Moringa oleifera leaf powder as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droewors
- Authors: Mukumbo, Felicitas Esnart
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants Moringa oleifera Pork -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15354 , vital:40400
- Description: The study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antioxidant compound content and lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Firstly, the physico-chemical properties (proximate composition, salt content, water activity (aw), pH) of commercially produced droëwors from different types of meat (beef, game, ostrich) were determined. In the second experiment beef and pork droëwors with similar fat content were produced. Physico-chemical properties and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS)) during processing and 26 days of storage at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity (RH) were measured. In the third experiment, antioxidant compounds (Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC), α-tocopherol, β-carotene) in MLP were quantified. Thereafter, 4 treatments of pork droëwors were produced, with MLP included at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/ 100 g. Physico-chemical properties and TBARS were measured at intervals during drying (0, 1.5, 5.75, 27.25, 72 h) and after 7 days of storage under ambient conditions. Antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)), TBARS, α- and γ-tocopherol, and β-carotene contents were measured. In the fourth experiment, three batches of droëwors were produced (C: no antioxidant, M0.75: 0.75 g/ 100 g MLP, VE: 15 mg/ kg α-tocopherol oil) and stored at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity for 112 days. Drying kinetics and α-tocopherol contents of pork droëwors after drying were measured and the physico-chemical properties and TBARS were followed during storage. Results showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the physico-chemical characteristics of beef, game meat and ostrich droëwors; containing on average 25.8 ± 1.25 g/100 g moisture, 42.0 ± 0.10 g/100 g protein, 32.0 ± 1.68 g/100 g fat, 6.2 ± 0.13 g/100 g ash and 4.2 ± 0.10 g/100 g salt; with aw and pH of 0.79 ± 0.015 and 5.3 ± 0.05, respectively. During processing and storage, TBARS were higher (P < 0.05) in pork droëwors (maximum 3.83 mg MDA/kg DM) than in beef (maximum 0.99 mg MDA/kg DM). Moringa oleifera leaf powder contained high levels of TPC (7.5 ± 0.2 mg gallic acid eq/g) and substantial levels of α-tocopherol (76.7 ± 1.9 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (23.2 ± 2.8 mg/100 g). The FRAP, α-tocopherol and β-carotene content of pork droëwors increased (P < 0.05) proportionally with increasing levels of MLP inclusion. Lipid oxidation occurred more rapidly (P < 0.05) when MLP was not added and was similar (P > 0.05) for all MLP treatments. There was no significant effect of the inclusion of 0.75 g/100 g MLP on the drying curves and physico-chemical characteristics of the droëwors. The α-tocopherol content was higher (P < 0.05) and TBARS during storage were lower (P > 0.05) with MLP addition. The results of the current study give an overview of the composition of commercial droëwors and showed higher susceptibility to lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Moringa oleifera leaf powder exhibited antioxidant activity in pork droëwors, inhibited lipid oxidation and increased the content of α-tocopherol in the product. It can be concluded that MLP could be used as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droëwors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mukumbo, Felicitas Esnart
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants Moringa oleifera Pork -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15354 , vital:40400
- Description: The study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antioxidant compound content and lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Firstly, the physico-chemical properties (proximate composition, salt content, water activity (aw), pH) of commercially produced droëwors from different types of meat (beef, game, ostrich) were determined. In the second experiment beef and pork droëwors with similar fat content were produced. Physico-chemical properties and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS)) during processing and 26 days of storage at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity (RH) were measured. In the third experiment, antioxidant compounds (Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC), α-tocopherol, β-carotene) in MLP were quantified. Thereafter, 4 treatments of pork droëwors were produced, with MLP included at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/ 100 g. Physico-chemical properties and TBARS were measured at intervals during drying (0, 1.5, 5.75, 27.25, 72 h) and after 7 days of storage under ambient conditions. Antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)), TBARS, α- and γ-tocopherol, and β-carotene contents were measured. In the fourth experiment, three batches of droëwors were produced (C: no antioxidant, M0.75: 0.75 g/ 100 g MLP, VE: 15 mg/ kg α-tocopherol oil) and stored at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity for 112 days. Drying kinetics and α-tocopherol contents of pork droëwors after drying were measured and the physico-chemical properties and TBARS were followed during storage. Results showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the physico-chemical characteristics of beef, game meat and ostrich droëwors; containing on average 25.8 ± 1.25 g/100 g moisture, 42.0 ± 0.10 g/100 g protein, 32.0 ± 1.68 g/100 g fat, 6.2 ± 0.13 g/100 g ash and 4.2 ± 0.10 g/100 g salt; with aw and pH of 0.79 ± 0.015 and 5.3 ± 0.05, respectively. During processing and storage, TBARS were higher (P < 0.05) in pork droëwors (maximum 3.83 mg MDA/kg DM) than in beef (maximum 0.99 mg MDA/kg DM). Moringa oleifera leaf powder contained high levels of TPC (7.5 ± 0.2 mg gallic acid eq/g) and substantial levels of α-tocopherol (76.7 ± 1.9 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (23.2 ± 2.8 mg/100 g). The FRAP, α-tocopherol and β-carotene content of pork droëwors increased (P < 0.05) proportionally with increasing levels of MLP inclusion. Lipid oxidation occurred more rapidly (P < 0.05) when MLP was not added and was similar (P > 0.05) for all MLP treatments. There was no significant effect of the inclusion of 0.75 g/100 g MLP on the drying curves and physico-chemical characteristics of the droëwors. The α-tocopherol content was higher (P < 0.05) and TBARS during storage were lower (P > 0.05) with MLP addition. The results of the current study give an overview of the composition of commercial droëwors and showed higher susceptibility to lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Moringa oleifera leaf powder exhibited antioxidant activity in pork droëwors, inhibited lipid oxidation and increased the content of α-tocopherol in the product. It can be concluded that MLP could be used as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droëwors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Nanocomposites of carbon nanomaterials and metallophthalocyanines : applications towards electrocatalysis
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nanocomposites (Materials) , Nanostructured materials , Electrocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020846
- Description: Nanohybrid materials have been prepared and examined for their electrocatalytic activity. The nanocomposites have been prepared from carbon nanomaterials (multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanosheets), cadmium selenide quantum dots and metallophthalocyanines (MPcs). The MPcs used in this work are cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine (CoTAPc) and tetra (4-(4,6-diaminopyrimidin-2-ylthio) phthalocyaninatocobalt (II)) (CoPyPc). Their activity has also been explored in different forms; polymeric MPcs, iodine doped MPcs and covalently linked MPcs. The premixed drop-dry, sequential drop-dry and electropolymerisation electrode modification techniques were used to prepare nanocomposite catalysts on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. The sequential drop dry technique for MPc and MWCNTs gave better catalytic responses in terms of limit of detection, catalytic and electron transfer rate constants relative to the premixed. MWCNTs and CdSe-QDs have been used as intercalating agents to reduce restacking of graphene nanosheets during nanocomposite preparation. Voltammetry, chronoamperometry, scanning electrochemical microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods are used for electrochemical characterization modified GCE. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy were used to explore surface functionalities, morphology and topography of the nanocomposites. Electrocatalytic activity and possible applications of the modified electrodes were tested using oxygen reduction reaction, l-cysteine oxidation and paraquat reduction. Activity of nanocomposites was found superior over individual nanomaterials in these applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nanocomposites (Materials) , Nanostructured materials , Electrocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020846
- Description: Nanohybrid materials have been prepared and examined for their electrocatalytic activity. The nanocomposites have been prepared from carbon nanomaterials (multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanosheets), cadmium selenide quantum dots and metallophthalocyanines (MPcs). The MPcs used in this work are cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine (CoTAPc) and tetra (4-(4,6-diaminopyrimidin-2-ylthio) phthalocyaninatocobalt (II)) (CoPyPc). Their activity has also been explored in different forms; polymeric MPcs, iodine doped MPcs and covalently linked MPcs. The premixed drop-dry, sequential drop-dry and electropolymerisation electrode modification techniques were used to prepare nanocomposite catalysts on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. The sequential drop dry technique for MPc and MWCNTs gave better catalytic responses in terms of limit of detection, catalytic and electron transfer rate constants relative to the premixed. MWCNTs and CdSe-QDs have been used as intercalating agents to reduce restacking of graphene nanosheets during nanocomposite preparation. Voltammetry, chronoamperometry, scanning electrochemical microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods are used for electrochemical characterization modified GCE. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy were used to explore surface functionalities, morphology and topography of the nanocomposites. Electrocatalytic activity and possible applications of the modified electrodes were tested using oxygen reduction reaction, l-cysteine oxidation and paraquat reduction. Activity of nanocomposites was found superior over individual nanomaterials in these applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Nascent Desires: Gendered Sexualities in Life Orientation Sexuality Education Programmes and Popular Music
- Authors: Moodley, Dale Dhersen
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3274 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021260
- Description: Formal school-based sexuality education is one medium, amongst others, that recognises young people’s sexuality, but usually as at-risk and/or risk taking subjects, or as innocent subjects. I analyse the gendered sexualities of young people as represented in: Grade 10 Life Orientation sexuality education programmes and popular music, as two mediums of sexual socialisation in Grade 10 learners’ lives, and as engaged with by Grade 10 learners and educators. I collected data from two schools in the Eastern Cape that included: (i) sections on sexuality from two Life Orientation manuals used by educators in classrooms: ‘Oxford Successful Life Orientation’ (2011), and ‘Shuters Top Class Life Orientation’ (2011); (ii) videos and lyrics of three songs voted most popular by learners which were ‘Climax’ by Usher, ‘Beez in the Trap’ by Nicki Minaj, and ‘Where Have You Been’ by Rihanna; (iii) observations of seven sexuality education classes; and, (iv) in-depth semistructured interviews conducted with eight learners and two educators. I draw on an integrated theoretical and methodological approach – Foucauldian, feminist poststructural and psychosocial psychoanalytic perspectives – to conceptualise and analyse gendered sexualities in terms of: (i) the dominant gendered discourses found in sexuality education manuals, and music videos and lyrics; (ii) the reflexive and interactive gendered subject positions taken up and/or resisted by learners and educators during classroom lessons and one-on-one interviews; and, (iii) learners’ and educators’ conscious and unconscious investments in particular gendered subject positions during one-on-one interviews. These three sets of analysis produced four major themes. The first theme centres on responsible sexuality; young women are expected to assume more sexual responsility than young men, thus curbing their sexual agency. The second theme outlines three types of pleasure – sexual, romantic and dating and/or relationship pleasure – that accord young men and women active and passive ways of exercising pleasure. The third theme highlights the heteronormative transitioning adolescent subject that constructs young women as reproductive subjects and young men as sexual subjects. The last theme focuses on gendered power relations and raunch culture, and maintains that young men are powerful and likely to commit acts of sexual violence against young women because they are powerless. The central argument developed when viewing all the themes is that dominant gendered discourse, gendered subject positions, and conscious and unconscious investments in these positions challenge the extent to which the gendered meanings that underpin adolescent learners’ sexuality are stable and fixed. The gendered discourses in the Life Orientation sexuality education programmes showed that gender is expressed rigidly, thus privileging masculine over feminine sexuality. However, the gendered discourses in the popular music contested rigid gender binaries and produced fluid and equitable masculine and feminine sexualities. The classroom practices depicted multiple and more equatable gendered sexualities, highlighting just how contested gender is. Finally, educator and learners’ personal biographies illustrated how conflicting masculine and feminine sexualities present a signficant source of emotional conflict for them. It may benefit policymakers and stakeholders to consider informal mediums of sexual socialisation for learners, such as music, when drafting the Life Orientation sexuality education curriculum, whilst also taking into account learners and educators personal lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Moodley, Dale Dhersen
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3274 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021260
- Description: Formal school-based sexuality education is one medium, amongst others, that recognises young people’s sexuality, but usually as at-risk and/or risk taking subjects, or as innocent subjects. I analyse the gendered sexualities of young people as represented in: Grade 10 Life Orientation sexuality education programmes and popular music, as two mediums of sexual socialisation in Grade 10 learners’ lives, and as engaged with by Grade 10 learners and educators. I collected data from two schools in the Eastern Cape that included: (i) sections on sexuality from two Life Orientation manuals used by educators in classrooms: ‘Oxford Successful Life Orientation’ (2011), and ‘Shuters Top Class Life Orientation’ (2011); (ii) videos and lyrics of three songs voted most popular by learners which were ‘Climax’ by Usher, ‘Beez in the Trap’ by Nicki Minaj, and ‘Where Have You Been’ by Rihanna; (iii) observations of seven sexuality education classes; and, (iv) in-depth semistructured interviews conducted with eight learners and two educators. I draw on an integrated theoretical and methodological approach – Foucauldian, feminist poststructural and psychosocial psychoanalytic perspectives – to conceptualise and analyse gendered sexualities in terms of: (i) the dominant gendered discourses found in sexuality education manuals, and music videos and lyrics; (ii) the reflexive and interactive gendered subject positions taken up and/or resisted by learners and educators during classroom lessons and one-on-one interviews; and, (iii) learners’ and educators’ conscious and unconscious investments in particular gendered subject positions during one-on-one interviews. These three sets of analysis produced four major themes. The first theme centres on responsible sexuality; young women are expected to assume more sexual responsility than young men, thus curbing their sexual agency. The second theme outlines three types of pleasure – sexual, romantic and dating and/or relationship pleasure – that accord young men and women active and passive ways of exercising pleasure. The third theme highlights the heteronormative transitioning adolescent subject that constructs young women as reproductive subjects and young men as sexual subjects. The last theme focuses on gendered power relations and raunch culture, and maintains that young men are powerful and likely to commit acts of sexual violence against young women because they are powerless. The central argument developed when viewing all the themes is that dominant gendered discourse, gendered subject positions, and conscious and unconscious investments in these positions challenge the extent to which the gendered meanings that underpin adolescent learners’ sexuality are stable and fixed. The gendered discourses in the Life Orientation sexuality education programmes showed that gender is expressed rigidly, thus privileging masculine over feminine sexuality. However, the gendered discourses in the popular music contested rigid gender binaries and produced fluid and equitable masculine and feminine sexualities. The classroom practices depicted multiple and more equatable gendered sexualities, highlighting just how contested gender is. Finally, educator and learners’ personal biographies illustrated how conflicting masculine and feminine sexualities present a signficant source of emotional conflict for them. It may benefit policymakers and stakeholders to consider informal mediums of sexual socialisation for learners, such as music, when drafting the Life Orientation sexuality education curriculum, whilst also taking into account learners and educators personal lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Observational cosmology with imperfect data
- Authors: Bester, Hertzog Landman
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463 , vital:19961
- Description: We develop a formalism suitable to infer the background geometry of a general spherically symmetric dust universe directly from data on the past lightcone. This direct observational approach makes minimal assumptions about inaccessible parts of the Universe. The non-parametric and Bayesian framework we propose provides a very direct way to test one of the most fundamental underlying assumptions of concordance cosmology viz. the Copernican principle. We present the Copernicus algorithm for this purpose. By applying the algorithm to currently available data, we demonstrate that it is not yet possible to confirm or refute the validity of the Copernican principle within the proposed framework. This is followed by an investigation which aims to determine which future data will best be able to test the Copernican principle. Our results on simulated data suggest that, besides the need to improve the current data, it will be important to identify additional model independent observables for this purpose. The main difficulty with current data is their inability to constrain the value of the cosmological constant. We show how redshift drift data could be used to infer its value with minimal assumptions about the nature of the early Universe. We also discuss some alternative applications of the algorithm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Bester, Hertzog Landman
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463 , vital:19961
- Description: We develop a formalism suitable to infer the background geometry of a general spherically symmetric dust universe directly from data on the past lightcone. This direct observational approach makes minimal assumptions about inaccessible parts of the Universe. The non-parametric and Bayesian framework we propose provides a very direct way to test one of the most fundamental underlying assumptions of concordance cosmology viz. the Copernican principle. We present the Copernicus algorithm for this purpose. By applying the algorithm to currently available data, we demonstrate that it is not yet possible to confirm or refute the validity of the Copernican principle within the proposed framework. This is followed by an investigation which aims to determine which future data will best be able to test the Copernican principle. Our results on simulated data suggest that, besides the need to improve the current data, it will be important to identify additional model independent observables for this purpose. The main difficulty with current data is their inability to constrain the value of the cosmological constant. We show how redshift drift data could be used to infer its value with minimal assumptions about the nature of the early Universe. We also discuss some alternative applications of the algorithm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Organisational reputation management in South African Higher Education by means of social media policies
- Authors: Van den Berg, Amanda Elise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Online social networks -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Corporate image -- Management , Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45525 , vital:38640
- Description: This study investigates reputation management in South African higher education institutions by means of the development and implementation of social-media policies. While other policies, such as marketing, computing, intellectual property, ethics and staff, and student disciplinary policies may exist, higher education institutions need to respond to both the new challenges and the new risks posed by the social-media practices and to develop explicit social-media policies for staff and students that are unique to that industry. Existing social-media policies of SA HEIs, as well as those developed within the finance sector and by international institutions of higher education, are analysed by means of in-depth interviews and documentary analysis, by using the same coding structure. Telephonic interviews with key personnel provide insight into the social-media policy development process of SA HEIs. In order to ensure research trustworthiness and rigour, the analytical process employed Consensual Qualitative Research. The research reveals that it has become necessary for organisations to understand the important role played by the social media in corporate strategies, in order to obtain optimal results for sustained growth and development. Organisational reputation, including the social media, need to be managed, not only as an isolated function or activity of the organisation, but as an integral element of all parts or subsystems of the organisation. Social-media policy development is only the starting point of ensuring a positive return for the organisation. The organisation needs to be seen to actively engage in the benefits and risks – by understanding the role of the social media within the various sectors of the organisation. A more strategic corporate strategy is proposed to meet the full potential and to manage organisational risk. universities need to develop an attractive and well-maintained reputation – with the aim of attracting the most accomplished researchers, staff, students and funders. In addition, the research reveals that HEIs can be seen as high-risk operations by their external stakeholders, including clients (students), funders and communities. It is argued that their outputs (research and students) fundamentally impact on their communities and on the interconnected environment. Organisational stakeholders are seen as important role players within an organisation’s and policy on how to manage these relationships; and the potential and real-time risks associated with such relationships become central themes, when managing the organisational reputation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van den Berg, Amanda Elise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Online social networks -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Corporate image -- Management , Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45525 , vital:38640
- Description: This study investigates reputation management in South African higher education institutions by means of the development and implementation of social-media policies. While other policies, such as marketing, computing, intellectual property, ethics and staff, and student disciplinary policies may exist, higher education institutions need to respond to both the new challenges and the new risks posed by the social-media practices and to develop explicit social-media policies for staff and students that are unique to that industry. Existing social-media policies of SA HEIs, as well as those developed within the finance sector and by international institutions of higher education, are analysed by means of in-depth interviews and documentary analysis, by using the same coding structure. Telephonic interviews with key personnel provide insight into the social-media policy development process of SA HEIs. In order to ensure research trustworthiness and rigour, the analytical process employed Consensual Qualitative Research. The research reveals that it has become necessary for organisations to understand the important role played by the social media in corporate strategies, in order to obtain optimal results for sustained growth and development. Organisational reputation, including the social media, need to be managed, not only as an isolated function or activity of the organisation, but as an integral element of all parts or subsystems of the organisation. Social-media policy development is only the starting point of ensuring a positive return for the organisation. The organisation needs to be seen to actively engage in the benefits and risks – by understanding the role of the social media within the various sectors of the organisation. A more strategic corporate strategy is proposed to meet the full potential and to manage organisational risk. universities need to develop an attractive and well-maintained reputation – with the aim of attracting the most accomplished researchers, staff, students and funders. In addition, the research reveals that HEIs can be seen as high-risk operations by their external stakeholders, including clients (students), funders and communities. It is argued that their outputs (research and students) fundamentally impact on their communities and on the interconnected environment. Organisational stakeholders are seen as important role players within an organisation’s and policy on how to manage these relationships; and the potential and real-time risks associated with such relationships become central themes, when managing the organisational reputation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Participation of Zimbabwean female students in physics: Subject perception and identity formation
- Authors: Gudyanga, Anna
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Participation -- Women -- Zimbabwe Women -- Education -- Zimbabwe Science -- Study and teaching -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11542 , vital:26936
- Description: The central focus of this study was to determine the extent to which identity formation influenced Zimbabwean A-level female students’ perceptions of and participation in physics. The themes from the sub-problems included the influence of contextual factors on identity formation in relation to physics as a subject at Advanced Level (A-level), facets of identity formation considered to be of significance by female students in relation to physics, the way in which female students’ perceptions of physics influenced their participation in the subject as well as the factors of identity formation considered as contributing to developing an orientation towards physics by female students. A qualitative approach grounded in an interpretivist paradigm was used. A tri-hybrid theoretical lens comprising of Wenger’s (1998) Social Learning Theory featuring CoP, the Feminist Stand point Theory and Sfard and Prusak’s (2005) notion of ‘telling’ identities or stories, enabled a rich understanding of the influences of identity formation on female students’ perceptions of and participation in physics. The data generating methods used were classroom observation, Draw-A-Scientist Test and semi-structured interviews conducted with nine participants. The data were collated to generate narratives. Key findings: The contextual factors that influenced the identity formation of female students and subsequently their participation in physics at A-level included: Parental and siblings influence; cultural perceptions; impact of the O-level experience; A-level physics teachers’ attitudes; classroom and laboratory experience; male peer influence and other factors such as an understanding of the relevance of physics in daily life. Facets of identity formation considered to be of significance by female students in relation to physics included: being confident, fearless, intelligent, and courageous, liking physics and being determined. These facets motivated them to develop an identity in favour of physics. The female participants studying only mathematics perceived themselves as very intelligent but with a fear of failing physics, lacking confidence and courage. Female students who held negative perceptions towards physics chose to do only mathematics at A-level while those with positive perceptions which influenced the formation of a positive physics identity displayed enthusiasm and commitment to achieve high levels of performance in the subject. Factors of identity formation considered as contributing positively to the development of an orientation towards physics by female students included the importance of v female physics teachers as role models, motivation from O-level science teachers, high self-confidence, high self-esteem, parental support and encouragement, and aspirations towards a physics related career. Gender insensitivity displayed by male teachers, male peer harassment and gender stereotyping are factors in identity formation considered as inhibiting the development of an orientation towards physics by female students. This study provides physics educators, physics planners and the government with detailed information on the role identity formation plays on the participation of Zimbabwean female adolescent students in A-level physics. The findings may be used by heads of schools to sensitise academic staff on the gender dimensions of teaching and learning as well as by counsellors and parents to encourage females to enrol for physics and mathematics as their subjects of choice. This study also contributes to the strengthening of educational research in Zimbabwe, especially research aimed at emancipation of female students in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Gudyanga, Anna
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Participation -- Women -- Zimbabwe Women -- Education -- Zimbabwe Science -- Study and teaching -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11542 , vital:26936
- Description: The central focus of this study was to determine the extent to which identity formation influenced Zimbabwean A-level female students’ perceptions of and participation in physics. The themes from the sub-problems included the influence of contextual factors on identity formation in relation to physics as a subject at Advanced Level (A-level), facets of identity formation considered to be of significance by female students in relation to physics, the way in which female students’ perceptions of physics influenced their participation in the subject as well as the factors of identity formation considered as contributing to developing an orientation towards physics by female students. A qualitative approach grounded in an interpretivist paradigm was used. A tri-hybrid theoretical lens comprising of Wenger’s (1998) Social Learning Theory featuring CoP, the Feminist Stand point Theory and Sfard and Prusak’s (2005) notion of ‘telling’ identities or stories, enabled a rich understanding of the influences of identity formation on female students’ perceptions of and participation in physics. The data generating methods used were classroom observation, Draw-A-Scientist Test and semi-structured interviews conducted with nine participants. The data were collated to generate narratives. Key findings: The contextual factors that influenced the identity formation of female students and subsequently their participation in physics at A-level included: Parental and siblings influence; cultural perceptions; impact of the O-level experience; A-level physics teachers’ attitudes; classroom and laboratory experience; male peer influence and other factors such as an understanding of the relevance of physics in daily life. Facets of identity formation considered to be of significance by female students in relation to physics included: being confident, fearless, intelligent, and courageous, liking physics and being determined. These facets motivated them to develop an identity in favour of physics. The female participants studying only mathematics perceived themselves as very intelligent but with a fear of failing physics, lacking confidence and courage. Female students who held negative perceptions towards physics chose to do only mathematics at A-level while those with positive perceptions which influenced the formation of a positive physics identity displayed enthusiasm and commitment to achieve high levels of performance in the subject. Factors of identity formation considered as contributing positively to the development of an orientation towards physics by female students included the importance of v female physics teachers as role models, motivation from O-level science teachers, high self-confidence, high self-esteem, parental support and encouragement, and aspirations towards a physics related career. Gender insensitivity displayed by male teachers, male peer harassment and gender stereotyping are factors in identity formation considered as inhibiting the development of an orientation towards physics by female students. This study provides physics educators, physics planners and the government with detailed information on the role identity formation plays on the participation of Zimbabwean female adolescent students in A-level physics. The findings may be used by heads of schools to sensitise academic staff on the gender dimensions of teaching and learning as well as by counsellors and parents to encourage females to enrol for physics and mathematics as their subjects of choice. This study also contributes to the strengthening of educational research in Zimbabwe, especially research aimed at emancipation of female students in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Perceived decision making factors in the use of traditional and alternative medicine for people living with HIV and AIDS
- Authors: Muromo, Tinashe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Decision making , HIV-positive persons -- Attitudes , Social influence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5687 , vital:20963
- Description: AIDS is one of the most destructive diseases humankind has ever faced and also brings with it profound social, economic and public health consequences, making it one of the most serious health and development challenges in the world today. Zimbabwe, situated in southeastern Africa, is not spared from the pandemic. It continues to be one of the Sub-SaharanAfrican countries mostly heavily impacted by the AIDS epidemic, with almost 1.2 million people infected and over 1.1 million orphans. It ranks, therefore, as fifth highest in the world in the impact HIV and AIDS has had on the country. The most effective response has been to introduce programmes to reduce the number of new infections. Recent research has demonstrated treatment as a preventative measure to be very effective. This approach involves targeting those who are infected so that they are not able to transmit the disease. The decision that has to be made by an infected person, however, is whether to look for traditional treatment, conventional treatment or a combination of the two. Herbal medicine use is becoming very common in many countries, especially in the developing world, where public health safety has become a concern. It has become common to use herbal medicine concomitantly with allopathic or conventional medicine. The present study focused on investigating perceptions leading to the choice of treatment with the traditional alternative medicines (TAM) as (a)/n alternative or compliment to the conventional or allopathic option. This is a qualitative study that explores and describes participant’s perceptions, beliefs, attitudes and feelings around the use of traditional medicine, within the context of the Integrative Behaviour Model (IBM). Data was collected from 20 people living with HIV and AIDS from urban and rural settings of different ethnicities (Shona and Shangani). The data analysis was informed by The Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis with the aid of NVivo (V.10), a computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software. As predicted by the IBM, both perceived individual and environmental factors were found to be key in influencing decision-making on the use of TAM by people living with HIV and AIDS. Although there were a number of incidents in which either individual or environmental factors were perceived as independently influencing the TAM-use decision-making process, there was a lot of mutual influence between the environment and the individual. Such mutual causation was abstracted as reciprocal determinism. The IMB model assumed a unidirectional causation in which the environment could affect the individual factors. While the present study identified and demonstrated these environmental effects on the individual, it also identified and presented a reverse causation in which the individual would also affect the environment with respect to motivation for TAM use. Individual factors were psychological properties that drove the individual to use TAM. Attitude, social influence and personal agency emerged as the three dimensions of individual factors. Attitudes helped in identification of orientations that located objects of thought on dimensions of judgment about the use of TAM. Social influence explained social pressure experienced and expected regarding the use of TAM. The study demonstrated the importance of both the descriptive and injunctive norm with participants indicating that they perceived important others to be using traditional medicine and that they felt perceived expectations from others to do the same and hence the motivation to comply. Personal agency pointed to the participants’ capacities to originate and direct actions for the purposes of TAM use. All these constructs were found to be very important as perceived determinants of the behavioral intentions of people living with HIV and AIDS to use traditional medicines. In experiential attitude, generally the respondents showed more perceived positive evaluations of pleasurable experiences in their use of traditional medicines. However, there were other outcome evaluations that seemed to be ambivalent and which appeared to cause a lot of tension. The comprehension of experiential attitude was found therefore found to be trichotomous rather than dichotomous as per the IBM. The effects of the instrumental attitude were revealed in the ratings of the extent to which the use of traditional medicine was perceived as useful or rewarding, with the study revealing high ratings of usefulness. It becomes clear, therefore, that for people living with HIV and AIDS social influence, perceived attitudes and personal agency are important decision-making factors in their use of traditional and alternative medicine. Efforts towards education, integration and behaviour change programmes should design messages targeting these behavioral determinants. Understanding of these perceived determinants is crucial to influencing policy as well as the adoption of health practices through education, marketing and other modes of health promotion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Muromo, Tinashe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Decision making , HIV-positive persons -- Attitudes , Social influence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5687 , vital:20963
- Description: AIDS is one of the most destructive diseases humankind has ever faced and also brings with it profound social, economic and public health consequences, making it one of the most serious health and development challenges in the world today. Zimbabwe, situated in southeastern Africa, is not spared from the pandemic. It continues to be one of the Sub-SaharanAfrican countries mostly heavily impacted by the AIDS epidemic, with almost 1.2 million people infected and over 1.1 million orphans. It ranks, therefore, as fifth highest in the world in the impact HIV and AIDS has had on the country. The most effective response has been to introduce programmes to reduce the number of new infections. Recent research has demonstrated treatment as a preventative measure to be very effective. This approach involves targeting those who are infected so that they are not able to transmit the disease. The decision that has to be made by an infected person, however, is whether to look for traditional treatment, conventional treatment or a combination of the two. Herbal medicine use is becoming very common in many countries, especially in the developing world, where public health safety has become a concern. It has become common to use herbal medicine concomitantly with allopathic or conventional medicine. The present study focused on investigating perceptions leading to the choice of treatment with the traditional alternative medicines (TAM) as (a)/n alternative or compliment to the conventional or allopathic option. This is a qualitative study that explores and describes participant’s perceptions, beliefs, attitudes and feelings around the use of traditional medicine, within the context of the Integrative Behaviour Model (IBM). Data was collected from 20 people living with HIV and AIDS from urban and rural settings of different ethnicities (Shona and Shangani). The data analysis was informed by The Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis with the aid of NVivo (V.10), a computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software. As predicted by the IBM, both perceived individual and environmental factors were found to be key in influencing decision-making on the use of TAM by people living with HIV and AIDS. Although there were a number of incidents in which either individual or environmental factors were perceived as independently influencing the TAM-use decision-making process, there was a lot of mutual influence between the environment and the individual. Such mutual causation was abstracted as reciprocal determinism. The IMB model assumed a unidirectional causation in which the environment could affect the individual factors. While the present study identified and demonstrated these environmental effects on the individual, it also identified and presented a reverse causation in which the individual would also affect the environment with respect to motivation for TAM use. Individual factors were psychological properties that drove the individual to use TAM. Attitude, social influence and personal agency emerged as the three dimensions of individual factors. Attitudes helped in identification of orientations that located objects of thought on dimensions of judgment about the use of TAM. Social influence explained social pressure experienced and expected regarding the use of TAM. The study demonstrated the importance of both the descriptive and injunctive norm with participants indicating that they perceived important others to be using traditional medicine and that they felt perceived expectations from others to do the same and hence the motivation to comply. Personal agency pointed to the participants’ capacities to originate and direct actions for the purposes of TAM use. All these constructs were found to be very important as perceived determinants of the behavioral intentions of people living with HIV and AIDS to use traditional medicines. In experiential attitude, generally the respondents showed more perceived positive evaluations of pleasurable experiences in their use of traditional medicines. However, there were other outcome evaluations that seemed to be ambivalent and which appeared to cause a lot of tension. The comprehension of experiential attitude was found therefore found to be trichotomous rather than dichotomous as per the IBM. The effects of the instrumental attitude were revealed in the ratings of the extent to which the use of traditional medicine was perceived as useful or rewarding, with the study revealing high ratings of usefulness. It becomes clear, therefore, that for people living with HIV and AIDS social influence, perceived attitudes and personal agency are important decision-making factors in their use of traditional and alternative medicine. Efforts towards education, integration and behaviour change programmes should design messages targeting these behavioral determinants. Understanding of these perceived determinants is crucial to influencing policy as well as the adoption of health practices through education, marketing and other modes of health promotion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Perceptions and experiences of G2E e-Government workplace restructuring: The cases of Buffalo City and City of Cape Town metropolitan municipalities, South Africa
- Authors: Makwembere, Sandra
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/617 , vital:19975
- Description: Taking the cases of Buffalo City Metropolitan municipality (BCMM) and City of Cape Town Metropolitan municipality (CoCT), this thesis explores the implications of government to employee (G2E) electronic government workplace restructuring on skills transformation and workplace control as perceived by back office employees and managers from different Corporate Services departments. It aims to describe the arrangements, rationale and degree of G2E e-government at BCMM and CoCT, investigate how managers, employees and union representatives identify the workplace changes relating to skill as well as document and analyse workplace struggles linked to G2E e-government. Using labour process analysis, the impacts of G2E e-government technological change are conceptualised. The labour process concepts alert us to ways in which G2E e-government technology is applied in the context of specific public sector production relations. They explain how employees and managers experience the dynamics of skill transformation and the mechanisms of control related to G2E e-government. The consideration of the labour process contrasts predominant e-government scholarly works that focus on government websites. Further, by using case study methods, namely interviews, surveys and observations, the thesis documents the particular back office employees’ and managers’ realities of G2E e-government which are marginalised in scholarly literature. The sample of respondents were selected using purposive sampling based on the subjects’ knowledge and experience, snowball sampling following referrals and random sampling during site visits. The respondents included four managers, four employees, two shop stewards and one service provider at BCMM and 16 managers, 20 employees and four shop stewards at CoCT. The findings from BCMM and CoCT illustrate how G2E e-government workplace restructuring individualises the labour process through the kind of technologies it introduces. Moreover, they show how the restructuring facilitates electronic information, communication and operations which broaden demands on technical as well as social skills. The findings also show that the restructuring extends avenues for managerial control thereby marginalising union representivity as the workplace control systems create opportunities for systemic control by management. As the South African government adopts electronic government and makes optimistic declarations of “cost saving”, “efficiency”, “productivity” and “innovation” through egovernment, the study uncovers marginalised local government employee and manager experiences. It contributes to building new knowledge on the impacts of contemporary technological change on the local government labour process and contributes to debates around the effects of G2E e-government reforms on local government.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Makwembere, Sandra
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/617 , vital:19975
- Description: Taking the cases of Buffalo City Metropolitan municipality (BCMM) and City of Cape Town Metropolitan municipality (CoCT), this thesis explores the implications of government to employee (G2E) electronic government workplace restructuring on skills transformation and workplace control as perceived by back office employees and managers from different Corporate Services departments. It aims to describe the arrangements, rationale and degree of G2E e-government at BCMM and CoCT, investigate how managers, employees and union representatives identify the workplace changes relating to skill as well as document and analyse workplace struggles linked to G2E e-government. Using labour process analysis, the impacts of G2E e-government technological change are conceptualised. The labour process concepts alert us to ways in which G2E e-government technology is applied in the context of specific public sector production relations. They explain how employees and managers experience the dynamics of skill transformation and the mechanisms of control related to G2E e-government. The consideration of the labour process contrasts predominant e-government scholarly works that focus on government websites. Further, by using case study methods, namely interviews, surveys and observations, the thesis documents the particular back office employees’ and managers’ realities of G2E e-government which are marginalised in scholarly literature. The sample of respondents were selected using purposive sampling based on the subjects’ knowledge and experience, snowball sampling following referrals and random sampling during site visits. The respondents included four managers, four employees, two shop stewards and one service provider at BCMM and 16 managers, 20 employees and four shop stewards at CoCT. The findings from BCMM and CoCT illustrate how G2E e-government workplace restructuring individualises the labour process through the kind of technologies it introduces. Moreover, they show how the restructuring facilitates electronic information, communication and operations which broaden demands on technical as well as social skills. The findings also show that the restructuring extends avenues for managerial control thereby marginalising union representivity as the workplace control systems create opportunities for systemic control by management. As the South African government adopts electronic government and makes optimistic declarations of “cost saving”, “efficiency”, “productivity” and “innovation” through egovernment, the study uncovers marginalised local government employee and manager experiences. It contributes to building new knowledge on the impacts of contemporary technological change on the local government labour process and contributes to debates around the effects of G2E e-government reforms on local government.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Perceptions of the rules of business behaviour in the competitive banking environment in Uganda
- Mukasa, Herbert, Smith, Elroy Eugene
- Authors: Mukasa, Herbert , Smith, Elroy Eugene
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Business etiquette -- Uganda Banks and banking -- Uganda Financial services industry -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12297 , vital:27052
- Description: Business rules shape the behaviour of a business and guide the behaviour of employees when conducting business. Therefore, business rules explain what is allowed and not allowed. It is argued that all organisations have business rules and engage in some form of relationship whether through competition or cooperation with other companies. In today’s business environment, organisations are embedded in relationships with other actors in order to gain access to resources that are needed. Therefore, each organisation’s business rules define their strategies and actions. The type of business rule behaviour which is applied by organisations encourages them to grow by taking market share from rivals or creating new markets. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the rules of business behaviour on perceptions of the competitive banking environment in Uganda and its potential impact on certain outcomes. In this study, a quantitative research approach was adopted, as the study sought to investigate the relationships between variables. This study collected data through the use of a structured self-administered survey questionnaire which was distributed to 233 branches of banks in Uganda, totaling 700 bank employees. The survey yielded 529 usable questionnaires which were analyzed, using several statistical analysis techniques. A hypothetical model and measuring instrument of perceptions of the rules of business behaviour in the competitive banking environment within Uganda was developed. Six null-hypotheses were subjected to statistical analysis. The influence of three independent variables, namely, confrontational business behaviour, co-operational business behaviour and typologies of competition on the intermediate variable, perceptions of the competitive banking environment in Uganda were tested. The impact of these variables on three independent outcome variables, namely, organisational performance and customer loyalty and retention were also tested The empirical findings revealed that the rules of business behaviour have a significant relationship with perceptions of the competitive banking environment in Uganda. These results showed that confrontational behaviour as a rule of business behaviour can be classified as being direct or indirect. The study further revealed that banks should consider competitors as co-partners and not only as aggressors, indicating that co-operational business behaviour is statistically significantly related to perceptions of the competitive business environment in Uganda. The three typologies of competition, namely, defy attack, defense and debase attack are also positively related to perceptions of the competitive business environment in Uganda. The empirical results of the study also indicated that perceptions of the competitive banking environment have a positive relationship with outcomes such as organisational performance, customer retention and customer loyalty. This study contributed to the literature and body of knowledge regarding the impact of rules of business behaviour in the competitive banking environment in Uganda. This study could also assist banks, employees and customers alike to understand the different rules of business behaviour that exist and what strategies banks can employ to improve their position in the market. This study could also be replicated by other banks in other developing countries so as to ensure successful competition and the cooperation of banks as they engage in their activities in the banking industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mukasa, Herbert , Smith, Elroy Eugene
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Business etiquette -- Uganda Banks and banking -- Uganda Financial services industry -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12297 , vital:27052
- Description: Business rules shape the behaviour of a business and guide the behaviour of employees when conducting business. Therefore, business rules explain what is allowed and not allowed. It is argued that all organisations have business rules and engage in some form of relationship whether through competition or cooperation with other companies. In today’s business environment, organisations are embedded in relationships with other actors in order to gain access to resources that are needed. Therefore, each organisation’s business rules define their strategies and actions. The type of business rule behaviour which is applied by organisations encourages them to grow by taking market share from rivals or creating new markets. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the rules of business behaviour on perceptions of the competitive banking environment in Uganda and its potential impact on certain outcomes. In this study, a quantitative research approach was adopted, as the study sought to investigate the relationships between variables. This study collected data through the use of a structured self-administered survey questionnaire which was distributed to 233 branches of banks in Uganda, totaling 700 bank employees. The survey yielded 529 usable questionnaires which were analyzed, using several statistical analysis techniques. A hypothetical model and measuring instrument of perceptions of the rules of business behaviour in the competitive banking environment within Uganda was developed. Six null-hypotheses were subjected to statistical analysis. The influence of three independent variables, namely, confrontational business behaviour, co-operational business behaviour and typologies of competition on the intermediate variable, perceptions of the competitive banking environment in Uganda were tested. The impact of these variables on three independent outcome variables, namely, organisational performance and customer loyalty and retention were also tested The empirical findings revealed that the rules of business behaviour have a significant relationship with perceptions of the competitive banking environment in Uganda. These results showed that confrontational behaviour as a rule of business behaviour can be classified as being direct or indirect. The study further revealed that banks should consider competitors as co-partners and not only as aggressors, indicating that co-operational business behaviour is statistically significantly related to perceptions of the competitive business environment in Uganda. The three typologies of competition, namely, defy attack, defense and debase attack are also positively related to perceptions of the competitive business environment in Uganda. The empirical results of the study also indicated that perceptions of the competitive banking environment have a positive relationship with outcomes such as organisational performance, customer retention and customer loyalty. This study contributed to the literature and body of knowledge regarding the impact of rules of business behaviour in the competitive banking environment in Uganda. This study could also assist banks, employees and customers alike to understand the different rules of business behaviour that exist and what strategies banks can employ to improve their position in the market. This study could also be replicated by other banks in other developing countries so as to ensure successful competition and the cooperation of banks as they engage in their activities in the banking industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Perceptions regarding organisational citizenship behaviour in South African retail firms
- Authors: Ngxukumeshe, Tandiswa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Organizational behavior -- South Africa Retail trade -- South Africa Consumers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11898 , vital:27002
- Description: The wholesale and retail industry is a more volatile nudstry, with respect to cyclical changes and global economic conditions, than many other industries. The growth of technology in this industry has led to informed customers, bringing with them many challenges to retailers, as these retailers have to win customer loyalty by focusing not only on prices and quality, but also on global competition. The heterogeneity as well as the illusive preferences, expectations, personality characteristics, attitudes, and desires of customers have created diverse and fast-evolving customer demand. As a result, retailers need to source highly customer-focused employees who are willing to go beyond their expected call of duties to satisfy customer needs and wants, thereby keeping firms competitive. This behaviour is called organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB). OCB involves extra-role performance, which represents behaviours not formally required by any particular job, but which help to develop the social context of all jobs, thus facilitating effectiveness. Thus, retailers who encourage OCB among their employees are more likely to improve the performance of both the organisation and the employees, and increase the organisation’s competitiveness in the global economy. The primary objective of this study is to assess the perceptions of employees regarding OCB within retail firms in South Africa. A positivistic research paradigm was used, in this study, by means of quantitative research. Secondary data in the form of textbooks, journal articles and Internet sources provided the theoretical framework for this study. Primary data was obtained using the survey method, by means of self-administered structured questionnaires. The aim was to target 1000 employees in the retail industry (250 employees from each of the most economically active provinces, namely, the Eastern Cape; the Western Cape, Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal). However, 690 questionnaires were returned and only 554 were usable, which amounts to an effective response rate of 80%. Seven null-hypotheses and a hypothetical model of employee perceptions regarding OCB behaviour in retail firms were tested. The influence of four independent variables were tested, these are: job perceptions, role considerations, organisational climate and employment considerations on OCB. In addition, three dependent variables, namely, employee commitment, propensity to leave and employee engagement were tested. The Statistica (version 12) computer programme was used to analyse the results by means of advanced statistical techniques (such as exploratory factor analysis, regression and correlation analysis) as well as descriptive analysis and frequency distributions. After various statistical procedures, the model was re-specified, some of the variables were renamed and the hypotheses were adjusted accordingly. The empirical results revealed that job considerations and employment considerations have a positive influence on both OCB related to compassion and OCB related to civic non-obligatory acts, while role considerations and job security were found to have no significant influence on both OCB related to compassion and OCB related to civic non-obligatory acts. Furthermore, the empirical results showed that OCB related to compassion have a positive influence on both organisational commitment and propensity to resign, while OCB related to civic non-obligatory acts has a positive influence on organisational commitment and its influence on propensity to resign was not significant. It is envisaged that the results of this study could assist retail firms to understand the variables that influence the organisational citizenship behaviour of employees. In addition, it is further envisaged that the results and recommendations of this study could be used to implement effective strategies in retail firms in order to ensure effective engagement in OCB related behaviour and to create awareness of the importance of employee engagement in organisational citizenship behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ngxukumeshe, Tandiswa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Organizational behavior -- South Africa Retail trade -- South Africa Consumers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11898 , vital:27002
- Description: The wholesale and retail industry is a more volatile nudstry, with respect to cyclical changes and global economic conditions, than many other industries. The growth of technology in this industry has led to informed customers, bringing with them many challenges to retailers, as these retailers have to win customer loyalty by focusing not only on prices and quality, but also on global competition. The heterogeneity as well as the illusive preferences, expectations, personality characteristics, attitudes, and desires of customers have created diverse and fast-evolving customer demand. As a result, retailers need to source highly customer-focused employees who are willing to go beyond their expected call of duties to satisfy customer needs and wants, thereby keeping firms competitive. This behaviour is called organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB). OCB involves extra-role performance, which represents behaviours not formally required by any particular job, but which help to develop the social context of all jobs, thus facilitating effectiveness. Thus, retailers who encourage OCB among their employees are more likely to improve the performance of both the organisation and the employees, and increase the organisation’s competitiveness in the global economy. The primary objective of this study is to assess the perceptions of employees regarding OCB within retail firms in South Africa. A positivistic research paradigm was used, in this study, by means of quantitative research. Secondary data in the form of textbooks, journal articles and Internet sources provided the theoretical framework for this study. Primary data was obtained using the survey method, by means of self-administered structured questionnaires. The aim was to target 1000 employees in the retail industry (250 employees from each of the most economically active provinces, namely, the Eastern Cape; the Western Cape, Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal). However, 690 questionnaires were returned and only 554 were usable, which amounts to an effective response rate of 80%. Seven null-hypotheses and a hypothetical model of employee perceptions regarding OCB behaviour in retail firms were tested. The influence of four independent variables were tested, these are: job perceptions, role considerations, organisational climate and employment considerations on OCB. In addition, three dependent variables, namely, employee commitment, propensity to leave and employee engagement were tested. The Statistica (version 12) computer programme was used to analyse the results by means of advanced statistical techniques (such as exploratory factor analysis, regression and correlation analysis) as well as descriptive analysis and frequency distributions. After various statistical procedures, the model was re-specified, some of the variables were renamed and the hypotheses were adjusted accordingly. The empirical results revealed that job considerations and employment considerations have a positive influence on both OCB related to compassion and OCB related to civic non-obligatory acts, while role considerations and job security were found to have no significant influence on both OCB related to compassion and OCB related to civic non-obligatory acts. Furthermore, the empirical results showed that OCB related to compassion have a positive influence on both organisational commitment and propensity to resign, while OCB related to civic non-obligatory acts has a positive influence on organisational commitment and its influence on propensity to resign was not significant. It is envisaged that the results of this study could assist retail firms to understand the variables that influence the organisational citizenship behaviour of employees. In addition, it is further envisaged that the results and recommendations of this study could be used to implement effective strategies in retail firms in order to ensure effective engagement in OCB related behaviour and to create awareness of the importance of employee engagement in organisational citizenship behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Perspectives of the historical–biographical criticism In the creative works of J. J. R. Jolobe
- Khumalo, Hlonpha Pamela Vivienne, Kwatsha, Linda Loretta
- Authors: Khumalo, Hlonpha Pamela Vivienne , Kwatsha, Linda Loretta
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South African literature -- History and criticism -- Biography Xhosa literature -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21983 , vital:29809
- Description: Olu phando lohlalutyo lukwaluncomo-gxeko lwemisebenzi kaJolobe, injongo yalo kukubonisa ukuba lukho uqhagamshelwano phakathi kobomi bakhe jikelele kunye noncwadi lwakhe. Ulwazi olunjalo lungathi lube luncedo kwiphulo elibalulekileyo ekuncediseni kulwazi lokubhala ibhayografi yakhe. Kubonakele kufanelekile ukuba iphulo elinjalo lenziwe ukukhumbula imisebenzi emikhulu eyenziwe ngamaqhawe abantu abaNtsundu abathe banegalelo elikhulu ekuphakanyiswni koncwadi lwemvelo kwakunye nenkuqubela phambili kwimfundo yabantu abangama-Afrika beli lizwe. Umzekelo uJolobe ulusebenzele ukuba uncwadi lwakhe ukuxwayisa abantu bakowabo abaNtsundu ngemfundo nolwazi olwakhaya. Ukwalusebenzise uncwadi lwakhe ukuvusa abantu ama-Afrika balumke kwingozi zemimoya yocinezelo lwabo ngurhulumente ocalule abantu abaNtsundu kuba bebantsundu ngebala. Nangona uncwadi lwakhe ulenze lwabasisonwabiso kodwa ikhakhulu ulusebenzise kwanokunika intuthuzelo, ithemba kwanokomelela kubantu abathe bacinezelwe zimeko zobomi ukuba bangalahli ithemba loluzuza impumelelo, kuba izinto zingatshintsha ebomini babo ngokuhamba kwamaxesha. Kwakhona ukongeza uncwadi lwakhe ulusebenzise ukuphakamisa nokuhambisela phambili ulwimi lwemveli, inkcubeko, imbali ngokusebenzisa isixhobo esiluncwadi lwakhe ukuze ezi ngongoma zikhankanyisweyo zihlale ezincwadini zakhe ezithe zazisele zolwazi, zingabi nakuze zife kuba zililifa lesizwe esiNtsundu, Uninzi loncwadi olubhalwe nguJolobe luthe lwaxoxwa kwesi sifundo, kodwa kuye kwaphonongwa ikakhulu uncwadi lwemibongo, inoveli idrama kuba kubonakele ukuba lo msebenzi ubanzi kakhulu kwaye esi sifundo kubonakele ukuba kungabanzima ukuba singagqibeka lula, kodwa ke uJolobe ubengumntu okhutheleyo. Ubhale incwadi eziliqela ngenxa yothando lwakhe lobhalo loncwadi oluqhutywe ngumbono wakhe wobuthandazwe, wokubona kubalulekile ukuba inani loncwadi olubhaliweyo esiXhoseni linyuke kwaye libe kwizinga eliphezulu, ukuze umzi wasemaXhoseni nowamanye ama-Afrika ngokubanzi ungalambathi ngoncwadi lokufunda ujongelwe phantsi ngokuba semva kwinkqubela phambili zezinye izizwe Ingokuphandle uncwadi lukaJolobe lubonakela luyinxenye yobomi bakhe. Kulunye uncwadi kwakhe kufumaniseka ukuba ukubhale endululwe zizinto ezithe azamphatha kakuhle ebomini bakhe zazaza ezo zinto zawuphazamisa umoya wakhe, nentlalo yakhe wada waqanda ukuba makabhale aphokoze okukuphuphuma kwengcinga zakhe ukuzithuthuzela kwanokuphilisa kwanabanye abantu abathe badibana neenzima ezinjalo zobomi. Umzekelo: iimeko zopolitiko zeli lizwe zithe zabuchaphazela ubomi bakhe, oko kubesisiphumo sokuba abhale incwadi yakhe yedrama apho adiza ngeemeko zokuphatheka kwabantu baseBhayi kwilokishi eyathi yabelwa bona ngurhulumnte wobandlululo, apho ebexelenga khona njengetitshala kwanoMfundisi weliZwi. Kanti noncwadi apho athe wabonisa ukuvuya khona olo luvuyo olusukela kwinto ethe yamvuyisa emalunga nobomi bakhe, izimvo zakhe kwanenkolo yakhe njengomntu, kwanendlela akhule ngayo. Umzekelo, uJolobe uye wazisa abafundi bakhe ukuba iimbalo zakhe zisukele kwizinto ezithe zamchukumisa ebomini bakhe. Ngoko ke kwabonakala ukuba olu phando luluncedo ekusungulweni kweprojekti yokubhalwa kwebhayografi kaJolobe neya kuba luncedo kwimisebenzi yophando olubalulekileyo kuncwadi kuba iincwadi ezinje zityebile ngolwazi olubalulekileyo ekungena kucingelwa ukuba lunokufunyanwa kulo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Khumalo, Hlonpha Pamela Vivienne , Kwatsha, Linda Loretta
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South African literature -- History and criticism -- Biography Xhosa literature -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21983 , vital:29809
- Description: Olu phando lohlalutyo lukwaluncomo-gxeko lwemisebenzi kaJolobe, injongo yalo kukubonisa ukuba lukho uqhagamshelwano phakathi kobomi bakhe jikelele kunye noncwadi lwakhe. Ulwazi olunjalo lungathi lube luncedo kwiphulo elibalulekileyo ekuncediseni kulwazi lokubhala ibhayografi yakhe. Kubonakele kufanelekile ukuba iphulo elinjalo lenziwe ukukhumbula imisebenzi emikhulu eyenziwe ngamaqhawe abantu abaNtsundu abathe banegalelo elikhulu ekuphakanyiswni koncwadi lwemvelo kwakunye nenkuqubela phambili kwimfundo yabantu abangama-Afrika beli lizwe. Umzekelo uJolobe ulusebenzele ukuba uncwadi lwakhe ukuxwayisa abantu bakowabo abaNtsundu ngemfundo nolwazi olwakhaya. Ukwalusebenzise uncwadi lwakhe ukuvusa abantu ama-Afrika balumke kwingozi zemimoya yocinezelo lwabo ngurhulumente ocalule abantu abaNtsundu kuba bebantsundu ngebala. Nangona uncwadi lwakhe ulenze lwabasisonwabiso kodwa ikhakhulu ulusebenzise kwanokunika intuthuzelo, ithemba kwanokomelela kubantu abathe bacinezelwe zimeko zobomi ukuba bangalahli ithemba loluzuza impumelelo, kuba izinto zingatshintsha ebomini babo ngokuhamba kwamaxesha. Kwakhona ukongeza uncwadi lwakhe ulusebenzise ukuphakamisa nokuhambisela phambili ulwimi lwemveli, inkcubeko, imbali ngokusebenzisa isixhobo esiluncwadi lwakhe ukuze ezi ngongoma zikhankanyisweyo zihlale ezincwadini zakhe ezithe zazisele zolwazi, zingabi nakuze zife kuba zililifa lesizwe esiNtsundu, Uninzi loncwadi olubhalwe nguJolobe luthe lwaxoxwa kwesi sifundo, kodwa kuye kwaphonongwa ikakhulu uncwadi lwemibongo, inoveli idrama kuba kubonakele ukuba lo msebenzi ubanzi kakhulu kwaye esi sifundo kubonakele ukuba kungabanzima ukuba singagqibeka lula, kodwa ke uJolobe ubengumntu okhutheleyo. Ubhale incwadi eziliqela ngenxa yothando lwakhe lobhalo loncwadi oluqhutywe ngumbono wakhe wobuthandazwe, wokubona kubalulekile ukuba inani loncwadi olubhaliweyo esiXhoseni linyuke kwaye libe kwizinga eliphezulu, ukuze umzi wasemaXhoseni nowamanye ama-Afrika ngokubanzi ungalambathi ngoncwadi lokufunda ujongelwe phantsi ngokuba semva kwinkqubela phambili zezinye izizwe Ingokuphandle uncwadi lukaJolobe lubonakela luyinxenye yobomi bakhe. Kulunye uncwadi kwakhe kufumaniseka ukuba ukubhale endululwe zizinto ezithe azamphatha kakuhle ebomini bakhe zazaza ezo zinto zawuphazamisa umoya wakhe, nentlalo yakhe wada waqanda ukuba makabhale aphokoze okukuphuphuma kwengcinga zakhe ukuzithuthuzela kwanokuphilisa kwanabanye abantu abathe badibana neenzima ezinjalo zobomi. Umzekelo: iimeko zopolitiko zeli lizwe zithe zabuchaphazela ubomi bakhe, oko kubesisiphumo sokuba abhale incwadi yakhe yedrama apho adiza ngeemeko zokuphatheka kwabantu baseBhayi kwilokishi eyathi yabelwa bona ngurhulumnte wobandlululo, apho ebexelenga khona njengetitshala kwanoMfundisi weliZwi. Kanti noncwadi apho athe wabonisa ukuvuya khona olo luvuyo olusukela kwinto ethe yamvuyisa emalunga nobomi bakhe, izimvo zakhe kwanenkolo yakhe njengomntu, kwanendlela akhule ngayo. Umzekelo, uJolobe uye wazisa abafundi bakhe ukuba iimbalo zakhe zisukele kwizinto ezithe zamchukumisa ebomini bakhe. Ngoko ke kwabonakala ukuba olu phando luluncedo ekusungulweni kweprojekti yokubhalwa kwebhayografi kaJolobe neya kuba luncedo kwimisebenzi yophando olubalulekileyo kuncwadi kuba iincwadi ezinje zityebile ngolwazi olubalulekileyo ekungena kucingelwa ukuba lunokufunyanwa kulo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Pharmacological studies of Foeniculum Vulgare (Mill.) and Lippia Javanica (Burm.F.) spreng. used as spices in Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Asowata-Ayodele, Abiola Mojisola
- Authors: Asowata-Ayodele, Abiola Mojisola
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fennel -- Utilization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ethnopharmacology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2777 , vital:28085
- Description: Spices are of great importance in the indigenous culinary and traditional medicine systems of the people of Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The present investigation evaluated the ethnopharmacological potentials of two indigenous South African spices- Foeniculum vulgare and Lippia javanica. The pharmacological investigations on these two plant species include ultra-morphology, nutrient and mineral analysis, evaluation of the essential oil, phytochemical and antioxidant assays, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-urolithiatic assay of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants. The species were selected for study as the most cited plants after an ethnobotanical survey conducted on the indigenous knowledge of plants used as spices and medicine in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape of South Africa. Among the plants cited Foeniculum vulgare(Apiaceae) and Lippia javanica (Verbenaceae) stood out as the most commonly used spices. Others were members of the families; Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Amaranthaceae and Lamiaceae. Ultra-morphological studies conducted on the leaves of the two selected plants using scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of non-glandular and glandular trichomes, stomata and crystals. The leaf surfaces of these herbs may serve as secretory sites where aromatic secondary metabolites are produced. Analyses of the proximate, mineral, vitamin and anti-nutrients contents of these two spices showed that both species are good sources of these phytochemicals and may be used to enrich the human diet. Lippia javanica possesses lower lipid (0.50 percent), fibre (5 percent) and carbohydrate (64.96 percent) contents than Foeniculum vulgare. On the other hand, protein (20.54 percent), ash (11.60 percent) and moisture content (11.69 percent) were higher in Foeniculum vulgare than in Lippia javanica. Foeniculum vulgare showed higher N (3286 mg/100g), Mg (386.7 mg/100g), K (3187 mg/100g) and Na (1383 mg/100g) content while Lippia javanica was higher in Ca (1833 mg/100g), Zn (4.7 mg/100g), Cu (0.9 mg/100g) and Fe (78.4 mg/100g). Vitamins Aand E were also higher in Lippia javanica (1.31 mg/100g; 2.52 mg/100g) while Foeniculum vulgare (0.45 mg/100g) had higher vitamin C content. No significant differences were observed in the phytate, oxalate and tannin contents of the two spices, but saponin and cyanide were significantly lower in Lippia javanica (268.5 mg/100g; 8.45 mg/100g) than in Foeniculum vulgare (1855 mg/100g; 10.5 mg/100g) Evaluation of the essential oil component, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of both fresh and dried leaves of Lippia javanica and Foeniculum vulgare revealed that the dried samples yielded more oil and also contain more chemical than the fresh samples of both plants. The overall antimicrobial activity evaluated using susceptibility and microdilution assays revealed that the oils of F. vulgare and L. javanica exhibited high antifungal and antibacterial activity, compared to the reference drugs. In addition, essential oil from fresh leaves of both spices was less toxic compared to the oil from the dried leaves. Polyphenolic evaluation of the aqueous and acetone extracts of the plants revealed that the acetone extract had higher phenol, flavanol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents than the aqueous extracts. The total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.49 ± 0.411 mg/g and 3.73 ± 0.498 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively for Lippia javanica. The same trend was also observed in Foeniculum vulgare with total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.22 ± 0.325 mg/g and 4.17 ± 0.651 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively. Further assessment of the antioxidant activity of the solvent extracts revealed that both plants exhibited promising free radical scavenging potentials against 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, phosphomolybdate and hydrogen peroxide. Antimicrobial activities of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants revealed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities. They inhibited the growth of Microsporium canis and Trichophyton rubrum that were not susceptible to the standard antifungal drug used as control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Asowata-Ayodele, Abiola Mojisola
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fennel -- Utilization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ethnopharmacology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2777 , vital:28085
- Description: Spices are of great importance in the indigenous culinary and traditional medicine systems of the people of Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The present investigation evaluated the ethnopharmacological potentials of two indigenous South African spices- Foeniculum vulgare and Lippia javanica. The pharmacological investigations on these two plant species include ultra-morphology, nutrient and mineral analysis, evaluation of the essential oil, phytochemical and antioxidant assays, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-urolithiatic assay of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants. The species were selected for study as the most cited plants after an ethnobotanical survey conducted on the indigenous knowledge of plants used as spices and medicine in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape of South Africa. Among the plants cited Foeniculum vulgare(Apiaceae) and Lippia javanica (Verbenaceae) stood out as the most commonly used spices. Others were members of the families; Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Amaranthaceae and Lamiaceae. Ultra-morphological studies conducted on the leaves of the two selected plants using scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of non-glandular and glandular trichomes, stomata and crystals. The leaf surfaces of these herbs may serve as secretory sites where aromatic secondary metabolites are produced. Analyses of the proximate, mineral, vitamin and anti-nutrients contents of these two spices showed that both species are good sources of these phytochemicals and may be used to enrich the human diet. Lippia javanica possesses lower lipid (0.50 percent), fibre (5 percent) and carbohydrate (64.96 percent) contents than Foeniculum vulgare. On the other hand, protein (20.54 percent), ash (11.60 percent) and moisture content (11.69 percent) were higher in Foeniculum vulgare than in Lippia javanica. Foeniculum vulgare showed higher N (3286 mg/100g), Mg (386.7 mg/100g), K (3187 mg/100g) and Na (1383 mg/100g) content while Lippia javanica was higher in Ca (1833 mg/100g), Zn (4.7 mg/100g), Cu (0.9 mg/100g) and Fe (78.4 mg/100g). Vitamins Aand E were also higher in Lippia javanica (1.31 mg/100g; 2.52 mg/100g) while Foeniculum vulgare (0.45 mg/100g) had higher vitamin C content. No significant differences were observed in the phytate, oxalate and tannin contents of the two spices, but saponin and cyanide were significantly lower in Lippia javanica (268.5 mg/100g; 8.45 mg/100g) than in Foeniculum vulgare (1855 mg/100g; 10.5 mg/100g) Evaluation of the essential oil component, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of both fresh and dried leaves of Lippia javanica and Foeniculum vulgare revealed that the dried samples yielded more oil and also contain more chemical than the fresh samples of both plants. The overall antimicrobial activity evaluated using susceptibility and microdilution assays revealed that the oils of F. vulgare and L. javanica exhibited high antifungal and antibacterial activity, compared to the reference drugs. In addition, essential oil from fresh leaves of both spices was less toxic compared to the oil from the dried leaves. Polyphenolic evaluation of the aqueous and acetone extracts of the plants revealed that the acetone extract had higher phenol, flavanol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents than the aqueous extracts. The total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.49 ± 0.411 mg/g and 3.73 ± 0.498 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively for Lippia javanica. The same trend was also observed in Foeniculum vulgare with total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.22 ± 0.325 mg/g and 4.17 ± 0.651 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively. Further assessment of the antioxidant activity of the solvent extracts revealed that both plants exhibited promising free radical scavenging potentials against 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, phosphomolybdate and hydrogen peroxide. Antimicrobial activities of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants revealed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities. They inhibited the growth of Microsporium canis and Trichophyton rubrum that were not susceptible to the standard antifungal drug used as control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Phylogenetics and historical biogeography of the Teloganodidae (Ephemeroptera)
- Pereira da Conceicoa, Lyndall Louise
- Authors: Pereira da Conceicoa, Lyndall Louise
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64900 , vital:28629
- Description: The Teloganodidae are a mayfly family endemic to the southwestern Cape (South Africa), with relatives in Madagascar and Asia. Like many other aquatic invertebrates in Africa, they have been considerably understudied. Research into biodiversity and biogeography allows an understanding of the earth’s biota, producing knowledge which can be used to develop strategies to preserve and monitor this biota. Mismanagement of water systems places biodiversity of river fauna under an ever-increasing extinction threat. This investigation explores rivers in under-collected areas to determine how well teloganodids have been represented in the literature, with four genera and five species described at the onset of this study. A lectotype for Lestagella penicillata Barnard (1940) has been elected and described in detail, setting “benchmark” characters for future descriptions. Standard DNA sequencing methods provide portions of three mitochondrial genes; cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), small subunit ribosomal 16S RNA (16S), 12S ribosomal DNA (12S) and two nuclear genes, Histone 3 (H3) and 28S ribosomal DNA (28S) for up to 255 specimens. Fore and hind wings of 79 teloganodid adults were used to examine phylogenetic signal and evolutionary divergence using geometric morphometrics. A multi-faceted approach is used to investigate relationships between clades and the effects of deep-time climatic and landform changes which have influenced the diversity and distribution seen today. Tree (Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood) and network (parsimony) phylogenies, ancestral reconstruction, historical biogeography and wingevolution of the Teloganodidae are investigated. Species tree analyses discovered 27 species and six genera. Distinct lineages are restricted to catchments, and strong phylogeographic structure was found within most genera. Southern African Teloganodidae are shown to have originated in the Cretaceous, with divergence and dispersal of lineages depended on their established locality at the time of tectonic events (uplift) and climatic changes (sea level regressions and transgressions). Geographic clines in wing-shape of Lestagella across its range imply evolutionary adaptations to specific catchment landscape and environment. A detailed analysis of biodiversity has many valuable contributions, from directing future research, understanding adaptive processes, fine-tuning phylogeographical and evolutionary hypotheses, to improving management and conservation decisions in order to preserve endemic biodiversity hotspots.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Pereira da Conceicoa, Lyndall Louise
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64900 , vital:28629
- Description: The Teloganodidae are a mayfly family endemic to the southwestern Cape (South Africa), with relatives in Madagascar and Asia. Like many other aquatic invertebrates in Africa, they have been considerably understudied. Research into biodiversity and biogeography allows an understanding of the earth’s biota, producing knowledge which can be used to develop strategies to preserve and monitor this biota. Mismanagement of water systems places biodiversity of river fauna under an ever-increasing extinction threat. This investigation explores rivers in under-collected areas to determine how well teloganodids have been represented in the literature, with four genera and five species described at the onset of this study. A lectotype for Lestagella penicillata Barnard (1940) has been elected and described in detail, setting “benchmark” characters for future descriptions. Standard DNA sequencing methods provide portions of three mitochondrial genes; cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), small subunit ribosomal 16S RNA (16S), 12S ribosomal DNA (12S) and two nuclear genes, Histone 3 (H3) and 28S ribosomal DNA (28S) for up to 255 specimens. Fore and hind wings of 79 teloganodid adults were used to examine phylogenetic signal and evolutionary divergence using geometric morphometrics. A multi-faceted approach is used to investigate relationships between clades and the effects of deep-time climatic and landform changes which have influenced the diversity and distribution seen today. Tree (Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood) and network (parsimony) phylogenies, ancestral reconstruction, historical biogeography and wingevolution of the Teloganodidae are investigated. Species tree analyses discovered 27 species and six genera. Distinct lineages are restricted to catchments, and strong phylogeographic structure was found within most genera. Southern African Teloganodidae are shown to have originated in the Cretaceous, with divergence and dispersal of lineages depended on their established locality at the time of tectonic events (uplift) and climatic changes (sea level regressions and transgressions). Geographic clines in wing-shape of Lestagella across its range imply evolutionary adaptations to specific catchment landscape and environment. A detailed analysis of biodiversity has many valuable contributions, from directing future research, understanding adaptive processes, fine-tuning phylogeographical and evolutionary hypotheses, to improving management and conservation decisions in order to preserve endemic biodiversity hotspots.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Phylogenetics of the keratin-feeding beetle family Trogidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)
- Authors: Strümpher, Werner Petrus
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1232 , vital:20037
- Description: Trogidae constitute a monophyletic and biologically unique family within the Scarabaeoidea, being the only keratinophagous group in its superfamily. Traditionally, the family has been divided into three distinctive genera, Omorgus Erichson, Polynoncus Burmeister, and Trox Fabricius. Although the taxonomy of the group is relatively well studied, recently changes to the existing classification have been proposed without the family as currently constituted being subjected to phylogenetic analyses. In this study I present the first molecular phylogeny for this cosmopolitan family, based on three partially sequenced gene regions: 16SrRNA, 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA domain 2. Analyses resolved relationships between and within genera and subgenera that are largely congruent with existing taxonomic hypotheses based on morphology. I recovered four well-supported radiations: Polynoncus, Omorgus, Holarctic Trox and Afrotropical Phoberus. One of the more surprising results was the monophyly of Phoberus. Based on the evidence, I propose reinstating the genus Phoberus to accommodate all Afrotropical (including Madagascan endemic) species. The results re-emphasise the validity of Scholtz’s (1986a) classification system for the genus Omorgusand its subgeneraand provide evidence of an African origin for Madagascan trogids. Divergence analysis was able to date the major events for the origin of extant lineages of Trogidae. The subsequent diversification of the major lineages is largely attributed to Pangaean and Gondwanan vicariance events in the Mid-Jurassic and early Late Cretaceous, respectively. The separation of the landmasses resulted in the evolution of four distinct groups: Omorgus, Polynoncus, Trox and Phoberus. The monophyletic subgenus Phoberus MacLeay is of particular interest; about one-third (14 of 40) of the species in the Afrotropical region have lost the ability to fly. To gain insights into the evolution of flightlessness in this clade, phylogenetic relationships among species were inferred using molecular sequence data. Four partial sequences of four genes (COI, 16S, 18S and 28S domain 2) were obtained for 27 species, covering all of the recognised species-groups. Estimated times of divergence were based on published mutation rates for COI. The results recovered eight monophyletic lineages, supporting the morphology-based subdivisions of the genus. Flightlessness evolved at least five times within the subgenus. There is no strong support for the re-acquisition of functional wings once they are lost. Diversification, and the present relictual distributions, in African Phoberus can be linked to climatic and geological events associated with the Miocene and Pliocene Climate Optimum in southern Africa. The evolution of flightlessness in Phoberus is consistent with the habitat stability hypothesis. All flightless species occupy refugial areas with relatively long-term environmental stability. Phoberus is a promising model group for studying evolutionary trends relating to flightlessness, speciation and biogeography. Flightlessness is a counterintuitive evolutionary development, given the many advantages of flight. To interpret the diversification in the flightless Phoberus capensis Scholtz, the phylogenetic relationships among several populations of P. capensis are investigated. Phylogenetic relationships among populations were inferred using molecular sequence data that suggested three distinct evolutionary lineages, which was also supported by morphological characters. Divergence time estimates suggest a Pliocene-Pleistocene diversification. Based on these results, it is suggested that P. capensis experienced climatically-driven allopatric speciation with sheltered Afrotemperate forests and high mountain peaks serving as important refugia in response to climatic exacerbations. The P. capensis complex thus represents a speciation process in which flight-restricted populations evolved in close allopatry, possibly as recently as the Pleistocene. Two of the three divergent and geographically distinct lineages are described as novel species. This study represents the most recent comprehensive work on the Trogidae. On the basis of this study, it is proposed that taxonomic changes to the generic classification of the family be made. Trogidae are formally divided into two subfamilies, Omorginae and Troginae. The subgenus Phoberus is restored to genus rank to include all the Afrotropical species, and Afromorgus is confirmed at subgeneric rank. The genus Madagatrox is synonymised with Phoberus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Strümpher, Werner Petrus
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1232 , vital:20037
- Description: Trogidae constitute a monophyletic and biologically unique family within the Scarabaeoidea, being the only keratinophagous group in its superfamily. Traditionally, the family has been divided into three distinctive genera, Omorgus Erichson, Polynoncus Burmeister, and Trox Fabricius. Although the taxonomy of the group is relatively well studied, recently changes to the existing classification have been proposed without the family as currently constituted being subjected to phylogenetic analyses. In this study I present the first molecular phylogeny for this cosmopolitan family, based on three partially sequenced gene regions: 16SrRNA, 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA domain 2. Analyses resolved relationships between and within genera and subgenera that are largely congruent with existing taxonomic hypotheses based on morphology. I recovered four well-supported radiations: Polynoncus, Omorgus, Holarctic Trox and Afrotropical Phoberus. One of the more surprising results was the monophyly of Phoberus. Based on the evidence, I propose reinstating the genus Phoberus to accommodate all Afrotropical (including Madagascan endemic) species. The results re-emphasise the validity of Scholtz’s (1986a) classification system for the genus Omorgusand its subgeneraand provide evidence of an African origin for Madagascan trogids. Divergence analysis was able to date the major events for the origin of extant lineages of Trogidae. The subsequent diversification of the major lineages is largely attributed to Pangaean and Gondwanan vicariance events in the Mid-Jurassic and early Late Cretaceous, respectively. The separation of the landmasses resulted in the evolution of four distinct groups: Omorgus, Polynoncus, Trox and Phoberus. The monophyletic subgenus Phoberus MacLeay is of particular interest; about one-third (14 of 40) of the species in the Afrotropical region have lost the ability to fly. To gain insights into the evolution of flightlessness in this clade, phylogenetic relationships among species were inferred using molecular sequence data. Four partial sequences of four genes (COI, 16S, 18S and 28S domain 2) were obtained for 27 species, covering all of the recognised species-groups. Estimated times of divergence were based on published mutation rates for COI. The results recovered eight monophyletic lineages, supporting the morphology-based subdivisions of the genus. Flightlessness evolved at least five times within the subgenus. There is no strong support for the re-acquisition of functional wings once they are lost. Diversification, and the present relictual distributions, in African Phoberus can be linked to climatic and geological events associated with the Miocene and Pliocene Climate Optimum in southern Africa. The evolution of flightlessness in Phoberus is consistent with the habitat stability hypothesis. All flightless species occupy refugial areas with relatively long-term environmental stability. Phoberus is a promising model group for studying evolutionary trends relating to flightlessness, speciation and biogeography. Flightlessness is a counterintuitive evolutionary development, given the many advantages of flight. To interpret the diversification in the flightless Phoberus capensis Scholtz, the phylogenetic relationships among several populations of P. capensis are investigated. Phylogenetic relationships among populations were inferred using molecular sequence data that suggested three distinct evolutionary lineages, which was also supported by morphological characters. Divergence time estimates suggest a Pliocene-Pleistocene diversification. Based on these results, it is suggested that P. capensis experienced climatically-driven allopatric speciation with sheltered Afrotemperate forests and high mountain peaks serving as important refugia in response to climatic exacerbations. The P. capensis complex thus represents a speciation process in which flight-restricted populations evolved in close allopatry, possibly as recently as the Pleistocene. Two of the three divergent and geographically distinct lineages are described as novel species. This study represents the most recent comprehensive work on the Trogidae. On the basis of this study, it is proposed that taxonomic changes to the generic classification of the family be made. Trogidae are formally divided into two subfamilies, Omorginae and Troginae. The subgenus Phoberus is restored to genus rank to include all the Afrotropical species, and Afromorgus is confirmed at subgeneric rank. The genus Madagatrox is synonymised with Phoberus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Physical properties of solid-state erythromycin derived compounds
- Authors: Neglur, Rekha R
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Erythromycin -- Thermal properties , Azithromycin -- Thermal properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7228 , vital:21308
- Description: This thesis investigated the physical properties of the macrolide antibiotics: Erythromycin dihydrate (EM-DH), Roxithromycin monohydrate (RM-MH) and Azithromycin dihydrate (AZM-DH). The abovementioned hydrate compounds were investigated in terms of the hydrate-anhydrate crystal structure stability, dehydration and observed polymorphism under controlled temperature heating programs. Identified hydrate and anhydrate polymorphs were subjected to physical stability testing during controlled storage. EM-DH was characterized by thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), X-ray diffraction, FTIR and microscopy. Dehydration of EM-DH at temperatures of 100, 157 and 200°C (followed by supercooling to 25°C) produced the form (I) anhydrate (Tm =142.9°C), form (II) anhydrate (Tm = 184.7°C ) and amorph (II) (Tg = 118°C) respectively. The attempts to produce amorph (I) from melting (in vicinity of form (I) melt over temperature range 133°C to 144°C) and supercooling was unsuccessful due to the high crystallization tendency of the form (I) melt. Brief humidity exposure and controlled temperature (40°C)/ humidity storage for 4 days (0-96% RH) revealed hygroscopic behaviour for the anhydrate crystal (forms (I) and (II)) and amorph (II) forms. Form (II) converted to a nonstoichiometric hydrate where extent of water vapour absorption increased with increased storage humidity (2.1% absorbed moisture from recorded TGA at 96% RH). Amorph (II) exhibited similar trends but with greater water absorption of 4.7% (recorded with TGA) at 96% RH. The pulverization and sieving process of amorph (II) (at normal environmental conditions) was accompanied by some water vapour absorption (1.1%). A slightly lower absorbed moisture content of 3.3% (from TGA) after controlled 4 days storage at 40°C/ 96% RH was recorded. This suggested some physical instability (crystallization tendency) of amorph (II) after pulverization. The thermally induced dehydration of RM-MH by DSC-TG was evaluated structurally (SCXRD), morphologically (microscopy) and by kinetic analysis. Various kinetic analysis approaches were employed (advanced, approximation based integral and differential kinetic analysis methods) in order to obtain reliable dehydration kinetic parameters. The crystal structure was little affected by dehydration as most H-bonds were intramolecular and not integral to the crystal structure stability. Kinetic parameters from thermally stimulated dehydration indicated a multidimensional diffusion based mechanism, due to the escape of water from interlinked voids in crystal. The hygroscopicity of the forms RM-MH, Roxithromycin-anhydrate and amorph glass (Tg = 81.4°C) were investigated. Roxithromycinanhydrate (crystalline) converted readily to RM-MH which were found to be compositionally stable over the humidity range 43-96%RH. Amorphous glass exhibited increased water vapour absorption with increasing storage humidity (40°C/ 0-96% RH). TG analysis suggested a moisture content of 3.5% at 96% RH after 4 storage days. DSC and powder XRD analysis of stored pulverised amorphous glass indicated some physical instability due to water induced crystallization. Commercial AZM-DH and its modifications were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), SC-XRD and microscopy. Thermally stimulated dehydration of AZM-DH occurred in a two-step process over different temperature ranges. This was attributed to different bonding environments for coordinated waters which were also verified from the crystal structure. Dehydration activation energies for thermally stimulated dehydration were however similar for both loss steps. This was attributed to similarities in the mode of H- bonding. Different forms of AZM were prepared by programmed temperature heating and cooling of AZM-DH. The prepared forms included amorphous glass (melt supercooling), amorphous powder (prepared below crystalline melting temperature), crystalline anhydrate and crystalline partial dehydrate. Humidity exposure indicated hygroscopic behaviour for the amorphous, crystalline anhydrate and crystalline partial dehydrate modifications. Both the crystalline anhydrate and partial dehydrate modifications converted to the stoichiometric dihydrate form (AZM-DH) at normal environmental conditions at ambient temperature. Both the amorph glass and amorph powder exhibited increased moisture absorption with increased humidity exposure. TG analysis of the pulverised amorph glass indicated a moisture content of 5.1% at 96% RH after 4 storage days. The absence of crystalline melt in DSC and presence of Tg (106.9°C) indicated the sample remained amorphous after pulverisation and storage for 4 days at 40°C/ 96% RH.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Neglur, Rekha R
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Erythromycin -- Thermal properties , Azithromycin -- Thermal properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7228 , vital:21308
- Description: This thesis investigated the physical properties of the macrolide antibiotics: Erythromycin dihydrate (EM-DH), Roxithromycin monohydrate (RM-MH) and Azithromycin dihydrate (AZM-DH). The abovementioned hydrate compounds were investigated in terms of the hydrate-anhydrate crystal structure stability, dehydration and observed polymorphism under controlled temperature heating programs. Identified hydrate and anhydrate polymorphs were subjected to physical stability testing during controlled storage. EM-DH was characterized by thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), X-ray diffraction, FTIR and microscopy. Dehydration of EM-DH at temperatures of 100, 157 and 200°C (followed by supercooling to 25°C) produced the form (I) anhydrate (Tm =142.9°C), form (II) anhydrate (Tm = 184.7°C ) and amorph (II) (Tg = 118°C) respectively. The attempts to produce amorph (I) from melting (in vicinity of form (I) melt over temperature range 133°C to 144°C) and supercooling was unsuccessful due to the high crystallization tendency of the form (I) melt. Brief humidity exposure and controlled temperature (40°C)/ humidity storage for 4 days (0-96% RH) revealed hygroscopic behaviour for the anhydrate crystal (forms (I) and (II)) and amorph (II) forms. Form (II) converted to a nonstoichiometric hydrate where extent of water vapour absorption increased with increased storage humidity (2.1% absorbed moisture from recorded TGA at 96% RH). Amorph (II) exhibited similar trends but with greater water absorption of 4.7% (recorded with TGA) at 96% RH. The pulverization and sieving process of amorph (II) (at normal environmental conditions) was accompanied by some water vapour absorption (1.1%). A slightly lower absorbed moisture content of 3.3% (from TGA) after controlled 4 days storage at 40°C/ 96% RH was recorded. This suggested some physical instability (crystallization tendency) of amorph (II) after pulverization. The thermally induced dehydration of RM-MH by DSC-TG was evaluated structurally (SCXRD), morphologically (microscopy) and by kinetic analysis. Various kinetic analysis approaches were employed (advanced, approximation based integral and differential kinetic analysis methods) in order to obtain reliable dehydration kinetic parameters. The crystal structure was little affected by dehydration as most H-bonds were intramolecular and not integral to the crystal structure stability. Kinetic parameters from thermally stimulated dehydration indicated a multidimensional diffusion based mechanism, due to the escape of water from interlinked voids in crystal. The hygroscopicity of the forms RM-MH, Roxithromycin-anhydrate and amorph glass (Tg = 81.4°C) were investigated. Roxithromycinanhydrate (crystalline) converted readily to RM-MH which were found to be compositionally stable over the humidity range 43-96%RH. Amorphous glass exhibited increased water vapour absorption with increasing storage humidity (40°C/ 0-96% RH). TG analysis suggested a moisture content of 3.5% at 96% RH after 4 storage days. DSC and powder XRD analysis of stored pulverised amorphous glass indicated some physical instability due to water induced crystallization. Commercial AZM-DH and its modifications were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), SC-XRD and microscopy. Thermally stimulated dehydration of AZM-DH occurred in a two-step process over different temperature ranges. This was attributed to different bonding environments for coordinated waters which were also verified from the crystal structure. Dehydration activation energies for thermally stimulated dehydration were however similar for both loss steps. This was attributed to similarities in the mode of H- bonding. Different forms of AZM were prepared by programmed temperature heating and cooling of AZM-DH. The prepared forms included amorphous glass (melt supercooling), amorphous powder (prepared below crystalline melting temperature), crystalline anhydrate and crystalline partial dehydrate. Humidity exposure indicated hygroscopic behaviour for the amorphous, crystalline anhydrate and crystalline partial dehydrate modifications. Both the crystalline anhydrate and partial dehydrate modifications converted to the stoichiometric dihydrate form (AZM-DH) at normal environmental conditions at ambient temperature. Both the amorph glass and amorph powder exhibited increased moisture absorption with increased humidity exposure. TG analysis of the pulverised amorph glass indicated a moisture content of 5.1% at 96% RH after 4 storage days. The absence of crystalline melt in DSC and presence of Tg (106.9°C) indicated the sample remained amorphous after pulverisation and storage for 4 days at 40°C/ 96% RH.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Population, communication and habitat comparisons between the major gummivorous strepsirhines of Madagascar (phaner) and Cameroon (euoticus)
- Authors: Forbanka, Derick Nomuh
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Adaptation (Biology) Mammals--Evolution Mammals--Behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Zoology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15957 , vital:40567
- Description: The suborder Strepsirhini contains a large proportion of the living gummivorous mammal taxa, and includes two genera of specialist gummivores, Euoticus and Phaner, which present particularly interesting cases of convergent adaptive evolution in Africa and Madagascar, respectively. Although these genera are not closely related, they share several anatomical, behavioural and physiological specialisations associated with their diets, and despite their biogeographical separation, there seems to be substantial coincidence in their habitats and habits. Neither the ecology nor the systematics of Phaner and Euoticus has been the subject of much detailed research, and little is known of the conservation status of the genera. Even their specific diversity is unresolved. In this study I investigated and compared aspects of their ecology at both a macro-and a microhabitat scale, including wild populations of all groups within the two genera that have been accorded species status in recent field guides and systematic reviews. I also studied aspects of their social communication behaviour as clues to their species-level diversity. Species and their formation (or speciation) have inspired a great deal of evolutionary research, but remain contentious issues in evolutionary biology. This is due both to the difficulties inherent in inferring the details of a dynamic biological process that occurred over some time in the past from the recent, relatively static patterns of variation observed, as well as the limited consensus among biologists in identifying such patterns. It is therefore important to distinguish the kinds of patterns in nature that are predicted by different views of species and speciation, and also to see how well these predictions fare when applied to the speciation patterns found in strepsirhine primates. Theories of speciation cannot be separated from species concepts, and one concept widely supported in primatology is the Recognition Concept of species because of its heuristic nature. The Recognition Concept is based on Specific-mate Recognition Systems (SMRS). I focussed on SMRS features of Euoticus and Phaner, loud call specificity, and species’ preferred habitats. My results provided some support for the distinctiveness of currently identified species, although this was not clear-cut. Population densities of both Phaner and Euoticus appear to have declined in recent years, even though both Phaner and Euoticus appear to be well adapted to both primary and secondary forest, and exhibit ecological plasticity. Statistically some loud call parameters vary among the putative species of the genus Phaner and not Euoticus. Phaner pallescens at Kirindy, Madasgascar was clearly able to discriminate loud calls of its own population from other proposed species within the genus. Most loud call parameters did not show any statistical degradation with increasing distance. A crucial finding of my study was that the two lineages are not only convergent in terms of dietary and locomotor aspects of their ecology, but also in the structures of their loud calls. The environmental adaptation of communication systems is often overlooked when studying adaptive convergence, but my study indicates that acoustic properties are a crucial aspect of a species’ preferred habitat. The results of this study can be used to improve conservation planning, and also add to our understanding of the evolutionary history of strepsirhine primates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Forbanka, Derick Nomuh
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Adaptation (Biology) Mammals--Evolution Mammals--Behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Zoology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15957 , vital:40567
- Description: The suborder Strepsirhini contains a large proportion of the living gummivorous mammal taxa, and includes two genera of specialist gummivores, Euoticus and Phaner, which present particularly interesting cases of convergent adaptive evolution in Africa and Madagascar, respectively. Although these genera are not closely related, they share several anatomical, behavioural and physiological specialisations associated with their diets, and despite their biogeographical separation, there seems to be substantial coincidence in their habitats and habits. Neither the ecology nor the systematics of Phaner and Euoticus has been the subject of much detailed research, and little is known of the conservation status of the genera. Even their specific diversity is unresolved. In this study I investigated and compared aspects of their ecology at both a macro-and a microhabitat scale, including wild populations of all groups within the two genera that have been accorded species status in recent field guides and systematic reviews. I also studied aspects of their social communication behaviour as clues to their species-level diversity. Species and their formation (or speciation) have inspired a great deal of evolutionary research, but remain contentious issues in evolutionary biology. This is due both to the difficulties inherent in inferring the details of a dynamic biological process that occurred over some time in the past from the recent, relatively static patterns of variation observed, as well as the limited consensus among biologists in identifying such patterns. It is therefore important to distinguish the kinds of patterns in nature that are predicted by different views of species and speciation, and also to see how well these predictions fare when applied to the speciation patterns found in strepsirhine primates. Theories of speciation cannot be separated from species concepts, and one concept widely supported in primatology is the Recognition Concept of species because of its heuristic nature. The Recognition Concept is based on Specific-mate Recognition Systems (SMRS). I focussed on SMRS features of Euoticus and Phaner, loud call specificity, and species’ preferred habitats. My results provided some support for the distinctiveness of currently identified species, although this was not clear-cut. Population densities of both Phaner and Euoticus appear to have declined in recent years, even though both Phaner and Euoticus appear to be well adapted to both primary and secondary forest, and exhibit ecological plasticity. Statistically some loud call parameters vary among the putative species of the genus Phaner and not Euoticus. Phaner pallescens at Kirindy, Madasgascar was clearly able to discriminate loud calls of its own population from other proposed species within the genus. Most loud call parameters did not show any statistical degradation with increasing distance. A crucial finding of my study was that the two lineages are not only convergent in terms of dietary and locomotor aspects of their ecology, but also in the structures of their loud calls. The environmental adaptation of communication systems is often overlooked when studying adaptive convergence, but my study indicates that acoustic properties are a crucial aspect of a species’ preferred habitat. The results of this study can be used to improve conservation planning, and also add to our understanding of the evolutionary history of strepsirhine primates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Predators of aerial insects and riparian cross-boundary trophic dynamics: web-building spiders, dragonflies and damselflies
- Authors: Chari, Lenin Dzibakwe
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55791 , vital:26734
- Description: This thesis characterises the cross-boundary trophic interactions of a relatively small model ecosystem, the Kowie River (Eastern Cape of South Africa), to explore their epistemic implications for systems ecology. Using web-building spiders and odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) as model organisms, I sought to investigate whether the diets of predators of aerial insects could be used to assess the strength of the trophic connectivity between freshwater and terrestrial systems in relation to variables such as stream width, distance from the river and aquatic insect emergence rates and abundances. Predator diet composition was determined by using a combination of diet analysis tools: direct observations of cross-subsidies, naturally-abundant stable (carbon and nitrogen) isotope analysis and fatty acid analysis. I also sought to reveal feeding niches and guilds among riparian aerial predators and investigate how the environment influenced predators’ access to aquatic prey subsidies. As emergent aquatic insect abundances decreased with an increase in distance from the river, and increased with stream width and seasonal changes from winter to summer, stable isotope and fatty acid analyses revealed distinct changes in web-building spider diet composition. Examination of the fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid, a component commonly used as an indicator of consumer reliance on aquatic nutritional subsidies, showed that aquatic subsidies extended further inland at the wider sections of the river. Spiders and odonates at the wider sections of the Kowie River generally received more subsidies (56 – 70%) than those at the narrower sections (25 – 60%). When terrestrial insect biomass was distinctly low in winter, the benefit of aquatic subsidisation to spiders was relatively lower at the narrower sections of the Kowie River relative to the wide sections. As such, riparian areas adjacent to wide parts of the river were more likely to support larger populations of aerial predators than those at the narrow sections. Apart from the diet changes across time and space, there was evidence of inter-specific niche partitioning in both spiders and odonates, but no differences were observed between males and females of the same species. Results showed odonates of different sizes and hunting strategies had separate dietary niches, hence varied access to aquatic nutritional subsidies. The larger odonate taxa that frequently foraged mid-air had more varied diets and relied less on aquatic emergent insects than the smaller odonates that foraged from perches near the river. There was also evidence of niche partitioning amongst the spiders, as those that built horizontal webs captured more aquatic insects (40 – 78%) than the vertical orb-web builders (20 – 66%). This study showed that the nature and extent of trophic cross-boundary linkages in riparian areas largely depended on the availability of subsidies that varied seasonally and spatially. The width of the stream and seasonal variability emerged as important predictors of emergent insect abundances/biomasses that influenced predator feeding niches. The high mobility of odonates made their reliance on aquatic nutritional subsidies different from the less mobile spiders. The link between the width of the river and the extent of trophic connectivity has implications for riparian area management and definition of riparian buffer zones. However, the variation in diet niches amongst terrestrial consumers makes the results area-specific, and more studies are required that incorporate additional terrestrial predators in other fluvial systems so that we can make some generalizations on the dynamics of riparian trophic cross-boundary links.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Chari, Lenin Dzibakwe
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/55791 , vital:26734
- Description: This thesis characterises the cross-boundary trophic interactions of a relatively small model ecosystem, the Kowie River (Eastern Cape of South Africa), to explore their epistemic implications for systems ecology. Using web-building spiders and odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) as model organisms, I sought to investigate whether the diets of predators of aerial insects could be used to assess the strength of the trophic connectivity between freshwater and terrestrial systems in relation to variables such as stream width, distance from the river and aquatic insect emergence rates and abundances. Predator diet composition was determined by using a combination of diet analysis tools: direct observations of cross-subsidies, naturally-abundant stable (carbon and nitrogen) isotope analysis and fatty acid analysis. I also sought to reveal feeding niches and guilds among riparian aerial predators and investigate how the environment influenced predators’ access to aquatic prey subsidies. As emergent aquatic insect abundances decreased with an increase in distance from the river, and increased with stream width and seasonal changes from winter to summer, stable isotope and fatty acid analyses revealed distinct changes in web-building spider diet composition. Examination of the fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid, a component commonly used as an indicator of consumer reliance on aquatic nutritional subsidies, showed that aquatic subsidies extended further inland at the wider sections of the river. Spiders and odonates at the wider sections of the Kowie River generally received more subsidies (56 – 70%) than those at the narrower sections (25 – 60%). When terrestrial insect biomass was distinctly low in winter, the benefit of aquatic subsidisation to spiders was relatively lower at the narrower sections of the Kowie River relative to the wide sections. As such, riparian areas adjacent to wide parts of the river were more likely to support larger populations of aerial predators than those at the narrow sections. Apart from the diet changes across time and space, there was evidence of inter-specific niche partitioning in both spiders and odonates, but no differences were observed between males and females of the same species. Results showed odonates of different sizes and hunting strategies had separate dietary niches, hence varied access to aquatic nutritional subsidies. The larger odonate taxa that frequently foraged mid-air had more varied diets and relied less on aquatic emergent insects than the smaller odonates that foraged from perches near the river. There was also evidence of niche partitioning amongst the spiders, as those that built horizontal webs captured more aquatic insects (40 – 78%) than the vertical orb-web builders (20 – 66%). This study showed that the nature and extent of trophic cross-boundary linkages in riparian areas largely depended on the availability of subsidies that varied seasonally and spatially. The width of the stream and seasonal variability emerged as important predictors of emergent insect abundances/biomasses that influenced predator feeding niches. The high mobility of odonates made their reliance on aquatic nutritional subsidies different from the less mobile spiders. The link between the width of the river and the extent of trophic connectivity has implications for riparian area management and definition of riparian buffer zones. However, the variation in diet niches amongst terrestrial consumers makes the results area-specific, and more studies are required that incorporate additional terrestrial predators in other fluvial systems so that we can make some generalizations on the dynamics of riparian trophic cross-boundary links.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Preparation and application of plasmon metal enhanced titanium dioxide photocatalyst for the removal of organics in water
- Authors: Nyamukamba, Pardon
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Photocatalysis Titanium dioxide Water chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2765 , vital:28074
- Description: Advanced oxidation processes are capable of removing organic compounds that cannot be removed by conventional water treatment methods. Among the oxidation processes, photo-catalysis using titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising method but suffers from rapid electron-hole recombination rates and only absorbs UV light which is a small percentage (5 percent) of the total solar radiation. Therefore there is a need to reduce the recombination rates and also extend the absorption of the photo-catalyst into the visible region which constitutes 55 percent of the total solar radiation. The major aims of this study were to prepare plasmon metal decorated and doped TiO2 photo-catalysts immobilized on quartz substrates and test their photo-catalytic and antimicrobial activities. The effect of film thickness (loading) and use of different shapes of plasmon metal nanostructures was investigated. TiO2 thin films were prepared by a sputter coating technique while plasmon metal (Au & Ag)/carbon co-doped TiO2 by a simple sol gel process and plasmon metal films were prepared by the thermal evaporation technique. Different plasmon metal nanostructures (nanorods, dendrites, nanowires and spherical nanoparticles) were prepared using a wet chemical technique using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. Nanocomposites of co-doped TiO2 photo-catalyst and plasmon elements of different proportions were also prepared. The prepared photo-catalysts were coated onto etched and MPTMS (3-Mercaptopropyl trimethoxysliane) treated quartz glass substrate which is a stable support favouring easy recovery. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, TEM, HRSEM, FT-IR, SEM, PIXE and TGA while the doped TiO2 was characterized by XPS, BET, CHNS and Raman Spectroscopy. The effect of pH of solution, presence of other contaminants and salts in solution, initial concentration of the model pollutant and type of the plasmonic elements on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 towards 4-(4-sulfophenylazo)-N,N-dimethyl aniline (methyl orange) were also investigated. The selected TiO2 photo-catalyst films were tested for antimicrobial properties. The effect of different types of plasmon elements on the antimicrobial activity of TiO2 against E. coli ATCC 3695 was evaluated under both sunlight and weak UV light. Under UV light, Ag showed the highest enhancement in photo-catalytic activity of TiO2 than Au and Cu. The photo-catalytic activity of TiO2 increased with an increase in Ag content to an optimum loading and then started to decrease with a further increase in loading. For Cu and Au, photo-activity activity increased with an increase in plasmon metal content. Under sunlight, Cu showed the highest enhancement of TiO2 photocatalytic compared to Ag and Au. The change in order of deposition showed that Au films enhanced the photo-activity better when they were deposited underneath rather than on top of TiO2 on quartz supports but Ag films performed better in enhancing photo-activity when they were deposited on top of TiO2. The use of bimetallic layers and three layer systems of different plasmon elements enhanced photo-catalytic activity better than the use of a monometallic layer. The presence of other organic contaminants and salts in solutions was found to reduce the photo-degradation of methyl orange due to preferential adsorption of other contaminants. When the pH was increased, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 towards methyl orange was reduced. In antimicrobial studies, it was found that the plasmon elements greatly improved the antibacterial action of TiO2 against Escherichia coli ATCC 3695 in water and the best antibacterial action was observed with silver/carbon co-doped TiO2 photo-catalyst under sunlight The doped samples consisted of polydisperse nanoparticles which were found to be beneficial for photo-catalytic activity enhancement under sunlight.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Nyamukamba, Pardon
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Photocatalysis Titanium dioxide Water chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2765 , vital:28074
- Description: Advanced oxidation processes are capable of removing organic compounds that cannot be removed by conventional water treatment methods. Among the oxidation processes, photo-catalysis using titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising method but suffers from rapid electron-hole recombination rates and only absorbs UV light which is a small percentage (5 percent) of the total solar radiation. Therefore there is a need to reduce the recombination rates and also extend the absorption of the photo-catalyst into the visible region which constitutes 55 percent of the total solar radiation. The major aims of this study were to prepare plasmon metal decorated and doped TiO2 photo-catalysts immobilized on quartz substrates and test their photo-catalytic and antimicrobial activities. The effect of film thickness (loading) and use of different shapes of plasmon metal nanostructures was investigated. TiO2 thin films were prepared by a sputter coating technique while plasmon metal (Au & Ag)/carbon co-doped TiO2 by a simple sol gel process and plasmon metal films were prepared by the thermal evaporation technique. Different plasmon metal nanostructures (nanorods, dendrites, nanowires and spherical nanoparticles) were prepared using a wet chemical technique using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. Nanocomposites of co-doped TiO2 photo-catalyst and plasmon elements of different proportions were also prepared. The prepared photo-catalysts were coated onto etched and MPTMS (3-Mercaptopropyl trimethoxysliane) treated quartz glass substrate which is a stable support favouring easy recovery. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, TEM, HRSEM, FT-IR, SEM, PIXE and TGA while the doped TiO2 was characterized by XPS, BET, CHNS and Raman Spectroscopy. The effect of pH of solution, presence of other contaminants and salts in solution, initial concentration of the model pollutant and type of the plasmonic elements on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 towards 4-(4-sulfophenylazo)-N,N-dimethyl aniline (methyl orange) were also investigated. The selected TiO2 photo-catalyst films were tested for antimicrobial properties. The effect of different types of plasmon elements on the antimicrobial activity of TiO2 against E. coli ATCC 3695 was evaluated under both sunlight and weak UV light. Under UV light, Ag showed the highest enhancement in photo-catalytic activity of TiO2 than Au and Cu. The photo-catalytic activity of TiO2 increased with an increase in Ag content to an optimum loading and then started to decrease with a further increase in loading. For Cu and Au, photo-activity activity increased with an increase in plasmon metal content. Under sunlight, Cu showed the highest enhancement of TiO2 photocatalytic compared to Ag and Au. The change in order of deposition showed that Au films enhanced the photo-activity better when they were deposited underneath rather than on top of TiO2 on quartz supports but Ag films performed better in enhancing photo-activity when they were deposited on top of TiO2. The use of bimetallic layers and three layer systems of different plasmon elements enhanced photo-catalytic activity better than the use of a monometallic layer. The presence of other organic contaminants and salts in solutions was found to reduce the photo-degradation of methyl orange due to preferential adsorption of other contaminants. When the pH was increased, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 towards methyl orange was reduced. In antimicrobial studies, it was found that the plasmon elements greatly improved the antibacterial action of TiO2 against Escherichia coli ATCC 3695 in water and the best antibacterial action was observed with silver/carbon co-doped TiO2 photo-catalyst under sunlight The doped samples consisted of polydisperse nanoparticles which were found to be beneficial for photo-catalytic activity enhancement under sunlight.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Professional identity of teacher educators as assessors of teaching practice : a case study in a South African university
- Authors: Roy, Irene Juanita Sass
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Teacher educators--Professional relationships Teachers--Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15969 , vital:40570
- Description: This study focuses on the professional identity of Teacher Educators as assessors of teaching practice for Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) student teachers.The research was presented as a case study at one institution of higher learning. The focus was on the professional identity of teacher educators as revealed in the assessment narratives they expressed as a report back to PGCE students and the verbalisation of their beliefs through semi-structured interviews at the particular institution. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology from an interpretivist paradigm whereby the collected data was coded and analysed through applying both inductive and deductive reasoning. Themes which emerged from the data were qualitatively analysed through the social-constructivist theories of Bernstein, Lave and Wenger and Feiman-Nemser. This study revealed that the professional identity of Teacher Educators plays a significant role in the way in which they assess students. The study showed that theprofessional identity (encompassing of professional knowledge) of Teacher Educators determines their assessment focus, professional knowledge and identity is reflected in the narrative feedback to PGCE student teachers and their views of the current assessment instrument as (in)effective. The study revealed that Teacher Educators have specific expectations (pedagogical skill, subject and content knowledge) but the complexities of their identity override how they apply the assessment instrument. In addition Teacher Educators are challenged by the PGCE cohort in that they expect this group to show the same competencies as students coming through the under-graduate programme. The study recommends that a collaborative approach be adopted in the preparation and assessment of PGCE student teachers; a re-conceptualisation of the requirements of teaching competence for this group be undertaken; and Teacher Educators be empowered to teach and assess PGCE student teachers aligned with the principles of andragogy and that Higher Education policy take cognisance of and make provision for the unique needs of PGCE teacher training. The study proposes a revised approach by Teacher Educators be considered which treat the assessment of teaching competence for PGCE student teachers in a less fragmented and individualised manner. This implies that a different organisational assessment culture is needed in order to democratize the assessment of PGCE student teachers, training in the GET band in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Roy, Irene Juanita Sass
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Teacher educators--Professional relationships Teachers--Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15969 , vital:40570
- Description: This study focuses on the professional identity of Teacher Educators as assessors of teaching practice for Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) student teachers.The research was presented as a case study at one institution of higher learning. The focus was on the professional identity of teacher educators as revealed in the assessment narratives they expressed as a report back to PGCE students and the verbalisation of their beliefs through semi-structured interviews at the particular institution. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology from an interpretivist paradigm whereby the collected data was coded and analysed through applying both inductive and deductive reasoning. Themes which emerged from the data were qualitatively analysed through the social-constructivist theories of Bernstein, Lave and Wenger and Feiman-Nemser. This study revealed that the professional identity of Teacher Educators plays a significant role in the way in which they assess students. The study showed that theprofessional identity (encompassing of professional knowledge) of Teacher Educators determines their assessment focus, professional knowledge and identity is reflected in the narrative feedback to PGCE student teachers and their views of the current assessment instrument as (in)effective. The study revealed that Teacher Educators have specific expectations (pedagogical skill, subject and content knowledge) but the complexities of their identity override how they apply the assessment instrument. In addition Teacher Educators are challenged by the PGCE cohort in that they expect this group to show the same competencies as students coming through the under-graduate programme. The study recommends that a collaborative approach be adopted in the preparation and assessment of PGCE student teachers; a re-conceptualisation of the requirements of teaching competence for this group be undertaken; and Teacher Educators be empowered to teach and assess PGCE student teachers aligned with the principles of andragogy and that Higher Education policy take cognisance of and make provision for the unique needs of PGCE teacher training. The study proposes a revised approach by Teacher Educators be considered which treat the assessment of teaching competence for PGCE student teachers in a less fragmented and individualised manner. This implies that a different organisational assessment culture is needed in order to democratize the assessment of PGCE student teachers, training in the GET band in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses in Uganda
- Nuwagaba, Geoffrey, Struwig, Miemie
- Authors: Nuwagaba, Geoffrey , Struwig, Miemie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cash management -- Uganda Informal sector (Economics) -- Uganda Small business -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12319 , vital:27054
- Description: This study investigates the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses in Uganda. Whereas anecdotal evidence has for some time revealed that informal businesses in Uganda are faced with the challenge of cash management, no specific studies have been conducted to investigate how this relates to the growth of businesses where evidence has also indicated that most of these businesses do not exist for very long. In particular, the study assesses and explores the growth levels of informal businesses in terms of sales volume, growth in employment and length of existence. The study investigates the various ways in which informal businesses manage their cash and investigates the various internal and external factors that moderate cash management and the growth of the informal businesses. Furthermore, the study proposes a possible framework to manage cash in informal businesses and makes recommendations to informal business owners and managers on how to effectively manage cash in order to stimulate business growth. In order to investigate the relationships between the variables, an empirical investigation was undertaken. Based on the literature review, the primary objective of the study was formulated to investigate the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses amidst the external and internal environment in Uganda in order to suggest a framework for effective management of cash by informal businesses that would enhance their growth. A positivistic research paradigm was adopted in this study. A sample of 383 informal businesses was drawn from the five divisions of Kampala district namely; Central, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Rubaga. To ensure validity and reliability, EFA and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were computed. Six hypotheses were developed to test the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses. The empirical results revealed that there is a significant relationship between cash management and the external environment in which informal businesses operate, a significant relationship between the external environment and the growth of informal businesses and a significant relationship between cash management and growth of informal businesses where the external environment will have a moderating influence on the relationship. The empirical results did not establish a significant relationship between cash management and the internal environment in which informal businesses operate, the internal environment and growth of informal businesses and cash management and growth of informal businesses where internal environment will have a moderating influence on the relationship. The results of this study show that the growth of informal businesses is largely hampered by poor cash management practices and challenges such as the lack of cash planning, lack of cash forecasting and budgeting, lack of financial controls and reporting, the tendency to invest largely in short-term assets which limits their profitability, the employment of less competent and skilled staff and lack of formal accounting information systems. The magnitude of the impact of these is accelerated by the external environment such as competition and the legal and regulatory environment which put pressure on the little cash resources owned by these businesses. Based on the study results, several strategies based on individual cash components of cash planning, cash forecasting and budgeting, financial controls and reporting, short-term investment of cash surplus, competence and skills of staff and accounting information systems were recommended for implementation. It was further recommended that these strategies should be implemented while giving due attention to the external environment if informal businesses are to effectively manage cash and enhance their growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Nuwagaba, Geoffrey , Struwig, Miemie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cash management -- Uganda Informal sector (Economics) -- Uganda Small business -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12319 , vital:27054
- Description: This study investigates the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses in Uganda. Whereas anecdotal evidence has for some time revealed that informal businesses in Uganda are faced with the challenge of cash management, no specific studies have been conducted to investigate how this relates to the growth of businesses where evidence has also indicated that most of these businesses do not exist for very long. In particular, the study assesses and explores the growth levels of informal businesses in terms of sales volume, growth in employment and length of existence. The study investigates the various ways in which informal businesses manage their cash and investigates the various internal and external factors that moderate cash management and the growth of the informal businesses. Furthermore, the study proposes a possible framework to manage cash in informal businesses and makes recommendations to informal business owners and managers on how to effectively manage cash in order to stimulate business growth. In order to investigate the relationships between the variables, an empirical investigation was undertaken. Based on the literature review, the primary objective of the study was formulated to investigate the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses amidst the external and internal environment in Uganda in order to suggest a framework for effective management of cash by informal businesses that would enhance their growth. A positivistic research paradigm was adopted in this study. A sample of 383 informal businesses was drawn from the five divisions of Kampala district namely; Central, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Rubaga. To ensure validity and reliability, EFA and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were computed. Six hypotheses were developed to test the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses. The empirical results revealed that there is a significant relationship between cash management and the external environment in which informal businesses operate, a significant relationship between the external environment and the growth of informal businesses and a significant relationship between cash management and growth of informal businesses where the external environment will have a moderating influence on the relationship. The empirical results did not establish a significant relationship between cash management and the internal environment in which informal businesses operate, the internal environment and growth of informal businesses and cash management and growth of informal businesses where internal environment will have a moderating influence on the relationship. The results of this study show that the growth of informal businesses is largely hampered by poor cash management practices and challenges such as the lack of cash planning, lack of cash forecasting and budgeting, lack of financial controls and reporting, the tendency to invest largely in short-term assets which limits their profitability, the employment of less competent and skilled staff and lack of formal accounting information systems. The magnitude of the impact of these is accelerated by the external environment such as competition and the legal and regulatory environment which put pressure on the little cash resources owned by these businesses. Based on the study results, several strategies based on individual cash components of cash planning, cash forecasting and budgeting, financial controls and reporting, short-term investment of cash surplus, competence and skills of staff and accounting information systems were recommended for implementation. It was further recommended that these strategies should be implemented while giving due attention to the external environment if informal businesses are to effectively manage cash and enhance their growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016