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Metal-organic precursors for water splitting and supercapacitance Indium-based thiospinels
No full textThe ever-increasing global energy demands emanating from population growth and technological advancements have propelled the research community into modelling plausible breakthroughs in the fabrication of electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies with improved performances. As a result, the past few years have witnessed significant developments in the synthesis of electrode materials with refined electrochemical activities for water splitting and supercapacitance applications. The work outlined in this thesis focuses on the synthesis and evaluation of various indium-based thiospinel nanomaterials for enhanced electrochemical energy applications. Firstly, a comparative evaluation of the energy application capabilities of bare and oleylamine-capped NiIn2S4 nanosheets fabricated from dithiocarbamate and xanthate molecular precursors is outlined. Experimental results showed that the best energy storage activities were achieved with NiIn2S4 synthesized from the xanthate mixture through the colloidal route, which presented the highest Csp of 40 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. In terms of electrocatalysis for water splitting, the highest performance was observed for NiIn2S4 synthesized from the xanthate mixture through the solventless thermolysis route, which presented an HER performance with an η of 138 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and a Tafel slope of 118 mV/dec. In terms of OER performance, an η of 382 mV at 10 mA/cm2 was obtained along with a Tafel slope of 145 mV/dec. Furthermore, the scalable fabrication of compositionally-tuned Ni1-xCoxIn2S4 solid solutions through the solventless thermolysis approach is outlined. All the alloyed nanomaterials outperformed the parent compounds in terms of both supercapacitance and water splitting applications. The best OER electrocatalytic performance was obtained when x = 0.6, which displayed an overpotential of 340 mV at 10 mA/cm2 along with a Tafel slope of 87 mV/dec. In terms of HER, the highest performance was obtained when x = 0.2, which reached an overpotential of 110 mV and a Tafel slope of 176 mV/dec. For supercapacitance applications, the nanoparticles synthesized at x = 0.8 yielded the highest specific capacitance of 118 F/g at 1 A/g, along with a maximum power density of 3450 W/kg at an energy density of 2.4 Wh/kg. The work also dwells into the amplification of the electrochemical properties of MnIn2S4 through the fabrication of Mn0.5M0.5In2S4 (where M= Ni/Co) solid solutions/alloys via the solventless thermolysis of compositionally-tuned xanthate precursors. Experimental results showed that the Ni2+ and Co2+-modified MnIn2S4 outperformed pure MnIn2S4 for both water splitting and supercapacitance applications. Overall, Mn0.5Co0.5In2S4 displayed the best electrocatalytic water splitting and supercapacitance activities amongst all the synthesized nanomaterials. We further describe the synthesis of Cd1-xZnxIn2S4 composites and their subsequent evaluation for electrochemical water splitting and supercapacitance applications. Structural analyses revealed the formation of cubic and hexagonal CdIn2S4 and ZnIn2S4 thiospinels with the Fd3m and P63mc spacegroups, respectively. Furthermore, a range of stoichiometric nanostructured composite materials, whose diffraction patterns are located between those of the two thiospinels were formed between x = 0.2 and x = 0.8. Morphological evaluation showed the formation of nanosheets. All alloyed materials displayed improved supercapacitive properties, with Cd0.2Zn0.8In2S4 achieving the best results. In terms of electrocatalytic hydrogen generation, the alloyed materials displayed lower capabilities than the parent compounds. Evidently, the ternary thiospinels, solid solutions and composite nanomaterials displayed improved performances for water splitting and supercapacitance applications. This is primarily due to the synergistic effects arising from the influence of different elements. Other factors, such as the morphology proved to play a significant role in the suitability of the materials for electrochemical water splitting and supercapacitance
Examining the role of curriculum monitoring and evaluation in iLembe District high schools in South Africa with a particular focus on teaching and learning
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Curriculum and Instructional Studies in the Faculty of Education, University of Zululand, 2023.The purpose of this study was to examine role of Curriculum monitoring and evaluation in with a particular focus on teaching and learning. A study was conducted at high schools in the iLembe district in KwaZulu-Natal, which focused on both rural and urban high schools. The targeted sample was the subject advisors, school principals, departmental heads and subject heads. Post- level one educators were only used for classroom observation. A qualitative data collection method was applied to 24 participants, followed by on site observations and SMT document analyses. To gather rich qualitative data, the researcher conducted focus group interviews with subject heads and one-on-one semi-structural interviews with subject advisors, principals, and department heads. For the purpose of data collection, the principle of anonymity was used by using codes that concealed the participants' identities, allowing them to participate freely. The collected data was analysed, and themes related to the study objectives were developed. Several findings were identified in this study. The study revealed that subject advisors tried to monitor the curriculum, but not effectively, because the number high schools in the district outnumbered the number of subject advisors.
They further mentioned the shortage of time and resources as other barriers towards curriculum monitoring and evaluation. The Principal and departmental heads mentioned insufficient support from the district, time, shortage of teachers and union activities as barriers in the effective curriculum monitoring. Subject heads mentioned insubordination from the teachers, as a barrier to curriculum monitoring. The study recommended that all curriculum monitors need to plan, monitor and support teaching and learning, in all levels. Furthermore, principals, DH and subject heads need a continuous capacitation, in terms of curriculum monitoring tools and department policies, from the district. The department needs to employ more subject advisors for regular and continuous school support. In the research, the researcher developed a model that contributes to a new body of knowledge, which emphasizes the vision and policy alignment, planning, duty load, capacitation and professional development, time management, minimising school disruptions, monitoring tool, vii availability of resources and support, as important strategies towards effective curriculum monitoring and evaluation practices
Inflation and wage rates in South African economics
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Commerce in the Department of Economics at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2023].The increasing number of trade unions with strong/collective bargaining power in recent times have put pressure on wage rate, resulting in rate rise in South Africa, thereby causing rate rise in inflation from both the supply and demand sides with its attendant output/productivity deterioration. Consequently, this study complements existing literature by investigating the long and short-run linear and nonlinear relationships between wage rate and inflation rate before and after inflation targeting periods in South Africa. in a sample of 170 observations spanning from 1980Q1 to 2022Q1. The study quantitative, anchored on archival design, with the data sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) It employed the linear and the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (LARDL & NARDL) estimation techniques in the analysis to test these objectives. The findings made in this study have both short-run and long-run implications.
This study found a positive linear and nonlinear relationship between inflation and wage rate in South Africa for the period under investigation. This implied that although both indicators significantly raise each other during the short-run and long-run, the magnitude of the impact of inflation on wage rate was higher than that of wage rise on inflation. Therefore, higher rates of inflation caused workers/trade unions to demand for higher wages and not vice versa. Hence, the high inflation rate is more of demand-pull rather than supply/cost-push. This study also found a non-persistent inflation rate in the long-run. This implied that adaptive expectation, rather than rational expectation, is the main driver of economic agents’ price setting behaviour. This assertion was further strengthened by significant positive impact of the log of bank rate on inflation in the short-run and long-run. Moreover, high productivity was found as a strong panacea for rising wage rate and inflation rate, whereas the adoption of inflation targeting from the first quarter of the year 2000 in South Africa emitted no significant impact on the wage-inflation nexus. This was attributed to a credit crunch following the 2007/08 global financial crisis that led to policy failures and, hence, the inability of the monetary policy rate to control wage rate.
The negative impact of the cumulative negative changes in wage rate on inflation implies that, over the long-run, negative changes in unit labour costs had a marginally stronger dampening effect on inflation relative to a positive change, which in relative terms has a marginally smaller positive effect. Hence, there was weak evidence of an asymmetric/nonlinear impact of wage rate on inflation rate, and vice versa, in the long-run with no short-run nexus. This implied that positive and negative changes in the two indicators are more likely to have a trade-off with each other in the long-run than during the short-run.
Finally, the findings from the last objective of this study relating to the nature of the relationship between inflation, wage growth and productivity before and after the inflation targeting eras in South Africa revealed that the downward nexus among inflation, wage rate and bank rate during the early 1980s could be attributed to structural transition to quantitative approach to monetary policy in 1985. Moreover, high volatility recorded among productivity, inflation rate and wage rate in 2020 could be attributed to the structural shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these findings, the study recommended that government should reduce the cost of governance to keep inflation low, improve productivity through market liberalisation and tax holidays, and incentives to firms in order to keep wage rate and inflation rate low. It is also recommended that capital and money markets reform be done in order to make inflation more responsive to monetary aggregates, and financial system be liberated to cushion the effect of credit crunch that might arise from financial crisis. The findings that emerged in this study have both short-run and long-run implications. The short-run implications included rising inflation, high wage differentials among workers and job loses especially among private establishment. the long-run implications included policy conflicts structural collapse, institutional failures and high tax liability in the future as a contractionary fiscal policy mechanism to cushion demand pull-inflation.
OKUHUNYUSHWE NGOLIMI LWESIZULU
ISIFINGQO
Ukwenyuka kwamanani ezinyunyana ezinamandla okuxoxisana ngokuhlanganyela ezikhathini zakamuva nje, kuye kufake ingcindezi ekukhuphukeni kwezinga lamaholo eNingizimu Afrika. Ngaleyo ndlela kubangele ukwehla kwamandla emali kuze kukhuphuke kuzo zombili izinhlangothi zokuhlinzeka nezidingo kanye nokwehla komkhiqizo. Ngakho-ke, lolu cwaningo luhambisana nezincwadi ezikhona ngokuphenya ubudlelwano obude nobufushane obulandelanayo nobungaqondile phakathi kwezinga lomholo kanye nezinga lokwehla kwamandla emali ngaphambi nangemuva kwezikhathi eziqondiswe ukwehla kwamandla emali eNingizimu Afrika. Esampulini lokubhekwa okuyi-170 kusukela ngo-1980Q1 kuya ku-2022Q1. Imininingwane ithathwe kwi-World Development Indicators (WDI) kanye neSouth African Reserve Bank (SARB) kanti okuqondile nokungaqondile kubambezela ukusatshalaliswa (LARDL & NARDL) kwamasu okulinganisa asetshenziswayo ukuze kufezwe lezi zinhloso. Okutholakele kulolu cwaningo kunemithelela yesikhathi esifushane neyesikhathi eside.
Lolu cwaningo luthole ubudlelwano obuhle bokuqondile nokungaqondile phakathi kokwehla kwamandla emali nezinga lamaholo eNingizimu Afrika ngesikhathi sophenyo. Lokhu kuveza ukuthi nakuba izinkomba zombili ziphakamisana kakhulu ngesikhathi esifushane nangesikhathi eside, ubukhulu bomthelela wokwehla kwamandla emali, ezilinganisweni zamaholo bukhulu kunalelo lokwenyuka kwamaholo ekwehleni kwamandla emali. Ngakho-ke, amazinga aphezulu okwehla kwamandla emali abangela abasebenzi/izinyunyana zabasebenzi ukuba zifune ukukhushulelwa amaholo hhayi ngokuphambene nalokho. Ngakho-ke, izinga eliphezulu lokwehla kwamandla emali liwukudonseka kokufunwa kakhulu kunokuletha/ukucindezela izindleko. Lolu cwaningo luphinde lwathola izinga lokwehla kwamandla emali elingaphikeleli ngokuhamba kwesikhathi. Lokhu kusho ukuthi ukulindela okuguquguqukayo kunokulindela okunengqondo, loku kuyinhloko yokuphatha ukuhlelwa kwentengo ngama-ejenti ezohwebo. Lokhu kugomela kuphinde kuqiniswe umthelela omuhle werekhodi lesilinganiso samabhange ekukhuphukeni kwamandla emali esikhathini esifushane nangesikhathi eside. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukukhiqiza okuphezulu kutholakale njengekhambi eliqinile lokwenyuka kwezinga lamaholo kanye nezinga lokwehla kwamandla emali, kuyilapho ukwamukelwa kokwehla kwamandla emali okuqondiswe kwikota yokuqala yonyaka wezi-2000 eNingizimu Afrika akuzange kube nomthelela omkhulu ekuxhumaneni nokwehla kwamandla emali kwamaholo. Lokhu kudalwe ukushoda kwezikweletu kulandela inhlekelele yezimali emhlabeni wonke ka-2007/08 eyaholela ekuhlulekeni kwenqubomgomo, yingakho nokwehluleka kwezinga lomgomo wezimali ukulawula izinga lamaholo.
Umthelela ongemuhle wezinguquko ezingezinhle ezinqwabelene ezilinganisweni zamaholo ekukhuphukeni kwamandla emali, kusho ukuthi, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi eside, izinguquko ezingezinhle ezindlekweni zabasebenzi zinomphumela odambisa kancane ukwehla kwamandla emali uma kuqhathaniswa noshintsho oluhle, okuyinto ngokwemibandela inomphumela omuhle kodwa omncane. Ngakho-ke, kunobufakazi obubuthakathaka bomthelela ongalingani/ongaqondile wesilinganiso samaholo esilinganisweni sokwehla kwamandla emali futhi okuphambanayo, esikhathini eside ngaphandle kwe-nexus yesikhashana. Lokhu kusho ukuthi izinguquko ezinhle nezimbi kulezi zinkomba ezimbili maningi amathuba okuthi zibe nokuhwebelana ngokuhamba kwesikhathi kunangesikhathi esifushane.
Okokugcina, okutholwe enhlosweni yokugcina yalolu cwaningo mayelana nesimo sobudlelwane phakathi kokwehla kwamandla emali, ukukhula kwamaholo kanye nokukhiqiza ngaphambi nangemva kwezikhathi eziqondiswe ekwehleni kwamandla emali eNingizimu Afrika kuveza ukuthi ukwehla kokwehla kwamandla emali, izinga lamaholo kanye nezinga lamabhange ekuqaleni ngowezi-1980 kungathiwa kungenxa yoshintsho lwesakhiwo endleleni yokulinganisa yenqubomgomo yezimali yangowezi-1985. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukuntengantenga okuphezulu okurekhodiwe phakathi kokukhiqiza, izinga lokwehla kwamandla emali kanye nezinga lamaholo ngowezi-2020 kubangwe ukushaqeka kwesakhiwo sobhubhane lwe-COVID-19.
Ngokusekelwe kulokhu okutholakele, ucwaningo luncoma ukuthi uhulumeni kufanele ehlise izindleko zokubusa ukuze agcine ukwehla kwamandla emali kuphansi, athuthukise ukukhiqiza ngokukhululeka kwezimakethe kanye namaholide entela, nezinxephezelo kumafemu ukuze kugcinwe izinga lamaholo kanye nezinga lokwehla kwamandla emali liphansi. Kuphinde kunconywe ukuthi kushintshwe izimakethe zemali kanye nezimakethe zezimali ukuze ukwehla kwamandla emali kuphendule kangcono izilinganiso zemali, futhi kukhululwe uhlelo lwezezimali ukuze kuncishiswe umphumela wokuwohloka kwezikweletu okungase kuvele ngenxa yezinkinga zezimali.
Amagama Angukhiye: Ukwehla kwamandla emali, izinga lamaholo, ukukhiqiza, i-NARDL, iNingizimu Afrika
Assessment of selenium supplementation on the attainment of puberty in Merino ram lambs
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Agriculture in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, 2023In small ruminants, the attainment of puberty is influenced by different factors, such as season of birth, photoperiod, nutrition, breed type, management, genetics, endocrine regulation, body weight and the development of the reproductive system. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on the attainment of puberty in South African Merino ram lambs. Forty South African Merino ram lambs were divided into two groups, Se-supplemented (n = 20) and control (n = 20). The treatment group received a dosage of 0.34 mg Se per kg in the form of sodium selenite at two-week intervals for an experimental period of 130 days. The phenotypic parameters were evaluated weekly. Semen was collected each week using an electroejaculator and was analysed for volume, pH, appearance, motility, viability, morphology and concentration. Blood samples were collected bi-weekly to determine the concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), cortisol and reproductive hormones. Collected data were analysed using analysis of variance, and the means were separated through the Student’s t-test. At 6 months, motile spermatozoa were collected from 80% of the supplemented group compared to 60% of the control. The Se treated group showed significantly higher semen quality in the form of improved spermatozoa motility, concentration, increased percentage of live spermatozoa, decreased percentage of dead spermatozoa and fewer spermatozoa abnormalities compared to the control group. Supplementation with Se had no effect (P > 0.05) on body weight and scrotum circumference. Selenium supplementation significantly (P 0.05). The control group attained puberty at 6.5 months based on ejaculated semen with viable spermatozoa. Therefore, it was concluded that Se supplementation hastened the attainment of South African Merino ram lambs’ puberty to 6 months. Treatment also improved testicular measurements, semen quality and reproductive hormones concentration of South African Merino ram lambs
Customer based business communication
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Communication Science in the Department of Communication Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2023].The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) altered the world as we knew it. It devasted the health care system, education, businesses, and the economy worldwide. During this pandemic, some SMEs shut down while others turned to a digital way of working. Numerous digital tools within the 4IR are being developed continually to create effective interaction between businesses and their clients. However, the rate at which enterprises adopt these modern digital instruments is yet unknown. This study assessed if SMEs were aware of the digital tools available in the 4IR that could improve communication experiences with customers; it also ascertained the barriers that SMEs face in digitising communication functions for customer relations, and it evaluated how digital communication tools are used for customer relations among SMEs. With the current era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), businesses have been compelled to review how they operate as well as welcome endless benefits common in the 4IR. The study examined ways that the 4IR affected businesses in various sectors of industry. As more businesses embrace digital transformation, enterprises face fierce competition as customers’ expectations increase for the digital experience. The relevant literature reviewed includes SME awareness of digital tools found within the 4IR that can improve communication strategies, barriers to the digitisation of advertising functions of SMEs, and the level of adoption of digital communication tools among SMEs. The methodology used in this research study was qualitative and looked at the digital communication experience of SMEs within the business and customer relations. The philosophy of the study was pragmatism. The approach of the study was qualitative. The sample of the study included non-probability sampling. The sampling method of the study was convenient sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with SMEs in the finance sector. The data collected from the interviews was presented in themes and backed with recent relevant literature. The findings of the research showed that SMEs in the finance sector have embraced digital transformation however, since they not only cater to customers in urban areas but also have customers in rural areas, digital transformation is not yet fully achievable. Lack of infrastructure and digital literacy are some factors that contribute to digital barriers. To enhance the performance of SMEs, governments need to embark on policies that support the SMEs financially and entrepreneurial orientation development to drive business performance. Also, efforts made by governments to support SMEs financially can enable these enterprises to adopt digital transformation. It is also imperative that SMEs try and bridge the digital divide among employees by offering training for their staff that will provide them with skills that can benefit the enterprise as well as the employee
Formative assessment practices by grade 12 business studies teachers in King Cetshwayo District
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Education in the Curriculum and Instructional Studies in the Faculty of Education, University of Zululand, 2023Assessment plays a vital role in students’ learning whether in basic education or tertiary education. It provides information to both teachers and learners about learners’ progress in their education. The teacher’s understanding of the use of assessment in teaching and learning is one of the factors to be taken into consideration. However, teachers sometimes experience challenges when it comes to the implementation of formative assessment. The successful implementation of formative assessment in Business Studies needs teachers to have the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude. The aim of this study was to explore the practices, understand the experiences and investigate the challenges of Grade 12 Business Studies teachers regarding the implementation of formative assessment in the King Cetshwayo District. Data was collected from five participants who purposefully selected, the participants were Grade 12 Business Studies teachers from schools under Mhlana cluster. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. The findings of the study revealed that teachers are aware of the importance of the use of formative assessment, for instance they use it to establish prior knowledge and they also use various activities to implement formative assessment. The research results also revealed that formative assessment activities done during the lesson enhance learners’ performance, help to improve learner involvement and participation and that results in students participating meaningfully in their own learning. Participants revealed that formative assessment assist teachers to accommodate leaner diversity using different assessment activities. The study also revealed that there are challenges that were encountered by Business Studies which include the learners’ lack motivation which has a negative impact on teaching and learning. The other challenges that were encountered by teachers and hinder the effective use formative assessment in schools include, overcrowded classrooms, heavy teacher workloads and limited resources. The study recommended that teachers need to be continuously developed and capacitated on effective strategies that can be used to implement formative assessment effectively
Research data management services in selected public universities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textDissertation submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on Information Science in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2023].Research data is thought to be an essential component that assists researchers in forming the foundation of research output. To increase the amount of reproducibility in research data, the data should be accompanied by extensive documentation, making it more accessible and secure. As a result of the current digital world and the resulting explosion of multidisciplinary research data, Research Data Management (RDM) comes into play. The current study aimed to investigate research data management services in selected public universities in South Africa, particularly those based in KwaZulu-Natal province. This study was underpinned by the issue of varying cultures between disciplines or departments, as well as a lack of skills and infrastructure, as major challenges impeding the provision of RDM services in most higher education institutions. In terms of theoretical foundation, this study used the Community Capability Model Framework (CCMF) in conjunction with the Digital Curation Centre (DCC) Lifecycle Model.
The study used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and followed the post-positivist paradigm. As research methods, both qualitative and quantitative case studies were used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online via Teams and Microsoft Teams with 23 study participants (Librarians, Library Technicians, Research Directors, Deans / Deputy Deans Research, Deputy Vice-Chancellors Research, and Heads of Departments) to collect qualitative data during the COVID-19 pandemic. To collect quantitative data, questionnaires were converted into Google forms and emailed to 30 NRF-rated researchers.
The findings of this study revealed that participating institutions (University of Zululand- UZ, and Durban University of Technology- DUT) are still in the early stages of providing RDM services, as (UNIZULU) has a planning department that has begun RDM in the institution, though it is not widely known, and (DUT) RDM service provision is in the pipeline, as its RDM policy is still at the draft stage. However, as regards research activities, both institutions support data creation, storage, preservation, sharing, access, use, and re-use. Both institutions also support grant applications and collaborative research as research-related activities and data services, as well as RDM and data citation. DSpace and DUT Open Scholar are institutional repositories (IRs) that are used to permanently store, manage, and archive research data such as journal articles, conference proceedings, theses, and dissertations. Unfortunately, most researchers are unaware of how long their institutions keep research data. The findings also reveal that the majority of researchers store and backup their research data on personal computers, emails, and external storage devices like USBs, external hard drives, and CDs. The RDM service is important for new researchers because it promotes research visibility, data sharing, data storage and availability for researchers, data use and re-use. Research supervisors have the potential to assist emerging researchers in locating and publishing in reputable journals. Furthermore, data sharing contributes significantly to increasing the impact and visibility of research, promoting scientific inquiry and debate, and fostering new collaborations between data users and data creators.
Knowledge and skills in data management, research methodology, data curation, metadata skills, and technical skills were overemphasised as truly necessary RDM competency requirements for both staff and researchers. Fortunately, most researchers understand the importance of ethics such as citation, data sharing, data analysis, searching and retrieval, and data capture. They are, however, lacking in data management and organisation, database development, data curation and re-use, and software skills. Short RDM courses, workshops, and professional body training are all practices that could be used in institutions to develop RDM skills. Furthermore, because the vast majority of study participants had not received RDM training at their institutions, data archiving and curation training are required.
The findings of the study further reveal that UNIZULU currently does not have an RDM policy that facilitates research data management, whereas DUT has a research data management policy that is still in the draft stage. In terms of infrastructure or resources, the findings revealed that UNIZULU lacks resources and well-equipped staff to provide RDM services, whereas the DUT library has adequate resources; however, whether additional resources are to support RDM practices in their institution will be determined by the actual implementation of RDM. However, teaching and research findings at DUT revealed a lack of adequate infrastructure as well as a lack of human resources or capital. There are currently no specific capacity-building programs or strategies for developing RDM skills in the institutions studied. A lack of resources or infrastructure, skilled personnel, getting researchers on board, and adoption, which is about getting people to adopt the institution's culture of managing research data, were cited as major challenges in providing the RDM service. RDM challenges may be addressed through training, workshops, and institutional policies and procedures. Finally, as viable options for developing an RDM framework for South African public universities, the study suggests RDM policy formulation, a collaboration between universities and relevant stakeholders, and a responsible group or body such as NRF and StatsSA.
This study's originality and novelty stems from its scope, subject matter, and application. The study's findings can be widely used in research, teaching, and learning. Furthermore, the study can possibly inform RDM strategy and policy in South Africa and even elsewhere
The flammable and volatile organic compound gas sensors
No full textA Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Physics in the Department of Physics and Engineering at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2023].The monitoring of flammables and VOCs is still a challenge. In addition, acetone (CH3CH3CO) is a one of the toxic and harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly used as a solvent in various laboratories and industries. Its high level of inhalation and ingestion can cause low, acute and chronic poisoning. Another commonly used highly flammable gas is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as a cooking gas, which is widely available in almost all communities and working environments to create fires for various uses. This gas causes many fatalities due to its nature of complexities in detection and can easily ignite. This, therefore, suggests that it is one of the main air pollutants that require constant detection and monitoring. Most studies in the chemical gas sensing community focus on just the normal sensing of these gases. In an attempt to solve the long existing problem, we have undertaken this study, where MgCexFe2-xO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) nanoparticles have been produced by the glyco-thermal technique and characterised by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and gas sensing analyses. The X-ray diffraction results indicated that a pure cubic spinel phase was formed for samples having a low concentration of Ce, but the high Ce doping (x ≥ 0.2) of magnesium ferrite resulted in the formation of secondary phases. The crystallite size of the compounds ranged from 2.2 nm to 15.3 nm. The 57Fe Mössbauer spectra showed transformation from an ordered to a paramagnetic spin state with an increase in Ce concentration. Gas sensors fabricated from the spinel ferrites were tested towards various organic compound vapours (acetone, methanol, p-xylene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and benzene) and flammable gases (LPG, Methane, Propane, Butane and Ammonia) at an operating temperature of 225 °C. The MgCe0.2Fe1.8O4 nano-ferrites proved to possess quality sensor characteristics of high sensitivity and selectivity to acetone vapour, with a response of over 500@100 ppm concentration as well as reproducibility, reversibility, and stability of over 120 days. This sensor not only displayed high responses, but could also maintain them over 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min of acetone exposure time. On flammable gases, the addition of cerium to magnesium ferrites proved to kill the sensing. The best performing sensor was found to be the undoped Magnesium ferrite on LPG gas. It was resilient and sensitive to an oxygen reduced, inert ambient environment. Under relative humidity, the response was reduced, but stable, due to physisorbed water molecules. In addition, this SMO sensor was tested at 200 ˚C on vegetables and fruit to evaluate their off-shelf freshness during the ripening process. These plants show a dramatic increase in the respiration rate over their maturation or ripening process over time.
OKUHUNYUSHWE NGOLIMI LWESIZULU
IMFINGQO
Ukuqapha izinto ezivuthayo kanye nama-VOC kuseyinselelo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, i-acetone (CH3CH3CO) ingenye yezinhlanganisela eziphilayo ezinobuthi neziyingozi (VOCs) ezivame ukusetshenziswa njengesinyibilikisi kumalabhorethri nezimboni ezihlukahlukene. Izinga layo eliphezulu lokuhogela kanye nokumunca lingabangela ubuthi obuphansi, obunamandla futhi obungapheli. Enye igesi evame ukuvutha esetshenziswa kakhulu i-liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), eyaziwa ngokuthi igesi yokupheka, etholakala cishe kuyo yonke imiphakathi nasezindaweni zokusebenza ukuze kubase imililo esetshenziselwa ukusetshenziswa okuhlukahlukene. Le gesi idala ukufa kwabantu abaningi ngenxa yemvelo yayo yobunzima ekubonweni futhi ingavutha kalula. Ngakho-ke, lokhu kuphakamisa ukuthi ingenye yezinto ezingcolisa umoya ezidinga ukubonwa nokuqapha njalo. Ucwaningo oluningi emphakathini ozwa igesi yamakhemikhali lugxile ekuzwaneni nje okujwayelekile kwala magesi. Emzamweni wokuxazulula inkinga ende ekhona, senze lolu cwaningo, lapho i-MgCexFe2-xO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) nanoparticles ikhiqizwe indlela ye-glyco-thermal futhi ibonakala nge-X-ray diffraction, i-electron microscopy, i-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, i-Mössbauer spectroscopy kanye nokuhlaziywa kokuzwa kwegesi. Imiphumela ye-X-ray diffraction ibonise ukuthi isigaba se-cubic spinel esihlanzekile sakhiwe amasampula ane-concentration ephansi ye-Ce, kodwa i-Ce doping ephezulu (x ≥ 0.2) ye-magnesium ferrite ibangele ukwakheka kwezigaba zesibili. Ubukhulu be-crystallite bezinhlanganisela busukela ku-2.2 nm kuya ku-15.3 nm. I-spectra ye-57Fe Mössbauer ibonise ukuguqulwa ukusuka ku-oda ukuya esimweni sokujikeleza kwe-paramagnetic kanye nokwenyuka kokugxila kwe-Ce. Izinzwa zegesi ezakhiwe ngama-spinel ferrites zahlolelwa ukushunqa inhlabathi ehlukahlukene (i-acetone, i-methanol, i-p-xylene, i-ethylbenzene, i-toluene, ne-benzene) namagesi avuthayo (LPG, Methane, Propane, Butane kanye ne-ammonia) ezingeni lokushisa elingu-225°C. I-MgCe0.2Fe1.8O4 nanoferrites ibonakale inezici zezinzwa zekhwalithi zokuzwela okuphezulu nokukhetha kumhwamuko we-acetone, nempendulo yokugxila okungaphezu kuka-500@100 ppm kanye nokuphindaphindeka, ukuhlehla, nokuzinza kwezinsuku ezingaphezu kweziyi-120. Le nzwa ayizange ibonise ukusabela okuphezulu kuphela, kodwa futhi ibikwazi ukuzigcina ngaphezu kwe-1, 3, 5, 10, 20, kanye nemizuzu engama-30 yesikhathi sokuchayeka kwe-acetone. Kumagesi avuthayo, ukungezwa kwe-cerium kuma-magnesium ferrites kufakazele ukubulala inzwa. Inzwa esebenza kahle kakhulu itholwe iyi-Magnesium ferrite engafakwanga i cerium kugesi ye-LPG. Yayikwazi ukumelana nezimo futhi izwela umoya-mpilo oncishisiwe, indawo ezungezile engenzi lutho. Ngaphansi komswakama ohlobene, impendulo yancishiswa, kodwa yazinza, ngenxa yama-molecule amanzi afakwe i-physisorbed. Ukwengeza, le nzwa ye-SMO ihlolwe ku-200 ˚C ezitshalweni nasezithelweni ukuze kuhlolwe ubusha bazo obungekho eshalofini ngesikhathi sokuvuthwa. Lezi zitshalo zibonisa ukwanda okumangalisayo kwezinga lokuphefumula phezu kokuvuthwa kwazo noma inqubo yokuvuthwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi
Development of intervention strategies to address the abuse and brutal killing of people with albinism in KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Social Work in the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, 2023.This phenomenological qualitative study’s aim was to recommend intervention strategies to address the abuse and brutal killing of People with Albinism (PWA) in KwaZulu-Natal, based on the participants’ (PWA and social workers) experiences and knowledge. Interest in this study was triggered by the researcher’s interactions with PWA, while rendering counselling to them due to their experience of abuse or witnessing or hearing about the brutal killings of other PWA. In addition, the continuous media coverage and observation of PWA being abused, murdered, stigmatised and marginalised by community members and strangers highlight the gross violation of a vulnerable group of people. The study was underpinned by two theoretical frameworks which are namely ecological systems theory and resilience theory.
The sample included twenty-six PWA and ten (10) social workers, who had two years or more experience of counselling PWA who had in turn experienced, observed or heard about the abuse and killing of PWA. The study was conducted in two municipalities in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa, namely eThekwini Metropolitan and uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the participants’ experiences, perceptions, observations and opinions on the abuse and brutal killing of PWA to recommend intervention strategies to address this scourge. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Social workers and people with albinism agreed that people with albinism are abused and brutally murdered. The study findings revealed that among the people with albinism who were interviewed, there were those who had experienced abuse from the public and those who witnessed abuse. The study findings also showed that people with albinism are abused in many different ways. One of the key abuses is that people with albinism are discriminated
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against because of their skin colour and are labelled with different names. The study findings showed that people with albinism usually suffer from emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as possible killing. The findings highlighted several factors contributing to the abuse and brutal killing of PWA. These factors are not limited to a lack of awareness, cultural beliefs and practices, as well as inadequate knowledge of people with albinism. It was revealed that the body parts of people with albinism are believed to be a useful solution in healing and bringing fortune to one’s life.
The findings of the study have refuted claims that having sexual intercourse with a person with albinism eliminates or cures those infected with HIV/ or AIDS. Despite the fact that people with albinism are living in fear, the findings of the study showed that they have very strong support from family members and teachers who provide them with first-aid help. The study concluded that the reason serious cases of abuse of people with albinism are known is because such cases are reported to social workers, police-stations, families and neighbours as well as schools. Finally, the study findings highlighted several roles that social workers play in an attempt to provide counselling to those who have experienced abuse and those who have witnessed it. Several intervention strategies were made which are not limited to a need for government to be fully involved in raising awareness of the abuse of people with albinism, educating the public about the wrong act of abusing people with albinism. The study also recommended that social workers needed to be fully versed on cases of abuse and murder of people with albinism. The full thesis is available in the University of Zululand Institutional Repository and other publications from the thesis
English teaching
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2023].The teaching of English as a second language in bilingual or multilingual classes presents many challenges to both teachers and students. Bilingual classes are not easy to handle and sometimes it becomes very difficult for the teachers to cope with the challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual experiences and challenges encountered by the teachers of English in the rural context of the Msinga Circuit Management. Interpretivism paradigm was employed for this study. Data were collected using qualitative research methods. Three secondary schools were randomly selected from Msinga Circuit, namely Mabaso Secondary (Tugela Ferry ward), Msimbithi Secondary (Pomeroy ward) and Sakhiseni Secondary (Msinga Top ward). Data were collected through two (2) focus group discussions with teachers, in-depth interviews with 11 randomly selected teachers of English and five (5) Departmental Heads. The research findings indicated that the teachers of English experienced many challenges during the teaching of English in bilingual/multilingual classes. Learner-oriented problems observed by teachers in class were poor reading skills, speaking skills, pronunciation, not comfortable speaking in front of peers, poor foundation demonstrated through failure to grasp the basic concepts when in senior level and the lack of motivation to use English, negative attitude towards English, lack of discipline, absenteeism and late coming to school. Some learners could not read or write simple words, which made them want to use their mother tongue all the time. Teachers had to code- switch and allow the learners to use vernacular language in class for them to comprehend what was being taught. The study participants identified age as an important factor in the learning of English. Learners who were not exposed to English early in life, as they grew up, were not able to use it fluently in classes and other subjects. The home and school environments were reported to be negatively contributing to the learning of English. Most homes lacked resources like televisions, and some parents could not assist the learners with homework. There was very limited exposure to English in most homes and that negatively affected the acquisition of English by the learners. The environment in most schools was not conducive to the learning of English as resources were very limited and big classes characterized many schools. The strategies used by teachers were encouraging learners to speak and read English using debates, role-play, writing songs or poems; use of words in sentences; use of learning aids and team teaching. Teachers indicated that the strategies they used at times depended on the resources that they had at the school. Teachers tended to help each other to improve teaching methods as workshops were not well structured to cater for teachers of English, who taught bilingual classes. The study concluded that the teachers of English faced many challenges and needed assistance so that they could be equipped to teach bilingual classes in a rural context