11613 research outputs found
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The socio-economic impacts of mine closure: A case study of Ga-Nala in Mpumalanga
No full textDissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2022The finite nature of natural resources compels the downscaling and closure of mines.
While the environmental aspects of mine closure have been significantly dealt with in
research and international literature, the socio-economic factors of closure have not
received adequate attention. This study examines the experiences of ordinary miners
and the general community on the socio-economic consequences of downscaling and
mine closure. A qualitative research methodology was applied with the experiences of
participants placed under investigation. The study conducted reveals that the neglect of social and economic consequences
of mine closure results in the failure of mine closure processes. Furthermore, the study
shows that although there have been some significant inroads to the advancement
and transformation of South African legislation regarding mine closure policy, more
effort is still required to strengthen the regulation of mining operations to ensure
sustainability. Together with mining institutions, the government and all relevant stakeholders have
the joint responsibility to improve oversight strategies and initiatives to respond to
mines' inevitable downscaling and closure. Amongst many recommendations, the
study points to industrial transformation, the implementation of skills development,
skills transfer programmes and labour mobility schemes to respond to the inevitable
downscaling and closure of mines
Recent advances and opportunities in the study of Candida albicans polymicrobial biofilms
No full textIt is well known that the opportunistic pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, can form polymicrobial biofilms with a variety of bacteria, both in vitro and in vivo, and that these polymicrobial biofilms can impact the course and management of disease. Although specific interactions are often described as either synergistic or antagonistic, this may be an oversimplification. Polymicrobial biofilms are complex two-way interacting
communities, regulated by inter-domain (inter-kingdom) signaling and various molecular mechanisms. This review article will highlight advances over the last six years (2016-2021) regarding the unique biology of polymicrobial biofilms formed by C. albicans and bacteria, including regulation of their formation. In addition, some of the consequences of these interactions, such as the influence of co-existence on antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence, will be discussed. Since the aim of this knowledge is to inform possible alternative treatment options, recent studies on the discovery of novel anti-biofilm compounds will also be included. Throughout, an attempt will be made to identify ongoing challenges in this area.Publisher's versio
Developing and enforcing fracking regulations to protect groundwater resources
No full textUnconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction can augment energy supplies in countries with viable gas resources, but it risks damaging water resources. Water supply problems for fracking can also limit UOG extraction, especially in water-stressed regions. Regulations are one of the main tools used to minimize UOG extraction impacts on water resources. Many states in the US and Canada have extensive regulations to protect water resources during UOG extraction but they are often ineffective, either because they were poorly drafted or because they are not properly enforced. South Africa is a water-scarce, groundwater-dependent country that is considering UOG extraction in the future. South African groundwater experts were surveyed on what regulations are needed to protect groundwater resources and how to enforce them. This study recommends specific UOG extraction regulations to protect groundwater resources, which are not only relevant to South Africa, but also to other countries that extract UOG resources.Publisher's versio
Identifying quality protein maize inbred lines for improved nutritional value of maize in Southern Africa
No full textMalnutrition, as a result of deficiency in essential nutrients in cereal food products and consumption of a poorly balanced diet, is a major challenge facing millions of people in developing countries. However, developing maize inbred lines that are high yielding with enhanced nutritional traits for hybrid development remains a challenge. This study evaluated 40 inbred lines: 26 quality protein maize (QPM) lines, nine non-QPM lines, and five checks (three QPM lines and two non-QPM lines) in four optimum environments in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The objective of the study was to identify good-quality QPM inbred lines for future hybrid breeding efforts in order to increase the nutritional value of maize. The QPM lines had a lower protein content (7% lower) than that of the non-QPM lines but had 1.9 times more tryptophan and double the quality index. The lysine- and tryptophan-poor y-zein protein fraction was 41% lower in QPM than in non-QPM, with a subsequent increase in y-zein. There was significant variation within the QPM inbred lines for all measured quality characteristics, indicating that the best lines can be selected from this material without a yield penalty. QPM lines that had both high protein and tryptophan levels, which can be used as parents for highly nutritious hybrids, were identified.Publisher's versio
Youth participation in agriculture, accounting for entrepreneurial dimensions
No full textBackground: Despite the high youth unemployment levels, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, participation in the agricultural sector remains low. The agricultural sector provides valuable opportunities of employment, which could contribute towards relieving the high levels of unemployment and enhancing livelihoods of families in rural areas. Youth are also seen as the future of the agricultural sector and food production.
Aim: To determine whether entrepreneurial dimensions, along with assets within the sustainable livelihoods framework, influences participation of youth in the agricultural sector.
Setting: Focus is on youth and the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors on their participation in the agricultural sector.
Methods: Entrepreneurial dimensions of 440 youth participants were derived from statements related to entrepreneurial skills and competencies by means of principal component analysis and combined with factors from the sustainable livelihood framework in a multinomial logistic regression.
Results: It was found that the youth are heterogeneous in their endogenous and exogenous resources. Youth involved in the sector are more likely to have access to land and extension services, experience in the sector and support initiatives. In terms of entrepreneurial dimensions, youth involved are more inclined to believe in themselves and are more likely to take advantage of opportunities (pull entrepreneurship). The results show that policies and programmes should consider both endogenous and exogenous factors and combinations thereof to attract and enhance youth participation in the agricultural sector.
Conclusion: Policy and programme development should consider the heterogeneity of youth in terms of their access to resources and entrepreneurial dimensions to enhance their participation in the agricultural sector. Participation in agriculture requires more than only access to land, and other individual physical resources attention should also be given to endogenous factors of individuals and combinations of different resources.Publisher's versio
Determinants of rural household livelihood dependence on non-timber forest products: a case study from Inanda Community, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textNatural forest resources are the most accessible sources of services, products and incomes for many adjacent rural communities. However, the declining resilience of forests and agricultural sectors particularly in South Africa is concerning and a real public policy challenge. Little is known about the determinants of rural community dependence on natural forests, and the importance of this dependence to rural livelihoods and environmental outcomes. This study investigated factors affecting rural household level of forest dependence and the contribution of natural forests to rural household livelihoods in the “KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS)” ecosystem. Employing survey data from 150 forest-dependent households and a logit-transformed Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, the study found that there is significant level of forest dependence in the study area. The empirical findings showed that the contribution of forest resources to rural livelihoods is significantly influenced by off-farm incomes, employment incomes, forest vouchers received from the “Wildlands Project” in exchange for planting trees, values of household assets, changing of time and dates in visiting the forest for the collection of forest products, and perceived changes in temperature. These findings imply that institutional arrangements for programs like the “Wildlands Project” need to be developed from the beginning with the participation of all pertinent stakeholders for everyone to accept it and understand the regulations. Additionally, legislative changes are needed to help rural residents sustainably support their livelihoods and diversify their sources of income to build resilience and ease pressure on natural forests
Acoustic sanctuary: the South African Ayres sensory facility located on the foot of Naval Hill
No full textDissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2022This project centres around repurposing a historical water reservoir and pumpstation located on the foot of Naval Hill, Bloemfontein into an alternative speech therapy centre, where architecture plays a critical role in speech therapy arguably equal to that of any professional pathologist. Apart from a reimagined speech pathologist office, the South African – Ares Sensory facility (SA-AS Facility) also incorporates a sensory park. The impetus of this project is the sensory park and the freedom of therapy that it represents. Freedom to mend a speech disorder at the tempo of the patient, though neurologically stimulating garden structures. Similar to gymnasium equipment, these follies allow patients to exercise their neurological network of senses that all contribute to address speech disorder, hence the phonic gymnasium description of this SA-AS facility.
This dissertation covers complex therapeutic and theoretical topics, and the information from each chapter contains the chronologically necessary information to understand the chapters that follow. Chapter one directly starts with what is known about speech sound disorders. Chapter two contains the reinterpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s concepts of organic architecture in order to establish a physical form of the essence of this dissertation. From here, the discourse starts to question the communication process at an anatomical level and therefore translates the auditory defect of speech impairments to that of musical melodies and architectural rhythm. These phonic applications are then explored within architectural precedents while being related back into sound correction (Speech therapy) and mobility (occupational therapy). Chapter 3 clarifies and analysis the project goals and location within these mentioned ideals. While chapter 4 refines all the information provided into three conceptual models. These physical manifestations investigate the architectural application of scientific research and therapeutic discourse. The final chapters explain the design development and folly rationale before leading to the final design
Exploring the influence of neurofeedback training on Grade R learners’ concentration levels for school readiness
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Psychology of Education))--University of the Free State, 2022The premise of this study is to explore the influence of neurofeedback training on Grade R learners’ concentration levels for school readiness. In order to understand the complexity of this study, it is important to note the past inequalities and the effect of it on children, specifically on their concentration levels within the classroom and the changes it brought to where the education system is today. This background gave way to the purpose of this study to determine the influence of neurofeedback training on Grade R learners’ concentration levels for school readiness, as well as to determine the experience teachers have with learners’ concentration levels in school. Furthermore, I want to establish how teachers perceive neurofeedback and the implementation thereof. This will indicate if it would be possible to implement neurofeedback training into the South African educational system and to determine the support teachers need to do so. A mixed method approach was followed, whereby the research adopts an embedded convergent research design, whereby qualitative and quantitative research data are embedded in a larger design. The sampling utilizes a simple multi-stage purposeful random sample design. The first stage is a random selection and the following stage is purposive selection of participants (Onwuegbuzie & Collins, 2007). The population involved all Primary Schools from the Motheo District, in the Free State Province, South Africa, who were willing to take part in this study. The data gathered from the questionnaires was analysed by a statistician with the program called Python to the point where the data could be represented in graph form. The data from the document analysis was done, were a six (6) page report, received from the qualified occupational therapist. The data from the focus group interview was also interpreted in conjunction with the data found from the document analysis to clarify, support and strengthen the results found. Literature was also collected with regard to theories and aspects of concentration, child development, as well as neurofeedback, and the necessary inferences and conclusions drawn. Findings from the study were significant and positive in terms of the possible implementation of Brain Gain Neurofeedback training into the South African school curriculum as well as the need, almost desperation, that were identified that exist among teachers