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    Employee motivation and service quality in a selected municipality in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

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    Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The delivery of exceptional services is vital to organisations’ sustained competitive advantage in today’s setting. When organisations are able to provide high quality services, they are able to meet customer expectations and satisfy them. Employees employed at service-orientated organisations frequently interact with consumers during which they represent both the organisation and the service provided. Satisfied consumers and motivated employees are of great importance in ensuring that government departments and municipalities meet their obligations. The objective of the study was to determine how employee motivation influences service delivery. The study found a positive association between employee motivation and service quality, leading to the conclusion that motivated employees deliver quality services. Thus, it is important for executives of organisations to ensure that employees are continuously motivated. The findings and conclusion lead to recommendations towards improving employee motivation to ensure improved service delivery

    Measurement of radiation doses to patients undergoing routine X-ray examinations in Windhoek, Namibia to develop diagnostic reference levels

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    Thesis (MSc (Radiography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Background: The National Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA) of Namibia was tasked in 2005 by the IAEA under the project RAF9/033 to develop diagnostic reference levels for conventional radiographic examinations. To date, no study that examines the radiation dose in diagnostic radiology has been undertaken in Namibia and radiation protection of patients may not be optimised. Diagnostic reference levels acts as a quality assurance tool that identifies procedures or activities where patient doses are high. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to develop local Diagnostic Reference Levels (LDRL’s) for commonly performed conventional radiography projections in Windhoek, Namibia. The objectives of the study were to: • Measure KAP (Kerma Area Product) for postero-anterior (PA) and lateral (LAT) chest, antero-posterior (AP) and LAT lumbar spine, AP pelvis, and PA and LAT skull projections. • Calculate entrance skin and effective doses from the recorded KAP values. • To compare the KAP, entrance skin doses and effective doses with internationally established reference levels for the same procedure as well as similar studies in Africa. • Develop conversion coefficients from KAP values for estimation of effective and skin doses in clinical practice. Method: In this study, three (3) hospitals located in Windhoek, Khomas region were selected and KAP measurements were recorded on 218 patients with a mean weight of 70±5kg.The entrance skin, and effective doses were calculated through Monto Carlo simulations by entering the geometric data, exposure parameters and equipment specifications and KAP values into PCXMC 2.0 software (Finland). Diagnostic Reference levels (75th percentile), entrance skin doses (ESDs) and effective doses were calculated for anterior (PA) and lateral (LAT) chest, antero-posterior (AP) and LAT lumbar spine, AP pelvis, and PA and LAT skull projections. Results: The 75th percentiles of the entrance skin doses combined for PA and LAT chest, AP and LAT Lumbar spine, AP Pelvis and PA and LAT skull were, 0.0333 mSv, 0.0663 mSv, 0.1970 mSv, 0.2740 mSv, 0.2497 mSv, 0.0922 mSv, and 0.0584 mSv respectively. The effective doses for the same procedures were 0.0545 mSv, 0.0942, 0.3792, 0.2970 mSv, 0.3061 mSv, 0.0267 and 0.0283 respectively. The highest skin dose was recorded for the lateral lumbar spine projection while the highest effective dose was measured for AP lumbar spine projection. Conclusion: The ESD’s in this study were much lower than previously reported values. However the effective doses were generally similar and compare well with previous studies. On the basis of the results it can be concluded that the effective dose is a better dosimetry quantity than ESD to determine deterministic effects of radiation

    Internal stakeholder communication: exploring communication preferences of various generations of nursing staff at a central hospital in the Western Cape

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    Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The context and background for this study is situated in a public healthcare organisation. Communication and corporate stakeholder management, both with external and internal stakeholders, always needs to be fast and effective in a hospital, because it is often under critical pressure and dealing with life and death. The central hospital that has been chosen as the research environment has been associated with excellence in medical achievements and tertiary training for the past eight decades. Yet, the nursing cohorts in the past were more homogenous; they underwent similar training and mostly operated like a well-oiled machine because of that inherent similarity. Ensuing from the South Africa's transition into a full democracy in 1994, the nursing components everywhere became more heterogeneous and dissimilar. The research problem in this study is focused on one diverse group of internal stakeholders: the all-important nursing component. The potential combination of four generations of nurses within healthcare institutions has attracted the attention of global academics and nursing specialists for some time now, who have focused on the ramifications that such a multi-generational staff creates in hospitals. Not only do these nurses have to interact effortlessly with each other in the interest of speed, service delivery and the satisfaction of the clients, being patients and their families, but also be assured of effective communication between themselves and management. Any brand, be it a governmental hospital, NGO or profit-driven company, is as successful as its effectiveness in terms of corporate internal communication. Should nurses sense that they do not share meaning effectively with others, the fallout may well be picked up by patients and their families, with resulting criticism from the community of the Western Cape Metro that accesses the hospital

    Synthon formation in inclusion compounds of Phenylsuccinic acid

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    Thesis (MSc (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The effect of chirality was investigated on selected physico-chemical properties by designing, synthesizing and analysing a series of racemic multicomponent crystals and their chiral counterparts. Eleven new crystalline materials were synthesised by combining phenylsuccinic acid (racemate or the S-enantiomer), a dicarboxylic acid, with primary or aromatic amines (aniline, pyridine, 4-picoline, 2,4-lutidine, 3,4-lutidine and 3,5-lutidine) and a drug pyrazine carboxamide (PCA). The carboxylic acids were combined with the amines to ensure the formation of the multicomponent crystals via acid-base heterosynthons. The varied positions of the functional groups on the aromatic amines gave rise to fine tune the packing of the crystals. The multicomponent crystals formed were examined by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was also performed for the complete characterisation of the new compounds. Ten out of the eleven novel compounds afforded multicomponent crystals with the expected composition, i.e. both the acid and the base were included in the crystal. These crystallisations resulted in a variety of different crystal forms, such as a true salt ([(R,S)-PSA-][ANI+]), a salt solvate ([(S)-PSA2-][2ANI+]·ANI), solvates ((R,S)-PSA·2PYR, (R,S)-PSA·2(4PIC), (R,S)-PSA·2(2,4LUT), (R,S)-PSA·2(3,4LUT) and 2(S-PSA)·4(3,4LUT)), co-crystal salts ([(R,S)-PSA2-]2[3,5LUT+]·2(R,S)-PSA and 2[(S)-PSA2-]4[3,5LUT+]·4 (S)-PSA) and a co-crystal (R,S)-PSA‧PCA. In these crystals, the phenylsuccinic acid showed great conformational variety. The analysis of the crystal packing (Z and related parameters, void analysis, etc.) highlighted the complexity of the packing of the multicomponent crystals and the significant differences between the racemic multicomponent crystals and their chiral counterparts. The acid-base heterosynthon, depicted as 22(7), was formed between the carboxylic acid and the pyridine moiety only in five of the multicomponent crystals. Interestingly, in the co-crystal of (R,S)-PSA‧PCA the carboxylic acid formed hydrogen bonds via the amide functional group of the PCA instead of via the nitrogen atom in the aromatic ring. The occurrence of the 22(7) synthon was investigated with the aid of the Cambridge Structural Database and the statistical analysis showed that the heterosynthon is formed only in 25-30% of the cases. It was also concluded that formation of the 22(7) synthon is less expected when crystallising enantiopure crystals because the limitations of the packing of chiral compounds adds an extra constraint to the packing of the crystal

    Medium and large mammal community assemblages across city of Cape Town nature reserves

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    Thesis (Master of Conservation Science: Nature Conservation)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Urbanisation is associated with the loss and fragmentation of natural land, the disruption of ecosystem functioning and services, and the loss of biodiversity. Small remnants of natural land within cities not only serve as recreational green spaces that contribute to human wellbeing, but also as refugia for a variety of indigenous flora and fauna. While large mammal species, in particular those that pose a threat to humans and are rarely tolerated in urban reserves, small and medium mammals may persist and even thrive in human modified landscapes. Understanding which species survive best in urban protected areas and how reserve attributes such as size, shape and connectedness influence mammal assemblages and species richness is important for the conservation of urban ecosystems globally. Cape Town is situated in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) - a renowned biodiversity hotspot, with high rates of endemism. Cape Town is however one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa and both agricultural and housing demands are increasing pressure on remaining patches of natural land. Currently most of this land is conserved within 17 nature reserves that together comprise roughly 9% of the total surface area of the City of Cape Town (CCT) municipal area. Existing mammal species lists suggest that 22 mammal species still survive in these reserves but no formal, standardised surveys of the existing reserves have been conducted with a method that allows for comparisons between reserves and within reserves over time. The primary aim of this study was therefore to develop a standardised monitoring protocol for medium and large mammal species within the CCT reserves (range 30 - 8 400 ha). The secondary goal was to understand how reserve size, area to perimeter ratio, connectivity, vegetation heterogeneity and presence of permanent freshwater aquatic habitat might influence mammal community composition. A standardised camera trap protocol was developed for the 12 CCT reserves larger than 30 ha and conducted from June 2017 to Feb 2019 with cameras positioned within every square kilometre of a reserve, with a minimum of five cameras per reserve irrespective of reserve size. Additional cameras were placed in unique habitat types not included or underrepresented in the standardised grid and a minimum of 1000 camera days of data were collected for each reserve. A total of 13 360 independent trigger events by medium and large mammals revealed 19 native species (11 carnivores, 7 herbivores, 1 omnivore), which was 86% of the 22 species listed in the databases (based on records of 2012 to 2017), and 49% of the 39 species believed to have been present historically. Species richness varied from 1 – 12 species (mean ± SD = 7±3.6) and Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis), Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) and small grey mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta) were present in most reserves. The minimum survey effort required to effectively sample the reserves varied from 210 to more than 1840 camera days and was affected by both reserve size and levels of connectivity. The use of camera traps with a placement protocol as used in this study together with the minimum camera day effort estimates presented for each reserve should allow for regular monitoring and provide comparable results. Species richness was best explained by reserve area-perimeter ratio with richness lower in reserves with large perimeters relative to their total area. Large, better connected reserves also had higher species richness and included wide ranging large carnivores such as leopard (Panthera pardus), while species with specialist habitat requirements such as otter (Aonyx capensis) were notably absent from reserves without the appropriate habitats. This study suggests that reductions in the size of existing CCT reserves and/or an increase in hard edges that reduce the core area may lower species richness and potentially drive more medium and large mammals to local extinctions. Extending existing reserves through the addition of core natural habitat and improved connectivity to tracts of natural land are both management interventions likely to maintain and improve the ability of urban reserves to sustain diverse, ecologically functional mammal assemblages

    The role of information, communication and technology in promoting gender equality in the workplace: a study of a University in the Western Cape

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    Thesis (MTech (Business and Information Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Various efforts have been made to address the issue of gender equality at the workplace. It can be noted that even though equal opportunities between men and women may exist, the discrimination of women is still immanent in the workplace for example gender bias, unequal opportunities and underrepresentation. Previous research has failed to give a clear picture on the impact of information, communication, and technologies on gender gaps. It is mostly generalised. This study evaluates the role of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in promoting gender equality in the workplace. The research explores different theoretical perspectives namely Gender Glass Ceiling, Equity Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, Gender Inequality and Discrimination, Critical Information Systems Theory and the Feminist Theory. The study used a qualitative research method and a case study design in order to fulfil the study’s objectives and aim. It was carried out at a selected higher education institution in South Africa. Purposive sampling was used and 19 research participants were interviewed both men and women. The data that was collected was transcribed, coded using open coding, analysed and interpreted using thematic analysis to make sense of the findings. Ethical codes of conduct such as truthfulness, confidentiality, anonymity, beneficence and data protection were employed due to the sensitive nature of the study. Results show that ICTs play a vital role in promoting gender equality. ICTs enable employees to become educated, skilled and knowledgeable becoming aware of their rights and fair practices in the workplace. ICTs also enhance both men and women empowerment in independency, decision making and self-actualisation. Fundamental recommendations are given by the researcher regarding ICTs and the promotion of gender equality in the workplace to enhance organisational performance. Organisations need to view ICTs as an integral part of business and enhance its use to promote gender equality

    Metabolic network modelling of nitrification and denitrification under cyanogenic conditions

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    Thesis (PhD (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Simultaneous nitrification and aerobic denitrification (SNaD) is a preferred method for single stage total nitrogen (TN) removal, which was recently proposed to improve wastewater treatment plant design. However, SNaD processes are prone to inhibition by toxicant loading with free cyanide (CN-) possessing the highest inhibitory effect on such processes, rendering these processes ineffective. Despite the best efforts of regulators to limit toxicant disposal into municipal wastewater sewage systems (MWSSs), free cyanide (CN-) still enters MWSSs through various pathways; hence, it has been suggested that CN- resistant or tolerant microorganisms be utilized for processes such as SNaD. To mitigate toxicant loading, organisms in SNaD have been observed to adopt a multiphase growth strategy to sequentially degrade CN- during primary growth and subsequently degrade TN during the secondary growth phase. However, CN- degrading microorganisms are not widely used for SNaD in MWSSs due to the inadequate application of suitable microorganisms (Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Thiobacillus denitrificans, Rhodospirillum palustris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Alcaligenes faecalis) commonly used in single-stage SNaD. The use of CN- degrading or resistant microorganisms for SNaD is a cost-effective method compared to the use of other methods of CN- removal prior to TN removal, as they involve multi-stage systems (as currently observed in MWSSs). The use of CN- degrading microorganisms, particularly when used as a consortium, presents a promising and sustainable resolution to mitigate inhibitory effects of CN- in SNaD. However, SNaD is known to be completely inhibited by CN- thus it is imperative to also study some thermodynamic parameters of SNaD under high CN- conditions to see the feasibility of the process. The Gibbs free energy is significant to understand the feasibility of SNaD, it is also vital to study Gibbs free energy to determine whether or not the biological reaction is plausible. The relationship between the rate of nitrification and Gibbs free energy was also investigated. The attained results showed that up to 37.55 mg CN-/L did not have an effect on SNaD. The consortia degraded CN- and achieved SNaD, with degradation efficiency of 92.9 and 97.7% while the degradation rate of 0.0234 and 0.139 mg/L/hr for ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N) and CN- respectively. Moreover, all the free Gibbs energy was describing the individual processes were found to be negative, with the lowest Gibbs free energy being -756.4 and -1830.9 Kcal/mol for nitritation and nitratation in the first 48 h of the biological, reaction respectively. Additionally, a linear relationship between the rate of NH4-N and nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N) degradation with their respective Gibbs free energy was observed. Linear model was also used to predict the relationship between NH4-N, NO2-N degradation and Gibbs free energy. These results obtained showed a good correlation between the models and the experimental data with correlation efficiency being 0.94 and 0.93 for nitritation, and nitratation, respectively. From the results found it can be deduced that SNaD is plausible under high cyanide conditions when cyanide degrading or tolerant microorganisms are employed. This can be a sustainable solution to SNaD inhibition by CN- compounds during wastewater treatment. Furthermore, a single strain was purified from the consortium and identified as Acinetobacter courvalinii. This bacterial strain was found to be able to perform sequential CN- degradation, and SNaD; an ability associated with multiphase growth strategy of the microorganism when provided with multiple nitrogenous sources, i.e. CN- and TN. The effect of CN- on nitrification and aerobic denitrification including enzyme expression, activity and protein functionality of Acinetobacter courvalinii was investigated. It was found that CN- concentration of up to 5.8 mg CN-/L did not affect the growth of Acinetobacter courvalinii. In cultures whereby the A. courvalinii isolate was used, degradation rates of CN- and NH4-N were found to be 2.2 mg CN-/L/h and 0.40 mg NH4-N/L/h, respectively. Moreover, the effect of CN- on NH4-N, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) and NO2-N oxidizing enzymes was investigated, with findings indicating CN- did not affect the expression and activity of ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), but affected the activity of nitrate reductase (NaR) and nitrite reductase (NiR). Nevertheless, a slow decrease in NO2-N was observed after the addition of CN- thus confirming the activity of NaR and the activation of the denitrification pathway by the CN-. Moreover, five models’ (Monod, Moser, Rate law, Haldane, and Andrew’s model) ability to predict SNaD under CN- conditions, indicated that only Rate law, Haldane and Andrew’s models, were suited to predict both SNaD and CN- degradation. Due to low degradation rates of NH4-N and CN-, optimization of SNaD was essential. Therefore, response surface methodology was used to optimize the SNaD under CN- conditions. The physiological parameters that were considered for optimization were temperature and pH; with the result showing that the optimum for pH and temperature was 6.5 and 36.5oC respectively, with NH4-N and CN- degradation efficiency of 50 and 80.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation kinetics of NH4-N and CN- were also studied under the optimum conditions in batch culture reactors, and the results showed that up to 70.6% and 97.3% of NH4-N and CN- were simultaneously degraded with degradation rates of 0.66 and 0.41 mg/L/h, respectively. The predictive ability of RSM was further compared with cybernetic models, and cybernetic models were found to better predict SNaD under CN- conditions. These results exhibited a promising solution in the management of inhibition effected of CN- towards SNaD at an industrial scale

    The effects of four-week resistance training on cricket bowling velocity

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    Thesis (MTech (Sports Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Background: Sports at various levels are often performed at high speeds. This is evident in several sports ranging from non-ball sports like athletics to ball sports like baseball, tennis and cricket. The ability to generate high speeds has advantages in many sports as it gives the opposition less time to react. In cricket bowling, the ball release speed has a significant influence on the outcome of the delivery. A faster delivery reduces the batter's decision-making time and stroke-execution time and therefore increases the chance of him or her making a mistake and being dismissed. This increased velocity can be achieved through resistance training in bowlers. Resistance training enables an athlete to increase their overall strength and develop their power. This kind of training should be characterised by specificity as well as progressive overload. This can be done by performing bowling training (specific resistance) while implementing a progressive overload in the number of deliveries bowled and/or the number of repetitions and sets performed in general and special resistance training. Evidence suggests that these resistance training methods can lead to a significant increase in bowling velocity in cricket within a reasonable time frame. However, most programmes require specialised equipment or access to a gym, which can be quite expensive. They can also be very time-consuming. At the elite level, cricket players have access to physical trainers and physical training resources, and their time can be dedicated to performance enhancement. However, at an amateur club level this will probably not be the case. Recreational players are less likely to have the time available to do extra training at gym while others simply may not have the financial resources to join a gym. Therefore, in order to optimise training for amateur club players and coaches, finding a resistance training programme that can be used during practice sessions would be ideal. This resistance training should incorporate strength, power and cricket-specific training. Aims and objectives: The primary aim of this study was to develop and examine an appropriate resistance training programme to improve bowling velocity in amateur club cricket fast bowlers. This was done in two parts: first, an attempt was made to determine if amateur club level players have the time and resources to perform extra training to facilitate an increase in bowling velocity. This was achieved through a questionnaire. The objectives of the questionnaire were to identify the accessibility of resistance training in-season and identify whether players have the time to perform additional training outside of their normal training hours. The second part of the study sought to develop a time- and cost-effective training programme that amateur club-level players can use to improve their bowling velocity. Additionally, the programme had to be performed during training with minimal disruption to the normal training session, and it should not pose any risk of injury to the players. An assessment of the effects of this study was done. Methods: The questionnaire was sent out to senior club fast bowlers (1st and 2nd division) at various cricket clubs as well as distributed online for the participants to complete. The questionnaire aimed at acquiring information about the bowler’s cricket training and strength training load during the cricket season. It also retrieved demographic and injury information as well as their perception of the importance of strength and power training. Further, participants were required to state whether they had personally implemented training that contributed to an improvement in their bowling velocity and if they had a gym membership. The questionnaire was also used to determine whether players at club level had the time and financial resources to perform additional strength or power training (outside of their normal cricket training hours) that could produce an improvement in their bowling performance. The second part of the study was the development and implementation of the training programme, and assessment of its effects. Twenty participants were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 11) and control (n = 9) group. Of these participants, 9 of the experimental and 9 of the control group completed the trial. The experimental group was required to perform the training programme for four weeks. This programme consisted of a combination of general, special, and specific resistance training. All special resistance exercises were done with a 3kg medicine ball. Additionally, participants were required to perform 24-30 deliveries each session with an overweighted, underweighted and regular cricket ball. On the other hand, the control group was requested not to participate in any strength training during this period and only perform their normal cricket training sessions. All participants' performance was measured through a testing protocol which took place at baseline, two weeks and four weeks after training. The variables measured included bowling velocity, bowling accuracy, upper body power and lower body power. Results: The results of the questionnaire showed that many amateur club-level cricketers were not able to perform additional training at home or at gym, despite their knowing how important strength and power training is for improving their bowling performance. This was mainly due to players stating that they do not have the time or financial resources to do so. Results of the testing protocol for the experimental group revealed significant increases in bowling velocity between the baseline test and two weeks of training (4.1km/h, p= 0.003) and between the baseline test and four weeks of training (5.1km/h, p< 0.001). This equates to a final 6% increase across the four weeks. This increase in bowling speed was not at the cost of bowling accuracy as there were no significant differences in bowling accuracy across the four weeks. There was also no significant difference in the upper body power and leg power across the four weeks. The control group showed no significant differences in bowling velocity, bowling accuracy or lower body power across the four weeks. However, there was a significant increase in upper body power in the control group across the four weeks. Conclusion: Utilising only a four-week resistance training programme − consisting of a combination of core and lower body exercises (squats, lunges, step ups) as well as cricket-specific plyometric exercises and weighted implement training − significantly increased bowling velocity by 6%. This had no negative effect on the accuracy of the deliveries and posed no risk of injury to players. It would therefore be advantageous for club level bowlers to utilise this programme during training sessions to improve their bowling performance. Recommendations have been provided for this

    The release of damaged prosthesis from it's cemented position in human bone

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    Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Original surgery to replace a joint in the body with an implant is known as arthroplasty. There are cases where it is necessary to replace the implant with a revision surgery, because it has worn out or infection may have developed. Revision surgery is a long and complex procedure because the orthopaedic surgeon has to remove the implant that had been cemented in the bone cavity as well as the bone cement. A major problem is the hardness of the bone cement. Several methods are used in order to remove it, requiring excessive strength and sharp tools, that pose a danger to the human body long surgery time, from 3 - 4 hours. In this study, modern methods were used attempting to soften bone cement by heating it using heating equipment (a hair dryer and a heat gun), by bombarding it with ultrasonic waves and finally applying mechanical vibrations. The heating of the bone cement did not give satisfying results, as the temperature needed for melting or softening the bone cement was very high, which is not tolerable in operations, especially dealing with the human body. The use of ultrasonic waves in trying to separate the implant from the bone cement did not give any positive results either. The exposure of bone cement to ultrasonic waves in a wide range of frequencies and for a long period of time resulted in some heating effect but did not produce any change in its mechanical or chemical properties. Mechanical vibration produced a significant difference in results with the similar samples used in the first phase (heating) and the second phase of testing (the use of ultrasonic waves). After choosing an effective vibration source (a hammer drill), an adaptor was developed for securing the "implant test" samples and ensuring that the source of vibration would apply an axial tension on the implant as it were cemented in the bone cavity. The results were very positive, in that firstly and foremost the implant was separated from the bone cavity together with the body of the cement, i.e. leaving no remnants or leftovers in the inner surface of the bone where it was cemented. The frequency of vibration for best results was found to be 40 Hz and the time period of vibration for the complete extraction of the "implant" with the cement attached to it, did not exceed 22 seconds

    Follow-up computed tomography imaging in patients who have suffered traumatic brain injury in Zimbabwe

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    Thesis (MSc (Radiography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently associated with mortality and morbidity in low-income countries. Computed Tomography Brain (CTB) imaging aid in the management of patients by accurately exploring primary and secondary brain injuries following trauma. However, there is controversy among researchers on the benefits of follow-up CTB imaging (FCTBI) amongst patients presenting with TBI showing a normal baseline scan. As such, in an attempt to address the contention, the primary focus of this research study was to explore the role of FCTBI with regards to the clinical status of such patients. The secondary focus was to determine the timing of performing FCTBI post TBI. Method: A retrospective cross sectional quantitative design was conducted for this research study. A total sampling strategy was employed on medical records of 85 patients treated at the research site in Zimbabwe. Data were collected over a two year period. Adult patients between the ages of 18 and 75, with TBI and who had a normal first CTBI1 (primary scan done upon hospital admission) were included in this research study. The evolution of different types of brain pathology diagnosed on FCTBI in affected patients were recorded on data collection sheets. An analysis then followed to establish whether the sample patients had developed any neurological complications. Results: The study showed that in 85 patients with TBI, 36% recorded abnormal radiological findings on FCTBI with subdural haematoma (19%) being the most common intracranial lesion followed by intracerebral haemorrhage (8%), subarachnoid haemorrhage (6%) and lastly, pneumocephalus and epidural haematoma (1% respectively). The most frequent causal mechanism of trauma was road traffic accidents (RTAs) at 58%. Males with TBI comprised a higher proportion (53%) than did females (47%). The performance of CTBI1 at 8 hours post trauma occurrence, within a recommended hospital observation period of 20 hours post trauma occurrence, may provide sufficient time for lesions to evolve and thus determine the appropriate patient management. The young adult age group of 26-35 years was found to be more susceptible to TBI. Conclusion: FCTBI was found to be of value in timely detection of evolving intracranial lesions which enabled appropriate management of patients. The current study recommends that patients who exhibit a declining Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and deteriorating neurological status undergo a FCTBI

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