Identification of novel therapeutic agents targeting Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) lytic replication
- Authors: Okpara, Michael Obinna
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432181 , vital:72849
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Okpara, Michael Obinna
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432181 , vital:72849
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
Implementing a sexual and reproductive citizenship intervention refinement instrument for youth sexuality education: a formative evaluation
- Authors: Mthethwa, Thobile
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425008 , vital:72201
- Description: While Out of School sexuality education (SE) programmes in South Africa have attempted to bridge the gap in the number of young people who receive SE, there is still a large number of youth between the age groups of 15 to 24 years who lack adequate sexual knowledge. The manner in which sex education is taught and its accessibility is accompanied by challenges, in particular in relation to empowerment. To better understand the effectiveness of sexual education programmes, evaluations of their content is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how an Out of school SE programme run by Partners in Sexual Health (PSH) promotes understandings of sexual and reproductive citizenship. A formative evaluation of their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) facilitator’s manual was conducted (owing to COVID the actual programme was not run in the year data for this thesis were collected). To help perform the formative evaluation, the feminist sexual and reproductive citizenship (SRC) framework as conceptualized by Macleod and Vincent (2014) was used. The SRC framework consists of five key principles that, it is suggested, need to be adopted for SE programmes to be inclusive, namely, citizenship as status and practice, differentiated citizenship, private and public interstice, and politics of recognition, redistribution and reparation. An additional principle of inclusive and process-based educational practices was added into the five key principles. To analyse data, template analysis was used which enabled the researcher to create a priori of themes using the Masizixhobise toolkit which is informed by the SRC framework. Findings from this study reveal the interconnectedness between the different citizenship principles. Moreover, while the PSH SRHR programme promotes principles of the SRC framework, there are aspects of the SRC that are lacking from the programme. Therefore, the SRHR manual needs to take into account a spectrum of issues which include but are not limited to the incorporation of sexually diverse differently-abled individuals' sexual experiences and challenges when it comes to accessing SE. This means for SE programmes to achieve inclusivity and to be empowering, they need to encourage individuals to be agentic beings, engage in informed decision-making and encourage young people to take up their rights. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mthethwa, Thobile
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425008 , vital:72201
- Description: While Out of School sexuality education (SE) programmes in South Africa have attempted to bridge the gap in the number of young people who receive SE, there is still a large number of youth between the age groups of 15 to 24 years who lack adequate sexual knowledge. The manner in which sex education is taught and its accessibility is accompanied by challenges, in particular in relation to empowerment. To better understand the effectiveness of sexual education programmes, evaluations of their content is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how an Out of school SE programme run by Partners in Sexual Health (PSH) promotes understandings of sexual and reproductive citizenship. A formative evaluation of their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) facilitator’s manual was conducted (owing to COVID the actual programme was not run in the year data for this thesis were collected). To help perform the formative evaluation, the feminist sexual and reproductive citizenship (SRC) framework as conceptualized by Macleod and Vincent (2014) was used. The SRC framework consists of five key principles that, it is suggested, need to be adopted for SE programmes to be inclusive, namely, citizenship as status and practice, differentiated citizenship, private and public interstice, and politics of recognition, redistribution and reparation. An additional principle of inclusive and process-based educational practices was added into the five key principles. To analyse data, template analysis was used which enabled the researcher to create a priori of themes using the Masizixhobise toolkit which is informed by the SRC framework. Findings from this study reveal the interconnectedness between the different citizenship principles. Moreover, while the PSH SRHR programme promotes principles of the SRC framework, there are aspects of the SRC that are lacking from the programme. Therefore, the SRHR manual needs to take into account a spectrum of issues which include but are not limited to the incorporation of sexually diverse differently-abled individuals' sexual experiences and challenges when it comes to accessing SE. This means for SE programmes to achieve inclusivity and to be empowering, they need to encourage individuals to be agentic beings, engage in informed decision-making and encourage young people to take up their rights. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2023
- Full Text:
In silico characterization of missense mutations in infectious diseases: case studies of tuberculosis and COVID-19
- Authors: Barozi, Victor
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Microbial mutation , COVID-19 (Disease) , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Antitubercular agents , Tuberculosis , Molecular dynamics , Single nucleotide polymorphisms
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431626 , vital:72791 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431626
- Description: One of the greatest challenges facing modern medicine and the global public health today is antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR). This “silent pandemic,” as coined by the world health organization (WHO), is steadily increasing with an estimated 4.95 million mortalities attributed to AMR in 2019, 1.27 million of which were directly linked to AMR. Some of the contributors to AMR include self-prescription, drug overuse, sub-optimal drug prescriptions by health workers, and inaccessibility to drugs, especially in remote areas, which leads to poor adherence. The situation is aggravated by the upsurge of new zoonotic infections like the coronavirus disease 2019, which present unique challenges and take the bulk of resources hence stunting the fight against AMR. Quite alarming still is our current antimicrobial arsenal, which hasn’t had any novel antimicrobial drug discovery/addition, of a new class, since the 1980s. This puts a burden on the existing broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs which are already struggling against multi-drug resistant strains like multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Besides the search for new antimicrobial agents, the other avenue for addressing AMR is studying drug resistance mechanisms, especially single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that change drug target characteristics. With the advancement of computational power and data storage resources, computational approaches can be applied in mutational studies to provide insight into the drug resistance mechanisms with an aim to inform future drug design and development. Therefore, in the first part of this thesis, we employ integrative in silico approaches, including 3D structure modeling, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, comparative essential dynamics (ED), and protein network analysis approaches i.e., dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis to decipher drug resistance mechanisms in tuberculosis (TB). This involved an investigation of the drug resistance mutations in the catalase-peroxidase (KatG) and pyrazinamidase (MtPncA) enzymes which are responsible for activation of TB first-line drugs; Isoniazid (INH) and Pyrazinamide (PZA), respectively. In the case of KatG, eleven high confidence (HC) KatG mutations associated with a high prevalence of phenotypic INH resistance were identified and their 3D structures modeled before subjecting them to MD simulations. Global analysis showed an unstable KatG structure and active site environment in the mutants compared to the wildtype. Active site dynamics in the mutants compromised cofactor (heme) interactions resulting in less bonds/interactions compared to the wildtype. Given the importance of the heme, reduced interactions affect enzyme function. Trajectory analysis also showed asymmetric protomer behavior both in the wildtype and mutant systems. DRN analysis identified the KatG dimerization domain and C-terminal domain as functionally important and influential in the enzyme function as per betweenness centrality and eigenvector centrality distribution. In the case of the MtPncA enzyme, our main focus was on understanding the MtPncA binding ability of Nicotinamide (an analogue of PZA) in comparison to PZA, especially in the presence of 82 resistance conferring MtPncA mutations. Like in KatG, the mutant structures were modeled and subjected to MD simulations and analysis. Interestingly, more MtPncA mutants favored NAM interactions compared to PZA i.e., 34 MtPncA mutants steadily coordinated NAM compared to 21 in the case of PZA. Trajectory and ligand interaction analysis showed how increased active site lid loop dynamics affect the NAM binding, especially in the systems with the active site mutations i.e., H51Y, W68R, C72R, L82R, K96N, L159N, and L159R. This led to fewer protein-ligand interactions and eventually ligand ejection. Network analysis further identified the protein core, metal binding site (MBS), and substrate binding site as the most important regions of the enzyme. Furthermore, the degree of centrality analysis showed how specific MtPncA mutations i.e., C14H, F17D, and T412P, interrupt intra-protein communication from the MtPncA core to the MBS, affecting enzyme activity. The analysis of KatG and MtPncA enzyme mutations not only identified the effects of mutations on enzyme behaviour and communication, but also established a framework of computational approaches that can be used for mutational studies in any protein. Besides AMR, the continued encroachment of wildlife habitats due to population growth has exposed humans to wildlife pathogens leading to zoonotic diseases, a recent example being coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the second part of the thesis, the established computational approaches in Part 1, were employed to investigate the changes in inter-protein interactions and communication patterns between the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with the human host receptor protein (ACE2: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) consequent to mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). Here, the focus was on RBD mutations of the Omicron sub-lineages. We identified four Omicron-sub lineages with RBD mutations i.e., BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4. Each sub-lineage mutations were modeled into RBD structure in complex with the hACE2. MD analysis of the RBD-hACE2 complex highlighted how the RBD mutations change the conformational flexibility of both the RBD and hACE2 compared to the wildtype (WT). Furthermore, DRN analysis identified novel allosteric paths composed of residues with high betweenness and eigenvector centralities linking the RBD to the hACE2 in both the wildtype and mutant systems. Interestingly, these paths were modified with the progression of Omicron sub-lineages, highlighting how the virus evolution affects protein interaction. Lastly, the effect of mutations on S RBD and hACE2 interaction was investigated from the hACE2 perspective by focusing on mutations in the hACE2 protein. Here, naturally occurring hACE2 polymorphisms in African populations i.e., S19P, K26R, M82I, K341R, N546D, and D597Q, were identified and their effects on RBD-hACE2 interactions investigated in presence of the Omicron BA.4/5 RBD mutations. The hACE2 polymorphisms subtly affected the complex dynamics; however, RBD-hACE2 interaction analysis showed that hACE2 mutations effect the complex formation and interaction. Here, the K26R mutation favored RBD-hACE2 interactions, whereas S19P resulted in fewer inter-protein interactions than the reference system. The M82I mutation resulted in a higher RBD-hACE2 binding energy compared to the wildtype meaning that the mutation might not favor RBD binding to the hACE2. On the other hand, K341R had the most RBD-hACE2 interactions suggesting that it probably favors RBD binding to the hACE2. N546D and D597Q had diminutive differences to the reference system. Interestingly, the network of high betweenness centrality residues linking the two proteins, as seen in the previous paragraph, were maintained/modified in presence of hACE2 mutations. HACE2 mutations also changed the enzyme network patterns resulting in a concentration of high eigenvector centrality residues around the zinc-binding and active site region, ultimately influencing the enzyme functionality. Altogether, the thesis highlights fundamental structural and network changes consequent to mutations both in TB and COVID-19 proteins of interest using in silico approaches. These approaches not only provide a new context on impact of mutations in TB and COVID target proteins, but also presents a framework that be implemented in other protein mutation studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Barozi, Victor
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Microbial mutation , COVID-19 (Disease) , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Antitubercular agents , Tuberculosis , Molecular dynamics , Single nucleotide polymorphisms
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431626 , vital:72791 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431626
- Description: One of the greatest challenges facing modern medicine and the global public health today is antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR). This “silent pandemic,” as coined by the world health organization (WHO), is steadily increasing with an estimated 4.95 million mortalities attributed to AMR in 2019, 1.27 million of which were directly linked to AMR. Some of the contributors to AMR include self-prescription, drug overuse, sub-optimal drug prescriptions by health workers, and inaccessibility to drugs, especially in remote areas, which leads to poor adherence. The situation is aggravated by the upsurge of new zoonotic infections like the coronavirus disease 2019, which present unique challenges and take the bulk of resources hence stunting the fight against AMR. Quite alarming still is our current antimicrobial arsenal, which hasn’t had any novel antimicrobial drug discovery/addition, of a new class, since the 1980s. This puts a burden on the existing broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs which are already struggling against multi-drug resistant strains like multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Besides the search for new antimicrobial agents, the other avenue for addressing AMR is studying drug resistance mechanisms, especially single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that change drug target characteristics. With the advancement of computational power and data storage resources, computational approaches can be applied in mutational studies to provide insight into the drug resistance mechanisms with an aim to inform future drug design and development. Therefore, in the first part of this thesis, we employ integrative in silico approaches, including 3D structure modeling, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, comparative essential dynamics (ED), and protein network analysis approaches i.e., dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis to decipher drug resistance mechanisms in tuberculosis (TB). This involved an investigation of the drug resistance mutations in the catalase-peroxidase (KatG) and pyrazinamidase (MtPncA) enzymes which are responsible for activation of TB first-line drugs; Isoniazid (INH) and Pyrazinamide (PZA), respectively. In the case of KatG, eleven high confidence (HC) KatG mutations associated with a high prevalence of phenotypic INH resistance were identified and their 3D structures modeled before subjecting them to MD simulations. Global analysis showed an unstable KatG structure and active site environment in the mutants compared to the wildtype. Active site dynamics in the mutants compromised cofactor (heme) interactions resulting in less bonds/interactions compared to the wildtype. Given the importance of the heme, reduced interactions affect enzyme function. Trajectory analysis also showed asymmetric protomer behavior both in the wildtype and mutant systems. DRN analysis identified the KatG dimerization domain and C-terminal domain as functionally important and influential in the enzyme function as per betweenness centrality and eigenvector centrality distribution. In the case of the MtPncA enzyme, our main focus was on understanding the MtPncA binding ability of Nicotinamide (an analogue of PZA) in comparison to PZA, especially in the presence of 82 resistance conferring MtPncA mutations. Like in KatG, the mutant structures were modeled and subjected to MD simulations and analysis. Interestingly, more MtPncA mutants favored NAM interactions compared to PZA i.e., 34 MtPncA mutants steadily coordinated NAM compared to 21 in the case of PZA. Trajectory and ligand interaction analysis showed how increased active site lid loop dynamics affect the NAM binding, especially in the systems with the active site mutations i.e., H51Y, W68R, C72R, L82R, K96N, L159N, and L159R. This led to fewer protein-ligand interactions and eventually ligand ejection. Network analysis further identified the protein core, metal binding site (MBS), and substrate binding site as the most important regions of the enzyme. Furthermore, the degree of centrality analysis showed how specific MtPncA mutations i.e., C14H, F17D, and T412P, interrupt intra-protein communication from the MtPncA core to the MBS, affecting enzyme activity. The analysis of KatG and MtPncA enzyme mutations not only identified the effects of mutations on enzyme behaviour and communication, but also established a framework of computational approaches that can be used for mutational studies in any protein. Besides AMR, the continued encroachment of wildlife habitats due to population growth has exposed humans to wildlife pathogens leading to zoonotic diseases, a recent example being coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the second part of the thesis, the established computational approaches in Part 1, were employed to investigate the changes in inter-protein interactions and communication patterns between the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with the human host receptor protein (ACE2: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) consequent to mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). Here, the focus was on RBD mutations of the Omicron sub-lineages. We identified four Omicron-sub lineages with RBD mutations i.e., BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4. Each sub-lineage mutations were modeled into RBD structure in complex with the hACE2. MD analysis of the RBD-hACE2 complex highlighted how the RBD mutations change the conformational flexibility of both the RBD and hACE2 compared to the wildtype (WT). Furthermore, DRN analysis identified novel allosteric paths composed of residues with high betweenness and eigenvector centralities linking the RBD to the hACE2 in both the wildtype and mutant systems. Interestingly, these paths were modified with the progression of Omicron sub-lineages, highlighting how the virus evolution affects protein interaction. Lastly, the effect of mutations on S RBD and hACE2 interaction was investigated from the hACE2 perspective by focusing on mutations in the hACE2 protein. Here, naturally occurring hACE2 polymorphisms in African populations i.e., S19P, K26R, M82I, K341R, N546D, and D597Q, were identified and their effects on RBD-hACE2 interactions investigated in presence of the Omicron BA.4/5 RBD mutations. The hACE2 polymorphisms subtly affected the complex dynamics; however, RBD-hACE2 interaction analysis showed that hACE2 mutations effect the complex formation and interaction. Here, the K26R mutation favored RBD-hACE2 interactions, whereas S19P resulted in fewer inter-protein interactions than the reference system. The M82I mutation resulted in a higher RBD-hACE2 binding energy compared to the wildtype meaning that the mutation might not favor RBD binding to the hACE2. On the other hand, K341R had the most RBD-hACE2 interactions suggesting that it probably favors RBD binding to the hACE2. N546D and D597Q had diminutive differences to the reference system. Interestingly, the network of high betweenness centrality residues linking the two proteins, as seen in the previous paragraph, were maintained/modified in presence of hACE2 mutations. HACE2 mutations also changed the enzyme network patterns resulting in a concentration of high eigenvector centrality residues around the zinc-binding and active site region, ultimately influencing the enzyme functionality. Altogether, the thesis highlights fundamental structural and network changes consequent to mutations both in TB and COVID-19 proteins of interest using in silico approaches. These approaches not only provide a new context on impact of mutations in TB and COVID target proteins, but also presents a framework that be implemented in other protein mutation studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
In-silico investigation of the effects of genetic mutations on the structural dynamics of thiopurine s-methyltransferase and their implications on the metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine
- Authors: Mwaniki, Rehema Mukami
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432553 , vital:72880
- Description: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the S-methylation of aromatic and heterocyclic sulfhydryl compounds such as 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), 6-thioguanine (6TG) and azathioprine (AZA) which is first converted to 6MP through reduction by glutathione S- transferases (GST). The compounds, generally referred to as thiopurines, are immunosuppressants used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), autoimmune disorders and transplant rejection. Thiopurines are prodrugs which require metabolic activation to give thioguanine nucleotides that exert their cytotoxic effects by incorporation into DNA or inhibiting purine synthesis. The methylation reaction by TPMT utilizing S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the methyl donor prevents their conversion to these toxic compounds. The catalytic activity of TPMT in metabolising these compounds has been associated with occurrence of genetic variations. The variations that result to missense mutations cause amino-acid changes and in turn alter the polypeptide sequence of the protein. This could alter functionality and structural dynamics of the enzyme. This study sought to understand the underlying mechanism by which 7 specially selected mutations impede metabolic activity of the enzyme on 6-MP using in silico techniques. VAPOR and PredictSNP were used to predict the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the stability and function of the enzyme. Of the 7 mutations, only H227Q was predicted to be functionally benign while the rest (L49S, L69V, A80P, R163H, R163C and R163P) were predicted to be deleterious or associated with disease. All the SNPs were predicted to destabilize the enzyme. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were preformed to mimic the behaviour of the apo, holo and drug-bound WT and mutant enzymes in vivo. This was followed by post-MD analysis to identify changes in the local and global motions of the protein in the presence of mutations and changes in intra-protein communication networks through contact map and centrality metrics calculations. RMSD and Rg analyses were performed to assess changes in global motions and compactness of the enzyme in the apo, holo and drug-bound states and in the presence of mutations. These revealed that binding of the ligand had a stabilizing effect on the WT enzyme evident from more steady trends from the analyses across trajectories in the holo and drug-bound enzymes compared to the apoenzyme. The occurrence of mutations had an effect on the global motions and compactness of the enzyme across the trajectories. Most mutations resulted in destabilized systems and less compact structures shown by unsteady RMSD and Rg across trajectories respectively. The drugbound systems appeared to be more stable in most of the systems meaning that the binding of 6MP stabilized the enzyme regardless of the presence of a mutation. RMSF analysis recorded local changes in residue flexibility due to the presence of mutations in all the systems. All the drug-bound mutant systems lost flexibility on the αAhelix which caps the active site. This could have an effect on drug binding and result to defective drug metabolism. The A80P mutation resulted to a more rigid structure from both global and local motions compared to the WT enzyme which could be associated with its nearly loss of function in vivo and in vitro. Dynamic cross correlation calculations were performed to assess how the atoms moved together. Correlated, anti-correlated and areas of no correlations were recorded in all the systems and in similar places when compared to each other. This meant that occurrence of mutations had no effect on how the atoms moved together. Contact map analysis showed that occurrence of mutations caused changes in interactions around the positions where the mutations occurred, which could have an effect on protein structural dynamics. The A80P substitution which occurred on the surface away from the binding site was identified as an allosteric mutation that resulted to changes in the catalytic site. Contact maps for the drug-cofactor complex in the mutant systems in comparison with the WT protein revealed changes that could suggest reorientation of the drug at the catalytic site. This could be an implication to altered drug metabolism. Eigenvector centrality (EC) and betweenness centrality (BC) for the most equilibrated portions of the trajectories were calculated for all the studied systems to identify residues connected to the most important residues and those that were spanned the most in shortest paths connecting other residues. Areas that scored highest in these metrics where mostly found in regions surrounding the catalytic site. Top 5% centrality hubs calculations showed loss of major hubs due to mutations with gaining of new ones. This means that mutations affected communication networks within the protein. The gained hubs were in areas close-by the lost ones which could have been an attempt of the protein to accommodate the mutations. Persistent top 5% BC hubs were identified at positions 90 and 151 while one persistent top 5% EC hub was identified at position 70. This positions play important roles in shaping the catalytic site and are in direct contact with the ligands. It was concluded that in silico techniques and analysis applied in this study revealed possible mechanisms in which genetic variations affected the structural dynamics of TMPT enzyme an affecte 6MP metabolism. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mwaniki, Rehema Mukami
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432553 , vital:72880
- Description: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the S-methylation of aromatic and heterocyclic sulfhydryl compounds such as 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), 6-thioguanine (6TG) and azathioprine (AZA) which is first converted to 6MP through reduction by glutathione S- transferases (GST). The compounds, generally referred to as thiopurines, are immunosuppressants used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), autoimmune disorders and transplant rejection. Thiopurines are prodrugs which require metabolic activation to give thioguanine nucleotides that exert their cytotoxic effects by incorporation into DNA or inhibiting purine synthesis. The methylation reaction by TPMT utilizing S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the methyl donor prevents their conversion to these toxic compounds. The catalytic activity of TPMT in metabolising these compounds has been associated with occurrence of genetic variations. The variations that result to missense mutations cause amino-acid changes and in turn alter the polypeptide sequence of the protein. This could alter functionality and structural dynamics of the enzyme. This study sought to understand the underlying mechanism by which 7 specially selected mutations impede metabolic activity of the enzyme on 6-MP using in silico techniques. VAPOR and PredictSNP were used to predict the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the stability and function of the enzyme. Of the 7 mutations, only H227Q was predicted to be functionally benign while the rest (L49S, L69V, A80P, R163H, R163C and R163P) were predicted to be deleterious or associated with disease. All the SNPs were predicted to destabilize the enzyme. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were preformed to mimic the behaviour of the apo, holo and drug-bound WT and mutant enzymes in vivo. This was followed by post-MD analysis to identify changes in the local and global motions of the protein in the presence of mutations and changes in intra-protein communication networks through contact map and centrality metrics calculations. RMSD and Rg analyses were performed to assess changes in global motions and compactness of the enzyme in the apo, holo and drug-bound states and in the presence of mutations. These revealed that binding of the ligand had a stabilizing effect on the WT enzyme evident from more steady trends from the analyses across trajectories in the holo and drug-bound enzymes compared to the apoenzyme. The occurrence of mutations had an effect on the global motions and compactness of the enzyme across the trajectories. Most mutations resulted in destabilized systems and less compact structures shown by unsteady RMSD and Rg across trajectories respectively. The drugbound systems appeared to be more stable in most of the systems meaning that the binding of 6MP stabilized the enzyme regardless of the presence of a mutation. RMSF analysis recorded local changes in residue flexibility due to the presence of mutations in all the systems. All the drug-bound mutant systems lost flexibility on the αAhelix which caps the active site. This could have an effect on drug binding and result to defective drug metabolism. The A80P mutation resulted to a more rigid structure from both global and local motions compared to the WT enzyme which could be associated with its nearly loss of function in vivo and in vitro. Dynamic cross correlation calculations were performed to assess how the atoms moved together. Correlated, anti-correlated and areas of no correlations were recorded in all the systems and in similar places when compared to each other. This meant that occurrence of mutations had no effect on how the atoms moved together. Contact map analysis showed that occurrence of mutations caused changes in interactions around the positions where the mutations occurred, which could have an effect on protein structural dynamics. The A80P substitution which occurred on the surface away from the binding site was identified as an allosteric mutation that resulted to changes in the catalytic site. Contact maps for the drug-cofactor complex in the mutant systems in comparison with the WT protein revealed changes that could suggest reorientation of the drug at the catalytic site. This could be an implication to altered drug metabolism. Eigenvector centrality (EC) and betweenness centrality (BC) for the most equilibrated portions of the trajectories were calculated for all the studied systems to identify residues connected to the most important residues and those that were spanned the most in shortest paths connecting other residues. Areas that scored highest in these metrics where mostly found in regions surrounding the catalytic site. Top 5% centrality hubs calculations showed loss of major hubs due to mutations with gaining of new ones. This means that mutations affected communication networks within the protein. The gained hubs were in areas close-by the lost ones which could have been an attempt of the protein to accommodate the mutations. Persistent top 5% BC hubs were identified at positions 90 and 151 while one persistent top 5% EC hub was identified at position 70. This positions play important roles in shaping the catalytic site and are in direct contact with the ligands. It was concluded that in silico techniques and analysis applied in this study revealed possible mechanisms in which genetic variations affected the structural dynamics of TMPT enzyme an affecte 6MP metabolism. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
International students’ experiences of othering in tertiary education in South Africa: an exploratory study
- Authors: Lobakeng, Tsholofelo
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424986 , vital:72199
- Description: Despite rising cases of xenophobia in South Africa, international students remain committed to enrolling in its universities. Surprisingly, there is limited research looking into xenophobia in tertiary institutions. Therefore, the present study aimed to contribute to the scarcity of knowledge on the experiences of international students in South Africa. Thus, the study explored experiences of Othering among international students in tertiary education in South Africa and how they make sense of these experiences. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to recruit international students (N=5) from Botswana, China, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Data was collected through semi-structured, face-to-face online interviews. Participants reported experiencing a variety of non-violent forms of Othering, such as feeling excluded due to the intentional use of local languages in both classroom and social settings; being rejected by local students who refused to work with them; and being accused of stealing opportunities from local students. At an institutional level, participants reported systemic Othering rooted in unsupportive policies and practices that led to a negative and oppressive environment. The findings support previous research studies that purport the Othering of international students in higher education in South Africa mainly manifests through non-violent and covert forms. Moreover, participants attributed Othering of immigrants to racism, a perceived lack of exposure to diversity among locals, perceived lack of compassion for immigrants, and the tendency to scapegoat immigrants for the lack of employment opportunities in the country. The findings underscore the intricate nature of Othering and the need for further research to gain a greater understanding of this complex phenomenon. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of implementing effective strategies of inclusion and integration of international students at these institutions of higher learning. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lobakeng, Tsholofelo
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424986 , vital:72199
- Description: Despite rising cases of xenophobia in South Africa, international students remain committed to enrolling in its universities. Surprisingly, there is limited research looking into xenophobia in tertiary institutions. Therefore, the present study aimed to contribute to the scarcity of knowledge on the experiences of international students in South Africa. Thus, the study explored experiences of Othering among international students in tertiary education in South Africa and how they make sense of these experiences. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to recruit international students (N=5) from Botswana, China, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Data was collected through semi-structured, face-to-face online interviews. Participants reported experiencing a variety of non-violent forms of Othering, such as feeling excluded due to the intentional use of local languages in both classroom and social settings; being rejected by local students who refused to work with them; and being accused of stealing opportunities from local students. At an institutional level, participants reported systemic Othering rooted in unsupportive policies and practices that led to a negative and oppressive environment. The findings support previous research studies that purport the Othering of international students in higher education in South Africa mainly manifests through non-violent and covert forms. Moreover, participants attributed Othering of immigrants to racism, a perceived lack of exposure to diversity among locals, perceived lack of compassion for immigrants, and the tendency to scapegoat immigrants for the lack of employment opportunities in the country. The findings underscore the intricate nature of Othering and the need for further research to gain a greater understanding of this complex phenomenon. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of implementing effective strategies of inclusion and integration of international students at these institutions of higher learning. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2023
- Full Text:
Investigating pedagogical practices of English First Additional Language educators in Grade 12 short stories: a case study
- Authors: Jabe, Sizwe
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424052 , vital:72119
- Description: The focus of this study was to investigate pedagogical practices of English First Additional Language educators in teaching Grade 12 short stories. An interpretive qualitative case study of three educators from three high schools in Chris Hani West district, in Eastern Cape were purposefully selected. Lesson observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis (lesson plans) with three English FAL educators were used to collect data. Shulman’s (1986) Pedagogical Content Knowledge was used as the theoretical framework and analytical tool for the study. Data revealed ineffective teaching strategies and on-the-surface subject matter knowledge that hampers the critical teaching of short stories. It also showed that educators have limited knowledge of learners’ learning difficulties and how to address them. The study recommends less teacher talk that was observed in many classes, to be replaced by extended discussions on the part of the learners. Educators should establish a variety of contemporary teaching strategies which put critical thinking and active learning before examination preparation. Lastly, educators, in their teaching of short stories, should consult various resources and attend content workshops to keep subject knowledge up to date. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Humanities, Study of Englishes of Africa, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jabe, Sizwe
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424052 , vital:72119
- Description: The focus of this study was to investigate pedagogical practices of English First Additional Language educators in teaching Grade 12 short stories. An interpretive qualitative case study of three educators from three high schools in Chris Hani West district, in Eastern Cape were purposefully selected. Lesson observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis (lesson plans) with three English FAL educators were used to collect data. Shulman’s (1986) Pedagogical Content Knowledge was used as the theoretical framework and analytical tool for the study. Data revealed ineffective teaching strategies and on-the-surface subject matter knowledge that hampers the critical teaching of short stories. It also showed that educators have limited knowledge of learners’ learning difficulties and how to address them. The study recommends less teacher talk that was observed in many classes, to be replaced by extended discussions on the part of the learners. Educators should establish a variety of contemporary teaching strategies which put critical thinking and active learning before examination preparation. Lastly, educators, in their teaching of short stories, should consult various resources and attend content workshops to keep subject knowledge up to date. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Humanities, Study of Englishes of Africa, 2023
- Full Text:
Investigating teachers’ perceptions on translanguaging pedagogy in a multilingual intermediate ESL classroom: a comparative study of two primary schools in Namibia
- Authors: Rheeder, Veneza Memory
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Translanguaging (Linguistics) , Second language acquisition , Multilingual education Namibia , Primary school teachers Attitudes , Native language and education Namibia , Primary school teaching Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419760 , vital:71673
- Description: International literature has tested the effectiveness of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in a bilingual classroom; however, with the recent curriculum reform and education sector policy, there is no direct claim in the National policy frameworks on the prominence of translanguaging as an effective tool in classroom pedagogy in Namibian schools. This research attempted to investigate the role of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in the multilingual intermediate English Second Language (ESL) phase as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) for the intermediate phase, Grades 4-7, in the Erongo Region, Namibia. The study is within the interpretive paradigm and adopts a qualitative methodology using a qualitative multi-case study approach of exploring and understanding differences and similarities between cases. Data collection consisted mainly of open-ended interviews and observations (purposive sampling) of the participating teachers. The research sites and study participants were purposely selected as both schools, diversely located in urban and rural contexts of the region, are enacting the National Language Policy as proposed. This entails using Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) from Grades 0-3 and then transitioning to English-monolingual instruction from Grades 4 onwards. The study was designed to investigate the role of translanguaging pedagogy in enhancing learning in the Second Language (L2) classroom, without prejudice of social classes - the elite and marginalized communities. It investigated the extent to which teachers’ use of translanguaging pedagogy enhances ESL learning as the LoLT to intermediate phase learners transitioning from MTI to English-only instruction. The main theories underpinning this study are the Vygotskian and Translanguaging theories supported by Krashen and Cummins’ Cognitive Underlying Proficiency (CUP) Model. The outcomes of the study reveal that in both schools translanguaging was supported by content subject teachers and English LoLT teachers and that it positively contributed to improving learner understanding of important concepts in several subjects. However, Mother Tongue (MT) teachers did not support the use of translanguaging and believed that it slowed down the learning of English. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes in Africa, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rheeder, Veneza Memory
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Translanguaging (Linguistics) , Second language acquisition , Multilingual education Namibia , Primary school teachers Attitudes , Native language and education Namibia , Primary school teaching Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419760 , vital:71673
- Description: International literature has tested the effectiveness of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in a bilingual classroom; however, with the recent curriculum reform and education sector policy, there is no direct claim in the National policy frameworks on the prominence of translanguaging as an effective tool in classroom pedagogy in Namibian schools. This research attempted to investigate the role of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in the multilingual intermediate English Second Language (ESL) phase as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) for the intermediate phase, Grades 4-7, in the Erongo Region, Namibia. The study is within the interpretive paradigm and adopts a qualitative methodology using a qualitative multi-case study approach of exploring and understanding differences and similarities between cases. Data collection consisted mainly of open-ended interviews and observations (purposive sampling) of the participating teachers. The research sites and study participants were purposely selected as both schools, diversely located in urban and rural contexts of the region, are enacting the National Language Policy as proposed. This entails using Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) from Grades 0-3 and then transitioning to English-monolingual instruction from Grades 4 onwards. The study was designed to investigate the role of translanguaging pedagogy in enhancing learning in the Second Language (L2) classroom, without prejudice of social classes - the elite and marginalized communities. It investigated the extent to which teachers’ use of translanguaging pedagogy enhances ESL learning as the LoLT to intermediate phase learners transitioning from MTI to English-only instruction. The main theories underpinning this study are the Vygotskian and Translanguaging theories supported by Krashen and Cummins’ Cognitive Underlying Proficiency (CUP) Model. The outcomes of the study reveal that in both schools translanguaging was supported by content subject teachers and English LoLT teachers and that it positively contributed to improving learner understanding of important concepts in several subjects. However, Mother Tongue (MT) teachers did not support the use of translanguaging and believed that it slowed down the learning of English. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes in Africa, 2023
- Full Text:
Investigation into methods of recovering campylobacter spp. from river water samples
- Authors: Ngoni, Nandipha
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424177 , vital:72130
- Description: Campylobacter species are slender, gram-negative, rod-shaped, spiral- or curved-shaped with single or pairs of flagella. They are the leading cause of diarrheal disease globally, consumption of and contact with water contaminated by faeces is a major risk factor for transmission of these organisms to humans. Rivers used for recreation and domestic and agricultural activities represent all the risk factors for Campylobacter spp. pollution and human exposure. Campylobacter spp. However, effective methods to recover Campylobacter spp. from river water samples are lacking, indicating the need for the development of more efficient methods of detection and isolation of these organisms from environmental water samples. Campylobacter detection in a water sample is critical to ascertain potential risks to humans. The aim of this study was to determine a suitable method for the detection of Campylobacter spp. from river water samples and the objectives were to (i) to evaluate the performance of different methods used for the recovery of Campylobacter spp. from environmental water samples based on Campylobacter colony count and PCR identification results, (ii) isolate and enumerate Campylobacter cells from river water samples, and (iii) identify Campylobacter spp. in river water samples. The Bloukrans River was chosen for this study because it is suspected to be contaminated by faecal inputs from nearby informal settlements without adequate sanitation, as well as untreated/insufficiently treated effluents from nearby wastewater treatment plants. First, the physicochemical quality of the river water and the presence of faecal contamination were assessed to confirm suitability for Campylobacter spp. survival and presence. Then different approaches to sample, concentrate and recover Campylobacter spp. from river water samples were assessed. The different methods assessed were (i) direct enrichment of water samples without prior concentration, (ii) prior concentration of water samples by centrifugation followed by membrane filtration of supernatant, and after that, pooling the residue and pellet together for enrichment, (iii) sampling by the Moore Swab technique. For all three methods, enrichment in Bolton broth supplemented with Bolton antibiotics was conducted. This was followed by plating on modified cefoperazone charcoal deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) and incubation under a microaerophilic atmosphere at 42°C for 48 h. Colony morphology, Gram staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to identify and characterize the microorganisms. The growth of blue colonies on the mFc agar surface confirmed presence and faecal pollution of the Bloukrans River. The physicochemical properties, based on the range of pH measured at different sites of the river (between acidic 3.45 to 6.42 and alkaline 7.2 to 8.74) indicate that Campylobacter spp. can thrive in the river. Based on the results from enumeration and sequencing of colonies recovered by each method, it was discovered that the most suitable method to recover Campylobacter spp. from river water samples is by prior centrifugation (14,000 × g for 30 minutes) followed by membrane filtration of the supernatant, and subsequent pooling of the residue and pellet. The pooled residue and pellet might have increased Campylobacter spp. concentrations aiding more growth during the enrichment of Campylobacter spp. from the river water samples. Results from enumerating Campylobacter spp. cells from river water samples indicate that Campylobacter spp. are present in Bloukrans River. The sequence obtained from the PCR product indicates that the species found were Campylobacter jejuni (96% homology as evaluated by BLAST). This study provided a procedure effective for obtaining a satisfactory quantitative recovery of Campylobacter spp. from environmental waters, a critical need for quantitative microbial risk assessment studies. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngoni, Nandipha
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424177 , vital:72130
- Description: Campylobacter species are slender, gram-negative, rod-shaped, spiral- or curved-shaped with single or pairs of flagella. They are the leading cause of diarrheal disease globally, consumption of and contact with water contaminated by faeces is a major risk factor for transmission of these organisms to humans. Rivers used for recreation and domestic and agricultural activities represent all the risk factors for Campylobacter spp. pollution and human exposure. Campylobacter spp. However, effective methods to recover Campylobacter spp. from river water samples are lacking, indicating the need for the development of more efficient methods of detection and isolation of these organisms from environmental water samples. Campylobacter detection in a water sample is critical to ascertain potential risks to humans. The aim of this study was to determine a suitable method for the detection of Campylobacter spp. from river water samples and the objectives were to (i) to evaluate the performance of different methods used for the recovery of Campylobacter spp. from environmental water samples based on Campylobacter colony count and PCR identification results, (ii) isolate and enumerate Campylobacter cells from river water samples, and (iii) identify Campylobacter spp. in river water samples. The Bloukrans River was chosen for this study because it is suspected to be contaminated by faecal inputs from nearby informal settlements without adequate sanitation, as well as untreated/insufficiently treated effluents from nearby wastewater treatment plants. First, the physicochemical quality of the river water and the presence of faecal contamination were assessed to confirm suitability for Campylobacter spp. survival and presence. Then different approaches to sample, concentrate and recover Campylobacter spp. from river water samples were assessed. The different methods assessed were (i) direct enrichment of water samples without prior concentration, (ii) prior concentration of water samples by centrifugation followed by membrane filtration of supernatant, and after that, pooling the residue and pellet together for enrichment, (iii) sampling by the Moore Swab technique. For all three methods, enrichment in Bolton broth supplemented with Bolton antibiotics was conducted. This was followed by plating on modified cefoperazone charcoal deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) and incubation under a microaerophilic atmosphere at 42°C for 48 h. Colony morphology, Gram staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to identify and characterize the microorganisms. The growth of blue colonies on the mFc agar surface confirmed presence and faecal pollution of the Bloukrans River. The physicochemical properties, based on the range of pH measured at different sites of the river (between acidic 3.45 to 6.42 and alkaline 7.2 to 8.74) indicate that Campylobacter spp. can thrive in the river. Based on the results from enumeration and sequencing of colonies recovered by each method, it was discovered that the most suitable method to recover Campylobacter spp. from river water samples is by prior centrifugation (14,000 × g for 30 minutes) followed by membrane filtration of the supernatant, and subsequent pooling of the residue and pellet. The pooled residue and pellet might have increased Campylobacter spp. concentrations aiding more growth during the enrichment of Campylobacter spp. from the river water samples. Results from enumerating Campylobacter spp. cells from river water samples indicate that Campylobacter spp. are present in Bloukrans River. The sequence obtained from the PCR product indicates that the species found were Campylobacter jejuni (96% homology as evaluated by BLAST). This study provided a procedure effective for obtaining a satisfactory quantitative recovery of Campylobacter spp. from environmental waters, a critical need for quantitative microbial risk assessment studies. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2023
- Full Text:
Investigation of brewery waste grains and microbial fuel cells as value-additive technologies improving solvent production yields in Clostridium acetobutylicum (ATCC 824) fermentation
- Authors: Du Toit, Ryan Guillaume
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424643 , vital:72171
- Description: The production of the solvent compounds acetone, ethanol and butanol through fermentation of organic feedstocks using Clostridia species could be a promising route for biofuel production. However, the cost of raw materials, low yields and the complexity of anaerobic fermentation continue to hinder this means of generating these compounds. The research presented in this Thesis investigated low-cost interventions that could decrease the costs of production and to direct the synthesis of fuel compounds using microbial fuel cells. Low-cost anaerobic chambers were designed and constructed for the propagation and manipulation of Clostridium acetobutylicum, selected as a low-risk microbial catalyst. Fermentation was monitored using in situ pH measurements and a combination of turbidity measurements, nutrient assays (especially total carbohydrates) and HPLC-RI detection as a means of monitoring the consumption of nutrients (glucose), production of precursor compounds (butyric acid) and the formation of solvent molecules (acetone/ethanol and butanol) during fermentation by this organism. Brewer’s spent grains were tested as a sustainable and low-cost feedstock for solvent production, comparing the effects of sterilising before fermentation, or allowing resident microflora to remain during Clostridium-catalysed solvent production. Sterilised spent grains significantly improved the production of solvent molecules (e.g. 12.97 ± 0.38 g/L of butanol yielded, compared to 0.40 ± 0.33 g/L for defined media sampled during the solventogenic phase); compared to these, the use of non-sterilised brewer’s grain decreased both the reproducibility and yields of fermentation (8.66 ± 1.6 g/L of butanol). Microbial fuel cells were studied as a possible means of altering electron transfer to/from electrode-attached Clostridia to control the metabolic shift in bacteria from acidogenesis to solventogenesis. The base line MFC (11.00 ± 4.69 g/L) fermentation experiment did produce higher acetone/ethanol than the baseline batch experiment MB (5.47 ± 4.48 g/L), indicating an improvement to solvent production in C. acetobutylicum (ATCC 824) in a MFC fermentation. In this study, MFC-1 demonstrated remarkable superiority over MB in terms of butyric acid production, yielding significantly higher concentrations while also improving acetone and ethanol production. However, the enhanced butyric acid production did not correspond to significantly increased butanol yields when compared to batch fermentation of chemically defined media. These findings highlight the potential of MFC-1 as an efficient approach for enhancing the fermentative production of valuable compounds, with a particular focus on butyric acid and acetone/ethanol. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Du Toit, Ryan Guillaume
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424643 , vital:72171
- Description: The production of the solvent compounds acetone, ethanol and butanol through fermentation of organic feedstocks using Clostridia species could be a promising route for biofuel production. However, the cost of raw materials, low yields and the complexity of anaerobic fermentation continue to hinder this means of generating these compounds. The research presented in this Thesis investigated low-cost interventions that could decrease the costs of production and to direct the synthesis of fuel compounds using microbial fuel cells. Low-cost anaerobic chambers were designed and constructed for the propagation and manipulation of Clostridium acetobutylicum, selected as a low-risk microbial catalyst. Fermentation was monitored using in situ pH measurements and a combination of turbidity measurements, nutrient assays (especially total carbohydrates) and HPLC-RI detection as a means of monitoring the consumption of nutrients (glucose), production of precursor compounds (butyric acid) and the formation of solvent molecules (acetone/ethanol and butanol) during fermentation by this organism. Brewer’s spent grains were tested as a sustainable and low-cost feedstock for solvent production, comparing the effects of sterilising before fermentation, or allowing resident microflora to remain during Clostridium-catalysed solvent production. Sterilised spent grains significantly improved the production of solvent molecules (e.g. 12.97 ± 0.38 g/L of butanol yielded, compared to 0.40 ± 0.33 g/L for defined media sampled during the solventogenic phase); compared to these, the use of non-sterilised brewer’s grain decreased both the reproducibility and yields of fermentation (8.66 ± 1.6 g/L of butanol). Microbial fuel cells were studied as a possible means of altering electron transfer to/from electrode-attached Clostridia to control the metabolic shift in bacteria from acidogenesis to solventogenesis. The base line MFC (11.00 ± 4.69 g/L) fermentation experiment did produce higher acetone/ethanol than the baseline batch experiment MB (5.47 ± 4.48 g/L), indicating an improvement to solvent production in C. acetobutylicum (ATCC 824) in a MFC fermentation. In this study, MFC-1 demonstrated remarkable superiority over MB in terms of butyric acid production, yielding significantly higher concentrations while also improving acetone and ethanol production. However, the enhanced butyric acid production did not correspond to significantly increased butanol yields when compared to batch fermentation of chemically defined media. These findings highlight the potential of MFC-1 as an efficient approach for enhancing the fermentative production of valuable compounds, with a particular focus on butyric acid and acetone/ethanol. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2023
- Full Text:
InVisible freedom fighter: a critical analysis of portrayals of women in archival photographs, independence monuments and contemporary art in Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) and Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia)
- Authors: Kalichini, Gladys Melina
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432433 , vital:72870 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432433
- Description: This doctoral dissertation in art history develops a notion of invisibility by critically analysing processes in which narratives about women are either concealed or uncovered in visual portrayals relating to the independence of Zambia (former Northern Rhodesia) and Zimbabwe (previously Southern Rhodesia). This study concentrates on three main visual categories that include archival photographs, national monuments, and visual art. It critically engages with concepts of memory and history through a framework of gender. The concept of invisibility developed in this thesis articulates a dynamic process in which independence narratives evolve over time, sometimes revealing memories associated with women and at other times rendering women invisible. National liberation in many African states is dominantly accredited to the political parties that were in power at the time of independence. In Zambia, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) is acknowledged for spearheading efforts to overthrow the colonial administration, while in Zimbabwe it is the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF). Both political parties were headed by men, and the majority of their memberships was also comprised of men; as such, the dominant narratives largely illuminate the stories of men associated with these political parties. The overarching argument of this doctoral dissertation is that there is a gender bias inherent in dominant independence struggles narratives that are communicated through cultural heritage sites such as monuments and archives. In this study, art and art making inform theory as the methodological approach takes the direction in which selected artworks and visual materials are employed as a starting point of considering concepts that relate to the visibilities of stories about women. This approach cogitates the function of art, visual culture, and art history in the production of knowledges that foster in-depth understandings of concepts that explain social phenomena such as historical erasure. This doctoral dissertation in art history is divided into two parts, A and B, that conceptually complement each other. In section A which comprises of chapters one and two, the study develops an alternative visual archive that surveys the involvements of six specific women in the attainment of national independence in their respective countries, and critically analyses the Freedom Statue in Zambia and the National Heroes Acre in Zimbabwe as monuments dedicated to commemorating the independence struggle in the two countries. In Chapters three to five which form the second section of this dissertation, the emphasis of the discussion is on how selected visual artworks of three selected artists disrupt, counter or engage with dominant historical accounts that either exclude or marginalise narratives about women. The three artists include myself, Gladys Kalichini, and Zimbabwean born artists Kudzanai Chiurai and Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude. This thesis offers a culturally rich conversation about visual representations of social, political and cultural roles women performed in the colonial times in Northern and Southern Rhodesia and gives insight into the evolution of the luminosity of contemporary performances of women’s social collectives in Zambia and Zimbabwe. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kalichini, Gladys Melina
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432433 , vital:72870 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432433
- Description: This doctoral dissertation in art history develops a notion of invisibility by critically analysing processes in which narratives about women are either concealed or uncovered in visual portrayals relating to the independence of Zambia (former Northern Rhodesia) and Zimbabwe (previously Southern Rhodesia). This study concentrates on three main visual categories that include archival photographs, national monuments, and visual art. It critically engages with concepts of memory and history through a framework of gender. The concept of invisibility developed in this thesis articulates a dynamic process in which independence narratives evolve over time, sometimes revealing memories associated with women and at other times rendering women invisible. National liberation in many African states is dominantly accredited to the political parties that were in power at the time of independence. In Zambia, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) is acknowledged for spearheading efforts to overthrow the colonial administration, while in Zimbabwe it is the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF). Both political parties were headed by men, and the majority of their memberships was also comprised of men; as such, the dominant narratives largely illuminate the stories of men associated with these political parties. The overarching argument of this doctoral dissertation is that there is a gender bias inherent in dominant independence struggles narratives that are communicated through cultural heritage sites such as monuments and archives. In this study, art and art making inform theory as the methodological approach takes the direction in which selected artworks and visual materials are employed as a starting point of considering concepts that relate to the visibilities of stories about women. This approach cogitates the function of art, visual culture, and art history in the production of knowledges that foster in-depth understandings of concepts that explain social phenomena such as historical erasure. This doctoral dissertation in art history is divided into two parts, A and B, that conceptually complement each other. In section A which comprises of chapters one and two, the study develops an alternative visual archive that surveys the involvements of six specific women in the attainment of national independence in their respective countries, and critically analyses the Freedom Statue in Zambia and the National Heroes Acre in Zimbabwe as monuments dedicated to commemorating the independence struggle in the two countries. In Chapters three to five which form the second section of this dissertation, the emphasis of the discussion is on how selected visual artworks of three selected artists disrupt, counter or engage with dominant historical accounts that either exclude or marginalise narratives about women. The three artists include myself, Gladys Kalichini, and Zimbabwean born artists Kudzanai Chiurai and Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude. This thesis offers a culturally rich conversation about visual representations of social, political and cultural roles women performed in the colonial times in Northern and Southern Rhodesia and gives insight into the evolution of the luminosity of contemporary performances of women’s social collectives in Zambia and Zimbabwe. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2023
- Full Text:
It’s an African proverb: conceptualizing narratives through the use of African subject matter
- Authors: Chithambo, N'lamwai Luntha
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Proverbs, African , Oral tradition Africa , Biography in art , Myth in art , Storytelling in art , Comic books, strips, etc. Themes, motives , Mental illness in art
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425311 , vital:72228
- Description: The research by practice is made up of three points of interest that aim to incorporate storytelling into the work with reference to the comic book genre. These points of interest are: experiences of mental health issues from a young man’s perspective, a unique autobiographical experience unpacking the young man’s mental health struggle and African oral traditions. These three points of interest work towards the goal of using African subject matter to uncover and present a meaningful narrative of a young man dealing with mental health problems and his father figure’s ongoing sit-down conversation with him. This mini-thesis breaks down the different components of the research by practice and analyses each component while drawing from various theorists and artists. The mini-thesis also builds up to the idea of using original African subject matter (e.g. African oral traditions, specifically African objects, subjects, and locations) as a means of cultivating a locus of African identity in the comic book industry. The research by practice intersects with this mini-thesis in that it acts as an example of how I visualise African subject matter being used in the theorising and creation of comic books. , Thesis (MFA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chithambo, N'lamwai Luntha
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Proverbs, African , Oral tradition Africa , Biography in art , Myth in art , Storytelling in art , Comic books, strips, etc. Themes, motives , Mental illness in art
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425311 , vital:72228
- Description: The research by practice is made up of three points of interest that aim to incorporate storytelling into the work with reference to the comic book genre. These points of interest are: experiences of mental health issues from a young man’s perspective, a unique autobiographical experience unpacking the young man’s mental health struggle and African oral traditions. These three points of interest work towards the goal of using African subject matter to uncover and present a meaningful narrative of a young man dealing with mental health problems and his father figure’s ongoing sit-down conversation with him. This mini-thesis breaks down the different components of the research by practice and analyses each component while drawing from various theorists and artists. The mini-thesis also builds up to the idea of using original African subject matter (e.g. African oral traditions, specifically African objects, subjects, and locations) as a means of cultivating a locus of African identity in the comic book industry. The research by practice intersects with this mini-thesis in that it acts as an example of how I visualise African subject matter being used in the theorising and creation of comic books. , Thesis (MFA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2023
- Full Text:
Jazz pedagogical strategies: an A/R/Tographic investigation into the implementation of the South African jazz CAPS syllabus
- Authors: Rungan, Natalie
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432488 , vital:72875 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432488
- Description: The Jazz stream of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement Further Education and Training music curriculum was introduced in South Africa in 2012 (DBE, 2011a). Despite the intentions of the government to promote diversity, social transformation, and inclusion, subject music is still weighted towards Western Art Music, perpetuating past biases of a Eurocentric model for music education. This study, which uses a mixed-method approach, seeks to create strategies to advance Jazz education in South Africa through an a/r/tographic analysis of the author’s Jazz pedagogical methods at Durban High School in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Key approaches include curriculum theory, currere, a/r/tography, among others. After reviewing Jazz pedagogy in the U.S.A. and South Africa as a starting point, using Pinar’s (1994) method of currere, the author demonstrates how past personal music educational processes have led to present Jazz pedagogical methods. Six original compositions were written that outline the influences that infused these methods and added to the creative output related to this research. Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the Jazz community to gain perspective about the current state of Jazz education, and with students to provide insight into their reactions to the Jazz stream of CAPS. This presents new information about the curriculum from a learners’ perspective. Ethical clearance for research with children was sought and received (Appendix A). Findings show that the ability of learners to recognise the value in, and identity relating to, their African culture through Jazz points to a pivotal departure from previous Eurocentric music education models. However, despite South Africa being positioned as one of the only countries offering Jazz as a subject choice to high school learners, the selection of Jazz in the subject of Music remains underutilised. This study concludes that for Jazz education to advance in South African high schools, there needs to be intentional engagement with Jazz professionals at the high school level. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rungan, Natalie
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432488 , vital:72875 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432488
- Description: The Jazz stream of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement Further Education and Training music curriculum was introduced in South Africa in 2012 (DBE, 2011a). Despite the intentions of the government to promote diversity, social transformation, and inclusion, subject music is still weighted towards Western Art Music, perpetuating past biases of a Eurocentric model for music education. This study, which uses a mixed-method approach, seeks to create strategies to advance Jazz education in South Africa through an a/r/tographic analysis of the author’s Jazz pedagogical methods at Durban High School in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Key approaches include curriculum theory, currere, a/r/tography, among others. After reviewing Jazz pedagogy in the U.S.A. and South Africa as a starting point, using Pinar’s (1994) method of currere, the author demonstrates how past personal music educational processes have led to present Jazz pedagogical methods. Six original compositions were written that outline the influences that infused these methods and added to the creative output related to this research. Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the Jazz community to gain perspective about the current state of Jazz education, and with students to provide insight into their reactions to the Jazz stream of CAPS. This presents new information about the curriculum from a learners’ perspective. Ethical clearance for research with children was sought and received (Appendix A). Findings show that the ability of learners to recognise the value in, and identity relating to, their African culture through Jazz points to a pivotal departure from previous Eurocentric music education models. However, despite South Africa being positioned as one of the only countries offering Jazz as a subject choice to high school learners, the selection of Jazz in the subject of Music remains underutilised. This study concludes that for Jazz education to advance in South African high schools, there needs to be intentional engagement with Jazz professionals at the high school level. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2023
- Full Text:
Just stories?: Epistemic (in)justice and everyday resistance in the digital stories of family literacy practices by Grade 1-5 workers at a South African University
- Authors: Viedge, Jane Margaret
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432308 , vital:72860
- Description: This thesis sets out to establish in what ways digital storytelling (DST) revealed instances of epistemic (in)justices inherent in the family literacy intervention experiences of four Black, working-class parents employed at a South African University1. Additionally, it explores how DST might be used by the participants (self-labelled the Storytelling Family Literacy - SFL Advocates) to correct any harm done. The context for the research is based on the deep-rooted harms of Bantu education in which Black South Africans were denied equal access to resources such as literacy practices. I investigated these aims by using the theories of DST, Communication for Social Change (C4SC) and epistemic (in)justice. As a participatory media practice supporting communications in marginalised communities, DST’s broad purpose is to assist these communities in telling stories of their lived experiences in ways that change dominant and, therefore, unchallenged views about them (Servaes & Malikhao 2014). In facilitating DST workshops with the SFL Advocates, I searched for evidence of epistemic (in)justice to enhance our (all stakeholders) understanding of their literacy experiences in ways that addressed their credibility status as ‘knowers’ (Fricker, 2007). Viewed through this lens, utilising DST provided a mechanism for understanding the impact of social interventions in a university setting that aimed to correct past injustices. The process involved online and face-to-face workshops with the participants during the Covid-19 Lockdown. The online format hampered data collection processes, and I resorted to face-to-face interactions for the workshops and interviews. These interactions were distinctly different from those I had experienced with participants in previous workshops, and they became a key focus in my analysis. Using narrative inquiry with critical realist and interpretive analysis techniques to interrogate the data, I discovered DST has both weaknesses and strengths as a C4SC communication tool. My findings revealed participants who, in the moment of leading their children and communities through the family literacy intervention, could claim to have redressed epistemic harms from the legacy of Apartheid education. However, by reflecting on this moment, the participants brought to light an epistemic harm that had been previously left unspoken: their sense of restored credibility as knowledge-bearers during the intervention was deeply shaken when the programme ended because they felt abandoned by the university. Therefore, the epistemic (in)justice lens unveiled hidden injustices that curtailed the participants’ ability to participate fully in the DST workshops. They described suffering the effects of pernicious and arbitrary acts of epistemic injustice at the hands of the University. Their participation in my workshops was erratic, and their stories were incomplete. As a result, I experienced difficulty analysing what I perceived as a lack of data. Moreover, despite my independent researcher status, my positionality as participant-observer was problematic as the participants may have perceived me as representative of the University and its institutional power. I responded to the problematic data by including a new theoretical framework in my analysis: the theory of everyday resistance (Vinthagen & Johansson, 2013). Combined with epistemic (in)justice theory and Vivienne’s ideas of using DST for everyday activism, I theorised how the participants negotiated their expressions of identity in epistemically unjust spaces. To put institutional epistemic injustice in perspective in the context of the University, I drew on Fricker’s three models of epistemic justice that enable fair and free conditions for marginalised workers to communicate for social change. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Viedge, Jane Margaret
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432308 , vital:72860
- Description: This thesis sets out to establish in what ways digital storytelling (DST) revealed instances of epistemic (in)justices inherent in the family literacy intervention experiences of four Black, working-class parents employed at a South African University1. Additionally, it explores how DST might be used by the participants (self-labelled the Storytelling Family Literacy - SFL Advocates) to correct any harm done. The context for the research is based on the deep-rooted harms of Bantu education in which Black South Africans were denied equal access to resources such as literacy practices. I investigated these aims by using the theories of DST, Communication for Social Change (C4SC) and epistemic (in)justice. As a participatory media practice supporting communications in marginalised communities, DST’s broad purpose is to assist these communities in telling stories of their lived experiences in ways that change dominant and, therefore, unchallenged views about them (Servaes & Malikhao 2014). In facilitating DST workshops with the SFL Advocates, I searched for evidence of epistemic (in)justice to enhance our (all stakeholders) understanding of their literacy experiences in ways that addressed their credibility status as ‘knowers’ (Fricker, 2007). Viewed through this lens, utilising DST provided a mechanism for understanding the impact of social interventions in a university setting that aimed to correct past injustices. The process involved online and face-to-face workshops with the participants during the Covid-19 Lockdown. The online format hampered data collection processes, and I resorted to face-to-face interactions for the workshops and interviews. These interactions were distinctly different from those I had experienced with participants in previous workshops, and they became a key focus in my analysis. Using narrative inquiry with critical realist and interpretive analysis techniques to interrogate the data, I discovered DST has both weaknesses and strengths as a C4SC communication tool. My findings revealed participants who, in the moment of leading their children and communities through the family literacy intervention, could claim to have redressed epistemic harms from the legacy of Apartheid education. However, by reflecting on this moment, the participants brought to light an epistemic harm that had been previously left unspoken: their sense of restored credibility as knowledge-bearers during the intervention was deeply shaken when the programme ended because they felt abandoned by the university. Therefore, the epistemic (in)justice lens unveiled hidden injustices that curtailed the participants’ ability to participate fully in the DST workshops. They described suffering the effects of pernicious and arbitrary acts of epistemic injustice at the hands of the University. Their participation in my workshops was erratic, and their stories were incomplete. As a result, I experienced difficulty analysing what I perceived as a lack of data. Moreover, despite my independent researcher status, my positionality as participant-observer was problematic as the participants may have perceived me as representative of the University and its institutional power. I responded to the problematic data by including a new theoretical framework in my analysis: the theory of everyday resistance (Vinthagen & Johansson, 2013). Combined with epistemic (in)justice theory and Vivienne’s ideas of using DST for everyday activism, I theorised how the participants negotiated their expressions of identity in epistemically unjust spaces. To put institutional epistemic injustice in perspective in the context of the University, I drew on Fricker’s three models of epistemic justice that enable fair and free conditions for marginalised workers to communicate for social change. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2023
- Full Text:
Kant and the experience of skepticism: rranscendental arguments, skepticism, and a version of the problem of the justification of foundational assumptions
- Authors: Grecia, Hadley
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 , Transcendental argument , Deductive reasoning , Skepticism , Foundationalism (Theory of knowledge)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425078 , vital:72207
- Description: Immanuel Kant is a key thinker in the History of Western Philosophy whose ideas continue to fascinate contemporary English-speaking academic philosophers. One such idea is Kant's conception of transcendental arguments. Although these arguments do not originate in Kant's philosophy, Kant's conception of them occupies a special place in the English-speaking literature on the topic. A growing trend in this literature is to claim that Kant's transcendental arguments are unique because they aim to achieve an anti-skeptical end through deductive means. I call the basic assumption behind readings of transcendental arguments like these the deductive/anti-skeptical assumption. This assumption claims that deduction is the best means to achieve an anti-skeptical end. In this thesis, I argue that accepting this assumption is one way to misinterpret transcendental arguments because—even though it seems compelling at first blush—it must be false. The resultant twist is that transcendental arguments cannot be deductive, which, in turn, means that understanding that Kant's transcendental arguments are not deductive in nature is itself no small detail for understanding the version of Kant's 'not-deductive' solution to skepticism developed here. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Grecia, Hadley
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 , Transcendental argument , Deductive reasoning , Skepticism , Foundationalism (Theory of knowledge)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425078 , vital:72207
- Description: Immanuel Kant is a key thinker in the History of Western Philosophy whose ideas continue to fascinate contemporary English-speaking academic philosophers. One such idea is Kant's conception of transcendental arguments. Although these arguments do not originate in Kant's philosophy, Kant's conception of them occupies a special place in the English-speaking literature on the topic. A growing trend in this literature is to claim that Kant's transcendental arguments are unique because they aim to achieve an anti-skeptical end through deductive means. I call the basic assumption behind readings of transcendental arguments like these the deductive/anti-skeptical assumption. This assumption claims that deduction is the best means to achieve an anti-skeptical end. In this thesis, I argue that accepting this assumption is one way to misinterpret transcendental arguments because—even though it seems compelling at first blush—it must be false. The resultant twist is that transcendental arguments cannot be deductive, which, in turn, means that understanding that Kant's transcendental arguments are not deductive in nature is itself no small detail for understanding the version of Kant's 'not-deductive' solution to skepticism developed here. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy, 2023
- Full Text:
Kenyan comedy: transmogrifying stereotypes and fashioning a ‘Kenyanness’ of aesthetic escapism
- Authors: Lumasia, Patrick Chesi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432477 , vital:72874 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432477
- Description: Despite the proliferation of stereotypes in Kenyan comedy, little research exists to show the two intersect to shape a peculiar notion of ‘Kenyanness’. Indeed, Kenyan comedy, besides reproducing and playing on the quotidian and the historical, is heavily invested with ethnic and gender stereotypes that reflect the Kenyan milieu as it intersects with the global. This comedy is oftentimes seen by some critics as detrimental to Kenyan society because it supposedly shapes and reinforces ethnic and/or gender relations in the country. However, this study contends that Kenyan comedy is open to multiple interpretations and meaning contestations that are not necessarily clear to the comedians and audiences due to the asymmetry that abounds between the production and consumption ends of the comedy’s spectrum. The comedy is therefore ambivalent. This research seeks to demonstrate that Kenyan comedy—as a form of entertainment and critique of society—does not seek to fix and reify Kenyan identities. Instead, the comedy frees these identities from the presumed vice-hold, constricting world of stereotypes by disrupting the linearity of the stereotypes, thereby unsettling the hierarchical structure of hegemonic ideology embedded in them through postmodern humour: a form of humour amenable to postmodern sensibilities. To this end, the comedy offers Kenyans momentary escape into a comedic utopia, through which, they address pertinent issues affecting their nationhood, even as they endeavor to fashion a ‘Kenyanness’ of aesthetic escapism that is celebratory of the country’s rich socio-cultural diversity. The study employs Jörg Schweinitz’s (2011) stereotype theory and the postpositivist realist theory of identity in its study of stand-up, scripted episodic and topical comedy as transposed on to YouTube. Specifically, the thesis considers: the Churchill Show (2012 – 2022) that aired on NTV; 2012–2022; The Real Househelps of Kawangware (2014–2021) on KTN/NTV; Auntie Boss (2016–2021) on NTV; The Wicked Edition and The Trending Trend Talkers (2014–). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lumasia, Patrick Chesi
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432477 , vital:72874 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432477
- Description: Despite the proliferation of stereotypes in Kenyan comedy, little research exists to show the two intersect to shape a peculiar notion of ‘Kenyanness’. Indeed, Kenyan comedy, besides reproducing and playing on the quotidian and the historical, is heavily invested with ethnic and gender stereotypes that reflect the Kenyan milieu as it intersects with the global. This comedy is oftentimes seen by some critics as detrimental to Kenyan society because it supposedly shapes and reinforces ethnic and/or gender relations in the country. However, this study contends that Kenyan comedy is open to multiple interpretations and meaning contestations that are not necessarily clear to the comedians and audiences due to the asymmetry that abounds between the production and consumption ends of the comedy’s spectrum. The comedy is therefore ambivalent. This research seeks to demonstrate that Kenyan comedy—as a form of entertainment and critique of society—does not seek to fix and reify Kenyan identities. Instead, the comedy frees these identities from the presumed vice-hold, constricting world of stereotypes by disrupting the linearity of the stereotypes, thereby unsettling the hierarchical structure of hegemonic ideology embedded in them through postmodern humour: a form of humour amenable to postmodern sensibilities. To this end, the comedy offers Kenyans momentary escape into a comedic utopia, through which, they address pertinent issues affecting their nationhood, even as they endeavor to fashion a ‘Kenyanness’ of aesthetic escapism that is celebratory of the country’s rich socio-cultural diversity. The study employs Jörg Schweinitz’s (2011) stereotype theory and the postpositivist realist theory of identity in its study of stand-up, scripted episodic and topical comedy as transposed on to YouTube. Specifically, the thesis considers: the Churchill Show (2012 – 2022) that aired on NTV; 2012–2022; The Real Househelps of Kawangware (2014–2021) on KTN/NTV; Auntie Boss (2016–2021) on NTV; The Wicked Edition and The Trending Trend Talkers (2014–). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2023
- Full Text:
Labour law and non-standard employment: case studies of selected workplaces in Makhanda
- Authors: Mini, Sifanelwa
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Non-standard employment South Africa Makhanda , Job security , Labor market South Africa , Labor laws and legislation South Africa , Work-life balance South Africa , Temporary employment South Africa , Collective bargaining South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425171 , vital:72216
- Description: While precarious and poorly-regulated forms of employment are on the increase worldwide, the patterns vary significantly over time and space. This study sought to understand employees’ perceptions of non-standard employment (NSE), the reasons why employers resort to NSE and why they use particular types of NSE. In addition, the research explored how labour law protections for NSE are applied in particular workplaces. Drawing on the regulation approach, which provides a conceptual framework to explain changes in production and employment relationships under specific spatio-temporal conditions, this study focused on three companies in Makhanda. Furthermore, this study employed a qualitative research method to explore the employees’ perceptions on non-standard work. This was done by using an interpretive approach to explore how workers experience NSE and how Eastern Cape citizens in Makhanda navigate the scourge of unemployment and exploitation in the labour market. Moreover, the research investigated how employees experience the efficacy of their employment rights in the workplace. The employment rights observed in the study include (among others) leave, contract of employment and collective bargaining; all of which are provisions in the Labour Relations Act. The findings in the study do validate the use of NSE as a ‘tool’ to curb high unemployment. However, the study finds that the positive result of job creation does not signify job security for non-standard workers, instead beneath the rhetoric of job creation and investment, lies hidden the exploitation of vulnerable groups of citizens and extension of precarious forms of employment. This is because businesses engage in economic competition locally and globally. Therefore, in order to successfully compete against other, employer’s cut on labour expenses by adopting a “race to the bottom,” the effect of which is paying employees below the minimum wage. Moreover, this study opposes the argument that NSE is a stepping stone to permanent employment. The conditions which prevail in NSE are distinctly different from those in the Standard Employment Relationship (SER), making it difficult for employees to transition to a new labour market. The latter is more aligned with the heterodox approach than it is to the orthodox approach to labour market. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mini, Sifanelwa
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Non-standard employment South Africa Makhanda , Job security , Labor market South Africa , Labor laws and legislation South Africa , Work-life balance South Africa , Temporary employment South Africa , Collective bargaining South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425171 , vital:72216
- Description: While precarious and poorly-regulated forms of employment are on the increase worldwide, the patterns vary significantly over time and space. This study sought to understand employees’ perceptions of non-standard employment (NSE), the reasons why employers resort to NSE and why they use particular types of NSE. In addition, the research explored how labour law protections for NSE are applied in particular workplaces. Drawing on the regulation approach, which provides a conceptual framework to explain changes in production and employment relationships under specific spatio-temporal conditions, this study focused on three companies in Makhanda. Furthermore, this study employed a qualitative research method to explore the employees’ perceptions on non-standard work. This was done by using an interpretive approach to explore how workers experience NSE and how Eastern Cape citizens in Makhanda navigate the scourge of unemployment and exploitation in the labour market. Moreover, the research investigated how employees experience the efficacy of their employment rights in the workplace. The employment rights observed in the study include (among others) leave, contract of employment and collective bargaining; all of which are provisions in the Labour Relations Act. The findings in the study do validate the use of NSE as a ‘tool’ to curb high unemployment. However, the study finds that the positive result of job creation does not signify job security for non-standard workers, instead beneath the rhetoric of job creation and investment, lies hidden the exploitation of vulnerable groups of citizens and extension of precarious forms of employment. This is because businesses engage in economic competition locally and globally. Therefore, in order to successfully compete against other, employer’s cut on labour expenses by adopting a “race to the bottom,” the effect of which is paying employees below the minimum wage. Moreover, this study opposes the argument that NSE is a stepping stone to permanent employment. The conditions which prevail in NSE are distinctly different from those in the Standard Employment Relationship (SER), making it difficult for employees to transition to a new labour market. The latter is more aligned with the heterodox approach than it is to the orthodox approach to labour market. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2023
- Full Text:
Learning to make a difference: Small-scale women farmers in social learning spaces for climate action
- Authors: Chanyau, Ludwig
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Social learning South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Value creation , Environmental education South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Climatic changes Study and teaching South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Communities of practice , Crops and climate South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Women farmers South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Farms, Small South Africa , Agricultural ecology South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402944 , vital:69908 , DOI 10.21504/10962/402944
- Description: How do women farmers in Africa learn about climate change? What is quality climate change learning for farmers? How do farmers interface new knowledge with their long-held and trusted traditional knowledge? How do we evaluate learning at farm level and beyond? Using Okoli’s theory mining review, I untangled a tripartite knot of social learning literature to find Social Learning Theory (SLT) suitable for a study to explore my practical and scholarly curiosity as reflected in the above questions. Wenger’s theory of Social Learning emerged as the most appropriate for my research. The second phase of my study explored the climate change learning and practice terrain for small-scale women farmers, analysing the connection between learning, practice, and the resultant value in two case study areas, municipalities in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In addition to a paper on SLT mining review that unravels and chooses between the strands of social learning, the two case studies resulted in three articles that responded to the study’s objectives and the research questions. The thesis is introduced and synthesised through five 'book-end' chapters, as well as through these four articles. What were my findings? In the first case study, in the drought-stricken Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, I gathered the data through individual semi-structured interviews with farmers, extension officers and representatives of the involved organisations. I also conducted a group interview with farmers and analysed documents to supplement interview data. I analysed the data using concepts of Communities of Practice (CoP) and SLT to map out the learning and practice landscape. I discovered a constellation of CoPs interconnected by the shared drive for adaptive water management. The constellation is made up of tertiary institutions, government departments, non-governmental organisations and farmers of varying experiences and competencies, with women emerging as the more proactive gender, and state-led extension services being willing but overstretched and under-resourced. SLT effectively traced the apparent fragmented learning within and outside the CoPs and the sudden and extensive shifts in the CoP boundaries, especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the increased adoption of digital learning platforms. Despite the richness and diversity brought by the emergent new learning networks that involve participants in the province and further afield, the adoption of digital learning platforms worsened the existing generational digital divide among farmers. iii In the second case study, in the water scarce Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, I adopted the Value Creation Framework (VCF) to conduct an ethnographic evaluation that used semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document analysis of the learning experiences of women farmers in a social movement on agroecology. I found that the farmer-centred learning approach of the movement has created value for the farmers involved, evidenced by the adoption of agroecology by over 2700 members (including new urban farmers who are occupying open spaces typically used as dumpsites). The learning approach has facilitated expansive learning, enhanced resource mobilisation, new collaborations, partnerships, and seed sharing networks. Additionally, it necessitated context-appropriate and transformative changes to intersectional justice issues associated with historical inequalities in access to land and water and gender discrimination, leading to improved practices, new access to markets and improved quality yields. These are examples of immediate, potential, applied, realised, orienting, enabling and transformative as well as strategic value, as defined by the VCF. In reflecting on how women farmers learn in these social learning spaces I elucidate the learning impact pathways and local contextual influences in shifting CoP boundaries, domains, and practices during the climate crisis as it intersects with other compounding factors. I generated insights that could be useful for stakeholders in the agricultural (extension) sector to build better pathways for emancipatory and empowering expansive social learning in contexts characterised by resource constraints, but also by strong women-led agency. Such learning could make a difference and cushion small-scale farming from collapse especially in times of unprecedented changes. The agroecology movement and associated communities of practice explored in this study create transformative social learning spaces that are able to respond to climate change, and hence a model that state-led extension might want to adopt in other resource-constrained contexts. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chanyau, Ludwig
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Social learning South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Value creation , Environmental education South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Climatic changes Study and teaching South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Communities of practice , Crops and climate South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Women farmers South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Farms, Small South Africa , Agricultural ecology South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402944 , vital:69908 , DOI 10.21504/10962/402944
- Description: How do women farmers in Africa learn about climate change? What is quality climate change learning for farmers? How do farmers interface new knowledge with their long-held and trusted traditional knowledge? How do we evaluate learning at farm level and beyond? Using Okoli’s theory mining review, I untangled a tripartite knot of social learning literature to find Social Learning Theory (SLT) suitable for a study to explore my practical and scholarly curiosity as reflected in the above questions. Wenger’s theory of Social Learning emerged as the most appropriate for my research. The second phase of my study explored the climate change learning and practice terrain for small-scale women farmers, analysing the connection between learning, practice, and the resultant value in two case study areas, municipalities in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In addition to a paper on SLT mining review that unravels and chooses between the strands of social learning, the two case studies resulted in three articles that responded to the study’s objectives and the research questions. The thesis is introduced and synthesised through five 'book-end' chapters, as well as through these four articles. What were my findings? In the first case study, in the drought-stricken Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, I gathered the data through individual semi-structured interviews with farmers, extension officers and representatives of the involved organisations. I also conducted a group interview with farmers and analysed documents to supplement interview data. I analysed the data using concepts of Communities of Practice (CoP) and SLT to map out the learning and practice landscape. I discovered a constellation of CoPs interconnected by the shared drive for adaptive water management. The constellation is made up of tertiary institutions, government departments, non-governmental organisations and farmers of varying experiences and competencies, with women emerging as the more proactive gender, and state-led extension services being willing but overstretched and under-resourced. SLT effectively traced the apparent fragmented learning within and outside the CoPs and the sudden and extensive shifts in the CoP boundaries, especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the increased adoption of digital learning platforms. Despite the richness and diversity brought by the emergent new learning networks that involve participants in the province and further afield, the adoption of digital learning platforms worsened the existing generational digital divide among farmers. iii In the second case study, in the water scarce Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, I adopted the Value Creation Framework (VCF) to conduct an ethnographic evaluation that used semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document analysis of the learning experiences of women farmers in a social movement on agroecology. I found that the farmer-centred learning approach of the movement has created value for the farmers involved, evidenced by the adoption of agroecology by over 2700 members (including new urban farmers who are occupying open spaces typically used as dumpsites). The learning approach has facilitated expansive learning, enhanced resource mobilisation, new collaborations, partnerships, and seed sharing networks. Additionally, it necessitated context-appropriate and transformative changes to intersectional justice issues associated with historical inequalities in access to land and water and gender discrimination, leading to improved practices, new access to markets and improved quality yields. These are examples of immediate, potential, applied, realised, orienting, enabling and transformative as well as strategic value, as defined by the VCF. In reflecting on how women farmers learn in these social learning spaces I elucidate the learning impact pathways and local contextual influences in shifting CoP boundaries, domains, and practices during the climate crisis as it intersects with other compounding factors. I generated insights that could be useful for stakeholders in the agricultural (extension) sector to build better pathways for emancipatory and empowering expansive social learning in contexts characterised by resource constraints, but also by strong women-led agency. Such learning could make a difference and cushion small-scale farming from collapse especially in times of unprecedented changes. The agroecology movement and associated communities of practice explored in this study create transformative social learning spaces that are able to respond to climate change, and hence a model that state-led extension might want to adopt in other resource-constrained contexts. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
- Full Text:
Leverage points for meaningful participatory governance: lessons from the Tsitsa River catchment, South Africa
- Authors: Fry, Anthony St Leger
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431714 , vital:72798 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431714
- Description: South Africa underwent the renowned transition into a representative multiracial democracy in 1994. While there has been notable progress in many developmental aspects of South African society, many inherited dilemmas persist, and myriad novel ones are emerging. In land and water governance, the nascent institutions do not reflect the visions laid out in the pioneering and substantive legislation, policies, and guidelines generated in the post-1994 period. Unaddressed dilemmas include widespread failures in local water governance, persistent inequality of access to land and water, poor or non-existent service delivery in rural areas, underdeveloped institutions for integrated and inclusive water resource management, and pernicious divisions between institutions. Overcoming these challenges, which are embedded in complex social-ecological systems across South Africa, will require the collaborative effort of diverse actors from different levels and sectors of society. So how do we foster meaningful participation in ways that are not tyrannical, tokenistic, or manipulative? How do we build local institutions that make sense in the broader political system and in the lives of rural residents? How do we support institutions that meaningfully include diverse voices and enable tangible development outcomes? This thesis explores these questions as part of the Tsitsa Project, a transdisciplinary landscape management project working in the Tsitsa River Catchment (TsRC) in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Based on the valuable water resources, severe ecosystem degradation, overlapping traditional and democratic governance systems, and impoverished population, the TsRC is a worthwhile candidate for in-depth study paired with innovative efforts towards systemic development. The single place-based case study approach drew on systems thinking within an evolving transdisciplinary methodology. Qualitative data were collected through extended fieldwork and analysed through an adaptive and iterative approach. Governance mapping elucidated the multiple levels of governance, and a systemic analysis explored meaningful participation at the local level through causal diagramming and observation-based narratives. From the findings, a synthetic analysis identified high leverage points to enable participatory governance interventions to have more sustained impacts. Governance manifestations in the TsRC generally align with existing descriptions of the fractures and associated dilemmas across South Africa, with the added complexities of being a rural landscape in which democratic and traditional governance systems overlap and interact. Local participatory institutions need to endure the broader instability and dysfunction. Interventions must, therefore, be oriented towards trust building and shared understanding while using more practical interventions that provide tangible outcomes, enable in-practice capacity development, and support platforms for all actors to experience and practice meaningful participation together. This thesis aims to unearth the lessons that one small rural catchment might hold for the governance of complex, contested land and for water governance contexts more broadly. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2023
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- Authors: Fry, Anthony St Leger
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431714 , vital:72798 , DOI 10.21504/10962/431714
- Description: South Africa underwent the renowned transition into a representative multiracial democracy in 1994. While there has been notable progress in many developmental aspects of South African society, many inherited dilemmas persist, and myriad novel ones are emerging. In land and water governance, the nascent institutions do not reflect the visions laid out in the pioneering and substantive legislation, policies, and guidelines generated in the post-1994 period. Unaddressed dilemmas include widespread failures in local water governance, persistent inequality of access to land and water, poor or non-existent service delivery in rural areas, underdeveloped institutions for integrated and inclusive water resource management, and pernicious divisions between institutions. Overcoming these challenges, which are embedded in complex social-ecological systems across South Africa, will require the collaborative effort of diverse actors from different levels and sectors of society. So how do we foster meaningful participation in ways that are not tyrannical, tokenistic, or manipulative? How do we build local institutions that make sense in the broader political system and in the lives of rural residents? How do we support institutions that meaningfully include diverse voices and enable tangible development outcomes? This thesis explores these questions as part of the Tsitsa Project, a transdisciplinary landscape management project working in the Tsitsa River Catchment (TsRC) in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Based on the valuable water resources, severe ecosystem degradation, overlapping traditional and democratic governance systems, and impoverished population, the TsRC is a worthwhile candidate for in-depth study paired with innovative efforts towards systemic development. The single place-based case study approach drew on systems thinking within an evolving transdisciplinary methodology. Qualitative data were collected through extended fieldwork and analysed through an adaptive and iterative approach. Governance mapping elucidated the multiple levels of governance, and a systemic analysis explored meaningful participation at the local level through causal diagramming and observation-based narratives. From the findings, a synthetic analysis identified high leverage points to enable participatory governance interventions to have more sustained impacts. Governance manifestations in the TsRC generally align with existing descriptions of the fractures and associated dilemmas across South Africa, with the added complexities of being a rural landscape in which democratic and traditional governance systems overlap and interact. Local participatory institutions need to endure the broader instability and dysfunction. Interventions must, therefore, be oriented towards trust building and shared understanding while using more practical interventions that provide tangible outcomes, enable in-practice capacity development, and support platforms for all actors to experience and practice meaningful participation together. This thesis aims to unearth the lessons that one small rural catchment might hold for the governance of complex, contested land and for water governance contexts more broadly. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2023
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Lifting the veil on the "Untouchable": a study of Muslims living with HIV in Durban, South Africa
- Authors: Shaik, Shabnam
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432518 , vital:72877 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432519
- Description: HIV and AIDS has been prominently studied, by both biomedical and social scientists, since the 1980s. Despite the extensive research that has emerged globally, Muslims have largely been absent in much of the discourse on HIV and AIDS. While the disease is said to be under control in many parts of the world, hidden populations pose a risk to increase in prevalence. Muslims living with HIV are one such hidden population and are only recently gaining representation in studies on HIV and AIDS. Quantitative studies reflect a sharp increase in HIV prevalence in countries with significant Muslim populations, however, more in-depth qualitative studies are needed to garner an understanding of the nature of the disease among Muslims. Muslims have a long history in South Africa, beginning with indentured slavery in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in 1860. There are no specific HIV and AIDS prevention campaigns directed at Muslims in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Muslims in Durban do not regard HIV is a significant concern for them due to religious doctrine, which they believe if followed will keep them safe from infection. My findings suggest that there is cause for concern over the spread of HIV and AIDS amongst Muslims in Durban. The hidden nature of the disease in the Muslim community has created challenges to curbing the spread of the disease due to the concealment of its presence and the marginalisation of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS. This study conceptualises the HIV and AIDS lived experience amongst Muslims in Durban, South Africa, and uncovers the social and cultural context of the disease. The qualitative study used life histories with ten Muslims living with HIV and semi-structured and unstructured interviews with ten caregivers, five health care professionals and two religious leaders to gain a detailed understanding of the lived experiences of Muslims in Durban. Through the lenses of Purity and Danger, Stigma and Spoilt Identity, and Social Death, this study found that religion [Islam] and its strong moral code influences understandings and perceptions of HIV and AIDS which, in turn affects diagnosis, treatment, care, social identity, and the social well-being of Muslims living with HIV who face stigma, discrimination, shame, and ostracisation from their own community. This study highlights the gaps in the literature on Muslims living with HIV and by providing insight into the lives of participants, the study draws attention to the plight of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS (MLWHIV) and encourages more qualitative studies to be conducted so that a multifaceted understanding of Muslims living with HIV can be created. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shaik, Shabnam
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432518 , vital:72877 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432519
- Description: HIV and AIDS has been prominently studied, by both biomedical and social scientists, since the 1980s. Despite the extensive research that has emerged globally, Muslims have largely been absent in much of the discourse on HIV and AIDS. While the disease is said to be under control in many parts of the world, hidden populations pose a risk to increase in prevalence. Muslims living with HIV are one such hidden population and are only recently gaining representation in studies on HIV and AIDS. Quantitative studies reflect a sharp increase in HIV prevalence in countries with significant Muslim populations, however, more in-depth qualitative studies are needed to garner an understanding of the nature of the disease among Muslims. Muslims have a long history in South Africa, beginning with indentured slavery in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in 1860. There are no specific HIV and AIDS prevention campaigns directed at Muslims in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Muslims in Durban do not regard HIV is a significant concern for them due to religious doctrine, which they believe if followed will keep them safe from infection. My findings suggest that there is cause for concern over the spread of HIV and AIDS amongst Muslims in Durban. The hidden nature of the disease in the Muslim community has created challenges to curbing the spread of the disease due to the concealment of its presence and the marginalisation of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS. This study conceptualises the HIV and AIDS lived experience amongst Muslims in Durban, South Africa, and uncovers the social and cultural context of the disease. The qualitative study used life histories with ten Muslims living with HIV and semi-structured and unstructured interviews with ten caregivers, five health care professionals and two religious leaders to gain a detailed understanding of the lived experiences of Muslims in Durban. Through the lenses of Purity and Danger, Stigma and Spoilt Identity, and Social Death, this study found that religion [Islam] and its strong moral code influences understandings and perceptions of HIV and AIDS which, in turn affects diagnosis, treatment, care, social identity, and the social well-being of Muslims living with HIV who face stigma, discrimination, shame, and ostracisation from their own community. This study highlights the gaps in the literature on Muslims living with HIV and by providing insight into the lives of participants, the study draws attention to the plight of Muslims living with HIV and AIDS (MLWHIV) and encourages more qualitative studies to be conducted so that a multifaceted understanding of Muslims living with HIV can be created. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2023
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Liposomal formulations of metallophthalocyanines-nanoparticle conjugates for hypoxic photodynamic therapy and photoelectrocatalysis
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi Ugochinyere
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432159 , vital:72847 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432159
- Description: This thesis investigates new strategies to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) under hypoxic conditions using in-vitro cancer cell models. Phthalocyanines are chosen as viable photosensitizer complexes owing to the favourable absorption properties. To this end, this thesis reports on the synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of various zinc and silicon phthalocyanines (Pcs). To afford better photophysicochemical properties, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. All the studied Pcs showed relatively high triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields corresponding to their low fluorescence quantum yields. The various mechanisms for hypoxic response include (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen-independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles which serve to supplement in-vitro oxygen concentrations using MPcs or MPc-NPs conjugates. The mechanisms were assessed using electrochemical, computational techniques and catalase mimicking experiments. The as-synthesised Pcs or Pc-NPs were subjected to liposomal loading before PDT studies which led to enhanced biocompatibility and aqueous dispersity. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity tests and photodynamic therapy activities of the fabricated Pc-liposomes and Pc-NPs-liposomes on either Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) or Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells are presented herein. This work further showed that folic acid (FA) functionalization of liposomes could be exploited for active drug delivery and herein led to an almost 3-fold increase in drug uptake vs non-FA functionalised liposomes in accordance with folate receptor (FR) expression levels between HeLa and MCF-7 cells. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of selected Pc complexes and conjugates were accessed using MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines. The various mechanisms; (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen -independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles were shown to adequately compensate for the otherwise attenuation of PDT activity under hypoxia. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi Ugochinyere
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432159 , vital:72847 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432159
- Description: This thesis investigates new strategies to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) under hypoxic conditions using in-vitro cancer cell models. Phthalocyanines are chosen as viable photosensitizer complexes owing to the favourable absorption properties. To this end, this thesis reports on the synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of various zinc and silicon phthalocyanines (Pcs). To afford better photophysicochemical properties, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. All the studied Pcs showed relatively high triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields corresponding to their low fluorescence quantum yields. The various mechanisms for hypoxic response include (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen-independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles which serve to supplement in-vitro oxygen concentrations using MPcs or MPc-NPs conjugates. The mechanisms were assessed using electrochemical, computational techniques and catalase mimicking experiments. The as-synthesised Pcs or Pc-NPs were subjected to liposomal loading before PDT studies which led to enhanced biocompatibility and aqueous dispersity. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity tests and photodynamic therapy activities of the fabricated Pc-liposomes and Pc-NPs-liposomes on either Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) or Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells are presented herein. This work further showed that folic acid (FA) functionalization of liposomes could be exploited for active drug delivery and herein led to an almost 3-fold increase in drug uptake vs non-FA functionalised liposomes in accordance with folate receptor (FR) expression levels between HeLa and MCF-7 cells. The in-vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of selected Pc complexes and conjugates were accessed using MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines. The various mechanisms; (i) Type I PDT, (ii) PDT coupled with oxygen -independent therapy and (iii) in-situ oxygen generation using catalase-mimicking nanoparticles were shown to adequately compensate for the otherwise attenuation of PDT activity under hypoxia. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
- Full Text: