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Ikhono LikaMakhaye N J Lokubhala Inoveli Engajwayelekile Nokuchaza Esebenzisa Ulimi Olunothile Enovelini Yakhe Ethi: Uze Ungikhonzele
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Arts in the Department of Arts and Culture at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.Lolu cwaningo lucubungula ikhono likaMakhaye N.J. lokubhala inoveli engajwayelekile
ethatha usuku olulodwa nokusebenzisa ulimi olunothile uma echaza.
Ucwaningo luzama ukuveza ukuthi inoveli iyakwazi ukuthatha isikhathi esifishane. Lokhu
kuhlukile enkolelweni ongoti abaningi nababhali bamanoveli abakholelwa ekutheni inoveli
kumele ithathe isikhathi eside. UMakhaye usebenzise amasu ahlukene ukubambezela
inoveli yakhe ukuthi ingasheshe iphele.
Ucwaningo lubuye lugxile kabanzi ekusetshenzisweni kwesifaniso namagama akhethekile
enovelini kaMakhaye. Inhloso yalokhu ukunothisa ulimi kule noveli okucwaningwa ngayo.
Ucwaningo luphinde lubheke ikhono likaMakhaye elikhethekile neliyingqayizivele
lokuchaza kahle abalingiswa kanye nezinto ezivela enovelini yakhe.
Lolu cwaningo lunezahluko eziyisishiyagalombili ezihleleke kanje:
Isahluko sokuqala siyisingeniso socwaningo lapho kubhekwa khona izinhloso
zocwaningo , ingqinamba yocwaningo, intshisekelo yocwaningo, imibuzongqangi, indlela
yokuqhuba ucwaningo nomklamo wocwaningo.
Isahluko sesibili sizogxila emibonweni yongoti bamanoveli abahlukene. Kuzovezwa
izindlela ezahlukene abachaza ngazo inoveli kuqhathaniswa nenoveli kaMakhaye
engajwayelekile.
Isahluko sesithathu sizoveza izinsizakuhlaziya ezizosetshenziswa kulo cwaningo.
Ucwaningo luzogxila kulezi ezilandelayo: Insizakuhlaziya eqanjwe ngomsunguli wayo
uKarl Marx, Insizakuhlaziya Yokulandisa, Insizakuhlaziya Ebuka Ngeso Lomfundi kanye
nensizakuhlaziya Ethinta Amasiko Nezithombe
Isahluko sesine sizoveza iqoqa lenoveli yonke kanye namasu okubhala atholakala
enovelini kaMakhaye.
Isahluko sesihlanu sona sigxile emagameno akhethekile kanye nokufanisa
okusetshenziswe kule noveli.
Isahluko sesithupha sikhuluma ngekhono likaMakhaye lokuchaza kahle abalingiswa.
Isahluko sesikhombisa sigxile ekhonweni likaMakhaye lokuchaza kahle izinto
ezisetshenziswe enovelini yakhe.
Isahluko sesishiyagalombili siveza imiphumela, iziphakamiso kanye nesiphetho
socwaningo
Solventless Synthesis of Nanostructured Spinel Ferrite Solid Solutions for Supercapacitance and Electromechenical Water Splitting Application
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Department of Chemistry in fulfillment of the Requirements for a Doctor of Science in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering at the University of Zululand, 2021.Metal oxide nanocrystals that adopt the spinel crystal structure, such as spinel ferrites exhibit a variety of interesting electronic, magnetic, and optical properties, which render them suitable for numerous technologically relevant applications. Interestingly, tuning the composition of spinel nanoferrites via the design of solid solutions is recognized as an effective way to improve their electrochemical properties towards supercapacitance and water splitting. In this regard, achieving synthetic control over the composition is critical to tuning the properties of spinel ferrite nanocrystals. Efforts to find sustainable approaches to nanoparticle synthesis have focused on green chemistry principles, including reducing waste, improving yield and atom economy, and minimizing auxiliaries and reaction steps. The solventless approach, in which the synthesis of nanomaterials proceed by thermal decomposition of precursors has attracted considerable research interest and proven to be simple, economical, time-effective, scalable, and eco-friendly. The work described in this thesis demonstrates the suitability of the solventless thermolysis route for the fabrication of a series of nanostructured spinel ferrite solid solutions using metal acetylacetonate precursors. Investigation on the efficacy of the synthesized ferrite solid solutions for supercapacitance and water splitting applications is also described. The thesis is organized into seven chapters as described hereunder. The first chapter presents the introduction and literature review which are the foundations upon which the entire research work is based. This chapter gives insight into electrochemical energy systems with a special focus on the theory behind electrocatalytic water splitting and the mechanism of hydrogen production in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. Similarly, the description, classification and working principles of supercapacitors are described. It also shades light into the concept and potential applications of spinel ferrites and their corresponding solid solutions. The first chapter is culminated by highlighting the research justification and establishes the working scope and objectives of the study. The work described in chapter two entails the scalable synthesis of nanostructured Ni1-xCoxFe2O4 solid solutions via a solventless thermolysis method. The physicochemical analysis of the as-prepared solid solutions is established by a suite of characterization techniques, while the procedures of materials fabrication and electrochemical analysis are also presented. The p-XRD analysis confirmed the formation of a series of monophasic cubic spinel ferrites with space group Fd3m. Investigation of the synthesized materials for
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supercapacitance revealed that the nanospinel Ni0.4Co0.6Fe2O4 electrode demonstrated a longer charge-discharge time, signifying superior charge storage capacity. For efficient HER electrocatalysis, the Ni0.6Co0.4Fe2O4 electrode showed high performance manifested by low overpotential of 168 mV and Tafel slope of 120 mV/dec. Similarly, Ni0.8Co0.2Fe2O4 exhibited a lower overpotential of 320 mV with a low Tafel slope of 79 mV/dec, indicating enhanced OER activity. Chapter three describes scalable nanofabrication of composition-tuneable spinel Co1xZnxFe2O4 solid solutions via a solvent-free thermolysis approach. The discussion of the experimental results regarding the materials’ structural, compositional, morphological and optical properties is provided. Experimental results revealed that incorporation of diamagnetic Zn2+ in the crystal lattice of CoFe2O4 significantly enhanced both the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the resultant material. Higher discharge time displayed by Co0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 is indicative of higher specific capacitance of the material compared to the pristine CoFe2O4. For OER, the Co0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 solid solution exhibited higher performance reflected by low overpotential of 317 mV along with a small Tafel slope of 56 mV/dec. As for HER in alkaline electrolyte, Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 displayed decent performance with a low overpotential of 169 mV and Tafel slope of 136 mV/dec compared to other electrode compositions. Chapter four demonstrates that by regulating the molar composition of Mg and Ni in the preparation of Ni1-xMgxFe2O4 solid solutions, the physicochemical and the electrochemical performance of the material were tuned. The Ni1-xMgxFe2O4 (x = 0.6) nanoparticles exhibited the best electrocatalytic activity for HER with an overpotential of only 121 mV which is much smaller compared to its analogues, at current density of 10 mA/cm2 and the electrode exhibits good stability during long-term electrolysis. Meanwhile, Ni0.2Mg0.8Fe2O4 showed the best OER activity, requiring an overpotential of 284 mV to deliver the same current density within the window of potential examined. In chapter five, a series of Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solutions with varying amounts of zinc and nickel have been efficaciously fabricated via a solventless pyrolysis method. The p-XRD and EDX analyses confirmed the formation of homogeneous phase-pure Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nanoparticles. In comparison, the incorporation of zinc in the crystal lattices of nickel ferrite endowed a larger benefit on HER and OER than on supercapacitance. Specifically, the Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.8) nanocatalyst displays excellent HER performance with superior activity which is manifested by a small overpotential of 87
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mV, whereas Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 1) catalyst exhibited superior OER performance with a small overpotential of 330 mV. The main aim of the sixth chapter was to employ the same solventless pyrolysis approach to afford uniform Co1-xMgxFe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nanoparticles using metal acetylacetonate precursors. Structural analysis showed that all samples exhibited a cubic spinel ferrite structure with space group Fd3m. All samples showed the same morphology irrespective of the amount of Mg being incorporated in the CoFe2O4 system. Considering the band gap value of pristine cobalt ferrite, a blue shift was observed for all compositions except for x = 0.2 and 1, which were red shifted. The results and findings of this chapter are of profound significance for the design of novel electronic and optoelectronic devices. Chapter 7 culminates the entire research project by presenting a brief summary of the work and possible areas to be considered for future work. Overall, it was observed in this study that compared to the parent spinel ferrites, their corresponding solid solutions demonstrated improved physicochemical and electrochemical activity, except for Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 where the parent ZnFe2O4 exhibited higher OER activity than the solid solutions.National Research Foundatio
An exploration of final year, pre-service mathematics teachers’ learning experiences in solving non-routine financial mathematics problems at a South African University
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education, University of Zululand, 2021.This study explored pre-service mathematics teachers (PSMTs) learning experiences in solving non-routine mathematical problems in financial mathematics. To this end, the theories that formed the foundation of this study were the realistic mathematics education, socio-constructivist theory of problem solving and mathematical proficiency.
Participants were drawn from an initial teacher education programme in South Africa. They were in the final year of their four-year Bachelor of Education degree, specializing in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education for intermediate and senior phase teaching. A total of 11 pre-service mathematics teachers participated in the study.
The study employed a qualitative approach and a case study design. A single case study with multiple units was deemed appropriate for this investigation. The data for this investigation were generated through questionnaires, documents, observations and interviews. Firstly, PSMTs responded to an open-ended questionnaire which had 27 items. Secondly, PSMTs solved four non-routine mathematical problems, based on financial mathematics, in groups, over four weeks. The problem-solving sessions were conducted concurrently in different venues. The D_group and the M_group were video recorded during each session, while the T_group was audio recorded. Thirdly, and finally, the researcher interviewed the available members of each group.
Content analysis was used to interrogate the data from the various instruments. The results were presented in the form of tables and excerpts. The findings across the various instruments showed that the PSMTs used numerical strategy, pictorial strategy, verbal strategy, and algebraic strategy to solve mathematical problems in financial mathematics. None of the groups used graphical strategy. The PSMTs grappled with contextual, linguistic, representational and transformational activities of algebra in their search for solutions to non-routine mathematical problems in financial mathematics. However, all the groups seemed to lack a knowledge of the time value of money principle and had inadequate knowledge of mathematical language. Consequently, all the groups committed linguistic and contextual errors, more than mathematical errors.
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It is recommended that LTSMs’ authors, curriculum developers and mathematics education instructors and lecturers design and implement learning outcomes which extend beyond the mere acquisition of mathematical concepts and mathematical skills. The learning outcomes that foster the acquisition of mathematical language, particularly financial mathematics language, should be prioritize in the assessment activities of PSMTs. Concerted efforts should be made to explicitly educate and expose PSMTs to problem situations that require the use of graphical problem-solving strategies, which have seemed missing in this cohort of PSMTs. The teaching of financial mathematics should focus upon the use of the time value of money principle and compounding of interest.
To maximize the learning experiences of pre-service mathematics teachers (PSMTs) in solving problems in financial mathematics, mathematics education lecturers may have to supplement the examples and practice problems given in PSMTs textbooks, and other LTSMs, to include non-routine mathematical problems, which focus upon the use of graphical problem-solving strategy that seemed to be highly underdeveloped in this cohort of PSMTs. It is further concluded that mathematics education lecturers should engage PSMTs with non-routine mathematical problems in financial mathematics with superfluous (and or missing) information and in higher cognitive demands to maximize PSMTs’ learning experiences in solving these problems which are rarely found in textbooks and other LTSMs
A case study of gendered differences in land ownership in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in the fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Art in the department of Development Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021South Africa has a dual land property rights system in which land can be distributed and owned under statutory or customary communal laws. The study aimed to understand gendered differences in land ownership in the Nkomazi Local Municipality in the context of such customary and statutory laws. It focused on how such gendered differences affect women and female farmers in the same community noting that globally, women were often oppressed by patriarchal and cultural systems. The study, therefore, relied on the legal pluralism theory which asserts that modern societies are not only governed under the power of the state but under pluralistic forces that hold different levels of acceptability to the people governed. It also relooked the feminist political ecology, a theory that relates gender to the access and ownership of natural resources including land. The study adopted a phenomenological research design guided by a critical theory paradigm that aims to empower repressed groups and transform societies. It took a qualitative research approach where data was collected from a sample of 37 participants who included male and female farmers, female residents who were not into farming, municipal and government officials and traditional leaders using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Collected data were analysed using thematic analysis on the Atlas.ti.8 software. The analysis generated seven themes leading to the conclusion that gendered land ownership differences are a reality in the Nkomazi Local Municipality. They manifest through differences in ease of land ownership between men and women, differences in land sizes, the security of tenure and access to training and support. Gendered land ownership differences result in gendered poverty and worsen the economic plight of women who rely more on the land than men. The study concludes that patriarchal traditional systems as institutionalised in customary law systems are the main force behind unequal access to land between men and women. While statutory laws and a gender-sensitive constitution have been crafted, the excessively overt application of customary law continues to deny women the rights to equality on land issues. The study recommended an implementation framework to resolve gendered land ownership differences and the discrimination of women on land issues. It also recommended the use of new land distribution opportunities to address land ownership inequalities, the codification of customary law, the enforcement of gender quotas on traditional councils and supporting women’s land-related activism as some of the possible solutions to the unbalanced land ownership structure in the Nkomazi Local Municipality
Investigating the use of the perfomance management in relation to the provision of services and amenities at the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal.
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Development Studies in the Department of Anthropology Development Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.This study investigated the use of performance management in the provision of
services and amenities at the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. There are a
number of studies conducted in the field of performance management in the public
sector that has revealed that there are still challenges towards the use of performance
management in driving improved service delivery. The study employs New Public
Management as an approach that guided the study in investigating the use of
performance management in the vision of services and amenities. The study employs
both the qualitative and quantitative (mixed) research methods for data collection and
analysis. Further, it adopted post-positivism as a paradigm of the study. Qualitative
data were analysed by content analysis and quantitative data were analysed using
SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The findings of the study illustrated that Ray Nkonyeni
Municipality has fully implemented performance management in the entire municipal
levels. However, the study discovered that the RNM set next financial year 2021/22
as the timeframe for implementing performance management system. The study
concluded that Ray Nkonyeni Municipality must expedite the process of implementing
performance management in all municipal levels, employ multiple evaluating tools,
improve public participation on performance management evaluation, have a clear
policy on nominating or electing persons to performance management review
committee and frequently train Councillors to enable them to provide effective
oversight on performance management and other municipal matters
The perceptions of customers and grocery retail managers towards private label brands in the grocery retail sector within the eThekwini municipality
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Commerce in the Department of Business Management, Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law, at the University of Zululand, 2021.The introduction of private label brands brought various opportunities and challenges for grocery retailers, however, over the years, these private label brands have often been greeted with mixed perceptions from customers; accompanied by certain skepticisms. This study aimed at identifying the current perceptions of customers and retail managers towards private label brands, with a specific focus on the eThekwini municipality. As a method of investigation, the convergent parallel mixed research methodology was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Approximately 389 customers were systematically selected as a source of data. Meanwhile for the qualitative aspect, grocery retail managers were selected as a unit of analysis. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. The findings suggest that customers are aware of private label brands and their existence in the South African grocery retail sector. They repeatedly purchase these brands though unable to trust them. Customers are still skeptical about the quality of private label brands when compared with manufacturer brands. The findings of this study suggest that South African grocery retailers need to pay attention to communicating with their customers regarding the private label brands that they offer. Also, they need to produce customer-centric private label products that will be better received and accepted by consumers.National Research Foundatio
An ethnobotanical survey, antimicrobial activity and toxicity evaluation of plant species used for blood purification by rural communities in Northern Maputaland, South Africa
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Botany at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.A blood purifier is defined as a substance that removes toxins from the bloodstream via a process known as detoxification. Blood purification (cleansing) is highly crucial for the entire body functioning as the body depends on healthy blood.In South Africaherbal remedies, herbal teas, spices and traditional medicine are all used forthe purification of blood. The use of different supplements to purify or strengthen the blood are available in pharmaciesand informaltrading centreswithout any prescription from adoctor.Medicinal plant speciesused for blood purification are a large component of rural peoples’Materia Medica. This can bea concernasvery few of these products and plant specieshave beenscientifically tested for safety and efficacy. Therefore,ethnobotanical survey was conducted on bloodpurification plant speciesused inrural areasofnorthern Maputaland. Furthermore,an investigation intolaypeoples’concept of bloodpurificationand the respective plant speciesused were investigated. A total of 55 key informantswere chosen purposively and interviewedusing a structured questionnaire. The information gathered during the interviewswas documented along with the plant voucher specimens. Available plant samples were collected for extraction. The study found that the laypeople in northern Maputaland use blood purification as a dual strategy for health care reasons. This technique is used for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by variouspathogens (skin infections, oral infections, urinary tract infections)andspiritual complications. The study documented 65plant species with Bridelia cathartica, Catunaregam obovata, Cymbopogon marginatus, Sclerocarya birrea, Senecioserratuloidesand Terminalia sericeabeing the most frequentlycited plant specieswithin these communities. Twenty-two plantspecies and 32setsof plant species combinations were recorded for the first time as blood purifiers. There were five new vernacular (IsiZulu) names mentioned by the participants (isikwakwane, upata, umhlakuva, umbungwa anduvemvane) that were not found in literaturepreviously. Most blood purification remedies were prepared as decoctions,and taken orally before breakfast.Aqueous and organic (1:1 dichloromethane methanol) extracts were prepared from 58plant samples that were available for collection in northern Maputaland. Antimicrobial
viscreening using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay was performed on selected bacterial pathogens involved in blood-related infections,i.e. Acinetobacter baumannii,Cutibacterium acnes,Listeria monocytogenes,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and S. pyogenes. The most active aqueous extract came from Albertisia delagoensisroot with a noteworthy inhibition at0.13mg/ml MIC value against C. acnes.Whereasthe most active organic extract was Ozoroa engleriwith the MIC values of 0.004 mg/ml against C. acnes, 0.01mg/ml against S. agalactiaeand 0.02mg/ml against L. monocytogenes, S. aureusand S. pyogenesrespectively. Gymnosporia senegalensisand O. englerihad the broadest spectrum of antimicrobial activities with notableMIC values against four and five pathogens respectively. It was worth noting that the antimicrobial activity of A. delagoensis and Sapium integerrimum was evaluated for the first time and both have significant activities (MIC 0.16 mg/ml) against C. acnes. The antimicrobial activity of 308 plant combinations was evaluated using sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC). Once the ΣFIC of plant species combined in equal ratios was calculated, the combinations exhibited synergistic (61%), additive (16%), non-interactive (49%) and antagonistic (29%)effects. The broadest synergistic effect was displayed by Abrus precatorius + B. catharticaroot extracts, where the combination was synergistic against C. acnes, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. The most synergistic effect was displayed by S. integerrimum + Strychnos spinosaroots having,the ΣFIC value of 0.33,against P.aeruginosa.The toxicity of the plant species was evaluated using the brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). When plant species were evaluated individually, the aqueous extracts had five plant speciesshowing potential toxicity (Dichapetalum cymosum, Ekebergia capensis, Gardenia volkensii, Trichilia emetica and Waltheria indica) and 12 organic extracts demonstrated toxicity. When dilutions of toxic extracts were made (1.00mg/ml, 0.50 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml, 0.13 mg/ml, 0.06 mg/ml and 0.03 mg/ml) it was observed that the toxicity of extracts decreased with lower concentrations. For the evaluation of the idifferent setsof combinationstested, two combinations(A. delagoensis + Pyrenacantha kaurabassana and D. cymosum+ Euclea natalensis)displayed consistent toxicity in both aqueous and organic extracts. Six combinations portrayed increased toxicity compared to when these plant species were tested individually. Overall, the results demonstrated that the use of medicinal plant species for infectious diseases related to blood purification is somewhat valid, since 35%of the plant extracts had noteworthy activity against some of the pathogens. The plant extracts displayed high antimicrobial activity against C. acnes, which for 80%of the time correlates with the traditional use reported by the participants. The results also demonstrated that the combination of plant species does not always guarantee increased efficacy, and that not all medicinal plant species are safe for use. This study served to provide an informative view to the concept of blood purification. It is clear that when looking into blood purification, ailments like acne and other skin disorders should not be disregarded. The role that blood purification play in lay peoples’ rituals emphasise thatholistic and spiritual healings of the laypeople should also be considered
Annotation and comparative analysis of P450s, their redox partners and secondary metabolite gene clusters in the bacterial phylum Firmicutes
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs/P450s), heme thiolate proteins, are well known for their role in organisms’ primary and secondary metabolism. P450s are also involved in the generation of secondary metabolites with biotechnological value. P450s require electrons to perform their function, and these electrons are provided by iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster proteins known as ferredoxins. However, to date, comparative analysis of P450s, redox proteins and P450s involved in secondary metabolite production is not reported in the bacterial phylum Firmicutes. This study aimed to address this research gap. Genome-wide analysis of P450s in 972 Firmicutes species belonging to 158 genera revealed that only 229 species belonging to 37 genera have P450s; 38% of Bacilli species, followed by 14% of Clostridia and 2.7% of other Firmicutes species, have P450s. The pathogenic or commensal lifestyle influences P450 content to such an extent that species belonging to the genera Streptococcus, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus and Leuconostoc do not have P450s, except for a handful of Staphylococcus species that have a single P450. Only 18% of P450s are found to be involved in secondary metabolism and 89 P450s that function in the synthesis of specific secondary metabolites are predicted. A total of 281 ferredoxins were found amongst 227 Firmicutes species. Four types of ferredoxins were found in this phylum, namely, 2Fe-2S, 4Fe-4S, 7Fe-8S and 2[4Fe-4S]. The dominant type found amongst this phylum was 4Fe-4S with 140 ferredoxins followed by 2Fe-2S with 97 ferredoxins, 7Fe-8S with 32 ferredoxins and 2[4Fe-4S] with 12 ferredoxins. To date, evolutionary analysis of these proteins across the domains of life is confined to observing the abundance of Fe-S cluster types and the diversity of ferredoxins within a type is not reported. To address this research gap, here a subtype classification and nomenclature for ferredoxins based on the characteristic spacing between the cysteine amino acids of the Fe-S binding motif as a subtype signature was proposed. To test this hypothesis, comparative analysis of ferredoxins between Firmicutes and ferredoxins collected from species of different domains of life that are reported in the literature has been carried out. Various ferredoxin subtypes were found amongst Firmicutes species. Eleven different subtypes were found amongst 2Fe-2S ferredoxins with subtype 20 being the dominant subtype. 4Fe-4S had five subtypes with subtype 2 being dominant, and 2[4Fe-4S] had three subtypes with subtype 9 being dominant. It is interesting to note that 7Fe-8S only had one subtype showing a preference to that specific ferredoxin subtype. Three subtypes of 2Fe-2S and two subtypes of
2[4Fe-4S] were found to be common between the Archaea and Firmicutes species, indicating their shared common ancestral origin.
Overall, the study results supported the hypothesis proposed by our laboratory that organisms’ lifestyles impact P450 repertoire in their genomes. This is clearly evident in the bacterial phylum Firmicutes where a pathogenic or commensal lifestyle resulted in complete or nearly loss of P450s in the species. This study also is the first to propose ferredoxin subtype classification and identification of ferredoxins that have common ancestor origin (between Archean and Bacteria) and those are subjected to lateral gene transfer from prokaryotes (Archean/Bacteria) to eukaryotes
Gas sensing properties of doped copper oxide (CuO) thin films and nanostructures.
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Physics in the Department of Physics and Engineering at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.p-xylene is a harmful volatile organic compound that needs to be tested for indoor air quality detection. We report on the sensing characteristics of CuO and Zn doped CuO nanoplatelets of various concentrations that were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis, against nine different gases. These CuO and Zn based nanoplatelets were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence emission and vibrating sample magnetometer measurements. CuO and 0.1 at. % Zn doped CuO samples were most sensitive and selective to p-xylene gas with relatively high responses (Ra/Rg ratio) of about 42 and 53 at an operating temperature of 150 °C, respectively. These responses were about six times higher compared to the other 8 tested interfering gases. All these samples further exhibited a paramagnetic behavior at room temperature, due to small traces of point defects, such as oxygen vacancies. Both these sensor materials did not show green luminescence at room temperature that is normally associated with oxygen vacancies. However, temperature dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements for the 0.1 at. % Zn doped CuO showed broad visible emission, including green luminescence, which increased with temperature up to 150 °C and coincided with the gas sensing temperature. The pure CuO, however, showed a rapid quenching in PL emission with an increase in the temperature up to 150 °C. Nevertheless, both pure CuO and 0.1 at. % Zn doped CuO based sensors were highly sensitive to the p-xylene gas. The mechanism associated to the xylene superior sensing was considered in terms of point defects and surface area as active sites for adsorption of gas molecules.Keywords: CuO, Gas sensor, Thin films and nanostructures, Gas sensing properties.National research foundation
Investigating the congruency of vision, mission and motto statements on strategic intent and allegiance of national departments in South Africa
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Commerce in the Department of Public Administration in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration & Law, University of Zululand, 2021.Strategic management begins with identifying a bigger picture by formulating mission and vision statements that provide a clear definition of statements that express the overall reason for business. This study was about strategic management concepts in South Africa's national departments primarily championed by leaders. Accordingly, the study addressed the formulation of meaningful mission and vision statements with the inclusion of motto. Working together through government departments to achieve collective outcome has been a challenge as could be witnessed through white elephant structures. The vision, mission and motto statements of cluster departments seemed not pulling into the same strategic outcomes. The study’s objectives was to determine congruence, convergence or divergence, and alignment on the strategic intent of visions, missions and mottos (slogans or tagline) in national departments in South Africa. Further whether the themes from the statements align to National Development Plan 2030 and to their universal characteristics.
While bringing the three statements together had to give single dimensional view of the statements, to determine awareness and allegiance by public service leadership and staff to their national departments' strategic statements was also important. Pragmatism and descripto-explanatory approach was applied by collecting quantitative and qualitative data using survey questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. In addition, archival data on websites published strategic documents. The research was based on 39 national departments, 123 respondents to questionnaires, and 21 interviewees. The statements were abstracted from the departmental websites to determine themes by Voyant tool and alignment to the characteristics. Finally, the study applied descriptive statistics and inferential statistics by using the t-test and Chi-square test for conclusive results. To determine congruence, convergence or divergence, and alignment on the strategic intent of visions, missions and mottos (slogans or tagline) in national departments, regression analysis was applied to assess the relationship level of relationship and finally apply structural analysis equation to present the results.
Results showed that the majority of the public sector were aware of the vision, mission, but partially motto statements. There was a disagreement that these statements were solely meant for management. There was a general knowledge from majority of participants that the statements have a strategic purpose and are necessary to influence behavior and attitude. The public sector highly ranked the Constitution of South Africa and legal mandate for their strategic delivery than vision mission and motto statements. Most participants presented poor readability on missions (89%) followed by 71% in poor readability of vision statements. No clear vertical linkage of the statements with National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. The strength of statements were moderately aligned to defined characteristics. Actionability and foresight of visions were visible in almost half of the departments, while uniqueness is non-existent in the public sector. Half of the nine mission characteristics were in more than 59% of public sector departments while self-concept and concern for employees were non-existence in national departments.
Only 8% of departments had between 7 to 8 characteristics of statements alignment. Results further show that 41% of departments had a motto, but only 50% of those departments with mottos had all five alignment characteristics, and the remainder had more than 60% alignment. Convergence and alignment on missions and visions were in four of seven cluster departments. The study recommends that the position and placement of vision, mission and motto statements should be made considering strategic positions for visibility as they influence their use, awareness, and allegiance. Employees within government departments should be considered to be factored in mission statements. It will enhance the stewardship role of the preamble of the SA’s Constitution. An outcome of the research as a contribution to the body of knowledge is the theoretical strategic intent model. Public-sector strategic planning and management framework should depict the constitution and legal mandate preceding vision, mission, values, and motto statements. Vertical alignment in the vision, mission, and motto should be infused from macro policies to assist horizontal alignment congruence and convergence in sector and cluster departments