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Drought Influence on Forest Plantations in Zululand, South Africa, Using MODIS Time Series and Climate Data
Get PDFPeer reviewed article published under Forests Journal, Volume 9 Issue 9South Africa has a long history of recurrent droughts that have adversely affected its
economic performance. The recent 2015 drought has been declared the most serious in 26 years and
impaired key agricultural sectors including the forestry sector. Research on the forests’ responses
to drought is therefore essential for management planning and monitoring. The effects of the latest
drought on the forests in South Africa have not been studied and are uncertain. The study reported
here addresses this gap by using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived
normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and precipitation data retrieved and processed using
the JavaScript code editor in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) and the corresponding normalized
difference infrared index (NDII), Palmer drought severity index (PDSI), and El Niño time series data
for KwaMbonambi, northern Zululand, between 2002 and 2016. The NDVI and NDII time series
were decomposed using the Breaks for Additive Seasonal and Trend (BFAST) method to establish
the trend and seasonal variation. Multiple linear regression and Mann–Kendall tests were applied
to determine the association of the NDVI and NDII with the climate variables. Plantation trees
displayed high NDVI values (0.74–0.78) from 2002 to 2013; then, they decreased sharply to 0.64 in
2015. The Mann–Kendall trend test confirmed a negative significant (p = 0.000353) trend between
2014 and 2015. This pattern was associated with a precipitation deficit and low NDII values during a
strong El Niño phase. The PDSI (−2.6) values indicated severe drought conditions. The greening
decreased in 2015, with some forest remnants showing resistance, implying that the tree species had
varying sensitivity to drought. We found that the plantation trees suffered drought stress during
2015, although it seems that the trees began to recover, as the NDVI signals rose in 2016. Overall,
these results demonstrated the effective use of the NDVI- and NDII-derived MODIS data coupled
with climatic variables to provide insights into the influence of drought on plantation trees in the
study area
Molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and structural characterization of a universal stress G4LZI3 protein from Schistosoma mansoni
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty Of Science and Agriculture in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University Of Zululand, 2018Human schistosomiasis is a primary tropical disease caused by the larvae of a blood fluke parasite called schistosome. Different species of schistosomes are responsible for various types of schistosomiasis but most of the burden of the disease is attributed to the species Schistosoma mansoni. The outcome of S. mansoni infection includes damage to vital organs such as the intestine, spleen, bladder, lungs and liver. If left untreated it can also lead to weight loss and growth retardation in children, higher risk of anaemia, infertility, and increase susceptibility to HIV and in extreme cases, cancer. Till date, the frontline drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis is praziquantel which has various limitations and of late, drug resistance. The limitations of this first line drug has made it necessary for alternative interventions for combating the disease in terms of novel drugs and vaccines discovery and development, as well as the design of specific diagnostic tools for early diagnosis. The genome of S. mansoni has been predicted to encode different stress proteins including the Universal Stress Protein (USP). It has been previously hypothesized that the USP of schistosome parasites have shared protein sequence features which can be useful for inferring their biochemical and environmental regulation. Interestingly, proteins that have such shared features can be very useful targets for disease intervention. Universal stress proteins (USPs) act as natural biological defence mechanisms in living organisms. They are overexpressed in stress conditions and assist in overcoming stressors through various mechanisms. USPs has been predicted to play a role in host invasion by pathogens such as Mycobacterium, Salmonella and Klebsiella; thus may be useful in the treatment of various pathogenic diseases. The aim of this study is to characterize a novel Schistosoma mansoni universal stress protein G4LZI3, which has been hypothesized as a druggable target, as well as a vaccine candidate against the parasite in humans. Bioinformatics analysis of the G4LZI3 gene sequence was done to predict structural information about the protein which served as a guide towards the choice of conditions for further experimental procedure. These experimental procedures were used to determine the purity, the actual molecular weight, secondary structure element and thermostability of the protein. More so, the characterization of the expressed G4LZI3 protein reveals the secondary structural elements of the proteins and above all, a considerable amount of the recombinant protein could be expressed in bacteria and adequately purified. The results showed the possible amenability of the protein to structural determination either by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy or X-ray crystallography which is vital towards the ultimate goal of developing a new alternative but efficient drug against schistosomiasis.National Research Foundatio
Development of Ubuntu HeartMath Workshop for social coherence and spirit at work
Get PDFPeer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso journal, Volume 10 Number 1, p.1-11. November 2018.This study reports on the development of an Ubuntu type HeartMath Workshop for
the purpose of facilitating social coherence and spirit at work. The study employed
a pre- and post-test, mixed methods, within subjects, outcome evaluative design.
Data were collected in three workshops with a total sample of 10 women and 7
men, with mean age 38.23, and range 24 to 58 years. Pretesting and post-testing
consisted of psychophysiological coherence, social coherence and spirit at work
measures. The Ubuntu HeartMath Workshop procedure included HeartMath heart
focused breathing and cultivating positive Ubuntu feelings, followed by instruction
and group discussion of ways in which Ubuntu could promote social coherence
with special reference to work spirit. Afterwards participants provided written experiential and evaluative descriptions of the workshops. Significant and meaningful
quantitative and qualitative findings provided consistent evidence as to the efficacy
of the workshops in improving psychophysiological coherence, social coherence
and work spirit. Implications for the development and evaluation of further research
with other participant samples in other contexts are discussed
A phenomenological explication of the constructs of male circumcision among Sesotho speaking males in the contemporary South Africa
Get PDFSubmitted to the department of psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master’s in Clinical Psychology in the faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2018.This study focused on exploring the different meanings that young South African Sesotho
speaking males have about male circumcision. The believe is that due to the differences in the
experiences, this should instigate for different constructs about the phenomenon. Trying to
narrow the study, two groups of young Sesotho speaking males where established to work with
comparatively; these are males which are medically circumcised and those that are traditionally
circumcised. This study aimed at understanding the different social constructs which young
circumcised Sesotho speaking males have to the phenomenon.
The researcher followed a qualitative research method trying to unravel the topic. The
researcher used snowball sampling to source his participant. The researcher gathered his data
via personal interviews with participants and later analyzed it using IPA.
It appeared that the meaning towards this phenomenon is really socially constructed rather than
being universal. It varies according to ones beliefs, which are dictated by an individuals’
cultural, religious, and ethnic background. For some it is still highly considered a rite of passage
to manhood. However, a controversial debate which forms part of the meaning of the
phenomenon for others is that it plays a significant role of reducing chances of contracting HIV
and other STI’s. Another interesting issue related to this phenomenon is the subject of the
psychological and physical risks and benefits linked to the procedure. The findings of this study
suggested that, even though medical circumcision may be highly recommended, it still leaves
a room for doubt whether it is really safer than traditional circumcision. The study discovered
that medically circumcised males suffered from both physical and psychological
complications. With the repelling forces between the two dimensions of the phenomenon
(medical and traditional), considering the health and safety of these young males, the question
at hand is that how will our nation strike a balance between the two and yet posses their
different meanings attached to the phenomenon
High school learners’ attitudes towards physical sciences
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Education in Research Methodology in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University Of Zululand, 2018The investigation of high school learners’ attitudes towards physical science has been one of the prominent areas of research for the science education research community globally for some time now. However, its current importance in South Africa is emphasised by the mounting evidence of poor performance in physical science at matriculation level. Consequently, identifying the nature of learners’ attitudes towards physical science, and promoting favourable attitudes towards physical science is increasingly a matter of concern. The present study therefore investigated high school learners’ attitudes towards physical science and the relationship between their attitudes and learners’ biographical data such as gender, age and grade level. Both systematic and stratified sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 298 respondents from five high schools in the Nongoma circuit in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The research was based on descriptive research design to obtain information from respondents in their natural environment through the use of adopted attitude scale. Permission was sought and obtained through email to use the attitude scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present and analyse the data. The findings from the present study suggest that majority of high school learners hold positive attitudes towards physical science. Findings with regard to the relationship between learners’ attitudes and their biographical data reveal that there is no association between attitudes and learners’ biographical data such as gender, age and grade level. The findings from this study will add value to education policy pertaining to science education in the country. It will also contribute to the theory of attitudes towards physical science. However, there is a need in future to study ways of encouraging learners to have positive attitudes towards physical science
Developing women entrepreneurs: the influence of enactus networks on women- owned SMMEs in Kwa Zulu-Natal
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor Of Commerce in Business Management in the Department of Business Management at the University Of Zululand, 2018The extent to which women entrepreneurs interact with the entrepreneurial networks in their local environment as well as the impact that entrepreneurial networks bring to bear on the growth of women-owned Small, Medium, and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) during the process of developing their enterprises from 2005 to 2015 was studied. The research explored and described the socio-economic impact of Enactus (a student organisation that works with business leaders and academics to improve the lives of communities using an entrepreneurial approach) entrepreneurial networks on women owned SMMEs in the agricultural food processing sector in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The justification for the study was that despite the growing number of women-led businesses and a significant increase in the number of initiatives, policies and resources designed to promote and develop women’s entrepreneurship have been insufficient. Women that have established SMMEs in South Africa have achieved limited growth. Based on those observations, the study explored the research question: Do entrepreneurial networks empower the growth of women-owned enterprises in developing countries?
The Social network theory was adopted in this study as the relevant background theory in dealing with the research problem. Three key concepts are linked to this theory: women entrepreneurship, empowerment through networks, and growth of enterprises owned by women entrepreneurs. These key concepts were critically analysed, gaps explored, and links established and discussed in order to build the theoretical ground. The study utilised a cross-sectional and causal-comparative research design from the case study of 314 respondents sampled for this study. The sample comprised 234 women entrepreneurs, 8 key informants, and 72 programme-facilitators. Engaging in the Enactus networks was the independent variable. The growth of women-owned enterprises was the outcome of interest with the following indicators as dependent variables: an increase of business returns; an increase of assets; expansion of business (vertically or horizontally); an increase of household income; and participation in trade fairs. Measurement of the growth of women-owned enterprises was along two dimensions: economic and socio-cultural arenas. The study utilised an integrated mix of research approaches (qualitative and quantitative) and data collection methods.
The study found that a high proportion of women entrepreneurs engaged in Enactus networks in KwaZulu-Natal had become empowered in almost all indicators. However, the translation of this empowerment into actual growth of women-owned SMMEs, for instance from small to medium enterprises, had mixed results; with just fewer than half of the surveyed sample indicating that they had moved from small to medium enterprises. The reasons behind resistance to change from small to medium enterprises were unclear. However, the majority of surveyed women entrepreneurs in the agro-processing sector showed a shift from micro to small enterprises. The study therefore concludes that there is a need to rethink strategies of networking to include both formal and informal entrepreneurial networks, as well as networking successful and young women entrepreneurs to enhance learning for change, and the growth of women-owned SMMEs in South Africa. In this light, the study recommended amongst others, engaging formal institutional structures and processes as well as changing women’s attitudes in an attempt to make entrepreneurial networks work for women to gro
Recombinant expression, purification and structural characterization of aspergillus niger ring finger domain using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Science (MSc) in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Zululand, 2018e retinoblastoma binding protein 6 (RBBP6) is a 250 kDa nuclear protein which contains an N-terminal DWNN domain and a conserved RING finger domain. Previous studies determined the solution structure of the human RING finger domain using heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. A bioinformatics analysis using the human RING finger from RBBP6 as searching bait revealed an unchanged zinc ion coordination pattern in all organisms except in three organisms: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris and Aspergillus niger. Therefore, structural characterization of the amino acid substitution observed in A. niger RING finger domain will add to our understanding of the biological role played by the RING finger domains. In this study, in-silico characterization of the A. niger RING finger using different bioinformatics tools was carried out. Subsequently, the RING finger was sub-cloned into a pGEX-6P-2 vector and expressed as a GST-RING fusion protein. GST-Agarose affinity chromatography was used to partially purify this protein to homogeneity. Thereafter, biophysical characterization of the purified protein was carried out using Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1D NMR. The predicted three-dimensional structure of A. niger was done using the SWISS-MODEL server and visualized on Chimera showed a consensus structure containing two α-helices and 3 random coils. This result is consistent with the secondary structure prediction performed using PSIPRED v3 and JPred 4. The predicted 3D model was validated by analyzing a Ramachandran Plot, which indicated 88.0 % of the residues are in the most favoured region. This is very close to the 90% widely accepted mark of 3D models indicative of excellent quality models. Added to this, eight B-cell epitopes were predicted from the protein with four being continuous epitopes, while the remaining four are discontinuous epitopes. Thereafter, A. niger RING finger domain was sub-cloned into a pGEX-6P-2 protein expression vector and heterologously over-expressed as a GST fusion protein, which was later purified using GST-Agarose affinity chromatography. The biophysical analysis of the purified protein using a 1D proton NMR spectroscopy data revealed the appearance of a large chemical shift dispersions range from 1.0 ppm and -1.0 ppm in the methyl group and also 8.5 ppm downfield the amide region, thereby confirming the foldedness of the protein. Taken together, these results showed that the A. niger RING finger domain is very well folded and can be subjected to structural determination using heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy after collecting triple resonance coherence data.National Research Foundatio
Skills adequacy and service delivery among health professionals at Umphumulo public hospital
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Department of Public Administration in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University of Zululand, 2018.Over the decades, South Africa has experienced skills inadequacy and poor service delivery in the health sector, and the case of uMphumulo Hospital has become of particular concern. In many organizations, skills adequacy and service delivery coexists and interlinks in order to produce quality service delivery. This depends on individual performance evaluations. However, the shortage of skills among health professionals costs a fortune to any country and negatively impacts on employees’ performances, which denies South Africans the quality service they need particularly in the rural areas. Therefore, this study examines the coping skills of health workers and rationalises whether the skills are adequately shared among health professionals in the quest to enhance service delivery in uMphumulo Hospital. The study adopts a qualitative research methodology, through unstructured interviews, with 32 major stakeholders in the hospital. The study finds that the recruitment and hiring of health professionals should not be taken lightly and not be treated as minor issues. Health employees experience stress and exhaustion when they are understaffed. Monetarism has added more burdens to uMphumulo Hospital due to limited funding from government health professionals post are put on hold. Health professionals are displeased with their working environment, because there is lack of resources, equipment and medication. The hospital is also understaffed and has to attend to a voluminous number of patients. This study also suggests rewards, as supported by motivational theories, such as the equity theory (Adams, 1963), as a system for employees to increase their performance and sustain their coping skills. In conclusion, government have the responsibility to embark on human capacity programmes and invest in infrastructural development of hospitals, in the quest to promote effective service delivery. This is attainable through the review of existing policy and implementing of new pro-active health policies in rural hospitals, and uMphumulo Hospital in particular.UniZulu Foundation Fund and Research Fundin
Ucwaningo ngegalelo likaWanda, M.E. ekubhalweni kwenoveli ethi: “Kunjalo-ke” kugxilwe kwisakhiwo, abalingiswa nengqikithi
Get PDFLwethulwa ukufeza izidingo zeziqu ze Master of Arts emnyangweni wezilimi zomdabu namasiko kwangqondonkulu waKwaZulu, 2018Lolu cwaningo luhlelwe lwaba yizahluko eziyisikhombisa ezimayelana namagalelo kaWanda
M.E. ekubhalweni kwenoveli ethi: Kunjalo-ke kugxilwe kwisakhiwo, abalingiswa
nengqikithi.
Isahluko sokuqala sethula ucwaningo jikelele ngokucwaningisisa izinjongo zocwaningo,
intshisekelo noma inkuthazo yocwaningo. Lesi sahluko sethula nezindlela ezisetshenzisiwe
ngesikhathi kuqhutshwa lolu cwaningo kanye nemidiyo yocwaningo jikelele, abazohlomula
kulolu cwaningo kanye nemibono yongoti. Kube sekwethulwa uhlaka lwezahluko
zocwaningo kanye nesiphetho sesahluko sokuqala.
Isahluko sesibili sethula izinsizakuhlaziya ezahlukene ezisetshenziswa uma kuhlaziywa
inoveli. Kugxilwe kulezi ezibonakala zihambisana nenoveli ecwaningwayo. Kugxilwe
kulezi: Ukulandisa, injulasakhiwo kanye nenjulasimo. Kubuye kwabhekwa ngeso elibanzi
injulalwazi yepostmodern nobudlelwane bayo ekuhlaziyweni inoveli. Lesi sahluko sibe
sesiveza amanqampunqampu omlando kaMjajisi Wanda ongumbhali wenoveli
ecwaningwayo kanye nesiphetho sesahluko.
Isahluko sesithathu sethula indaba kaWanda ngamafuphi kanye nesakhiwo sayo. Kuqalwe
ngendaba ngamafuphi, kwalandela isakhiwo sale noveli lapho kugxilwe kulezi zihloko
ezilandelayo: isihloko senoveli, isingeniso senoveli, umzimba wenoveli kanye nesiphetho
senoveli. Kubaluliwe ukuthi umlingiswa omkhulu enovelini kaWanda uDumazile ngoba
nguye obhekene nenkinga yokungabi nasimilo. Indaba ingaye kusukela indaba iqala ize
iyophela.
Isahluko sesine sethula abalingiswa abatholakala emsebenzini kaWanda. Kudingidwa
izinhlobo zabalingiswa, indlela abavezwe ngayo kanye neqhaza labo endabeni ekukhuliseni
udweshu phakathi kwabalingiswa. Kubalulekile ukuba abalingiswa benoveli bakholeke
ngoba inoveli kumele kube yindaba engenzeka ngempela hhayi inganekwane nje. Isizinda
ikakhulukazi indawo, inkathi nesimo senhlalo yabo sibe nomthelela omkhulu ebunjalweni
babo. Udweshu olukhona phakathi kwabalingiswa lukhuphula ilukuluku lokuyifunda le
ndaba.
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Isahluko sesihlanu sihlaziya indikimba nomlayezo odingidwa yinoveli ecwaningwayo.
Kuvelile ukuthi ukungabi nomngani oyedwa oshiyelana naye ugwayi kubhebhethekisa
igciwane lengculazi. Ukuthandana kwabantu besilisa abadala namantombazane amancane
ngoba begabe ngemali kube yimbangela yokugula nokufa kwabalingiswa ababalulekile.
Ukulimala kwemindeni ngenxa yokungaziphathi kwabashadikazi, ukusala kwezintandane,
ukungasebenzisi amajazi omkhwenyana, ukubalekela ukuhlolela igciwane lengculazi
kubhekiwe kulesi sahluko. Kube sekuphethwa lesi sahluko.
Isahluko sesithupha sethula eminye imihlabahlose ekubhalweni kwenoveli kaWanda.
Kulesi sahluko kubhekwa isizinda, udweshu, ulwazi lwangaphambili, isu lokubikezela, isu
lokujeqeza kanye nobudlelwano phakathi komoya nephimbo elitholakala enovelini kaWanda.
Le mihlabahlose esetshenzisiwe njengesizinda iveza ukuthi okaWanda uyihlabe
esikhonkosini ngokudingida ngempilo ehlupha imiphakathi eminingi kulesi sikhathi.
Ukubhidlika kwesimilo kubantu yikhona okubulele imiphakathi eminingi. Indlela abantu
abangazicabangeli ngayo sebenza amahlazo asobala. Kube sekuphethwa lesi sahluko.
Isahluko sesikhombisa simayelana nokuhlaziya, izincomo, izimfundiso eziqukethwe
yinoveli kanye nokungenziwa ngokuzayo. Izimfundiso ezivela kule noveli zibaluliwe
njengokukhuliswa komntwana ekhaya, ukuthandana kothisha nabafundi, ukuthandana kobaba
abadala namantombazane amancane, ukuzalela ekhaya kwamantombazane, umkhuba
wokuyobhula kanye nobusoka kumele kubhekwe ngeso elibanzi njengoba kuvela
njengomthelela nokutheleleka nokufa kwabantu yisifo sengculazi. Kube isiphetho
socwaningo jikelele
The challenges of curriculum changes in teaching economic and management sciences in schools in the Umhlathuze circuit
Get PDFSubmitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master’s in Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, 2018.This study sets out to investigate the teaching of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) as a subject in the context of curriculum change. The main aim of this study is to identify the challenges teachers face in teaching EMS, determine the suitable teaching strategies to be used to teach EMS and explore the effect of curriculum change in teaching EMS in schools at Umhlathuze Circuit. This study is located within the interpretivist-positivist paradigm and falls within mixed method research approaches. The research instruments used were questionnaires administered to EMS teachers, interviews, learner activities and teacher portfolios.
The results show that EMS teachers are facing challenges with regards to the integrated teaching of Accounting, Business Studies and Economics. The results of the study reveal that EMS teachers are still teaching more of Business Studies and Economics while sacrificing the Accounting content. The time allocated to teach EMS is not enough which causes teachers to focus on curriculum coverage rather than ensuring that learners master the content taught. The shortage of textbooks and calculators was also identified as a major challenge in many schools. Many EMS teachers are either trained for at least a combination of two disciplines in EMS. Even the Heads of department are not fully equipped in all three disciplines within the EMS.
It is recommended that time allocation for EMS be reviewed. There is a need for sufficient resources in schools to ensure effective teaching and learning. EMS teachers should be able to teach all three disciplines within the EMS effectively. There is also a need for teacher training and development. Teachers should use a variety of teaching strategies and should adapt their teaching practice as a result of curriculum change. Accounting within the EMS should be a stand-alone subject