21623 research outputs found
Sort by
How far is the East from the West? The role of social media and crisis communication approach in unifying the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups in the political landscape in southern Nigeria: a review of issues around pre-1960, 1967-1970; 2014 and 2023 elections.
No full textResearch Articles. Criminology and Forensic Studies.The political climate of southern Nigeria is examined in this concept paper along with the ongoing conflicts between the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups. The question "How far is the east from the west?" serves as a metaphor to highlight the historical and current obstacles to Igbo-Yoruba unification, reviewing the issues around pre-1960, 1967-1970; 2014 and 2023 elections. The paper explored the complicated history of these groups, including the effects of colonialism, their unique pre-colonial beginnings, and their common battles throughout the liberation fight, employing a methodical literature review. It subsequently looked at particular tense times, such as the Nigerian Civil War, and how these old differences still affect politics now, as shown by the results of recent elections. Beyond historical interpretation, the study suggested a fresh strategy for promoting Igbo-Yoruba unity. Based on the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), it made the case that social media may be a potent instrument for fostering cooperation and understanding when used wisely. Instead of focusing on the political elite, which is seen as a source of conflict, the study highlighted the vital role that dependable community leaders play. It suggested that apolitical stakeholders from both regions collaborate to plan and carry out intentional programmes that support socio-economic integration between the Igbo and Yoruba and encourage public discourse on common issues to cultivate a narrative of cooperation through social media. These stakeholders include traditional/cultural leaders, religious figures, women's groups, and academics. Using the SCCT paradigm and empowering these esteemed leaders, this study suggested a way to close the historical and current gaps between the Igbo and the Yoruba. Within the political environment of southern Nigeria, the "East" and "West" can get closer to a future of mutual respect and prosperity by using social media to shift narratives and promote cooperation
Harnessing the power of Microalgae and Daphnia for bioremediation of nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals in wastewater.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Excess nutrients in aquatic ecosystems promote eutrophication, which significantly affects oxygen-dependent organisms. Furthermore, toxic microalgae, such as microcystin, cylindrospermopsis, etc., thrive during eutrophication, releasing poisonous compounds harmful to human health and other aquatic organisms. Pharmaceutical compounds and heavy metals in aquatic environments further exacerbate these global concerns. Thus, addressing such problems is paramount and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, and 14 - Life Below Water. Bioremediation of wastewater with biological microorganisms such as microalgae and daphnia provides an excellent solution due to their remarkable properties that enable them to efficiently eliminate many contaminants, including heavy metals, nutrients, and pharmaceuticals. So, this study explored the novel approach to nutrient removal by combining Chlorella spp. and Daphnia magna (D. magna). Chlorella spp. completely removed nitrate and nitrite from wastewater by converting them into compounds like amino acids, proteins, and lipids. When D. magna was employed alone, it faced significant challenges due to the absence of primary producers like bacteria and microalgae, which they mainly feed on. However, combining it with Chlorella spp. proved exceptionally effective, as 100% removal was obtained for nitrate and nitrite, possibly driven by D. magna grazing on Chlorella spp. that had assimilated nitrate and nitrite into their biomass. Challenges arose for ammonia and phosphate removal as they achieved up to 27% removals. This can be ascribed to nutrient release, Chlorella’s saturation capacity, and environmental changes such as pH. For pharmaceuticals, the study successfully developed and validated the LC-PDA method for separating sulfamethoxazole, nevirapine, and efavirenz. The optimum conditions were a mobile phase (90:10% acetonitrile: water with 0.1% formic acid), run time (8 minutes), flow rate (0.4 mL/min), and wavelength (220 nm). The study also developed and validated the solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for extracting analytes of interest in water matrices. The optimum conditions were conditioning solvent (mixture of acetonitrile and methanol in a 70:30 (v/v) ratio), sample volume (50 mL), and pH 7. The study then assessed Chlorella's capacity to remove sulfamethoxazole, nevirapine, and efavirenz. The obtained removal efficiencies for efavirenz, nevirapine, and sulfamethoxazole ranged from 0–60%, 5–51%, and 10–50%, respectively. Furthermore, the results exhibited lower removal efficiency (up to 15%) for higher concentrations (1 and 5 mg/L), whereas lower initial concentrations (0.5 and 0.25 mg/L) showed higher removal rates (up to 60%). Low removals could be due to factors like toxic metabolite accumulation and pharmaceutical toxicity. This study also explored copper, lead, and zinc adsorption capacity on Chlorella spp. biomass. Batch cultures were assessed in triplicate at 150 rpm in an orbital shaker under different biomass dosages, pH levels, contact times, and metal concentrations. The optimum conditions were pH 7, 60 minutes contact time, biomass dosage of 12.5 mg, and 0.5 m/L concentration. The optimal conditions yielded complete removal of lead and zinc, with copper reaching up to 80% removal. The study also assessed the adsorption of target heavy metals employing Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherms, with the Langmuir isotherm better fitting copper (R2 = 0.9888) while the Freundlich isotherm best-fitted lead (R2 = 0.976) and zinc (R2 = 0.968). Lead and zinc favoured the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, whereas copper favoured the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies exhibited an endothermic and spontaneous process for copper and zinc. The results of this PhD underscored Chlorella's potential as an environmentally safe and effective option for removing nutrients, pharmaceutical compounds, and heavy metals. Mechanisms for removal included surface adsorption, photodegradation, bioaccumulation, and enzymatic degradation. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the existence of functional groups like alkene, amide, carbonyl, carboxyl, ethers, hydroxyl, and methyl, which participate in the adsorption of these contaminants through various interactions. Surface morphology analysis through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows changes in Chlorella spp. cells after exposure to target compounds (nutrients, pharmaceutical compounds, and heavy metals), suggesting the possibility of interaction that aids their removals. Thus, this study contributed valuable insights for improving wastewater treatment strategies and addressing water scarcity concerns. Additionally, it promotes a circular economy as Chlorella spp. and daphnia biomass can be harvested at the end of the treatment process for diverse uses, including biogas production, organic fertiliser, animal feed, etc. Going forward, future research should focus on optimising bioremediation by exploring different combinations of microalgae and other biological agents to enhance the removal efficiencies of heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, genetic modification of Chlorella spp. to improve resilience and uptake capacity is crucial, and integrating advanced monitoring technologies like biosensors are promising directions. In-depth studies on removal mechanisms, such as adsorption, photodegradation, bioaccumulation, and enzymatic degradation, are essential. Also, scaling up to pilot and full-scale applications is crucial for evaluating feasibility and economic viability. Lastly, collaboration with industrial partners and policymakers can help develop regulatory frameworks and incentives. These efforts can advance bioremediation and support global SDGs related to clean water, responsible production, and life below water.
Iqoqa.
Ukugcwala ngokweqile komsoco, ikakhulukazi okuvela emanzini agelezayo ezolimo kanye nokuchithwa kwamanzi angcolile, kukhuthaza i-eutrophication. Le nqubo iqeda amazinga omoyampilo emizimbeni yamanzi futhi ikhuthaza ukukhula kwamamicroalgae anobuthi, ibeke engozini impilo yasemanzini kanye nempilo yabantu. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, ukuba khona kwezinsalela zemithi nezinsimbi ezisindayo emanzini kwenza lezi zinkinga zibe zimbi nakakhulu, kube nomthelela enseleleni yomhlaba wonke eyinkimbinkimbi futhi ephuthumayo. Ukubhekana nalezi zinkinga ezihlangene kubalulekile ukuze kuzuzwe Izinjongo Zokuthuthukiswa Okusimeme, amaSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ezihlobene namanzi ahlanzekile, ukusetshenziswa okufanele, kanye nokulondoloza impilo yasolwandle. Ukuphendula lezi zinselelo, lolu cwaningo luhlole ukusetshenziswa okusha okunohlonze kwebioremediation. Inqubo yemvelo esebenzisa izinto eziphilayo ezincane ngesayensi yezinto eziphilayo ukususa ukungcola emanzini angcolile. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise iChlorella spp. imicroalgae kanye neDaphnia magna (D. magna) ukususa umsoco, imithi, nokusansimbi okusindayo emanzini angcolile. Kulolu cwaningo, iChlorella spp. isuswe ngokuphelele initrate nenitrite ngokuyiguqula ibe izinhlanganisela ezifana nama-amino acid, amaprotheni, namalipids. Ngenkathi i-D. magna isetshenziswa iyodwa, yayidonsa kanzima ngenxa yokuntuleka kwabakhiqizi abayisisekelo. Kodwa-ke, kuhlanganiswe neChlorella spp., kwafinyelelwa ekususweni kwenitrate nenitrite ngama-100%. Ukususwa kwe-ammonia nephosphate akuphumelelanga kangako, kwafinyelela kuphela kuma-27% ekususweni, cishe ngenxa yezinto ezifana nomthamo wokugcwala kweChlorella, izinguquko ze-pH, njalonjalo. IChlorella spp. izuze ukusebenza kahle kokususa okungu-0–60% kwemithi efana ne-efavirenz, inevirapine, nesulfamethoxazole ngokusebenzisa izindlela ezihlanganisa i-adsorption, ukucekelwa phansi, kanye/noma ibioaccumulation. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukususwa bekusebenza kangcono ekugxilweni okuphansi kokuqala, nezinselelo ezinjengokunqwabelana kwemetabolite enobuthi kanye nobuthi bezemithi obuvimbela amazinga aphezulu okususwa. Lolu cwaningo luphinde lwahlola amandla eChlorella okuqoqa okusansimbi okusindayo, ikakhulukazi ithusi, umthofu, nezinc. Ngaphansi kwezimo eziphezulu, kwafinyelelwa ekususweni ngokuphelele komthofu kanye nezinc ngama-80% wokususwa kwethusi. Ucwaningo lusebenzise ama-adsorption isotherm namamodeli ekinetic ukuze uqonde kangcono inqubo ye-adsorption, ukuthola ukuthi icopper ihambisana kahle ne-isotherm yeLangmuir kuyilapho ilead nezinc ihambisana neFreundlich isotherm. Lolu cwaningo lugqamisa iChlorella spp. njenge-ejenti ethembisayo, ephephile yebioremediation. Ucwaningo lwesikhathi esizayo kufanele lugxile ekuthuthukiseni izindlela zokususa, ukuhlola ukuguqulwa kofuzo, kanye nokwandisa izinhlelo zokusebenza zokuthuthukisa ukususwa kwalokhu kungcola
Investigating the relationship between cryptocurrencies and exchange rates: evidence from selected African countries.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The rise of cryptocurrencies has had a significant impact on the financial system, the world of finance and financial markets. After being written off as a passing fad, cryptocurrencies have come to be accepted as real investment assets with some hedging capabilities. Some even regard them as a form of payment, which has led to many businesses, financial institutions, and policy makers, including reserve banks examining the technology more closely and considering possible returns. This study aimed to, firstly, examine the connection between the fiat currencies for African countries and cryptocurrencies. It focused on the fiat currencies for the top eight economies in Africa with nominal Gross Domestic Product above $100 billion -Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia, and Kenya - and the top three cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Ethereum and Binance coin which together represent more than 66% of the cryptocurrency market by market capitalisation. Secondly, the study assessed the relationship between cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum and the five main fiat currencies (the South African Rand, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Euro, and Australian Dollar) traded in South Africa fiat currency market. These crypto and fiat currencies were analysed using the daily market price returns from 1 March 2018 to 12 May 2023. Time as well as time frequency information in the time series of cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies were captured using ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), while quantile regression (QR) was
applied on the decomposed time series data to examine the connection between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies under various currency regimes. The results revealed that QR adequately captured the asymmetric behaviour of cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies that changes with time. They illustrate that the connection between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies at different magnitudes ranges from very strong to weak dependencies,
although both positive and negative across different quantiles. In the African context, the study found that Bitcoin has some hedging characteristics against the Egyptian Pound, Ethiopian Birr, and South African Rand. Binance coin can also be used as a hedge against the depreciating Ethiopian Birr, while Ethereum can be utilised as a hedge against loss in the Egyptian Pound, and South African Rand. Furthermore, Bitcoin and Ethereum can be employed for diversification purposes in a portfolio with the Kenyan Shilling and Bitcoin and Ethereum are suitable alternatives to the Egyptian Pound, the Moroccan Dirham, Nigerian Naira, and South African Rand for transacting. Binance coin can be utilised as alternative to the Ethiopian Birr, Kenyan Shilling and South African Rand, Algerian Dinar, and Moroccan Dirham. In the case of South Africa, Bitcoin can be used as a hedge against the depreciating value of the Australian Dollar, Euro, and South African Rand. Similarly, Ethereum can be used as a hedge against the Australian Dollar as well as the British Pound. The research contributes to the existing literature on the subject by providing further empirical
evidence on the connection between cryptocurrency and African fiat currencies, and the association between cryptocurrency and the fiat currencies traded in South Africa. Based on the results, it is recommended that policy makers, forex dealers and investors should adopt Binance coin, Bitcoin and Ethereum as a substitute for fiat currency in Africa and particularly South Africa to mitigate currency depreciation on the continent
The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the taxi industry in South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The overriding purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) on the South African Taxi Industry. The study draws on a statistical model that put into account the socioeconomic and/or sociodemographic framework of the taxi industry in the country. As such, the study adopted an explorative quantitatve research approach for collecting and analysing the collated data. The use of an explanatory research approach allows the researcher to provide an in-depth evaluation, investigation, understanding and insight analysis about the impact of the Covid-19 on the industry and the current state of the industry postpandemic. Consequently, a survey research design was used to enrolled 152 participants to participate in the study. The findings of this study demonstrated how the pandemic exposed the precarious working conditions faced by taxi drivers and taxi marshals. The phenomenon is not new, but for the first time in the speculation of this phenomenon, the current study was able to quantify the extend this phenomenon has on rank marshals and taxi drivers. For example, the descriptive analysis of this study revealed that most of the respondents (92.8%) reported that the taxi industry experienced loss of income during the heat of the pandemic. As for job insecurity being elevated during the pandemic, the results showed that (38.8%) of respondents were neutral about their responses, but (38.8%) were equally in agreement that it was elevated. Despite the descriptive results indicating that many of participants (71%) did not lose their jobs during the pandemic, the analysis revealed that the majority (57.2%) feared losing their businesses and/or jobs during the pandemic. In addition, there was agreement among most respondents (91.5%) that the pandemic resulted in a loss of taxi drivers and operators. Unfortunately, taxi owners and taxi drivers have a long history of exploitative labour arrangements in South Africa's minibus taxi industry, which seems to maximize profits at all costs for taxi owners at the detriment of the rank marshals who are at the lowest rank of the food chain followed by taxi drivers. A lack of formal work contracts was one of the primary reasons for this.
Since minibus taxis operate in the informal sector and do not receive subsidies, it is not possible to implement subsidies within the industry without an accounting system
Hybrid genetic optimisation for quantum feature map design.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Good feature maps are crucial for machine learning kernel methods for effective mapping of non-linearly separable input data into a higher dimension feature space, thus allowing the data to be linearly separable in feature space. Recent works have proposed automating the task of quantum feature map circuit design with methods such as variational ansatz parameter optimization and genetic algorithms. A problem commonly faced by genetic algorithm methods is the high cost of computing the genetic cost function. To mitigate this, this work investigates the suitability of two metrics as alternatives to test set classification accuracy. Accuracy has been applied successfully as a genetic algorithm cost function for quantum feature map design in previous work. The first metric is kernel-target alignment, which has previously been used as a training metric in quantum feature map design by variational ansatz training. Kernel-target alignment is a faster metric to evaluate than test set accuracy and does not require any data points to be reserved from the training set for its evaluation. The second metric is an estimation of kernel-target alignment which further accelerates the genetic fitness evaluation by an adjustable constant factor. The second aim of this work is to address the issue of the limited gate parameter choice available to the genetic algorithm. This is done by training the parameters of the quantum feature map circuits output in the final generation of the genetic algorithm using COBYLA to improve either kernel-target alignment or root mean squared error. This hybrid approach is intended to complement the genetic algorithm structure optimization approach by improving the feature maps without increasing their size. Eight new approaches are compared to the accuracy optimization approach across nine varied binary classification problems from the UCI machine learning repository, demonstrating that kernel-target alignment and its approximation produce feature map circuits enabling comparable accuracy to the original approach, with larger margins on training data that improve further with variational training
Bacteria and yeasts as potential biocontrol agents for the management of blue mould and green mould diseases of ‘Valencia’ oranges caused by Penicillium italicum and Penicillium digitatum.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, PietermaritzburgCitrus fruits can be infected by microorganisms that affect the quality of fruit. Penicillium moulds caused by Penicillium digitatum (green mould) and Penicillium italicum (blue moulds) are two of the most problematic plant pathogens that affect the Rutaceae. Penicillium digitatum is a mesophilic fungus that can produce a potential mycotoxin called citrinin that has the potential to be carcinogenic to animals and humans. Management strategies in place to control these pathogens such as synthetic fungicides provide control, however they have impacts on the environment which does not appeal to consumers. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of bacterial and yeast strains isolated from leaves and peels of lemon (Citrus lemon), oranges (Citrus sinensis) and limes (Citrus aurantiifolia) in controlling P. digitatum and P. italicum in laboratory and fruit storage trials. In the in vitro studies, 102 isolates were screened against P. digitatum and P. italicum using the dual culture assay on petri dishes. The best seven isolates were selected for secondary in vitro screening against both fungi. The best two isolates from the secondary screening against P. italicum were UK37 (96.89%) and SCO13 (94.23%) and for P. digitatum, UK37 (98.83%) and SCO13 (95.29%). Isolates UK37 and SCO13 were sent to Inqaba Biotech Industries (Pty) Ltd for molecular characterization and identification. Both isolates were identified as Bacillus
amyloliquefaciens. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain SCO13 and B. amyloliquefaciens strain B UK37 were used in in vivo experiments to assess their efficacy in controlling P. digitatum and P. italicum on oranges ‘Valencia’ stored at 25 ℃ for ten days. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain SCO13 showed potential as a biological control agent against both P. digitatum and P. italicum, with a low disease incidence of 19.54% and 35.87% respectively.
Two yeast strains of Meyerozyma guilliermondii that were previously isolated, were used in in
vivo experiments to assess their efficacy in controlling P. digitatum and P. italicum on oranges
‘Valencia’ stored at 25 ℃ for ten days. Yeast treatments provided the least control of the
Penicillium moulds on oranges. The SEM images of the mycelial growth of P. digitatum
Meyerozyma spp. displayed antagonism by growing on P. digitatum hyphae and colonizing
orange fruit surfaces. micrographs showed the bent hyphae and reduced number of conidia in
vitro against B. amyloliquefaciens spp., with B. amyloliquefaciens B13 completely colonizing
and growing over P. digitatum in vitro for seven days, incubated at 25℃.
In conclusion, B. amyloliquefaciens demonstrated potential in controlling P. digitatum and P.
italicum infection on oranges. These Bacillus spp. have the potential in the integrated pest
management of Penicillium spp
A description of the chemical and physical growth of New Zealand white and chinchilla rabbits.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study investigates two key aspects in animal science: (i) describing the growth potential and chemical composition of two commercially bred rabbit strains, in order to optimize the composition of their feed based on variables predicted by simulation modelling; (ii) testing the hypothesis that the allometric relationship between body parts remains consistent across different strains, sexes, and body protein levels. In other words, the research assesses whether animal scientists have faced challenges in modifying the proportional relationship between the weight of different body parts of rabbits and their body protein weight. The primary goal of the study was to outline the physical and chemical transformations in the body composition of two commercially bred rabbit breeds, namely New Zealand White and Chinchilla, over a 126-day growth period. The key focus was on investigating how the growth performance of developing rabbits is affected by sex and
age, considering the influence of body protein. Moreover, the research examined alterations in growth and variations in the physical and chemical elements of the body. To achieve the objectives, series of studies were conducted: In this experiment, a total of 220 rabbits, consisting of both New Zealand White and Chinchilla strains, were utilized. Weekly weighing of 100 rabbits from each strain were conducted, starting from day 14 (due to the fragility of the kittens at birth) and continuing until day 140, in order to assess the growth potential of each rabbit. Additionally, samples were collected from 120 rabbits from each strain at specific ages: day 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, 70, 84, 112, and 140. Before slaughter, the animals underwent
weighing to determine their weight exclusive of internal organs. Post-slaughter, their weight was measured again to discern the weightof internal organs, skin, and the weight without the skin. The dissected body parts were weighed, labeled, and stored in a freezer for subsequent thawing and
mincing. The specimens were then subjected to freeze-drying to extract water content. Following this, they underwent further grinding before being analyzed for protein, lipid, and ash. Moreover, the Gompertz equation was applied to individual body parts and the protein weight of each body component. The parameters of the Gompertz equations were defined as the final weight of these components, their rate of maturation, and the time required to achieve the peak growth rate of each component. By utilizing data from each individual rabbit, allometric regressions were employed to establish the relationship between the weights of physical and chemical components. The natural logarithm of body protein weight served as the independent variable, while the natural logarithm of body component weight served as the dependent variable. A significant allometric relationship was found between body weight and pelt weight, as the weight growth process occurs continuously from birth to maturity. Body weights and chemical
composition of males and females (bucks and does) of the two strains remained similar throughout the trial. Mature body weights for both strains (New Zealand White and Chinchilla) at 140 days averaged 1760 g and 1558 g; mature body protein weights averaged 95 g/kg and 61 g/kg; and
mature body lipid contents averaged 40 g/kg and 55 g/kg, respectively. Rates of maturing per day of body weights for males and females of both strains averaged 0.0241 and 0.251; pelt-free, 0.0294 and 0.0251, and body lipid was 0.0441 and 0.0225, respectively. The rates for body protein differed
between New Zealand White females and Chinchilla females (0.0172 vs 0.0256/d). Separate equations were needed for males and females to describe the allometric relationships between lipid and protein in the pelt-free body. The rate of maturing of pelt in the New Zealand White was higher
in females than in males (0.0249 vs 0.0214/d), and the mature weight was lower in females than in males (45vs 52 g/kg), respectively. Common values of the sexes for both strains are represented when there were no apparent variations in the constant terms and regression coefficients. The saddle
weights, regardless of the protein content in both sexes of the New Zealand White, can be described by a single constant term of 1.0193, and a lower single constant term value of -1.1070 in the Chinchilla rabbit. The goodness of fit (R2) for both strains was highest in the saddle with 0.974 and
0.957 in the New Zealand White and Chinchilla gigantas rabbits, respectively, while it was lowest (0.922) in the pelt of New Zealand White and hindlimb (0.892) of the Chinchilla gigantas rabbits.
Sexes differed in the allometric relationships of all component parts measured in both breeds. A common relationship between the two strains could be used to predict the weights of all rabbit major component parts. Further studies are recommended to confirm the findings of this study.
Keywords: Chemical, Chinchilla, Components, Physical, New Zealand white, Rabbits
Exploring the structure activity relationship of antiplasmodial compounds identified from the MMV Pathogen Box.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Over 200 million new infections are caused by malaria-causing plasmodium species. This results in over 500 000 annual deaths. These deaths are mostly young children under the age of five years. As there is an emergence of resistance to primitive first-line treatments, there is an increasing need for the development of new targets with novel scaffolds. For such advancements, we have to consider the structure-activity of antiplasmodial compounds. The Pathogen Box is a concept modelled on the Malaria Box, except the 400 drug-like compounds it contains are a diverse range of compounds which are active against numerous neglected diseases of interest, and is readily accessible. It unpacks 125 compounds of antiplasmodial activity, a lot of which have been identified from phenotypic screening of the GSK Tres Cantos Anti-Malarial Set (TCAMS). Upon request, select researchers around the globe receive a set of compounds from the Pathogen Box to help in the advancements towards neglected disease drug discovery. In turn, the researchers are requested to present, in the public domain, any data they will have generated in their work within two years. This presents an opportunity for a collaborative space for neglected disease drug research. In this project, compound MMV023227 was found to have promising antiplasmodial activity. We have therefore designed and synthesized some analogues of the hit compound with the purpose of identifying an SAR. We initiated the synthesis of the designed analogues of compound MMV023227 by successfully synthesising the three imidazole compounds that are 2-(3-bromophenyl)-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole (3.1), 2-(3-bromophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-imidazole (3.2), and 2-(3-bromophenyl)-1H-imidazole (3.3) in yields between 33 – 42 %. We moved these compounds towards the desired final compounds through several stages, but we could only go as far as producing compounds N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-3-(1-(ethoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)aniline (3.9), N-(2 chlorobenzyl)-3-(1-(ethoxymethyl)-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)aniline (3.10) and N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-3-(1-(ethoxymethyl)-5-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)aniline (3.11) in yields between 7 – 41 %
The impact of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations on service delivery in South African public libraries: a case study of eThekwini Municipality libraries (EML).
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study investigates the impact of the covid-19 lockdown regulations on service
delivery in South African Public Libraries, focusing on the eThekwini Municipality Libraries
(EML). The study also explores how the EML responded to the covid-19 pandemic
lockdown restrictions in terms of the delivery of its services to the public and the extent to
which such a response impacted access to a diverse category of library users during the
covid-19 lockdown restrictions. The underlying aim of the study is to provide approaches
that could be employed to address the identified gaps in the EML responses to the covid-19
pandemic lockdown as a way of improving the provision of services during such a pandemic
in future. The positivism paradigm was used because not every member of the target
population had an equal chance of taking part in the study. The study is based on a
quantitative approach and guided by a descriptive design. The study’s target population are
the EML employees in KwaZulu-Natal province, with a sample size of 100, out of which
65% responded. The analysis of the data made use of SPSS statistical software. The findings
indicate that covid-19 impacted the EML in various ways, such that the EML had to
embark on remote working and reduced working hours of its operations, besides popularising
the use of the digital library to its users, and limiting physical access to some of its users too.
The impact also includes the constraining of the EML resources, and the suspension of the
EML services in certain areas. Recommendations made include the need for the EML to up
skill and empower its employees, the standardisation of the EML processes and resources
across all its facilities, and the need for the EML to have collaborations and partnerships with
other role players and stakeholders as a way of enhancing the quality of its operations and
approaches in dealing with challenges of a crisis
Student-teachers' lived experiences in diverse teaching practicum contexts.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This doctoral thesis explores the lived experiences of pre-service teachers in the South African educational system 29 years post-apartheid, focusing on the challenges of navigating diversity. This study design focused on a case study of a single teacher education institution within the Western Cape. Despite policy encouragement for diverse teaching contexts, a predominant trend among final-year student-teachers is selecting placements aligned with their backgrounds, raising questions about their resistance to unfamiliar environments.
The research problem centers on understanding why student-teachers gravitate towards familiar settings in their teaching practice, avoiding the diversity encouraged by available school options. The study aims to uncover the motivations behind this selection pattern, employing a theoretical framework rooted in phenomenology, drawing on Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty to explore the concept of 'lived experience.' Additionally, Ryan and Markova's comfort, stretch, and panic model and the pedagogy of discomfort theory are utilised to understand the sensations encountered during teaching practicum. Through a chronological exploration of 12 years of schooling experiences, four years in the teacher education programme, and diverse teaching practicum contexts, it becomes evident that many students strategically choose placements for qualification rather than embracing a broader range of experiences. However, some opt for disruptive, scaffolded teaching practices, leading to autonomous professional growth. The study's thesis is creatively presented as an imaginative consolidation in the form of a speech, culminating in the analysis of the findings. It suggests that levers of change can activate transformative professional development for student-teachers, emphasising collaborative efforts among stakeholders. The need for a conscious, supportive, yet disruptive work-integrated learning intervention is underscored to broaden students' professional growth agenda. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of transformative professional development for student- teachers and proposes collaborative efforts among stakeholders to support learning in diverse spaces throughout the initial teacher education programme. It sheds light on the complex interplay between personal experiences, curriculum expectations, and student-teacher choices, providing insights to address the limited engagement with diversity in teaching practicum contexts. The research advocates for breaking the status quo of a purely racialised understanding of diversity for enduring positive change