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Combating fake news, disinformation, and misinformation : experimental evidence for media literacy education
No full textThis study investigated the effect of media and information literacy (MIL) on the ability to identify fake news, disinformation and misinformation, and sharing intentions. The experimental approach was selected to study both the control group and experimental group made up of a total of 187 respondents. Comparative analysis of the two groups revealed that although more respondents in the experimental group were able to identify the inauthenticity of information presented to them, some of the respondents in the control group were also able to do the same, even though they did not receive MIL training. Conversely, some respondents in the experimental group, even though they were trained in MIL, could not determine the inauthenticity of information, possibly because the one-off training given to them did not allow them to assimilate all the information in one sitting. Nonetheless, the results of the bivariate correlation computation showed that MIL trained respondents were more likely to determine authenticity or otherwise of information and less likely to share inaccurate stories. This means that when MIL increases, sharing of fake news decreases. This is yet another evidence that MIL enables information consumers to make informed judgments about quality information. It is recommended that MIL is incorporated into mainstream educational modules and consistently revised to reflect the demands of the times. MIL programs must also consider how to effectively reach those without formal education. Actors within the information, communications, and media ecology must contribute to their quota in making information consumers more discerning with the right MIL sensitisation
Knowledge, attitude, and practices of students regarding access to antiretroviral therapy in a university of technology in KwaZulu-Natal
No full textDissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree in Master of Health Sciences in Nursing at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.Background: The growing need for antiretroviral drugs across the country is a
critical issue for universities and their wider communities. Yet, little is known about
student knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding access to antiretroviral
therapy in university environments and the steps that universities take to better
support students’ well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the
knowledge, attitudes, and practices of students regarding access to antiretroviral
therapy at the University of Technology (UoT) in KwaZulu-Natal.
Method: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed guided by the
theory of reasoned action by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen (1975) as a framework
for the study. Ethics approval (IREC 284/22) and gatekeeper permission were
granted by the UoT concerned. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were
purposively selected based on their availability until the data saturation was
reached. Data was collected between March and May 2023 using online and face
to-face semi-structured interviews, with 20 undergraduate students from one
campus located in the uMsunduzi local municipality. Rigor for the study was
ensured through the observant of the four principles of trustworthiness whch are
of
trustworthiness which are credibility, dependability, confirmability, and
transferability. Data were thematic ally analysed guided by the six steps of
qualitative data analysis as described by-Braun and Clarke 2006)
Results: The study found that practices performed or missed by the UoT or
campus clinic and/or a student affected student access to antiretroviral therapy
(ART). The five main themes that emerged from data analysis included: Current
practices regarding accessing ART, Knowledge regarding access to ART in the
UoT, Access points for ART, Attitude and perception, and Factors that influence
access to ART. While all participants agreed that they had been exposed to
HIV/AIDs education including ART, the extent of exposure varied from student to
student. The discussion around the ART access points revealed that students were
aware of those points, though there were challenges encountered by other
students when utilising the access points.
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Conclusion: The overall result confirmed that students from the UoT under study
have positive attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS in general and access to ART.
Moreover, participants recommended access to ART on all HEI campus clinics,
including the campus where this study took place because the campus clinic
facilities are conveniently located on campus, safe, provide greater confidentiality
and privacy, and limited disruption to academic activities
A framework to explore traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use for children at health care facilities in eThekwini District
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree in Doctor of Nursing at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.Background
Decades of prioritisation and immense efforts directed towards interventions for
improving child health care globally have yielded a considerable decline in child
mortality rates. Nevertheless, in 2019 5.2 million children died before reaching their
fifth birthday, which equates to approximately 14 000 deaths every day, this being an
intolerably high number of largely preventable child deaths. Health care in South Africa
encompasses different systems which include medical care, self-medication, and the
use of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM), which is the
fundamental type of health care in many communities within the country.
Aim: In view of the high prevalence of TCAM use as part of health care seeking
behaviour of caregivers for children under the age of five years, the researcher
conducted a study to gain more insight on TCAM use with the ultimate aim of
developing interventions to strengthen current child health care assessments in
eThekwini district.
Methods: A qualitative exploratory descriptive research design was used for this
study. Data were collected over three months using face-to-face interviews with 22
caregivers in Phase 1 and five focus group discussions in Phase 2, with professional
nurses trained either in child nursing, primary health care or integrated management
of childhood illnesses (IMCI) in two selected regional hospitals and two selected
primary healthcare clinics in eThekwini district. Data were analysed using Tesch’s 8
step coding procedure.
Findings: Caregivers indicated that the use of TCAM for their children either on its
own or concurrently with conventional medicine. The disclosure of TCAM use
presented a challenge for many caregivers, stemming from fears of being blamed, to
a lack of understanding among professional nurses. The researcher analysed Phase 1 of the data collection first to ensure data saturation
was reached before proceeding to Phase 2 which was also analysed to ensure data
saturation as well. Caregivers expressed the use of TCAM for their children either on
its own or concurrently with conventional medicine. The disclosure of TCAM use posed
a challenge to most caregivers, ranging from fear of being blamed to professional
nurses not understanding. Professional nurses reported a high prevalence of TCAM
use for children, however stated that enquiry regarding its use was only conducted if
they suspected it’s use in critically ill children. This revealed the need for routine guided
enquiry, hence a framework to explore the use of TCAM in children attending health
care facilities, with guidelines for implementation, was developed.
Successful implementation of the proposed framework regarding TCAM use in
children at health care facilities in eThekwini, in conjunction with IMCI guidelines,
would contribute to the provision of holistic, family centred, culturally sensitive care
which could positively influence child survival in eThekwini district, and even South
Africa as a whole. Early identification of TCAM use would prevent caregivers
administering it concurrently with conventional medicine through routine guided
education by professional nurses. It would also allow for prompt identification of
potential complications associated with TCAM use, thus improving the prognosis and
survival of children in eThekwini district. Audits at healthcare facilities should monitor
the communication process between professional nurses and caregivers, as well as
monitor for efficient assessment, classification, management, and referral of children
found to have used TCAM inappropriately. Should the proposed framework be
implemented, it should be incorporated into nurse training programmes that include
IMCI. Further studies are recommended regarding TCAM use for children in all nine
provinces in South Africa, as well as the use of TCAM during the perinatal period.
Unveiling the double-edged effects of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on employee performance : a case study of a selected company in Durban, Republic of South Africa
No full textIt has been documented that HPWS has both positive and negative effects on employee performance. However, limited studies are affirming this view therefore the review provides a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of HPWS in organisations.To aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in the applications of HPWS in organisations. Under the research goals, a qualitative research methodology was utilised, specifically using in-depth interviews to collect data. The target population consisted of 6 employees of the organisation studied. These individuals were purposefully selected as they possess the necessary information to assess the perceived effects of HPWS on employee performance in organisations. For data analysis, the qualitative thematic data analysis approach was employed. The usage of thematic analysis in this study is founded on its ability to offer comprehensive and compelling insights into the concept of HPWS.Based on the six-step approach of qualitative thematic analysis, the findings suggest that the combination of employee motivation and strategic human resources management practices with HPWS can enhance employee performance. Nevertheless, it has been noted that improper implementation of HPWS can result in heightened job demands and burnout among employees. Therefore, incorporating an evidence-based approach in implementing HPWS is recommended. The study has a limitation as it solely utilizes a qualitative approach, leading to constraints in terms of statistical measurement. Consequently, it is recommended for future studies to employ quantitative or mixed methods research to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between HPWS and employee performance.This study recommends that human resource management professionals use this research as a catalyst for implementing HPWS in their organisations. It can offer valuable guidance on effectively utilising HPWS as a concept and practical approach in managing human resources within organisations.The study highlights and postulate the importance of motivation and an evidence-based approach to HPWS. The evidence-based approach can be acknowledged as a contemporary approach to human resource management in organisations
Optimal design of laminated composite and nanocomposite structures using evolutionary optimization techniques : a survey
No full textThe optimal design of laminated composite and nanocomposite (LCNC) structures
stands at the forefront of materials engineering, offering the potential to
revolutionize the development of advanced materials with superior mechanical,
thermal, and electrical properties. By tailoring LCNC structures to meet specific
performance requirements, optimizing material usage, and exploring innovative
design approaches, engineers can create lighter, more efficient, and environmentally
friendly structures that excel in diverse applications. Many industries such
as automotive, aerospace, and construction are already using composite and
nanocomposite materials to develop high-strength and lightweight structures.
Thus, this survey delves into evolutionary optimization techniques as powerful
tools for achieving optimal configurations in LCNC structures, highlighting the
importance of selecting the appropriate technique for a given optimization problem.
A strict selection method was employed to come up with this review paper, and
only reputable literary sources were used. The research articles used in this survey
were searched from top research databases such as ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore,
Scopus, and Google Scholar. The articles published in the period, 2015 to 2024 were
considered. Common design optimization problems such as buckling load, vibration,
and weight and cost minimization were covered
The isolation and assessment of the antimicrobial activity of bacteriolytic and bactericidal endolysins of enterobacteriaceae infecting bacteriophages
Get PDFThesis submitted in fulfilment for the requirements of the degree of Master of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Pathogenic bacteria pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of vulnerable
populations, including newborns and young children, individuals with compromised
immune systems as well as those hospitalized or recovering from surgery. The
worldwide burden of communicable diseases driven by pathogenic bacteria continues
to be a pressing global health issue, with a substantial impact on mortality rates. The
presence of antimicrobial resistance further complicates the treatment of bacterial
infections. The changing patterns of antimicrobial resistance have greatly decreased
the survival rate of individuals with bacterial infections. Irresponsible stewardship of
antibiotics, coupled with a lack of knowledge on the use of antibiotics by the public has
further fueled the development of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, the World
Health Organization's Review on Antimicrobial Resistance states that, if the current
trend in antimicrobial resistance continues, it can lead to a staggering 10 million deaths
per year by 2050. Given that antimicrobial resistance is a globally pressing issue, new
and innovative strategies and treatments are required to combat the burden posed by
antimicrobial resistance. Bacteriophage lytic enzymes offer a promising solution to
curb the issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Aim
The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the bacteriolytic and bactericidal
activity of bacteriophage proteins against Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus
aureus.
Methodology
In the present study, the Escherichia T4 Bacteriophage along with its host, Escherichia
coli (DSM No 613, ATCC 11303, respectively; Leibniz Institute DSMZ) formed the
basis of the work. After reconstitution in nutrient broth, the E. coli was cultured on
nutrient agar (1.5%) in a 90 mm petri dish, to which nutrient agar (0.6%) containing
the T4 bacteriophage was added to enumerate the bacteriophage. Escherichia coli
and bacteriophage T4 were then co-cultivated in one litre of nutrient broth and the salting out method and column chromatography was used to isolate the biologically
active proteins from the nutrient broth and proteomic analysis was performed to
confirm the presence of the endolysin protein. Liposomes were created using the thin
film hydration method and 1 ml of purified protein in phosphate buffer was
encapsulated within the liposomes. Liposome formation was confirmed by
Transmission electron microscopy and successful encapsulation of the protein was
confirmed by breaking open 200 µl of liposomes and performing the Bradford protein
quantification assay. Antimicrobial activity of T4 proteins and T4 protein loaded
liposomes was evaluated using either a spot lytic assay or microdilution bioassay. In
the latter, 100 µl of the bacteriophage protein solution (maintained in PBS) or 50 µl of
the liposomal protein were serially diluted two-fold with 100 µl and 50 µl of sterile
distilled water, respectively, yielding concentrations ranging from 205.68 µg/ml to 3.22
µg/ml. These samples were tested against three Gram-negative organisms, Proteus
mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and two Gram-positive organisms
Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis.
Results
Bacteriophage T4 proteins demonstrated varying levels of effectiveness in inhibiting
the growth of the bacteria assessed in this study. For instance, in a microdilution
assay, while the protein was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus at a
concentration of 12.87 µg/ml and Escherichia coli at 43.70 µg/ml, it was incapable of
influencing the growth of Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella
pneumoniae at the highest concentration tested (205.68 µg/ml). Notably, in every
instance, the liposomes loaded with T4 protein were more effective at inhibiting the
growth of the bacteria. Molecular interactions were determined through protein-protein
modeling that revealed that the endolysin protein from bacteriophage T4 was capable
of binding with strong affinity to penicillin binding proteins from S. aureus.
Conclusion
The results of this study demonstrated the capability of T4 protein loaded liposomes
to interact with and inhibit the growth of important bacteria linked to the BPPL as identified by the WHO, providing a pathway for the development of novel drugs aimed at combating these devastating bacteria
The clinical transition of graduate paramedics from dependent to independent practice : a critical participatory action study
Get PDFA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Emergency Medical Care, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.INTRODUCTION
Independent clinical practice is the pinnacle outcome for graduate paramedics in
South Africa and abroad. Undergraduate paramedic students train under supervision
to acquire clinical skills, knowledge and competencies deemed essential to
independently manage critical patients. Irrefutably, there is a paucity of research in the
South African Emergency Medical Care (EMC) milieu exploring the clinical transition
of graduate paramedics from supervised students to independent practitioners.
AIM
Through a Critical Theorist stance, this study aimed to explore the clinical transition of
graduate paramedics from dependent to independent practice at a selected university
in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The focus was on how graduate paramedics transition
from dependent to independent clinical practice and what mechanism/s should be
instituted within the South African EMC profession to support the transition.
METHODOLOGY
An exploratory sequential mixed method design was adopted. Semi-structured
interviews, focus group discussions and reflective journals were used to collect
qualitative data. A Delphi study was conducted to validate the recommended support
mechanisms. Thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret qualitative data.
Descriptive statistics were used to set a consensus level for the Delphi study.
RESULTS
Three themes and seven sub-themes were identified in the qualitative data. The
identified themes included: i) transitioning into independent practice, ii) employee and
employer relations and iii) quality assurance. The Delphi experts reached a consensus
on eight recommended praxes that may support the clinical transition of graduate
paramedics into independent practice: i) introduction of an internship period, ii)
introduction of a workplace clinical mentorship program iii) restructuring of the BHSc
EMC program, iv) incorporation of non-clinical workplace orientation program, v)
implementation of a clinical case review system, vi) implementation of a clinical
iv
consultation system, vii) EMS management competency development and viii)
introduction of psychological and emotional support services for graduate paramedics.
CONCLUSION
The transition from students to professional practice is a crucial phase for graduate
paramedics. This study highlights a need for all EMS stakeholders in South Africa to
ensure consistent and standardized approaches to guide and support graduate
paramedics as they transition to independent practice. Active involvement by the
statutory regulators through the development of policies and systems to guide this
critical stage of graduate paramedic’s professional development is paramount.
Enhancing the mechanical properties of hydrogels with vinyl-functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose as a green crosslinker
Get PDFHydrogels have gained significant attention in scientific communities for their versatile applications, but several challenges need to be addressed to exploit their potential fully. Conventional hydrogels suffer from poor mechanical strength, limiting their use in many applications. Moreover, the crosslinking agents used to produce them are often toxic, carcinogenic, and not bio-friendly. This study presents a novel approach to overcome these limitations by using bio-friendly modified nanocrystalline cellulose as a crosslinker to prepare highly stretchable and tough thermosensitive hydrogels. The surface of nanocrystalline cellulose was modified with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) to obtain modified nanocrystalline cellulose (M-NCC) crosslinker and used during free radical polymerization of thermosensitiveN-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPA) monomer to synthesize NIPA/M-NCC hydrogel. The resulting nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit superior mechanical, thermal, and temperature-responsive swelling properties compared to conventional hydrogels prepared with traditional bi-functionalN,N'-methylene bis (acrylamide) (MBA) as a crosslinker. The elongation at break, tensile strength, and toughness of the NIPA/M-NCC hydrogels significantly increase and Young's modulus decrease than conventional hydrogel. The designed M-NCC crosslinker could be utilized to improve the mechanical strength of any polymeric elastomer or hydrogel systems produced through chain polymerization
Poultry gut health : microbiome functions, environmental impacts, microbiome engineering and advancements in characterization technologies
Get PDFThe gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health impacts animal productivity. The poultry microbiome has functions which range from protection against pathogens and nutrients production, to host immune system maturation. Fluctuations in the microbiome have also been linked to prevailing environmental conditions. Healthy poultry birds possess a natural resistance to infection. However, the exploration of environmental impacts and other relevant factors on poultry growth and health have been underplayed. Since good performance and growth rate are central to animal production, the host-microbiome relationship remains integral. Prior to the emergence of metagenomic techniques, conventional methods for poultry microbiome studies were used and were low-throughput and associated with insufficient genomic data and high cost of sequencing. Fortunately, the advent of high-throughput sequencing platforms have circumvented some of these shortfalls and paved the way for increased studies on the poultry gut microbiome diversity and functions. Here, we give an up-to-date review on the impact of varied environments on microbiome profile, as well as microbiome engineering and microbiome technology advancements. It is hoped that this paper will provide invaluable information that could guide and inspire further studies on the lingering pertinent questions about the poultry microbiome
RSA and elliptic curve encryption system : a systematic literature review
No full textAlmost every living species has a motive to communicate electronically with one another and preserve data for immediate or future use. These data are becoming too large to be maintained on personal storage devices. Technological innovation has cleared the path for vast, remote storage known as the cloud. This innovation is being provided as a service to people and organizations due to the high cost of investment and the high-tech skills needed for its maintenance. Despite the many benefits of cloud computing, data privacy, integrity, and access control are issues that require immediate attention. Many studies have been conducted in order to find solutions to these challenges. In this review, the authors look at the numerous methods that have been proposed to address these security challenges. The research revealed that elliptic curve cryptography and the advance encryption system (AES) were the techniques that were most frequently used to address security issues in the digital world.Copyright: 2024. IGI Global. Due to copyright restrictions, only the abstract is available. For access to the full text item, please consult the publisher's website. The definitive version of the work is published in: International Journal of Information Security and Privacy. 18(1): 1-27 (27). doi:10.4018/IJISP.34072