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In situ synthesis and AC conductivity studies of polypyrrole–cobalt nanocomposites
No full textThrough in situ pyrrole chemical polymerization with various concentrations of CoCl2, conducting polypyrrole-cobalt composites were synthesized using ammonium persulfate as the oxidizing agent. These composites were synthesized using different molarities (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.05 M) of CoCl2 in polypyrrole. The PPy-Co nanocomposites and their AC conductivity studies were evaluated in this study. The formation of nanocomposites and the structural properties of PPy/PVA/Co were confirmed using FTIR analysis and X-ray crystallography. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the morphology of the composites, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate their thermal behavior. The room-temperature AC conductivity and dielectric response of the composites were investigated, and frequency-dependent AC conductivity investigations were conducted in the frequency range of 100 Hz–1 MHz
Exploring the integration of indigenous languages into teaching and learning practices at primary schools in South Africa
No full textThis systematic literature review explores the integration of indigenous languages (ILs) into teaching and learning practices at primary schools in South Africa. The authors examine the current state and preparedness of teachers in integrating ILs to enhance learning. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to ensure transparency when reporting on the systematic review. Findings suggest that the use of ILs in education stimulates cognitive development, strengthens cultural identity and a sense of belonging, and improves academic performance among learners. Challenges such as insufficient teacher training, a lack of instructional materials and limited policy support hinder effective implementation. The review recommends comprehensive teacher training programmes, the development of culturally relevant educational materials, and robust policy frameworks to support the sustainable integration of ILs in primary education. The authors conclude that future research should explore the implementation of language policies and teaching practices using ILs in South Africa
Business environment’s influence on marketing tactics and their influence on business success.
No full textThis paper proposes that the choice of marketing tactics is influenced by the company’s external
environment. It aims to illustrate the marketing tactics suggested for a complex, turbulent environment,
when marketing and the environment are viewed through a complexity lens. A quantitative, descriptive, cross
sectional study was used, based on an e-mailed survey to a purchased mailing list, which resulted in a sample
of 860 senior marketing or sales managers in medium to large profit oriented businesses in South Africa. The
study found that the manager’s evaluation of the environment as complex/turbulent was important, and that
there is a relationship between the use of destabilizing marketing tactics and complex/turbulent
environments. Although there is only a limited relationship with ‘success’, the study generally stresses the
importance of destabilizing tactics, and in fact, all marketing tactics, in a complex/turbulent environment.
Most work on complexity in marketing has concentrated on strategy, with little emphasis on tactics and the
marketing mix. Therefore, this paper is an important contribution to the understanding of marketing mix
choices, of interest to both practicing marketers and marketing academics
Unraveling the root causes of low overall equipment effectiveness in the kit packing department: a Define–Measure–Analyze–Improve–Control
No full textLow Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) remains a critical challenge in manufacturing, affecting productivity and operational efficiency. This study investigates the persistent issue of low OEE in the kit packing department of a South African Original Equipment Manufacturer, where frequent downtime (DT) has resulted in OEE that is consistently below 60%. Using the Define–Measure–Analyze–Improve–Control (DMAIC) methodology, this research identifies the root causes of inefficiencies before implementing corrective actions. Data analysis revealed that material-related issues (84%) and manpower issues (15%) were the primary contributors to downtime. These inefficiencies led to equipment underutilization and financial losses due to production delays and overproduction of unnecessary kits. This study significantly enhances manufacturing efficiency by addressing these root causes, leading to reduced downtime and optimized machine usage. The financial benefits include substantial cost savings and improved resource utilization. The methodology and findings are applicable across various industries, contributing to the broader field of industrial engineering. The research highlights how misalignment between production planning and execution exacerbates inefficiencies. While this paper presents findings from the Define, Measure, and Analyze phases, the Improve and Control phases will follow in future work. The results provide a foundation for developing targeted interventions to enhance OEE and manufacturing performance
Transition from inflation to dark energy in superfluid vacuum theory
No full textThe laminar constant-velocity superflow of a physical vacuum modelled by logarithmic quantum Bose liquid is considered. We demonstrate that this three-dimensional non-relativistic quantum flow generates a four-dimensional relativistic quinton system, which comprises the dilation and quintom (a combination of the quintessence and tachyonic phantom fields); all three fields are thus shown to be projections of the dynamical evolution of superfluid vacuum density and its fluctuations onto the measuring apparatus of a relativistic observer. The unified model describes the transition from the inflationary period in the early universe to the contemporary accelerating expansion of the universe, commonly referred to as the “dark energy” period. The quintessence and tachyonic scalar components of the derived model turn out to be non-minimally coupled, which is a hitherto unexplored generalization of cosmological phantom models
Bioremediation: Data on biologically-mediated remediation of crude oil (Escravos Light) polluted soil using Aspergillus niger
No full textThis article presents data on Aspergillus niger effects on the biologically-mediated remediation of soil polluted by raw and treated crude oil (Escravos Light blend). Absorbance
of different concentrations of polluted soil samples (5% and 8% w/w) and types (raw and
treated), for simulating different onshore crude oil spill, were obtained from the A. niger
inoculated samples using ultra violet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry. This measurement was carried out for each sample at selected intervals for the 30-day measurements.
The bioremediation data, presented in the article, were subjected to descriptive/analytical
statistics of probability density functions and goodness-of-fit test-statistics for datasetdetailing and dataset-comparisons. Information details from these data of biologicallymediated remediation of crude oil polluted soil are useful for furthering research on bioremediation kinetics such as hydrocarbon content analyses, crude oil pollutant removal performance, biodegradation rate parameter and biostimulant efficiencies by the A. niger effects on the different concentrations of polluted soil
Autobiography reflecting on academic leadership and management and doctoral supervision: from childhood to academia
No full textMy academic leadership journey was challenged by multiple factors, ranging from underprivileged
households, poor school, inadequacy of academic writing skills, heavy university loads, and full-time job
responsibilities. My academic journey influenced my supervision. It was marred by delayed completion
of academic projects and throughput. The primary objective of this autobiography is to reflect on my
lived experiences of academic leadership and management, and doctoral supervision journey using
Ubuntu Pedagogy. This autobiography is undergirded by an interpretive paradigm, adopting a qualitative
case methodology to unpack my lived experiences in academic and postgraduate studies and
supervision. I used a mental map to reflect on my lived experiences and revisited my previous diaries,
notes, and reflexive reports to compile this autobiography. The research findings reflect a limitation and
impediment to doctoral students’ success caused by changes from a well-resourced research
environment to a constrained one. I strongly believe in a (modified) one-to-one peer learning approach,
as shaped and influenced by my lived experiences from childhood on one-to-one peer learning, as the
best method of supervision pedagogy. I recommend that universities should improve the research
environment and research provisioning. Furthermore, supervisors should be capacitated and
encouraged to adopt Ubuntu Pedagogy in their doctoral supervision journeys
Exploring and addressing challenges faced by construction management graduates in progressing towards professional status : a case of DUT (2024-2017)
No full textThis dissertation is submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Construction Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023.The construction industry contributes significantly to the South African economy, yet various
challenges hinder construction management graduates from advancing to professional status.
This study investigated the challenges faced by Durban University of Technology (DUT)
construction management graduates from 2014 to 2017 in attaining professional registration.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the research aimed to identify individual, organisational,
social, and systemic factors contributing to low rates of professional registration among these
graduates. Data was collected through surveys of 200 graduates. Key challenges identified
included limited involvement in critical project phases, inadequate exposure to new
technologies, insufficient safety knowledge, lack of skill development programmes, and
employers' reluctance to hire inexperienced graduates. The study also revealed potential
mitigating factors, such as addressing informal recruitment practices, promoting equitable
registration processes, and implementing programmes to improve graduates' self-efficacy.
Findings suggest a need for comprehensive interventions involving policy changes, improved
training programmes, and enhanced industry-academia collaboration to better prepare
construction management graduates for professional registration and career success. This
research contributes to our understanding of professional development barriers in the
construction industry and offers recommendations for improving the transition from graduate
to registered professional in South Africa.
Examining the effect of career advancement on job satisfaction and employee loyalty : a case of the Durban University of Technology
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Masters in Human Resources Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The meteoric rise of disloyal and disgruntled employees perceived to stem from
retarded career advancement besetting the work of the Higher Education sector
prompted the researcher to examine the integrative relationship between career
advancement, job satisfaction and employee loyalty. Despite the pressing issue of
disloyalty and dissatisfied employees nested in the sector, no study to date has
integrated the identified three variables. Hence, the current study sought to fill the
lacuna by examining the impact of career advancement on job satisfaction and
employee loyalty amongst administrative employees at the Durban University of
Technology. Using a descriptive research design, the study targeted a population of
450 administrative staff at the institution. In line with the quantitative approach utilised
in this study, a closed-ended questionnaire was employed to solicit data from the
sample of 211 administrative staff. However, returned usable questionnaires
numbered 181, culminating in the response rate of 85.8%. Far-reaching insights
surfaced from the descriptive and inferential statistical analyses performed in this
study. The inferences drawn from the findings indicated that despite the availability of
career advancement opportunities, their influence on employee loyalty was limited
amongst administrative staff. Based on the findings obtained through a Structural
Equation Modelling and Regression analysis, the study concludes that while there is
a significant relationship between career advancement and job satisfaction, the
linkage between career advancement and employee loyalty is weak. In addition,
contrary to the claims of scholars, the study finds no evidence of the association
between job satisfaction and employee loyalty. However, the evidence from the study
established a refined perspective suggesting that, within administrative roles, career
advancement alone might not be sufficient to drive satisfaction or loyalty. The current
study yielded both theoretical and practical implications. Future studies may replicate
the current study to validate the hypothesised constructs and observe their
consequent application in organisations that share somewhat similar settings.
Acoustic oscillations in cigar-shaped logarithmic Bose-Einstein condensate in the Thomas-Fermi approximation
No full textWe consider the dynamical properties of density fluctuations in the cigar-shaped Bose–Einstein condensate described by the logarithmic wave equation with a constant nonlinear coupling by using the Thomas–Fermi and linear approximations. It is shown that the propagation of small density fluctuations along the long axis of a condensed lump in a strongly anisotropic trap is essentially one-dimensional, while the trapping potential can be disregarded in the linear regime. Depending on the sign of nonlinear coupling, the fluctuations either take the form of translationally symmetric pulses and standing waves or become oscillations with varying amplitudes. We also study the condensate in an axial harmonic trap, by using elasticity theory’s notions. Linear particle density and energy also behave differently depending on the nonlinear coupling’s value. If it is negative, the density monotonously grows along with lump’s radius, while energy is a monotonous function of density. For the positive coupling, the density is bound from above, whereas energy grows monotonously as a function of density until it reaches its global maximum