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Bio-delipidation of pre-treated poultry slaughterhouse wastewater by enzymes from the wastewater isolates
No full textThesis (Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Pre-treatment of wastewater such as that from poultry slaughterhouses, which contains fats, oil,and grease (FOG) is necessary prior to the primary biological treatment of the wastewater to meet legislated discharge standards and to prevent environmental pollution. Physico- chemical pre-treatment is often applied to remove FOG in poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) before biological treatment. These pre-treatment methods, in particular physical pre- treatment systems, use synthetic chemicals, known to cause environmental contamination challenges, with FOG being inefficiently removed in certain instances. Biological techniques such as bio-delipidation using enzymatic catalysis for the pre-treatment of FOG-laden PSW could enhance the efficiency of the downstream biological treatment processes. This research focused on further bio-delipidation of PSW pre-treated with a dissolved air flotation system (DAF) for FOG removal using microbial lipases from bacterial strains isolated from the PSW itself.
Bacterial strains (n = 2) isolated from the PSW and screened for their potential to produce lipases were found to have a higher bio-delipidation potential when compared to other isolates (n = 18). Both isolates were identified using 16s rRNA as Bacillus sp., i.e. both Bacillus cereus AB1 (BF3) and CC-1 (B3O). These isolates were used to produce lipases, whereby are sponse surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise pH (4-8) and temperature (30-60°C) as critical production conditions. achieving an optimum lipase production was achieved, with activity of 11.25 U/mL at 60°C, a pH of8 for BF3, and 15.50U/mL at 45°C and pH of 8.8 for B3O respectively, after 72 hours of bioreactor operation. The enzymes produced from both isolates were partially purified using a Bio-Rad size exclusion chromatography column (Bio-Gel® P-60) prior to use in subsequent experiments. The presence and activity of lipase were further determined using p-nitrophenyl acetate (p- NPA) as a substrate with the functionality of the semi-purified enzymes being characterized by optimizing the conditions in which the enzymes were required to function. Lipase activity was enhanced by Mg2+ while Fe2+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ were observed to have an inhibitory effect on the enzymes from both strains. Similarly, reduced stability of the lipases in organic solvents, namely toluene, methanol, and isopropanol, was also established. Additionally, detergents, Triclosan (TCS) (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy-phenol) and trichlorocarbonilide (3,4,4- trichlorocarbonilide)(TCC), usually found in PSW as antimicrobial and disinfectant agents to sanitise poultry product processing facilities, were used assess the activity of the enzyme in their presence at a concentration of 30% (v/v) (although these anti- microbial agents are used in minute quantities in cleaning products). The lipases from isolate BF3 maintained an activity of 91.43% and 81.36% in the presence of TCS and TCC, while that of B3O enzyme had 85.32% and 73.91% acitivity, when compared to the reference (control) experiments. The bio-delipidation efficacy was studied under varying pH and temperature conditions using DAF pre-treated PSW, observing a further removal efficiency of fatty acids from the protein- laden PSW at different pH and temperature. Bio-delipidation was found to be largely influenced by pH, as a pH below 7 and above 10 at 40°-45°C, calculated in the bio- delipidation efficiency reduction to below 50%. The temperature range mentioned, i.e 40°- 45°C, had a positive effect on further deffating of the protein-rich DAF pre-treated PSW, as high removal efficiency was observed at this temperature range. This could be due to the characteristic of the enzymes used,or the formation of stable FOG agglomerates and/oremulsion. Overall, a DAF effluent containing residual FOG and proteins was bio-delipidated effectively using enzymes from the PSW isolates, achieving further removal of FOG and proteins by 64.35% to 80.42%, culminating in tCOD reduction and reduced PSW turbidity, further resulting in improved wastewater quality characteristics meeting disposal standards. This study demonstrated that sequential DAF pre-treated PSW bio-delipidation has the potential to enhance the efficiency of downstream biological anaerobic treatment processes for PSW by further reducing residual FOG from a DAF system
The extent of knowledge about the hospitality industry among life orientation teachers and learners in previously disadvantaged black schools in Cape Town, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The hospitality industry is one of the most popular industries in Cape Town, where it plays a major role in the economy and offers many employment opportunities. Because of this, one might have thought that learners would be encouraged to pursue a career in the industry. But learners and Life Orientation teachers in black township schools do not know about the hospitality industry: Hospitality Studies is not offered as a subject and learners receive no career guidance about this industry. This study investigates the extent of knowledge among Grade 11 learners and LO teachers in black township high schools about the hospitality industry, with a focus on the extent to which these learners are guided towards pursuing a career in the industry. The study therefore examines the information given to Grade 11 learners about the hospitality industry and the information LO teachers have about the industry to equip them to guide learners. The aim of the study is to highlight the knowledge gap that exists amongst Grade 11 and LO teachers when it comes to the hospitality industry, with the ultimate object of enhancing awareness of the industry so that learners can make meaningful career choices informed by that awareness
Debt management framework for Western Cape Province municipalities
No full textThesis (DTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.From a municipal perspective non-payment means that consumers, rate-payers and citizens
are not fulfilling their obligations towards a particular municipality, contributing to a situation
of insufficient available cash for day-to-day service delivery. The current debt situation in
municipalities can be linked to the creation of a culture of non-payment due to the political
situation in South Africa pre- and post-1994. Sections 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 present the
contributions and reasons for the current debt situation per the three spheres of government.
South African municipal debt increased by 88 percent (R44 billion) over the last five
financial years, from R50 billion in 2009/2010 to R94 billion in 2013/2014. The trend of 15-
20 percent per year increase in debt precludes the effective, efficient and economic provision
of essential and emergency services to communities. All municipalities need to ensure that an effective collection relationship exists and that
municipalities implement policies, by-laws, processes, procedures and systems in this regard.
However, many municipalities fail in their quest for effective collection, or lack the capacity
to utilise enabling legislation to implement an efficient and effective debt collection
framework.
This research study was conducted in response to this scenario, to identify and document
existing problems through the development of guidelines and a framework for effective cash
and debt collection. The guidelines will assist municipalities in collecting their outstanding
debts
The impact of high performance work practices on project performance in selected construction companies in Cape Town, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of four High Performance Work Practices (HPWPs) on project performance in selected construction companies in Cape Town, South Africa. The four HPWPs comprised: recruitment and selection (RS); performance appraisal (PA); training and development (TD); and compensation system (CS). The study employed a positivist philosophy utilizing the survey method to collect data from 70 employees who were drawn from a select group of multi-project construction companies in Cape Town, South Africa. The respondents comprised employees who worked as project team members and line staff/ administrative staff. Non-probability sampling procedure in the form of convenience sampling technique was used for the selection of five (5) construction organisations in Cape Town, South Africa. Probability sampling procedure in the form of stratified sampling technique was employed in the selection of the respondents to complete the questionnaire.Collected data was captured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The main research question of the study was: What is the relationship between the four HPWPs and project performance? The results indicate that CS has a weak positive relationship with project performance, whereas TD, PA and RS have weak negative relationships with project performance. It also emerged that there are other factors that significantly affect project performance other than the HPWPs investigated.The results of this study are significant because they provide a unique view of the work environment that has been insufficiently examined. Also, very few studies have focused on the above four universal HPWPs, which this study was earmarked for. The results that are obtained from this study significantly add to the overall body of knowledge pertaining to theories and their application in HRM, project performance and multi-project environments issues
Perceptions of computer programming students on interactive environments for teaching object-oriented concepts using Java
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The skill of programming necessitates knowing programming tools, problem solving and
effective techniques of program design and implementation. Most students are incapable of fully
understanding and utilising the feature set of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). The
feature set of certain IDEs comes with a lot of functionalities and students have to spend a lot of
their time studying the features of the IDE without paying much attention to the syntax and
semantics of the programming language.
The main objective of this study was to examine the perceptions of students on interactive
environments for teaching Object-Oriented concepts using the Java programming language in
two integrated development environments. This was done by adopting the ISO 9126 model to
select generic external system quality characteristics and sub-characteristics that might
influence student evaluation of an IDE. The proposed model was applied on NetBeans and
JCreator LE 5.0 as IDEs for teaching Java programming using OOP concepts.
The study adopted a mixed method research approach using interviews and questionnaires. A
single-case study was used for data collection and analysis. The approaches collected data from
two groups of students using either NetBeans or JCreator and who were learning OOP
concepts. The study further looked at the students’ class tests and exam results in an effort to
have an objective overview of how students performed. These groups of students were at two
different campuses of the selected University. Each group had already been exposed to the
Java syntax.
The result from this study was general guidelines to establish an interactive OOP development
environment for teaching and learning of Java programming that enhances OOP
comprehension.
This research study involved human subjects. It was, therefore, a requirement to seek ethics
approval. Additionally, the objects involved were students of a selected University and as such a
consent letter was sought from the University
The usage of performance measurement systems by selected internal auditing departments in Windhoek, Namibia and Cape Town, South Africa
No full textPerformance evaluation of internal auditing departments is extremely important as organisations depend on the advice and assurance they obtain from these department. Therefore, this study seeks to determine the perceived most relevant and appropriate performance measurement system (PMS) used to evaluate the performance of internal auditing departments. The determination of such a PMS may lead to effective performance measurement, meeting and exceeding stakeholders’ expectations, and achieving strategic objectives. Questionnaires were distributed to organisations that hold an internal auditing department within the regions of Cape Town, South Africa and Windhoek, Namibia. The Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) tool was used to analyse the data. The results obtained from the survey reveal that the most frequently used PMS to evaluate the performance of internal auditing departments is the Balanced Scorecard. The results also indicate that the Chief Audit Executive (CAE)/internal auditing managers are of the opinion that stakeholders expect the PMS of Internal Audit to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of their department. The CAE/internal auditing managers are also of the opinion that stakeholders expect the PMS to measure the competency of internal auditing departments and ensure that these departments adhere to the Code of Ethics, International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (ISPPIA), and apply the risk-based approach to their operations.
The implications of this study contribute to identifying the PMS perceived to be the most relevant and appropriate to evaluate the performance of internal auditing departments. This study has affirmed that the Balanced Scorecard is perceived to be this PMS for effective and efficient performance evaluation of internal auditing departments. Despite the Balanced Scorecard being the effective and efficient PMS for internal auditing departments, it is not utilised properly to make provision for measures focusing on the assessment of risk management processes, internal audit control, and governance
Patterns of the use of technology by students in higher education
No full textThesis (DTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Rationale: Unavoidably, the 21st century is witnessing continuous discourse about students’
technology uses in higher education. This thesis explores the underpinnings of students’
technology usage in their rhizomatic (personal) learning networks in the higher educational
environment through a lens of four sub-research questions and four research hypotheses.
Methodology: This research adopted a cross-sectional narrative and numeric study using the
Frameworks for an Integrated Methodology (FraIM). The study was conducted in four universities
comprising two universities in Ghana, one in South Africa and another in Belgium. Participants and
respondents included students and lecturers. Data collection methods comprise focus group
interviews, individual interviews, surveys (paper and web-based) and rhizomatic maps. The
philosophical underpinning was inclined towards the critical realists’ stance and hinged to Rhizome
Theory and Actor Network Theory. Data were analysed through descriptive and multivariate
analyses and learning analytics employing tools in social network analysis. Results were presented
graphically via Rhizomatic Learning Network maps, charts, tables and narratives.
Findings: Students’ personal learning networks exhibit traces of rhizomatic patterns which are
related through human and non-human actors. Seven categories of actors – comprising 218
individual actors – were found in students’ Rhizomatic Learning Networks. Out of 19 traceable
digital devices used by students, this research established differences among the institutions in the
four most widely used digital devices: Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet or iPad, and E-Reader pro rata.
Students owned, in this sequence, smartphones, laptops, tablets or iPads and e-readers. This
research also found statistically significant differences among all four institutions in terms of
students’ self-perceived importance of handheld mobile devices towards academic success,
university wireless network experiences and satisfaction of Learning Management Systems in the
universities. However, results indicated that students are not likely to skip classes when materials
from course lectures are available online, implying an inclination towards a blended approach to
learning despite a technologically-rich environment.
Implications and Value: With an underlying effect on curriculum design and implementation,
this thesis, supporting rhizomatic approaches to learning, has tremendous potential to improve
personal learning networks in higher education. It further contributes an understanding of
emerging patterns in the personal learning networks of higher education students within a
technology-rich environment. Again, integration of the two theories – FraIM, analytical tools and
style of presentation – in understanding the problem through the lens of a critical realist is novel.
Key Recommendations: Further rhizoanalysis research into the detailed roles performed by
individual technological actors in students’ personal learning networks in the higher educational
environment is required. Additionally, clear policies exhibiting willingness and enforcement
strategies to integrate technology in all facets relating to learning should guide curriculum
development within the universities
The application of project management tools and techniques in ICT SME projects in Western Cape
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Introduction
The research looked at the application of project management tools and techniques in ICT
SME projects in the Western Cape.
Problem Statement
Previous literature revealed that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital to developing
economies as they provide employment and contribute to overall sustainable economic
productivity. Literature further alludes that project management tools and techniques enhance
SME’s ability to innovate, grow and compete in industry. However, it is unclear if ICT SMEs in
Western Cape are applying project management tools and techniques in their projects.
Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether ICT SMEs in Western Cape applied these
tools and techniques in their projects.
Aims / Objectives
The primary objective of the research was to determine the extent to which ICT SMEs in
Western Cape were using project management tools and techniques. The secondary research
objectives were: to determine the extent to which ICT SMEs in Western Cape knew about the
project management tools and techniques and how to use them; to establish the extent to
which the ICT SMEs knew the benefits of using project management tools and techniques; and
to determine the extent to which project management tools and techniques were used by
SMEs to achieve success.
Methodology
The research was non experimental. An electronic questionnaire was distributed using Survey
Monkey and Mail Chimp to collect responses. Some questionnaires were hand delivered to ICT
SMEs based in the Cape Town CBD areas accessible to the researcher. The results presented
in the research were based on a survey of ICT SMEs, located in Western Cape. Out of the 341
responses targeted a total of 210 responses were obtained. The results obtained represent 60-
70% of the population interviewed. The sample was chosen using stratified random sampling
that classified the respondents according to organisational hierarchy, and the amount per
strata was noted. The respondents within each stratum were chosen using simple random
sampling thus eliminating bias
The influence of hotel product innovation on customer loyalty in Cape Town
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The study identifies and examines evidence on how customer loyalty is influenced by hotel product innovation. This examination helps to understand differentiation and the competitive benefits of innovation in product and loyalty for such innovation. The innovation influence provides rationale to extend product innovation as a strategy to differentiate, compete, and gain loyalty in the hotel industry. With increased competition in the hospitality industry, the examination of hotel product innovation becomes imperative for both practical and theoretical relevance.
This examination was done using a survey method to collect data from 242 travellers who visited Cape Town, stayed in a graded hotel, and visited Kirstenbosch Gardens during the period of the study. This quantitative survey was supported by data triangulation approach with respondents chosen using systematic random sampling. The semi-structured questionnaire comprised mainly closed-ended and a few open-ended questions.
The study found that hotel product innovation has greater influence on customer loyalty and hotel choice. However, not all product innovations have the same level of influence, and not all influences are statistically significant. Therefore, the degree of influence was found to be a useful enabler of competitive and loyalty strategy in the hospitality industry
A mixed microbial community for the treatment of free cyanide and Thiocyanate containing wastewater
No full textThesis (DTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Industrial wastewater management pertaining to the mining industry has become increasingly stringent, with companies being required to develop environmentally benign wastewater management practices worldwide. The industries that utilise cyanide compounds for the recovery of precious and base metals in a process known as the cyanidation process, have contributed substantially to environmental deterioration and potable water reserve contamination due to the discharge of poorly treated, or untreated, cyanide containing wastewater. Hence, a biotechnological approach was undertaken in this study to remediate free cyanide (CN-) and thiocyanate (SCN-), which are the major chemical contaminants which are normally found in cyanidation wastewaters. Furthermore, this biotechnological approach was investigated to understand the fundamental aspects of using this approach such that the information gathered can be utilized in pilot plant studies. Therefore, bioprospecting of potential CN- and SCN--degrading organisms was undertaken using two approaches; (i) culture-dependent approach and (ii) culture-independent approach. Using the culture-dependent approach, Pseudomonas aeruginosa STK 03, Exiguobacterium acetylicum and Bacillus marisflavi were isolated from an oil spill site and river sediment samples, respectively. STK 03 was evaluated for the biodegradation of CN- and SCN- under alkaline conditions. The organism had a CN- degradation efficiency of 80% and 32% from an initial concentration of 250 and 450 mg CN-/L, respectively. Additionally, the organism was able to degrade SCN-, achieving a degradation efficiency of 78% and 98% from non- and CN- spiked cultures, respectively. Furthermore, the organism was capable of heterotrophic nitrification but was unable to denitrify aerobically, with the autotrophic degradation of CN- by STK 03 being abortive