore, the research conducted has identified the need to view the nature of effective change leadership through a more nuanced, situation-specific lens: one that appreciates the role of relationships and emotions, and that recognises the importance of culture and its impact on the success of organisational transformation. The case study of the Shared Legal Service change initiative provides useful insights into the many and varied challenges faced by public sector leaders in driving strategic transformation in the provincial administration. It offers an example of successful change leadership and demonstrates the need for change agents within the public service to harness more emotionally resonant and relational forms of leadership if they are to soar to new heights in meeting the service delivery expectations of all who look to provincial government to deliver the fruits of democracy.
- Full Text:
Making sense of Men's Health: an investigation into the meanings men and women make of Men's Health
- Authors: McCance-Price, Maris
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Men's Health (South Africa) , Men's magazines -- South Africa , Men in mass media , Women in mass media , Sex role in mass media , Men in popular culture , Women in popular culture , Mass media -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002919 , Men's Health (South Africa) , Men's magazines -- South Africa , Men in mass media , Women in mass media , Sex role in mass media , Men in popular culture , Women in popular culture , Mass media -- Social aspects
- Description: This study investigates the popular pleasures produced by readers of men's magazines, focusing primarily on the publication, Men's Health, which represents a new type of magazine catering for men. Using qualitative research methods such as textual analysis and reception analysis, the study explores the pleasures produced by both men and women from the consumption of such texts. The theoretical perspective of cultural studies informs this project, an approach that focuses on the generation and circulation of meanings in society. Focusing on the notion of the active audience and Hall's encoding/decoding model, this study examines readers' interpretations of the Men's Health text, focusing on the moment of consumption in the circuit of culture. Reception theory proposes the existence of "clustered readings" produced by interpretive communities that are socially rather than individually constructed. As a critical ethnography, the study interrogates these meanings with particular reference to questions of gender relations and power in society. Access to different discourses is structured by the social position of readers within relations of power and this study takes gender as a structuring principle. Therefore, this study also explores the particular discursive practices through which masculine and feminine imagery is produced by the Men's Health text and by its readers. The research findings support the more limited notion of the active audience espoused by theorists such as Hall (1980) offering further evidence to suggest that readers produce readings other than those preferred by the text and that therein lies the pleasure of the text for male and female readers. The research concludes that the popularity of Men's Health derives from the capacity of its readers to make multiple meanings of the text.
- Full Text:
- Authors: McCance-Price, Maris
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Men's Health (South Africa) , Men's magazines -- South Africa , Men in mass media , Women in mass media , Sex role in mass media , Men in popular culture , Women in popular culture , Mass media -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002919 , Men's Health (South Africa) , Men's magazines -- South Africa , Men in mass media , Women in mass media , Sex role in mass media , Men in popular culture , Women in popular culture , Mass media -- Social aspects
- Description: This study investigates the popular pleasures produced by readers of men's magazines, focusing primarily on the publication, Men's Health, which represents a new type of magazine catering for men. Using qualitative research methods such as textual analysis and reception analysis, the study explores the pleasures produced by both men and women from the consumption of such texts. The theoretical perspective of cultural studies informs this project, an approach that focuses on the generation and circulation of meanings in society. Focusing on the notion of the active audience and Hall's encoding/decoding model, this study examines readers' interpretations of the Men's Health text, focusing on the moment of consumption in the circuit of culture. Reception theory proposes the existence of "clustered readings" produced by interpretive communities that are socially rather than individually constructed. As a critical ethnography, the study interrogates these meanings with particular reference to questions of gender relations and power in society. Access to different discourses is structured by the social position of readers within relations of power and this study takes gender as a structuring principle. Therefore, this study also explores the particular discursive practices through which masculine and feminine imagery is produced by the Men's Health text and by its readers. The research findings support the more limited notion of the active audience espoused by theorists such as Hall (1980) offering further evidence to suggest that readers produce readings other than those preferred by the text and that therein lies the pleasure of the text for male and female readers. The research concludes that the popularity of Men's Health derives from the capacity of its readers to make multiple meanings of the text.
- Full Text:
Mapping Grahamstown's security governance network : prospects and problems for democratic policing
- Brereton, Catherine Margaret
- Authors: Brereton, Catherine Margaret
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Democracy -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa , Police administration -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police-community relations -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Crime prevention -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police patrol -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Private security services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2851 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006323 , Democracy -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa , Police administration -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police-community relations -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Crime prevention -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police patrol -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Private security services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The security of its citizens is often regarded as the democratic state's primary raison d'etre. However, with increasing crime and perceptions of insecurity among citizens, along with actual and perceived state policing inadequacies, citizens around the world have sought to make alternative arrangements for their security. The explosion of private alternatives to state policing has resulted in the need for the replacement of former static definitions of policing by more fluid understandings of what policing entails. Policing is no longer an activity undertaken exclusively by the 'state police.' Policing needs to be understood within a framework which recognises the existence of a variety of state, commercial, community groups and individuals which exist within loose and sometimes informal, sometimes formal, networks to provide for the security of citizens. Preceding the country's transition to democracy in 1994 'state' policing in South Africa was aimed at monitoring and suppressing the black population and as a result it conducted itself in a largely militaristic way. When the government of national unity assumed power in 1994 it was indisputable that the South African Police had to undergo major reform if it was to play an effective, co-operative and accountable role in a democratic South Africa. While state policing has unquestionably undergone enormous changes since the advent of democracy in 1994, so too has non-state policing. It is widely accepted that the dividing line between state and non-state policing in South Africa is increasingly blurred. Policing, by its very nature, holds the potential to threaten democracy. Consequently it is important that policing is democratically controlled. According to the Law Commission of Canada four values and principles - justice, equality, accountability, and efficiency - should support policing in a democracy. This thesis is a case study of policing in Grahamstown, a small city in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. It will be shown that the policing problem that currently plagues Grahamstown, and by extension South Africa, is not simply the result of a shortage of providers but rather a problem of co-coordinating and monitoring security governance to ensure that the city does not further develop into a society where the wealthy have greater access to security than the poor.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Brereton, Catherine Margaret
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Democracy -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa , Police administration -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police-community relations -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Crime prevention -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police patrol -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Private security services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2851 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006323 , Democracy -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa , Police administration -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police-community relations -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Crime prevention -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police patrol -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Private security services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The security of its citizens is often regarded as the democratic state's primary raison d'etre. However, with increasing crime and perceptions of insecurity among citizens, along with actual and perceived state policing inadequacies, citizens around the world have sought to make alternative arrangements for their security. The explosion of private alternatives to state policing has resulted in the need for the replacement of former static definitions of policing by more fluid understandings of what policing entails. Policing is no longer an activity undertaken exclusively by the 'state police.' Policing needs to be understood within a framework which recognises the existence of a variety of state, commercial, community groups and individuals which exist within loose and sometimes informal, sometimes formal, networks to provide for the security of citizens. Preceding the country's transition to democracy in 1994 'state' policing in South Africa was aimed at monitoring and suppressing the black population and as a result it conducted itself in a largely militaristic way. When the government of national unity assumed power in 1994 it was indisputable that the South African Police had to undergo major reform if it was to play an effective, co-operative and accountable role in a democratic South Africa. While state policing has unquestionably undergone enormous changes since the advent of democracy in 1994, so too has non-state policing. It is widely accepted that the dividing line between state and non-state policing in South Africa is increasingly blurred. Policing, by its very nature, holds the potential to threaten democracy. Consequently it is important that policing is democratically controlled. According to the Law Commission of Canada four values and principles - justice, equality, accountability, and efficiency - should support policing in a democracy. This thesis is a case study of policing in Grahamstown, a small city in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. It will be shown that the policing problem that currently plagues Grahamstown, and by extension South Africa, is not simply the result of a shortage of providers but rather a problem of co-coordinating and monitoring security governance to ensure that the city does not further develop into a society where the wealthy have greater access to security than the poor.
- Full Text:
Master of Education research portfolio
- Authors: Iitula, Helena
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Education and state -- Namibia Competency-based education -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Education, Secondary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1948 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008196
- Description: This Portfolio was submitted in 2005 to Rhodes University as a Research Portfolio presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in General Education Theory and Practice. The Portfolio consists of seven (7) key parts. The reader of this Portfolio is courteously informed that the structure of this portfolio is to some extent differ from the thesis structure. Thus, the reader should be attentive not to weigh against the two. Further more, I hereby declare that this portfolio is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of references indicated at the end of each part. Part 2 and 6 are the core parts of the portfolio. The focal point of part 2 is the contextual curriculum analysis of Grade 8-10 Oshindonga Curriculum in order to investigate its implementation in four educational circuits: Oshigambo, Onathinge, Onyaanya and Omuthiya in Oshikoto Region. Based on the findings of this analysis, lack of critical inquiry and reflective practice among Oshindonga teachers was identified as one of the major obstacles that preventing the effective implementation of the curriculum. Most of these teachers are Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD) postgraduates. Thus, part 3 and 4 were developed as supplements to inform the main research paper (part 6) which is related to teacher's professionalism in the classroom. The focus of part 3 (literature review) was on the teacher as a reflective practitioner. This is in line with the Namibian Education Policy, which identifies reflective practice as the heart of teacher professionalism. In this part, I explored a variety of views related to the notion of professionalism in teaching. I have also focused on views related to teacher's professional development both on macro and micro levels. These views provided a clarification and an underpinning framework on which to base my analysis of reflective practice as professionalism in education. Part 4 (education theories) focused on the digging of understanding of knowledge as an important theoretical domain of behaviourist and constructivist theories. I have tried to establish how the two theories (Behaviourist and Constructivist) view knowledge and its acquisition and to gain an understanding of how the two theories have been informing the practice. Subsequently, part 6 meant to investigate and assess the extent to which Basic Education Teacher Diploma postgraduate teachers are autonomously applying the theory of critical inquiry and reflective practice in the classroom. Both part 2 and 6 have findings. There is much correlation between the issues and problems in the implementation of the curriculum as identified in part 2 and the findings of the main research paper (part 6). Though critical inquiry and reflective practice is the key journey towards a high level of reflectivity and one of the significant characters of teacher professionalism in the classroom, most issues and problems identified were related to the insufficient practice of critical inquiry and reflective practices. Low correlation was found between critical inquiry and reflective practice theory and teachers' practices in the classroom. Despite to the fact that various rationales were mentioned as to why critical inquiry and reflective practice successful implementation is not taking place, the study positioned an emphasis on team working at school, cluster and circuit base that could contributed to a great extend to making teachers more competent and supporting themselves in mastering the applicable critical inquiry and reflective practice skills.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Iitula, Helena
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Education and state -- Namibia Competency-based education -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Education, Secondary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1948 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008196
- Description: This Portfolio was submitted in 2005 to Rhodes University as a Research Portfolio presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in General Education Theory and Practice. The Portfolio consists of seven (7) key parts. The reader of this Portfolio is courteously informed that the structure of this portfolio is to some extent differ from the thesis structure. Thus, the reader should be attentive not to weigh against the two. Further more, I hereby declare that this portfolio is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of references indicated at the end of each part. Part 2 and 6 are the core parts of the portfolio. The focal point of part 2 is the contextual curriculum analysis of Grade 8-10 Oshindonga Curriculum in order to investigate its implementation in four educational circuits: Oshigambo, Onathinge, Onyaanya and Omuthiya in Oshikoto Region. Based on the findings of this analysis, lack of critical inquiry and reflective practice among Oshindonga teachers was identified as one of the major obstacles that preventing the effective implementation of the curriculum. Most of these teachers are Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD) postgraduates. Thus, part 3 and 4 were developed as supplements to inform the main research paper (part 6) which is related to teacher's professionalism in the classroom. The focus of part 3 (literature review) was on the teacher as a reflective practitioner. This is in line with the Namibian Education Policy, which identifies reflective practice as the heart of teacher professionalism. In this part, I explored a variety of views related to the notion of professionalism in teaching. I have also focused on views related to teacher's professional development both on macro and micro levels. These views provided a clarification and an underpinning framework on which to base my analysis of reflective practice as professionalism in education. Part 4 (education theories) focused on the digging of understanding of knowledge as an important theoretical domain of behaviourist and constructivist theories. I have tried to establish how the two theories (Behaviourist and Constructivist) view knowledge and its acquisition and to gain an understanding of how the two theories have been informing the practice. Subsequently, part 6 meant to investigate and assess the extent to which Basic Education Teacher Diploma postgraduate teachers are autonomously applying the theory of critical inquiry and reflective practice in the classroom. Both part 2 and 6 have findings. There is much correlation between the issues and problems in the implementation of the curriculum as identified in part 2 and the findings of the main research paper (part 6). Though critical inquiry and reflective practice is the key journey towards a high level of reflectivity and one of the significant characters of teacher professionalism in the classroom, most issues and problems identified were related to the insufficient practice of critical inquiry and reflective practices. Low correlation was found between critical inquiry and reflective practice theory and teachers' practices in the classroom. Despite to the fact that various rationales were mentioned as to why critical inquiry and reflective practice successful implementation is not taking place, the study positioned an emphasis on team working at school, cluster and circuit base that could contributed to a great extend to making teachers more competent and supporting themselves in mastering the applicable critical inquiry and reflective practice skills.
- Full Text:
Models of internet connectivity for secondary schools in the Grahamstown circuit
- Authors: Brandt, Ingrid Gisélle
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Internet in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Telecommunication in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006566 , Internet in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Telecommunication in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Data processing
- Description: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are becoming more pervasive in South African schools and are increasingly considered valuable tools in education, promoting the development of higher cognitive processes and allowing teachers and learners access to a plethora of information. This study investigates models of Internet connectivity for secondary schools in the Grahamstown Circuit. The various networking technologies currently available to South African schools, or likely to become available to South African schools in the future, are described along with the telecommunications legislation which governs their use in South Africa. Furthermore, current ICT in education projects taking place in South Africa are described together with current ICT in education policy in South Africa. This information forms the backdrop of a detailed schools survey that was conducted at all the 13 secondary schools in the Grahamstown Circuit and enriched with experimental work in the provision of metropolitan network links to selected schools, mostly via Wi-Fi. The result of the investigation is the proposal of a Grahamstown Circuit Metropolitan Education Network.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Brandt, Ingrid Gisélle
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Internet in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Telecommunication in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006566 , Internet in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Information technology -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Telecommunication in education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Data processing
- Description: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are becoming more pervasive in South African schools and are increasingly considered valuable tools in education, promoting the development of higher cognitive processes and allowing teachers and learners access to a plethora of information. This study investigates models of Internet connectivity for secondary schools in the Grahamstown Circuit. The various networking technologies currently available to South African schools, or likely to become available to South African schools in the future, are described along with the telecommunications legislation which governs their use in South Africa. Furthermore, current ICT in education projects taking place in South Africa are described together with current ICT in education policy in South Africa. This information forms the backdrop of a detailed schools survey that was conducted at all the 13 secondary schools in the Grahamstown Circuit and enriched with experimental work in the provision of metropolitan network links to selected schools, mostly via Wi-Fi. The result of the investigation is the proposal of a Grahamstown Circuit Metropolitan Education Network.
- Full Text:
Monetary policy transmission in South Africa: the prime rate-demand for credit phase
- Authors: Lehobo, Limakatso
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: South African Reserve Bank , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Bank loans -- South Africa , Financial institutions -- South Africa , Finance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020850
- Description: A voluminous literature attempts to explain the various channels of the monetary policy transmission mechanism through which central banks ultimately achieve price stability. However, most research focuses on interest rate pass-through and the demand for money phase, while there is limited research on the demand for credit. This study endeavours to contribute to the understanding of this neglected phase of monetary policy transmission by exploring the response of the real demand for bank credit by the private sector to changes in the real prime rate from 1990:1 to 2004:4 in South Africa. Firstly, the behaviour of the real prime rate in relation to the repo rate is explored using graphical analysis. The study observes that an increase in the repo rate causes an increase in the real prime rate, such that there is always a margin of three or four percentage points between the two rates. Secondly, using secondary data, the Johansen methodology is used to determine the relationship between the demand for bank credit and its determinants (GDP, inflation, real prime rate and real yield on government bonds). Two co-integrating relationships are found. The Gaussian errors from one co-integrating vector are used to model the Vector Error Correction Model, which provides the short-run dynamics and the long-run results, through the use of Eviews 5 software. The results of the study show that while all other variables are negatively related to the demand for bank credit in the long-run, GDP has a positive influence. In the short-run, yield on government bonds and inflation coefficients depict a positive association, while the coefficients of real prime rate and GDP are negative. The error correction coefficient is -0.32, which implies that a 32% adjustment to equilibrium happens in the demand for bank credit in a quarter and that the complete adjustment takes about three quarters to complete. Thirdly, the generalised impulse responses results indicate that the impact on the real prime rate affects the demand for bank credit from the first quarter. The study concludes that the real prime rate has a negative impact on the demand for credit both in the short-run and long-run.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lehobo, Limakatso
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: South African Reserve Bank , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Bank loans -- South Africa , Financial institutions -- South Africa , Finance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020850
- Description: A voluminous literature attempts to explain the various channels of the monetary policy transmission mechanism through which central banks ultimately achieve price stability. However, most research focuses on interest rate pass-through and the demand for money phase, while there is limited research on the demand for credit. This study endeavours to contribute to the understanding of this neglected phase of monetary policy transmission by exploring the response of the real demand for bank credit by the private sector to changes in the real prime rate from 1990:1 to 2004:4 in South Africa. Firstly, the behaviour of the real prime rate in relation to the repo rate is explored using graphical analysis. The study observes that an increase in the repo rate causes an increase in the real prime rate, such that there is always a margin of three or four percentage points between the two rates. Secondly, using secondary data, the Johansen methodology is used to determine the relationship between the demand for bank credit and its determinants (GDP, inflation, real prime rate and real yield on government bonds). Two co-integrating relationships are found. The Gaussian errors from one co-integrating vector are used to model the Vector Error Correction Model, which provides the short-run dynamics and the long-run results, through the use of Eviews 5 software. The results of the study show that while all other variables are negatively related to the demand for bank credit in the long-run, GDP has a positive influence. In the short-run, yield on government bonds and inflation coefficients depict a positive association, while the coefficients of real prime rate and GDP are negative. The error correction coefficient is -0.32, which implies that a 32% adjustment to equilibrium happens in the demand for bank credit in a quarter and that the complete adjustment takes about three quarters to complete. Thirdly, the generalised impulse responses results indicate that the impact on the real prime rate affects the demand for bank credit from the first quarter. The study concludes that the real prime rate has a negative impact on the demand for credit both in the short-run and long-run.
- Full Text:
Movement patterns of spotted grunter, Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae), in a highly turbid South African estuary
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005149 , Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Description: The principal objective of this thesis was to gain an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii, an estuarine-dependent fishery species, in the turbid, freshwater dominated Great Fish Estuary. Both manual and automated telemetry methods were used to monitor the movements of spotted grunter during two separate studies conducted in summer and spring 2003 and 2004. Acoustic transmitters were surgically implanted into twenty spotted grunter with lengths between 263 and 387 mm TL in the first study and twenty spotted grunter ranging between 362 and 698 mm TL in the second study. The specific objectives were to gain an understanding of (i) the time spent in the estuarine environment (ii) the space use and home range size, and (iii) the abiotic factors governing the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary. The nursery function of estuarine environments was highlighted in this study as adolescent spotted grunter spent a significantly larger proportion of their time in the estuary than adult fish (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.62). The increased frequency of sea trips, with the onset of sexual maturity, provided testimony of the end of the estuarinedependent phase of their life-cycle. Although considered to be predominantly marine, the adult spotted grunter in the Great Fish Estuary utilised the estuary for considerable periods. Adults are thought to frequent estuaries to forage, seek shelter and to possibly rid themselves of parasites. During this study, the number of sea trips made by tagged fish ranged from 0 to 53, and the duration ranged from 6 hours to 28 days. The tidal phase and time of day had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the sea trips undertaken by fish. Most tagged spotted grunter left the estuary during the night (84%) on the outgoing tide, and most returned in the evening (77%) during the incoming tide. Sea temperature (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.34), barometric pressure (p = 0.004; R² = 0.19) and wind (p = 0.01) had a significant effect on the number of spotted grunter recorded in the estuary. Spotted grunter were more prone to return to the estuary after high barometric pressure, when low sea temperatures (upwelling events) prevailed. There was a significant positive relationship between home range size and fish length (p = 0.004; R² = 0.20). Small spotted grunter (< 450 mm TL) appeared to be highly resident, with a small home range (mean size = 129 167 m²), that was generally confined to a single core area. Larger individuals (> 450 mm TL) occupied larger home ranges (mean size = 218 435 m²) with numerous core areas. The home ranges of small and large spotted grunter overlapped considerably yielding evidence of two high use areas, situated 1.2 km and 7 km from the mouth of the Great Fish Estuary. Tagged spotted grunter were located in a wide range of salinity, turbidity and temperature, but were found to avoid temperatures below 16 ºC. The daily change in environmental variables (salinity, temperature and turbidity) had a significant effect on the change in fish position in the estuary (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.38). The distribution of tagged spotted grunter, particularly the larger individuals, in the Great Fish Estuary was influenced by the tidal phase (p < 0.05); they moved upriver on the incoming tide and downriver on the outgoing tide. This study provides an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary and between the estuarine and marine environments. Consequently, it provides information that will assist in the design of a management plan to promote sustainability of this important fishery species. The techniques used and developed in this study also have direct application for further studies on other important estuarinedependent fishery species.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005149 , Grunts (Fishes) -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Pomadasys -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Fishes -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estaurine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Great Fish River
- Description: The principal objective of this thesis was to gain an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii, an estuarine-dependent fishery species, in the turbid, freshwater dominated Great Fish Estuary. Both manual and automated telemetry methods were used to monitor the movements of spotted grunter during two separate studies conducted in summer and spring 2003 and 2004. Acoustic transmitters were surgically implanted into twenty spotted grunter with lengths between 263 and 387 mm TL in the first study and twenty spotted grunter ranging between 362 and 698 mm TL in the second study. The specific objectives were to gain an understanding of (i) the time spent in the estuarine environment (ii) the space use and home range size, and (iii) the abiotic factors governing the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary. The nursery function of estuarine environments was highlighted in this study as adolescent spotted grunter spent a significantly larger proportion of their time in the estuary than adult fish (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.62). The increased frequency of sea trips, with the onset of sexual maturity, provided testimony of the end of the estuarinedependent phase of their life-cycle. Although considered to be predominantly marine, the adult spotted grunter in the Great Fish Estuary utilised the estuary for considerable periods. Adults are thought to frequent estuaries to forage, seek shelter and to possibly rid themselves of parasites. During this study, the number of sea trips made by tagged fish ranged from 0 to 53, and the duration ranged from 6 hours to 28 days. The tidal phase and time of day had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the sea trips undertaken by fish. Most tagged spotted grunter left the estuary during the night (84%) on the outgoing tide, and most returned in the evening (77%) during the incoming tide. Sea temperature (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.34), barometric pressure (p = 0.004; R² = 0.19) and wind (p = 0.01) had a significant effect on the number of spotted grunter recorded in the estuary. Spotted grunter were more prone to return to the estuary after high barometric pressure, when low sea temperatures (upwelling events) prevailed. There was a significant positive relationship between home range size and fish length (p = 0.004; R² = 0.20). Small spotted grunter (< 450 mm TL) appeared to be highly resident, with a small home range (mean size = 129 167 m²), that was generally confined to a single core area. Larger individuals (> 450 mm TL) occupied larger home ranges (mean size = 218 435 m²) with numerous core areas. The home ranges of small and large spotted grunter overlapped considerably yielding evidence of two high use areas, situated 1.2 km and 7 km from the mouth of the Great Fish Estuary. Tagged spotted grunter were located in a wide range of salinity, turbidity and temperature, but were found to avoid temperatures below 16 ºC. The daily change in environmental variables (salinity, temperature and turbidity) had a significant effect on the change in fish position in the estuary (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.38). The distribution of tagged spotted grunter, particularly the larger individuals, in the Great Fish Estuary was influenced by the tidal phase (p < 0.05); they moved upriver on the incoming tide and downriver on the outgoing tide. This study provides an understanding of the movement patterns of spotted grunter in the estuary and between the estuarine and marine environments. Consequently, it provides information that will assist in the design of a management plan to promote sustainability of this important fishery species. The techniques used and developed in this study also have direct application for further studies on other important estuarinedependent fishery species.
- Full Text:
Non-interactive modeling tools and support environment for procedural geometry generation
- Authors: Morkel, Chantelle
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006589 , Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Description: This research examines procedural modeling in the eld of computer graphics. Procedural modeling automates the generation of objects by representing models as procedures that provide a description of the process required to create the model. The problem we solve with this research is the creation of a procedural modeling environment that consists of a procedural modeling language and a set of non-interactive modeling tools. A goal of this research is to provide comparisons between 3D manual modeling and procedural modeling, which focus on the modeling strategies, tools and model representations used by each modeling paradigm. A procedural modeling language is presented that has the same facilities and features of existing procedural modeling languages. In addition, features such as caching and a pseudorandom number generator is included, demonstrating the advantages of a procedural modeling paradigm. The non-interactive tools created within the procedural modeling framework are selection, extrusion, subdivision, curve shaping and stitching. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the procedural modeling framework, human and furniture models are created using this procedural modeling environment. Various techniques are presented to generate these objects, and may be used to create a variety of other models. A detailed discussion of each technique is provided. Six experiments are conducted to test the support of the procedural modeling benets provided by this non- interactive modeling environment. The experiments test, namely parameterisation, re-usability, base-shape independence, model complexity, the generation of reproducible random numbers and caching. We prove that a number of distinct models can be generated from a single procedure through the use parameterisation. Modeling procedures and sub-procedures are re-usable and can be applied to different models. Procedures can be base-shape independent. The level of complexity of a model can be increased by repeatedly applying geometry to the model. The pseudo-random number generator is capable of generating reproducible random numbers. The caching facility reduces the time required to generate a model that uses repetitive geometry.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Morkel, Chantelle
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006589 , Computer graphics -- Mathematical models , Three-dimensional display systems , Computer simulation
- Description: This research examines procedural modeling in the eld of computer graphics. Procedural modeling automates the generation of objects by representing models as procedures that provide a description of the process required to create the model. The problem we solve with this research is the creation of a procedural modeling environment that consists of a procedural modeling language and a set of non-interactive modeling tools. A goal of this research is to provide comparisons between 3D manual modeling and procedural modeling, which focus on the modeling strategies, tools and model representations used by each modeling paradigm. A procedural modeling language is presented that has the same facilities and features of existing procedural modeling languages. In addition, features such as caching and a pseudorandom number generator is included, demonstrating the advantages of a procedural modeling paradigm. The non-interactive tools created within the procedural modeling framework are selection, extrusion, subdivision, curve shaping and stitching. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the procedural modeling framework, human and furniture models are created using this procedural modeling environment. Various techniques are presented to generate these objects, and may be used to create a variety of other models. A detailed discussion of each technique is provided. Six experiments are conducted to test the support of the procedural modeling benets provided by this non- interactive modeling environment. The experiments test, namely parameterisation, re-usability, base-shape independence, model complexity, the generation of reproducible random numbers and caching. We prove that a number of distinct models can be generated from a single procedure through the use parameterisation. Modeling procedures and sub-procedures are re-usable and can be applied to different models. Procedures can be base-shape independent. The level of complexity of a model can be increased by repeatedly applying geometry to the model. The pseudo-random number generator is capable of generating reproducible random numbers. The caching facility reduces the time required to generate a model that uses repetitive geometry.
- Full Text:
Nutrient dynamics in and offshore of two permanently open South African estuaries with contrasting fresh water inflow
- Authors: Jennings, Michael Evan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005421 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Description: The nutrient dynamics in two contrasting estuaries and in the adjacent nearshore environment along the south-east coast of South Africa was investigated seasonally. Due to an inter-basin transfer of water from the Gariep Dam to the Great Fish River, the Great Fish estuary is a fresh water dominated, terrestrially driven system with an annual fresh water inflow of 250 – 650 x 10⁶ m³ per year. In contrast, the Kariega estuary is a fresh water deprived, marine dominated system with a fresh water inflow estimated at 2.5 – 35 x 10⁶ m³per year. The reduced fresh water inflow into the estuary is attributed to regular impoundments along the Kariega River. Water samples were collected from surface and subsurface layers along the length of the estuaries as well as from a series of transects occupied in the nearshore environment. Samples were analysed for nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate and silicate. Temperature and salinity were recorded at each station. A Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) budget was constructed for each estuary to describe the role of ecosystem-level metabolism as either a sink or a source of phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon. Seasonal variation in physico-chemical properties and nutrient concentrations in the Kariega estuary was minimal due to constant low inflow, while in the Great Fish estuary, concentrations varied in response to changes in flow rate. Nutrient concentrations were consistently higher in the Great Fish estuary than in the Kariega estuary, largely reflecting differences in fresh water inflow. During periods of high flow (32.92 m³.s⁻¹in the Great Fish River) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in the Great Fish estuary were an order of magnitude higher than those recorded in the Kariega estuary. Results of the LOICZ budgeting procedures revealed that in spite of the contrasting hydrodynamic features, the estuaries behave in largely the same manner – both predominantly sources of nutrients with heterotrophic processes dominating over autotrophic actions and both were net denitrifyers during all surveys. This was, however, due to different sets of processes operating in the two estuaries, namely low nutrient concentrations resulting in microbial activity in the Kariega estuary, and riverine influx of nutrients and phytoplankton combined with a short residence time of the water in the Great Fish estuary. In the marine nearshore environment, higher nutrient concentrations were recorded adjacent to the Great Fish estuary than offshore of the Kariega estuary. This was due to a surface plume of less saline water leaving the Great Fish estuary, which acted as an ‘outweller’ of nutrients. Offshore of the Kariega estuary, on the other hand, the nutrient concentrations were characteristic of marine waters due to a lack of fresh water outflow from the estuary. Nutrient concentrations in the marine environment adjacent to the Kariega estuary were, at times, higher than those recorded within the estuary. This observation supports previous statements which suggest that the Kariega estuary is not an ‘outweller’ of dissolved nutrients and particulate material, but rather an extension of the marine environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jennings, Michael Evan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005421 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Great Fish River , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Kariega River , Marine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Rivers -- Environmental aspects , Water quality management -- South Africa , Water -- Analysis
- Description: The nutrient dynamics in two contrasting estuaries and in the adjacent nearshore environment along the south-east coast of South Africa was investigated seasonally. Due to an inter-basin transfer of water from the Gariep Dam to the Great Fish River, the Great Fish estuary is a fresh water dominated, terrestrially driven system with an annual fresh water inflow of 250 – 650 x 10⁶ m³ per year. In contrast, the Kariega estuary is a fresh water deprived, marine dominated system with a fresh water inflow estimated at 2.5 – 35 x 10⁶ m³per year. The reduced fresh water inflow into the estuary is attributed to regular impoundments along the Kariega River. Water samples were collected from surface and subsurface layers along the length of the estuaries as well as from a series of transects occupied in the nearshore environment. Samples were analysed for nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate and silicate. Temperature and salinity were recorded at each station. A Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) budget was constructed for each estuary to describe the role of ecosystem-level metabolism as either a sink or a source of phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon. Seasonal variation in physico-chemical properties and nutrient concentrations in the Kariega estuary was minimal due to constant low inflow, while in the Great Fish estuary, concentrations varied in response to changes in flow rate. Nutrient concentrations were consistently higher in the Great Fish estuary than in the Kariega estuary, largely reflecting differences in fresh water inflow. During periods of high flow (32.92 m³.s⁻¹in the Great Fish River) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in the Great Fish estuary were an order of magnitude higher than those recorded in the Kariega estuary. Results of the LOICZ budgeting procedures revealed that in spite of the contrasting hydrodynamic features, the estuaries behave in largely the same manner – both predominantly sources of nutrients with heterotrophic processes dominating over autotrophic actions and both were net denitrifyers during all surveys. This was, however, due to different sets of processes operating in the two estuaries, namely low nutrient concentrations resulting in microbial activity in the Kariega estuary, and riverine influx of nutrients and phytoplankton combined with a short residence time of the water in the Great Fish estuary. In the marine nearshore environment, higher nutrient concentrations were recorded adjacent to the Great Fish estuary than offshore of the Kariega estuary. This was due to a surface plume of less saline water leaving the Great Fish estuary, which acted as an ‘outweller’ of nutrients. Offshore of the Kariega estuary, on the other hand, the nutrient concentrations were characteristic of marine waters due to a lack of fresh water outflow from the estuary. Nutrient concentrations in the marine environment adjacent to the Kariega estuary were, at times, higher than those recorded within the estuary. This observation supports previous statements which suggest that the Kariega estuary is not an ‘outweller’ of dissolved nutrients and particulate material, but rather an extension of the marine environment.
- Full Text:
Participants' experience and perceptions of the Future Search Conference as an organizational change strategy in the Nursing Board of Namibia
- Authors: Layne, Nelao
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Namibia Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005909
- Description: Future Search is a new concept in Namibia. This study looks at the application of a Future Search Conference (FSC) with the Nursing Board of Namibia with a view to investigating participants' experiences and perceptions of the FSC as an organizational change strategy. I conducted a case study in the interpretive paradigm, since I was interested in understanding the subjective experience and individual perceptions of five respondents with regard to the FSC. To obtain in-depth information on how participants felt about the FSC, I employed two data gathering tools: un-structured individual interviews and observation. The findings confirmed that the Future Search is a new concept in the Ministry of Health in particular and in Namibia as a whole. Participants are of the opinion that leaders and managers are key figures in the success or failure of the Future Search. They showed a tremendous interest in the process and are willing to embrace and master the tool so they could try it in their various areas of work. Emphasis was put on the need to get the FSC introduced to leaders and higher management cadres on a wider scale, because they are decision makers and can decide whether or not the Future Search could be institutionalized. This study concludes with an appeal from respondents to be exposed to the Future Search again in a better time frame than the short time we had.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Layne, Nelao
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Namibia Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005909
- Description: Future Search is a new concept in Namibia. This study looks at the application of a Future Search Conference (FSC) with the Nursing Board of Namibia with a view to investigating participants' experiences and perceptions of the FSC as an organizational change strategy. I conducted a case study in the interpretive paradigm, since I was interested in understanding the subjective experience and individual perceptions of five respondents with regard to the FSC. To obtain in-depth information on how participants felt about the FSC, I employed two data gathering tools: un-structured individual interviews and observation. The findings confirmed that the Future Search is a new concept in the Ministry of Health in particular and in Namibia as a whole. Participants are of the opinion that leaders and managers are key figures in the success or failure of the Future Search. They showed a tremendous interest in the process and are willing to embrace and master the tool so they could try it in their various areas of work. Emphasis was put on the need to get the FSC introduced to leaders and higher management cadres on a wider scale, because they are decision makers and can decide whether or not the Future Search could be institutionalized. This study concludes with an appeal from respondents to be exposed to the Future Search again in a better time frame than the short time we had.
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Patient education : the effect on patient behaviour
- Authors: Shiri, Clarris
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Patient education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Patient compliance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hypertension -- Treatment -- South Africa Health care services -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003268
- Description: Evidence suggests that the prevalence of certain non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, is increasing rapidly, and that patients with these diseases are making significant demands on the health services of the nations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, these countries also face other health-related challenges such as communicable diseases and underdevelopmentrelated diseases. Developing countries like South Africa have limited resources, in terms of man power and financial capital, to address the challenges that they are facing. Non-communicable diseases cannot be ignored and since health care providers cannot meet the challenges, it is worthwhile to empower patients to be involved in the management of their conditions. Patient education is a tool that can be used to enable patients to manage their chronic conditions and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of these conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a patient education intervention on participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. The intervention consisted of talks and discussions with all the participants as one group and as individuals. There was also written information given to the participants. Their levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy were measured using one-on-one interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Beliefs about medicines were measured using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) whilst adherence levels were measured using pill counts, elf-reports and prescription refill records. The participants’ blood pressure readings and body mass indices were also recorded throughout the study. The parameters before and after the educational intervention were compared using statistical analyses. The participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy significantly increased whilst their beliefs about medicines were positively modified after the educational intervention. There were also increases, though not statistically significant, in the participants’ levels of adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. Unexpectedly, the blood pressure readings and body mass indices increased significantly. The participants gave positive feedback regarding the educational intervention and indicated a desire for similar programmes to be run continuously. They also suggested that such programmes be implemented for other common chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. This study proved that patient education programmes can be implemented to modify patients’ levels of knowledge about their conditions and the therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to therapy. However, such programmes need to be conducted over a long period of time since changes involving behaviour take a long time.
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- Authors: Shiri, Clarris
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Patient education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Patient compliance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hypertension -- Treatment -- South Africa Health care services -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003268
- Description: Evidence suggests that the prevalence of certain non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, is increasing rapidly, and that patients with these diseases are making significant demands on the health services of the nations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, these countries also face other health-related challenges such as communicable diseases and underdevelopmentrelated diseases. Developing countries like South Africa have limited resources, in terms of man power and financial capital, to address the challenges that they are facing. Non-communicable diseases cannot be ignored and since health care providers cannot meet the challenges, it is worthwhile to empower patients to be involved in the management of their conditions. Patient education is a tool that can be used to enable patients to manage their chronic conditions and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of these conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a patient education intervention on participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. The intervention consisted of talks and discussions with all the participants as one group and as individuals. There was also written information given to the participants. Their levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy were measured using one-on-one interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Beliefs about medicines were measured using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) whilst adherence levels were measured using pill counts, elf-reports and prescription refill records. The participants’ blood pressure readings and body mass indices were also recorded throughout the study. The parameters before and after the educational intervention were compared using statistical analyses. The participants’ levels of knowledge about hypertension and its therapy significantly increased whilst their beliefs about medicines were positively modified after the educational intervention. There were also increases, though not statistically significant, in the participants’ levels of adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy. Unexpectedly, the blood pressure readings and body mass indices increased significantly. The participants gave positive feedback regarding the educational intervention and indicated a desire for similar programmes to be run continuously. They also suggested that such programmes be implemented for other common chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. This study proved that patient education programmes can be implemented to modify patients’ levels of knowledge about their conditions and the therapy, beliefs about medicines and adherence to therapy. However, such programmes need to be conducted over a long period of time since changes involving behaviour take a long time.
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Preparing for the information society: a critical analysis of Uganda's broadcast policy in light of the principles of the WSIS
- Authors: Namusoga, Sara
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002929 , World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Description: This study analyses Uganda’s 2004 Broadcast Policy in light of the WSIS principles in order to establish whether the policy enables radio to build an inclusive and people-centred Information Society, and if so, in what ways it does this. The study specifically focuses on radio, which it views as the dominant medium in Uganda, and therefore the medium with the greatest potential to build a sustainable Information Society in the country. The study is informed by media policy theories as well as Information Society theories. It is argued that although most definitions of the Information Society consider the newer ICTs, especially the Internet, as the key drivers in the Information Society, most developing countries like Uganda are far from reaching the desired level of computer and Internet access as proposed by some Information Society theorists. Instead, most people in Uganda rely heavily on older ICTs, especially radio, for information about key issues in their daily lives. Inevitably, radio ends up being a key player in building the Information Society in these countries. The study, therefore, finds most of the common Information Society theories lacking and adopts the WSIS definition, which is more relevant to Uganda’s situation. This study also maintains that if radio is to be a key player in building an inclusive and people-centred Information Society in Uganda, the 2004 Broadcast Policy has to create that enabling environment, by, for example, promoting public service radio through local content programming, and diversifying radio ownership. The data for this study was obtained using the qualitative research approach, and specifically the research tools of document analysis and individual in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that the policy’s emphasis is on building a broadcast sector that addresses the public’s interests through local content programming and provision of diversified media services. However, the study also found that the policy is vague on some very crucial aspects, which would benefit the public, namely, local content quotas and the independence of the public service broadcaster.
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- Authors: Namusoga, Sara
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002929 , World Summit on the Information Society , Broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Information society -- Uganda , Information technology -- Social aspects -- Uganda , Public broadcasting -- Uganda , Radio broadcasting policy -- Uganda , Radio -- Uganda , Mass media -- Uganda
- Description: This study analyses Uganda’s 2004 Broadcast Policy in light of the WSIS principles in order to establish whether the policy enables radio to build an inclusive and people-centred Information Society, and if so, in what ways it does this. The study specifically focuses on radio, which it views as the dominant medium in Uganda, and therefore the medium with the greatest potential to build a sustainable Information Society in the country. The study is informed by media policy theories as well as Information Society theories. It is argued that although most definitions of the Information Society consider the newer ICTs, especially the Internet, as the key drivers in the Information Society, most developing countries like Uganda are far from reaching the desired level of computer and Internet access as proposed by some Information Society theorists. Instead, most people in Uganda rely heavily on older ICTs, especially radio, for information about key issues in their daily lives. Inevitably, radio ends up being a key player in building the Information Society in these countries. The study, therefore, finds most of the common Information Society theories lacking and adopts the WSIS definition, which is more relevant to Uganda’s situation. This study also maintains that if radio is to be a key player in building an inclusive and people-centred Information Society in Uganda, the 2004 Broadcast Policy has to create that enabling environment, by, for example, promoting public service radio through local content programming, and diversifying radio ownership. The data for this study was obtained using the qualitative research approach, and specifically the research tools of document analysis and individual in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that the policy’s emphasis is on building a broadcast sector that addresses the public’s interests through local content programming and provision of diversified media services. However, the study also found that the policy is vague on some very crucial aspects, which would benefit the public, namely, local content quotas and the independence of the public service broadcaster.
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Raging in service of the self: exploring a five-year old boy's aggression within his play therapy
- Authors: Smith, Austin
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002566 , Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Description: This thesis takes the form of an in-depth case study within which the play therapy process of an aggressive 5-year-old boy was explored. The aim of the research was to examine the abundant expressions of aggression that were present within his therapy, and in so doing reflect their rich communicative content and their relevance and purpose in the development of his Self. Object relations theory formed the lens and theoretical context for this research with Winnicott’s contributions and Parens' model of aggression being considered in particular. A detailed data resource of the therapy process was compiled and transposed into narrative form. These narratives were reviewed with a reading guide as a means to facilitate a hermeneutic exploration of the data. The emergent themes were considered against the case data and the current theory, which allowed for their further analysis and development. From this the value of using Parens’ model was considered and deemed useful although limited in its contribution. The analysis and the themes which emerged conveyed how within this case the child’s aggression presented as: a significant feature of his ambivalence towards relationships; a powerful and pervasive protective fantasy of omnipotence; inherently linked to his sense of self and self expression; and as actively involved in his True Self’s hope-filled attempts for an alternative experience. This thesis provides a descriptive account of a challenging case, offering insights into the value and meaningful content of aggressive behaviours, with the intention being to reflect that which is often not easily appreciated or readily observable within such a therapy process, a trace of hope.
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- Authors: Smith, Austin
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002566 , Play therapy , Aggressiveness in children , Self-perception in children , Child development , Child psychology
- Description: This thesis takes the form of an in-depth case study within which the play therapy process of an aggressive 5-year-old boy was explored. The aim of the research was to examine the abundant expressions of aggression that were present within his therapy, and in so doing reflect their rich communicative content and their relevance and purpose in the development of his Self. Object relations theory formed the lens and theoretical context for this research with Winnicott’s contributions and Parens' model of aggression being considered in particular. A detailed data resource of the therapy process was compiled and transposed into narrative form. These narratives were reviewed with a reading guide as a means to facilitate a hermeneutic exploration of the data. The emergent themes were considered against the case data and the current theory, which allowed for their further analysis and development. From this the value of using Parens’ model was considered and deemed useful although limited in its contribution. The analysis and the themes which emerged conveyed how within this case the child’s aggression presented as: a significant feature of his ambivalence towards relationships; a powerful and pervasive protective fantasy of omnipotence; inherently linked to his sense of self and self expression; and as actively involved in his True Self’s hope-filled attempts for an alternative experience. This thesis provides a descriptive account of a challenging case, offering insights into the value and meaningful content of aggressive behaviours, with the intention being to reflect that which is often not easily appreciated or readily observable within such a therapy process, a trace of hope.
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Relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal organisation
- Authors: Hayward, Brett Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Leadership , Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Emotional intelligence , Government business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019740
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal. The literature provided discusses the three variables of performance, leadership and emotional intelligence. Information was gathered, using three instruments, from a sample of 160 leaders and 800 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine leadership style within the parastatal, while the Emotional Competency Profiler was used to determine the emotional intelligence of the leaders within the parastatal. Employee performance was captured and recorded using the parastatal’s performance appraisal process. Leadership and emotional intelligence were identified as the independent variables and employee performance as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Through linear regression analysis it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transactional leader. However, no significant linear relationship was found between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transformational leader. Simple correlation analysis showed that there is a relatively weak significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transactional leadership. Moreover, it was found that there is a very strong significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. This research therefore adds a new dimension to employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence, since no similar study has been conducted. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the concepts.
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- Authors: Hayward, Brett Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Leadership , Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Emotional intelligence , Government business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019740
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal. The literature provided discusses the three variables of performance, leadership and emotional intelligence. Information was gathered, using three instruments, from a sample of 160 leaders and 800 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine leadership style within the parastatal, while the Emotional Competency Profiler was used to determine the emotional intelligence of the leaders within the parastatal. Employee performance was captured and recorded using the parastatal’s performance appraisal process. Leadership and emotional intelligence were identified as the independent variables and employee performance as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Through linear regression analysis it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transactional leader. However, no significant linear relationship was found between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transformational leader. Simple correlation analysis showed that there is a relatively weak significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transactional leadership. Moreover, it was found that there is a very strong significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. This research therefore adds a new dimension to employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence, since no similar study has been conducted. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the concepts.
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Relationships between social marketing strategies and school participation in environmental competitions: a case study of Collect-a-Can's annual schools competition
- Authors: Mathabathe, Andrew Tumishe
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Social marketing -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa Recycling (Waste, etc.) -- South Africa School recycling programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1726 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003609
- Description: The South African formal education system has undergone many changes since the formulation of the White Paper on Education and Training in 1995. These developments challenge organisations that want to run successful programmes or projects in schools to adapt their social marketing strategies. Against this background, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between social marketing strategies and participation of schools in environmental competitions. The goals of the research were to identify issues that have influenced schools participation in the Collect-a-Can Annual Schools Competition, identify and review social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can to influence participation of schools in the competition, and identify relationships between issues that influenced school participation in the competition and the Collect-a-Can’s social marketing strategies. A qualitative design that applied an interpretative case study, which focused on the Collect-a-Can’s Annual Schools Competition was used to explore these relationships. Data was generated through interviews, document analysis and a workshop. Nine respondents from nine schools and three Collect-a-Can management staff members participated in the interview process. Twenty participants from twenty schools participated in the workshop. The findings of the research revealed that there were relationships between the social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can and participation of schools in the competition. These relationships were found to be linked mainly to policy changes within formal education which Collect-a-Can could not respond to as a result of various reasons which included among others, the core focus of thecompany, lack of funds and a need to operate in a cost-effective way. The recommendations indicate possible areas for improvement and guidelines which could be used by Collect-a-Can for the competition without digressing from its core focus or incurring additional costs. These include a more responsive and adaptive management approach and a stronger educational orientation.
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- Authors: Mathabathe, Andrew Tumishe
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Social marketing -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa Recycling (Waste, etc.) -- South Africa School recycling programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1726 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003609
- Description: The South African formal education system has undergone many changes since the formulation of the White Paper on Education and Training in 1995. These developments challenge organisations that want to run successful programmes or projects in schools to adapt their social marketing strategies. Against this background, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between social marketing strategies and participation of schools in environmental competitions. The goals of the research were to identify issues that have influenced schools participation in the Collect-a-Can Annual Schools Competition, identify and review social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can to influence participation of schools in the competition, and identify relationships between issues that influenced school participation in the competition and the Collect-a-Can’s social marketing strategies. A qualitative design that applied an interpretative case study, which focused on the Collect-a-Can’s Annual Schools Competition was used to explore these relationships. Data was generated through interviews, document analysis and a workshop. Nine respondents from nine schools and three Collect-a-Can management staff members participated in the interview process. Twenty participants from twenty schools participated in the workshop. The findings of the research revealed that there were relationships between the social marketing strategies used by Collect-a-Can and participation of schools in the competition. These relationships were found to be linked mainly to policy changes within formal education which Collect-a-Can could not respond to as a result of various reasons which included among others, the core focus of thecompany, lack of funds and a need to operate in a cost-effective way. The recommendations indicate possible areas for improvement and guidelines which could be used by Collect-a-Can for the competition without digressing from its core focus or incurring additional costs. These include a more responsive and adaptive management approach and a stronger educational orientation.
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Research portfolio
- Authors: Shaanika, E N
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Arts -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Culture -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003618
- Description: This study is a contextual analysis and evaluation of the Arts-in-Culture curriculum at Ongwediva College of Education. Arts-in-Culture is one of the core subjects in the Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD)’s Broad Curriculum. At colleges such as Ongwediva, Caprivi and Rundu, student teachers study Arts as a core subject, while at Windhoek College of Education it can be studied as either a major or a core subject. In this study, I have raised some questions: Why is it that at Ongwediva College, the status of Arts-in-Culture is still low in comparison to other curriculum subjects like sciences and languages? Do student teachers and teacher educators fully understand how to assess the subject? Is the syllabus open for everyone? Is the learning environment conducive to offering the subject? Do the syllabus; learning environment, teacher educators and student teachers promote the goals of education for all? This study first gives the historical background of the subject. The background is of a diverse nature, namely African Indigenous Arts education, Black Arts education under the missionaries, Black Arts education under the South Africa Regime and Arts Education in the current Namibian reform dispensation. Second, the data collecting methodologies of this study are discussed. This includes how I collected information, who I contacted to collect this information, the tools I used to collect data, when and where I used them, why they were used and how they were used, the difficulties or problems I encountered and what I have learned about myself during the process. The third part of this study is the analysis of my findings from the participants interviewed and the fourth is how I have tried to link these different sections together. The last part of the paper is my conclusion.
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- Authors: Shaanika, E N
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Arts -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Culture -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003618
- Description: This study is a contextual analysis and evaluation of the Arts-in-Culture curriculum at Ongwediva College of Education. Arts-in-Culture is one of the core subjects in the Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD)’s Broad Curriculum. At colleges such as Ongwediva, Caprivi and Rundu, student teachers study Arts as a core subject, while at Windhoek College of Education it can be studied as either a major or a core subject. In this study, I have raised some questions: Why is it that at Ongwediva College, the status of Arts-in-Culture is still low in comparison to other curriculum subjects like sciences and languages? Do student teachers and teacher educators fully understand how to assess the subject? Is the syllabus open for everyone? Is the learning environment conducive to offering the subject? Do the syllabus; learning environment, teacher educators and student teachers promote the goals of education for all? This study first gives the historical background of the subject. The background is of a diverse nature, namely African Indigenous Arts education, Black Arts education under the missionaries, Black Arts education under the South Africa Regime and Arts Education in the current Namibian reform dispensation. Second, the data collecting methodologies of this study are discussed. This includes how I collected information, who I contacted to collect this information, the tools I used to collect data, when and where I used them, why they were used and how they were used, the difficulties or problems I encountered and what I have learned about myself during the process. The third part of this study is the analysis of my findings from the participants interviewed and the fourth is how I have tried to link these different sections together. The last part of the paper is my conclusion.
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Security community building? : an assessment of Southern African regional integration in the post-apartheid era
- Authors: Lekhooa, Tumo
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005958 , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Description: The thesis traces Southern African security dimensions from the Cold War and the period of apartheid in South Africa to the post-apartheid era. It makes an attempt to investigate the prospects of Southern Africa becoming a security community and the processes and practices underlying these efforts. Using the constructivist theory approach to international relations, the thesis argues that the preoccupation with principles of sovereignty and non-interference, a lack of political will and the absence of common values that could help SADC institute binding rules and decision-making are the main blocks that prevent the region from asserting itself as a security community. All these militate against the idea of mutual accountability among SADC member states and have a negative impact on the institutional and functional capacity of SADC. This also prevents SADC from dealing with the emerging non-military human security threats in the region. In consideration of this, the thesis argues that the idea of security community building in Southern Africa remains not only a regional issue, but also requires the involvement of extra-regional actors.
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- Authors: Lekhooa, Tumo
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005958 , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- , Africa, Southern -- Economic integration , National security -- Africa, Southern , Political stability -- Africa, Southern , Southern African Development Community
- Description: The thesis traces Southern African security dimensions from the Cold War and the period of apartheid in South Africa to the post-apartheid era. It makes an attempt to investigate the prospects of Southern Africa becoming a security community and the processes and practices underlying these efforts. Using the constructivist theory approach to international relations, the thesis argues that the preoccupation with principles of sovereignty and non-interference, a lack of political will and the absence of common values that could help SADC institute binding rules and decision-making are the main blocks that prevent the region from asserting itself as a security community. All these militate against the idea of mutual accountability among SADC member states and have a negative impact on the institutional and functional capacity of SADC. This also prevents SADC from dealing with the emerging non-military human security threats in the region. In consideration of this, the thesis argues that the idea of security community building in Southern Africa remains not only a regional issue, but also requires the involvement of extra-regional actors.
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Software quality assurance in a remote client/contractor context
- Authors: Black, Angus Hugh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006615 , Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Description: With the reliance on information technology and the software that this technology utilizes increasing every day, it is of paramount importance that software developed be of an acceptable quality. This quality can be achieved through the utilization of various software engineering standards and guidelines. The question is, to what extent do these standards and guidelines need to be utilized and how are these standards and guidelines implemented? This research focuses on how guidelines developed by standardization bodies and the unified process developed by Rational can be integrated to achieve a suitable process and version control system within the context of a remote client/contractor small team environment.
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- Authors: Black, Angus Hugh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006615 , Computer software -- Quality control , Software engineering , Information technology
- Description: With the reliance on information technology and the software that this technology utilizes increasing every day, it is of paramount importance that software developed be of an acceptable quality. This quality can be achieved through the utilization of various software engineering standards and guidelines. The question is, to what extent do these standards and guidelines need to be utilized and how are these standards and guidelines implemented? This research focuses on how guidelines developed by standardization bodies and the unified process developed by Rational can be integrated to achieve a suitable process and version control system within the context of a remote client/contractor small team environment.
- Full Text: