11613 research outputs found
Sort by
Biophilic placemaking: rooting aquaponics in the landscape of the Eastern Free State
No full textDissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2021How can we as architects build a new world of sustainable beauty? This thesis posits that it is possible by learning from nature. Biomimicry and permaculture look at nature as a catalogue of products that have undergone a 3.8 billion year period of research and development. Given this level of sophistication, biophilic and permaculture theory argues that it makes sense to break down the patterns and principles of the natural environment into building blocks that can be applied to the built environment. This thesis explores the notion of how these sustainable design strategies, can be applied to the design of a site (an aquaponic Lifestyle Farm) to create a sense of place, or genius loci, that can connect us with the wider natural world in order to break down the human-nature dichotomy. By creating an evocative, emotional connection and interaction with the natural environment, the aim of this project is to bring humans into alignment with the natural world and the sustainable practices that we need to adopt in order to ensure our survival within it
Density functional theory calculated data of the iodomethane oxidative addition to oligothiophene-containing rhodium complexes – importance of dispersion correction
No full textElectronic and free energy data of density functional theory calculated optimized geometries of the reactants, transition state of the oxidative addition reaction and different reaction products of the [Rh(RCOCHCOCF 3 )(CO)(PPh 3 )] + CH 3 I reactions (R = C 4 H 3 S, C 4 H 3 S-C 4 H 2 S and C 4 H 3 S-C 4 H 2 S-C 4 H 2 S) are presented to illustrate the influence of the amount of thiophene groups, the implicit solvent and dispersion correction on the calculated energies. All calculations were done with the B3LYP functional, in gas as well as in solvent phase, with and without dispersion correction. The data can save computational chemists time when choosing an appropriate method to calculate reaction energies of oxidative addition reactions. Detailed knowledge of energies involved in the oxidative addition reaction of methyl iodide to rhodium complexes have an important implication in catalysis, for example the Monsanto process where methanol is converted to acetic acid catalysed by a rhodium complex. For more insight in the reported data, see the related research article “Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, DFT and kinetic study of the oligothiophene-containing complex [Rh((C 4 H 3 S- C 4 H 2 S)COCHCOCF 3 )(CO)(PPh 3 )]”, published in Polyhedron.Publisher's versio
Emerging adults’ lived experiences of the journey of spiritual identity development
No full textThe aim of the study was to explore and describe emerging adults’ lived experiences of spiritual identity development in South Africa. To capture the active, intimate experience of the journey, the study focused on the processes involved in forming a spiritual identity. Developmental psychologists claim that emerging adulthood is the time in the life span (18-29 years) when decisions regarding beliefs and values are inevitable. During this developmental stage, the reconstruction of the past and imagination of the future provide individuals with a sense of the interwoven fibres of meaning. A conceptual framework for spiritual identity, consisting of three moral ethics (Shweder et al., 1997) were of vital importance. The ethic of autonomy, community, and divinity suggests a formulation of the unique ways in which people of various cultures and communities may form believes and values. The importance of a cultural-developmental approach (Jensen, 2008) alludes to the need for a study in the South African context, marked by both its diversity in terms of religions and cultures, and a strong emphasis on scriptural authority as a religious country. A South-African study on the identity-divinity link nested in the life stories of emerging adults shed light on the authentic experiences regarding autonomy, community, and divinity of South African emerging adults, especially against the background of the strong religiosity of the country. A qualitative research approach rooted in a phenomenological paradigm was undertaken, to explore the identity-divinity link in emerging adults in South Africa. An interpretative phenomenological approach enabled the researcher to search for the understanding of and aspects relating to the experiences of the participants. Seven emerging adults known to be dedicated spiritually were selected to participate: five white, one black, and one Indian. Data were collected by means of three interviews, using the life story interview and the two questions
known for assessing moral views: “When you get toward the end of your life, what would you like to be able to say about your life, looking back on it?” and “What values or beliefs do you think are the most important to pass on to the next generation?” The narratives of the participants were analysed and interpreted by means of interpretative phenomenological analysis. The focus of the study was the distinct meaning and the significance of the experience of the spiritual journey for the specific participant. The interpretative approach required understanding of an experience from within. Nested in a distinctive semantic, cultural, and relational space, the participants’ relatedness to the world and the essential meaning as it was experienced, was important. Inductive interpretation processes were prioritised, and Shweder’s ethics of autonomy, community, and divinity served as sensitising concepts.With regard to the ethic of autonomy, it was found in this study that spiritual identity unfolds within the opportunity to voice a life story. Looking inside and narrating a life story is an individualistic act but also calls on the ethic of divinity as a spiritual identity emerges from the meaning making and the establishing of a narrative identity. During the process of forming a life story, a narrative identity develops. A question like “What are my beliefs” leads to the development of a religious or spiritual identity, which manifests “as a persistent sense of self that addresses ultimate questions about the nature, purpose, and meaning of life” (Kiesling et al., 2006). Secondly. it was also clear that spiritual identity grows while emerging adults become self-sufficient. The belief that self-sufficiency and independence should be reached before adult commitments (Arnett, 2015b) calls on the ethic of autonomy; however, in this study, this belief was accompanied by the ethic of divinity. Standing on their own feet and becoming self-sufficient were going along with the underlying reassurance of being dependent on God. Relying on God to help with decision making and becoming independent, these two aspects were interwoven. While they were becoming independent, living in a relationship of reliance and trust on a deity was typical of the emerging adults in this study. Thirdly, determination to find a work becomes an expression of spiritual identity nestled in a vocation. The underlying belief is that work and identity should complement each other (Arnett, 2015b). The ethic of autonomy is at the root of this belief. In this study, work, calling, and identity are inseparable. The participants explained who they were, how God had created them to be, and the work or occupation they would be doing, which would be in line with what God intended them to be doing. The ethic of divinity is the moral vein underlying this belief. Feenstra and Brouwer (2008) found that secure spiritual attachment and greater spiritual vitality and commitment were related to greater understanding of vocation. Lastly, during emerging adulthood, leisure and enjoyment can be an illustration of spiritual identity. The belief that self-focused fun and leisure are vital during this life stage (Arnett, 2015b) is underscored by the ethic of autonomy, which was true for most of the participants in the study. However, in this study, it was found that enjoyment and leisure are also part of how God is. He is joy, and a person experiences joy because of Him. The fruit of the Spirit of God is in a person, and it is becoming a person’s identity. With regard to the ethic of community, it was found in this study that 1) spiritual identity unfolds within a sense of belonging. During emerging adulthood, the importance of being embedded in a net of relationships becomes a profound realisation. The imprinting of spiritual identity in a relational world has the ethic of community and the ethic of divinity at its heart. Secondly, it was found that the finding of a soulmate can enhance spiritual identity development. The belief that the basis of marriage should be romantic love (Arnett, 2015b) can be informed by the ethic of autonomy or community, but for the participants in this study, marriage was also the covenant and safe space for dedicated worshipping and love for the Lord. Marriage is seen as a trio or triangle, where God is an important part of the covenant. The ethic of divinity is the moral vein underlying this belief. Thirdly starting a family expands spiritual identity development. Being a member of a little group and having commitments and obligations, responsibilities, and roles in a family call on the ethic of community (Shweder et al., 1997; Jensen, 2008), but experiencing the birth of a child as a gift and wonder from a deity calls on the ethic of divinity. Lastly, support and guidance on the journey enhance growth. The experience of the importance of relational connectedness calls on the ethic of community, but the search for existential meaning and the human potential dealing with ultimate purpose calls on the ethic of divinity. With regard to the ethic of divinity, it was found in this study that spiritual identity is imprinted while growing up. Emerging adults start living what they have been taught (Barry et al., 2018), especially as it was observed in this study with regard to spirituality – “when it comes to the presence of a relationship with a higher power that affects the way in which one operates in the world” (Zinnbauer & Pargament, 2005, p. 23). Secondly, suffering becomes meaningful within a spiritual identity. Personal growth in their life stories, difficult life experiences as being transformative, and the move from suffering to an enhanced state formed the redemptive script of their stories (McAdams et al., 2006). Thirdly, faithfulness, humbleness, and awe were part of the journey, and were initiated when they were confronted with major life events. Gutierrez and Park (2015) found that emerging adults’ belief in God remained stable and suggested that emerging adults refine their basic understanding of fundamental worldview constructions when they are confronted with major life events. Finally, purpose and meaning are the ultimate part of spiritual identity. Culver and Lundquist Denton (2017) also found that perceived closeness (attachment) to God was linked to the sense of life purpose in emerging adults.This study contributes to the literature on spiritual identity, especially with regard to theethics of autonomy, community, and divinity. Rich contextual information regarding spiritual identity was provided. The ethics of autonomy, community, and divinity suggest a formulation of the unique ways in which people of various cultures and communities may form beliefs and values (Jensen, 2011; Shweder et al., 1997). The South African context is unique in terms of religiosity, and the identity-divinity link is prevalent in the spiritual identity journey of emerging adults
Art, place, death: the transformative power of dynamic thresholds
No full textIn this study I endeavour to analyse my position as an artist from the point of view of the
fields of art history and image studies, as well as across other fields, including mourning
and funerary practices. In so doing, I discover that in a variety of historical and cultural ways for many centuries, the psychic or imaginary edge or threshold between life and death has been challenged, bridged and moved across. This is of particular significance for my art and therefore I investigate how site, materiality and ritual | which span across works of art and funerary and mourning practices-may contribute to possibilities of healing or constructive engagement with death and loss. An analysis of the movement of the body, carrying objects and materials across the thresholds of significant places like cemeteries or art galleries, reveals that transferral may lead to the formation and translation of individualised transient inner images in the body. An exploration of materiality shows that material objects and their edge qualities" may be exploited in certain contexts-such as when engaging with death and loss-to challenge imaginary or psychic thresholds and thus enable healing. The interplay between the field of funerary practices and art-making processes clarifies the way in which ritual and ritualised processes comparably mediate the contradictory experience of the degeneration of the corpse and the need to embody continuity and thus enable healing. Based on, and expanding upon this research, I am able to envision and conceptualise future installation and land art projects
Indigenous knowledge systems, spatial planning and planning legislation: the case of Windhoek, Namibia
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Urban and Regional Planning))--University of the Free State, 2021Since the independence of Namibia in 1990, the social problems of the low-income areas persist despite the amendments of the laws to improve their well-being. However, planning in Namibia adopted a market-led approach to solve urban problems, and the good intentions of the various new policies and programmes did not reach all the residents in urban areas. The case study of the Havana settlement, a low-income area in Windhoek containing both formal and informal sections, exemplifies the skewed relationships between planning officials and residents. Although planning focuses on the provision of services and housing in low-income areas, the Havana case study demonstrated that there are other pressing needs which planning does not take into consideration. The lack of accessible and useful community open spaces for various sociocultural activities is a major concern. As a result, increased stress levels were observed in the Havana community, with negative consequences for the well-being of both the area and its residents.
Having adopted an indigenous knowledge system (IKS) lens, the study first elaborated on the past planning practices to illustrate how planning was involved in creating such deficits in the low-income areas, and how such approaches were re-adopted by the post-apartheid administrations and continue in different forms, despite amended legislation and policies. The evolution of the conventional modernist planning approaches was elaborated upon, followed by various post-modern critiques raised against planning tools such as collaborative and participatory planning practices.
To foreground IKS as an alternative or complementary planning approach, the study explored various cultural open spaces of two indigenous communities as case studies. The exploration was to identify which spatial IKS, still existing and useful, could be harnessed by planning as important tools that can assist in improving the well-being of the communities in low-income areas. The two cultural open spaces, the of the Ovawambo community, and the with its of the Ovaherero community, provided important insights in this regard. Aspects such as community respect, well-being, cooperation, environmental respect and care, are all issues which are being taught, lived and experienced at these cultural open spaces; hence their foregrounding in this study as essential spaces. The spatial IKS aspects revealed that planning, despite being caught up in neoliberal market-led policies, could still engage local knowledges to address the plight of the majority residents in low-income areas. These spatial IKS include cultural frameworks that empower local communities to help themselves and craft a better future for themselves and their long-term well-being. The study thus proposed for these spatial IKS to be included in legislation, policies and practices in Windhoek and the rest of the country.
The study was largely qualitative research. Interviews, informal discussions, group circles (focus groups) storytelling approaches, and participant observation in various traditional events were engaged to obtain as much information as possible. The findings and analysis deduced that planning policies and practices continue to exclude the marginalised urban communities such as those in Havana, some due to reliance on a single rational process of solving problems. The study revealed that spatial IKS does exist and could help planning in addressing the well-being of low-income residential areas and their residents.
It is hoped that the recommendations made in this study will enable, and lead to the improvement of relations through additional IKS input, between planners and their local communities, which could eventually lead to low-income areas such as Havana to be treated differently than in its current practice form. It is in this light, and the low levels of spatial IKS research and awareness in Namibia, that suggestions were made for further research on this topic be given increased consideration
Ethical corporate governance: the significance and impact of ethics in the South African corporate culture
No full textAbstract not availableSouth Africa’s transition to a constitutional democracy represented a significant moral
shift. This should have manifested in the foundational pillars of ethical value and
integrity resulting in a better life for all. However, South Africans have grown discontent
as they continue to be daunted by high-income inequality, low quality education and
unemployment. A nation juxtaposed between a modern (developed) economy with a
large scale of informality and sizeable wealth adjacent to pervasive poverty, which is
shaped by different forms of South Africa’s cities and rural life. Democracy in South
Africa, like in most countries on the continent, has been marked with disorder as
political unrest and rampant corruption continue to undermine the fabric of society. It
begs the question of whether South Africa could be facing economic challenges as a
result of the collapse of the foundational pillars of its ethical value systems (Hope and
Chikulo, 2000:1).
Over the last two decades, ethical corporate governance has attracted a great deal of
public interest because of its importance for the economic health of corporations and
society in general. In his June 2019 SONA President Ramaphosa emphasised the
commitment to building an ethical state. This recent focus on ethical governance
allows for the opportunity to reflect on South Africa’s corporate ethical culture. It does
so by looking at ethics as a key differentiator in a highly competitive international
market, where reputation and values are now as important as products and services.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of the State Capture unearthed
floundering and crucial information regarding corrupt activities involving the private
and public sectors in South Africa, the plague of unethical behaviour has never been
more widespread.
This research proposal is focused on scrutinising the significance and impact of ethics
in the South African corporate culture. At the outset, it is pertinent that culture is
positioned within the organisational context. Since the concept of organisational
culture surfaced in the late 1970s, it has been well accepted in organisations
(Schoeman, 2017:23). The regulatory corporate framework, the King IV Report
(2016:102) on Corporate Governance, puts emphasis on the topic of ethical cultur
Best practices for quality assessment in the clinical phase of undergraduate medical training
No full textMedical universities have a responsibility to ensure quality assessment of clinical competence when they certify that they produce competent medical practitioners who can integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes. The assessment of clinical competence is complex, and can be characterised by tension between validity, reliability and fairness, due to the assessment on the “does” level. The defined problem that was addressed is that assessment in the clinical phase of the undergraduate medical programme (MBChB) at the University of the Free State has not been reviewed critically or benchmarked against local and international standards. This thesis intended to benchmark clinical assessment practices against an assessment framework and then propose an action plan on how to bridge the gap between theory and practice when assessing clinical competence. A pragmatic approach was followed to address the practical problems of uncertainty regarding the quality of assessment. From a theoretical perspective, an abductive approach was used to achieve inference. An explanatory sequential mixed method research design was used. During triangulation, alignment of and gaps between theory and practice were identified and solutions recommended. A proposal with an action plan was drafted to enhance the quality of clinical assessment in the undergraduate medical programme. Firstly, an assessment framework to benchmark clinical assessment in undergraduate medical training was compiled. A rapid literature review of local, national and international official regulations and policies, supported by best evidence practices, were used to compile this assessment framework. In this framework, the three components of quality assessment, namely, accreditation, assessment and quality assurance, were addressed. In the second part of the study, current assessment practices were reviewed through data collected from three sources, namely, students, lecturers and student marks, to ensure that different aspects were included in the review. A questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was completed by clinical students in the undergraduate medical programme, to get the students’ perspectives on assessment. More than half the students were of the opinion that current assessments were not fair, and >90% complained about the lack of formal feedback after assessments. Secondly, the teaching and learning coordinators and module leaders of all the clinical departments involved in undergraduate medical training completed questionnaires on the assessment methods used in their departments. They also made recommendations for ways to improve current assessment practices. Using multiple choice questions and objective structured clinical evaluations were standard practice in most disciplines. Workplace-based assessment (WBA) was not well established and was only used in 30.1% of disciplines. The overemphasis on summative assessment was identified as an area for improvement. Thirdly, current assessment practices were evaluated for reliability. The decision reliability between end-of-block assessment and summative assessment was excellent, with a G-index of agreement of between 0.86 and 0.98. Using unobserved long cases during summative assessment was shown to be unreliable and questionable. During a formal focus group interview, answers were sought on how to bridge the gap between theoretical principles of quality assessment and current assessment practices. Finally, the researcher compiled a proposal with an action plan on how to enhance quality assessment in the clinical phase of the undergraduate medical programme. Most of the practices that compromise the quality of assessment can be addressed on an operational level, and will not be costly to implement. This includes training of assessors, implementation of WBA, effective feedback to students and blueprinting and moderating all assessments. Assessor training will improve the quality of assessments, and will also contribute to the professional development of assessors. Continuous WBA will have the ultimate effect of improving validity and reliability, which will benefit all stakeholders
Coarctation of the Aorta: a 10-year follow-up study of patients treated at the Department of Peadiatric Cardiology, Universitas Academic Hospital
No full textBackground: Coarctation of the aorta accounts for 6-8% of all congenital cardiac lesions. It can be treated surgically or percutaneously depending on the age and weight at presentation and associated cardiac lesions. Objectives: To describe the outcomes of management in patients with native coarctation of aorta with regard to re-intervention and mortality rate. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive review of patients with native coarctation of aorta was done at Universitas Academic Hospital using an electronic database. Included were patients who presented from 01 Jan 2007 – 31 Dec 2016, from birth to 19yrs. Results: The study comprised of 107 patients, median age of 33 days (1 – 4940) with a median weight of 3.9kg (1 – 53.5kg).Common associated cardiac lesions included PDA (n=61; 57%), bicuspid valves (n=41; 38.3%) and VSD (n=31; 29%). A total of 82 patients (75.7%) required an intervention in which 71(86.6%) had surgery with 12(14.6%) requiring a second intervention, while 11(13.6%) had percutaneous procedures with 7(63.6%) requiring a second intervention. Overall mortality was 17(15.9%), the cause of death in 14(82.4%) was cardiac related. Conclusion: From the results of this review surgery remains the preferred treatment for coarctation of the aorta and are associated with a lower recoarctation rate compared to percutaneous interventions
Exploring the criminalisation of rape in modern times: A comparative study
No full textDissertation (LL.M.(Public Law))--University of the Free State, 2021South Africa’s rape statistics are extensively reported on, familiar to all, and shock not only South Africans, but people across the globe. These rape statistics are alarming and emphasise the seriousness of the rate at which the crime of ‘rape’ is committed in South Africa. Below is a brief summary of reported rape statistics since 1988. During 1988, there were 19 308 cases of rape reported to the South African Police Service.¹ Before the end of the apartheid era in 1994, the rape of a black woman was not taken that seriously.² At the end of 1994, when the rape of black women was considered more serious, there were 44 751 reported cases of rape.³ During 2018/2019, the South African Police Service recorded 41 583 cases of rape, which amounted to approximately 114 cases of rape each day.⁴ A Gallup survey done in collaboration with Interpol during 2009 stated the following when the results were released: “A woman is raped every 17 seconds in South Africa”.⁵ This amounts to 5 000 women being raped per day; 35 000 women per week; 150 000 women per month; and 1 800 000 women being raped per year.⁶ Thus, when looking at the statistics mentioned above, it is understandable that South Africa has been labelled as the “Rape Capital of the World”.⁷ Traditionally, according to South Africa’s Common Law, women were seen as less important than men. During the late Middle Ages, from the 13th to the 15th century, the sentence for rape was a fine payable to the father of the victim.⁹ In 1841, rape was defined in South African law as the unlawful and intentional intercourse with a woman by a man.¹º After this development, sentencing developed in such a way that in 1887 the only sentence deemed fit for raping a woman was the death sentence.¹¹ Since 1994, there have been many developments in South Africa regarding the legal position of rape, especially concerning legislation dealing with the sentencing of rapists. The Common Law position concerning the sentencing of rape was repealed and the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 took effect in 1998. The Act abolished the death penalty in accordance with Constitutional Court ruling, and mandatory minimum sentences were set out for rape.¹
Fumarate hydratase deficient renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective study performed at NHLS Universitas Academic laboratories, 2001 to 2017
No full textDissertation (M.Med.(Anatomical Pathology))--University of the Free State, 2021Background: Fumarate hydratase deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH deficient RCC) has, in recent years, been described as part of a morphologic spectrum of renal tumours associated with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLCRCC) syndrome and is currently recognized as a distinct entity in the 2013 International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Vancouver classification of renal tumours and is included in the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. FH deficient RCC is an aggressive neoplasm which often presents at a high pathologic stage, with local and distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. FH deficient RCC has a wide variety of morphological patterns, however, the presence of pattern multiplicity, sarcomatoid/rhabdoid morphology and the presence of characteristic nuclear features, i.e. nuclei with prominent viral inclusion-like macronucleoli and perinuclear halos should prompt genetic testing of the tumour. Characteristic immunohistochemical staining patterns, i.e. loss of cytoplasmic expression of fumarate hydratase (FH) and aberrant nuclear expression of S-(2-succino)-cyteine (2SC) have a 100% positive predictive value for identifying FH deficient RCC, however, only FH is available for commercial use. Retention of cytoplasmic staining for FH does not exclude FH deficient RCC since the gene may still be functional in missense variants of the FH gene. To our knowledge, there is presently no published research regarding FH deficient RCC and its association with HLRCC syndrome in Africa. The impact of this disorder in South African patients, is therefore unknown. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the number and profile of patients with FH deficient RCC seen by the Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of the Free State over a 17-year period, from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2017. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed. All cases of primary renal cell carcinoma and RCC subtypes diagnosed between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2017 were included. An immunohistochemical stain for FH was performed on all the cases. All the cases with the typical phenotype for FH deficient RCC were submitted for molecular analysis and genotyping. Results: 172 patients were included in the study. Ninety (52.33%) were male and 82 (47.67%) were female. The mean age at presentation was 54.2 years and most patients presented in the 5th to 6th decades of life. All cases showed retained cytoplasmic staining with FH. One (0.58%) case of FH deficient RCC with the characteristic phenotype and a missense mutation in Exon 7 of the FH gene was identified. The patient was a 53-year-old black female and no information regarding the presence of uterine leiomyomas or family history of RCC was available. Conclusion: All cases of RCC displaying the typical phenotype of FH deficient RCC (whether immunolabeling for FH is retained or lost) should be submitted for molecular testing in order to identify patients with HLRCC syndrome or confirm the diagnosis of sporadic FH deficient RCC to minimize morbidity and mortality in such patients and their families.National Health Laboratory Service Research Trus