Challenges of implementing management accounting innovations
- Oyewo, Babajide, Hussain, Syed T, Simbi, Chipo
- Authors: Oyewo, Babajide , Hussain, Syed T , Simbi, Chipo
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426264 , vital:72336 , xlink:href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/48717780"
- Description: This study investigates the challenges of implementing innovative management accounting techniques, referred to as strategic management accounting (SMA), the interrelationship among the challenges and the impact of the challenges on SMA usage intensity. From the analysis of survey data obtained from listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria, the result supports the conclusion that SMA implementation challenges are interrelated. However, lack of top management support and low awareness/lack of knowledge are contributory to most of the implementation challenges. The challenges discouraging the intensive use of SMA are the perception that SMA implementation is unnecessary as strategy issues are already integrated in other functions within the organization, high implementation cost and problems relating to information flow between departments within the organization. The current study contributes to knowledge in the sense that it is the first (to the researchers’ knowledge) to examine specifically the interrelationship among SMA implementation challenges in the Nigerian context, thereby drawing attention to the need to consider the challenges to embracing management accounting innovations holistically. Knowledge of SMA implementation challenges could help explain the low adoption rate of SMA in developing countries. Such knowledge might be helpful in providing a robust response to the challenges of implementing management accounting innovations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Oyewo, Babajide , Hussain, Syed T , Simbi, Chipo
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426264 , vital:72336 , xlink:href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/48717780"
- Description: This study investigates the challenges of implementing innovative management accounting techniques, referred to as strategic management accounting (SMA), the interrelationship among the challenges and the impact of the challenges on SMA usage intensity. From the analysis of survey data obtained from listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria, the result supports the conclusion that SMA implementation challenges are interrelated. However, lack of top management support and low awareness/lack of knowledge are contributory to most of the implementation challenges. The challenges discouraging the intensive use of SMA are the perception that SMA implementation is unnecessary as strategy issues are already integrated in other functions within the organization, high implementation cost and problems relating to information flow between departments within the organization. The current study contributes to knowledge in the sense that it is the first (to the researchers’ knowledge) to examine specifically the interrelationship among SMA implementation challenges in the Nigerian context, thereby drawing attention to the need to consider the challenges to embracing management accounting innovations holistically. Knowledge of SMA implementation challenges could help explain the low adoption rate of SMA in developing countries. Such knowledge might be helpful in providing a robust response to the challenges of implementing management accounting innovations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Characterising the shared genetic influences between schizophrenia and subcortical brain regions
- Wooton, Olivia, Campbell, Megan, Jahanshad, Neda, Thompson, Paul, Stein, Dan J, Dalvie, Shareefa
- Authors: Wooton, Olivia , Campbell, Megan , Jahanshad, Neda , Thompson, Paul , Stein, Dan J , Dalvie, Shareefa
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302450 , vital:58197 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.07.533"
- Description: Background: Abnormalities in brain structural volumes are well established in schizophrenia (SZ) and have been proposed as an endophenotype for the disorder. Despite increasing interest in the genetic relationship between brain structural volumes and SZ, our knowledge of the genetic overlap between the phenotypes is limited. This study aims to extend our current understanding of the shared genetic influences between SZ and subcortical brain volumes using data from the latest genome-wide association studies for the respective phenotypes (GWAS) and novel statistical approaches. Additionally, we will explore whether the association between schizophrenia and abnormal regional brain volumes is causal in nature. Methods: Summary statistics were obtained from the largest Psychiatric Genomic Consortium (PGC)-SZ GWAS (Ncase = 69,369, Ncontrol = 236,642) and the CHARGEENIGMA-UKBB GWAS of volumetric measures for eight subcortical brain regions (the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus), and total intracranial volume (N = 30,983 - 40,380). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effect concordance analysis (SECA) was used to assess pleiotropy and concordance. Genetic correlation was assessed using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR) and the pleiotropy informed conditional FDR approach was applied to identify SNPs associated with SZ conditional on their association with subcortical brain volumes. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to test for causal association between SZ and each brain region. Results: There was evidence of global pleiotropy between SZ, and all examined subcortical brain regions. Inverse concordance between the genetic determinants of SZ and volumes of the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, hippocampus, and thalamus was observed. Increased statistical power to detect SZ risk loci was shown when conditioning on subcortical brain volumes. There was no significant evidence for a causal effect of any of the examined brain regions on schizophrenia risk. Discussion: These data confirm the shared genetic basis of SZ and specific intracranial and subcortical brain volumes and provide evidence for negative concordance between SZ and volumes of the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, hippocampus, and thalamus. Leveraging the genetic overlap between SZ and subcortical brain volumes has the potential to provide novel insights into the biological basis of the disorder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Wooton, Olivia , Campbell, Megan , Jahanshad, Neda , Thompson, Paul , Stein, Dan J , Dalvie, Shareefa
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302450 , vital:58197 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.07.533"
- Description: Background: Abnormalities in brain structural volumes are well established in schizophrenia (SZ) and have been proposed as an endophenotype for the disorder. Despite increasing interest in the genetic relationship between brain structural volumes and SZ, our knowledge of the genetic overlap between the phenotypes is limited. This study aims to extend our current understanding of the shared genetic influences between SZ and subcortical brain volumes using data from the latest genome-wide association studies for the respective phenotypes (GWAS) and novel statistical approaches. Additionally, we will explore whether the association between schizophrenia and abnormal regional brain volumes is causal in nature. Methods: Summary statistics were obtained from the largest Psychiatric Genomic Consortium (PGC)-SZ GWAS (Ncase = 69,369, Ncontrol = 236,642) and the CHARGEENIGMA-UKBB GWAS of volumetric measures for eight subcortical brain regions (the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus), and total intracranial volume (N = 30,983 - 40,380). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effect concordance analysis (SECA) was used to assess pleiotropy and concordance. Genetic correlation was assessed using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR) and the pleiotropy informed conditional FDR approach was applied to identify SNPs associated with SZ conditional on their association with subcortical brain volumes. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to test for causal association between SZ and each brain region. Results: There was evidence of global pleiotropy between SZ, and all examined subcortical brain regions. Inverse concordance between the genetic determinants of SZ and volumes of the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, hippocampus, and thalamus was observed. Increased statistical power to detect SZ risk loci was shown when conditioning on subcortical brain volumes. There was no significant evidence for a causal effect of any of the examined brain regions on schizophrenia risk. Discussion: These data confirm the shared genetic basis of SZ and specific intracranial and subcortical brain volumes and provide evidence for negative concordance between SZ and volumes of the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, hippocampus, and thalamus. Leveraging the genetic overlap between SZ and subcortical brain volumes has the potential to provide novel insights into the biological basis of the disorder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Climatic suitability and compatibility of the invasive Iris pseudacorus L.(Iridaceae) in the Southern Hemisphere: Considerations for biocontrol
- Minuti, Gianmarco, Stiers, Iris, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Minuti, Gianmarco , Stiers, Iris , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423293 , vital:72045 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.104886"
- Description: Iris pseudacorus L. (Iridaceae) is an emergent macrophyte native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. Considered invasive in wetland habitats around the world, this species is now the target of a biocontrol programme in the Southern Hemisphere. Native range surveys of the weed led to the selection of the flea beetle, Aphthona nonstriata Goeze (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), as a candidate biocontrol agent. An important aspect to consider in weed biocontrol is the ability of an agent to establish and thrive in the environment where it is released. Climatic incompatibility between source and intended release sites can in fact limit the success of a biocontrol programme. In the current study, the potential climatic niche of I. pseudacorus and A. nonstriata in the Southern Hemisphere was analysed. The ecological niche modelling software MaxEnt was used to map the climatic suitability of both organisms across invaded regions in South America, southern Africa and Australasia. Furthermore, occurrence records from each invaded range were used independently to model the climatic compatibility of I. pseudacorus in Europe, in order to prioritize areas of the native range to explore during future surveys for potential biocontrol agents. The models identified areas at high risk of invasion by I. pseudacorus in northern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and central Chile, as well as numerous provinces of eastern South Africa, Lesotho, southern Australia and New Zealand. Accordingly, the highest climatic suitability for A. nonstriata was predicted across the humid temperate climates of north-east Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, southern South Africa, south-east Australia and New Zealand. These results can eventually be used in future release plans to prioritize areas where establishment and survival of the agent is expected to be highest. At the same time, it may be useful to search the native range of the weed for biological control agents showing high climatic adaptation towards the intended release sites of each invaded range. In this regards, our climatic compatibility models identified high-priority areas across the Mediterranean regions of Italy and southern France, as well as the temperate regions of central and western Europe. Altogether, the current study provides useful new information to tackle the invasion and advance the biocontrol programme of I. pseudacorus in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Minuti, Gianmarco , Stiers, Iris , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423293 , vital:72045 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.104886"
- Description: Iris pseudacorus L. (Iridaceae) is an emergent macrophyte native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. Considered invasive in wetland habitats around the world, this species is now the target of a biocontrol programme in the Southern Hemisphere. Native range surveys of the weed led to the selection of the flea beetle, Aphthona nonstriata Goeze (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), as a candidate biocontrol agent. An important aspect to consider in weed biocontrol is the ability of an agent to establish and thrive in the environment where it is released. Climatic incompatibility between source and intended release sites can in fact limit the success of a biocontrol programme. In the current study, the potential climatic niche of I. pseudacorus and A. nonstriata in the Southern Hemisphere was analysed. The ecological niche modelling software MaxEnt was used to map the climatic suitability of both organisms across invaded regions in South America, southern Africa and Australasia. Furthermore, occurrence records from each invaded range were used independently to model the climatic compatibility of I. pseudacorus in Europe, in order to prioritize areas of the native range to explore during future surveys for potential biocontrol agents. The models identified areas at high risk of invasion by I. pseudacorus in northern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and central Chile, as well as numerous provinces of eastern South Africa, Lesotho, southern Australia and New Zealand. Accordingly, the highest climatic suitability for A. nonstriata was predicted across the humid temperate climates of north-east Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, southern South Africa, south-east Australia and New Zealand. These results can eventually be used in future release plans to prioritize areas where establishment and survival of the agent is expected to be highest. At the same time, it may be useful to search the native range of the weed for biological control agents showing high climatic adaptation towards the intended release sites of each invaded range. In this regards, our climatic compatibility models identified high-priority areas across the Mediterranean regions of Italy and southern France, as well as the temperate regions of central and western Europe. Altogether, the current study provides useful new information to tackle the invasion and advance the biocontrol programme of I. pseudacorus in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Comparative avifaunal richness and diversity in invasive Acacia dealbata patches and adjacent montane grasslands
- Seath, Jessica, Shackleton, Charles M
- Authors: Seath, Jessica , Shackleton, Charles M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406585 , vital:70287 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-afzoo_v57_i1_a12"
- Description: Abstract Invasive alien species are regarded as the second greatest threat to biodiversity globally. Yet, at a local scale their effects may vary, underlying the requirement for more local-scale studies across taxa and settings. Here we consider the effects of an alien invasive tree (Acacia dealbata, 5–8 m tall) on avifaunal numbers, richness and diversity in A. dealbata patches of three sizes relative to adjacent montane grasslands. Analysis of historical aerial photographs showed that A. dealbata first occurred in the area in the late 1930s/early 1940s and has continued to spread, despite some efforts by the landowner to keep it in check. It now covers approximately 11% of the site. This has provided habitat for a number of bird species more characteristic of wooded vegetation types. The number, richness and diversity of birds were greater in A. dealbata patches than the adjacent grasslands of equivalent size. These measures increased with increasing patch size, but more rapidly for A. dealbata patches than grassland ones. Only six of the 48 species of birds recorded were common between the two vegetation types. The most common feeding guild in the A. dealbata patches was insectivores, whereas in the grasslands it was omnivores. Although the invasion of A. dealbata has added to the habitat diversity of the area, thereby facilitating increased avifaunal diversity, if it continues to spread, then the populations and perhaps richness of grassland birds are likely to be negatively affected.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Seath, Jessica , Shackleton, Charles M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406585 , vital:70287 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-afzoo_v57_i1_a12"
- Description: Abstract Invasive alien species are regarded as the second greatest threat to biodiversity globally. Yet, at a local scale their effects may vary, underlying the requirement for more local-scale studies across taxa and settings. Here we consider the effects of an alien invasive tree (Acacia dealbata, 5–8 m tall) on avifaunal numbers, richness and diversity in A. dealbata patches of three sizes relative to adjacent montane grasslands. Analysis of historical aerial photographs showed that A. dealbata first occurred in the area in the late 1930s/early 1940s and has continued to spread, despite some efforts by the landowner to keep it in check. It now covers approximately 11% of the site. This has provided habitat for a number of bird species more characteristic of wooded vegetation types. The number, richness and diversity of birds were greater in A. dealbata patches than the adjacent grasslands of equivalent size. These measures increased with increasing patch size, but more rapidly for A. dealbata patches than grassland ones. Only six of the 48 species of birds recorded were common between the two vegetation types. The most common feeding guild in the A. dealbata patches was insectivores, whereas in the grasslands it was omnivores. Although the invasion of A. dealbata has added to the habitat diversity of the area, thereby facilitating increased avifaunal diversity, if it continues to spread, then the populations and perhaps richness of grassland birds are likely to be negatively affected.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Conceptualising public-private partnerships for social innovation through community engagement in higher education institutions
- Sibhensana, Bertha, Maistry, Savathrie M
- Authors: Sibhensana, Bertha , Maistry, Savathrie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426269 , vital:72337 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-high_v37_n1_a11"
- Description: The achievement of human social and economic development has been equated to social innovation. Innovation that focuses on the marginalised communities in South Africa becomes necessary to redress the inequalities created pre-democracy. As social institutions, higher education institutions are well positioned to deal with the challenges of the 21st century, which include poverty, unemployment and inequality, through promoting social innovation. In democratic South Africa the relationship between an institution of higher learning and the community can be viewed as a social innovation. This submission implies that one of the objectives of community engagement as a core function of universities, is to drive the social innovation agenda. The university’s contributions to community development can be viewed in terms of its ability to commit to social innovation. It is a better vehicle for understanding and creating social value in all its forms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Sibhensana, Bertha , Maistry, Savathrie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426269 , vital:72337 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-high_v37_n1_a11"
- Description: The achievement of human social and economic development has been equated to social innovation. Innovation that focuses on the marginalised communities in South Africa becomes necessary to redress the inequalities created pre-democracy. As social institutions, higher education institutions are well positioned to deal with the challenges of the 21st century, which include poverty, unemployment and inequality, through promoting social innovation. In democratic South Africa the relationship between an institution of higher learning and the community can be viewed as a social innovation. This submission implies that one of the objectives of community engagement as a core function of universities, is to drive the social innovation agenda. The university’s contributions to community development can be viewed in terms of its ability to commit to social innovation. It is a better vehicle for understanding and creating social value in all its forms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Constellations, technicality, iconisation and Eskom: A case from South Africa’s Business Day
- Siebörger, Ian, Adendorff, Ralph D
- Authors: Siebörger, Ian , Adendorff, Ralph D
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/385350 , vital:68010 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2022.2040369"
- Description: This article uses Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) and systemic functional linguistics (SFL) to explore interactions between various resources for building economic and political knowledge in a 2015 article from Business Day, a South African newspaper, concerning the country’s energy crisis. We use LCT to observe how three constellations are built in the article: a ‘developmental state’ constellation; a ‘neo-liberal’ constellation; and another underarticulated constellation that selectively draws ideas from both the preceding constellations. These constellations are built through the unfolding of the text using various linguistic resources, which we describe using SFL, including technicality and iconisation. We identify instances where words are charged with both ideational and axiological meaning concurrently, challenging existing understandings of the process of iconisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Siebörger, Ian , Adendorff, Ralph D
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/385350 , vital:68010 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2022.2040369"
- Description: This article uses Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) and systemic functional linguistics (SFL) to explore interactions between various resources for building economic and political knowledge in a 2015 article from Business Day, a South African newspaper, concerning the country’s energy crisis. We use LCT to observe how three constellations are built in the article: a ‘developmental state’ constellation; a ‘neo-liberal’ constellation; and another underarticulated constellation that selectively draws ideas from both the preceding constellations. These constellations are built through the unfolding of the text using various linguistic resources, which we describe using SFL, including technicality and iconisation. We identify instances where words are charged with both ideational and axiological meaning concurrently, challenging existing understandings of the process of iconisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Cultural Seascapes in the ‘Sea of Calms’ and La Restinga Coast
- De la Cruz-Modino, Raquel, Piñeiro-Corbeira, Cristina, Aswani, Shankar, González-Cruz, Carla, Domínguez, David, Ordóñez García, Paula, Santana-Talavera, Agustín, Pascual-Fernández, José
- Authors: De la Cruz-Modino, Raquel , Piñeiro-Corbeira, Cristina , Aswani, Shankar , González-Cruz, Carla , Domínguez, David , Ordóñez García, Paula , Santana-Talavera, Agustín , Pascual-Fernández, José
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391319 , vital:68641 , ISBN 978-3-031-07289-5 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07289-5
- Description: El Hierro has been characterized by the balance between human development and environmental sustainability. The island was historically far from the mass tourism developments dominant on the other Canary Islands. Tourism accommodations in El Hierro are few compared to more developed coastal areas in the Archipelago, and recreational activities are mainly linked to cultural and natural sites and resources. This chapter focuses on La Restinga fishing village and its coasts, where the ‘Sea of Calms’ and one multiple-use Marine Reserve (MR) are located, both of which became popular over the last decade. The tourist development experience has promoted a new way of looking at the sea and conceptualizing its habitats and populations. In 2014, after the submarine volcano eruption occurred in 2011, we estimated that at least 25,391 dives had been carried out in the diving spots established by the MR and other diving sites close to La Restinga. Despite the difficulties experienced after the volcano eruption, a unique imaginaire has been consolidated, thanks to the image of the island's exclusive nature and iconic elements. In addition, the rapid recovery of the destination is an excellent example of how the tourism system can adapt and incorporate unexpected events such as volcanic eruptions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: De la Cruz-Modino, Raquel , Piñeiro-Corbeira, Cristina , Aswani, Shankar , González-Cruz, Carla , Domínguez, David , Ordóñez García, Paula , Santana-Talavera, Agustín , Pascual-Fernández, José
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391319 , vital:68641 , ISBN 978-3-031-07289-5 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07289-5
- Description: El Hierro has been characterized by the balance between human development and environmental sustainability. The island was historically far from the mass tourism developments dominant on the other Canary Islands. Tourism accommodations in El Hierro are few compared to more developed coastal areas in the Archipelago, and recreational activities are mainly linked to cultural and natural sites and resources. This chapter focuses on La Restinga fishing village and its coasts, where the ‘Sea of Calms’ and one multiple-use Marine Reserve (MR) are located, both of which became popular over the last decade. The tourist development experience has promoted a new way of looking at the sea and conceptualizing its habitats and populations. In 2014, after the submarine volcano eruption occurred in 2011, we estimated that at least 25,391 dives had been carried out in the diving spots established by the MR and other diving sites close to La Restinga. Despite the difficulties experienced after the volcano eruption, a unique imaginaire has been consolidated, thanks to the image of the island's exclusive nature and iconic elements. In addition, the rapid recovery of the destination is an excellent example of how the tourism system can adapt and incorporate unexpected events such as volcanic eruptions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Decoration of glass wool with zinc (II) phthalocyanine for the photocatalytic transformation of methyl orange
- Sindelo, Azole, Britton, Jonathan, Lanterna, Anabel E, Scaiano, Juan C, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole , Britton, Jonathan , Lanterna, Anabel E , Scaiano, Juan C , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/295742 , vital:57374 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2022.114127"
- Description: Zinc phthalocyanines containing one (mono carboxy phenoxy, ZnMCPPc), four (tetra carboxy phenoxy, ZnTCPPc), and eight (tetra isophthalic acid, ZnTIPAPc) carboxyl groups were covalently conjugated to amine-functionalized glass wool (GW). The GW-Pcs were characterized and evaluated for singlet oxygen generation. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the GW-Pcs were assessed using methyl orange. Glass wool alone and the modified conjugates exhibited low to no degradation of methyl orange in the dark. The improved catalytic rate was observed for GW-ZnMCPPc and GW-ZnTCPPc compared to GW-ZnTIPAPc due to the latter's lower singlet oxygen quantum yield generation. In addition, the modified glass wool was recyclable, making it suitable candidates for future environmental applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole , Britton, Jonathan , Lanterna, Anabel E , Scaiano, Juan C , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/295742 , vital:57374 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2022.114127"
- Description: Zinc phthalocyanines containing one (mono carboxy phenoxy, ZnMCPPc), four (tetra carboxy phenoxy, ZnTCPPc), and eight (tetra isophthalic acid, ZnTIPAPc) carboxyl groups were covalently conjugated to amine-functionalized glass wool (GW). The GW-Pcs were characterized and evaluated for singlet oxygen generation. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the GW-Pcs were assessed using methyl orange. Glass wool alone and the modified conjugates exhibited low to no degradation of methyl orange in the dark. The improved catalytic rate was observed for GW-ZnMCPPc and GW-ZnTCPPc compared to GW-ZnTIPAPc due to the latter's lower singlet oxygen quantum yield generation. In addition, the modified glass wool was recyclable, making it suitable candidates for future environmental applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Deep Palmprint Recognition with Alignment and Augmentation of Limited Training Samples
- Brown, Dane, Bradshaw, Karen L
- Authors: Brown, Dane , Bradshaw, Karen L
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440249 , vital:73760 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-021-00859-3"
- Description: This paper builds upon a previously proposed automatic palmprint alignment and classification system. The proposed system was geared towards palmprints acquired from either contact or contactless sensors. It was robust to finger location and fist shape changes—accurately extracting the palmprints in images without fingers. An extension to this previous work includes comparisons of traditional and deep learning models, both with hyperparameter tuning. The proposed methods are compared with related verification systems and a detailed evaluation of open-set identification. The best results were yielded by a proposed Convolutional Neural Network, based on VGG-16, and outperforming tuned VGG-16 and Xception architectures. All deep learning algorithms are provided with augmented data, included in the tuning process, enabling significant accuracy gains. Highlights include near-zero and zero EER on IITD-Palmprint verification using one training sample and leave-one-out strategy, respectively. Therefore, the proposed palmprint system is practical as it is effective on data containing many and few training examples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Brown, Dane , Bradshaw, Karen L
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440249 , vital:73760 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-021-00859-3"
- Description: This paper builds upon a previously proposed automatic palmprint alignment and classification system. The proposed system was geared towards palmprints acquired from either contact or contactless sensors. It was robust to finger location and fist shape changes—accurately extracting the palmprints in images without fingers. An extension to this previous work includes comparisons of traditional and deep learning models, both with hyperparameter tuning. The proposed methods are compared with related verification systems and a detailed evaluation of open-set identification. The best results were yielded by a proposed Convolutional Neural Network, based on VGG-16, and outperforming tuned VGG-16 and Xception architectures. All deep learning algorithms are provided with augmented data, included in the tuning process, enabling significant accuracy gains. Highlights include near-zero and zero EER on IITD-Palmprint verification using one training sample and leave-one-out strategy, respectively. Therefore, the proposed palmprint system is practical as it is effective on data containing many and few training examples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Design and fabrication of electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer loaded onto silver nanoparticles for the detection of 17-β-Estradiol
- Regasa, Melkamu Biyana, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Regasa, Melkamu Biyana , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/300287 , vital:57913 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jmr.2978"
- Description: In this research report, we prepared an electrochemical sensor based on the molecularly imprinted poly(p-aminophenol) supported by silver nanoparticles capped with 2-mercaptobenzoxazole for the selective and sensitive detection of endocrine disrupting 17-β-estradiol (E2). The electropolymerization of the functional monomer prepared the proposed molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) composite-based sensor in the presence of E2 as a template. The recognition materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The electrochemical measurements were performed by employing both CV and SWV methods. We did the optimization of critical parameters affecting the sensor performances through the experimental design and verification. The developed sensor showed a linear range from 10 pM to 100 nM with the calculated quantification and detection limits of 1.86 and 6.19 pM, respectively. The incorporation of AgNP with high electrical conductivity into the MIP matrix enhanced the sensor's performance. Furthermore, the sensor was applied to determine E2 in real water samples without any sample preconcentration steps to achieve the percent recovery of 91.87% to 98.36% and acceptable reusability and storage stability performances.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Regasa, Melkamu Biyana , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/300287 , vital:57913 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jmr.2978"
- Description: In this research report, we prepared an electrochemical sensor based on the molecularly imprinted poly(p-aminophenol) supported by silver nanoparticles capped with 2-mercaptobenzoxazole for the selective and sensitive detection of endocrine disrupting 17-β-estradiol (E2). The electropolymerization of the functional monomer prepared the proposed molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) composite-based sensor in the presence of E2 as a template. The recognition materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The electrochemical measurements were performed by employing both CV and SWV methods. We did the optimization of critical parameters affecting the sensor performances through the experimental design and verification. The developed sensor showed a linear range from 10 pM to 100 nM with the calculated quantification and detection limits of 1.86 and 6.19 pM, respectively. The incorporation of AgNP with high electrical conductivity into the MIP matrix enhanced the sensor's performance. Furthermore, the sensor was applied to determine E2 in real water samples without any sample preconcentration steps to achieve the percent recovery of 91.87% to 98.36% and acceptable reusability and storage stability performances.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Detecting and removing sample contamination in phylogenomic data: an example and its implications for Cicadidae phylogeny (Insecta Hemiptera).
- Owen, Christopher L, Marshall, David C, Wade, Elizabeth J, Meister, Russ, Goemans, Geert, Kunte, Krushnamegh, Moulds, Max, Hill, Kathy, Villet, Martin H, Pham, Thai-Hong, Kortyna, Michelle, Lemmon, Emily M, Lemmon, Alan R, Simon, Chris
- Authors: Owen, Christopher L , Marshall, David C , Wade, Elizabeth J , Meister, Russ , Goemans, Geert , Kunte, Krushnamegh , Moulds, Max , Hill, Kathy , Villet, Martin H , Pham, Thai-Hong , Kortyna, Michelle , Lemmon, Emily M , Lemmon, Alan R , Simon, Chris
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440749 , vital:73809 , https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syac043
- Description: Contamination of a genetic sample with DNA from one or more nontarget species is a continuing concern of molecular phylogenetic studies, both Sanger sequencing studies and next-generation sequencing studies. We developed an automated pipeline for identifying and excluding likely cross-contaminated loci based on the detection of bimodal distributions of patristic distances across gene trees. When contamination occurs between samples within a data set, a comparison between a contaminated sample and its contaminant taxon will yield bimodal distributions with one peak close to zero patristic distance. This new method does not rely on a priori knowledge of taxon relatedness nor does it determine the causes(s) of the contamination. Exclusion of putatively contaminated loci from a data set generated for the insect family Cicadidae showed that these sequences were affecting some topological patterns and branch supports, although the effects were sometimes subtle, with some contamination-influenced relationships exhibiting strong bootstrap support. Long tip branches and outlier values for one anchored phylogenomic pipeline statistic (AvgNHomologs) were correlated with the presence of contamination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Owen, Christopher L , Marshall, David C , Wade, Elizabeth J , Meister, Russ , Goemans, Geert , Kunte, Krushnamegh , Moulds, Max , Hill, Kathy , Villet, Martin H , Pham, Thai-Hong , Kortyna, Michelle , Lemmon, Emily M , Lemmon, Alan R , Simon, Chris
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440749 , vital:73809 , https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syac043
- Description: Contamination of a genetic sample with DNA from one or more nontarget species is a continuing concern of molecular phylogenetic studies, both Sanger sequencing studies and next-generation sequencing studies. We developed an automated pipeline for identifying and excluding likely cross-contaminated loci based on the detection of bimodal distributions of patristic distances across gene trees. When contamination occurs between samples within a data set, a comparison between a contaminated sample and its contaminant taxon will yield bimodal distributions with one peak close to zero patristic distance. This new method does not rely on a priori knowledge of taxon relatedness nor does it determine the causes(s) of the contamination. Exclusion of putatively contaminated loci from a data set generated for the insect family Cicadidae showed that these sequences were affecting some topological patterns and branch supports, although the effects were sometimes subtle, with some contamination-influenced relationships exhibiting strong bootstrap support. Long tip branches and outlier values for one anchored phylogenomic pipeline statistic (AvgNHomologs) were correlated with the presence of contamination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Developing Relationships for Community-Based Research at Rhodes University: Values, Principles and Challenges
- Rouillard, Tessa, Deponselle, Keagan, Bezerra, Joana C
- Authors: Rouillard, Tessa , Deponselle, Keagan , Bezerra, Joana C
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426430 , vital:72352 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315525"
- Description: In addition to providing benefits to people, protected areas are valued in ways that go beyond the tangible. A sense of place, and the collection of values, feelings, and meanings associated with a place, can illuminate people-place relationships. Understanding how people relate to a place is essential in acquiring support for protected areas. This research investigates tourists’ and residents’ sense of place in Knysna, an open-access section of the Garden Route National Park, South Africa. Data was collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The sense of place was characterised using five variables: physical, cultural, social, dependent, and ideological. Although ‘physical’ was the dominant variable for both tourists and residents, the ‘ideological’ for residents and the ‘cultural’ for tourists came second, highlighting the importance of safe places and recreational activities, respectively. The physical environment influences sense of place, and the importance of protected areas to stakeholders offers an opportunity for management to engage with the public.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Rouillard, Tessa , Deponselle, Keagan , Bezerra, Joana C
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426430 , vital:72352 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315525"
- Description: In addition to providing benefits to people, protected areas are valued in ways that go beyond the tangible. A sense of place, and the collection of values, feelings, and meanings associated with a place, can illuminate people-place relationships. Understanding how people relate to a place is essential in acquiring support for protected areas. This research investigates tourists’ and residents’ sense of place in Knysna, an open-access section of the Garden Route National Park, South Africa. Data was collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The sense of place was characterised using five variables: physical, cultural, social, dependent, and ideological. Although ‘physical’ was the dominant variable for both tourists and residents, the ‘ideological’ for residents and the ‘cultural’ for tourists came second, highlighting the importance of safe places and recreational activities, respectively. The physical environment influences sense of place, and the importance of protected areas to stakeholders offers an opportunity for management to engage with the public.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Developing Relationships for Community-Based Research at Rhodes University: Values, Principles and Challenges
- Hornby, Diana, Maistry, Savathrie M
- Authors: Hornby, Diana , Maistry, Savathrie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433524 , vital:72981 , ISBN 978-3-030-86401-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86402-6_6
- Description: Post-apartheid education policy in South Africa mandates that universities should become more responsive to the socio-economic development of the country, positioning community engagement as a core function of higher education. Community engagement in all its forms, and particularly in the form of community-based research, should develop the social responsibility of both students and the institution by providing opportunities for partnering in community-based projects to promote the social good, thus narrowing the gap between universities and communities. The Community Engagement Division at Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, supported by the highest level of management of the institution, was fully aware that removal of the ‘ivory tower’ image was a herculean task. Thus, they developed a set of values and principles to guide the establishment of community partnerships with the community the university serves. This chapter explains these values and principles, using the Reviving Schools community engagement initiative as an example. It discusses some of the challenges experienced and how they were overcome to build research relationships and a sense of ‘community’ between Rhodes University and its external partners in Makhanda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Hornby, Diana , Maistry, Savathrie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433524 , vital:72981 , ISBN 978-3-030-86401-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86402-6_6
- Description: Post-apartheid education policy in South Africa mandates that universities should become more responsive to the socio-economic development of the country, positioning community engagement as a core function of higher education. Community engagement in all its forms, and particularly in the form of community-based research, should develop the social responsibility of both students and the institution by providing opportunities for partnering in community-based projects to promote the social good, thus narrowing the gap between universities and communities. The Community Engagement Division at Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, supported by the highest level of management of the institution, was fully aware that removal of the ‘ivory tower’ image was a herculean task. Thus, they developed a set of values and principles to guide the establishment of community partnerships with the community the university serves. This chapter explains these values and principles, using the Reviving Schools community engagement initiative as an example. It discusses some of the challenges experienced and how they were overcome to build research relationships and a sense of ‘community’ between Rhodes University and its external partners in Makhanda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Digitalisation and Transformative Learning for Sustainable Futures in Rural Africa Leaving No One Behind
- Shetye, Nyanta, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, Albrecht, Eike, Durr, Sarah, Marx, Dirk, Chirambo, Dumisani, Metelerkamp, Luke, van Zyl-Bulitta, Verena
- Authors: Shetye, Nyanta , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Albrecht, Eike , Durr, Sarah , Marx, Dirk , Chirambo, Dumisani , Metelerkamp, Luke , van Zyl-Bulitta, Verena
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435263 , vital:73143 , ISBN 9781928502241 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781003274322-14/digitalisation-transformative-learning-sustainable-futures-rural-africa-niyanta-shetye-heila-lotz-sisitka-eike-albrecht-sarah-durr-dirk-marx-dumisani-chirambo-luke-metelerkamp-verena-van-zyl-bulitta
- Description: This chapter assesses the use of Information and Telecommunication Technologies (ICTs) for social and community learning to achieve sustainable development in rural communities in Africa. It focuses on new and emerging trends in the cooperation between the African Union and European Union (AU–EU) and links two thematic areas; namely green transitions and digital transformations. The chapter highlights low-cost and effective digital learning solutions. It is based on a literature review and cases that provide insight into potential AU–EU cooperation and the “leave no one behind” agenda. The chapter argues that in addition to digital technology transfer, innovation and investments are needed in building a learning-centred support for green transitioning and digital cooperation. Hence, we focus on transformative learning opportunities and informal Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). In response to ICTs becoming a catalyst for such a transformation, we seek insights into how constructive AU–EU cooperation and co-learning can pave ways for societal transformations, particularly in rural communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Shetye, Nyanta , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Albrecht, Eike , Durr, Sarah , Marx, Dirk , Chirambo, Dumisani , Metelerkamp, Luke , van Zyl-Bulitta, Verena
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435263 , vital:73143 , ISBN 9781928502241 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781003274322-14/digitalisation-transformative-learning-sustainable-futures-rural-africa-niyanta-shetye-heila-lotz-sisitka-eike-albrecht-sarah-durr-dirk-marx-dumisani-chirambo-luke-metelerkamp-verena-van-zyl-bulitta
- Description: This chapter assesses the use of Information and Telecommunication Technologies (ICTs) for social and community learning to achieve sustainable development in rural communities in Africa. It focuses on new and emerging trends in the cooperation between the African Union and European Union (AU–EU) and links two thematic areas; namely green transitions and digital transformations. The chapter highlights low-cost and effective digital learning solutions. It is based on a literature review and cases that provide insight into potential AU–EU cooperation and the “leave no one behind” agenda. The chapter argues that in addition to digital technology transfer, innovation and investments are needed in building a learning-centred support for green transitioning and digital cooperation. Hence, we focus on transformative learning opportunities and informal Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). In response to ICTs becoming a catalyst for such a transformation, we seek insights into how constructive AU–EU cooperation and co-learning can pave ways for societal transformations, particularly in rural communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Double stimulation and transformative agency for leadership development of school learners in Southern Africa
- Authors: Grant, Carolyn
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281035 , vital:55685 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2020.1805495"
- Description: Learners, because of their minor status, are a virtual absence in everyday school leadership work, particularly on the African continent. School leadership, therefore, continues to be misconceived as an adult phenomenon. Framed by Cultural Historical Activity Theory, this paper reports on a Southern African Higher Education studythat engages with the Vygotskian principle of ‘double stimulation’ and its relationship to transformative agency in the context of a school-based learner leadership development initiative. One school change project was purposively selected as the case, and data were drawn from a postgraduate student research report and self-reflective journal. Drawing on the Sannino model of double stimulation, the paper explores the phases of double stimulation as well as instances of transformative agency evident in the data, and speculates about the relationship between double stimulation and transformative agency in the leadership development of learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Grant, Carolyn
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281035 , vital:55685 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2020.1805495"
- Description: Learners, because of their minor status, are a virtual absence in everyday school leadership work, particularly on the African continent. School leadership, therefore, continues to be misconceived as an adult phenomenon. Framed by Cultural Historical Activity Theory, this paper reports on a Southern African Higher Education studythat engages with the Vygotskian principle of ‘double stimulation’ and its relationship to transformative agency in the context of a school-based learner leadership development initiative. One school change project was purposively selected as the case, and data were drawn from a postgraduate student research report and self-reflective journal. Drawing on the Sannino model of double stimulation, the paper explores the phases of double stimulation as well as instances of transformative agency evident in the data, and speculates about the relationship between double stimulation and transformative agency in the leadership development of learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Drowning in data, thirsty for information and starved for understanding: A biodiversity information hub for cooperative environmental monitoring in South Africa
- MacFadyen, Sandra, Allsopp, Nicky, Altwegg, Res, Archibald, Sally, Botha, Judith, Bradshaw, Karen L, Carruthers, Jane, De Klerk, Helen, de Vos, Alta, Distiller, Greg, Foord, Stefan, Freitag-Ronaldson, Stefanie, Gibbs, Richard, Hamer, Michelle, Landi, Pietro, MacFayden, Duncan, Manuel, Jeffrey, Midgley, Guy, Moncrieff, Glenn, Munch, Zahn, Mutanga, Onisimo, Sershen, Nenguda, Rendani, Ngwenya, Mzabalazo, Parker, Daniel M, Peel, Mike, Power, John, Pretorius, Joachim, Ramdhani, Syd, Robertson, Mark P, Rushworth, Ian, Skowno, Andrew, Slingsby, Jasper, Turner, Andrew, Visser, Vernon, van Wageningen, Gerhard, Hui, Cang
- Authors: MacFadyen, Sandra , Allsopp, Nicky , Altwegg, Res , Archibald, Sally , Botha, Judith , Bradshaw, Karen L , Carruthers, Jane , De Klerk, Helen , de Vos, Alta , Distiller, Greg , Foord, Stefan , Freitag-Ronaldson, Stefanie , Gibbs, Richard , Hamer, Michelle , Landi, Pietro , MacFayden, Duncan , Manuel, Jeffrey , Midgley, Guy , Moncrieff, Glenn , Munch, Zahn , Mutanga, Onisimo , Sershen , Nenguda, Rendani , Ngwenya, Mzabalazo , Parker, Daniel M , Peel, Mike , Power, John , Pretorius, Joachim , Ramdhani, Syd , Robertson, Mark P , Rushworth, Ian , Skowno, Andrew , Slingsby, Jasper , Turner, Andrew , Visser, Vernon , van Wageningen, Gerhard , Hui, Cang
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/415624 , vital:71271 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109736"
- Description: The world is firmly cemented in a notitian age (Latin: notitia, meaning data) – drowning in data, yet thirsty for information and the synthesis of knowledge into understanding. As concerns over biodiversity declines escalate, the volume, diversity and speed at which new environmental and ecological data are generated has increased exponentially. Data availability primes the research and discovery engine driving biodiversity conservation. South Africa (SA) is poised to become a world leader in biodiversity conservation. However, continent-wide resource limitations hamper the establishment of inclusive technologies and robust platforms and tools for biodiversity informatics. In this perspectives piece, we bring together the opinions of 37 co-authors from 20 different departments, across 10 SA universities, 7 national and provincial conservation research agencies, and various institutes and private conservation, research and management bodies, to develop a way forward for biodiversity informatics in SA. We propose the development of a SA Biodiversity Informatics Hub and describe the essential components necessary for its design, implementation and sustainability. We emphasise the importance of developing a culture of cooperation, collaboration and interoperability among custodians of biodiversity data to establish operational workflows for data synthesis. However, our biggest challenges are misgivings around data sharing and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: MacFadyen, Sandra , Allsopp, Nicky , Altwegg, Res , Archibald, Sally , Botha, Judith , Bradshaw, Karen L , Carruthers, Jane , De Klerk, Helen , de Vos, Alta , Distiller, Greg , Foord, Stefan , Freitag-Ronaldson, Stefanie , Gibbs, Richard , Hamer, Michelle , Landi, Pietro , MacFayden, Duncan , Manuel, Jeffrey , Midgley, Guy , Moncrieff, Glenn , Munch, Zahn , Mutanga, Onisimo , Sershen , Nenguda, Rendani , Ngwenya, Mzabalazo , Parker, Daniel M , Peel, Mike , Power, John , Pretorius, Joachim , Ramdhani, Syd , Robertson, Mark P , Rushworth, Ian , Skowno, Andrew , Slingsby, Jasper , Turner, Andrew , Visser, Vernon , van Wageningen, Gerhard , Hui, Cang
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/415624 , vital:71271 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109736"
- Description: The world is firmly cemented in a notitian age (Latin: notitia, meaning data) – drowning in data, yet thirsty for information and the synthesis of knowledge into understanding. As concerns over biodiversity declines escalate, the volume, diversity and speed at which new environmental and ecological data are generated has increased exponentially. Data availability primes the research and discovery engine driving biodiversity conservation. South Africa (SA) is poised to become a world leader in biodiversity conservation. However, continent-wide resource limitations hamper the establishment of inclusive technologies and robust platforms and tools for biodiversity informatics. In this perspectives piece, we bring together the opinions of 37 co-authors from 20 different departments, across 10 SA universities, 7 national and provincial conservation research agencies, and various institutes and private conservation, research and management bodies, to develop a way forward for biodiversity informatics in SA. We propose the development of a SA Biodiversity Informatics Hub and describe the essential components necessary for its design, implementation and sustainability. We emphasise the importance of developing a culture of cooperation, collaboration and interoperability among custodians of biodiversity data to establish operational workflows for data synthesis. However, our biggest challenges are misgivings around data sharing and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Ecosystem for 4th industrial revolution to accelerate sustainable development goals in the South Africa’,‘n context: a conceptual framework
- Diale, Dineo, Kanakana-Katumba, Mukondeleli G, Maladzhi, Rendani W, von der Ohe, Hartmut
- Authors: Diale, Dineo , Kanakana-Katumba, Mukondeleli G , Maladzhi, Rendani W , von der Ohe, Hartmut
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/450592 , vital:74963 , xlink:href="https://ieomsociety.org/proceedings/2022nigeria/11.pdf"
- Description: Contextualizing technology and digitalization in a period of having to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs), requires a paradigm shift which calls for collaboration from multiple stakeholders. The current turbulent environment requires an investigation into ways of adopting the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as a pertinent mechanism for accelerating sustainable development goals. The need to formulate a conceptual framework and adapt it to the South African context, requires careful mapping of the elements of 4IR, the relevant infrastructure and resources There has been perceptions instigating resistance towards the SDGs, hence the need to develop the conceptual framework. The exploratory research method fitted well as its nature a systematic review to effect and respond to the abovementioned investigation. The study reviewed about 70 articles of which 53 of those were peerreviewed articles within 4th industrial revolution in South Africa as set for ecosystem. Due to limited research on the topic, possible impacting variables that added immeasurable value were explored as contributing factors the study. Both reviewed literature and government archive on 4th industrial revolution revealed how the ecosystems of 4IR accelerated the achievement of SDGs in South Africa. The study further singled smart factories, smart cities, integrated systems, green technologies, cybernetics, the internet of people, the internet of energy, and the internet of things as contributing factors towards 4IR. The recommended the applicability of the ecosystems onto the South African context to advance innovation agenda to achieve green energy, sustainable water provision, waste management, trade in low-carbon products, cleaner and greener technologies, green buildings, green chemistry and sustainable transport, as well as improved air quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Diale, Dineo , Kanakana-Katumba, Mukondeleli G , Maladzhi, Rendani W , von der Ohe, Hartmut
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/450592 , vital:74963 , xlink:href="https://ieomsociety.org/proceedings/2022nigeria/11.pdf"
- Description: Contextualizing technology and digitalization in a period of having to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs), requires a paradigm shift which calls for collaboration from multiple stakeholders. The current turbulent environment requires an investigation into ways of adopting the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as a pertinent mechanism for accelerating sustainable development goals. The need to formulate a conceptual framework and adapt it to the South African context, requires careful mapping of the elements of 4IR, the relevant infrastructure and resources There has been perceptions instigating resistance towards the SDGs, hence the need to develop the conceptual framework. The exploratory research method fitted well as its nature a systematic review to effect and respond to the abovementioned investigation. The study reviewed about 70 articles of which 53 of those were peerreviewed articles within 4th industrial revolution in South Africa as set for ecosystem. Due to limited research on the topic, possible impacting variables that added immeasurable value were explored as contributing factors the study. Both reviewed literature and government archive on 4th industrial revolution revealed how the ecosystems of 4IR accelerated the achievement of SDGs in South Africa. The study further singled smart factories, smart cities, integrated systems, green technologies, cybernetics, the internet of people, the internet of energy, and the internet of things as contributing factors towards 4IR. The recommended the applicability of the ecosystems onto the South African context to advance innovation agenda to achieve green energy, sustainable water provision, waste management, trade in low-carbon products, cleaner and greener technologies, green buildings, green chemistry and sustainable transport, as well as improved air quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Electrocatalytic activity of benzothiazole substituted cobalt phthalocyanine in the presence of detonation nanodiamonds
- Ncwane, Lunathi, Mpeta, Lekhetho S, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ncwane, Lunathi , Mpeta, Lekhetho S , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/295753 , vital:57375 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2022.109319"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis and electrochemical sensing properties of benzothiazole substituted cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) when π-π stacked on detonation nanodiamonds (to form CoPc-DNDs(ππ). The synthesized materials were characterized using UV–visible, mass, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopies as well as transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The electrochemical studies were conducted using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. Hydrazine was utilized as an analyte of interest, due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) were modified with DNDs, CoPc, and CoPc-DNDs(ππ) represented as GCE/DNDs, GCE/CoPc and GCE/ CoPc-DNDs(ππ). GCE was also modified sequential addition of the CoPc and DNDs onto the GCE, represented as GCE/CoPc-DNDs(seq) when CoPc is placed before DNDs on the electrode and GCE/DNDs-CoPc(seq) when DNDs are placed before CoPc, where seq represents sequential. GCE/CoPc-DNDs(ππ) electrode gave better results in terms of limit of detection (1.68 μM), sensitivity (9.59 μA.mM−1) and catalytic rate constant (1.25 × 106 M−1 s−1).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Ncwane, Lunathi , Mpeta, Lekhetho S , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/295753 , vital:57375 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2022.109319"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis and electrochemical sensing properties of benzothiazole substituted cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) when π-π stacked on detonation nanodiamonds (to form CoPc-DNDs(ππ). The synthesized materials were characterized using UV–visible, mass, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopies as well as transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The electrochemical studies were conducted using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. Hydrazine was utilized as an analyte of interest, due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) were modified with DNDs, CoPc, and CoPc-DNDs(ππ) represented as GCE/DNDs, GCE/CoPc and GCE/ CoPc-DNDs(ππ). GCE was also modified sequential addition of the CoPc and DNDs onto the GCE, represented as GCE/CoPc-DNDs(seq) when CoPc is placed before DNDs on the electrode and GCE/DNDs-CoPc(seq) when DNDs are placed before CoPc, where seq represents sequential. GCE/CoPc-DNDs(ππ) electrode gave better results in terms of limit of detection (1.68 μM), sensitivity (9.59 μA.mM−1) and catalytic rate constant (1.25 × 106 M−1 s−1).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Electrochemical detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 using an aptamer on cobalt phthalocyanines–Cerium oxide nanoparticle conjugate
- Centane, Sixolile, Mgidlana, Sithi, Openda, Yolanda, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Centane, Sixolile , Mgidlana, Sithi , Openda, Yolanda , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/299835 , vital:57859 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108146"
- Description: The role of the biointerface design towards the development of an impedimetric biosensor for the electrochemical detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is investigated. Two novel cobalt phthalocyanines: cobalt tetraphenyl acetic acid phthalocyanine and cobalt tetraphenyl propionic acid phthalocyanine are compared as signal amplifiers and immobilization platforms of the HB5 aptamer towards the electrochemical detection of HER2. In addition, the phthalocyanines are coupled with the metal based cerium oxide nanoparticles. The efficiency of each electrode modification step and the performance of the constructed aptasensors were assessed by impedance spectroscopy. The aptasensors showed very low limit of detection values (all less than 0.2 ng/mL) with high sensitivity and stability. Furthermore, the aptasensors showed very good performance even in human serum samples. Considering these results, the aptasensors demonstrate great potential for improved monitoring of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 levels for the management of breast cancers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Centane, Sixolile , Mgidlana, Sithi , Openda, Yolanda , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/299835 , vital:57859 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108146"
- Description: The role of the biointerface design towards the development of an impedimetric biosensor for the electrochemical detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is investigated. Two novel cobalt phthalocyanines: cobalt tetraphenyl acetic acid phthalocyanine and cobalt tetraphenyl propionic acid phthalocyanine are compared as signal amplifiers and immobilization platforms of the HB5 aptamer towards the electrochemical detection of HER2. In addition, the phthalocyanines are coupled with the metal based cerium oxide nanoparticles. The efficiency of each electrode modification step and the performance of the constructed aptasensors were assessed by impedance spectroscopy. The aptasensors showed very low limit of detection values (all less than 0.2 ng/mL) with high sensitivity and stability. Furthermore, the aptasensors showed very good performance even in human serum samples. Considering these results, the aptasensors demonstrate great potential for improved monitoring of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 levels for the management of breast cancers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Enacting Environmental Ethics Education for Wildlife Conservation using an Afrophilic ‘Philosophy for Children’approach
- Authors: Bhurekeni, John
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/389821 , vital:68487 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/224689"
- Description: Environmental Ethics Education has in recent years emerged as a critical tool for wildlife conservation research. Despite this, Environmental Ethics Education is paradoxically predominated by traditional forms of western science such as the concept of the Anthropocene which appears to exclude aspects of African life-worlds where the natural environment is considered a heritage component and is linked to onto-ethical understandings of human existence. The purpose of this study is to explore how African heritage-based knowledges and practices are understood by children who identify and understand the relevance of their totems and taboos associated with them, in relation to wildlife conservation. The study from which this paper is derived utilised formative interventionist methodology complemented by a multi-voiced decolonial approach to explore whether children-participants aged 8 to 11 years understand the purposes of their totems and associated taboos. To achieve this I used an Afrophilic Philosophy for Children pedagogical approach, which foregrounds dialogical learning and development of critical reflexive thinking skills. Emerging findings indicated that children associated their totems and connected taboos as tools for protection against environmental pollution and for minimising resource over-extraction. Findings further demonstrated improved learner agency and development of ethical reasoning among children. As participants’ respect for environmental conservation and sustainability was informed by the significance placed on their totems, I recommend the need for schools to develop generative curricula that take seriously context-based solutions to environmental problems. Future research should also consider understanding environmental conservation issues from a context-based perspective, which can inform existing heritage practices and pedagogies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Bhurekeni, John
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/389821 , vital:68487 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/224689"
- Description: Environmental Ethics Education has in recent years emerged as a critical tool for wildlife conservation research. Despite this, Environmental Ethics Education is paradoxically predominated by traditional forms of western science such as the concept of the Anthropocene which appears to exclude aspects of African life-worlds where the natural environment is considered a heritage component and is linked to onto-ethical understandings of human existence. The purpose of this study is to explore how African heritage-based knowledges and practices are understood by children who identify and understand the relevance of their totems and taboos associated with them, in relation to wildlife conservation. The study from which this paper is derived utilised formative interventionist methodology complemented by a multi-voiced decolonial approach to explore whether children-participants aged 8 to 11 years understand the purposes of their totems and associated taboos. To achieve this I used an Afrophilic Philosophy for Children pedagogical approach, which foregrounds dialogical learning and development of critical reflexive thinking skills. Emerging findings indicated that children associated their totems and connected taboos as tools for protection against environmental pollution and for minimising resource over-extraction. Findings further demonstrated improved learner agency and development of ethical reasoning among children. As participants’ respect for environmental conservation and sustainability was informed by the significance placed on their totems, I recommend the need for schools to develop generative curricula that take seriously context-based solutions to environmental problems. Future research should also consider understanding environmental conservation issues from a context-based perspective, which can inform existing heritage practices and pedagogies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022