Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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Real-time implementation of a full state feedback controller for a DC motor
No full textThis research work presents the real-time implementation of a Full State Feedback (FSFB) controller, which controls the angular position of a Direct Current (DC) motor. The designed Simulink controller is transformed into an object that is used in Beckhoff’s TwinCAT programming environment to interface with an actual DC motor test rig. The MATLAB command code required for the transformation is described with all other software required. The test rig used for the implementation is also shown and discussed. Lastly, a case study is done to test the control system’s response and limitations to various positional set point changes. This research contributes to the study of FSFB control for DC motors by providing a practical method to implement the simulated controller on a hardware device that is used in industry. The implemented control system can be used in industry and not just for testing purposes. This method can be used to implement any designed FSFB controlled DC motor model
Computerized accounting integration into high school curriculum delivery: benefits and barriers
No full textEducation without integrating computer applications in this 21st century deprives learners of the experience and exposure of linking education to real-world job processes. In South Africa, higher education institutions have long integrated computerized accounting systems into their accounting qualifications curriculum. However, that is not the case with the high school accounting curriculum. This paper aims to investigate the benefits and barriers of integrating computerized accounting into the high school accounting curriculum. This is a case study design. Data was collected from purposively selected high school accounting teachers using semi-structured interviews. The interview transcripts were entered into the Atlas.ti software. The discourse analysis method was used to interpret and evaluate the meaning of emerging themes. The findings indicate that integrating computerized accounting into curriculum delivery would develop interest and positive attitudes among learners towards accounting, enhance their understanding of accounting principles, improve their academic performance, and attract them into the accounting profession. Unavailability of resources and lack of funding were identified as barriers that can impede the integration of computerized accounting into high school curriculum delivery
Apoptotic effects of triterpenoids isolated from Pleiocarpa pycnantha leaves in cancer cells and molecular docking study of the interactions of camptothecin and ursolic acid with human caspase 3, caspase 9 and topoisomerase I
No full textThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of triterpenes from Pleiocarpa pycnantha leaves on the induction of apoptotic signalling in human cells. The molecular mechanisms of triterpenes isolated from P. pycnantha leaves were investigated in vitro on HeLa, MCF-7, HT-29, and KMST-6 cells. The compounds activated several markers associated with apoptosis, viz., phosphatidylserine translocation, caspase activation, oxidative stress, and topoisomerase I inhibition. Compounds 1 and 5 were non-selective, whereas compounds 2, 3, and 4 showed potential as cancer-specific agents by selectively inducing apoptosis only on cancer cells. Theoretical studies on the interactions of compound 1 with caspases −3 and −9 and topoisomerase I were carried out through a molecular docking study and illustrated that compound 1 had an equal binding affinity with the caspases and topoisomerase I comparable to that of camptothecin. The cellular pathway activated by these compounds was dependent on the compound and the cell type
Risk assessment for malware attacks in small businesses
No full textThe presence of severe malware attacks in business systems compromises devices, data, information, and network hygiene. The increased usage of cyberspace as a convenient tool exposed all organisations to various malware attacks. The malware attacks have become one of the most common threats in all sectors. These attacks often find their way into systems where poor or inadequate security measures are implemented, leaving the institution’s resources vulnerable and compromised. This work collected data using purposive sampling from the selected small businesses that used cyberspace for business transactions. A questionnaire distributed to the participants was mounted on Google Forms. To analyse the collected data, this work assessed the malware attacks and used the risk management processes to determine the risk impact and probability. Risk management processes were used to analyse and interpret different risks associated with malware attacks and also ranked them from low, medium, and high. The work also revealed the different forms of common malware attacks, the business assets affected, the main causes of malware attacks, risk value, risk likelihood, and the risk impact. The extent of security measures implemented on different levels contributes to the overall state of the organisational resources. The study also shared the recommendations and accounted for the conclusion
Comparative performance of Scenedesmus Sp. cultivated in sewage wastewater in 1L bench top vessels and A 30L reactor for algal growth and biofuel production
No full textScaling up algal cultivation from bench-scale to pilot reactors is necessary for advancing biofuel production. Various operational parameters such as nutrient availability, light illumination, pH, aeration and several others are interdependent and influence algal growth; as well as the hydrodynamics of the growth environment such as the height and diameter of the vessel. This study compares the batch cultivation performance of Scenedesmus sp. in sewage wastewater using 1L bench-top vessels and a 30 L pilot-scale bubble column reactor, focusing on biomass productivity, growth rates and energy efficiency. Cultivation was conducted at pH of 8, with an 18-hour light: 6-hour dark cycle and a 2:2 Bold’s Basal Medium (BBM) to sewage wastewater ratio, between 10 cm and 30 cm diameter reactor vessels. Ultraviolet (UV) sterilization of wastewater was performed to eliminate microbial competition within the wastewater source. The aim is to analyse reactor hydrodynamics, the scalability of biofuel production and operational challenges encountered during scale-up. Necessary algal concentrations and inoculation volumes were established during the upscaling process. The 1 L reactor achieved an average biomass productivity of 64 × 104 cells/mL/day, and a growth rate of 0.79 day⁻ ¹ under optimized conditions. In contrast, the 30 L reactor achieved a lower biomass productivity of 46.89 × 104 cells/mL/day and a growth rate of 0.577 day⁻ ¹, primarily due to inefficiencies in flow, culture depth, sheer stress, light intensities and other necessitating factors. However, the 30 L reactor demonstrated potential for higher biomass yield when adjustments to aeration and distance of light source were applied, with a projected improvement of 29 % in biomass recovery following system optimization. Additionally, CO2 injections (3 %) at regular intervals maintained optimal pH concentration. The study highlights that hydrodynamics is crucial, with the 1 L benefiting from uniform mixing, while the 30 L reactor experienced localised shear forces that negatively impacted algal growth. Nonetheless, the 30 L vessel demonstrated higher biomass yield potential due to its ability to accommodate larger volumes. This research provides insights for optimizing algal cultivation at larger scales, contributing to the development of scalable and energy-efficient biofuel production processes
The 8th U6+ international conference proceedings: innovation for sustainable development and transformation in Africa
No full textThe U6 Plus consortium is a collaboration of African Universities established in 2012 to foster academic linkages and educational collaboration among member Universities. The Consortium hosts annual joint international conferences on a rotational basis. The 2024 Conference was hosted by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Management perceptions on effective employee rewards: a case study of Cape Town five- star hotels, South Africa
No full textRewards are effective instruments that management may use to inspire employees. When firms offer rewards, their primary goal is to recruit and keep motivated, effective, and efficient employees. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the perceptions of five-star hotel managers regarding the effectiveness of employee reward systems. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 managers from four hotels in the City of Cape Town CBD. The study made use of the semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data. The data was analysed using Creswell’s six steps. The findings of the study indicate that hotels offered distinct types of rewards to their employees, which include both extrinsic (financial) and intrinsic (non-financial) rewards. The paper further suggests that hotel managers are of the view that extrinsic (financial) rewards are mostly preferred by employees and are the most effective rewards to motivate employees in five-star hotels. The research concludes by recommending strategies to hotel management for enhancing the effectiveness of employee reward systems with positive impacts on employee motivation and identifying implications for future research
Navigating data-overload challenges during data-analysis: a qualitative researcher’s experience in accounting sciences
No full textPurpose: Data-overload is a generic, complicated issue, affecting data-analysis processes for many
researchers. The challenge emanates from the researcher collecting volumes of data that hinder their ability to
engage in higher-level data-analysis processes. Despite the existence of numerous frameworks towards
understanding the world, novice qualitative researchers often become overwhelmed, disregard guidelines, and
neglect to clearly explain their data-analysis processes. This paper discusses the author’s experience with data overload and how the three-phase coding process and collaborative decision-making with other stakeholders
helped overcome challenges. The aim is to offer new accounting science researchers a set of examples, to
serve as benchmarks when dealing with data-overload in their qualitative research projects.
Methodology/Approach: The author employs narrative reflection, to capture the interpretive thematic data analysis of in-depth interviews and document-based datasets derived from a completed dissertation. This
paper’s discussions are based on the key factors of data-overload and data-analysis concepts provided by the
literature review. Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory principles and Creswell’s spiral framework were
used to present an open, axial and focused coding process, organising data around concepts, and forming
categories and themes for theory development.
Implications and Value: The three-phase coding method in qualitative data-analysis can effectively help
navigate data-overload and provide reliable insights concerning the collected data. The developed frameworks
can assist accounting science students and supervisors, as supplementary resources in addition to existing
guidance, when they experience data-overload in their qualitative research projects
Estimating population changes in humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae migrating past Cape Vidal, South Africa
No full textShore-based surveys of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae were performed from Cape Vidal, on the east coast of South Africa (iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, Indian Ocean), from two independent platforms between 27 June and 7 August in 2018 and 2019, to estimate the relative abundance and growth rate of the C1 breeding substock of the species. Observed whale groups were tracked by analogue survey theodolites, and observed numbers were adjusted to account for daily sighting effort and the proportions of groups missed by observers. Daily sighting frequency was aggregated across the season to result in annual relative abundance estimates of 10 499 (2018) and 11 009 (2019) individuals, with peak frequencies from 28 July to 3 August in both years. When compared with previous estimates from the same study area, we estimated an average annual increase rate of 7.4% to 8.8% over 31 years from 1988. These results indicate a slowing of the rate of increase from previous estimates, which could suggest that the population is approaching pre-exploitation numbers or that yet unidentified threats are negatively impacting the growth rate. Continued monitoring of the recovering humpback whale stocks is critical to identify any possible effects of Southern Ocean ecosystem changes on the stock health of these whales
Enhancing invasive alien plant eradication outcomes: lessons learned from South Africa
No full textSeveral attempts to eradicate invasive alien species have been initiated in South Africa and despite no formal eradication declaration, several species have been brought down to low levels or are now absent from the country. Based on an expert workshop with South African implementing agencies on best nationwide eradication practices, we recommend that eradication programmes should be well coordinated, and characterised by collaboration between implementing agencies, researchers and practitioners. Countries should have a list of eradication targets informed by the best available science, with targets ranked according to priority. The best eradication model should be used consistently until eradication is achieved. While most of these priority areas are not novel, it does provide a perspective from a biodiverse African country with limited funding, based on 16 years of experience in implementing eradication programmes. It corroborates challenges experienced elsewhere in the world and contributes to enhancing eradication outcomes globally