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Theories of change steering transformation at the UFS: a conceptual analysis
No full textThe historically white universities, particularly the Afrikaans-speaking in South Africa were seen to be determined not to transform. However, at the dawn of democracy, there seem to be eagerness to change. This was prompted by the National Education Policy Investigation (NEPI, 1992) and the National Commission of Higher Education (NCHE, 1996) that resulted in the increased participation of black students who were previously excluded from the historically white campuses. Due to the increase of black students a great number of challenges emerged, e.g. the revision of the curricula, teaching approaches and the universities’ autonomy. As a historically white university, the UFS had to follow the new democratic government instruction of transformation which was accelerated at beginning of the 20’s.
In order to trace the transformation initiatives at the UFS, a number of relevant documents was consulted, e.g. 1) Education policy documents on higher education, i.e. The Constitution of the RSA, NEPI-1992, NCHE-1997, Education White Paper 3-1997, National Plan For Higher Education-2001, Guidelines for Mergers and Incorporations-2003, the UFS Ministerial Reports on Transformation and Social Cohesion and the Elimination of Discrimination in Public Higher Education Institutions (2008), The Oversight Committee on university transformation-2013 and Higher Education South Africa (HESA) presentations to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education-2014. 2) Research articles advocating change in South African Education sector, 3) Academic and research articles advocating transformation at the UFS and 4) the Annual Reports of the UFS to the Minister of Higher Education & Training.
Meta-Analysis was performed on both the results of the survey that aimed at determining the perceptions and experiences of students and staff regarding race and ethnic issues at the UFS in 2010 (Louw, Jooste and Makae, 2011) and the results from the Perception Audit commissioned by the UFS in February 2014 with the objective of reinforcing the university’s commitment of stakeholders’ engagement and to its’ core values of academic excellence and human reconciliation.
A qualitative approach was followed and, guided by the interpretivist paradigm; a document analysis was performed on the above-mentioned documents. I devised a simple critical hermeneutics framework to keep the consistency of the document analysis. Five prominent theories of educational change were selected and their characteristics were used to do the matching exercise on the documents and surveys. These theories are: Survival is Optional, Action Theory, Innovation and Diffusion, System Psycho-dynamics and Post-Conflict Pedagogy. The two most prominent theories that emerged as explanatory theories for the transformation process at the UFS are: Action Theory and Survival is optional. This means that the need to implement strategies for change was driving the transformation process at the UFS for a large part. The driver of this action was top leadership of the university who knew what was required and how to execute the action plan. An interesting pattern emerged that in policy documents and university-generated documents, namely that all five theories of change featured, which is in contrast to the survey results in which Action Theory and Survival is Optional featured prominently. Amongst others, the conclusion is drawn that universities, as generators of knowledge, can do much better if their transformation processes are guided by explicit theoretical considerations. Also, stakeholder voices, as found in surveys, may give an indication of transformation that is probably a closer depiction of the trajectory that transformation takes than institutionally developed reports. The limitations of this study are acknowledged within the limits of what an interpretivist paradigm allows
Phytochemical and bioactivity investigations on Aptosimum elongatum Engl. Extracts
No full textIn ancient times, the use of plants for traditional medicinal purposes has formed the foundation of what we call modern medicine today. Phytochemical investigations of plants used in traditional medicine have led to the discovery of many active compounds used in drugs today. Aptosimum elongatum (Scrophulariaceae) is an indigenous South African plant that has been used by the Khomani bushman for traditional remedies, both human and veterinary. However, to our knowledge a full phytochemical investigation has never been performed on this plant. In the search for new bioactive constituents, the dried and ground aerial parts of A. elongatum were extracted consecutively with dichloromethane (DCM) and then methanol (MeOH). Five compounds were isolated from the two crude extracts via various chromatography techniques and were identified as glucosylated iridoids, a class of monoterpenoids. Several spectroscopic and spectrometry techniques were used for structure elucidation, including 1H and 13C 1D NMR, 2D COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY NMR experiments, high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and infrared spectra. The methanol crude extract yielded four compounds, three of which were identified as the known glucosylated iridoids angeloside (formerly isolated from Angelonia integerrima (Scrophulariaceae)), geniposidic acid, formerly isolated from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae)), and caryoptoside (formerly isolated from Lamium album (Lamiaceae)), and one novel glucosylated iridoid esterified at C-7 with a foliamenthoyl group, closely related to picconioside IV (formerly isolated from Picconia excelsa (Oleaceae), but with an extra hydroxy group. This compound was also isolated from the DCM crude extract, together with a second novel glucosylated iridoid, identical to the previous compound except for foliamenthoyl esterification at both C-7 and C-6′′ (glucose moiety). The crude MeOH and DCM extracts of A. elongatum showed moderate antioxidant activity, but only the DCM extract exhibited moderate inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, and GABAergic activity. Of the isolated compounds, caryoptoside and the mono foliamenthoate derivative showed antioxidant activity, and only the mono foliamenthoate derivative tested positive for AChE inhibition. Due to time constraints the isolated compounds have not been tested in the GABAergic assay. Glucosylated iridoids have been isolated from a number of plants belonging to the Scrophulariaceae, and even from the Aptosimum genus, but this is the first report on a phytochemical study of Aptosimum elongatum.National Research Foundation (NRF
Accuracy of iodine-131 activity quantification and dosimetry for three-dimensional patient-specific models
No full textIodine-131 (131I) therapy of thyroid related and other diseases is limited by critical organ toxicity. Therefore, accurate activity quantification and dose calculation are important to optimise dose to tumours while limiting dose to critical organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 131I activity quantification and dosimetry for three-dimensional (3-D) patient-specific models.
Retrospective patient Computed Tomography (CT) data were segmented to create clinically realistic patient 3-D voxel-based models. These were used to simulate Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) data with a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation software, which was validated against physical measurements. The simulated SPECT data were reconstructed using an ordered-subsets expectation maximization (OS-EM) algorithm which includes scatter correction, CT-based attenuation correction, and 3-D collimator-detector response compensation. Predetermined recovery coefficients were used to compensate for partial volume effects. Image counts were converted to activity by using a predetermined calibration factor.
The patients’ reconstructed activity maps and density maps were used to perform 3-D dosimetry with the MC program, LundADose. LundADose calculated mean tumour and organ absorbed doses were compared with OLINDA/EXM calculated mean absorbed doses using statistical analysis.
Validation of the simulation software resulted in a percentage difference of -6.50 % between the measured and simulated extrinsic energy resolution at the 131I peak energy of 364 keV and - 18.57 % error for the measured and simulated intrinsic energy resolution. The measured and simulated FWHM and FWTM of the camera for system spatial resolution had percentage differences of -7.41% and -7.38 % and an error of -1.50 % and -2.6 % for system sensitivity and collimator septal penetration fraction.
SPECT activity quantification was evaluated by comparing the true tumour activities defined for the patient models with the quantified activities obtained from the models’ reconstructed SPECT images. The quantification error for the studied patient models was < 9.0 % and < 5.1 % for 3.0 and 6.0 cm spherical tumours situated in the lungs (mean values were 3.9 ± 3.3 % and -1.6 ± 1.9 %). The error for the two tumours in the liver was < 11.2 % (mean values of 7.7 ± 3.9 % and 8.4 ± 2.9 %).
The mean percentage differences between the mean absorbed doses calculated by LundADose and OLINDA/EXM for the left lung, right lung, liver, 3.0 cm ‘tumour’ and 6.0 cm ‘tumour’ were comparable. These mean percentage differences were -2.23 ± 1.98 %, -3.06 ± 1.67 %, 1.31 ± 4.15 %, -28.44 ± 18.36 %, and -5.10 ± 2.87% for the listed organs and tumours when the 3.0 cm tumour was located in the lung and the 6.0 cm tumour in the liver. For the scenario where the 3.0 cm tumour was positioned in the liver and the 6.0 cm tumour in the lung, the corresponding results were -2.84 ± 3.42 %, -1.49 ± 2.68 %, 3.97 ± 4.12 %, -28.80 ± 5.05 %, - 8.21 ± 17.06 %.
The SIMIND MC model of the gamma camera was accurately validated with good agreement between results calculated from the physical measurements and simulation. Good accuracy of 131I activity quantification and 3-D dosimetry was found for 3-D patient-specific models. Statistical analysis of the results of the comparison of LundADose and OLINDA/EXM showed that the two dosimetry programs were strongly correlated with R2 values ranging from 0.85 to 1.00 for the mean absorbed dose in the various organs and tumours. Furthermore, the two (MC and MIRD) methods were found to agree well using Bland-Altman analysis of the dosimetry results. For 131I, activity quantification and dosimetric accuracy better than 10 % were achieved using state-of-the-art hybrid equipment and sophisticated correction methods for image degrading factors.NRF/STIN
Improving reading comprehension for English first additional language learners: a free voluntary reading approach
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Curriculum Studies))--University of the Free State, 2019This study aims to demonstrate how free voluntary reading (FVR) approach can be used to improve reading comprehension for English first additional language (EFAL) learners. It adopted a qualitative Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) and Social Constructivist Theory (SCT) as methodological and conceptual frameworks, respectively. In this regard, free attitude interviews, oral reflections and focus group discussions (workshops) were used to generate data from the ten participants in this study. The analysis and interpretation of this data was done at interpretive, descriptive and explanatory levels in accordance with Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). For this study to achieve its main aim, the following objectives were central. One, to establish the need for the use of the Free Voluntary Reading approach to improve reading comprehension for EFAL learners. Two, to identify the components and aspects necessary for free voluntary reading approach to improve reading comprehension for EFAL learners. Three, to determine the conditions suitable for the use of the Free Voluntary Reading approach to improve reading comprehension for EFAL learners. Four, to identify the possible threats to the use of the Free Voluntary Reading approach to improve reading comprehension for EFAL learners. This empirical data confirmed the existence of challenges in the teaching and learning of reading comprehension for EFAL learners. They included the following: persistent poor reading comprehension, continuous dependency on traditional pedagogic practices, a weak reading culture, and the use of English language. To circumvent the above-mentioned challenges, the study proposed the free voluntary reading approach and demonstrated how it could be used in this regard. For effective use, the approach must focus on both the macro level (outside the classroom) and micro level (inside the classroom). At the macro level, the focus is on needs identification process, context analysis, creation of vision and a road-map to overcome the challenges. At the micro level, emphasis is on context evaluation, co-lesson preparation, teacher-scaffolding, and peer scaffolding. The study found that mutual identification of the challenges that EFAL learners face pertaining to reading comprehension, creation of vision and setting out the road map to address the challenges, creation of a print-rich environment, instant access to reading materials, and co-lesson preparation are important in demonstrating how free voluntary reading approach can be used to improve reading comprehension for EFAL learners.
___________________________________________________________________Hierdie studie het ten doel om te demonstreer hoe die Gratis, Vrywillige Leesbenadering (GVL) gebruik kan word om die leesbegrip van Engels Eerste Addisionele Taal (EEAT) leerders te verbeter. Dit het 'n kwalitatiewe Deelnemende Aksie Leer en Aksie Navorsing (DALAN) en Sosiaal Konstruktivistiese Teorie (SKT) as onderskeidelik metodologiese en konseptuele raamwerke aangeneem. In hierdie verband is gratis houdingsonderhoude, mondelinge refleksies en fokusgroepbesprekings (werksessies) gebruik om data van die tien deelnemers aan hierdie studie te genereer. Die ontleding en interpretasie van hierdie data is op interpretatiewe, beskrywende en verklarende vlakke gedoen in ooreenstemming met Fairclough se Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Vir hierdie studie om sy hoofdoelwit te bereik, was die volgende doelwitte sentraal. Een, om die behoefte vas te stel vir die gebruik van die Gratis, Vrywillige Leesbenadering om leesbegrip vir EEAT-leerders te verbeter. Twee, om die komponente en aspekte wat nodig is vir die Gratis, Vrywillige Leesbenadering te identifiseer om leesbegrip vir EEAT-leerders te verbeter. Drie, om die voorwaardes te bepaal wat geskik is vir die gebruik van die Gratis, Vrywillige Leesbenadering om die leesbegrip van EEAT-leerders te verbeter. Vier, om die moontlike bedreigings vir die gebruik van die Gratis, Vrywillige Leesbenadering te identifiseer om die leesbegrip van EEAT-leerders te verbeter. Hierdie empiriese data het die bestaan van uitdagings in die onderrig en leer van leesbegrip vir EEAT-leerders bevestig. Hulle het die volgende ingesluit: aanhoudende swak leesbegrip, voortdurende afhanklikheid van tradisionele pedagogiese praktyke, 'n swak leeskultuur en die gebruik van Engelse taal. Om die bogenoemde uitdagings te omseil het die studie die Gratis, Vrywillige Leesbenadering voorgestel en gedemonstreer hoe dit in hierdie verband gebruik kan word. Vir effektiewe gebruik moet die benadering op beide die makrovlak (buite die klaskamer) en mikrovlak (binne die klaskamer) fokus. Op makrovlak is die fokus op die behoefte-identifiseringsproses, konteksanalise, die skep van visie en 'n padkaart om die uitdagings te oorkom. Op mikrovlak val die klem op konteksevaluering, mede-lesvoorbereiding, onderwyser-steierwerk en portuursteierwerk. Die studie het bevind dat wedersydse identifikasie van die uitdagings wat EEAT-leerders in die gesig staar met betrekking tot leesbegrip, die skep van ’n visie en die uiteensetting van die padkaart om die uitdagings aan te spreek, die skep van 'n drukryke omgewing, onmiddellike toegang tot leesmateriaal en klasvoorbereiding belangrik is om te demonstreer hoe die Gratis, Vrywillige Leesbenadering gebruik kan word om die leesbegrip van EEAT-leerders te verbeter.
___________________________________________________________________Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukukhombisa ukuthi indlela yokufunda mahhala ngokuzithandela ingasetshenziswa kanjani ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukuqonda kokufunda kwabafundi bolimi lwesiNgisi lokuqala olwengeziwe. Ucwaningo lwamukele i-Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) kanye ne-Social Constructivist Theory (SCT) njengezinhlaka zendlela kanye nemibono, ngokulandelana. Mayelana nalokhu, kusetshenziswe izingxoxo zamahhala ezithinta isimo sengqondo, ukucabanga ngokuphumisela kanye nezingxoxo zamaqembu (ama-workshops) ukuze kukhiqizwe idatha kubahlanganyeli abayishumi kulolu cwaningo. Ukuhlaziywa nokuchazwa kwale datha kwenziwe emazingeni okuhumusha, achazayo ngokuhambisana ne-Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Ukuze lolu cwaningo lufeze inhloso yalo enkulu, lezi zinhloso ezilandelayo beziwumgogodla. Okokuqala, ukuthola isidingo sokusebenzisa Indlela Yokufunda Ngokuthanda Kwamahhala ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukuqonda kokufunda kwabafundi besiNgisi ulimi lokwengeza. Okwesibili, ukuhlonza izingxenye nezici ezidingekayo endleleni yokufunda ngokuzithandela ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukuqonda kokufunda kwabafundi besiNgisi ulimi lokwengeza. Okwesithathu, ukunquma izimo ezifanele ukusetshenziswa kwendlela yokufunda Ngokuthanda Kwamahhala ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukuqonda kokufunda kwabafundi besiNgisi ulimi lokwengeza. Okwesine, ukuhlonza izinsongo ezingaba khona ekusetshenzisweni kwendlela yokufunda Ngokuthanda Kwamahhala ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukuqonda kokufunda kwabafundi besiNgisi ulimi lokwengeza. Le datha enobufakazi iqinisekisa ukuba khona kwezinselele ekufundiseni nasekufundeni ukuqonda kokufunda kwabafundi be-EFAL. Bahlanganisa lokhu okulandelayo: ukungaqondi kahle kokufunda okuqhubekayo, ukuncika okuqhubekayo emikhubeni yokufundisa yendabuko, isiko elibuthakathaka lokufunda, kanye nokusetshenziswa kolimi lwesiNgisi. Ukuze kugwenywe lezi zinselele ezibalulwe ngenhla, ucwaningo luphakamise indlela yokufunda ngokuzithandela futhi lwabonisa ukuthi ingasetshenziswa kanjani kulokhu. Ukuze isetshenziswe ngempumelelo, indlela yokwenza kufanele igxile kukho kokubili izinga eliphezulu (ngaphandle kwekilasi) kanye neleveli elincane (ngaphakathi kwekilasi). Ezingeni elikhulu, kugxilwa enqubweni yokuhlonza izidingo, ukuhlaziya umongo, ukwakhiwa kombono kanye nemephu yomgwaqo ukuze kunqotshwe izinselelo. Ezingeni elincanyana, kugcizelelwa ekuhlolweni kokuqukethwe, ukulungiselela izifundo ezihlanganyelwayo, isikafula sikathisha, kanye nokweseka kontanga. Ucwaningo luthole ukuthi ukuhlonza izinselelo abafundi besiNgisi ulimi lokwengeza ababhekana nazo eziphathelene nokufunda ngokuqondisisa, ukwakhiwa kombono kanye nokubeka ibalazwe lomgwaqo ukuze kubhekwane nezinselele, ukwakhiwa kwendawo enokuphrinta okucebile, ukufinyelela ngokushesha ezintweni zokufunda, kanye nokulungiselela isifundo kubalulekile ekuboniseni ukuthi indlela yokufunda yamahhala ingasetshenziswa kanjani ukuthuthukisa ukuqonda kokufunda kwabafundi be-EFAL.
___________________________________________________________________Diphuputso tsena di reretswe ho bontsha kamoo mokgwa wa ho bala ka kutlwisiso ka boithaopo le ka bolokolohi (FVR) ho ka sebediswang ka teng ho ntlafatsa ho bala ka kutlwisiso bakeng sa barutwana ba puo ya English ya Pele le Tlatsetso (EFAL). Di ananela tshebediso ya diphuputso ka ho hlalosa e le mekgwa ya diphuputso ya Participatory Action Learning le Action Research (PALAR) esita le Social Constructivist Theory (SCT) jwaloka moralo wa mokgwa le mohopolo ka ho latelana. Mabapi le tsena, dipuisano tsa maikutlo ka bolokolohi, ditlhaloso ka molomo le dipuisano tsa sehlopha se lekolwang (diwekeshopo) di sebedisitswe ho hlahisa dintlha tsa diphuputso ho tswa ho bankakarolo ba leshome diphuputsong tsena. Ho sekaseka le ho hlalosa dintlha tsena ho entswe maemong a ho fumana kutlwisiso, ho hlalosa le ho hlalosetsa ho ya ka kutlwisiso ya Fairclough ya Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). E le hore diphuputso tsena di fihlelle sepheo se seholo sa tsona, merero e latelang ke ya bohlokwa haholo. Tabeng ya pele, ho theha tlhoko ya ho sebedisa katamelo ya ho bala ka boithaopo le ka bolokolohi e le ho ntlafatsa ho bala ka kutlwisiso bakeng sa barutwana ba EFAL. Tabeng ya bobedi, ho hlwaya dikarolo tse tshwanelehang bakeng sa katamelo ya ho bala ka boithaopo le ka bolokolohi e le ho ntlafatsa mokgwa wa ho bala ka kutlwisiso wa barutwana ba EFAL. Tabeng ya boraro, ho theha maemo a tshwanelehang a ho sebedisa katamelo ya ho bala ka boithaopo le ka bolokolohi e le ho ntlafatsa ho bala ka kutlwisiso ha barutwana ba EFAL. Tabeng ya bone, ho hlwaya mathata a ka bang teng tshebedisong ya katamelo ya Ho bala ka Boithaopo le ka bolokolohi ha barutwana ba EFAL. Dintlha tsena tsa diphuputso di nnetefaditse ho ba teng ha diphephetso ha ho rutwa le ho ithuta ho bala ka kutlwisiso barutwaneng ba EFAL. Di kenyeleditse tse latelang: ho bala ka kutlwisiso ho fokolang, ho tswela pele ka ho itshetleha ka mekgwa ya kgale ya ho ruta, tlwaelo e fokolang ya ho bala, le tshebediso ya puo ya English. Bakeng sa ho qoba diphephetso tsena tse boletsweng ka hodimo, diphuputso di kgothaletsa hore ho be le katamelo ya ho bala ka boithaopo le ka bolokolohi mme di bile di bontshitse kamoo di ka sebediswang ka teng maemong ana. E le ho sebediswa ka tsela e hlwahlwa, katamelo ena e lokela ho toboketsa maemo ka bobedi e leng boemo bo akaretsang (ka ntle ho phaposi ya borutelo) le boemo bo ikgethileng (ka hare ho phaposi ya borutelo). Boemong ba kakaretso, ho toboketswa tshebetso ya ho hlwaya ditlhoko, tshekatsheko ya boemo, ho theha ponelopele le ho rala tataiso bakeng sa ho rarolla le ho fedisa diphephetso tsena. Boemong bo ikgethang, ho lokela ho toboketswa tekolo ya maemo, tokiso ya lenanethuto, kaho ya titjhere le kaho ya bomphato. Diphuputso di fihleletse hore ho hlwaya diphephetso ka kutlwano ya kopanelo e le diphephetso tse tobileng barutwana ba EFAL mabapi le ho bala ka kutlwisiso, ho theha ponelopele le ho hlophisa tataiso bakeng sa ho rarolla diphephetso, ho theha tikoloho e loketseng dikgatiso, phumano e potlakileng ya thepa ya ho bala, le ho lokisa lenanethuto, ke tsa bohlokwa bakeng sa ho bontsha kamoo katamelo ya ho bala ka boithaopo le ka bolokolohi di ka sebediswang ho ntlafatsa ho bala ka kutlwisiso bakeng sa barutwana ba EFAL.
___________________________________________________________________University of the Free State (UFS
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses towards assessment using performance reports in a Free State sub-district
No full textPerformance assessment reports are distinct to most well-established organisations and companies that strive to utilise their human resources for the benefit of growth and development. Moreover, understanding about employees’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding their duties of concern is fundamental to their compliance to rules of the companies they serve. However, in spite of the seemingly valuable contribution that the Performance Report, as part of the Performance Development and Management System, can make to improve the quality of service delivery in the Free State province, it seems that neither nurses nor supervisors are entirely comfortable with this assessment process. Rating scales and the consequences of receiving a specific rating seem to cause dissatisfaction among staff. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses towards assessment, using a performance report in public hospitals in Maluti-A-Phofung municipal area.
The study followed a descriptive quantitative research approach. Approval to conduct the study was obtained from Health Science Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of the Free State, and the Free State Department of Health. Three hospitals in Maluti-A-Phofung (one regional hospital and two district hospitals) were selected for the study. All nurses who were not on any type of leave and who were not part of management formed the study sample (n = 187). Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. The predesigned KAP (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) questionnaire was based on Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Frequencies and percentages for categorical data were used as part of the descriptive statistics. Participants were professional nurses (n = 119; 63%), enrolled/staff nurses (n = 21; 11.1%) and enrolled nursing auxiliary/assistant nurses (n = 49; 25.9%). The knowledge component was discussed based on behavioural and normative beliefs and subjective norms. The behavioural beliefs of participants were likely to predict positive attitudes towards performance assessments. Normative beliefs ranging from 87.3% to 98.4%, according to TPB (grounded on what significant others/other nurses believe), should influence participants’ assessment-related behaviours positively, while subjective norms were closely aligned to normative beliefs of other nurses. Statements projecting subjective norms overwhelmingly predicted positive performance-assessment-related behaviours. Participants’ control beliefs were assessed based on self-development opportunities as an example of control they may/may not be able to exert in their particular circumstances. In this case, the results implied that participants could not assert much control over engagement in self-development opportunities. In relation to participants’ perceived behavioural control, the researcher focused on factors that may assist participants to develop professionally and factors that would prevent them from developing professionally. The findings of the study imply that factors that seemed to impact on participants’ professional development were based on lack of resources, and managerial constraints. Regarding participants’ attitudes, the median (83.3%; n = 157), within a range of 16.7% - 100%, influenced specific behaviour (participants’ attitudes influenced specific behaviour as implied by the median and the indicated range). This implied that participants had generally positive attitudes towards performance-assessment-related behaviours, in spite of negative attitudes towards the need to place patients’ needs before their own. Practices were assessed based on intention, actual behaviour and behaviour. Concerning intentions, most participants had very strong intentions to act out certain performance- assessment-related behaviours, despite their low intentions regarding personal development. Regarding the actual behaviour, the median percentage leading to behaviour was 100% (range: 0 – 100%), which implies that participants had strong positive perceptions regarding practical means to act out certain behaviours related to performance-assessment reports, even though it is interesting that a lower score was seen on the issue related to involvement in self-development programmes. The results of participants’ past behaviours suggest that they have been able to carry out behaviours related to performance reports, however, they experience some difficulty in carrying out behaviours related to participation in in-service training for self-development. The recommendations of the study are packaged in tables that delineate the information related to the KAP of participants in relation to the components of the TPB. Specific statements of interest from the questionnaire were selected to structure the recommendations (for example, behavioural beliefs: maintenance of patient hygiene, assistance with elimination process; normative beliefs: monitoring of administration of medications; subjective norms: operation of all relevant apparatus and equipment; control beliefs: seeking learning opportunities; attitude: serving the public in an unbiased and impartial manner in order to create confidence in the public service; intention: seeking learning opportunities such as in-service-training courses; actual behaviour and behaviour: seeking learning opportunities such as in-service training, commitment through timely service to the development and upliftment of all South Africans). The findings of the study lead to recommendations that are specific to the provincial management of the Free State Department of Health and institutional management, to institute periodic job compliance by monitoring and reinforcing in-service training, and to establish posts for clinical facilitators for different specialty areas at institutions
Intralesional cryotherapy to treat exophytic keloids: the Universitas Hospital Bloemfontein experience
No full textThe skin is composed of labile cells, which to some extent can regenerate, but in cases of deep and significant damage, healing occurs by secondary intention with subsequent scar formation. Keloids are wound scars that grow beyond the original wound site and are characterized by an overabundance of collagen at the injured site, in a craw like fashion that distinguish them from hypertrophic scars. They result from dermal injury, mostly from trauma, infection and burns, and at times, they occur spontaneously. Keloids commonly occur on the earlobes, back, shoulders and chest and can be a major source of embarrassment and anxiety. These scars can also be painful and itchy. The prevalence of keloids is higher among patients with darker skin especially in Africans and Asians. Treatment options for these scars vary, however, a high recurrence rate after such treatments have been reported. Some modalities have sporadically yielded better outcomes, more so when used in combinations. It is therefore important to find a treatment that is safe, non-toxic and with reduced chances of recurrence in affected individuals. Intralesional cryotherapy is a treatment for keloid scars in which liquid Nitrogen is used to freeze the scar from inside.
This study therefore sought to treat exophytic keloids with intralesional liquid Nitrogen (Cryotherapy) as a deep-freeze from the core of the keloid under local anaesthetic. This adds a newer method of keloid management contributing towards standardizing exophytic keloid management. A prospective case series was conducted among twelve patients attending the Dermatology outpatient department, at Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein from 1 August 2016 to 01 March 2017. These patients were seen at the initial visit, then at six weeks and six months respectively.
All the subjects were Africans, with 7 (58.3%) being female and 5 (41.7%) male. A third of the patients (4) (33.3%) had more than one site of involvement. Significant reduction in the exophytic keloidal mass post deep-freezing, irrespective of the keloid area, duration, gender and cause was observed among these patients. Two-thirds of these patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with the clinical outcome of the scar at six months.
The use of intralesional cryotherapy for exophytic keloids has potential to become the main modality of treatment in future. Our study had some limitations including a small sample size, relatively high rate of patients lost to follow up (33.3%) and some unanticipated technical difficulties
Density functional theory calculations and electrochemistry of octahedral M(L,L’-BID)3complexes, L and L’ = N and/or O and M = selected transition metals
No full textIn this thesis “Density functional theory calculations and electrochemistry of octahedral M(L,L’-BID)3
complexes, L and L’ = N and/or O and M = selected transition metals” the focus is on density
functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrochemistry of octahedral M(N,N,N)22+ and M(N,N)3
2+
complexes with M = Co or Fe and N,N,N = the tridentate terpyridine(tpy) ligand (with three N donor
atoms) and N,N = bipyridine (bpy), phenanthroline (phen) or substituted bpy and phen ligands (with
two N donor atoms). Many linear correlations were obtained between the experimentally measured
redox potentials and DFT calculated energies of the different series of complexes. DFT may thus
assist to decrease research time and cost in the lab through the use of these correlations to design
related complexes with the desired redox potential as needed for mediators and dyes in dye
sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The results obtained on the ligands and complexes investigated, are
presented in four main publications, namely on (i) phenanthroline and substituted phen ligands, (ii)
Co(phen)3
2+ where phen = phenanthroline and substituted phen ligands, (iii) polypyridine ligands
(tpy, bpy or substituted bpy ligands) and Co(II)-polypyridine complexes and (iv) a series of Fe(II)
complexes containing tpy, bpy, phen and substituted bpy and phen ligands. The correlations made between the experimentally determined reduction potentials of the
uncoordinated, substituted phenanthrolines as well as the density functional theory calculated
energies and properties of the ligands (both the neutral and reduced phenanthrolines) are
presented first. The electrochemical study shows irreversible reduction of the uncoordinated free
phenanthrolines. Chloride substituents, which are electron withdrawing, on the 4 and 7 positions of
the phenanthrolines, increase the measured reduction potential by 0.3 V and the methyl
substituents, which are electron donating, lead to the decrease, or lowering, of the reducing
potential when compared with the unsubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline. Linear correlations are
obtained between the DFT calculated properties and energies when compared with the
experimental reduction potentials of phenanthrolines containing non-aromatic substituents. Nonaromatic
substituents affect the electron density across the phenanthrolinic ring system solely via σ-
induction effects. Phenylic substituents on the phenanthroline ring system donate electron density
through both σ-induction and π-resonance effects, which leads to a deviation from the trends
observed. These dual donation effects, allow the phenanthroline system to more easily accept
electrons at less negative, or higher, potentials than expected. Comparison between the reduction
potential of metal coordinated phenanthrolinic complexes (M = Fe, Ru and Cu) and the reduction
potential of unbound ligands, provided linear correlations. Electrochemical studies of a series of phenanthrolines coordinated to a Co(II) metal center are
presented and illustrate 3 redox events in each of the investigated series (containing both
substituted and unsubstituted phenanthrolines). An electrochemically and chemically reversible
Co(III/II) couple is observed as well as a Co(II/I) couple, also reversible in both respects. A ligand
based reduction is also observed at potentials lower than the potentials observed for both of the
metal centered redox events. The electron withdrawing or donating capability of the substituents on
the coordinated phenanthroline ligands influences the density of electrons on the Co metallic center
similarly to those results obtained in the electrochemical and DFT study of the uncoordinated, free
ligands, leading to linear correlations between the different redox couples and calculated theoretical
energies. The next material presented is an investigation into the properties of a series of bipyridines that are
coordinated to the Co(II) metal center. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations focussed on
the structure of the Co(II) complexes, as well as the oxidized Co(III) and reduced Co(I) complexes,
also identifying the locus of the experimentally observed redox processes. Low spin DFT calculations
of the Co(II)-bpy complexes showed shorter equatorial and longer axial Co-N bonds which is
classified as elongation Jahn-Teller distortion. The Co(II)-tpy complex is shown to possess four longer
distal Co-N bonds and two shorter axial Co-N bonds which is classified as compression Jahn-Teller
distortion. Similar trends were observed in the calculations performed of the high spin Co(II)
complexes. The electrochemical investigation showed three redox couples, that are both
electrochemically and chemically reversible, which are the Co(III/II) couple, Co(II/I) couple as well as
the ligand based reduction (at lower potentials than the potentials of the metal centered redox
processes), similar to the results obtained for the series of Co-phen complexes. Comparison of the
free, uncoordinated ligand’s reduction potential with the results from this study, shows a reduction
potential 0.5 V more negative than the reduction potential observed for the reduction of the
coordinated ligand in the associated Co(I) complex. Lastly a comparative investigation of the oxidation of an Fe(II) metal center coordinated series of
phenanthrolines, bipyridines and terpyridine are presented. The electrochemical results showed the
Fe(II/III)oxidation range varies from 0.363 V up to 0.894 V with tris(3,6-dimethoxybipyridyl)Fe2+
exhibiting the lowest and tris(5-nitrophenanthroline)Fe2+ the highest oxidation potential. Also noted
from this study is the role of the substituent’s position on the coordinating ligand on the
electrochemical properties of the Fe(II) complexes, i.e. the oxidation potential is 0.669 V for the
complex containing a methyl substituent on the 5-phen position (on the inner phenanthroline ring)
and 0.613 V for the complex containing a methyl substituent on the 4-phen position (on the outer phenanthroline ring). Density functional theory calculations, performed on the oxidized, reduced
and neutral complexes provided optimized electronic energies for each state allowing for
correlations between the calculated energies and the experimentally determined results.
Considerations between closely related complexes, which allows for linear correlations, showed
good correlations for the two considered series (bipyridine and phenanthroline), with R2 > 0.9.
Renderings of the molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) illustrate that the top three HOMOs are
metal-centric, with the directional transfer of the charge during UV/vis excitation to the six lowest
LUMOs, which are ligand-centric.National Research Foundation (NRF)University of the Free Stat
Evaluation of recombinant Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) as candidate vaccine delivery vectors for rotavirus VP7 and NSP4
No full textRotavirus (RV) is one of the leading causes of neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD), a disease which has a devastating impact on the agricultural industry due to high morbidity and mortality rates. There is also mounting evidence for interspecies transmission of RV from animals to humans which contribute to strain diversity and stresses the need for a One Health approach in RV control. The development of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) reverse-genetic system has opened up ways in which attenuated NDV La Sota can be used as a vaccine vector in non-avian species. Natural host-range restrictions and an inability to combat the host’s innate immunity, has rendered the use of attenuated NDV in mammals inherently safe. Since NDV is antigenically distinct from common animal pathogens, it will not be recognized by a pre-existing immunity. By utilizing the genome sequence of a South African bovine group A RV, recombinant NDVs were engineered to express RV outer capsid protein, VP7, and enterotoxin protein, NSP4. Protein expression was confirmed by immunofluorescent monolayer assay (IFMA) and western blot analysis. The ability of the recombinant NDVs to elicit humoral immune responses were evaluated in laboratory-bred adult mice. Vaccination was done twice via the oronasal or subcutaneous route and blood samples were collected 3 weeks after each immunization. The serums of the vaccinated mice were analysed for RV-related humoral immune responses by IFMAs and virus neutralization assays. Immune responses induced in mice dosed with rNDV-VP7 were suboptimal and lacked neutralizing ability for either mode of administration. This might be explained by a loss of antigenic determinates resembling those of the native protein when VP7 is expressed in the absence of other RV proteins. Immune responses induced in rNDV-NSP4 vaccinated mice were promising and correlated well with an oronasal route of administration. It has been reported that antibodies directed against NSP4 have the capacity to neutralize the enterotoxicity of the protein and reduce the severity of RV-related diarrhoea during the early stages of infection. In addition, NSP4 has been shown to have adjuvant properties. This study indicates the potential of rNDV-NSP4 in a combination vaccine which might help to prevent diarrhoea in new-born calves and increase the immune responses towards a co-administered antigen.National Research Foundation (NRF)Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF
Knowledge of respiratory dysfunction among nurses working in surgical wards at Universitas Academic Hospital
No full textBackground: Clinical deterioration in ward patients leading to adverse events such as cardiac arrest, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death is often preceded by respiratory dysfunction. Monitoring of ward patients is nurse-led; therefore, their knowledge and skill are crucial to identifying the deteriorating patient and to make decisions on escalating patient care. Although knowledge is a prerequisite for quality of nursing care, performing well on test is not an indicator of the quality of care. The design of a reliable knowledge test involves the structured development of the task to be carried out, and methods for each with their underlying theoretical basis which is often in psychology, psychometry and education. Objectives: This study assesses the performance of the surgical ward nurses on a single best answer knowledge test based on respiratory dysfunction. Method: Nurses working at an academic hospital surgical wards participated in this cross-sectional study from 20th to 26th April 2018. Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire with two sections: one section for demographic data and the second section consisted of nine (9) single best answer multiple-choice questions. Results: Out of 95 ward staff, 78 were eligible to take part in the study. Of these, 50/78 (64%) agreed to take part and responded to the questionnaire and test. A desirable score of no more than two incorrect answers was set (77%), and this was achieved by 16 % of study participants. The lowest mark achieved was one correct out of 9 (11%), and the highest score was 8 out of 9 (89%), with a median mark of 5.0 and interquartile range 4.0-6.0. Conclusion: There was a wide range of performance on the knowledge test by all grades of nurses, with only 16% scoring correctly on seven or more questions. Respiratory deterioration in surgical patients is poorly understood, and failure to diagnose it may be an important factor in the development of surgical complications leading to delayed intervention, morbidity and mortality. Although nurses are the first-line caregivers, the interventions are doctor-led, requiring a communication and action loop that involves a team and systems approach
Luminescent properties of YOF phosphor for solar cell application
No full textThe luminescent properties of yttrium oxyfluoride (YOF) phosphor doped and co-doped with different ions (praseodymium (Pr3+), cerium (Ce3+), ytterbium (Yb3+), bismuth (Bi3+) and holmium (Ho3+)) were investigated for c-Si solar cell application. The pyrolysis method with trifluoroacetate (CF3COO) as precursor was used to synthesize all the powders. Investigations were done on the crystal structure, the surface morphology, surface and optical properties. The X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited a crystalline phase of stoichiometric rhombohedral YOF (space group: R3 ̅m (166)) after annealing at 900 0C. The crystallite sizes for the YOF:Pr3+ sample, decreased with an increase in Pr3+ doping concentrations. During thermal decomposition from CF3COO to YOF (600 0C to 900 0C), the scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM) images showed an agglomeration of small particles ( 500 nm. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) high-resolution peak fits for the high Pr3+ doped sample (YOF: 0.5 % Pr3+) revealed two Pr oxidation states, Pr3+ and Pr4+. Annealing in air caused the formation of a small amount of Pr4+. The photoluminescent (PL) excitation spectra showed an intense band at 250 nm with weaker bands at 456, 470 and 483 nm. The weaker bands were ascribed to the 4f-4f 3H4-3P2, 3H4-1I6, 3P1 and 3H4-3P0 transition bands of the Pr3+ ion, respectively. The green Pr3+ PL emission was ascribed to the 4f-4f [3P0-3H4] and [3P0-3F2] transitions at 498 nm and 659 nm, respectively. A YOF:Ce3+ sample was synthesized in order to predict the value of the Pr3+ 4f-5d level in the YOF host. The PL excitation and emission results obtained showed that the lowest 4f-5d excitation of Pr3+ in this host has to peak around 250 nm. The 250 nm band was therefore ascribed to the 4f-5d band of Pr3+ in the YOF host. The optimum Pr3+ concentration for the PL emission was recorded for the sample doped with 0.3 % of Pr3+. Concentration quenching occurred through a cross relaxation process due to dipole-quadrupole interactions. Near infra-red (NIR) emission for the 0.3 % Pr3+ doped sample during excitation of 250 nm showed multi narrow peaks in the range between 885 nm and 1120 nm that corresponded to the 3P0 → 1G4 and the 1D2 → 3F3, 3F4 transitions. The decay lifetimes were calculated to be in the μs range. YOF:Pr3+, Yb3+ samples were investigated for down-conversion applications for c-Si solar cells. The SEM images showed an agglomeration and melting of small particles to form bigger particles. XPS’s high-resolution peak fits for the high Pr3+ co-doped Yb3+ sample (YOF: 0.3 % Pr3+, 6 % Yb3+) revealed two Pr oxidation states, Pr3+ and Pr4+. The presence of Pr4+ was due to the annealing in ambient air. The deconvolution of the Yb 4d peak showed only the 4d5/2 peak that was ascribed to Yb3+. The Pr3+ visible (VIS) emission’s excitation spectra showed an intense 4f-5d band of Pr3+ at 250 nm accompanied with weaker 4f-4f peaks at 456, 470 and 483 nm. These weaker 4f-4f peaks were ascribed to the 3H4-3P2, 3H4-1I6, 3P1 and 3H4-3P0 transition of Pr3+, respectively. The VIS green PL emission was due to the 4f-4f [3P0 → 3H4] and [3P0 → 3F2] transitions at 498 nm and 659 nm, respectively. Quenching of the Pr3+ green emission was due to the energy transfer to Yb3+ ions through the cross-relaxation mechanism with a dipole-dipole interaction. The Yb3+ IR emission’s excitation spectrum revealed a new band at 225 nm that overlapped with the 4f-5d band of Pr3+. The band at 225 nm was ascribed to the charge transfer band of Yb3+ due to electron transfers from the O2- 3p6 level to the 4f13 level of Yb3+. Excitation with 225 nm showed the typical Pr3+ VIS emission and this confirmed the nature of the 225 nm band as a charge transfer band. Excitation with 250 nm showed multinarrow peaks in the IR range between 885 nm and 1120 nm that corresponded to the Pr3+ 3P0 → 1G4 and 1D2 → 3F3, 3F4 transitions and to the 2F7/2 → 2F5/2 transition of Yb3+. Upon excitation of 225 nm, the IR emission showed only emission of Yb3+ transitions with almost no traces of Pr3+ emission. The optimum IR emission for both excitations was recorded with a Yb3+ content of 2 % and a constant Pr3+ content of 0.3 %. The decay times for VIS and IR emissions were calculated to be in the microseconds range. The investigations of YOF:Bi3+ were done at room temperature. Auger electron spectroscopy results showed that Bi was homogeneously distributed on the surface of the sample. XPS showed two doublet peaks for the Bi 4f region which were attributed to Bi3+ ions and Bi metal. PL studies revealed an asymmetric broad ultraviolet (UV) emission band centered at 314 nm that originated from the 3P1 → 1S0 A band of Bi3+. The excitation band was a symmetric broad band centered at 267 nm and corresponded to the 1S0 → 3P1 A band with a Stokes shift of 47 nm. This excitation overlapped with a metal to metal charge transfer band of Bi3+. The optimum concentration for maximum luminescence intensity was 0.4 mol % of Bi3+ and the quantum yield of this sample was about 60 %. The decay curves of the prepared samples were also investigated and the lifetimes were found to be in the microsecond range. Bi3+ was investigated as sensitizer for Ho3+ emission in the YOF:Bi3+, Ho3+ phosphor in the VIS and IR regions. The PL studies of YOF:Bi3+, Ho3+ were investigated for energy transfer possibilities for IR emission. The morphology investigations revealed agglomerations of small particles into bigger particles that developed during annealing. XPS high resolution peak fits for the high concentration co-doped sample (YOF: 0.4 mol % Bi3+, 5 mol % Ho3+) revealed overlapping of Bi 4f and Ho 4d peaks with the Y 3d peak. PL excitation spectra showed an intense 1S0 → 3P1 Bi3+ band at 265 nm that dominated the 4f-4f Ho3+ peaks at 360 nm and 449 nm. VIS PL emission was done upon 449 nm and 265 nm excitation. The UV emission that peaked at 314 nm upon 265 nm excitation was ascribed to the 3P1 → 1S0 transition of Bi3+. The emissions at 538 nm and 753 nm were ascribed to the 5F4,5S2 → 5I8 and 5F4,5S2 → 5I7 transitions of Ho3+ with the optimum concentration of Ho3+ obtained at 2 mol %. IR emission occurred for both the 449 nm and 265 nm excitations, respectively. The IR emissions that peaked at 1014 nm and 1200 with weak emission at 1400 nm were ascribed to the 5F4,5S2 → 5I6, 5I6 → 5I8 and 5F4,5S2 → 5I5 transitions of Ho3+, respectively. The decay times for both Bi3+ and Ho3+ in the VIS and IR regions were calculated to be in the microseconds range. A great enhancement of the emission in the IR and VIS regions have been achieved. Despite the efficient energy conversion in the Bi3+, Ho3+ system, enhancement of the energy flow from Bi3+ to Ho3+ needs to be considered. This will reduce the dissipated energy into many unnecessary manifolds of Ho3+ and direct it to the range of spectral absorption of Si-SC. Tunable emission was achieved through Ho3+ co-doped Bi3+ doped YOF for optoelectronic applications. Cathodoluminescent (CL) studies were investigated under electron beam irradiation (5 keV) for both YOF: x mol % Bi3+ (x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8) and YOF: 0.4 mol % Bi3+, x mol % Ho3+ (x = 0.8, 1.4, 2, 3, 4, 5) samples. The morphology investigations revealed agglomerations of small particles into bigger particles that developed during annealing. XPS’s surveys for the YOF: 5 mol % Bi3+ and the YOF: 0.4 mol % Bi3+, 5 mol % Ho3+ samples revealed the presence of all elemental compositions. UV CL emission for the YOF:Bi3+ samples were ascribed to the 3P1 → 1S0 transition of Bi3+ at 314 nm and the VIS emission at 624 nm to the 2P3/2 (1) → 2P1/2 transition of Bi2+. Bi2+ were created during CL excitation as a result of ionization. The CL emission of the YOF:Bi3+, Ho3+ samples in the UV and VIS regions peaked at 316 nm, 540 nm and 624 nm and were ascribed to the 3P1 → 1S0, 5F4,5S2 → 5I8 and 2P3/2 (1) → 2P1/2 transitions of Bi3+, Ho3+ and Bi2+, respectively. The fitted International commission on Illumination (CIE) coordinates of the YOF:Bi3+, Ho3+ samples showed a tunable CL emission from green to yellow and orange.National Research Foundation (NRF)South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI)University of the Free Stat