UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
Not a member yet
801 research outputs found
Sort by
Design and evaluation of a low-cost sphygmomanometer to monitor women with pre-eclampsia in low-resource settings
Get PDFWe developed and pilot tested a sphygmomanometer designed to monitor pregnant women in low-resource settings. Blood pressure was assessed in 138 subjects, including healthy adults (n=85), pregnant women (n=42), and women at-risk for pre-eclampsia (n=11) using the novel sphygmomanometer, manual auscultation, and the GE Dinamap Procare 400. Accuracy of the device was evaluated by comparing measurements of the test device and the Dinamap in healthy volunteers and pregnant women in Texas and in women at risk for pre-eclampsia in Malawi. Measurements from the test device in pregnant and healthy volunteer populations differed from those collected using the auscultatory method by 0.2 mmHg (95% CI: -18.8 to 19.2, systolic) and -2.8 mmHg (95% CI: -21.0 to 15.4, diastolic). In women at risk for pre-eclampsia, measurements with the test device differed from those of the Dinamap on average by 2.9 mmHg (95% CI: -29.3 to 35.1, systolic) and -5.4 mmHg (95% CI: -45.8 to 34.9, diastolic). Compared against the auscultatory method, measurements with the Dinamap differed on average by 0.0 mmHg (95% CI: -31.8 to 31.9, systolic) and -3.7 mmHg (95% CI: -28.6 to 21.3, diastolic). Accuracy was reduced when patients were moving or not seated during measurement. When testing the device against British Hypertension Society standards, the device achieved a grade of A/A in pregnant persons. This sphygmomanometer has the potential to provide low-resource hospitals with an affordable, accurate option for regular blood pressure monitoring. However, algorithm improvements are needed to reduce sensitivity to subject motion and posture
The Challenges of Closing Construction Projects Final Accounts in Botswana Local Authorities
Get PDFAnecdotal information in the construction industry in Botswana indicated that the process of closing financial accounts for construction projects within a stipulated period is inefficient and ineffective. This is a serious industry problem because a project with an unclosed account is not a successful project as there are unfinished issues and claims left in abeyance to the detriment of both the client and contractor. This motivated a study aimed at investigating this aspect, including identifying the major causes of delays in formally closing final accounts of construction projects in local authorities. A multimethod approach consisting of a review of project documents which were beyond the end of the defect liability period were used in the study. Also, a questionnaire survey was administered to parties dealing with construction projects in the selected local authorities. Lastly, a focus discussion was held with key stakeholders who implement projects in some selected local authorities. Results indicated that while the final account closure process was inefficient (as only 42% of the accounts which were closed were finalised in the stipulated contractual time). Secondly, it was marginally effective (as only 54% of the sampled project accounts were closed). Common reasons for inefficiency and ineffectiveness include (i) contractors abandoning the project when they realise that the cost of rectifying the defects far exceeds the outstanding balance; (ii) clients taking too long to agree and approve final accounts; and (iii) loss of information when key personnel leave the project on the contractor's side before the final account is finalised. Despite the limitation of considering a selected number of local authorities’ projects, the findings have confirmed anecdotal information circulating in the industry about the substantial numbers of project accounts that are usually left unclosed. The following recommendations based on the study results are made. That all adopted contract conditions be modified to focus on nipping the challenge in the bud as well as deterring instrument to future defaulters. The suggested modification: 'it shall be mandatory for contractors to bring the project under tender to a formal closure through final account documentation within a specified period, defaulting contractors to be blacklisted from future contract awards in Botswana LAs'. Ordinarily, since contractors can hardly suffer financial losses, the paper suggests that consultants and clients should objectively entertain contractors' claims arising from defects rectifications in the liability period. This is provided such defects were neither caused by poor materials nor are traceable to poor workmanship. These hopefully will mitigate the challenge if followed
Consultants` Perspectives of Survival Strategies for Small and Medium Construction Firms at Infancy Stage
Get PDFThis study examines survival strategies for Small and Medium Construction Firms (SMCFs) at infancy stage as well as the factors affecting the adoption of these strategies. The study area is Uyo Metropolis in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study employed stratified random sampling technique to select a sample for the study. Primary data obtained from 103 validated questionnaires, administered to professionals in the built environment are analysed using percentage, mean score and Kruskal Wallis test. Results reveal that all the strategies examined in this study are significant for the survival of SMCFs at infancy stage; dominant among the factors are: innovativeness, required skills, willingness to take risk, entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviours, entrepreneurial organization structure and strategies, and financial resource management. The results further reveal that the dominant factors affecting the adoption of survival strategies for SMCFs at infancy stage are: availability and access to finance, the poor state of the country's infrastructure, poor managerial/executive capacity of the implementing agencies, characteristics of entrepreneurs and failure to adapt to the changing business environment. The study recommends that in addition to regular training to acquire required skills for effective management of the firms, SMCFs should also adopt any or a combination of the strategies highlighted, to survive in the current dynamic and competitive construction environment
MOULT RECORDS FOR TROPICAL BIRD SPECIES TRAPPED IN ANGOLA
Get PDFBetween 21and 27 July 2015, a total of 43 birds of 15 species were caught with mist nets at Kissikina, Malange, Angola. Thirty-two of those, of 11 different species, were moulting primaries and their moult was recorded. In this note we present the data collected hoping to add some information on the moult patterns of these species in this part of the world
Housing Finance and Markets Dynamics in Tanzania: An Analysis of Cross-sector Linkages
Get PDFThis study examines whether feedback from housing price shocks factored into the availability of mortgage credit in Tanzania between 2008 and 2018. This was done by estimating a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) with mortgage financing and using three measures of house pricing trends in the luxury, mid-end and economy sub-markets as dependent variables. Results showed that mortgage credit expansion is related to housing price growth in the long-run, but the impact mostly ran from housing price shocks to mortgage growth. In the short-term, changes in price for luxury houses led to a mortgage growth in the first quarter after the shocks, which in turn stimulated changes in housing prices. However, variations on mortgage credit flows had a more significant short-term impact on prices of housing units than it did for houses priced on mortgage credit. The dynamic response between mortgage credit flow and housing prices disappeared when housing price indicators for the economy and mid-end sub-markets were used in the analysis. In addition, both mortgage credit and housing markets were highly persistent, but the effect of previous shocks lasted longer in the mortgage lending process. The paper concludes that the substantial increase in housing prices might be a major concern for policymakers, in particular, because it foreshadows a mortgage crisis
Causes of Discrepancies in Value Estimates on Compensation for Oil Spill Damages in the Niger Delta
Get PDFThis study examines causes of discrepancies in valuers’ opinion when determining monetary compensation payable to claimants for oil spill related damages in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The study elicited data on factors responsible for differences in opinion of compensation values from valuers in practicing firms in Niger Delta using survey questionnaire. Eighty-three (83) Estate Surveying and Valuation (ESV) firms participated in the survey. The sample was selected from the total population of 190 ESV firms in the region based on the evidence of their experience with oil spill compensation valuation. Weighted mean score and factor analysis were employed in the data analysis. Results indicated that the factors causing discrepancies are: weak standards/codes of practice, inadequate legal frameworks, gaps in valuers’ knowledge, and professional misconduct. It was recommended that a specific code of practice for compensation for oil spill damage be developed by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to guide valuers when undertaking valuation for compensation for damages arising from oil spills
Rental Values and Students’ Satisfaction in Private Hostels Proximate to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
Get PDFProperty rental values are readily influenced by a multitude of interrelated factors such as the state of the economy, neighbourhood amenities and property characteristics. However, there is always an expectation that rental value reflects the occupier’s satisfaction from the neighbourhood and property. As such, this study examines the satisfaction of students with private hostel facilities surrounding the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), and the effect these facilities have on the rental values of the off-campus students’ hostels. There are 17,307 students who reside in the private hostels off-campus, of which 392 students were randomly selected from the total population of residents living around FUTA South Gate and given questionnaires. Of the 392 questionnaires administered, 390 were retrieved for analysis, thus representing a 99.5% response rate. The data collected was then analyzed using the Weighted Mean Score (WMS), T-test Statistics, Spearman Rank Correlation and the Multiple Regression Analyses. The findings reveal that there is a significant difference in the rental price paid by satisfied and unsatisfied students. Thus, the satisfied students pay higher rents than the non-satisfied students for a single, self-contained apartment. These occupiers are found to be satisfied with facilities such as the toilet, bathroom, fencing and water supply system in the building. There is a positive relationship between students’ rent satisfaction and their satisfaction with hostel facilities provided. The regression analysis further reveals that rental value is a function of neighbourhood amenities and property characteristics. The study recommends that private hostel developers make adequate provision for functional facilities as these can increase students’ satisfaction as well as enhance residential property rental values
A Machine Learning Web Application to Estimate Listing Prices of South African Homes
Get PDFDue to the heterogeneous nature of residential properties, determining selling prices which will reconcile supply and demand is difficult. Establishing realistic listing prices is vitally important for sellers to prevent prolonged time on market. Sellers have several resources available to assist in this endeavour, all of which involve understanding current market dynamics through analysing recent sales and listing data. Property portals which aggregate real estate agencies’ data, hosting it on online platforms, are one such resource, along with individual real estate agencies. Leveraging this data to develop solutions that could aid sellers in listing price decision making is a potential business objective that could not only add value to sellers but create a competitive advantage by increasing traffic to an online real estate platform. Using data provided by a South African online property portal, this paper creates a web application using machine learning to estimate listing prices for different types of homes throughout South Africa. This study compared log linear and gradient boosted models, estimating residential listing prices over a four-year period. The results indicate that although log linear models are suitable to account for spatial dependency in the data through the inclusion of a fixed location effect, the assumption of linear functional form was not satisfied. The gradient boosted models do not impose explicit functional form requirements, making them flexible candidates. Similarly, these models were able to handle the spatial dependency adequately. The gradient boosted models also achieved a lower out of sample error compared to the log linear models. The findings show that over observation periodperiod, larger properties consistently experience a diminishing return at some point over the marginal distribution of physical characteristics. The web application details how sellers are easily able to obtain mean listing price estimates and gauge the growth thereof, by simply inputting their property interest criteria
The Structure, Conduct and Performance of REITs in Emerging Markets: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria
Get PDFPurpose: This study examines the correlations between the structure, conduct and performance of Real Estate Investment Trusts in Nigeria (N-REITs) with a view to providing information that will enhance and guide real estate investment decisions on N-REITs.
Design/Approach: The study population consists of all three REIT companies in Nigeria, namely: Skye Shelter Fund, Union Home REIT and UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) REIT. Secondary data on dividends and share prices of N-REITs; Total Business Revenues (TBR) and Total Individual Expenditure (TIE) on conduct variables were sourced from periodicals of the respective companies covering the period from 2008 to 2016. The data series for the study were analyzed by means of the Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schimidt-Shin (KPSS) unit root tests, Philip-Perron (PP) unit root tests, Granger Causality tests, and the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression.
Findings: The study shows a Herfindahl Hischman Index (HHI) that ranged between 41.81% (recorded in 2010) and 100% recorded in 2008. This suggests a high concentration in the N-REITs industry. Similarly, the Granger Causality Test conducted reveals a bi-directional causal relationship between the structure, conduct and performance of N-REITs.
Practical Implications: The study provides essential information (on the HHI, return performance and causal relationships) for stakeholders in the real estate sector regarding the influence of structure and conduct on the performance of N-REITs. This information will be valuable for equipping asset managers, insurance companies, pension funds and individual real estate investors in making informed investment decisions.
Originality/Value: This study is unique as it is the first to draw a link between the structure, conduct and performance of REITs in an African emerging real estate market; something that has not been considered in previous studies
A Land Value Capture Property Tax Schedule for Municipal Infrastructure Financing in Lagos State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study develops a land value capture property tax rates schedule for use in Lagos state, Nigeria, in order to aid sustainability in municipal infrastructure financing. With the poor state of infrastructure in Lagos, the LVC property tax is advanced as a sustainable means of infrastructure reform through equitable rates. Using a sample from Alimosho - the largest local government area in Lagos - a hedonic regression model is used to determine the financial contributions of municipal infrastructure in property values to show their varying influences. From the regression analysis, the schedule is then derived, which is broadly premised on a quid pro quo basis. This stems from the fair notion that the pecuniary influences of municipal infrastructure should be recovered in the form of property taxes for public gains. Not previously done in the region, the schedule determines rates payable on property taxes and are reflective of the monetary influences that municipal infrastructure confer on property values. The proposed rates schedule also take into account varying distances of locational infrastructure and their impacts on property values. The use of Geographic Positioning System (GPS) in the study represents an advancement of previous Nigerian studies on infrastructure and property values where fewer infrastructure types have been considered or less precise measurement indices have been used. The study concludes that this LVC property tax approach will engender a sustainable, equitable, and efficient source of local financing for infrastructure delivery and operations. This is because it builds a veritable rates base and it enables ratepayers to face the actual costs of benefits received from infrastructure services