Decolonisation as future frame for environmental and sustainability education: embracing the commons with absence and emergence
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437466 , vital:73386 , ISBN 9789086868469 , https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-846-9_2
- Description: This chapter considers how engagement with decolonization history, theory and practice may provide an interesting future frame for Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE). The chapter provides an overview of some of the key dynam-ics of decolonization thinking that are circulating at present, and considers particularly the problematique of absence and emergence. It argues for giving attention not only to critical analysis of colonization concerns (ie identification of absence), but also to expansive, emergent theories of learning which we might mobilise in environmental and sustainability education (ESE) out of our existing forms of being in order to re-imagine new becomings that are oriented to the common good (ie pro-cesses of emergence). In situating the argument within wider discourses around education and the common good, this chapter argues that decolonisation is a project that concerns us all (not only those in the global South), given the contempo-rary realities and geopolitics of resource flows, hypercapitalism, colonization by market logic, and the privatisation of the commons.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437466 , vital:73386 , ISBN 9789086868469 , https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-846-9_2
- Description: This chapter considers how engagement with decolonization history, theory and practice may provide an interesting future frame for Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE). The chapter provides an overview of some of the key dynam-ics of decolonization thinking that are circulating at present, and considers particularly the problematique of absence and emergence. It argues for giving attention not only to critical analysis of colonization concerns (ie identification of absence), but also to expansive, emergent theories of learning which we might mobilise in environmental and sustainability education (ESE) out of our existing forms of being in order to re-imagine new becomings that are oriented to the common good (ie pro-cesses of emergence). In situating the argument within wider discourses around education and the common good, this chapter argues that decolonisation is a project that concerns us all (not only those in the global South), given the contempo-rary realities and geopolitics of resource flows, hypercapitalism, colonization by market logic, and the privatisation of the commons.
- Full Text:
Decoupled reciprocal subsidies of biomass and fatty acids in fluxes of invertebrates between a temperate river and the adjacent land:
- Moyo, Sydney, Chari, Lenin D, Villet, Martin H, Richoux, Nicole B
- Authors: Moyo, Sydney , Chari, Lenin D , Villet, Martin H , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140843 , vital:37923 , DOI: 10.1007/s00027-017-0529-0
- Description: Streams and riparian areas are tightly coupled through reciprocal trophic subsidies, and there is evidence that these subsidies affect consumers in connected ecosystems. Most studies of subsidies consider only their quantity and not their quality. We determined the bidirectional exchange of organisms between the Kowie River and its riparian zone in South Africa using floating pyramidal traps (to measure insect emergence) and pan traps (to capture infalling invertebrates).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moyo, Sydney , Chari, Lenin D , Villet, Martin H , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140843 , vital:37923 , DOI: 10.1007/s00027-017-0529-0
- Description: Streams and riparian areas are tightly coupled through reciprocal trophic subsidies, and there is evidence that these subsidies affect consumers in connected ecosystems. Most studies of subsidies consider only their quantity and not their quality. We determined the bidirectional exchange of organisms between the Kowie River and its riparian zone in South Africa using floating pyramidal traps (to measure insect emergence) and pan traps (to capture infalling invertebrates).
- Full Text:
Deep wounds... left... in hearts and minds: South African public history
- Authors: Wells, Julia C
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69742 , vital:29574 , http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/phrj.v24i0.5781
- Description: Public history practise in South Africa holds out much promise of further things to come. It can close the gulf between history and heritage. This chapter argues that the role of the public historian should not be conflated with the dynamics of the heritage sector, but suggests how trained academics can indeed put their skills to work in a society that is passionately interested in understanding itself and how its pasts created the present. The student movement sharply raised the image of universities in crisis, requiring a whole new, relevant curriculum and rethinking the ways that universities relate to their publics. Public historians can work towards creating invented spaces for co-production of knowledge, moving beyond the traditional oral history interview. The divide between academia and communities is huge and needs to be constantly tackled, providing access to the secluded information of the professional world. I suggest that due to their privileged place in society, many historians have been unable or unwilling to engage with the recovery agenda – the massive need for affirmation of African identity, capacity and culture. A handful of dedicated public historians do not fit this mould and have been exemplary in rolling up their sleeves and boldly engaging with the messy complications of dealing with non-academic communities to produce new forms of historical knowledge, based on inclusiveness.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wells, Julia C
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69742 , vital:29574 , http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/phrj.v24i0.5781
- Description: Public history practise in South Africa holds out much promise of further things to come. It can close the gulf between history and heritage. This chapter argues that the role of the public historian should not be conflated with the dynamics of the heritage sector, but suggests how trained academics can indeed put their skills to work in a society that is passionately interested in understanding itself and how its pasts created the present. The student movement sharply raised the image of universities in crisis, requiring a whole new, relevant curriculum and rethinking the ways that universities relate to their publics. Public historians can work towards creating invented spaces for co-production of knowledge, moving beyond the traditional oral history interview. The divide between academia and communities is huge and needs to be constantly tackled, providing access to the secluded information of the professional world. I suggest that due to their privileged place in society, many historians have been unable or unwilling to engage with the recovery agenda – the massive need for affirmation of African identity, capacity and culture. A handful of dedicated public historians do not fit this mould and have been exemplary in rolling up their sleeves and boldly engaging with the messy complications of dealing with non-academic communities to produce new forms of historical knowledge, based on inclusiveness.
- Full Text:
Deliberations on a changing curriculum landscape and emergent environmental and sustainability education practices in South Africa
- Authors: Schudel, Ingrid J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436206 , vital:73239 , ISBN 978-3-319-45989-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45989-9_3
- Description: This chapter describes Environmental and Sustainability Edu-cation (ESE) in South Africa against the backdrop of a chang-ing educational system. It discusses changing educational im-peratives in post-apartheid South Africa and how these have been interpreted and applied in three curriculum revisions in South Africa since 1994: Curriculum 2005, the Revised Na-tional Curriculum Statements and the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement. The narrative also examines a changing pic-ture of teacher professional development in South Africa high-lighting how constructivist and social realist understandings of education, development and learning have entered the dis-course and influenced practice in South Africa. The chapter concludes with highlighting how a relational approach to learn-ing, as evident in ESE practices in South Africa, can help to avoid a pendulum swing between the dichotomies of compet-ing discourses.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schudel, Ingrid J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436206 , vital:73239 , ISBN 978-3-319-45989-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45989-9_3
- Description: This chapter describes Environmental and Sustainability Edu-cation (ESE) in South Africa against the backdrop of a chang-ing educational system. It discusses changing educational im-peratives in post-apartheid South Africa and how these have been interpreted and applied in three curriculum revisions in South Africa since 1994: Curriculum 2005, the Revised Na-tional Curriculum Statements and the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement. The narrative also examines a changing pic-ture of teacher professional development in South Africa high-lighting how constructivist and social realist understandings of education, development and learning have entered the dis-course and influenced practice in South Africa. The chapter concludes with highlighting how a relational approach to learn-ing, as evident in ESE practices in South Africa, can help to avoid a pendulum swing between the dichotomies of compet-ing discourses.
- Full Text:
Demobilisation and the civilian reintegration of women ex-combatants in post-apartheid South Africa: the aftermath of transnational guerrilla girls, combative mothers and in- betweeners in the shadows of a late twentieth-century war
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa. National Defence Force , Umkhonto we Sizwe (South Africa) -- Demobilization , Azanian People's Liberation Army -- Demobilization , Amabutho Self-Defence Unit -- Demobilization , South Africa. Army -- Women , Women soldiers -- South Africa , Government, Resistance to -- South Africa -- History , Women veterans -- South Africa -- History , Women veterans -- South Africa -- Interviews
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/41775 , vital:25133
- Description: This study examines the state assisted demobilisation and civilian reintegration of women excombatants in post-apartheid South Africa. The study is based on life history interviews conducted with 36 women who fought for Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA) and Amabutho Self-Defence Unit. There is agreement across the literature that the armed struggle against apartheid falls within the category of guerilla warfare, fought in multiple terrains, that blur conventional distinctions of civilian and combatant, homefront and battlefront, as well as the domestic and transnational. Located within feminist International Relations theory, the study argues that the formal process that led to the integration of statutory and non-statutory forces to form the South African National Defence Force, which facilitated the demobilisation process, was framed in ways that did not reflect the unconventional nature of the armed struggle against apartheid. The few women who participated in this process were the transnationally trained combatants of MK and APLA. The majority of women who participated in the multiple and overlapping sites of the domestic and international apartheid battlefront were left out of this process. It is argued that women’s roles in the armed struggle were shaped by various factors, such as age, space and period of struggle. Three categories, guerilla girls, combative mothers and the in-betweeners, are introduced in order to demonstrate the different spaces from within which women fought, and the methods they used, all of which were central to the success of the People’s War strategy. In this regard, the venerated transnationally trained woman combatant, like their male counterpart, is argued to be an exception, as the majority of women were thrust into the armed struggle without military training. Furthermore, it is argued that conservative feminist readings of black women’s relationship with nationalism in the anti-apartheid struggle have misrecognised and undermined women’s combatant contributions, by inscribing their forms of resistance as maternal, and outside the war effort. The study shows that the majority of women combatants have transitioned to civilian life without formal state recognition and assistance. The erasure of women’s role as combatants also means that they are excluded from the current legislative framework facilitated by the Department of Military Veterans to support the welfare of former combatants. As such, the study builds on Jacklyn Cock’s (1991) pioneering study on war and gender in South Africa; it is the first study that exclusively focuses on women ex-combatants’ experiences in postapartheid South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa. National Defence Force , Umkhonto we Sizwe (South Africa) -- Demobilization , Azanian People's Liberation Army -- Demobilization , Amabutho Self-Defence Unit -- Demobilization , South Africa. Army -- Women , Women soldiers -- South Africa , Government, Resistance to -- South Africa -- History , Women veterans -- South Africa -- History , Women veterans -- South Africa -- Interviews
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/41775 , vital:25133
- Description: This study examines the state assisted demobilisation and civilian reintegration of women excombatants in post-apartheid South Africa. The study is based on life history interviews conducted with 36 women who fought for Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA) and Amabutho Self-Defence Unit. There is agreement across the literature that the armed struggle against apartheid falls within the category of guerilla warfare, fought in multiple terrains, that blur conventional distinctions of civilian and combatant, homefront and battlefront, as well as the domestic and transnational. Located within feminist International Relations theory, the study argues that the formal process that led to the integration of statutory and non-statutory forces to form the South African National Defence Force, which facilitated the demobilisation process, was framed in ways that did not reflect the unconventional nature of the armed struggle against apartheid. The few women who participated in this process were the transnationally trained combatants of MK and APLA. The majority of women who participated in the multiple and overlapping sites of the domestic and international apartheid battlefront were left out of this process. It is argued that women’s roles in the armed struggle were shaped by various factors, such as age, space and period of struggle. Three categories, guerilla girls, combative mothers and the in-betweeners, are introduced in order to demonstrate the different spaces from within which women fought, and the methods they used, all of which were central to the success of the People’s War strategy. In this regard, the venerated transnationally trained woman combatant, like their male counterpart, is argued to be an exception, as the majority of women were thrust into the armed struggle without military training. Furthermore, it is argued that conservative feminist readings of black women’s relationship with nationalism in the anti-apartheid struggle have misrecognised and undermined women’s combatant contributions, by inscribing their forms of resistance as maternal, and outside the war effort. The study shows that the majority of women combatants have transitioned to civilian life without formal state recognition and assistance. The erasure of women’s role as combatants also means that they are excluded from the current legislative framework facilitated by the Department of Military Veterans to support the welfare of former combatants. As such, the study builds on Jacklyn Cock’s (1991) pioneering study on war and gender in South Africa; it is the first study that exclusively focuses on women ex-combatants’ experiences in postapartheid South Africa.
- Full Text:
Density-dependent effects on body size, Philopatry, and dispersal in the Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis)
- Authors: Finn, Kyle T
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fukomys damarensis , Fukomys damarensis -- Reproduction , Fukomys damarensis -- Growth , Rodents -- Reproduction -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Rodents -- Growth -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Rodent populations -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50495 , vital:25993
- Description: Population density may exert changes in a variety of behavioural and physiological characters in animals. However, the effects of density-dependence and dispersal are poorly studied in subterranean rodents due to the difficulties involved in observing such effects in wild populations. Using the cooperative breeding Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) as a model species, the effects of population density on body size, growth rates, group size, recruitment, philopatry and dispersal were investigated at two sites (one with low density and one with high density) in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Group size, litter size and the probability of recapture were independent of population density. However, individual body size, recruitment, dispersal rate and dispersal distance were density-dependent. Individuals were significantly larger, juveniles exhibited a significantly higher growth rate, and juvenile recruitment was significantly greater when population density was low. At higher densities, significantly more individuals were lost between capture events which may be indicative of increased rates of dispersal. Mean dispersal distances in mole-rats were reduced at higher densities and increased at lower densities. While both sexes dispersed equally, males were significantly more likely to join an established colony and females created new burrow systems. In addition, four times as many single females were found when population density was low. The apparent differences in the study populations may be attributed to variable annual rainfall or food availability. The greater annual rainfall at the high-density site may provide better habitat conditions and therefore result in an increase in the population density and an increased dispersal rate due to the relaxed ecological constraints such as reduced energetic costs to burrowing. However, the larger body size found at the low-density site may indicate that the available food at that location is of better quality. This study revealed that mole-rats were able to disperse over 1km and therefore a much larger study area would be required in capture-mark-recapture studies to ensure the recapture of the majority of dispersers. Lastly, a surprising find of this study was that females may survive a solitary existence for over two years while awaiting the arrival of a mate.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Finn, Kyle T
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fukomys damarensis , Fukomys damarensis -- Reproduction , Fukomys damarensis -- Growth , Rodents -- Reproduction -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Rodents -- Growth -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Rodent populations -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50495 , vital:25993
- Description: Population density may exert changes in a variety of behavioural and physiological characters in animals. However, the effects of density-dependence and dispersal are poorly studied in subterranean rodents due to the difficulties involved in observing such effects in wild populations. Using the cooperative breeding Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) as a model species, the effects of population density on body size, growth rates, group size, recruitment, philopatry and dispersal were investigated at two sites (one with low density and one with high density) in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Group size, litter size and the probability of recapture were independent of population density. However, individual body size, recruitment, dispersal rate and dispersal distance were density-dependent. Individuals were significantly larger, juveniles exhibited a significantly higher growth rate, and juvenile recruitment was significantly greater when population density was low. At higher densities, significantly more individuals were lost between capture events which may be indicative of increased rates of dispersal. Mean dispersal distances in mole-rats were reduced at higher densities and increased at lower densities. While both sexes dispersed equally, males were significantly more likely to join an established colony and females created new burrow systems. In addition, four times as many single females were found when population density was low. The apparent differences in the study populations may be attributed to variable annual rainfall or food availability. The greater annual rainfall at the high-density site may provide better habitat conditions and therefore result in an increase in the population density and an increased dispersal rate due to the relaxed ecological constraints such as reduced energetic costs to burrowing. However, the larger body size found at the low-density site may indicate that the available food at that location is of better quality. This study revealed that mole-rats were able to disperse over 1km and therefore a much larger study area would be required in capture-mark-recapture studies to ensure the recapture of the majority of dispersers. Lastly, a surprising find of this study was that females may survive a solitary existence for over two years while awaiting the arrival of a mate.
- Full Text:
Deriving norms for learners in the disadvantaged schools of the peri-urban areas of the Eastern Cape: the case of the Vassiliou Mathematics Proficiency Test (VASSI)
- Masango, Siphesihle Polkadot
- Authors: Masango, Siphesihle Polkadot
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: VASSI Mathematics Proficiency Test , Mathematical ability -- Testing -- South Africa , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/49929 , vital:25943
- Description: This study builds on South African cross-cultural research which highlights the need for careful stratification of normative samples for quality of education and geographical location. The aim of the present study was to produce an expanded set of preliminary norms for learners in the disadvantaged schools of the peri-urban areas of the Eastern Cape, Grahamstown, on the Vassiliou Mathematics Foundation Phase Test (VASSI) and Vassiliou Mathematics Proficiency Test (VASSI), respectively. The test was administered to Grade 1-6 learners in four different schools all within Joza location, Grahamstown. For the learners’ convenience the tests were translated into isiXhosa, the translations were provided together with the original English questions. Archival data collected by honours students was also incorporated in this study. The total number of participants was N=724 which was comprised of 147 grade 1s, 123 grade 2s, 117 grade 3s, 128 grade 4s, 113 grade 5s and 96 grade 6s. Norm-referenced criterion was used in analysing the data. The results of this study are in accordance with those purporting the low performance of disadvantaged learners on the school subject, mathematics. Stanines for the various grades (Grade 1 to 6) were calculated and are presented in the study. This study has demonstrated that although gender, language and other ethnic variables have an impact on mathematics performance, quality of education and socioeconomic status have a significant effect. Further research is needed on the effect of quality of education and socioeconomic status on learners in disadvantaged schools on this test in particular.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Masango, Siphesihle Polkadot
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: VASSI Mathematics Proficiency Test , Mathematical ability -- Testing -- South Africa , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/49929 , vital:25943
- Description: This study builds on South African cross-cultural research which highlights the need for careful stratification of normative samples for quality of education and geographical location. The aim of the present study was to produce an expanded set of preliminary norms for learners in the disadvantaged schools of the peri-urban areas of the Eastern Cape, Grahamstown, on the Vassiliou Mathematics Foundation Phase Test (VASSI) and Vassiliou Mathematics Proficiency Test (VASSI), respectively. The test was administered to Grade 1-6 learners in four different schools all within Joza location, Grahamstown. For the learners’ convenience the tests were translated into isiXhosa, the translations were provided together with the original English questions. Archival data collected by honours students was also incorporated in this study. The total number of participants was N=724 which was comprised of 147 grade 1s, 123 grade 2s, 117 grade 3s, 128 grade 4s, 113 grade 5s and 96 grade 6s. Norm-referenced criterion was used in analysing the data. The results of this study are in accordance with those purporting the low performance of disadvantaged learners on the school subject, mathematics. Stanines for the various grades (Grade 1 to 6) were calculated and are presented in the study. This study has demonstrated that although gender, language and other ethnic variables have an impact on mathematics performance, quality of education and socioeconomic status have a significant effect. Further research is needed on the effect of quality of education and socioeconomic status on learners in disadvantaged schools on this test in particular.
- Full Text:
Design and application of link: A DSL for network frame manipulation
- Pennefather, Sean, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429230 , vital:72569 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8251774
- Description: This paper describes the design and application of Link, a Domain Specific Language (DSL) targeting the development of network applications focused on traffic manipulation at the frame level. The development of Link is described through the identification and evaluation of intended applications and an example translator is implemented to target the FRAME board which was developed in conjunction with this research. Four application examples are then provided to help describe the feasibility of Link when used in conjunction with the implemented translator.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429230 , vital:72569 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8251774
- Description: This paper describes the design and application of Link, a Domain Specific Language (DSL) targeting the development of network applications focused on traffic manipulation at the frame level. The development of Link is described through the identification and evaluation of intended applications and an example translator is implemented to target the FRAME board which was developed in conjunction with this research. Four application examples are then provided to help describe the feasibility of Link when used in conjunction with the implemented translator.
- Full Text:
Design of a Message Passing Model for Use in a Heterogeneous CPU-NFP Framework for Network Analytics. Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) 2017, 3-10 September 2017
- Pennefather, Sean, Bradshaw, Karen L, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Bradshaw, Karen L , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/460011 , vital:75884 , ISBN 9780620767569 , http://dx.doi.org/10.18489/sacj.v31i2.692
- Description: Currently, network analytics requires direct access to network packets, normally through a third-party application, which means that obtaining realtime results is difficult. We propose the NFP-CPU heterogeneous framework to allow parts of applications written in the Go programming language to be executed on a Network Flow Processor (NFP) for enhanced performance. This paper explores the need and feasibility of implementing a message passing model for data transmission between the NFP and CPU, which is the crux of such a heterogeneous framework. Architectural differences between the two domains are highlighted within this context and we present a solution to bridging these differences.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Bradshaw, Karen L , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/460011 , vital:75884 , ISBN 9780620767569 , http://dx.doi.org/10.18489/sacj.v31i2.692
- Description: Currently, network analytics requires direct access to network packets, normally through a third-party application, which means that obtaining realtime results is difficult. We propose the NFP-CPU heterogeneous framework to allow parts of applications written in the Go programming language to be executed on a Network Flow Processor (NFP) for enhanced performance. This paper explores the need and feasibility of implementing a message passing model for data transmission between the NFP and CPU, which is the crux of such a heterogeneous framework. Architectural differences between the two domains are highlighted within this context and we present a solution to bridging these differences.
- Full Text:
Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae)
- Daniel, Claire A, Midgley, John M, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Daniel, Claire A , Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440652 , vital:73800 , https://doi.org/10.3897/ AfrInvertebr.58.12966
- Description: Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Daniel, Claire A , Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440652 , vital:73800 , https://doi.org/10.3897/ AfrInvertebr.58.12966
- Description: Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene.
- Full Text:
Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae)
- Daniel, Claire A, Midgley, John M, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Daniel, Claire A , Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59682 , vital:27638 , doi: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.12966
- Description: Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Daniel, Claire A , Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59682 , vital:27638 , doi: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.12966
- Description: Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene.
- Full Text:
Developing academic literacies through understanding the nature of disciplinary knowledge
- Clarence, Sherran, McKenna, Sioux
- Authors: Clarence, Sherran , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61062 , vital:27942 , https://doi.org/10.18546/LRE.15.1.04
- Description: Much academic development work that is framed by academic literacies, especially that focused on writing, is concerned with disciplinary conventions and knowledges: conceptual, practical, and procedural. This paper argues, however, that academic literacies work tends to conflate literacy practices with disciplinary knowledge structures, thus obscuring the structures from which these practices emanate. This paper demonstrates how theoretical and analytical tools for conceptualizing disciplinary knowledge structures can connect these with academic literacies development work. Using recent studies that combine academic literacies and theories of knowledge in novel ways, this paper will show that understanding the knowledge structures of different disciplines can enable academic developers to build a stronger body of practice. This will enable academic developers working within disciplinary contexts to more ably speak to the nature of coming to know in higher education.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clarence, Sherran , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61062 , vital:27942 , https://doi.org/10.18546/LRE.15.1.04
- Description: Much academic development work that is framed by academic literacies, especially that focused on writing, is concerned with disciplinary conventions and knowledges: conceptual, practical, and procedural. This paper argues, however, that academic literacies work tends to conflate literacy practices with disciplinary knowledge structures, thus obscuring the structures from which these practices emanate. This paper demonstrates how theoretical and analytical tools for conceptualizing disciplinary knowledge structures can connect these with academic literacies development work. Using recent studies that combine academic literacies and theories of knowledge in novel ways, this paper will show that understanding the knowledge structures of different disciplines can enable academic developers to build a stronger body of practice. This will enable academic developers working within disciplinary contexts to more ably speak to the nature of coming to know in higher education.
- Full Text:
Development and assessment of gastric-retentive sustained release metronidazole microcapsules
- Authors: Makan, Anjana
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Metronidazole , Drug delivery systems , Helicobacter pylori , High performance liquid chromatography , Gas chromatography , Drugs , Drugs Controlled release
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59240 , vital:27491
- Description: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common pathogenic bacterial infections and is the leading cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancers. Studies have revealed the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is high in many countries around the globe. Although Helicobacter pylori is highly sensitive to antimicrobial agents in vitro the clinical eradication rate of the disease is still low. The instability of API at gastric pH, low concentration of API in the gastric mucosa and short gastric residence times are the main reasons for poor eradication rates. The high prevalence rate of this disease necessitates the design and development of gastric-retentive site specific oral dosage forms for the optimized delivery of existing therapeutic molecules and may be an approach to improving the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori. Metronidazole (MTZ) is a 5-nitroimidazole derivative that exhibits antibiotic and antiprotozoal activity. MTZ is used in combination with other compounds for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease. MTZ is a potential candidate for inclusion in a sustained release gastric-retentive delivery system that acts in the stomach and since it is unstable in the intestinal/colonic environment enhancing gastric residence time would be a therapeutic advantage. MTZ is a cost-effective therapy that exhibits good anti-microbial activity and has a favourable pharmacokinetic profile. A sustained release gastric-retentive formulation is therefore proposed as an approach to enhance the local delivery of MTZ and improve treatment outcomes for patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. A stability indicating Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP- HPLC) method for the quantitation of MTZ in pharmaceutical dosage forms was developed and optimised using a Central Composite Design (CCD) approach. The RP-HPLC method was found to be linear, accurate, precise, sensitive, selective, and was applied to the analysis of MTZ in commercially available medicines. Preformulation studies were conducted as preparative work prior to manufacture gastric- retentive sustained release MTZ microcapsules. The experiments conducted were tailored for the development of sustained release MTZ microcapsules using a solvent evaporation method. The particle size and shape of the microcapsules was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). MTZ- excipient compatibility studies were performed using Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that no definite interaction between MTZ and intended excipients to be used for manufacture of MTZ formulations occurred. A solvent evaporation procedure was used for the manufacture of MTZ microcapsules. Preliminary formulations were manufactured using two different grades of Methocel® at various levels. In addition the impact of processing parameters on performance was also investigated. The formulations were assessed in terms of in vitro release, buoyancy, yield, encapsulation efficiency and microcapsule size. Formulation optimisation was undertaken using a CCD approach and numerical optimisation was used to predict an optimised formulation composition that would produce minimal initial MTZ release, maximum MTZ release at 12 hours and maximum buoyancy, encapsulation efficiency and yield. The kinetics of MTZ release from microcapsules was established by fitting in vitro release data to different mathematical models. Higuchi model and first-order model appeared to best fit the data as majority of the formulation batches had highest R2 values for these models. Short-term stability assessment of the optimised formulation was established by undertaking stability studies at 25°C/60% RH and 40°C/75%RH. No significant changes in any of the CQA were observed over 30 days of stability testing. A gas chromatographic (GC) method was developed and validated for the quantitation of residual acetone and n-hexane. The optimised formulation contained 213.60 ppm/g acetone and 25.23 ppm/g n-hexane which are well below the limits set for residual solvents. In conclusion, gastric-retentive sustained release MTZ microcapsules with potential for further development and optimisation have been successfully developed and assessed in these studies. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2017
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makan, Anjana
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Metronidazole , Drug delivery systems , Helicobacter pylori , High performance liquid chromatography , Gas chromatography , Drugs , Drugs Controlled release
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59240 , vital:27491
- Description: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common pathogenic bacterial infections and is the leading cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancers. Studies have revealed the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is high in many countries around the globe. Although Helicobacter pylori is highly sensitive to antimicrobial agents in vitro the clinical eradication rate of the disease is still low. The instability of API at gastric pH, low concentration of API in the gastric mucosa and short gastric residence times are the main reasons for poor eradication rates. The high prevalence rate of this disease necessitates the design and development of gastric-retentive site specific oral dosage forms for the optimized delivery of existing therapeutic molecules and may be an approach to improving the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori. Metronidazole (MTZ) is a 5-nitroimidazole derivative that exhibits antibiotic and antiprotozoal activity. MTZ is used in combination with other compounds for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease. MTZ is a potential candidate for inclusion in a sustained release gastric-retentive delivery system that acts in the stomach and since it is unstable in the intestinal/colonic environment enhancing gastric residence time would be a therapeutic advantage. MTZ is a cost-effective therapy that exhibits good anti-microbial activity and has a favourable pharmacokinetic profile. A sustained release gastric-retentive formulation is therefore proposed as an approach to enhance the local delivery of MTZ and improve treatment outcomes for patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. A stability indicating Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP- HPLC) method for the quantitation of MTZ in pharmaceutical dosage forms was developed and optimised using a Central Composite Design (CCD) approach. The RP-HPLC method was found to be linear, accurate, precise, sensitive, selective, and was applied to the analysis of MTZ in commercially available medicines. Preformulation studies were conducted as preparative work prior to manufacture gastric- retentive sustained release MTZ microcapsules. The experiments conducted were tailored for the development of sustained release MTZ microcapsules using a solvent evaporation method. The particle size and shape of the microcapsules was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). MTZ- excipient compatibility studies were performed using Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that no definite interaction between MTZ and intended excipients to be used for manufacture of MTZ formulations occurred. A solvent evaporation procedure was used for the manufacture of MTZ microcapsules. Preliminary formulations were manufactured using two different grades of Methocel® at various levels. In addition the impact of processing parameters on performance was also investigated. The formulations were assessed in terms of in vitro release, buoyancy, yield, encapsulation efficiency and microcapsule size. Formulation optimisation was undertaken using a CCD approach and numerical optimisation was used to predict an optimised formulation composition that would produce minimal initial MTZ release, maximum MTZ release at 12 hours and maximum buoyancy, encapsulation efficiency and yield. The kinetics of MTZ release from microcapsules was established by fitting in vitro release data to different mathematical models. Higuchi model and first-order model appeared to best fit the data as majority of the formulation batches had highest R2 values for these models. Short-term stability assessment of the optimised formulation was established by undertaking stability studies at 25°C/60% RH and 40°C/75%RH. No significant changes in any of the CQA were observed over 30 days of stability testing. A gas chromatographic (GC) method was developed and validated for the quantitation of residual acetone and n-hexane. The optimised formulation contained 213.60 ppm/g acetone and 25.23 ppm/g n-hexane which are well below the limits set for residual solvents. In conclusion, gastric-retentive sustained release MTZ microcapsules with potential for further development and optimisation have been successfully developed and assessed in these studies. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2017
- Full Text:
Development and assessment of ketoconazole intravaginal thermosetting hydrogel formulations
- Authors: Ramanah, Ashmita
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5198 , vital:20785
- Description: Imidazole compounds are commonly used as antifungal therapies and ketoconazole was the first broad spectrum orally active azole identified and registered. However, the risks of hepatotoxicity and drug interactions following systemic delivery and absorption of ketoconazole outweigh the therapeutic benefits and ketoconazole was therefore discontinued as first line systemic antifungal therapy in many countries. Although not yet banned in South Africa, the South African Medicine Formulary has ceased to recommend the use of ketoconazole for systemic treatment. Topical use of ketoconazole is, however, regarded as safe following extensive human use as low systemic absorption occurs following topical administration. Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis is a yeast infection that affects a large number of women, some of whom present with several infections annually. The topical treatment options for vulvo-vaginal candidiasis include the use of vaginal tablets, capsules, ovules and creams administered as a single dose or one to three times daily for three to fourteen days either alone or in combination with another dosage form depending on the regimen. Administration of the dose nightly is recommended for most vaginal creams and ovule formulation due to leakage and the uncomfortable feel of the dosage form if administered during the day. A thermosetting gel that remains in the vagina following administration and prolongs the release of ketoconazole from a once daily dose would be a useful addition to the arsenal for intra-vaginal antifungal therapy. Thermosetting gels would be more comfortable to administer as the gel would set in a form similar to naturally occurring mucous in the vagina and, if formulated with a low pH, irritation of the sensitive and fissured tissue would be minimised. A further benefit would be that once set the gel would loosely take on the anatomical shape of the vagina. A simple, precise, accurate, reproducible and sensitive stability-indicating reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatographic method using ultraviolet detection for the quantitation of ketoconazole was developed and validated. The method was specific and was applied to the determination of ketoconazole in commercial and experimental formulations in addition to samples from degradation studies and in vitro release testing. Product performance characteristics of commercial products were investigated with the goal to provide a strategy for the development of a novel intra vaginal gel in the shortest possible time. Characterisation of Xolegel®, Kez® shampoo and Ketazol® cream included an evaluation of pH, viscosity and assay, in addition to spectroscopic and thermal analysis, to identify ideal characteristics of topical products that could be used as targets during formulation development of the gel. An in vitro release method was developed and validated for precision and accuracy and the in vitro release profiles of commercial ketoconazole products were compared using analysis of variance, model dependent and independent approaches. Ketoconazole release data from test gel manufactured during formulation development were investigated to obtain information about the relationship between formulation content and drug release. Poloxamers marketed as Pluronic® and Lutrol® are synthetic non-ionic tri-block copolymers that consist of hydrophobic propylene oxide and hydrophilic polyethylene oxide blocks, which in solution interact to exhibit thermo-reversible behaviour. In situ forming hydrogels consisting of poloxamers, more specifically poloxamer 407, are activated following a temperature stimulus and undergo a sol to gel transition. This approach was used to produce a thermosetting vaginal gel that would exhibit a long residence time in the vagina with an associated enhancement of therapeutic efficacy. Ketoconazole- excipient compatibility was investigated during preformulation studies using spectroscopic and thermal analysis to enable the selection of excipients best suited for the production of a novel dosage form prior to formulation development activities. No obvious interactions between ketoconazole and excipient were observed and ketoconazole was found in an amorphous form when in combination with polysorbate 80 and poloxamers. A two-level factorial design was used to produce solvent systems with different amounts of polysorbate 80, citric acid and ethanol to identify a vehicle in which ketoconazole exhibited optimum solubility and at a pH that would be least irritating to the vaginal mucosa with a low content of excipients. The optimised vehicle consisted of 4% m/v citric acid, 1.5% v/v polysorbate 80 and 9.5% v/v ethanol made up to 50 g with citrate-phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 5.0, resulted in a vehicle of pH of 3.5 in which 71.41 mg of ketoconazole was dissolved per mL. A Central Composite Design was used to evaluate compositions for the modulation of viscosity of the thermosetting dosage form such that it was a liquid at 22 °C that rapidly formed a stiff gel when heated to 37 °C (intra-vaginal temperature) using different amounts of the poloxamer grades 407, 188 and 237. Thermosetting gels containing 2% m/v ketoconazole were manufactured using specifications generated using the Central Composite Design and the viscosity at 22 °C and 37 °C, solution to gel transition time, potency and ketoconazole release at 24, 48 and 72 hours investigated. Contour and three-dimensional response surface plots and mathematical relationships with target ranges set for responses were identified and with the aid of Central Composite Design the optimisation of a desirable thermosetting gel was achieved. The optimised composition included 16% m/v poloxamer 407, 10% m/v poloxamer 188 and 6% m/v poloxamer 237 in the gel that was used as the basis for further optimisation studies. The low ketoconazole release for ketoconazole observed indicated that the poloxamers had formed a gel matrix that sustained the release of ketoconazole and would therefore ensure that once daily administration of the gel was possible. The sol-gel transition test may be used as a simple and cheap alternative to viscosity testing for thermosetting formulations when expensive viscometers and rheometers are unavailable and was successfully used for this purpose.Ketoconazole is photolabile and is prone to degradation in aqueous solutions. The hydrophobic core of micelles formed in these dosage forms are believed to shield ketoconazole molecules and improve stability in aqueous solutions and acidic gels. The thermosetting gel optimised for poloxamer content was subjected to a further Central Composite Design in which sodium metabisulphite content and vehicle pH were investigated. The length of storage was used as a numeric variable and storage condition as a categoric variable at two levels to monitor the stability of the gels. The formulations were investigated at sample times of 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks at 5 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C. The use of a Central Composite Design facilitated an understanding of the interactions between input variables and their impact on the responses analysed including ketoconazole content, release at 24, 48 and 72 hours, gel pH and viscosity at 22 °C and 37 °C. Design of Experiments may be used as a rapid cost effective tool for an overall assessment of the stability of novel topical dosage forms. However, a more thorough assessment of stability may be required for product registration. Ketoconazole was found to be unstable in the acidic thermosetting gels despite the addition of antioxidant. The gels in liquid form at 5 °C and 25 °C have a low number of micelles for ketoconazole incorporation and therefore additional optimisation studies would be required to enhance the shelf-life of this product.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ramanah, Ashmita
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5198 , vital:20785
- Description: Imidazole compounds are commonly used as antifungal therapies and ketoconazole was the first broad spectrum orally active azole identified and registered. However, the risks of hepatotoxicity and drug interactions following systemic delivery and absorption of ketoconazole outweigh the therapeutic benefits and ketoconazole was therefore discontinued as first line systemic antifungal therapy in many countries. Although not yet banned in South Africa, the South African Medicine Formulary has ceased to recommend the use of ketoconazole for systemic treatment. Topical use of ketoconazole is, however, regarded as safe following extensive human use as low systemic absorption occurs following topical administration. Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis is a yeast infection that affects a large number of women, some of whom present with several infections annually. The topical treatment options for vulvo-vaginal candidiasis include the use of vaginal tablets, capsules, ovules and creams administered as a single dose or one to three times daily for three to fourteen days either alone or in combination with another dosage form depending on the regimen. Administration of the dose nightly is recommended for most vaginal creams and ovule formulation due to leakage and the uncomfortable feel of the dosage form if administered during the day. A thermosetting gel that remains in the vagina following administration and prolongs the release of ketoconazole from a once daily dose would be a useful addition to the arsenal for intra-vaginal antifungal therapy. Thermosetting gels would be more comfortable to administer as the gel would set in a form similar to naturally occurring mucous in the vagina and, if formulated with a low pH, irritation of the sensitive and fissured tissue would be minimised. A further benefit would be that once set the gel would loosely take on the anatomical shape of the vagina. A simple, precise, accurate, reproducible and sensitive stability-indicating reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatographic method using ultraviolet detection for the quantitation of ketoconazole was developed and validated. The method was specific and was applied to the determination of ketoconazole in commercial and experimental formulations in addition to samples from degradation studies and in vitro release testing. Product performance characteristics of commercial products were investigated with the goal to provide a strategy for the development of a novel intra vaginal gel in the shortest possible time. Characterisation of Xolegel®, Kez® shampoo and Ketazol® cream included an evaluation of pH, viscosity and assay, in addition to spectroscopic and thermal analysis, to identify ideal characteristics of topical products that could be used as targets during formulation development of the gel. An in vitro release method was developed and validated for precision and accuracy and the in vitro release profiles of commercial ketoconazole products were compared using analysis of variance, model dependent and independent approaches. Ketoconazole release data from test gel manufactured during formulation development were investigated to obtain information about the relationship between formulation content and drug release. Poloxamers marketed as Pluronic® and Lutrol® are synthetic non-ionic tri-block copolymers that consist of hydrophobic propylene oxide and hydrophilic polyethylene oxide blocks, which in solution interact to exhibit thermo-reversible behaviour. In situ forming hydrogels consisting of poloxamers, more specifically poloxamer 407, are activated following a temperature stimulus and undergo a sol to gel transition. This approach was used to produce a thermosetting vaginal gel that would exhibit a long residence time in the vagina with an associated enhancement of therapeutic efficacy. Ketoconazole- excipient compatibility was investigated during preformulation studies using spectroscopic and thermal analysis to enable the selection of excipients best suited for the production of a novel dosage form prior to formulation development activities. No obvious interactions between ketoconazole and excipient were observed and ketoconazole was found in an amorphous form when in combination with polysorbate 80 and poloxamers. A two-level factorial design was used to produce solvent systems with different amounts of polysorbate 80, citric acid and ethanol to identify a vehicle in which ketoconazole exhibited optimum solubility and at a pH that would be least irritating to the vaginal mucosa with a low content of excipients. The optimised vehicle consisted of 4% m/v citric acid, 1.5% v/v polysorbate 80 and 9.5% v/v ethanol made up to 50 g with citrate-phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 5.0, resulted in a vehicle of pH of 3.5 in which 71.41 mg of ketoconazole was dissolved per mL. A Central Composite Design was used to evaluate compositions for the modulation of viscosity of the thermosetting dosage form such that it was a liquid at 22 °C that rapidly formed a stiff gel when heated to 37 °C (intra-vaginal temperature) using different amounts of the poloxamer grades 407, 188 and 237. Thermosetting gels containing 2% m/v ketoconazole were manufactured using specifications generated using the Central Composite Design and the viscosity at 22 °C and 37 °C, solution to gel transition time, potency and ketoconazole release at 24, 48 and 72 hours investigated. Contour and three-dimensional response surface plots and mathematical relationships with target ranges set for responses were identified and with the aid of Central Composite Design the optimisation of a desirable thermosetting gel was achieved. The optimised composition included 16% m/v poloxamer 407, 10% m/v poloxamer 188 and 6% m/v poloxamer 237 in the gel that was used as the basis for further optimisation studies. The low ketoconazole release for ketoconazole observed indicated that the poloxamers had formed a gel matrix that sustained the release of ketoconazole and would therefore ensure that once daily administration of the gel was possible. The sol-gel transition test may be used as a simple and cheap alternative to viscosity testing for thermosetting formulations when expensive viscometers and rheometers are unavailable and was successfully used for this purpose.Ketoconazole is photolabile and is prone to degradation in aqueous solutions. The hydrophobic core of micelles formed in these dosage forms are believed to shield ketoconazole molecules and improve stability in aqueous solutions and acidic gels. The thermosetting gel optimised for poloxamer content was subjected to a further Central Composite Design in which sodium metabisulphite content and vehicle pH were investigated. The length of storage was used as a numeric variable and storage condition as a categoric variable at two levels to monitor the stability of the gels. The formulations were investigated at sample times of 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks at 5 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C. The use of a Central Composite Design facilitated an understanding of the interactions between input variables and their impact on the responses analysed including ketoconazole content, release at 24, 48 and 72 hours, gel pH and viscosity at 22 °C and 37 °C. Design of Experiments may be used as a rapid cost effective tool for an overall assessment of the stability of novel topical dosage forms. However, a more thorough assessment of stability may be required for product registration. Ketoconazole was found to be unstable in the acidic thermosetting gels despite the addition of antioxidant. The gels in liquid form at 5 °C and 25 °C have a low number of micelles for ketoconazole incorporation and therefore additional optimisation studies would be required to enhance the shelf-life of this product.
- Full Text:
Development and implementation of health promotion activities for the prevention of adolescent pregnancies
- Authors: Chemuru, Nomsa Rutendo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Teenage pregnancy -- Prevention -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5115 , vital:20776
- Description: Of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established in 2000 by the World Health Organisation, Millennium Development Goals 5 aimed at improving maternal health by addressing the high maternal mortality rate and increasing universal access to reproductive health by 2015.Adolescent pregnancy contributes to maternal, perinatal and infant mortality and also worsens the empowerment of young girls by negatively affecting their physical, educational, social, and economic development.This is a pressing public health concern in South Africa. The reduction of adolescent pregnancy is vital for achieving the sustainable human, health social and economic development of society at large. Culturally sensitive interventions to prevent adolescent pregnancies not only integrate the communities' norms, values, practices and behavioural patterns into the intervention's design and implementation but also the historical, social and economic contexts in which they exist. Progress has been made on the research on health promotion and education in South Africa; however communities are often not consulted on the design and conduct of health promotion research projects.The aim of the study was to develop and implement culturally sensitive and appropriate health promotion activities for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy in Grahamstown, Glenmore and Ndwayana communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.Two community based organisations and community care workers associated with them participated in this Community Based Participatory Research using the PEN-3 cultural model. The first phase of this study involved semi-structured interviews carried out with 14 community care workers to identify factors and consequences of adolescent pregnancies in their respective communities. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded using NVivo® 2010 software. The PEN 3 cultural model was adopted in the studyto address the socio-cultural factors contributing to adolescent pregnancy in the communities. The second phase involved a series of interactive workshops with CCWs for a participatory development of the facilitator's manual. Responses from CCWs informed the design of this study's intervention strategies. A facilitator's manual was developed to implement health promotion intervention, leading to the third phase of this study. The guided implementationof the health promotion intervention for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy was carried out over a period of 14 months and evaluated in the final phase of the study. The facilitator's manual was modified based on feedback fromCCWs, on possible improvements and cultural appropriateness. Readability testing guided the final modification of the manual. According to the community care workers, there were a number of adolescents who fell pregnant in their communities each year. The CCWs identified the influence of family members, friends and other stakeholders as contributory factors to adolescent pregnancy. They identified the lack of parental support in informing and educating adolescents about sexual health. Adolescents themselves lacked the maturity to recognise the risks and consequences of adolescent pregnancy. The negative perceptions of contraception in the community were discouraging contraceptive use amongst the adolescents. However, the results showed that enablers such as home and school visits done by the community care workers can be utilised to prevent adolescent pregnancy. Other factors included lack of health promotion materials and activities with information about preventing of adolescent pregnancy, and if available, the material is in English, that the adolescents may not comprehend. Socio-economic factors such as poverty, the Child Support Grant, cross generational relationships and coerced sex further contributed to adolescent pregnancy in the communities.CCWs identified the need for a more comprehensive health promotion intervention to prevent of adolescent pregnancy. A facilitator's manual addressing the prevention of adolescent pregnancy was developed and modified through a series participatory workshops with the community care workers.The facilitator's manual was used by CCWs to conducthealth promotion activities encouraging the prevention of adolescent pregnancies within the community's clinics, schools and during home visits. Community based participatory research methods and the PEN-3cultural model were used to develop this culturally sensitive and community specific adolescent pregnancy intervention for and by the CCWs. The participatory development of the facilitator's manual and the regular interactive workshops with the CCWs were strengthened by embedding this project into the development programs of the two non-governmental organisations contributing to sustainable development programs for women and children.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chemuru, Nomsa Rutendo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Teenage pregnancy -- Prevention -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5115 , vital:20776
- Description: Of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established in 2000 by the World Health Organisation, Millennium Development Goals 5 aimed at improving maternal health by addressing the high maternal mortality rate and increasing universal access to reproductive health by 2015.Adolescent pregnancy contributes to maternal, perinatal and infant mortality and also worsens the empowerment of young girls by negatively affecting their physical, educational, social, and economic development.This is a pressing public health concern in South Africa. The reduction of adolescent pregnancy is vital for achieving the sustainable human, health social and economic development of society at large. Culturally sensitive interventions to prevent adolescent pregnancies not only integrate the communities' norms, values, practices and behavioural patterns into the intervention's design and implementation but also the historical, social and economic contexts in which they exist. Progress has been made on the research on health promotion and education in South Africa; however communities are often not consulted on the design and conduct of health promotion research projects.The aim of the study was to develop and implement culturally sensitive and appropriate health promotion activities for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy in Grahamstown, Glenmore and Ndwayana communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.Two community based organisations and community care workers associated with them participated in this Community Based Participatory Research using the PEN-3 cultural model. The first phase of this study involved semi-structured interviews carried out with 14 community care workers to identify factors and consequences of adolescent pregnancies in their respective communities. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded using NVivo® 2010 software. The PEN 3 cultural model was adopted in the studyto address the socio-cultural factors contributing to adolescent pregnancy in the communities. The second phase involved a series of interactive workshops with CCWs for a participatory development of the facilitator's manual. Responses from CCWs informed the design of this study's intervention strategies. A facilitator's manual was developed to implement health promotion intervention, leading to the third phase of this study. The guided implementationof the health promotion intervention for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy was carried out over a period of 14 months and evaluated in the final phase of the study. The facilitator's manual was modified based on feedback fromCCWs, on possible improvements and cultural appropriateness. Readability testing guided the final modification of the manual. According to the community care workers, there were a number of adolescents who fell pregnant in their communities each year. The CCWs identified the influence of family members, friends and other stakeholders as contributory factors to adolescent pregnancy. They identified the lack of parental support in informing and educating adolescents about sexual health. Adolescents themselves lacked the maturity to recognise the risks and consequences of adolescent pregnancy. The negative perceptions of contraception in the community were discouraging contraceptive use amongst the adolescents. However, the results showed that enablers such as home and school visits done by the community care workers can be utilised to prevent adolescent pregnancy. Other factors included lack of health promotion materials and activities with information about preventing of adolescent pregnancy, and if available, the material is in English, that the adolescents may not comprehend. Socio-economic factors such as poverty, the Child Support Grant, cross generational relationships and coerced sex further contributed to adolescent pregnancy in the communities.CCWs identified the need for a more comprehensive health promotion intervention to prevent of adolescent pregnancy. A facilitator's manual addressing the prevention of adolescent pregnancy was developed and modified through a series participatory workshops with the community care workers.The facilitator's manual was used by CCWs to conducthealth promotion activities encouraging the prevention of adolescent pregnancies within the community's clinics, schools and during home visits. Community based participatory research methods and the PEN-3cultural model were used to develop this culturally sensitive and community specific adolescent pregnancy intervention for and by the CCWs. The participatory development of the facilitator's manual and the regular interactive workshops with the CCWs were strengthened by embedding this project into the development programs of the two non-governmental organisations contributing to sustainable development programs for women and children.
- Full Text:
Development and validation of an In Vitro Release Test (IVRT) to investigate the release of miconazole nitrate from topical cream formulations
- Authors: Purazi, Potiwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65223 , vital:28711
- Description: Expected release date-May 2019
- Full Text:
- Authors: Purazi, Potiwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65223 , vital:28711
- Description: Expected release date-May 2019
- Full Text:
Development of an item bank of health literacy questions appropriate for limited literacy public sector patients in South Africa:
- Marimwe, Chipiwa, Dowse, Roslind
- Authors: Marimwe, Chipiwa , Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156618 , vital:40031 , https://doi.org/10.1080/17538068.2017.1380577
- Description: The majority of current health literacy measures emanate from high-income countries. In South Africa, there is no appropriate measure available for use by the diverse public sector population, many of whom have some literacy limitations. The objective was to develop a bank of questions for this population informed by a broader definition of health literacy, which acknowledges both traditional cognitive skills and explores the influence of the collective social environment on health literacy. Thirty questions for the Item Bank were developed to ensure cultural, contextual and educational appropriateness, and were continuously subjected to critical review by an expert consultant panel. Patients (n = 120) were recruited from a local primary care clinic and individually interviewed with the assistance of an interpreter to collect data on the Item Bank, Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL) and sociodemographics.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Marimwe, Chipiwa , Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156618 , vital:40031 , https://doi.org/10.1080/17538068.2017.1380577
- Description: The majority of current health literacy measures emanate from high-income countries. In South Africa, there is no appropriate measure available for use by the diverse public sector population, many of whom have some literacy limitations. The objective was to develop a bank of questions for this population informed by a broader definition of health literacy, which acknowledges both traditional cognitive skills and explores the influence of the collective social environment on health literacy. Thirty questions for the Item Bank were developed to ensure cultural, contextual and educational appropriateness, and were continuously subjected to critical review by an expert consultant panel. Patients (n = 120) were recruited from a local primary care clinic and individually interviewed with the assistance of an interpreter to collect data on the Item Bank, Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL) and sociodemographics.
- Full Text:
Development of Bioinformatics Infrastructure for Genomics Research:
- Mulder, Nicola J, Adebiyi, Ezekiel, Adebiyi, Marion, Adeyemi, Seun, Ahmed, Azza, Ahmed, Rehab, Akanle, Bola, Alibi, Mohamed, Armstrong, Don L, Aron, Shaun, Ashano, Efejiro, Baichoo, Shakuntala, Benkahla, Alia, Brown, David K, Chimusa, Emile Rugamika, Fadlelmola, Faisal M, Falola, Dare, Fatumo, Segun, Ghedira, Kais, Ghouila, Amel, Hazelhurst, Scott, Itunuoluwa Isewon, Segun Jung, Kassim, Samar Kamal, Kayondo, Jonathan K, Mbiyavanga, Mamana, Meintjes, Ayton, Mohammed, Somia, Mosaku, Abayomi, Moussa, Ahmed, Muhammd, Mustafa, Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Zahra, Nashiru, Oyekanmi, Odia, Trust, Okafor, Adaobi, Oladipo, Olaleye, Osamor, Victor, Oyelade, Jellili, Sadki, Khalid, Salifu, Samson Pandam, Soyemi, Jumoke, Panji, Sumir, Radouani, Fouzia, Souiai, Oussama, Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Authors: Mulder, Nicola J , Adebiyi, Ezekiel , Adebiyi, Marion , Adeyemi, Seun , Ahmed, Azza , Ahmed, Rehab , Akanle, Bola , Alibi, Mohamed , Armstrong, Don L , Aron, Shaun , Ashano, Efejiro , Baichoo, Shakuntala , Benkahla, Alia , Brown, David K , Chimusa, Emile Rugamika , Fadlelmola, Faisal M , Falola, Dare , Fatumo, Segun , Ghedira, Kais , Ghouila, Amel , Hazelhurst, Scott , Itunuoluwa Isewon , Segun Jung , Kassim, Samar Kamal , Kayondo, Jonathan K , Mbiyavanga, Mamana , Meintjes, Ayton , Mohammed, Somia , Mosaku, Abayomi , Moussa, Ahmed , Muhammd, Mustafa , Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Zahra , Nashiru, Oyekanmi , Odia, Trust , Okafor, Adaobi , Oladipo, Olaleye , Osamor, Victor , Oyelade, Jellili , Sadki, Khalid , Salifu, Samson Pandam , Soyemi, Jumoke , Panji, Sumir , Radouani, Fouzia , Souiai, Oussama , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148239 , vital:38722 , DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.01.005
- Description: Although pockets of bioinformatics excellence have developed in Africa, generally, large-scale genomic data analysis has been limited by the availability of expertise and infrastructure. H3ABioNet, a pan-African bioinformatics network, was established to build capacity specifically to enable H3Africa (Human Heredity and Health in Africa) researchers to analyze their data in Africa. Since the inception of the H3Africa initiative, H3ABioNet's role has evolved in response to changing needs from the consortium and the African bioinformatics community.
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- Authors: Mulder, Nicola J , Adebiyi, Ezekiel , Adebiyi, Marion , Adeyemi, Seun , Ahmed, Azza , Ahmed, Rehab , Akanle, Bola , Alibi, Mohamed , Armstrong, Don L , Aron, Shaun , Ashano, Efejiro , Baichoo, Shakuntala , Benkahla, Alia , Brown, David K , Chimusa, Emile Rugamika , Fadlelmola, Faisal M , Falola, Dare , Fatumo, Segun , Ghedira, Kais , Ghouila, Amel , Hazelhurst, Scott , Itunuoluwa Isewon , Segun Jung , Kassim, Samar Kamal , Kayondo, Jonathan K , Mbiyavanga, Mamana , Meintjes, Ayton , Mohammed, Somia , Mosaku, Abayomi , Moussa, Ahmed , Muhammd, Mustafa , Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Zahra , Nashiru, Oyekanmi , Odia, Trust , Okafor, Adaobi , Oladipo, Olaleye , Osamor, Victor , Oyelade, Jellili , Sadki, Khalid , Salifu, Samson Pandam , Soyemi, Jumoke , Panji, Sumir , Radouani, Fouzia , Souiai, Oussama , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148239 , vital:38722 , DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.01.005
- Description: Although pockets of bioinformatics excellence have developed in Africa, generally, large-scale genomic data analysis has been limited by the availability of expertise and infrastructure. H3ABioNet, a pan-African bioinformatics network, was established to build capacity specifically to enable H3Africa (Human Heredity and Health in Africa) researchers to analyze their data in Africa. Since the inception of the H3Africa initiative, H3ABioNet's role has evolved in response to changing needs from the consortium and the African bioinformatics community.
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Dietary tracers and stomach contents reveal pronounced alimentary flexibility in the freshwater mullet (Myxus capensis, Mugilidae) concomitant with ontogenetic shifts in habitat use and seasonal food availability
- Carassou, Laure, Whitfield, Alan K, Moyo, Sydney, Richoux, Nicole B
- Authors: Carassou, Laure , Whitfield, Alan K , Moyo, Sydney , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/456201 , vital:75493 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3230-3"
- Description: We investigated ontogenetic and seasonal variations in the diet of the freshwater mullet (Myxus capensis) across a river–estuary interface using dietary tracer (stable isotopes and fatty acids) and stomach content analyses. Two hypotheses were tested: (A) the freshwater mullet diet shifts as individuals grow and migrate from the estuary to the river, and (B) the dominant food resources utilized by freshwater mullet vary through time, mainly as a function of the seasonal changes in the availability of preferred food items in each habitat. Both hypotheses were supported, as our results indicated broad dietary flexibility by M. capensis, with utilized food items ranging from benthic microalgae to insects depending on habitat and seasonal patterns in availability of resources. Given the unexpected importance of invertebrate-derived prey, including some of terrestrial origin (i.e. aerial or semi-aquatic insects), during the freshwater phase of the M. capensis life cycle, we also emphasize a need for a re-assessment of the trophic designation of this species (previously designated as a strict detritivore).
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- Authors: Carassou, Laure , Whitfield, Alan K , Moyo, Sydney , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/456201 , vital:75493 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3230-3"
- Description: We investigated ontogenetic and seasonal variations in the diet of the freshwater mullet (Myxus capensis) across a river–estuary interface using dietary tracer (stable isotopes and fatty acids) and stomach content analyses. Two hypotheses were tested: (A) the freshwater mullet diet shifts as individuals grow and migrate from the estuary to the river, and (B) the dominant food resources utilized by freshwater mullet vary through time, mainly as a function of the seasonal changes in the availability of preferred food items in each habitat. Both hypotheses were supported, as our results indicated broad dietary flexibility by M. capensis, with utilized food items ranging from benthic microalgae to insects depending on habitat and seasonal patterns in availability of resources. Given the unexpected importance of invertebrate-derived prey, including some of terrestrial origin (i.e. aerial or semi-aquatic insects), during the freshwater phase of the M. capensis life cycle, we also emphasize a need for a re-assessment of the trophic designation of this species (previously designated as a strict detritivore).
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Differentiating engagement of opportunity identification: a grounded theory study of Chinese immigrant entreprenuers
- Ndoro, Tinashe Tsungai Raphael
- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe Tsungai Raphael
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5568 , vital:20942
- Description: The aim of this study was to develop a substantive grounded theory describing how Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs who own and operate small retail businesses in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa identify opportunities in the business environment. The substantive grounded theory was developed using the prescripts of grounded theory proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990). In this respect, a substantive grounded theory called differentiating engagement of opportunity identification was developed from a sample of 41 qualitative interviews conducted with Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. The study found that Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs identified various opportunities (startup, sales, operational, relational) in the business environment through their dynamic interactions and relationships with different stakeholders. These stakeholders mainly included family members, local employees and customers. The Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs displayed two interactional processes in their interactions with stakeholders, namely engaging in and disengaging from interactions. These interactional processes enabled the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs to identify opportunities and operate their small businesses in the business environment. Assumptions held about the interactions and relationships with stakeholders in the host community were central to the interactional processes displayed by the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. As they operated their small businesses, the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs would engage in interactions with customers who were perceived as favourable (approachable). From these interactions with favourable (approachable) customers, the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs were able to identify opportunities (gaining customer insight of opportunity), whereas they would disengage from interactions with customers perceived as unfavourable (unapproachable). In this respect, they would delegate their local employees (actions of delegation in business) with the responsibility of interacting with unfavourable and hostile customers. Additionally, the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs would engage in interactions with local employees to gain insight into local indigenous products and identify opportunities in the host community. In order to identify other opportunities (operational, relational), the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs would disengage from interactions with local employees and engage in interactions with other stakeholders such as family members. The varying differentiated interactions and relationships established by the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs with different stakeholders created a relational context which enabled the identification of opportunities in the host environment. Thus, the findings of the present study and the substantive grounded theory developed (differentiating engagement of opportunity identification) are discussed from the perspective of social capital, social exchange theory and Chinese cultural values. Finally, the theory developed in the present study contributes to the understanding of the processes of how social capital and relationships contribute to the process of identifying opportunities and operating a small business by immigrant entrepreneurs within a host environment.
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- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe Tsungai Raphael
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5568 , vital:20942
- Description: The aim of this study was to develop a substantive grounded theory describing how Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs who own and operate small retail businesses in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa identify opportunities in the business environment. The substantive grounded theory was developed using the prescripts of grounded theory proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990). In this respect, a substantive grounded theory called differentiating engagement of opportunity identification was developed from a sample of 41 qualitative interviews conducted with Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. The study found that Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs identified various opportunities (startup, sales, operational, relational) in the business environment through their dynamic interactions and relationships with different stakeholders. These stakeholders mainly included family members, local employees and customers. The Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs displayed two interactional processes in their interactions with stakeholders, namely engaging in and disengaging from interactions. These interactional processes enabled the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs to identify opportunities and operate their small businesses in the business environment. Assumptions held about the interactions and relationships with stakeholders in the host community were central to the interactional processes displayed by the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. As they operated their small businesses, the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs would engage in interactions with customers who were perceived as favourable (approachable). From these interactions with favourable (approachable) customers, the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs were able to identify opportunities (gaining customer insight of opportunity), whereas they would disengage from interactions with customers perceived as unfavourable (unapproachable). In this respect, they would delegate their local employees (actions of delegation in business) with the responsibility of interacting with unfavourable and hostile customers. Additionally, the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs would engage in interactions with local employees to gain insight into local indigenous products and identify opportunities in the host community. In order to identify other opportunities (operational, relational), the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs would disengage from interactions with local employees and engage in interactions with other stakeholders such as family members. The varying differentiated interactions and relationships established by the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs with different stakeholders created a relational context which enabled the identification of opportunities in the host environment. Thus, the findings of the present study and the substantive grounded theory developed (differentiating engagement of opportunity identification) are discussed from the perspective of social capital, social exchange theory and Chinese cultural values. Finally, the theory developed in the present study contributes to the understanding of the processes of how social capital and relationships contribute to the process of identifying opportunities and operating a small business by immigrant entrepreneurs within a host environment.
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