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The effect of the family Maths intervention programme on the school community
No full textThe persistent poor performance in Mathematics in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, despite various interventions to alleviate its adverse effects, stimulated my interest in this study. I was particularly interested in understanding the effect of involving families in primary Mathematics education as an intervention rolled out by the University of the Free State in selected schools in the OR Tambo Education District. While literature revealed that such interventions are not always successful, the S4F FM (Science for the Future Family Math) programme rolled out by the University of the Free State had never been independently evaluated for its effect on the school communities’ perceptions and learners’ achievement marks in Mathematics. Thus, the dearth of knowledge of the efficacy of the S4F FM programme, despite the human, time and financial investments, was the gap I identified. The overall aim of this study was to explore and describe the changes brought about through an S4F FM programme in a rural school community in South Africa. While I conducted the enquiry predominantly using qualitative methodologies, I also employed quasi-experimental research design strategies to triangulate and enhance confidence in the findings and conclusions of the study. I used the assumptions of the pragmatism paradigm, namely that one should use a range of techniques to develop a clearer understanding of complex social issues, in order to guide the elements of this research enquiry. The first of these elements was to find a theoretical framework, which dealt with the perceptions of family involvement into children’s education, and the alignment of school, home and community for optimal learning. The Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler (1997) and Epstein and Sanders (2006) models, as well as Vygotsky’s Sociocultural theory and constructivism, served the purpose of framing the enquiry. In sum, the conceptual framework for this study recognises the centrality of the school both socially and academically speaking. It seeks harness this positioning for facilitating family involvement and learners’ cognitive development, leading to the outcomes of attitudes, perceptions, and performance.
In the literature review, I demonstrated that the social context of the study area is characterised by teenage pregnancy, economic imperatives of temporary migration, HIV and AIDS-accelerated orphanhood. These all motivate for the adoption of the concept of family involvement rather than parental involvement. The background to the origins of the Family Math reveals that it was started as response to the observed lack of participation and achievement in Mathematics by minority groups, including women, in the USA. The literature study also highlighted the importance of school-to-home communication for optimal Mathematics education. Proper communication between the two spheres, school and home, facilitates family support and promotes positive perceptions about Mathematics. Improved children’s and family members’ perceptions are associated with higher achievement marks in the subject. Beliefs about what a family member should do to support a child’s education (role construction), family members’ perceptions about their abilities (self-efficacy), and perceptions of invitations from the school, are some of the psychological factors influencing family members’ decision to become involved in a child’s education. These factors are, in turn, affected by multiple factors such as socioeconomic situations, traditions and cultural background. In line with the pragmatist view, I took a mixed methods approach to conduct this research. I specifically I used the sequential mixed methods, beginning with qualitative, followed by quantitative and ending with qualitative methods again. In the first qualitative part of the research, I interviewed three S4F FM programme staff members to understand the background to the programme. The Mathematics marks from 16 primary schools that participated in the S4F FM programme in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape constituted the data for the quantitative aspect of the study. In the second qualitative part of the study, I conducted focus group interviews with 24 family members, 13 teachers and 36 learners, from three different schools. The results of the exploration of the background to the S4F FM programme revealed that the programme, since its introduction more than 20 years ago, has been adopted, implemented and adapted. It continues to evolve and expand, while adhering to the basic tenets upon which the parent programme was founded. These tenets include improvement of participation and
performance in Mathematics for the marginalised groups. Regarding learners’ performance in Mathematics, the study found that participation in the S4F FM programme significantly improved learner achievement marks in Mathematics. The study further revealed that the intervention has a cascading effect, as the improved performance is experienced in grades beyond the grades of intervention. Lastly, the analysis of marks also revealed that other community-based variables affect performance in Mathematics. Regarding the perceptions of the school community towards Mathematics education, the study revealed that the activities of the S4F FM intervention programme helped the rural Eastern Cape school community to favourably perceive Mathematics education. When viewed together with outcomes of the analysis of achievement marks in Mathematics, the results suggest that improving the school communities’ perception ultimately leads to improved learner achievement in the subject. In conclusion, the integration of analyses from the study revealed that the communities’ socioeconomic situation, levels of community educational attainment and the language transition from the foundation to intermediate phases of primary education have the greatest effect on learners’ Mathematics achievement marks. The recommendation that flowed from this study was that role players, including the State and Commerce, need to deliberately promote and support programmes that foster family involvement in children’s education. The different spheres of government and different departments need to integrate school development.University of the Free State-Postgraduate Schoo
The impact of financial literacy on risk seeing and patient attitudes of university students
No full textThe study investigates the impact of financial literacy on risk preference and time preference choices of university students. The study collected data using a questionnaire, implemented a multiple price lists experiment, and administered a financial literacy test. A maximum of 7680 risk preference and 7680 time
preference choices were elicited from the subjects. The study used a maximum likelihood joint estimation on an expected utility exponential function on homogeneous and heterogeneous preferences of students. Research results show that financial literacy significantly influenced risk and time preferences of university students with low financial literacy. The study also found significant risk aversion and impatience on homogenous preference choices of students. Structural behavioural errors were significant for the risk preference and time preference tasks choices. An increase in financial literacy is associated with risk
seeking and patient attitudes among university students. These traits are associated with better life outcomes of citizens.Publisher's versio
Protocol for anal carcinoma: a retrospective review at the Department of Oncology Universitas Academic Hospital Bloemfontein
No full textBackground: Anal carcinoma is an uncommon cancer worldwide. Standard therapy is chemoradiation as it is not only curative but also has the advantage of organ preservation. In our department we see mostly locally advanced carcinomas as opposed to the early stage disease investigated in international articles. The standard dose for chemoradiation is 55-59 Gy. We have given up to 70Gy in locally advanced disease. Objectives: We aimed to assess whether the higher dose of up to 66-70 Gy, given in our department to locally advanced disease is improving survival and has a comparable side effect profile to the standard radiation dose. Method: As will be explained later, only patients that were from the Free State and treated in our department from 2001 to 2010 were included in the study sample. Clinical records were used to obtain data. The total number of participants were 28. Only patients that received chemoradiation or radiation only were included. The data analysed were: local demographics, local control, acute and late toxicity, colostomy free survival and progression free survival with correlation to the total radiation dose received .Numerical variables were summarised using medians and interquartile ranges. Categorical variables were summarised using frequencies and percentages. Results: Males made up 57,1% of the participants and females 42,9%. The mean age was 45 with the youngest being 21 years old. Twelve of the participants had HIV infection. Ninety one percent of the patients had squamous cell carcinoma. All presented with locally advanced disease. Five patients defaulted post radiation. Participants that received split course radiation were 86%, 7% received continuous radiation to a total dose of 50,4 Gy,3,6% 38 Gy and 3,6% 3740cGy . The highest radiation dose received was 60 Gy. On follow-up 12 (43%) had a complete response 11(39%) had residual disease. Majority (75%) already had colostomies prior to starting treatment, three never required one. Conclusion: The primary end point was not met as none of the patients received the dose we were aiming to assess due to exclusion criteria. Observations made with regards to demographics and side effect profile were in keeping with published literature. PFS and OS were less due to the majority of the patients having poor prognostic features and poor patient follow up. The majority of the patients were treated with radiation doses lower than 55 Gy which is the recommended minimum for locally advanced disease
Spirituality and its contribution to increasing psychological resilience and decreasing burnout amongst first responders in the City of Johannesburg
No full textFirst responders around the world suffer from high levels of burnout and other psychological symptoms related to their exposure to traumatic events. Psychological resilience is an
important factor in mitigating the effects of this exposure, whereas the effects of spirituality/religiosity have not been clearly determined. The primary aim of this study was to determine the levels of work-related burnout and psychological resilience among first responders working in the City of Johannesburg. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine the levels of religiosity and spirituality in this population and their correlation with psychological resilience and work-related burnout. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, and criterion-group design was used. Firefighters, emergency medical technicians and disaster managers employed by the City of Johannesburg were identified using purposive sampling, eventually constituting a sample of 111 participants. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, the Brief Resilience Scale, the Duke University Religion scale and a biographical questionnaire were used to gather information from the participants. Stepwise regression analysis was done to determine the association between burnout, resilience and religiosity/spirituality. Results from the study showed that first responders had high levels of burnout and were not always able to access the help they required. Having attended stress management training correlated with higher resilience and lower burnout scores. For the sub-group of firefighters, higher levels of spirituality correlated with both increased resilience and lower burnout scores. Based on these findings, recommendations were made for increased mental health awareness, training and access to support structures for first responders
Exploring the enhancement of disciplinary processes in Botshabelo primary schools
No full textThe objective of this study was to explore the possible strategies that could be used to address problems of poor learner discipline in primary schools based in Botshabelo, Mangaung Metropolitan District in Motheo Education jurisdiction. The researcher employed a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted with the six participants who were qualified educators at the respective schools, with each of them having varying teaching experience. The results of the study, emanating from thematic analysis revealed that there are indeed disciplinary problems experienced at the primary schools, but the magnitude and intensity varied across. They mentioned challenges such as disruptive classroom behaviour, vandalism, non-adherence to the school’s code of conduct, defiance of school authority, etc. Participants held the opinion that the use of adverse punitive measures, such as corporal punishment should be avoided at all cost, as it is illegal in South Africa. They emphasized that effort should be placed in using positive disciplinary measures, such as pep talks, collaborative decision- making and using the both the Alternatives to Corporal Punishment and SASA documents as a guiding tool to implement discipline in schools. This study made the following recommendations for future research: The use of a larger sample to ensure representativeness, the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection to maximize validity and reliability. Thirdly, future research should explore the causes of disciplinary problems in in order to generate more data. Lastly, the study recommends that future research to be conducted in other districts in the Free State province
Influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids on fluconazole susceptibility and drug efflux in Candida krusei
No full textGlobally, fungal infections affect more than one billion people annually, with an estimated mortality of approximately two million people. The genus Candida is a highly heterogeneous group containing several opportunistic pathogens responsible for the increasing number of life-threatening mycoses, especially in immunocompromised subjects, including cancer patients, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients, and organ transplant recipients. Compared to antibacterial counterparts, the number of available antifungals is limited, and the increase in antifungal resistance further complicates this. Resistance or tolerance towards all the available classes of antifungals has been reported. Strikingly, Candida krusei exhibits innate resistance to fluconazole (FLC) and rapid adaptive resistance to other antifungal drugs. Moreover, the role of efflux pumps (e.g. ATP-binding cassette 1, Abc1p) in this inherent FLC resistance remains unclear. This yeast also forms biofilms, which are potentially more resistant to antifungal drugs than planktonic counterparts. Additionally, there is paucity of information on the ability of exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to overcome intrinsic antifungal resistance, such as in the case of C. krusei. In order to address this lack of knowledge, we firstly determined the susceptibility profiles of biofilms of C. krusei strains (and a C. albicans reference strain) towards FLC and five PUFAs [i.e. oleic acid (OA), linoleic (LA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), arachidonic acid (AA), and eicosapentaenoic (EPA)]. Our results showed that the antifungal activity of FLC against these strains is concentration-dependent, with C. krusei UFS Y-0277 displaying the least susceptibility. Moreover, the antifungal effect of the PUFAs is dependent on the strain, as well as on the chain length and dose of the fatty acid, with LA and GLA showing the most favourable activity. Upon combination therapy assay, we found that either of the two superior PUFAs (LA or GLA) potentiates the action of FLC towards the biofilms of the most-resistant strain of C. krusei. An initial attempt to examine the mechanism responsible for this revealed that the combination treatments induce the production of extracellular vesicles, cell membrane damage, and cell rupture. A subsequent membrane integrity assay confirmed this deleterious impact on the cell membrane. Our results also showed that antioxidants are capable of protecting C. krusei biofilms from the deleterious effects of the combination treatments. Additionally, these treatments had an inhibitory influence on the activity of efflux pumps, which was directly proportional to the concentration of PUFA used. Furthermore, our in vitro findings were corroborated by in vivo assays in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, which demonstrated that the combination treatments promote the overall survival and significantly reduce the intestinal fungal burden of infected nematodes. These observations may reiterate the combination of fatty acids with conventional antifungal drugs as a favourable therapeutic strategy deserving of increased traction and research for resistance reversal and infection control. We also aimed to establish a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- Cas associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9)-mediated gene-editing system for C. krusei since the absence of such system has impeded genome engineering, resistance, and virulence studies in this yeast. This was performed through the adaptation of a previously designed C. albicans-specific, CRISPR-Cas9 system (HIS-FLP type). This system's efficacy for geneediting was validated by the successful homozygous deletion of two auxotrophic marker genes, URA3 and ADE2, in this yeast. Using the adapted system, we attempted to construct a Green Fluorescent Fusion (GFP) fusion of Abc1p to assess the influence of AA and FLC on the localisation, expression, and activity of Abc1p – in order to gain better insights into the role of this efflux pump in FLC resistance. However, this was unsuccessful, possibly due to the failure of the yeast to incorporate the supplied ABC1-GFP fusion donor DNA (dDNA). Hence, we resorted to using western blot analysis and efflux pump assay. Results obtained demonstrate that FLC increases the expression and functionality of Abc1p, suggesting that this transporter plays a role in FLC resistance. However, AA reduces the expression of Abc1p, and abrogates its activity in a dose-dependent manner, even in the presence of FLC. These findings highlight AA as a potential inhibitor of Abc1p and lent credence to the role of this transporter in FLC resistance. Taken together, this study demonstrates the FLC-potentiating activity of PUFAs against an intrinsically-resistant C. krusei in vitro and in vivo in a C. elegans infection model – which may pave the way for future studies into novel therapeutic strategies. It also establishes a successful development of a CRISPR-Cas9 system for C. krusei. Although preliminary findings demonstrate the involvement of Abc1p in FLC resistance and show the potential of AA as an inhibitor of this transporter, further studies are necessary for a definitive assertion.National Research Foundation (NRF)South African Fryer Oil Initiative (SAFOI
Integrating Geography teaching and learning using Information and Communication Technology
No full textSince the evolution of computers and the internet, there have been continuous attempts to increase the use of ICT's in the teaching and learning environment because ICT is seen as a tool for spreading quality in education. Educational technology's primary goal as applied to pedagogical contexts, is to facilitate the teaching and learning process; moving away from a teacher-centered approach to a more learner-centered approach. Reports have shown that teachers are not adequately skilled to achieve the benefits of using ICT to improve education and instruction of Geography in the Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to 6). The pedagogical aspects of ICT integration, knowledge regarding the application of ICT skills and utilizing technologies effectively in classroom settings, have received little attention. Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate strategies to improve the integration of Geography teaching and learning using ICT a South African school. This qualitative study was informed by a participating action research (PAR) design, employed two purposefully sampled Geography teachers, an SMT member and a SGB member. Data was solicited from observations, workshops, discussions and interviews. For the interpretation and analysis of data, the researcher uses critical discourse analysis (CDA). The findings indicated that in order to achieve integrated Geography teaching and learning using ICT, a more comprehensive strategy is needed for successful implementation. This need to start from the implementation of different policies at from departmental level to school level. Current policies, for example, does not make provision how teachers must integrate ICT in the Geography classroom. Policies at school level, like the use of WiFi, must benefit the Social Science teacher to use it for developing teaching material for example. The school management must also play a bigger role in setting the environment for the Geography teacher to maximize the use of technology resources. This include proper training for Geography teachers to implement ICT in the teaching and learning. Some of the strategies also need to include the training in the different knowledge’s for the integration of ICT in Geography teaching and learning. A comprehensive strategy is needed because Geography teachers will realize the value of using ICT, and therefore, it will increase the probability for the maximum utilization in the Geography classroom
Comparison of the spectroscopically measure catalyst transformation and electrochemical properties of Grubbs' first- and second-generation catalysts
No full textAccording to UV–vis spectroscopy (0.10 mM, CH2Cl2 at 25 °C), the catalyst transformation (which could possibly include ligand dissociation with active catalyst formation, dimer formation, and decomposition) rate constants (kobs) of Grubbs’ first (1) and second (2) generation catalysts are 7.48 × 10–5 and 1.52 × 10–4 s–1, respectively. From 31P NMR (0.1 M, CD2Cl2, at 25 °C), the catalyst transformation was 5.1% for 1 and 16.5% for 2 after 72 h. However, due to the larger concentrations of the NMR samples compared to the UV–vis samples, the extent of transformation did not correspond. The oxidation potential of the RuII/RuIII couple of 2 (E°’ = 27.5 mV at v = 200 mV s–1) was considerably lower than that of 1 (E°’ = 167 mV at v = 200 mV s–1). In the case of 1, a second reduction peak appeared at slow scan rates. This may probably be ascribed to an electrochemically active compound that was formed from the intermediate cation 1•+ and the subsequent reduction of the latter. The oxidation/reduction of 1 proceeds according to an ErCi electrochemical mechanism (Er = electrochemically reversible step, Ci = chemically irreversible step), whereas 2 proceeds according to an ErCr electrochemical mechanism (Er = electrochemically reversible step, Ci = chemically reversible step).Publisher's versio
'n Geskiedenis van die Suid-Afrikaanse Rugbyraad (SARR): Ontstaan, ontwikkeling en vroeë bedrywighede, 1889-1956
No full textEnglish: This thesis studies the history of the South African Rugby Board (SARB), the national governing body of white rugby in the country, from 1889 to 1956. Unrestricted access to the archive of the SARB gave the candidate the unique opportunity to research and write the history of the organisation’s first 67 years on the basis of its own official records. Rugby is one of South Africa’s most popular sports and its history, which has proven to be equally popular, has been written from many angles over the past almost 90 years. Yet, no study of the administration of the sport in South Africa exists. This thesis aims to fill this gap in the historiography by establishing an organisational history of the SARB. Three key aspects will be focussed on throughout – the functions and operations of the Board and how these developed over time, the evolution of the nature of the Board as a governing body, and the organisation’s ever-changing position in the socio-political contexts of South Africa and the (rugby) world in which it functioned. The hope is that this study will make an innovative contribution to the country’s budding sports history in general, and to our knowledge of rugby history in particular. Although it does not describe the SARB’s entire 103-year existence, it nonetheless illuminates an important theme and period in South Africa’s rugby history, one which has hitherto remained unexplored.Afrikaans: Hierdie proefskrif bestudeer die geskiedenis van die Suid-Afrikaanse Rugbyraad (SARR), die nasionale beheerliggaam van wit rugby in die land, van 1889 tot 1956. Onbeperkte toegang tot die argief van die SARR het die kandidaat die unieke geleentheid gegee om die verhaal van die organisasie se eerste 67 jaar aan die hand van sy eie amptelike dokumentasie na te vors en te skryf. Rugby is een van Suid-Afrika se mees gewilde sportsoorte en die geskiedenis daarvan, wat eweneens nét so populêr is, is oor die afgelope byna 90 jaar uit vele hoeke beskryf. Desondanks is daar nog nooit ’n studie van die administrasie van die spel in Suid-Afrika gemaak nie. Hierdie proefskrif het dit ten doel om dié gaping in die historiografie te vul deur ’n organisatoriese geskiedenis van die SARR daar te stel. Daar word deurgaans op drie kernaspekte gefokus – die funksies en werksaamhede van die Raad en die uitbou daarvan oor tyd, die ontwikkeling van die aard van die Raad as beheerliggaam, en die organisasie se wisselende posisie in die sosio-politieke kontekste van Suid-Afrika én die (rugby)wêreld waarbinne dit gefunksioneer het. Die hoop is dat hierdie studie ’n vernuwende bydrae sal maak tot die land se ontluikende sportgekiedenis in die algemeen, en tot ons kennis oor rugbygeskiedenis spesifiek. Alhoewel dit nie die SARR se hele 103-jaar bestaan beskryf nie, werp dit nietemin lig op ’n belangrike tema en tydperk in Suid-Afrika se rugbygeskiedenis, een wat tot dusver agterweë gebly het
The effects of authentic leadership, moral potency, and leadership virtues on ethical leadership among managers working in financial sector organisations
No full textThe challenges unfolding in the business environment, such as the financial sector, demand the enforcement and practising of ethical leadership. The current study examines the effects of authentic leadership, moral potency, and leadership virtues on ethical leadership among managers in the financial sector. The study, which also investigates several mediating effects (in parallel and serial), draws on data gathered through a cross-sectional technique and analysed using a statistical modelling approach (stepwise multiple regression analysis and variance-based structural equation modelling). Four questionnaires (Ethical Leadership Scale, Authentic Leadership Questionnaire, Moral Potency Questionnaire, Leadership Virtues Questionnaire) were used to collect the data. All constructs had acceptable levels of reliability, as evident from the values obtained from Cronbach’s alpha. A convenient sampling method was used to recruit respondents for the study, and the sample comprised 310 managers from organisations in the financial sector. The study arrives at various findings and suggestions. The stepwise multiple regression analysis led to the finding that five sub-dimensions (self-awareness, moral ownership, justice, moral courage, and moral efficacy) explained 62% variance in ethical leadership. Of the three indirect paths that were investigated, the strongest indirect path reported in the model was from leadership virtues through moral potency (β = -0.558) to authentic leadership (β = 0.498). Therefore, moral potency mediates the relationship between leadership virtues and ethical leadership and can be used to better understand the relationship between these two variables. This thesis suggests several theoretical implications. The study expands our understanding of the combined effect of authentic leadership, moral potency, and leadership virtues on ethical leadership. In terms of managerial implications, the study addresses the importance of developing and promoting a culture of ethical leadership in the workplace to achieve positive organisational outcomes. Therefore, the interaction between the various constructs (authentic leadership, moral potency, and leadership virtues) experienced by managers will influence the extent to which they will engage in ethical leadership in the organisation. As a result, incorporating ethical leadership when exploring positive psychology principles will go a long way to provide solutions to the challenges faced by managers/employees in the financial sector.
One of the limitations of the study is that there is not sufficient research done on ethical leadership in South Africa. Also, there have been no studies done on the combined effects of authentic leadership, moral potency, and leadership virtues on ethical leadership, thus, a challenge when testing the model as it was difficult to compare hypothesised directions for some of the proposed paths. One of the limitations of the current study was that it focused mostly on the financial sector and used a convenience sampling method. This implies that the findings can only be generalised in the financial industry. Therefore, to have a wider understanding of the interaction between the various variables, future research should consider adopting a multi-sample or use a probability sampling method that is more representative and can permit generalisation. In addition, considering that self-awareness was the highest contributor to ethical leadership, followed by moral ownership, then moral courage, justice and moral efficacy, future research should explore possible ways that organisations can use to intervene when boosting self-awareness, moral ownership, moral courage, justice and moral efficacy; therefore, continuously positively impacting ethical leadership levels