Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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Effect of zeolite application on soil enzyme activity of potted sandy soil cultivated with Swiss chard and cabbage
No full textA zeolite pot experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Council Infruitec-Nietvoorbij in Stellenbosch, South Africa, under greenhouse conditions. The experiment aimed to investigate the impact of zeolite application on soil enzyme activities in sandy soils cultivated with Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris Var. cicla) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. capitata L.) over two years (2018-2019). Different zeolite-to-soil ratios (0:1, 1:9, 2:8, and 3:7 w/w) were used, with each pot containing 12 kg of soil. The experiment involved 72 pots for each vegetable, arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Soil enzyme activities, including acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, and urease, as well as soil chemical properties (pH, total plant-available nitrogen, organic carbon, and phosphorus), were analyzed. Key findings indicate that the effect of zeolite application on enzyme activities varied between the vegetable species. Zeolite application significantly increased (P<0.05) soil pH across all treatments. However, higher zeolite levels decreased (P<0.05) soil phosphorus availability, likely due to phosphorus adsorption by zeolite. Acid phosphatase activity decreased with rising zeolite levels, possibly due to increased soil pH. Additionally, zeolite application reduced (P<0.05) soil organic carbon, which may explain some of the enzyme activity responses. Alteration Index Three (AI3) scores suggested improved soil biological activity with zeolite application, although responses varied between crops. Cabbage soils showed improvement in all treatments, while Swiss chard soils exhibited mixed responses. In conclusion, while zeolite application can enhance soil pH and nutrient retention, it may also reduce phosphorus availability and organic carbon. The enzyme activity responses observed are complex and crop-specific, highlighting the need for tailored soil management practices. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts and optimal integration of zeolite with organic amendments for sustainable soil fertility management
Pv power output prediction using deep learning
No full textPhotovoltaic (PV) systems generate solar power worldwide. Solar power sources are unpredictable by nature because the output power of PV systems is alternating and heavily dependent on environmental conditions. Among these are wind speed, humidity, PV surface temperature, and irradiance. Planning ahead is essential for solar power generation due to the unpredictable nature of photovoltaic systems, much as forecasting solar electricity is necessary for the electric grid. The irradiance has a significant impact on solar power generation, making weather forecasting challenging and complex. There is discussion of how different environmental factors affect a photovoltaic system's output. In order to overcome the difficulties caused by the variability of solar radiation, this research explores the application of deep learning for photovoltaic (PV) power output prediction. The confusion matrix and ROC AUC results reveal that the proposed deep learning model predicted accurately the power output
design of a decentralized PID controller using the relative gain array technique for a coupled flotation process
No full textThis study focuses on the design of the decentralized Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller for a coupled flotation system. It emphasizes the difficulties encountered when dealing with interconnected Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems that cannot be effectively regulated using traditional linear feedback controllers. The significance of this article lies in its examination of how the Relative Gain Array (RGA) can be utilized to mitigate the impact of process connections. With the use of a thoughtful selection of single-loop pairings, the decentralized controller is created following the RGA technique. The decentralized controller that has been developed serves the purpose of reducing the influence caused by process interfaces. A set-point tracking technique, based on Internal Model Controllers (IMCs) is adopted in the design. The system time response and overshoot were also analyzed. The paper proposed a decentralized control mechanism and provided a comprehensive process for applying it to both the system under investigation and different MIMO industrial processes. The performance of the suggested closed-loop system was simulated and confirmed using Matlab/Simulink
Cultural ramifications on the educability of pregnant and parenting learners at four South African high schools
No full textThe study investigated how the socio-cultural and traditional practices of school-based education duty-bearers influenced the educational access and participation of pregnant and parenting learners (PPLs) who chose to continue with schooling after falling pregnant. Using a qualitative case study research design, four high schools with high rates of girl pregnancy from one South African education district were purposively selected. The participants included 8 school governing body (SGB), 8 school management team (SMT), 8 pregnant-monitoring teachers (PMT), 8 class teachers, 8 PPLs and 8 mainstream learners who schooled with PPLs. Data were collected through individual interviews for PPLs for their confidentiality, and focus group interviews for all the other participants. Study results indicated that due to cultural, traditional perceptions and practices, the South African national education policy measures on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy which allows schoolgirls to return to school after giving birth was loosely observed and implemented at the schools. The reasons for these are; a) Negative attitudes of teachers and mainstream to PPLs; b) Domestication of motherhood and childrearing by community; c) Mythological discernment of PPLs by mainstream learners; d) Character contamination; and e) Femininity as a negative label on PPLs in a formal school setting. Thus, from the findings, it is recommended that schoolbased duty bearers be trained on democratic education policy frameworks and their implementation strategies, to benefit the vulnerable children such as PPLs, among others
Co-design, with two South African villages, of a prototype for an e-waste management mobile app
No full textElectronic waste (e-waste) contains toxic elements that, if not carefully disposed of, can harm the environment and human health. It is imperative that e-waste is handled in a correct, safe manner. The study engaged with two rural South African villages, Mantunzeleni and Mpeta in the Eastern Cape Province, to determine their current e-waste disposal practices and to co-design a cloud-based mobile application (app) for improved e-waste management. Twenty-six participants, 13 from each village, participated in the study. A focus group discussion with participants explored the communities' existing e-waste disposal behaviours, which were found to be harmful to the environment. Participants were then introduced to, and guided through, the co-design process, which resulted in development of a prototype cloud-based mobile app that would, if implemented, allow households to request the collection of e-waste items by the local municipality. The authors argue that, because of the co-design process, the app (if implemented by the municipality) will be well-suited to the needs of, and widely used by, the two target communities, who will feel a sense of ownership of the technological solution that they helped to create
Exploring the experiences of sonography students with simulation-based learning: a perspective from South Africa
No full textIntroduction:
Simulation-based learning (SBL) is widely used in healthcare education to provide a safe environment for students to practice clinical scenarios without causing patient harm. While established in developed countries, SBL's implementation is new in South Africa; there is a lack of research addressing sonography students' experiences. This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of Bachelor of Science (BSc) second-year sonography students using SBL for clinical training at a local University of Technology (UoT).
Method:
An exploratory, qualitative and descriptive research study was conducted in 2020, with virtual one-on-one interviews due to COVID-19 restrictions. Eight BSc second-year sonography students, who had undergone SBL in their first year, participated. Data saturation was achieved, and interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim.
Results:
Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (1) Enhancing preparedness for the clinical environment, (2) Limitations of the tissue-equivalent phantom and (3) Suggestions for improving simulation. While students expressed positive feedback and enjoyment of the simulation tool, they also highlighted limitations, such as unrealistic representations of real patient scanning conditions.
Conclusion:
This study provides valuable insights into sonography students' experiences with SBL. Positive influence of SBL on clinical training was observed. To enhance SBL for future sonography students, consideration for high-fidelity simulators with advanced software is recommended. Funding options to invest in such simulators should be explored by radiography educators to promote more realistic training experiences
Bioactivities of helichrysum cymosum cultivated in aquaponic, hydroponic and field systems
No full textBackground: Aquaponics and hydroponics are potential alternative techniques for sustainable cultivating of medicinal plants.
Setting: The experiments were carried out on the Bellville campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa.
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate crop yield, secondary metabolite contents, and the antifungal activities of extracts from Helichrysum cymosum (H. cymosum) grown in aquaponic and hydroponic systems compared with field-collected plants.
Methods: Helichrysum cymosum seedlings were cultivated in hydroponic and aquaponic systems for 6 weeks under greenhouse conditions. The data on plant growth parameters, phytochemical analyses of the leaves, anti-Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) activity of ethanolic extracts, and antioxidant capacities were recorded.
Results: The results showed that the heights of plants grown in aquaponics and hydroponics did not differ substantially (p > 0.05). The total polyphenol contents varied significantly (p < 0.01) among the three cultivation techniques, with the field-collected plants yielding the highest contents (452.10 mg GAE/g ± 53.37 mg GAE/g). The flavonol contents differed significantly among the three cultivation techniques (p < 0.05), with the highest flavonol contents in the field-collected plants (250.62 mg QE/g ± 58.12 mg QE/g). The plants grown in aquaponics had the highest number of compounds (104). The microdilution bioassay showed that the ethanolic extracts of field-harvested H. cymosum had higher fungistatic activity against F. oxysporum. The highest antioxidant capacity was recorded in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay for plants cultivated in hydroponics (p < 0.05), while field-collected plants showed a significantly higher value of 2719.42 µmol ± 278.72 µmol AAE/g (p < 0.05) in the ferric ion reducing antioxidant parameter (FRAP) assay.
Conclusion: The field-collected plants performed better in phytochemical contents. However, cultivation of H. cymosum using a hydroponic system may be feasible based on the antioxidant results.
Contributions: The study contributes to developing an alternative strategy for cultivating plants and promoting sustainable farmin
Cooperation in common property resource management: a group engagement approach
No full textThis study explored motivational cooperative behaviour types as a communal resource in a rural Zimbabwean setting. Using the group engagement model, the study examined motivational cooperative behaviour types in managing in managing water resources. Thirty community residents of Mhondoro-Ngezi District in Zimbabwe participated in the study (female = 13, community leaders = 10). Data were collected through one-on-one interviews. Thematic analysis revealed internal motivations of social altruism in discretionary cooperative behaviours of water conservation and external motivations of sanctions for compliance with customary regulations stipulating use of water sources. Discretionary cooperative behaviours of water conservation were characterised by individual willingness to comply with myths regarding water usage. External motivations of sanctions for compliance with customary regulations were about collective community activities. Motivations for managing a scarce community resource prioritised fair use, access, and sustenance for collective benefit. These findings suggest that voluntariness in cooperation in common property resource management is important for the sustainable use of scarce resources for consideration in community implementation of regulations
Experimental analysis of low-duty cycle campus deployed IoT network using LoRa technology
No full textThis study emphases on the implementation and evaluation of a LoRa network in indoor environments through an experimental setup at Amity University, Greater Noida (AUGN) campus. Aimed at scrutinizing the link-level performance and reliability of LoRa technology, extensive measurements have been conducted with prototype device integrating the SX1278 LoRa radio module at 433 MHz. The performance has been analysed in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and Packet Reception Rate (PRR) across various line-of-sight (LoS) and non-line-of-sight (NLoS) scenarios. The results reveal that network performance is highly sensitive to parameter configurations, such as spreading factor (SF) and coding rate (CR). In LoS environments, SF = 9 and CR = 4/5 provided an RSSI of −89.12 dBm and an SNR of 9.91 dB, while highly obstructive areas saw optimal performance with SF = 7 and CR = 4/7. The study also identified configurations ensuring 100 % packet delivery accuracy and maximum throughput. This work stands out due to its thorough examination of LoRa for indoor IoT applications, notably addressing duty cycle restrictions, a topic often overlooked in existing literature. The valuable insights presented are crucial for maximizing the potential of LoRa in indoor environments with high population density. The findings strongly advocate for the use of LoRa for real-time environmental monitoring and innovative IoT applications within university campuses
Exploring adoption dynamics: mobile technology in agricultural information dissemination among smallholder farmers in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe
No full textThere is a lack of acceptance, adoption and sustained use of mobile phones for agricultural purposes by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, but the reasons for this have not been critically explored. In this study, the authors used a naturalistic methodology to help uncover the nuances of adoption dynamics among smallholder farmers in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe. Data was gathered from in-depth interviews and focus groups. The findings suggest that gender, age, land ownership size, farming experience, mobile device ownership, and the period of owning a mobile device are critical precursors to adoption and use. Furthermore, digital proficiency and literacy, affluence, mobile technology services cost and telecommunication infrastructure availability are vital in achieving continuous, sustainable use of mobile technology in the Zimbabwean agricultural sector. This research has practical implications for policy and practice and may inform national legislation encouraging the increased use and affordability of mobile devices in the local agricultural sector. The research also makes a theoretical contribution in terms of unpacking the key factors that inhibit the adoption of mobile technology in marginalised settings