Mapping Computational Thinking Skills to the South African Secondary School Mathematics Curriculum
- Bradshaw, Karen L, Milne, Shannon
- Authors: Bradshaw, Karen L , Milne, Shannon
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440285 , vital:73763 , ISBN 9783030950033 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95502-1_41
- Description: Computational thinking (CT) is gaining recognition as an important skill for learners in both Computer Science (CS) and several other disciplines, including mathematics. In addition, researchers have shown that there is a direct correlation between poor mathematical skills and the high attrition rate of CS undergraduates. This research investigates the use of nine core CT skills in the South African Grades 10–12 Mathematics curriculum by mapping these skills to the objectives given in each of the topics in the curriculum. The artefact developed shows that all the identified CT skills are used in the curriculum. With the use of this mapping, future research on interventions to develop these skills through mathematics at secondary school, should produce school leavers with better mathematical and problem solving abilities, which in turn, might contribute to better success rates in CS university courses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Bradshaw, Karen L , Milne, Shannon
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440285 , vital:73763 , ISBN 9783030950033 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95502-1_41
- Description: Computational thinking (CT) is gaining recognition as an important skill for learners in both Computer Science (CS) and several other disciplines, including mathematics. In addition, researchers have shown that there is a direct correlation between poor mathematical skills and the high attrition rate of CS undergraduates. This research investigates the use of nine core CT skills in the South African Grades 10–12 Mathematics curriculum by mapping these skills to the objectives given in each of the topics in the curriculum. The artefact developed shows that all the identified CT skills are used in the curriculum. With the use of this mapping, future research on interventions to develop these skills through mathematics at secondary school, should produce school leavers with better mathematical and problem solving abilities, which in turn, might contribute to better success rates in CS university courses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Mapping the transition from a traditional university into an entrepreneurial university
- Authors: Naidoo, Tharusha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Management , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Academic-industrial cooperation , Entrepreneurship , Business and education -- South Africa , Research -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172214 , vital:42177
- Description: The study aims to map the transition of a traditional university into an entrepreneurial university. The concept of the entrepreneurial university has been established as a game changer in the development and innovation spheres at higher education institutions worldwide. In the year 2002, the South African Higher Education sector embarked on a modelling and redefining journey which gave birth to the National Plan for Higher Education. The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education has undertaken work done on the entrepreneurial university which gave rise to the mapping that breeds ground towards policy. This study sought to investigate whether there is a conducive environment at Rhodes University, with an entrepreneurial climate to develop institutional capabilities and build new networks. The research highlights the current direction of Rhodes University and elaborates on the potential for the transition towards an entrepreneurial university. An overview of the entrepreneurial university was provided through an analysis of literature, which dominated in the more developed countries compared to South Africa. The researcher adopted a qualitative research study to capture the direct experiences of the individuals that are in the institution. A questionnaire was designed using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guiding Framework and the direct perceptions of academics from the university were documented. The objectives were firstly, to explore elements of leadership and governance that enhance transformation of Higher Education Institution from a traditional university towards an entrepreneurial university. Secondly, to investigate internal resources that enhance Organisational Capacity with specific reference to people and incentives. Lastly, to determine how Teaching and Learning strengthen entrepreneurship development. The interviews revealed that the challenges faced by the institution were closely linked to those recognized by existing literature. What was interesting to note, limited funding and support were regarded as the most significant problems, closely followed by unskilled people and lack of infrastructure. It is suggested that cultivating and nurturing an entrepreneurial culture is of paramount importance together with the creation of a policy framework. Furthermore, the study concluded with practical recommendations proposed to management regarding the three strategic lenses. The research also illustrated that Rhodes University may not be viewed as being entrepreneurial but certainly has pockets of entrepreneurship and innovative activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Naidoo, Tharusha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Management , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Academic-industrial cooperation , Entrepreneurship , Business and education -- South Africa , Research -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172214 , vital:42177
- Description: The study aims to map the transition of a traditional university into an entrepreneurial university. The concept of the entrepreneurial university has been established as a game changer in the development and innovation spheres at higher education institutions worldwide. In the year 2002, the South African Higher Education sector embarked on a modelling and redefining journey which gave birth to the National Plan for Higher Education. The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education has undertaken work done on the entrepreneurial university which gave rise to the mapping that breeds ground towards policy. This study sought to investigate whether there is a conducive environment at Rhodes University, with an entrepreneurial climate to develop institutional capabilities and build new networks. The research highlights the current direction of Rhodes University and elaborates on the potential for the transition towards an entrepreneurial university. An overview of the entrepreneurial university was provided through an analysis of literature, which dominated in the more developed countries compared to South Africa. The researcher adopted a qualitative research study to capture the direct experiences of the individuals that are in the institution. A questionnaire was designed using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guiding Framework and the direct perceptions of academics from the university were documented. The objectives were firstly, to explore elements of leadership and governance that enhance transformation of Higher Education Institution from a traditional university towards an entrepreneurial university. Secondly, to investigate internal resources that enhance Organisational Capacity with specific reference to people and incentives. Lastly, to determine how Teaching and Learning strengthen entrepreneurship development. The interviews revealed that the challenges faced by the institution were closely linked to those recognized by existing literature. What was interesting to note, limited funding and support were regarded as the most significant problems, closely followed by unskilled people and lack of infrastructure. It is suggested that cultivating and nurturing an entrepreneurial culture is of paramount importance together with the creation of a policy framework. Furthermore, the study concluded with practical recommendations proposed to management regarding the three strategic lenses. The research also illustrated that Rhodes University may not be viewed as being entrepreneurial but certainly has pockets of entrepreneurship and innovative activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Metrological framework for selecting morphological characters to identify species and estimate developmental maturity of forensically significant insect specimens
- Midgley, John M, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440784 , vital:73813 , https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2020.1794347
- Description: Accurate age estimates of immature necrophagous insects associated with a human or animal body can provide evidence of how long the body has been dead. These estimates are based on species-specific details of the insects’ aging processes, and therefore require accurate species identification and developmental stage estimation. Many professionals who produce or use identified organisms as forensic evidence have little training in taxonomy or metrology, and appreciate the availability of formalized principles and standards for biological identification. Taxonomic identifications are usually most readily and economically made using categorical and qualitative morphological characters, but it may be necessary to use less convenient and potentially more ambiguous characters that are continuous and quantitative if two candidate species are closely related, or if identifying developmental stages within a species. Characters should be selected by criteria such as taxonomic specificity and metrological repeatability and relative error. We propose such a hierarchical framework, critique various measurements of immature insects, and suggest some standard approaches to determine the reliability of organismal identifications and measurements in estimating postmortem intervals. Relevant criteria for good characters include high repeatability (including low scope for ambiguity or parallax effects), pronounced discreteness, and small relative error in measurements. These same principles apply to individuation of unique objects in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440784 , vital:73813 , https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2020.1794347
- Description: Accurate age estimates of immature necrophagous insects associated with a human or animal body can provide evidence of how long the body has been dead. These estimates are based on species-specific details of the insects’ aging processes, and therefore require accurate species identification and developmental stage estimation. Many professionals who produce or use identified organisms as forensic evidence have little training in taxonomy or metrology, and appreciate the availability of formalized principles and standards for biological identification. Taxonomic identifications are usually most readily and economically made using categorical and qualitative morphological characters, but it may be necessary to use less convenient and potentially more ambiguous characters that are continuous and quantitative if two candidate species are closely related, or if identifying developmental stages within a species. Characters should be selected by criteria such as taxonomic specificity and metrological repeatability and relative error. We propose such a hierarchical framework, critique various measurements of immature insects, and suggest some standard approaches to determine the reliability of organismal identifications and measurements in estimating postmortem intervals. Relevant criteria for good characters include high repeatability (including low scope for ambiguity or parallax effects), pronounced discreteness, and small relative error in measurements. These same principles apply to individuation of unique objects in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Mildly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone is associated with endothelial dysfunction and severe preeclampsia among pregnant women with insufficient iodine intake in Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Businge, Charles Bitamazire, Longo-Mbenza, Benjamin, Kengne, Andre Pascal
- Authors: Businge, Charles Bitamazire , Longo-Mbenza, Benjamin , Kengne, Andre Pascal
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Preeclampsia Iodine deficiency diseases Endothelial cells Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6908 , vital:52565 , xlink:href="https://10.1080/07853890.2021.1947520"
- Description: Background Preeclampsia and hypothyroidism are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Iodine deficiency is a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy. However, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between iodine nutrition state in pregnancy, the degree of endothelial dysfunction, and the risk of preeclampsia. Methods Ninety-five normotensive pregnant women, 50 women with preeclampsia with no severe features, and 50 women with severe preeclampsia were enrolled into the current study from the maternity units of Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Mthatha Regional Hospitals in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum markers of thyroid function, aortic augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were compared. Results Median UIC was 167.5, 127.7, and 88.5 µg/L, respectively for normotensive pregnant women, those with preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia (p = .150). Participants with severe preeclampsia had significantly higher median thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and oxidized LDL than normotensive and preeclamptic women without severe features (respectively 3.0, 2.3, and 2.3 IU/L; 1.2, 1.0, and 1.0 IU/L, p less .05). The median Aortic augmentation index was 7.5, 19.0, and 21.0 (p less .001), and the pulse wave velocity 5.1, 5.7, and 6.3, respectively for normotensive, preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia participants (both p less .001). In linear regressions, TSH, age, and hypertensive disease were independent predictors of elevated PWV. Conclusion Upper normal-range TSH levels in women with severe preeclampsia were associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction. The low UIC and trend towards the elevation of thyroglobulin suggest that inadequate iodine intake may have increased TSH levels and indirectly caused endothelial dysfunction. Keywords: Preeclampsia, Iodine deficiency, Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone, Pulse wave velocity, Endothelial dysfunction
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Businge, Charles Bitamazire , Longo-Mbenza, Benjamin , Kengne, Andre Pascal
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Preeclampsia Iodine deficiency diseases Endothelial cells Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6908 , vital:52565 , xlink:href="https://10.1080/07853890.2021.1947520"
- Description: Background Preeclampsia and hypothyroidism are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Iodine deficiency is a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy. However, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between iodine nutrition state in pregnancy, the degree of endothelial dysfunction, and the risk of preeclampsia. Methods Ninety-five normotensive pregnant women, 50 women with preeclampsia with no severe features, and 50 women with severe preeclampsia were enrolled into the current study from the maternity units of Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Mthatha Regional Hospitals in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum markers of thyroid function, aortic augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were compared. Results Median UIC was 167.5, 127.7, and 88.5 µg/L, respectively for normotensive pregnant women, those with preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia (p = .150). Participants with severe preeclampsia had significantly higher median thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and oxidized LDL than normotensive and preeclamptic women without severe features (respectively 3.0, 2.3, and 2.3 IU/L; 1.2, 1.0, and 1.0 IU/L, p less .05). The median Aortic augmentation index was 7.5, 19.0, and 21.0 (p less .001), and the pulse wave velocity 5.1, 5.7, and 6.3, respectively for normotensive, preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia participants (both p less .001). In linear regressions, TSH, age, and hypertensive disease were independent predictors of elevated PWV. Conclusion Upper normal-range TSH levels in women with severe preeclampsia were associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction. The low UIC and trend towards the elevation of thyroglobulin suggest that inadequate iodine intake may have increased TSH levels and indirectly caused endothelial dysfunction. Keywords: Preeclampsia, Iodine deficiency, Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone, Pulse wave velocity, Endothelial dysfunction
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Mitigating the Implications of Covid 19 on the Academic Project at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa: A Proposed Framework for Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: South Africa Covid-19 (deseases) Web-based instruction Education (Higher) Information technology Computer-assisted instruction Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7644 , vital:54734 , ("https://DOI:10.24085/jsaa.v9i1.1427")
- Description: Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in South Africa, like other universities worldwide, is faced with the challenges associated with the outbreak of the Covid‑19 pandemic. The challenge has changed our day‑to‑day lives, including the way we interact and conduct business. In the midst of this, WSU has had to change the way learning and teaching occurs. Traditional face‑to‑face tuition had to be adapted by moving to the online mode of teaching and learning to both minimise the time lost in the academic project and protect staff and students from the devastating effects of the virus. This article reflects the actions taken by the University and describes its pilot‑project approach to online learning and those processes it has put in place to ensure its effective implementation. While it is accepted that switching to an online mode of teaching and learning can facilitate flexibility in space and time, the reality is that the majority of students at WSU – mainly due to their geographical and socio‑economic environments – experience daily challenges ranging from poor network coverage, lack of internet connectivity, lack of electricity and other socio‑economic impediments that make online learning stressful or beyond their reach. In this article, we present a model that could be used by higher education institutions (HEIs) to respond to Covid‑19 in the short term. The proposed model is underpinned by a framework that caters for students who are readily able to access online learning, students with intermittent access to online facilities and finally, students who cannot access online education. First, we provide a brief description of online learning, highlighting the challenges presented to teaching and learning by this approach. We argue that our context and education policies present additional problems that militate against the adoption of online strategies by most HEIs. In the final instance, we present a framework that is better suited to our context and can be used during and after the lockdown. Data were collected using online questionnaires with both structured and open‑ended questions from both lecturers and students to determine their experiences with the testing project. Lastly, we draw conclusions based on the findings of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: South Africa Covid-19 (deseases) Web-based instruction Education (Higher) Information technology Computer-assisted instruction Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7644 , vital:54734 , ("https://DOI:10.24085/jsaa.v9i1.1427")
- Description: Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in South Africa, like other universities worldwide, is faced with the challenges associated with the outbreak of the Covid‑19 pandemic. The challenge has changed our day‑to‑day lives, including the way we interact and conduct business. In the midst of this, WSU has had to change the way learning and teaching occurs. Traditional face‑to‑face tuition had to be adapted by moving to the online mode of teaching and learning to both minimise the time lost in the academic project and protect staff and students from the devastating effects of the virus. This article reflects the actions taken by the University and describes its pilot‑project approach to online learning and those processes it has put in place to ensure its effective implementation. While it is accepted that switching to an online mode of teaching and learning can facilitate flexibility in space and time, the reality is that the majority of students at WSU – mainly due to their geographical and socio‑economic environments – experience daily challenges ranging from poor network coverage, lack of internet connectivity, lack of electricity and other socio‑economic impediments that make online learning stressful or beyond their reach. In this article, we present a model that could be used by higher education institutions (HEIs) to respond to Covid‑19 in the short term. The proposed model is underpinned by a framework that caters for students who are readily able to access online learning, students with intermittent access to online facilities and finally, students who cannot access online education. First, we provide a brief description of online learning, highlighting the challenges presented to teaching and learning by this approach. We argue that our context and education policies present additional problems that militate against the adoption of online strategies by most HEIs. In the final instance, we present a framework that is better suited to our context and can be used during and after the lockdown. Data were collected using online questionnaires with both structured and open‑ended questions from both lecturers and students to determine their experiences with the testing project. Lastly, we draw conclusions based on the findings of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Modulation of the optical properties of chiral porphyrin dimers by introducing bridged chiral amide-bonds
- Qin, Mingfeng, Zhang, Zhen, Zhu, Weihua, Mack, John, Soy, Rodah C, Nyokong, Tebello, Liang, Xu
- Authors: Qin, Mingfeng , Zhang, Zhen , Zhu, Weihua , Mack, John , Soy, Rodah C , Nyokong, Tebello , Liang, Xu
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190815 , vital:45031 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424620500492"
- Description: The d/l-enantiomers of a series of three Zn(II)tetraarylporphyrin dimers were synthesized and isolated by incorporating a bridging amide-bonded xanthene moiety at the para-position of one of the meso-aryl rings. The electronic structures and optical properties were modulated by incorporating chiral amino acid moieties into the amide-bonding moieties of the xanthene bridge that contain methyl, tolyl and 2-methylindole substituents. A cofacial dimer was formed in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) resulting in a significant red shift of the B band, due to a relative destabilization of the HOMO, which has large MO coefficients on the pyrrole nitrogens. The sign sequences observed in the B band region of the CD spectra due to the presence of the chiral amino acid moieties were modified due to this change in geometry. Significant CD intensity is also observed in the B band region of the CD spectra of anion radical species during in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Qin, Mingfeng , Zhang, Zhen , Zhu, Weihua , Mack, John , Soy, Rodah C , Nyokong, Tebello , Liang, Xu
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190815 , vital:45031 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424620500492"
- Description: The d/l-enantiomers of a series of three Zn(II)tetraarylporphyrin dimers were synthesized and isolated by incorporating a bridging amide-bonded xanthene moiety at the para-position of one of the meso-aryl rings. The electronic structures and optical properties were modulated by incorporating chiral amino acid moieties into the amide-bonding moieties of the xanthene bridge that contain methyl, tolyl and 2-methylindole substituents. A cofacial dimer was formed in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) resulting in a significant red shift of the B band, due to a relative destabilization of the HOMO, which has large MO coefficients on the pyrrole nitrogens. The sign sequences observed in the B band region of the CD spectra due to the presence of the chiral amino acid moieties were modified due to this change in geometry. Significant CD intensity is also observed in the B band region of the CD spectra of anion radical species during in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Monitoring and Management Mechanisms on Stress in HEI in Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: Critical Review
- Asoba, Samson Nambei, Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Authors: Asoba, Samson Nambei , Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Teachers--Job stress , Ill-Discipline of Learners , Middle school education -- Parent participation
- Language: English
- Type: text , article , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/8068 , vital:61393 , xlink:href="https://www.abacademies.org/articles/monitoring-and-management-mechanisms-on-stress-in-hei-in-eastern-cape-province-in-south-africa-critical-review-10636.html"
- Description: Stress is a global phenomenon that affects everyone regardless of gender, resources and environment. Although this phenomenon is well researched, teachers’ experiences of stress remains a worrying challenge particularly to schools’ effectiveness. This study sought to establish how monitoring and management mechanism that can assist teachers to cope with stress challenges. These are some of the recommendation: that the school disciplinary committee should be trained in various disciplinary measures that may be implemented in the school to curb learner ill-discipline and lack of commitment, that working relationship should be built between schools and the Department of Basic Education, motivational speakers and educational counsellors should meet with all learners on a regular basis to motivate them to have high desire for and interest in education and to build their self-confidence in the classroom, providing all the schools with healthy environment in classrooms, provision of learning and teaching materials to all schools, schools should set up an effective school-parents partnership in order to promote a safe drug and alcohol free environment, employ enough teachers in all secondary schools and the Department of Basic Education at district level should make room for stress management workshops for teachers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Asoba, Samson Nambei , Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Teachers--Job stress , Ill-Discipline of Learners , Middle school education -- Parent participation
- Language: English
- Type: text , article , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/8068 , vital:61393 , xlink:href="https://www.abacademies.org/articles/monitoring-and-management-mechanisms-on-stress-in-hei-in-eastern-cape-province-in-south-africa-critical-review-10636.html"
- Description: Stress is a global phenomenon that affects everyone regardless of gender, resources and environment. Although this phenomenon is well researched, teachers’ experiences of stress remains a worrying challenge particularly to schools’ effectiveness. This study sought to establish how monitoring and management mechanism that can assist teachers to cope with stress challenges. These are some of the recommendation: that the school disciplinary committee should be trained in various disciplinary measures that may be implemented in the school to curb learner ill-discipline and lack of commitment, that working relationship should be built between schools and the Department of Basic Education, motivational speakers and educational counsellors should meet with all learners on a regular basis to motivate them to have high desire for and interest in education and to build their self-confidence in the classroom, providing all the schools with healthy environment in classrooms, provision of learning and teaching materials to all schools, schools should set up an effective school-parents partnership in order to promote a safe drug and alcohol free environment, employ enough teachers in all secondary schools and the Department of Basic Education at district level should make room for stress management workshops for teachers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Muco-adhesive clarithromycin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for ocular delivery: Formulation, characterization, cytotoxicity and stability
- Makoni, Pedzisai A, Khamanga, Sandile M, Walker, Roderick B
- Authors: Makoni, Pedzisai A , Khamanga, Sandile M , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183150 , vital:43916 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2020.102171"
- Description: Topical ophthalmic formulations are the preferred approach to treat the anterior segment of the eye as it is a non-invasive therapeutic approach. The ocular bioavailability of drugs is generally limited, due to the presence of impervious anatomical barriers and low residence time and contact with the target tissue. Optimization of clarithromycin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers using Design of Experiments was undertaken. Manufacture of nanostructured lipid carriers was achieved using hot emulsification ultrasonication. Formulation and process parameters were successfully identified following screening and subsequently optimized using Tween® 20, as a stabilizer. Muco-adhesive properties that could potentially increase ocular residence time, in vitro clarithromycin release and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells were evaluated. Short term stability studies of the optimized lipidic formulations was assessed at 4 °C and 22 °C. The optimized formulation exhibited muco-adhesive properties under stationary conditions assessed using Laser Doppler Anemometry, sustained release of API over 24 h under in vitro conditions. In vitro cytotoxicity studies revealed that the NLC were less cytotoxic to HeLa cells in comparison to pure API. The results suggest that the optimized carriers may have the potential to enhance precorneal retention, increase ocular availability and permit dose reduction or permit use of a longer dosing frequency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Makoni, Pedzisai A , Khamanga, Sandile M , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183150 , vital:43916 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2020.102171"
- Description: Topical ophthalmic formulations are the preferred approach to treat the anterior segment of the eye as it is a non-invasive therapeutic approach. The ocular bioavailability of drugs is generally limited, due to the presence of impervious anatomical barriers and low residence time and contact with the target tissue. Optimization of clarithromycin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers using Design of Experiments was undertaken. Manufacture of nanostructured lipid carriers was achieved using hot emulsification ultrasonication. Formulation and process parameters were successfully identified following screening and subsequently optimized using Tween® 20, as a stabilizer. Muco-adhesive properties that could potentially increase ocular residence time, in vitro clarithromycin release and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells were evaluated. Short term stability studies of the optimized lipidic formulations was assessed at 4 °C and 22 °C. The optimized formulation exhibited muco-adhesive properties under stationary conditions assessed using Laser Doppler Anemometry, sustained release of API over 24 h under in vitro conditions. In vitro cytotoxicity studies revealed that the NLC were less cytotoxic to HeLa cells in comparison to pure API. The results suggest that the optimized carriers may have the potential to enhance precorneal retention, increase ocular availability and permit dose reduction or permit use of a longer dosing frequency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Naked Eye and Colorimetric Detection of Cyanide with a 1, 3‐Diethyl‐2‐thiobarbituric Acid Substituted Ferrocene Chemosensor
- Babu, Balaji, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190567 , vital:45006 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202100163"
- Description: A 1,3-diethyl-2-thiobarbituric-acid-substituted ferrocene (FET) has been evaluated for its cyanide sensing ability by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and other characterization methods. FET provides a ratiometric colorimetric chemosensor for the CN− anion detection in 1 : 1 DMSO/H2O (v/v) solution. The addition of CN− results in an immediate color change from dark blue to pale orange that is visible to the naked eye. Mechanism studies and molecular modelling with TD-DFT calculations demonstrate that nucleophilic addition of CN− to an electrophilic sp2-hybridized carbon atom blocks charge transfer from the ferrocene ring complex to the thiobarbituric acid moiety. The FET sensor exhibits excellent selectivity for CN− and a limit of detection of 0.2 μM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190567 , vital:45006 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202100163"
- Description: A 1,3-diethyl-2-thiobarbituric-acid-substituted ferrocene (FET) has been evaluated for its cyanide sensing ability by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and other characterization methods. FET provides a ratiometric colorimetric chemosensor for the CN− anion detection in 1 : 1 DMSO/H2O (v/v) solution. The addition of CN− results in an immediate color change from dark blue to pale orange that is visible to the naked eye. Mechanism studies and molecular modelling with TD-DFT calculations demonstrate that nucleophilic addition of CN− to an electrophilic sp2-hybridized carbon atom blocks charge transfer from the ferrocene ring complex to the thiobarbituric acid moiety. The FET sensor exhibits excellent selectivity for CN− and a limit of detection of 0.2 μM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Nano Co-Crystal Embedded Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels: A Potential Approach to Treat HIV/AIDS
- Witika, Bwalya A, Stander, Jessé-Clint, Smith, Vincent J, Walker, Roderick B
- Authors: Witika, Bwalya A , Stander, Jessé-Clint , Smith, Vincent J , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183137 , vital:43915 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13020127"
- Description: Currently, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can only be treated successfully, using combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (AZT), two compounds used for the treatment of HIV and prevention of disease progression to AIDS are used in such combinations. Successful therapy with 3TC and AZT requires frequent dosing that may lead to reduced adherence, resistance and consequently treatment failure. Improved toxicity profiles of 3TC and AZT were observed when combined as a nano co-crystal (NCC). The use of stimuli-responsive delivery systems provides an opportunity to overcome the challenge of frequent dosing, by controlling and/or sustaining delivery of drugs. Preliminary studies undertaken to identify a suitable composition for a stimulus-responsive in situ forming hydrogel carrier for 3TC-AZT NCC were conducted, and the gelation and erosion time were determined. A 25% w/w Pluronic® F-127 thermoresponsive hydrogel was identified as a suitable carrier as it exhibited a gelation time of 5 min and an erosion time of 7 days. NCC-loaded hydrogels were evaluated using in vitro dissolution and cytotoxicity assays. In vitro dissolution undertaken using membrane-less diffusion over 168 h revealed that 3TC and AZT release from NCC-loaded hydrogels was complete and followed zero-order kinetic processes, whereas those loaded with the micro co-crystal and physical mixture were incomplete and best described using the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. The release of AZT and 3TC from the physical mixture and MCC-loaded gel exhibited a value for n of 0.595 for AZT release from the physical mixture and 0.540 for the MCC technology, whereas the release exponent for 3TC was 0.513 for the physical mixture and 0.557 for the MCC technology indicating that diffusion and erosion controlled 3TC and AZT release. In vitro cytotoxicity assay data revealed that the addition of NCC to the thermoresponsive hydrogel resulted in an improved cell viability of 88.0% ± 5.0% when compared to the cell viability of the NCC of 76.9% ± 5.0%. The results suggest that the use of a thermoresponsive nanosuspension may have the potential to be delivered as an intramuscular injection that can subsequently increase bioavailability and permit dose reduction and/or permit use of a longer dosing frequency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Witika, Bwalya A , Stander, Jessé-Clint , Smith, Vincent J , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183137 , vital:43915 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13020127"
- Description: Currently, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can only be treated successfully, using combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (AZT), two compounds used for the treatment of HIV and prevention of disease progression to AIDS are used in such combinations. Successful therapy with 3TC and AZT requires frequent dosing that may lead to reduced adherence, resistance and consequently treatment failure. Improved toxicity profiles of 3TC and AZT were observed when combined as a nano co-crystal (NCC). The use of stimuli-responsive delivery systems provides an opportunity to overcome the challenge of frequent dosing, by controlling and/or sustaining delivery of drugs. Preliminary studies undertaken to identify a suitable composition for a stimulus-responsive in situ forming hydrogel carrier for 3TC-AZT NCC were conducted, and the gelation and erosion time were determined. A 25% w/w Pluronic® F-127 thermoresponsive hydrogel was identified as a suitable carrier as it exhibited a gelation time of 5 min and an erosion time of 7 days. NCC-loaded hydrogels were evaluated using in vitro dissolution and cytotoxicity assays. In vitro dissolution undertaken using membrane-less diffusion over 168 h revealed that 3TC and AZT release from NCC-loaded hydrogels was complete and followed zero-order kinetic processes, whereas those loaded with the micro co-crystal and physical mixture were incomplete and best described using the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. The release of AZT and 3TC from the physical mixture and MCC-loaded gel exhibited a value for n of 0.595 for AZT release from the physical mixture and 0.540 for the MCC technology, whereas the release exponent for 3TC was 0.513 for the physical mixture and 0.557 for the MCC technology indicating that diffusion and erosion controlled 3TC and AZT release. In vitro cytotoxicity assay data revealed that the addition of NCC to the thermoresponsive hydrogel resulted in an improved cell viability of 88.0% ± 5.0% when compared to the cell viability of the NCC of 76.9% ± 5.0%. The results suggest that the use of a thermoresponsive nanosuspension may have the potential to be delivered as an intramuscular injection that can subsequently increase bioavailability and permit dose reduction and/or permit use of a longer dosing frequency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Nanohybrid electrocatalyst based on cobalt phthalocyanine-carbon nanotube-reduced graphene oxide for ultrasensitive detection of glucose in human saliva
- Adeniyi, Omotayo, Nwahara, Nnamdi, Mwanza, Daniel, Nyokong, Tebello, Mashazi, Philani N
- Authors: Adeniyi, Omotayo , Nwahara, Nnamdi , Mwanza, Daniel , Nyokong, Tebello , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/231356 , vital:49880 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2021.130723"
- Description: The current diabetes management systems require collecting blood samples via an invasive and painful finger pricking leading to the formation of callus, scarring and loss of sensibility to patients due to continuous monitoring. Therefore, a non-invasive and painless method of determining glucose levels would be desirable to diabetes patients who need constant monitoring. Saliva glucose measurement is a non-invasive alternative for diabetes management. A highly sensitive, stable, and selective non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor that can accurately quantify saliva glucose is required. A single-walled carbon nanotube/reduced graphene oxide/cobalt phthalocyanines nanohybrid modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE-SWCNT/rGO/CoPc) has been fabricated for the non-enzymatic determination of glucose in human saliva. The SWCNT/rGO/CoPc was characterized using various spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical techniques. The synergistic effect between SWCNT, rGO, and CoPc facilitated excellent electron transfer process that improved the sensor sensitivity. The GCE-SWCNT/rGO/CoPc sensor exhibited two linear responses in the 0.30 μM to 0.50 mM and 0.50–5.0 mM glucose concentration ranges, and the detection limit was 0.12 μM. The sensor had an excellent saliva glucose detection sensitivity of 992.4 μA·mM−1·cm−2 and high specificity for glucose in the presence of other coexisting analytes. In addition, it showed good storage stability, reusability, and a fast response time of about 1.2 s. The GCE-SWCNT/rGO/CoPc nanohybrid electrode showed excellent potential for developing accurate, non-invasive, and painless glucose sensing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Adeniyi, Omotayo , Nwahara, Nnamdi , Mwanza, Daniel , Nyokong, Tebello , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/231356 , vital:49880 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2021.130723"
- Description: The current diabetes management systems require collecting blood samples via an invasive and painful finger pricking leading to the formation of callus, scarring and loss of sensibility to patients due to continuous monitoring. Therefore, a non-invasive and painless method of determining glucose levels would be desirable to diabetes patients who need constant monitoring. Saliva glucose measurement is a non-invasive alternative for diabetes management. A highly sensitive, stable, and selective non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor that can accurately quantify saliva glucose is required. A single-walled carbon nanotube/reduced graphene oxide/cobalt phthalocyanines nanohybrid modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE-SWCNT/rGO/CoPc) has been fabricated for the non-enzymatic determination of glucose in human saliva. The SWCNT/rGO/CoPc was characterized using various spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical techniques. The synergistic effect between SWCNT, rGO, and CoPc facilitated excellent electron transfer process that improved the sensor sensitivity. The GCE-SWCNT/rGO/CoPc sensor exhibited two linear responses in the 0.30 μM to 0.50 mM and 0.50–5.0 mM glucose concentration ranges, and the detection limit was 0.12 μM. The sensor had an excellent saliva glucose detection sensitivity of 992.4 μA·mM−1·cm−2 and high specificity for glucose in the presence of other coexisting analytes. In addition, it showed good storage stability, reusability, and a fast response time of about 1.2 s. The GCE-SWCNT/rGO/CoPc nanohybrid electrode showed excellent potential for developing accurate, non-invasive, and painless glucose sensing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Nationwide Assessment of Population Structure, Stability and Plant Morphology of Two Mimusops Species along a Social-Ecological Gradient in Benin, West Africa
- Sinasson, Gisèle K, Shackleton, Charlie M, Sinsin, Brice
- Authors: Sinasson, Gisèle K , Shackleton, Charlie M , Sinsin, Brice
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/399805 , vital:69560 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111575"
- Description: Understanding tree species autecology and population structure supports effective conservation actions. Of particular importance are multipurpose trees that provide non-timber forest products (NTFPs). We assessed the population structures and morphologies of two species of NTFP trees in the genus Mimusops across bioclimatic zones in Benin by sampling 288 plots within 11 forests. Structural characteristics were compared between species, forests and zones. Correlations were also observed between Mimusops tree regeneration density, tree features and ecological characteristics. The density of trees ≥5 cm and of regeneration and mean tree height were higher for M. andongensis (within more protected forest) than M. kummel (in forests with access to people), while the highest mean diameter was observed for M. kummel. Tree and regeneration densities and mean height were greatest in the humid zone of Benin, whilst the largest mean diameter was obtained in the sub-humid zone. The results showed significant correlations between regeneration density and soil properties for M. andongensis but not for M. kummel. The correlations between tree morphology and soil characteristics were weak for both species. Ecological characteristics, along with the species’ functional traits and pressures, are important factors related to the observed differences between the species. All diameter classes were represented, and the population seemed more stable in the more protected forest relative to other forests. Mimusops trees with a diameter of 5–15 cm represented more than 30% of this species in most forests; this suggests, for M. kummel, whose trees flower when quite small (≥6 cm dbh), that there are sufficient reproductive trees. Thus, as a long-lived species, its populations could be maintained even with low/episodic recruitment. However, we found no regeneration in many forests and climate change could threaten populations. Therefore, it is important to investigate regeneration growth and dynamics, seed production and germination of the species in relation to the biophysical conditions and disturbances experienced by Mimusops stands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Sinasson, Gisèle K , Shackleton, Charlie M , Sinsin, Brice
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/399805 , vital:69560 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111575"
- Description: Understanding tree species autecology and population structure supports effective conservation actions. Of particular importance are multipurpose trees that provide non-timber forest products (NTFPs). We assessed the population structures and morphologies of two species of NTFP trees in the genus Mimusops across bioclimatic zones in Benin by sampling 288 plots within 11 forests. Structural characteristics were compared between species, forests and zones. Correlations were also observed between Mimusops tree regeneration density, tree features and ecological characteristics. The density of trees ≥5 cm and of regeneration and mean tree height were higher for M. andongensis (within more protected forest) than M. kummel (in forests with access to people), while the highest mean diameter was observed for M. kummel. Tree and regeneration densities and mean height were greatest in the humid zone of Benin, whilst the largest mean diameter was obtained in the sub-humid zone. The results showed significant correlations between regeneration density and soil properties for M. andongensis but not for M. kummel. The correlations between tree morphology and soil characteristics were weak for both species. Ecological characteristics, along with the species’ functional traits and pressures, are important factors related to the observed differences between the species. All diameter classes were represented, and the population seemed more stable in the more protected forest relative to other forests. Mimusops trees with a diameter of 5–15 cm represented more than 30% of this species in most forests; this suggests, for M. kummel, whose trees flower when quite small (≥6 cm dbh), that there are sufficient reproductive trees. Thus, as a long-lived species, its populations could be maintained even with low/episodic recruitment. However, we found no regeneration in many forests and climate change could threaten populations. Therefore, it is important to investigate regeneration growth and dynamics, seed production and germination of the species in relation to the biophysical conditions and disturbances experienced by Mimusops stands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Engineering and Management
- Slinger, Jill, Stive, Marcel, Luijendijk, Arjen
- Authors: Slinger, Jill , Stive, Marcel , Luijendijk, Arjen
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177521 , vital:42829 , https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070976
- Description: There is a growing scientific and engineering interest in exploring how natural processes can provide management solutions to resolve the degradation and vulnerability of coastal environments. Climate change and associated sea level rise together with drivers, such as subsidence, reduced sediment supply and coastal squeeze represent major risk factors for coastal systems sustainability. Using natural processes to deal with these risk factors presents a nontrivial challenge. This special issue focuses on nature-based solutions and state-of-the-art interventions in the coastal environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Slinger, Jill , Stive, Marcel , Luijendijk, Arjen
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177521 , vital:42829 , https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070976
- Description: There is a growing scientific and engineering interest in exploring how natural processes can provide management solutions to resolve the degradation and vulnerability of coastal environments. Climate change and associated sea level rise together with drivers, such as subsidence, reduced sediment supply and coastal squeeze represent major risk factors for coastal systems sustainability. Using natural processes to deal with these risk factors presents a nontrivial challenge. This special issue focuses on nature-based solutions and state-of-the-art interventions in the coastal environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
New insights into the geographical distribution, ecology and conservation status of South Africa’s endemic Coastal Leaf-toed Gecko, Cryptactites peringueyi (Boulenger, 1910)
- Nicolau, Gary K, Petford, Melissa, Edwards, Shelley, Busschau, Theo, Lynch, Kier, Kemp, Luke, Balmer, Jonathan P, Keates, Chad, Hundermark, Courtney R, Weeber, Joshua, Conradie, Werner C
- Authors: Nicolau, Gary K , Petford, Melissa , Edwards, Shelley , Busschau, Theo , Lynch, Kier , Kemp, Luke , Balmer, Jonathan P , Keates, Chad , Hundermark, Courtney R , Weeber, Joshua , Conradie, Werner C
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461517 , vital:76209 , xlink:href="https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/63908"
- Description: Range-restricted species are generally poorly known and at higher risk of extinction than species with wider distributions. In the past, the Coastal Leaf-toed Gecko, Cryptactites peringueyi (Boulenger, 1910) caused much confusion and was once referred to as “one of the herpetological mysteries of the region”. Knowledge on the species has grown substantially, predominately due to new insights into its ecological preferences. Surveys from 2018 through early 2020 re-established the presence of C. peringueyi at three of four historical localities, as well as documenting four new localities. In 2018, preliminary data from these surveys resulted in an IUCN Red List downgrading from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened. However, with further investigation into the distribution of the species, the results from the present study more than doubled the previously estimated Extent of Occurrence from 785 km2 to 1504 km2 and the populations appear to be stable, despite environmental and anthropogenic disturbance. By incorporating environmental niche modelling, we further discuss the distribution, habits and ecology of C. peringueyi. The results presented here highlight the importance of fully understanding a species’ ecology to address its conservation status and we suggest that a new listing of Least Concern is appropriate for C. peringueyi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Nicolau, Gary K , Petford, Melissa , Edwards, Shelley , Busschau, Theo , Lynch, Kier , Kemp, Luke , Balmer, Jonathan P , Keates, Chad , Hundermark, Courtney R , Weeber, Joshua , Conradie, Werner C
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461517 , vital:76209 , xlink:href="https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/63908"
- Description: Range-restricted species are generally poorly known and at higher risk of extinction than species with wider distributions. In the past, the Coastal Leaf-toed Gecko, Cryptactites peringueyi (Boulenger, 1910) caused much confusion and was once referred to as “one of the herpetological mysteries of the region”. Knowledge on the species has grown substantially, predominately due to new insights into its ecological preferences. Surveys from 2018 through early 2020 re-established the presence of C. peringueyi at three of four historical localities, as well as documenting four new localities. In 2018, preliminary data from these surveys resulted in an IUCN Red List downgrading from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened. However, with further investigation into the distribution of the species, the results from the present study more than doubled the previously estimated Extent of Occurrence from 785 km2 to 1504 km2 and the populations appear to be stable, despite environmental and anthropogenic disturbance. By incorporating environmental niche modelling, we further discuss the distribution, habits and ecology of C. peringueyi. The results presented here highlight the importance of fully understanding a species’ ecology to address its conservation status and we suggest that a new listing of Least Concern is appropriate for C. peringueyi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
News for action: a critical case study of Yes! magazine
- Authors: Hosford-Israel, Carly
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Yes! (Bainbridge Island, WA) , Magazines -- United States -- History and criticism , Journalistic ethics , Journalism -- Social aspects -- United States , Journalism -- Objectivity , Mass media -- Ownership -- United STates , Publishers and publishing -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170822 , vital:41963
- Description: Coming out of more than a century of concern over the commercialization and monopolization of media ownership, this study highlights some areas of opportunity for alternative media in the United States. Holding an ideal of participatory democracy, driven by an educated electorate, the research considers an example of US media action, Ye s ! magazine, from the perspective of alternative media and social movement theories. As alternative media are most generally a response to the mainstream model which acts in the interests of profit rather than public participation in politics, this thesis will cover not only democratic responsibility, but also mainstream media ownership and organization when considering the current manifestation of Ye s ! magazine. Inspired by a frustration with the concentration of mainstream media ownership, and consequently journalistic homogenization, this research explores opportunities for democratic media divergence and contestation. After 18 years of publication, Ye s ! was chosen as an ideal candidate for research due to its sustainability and longevity as one such critical media organization. Through in-depth interviews with Yes! personnel, and ideological analysis of Yes! articles, the following case study research explores the complexities that construct Ye s ! magazine, a corporately independent publication from Bainbridge Island, Washington.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Hosford-Israel, Carly
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Yes! (Bainbridge Island, WA) , Magazines -- United States -- History and criticism , Journalistic ethics , Journalism -- Social aspects -- United States , Journalism -- Objectivity , Mass media -- Ownership -- United STates , Publishers and publishing -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170822 , vital:41963
- Description: Coming out of more than a century of concern over the commercialization and monopolization of media ownership, this study highlights some areas of opportunity for alternative media in the United States. Holding an ideal of participatory democracy, driven by an educated electorate, the research considers an example of US media action, Ye s ! magazine, from the perspective of alternative media and social movement theories. As alternative media are most generally a response to the mainstream model which acts in the interests of profit rather than public participation in politics, this thesis will cover not only democratic responsibility, but also mainstream media ownership and organization when considering the current manifestation of Ye s ! magazine. Inspired by a frustration with the concentration of mainstream media ownership, and consequently journalistic homogenization, this research explores opportunities for democratic media divergence and contestation. After 18 years of publication, Ye s ! was chosen as an ideal candidate for research due to its sustainability and longevity as one such critical media organization. Through in-depth interviews with Yes! personnel, and ideological analysis of Yes! articles, the following case study research explores the complexities that construct Ye s ! magazine, a corporately independent publication from Bainbridge Island, Washington.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
No size fits all: Design considerations for networked professional development in higher education
- Pallitt, Nicola, Gachago, Daniela, Bali, Maha
- Authors: Pallitt, Nicola , Gachago, Daniela , Bali, Maha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/453520 , vital:75260 , ISBN 978-3-030-85241-2 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85241-2_4
- Description: This chapter develops a framework for design considerations that can be used to analyze, contrast, and design networked professional development (NPD) in higher education (HE) contexts. The framework was developed after reflecting on three professional development (PD) courses, each with facilitators who are academic developers across the African continent. Using a Collaborative Autoethnographic methodology, the three authors reflect on design considerations for different forms of blended and online PD courses, based on their experiences of designing and/or facilitating these interventions and with PD more broadly. We argue that course designs can be positioned along a range of dimensions, namely open/closed, structured/unstructured, facilitated/unfacilitated, certified/uncertified, with/without date commitments, homogenous versus autonomous learning path, content vs. process centric, serious vs. playful, and individual vs. collaborative. We discuss relationships between dimensions and learning theories (the more open dimensions speak to connectivist, while more structured courses follow social constructivist approaches). We also identify various tensions that arise in the design of NPD, such as between academic developers’ pedagogical advocacy vs. usefulness, need to maintain volunteerism without exploitation of affective labour, and struggle to create spaces for agency within institutional constraints.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Pallitt, Nicola , Gachago, Daniela , Bali, Maha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/453520 , vital:75260 , ISBN 978-3-030-85241-2 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85241-2_4
- Description: This chapter develops a framework for design considerations that can be used to analyze, contrast, and design networked professional development (NPD) in higher education (HE) contexts. The framework was developed after reflecting on three professional development (PD) courses, each with facilitators who are academic developers across the African continent. Using a Collaborative Autoethnographic methodology, the three authors reflect on design considerations for different forms of blended and online PD courses, based on their experiences of designing and/or facilitating these interventions and with PD more broadly. We argue that course designs can be positioned along a range of dimensions, namely open/closed, structured/unstructured, facilitated/unfacilitated, certified/uncertified, with/without date commitments, homogenous versus autonomous learning path, content vs. process centric, serious vs. playful, and individual vs. collaborative. We discuss relationships between dimensions and learning theories (the more open dimensions speak to connectivist, while more structured courses follow social constructivist approaches). We also identify various tensions that arise in the design of NPD, such as between academic developers’ pedagogical advocacy vs. usefulness, need to maintain volunteerism without exploitation of affective labour, and struggle to create spaces for agency within institutional constraints.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Nobody can really afford legal services: the price of justice in Namibia
- Authors: Zongwe, Dunia P
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Legal assistance to the poor , Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5375 , vital:44543 , https://perjournal.co.za/article/view/6420
- Description: Nobody (except for the privileged few) can afford legal services in Namibia. In the light of this dawning awareness, how should the government and other stakeholders design the legal profession so that the greatest number of Namibians can access legal services and, ultimately, justice while preserving the profession's financial viability? The predominantly economic nature of this question means that its solutions lie less in the field of law than in the field of economics. Thus, this article adopts a methodology that reflects that insight.As a primary purpose, this article works towards solving the high cost of legal services in Namibia. It utilises a literature-review methodology that searches the scholarship on the legal profession for practical, down-to-earth solutions put forward in other countries to take the edge off the prohibitive cost of legal services. The article mainly finds that, if structured as a compulsory salary deduction, legal insurance promises the greatest positive impact on costs. And it concludes that the optimal solutions should consist of measures aimed at heightening competition in the legal profession and measures that broaden cost-sharing in providing legal assistance to the public. The article argues that competition can be effectively increased by lubricating the flow of information about prices and services, and by having more public entities bear the burden of expanding the system of legal assistance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Zongwe, Dunia P
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Legal assistance to the poor , Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5375 , vital:44543 , https://perjournal.co.za/article/view/6420
- Description: Nobody (except for the privileged few) can afford legal services in Namibia. In the light of this dawning awareness, how should the government and other stakeholders design the legal profession so that the greatest number of Namibians can access legal services and, ultimately, justice while preserving the profession's financial viability? The predominantly economic nature of this question means that its solutions lie less in the field of law than in the field of economics. Thus, this article adopts a methodology that reflects that insight.As a primary purpose, this article works towards solving the high cost of legal services in Namibia. It utilises a literature-review methodology that searches the scholarship on the legal profession for practical, down-to-earth solutions put forward in other countries to take the edge off the prohibitive cost of legal services. The article mainly finds that, if structured as a compulsory salary deduction, legal insurance promises the greatest positive impact on costs. And it concludes that the optimal solutions should consist of measures aimed at heightening competition in the legal profession and measures that broaden cost-sharing in providing legal assistance to the public. The article argues that competition can be effectively increased by lubricating the flow of information about prices and services, and by having more public entities bear the burden of expanding the system of legal assistance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Nothing forever
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225533 , vital:49233 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.5920/pam.1013"
- Description: Thank you to everybody who made contributions to this bumper 2021 Special Issue on Improvisation. Many thanks to our peer reviewers and especially to co-editors Deborah and Daniel for their help with the selection and editing process which has now culminated in a baker’s dozen texts. With contributions from Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, as well as from France, the USA and the UK, the issue includes five interviews, four articles, two book reviews, a reflection and a score.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225533 , vital:49233 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.5920/pam.1013"
- Description: Thank you to everybody who made contributions to this bumper 2021 Special Issue on Improvisation. Many thanks to our peer reviewers and especially to co-editors Deborah and Daniel for their help with the selection and editing process which has now culminated in a baker’s dozen texts. With contributions from Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, as well as from France, the USA and the UK, the issue includes five interviews, four articles, two book reviews, a reflection and a score.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Overcoming hurdles facing researchers in Africa
- Nyokong, Tebello, Ngoy, Bokolombe P, Amuhaya, Edith K
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Amuhaya, Edith K
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177511 , vital:42828 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-021-00961-0
- Description: Several countries on the African continent recognize that a transition to a knowledge-based economic model would stimulate growth and enable scientific independence. Investing in new knowledge would drive the formation of highly qualified professionals and the use of advanced technologies, triggering in return positive economic trends. Importantly, a knowledge-based economy that values the impact of science on society would help reversing the migration of skilled workers and lead to brain gain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Amuhaya, Edith K
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177511 , vital:42828 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-021-00961-0
- Description: Several countries on the African continent recognize that a transition to a knowledge-based economic model would stimulate growth and enable scientific independence. Investing in new knowledge would drive the formation of highly qualified professionals and the use of advanced technologies, triggering in return positive economic trends. Importantly, a knowledge-based economy that values the impact of science on society would help reversing the migration of skilled workers and lead to brain gain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Parametrised gains for direction-dependent calibration
- Authors: Russeeaeon, Cyndie
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Radio inferometers , Radio inferometers -- Calibration
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172400 , vital:42196
- Description: Calibration in radio interferometry describes the process of estimating and correcting for instrumental errors from data. Direction-Dependent (DD) calibration entails correcting for corruptions which vary across the sky. For small field of view observations, DD corruptions can be ignored but for wide fild observations, it is crucial to account for them. Traditional maximum likelihood calibration is not necessarily efficient in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scenarios and this can lead to ovefitting. This can bias continuum subtraction and hence, restrict the spectral line studies. Since DD effects are expected to vary smoothly across the sky, the gains can be parametrised as a smooth function of the sky coordinates. Hence, we implement a solver where the atmosphere is modelled using a time-variant 2-dimensional phase screen with an arbitrary known frequency dependence. We assume arbitrary linear basis functions for the gains over the phase screen. The implemented solver is ptimised using the diagonal approximation of the Hessian as shown in previous studies. We present a few simulations to illustrate the performance of the solver.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Russeeaeon, Cyndie
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Radio inferometers , Radio inferometers -- Calibration
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172400 , vital:42196
- Description: Calibration in radio interferometry describes the process of estimating and correcting for instrumental errors from data. Direction-Dependent (DD) calibration entails correcting for corruptions which vary across the sky. For small field of view observations, DD corruptions can be ignored but for wide fild observations, it is crucial to account for them. Traditional maximum likelihood calibration is not necessarily efficient in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scenarios and this can lead to ovefitting. This can bias continuum subtraction and hence, restrict the spectral line studies. Since DD effects are expected to vary smoothly across the sky, the gains can be parametrised as a smooth function of the sky coordinates. Hence, we implement a solver where the atmosphere is modelled using a time-variant 2-dimensional phase screen with an arbitrary known frequency dependence. We assume arbitrary linear basis functions for the gains over the phase screen. The implemented solver is ptimised using the diagonal approximation of the Hessian as shown in previous studies. We present a few simulations to illustrate the performance of the solver.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021