Household food insecurity and its association with psychological well-being of pregnant women in Ghana: the role of selected psychosocial factors
- Authors: Addai, Prince
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Food security -- Ghana Households -- Ghana Self-reliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12547 , vital:39286
- Description: The inability to get enough food has contributed immensely to dangers confronting pregnant women, especially in the developing countries. Food insecurity has been associated with a variety of negative consequences such as poor health and wellbeing. However, the impact of food insecurity on well-being has not received the needed attention by researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa where the state of food insecurity and its consequence is very pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of food insecurity on psychological well-being and its components among pregnant women in Northern Ghana and to assess the roles of self-esteem, locus of control, proactivity, and social support on the underlying relationship. The cross-sectional survey was adopted where 386 pregnant women were recruited to complete questionnaires on demographic, some psychological factors, psychological well-being and food insecurity. Dimensionality and Item analyses were conducted to detect complex and poor items and also to ensure unidimensionality. Regression analysis, MANOVA, Baron and Kenney Model of moderation and mediation, the multivariate ANOVA and the Two-way ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that the measurement and the structural models showed a good fit with the observed data. Results showed that about 37.5% (n=144) out of the 384 pregnant women experienced severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was negatively significantly related with psychological well-being and all its components among pregnant women. Food insecurity elucidated 48.5% of the observed variance of food insecurity. Food insecurity correlated highly to personal growth (β = -.327) element of psychological well-being compared to autonomy (β = -.227), interpersonal relationship (β = -.207), environmental mastery (β = -.168), self-acceptance (β = -.117), and of purpose in life (β = -.107). Self-esteem and locus of control mediated the relationship between food insecurity and psychological well-being. Proactivity and social support also moderated the nexus between food insecurity and psychological well-being. 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper Having higher income status and being employed were associated positively with higher psychological well-being. Support was not found for the nexus between marital status and age with psychological well-being. Recommendations are made for pregnant mothers to be supported and empowered to boost their self-esteem and make them proactive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Addai, Prince
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Food security -- Ghana Households -- Ghana Self-reliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12547 , vital:39286
- Description: The inability to get enough food has contributed immensely to dangers confronting pregnant women, especially in the developing countries. Food insecurity has been associated with a variety of negative consequences such as poor health and wellbeing. However, the impact of food insecurity on well-being has not received the needed attention by researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa where the state of food insecurity and its consequence is very pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of food insecurity on psychological well-being and its components among pregnant women in Northern Ghana and to assess the roles of self-esteem, locus of control, proactivity, and social support on the underlying relationship. The cross-sectional survey was adopted where 386 pregnant women were recruited to complete questionnaires on demographic, some psychological factors, psychological well-being and food insecurity. Dimensionality and Item analyses were conducted to detect complex and poor items and also to ensure unidimensionality. Regression analysis, MANOVA, Baron and Kenney Model of moderation and mediation, the multivariate ANOVA and the Two-way ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that the measurement and the structural models showed a good fit with the observed data. Results showed that about 37.5% (n=144) out of the 384 pregnant women experienced severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was negatively significantly related with psychological well-being and all its components among pregnant women. Food insecurity elucidated 48.5% of the observed variance of food insecurity. Food insecurity correlated highly to personal growth (β = -.327) element of psychological well-being compared to autonomy (β = -.227), interpersonal relationship (β = -.207), environmental mastery (β = -.168), self-acceptance (β = -.117), and of purpose in life (β = -.107). Self-esteem and locus of control mediated the relationship between food insecurity and psychological well-being. Proactivity and social support also moderated the nexus between food insecurity and psychological well-being. 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper Having higher income status and being employed were associated positively with higher psychological well-being. Support was not found for the nexus between marital status and age with psychological well-being. Recommendations are made for pregnant mothers to be supported and empowered to boost their self-esteem and make them proactive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Probing learners' conceptual understanding of oxidation and reduction (redox) reactions : a case study
- Authors: Addam, Billey Bright
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Competency based education -- South Africa Oxidation-reduction reaction -- Study and teaching Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1409 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002950
- Description: The new political dispensation in South Africa has seen a lot of changes taking place. The democratic wind, which has been blowing in all spheres of the political arena, could not leave out Education. This has led to the transformation in education and the revision of the curriculum guided by the Outcomes-Based Education philosophy (OBE). Thus, require education authorities as well as educators to look at education more comprehensively. The challenge posed to educators now is to develop tools and strategies that will make learning accessible to as many learners as possible and to teach for understanding and construction of knowledge. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the important role the learner's prior knowledge plays and the use of different tools and strategies in stimulating conceptual understanding and construction of knowledge of redox reactions. This was done using learners' own investigations, practical activities, teaching settings and a workshop. The findings show that the learners lacked organized and structured prior knowledge. Learners could not integrate prior experience with new experience. The main issue seems to be the failure of learners to relate classroom experience to everyday redox phenomena. Possible reasons are discussed with some implications for teaching redox. The study further postulates that to assist learners to develop conceptual understanding of redox reactions, different tools and strategies should be employed and teaching made relevant to real-life situations. In so doing, redox concepts would not be abstract to learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Addam, Billey Bright
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Competency based education -- South Africa Oxidation-reduction reaction -- Study and teaching Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1409 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002950
- Description: The new political dispensation in South Africa has seen a lot of changes taking place. The democratic wind, which has been blowing in all spheres of the political arena, could not leave out Education. This has led to the transformation in education and the revision of the curriculum guided by the Outcomes-Based Education philosophy (OBE). Thus, require education authorities as well as educators to look at education more comprehensively. The challenge posed to educators now is to develop tools and strategies that will make learning accessible to as many learners as possible and to teach for understanding and construction of knowledge. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the important role the learner's prior knowledge plays and the use of different tools and strategies in stimulating conceptual understanding and construction of knowledge of redox reactions. This was done using learners' own investigations, practical activities, teaching settings and a workshop. The findings show that the learners lacked organized and structured prior knowledge. Learners could not integrate prior experience with new experience. The main issue seems to be the failure of learners to relate classroom experience to everyday redox phenomena. Possible reasons are discussed with some implications for teaching redox. The study further postulates that to assist learners to develop conceptual understanding of redox reactions, different tools and strategies should be employed and teaching made relevant to real-life situations. In so doing, redox concepts would not be abstract to learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Integrating information and communications technology (ICT) into teaching and learning: the case of mathematics, science and technology education in one higher education institution
- Authors: Addam, Billey Bright Kwadwo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: vital:16224 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019736 , Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Description: This study explores the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into teaching and learning within one Higher Education institution. The main question driving the study was: How is ICT integrated in the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and technology education (MSTE) in a Bachelor of Education programme? This is a case study of lecturers and students in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. It makes use of questionnaires, interviews, field notes and document analyses to collect data. MSTE lecturers and students were assumed to be well versed in ICT usage and, therefore, well placed to assess its integration into teaching and learning. There were five main findings: First, that Mathematics, Science and Technology Education lecturers showed some ambivalence in their ontological and epistemological orientation to using ICT. Some leaned towards the instruction paradigm and used ICT as a tool for the transmission of knowledge; others leaned towards the learning paradigm, showing an awareness of the need to elicit discovery through ICT. Secondly, that lecturers’ understanding of ICT integration was oriented towards teaching and learning from technologies rather than with technologies. Thirdly, that processes of ‘pedagogical evolution’ were taking place, in terms of which there was a gradual but perceptible shift in the teaching and learning practice of both students and lecturers. Fourthly, there was no evidence to show that lecturers used ICT to promote innovative and creative teaching; in fact, students appeared to be more creative in using ICT resources, than lecturers. Fifthly, and finally, lecturers did not assign ICT-based tasks that promote conceptual understanding. They assigned tasks that asked students to extract and reproduce information from computers, without demonstrating understanding. When used in this way, ICT can, in fact, be de-skilling. From these findings, it can be concluded that ICT integration cannot be understood without exploring the ontological and epistemological orientations, as well as the theoretical orientations, at play in the teaching and learning situation. It is on the basis of these that people, that is, lecturers and students, make use of, ICTs to achieve desired goals. It is therefore recommended that, for the improvement of integration, there should be a greater emphasis on developing and sharing pedagogical expertise concerning ICT use in teaching and learning. It is recommended that a country-wide research survey should be undertaken, based on probability sampling and focussing on pedagogical issues in ICT integration in teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Addam, Billey Bright Kwadwo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: vital:16224 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019736 , Educational teaching -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Description: This study explores the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into teaching and learning within one Higher Education institution. The main question driving the study was: How is ICT integrated in the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and technology education (MSTE) in a Bachelor of Education programme? This is a case study of lecturers and students in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. It makes use of questionnaires, interviews, field notes and document analyses to collect data. MSTE lecturers and students were assumed to be well versed in ICT usage and, therefore, well placed to assess its integration into teaching and learning. There were five main findings: First, that Mathematics, Science and Technology Education lecturers showed some ambivalence in their ontological and epistemological orientation to using ICT. Some leaned towards the instruction paradigm and used ICT as a tool for the transmission of knowledge; others leaned towards the learning paradigm, showing an awareness of the need to elicit discovery through ICT. Secondly, that lecturers’ understanding of ICT integration was oriented towards teaching and learning from technologies rather than with technologies. Thirdly, that processes of ‘pedagogical evolution’ were taking place, in terms of which there was a gradual but perceptible shift in the teaching and learning practice of both students and lecturers. Fourthly, there was no evidence to show that lecturers used ICT to promote innovative and creative teaching; in fact, students appeared to be more creative in using ICT resources, than lecturers. Fifthly, and finally, lecturers did not assign ICT-based tasks that promote conceptual understanding. They assigned tasks that asked students to extract and reproduce information from computers, without demonstrating understanding. When used in this way, ICT can, in fact, be de-skilling. From these findings, it can be concluded that ICT integration cannot be understood without exploring the ontological and epistemological orientations, as well as the theoretical orientations, at play in the teaching and learning situation. It is on the basis of these that people, that is, lecturers and students, make use of, ICTs to achieve desired goals. It is therefore recommended that, for the improvement of integration, there should be a greater emphasis on developing and sharing pedagogical expertise concerning ICT use in teaching and learning. It is recommended that a country-wide research survey should be undertaken, based on probability sampling and focussing on pedagogical issues in ICT integration in teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A study of the heroine in certain Victorian novels
- Authors: Addecott, Grahame John
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: English fiction -- 19th century -- History and criticism , Heroines in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2319 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013374
- Description: During the reign of Queen Victoria was seen the gradual emergence of the emancipated woman. The idea that women were innocent beings who must be kept from real knowledge of the world died hard, however, and to the end of the era there were many who repudiated the very concept of emancipation whether in literature or life. Coupled with the chivalrous, idealistic concept of womanhood was Victorian respectability, and it is not surprising that in the earlier Victorian novels we see clearly the idealistic concept of women and the effects of the cult of respectability. To illustrate my theme, of the gradual change in the concept of the novel which naturally kept pace, more or less, with the progress the emancipation of women was making, I have chosen one novel from each of seven great Victorian novelists whose works span the whale era. The only exception I have made is with Charlotte Bronte. In her case the heroines of two of her novels are discussed mainly because she is the first Victorian novelist to sound a note of protest against the then conventional concept of the heroine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
- Authors: Addecott, Grahame John
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: English fiction -- 19th century -- History and criticism , Heroines in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2319 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013374
- Description: During the reign of Queen Victoria was seen the gradual emergence of the emancipated woman. The idea that women were innocent beings who must be kept from real knowledge of the world died hard, however, and to the end of the era there were many who repudiated the very concept of emancipation whether in literature or life. Coupled with the chivalrous, idealistic concept of womanhood was Victorian respectability, and it is not surprising that in the earlier Victorian novels we see clearly the idealistic concept of women and the effects of the cult of respectability. To illustrate my theme, of the gradual change in the concept of the novel which naturally kept pace, more or less, with the progress the emancipation of women was making, I have chosen one novel from each of seven great Victorian novelists whose works span the whale era. The only exception I have made is with Charlotte Bronte. In her case the heroines of two of her novels are discussed mainly because she is the first Victorian novelist to sound a note of protest against the then conventional concept of the heroine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
Intimacy in romantic relationships during young adulthood: the role of the mother-daughter relationship
- Authors: Addinall, Elizabeth Liezl
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Intimacy (Psychology) , Parent and child , Mothers and daughters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/160 , Intimacy (Psychology) , Parent and child , Mothers and daughters
- Description: This study addressed the role of the mother-daughter relationship on the daughter‟s development of the capacity for intimacy with a romantic partner. The objective of this study was to examine whether separateness in mother-daughter interactions was related to romantic intimacy (sexual and non-sexual intimacy) in romantic relationships. The following instruments were used: 1) Socio-demographic questionnaire; 2) Competence in Mother-Daughter Relationship Questionnaire (ICQ-M) and 3) Personal Assessment of Intimacy Questionnaire (PAIR). 179 adolescent female university students participated in this study most of who were between the ages of 20 and 24. The results indicated that a positive relationship existed between separateness and sexual intimacy (r=.688, p<.01) as well as separateness and non-sexual intimacy (r=.598, p<.01). A positive relationship between connectedness and non-sexual intimacy (r=.468, p<.01) was also observed, however no correlation was observed between connectedness and sexual intimacy. These findings indicate that separateness in mother-daughter interactions has a definite effect on the different dimensions of romantic intimacy. Therefore, late adolescent women who possess the ability to assert themselves and express differences between themselves and their mothers are not as apprehensive as their peers when it comes to romantic intimacy with a partner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Addinall, Elizabeth Liezl
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Intimacy (Psychology) , Parent and child , Mothers and daughters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/160 , Intimacy (Psychology) , Parent and child , Mothers and daughters
- Description: This study addressed the role of the mother-daughter relationship on the daughter‟s development of the capacity for intimacy with a romantic partner. The objective of this study was to examine whether separateness in mother-daughter interactions was related to romantic intimacy (sexual and non-sexual intimacy) in romantic relationships. The following instruments were used: 1) Socio-demographic questionnaire; 2) Competence in Mother-Daughter Relationship Questionnaire (ICQ-M) and 3) Personal Assessment of Intimacy Questionnaire (PAIR). 179 adolescent female university students participated in this study most of who were between the ages of 20 and 24. The results indicated that a positive relationship existed between separateness and sexual intimacy (r=.688, p<.01) as well as separateness and non-sexual intimacy (r=.598, p<.01). A positive relationship between connectedness and non-sexual intimacy (r=.468, p<.01) was also observed, however no correlation was observed between connectedness and sexual intimacy. These findings indicate that separateness in mother-daughter interactions has a definite effect on the different dimensions of romantic intimacy. Therefore, late adolescent women who possess the ability to assert themselves and express differences between themselves and their mothers are not as apprehensive as their peers when it comes to romantic intimacy with a partner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Censorship of the press in South Africa during the Angolan War: a case study of news manipulation and suppression
- Authors: Addison, Graeme
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Mass media -- Censorship -- South Africa Censorship -- South Africa Mass media -- Censorship -- South Africa Government and the press -- South Africa Freedom of the press -- South Africa Angola -- History -- Civil War, 1975-2002 Angola -- History -- South African Invasion, 1975-1976
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3495 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003058
- Description: During the Angolan War of 1975-6, whilst South African troops were actively engaged on the side of the Unita/FNLA alliance, news media in South Africa were prohibited from disclosing information about the country's role in the war. Under Section 118 of the Defence Amendment Act of 1967, no information about SA troop movements or plans could be published without the permission of the Minister of Defence or his nominees. This case study shows how the Government used the Defence Act to censor certain news while releasing other news which suited its political outlook and objectives. The study documents the history of the Defence Act and of the military-press liaison machinery which grew out of it. The introduction defines propaganda as a technique of ideological control designed to supplement the control of society by means of repression. The study sets in context the Government's propaganda strategy before, during and after the Angolan War, arguing that the structures of white domination, including the newspaper industry, are being drawn into the Government's scheme of total co-ordination to fight a total war.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
- Authors: Addison, Graeme
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Mass media -- Censorship -- South Africa Censorship -- South Africa Mass media -- Censorship -- South Africa Government and the press -- South Africa Freedom of the press -- South Africa Angola -- History -- Civil War, 1975-2002 Angola -- History -- South African Invasion, 1975-1976
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3495 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003058
- Description: During the Angolan War of 1975-6, whilst South African troops were actively engaged on the side of the Unita/FNLA alliance, news media in South Africa were prohibited from disclosing information about the country's role in the war. Under Section 118 of the Defence Amendment Act of 1967, no information about SA troop movements or plans could be published without the permission of the Minister of Defence or his nominees. This case study shows how the Government used the Defence Act to censor certain news while releasing other news which suited its political outlook and objectives. The study documents the history of the Defence Act and of the military-press liaison machinery which grew out of it. The introduction defines propaganda as a technique of ideological control designed to supplement the control of society by means of repression. The study sets in context the Government's propaganda strategy before, during and after the Angolan War, arguing that the structures of white domination, including the newspaper industry, are being drawn into the Government's scheme of total co-ordination to fight a total war.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
Plastochron index - an indicator of plant structure and function a case study using Pisum sativum L
- Ade-Ademilua, Omobolanle Elizabeth
- Authors: Ade-Ademilua, Omobolanle Elizabeth
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Plant anatomy Plant physiology Peas -- Anatomy Peas -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003751
- Description: The use of chronological age for example, using days after sowing (DAS), or days after germination (DAG) as a time variable may result in the inherent variability between plants resulting in differences which can be large enough to obscure subtle developmental trends that become evident among plants sown at the same time. An alternative to DAS or DAG is the plastochron index (PI), first used by Erickson and Michelini (1957) as a morphological time scale and numerical index; which to according to the authors suggested and represented a more accurate reflection of the developmental status of a plant. The research presented in this thesis was therefore aimed specifically at utilizing the index in qualitative and quantitative analyses, to confirm its usefulness in analyzing and predicting plant growth and development. Specifically this research focused on investigating various morphological and physiological events that together, hopefully, would serve as a template for the prediction of the growth, development and reactions of Pisum sativum L. to different growth conditions. In Chapter 3, the use of the average length of the first pair of leaflets on each node as a suitable parameter for calculating PI in P. sativum is suggested. The results presented in Chapter 3 suggest that plant age is best expressed using the plastochron index, as this reflects the time interval between the initiations of successive pairs of leaflets. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2005) A re-evaluation of plastochron index in peas - a case for using leaflet length. South African Journal of Botany 71: 76-80”. The PI formula developed was subsequently used in this research to conduct qualitative and quantitative investigations of plant growth and development in which all data and observations were related directly to the plastochron index. In Chapter 4, the sink to source transition in Pisum sativum L. leaves at different plastochron ages in nodulating plants was investigated using the phloem-mobile fluorescent marker, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF). The results demonstrated that young leaves remained strong sinks up until LPI 0, after which sink-source transition occurred up to LPI 1.8 and leaflets transitioned to strong source systems by LPI 2.0. A well-developed cross-connected phloem system between paired leaflets in peas, and the petiole and the stem vascular supply was observed. The data presented in the second part of Chapter 4 suggest that the phloem transport between leaflet pairs is independent of the sink/source state of the leaflets, or of movement along the source to sink gradient. The data support the presence of a modular transport system which may ensure re-allocation and balancing between leaflets of the same physiological age and photosynthetic and transport status, thereby load-balancing the local transport system, before exporting to other younger (sink) regions. The investigation of leaf development using the plastochron index (Chapter 5) revealed that the formation of air spaces in the palisade and spongy mesophyll, one of the preparatory events for transition from sink to source state in developing leaves, occurs between LPI 0 and LPI 1 in pea leaflets. Results of the anatomical and ultrastructural study related to PI are presented in Chapter 5. The density of wall ingrowths in transfer cells of minor veins increased with LPI and appeared to be associated with the probable transition to source state and the related potential increase in the production of assimilates for export. The onset of wall ingrowth development in leaflets at LPI 0 provided evidence that sink-to-source transition commences at LPI 0 in P. sativum. Presumably-functional plasmodesmata as well as a few mature sieve elements were evident in class IV veins in the apical region of young and older leaflets at LPI 0. The number of mature sieve elements per vein however, increased with increasing LPI. Most class V veins were still undergoing division at LPI 0 and their sieve elements did not show signs of maturity until LPI 1. The increase in the number of mature metaphloem sieve elements in young, supposedly importing tissue at LPI 0 to older, supposedly exporting tissues at LPI 2 is evidence of the association between phloem maturation and transition from importing to exporting status. In Chapter 6, I report on the effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] on the growth and leaf development of nodulating and non-nodulating Pisum sativum L var. Greenfeast grown under controlled environment of the same nitrogen (6mM) and nitrogen- free nutrient solution conditions. Shortterm exposure to elevated CO[subscript 2] induced rapid plant growth, irrespective of treatment. However, long-term elevated CO[subscript 2] treatment did not affect rate of leaf appearance (RLA) in nodulated plants, irrespective of mineral N supply but enhanced RLA in non- nodulating plants supplied with mineral N. Supplied N resulted in a significant increase in leaflet elongation rate (LfER) under both ambient and elevated CO[subscript 2], but LfER was not significantly affected by nodulation but was increased by high CO[subscript 2]. This suggested that the growth of nodulating P. sativum L may not be significantly affected under CO[subscript 2] levels as high as 1000 μmol mol[superscript -1]. The data suggest that elevated CO[subscript 2] will enhance canopy size, provided adequate soil N is available and more so in non-nodulating plants. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2004) The effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] and nitrogen availability supersedes the need for nodulation in peas grown under controlled environmental conditions. South African Journal of Botany 70: 816 – 823”. This thesis demonstrates that the similarity in the qualitative analyses results obtained from plants from different CO[subscript 2], nitrogen and nodulation treatment conditions, highlights the fact that plants of same PI value are at the same developmental state, irrespective of the growth condition. Furthermore, changes in plant structure and function observed under different growth conditions can be related simply to changes in plastochron index. The work presented in this thesis demonstrate that changes in plant structure and function analyzed are related to changes in PI. An important finding of this thesis is that with the use of PI, results can be compiled as a template for predicting the structure- function state of pea plants at any plastochron age, under any growth conditions, before using small representative sample populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Ade-Ademilua, Omobolanle Elizabeth
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Plant anatomy Plant physiology Peas -- Anatomy Peas -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003751
- Description: The use of chronological age for example, using days after sowing (DAS), or days after germination (DAG) as a time variable may result in the inherent variability between plants resulting in differences which can be large enough to obscure subtle developmental trends that become evident among plants sown at the same time. An alternative to DAS or DAG is the plastochron index (PI), first used by Erickson and Michelini (1957) as a morphological time scale and numerical index; which to according to the authors suggested and represented a more accurate reflection of the developmental status of a plant. The research presented in this thesis was therefore aimed specifically at utilizing the index in qualitative and quantitative analyses, to confirm its usefulness in analyzing and predicting plant growth and development. Specifically this research focused on investigating various morphological and physiological events that together, hopefully, would serve as a template for the prediction of the growth, development and reactions of Pisum sativum L. to different growth conditions. In Chapter 3, the use of the average length of the first pair of leaflets on each node as a suitable parameter for calculating PI in P. sativum is suggested. The results presented in Chapter 3 suggest that plant age is best expressed using the plastochron index, as this reflects the time interval between the initiations of successive pairs of leaflets. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2005) A re-evaluation of plastochron index in peas - a case for using leaflet length. South African Journal of Botany 71: 76-80”. The PI formula developed was subsequently used in this research to conduct qualitative and quantitative investigations of plant growth and development in which all data and observations were related directly to the plastochron index. In Chapter 4, the sink to source transition in Pisum sativum L. leaves at different plastochron ages in nodulating plants was investigated using the phloem-mobile fluorescent marker, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF). The results demonstrated that young leaves remained strong sinks up until LPI 0, after which sink-source transition occurred up to LPI 1.8 and leaflets transitioned to strong source systems by LPI 2.0. A well-developed cross-connected phloem system between paired leaflets in peas, and the petiole and the stem vascular supply was observed. The data presented in the second part of Chapter 4 suggest that the phloem transport between leaflet pairs is independent of the sink/source state of the leaflets, or of movement along the source to sink gradient. The data support the presence of a modular transport system which may ensure re-allocation and balancing between leaflets of the same physiological age and photosynthetic and transport status, thereby load-balancing the local transport system, before exporting to other younger (sink) regions. The investigation of leaf development using the plastochron index (Chapter 5) revealed that the formation of air spaces in the palisade and spongy mesophyll, one of the preparatory events for transition from sink to source state in developing leaves, occurs between LPI 0 and LPI 1 in pea leaflets. Results of the anatomical and ultrastructural study related to PI are presented in Chapter 5. The density of wall ingrowths in transfer cells of minor veins increased with LPI and appeared to be associated with the probable transition to source state and the related potential increase in the production of assimilates for export. The onset of wall ingrowth development in leaflets at LPI 0 provided evidence that sink-to-source transition commences at LPI 0 in P. sativum. Presumably-functional plasmodesmata as well as a few mature sieve elements were evident in class IV veins in the apical region of young and older leaflets at LPI 0. The number of mature sieve elements per vein however, increased with increasing LPI. Most class V veins were still undergoing division at LPI 0 and their sieve elements did not show signs of maturity until LPI 1. The increase in the number of mature metaphloem sieve elements in young, supposedly importing tissue at LPI 0 to older, supposedly exporting tissues at LPI 2 is evidence of the association between phloem maturation and transition from importing to exporting status. In Chapter 6, I report on the effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] on the growth and leaf development of nodulating and non-nodulating Pisum sativum L var. Greenfeast grown under controlled environment of the same nitrogen (6mM) and nitrogen- free nutrient solution conditions. Shortterm exposure to elevated CO[subscript 2] induced rapid plant growth, irrespective of treatment. However, long-term elevated CO[subscript 2] treatment did not affect rate of leaf appearance (RLA) in nodulated plants, irrespective of mineral N supply but enhanced RLA in non- nodulating plants supplied with mineral N. Supplied N resulted in a significant increase in leaflet elongation rate (LfER) under both ambient and elevated CO[subscript 2], but LfER was not significantly affected by nodulation but was increased by high CO[subscript 2]. This suggested that the growth of nodulating P. sativum L may not be significantly affected under CO[subscript 2] levels as high as 1000 μmol mol[superscript -1]. The data suggest that elevated CO[subscript 2] will enhance canopy size, provided adequate soil N is available and more so in non-nodulating plants. This section of the research has been published as “Ade-Ademilua OE, Botha CEJ (2004) The effects of elevated CO[subscript 2] and nitrogen availability supersedes the need for nodulation in peas grown under controlled environmental conditions. South African Journal of Botany 70: 816 – 823”. This thesis demonstrates that the similarity in the qualitative analyses results obtained from plants from different CO[subscript 2], nitrogen and nodulation treatment conditions, highlights the fact that plants of same PI value are at the same developmental state, irrespective of the growth condition. Furthermore, changes in plant structure and function observed under different growth conditions can be related simply to changes in plastochron index. The work presented in this thesis demonstrate that changes in plant structure and function analyzed are related to changes in PI. An important finding of this thesis is that with the use of PI, results can be compiled as a template for predicting the structure- function state of pea plants at any plastochron age, under any growth conditions, before using small representative sample populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Exploring socialities on Black Twitter: an ethnographic study of everyday concerns of South African users in 2018 and 2019
- Authors: Adebayo, Binwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Twitter (Firm) , Social media South Africa , Social media and society South Africa , Black people and mass media South Africa , Language and the Internet South Africa , Mass media and culture South Africa , Race in mass media , Ethnicity in mass media , Mass media and minorities South Africa , Mass media Social aspects South Africa , Sex differences in mass media , Social media Political aspects South Africa , South Africa Social conditions , Finance In mass media , Intersectionality (Sociology) South Africa , Black Twitter
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140575 , vital:37900
- Description: In this thesis, I examine the phenomenon of Black Twitter, as it exists in South Africa. Drawing on its socio-cultural and linguistic elements, I analyse the kinds of socialities which are constituted on the platform. In the study, I do this by focusing on the key issues which drive the space by evaluating the key everyday concerns as expressed by its users. As such, the overarching lens focuses on three elements: Firstly, the idea of socialities and the way in which they manifest in online spaces; a focus on the everyday as an important site for social inquiry; and lastly the issue of ‘blackness’, in terms of the way it is used and understood in the South African Black Twitter context. Historically, the Black Twitter space has been linked almost exclusively to its broad base of African American users, who are significant both in terms of their numbers, and their impact on online social culture. However, in this study I engage with the ways in which Black Twitter has been adopted, co-opted and used by young South Africans. As a bona fide ‘member’ of South African Black Twitter, my approach to the study was cyberethnographic. Drawing on my access to the space, my knowledge of many of its members and dynamics, I engaged in participant observation as my primary methodology. My discussion focuses on three areas of everyday concerns, namely: gender and sexuality; race and politics; finances and the economy. These three areas emerge both as prominent sites of discussion, but also give the best insight into the ways in which young South Africans are grappling with these issues. My analysis focuses on how everyday concerns are handled on the platform, and I focus on the deployment of solidarity, formal language, platform-based language and the invocation of blackness. I argue in my conclusion that while the structure of the broad Black Twitter space reflects a leaning towards a digital public sphere, that the process and construction of Black Twitter’s ideas and content are approached via an incomplete, fluid convivial approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Adebayo, Binwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Twitter (Firm) , Social media South Africa , Social media and society South Africa , Black people and mass media South Africa , Language and the Internet South Africa , Mass media and culture South Africa , Race in mass media , Ethnicity in mass media , Mass media and minorities South Africa , Mass media Social aspects South Africa , Sex differences in mass media , Social media Political aspects South Africa , South Africa Social conditions , Finance In mass media , Intersectionality (Sociology) South Africa , Black Twitter
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140575 , vital:37900
- Description: In this thesis, I examine the phenomenon of Black Twitter, as it exists in South Africa. Drawing on its socio-cultural and linguistic elements, I analyse the kinds of socialities which are constituted on the platform. In the study, I do this by focusing on the key issues which drive the space by evaluating the key everyday concerns as expressed by its users. As such, the overarching lens focuses on three elements: Firstly, the idea of socialities and the way in which they manifest in online spaces; a focus on the everyday as an important site for social inquiry; and lastly the issue of ‘blackness’, in terms of the way it is used and understood in the South African Black Twitter context. Historically, the Black Twitter space has been linked almost exclusively to its broad base of African American users, who are significant both in terms of their numbers, and their impact on online social culture. However, in this study I engage with the ways in which Black Twitter has been adopted, co-opted and used by young South Africans. As a bona fide ‘member’ of South African Black Twitter, my approach to the study was cyberethnographic. Drawing on my access to the space, my knowledge of many of its members and dynamics, I engaged in participant observation as my primary methodology. My discussion focuses on three areas of everyday concerns, namely: gender and sexuality; race and politics; finances and the economy. These three areas emerge both as prominent sites of discussion, but also give the best insight into the ways in which young South Africans are grappling with these issues. My analysis focuses on how everyday concerns are handled on the platform, and I focus on the deployment of solidarity, formal language, platform-based language and the invocation of blackness. I argue in my conclusion that while the structure of the broad Black Twitter space reflects a leaning towards a digital public sphere, that the process and construction of Black Twitter’s ideas and content are approached via an incomplete, fluid convivial approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Information communication and technology in Port Elizabeth secondary schools : exploring the digital divide
- Authors: Adebisi, Adeolu Abiodun
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9770 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/914 , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Description: The primary goal of the research is to investigate the extent of ICT adoption in secondary schools within the larger Port Elizabeth area. In order to demonstrate the current status, two geographical areas within that area namely privileged and less privileged areas will be selected and surveyed. The main objective of this research study is to survey the access to ICT services by learners and teachers living and working in less privileged communities compared with that of learners and teachers in the more privileged communities of Port Elizabeth. At present all the schools in these communities are funded by the same provincial government, but the extent of the digital divide is not known. This research will investigate the factors that lead to the inequalities in the access to ICT among secondary school learners and teachers. This research has the following sub goals and objectives: 1. To identify the factors that impact on the status of access to ICT services; 2. To determine which socio-economic factors contribute to the status of access to ICT services in the specific areas; 3. To determine the status of access to ICT services in specific communities within the larger Port Elizabeth area; 4. To determine whether the level of access differs between secondary schools and the homes of teachers and learners in the identified areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Adebisi, Adeolu Abiodun
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9770 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/914 , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Description: The primary goal of the research is to investigate the extent of ICT adoption in secondary schools within the larger Port Elizabeth area. In order to demonstrate the current status, two geographical areas within that area namely privileged and less privileged areas will be selected and surveyed. The main objective of this research study is to survey the access to ICT services by learners and teachers living and working in less privileged communities compared with that of learners and teachers in the more privileged communities of Port Elizabeth. At present all the schools in these communities are funded by the same provincial government, but the extent of the digital divide is not known. This research will investigate the factors that lead to the inequalities in the access to ICT among secondary school learners and teachers. This research has the following sub goals and objectives: 1. To identify the factors that impact on the status of access to ICT services; 2. To determine which socio-economic factors contribute to the status of access to ICT services in the specific areas; 3. To determine the status of access to ICT services in specific communities within the larger Port Elizabeth area; 4. To determine whether the level of access differs between secondary schools and the homes of teachers and learners in the identified areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A multi-stakeholder approach to productivity improvement in the South African construction industry
- Authors: Adebowale, Oluseyi Julius
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor productivity , Construction industry -- Labor productivity Construction industry -- South Africa Construction industry -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19597 , vital:28902
- Description: As poor productivity in construction continues to constitute a setback to projects’ success in different countries of the world, the situation in South African construction is no exception. Poor productivity on construction projects and its detrimental impact on project objectives have continually resonated for decades. As a result, several strategies, interventions, and measures that aimed at improving productivity in the construction sector have been proposed. Nevertheless, the phenomenon importunately creates a major challenge on construction projects, and by extension, the construction industry especially in developing countries. Even when construction management literature acknowledged the commonalities in productivity influences, the practice of addressing construction productivity influences as separate entities has gained much relevance over the years. Taking into perspective, the multidisciplinary and complexity inherent in construction, a systemic approach to addressing construction productivity influences is fast becoming essential. This study addressed productivity-influencing factors by considering factors that are related to rework, shortage of construction resources, constructability, political, socio-economic, working environment, welfare conditions, disputes, planning and training. Consequently, the interdependencies of the most significant productivity-influencing factors in South African construction was developed in the form of a qualitative model. The study adopts the underlying assumptions of the quantitative approach, but also accepts some qualitative data. With regards to the subject of enquiry, the paradigm of the research is positivism which consists of realists’ ontological prescriptions and objectivists’ epistemological prescriptions. Site engineers, site managers, and site supervisors working for cidb registered contractors in four South African provinces constitute the sample stratum. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to analyse the data gathered from these project participants; both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise and describe the data obtained, while inferential statistics in the form of analysis of variance, T-test, and Tukey post hoc test were adopted. The study reported the most significant factors which negatively influence productivity on South African construction projects as inadequate workers’ skills, defective workmanship, the practice of awarding contracts to lowest bidders, political activities resulting in industrial action, inadequate contractors’ experience in project planning, payment delays by contractors, and corruption. Furthermore, it was found that contractors largely share similar perceptions regarding the factors that constrain productivity growth in South African construction. The approximate level of labour, material, and plant productivity on South African construction projects is 50.4%, 72.9%, and 62.0% respectively, while the approximate multifactor productivity was estimated as 61.8%. The study concluded that productivity has a considerable relationship with time and cost and a less potent relationship with quality. Based on the research findings, contractors’, consultants’, clients’ and government qualitative intervention models were proposed while recommendations towards improving South African construction productivity were made. The study recommended the reinvention of the apprentice training system to develop skills in construction, the involvement of stakeholders in improving workers’ skills, improved collaboration between the construction industry and higher institutions of learning regarding curricula development, adequate supervision of construction activities to mitigate the propagation of rework on construction projects, character in leadership, and integrity of project stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adebowale, Oluseyi Julius
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor productivity , Construction industry -- Labor productivity Construction industry -- South Africa Construction industry -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19597 , vital:28902
- Description: As poor productivity in construction continues to constitute a setback to projects’ success in different countries of the world, the situation in South African construction is no exception. Poor productivity on construction projects and its detrimental impact on project objectives have continually resonated for decades. As a result, several strategies, interventions, and measures that aimed at improving productivity in the construction sector have been proposed. Nevertheless, the phenomenon importunately creates a major challenge on construction projects, and by extension, the construction industry especially in developing countries. Even when construction management literature acknowledged the commonalities in productivity influences, the practice of addressing construction productivity influences as separate entities has gained much relevance over the years. Taking into perspective, the multidisciplinary and complexity inherent in construction, a systemic approach to addressing construction productivity influences is fast becoming essential. This study addressed productivity-influencing factors by considering factors that are related to rework, shortage of construction resources, constructability, political, socio-economic, working environment, welfare conditions, disputes, planning and training. Consequently, the interdependencies of the most significant productivity-influencing factors in South African construction was developed in the form of a qualitative model. The study adopts the underlying assumptions of the quantitative approach, but also accepts some qualitative data. With regards to the subject of enquiry, the paradigm of the research is positivism which consists of realists’ ontological prescriptions and objectivists’ epistemological prescriptions. Site engineers, site managers, and site supervisors working for cidb registered contractors in four South African provinces constitute the sample stratum. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to analyse the data gathered from these project participants; both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise and describe the data obtained, while inferential statistics in the form of analysis of variance, T-test, and Tukey post hoc test were adopted. The study reported the most significant factors which negatively influence productivity on South African construction projects as inadequate workers’ skills, defective workmanship, the practice of awarding contracts to lowest bidders, political activities resulting in industrial action, inadequate contractors’ experience in project planning, payment delays by contractors, and corruption. Furthermore, it was found that contractors largely share similar perceptions regarding the factors that constrain productivity growth in South African construction. The approximate level of labour, material, and plant productivity on South African construction projects is 50.4%, 72.9%, and 62.0% respectively, while the approximate multifactor productivity was estimated as 61.8%. The study concluded that productivity has a considerable relationship with time and cost and a less potent relationship with quality. Based on the research findings, contractors’, consultants’, clients’ and government qualitative intervention models were proposed while recommendations towards improving South African construction productivity were made. The study recommended the reinvention of the apprentice training system to develop skills in construction, the involvement of stakeholders in improving workers’ skills, improved collaboration between the construction industry and higher institutions of learning regarding curricula development, adequate supervision of construction activities to mitigate the propagation of rework on construction projects, character in leadership, and integrity of project stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Enhancing the role of the Kaizen suggestion tool in South African lean automotive companies of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Adedeji, Adeyemi Charles
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008157 , Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Description: The Toyota manufacturing system, aptly referred to as Lean manufacturing, has received a reasonable appreciation and awareness over the past decade in South African industry. This production phenomenon constitutes an organizational culture that encourages world-class production success through the liberation of factory resources, while employees are empowered and encouraged to contribute ideas for the improvement of processes and products. However, despite lean awareness and the crucial role of employee participation in the suggestion of ideas in world-class organizations, the performance level of lean manufacturing in South African industry is largely devoid of the Kaizen suggestion tool, particularly in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The aim of this research was to proffer appropriate recommendations, improved awareness, understanding and practice for the improvement of the Kaizen suggestion principle in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The research primarily focused on the ‘management/employees’ paradigm within the organisational context. The methodology employed in the study included a thorough review of the relevant literature and a questionnaire, which was developed and administered to both the management and employees of the thirty automotive components suppliers in Eastern Cape. The target companies constituted the units of analyses and therefore provided the opportunity for a detailed investigation of the links between management and employees as well as a submission of ideas for operational and organisational processes as established in the literature review. Epistemologically, the research is objectivist and paradigmically, positivist. However, some qualitative aspects of the data were relevant to the study and, therefore, were used in a complementary manner. The case approach utilized mixed methods by applying a range of data collection techniques and evidence from multiple sources while the sampling technique was sequential, involving both purposive and stratified random sampling. The study reveals the apparent lack of a systematic mechanism for the practice and administration of the Kaizen suggestion tools in most Eastern Cape automotive companies. This demerit is found to have negatively affected maximum employee participation and involvement in organizational decision making within the Province. The study has established a basic level of awareness and understanding among employees / employers relations that the Kaizen suggestion scheme is a vital tool for delivering strategic objectives in the management of decision making and organizational growth. The study strongly advocates the inclusion of employee suggestion systems as part of the organizational process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Adedeji, Adeyemi Charles
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008157 , Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Description: The Toyota manufacturing system, aptly referred to as Lean manufacturing, has received a reasonable appreciation and awareness over the past decade in South African industry. This production phenomenon constitutes an organizational culture that encourages world-class production success through the liberation of factory resources, while employees are empowered and encouraged to contribute ideas for the improvement of processes and products. However, despite lean awareness and the crucial role of employee participation in the suggestion of ideas in world-class organizations, the performance level of lean manufacturing in South African industry is largely devoid of the Kaizen suggestion tool, particularly in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The aim of this research was to proffer appropriate recommendations, improved awareness, understanding and practice for the improvement of the Kaizen suggestion principle in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The research primarily focused on the ‘management/employees’ paradigm within the organisational context. The methodology employed in the study included a thorough review of the relevant literature and a questionnaire, which was developed and administered to both the management and employees of the thirty automotive components suppliers in Eastern Cape. The target companies constituted the units of analyses and therefore provided the opportunity for a detailed investigation of the links between management and employees as well as a submission of ideas for operational and organisational processes as established in the literature review. Epistemologically, the research is objectivist and paradigmically, positivist. However, some qualitative aspects of the data were relevant to the study and, therefore, were used in a complementary manner. The case approach utilized mixed methods by applying a range of data collection techniques and evidence from multiple sources while the sampling technique was sequential, involving both purposive and stratified random sampling. The study reveals the apparent lack of a systematic mechanism for the practice and administration of the Kaizen suggestion tools in most Eastern Cape automotive companies. This demerit is found to have negatively affected maximum employee participation and involvement in organizational decision making within the Province. The study has established a basic level of awareness and understanding among employees / employers relations that the Kaizen suggestion scheme is a vital tool for delivering strategic objectives in the management of decision making and organizational growth. The study strongly advocates the inclusion of employee suggestion systems as part of the organizational process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An exploration of leadership practices: a case study in a public high school in Nigeria
- Authors: Adediji, John Oluwole
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Nigeria -- Case studies Teacher participation in administration -- Nigeria -- Case studies School management and organization -- Nigeria -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001955
- Description: The management of Nigeria high schools are noted for administrative practices in the management of their schools; hence the term administration is commonly used in their daily operations. This fact on ‘administration’ was emphasised by the Nigerian government in the National Policy on Education (Nigeria, 1981, p. 21). Therefor as a researcher from Nigeria, my rationale for embarking on this research study was to find out to what extent a public high school in Nigeria was still operating in a hierarchical, individualistic, authoritarian style of leadership or whether it has started embracing contemporary approaches such as distributed leadership. The main goal of this study was to explore leadership practices in the case study school with the main focus on how different people relate to each other in the various leadership practices of the school, such as staff and briefing meetings of the school. In addition, my research questions aimed at exploring the respondents’ perceptions of leadership and factors enabling or constraining the distribution of leadership in the school. The study is located within the interpretive paradigm. As a researcher in a wheelchair studying in South Africa I needed to find alternative ways of accessing the research site and gathering data. I was able to use electronic communication for the collection of my data. I used four different tools of data collection methods namely document analysis, observation, questionnaire and stimulated recall interviews. Findings from the study indicated that there was limited evidence of contemporary leadership approaches in the case study school. The school was still operating traditional leadership, while school activities were dominated by a hierarchical chain of command. What emerged from the leadership practices of the school could be termed authorised distributed leadership which was under the command of the school principal. Data also indicated that there were some forms of restricted teacher leadership in the management and administration of the school. In addition, findings revealed that the case study school was very good at the management and administrative functions. The school was very effective and efficient in the controlling and management of both human and material resources. Lastly, findings from the case study school indicated some enabling factors to the distribution of leadership in the case study school which include a culture of respect and cordial relations among the SMT and the teachers, Prominent among constraining factors to the distribution of leadership in the case study school were: cultural orientation of the people where the case school was located, exclusionary religious practices by the principal of the school and the inhibiting role played by the Ministry of Education. Finally, based on these findings, recommendations were made both for practice and for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Adediji, John Oluwole
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Nigeria -- Case studies Teacher participation in administration -- Nigeria -- Case studies School management and organization -- Nigeria -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001955
- Description: The management of Nigeria high schools are noted for administrative practices in the management of their schools; hence the term administration is commonly used in their daily operations. This fact on ‘administration’ was emphasised by the Nigerian government in the National Policy on Education (Nigeria, 1981, p. 21). Therefor as a researcher from Nigeria, my rationale for embarking on this research study was to find out to what extent a public high school in Nigeria was still operating in a hierarchical, individualistic, authoritarian style of leadership or whether it has started embracing contemporary approaches such as distributed leadership. The main goal of this study was to explore leadership practices in the case study school with the main focus on how different people relate to each other in the various leadership practices of the school, such as staff and briefing meetings of the school. In addition, my research questions aimed at exploring the respondents’ perceptions of leadership and factors enabling or constraining the distribution of leadership in the school. The study is located within the interpretive paradigm. As a researcher in a wheelchair studying in South Africa I needed to find alternative ways of accessing the research site and gathering data. I was able to use electronic communication for the collection of my data. I used four different tools of data collection methods namely document analysis, observation, questionnaire and stimulated recall interviews. Findings from the study indicated that there was limited evidence of contemporary leadership approaches in the case study school. The school was still operating traditional leadership, while school activities were dominated by a hierarchical chain of command. What emerged from the leadership practices of the school could be termed authorised distributed leadership which was under the command of the school principal. Data also indicated that there were some forms of restricted teacher leadership in the management and administration of the school. In addition, findings revealed that the case study school was very good at the management and administrative functions. The school was very effective and efficient in the controlling and management of both human and material resources. Lastly, findings from the case study school indicated some enabling factors to the distribution of leadership in the case study school which include a culture of respect and cordial relations among the SMT and the teachers, Prominent among constraining factors to the distribution of leadership in the case study school were: cultural orientation of the people where the case school was located, exclusionary religious practices by the principal of the school and the inhibiting role played by the Ministry of Education. Finally, based on these findings, recommendations were made both for practice and for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Screening for cardiometabolic risk factors among commercial drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Adedokun, Aanuoluwa Odunayo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Commercial vehicles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Nursing Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10431 , vital:35463
- Description: Cardio-metabolic risk factors are the aggregates of conditions that increase the susceptibility of developing cardio-metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. This includes insulin resistance, obesity, hyperglyceamia, dyslipoproteinemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertension. This condition are worsen by smoking and physical inactivity as they mostlyare not easily detected. This was a cross-sectional survey of 403 commercial taxi drivers at ten different taxi ranks in BCMM. The study utilized a convenient sampling technique for the participants of the study. The WHO STEPwise approach was used for data collection. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for a face-to-face interview. Socio-demographic (sex, age, marital status, driving experience, income) and behavioural characteristics (smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of sweet drinks, physical activity, and dietary intake) of participants were obtained. Also, objective reports concerning anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumference), blood pressure and biochemical measurement that is the blood glucose measurement. All anthropometric measurements were taken following a standard procedure using a Lufkin nonextensible flexible anthropometric tape (W606PM), Rosscraft, Canada and a SECA weighing scale and stadiometer (Hamburg, Germany). Blood pressure was checked also in accordance with standard protocols using a Medic+ Digital Blood Pressure Monitor Model 1219 (Hamburg, Germany). A validated ACCU-CHEK glucose monitoring apparatus (Mannheim, Germany) wasused for blood glucose measurement. Overweight and obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 –29.9 kg/m2 and≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively. Pre-hypertension was defined according JNC-8 criteria a systolic blood pressure of 120- 139 mmHg and diastolic of BP 80-89 mmHg while hypertension was defined as an average of two systolic BP ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90mmHg or a history of hypertension or anti hypertensive medication use. Diabetes status was determined using the fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and defined as a FBG ≥ 7.0mmol/L or self-reports of history or current diabetes medication use (treatment), while pre-diabetes was defined as a FBG of 5.6-6.9mmol/L. Awareness of diabetes was defined as self-reported history of diabetes among the people with diabetes. Metabolic syndrome status was determined according to the National agreement among makers of abdominal obesity. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The mean age of the participants was 43.3 (SD12.5) years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34.0 percent and 38.0 percent, respectively. Age, marital status, period of driving, not-smoking, hypertension and diabetes were significantly associated with obesity. In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, only age (OR 1.6, CI 1.0-2.7), hypertension (OR 3.6, CI 2.3-5.7) and non-smoking (OR 2.0, CI 1.3-3.1) were the independent and significant determinants of obesity. The prevalence rates of abdominal obesity by waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and neck circumference (NC) were 61.5 percent, 67.5 percent, 80.1 percent and 65.3 percent, respectively. A strong correlations exists between WHR and WC (>0.64); and WHtR and WC (>0.62). There exists a good agreement between WC and WHR. Also, a moderate agreement exists between WC and WHtR, WC and NC, WHR and WHtR, and WHtR and NC. The prevalence of above normal body composition for participants with hypertension was 71.0 percent, 65.9 percent, 63.2 percent and 66.5 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. For diabetes, the prevalence was 20.6 percent, 19.4 percent, 17.0 percent and 18.6 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. Waist circumference was a stronger predictor of hypertension and diabetics, with odds ratio of 3.7 (95 percent CI: 2.3-6.1 and 3.1 (95 percent CI: 1.6-6.0), compared to NC, with odds ratio of 1.7 (95 percent CI: 1.1-2.8). The prevalence of pre-hypertension was 33.7 percent and hypertension was 57.0 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, alcohol, sweet drinks consumption and diabetes were significantly associated with hypertension. After adjusting for confounders, age >35 years (P=0.004), obesity and alcohol use (P<0.001), period of driving >5years (p=0.028) and diabetes (P=0.003) were significant predictors of hypertension. Prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes was 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Of those who were diabetic (n=63), the majority were aware of their diabetes status (n=43) and were on treatment (n=30). Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, sweet drinks consumption, physical activities and hypertension were significantly associated with diabetes. Only age >35 (AOR= 3.6, CI 1.2-11.1), ever married (AOR= 3.3, CI 1.5-7.0) and hypertension (AOR= 3.4, CI 1.7-6.8) were the independent predictors of diabetes after adjusting for confounders. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 22 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, physical inactivity and period of driving were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for confounders, only age above 35 years (Adjusted Odd Ratio [AOR] =3.8, CI=1.4- 9.5), ever married (AOR=3.0, CI=1.6-5.3) and period of driving above five years (AOR= 2.4, CI=1.2-4.7) were the significant and independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. About 30 percent of the participants were daily smokers, 37 percent consume alcohol regularly and only 18 percent were physically active, while 82 percent were physically inactive. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes among the commercial drivers in this setting, which is associated with unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity). Interventions aimed at promoting cardiovascular health of commercial drivers such as health education and workplace screening, should prioritize weight reduction, healthy eating and physical activity in this population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adedokun, Aanuoluwa Odunayo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Commercial vehicles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Nursing Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10431 , vital:35463
- Description: Cardio-metabolic risk factors are the aggregates of conditions that increase the susceptibility of developing cardio-metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. This includes insulin resistance, obesity, hyperglyceamia, dyslipoproteinemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertension. This condition are worsen by smoking and physical inactivity as they mostlyare not easily detected. This was a cross-sectional survey of 403 commercial taxi drivers at ten different taxi ranks in BCMM. The study utilized a convenient sampling technique for the participants of the study. The WHO STEPwise approach was used for data collection. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for a face-to-face interview. Socio-demographic (sex, age, marital status, driving experience, income) and behavioural characteristics (smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of sweet drinks, physical activity, and dietary intake) of participants were obtained. Also, objective reports concerning anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumference), blood pressure and biochemical measurement that is the blood glucose measurement. All anthropometric measurements were taken following a standard procedure using a Lufkin nonextensible flexible anthropometric tape (W606PM), Rosscraft, Canada and a SECA weighing scale and stadiometer (Hamburg, Germany). Blood pressure was checked also in accordance with standard protocols using a Medic+ Digital Blood Pressure Monitor Model 1219 (Hamburg, Germany). A validated ACCU-CHEK glucose monitoring apparatus (Mannheim, Germany) wasused for blood glucose measurement. Overweight and obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 –29.9 kg/m2 and≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively. Pre-hypertension was defined according JNC-8 criteria a systolic blood pressure of 120- 139 mmHg and diastolic of BP 80-89 mmHg while hypertension was defined as an average of two systolic BP ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90mmHg or a history of hypertension or anti hypertensive medication use. Diabetes status was determined using the fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and defined as a FBG ≥ 7.0mmol/L or self-reports of history or current diabetes medication use (treatment), while pre-diabetes was defined as a FBG of 5.6-6.9mmol/L. Awareness of diabetes was defined as self-reported history of diabetes among the people with diabetes. Metabolic syndrome status was determined according to the National agreement among makers of abdominal obesity. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The mean age of the participants was 43.3 (SD12.5) years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34.0 percent and 38.0 percent, respectively. Age, marital status, period of driving, not-smoking, hypertension and diabetes were significantly associated with obesity. In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, only age (OR 1.6, CI 1.0-2.7), hypertension (OR 3.6, CI 2.3-5.7) and non-smoking (OR 2.0, CI 1.3-3.1) were the independent and significant determinants of obesity. The prevalence rates of abdominal obesity by waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and neck circumference (NC) were 61.5 percent, 67.5 percent, 80.1 percent and 65.3 percent, respectively. A strong correlations exists between WHR and WC (>0.64); and WHtR and WC (>0.62). There exists a good agreement between WC and WHR. Also, a moderate agreement exists between WC and WHtR, WC and NC, WHR and WHtR, and WHtR and NC. The prevalence of above normal body composition for participants with hypertension was 71.0 percent, 65.9 percent, 63.2 percent and 66.5 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. For diabetes, the prevalence was 20.6 percent, 19.4 percent, 17.0 percent and 18.6 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. Waist circumference was a stronger predictor of hypertension and diabetics, with odds ratio of 3.7 (95 percent CI: 2.3-6.1 and 3.1 (95 percent CI: 1.6-6.0), compared to NC, with odds ratio of 1.7 (95 percent CI: 1.1-2.8). The prevalence of pre-hypertension was 33.7 percent and hypertension was 57.0 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, alcohol, sweet drinks consumption and diabetes were significantly associated with hypertension. After adjusting for confounders, age >35 years (P=0.004), obesity and alcohol use (P<0.001), period of driving >5years (p=0.028) and diabetes (P=0.003) were significant predictors of hypertension. Prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes was 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Of those who were diabetic (n=63), the majority were aware of their diabetes status (n=43) and were on treatment (n=30). Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, sweet drinks consumption, physical activities and hypertension were significantly associated with diabetes. Only age >35 (AOR= 3.6, CI 1.2-11.1), ever married (AOR= 3.3, CI 1.5-7.0) and hypertension (AOR= 3.4, CI 1.7-6.8) were the independent predictors of diabetes after adjusting for confounders. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 22 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, physical inactivity and period of driving were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for confounders, only age above 35 years (Adjusted Odd Ratio [AOR] =3.8, CI=1.4- 9.5), ever married (AOR=3.0, CI=1.6-5.3) and period of driving above five years (AOR= 2.4, CI=1.2-4.7) were the significant and independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. About 30 percent of the participants were daily smokers, 37 percent consume alcohol regularly and only 18 percent were physically active, while 82 percent were physically inactive. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes among the commercial drivers in this setting, which is associated with unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity). Interventions aimed at promoting cardiovascular health of commercial drivers such as health education and workplace screening, should prioritize weight reduction, healthy eating and physical activity in this population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Assessment of national small and medium scale policy as a driver of local economic development : a case study of Ife Central Local government, Nigeria
- Authors: Adefemi, Adebayo Oluwaseun
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic policy Economic development -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12711 , vital:39301
- Description: This study, assessment of national small and medium scale policy as a driver of local economic development: a case study of Ife Central Local Government, Nigeria, was undertaken to find out if the National SME policy in Nigeria has performed its critical role of driving the local economic and if not, why, and also to identify measures to solve the problems that are hindering the implementation of the National SMEs policy. This study will therefore investigate the contributions of the Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector of the Nigerian economy, its problems and prospects and also examine the National SME policy and the importance of the policy. The objective of this study is to explore the implementation of National SME policy as a driver of local economic development, analyse the challenges that are associated with implementing the National SME policy in Ife Central Local Government and make recommendations regarding the implementation of SME policy in Nigeria. A total of 5 MP’s were randomly selected from a cross section of 7 MP’s that represent Ife Central Local Government. Interviews was used to determine how the National SME policy is been implemented in there constituency and if they are facing any challenges as to the implementing the policy and how are they solving the problems that are associated with the policy. The major findings of this study include the following: the National SME policy is an important policy which if well implemented would help the development of SMEs and also have great impact on the local economic development. Among the problems associated with the policy according to the MP’s are financial problems, illiteracy level of people in their constituency, Land segmentation problem, marketing problems. This study therefore recommended that government should strengthen financial laws that mandates financial institutions to give low interest rate loans to SMEs with little or no collateral. The government should accelerated development and upgrade of rural roads and rail network and other infrastructural facilities and review taxies in favour of local manufacturers especially the SMEs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Adefemi, Adebayo Oluwaseun
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic policy Economic development -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12711 , vital:39301
- Description: This study, assessment of national small and medium scale policy as a driver of local economic development: a case study of Ife Central Local Government, Nigeria, was undertaken to find out if the National SME policy in Nigeria has performed its critical role of driving the local economic and if not, why, and also to identify measures to solve the problems that are hindering the implementation of the National SMEs policy. This study will therefore investigate the contributions of the Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector of the Nigerian economy, its problems and prospects and also examine the National SME policy and the importance of the policy. The objective of this study is to explore the implementation of National SME policy as a driver of local economic development, analyse the challenges that are associated with implementing the National SME policy in Ife Central Local Government and make recommendations regarding the implementation of SME policy in Nigeria. A total of 5 MP’s were randomly selected from a cross section of 7 MP’s that represent Ife Central Local Government. Interviews was used to determine how the National SME policy is been implemented in there constituency and if they are facing any challenges as to the implementing the policy and how are they solving the problems that are associated with the policy. The major findings of this study include the following: the National SME policy is an important policy which if well implemented would help the development of SMEs and also have great impact on the local economic development. Among the problems associated with the policy according to the MP’s are financial problems, illiteracy level of people in their constituency, Land segmentation problem, marketing problems. This study therefore recommended that government should strengthen financial laws that mandates financial institutions to give low interest rate loans to SMEs with little or no collateral. The government should accelerated development and upgrade of rural roads and rail network and other infrastructural facilities and review taxies in favour of local manufacturers especially the SMEs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluation of the incidence of enteric viruses, Vibrio species and Escherichia coli pathotypes in effluents of two wastewater treatment plants located in Keiskammahoek and Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Adefisoye, Martins Ajibade
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3165 , vital:28328
- Description: South Africa is currently experiencing water shortage crisis, a challenge that has been attributed not only to the scarcity of freshwater, but also to fast degrading water quality. Factors such as rapid urbanisation, population and economic growth, climate change as well as poor operational and maintenance of many of the exisiting water/wastewater treatment facilities have been acknowledged as important contributors to degrading water quality in the country. Untreated or inadequately treated discharged wastewater effluents constitute point source pollution to many freshwater environments in South Africa. Hence, it becomes imperative to evaluate wastewater discharges in other to protect the scarce freshwater resource, the environment and public health. Over a twelve-month sampling period (September 2012 to August 2013), we assessed the bacteriological, virological and physicochemical qualities of the discharged final effluents of two wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. For the physicochemical assessment, a total of 144 final effluent samples were collected from both the final effluent tanks (FE) and the discharge points (DP) of the treatment facilities. Physicochemical parameters including pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC) and free chlorine concentration were determined on site while biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), phosphate (PO4-) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined in the laboratory. The bacteriological analysis of the samples was done using standard membrane filtration (MF) technique. Bacterial group assessed included: faecal indicator bacteria (faecal coliforms and E. coli) and Vibrio species, while the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of selected E. coli and Vibrio species isolates against some selected antibiotics commonly used in human therapy and veterinary medicine were determind using the standard agar-disc diffusion method. The occurrence and concentrations of human enteric viruses including: human adenovirus (HAdV), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus (RoV) in the samples were determined by TaqMan-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) following concentration by adsorption-elution method. The physicochemical characteristics of the samples ranged as follows: pH (6.5 – 7.6), TDS (95 – 171 mg/L), EC (134 – 267 μS/cm), temperature (12 – 27 °C), turbidity (1.5 – 65.7 mg/L), free chlorine (0.08 – 0.72 mg/L), DO (2.06 – 9.81 mg/L), BOD (0.13 – 9.81 mg/L), NO3- (0 – 21.5 mg/L), NO2- (0 – 0.72 mg/L), PO4- (0 – 18.3 mg/L) and COD (27 – 680 mg/L). Some of the characteristic such as pH, TDS, EC, temperature, nitrite and DO (on most instances) complied with recommended guidelines. Other characteristics, however, including turbidity, BOD, nitrate, phosphate and COD fell short of the recommended guidelines. All the 48 samples analysed for bacteriological qualities tested positive for the presence of the bacterial groups with significant (P≤0.05) seasonal variation in their densities. Faecal coliforms were detected in counts ranging from 1 CFU/100ml to 2.7 × 104 CFU/100ml. Presumptive E. coli counts ranged generally between 1 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 105 CFU/100ml while counts of presumptive Vibrio species ranged between 4 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 104 CFU/100ml. Molecular identification of the presumptive isolates by polymerase chain reactions PCR gave positive reaction rates of 76.2 percent (381/500) and 69.8 percent (279/400) for E.coli and Vibrio species respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility profiling of 205 PCR-confirmed Vibiro isolates against 18 commomly used antibiotics showed resistance frequencies ranging from 0.5 percent (imipenem) to 96.1 percent (penicillin G) at recommended breakpoint concentrations. Eighty-one percent (166/205) of the Vibrio isolates showed multidrug resistance (resistance to 3 or more antibiotics) with the most common multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype (MARP) being AP-T-TM-SMX-PG-NI-PB, occurring in 8 isolates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Adefisoye, Martins Ajibade
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3165 , vital:28328
- Description: South Africa is currently experiencing water shortage crisis, a challenge that has been attributed not only to the scarcity of freshwater, but also to fast degrading water quality. Factors such as rapid urbanisation, population and economic growth, climate change as well as poor operational and maintenance of many of the exisiting water/wastewater treatment facilities have been acknowledged as important contributors to degrading water quality in the country. Untreated or inadequately treated discharged wastewater effluents constitute point source pollution to many freshwater environments in South Africa. Hence, it becomes imperative to evaluate wastewater discharges in other to protect the scarce freshwater resource, the environment and public health. Over a twelve-month sampling period (September 2012 to August 2013), we assessed the bacteriological, virological and physicochemical qualities of the discharged final effluents of two wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. For the physicochemical assessment, a total of 144 final effluent samples were collected from both the final effluent tanks (FE) and the discharge points (DP) of the treatment facilities. Physicochemical parameters including pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC) and free chlorine concentration were determined on site while biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), phosphate (PO4-) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined in the laboratory. The bacteriological analysis of the samples was done using standard membrane filtration (MF) technique. Bacterial group assessed included: faecal indicator bacteria (faecal coliforms and E. coli) and Vibrio species, while the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of selected E. coli and Vibrio species isolates against some selected antibiotics commonly used in human therapy and veterinary medicine were determind using the standard agar-disc diffusion method. The occurrence and concentrations of human enteric viruses including: human adenovirus (HAdV), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus (RoV) in the samples were determined by TaqMan-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) following concentration by adsorption-elution method. The physicochemical characteristics of the samples ranged as follows: pH (6.5 – 7.6), TDS (95 – 171 mg/L), EC (134 – 267 μS/cm), temperature (12 – 27 °C), turbidity (1.5 – 65.7 mg/L), free chlorine (0.08 – 0.72 mg/L), DO (2.06 – 9.81 mg/L), BOD (0.13 – 9.81 mg/L), NO3- (0 – 21.5 mg/L), NO2- (0 – 0.72 mg/L), PO4- (0 – 18.3 mg/L) and COD (27 – 680 mg/L). Some of the characteristic such as pH, TDS, EC, temperature, nitrite and DO (on most instances) complied with recommended guidelines. Other characteristics, however, including turbidity, BOD, nitrate, phosphate and COD fell short of the recommended guidelines. All the 48 samples analysed for bacteriological qualities tested positive for the presence of the bacterial groups with significant (P≤0.05) seasonal variation in their densities. Faecal coliforms were detected in counts ranging from 1 CFU/100ml to 2.7 × 104 CFU/100ml. Presumptive E. coli counts ranged generally between 1 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 105 CFU/100ml while counts of presumptive Vibrio species ranged between 4 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 104 CFU/100ml. Molecular identification of the presumptive isolates by polymerase chain reactions PCR gave positive reaction rates of 76.2 percent (381/500) and 69.8 percent (279/400) for E.coli and Vibrio species respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility profiling of 205 PCR-confirmed Vibiro isolates against 18 commomly used antibiotics showed resistance frequencies ranging from 0.5 percent (imipenem) to 96.1 percent (penicillin G) at recommended breakpoint concentrations. Eighty-one percent (166/205) of the Vibrio isolates showed multidrug resistance (resistance to 3 or more antibiotics) with the most common multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype (MARP) being AP-T-TM-SMX-PG-NI-PB, occurring in 8 isolates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Anti-diabetic and phytochemical analysis of sutherlandia frutescens extracts
- Authors: Adefuye, Ogheneochuko Janet
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- Africa , Traditional medicine -- Africa , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3549 , vital:20441
- Description: In Africa, the importance of medicinal plants in folklore medicine and their contribution to primary healthcare is well recognized. Across the continent, local herbal mixtures still provide the only therapeutic option for about 80% of the population. The vast floral diversity and the intrinsic ethnobotanical knowledge has been the backbone of localized traditional herbal medical practices. In Africa, an estimated 5400 of the 60000 described plant taxa possess over 16300 therapeutic uses. Similarly, with a therapeutic flora comprising of approximately 650 species, herbal medical practitioners in South Africa, make use of a plethora of plants to treat different human diseases and infections. Over the years, studies have identified numerous plant species with potential against chronic metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Globally, the incidence and prevalence of T2DM have reached epidemic proportions affecting people of all ages, nationalities and ethnicity. Considered the fourth leading cause of deaths by disease, T2DM is a global health crisis with an estimated diagnosis and mortality frequency of 1 every 5 seconds and 1 every 7 seconds respectively. Though the exact pathophysiology of T2DM is not entirely understood, initial peripheral insulin resistance in adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle with subsequent pancreatic β-cell dysfunction resulting from an attempt to compensate for insulin resistance is a common feature of the disease. The current approach to treating T2DM is the use of oral antidiabetic agents (OAAs), insulin, and incretin-based drugs in an attempt to achieve glycaemic control and maintain glucose homeostasis. However, conventional anti-T2DM drugs have been shown to have limited efficacies and serious adverse effects. Hence, the need for newer, more efficacious and safer anti-T2DM agents. Sutherlandia frutescens subsp. microphylla is a flowering shrub of the pea family (Fabaceae/Leguminaceae) found mainly in the Western Cape and Karoo regions of Southern Africa. Concoctions of various parts of the plant are used in the management of different ailments including T2DM. However, despite extensive biological and pharmacological studies, few analyses exist of the chemical constituents of S. frutescens and no Triple Time of Flight Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (Triple TOF LC/MS/MS) analysis has been performed. The initial aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of hot aqueous, cold aqueous, 80% ethanolic, 100% ethanolic, 80% methanolic and 100% methanolic extracts of a single source S. frutescens plant material using colorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis. The hot aqueous extractant was found to be the best extractant for S. frutescens, yielding 1.99 g of crude extract from 16 g fresh powdered plant material. This data suggests that application of heat and water as the extractant (hot aqueous) could play a vital role in extraction of bioactive compounds from S. frutescens and also justifies the traditional use of a tea infusion of S. frutescens. Colorimetric analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, flavonols, tannins, and phenols in all extracts with varying intensity. The organic extracts 100% methanol, 80% and 100% ethanol exhibited high color intensity (+++) for flavonoids and flavonols respectively, while all the extracts exhibited a moderate color intensity (++) for tannins and phenols. Spectrophotometric analysis of S. frutescens extracts revealed that all the organic extracts contained a significantly higher concentration (in mg/g of extract) of flavonols and tannins when compared to the aqueous extracts. All extracts contained approximately equal levels of phenols. These data confirm the presence of all four groups of bioactive phytocompounds in the S. frutescens extracts used in this study, and also confirm that different solvent extractants possess the capability to differentially extract specific groups of phytocompounds. in individual extracts. Further comparison of these compounds with online databases of anti-diabetic phytocompounds led to the preliminary identification of 10 possible anti-diabetic compounds; α-Pinene, Limonene, Sabinene, Carvone, Myricetin, Rutin, Stigmasterol, Emodin, Sarpagine and Hypoglycin B in crude and solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions of S. frutesecens. Furthermore, using two hepatic cell lines (Chang and HepG2) as an in-vtro model system, the anti-T2DM properties of crude aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescents was investigated and compared. Both aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were found to decrease gluconeogenesis, increase glucose uptake and decrease lipid accumulation (Triacylglycerol, Diacylglycerol, and Monoacylglycerol) in Chang and HepG2 hepatic cell cultures made insulin resistant (IR) following exposure to high concentration of insulin and fructose. Using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were confirmed to regulate the expression of Vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 (VAMP3), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), and Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) in insulin resistant hepatic cells. IR-mediated downregulation of VAMP3, MAPK8, and IRS1 mRNA in IR HepG2 hepatic cell cultures was reversed in the presence of aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens. The hot aqueous extract displayed the highest activity in all the assays, while all the organic extracts displayed similar potency. In conclusion, this study reports that aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens possess numerous anti-diabetic compounds that can be further investigated for the development of new, more efficacious and less toxic anti-diabetic agents. The presence of multiple compounds in a single extract does suggest a synergistic or combinatorial therapeutic effect. These findings support the burgeoning body of in-vivo and in-vitro literature evidence on the anti-diabetic properties of S. frutescens and its use in folklore medicine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Adefuye, Ogheneochuko Janet
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- Africa , Traditional medicine -- Africa , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3549 , vital:20441
- Description: In Africa, the importance of medicinal plants in folklore medicine and their contribution to primary healthcare is well recognized. Across the continent, local herbal mixtures still provide the only therapeutic option for about 80% of the population. The vast floral diversity and the intrinsic ethnobotanical knowledge has been the backbone of localized traditional herbal medical practices. In Africa, an estimated 5400 of the 60000 described plant taxa possess over 16300 therapeutic uses. Similarly, with a therapeutic flora comprising of approximately 650 species, herbal medical practitioners in South Africa, make use of a plethora of plants to treat different human diseases and infections. Over the years, studies have identified numerous plant species with potential against chronic metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Globally, the incidence and prevalence of T2DM have reached epidemic proportions affecting people of all ages, nationalities and ethnicity. Considered the fourth leading cause of deaths by disease, T2DM is a global health crisis with an estimated diagnosis and mortality frequency of 1 every 5 seconds and 1 every 7 seconds respectively. Though the exact pathophysiology of T2DM is not entirely understood, initial peripheral insulin resistance in adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle with subsequent pancreatic β-cell dysfunction resulting from an attempt to compensate for insulin resistance is a common feature of the disease. The current approach to treating T2DM is the use of oral antidiabetic agents (OAAs), insulin, and incretin-based drugs in an attempt to achieve glycaemic control and maintain glucose homeostasis. However, conventional anti-T2DM drugs have been shown to have limited efficacies and serious adverse effects. Hence, the need for newer, more efficacious and safer anti-T2DM agents. Sutherlandia frutescens subsp. microphylla is a flowering shrub of the pea family (Fabaceae/Leguminaceae) found mainly in the Western Cape and Karoo regions of Southern Africa. Concoctions of various parts of the plant are used in the management of different ailments including T2DM. However, despite extensive biological and pharmacological studies, few analyses exist of the chemical constituents of S. frutescens and no Triple Time of Flight Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (Triple TOF LC/MS/MS) analysis has been performed. The initial aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of hot aqueous, cold aqueous, 80% ethanolic, 100% ethanolic, 80% methanolic and 100% methanolic extracts of a single source S. frutescens plant material using colorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis. The hot aqueous extractant was found to be the best extractant for S. frutescens, yielding 1.99 g of crude extract from 16 g fresh powdered plant material. This data suggests that application of heat and water as the extractant (hot aqueous) could play a vital role in extraction of bioactive compounds from S. frutescens and also justifies the traditional use of a tea infusion of S. frutescens. Colorimetric analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, flavonols, tannins, and phenols in all extracts with varying intensity. The organic extracts 100% methanol, 80% and 100% ethanol exhibited high color intensity (+++) for flavonoids and flavonols respectively, while all the extracts exhibited a moderate color intensity (++) for tannins and phenols. Spectrophotometric analysis of S. frutescens extracts revealed that all the organic extracts contained a significantly higher concentration (in mg/g of extract) of flavonols and tannins when compared to the aqueous extracts. All extracts contained approximately equal levels of phenols. These data confirm the presence of all four groups of bioactive phytocompounds in the S. frutescens extracts used in this study, and also confirm that different solvent extractants possess the capability to differentially extract specific groups of phytocompounds. in individual extracts. Further comparison of these compounds with online databases of anti-diabetic phytocompounds led to the preliminary identification of 10 possible anti-diabetic compounds; α-Pinene, Limonene, Sabinene, Carvone, Myricetin, Rutin, Stigmasterol, Emodin, Sarpagine and Hypoglycin B in crude and solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions of S. frutesecens. Furthermore, using two hepatic cell lines (Chang and HepG2) as an in-vtro model system, the anti-T2DM properties of crude aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescents was investigated and compared. Both aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were found to decrease gluconeogenesis, increase glucose uptake and decrease lipid accumulation (Triacylglycerol, Diacylglycerol, and Monoacylglycerol) in Chang and HepG2 hepatic cell cultures made insulin resistant (IR) following exposure to high concentration of insulin and fructose. Using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were confirmed to regulate the expression of Vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 (VAMP3), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), and Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) in insulin resistant hepatic cells. IR-mediated downregulation of VAMP3, MAPK8, and IRS1 mRNA in IR HepG2 hepatic cell cultures was reversed in the presence of aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens. The hot aqueous extract displayed the highest activity in all the assays, while all the organic extracts displayed similar potency. In conclusion, this study reports that aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens possess numerous anti-diabetic compounds that can be further investigated for the development of new, more efficacious and less toxic anti-diabetic agents. The presence of multiple compounds in a single extract does suggest a synergistic or combinatorial therapeutic effect. These findings support the burgeoning body of in-vivo and in-vitro literature evidence on the anti-diabetic properties of S. frutescens and its use in folklore medicine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of olea europaea subsp. africana and euryops brevipapposus used by Cala community folkloric medicine for the management of infections associated with chronic non-communicable diseases
- Authors: Adegborioye, Abiodun
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants Medicinal plants Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4869 , vital:28624
- Description: Chronic non-communicable diseses are a global public health challenge that continuously threatens the development and health of humans. Risk factors such as unbalanced diet-the high consumption of processed food or food from animal origin are responsible for NCDs. NCDs result in weakened immune system, making the host susceptible to opportunistic infections. Thus, the NCDs burden is most times chronic and multiple with the illness and suffering of the affected person numerous. The lack of cure for NCDs, the high cost of drugs, their high side-effects, and the emergence of multiple drug resistance has given rise to the investigation of other sources for therapeutic cure such as medicinal plants. The ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Olea europaea were analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The essential oil was also analysed for their chemical constituents. The n-hexane extracts of O. europaea exhibited no inhibition against all of the microorganisms tested, while the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts exhibited inhibition, with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 0.625 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml. The ethanol leaf and ethyl acetate stem extracts exhibited significant activity in the inhibition of 2, 2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin - 6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS) free radical, the n-hexane leaf extract had the overall significant lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, while in the inhibition of 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the ethanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts had strong activity. Nonanal, phytol, α-Pinene, α-Phellandrene, spatulenol and farnesol were some of chemical components identified after the GC-MS analysis of O. europaea oil. In the final part of the dissertation, Euryops brevipapposus essential oil was assessed for the antioxidant activities using free radical scavenging assays. In addition to this, the antimicrobial activities were assessed and the chemical composition was analysed using GC-MS. The essential oil demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2, 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and lipid peroxides with IC50 value of 0.0000000671 mg/ml, 1.05 mg/ml, and 1.170 mg/ml respectively. The essential oil also showed significant activity against all microorganisms tested with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 0.055 mg/ml to 0.5 mg/ml. α-pinene, α- Phellandrene, germacrene D, β-pinene, trans- β.-Ocimene, bicyclogermacrene and β -Phellandrene were some of the chemical compounds identified in E. brevipapposus oil. The study has shown that E. brevipapposus and O. europaea are abundant in phytochemical compounds which were thought to be the root cause for the activities demonstrated. Therefore, these therapeutic properties observed validate and elucidate the traditional usage of the both plants in the treatment /management of diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Adegborioye, Abiodun
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants Medicinal plants Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4869 , vital:28624
- Description: Chronic non-communicable diseses are a global public health challenge that continuously threatens the development and health of humans. Risk factors such as unbalanced diet-the high consumption of processed food or food from animal origin are responsible for NCDs. NCDs result in weakened immune system, making the host susceptible to opportunistic infections. Thus, the NCDs burden is most times chronic and multiple with the illness and suffering of the affected person numerous. The lack of cure for NCDs, the high cost of drugs, their high side-effects, and the emergence of multiple drug resistance has given rise to the investigation of other sources for therapeutic cure such as medicinal plants. The ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Olea europaea were analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The essential oil was also analysed for their chemical constituents. The n-hexane extracts of O. europaea exhibited no inhibition against all of the microorganisms tested, while the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts exhibited inhibition, with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 0.625 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml. The ethanol leaf and ethyl acetate stem extracts exhibited significant activity in the inhibition of 2, 2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin - 6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS) free radical, the n-hexane leaf extract had the overall significant lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, while in the inhibition of 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the ethanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts had strong activity. Nonanal, phytol, α-Pinene, α-Phellandrene, spatulenol and farnesol were some of chemical components identified after the GC-MS analysis of O. europaea oil. In the final part of the dissertation, Euryops brevipapposus essential oil was assessed for the antioxidant activities using free radical scavenging assays. In addition to this, the antimicrobial activities were assessed and the chemical composition was analysed using GC-MS. The essential oil demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2, 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and lipid peroxides with IC50 value of 0.0000000671 mg/ml, 1.05 mg/ml, and 1.170 mg/ml respectively. The essential oil also showed significant activity against all microorganisms tested with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 0.055 mg/ml to 0.5 mg/ml. α-pinene, α- Phellandrene, germacrene D, β-pinene, trans- β.-Ocimene, bicyclogermacrene and β -Phellandrene were some of the chemical compounds identified in E. brevipapposus oil. The study has shown that E. brevipapposus and O. europaea are abundant in phytochemical compounds which were thought to be the root cause for the activities demonstrated. Therefore, these therapeutic properties observed validate and elucidate the traditional usage of the both plants in the treatment /management of diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Commensal bacteria belonging to the Staphylococcus Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas genera as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment of Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province , South Africa
- Authors: Adegoke, Anthony Ayodeji
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Acinetobacter infections Drug resistance in microorganisms Staphylococcal infections Bacterial diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6539 , vital:30551
- Description: A study to assess the potentials of some commensal bacteria that belong to Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas genera as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment of Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, was carried out using standard microbiological and molecular techniques. A total of 120 Staphylococcus isolates which consisted of Staphylococcus haemolyticus (30%), Staphylococcus aureus (23.3%) from pig; Staphylococcus capitis (15%) from goat; Staphylococcus heamolyticus (5%) and Staphylococcus xylosus (15%) from cattle and other Staphylococci (11%) from dead chicken and pigs were isolated. About 23.3% of these isolates were coagulase positive and 76.7% were coagulase negative. This difference in prevalence along coagulase production divide was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Eighty-six Acinetobacter species (Acinetobacter baumannii/calcoaceticus and Acinetobacter haemolyticus) were also isolated from Alice and Fort Beaufort towns samples, while 125 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates were from grass root rhizosphere (96%) and soil butternut root rhizosphere (4%). Between 75-100% of the Staphylococccus species were resistant to Penicillin G, tetracycline, sulphamethaxole and nalidixic acid; about 38 % were methicillin resistant, consisting of 12.6% methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pig and a total of 12% vancomycin resistant were observed. Also, 12% of the isolates were erythromycin resistant while 40.2 % were resistant to the third generation cephalosporin, ceftazidime. The antibiotic resistance genes vanA, VanB, eryA, eryB, eryC were not detected in all the phenotypically resistant Staphylococccus species, but mec A gene and mph genes were detected. In the Acinetobacter species, a wide range of 30-100% resistance to penicillin G, ceftriazone, nitrofurantoin, erythromycin, and augmentin was observed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed the presence of Tet(B) and Tet(39) genes in these species, while Tet (A), Tet(M) and Tet(H) were absent. Also, 9.3% of the Acinetobacter species showed phenotypic production of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) while 3.5% were positive for the presence of blaCTX-M-1 genes. The Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates showed varying resistance to meropenem (8.9%), cefuroxime (95.6 %), ampicillin-sulbactam (53.9%), ceftazidime (10.7%), cefepime (29.3 %), minocycline (2.2%), kanamycin (56.9%), ofloxacin (2.9%), levofloxacin (1.3%), moxifloxacin (2.8%), ciprofloxacin (24.3%), gatifloxacin (1.3%), polymyxin B (2.9 %), cotrimoxazole (26.1%), trimethoprim (98.6%), aztreonam(58%) and Polymyxin B (2.9 %). The isolates exhibited significant susceptibility to the fluoroquinolones (74.3-94.7 %), polymycin (97.1%) and meropenem (88.1%). Only sul3 genes were the only sulphonamide resistance gene detected among the trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole resistant isolates. The observed multiple antibiotic resistance indeces (MARI) of >2 for Staphylococcus species, Acinetobacter species and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia suggest that they have arisen from high-risk sources where antibiotics are in constant arbitrary use resulting in high selective pressure. The presence of tetracycline resistance genes in Acinetobacter species justifies the observed phenotypic resistance to oxytetracycline and intermediate resistance to minocycline. High phenotypic resistance and the presence of some resistance genes in Staphylococcus species is a possible threat to public health and suggests animals to be important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics induces this kind of antibiotic resistance and should be discouraged. Personal hygiene is encouraged as it reduces the load of Acinetobacter species contacted from the environment that may be difficult to control. Commensal Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are as important as their clinical counterparts due to their roles in opportunistic infection, antibiotic resistance and their associated genes, especially sul gene. Personal hygiene is hereby advocated especially when in contact with soil, plants and plants’ rhizospheric soil
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Adegoke, Anthony Ayodeji
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Acinetobacter infections Drug resistance in microorganisms Staphylococcal infections Bacterial diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6539 , vital:30551
- Description: A study to assess the potentials of some commensal bacteria that belong to Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas genera as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment of Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, was carried out using standard microbiological and molecular techniques. A total of 120 Staphylococcus isolates which consisted of Staphylococcus haemolyticus (30%), Staphylococcus aureus (23.3%) from pig; Staphylococcus capitis (15%) from goat; Staphylococcus heamolyticus (5%) and Staphylococcus xylosus (15%) from cattle and other Staphylococci (11%) from dead chicken and pigs were isolated. About 23.3% of these isolates were coagulase positive and 76.7% were coagulase negative. This difference in prevalence along coagulase production divide was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Eighty-six Acinetobacter species (Acinetobacter baumannii/calcoaceticus and Acinetobacter haemolyticus) were also isolated from Alice and Fort Beaufort towns samples, while 125 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates were from grass root rhizosphere (96%) and soil butternut root rhizosphere (4%). Between 75-100% of the Staphylococccus species were resistant to Penicillin G, tetracycline, sulphamethaxole and nalidixic acid; about 38 % were methicillin resistant, consisting of 12.6% methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pig and a total of 12% vancomycin resistant were observed. Also, 12% of the isolates were erythromycin resistant while 40.2 % were resistant to the third generation cephalosporin, ceftazidime. The antibiotic resistance genes vanA, VanB, eryA, eryB, eryC were not detected in all the phenotypically resistant Staphylococccus species, but mec A gene and mph genes were detected. In the Acinetobacter species, a wide range of 30-100% resistance to penicillin G, ceftriazone, nitrofurantoin, erythromycin, and augmentin was observed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed the presence of Tet(B) and Tet(39) genes in these species, while Tet (A), Tet(M) and Tet(H) were absent. Also, 9.3% of the Acinetobacter species showed phenotypic production of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) while 3.5% were positive for the presence of blaCTX-M-1 genes. The Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates showed varying resistance to meropenem (8.9%), cefuroxime (95.6 %), ampicillin-sulbactam (53.9%), ceftazidime (10.7%), cefepime (29.3 %), minocycline (2.2%), kanamycin (56.9%), ofloxacin (2.9%), levofloxacin (1.3%), moxifloxacin (2.8%), ciprofloxacin (24.3%), gatifloxacin (1.3%), polymyxin B (2.9 %), cotrimoxazole (26.1%), trimethoprim (98.6%), aztreonam(58%) and Polymyxin B (2.9 %). The isolates exhibited significant susceptibility to the fluoroquinolones (74.3-94.7 %), polymycin (97.1%) and meropenem (88.1%). Only sul3 genes were the only sulphonamide resistance gene detected among the trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole resistant isolates. The observed multiple antibiotic resistance indeces (MARI) of >2 for Staphylococcus species, Acinetobacter species and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia suggest that they have arisen from high-risk sources where antibiotics are in constant arbitrary use resulting in high selective pressure. The presence of tetracycline resistance genes in Acinetobacter species justifies the observed phenotypic resistance to oxytetracycline and intermediate resistance to minocycline. High phenotypic resistance and the presence of some resistance genes in Staphylococcus species is a possible threat to public health and suggests animals to be important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics induces this kind of antibiotic resistance and should be discouraged. Personal hygiene is encouraged as it reduces the load of Acinetobacter species contacted from the environment that may be difficult to control. Commensal Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are as important as their clinical counterparts due to their roles in opportunistic infection, antibiotic resistance and their associated genes, especially sul gene. Personal hygiene is hereby advocated especially when in contact with soil, plants and plants’ rhizospheric soil
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The design of quantum dots and their conjugates as luminescent probes for analyte sensing
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Quantum dots Anolytes Luminescent probes Luminescence spectroscopy Phthalocyanines Nanoparticles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4457 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010866
- Description: The design and applications of quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescent probes for analyte sensing is presented. Cadmium based thiol-capped QDs were employed as probe for the detection of analytes. Comparative studies between core CdTe and core-shell CdTe@ZnS QDs showed that the overall sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor was dependent on the nature of the capping agent and the QDs employed, hence making CdTe@ZnS QDs a more superior sensor than the core. To explore the luminescent sensing of QDs based on the fluorescence “turn ON” mode, L-glutathione-capped CdTe QDs was conjugated to 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide (4AT) to form a QDs-4AT conjugate system. The QDs-4AT nanoprobe was highly selective and sensitive to the detection of bromide ion with a very low limit of detection. Subsequently, metallo-phthalocyanines (MPcs) were employed as host molecules on the surface of QDs based on the covalent linking of the QDs to the MPc. Elucidation of the reaction mechanism showed that the fluorescence “turn ON” effect of the QDs-MPc probe in the presence of the analyte was due to axial ligation of the analytes to the Pc ring. Studies showed that the type of substituent attached to the MPc ring influenced the overall sensitivity of the probe. Additionally, a comparative investigation using newly synthesized phthalocyanine and triaza-benzcorrole complexes was conducted when these complexes were conjugated to CdSe@ZnS QDs for analyte sensing. Results showed that the triaza-benzcorrole complex can be employed as a host-molecule sensor but displayed a lower sensitivity for analyte sensing in comparison to the phthalocyanine complex.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Quantum dots Anolytes Luminescent probes Luminescence spectroscopy Phthalocyanines Nanoparticles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4457 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010866
- Description: The design and applications of quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescent probes for analyte sensing is presented. Cadmium based thiol-capped QDs were employed as probe for the detection of analytes. Comparative studies between core CdTe and core-shell CdTe@ZnS QDs showed that the overall sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor was dependent on the nature of the capping agent and the QDs employed, hence making CdTe@ZnS QDs a more superior sensor than the core. To explore the luminescent sensing of QDs based on the fluorescence “turn ON” mode, L-glutathione-capped CdTe QDs was conjugated to 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide (4AT) to form a QDs-4AT conjugate system. The QDs-4AT nanoprobe was highly selective and sensitive to the detection of bromide ion with a very low limit of detection. Subsequently, metallo-phthalocyanines (MPcs) were employed as host molecules on the surface of QDs based on the covalent linking of the QDs to the MPc. Elucidation of the reaction mechanism showed that the fluorescence “turn ON” effect of the QDs-MPc probe in the presence of the analyte was due to axial ligation of the analytes to the Pc ring. Studies showed that the type of substituent attached to the MPc ring influenced the overall sensitivity of the probe. Additionally, a comparative investigation using newly synthesized phthalocyanine and triaza-benzcorrole complexes was conducted when these complexes were conjugated to CdSe@ZnS QDs for analyte sensing. Results showed that the triaza-benzcorrole complex can be employed as a host-molecule sensor but displayed a lower sensitivity for analyte sensing in comparison to the phthalocyanine complex.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Assessing teaching strategies of grade four English second language teachers in Amathole District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Adegoriolu, Emmanuel Tobi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education--South Africa English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers Second language acquisition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Applied Linguistics
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15474 , vital:40411
- Description: The intention of this study was to assess the teaching strategies of Grade 4 English second language teachers in the Amathole district of the Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were firstly, to identify the teaching strategies currently employed by Grade 4 teachers in the teaching of English as a second language in selected schools in Amathole district of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Secondly, the study sought to establish how the existing teaching strategies impacted on the performance of the learners of English as a second language in the selected schools in Amathloe district of the Eastern Cape, and to establish the teachers‟ perceptions on the most effective teaching strategies in the selected schools. The study used translanguaging and communicative language teaching as the theoretical lens and guide in data collection and analysis. The study employed the use of mixed methods of both quantitative and qualitative research design. Data was collected through the use of eight comprehensive classroom observations and eight teacher questionnaires in four different primary schools. The conclusion of the study as established in the outcome of data showed that there was no recommended teaching strategy by the Department of Education for English second language teachers teaching Grade 4. The study observed that the language teachers made use of various teaching strategies in the instruction of Grade 4 learners. In addition, it was concluded that the placement of the English language subject on the timetable affected the performance of young learners during the summer period. Moreover, the absence of teacher-learner cordial relationship compromised learning outcomes and performance of Grade 4 learners in the skills of English second language. The study recommends that teachers of English as a second language be trained on communicative language teaching in order to achieve positive outcomes in the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adegoriolu, Emmanuel Tobi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education--South Africa English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers Second language acquisition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Applied Linguistics
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15474 , vital:40411
- Description: The intention of this study was to assess the teaching strategies of Grade 4 English second language teachers in the Amathole district of the Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were firstly, to identify the teaching strategies currently employed by Grade 4 teachers in the teaching of English as a second language in selected schools in Amathole district of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Secondly, the study sought to establish how the existing teaching strategies impacted on the performance of the learners of English as a second language in the selected schools in Amathloe district of the Eastern Cape, and to establish the teachers‟ perceptions on the most effective teaching strategies in the selected schools. The study used translanguaging and communicative language teaching as the theoretical lens and guide in data collection and analysis. The study employed the use of mixed methods of both quantitative and qualitative research design. Data was collected through the use of eight comprehensive classroom observations and eight teacher questionnaires in four different primary schools. The conclusion of the study as established in the outcome of data showed that there was no recommended teaching strategy by the Department of Education for English second language teachers teaching Grade 4. The study observed that the language teachers made use of various teaching strategies in the instruction of Grade 4 learners. In addition, it was concluded that the placement of the English language subject on the timetable affected the performance of young learners during the summer period. Moreover, the absence of teacher-learner cordial relationship compromised learning outcomes and performance of Grade 4 learners in the skills of English second language. The study recommends that teachers of English as a second language be trained on communicative language teaching in order to achieve positive outcomes in the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018