Walter Sisulu University
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Correlation of socio-economic factors, diet and ownership of consumer electronics with body mass index in women of childbearing age: Insights from the 2016 South African demographic health survey
Get PDFThe available evidence indicates a correlation between owning consumer electronics, such as cellphones and televisions, and a higher risk of obesity and increased adiposity. However, such studies are sparse in South Africa. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the dietary and sociodemographic factors associated with various BMI categories, including the possession of consumer electronics, among women of reproductive age in South Africa. This is a secondary study of a population registry that includes dietary, BMI, and digital use items among women of reproductive age. The data is from the South Africa Demographic Health Survey (SADHS, 2016). Of the 3363 participants included in the analysis, women of normal weight were (35.5%), pre-obese (34.5%), obese (27.1%) and underweight (2.9%)
Surveillance Detection of Anomalous Activities with Optimized Deep Learning Technique in Crowded Scenes
Get PDFThe performance of conventional surveillance systems is challenged by high error detection rates in busy scenes, which has significantly affected the accurate detection of the current surveillance system. Feature representation and object pattern extraction from different scenes have made deep learning (DL) promising methods in surveillance systems, compared to the approaches where features are created manually. To improve the detection accuracy, this paper presents an intelligent DL technique that combines convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM). CNN extracts and learns the object features from a set of raw images, while the LSTM is then used by gated mechanisms to store important information from the extracted features. The proposed method was validated using datasets from the University of California San Diego (UCSD). The result shows that the model achieves 95% accuracy, which is superior compared to other conventional detection models
Financial Statements Fraud of Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria
Get PDFThere is evidence that managers engage in opportunistic practice to manipulate reported perfomance attract unsuspecting investors. This paper seeks to detect the likelihood of manipulations on the financial reports of financial service firms (banks and other financial institutions) as well as to identify the financial indicators that are the likely predictors of the probability of manipulations in Nigeria..
In-vitro Cytotoxicity, Anti-bacterial and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Ecklonia Radiata and Jania Verrucosa from Eastern Cape, South Africa
Get PDFSeaweeds are marine floras constituting in part to over 90% of the oceanic biomass. Despite the enrichments of seaweeds, their potential is largely unexplored. Hence, this study evaluated the phytochemical screening, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activities of methanolic extracts of Ecklonia radiata and Jania verrucosa. E. radiata and J. verrucosa were collected from sites on the rocky shores of the Mbashe and Port St. John rivers on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa during spring low tides. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out using a standard protocol. The assessment of anti-inflammatory activity was done by inhibition of albumin denaturation assay, and antimicrobial analysis was performed against six different pathogenic clinical isolates. The cytotoxicity effect of the methanolic extracts was further investigated on MDA-MB-231, HepG2, CaCo-2, and KMST-6 by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium reduction assay (MTT assay). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, glycosides, and alkaloids for both extracts. The methanolic extracts of both seed weeds also possess anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting albumin denaturation. The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the plant extractsrangedfrom160-10000μg/mL. J. verrucosa methanolic extract had the most significant biological activity with the lowest MIC value (160 μg/ml). The cytotoxicity result showed that cells treated with the methanolic extracts of E. radiata and J. verrucosa have a more cytotoxic effect on MDA-MB-231-treated cells, followed by HepG2 and CaCo-2. Non-cancerous cell line (KMST-6), however, showed some selectivity in their activities. Among the cancer cell lines, HepG2-treated cells were significantly suppressed..
Conservation Laws and Symmetry Reductions of the Hunter–Saxton Equation via the Double Reduction Method
Get PDFThis study investigates via Lie symmetry analysis the Hunter–Saxton equation, an equation relevant to the theoretical analysis of nematic liquid crystals. We employ the multiplier method to obtain conservation laws of the equation that arise from first-order multipliers. Conservation laws of the equation, combined with the admitted Lie point symmetries, enable us to perform symmetry reductions by employing the double reduction method. The method exploits the relationship between symmetries and conservation laws to reduce both the number of variables and the order of the equation. Five nontrivial conservation laws of the Hunter–Saxton equation are derived, four of which are found to have associated Lie point symmetries. Applying the double reduction method to the equation results in a set of first-order ordinary differential equations, the solutions of which represent invariant solutions for the equation. While the double reduction method may be more complex to implement than the classical method, since it involves finding Lie point symmetries and deriving conservation laws, it has some advantages over the classical method of reducing PDEs. Firstly, it ismore efficient in that it can reduce the number of variables and order of the equation in a single step. Secondly, by incorporating conservation laws, physically meaningful solutions that satisfy important physical constraints can be obtained
A Conceptual Analysis of What it Means to Decolonize the Curriculum
Get PDFThe concept of decoloniality has been subject to wide-ranging debates among academics and students alike. These discussions have often looked at the issue from a subjective stance, narrowing its meaning down to interpretation based on individuals’ backgrounds and contexts. Consequently, the understanding of decoloniality as it relates to university curricula has remained fragmented, leading to inconsistencies in how it is put into practice. This study, therefore, seeks to address this gap by unpacking the conceptual ambiguity surrounding what it means to decolonizethe curriculain university classrooms. Hence, this study intends to deconstruct the decoloniality of the curriculum as it relates to the pedagogical disposition of the classroom in universities using decolonial theory as the basis of argument. The study answers questions about the assumptions of decoloniality, suitable for understanding the decoloniality of the curriculum. This conceptual analysis is located within a transformative worldview as a lens and employs conceptual analysis as a tool to make sense of the argument deductively from the decolonial premises. The studyargues that decolonizingthe curriculum is beyond any personal,contextual, historical,and environmental subjectification, and should instead be viewed as advocacy to challenge existing power dynamics towards incorporating traditionally overlooked or excluded ways of doing. Therefore, it is essential to understand “decolonizing the curriculum” from the process of knowing, empowering the disempowered, self-determination,and an anti-oppressive perspective
Examining the Dynamics of Teaching Algorithms of Fractions: A Case Study of Grade 3 Rural Schools in South Africa
Get PDFThis article emanates from a study that sought to establish teacher experiences in the effective teaching of Mathematics, especially when dealing with teaching algorithms of fractions in their schools. Fraction algorithms is a section of algebra in mathematics that deals with quantities as wholes and sub-constructs. In grade 3, learners seem to be unable to comprehend the meaning and this leads to teachers being frustrated. The authors posit that despite the teacher’s dilemmas about teaching fractions in grade 3, there still exists effective teaching in schools. The study adopted an interpretivism paradigm in which thematically analysed data was collected through interviews from 8 purposely selected participants. The researchers noticed that examining the dynamics in teaching algorithms of fractions involves significant development of the idea through prominent learner participation, handling of tangible materials by learners and learner inclusivity. The study reveals that teachers need to compatibly reflect on Mathematics Fundamental Knowledge (MFK) and Mathematics Pedagogical Content Knowledge (MPCK) to have the option to adequately teach their learners. Overall, it was found that teachers worked very hard to strive for excellence in teaching grade 3 learners and that they did their best irrespective of overcrowding, inadequate training and resources and other challenges they faced to achieve effective teaching fraction algorithms for their grade 3 learners
The Relevance of Livestock Husbandry in the Context of Food Security: A Bibliometric Outlook of Research Studies from 1938 to 2020
Get PDFThe present study aimed to report knowledge-based outcomes on global studies of livestock farming as a tool to address food security, while considering the recurring problems caused by malnutrition and hunger among vulnerable persons, especially in developing countries. A total of 2,012 scientific peer reviewed studies were retrieved in BibTeX design for analysis using bibliometric collections in R studio software. The results obtained from the software included among others, authors, keywords plus, citations, collaborations, affiliations, journals, countries impact and key words. Published peer-reviewed discoveries on livestock husbandry as related to food security gathered from Scopus and the Web of Science (WOS) databanks were used, with a yearly rise in knowledge-based research of 15.04% during the timespan of the investigation. The results of the investigation revealed that the United States was ranked first with an aggregate of 236 publications [including Single Country Publications (SCP) = 225 and Multiple Country Publications (MCP) = 11] and had a huge international scientific effect with the highest article citations (n = 9,138). The most frequently used authors’ keywords in the present research niche area were food security (n = 475), livestock (n = 123), agriculture (n = 100), climate change (n = 99), sustainability (n = 55), cattle (n = 40), and nutrition (n = 37), which gave a clear direction for the related research studies regarding how livestock production can be used to enhance food security. The study in consideration presented an international picture that addresses the pool of knowledge-based, peer-reviewed findings of livestock production research and its significance to food security, while providing a clue regarding further investigations in this research niche area. It is of high essence to emphasise that the current findings solely focused on prime areas of livestock production as related to food security research; thus, it is anticipated that novel empirical research work and potential scientific findings will provide novel understanding and precision to livestock husbandry as a possible instrument to tackle the challenges of food security as new discoveries emerges
Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity
Get PDFPlastics, due to their varied properties, find use in different sectors such as agriculture, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, to mention a few. Excessive use of plastics results in a lot of plastic waste buildup. Poorly managed plastic waste (as shown by heaps of plastic waste on dumpsites, in free spaces, along roads, and in marine systems) and the plastic in landfills, are just a fraction of the plastic waste in the environment. A complete picture should include the micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere, as the current extreme weather conditions (which are effects of climate change), wear and tear, and other factors promote MNP formation. MNPs pose a threat to the environment more than their pristine counterparts. This review highlights the entry and occurrence of primary and secondary MNPs in the soil, water and air, together with their aging. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization, by plants, animals, and humans are discussed, together with their toxicity effects. Finally, the future perspective and conclusion are given. The material utilized in this work was acquired from published articles and the internet using keywords such as plastic waste, degradation, microplastic, aging, internalization, and toxicity
Leadership and Service Delivery in Times of Change
Get PDFThere has been a growing concern for excellent service delivery in the public sector. The challenges that are hindering service delivery in Town Councils have been attributed to political interference in appointments and ineffective leadership. The residents in the Town Council have been experiencing power outages and water shortages. The livelihoods of the residents and business operations have been hindered by these difficulties. This study investigates the influence of leadership on service delivery in a Town Council in Namibia. A qualitative research approach was adopted to analyse the influence of leadership practices on service delivery in times of change. A total of ten participants were sampled from a population of 117 staff members using a purposive sampling. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants views were tape recorded, transcribed into Microsoft Word, and analysed using thematic analysis via NVivo 12. The results showed that logistical difficulties, political interference, lack of human resources, and financial constraints, are the challenges hampering service delivery in the Town Council. The need for managers and supervisors to inspire, coach, mentor, and motivate their subordinates to enhance service delivery using a transformational leadership style is evident in the results. Therefore, the Town Council should prioritise budgeting, foster public-private partnerships, promote innovation, and ensure stakeholder engagement to enhance service delivery in the Town Council