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Perceptions of employees, on the self-management of their diabetes mellitus, working in selected industries in Cape Town
Full text linkThesis (Master of Nursing)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Globally there is an increase of 314 million adults with diabetes in the last 34 years. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a serious threat to the health of the population. It is therefore imperative to investigate various methods that could address or improve the outcomes of the disease. Regardless of what led to diabetes, it is important to focus on what is currently possible when addressing the disease or state of health of a patient. Part of the role of the Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner is to advise these patients on self-management of their disease, to effect behaviours that are associated with positive management outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions and practices of clients, working in selected industries in Cape Town, on their self-management of DM.
A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was followed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants. An interview schedule, field notes and digital recorder were used to conduct the interviews in a private room. Interviews lasting no more than 40 minutes. Non-probability sampling by means of purposive sampling was used. Participants were drawn from the client registers in the occupational health clinics in various industries. Participants signed an informed written consent form after the information sheet was discussed with them. They could withdraw at any stage.
Open coding was conducted and four (4) themes, nine (9) categories and two (2) sub-categories emerged from the data collected. Study findings gave insight into the manner in which study participants perceived their behaviour/s and expressed feelings about their self-management practices. Various emotions were experienced by participants relating to the disease and lifestyle adaptations required for self-management thereof. Perceptions of the support provided to the client by their families and the occupational health nurse practitioner were favourable.
Regular meetings with the client and the practitioner should provide individualized health education and chronic disease monitoring. Inclusion of Allied health care workers in the team providing information to the client is recommended. Health education sessions to all employees will aid in de-stigmatising the disease. Including measures to address the specific needs of the employee with diabetes within the work-place to better facilitate effective self-management practices
The role of professional nurses in promoting a healthy self-esteem in hospitalised, pregnant women with HIV/AIDS in a maternity unit in a public hospital in Cape Town
Full text linkThesis (Master of Nursing)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019In the fight against the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), one of the aspects to be taken into consideration is the self-esteem of pregnant women. Professional nurses in maternity settings need to support pregnant women, with a focus on providing balanced care to meet all of the women’s needs and build their self-esteem. Self-esteem reflects one’s subjective emotional evaluation of one’s worth. A decrease in the self-esteem of the individual with HIV/AIDS infections is common and professional nurses should advise patients on the appropriate ways to deal with HIV/AIDS. A supportive environment for HIV/AIDS women could enhance their self-esteem. The researcher overheard HIV/AIDS positive patients in a maternity unit express their feelings of worthlessness and wondered how he could support them to have self-worth. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the role of professional nurses in promoting a healthy self-esteem in hospitalised, pregnant women with HIV/AIDS in a maternity unit in a public hospital in Cape Town. The study was qualitative in nature, departing from assumptions of the theoretical framework of Eric Erikson.
An exploratory, descriptive, contextual, qualitative design was followed when the semi-structured interviews were conducted. The accessible population comprised of 15 professional nurses working at the maternity unit. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample of 11 professional nurses (participants) working in a maternity unit who met the eligibility criteria. Individual interviews were conducted with eight participants as a starting point until data saturation was reached. After obtaining permission from the necessary authorities, the researcher visited the manager of the unit. Two pilot individual interviews were conducted to determine whether the research questions were understood. The researcher explained the purpose and information on the information sheet and obtained informed consent. Interviews lasted 45 minutes were conducted in a private room and recorded. The researcher used an interview schedule and made field notes while conducting the interviews. Data triangulation of the interviews and field notes ware done. Thematic analysis coding was applied to analyse data. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. The following ethical principles of privacy, the right to withdraw and anonymity were followed. The findings indicated HIV/AIDS-related stigma as the main cause of a poor self-esteem among pregnant women with HIV/AIDS. Participants furthermore felt that there is a need for training and skills development of professional nurses to enable them to understand how to support HIV/AIDS pregnant women and enhance their self-esteem. It was concluded that professional nurses should support pregnant women with HIV/AIDS places a socio-economic burden on societies and has set the world into spending millions on healthcare settings in an attempt to curb the disease
Design interventions for re-conceptualising sustainable graphic design practices in Ghana
Full text linkThesis (DTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This research explored and examined graphic design practices through the lens of the Sustainability Development Analytical Grid. The exploration was meant to discover how graphic design practices are carried out - from idea inception to the delivery stage of graphic design products - in a developing nation. The essence of the exploration was to understand how graphic designers make design decisions and the effects of these design decisions in the pre-press, press and post-press activities from a sustainability perspective. In the examination, the first task was to probe the identified graphic design practices using the selected sustainability framework, to ascertain what the challenges are to sustainability in graphic design practices. The second task was to explore sustainable, emerging-design interventions and match them to the identified challenges within the same graphic design community. This served as a means for re-conceptualising sustainable graphic design for purposes of best practice in a particular developing nation. This research, thus, advances that aside from the environmental dimension, the social and economic dimensions of sustainability are also integral parts of sustainability, and thus the holistic nature of sustainability should be recognised as such in sustainable graphic design.
In the research study, empathic, contextual and ethnographic human-centred approaches were deployed through the interpretivist paradigm. The selected human-centred approaches were used with the aid of an amalgamation of the Sustainability Development Analytical Grid and Activity Theory to examine graphic design practices from a graphic design production perspective. Qualitative research methods were used. The data-gathering tools used were participant observation, interviews and document reviews to interrogate the nature of graphic design practices, the challenges to sustainability and the emerging-design interventions used by some designers to counter the challenges to sustainability. The research site was Asafo, a suburb of Kumasi in Ghana. The selected samples were four graphic design firms, 30 graphic designers, 15 creative directors, 30 clients and 30 graphic design products, all were selected purposively.
The results revealed several challenges to sustainability in graphic design practices such as lack of knowledge on proper disposal of printing machine chemicals, poor choice of printing paper without environmental considerations and weak ethics in the promotion of unapproved graphic design packages for food products. On the other hand, there were local, emerging-design interventions within the same graphic design community developed by the designers that countered most of the challenges to sustainability. The local design interventions supported the concept of cosmopolitan localism that gives graphic designers room to develop solutions that are local but have global essence. The study proposes that the future of holistic sustainable graphic design lies in local design interventions, implying that the developing nations have alternative solutions to their problems and must be allowed to develop their resilience through innovation
An investigation of techniques and functions used by public relations practi-tioners at agencies in Durban, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This study investigates the techniques and functions used by public relations (PR) practitioners at agencies in Durban. Although PR techniques and functions are known, there is a lack of research on how they are being applied and how they assist current PR practitioners in conducting their activities. Using the constructivist approach and the reflective paradigm of PR as a conceptual theoretical framework, this research aims to provide a view of how the PR techniques and functions are being employed today as well as report back on current trends. Through interviews with various PR agencies in Durban, the findings revealed that practitioners are applying the tech-niques and functions correctly for the most part. However, the media landscape is changing and is affecting the role of the PR practitioner by demanding they play a larger role in creating journalistic content. In addition, the changes in the digital media space require PR practitioners to apply new tactics to keep up with the fast develop-ment, especially when it comes to working with influencers. Although the practitioners believe PR is perceived as a legitimate industry, it is still regarded as a marketing tool. A shift is required in this regard as this signifies that PR may not necessarily be seen as a standalone industry by corporate organisations. To improve the current state of PR, practitioners need to conduct adequate environmental scanning and research in order to gain access to the decision-making table and prove PRs value to senior management
Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR): kinetics of biodemulsification of simulated oil-water emulsion
No full textThesis (MEng (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Biodemulsification has been recently receiving a lot of attention due to the environmental friendliness of the resultant microbial products commonly known as biosurfactants. It has the potential to address emulsion issues that challenge the petroleum industry which have been reported. However, it is not yet fully established due to high capital costs which continue to inhibit the full industrial application of this technology, more especially with the lagging literature. Thus, more studies are required that will positively contribute to the implementation of this technology despite current challenges.
While many studies have been done, the kinetics of biodemulsification are yet to be fully documented in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitable carbon source and the effect of carbon source on the production of a B.licheniformis STK 01 biodemulsifier. Furthermore, to investigate the biodemulsification kinetics including the effect of temperature.
Biodemulsification experiments were conducted by initially cultivating biodemulsifiers in conical flasks containing the growth media and the various carbon sources, in an incubating shaker operating at 37 °C and 160 rpm over a 48 hr period. The produced biodemulsifiers were then used for the various demulsification studies at 37 °C, over a 24 hr period. The simulated emulsions were produced in conical centrifuge tubes with the aid of Span 60 and Tween 60 surfactants.
The study showed that all the produced B.licheniformis STK 01 biodemulsifiers possessed biodemulsifying capabilities but at different efficiencies. Motor oil proved to be the most suitable carbon source, resulting in a B.licheniformis STK 01 biodemulsifier that achieved 82,9% demulsification within 8 hrs. This is followed by diesel, paraffin, glucose, fructose and sucrose-cultivated biodemulsifiers with demulsification values of 73,7%, 61,9%, 52,9%, 45,1% and 44,7% respectively, thus, indicating the positive and significant contribution of insoluble carbon sources to the production of biodemulsifiers.
The kinetics investigations revealed that B.licheniformis STK 01 biodemulsifiers cultivated on soluble carbon sources adhered to third order kinetics while insoluble carbon sources followed a first order. The biodemulsification rate constants, , for soluble substrate glucose (), sucrose () and fructose () were determined to be 10×10−5 6/2, 5,029×10−5 6/2, and 9×10−5 6/2 respectively. The insoluble substrates motor oil (ko), diesel () and paraffin () gave the rate constants of 11,561×10−5 −1, 2,447×10−5 −1, and 2,245×10−5 −1 respectively.
Finally, the relationship between the rate of biodemulsification of B.licheniformis STK 01 and temperature (37−67 ℃) was also investigated, assuming that the effect could be independently studied. The rate of biodemulsification was found to increase with the increase in temperature; this trend was depicted using the Arrhenius equation (2 value of 96,3%), with the corresponding Arrhenius parameters, namely activation energy and frequency factor as 70,88 / and 14×106 −1 respectively.
This study found that the carbon source used for the production of a biodemulsifier significantly contributes to its biodemulsification capability. It also found that insoluble carbon sources were the better carbon source option compared to soluble carbon sources and that the more complex the carbon source, the better the biodemulsifier produced. Furthermore, it found that the suitable biodemulsifier followed first order kinetics and the kinetic parameters thereof
An integrated human resource management model for selected provincial legislatures of South Africa
No full textThesis (DTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The study was conducted in selected provincial legislatures (Limpopo and Mpumalanga). Provincial legislatures of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) are established in terms of section 43 of the Constitution of the RSA (1996) and draw their mandates from Chapter 6 of the Constitution to pass, amend and repeal legislation that affects their respective provinces. In terms of section 43, provinces are autonomous, distinct and independent. However, they should promote cooperation between and amongst themselves. Presently, there is a lack of or no evidence suggesting that these legislatures are cooperating with each other, at administrative level, in particular in respect of human resource management activities. This causes employees at some legislatures to feel that the treatment of employees is better at other provincial legislatures. This in turn leads to low levels of employee motivation, satisfaction and engagement and to a larger extent a high level of employees intending to leave one provincial legislature for another. The main objective of the study was to develop an integrated human resource management policies and practices model for the similar treatment of employees in provincial legislatures to keep motivation at an acceptable level. There were two other objectives relating to the main problem. Objective 1 was to examine whether there was a significant relationship between the differential application of human resource management policies and practices (Training policies) and employee extrinsic motivation. Objective 2 was to examine whether there was a significant relationship between the differential application of human resource management policies and practices (Salary and decision-making policies) and employee intrinsic motivation. There were two hypotheses relating to the main problem. Hypothesis 1 stated that the differential application of human resource management policies and practices (Training policies) does not contribute significantly to levels of employee extrinsic motivation. Hypothesis 2 stated that the differential application of human resource management policies and practices (Salary and decision-making policies) does not contribute significantly to levels of employee intrinsic motivation. This study used a systematic sampling method to select respondents. The sample selected from the population (N=324) was (n=108). Data collection was through a questionnaire. However, only 90 questionnaires were used (n=90) in this study because thirteen (13) were spoiled and five (5) were not fully completed. The questionnaire met the adequate requirements for construct validity, which was above Cronbach’s alpha 0.5. The capturing of questionnaires was numerically, using Microsoft Excel, and imported into SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 22 (Field, 2009) and AMOS 18 for data analysis. The Structural Equation Model (SEM) proposed for this study was a just-identified model, which had degrees of freedom (28-21). There were 28 distinct sample moments computed and 21 distinct parameters. The Structural Equation Model showed a good fit. Data was analysed using a quantitative process wherein data was summarised using measures of central tendency, such as mean. Furthermore, data was presented using tables, graphs and pie charts. The levels of constructs from the average means were extrinsic motivation 63%, intrinsic motivation 68%, turnover intention 74%, employee satisfaction 68% and employee engagement 66%. The results in respect of the two other objectives of the main problem, namely objective 1 and objective 2, indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between variables with Path Coefficients output (β = 0.520, ??<0.05) and (β = 0.383, ??<0.05) respectively. Results of the subhypotheses of the main problem, namely subhypothesis 1 and subhypothesis 2, the results indicated that the differential application of human resource management contributed to levels of (1) extrinsic and (2) intrinsic motivation, which produced Path Coefficients output (β = 0.520, ??<0.05) and (β = 0.383, ??<0.05) respectively, Therefore, Null hypotheses for both hypotheses were not supported
Mechanical properties of friction stir processed TIG-welded and friction stir welded 5083 aluminium alloy joints
No full textThesis (Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Material processing is all about improving the materials that already exist, discovering new ones, and finding original ways to use existing materials to produce high-quality, cost-effective parts and systems. It is very evident from day to day life that everyday technology keeps changing for better, to make life easier and simpler. As the technology keeps on evolving, manufacturers and designers will be at ease knowing that quality is not compromised. Friction stir processing is one of the new material processing techniques, derived from friction stir welding. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanical behaviour of friction stir processed TIG welded 5083 aluminium plate and friction stir processed FSW 5083 aluminium plate as compared to unprocessed friction stir welded 5083 aluminium plate and TIG welded plate. Prior to the analysis of the plates, two 5083 aluminium alloy plates were welded using the two different welding techniques i.e. friction stir welding and Tungsten Inert Gas welding (TIG). The welded joints were then friction stir processed (FSP) using the parameters used during the FSW. The friction stir processed (or processed) joints were then cut and prepared for different analysis. This involved the tensile tests, bending tests, hardness tests, macrostructure and microstructure analysis. These analyses were performed so as to study the impact of applying the FSP on the previously mentioned joints (FSW and TIG welded joints). The unprocessed TIG welded joints were found to be the weakest joints amongst all the joints studied in this work. The processed FSW joints were found to be the strongest amongst the joints studied in this work. The characterized specimens were cut from different locations of the plates i.e. the beginning, the middle and the end of the plate. The specimens were also symbolized in a way representing their cut locations (A for the beginning, B for the middle and C for the end of the plate). This then suggests that each plate produced three specimens. It was noted that the behaviour of the unprocessed TIG welded joint was uniform along with the plate while the other joints vary with location. The specimens cut at the beginning of the plates were found to be weaker compared to the one cut in the middle and the end of the plates. This trend was noted on the processed TIG welded joints, unprocessed FSW and processed FSW welded joints. The results showed a clear distinction between processed joints and unprocessed joints. There was a good correlation observed between the microstructural results, bending and the tensile results. Refined grains were also observed on the microstructure of the processed weld joints. It was noticed that the hardness value of the processed joints was higher compared to that of the base material. The detailed correlation between the microstructure and the macrostructure is reported in the main text
Managing risk of construction projects to enhance project performance delivery
No full textThesis (Master of Construction (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The construction industry is extremely complex, with dynamic project environments creating an atmosphere of high uncertainty and risk. For that reason, risks in construction projects have become an inevitable feature and the industry is susceptible to numerous business, socio-political and technical risks that negatively influence project delivery. This study therefore investigates the causes of risks in construction project delivery and the effect on project and organisational performance, so that efficient control measures can be designed to minimise their occurrence. The objectives of the study were as follows: (i) to determine the major causes of risks during construction project; (ii) to identify which construction risks are regarded as the most significant in militating the success of construction project; (iii) to determine the detrimental effect of risks on project and organisational performance, and (iv) to establish an effective strategy for reducing risks associated with construction projects. A quantitative research design was adopted, and the sample comprised of randomly selected contracting firms and construction professionals in the Western Cape Province. Specifically, only contracting firms registered on the CIDB database formed part of the study, whereas in the category of construction professionals, only those registered on the Professions and Projects Register and in good standing were sampled. It is worth noting that 60 respondents, representing 23% of those approached, willingly participated in the survey. The data was statistically analysed using descriptive and inferential analyses. The salient findings revealed that project management-related risk factors are the major causes of risks during construction project delivery; these factors include inadequate project planning, inadequate project budgeting, incompetence of local project team members and scheduling errors/ill planned schedule. In addition, the study revealed the impact of construction risks on projects and organisational performance, and it was found that cost overrun was ranked the most significant on project performance and disputes between parties to the contract was ranked the most significant on organisational performance. It is also worth mentioning that the opinions of construction professionals do not vary significantly with regard to the detrimental effect of risks on project performance. The research suggested strategies for mitigation of risk: the strategies include design strategy, construction and project management, and financial strategy. Furthermore, it was evident that the perceptions relative to the effective strategies for mitigating risks do not differ among construction participants. In effect, the analytical taxonomy of the major causes of risks and their ripple effect is the most obvious intervention in identifying, assessing and responding to risks. Hence, construction professionals and contractors should consider forming a risk management team within their respective firms, and allocate a budget for the team to attend risk management-related training courses
Support strategies used by foundation phase teachers to enhance the social skills of learners with high functioning autism
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This research identified and addressed the main research question: "What support strategies do Foundation Phase teachers use to enhance the social skills of learners with High Functioning Autism (HFA)". The researcher selected three schools which provided specific social skills training for their teachers who work with HFA learners. By observing what support strategies these teachers deployed, the researcher was able to build a knowledge base which could be shared with many teachers across the Cape Province who are involved with HFA learners, but who have not had structured training in such inclusive education environments. Four major points of interest have emerged to answer the research question and provide assistance to teachers who are challenged by their lack of information. These four support strategies most used by the teachers to enhance the social skills in HFA learners included: group work, structured play, social stories and visual aids with verbal motivation. The efficacy of these strategies depended upon the District Based Support Teams offering specialised assistance; the significant role that parental involvement plays; the contribution made by peer learners in an inclusive classroom; and the potential of this research to act as a guideline manual for teachers in rural and remote areas. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory were used as the theoretical frameworks underpinning this study as they focus on the links between social interactions, cognitive development and the enhancement of social skills of FP learners with HFA. A qualitative, interpretative case-study research approach was followed using data from interviews and observations which were inductively analysed. Five teachers from three different schools were purposively selected to take part in this study
Bioprospecting for novel lipases from indigenous olive wastewater biofilms
No full textThesis (MTech (Food Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.Lipase-catalysed chemical transformations are today routinely considered by synthetic organic chemists as economical and competitive “green chemistry” alternatives. Although lipases can effortlessly be produced on a large-scale by fermentation, their industrial application was, until recently, limited to the detergent, oleo-chemistry and dairy industry. However, during the last few decades, the biotechnological application of lipases has expanded significantly, becoming indispensable in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, single cell protein production, biosensor preparations and waste management. Similarly, lipases have become a vital ingredient in the contemporary food processing industry with applications ranging from fruit juice production to baked foods, vegetable fermentations and dairy enrichment. Furthermore, lipases are routinely used as flavour development agents in cheese, butter and margarine products. Lipases are also applied in the leather industry for processing hides and skins and for treatment of activated sludge and other aerobic waste product treatments where its action enhances oxygen transfer. While lipases currently account for less than 21 % of the enzyme market, a growing interest in lipases is reflected by the publication of an average of 1000 research papers per year and the growing number of available lipases since the 1980s. There is a sustained interest to bioprospect for novel lipase enzymes from available unexplored biodiversity. This study aimed to screen for lipase-producing microorganisms resident in olive wastewater biofilms. Lipase activity of positive isolates was subsequently also quantitatively determined to select for the highest producers of true lipases. A Geotrichum candidum isolate from olive mill wastewater biofilms was selected for subsequent studies based on its superior lipase production phenotype. Using a yeast mediated ligation approach the G. candidum GCL1 lipase gene was cloned and heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an enzyme production host. The recombinant lipase was purified and analysed in terms of substrate specificity, pH optima, temperature optima and stability as well as organic solvent tolerance. The G. candidum gcl1 lipase presented enhanced thermo- and organic solvent-stability that are highly sought after traits for industrial application