Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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Global sourcing in the shoe retailing industry in the Western Province, South Africa : a case study
No full textThesis (MTech (Retail Business Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.In an effort to remain competitive and maintain stable sales level and profitability, companies across the world have turned to global sourcing. This was a result of analysing the benefits of globalisation and advancement in technology which enabled this sourcing strategy to become very popular in many industries across the world. This was no different with the shoe retail industry in Cape Town. Shoe retailers have become dependent on international trade as it is synonymous with low costs and affordable shoes. However, despite these benefits, global sourcing is well known for being difficult to implement. For an industry so dependent on international trade, it was imperative to investigate how well shoe retailers have adopted global sourcing. This thesis aimed to investigate the implementation of global sourcing by shoe retailers in Cape Town, Western Province. Global sourcing is categorised into three main stages which include domestic sourcing, international procurement and global sourcing. These were the stages used to categorise the level of global sourcing adaptation by shoe retailers in the province. The challenges and improvements required were also examined and explored. A mixed-methods approach was implemented which involved adopting both quantitative and qualitative research. Eighty survey questionnaires were administered to retail buyers, logistics managers and executive management. This represented the quantitative research category, while twenty in-depth interviews represented the qualitative research phase which were conducted on global sourcing committee members in various shoe retail companies. The research outcomes unveiled that most shoe retailers in Cape Town source domestically through middlemen, known as sourcing intermediaries. The reasons for this included a lack of finance to support the global sourcing activities; the strategy is less risky as compared to global sourcing which is risk prone; a lack of adequate information to effectively execute global sourcing; and some retailers are too small in terms of business activity to fully implement global sourcing. The remaining retailers were split between international procurement and global sourcing. Fluctuation in exchange rates, internal communication problems, bad weather, and communication problems with manufacturers or suppliers were identified as challenges that retailers face. Areas highlighted by retailers which require improvement included internal communication between departments, increase in financial support towards global sourcing and quality control of shoes before shipment to Africa. In conclusion, global sourcing has yet to be fully adopted by most retailers in Cape Town, and sourcing intermediaries, wholesalers or agents are currently imperative for the existence of the shoe industry as they provide services which retailers cannot execute on their ow
Effect of nutrient momentum and mass transport on membrane gradostat reactor efficiency
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor technologiae (engineering: chemical) In the faculty of engineering at the cape peninsula university of technologySince the first uses of hollow-fiber membrane bioreactors (MBR’s) to immobilize whole cells were reported in the early 1970’s, this technology has been used in as wide ranging applications as enzyme production to bone tissue engineering. The potential of these devices in industrial applications is often diminished by the large diffusional resistances of the membranes. Currently, there are no analytical studies on the performance of the MBR which account for both convective and diffusive transport. The purpose of this study was to quantify the efficiency of a biocatalytic membrane reactor used for the production of enzymes. This was done by developing exact solutions of the concentration and velocity profiles in the different regions of the membrane bioreactor (MBR). The emphasis of this study was on the influence of radial convective flows, which have generally been neglected in previous analytical studies. The efficiency of the MBR was measured by means of the effectiveness factor.
An analytical model for substrate concentration profiles in the lumen of the MBR was developed. The model was based on the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations and Darcy’s law for velocity profiles, and the convective-diffusion equation for the solute concentration profiles. The model allowed for the evaluation of the influence of both hydrodynamic and mass transfer operating parameters on the performance of the MBR. These parameters include the fraction retentate, the transmembrane pressure, the membrane hydraulic permeability, the Reynolds number, the axial and radial Peclet numbers, and the dimensions of the MBR. The significant findings on the hydrodynamic studies were on the influence of the fraction retentate. In the dead-end mode it was found that there was increased radial convective flow, and hence more solute contact with the enzymes/biofilm immobilised on the surface of the membrane. The improved solute-biofilm contact however was only limited to the entrance half of the MBR. In the closed shell mode there was uniform distribution of solute, however, radial convective flows were significantly reduced. The developed model therefore allowed for the evaluation of an optimum fraction retentate value, where both the distribution of solutes and radial convective flows could be maximised
Development of nuclear-radiological facility monitoring system
No full textThesis (DTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The widespread application of nuclear science and technology has been the subject of much concern as well as nuclear safety issues. And to ensure the safety of public life, property and environment, it is indispensable to improve the emergency system for nuclear accidents and the environmental monitoring system for nuclear radiation, so that the occurrence of nuclear accidents, terrorist incidents and the resulting hazards can be prevented or minimized. Due to the benefits of radiation which were earlier and now recognized in the use of X-rays for medical diagnosis and then later with the discoveries of radiation and radioactivity, there was rush in exploiting the medical benefits which eventually led fairly to the recognition of the risks and induced harm associated with it. Thus, only the most obvious harms resulting from high doses of radiation, such as radiation burns, were initially observed and protection efforts were focused on their prevention, mainly for practitioners rather than patients. Subsequently, it was gradually recognized that there were other, less obvious, harmful radiation effects such as radiation-induced cancer, for which there is certain risk even at low doses of radiation
Effect of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts on the phenolic content and sensory attributes of Chenin Blanc wines
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Wines contain a number of phenolic compounds, belonging to non-flavonoid and flavonoid complexes. Phenolic compounds in wine are responsible for wine colour, astringency, and bitterness. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast is normally used in winemaking but it has been proved to decrease the phenolic content in wines. Current research on the use of non-Saccharomyces yeast in winemaking has produced better quality wines than S. cerevisiae yeast therefore improving the sensory profile of wine. This study evaluated effect of Torulaspora delbrueckii yeast on the phenolic content of experimental wines derived from Chenin blanc grapes. A reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was used for the identification and quantitation of the phenolic compounds. The difference test method was used to determine the sensory attributes of wines. The data was subjected to analysis of variance to compare treatment differences between the wines and principal component analysis to establish possible correlation between the data sets. Furthermore, a gas chromatographic-flame ionization detection method (GC-FID) was used for the quantification of volatile compounds in the wines.
In this work, wines made with T. delbrueckii strain M2/1 had high concentration of (+)-catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid in all studied vintages. Wines made with VIN13 had higher concentrations of flavan-3-ols, compared to wines made with M2/1 and 654. In sensory evaluation, M2/1 wines were prominent in astringency and complexity. Yeast strain M2/1, also attributed to body and complexity of the wine. However, in this study no correlations were observed between the phenolic content and sensory attributes and vice versa. The quality of wine cannot be concluded by chemical or sensory analysis alone, but the data sets are complementary. Although the phenolic concentration of wines made with S. cerevisiae strain (VIN 13) and T. delbrueckii (M2/1) were similar in measured phenolic concentrations, they had different sensory attributes. Wines made during the 2013 vintage indicated the importance of the use of a strain with higher enzyme activity and high fermentation rate. There is minimal to no skin contact in white winemaking. Therefore, the use of a yeast strain with an increased enzyme activity can facilitate the extraction of phenolics from grape, resulting in wine with improved quality
Production of biopreservation compounds from non-Saccharomyces yeast using a single-stage bioreactor
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Microbial spoilage has been reported in various food products and this has led to increased food, fruit and beverage losses, thereby threatening economic growth, food safety and security. Furthermore, statistics have shown that more than 30% of agricultural produce in developing countries, mostly in Africa, is lost owing to microbial spoilage.
Beverages, food and fruits are predominant contributors to the South African export market. In recent years, contamination of these products resulting in spoilage has been a problem, although partial spoilage control has been achieved using chemical preservatives such as dimethyl dicarbonate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sulphur dioxide (SO2). However, prolonged exposure to these chemical preservatives can cause human health problems such as skin and/or eyesight damage, muscle and stomach pain, cardiovascular disease and the impairment of brain function. To mitigate such health concerns, biologically benign alternatives are deemed suitable, providing the rationale for this study
DNA methylation : a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus
No full textThesis (MSc (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The early detection of individuals who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) would decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. DNA methylation, the most widely studied epigenetic mechanism, offers unique opportunities in this regard. Aberrant DNA methylation is associated with disease pathogenesis and is observed during the asymptomatic stage of disease. DNA methylation has therefore attracted increasing attention as a potential biomarker for identifying individuals who have an increased risk of developing T2DM. The identification of high risk biomarkers for T2DM could facilitate risk stratification and lifestyle interventions, which could ultimately lead to better ways to prevent, manage and control the T2DM epidemic that is rampant worldwide. The aim of the study was to investigate global DNA methylation as a potential risk factor for T2DM by studying the association between the global DNA methylation levels and hyperglycaemic states. A cross-sectional, quantitative study design, involving 564 individuals of mixed ancestry descent, residing in Bellville South, South Africa was used. Participants were classified as normal, pre-diabetic (impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)) or diabetic (screen detected diabetic and known diabetics) according to WHO criteria of 1998. DNA was extracted from whole blood using the salt extraction method. The percentage global DNA methylation was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The association between global DNA methylation and hyperglycaemia, as well as other biochemical markers of T2DM was tested in a robust linear regression analysis adjusted for age, gender and smoking
Brand identity of a selected South African bank
No full textThesis (MTech (Marketing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.By virtue of existence, a brand has a history, and probably an envisaged future. Collectively
these variables are understood to be central to a brand’s identity formulation. However, there
are various other elements that may inform brand identity construction. This study
investigated brand identity formulation of a bank brand in the South African banking sector.
In essence, the current study probed variables or elements that inform brand identity
formulation, in this service oriented sector. It is understood that individual human identities
can collectively influence the formulation of an institution’s brand identity, among other
factors. Therefore, a question arises whether academic brand identity theory and practice are
congruent in service sectors, particularly the South African banking sector. Dominated by few
major banks, the South African banking sector is characterised by an oligopolistic market
structure, where services provided are seen to be generic. Hence, the current inquiry on the
practice (or lack thereof) of brand identity theory for differentiation, and distinction purposes.
In this regard, Nedbank was used as a reference institution. In essence, Nedbank brand
identity was investigated
Bioactive compounds in a Manayi traditional medicinal product from East London
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.In Africa, herbal medicines are often used as primary treatments for a variety of ailments and diseases including HIV/AIDS and for HIV-related problems. In general, traditional medicines are not well researched scientifically in controlled studies, and are poorly regulated. Since the pharmacological effectiveness of natural products is affected by several native and foreign factors, studies on the variations of chemical composition and biological activity of these medicines are necessary.
The processes of investigating plants to identify chemical substances are of great interest to natural product researchers because there is a need to discover new drugs for treating old and new diseases. These facts underscore an urgent need to develop new anti HIV and AIDS drugs with fewer or no side effects. Research into drug discovery and development using natural products is increasingly becoming better established. Marine organisms as a source of natural products delivered numerous novel compounds with multiple pharmacological properties. Natural products give endless opportunities for discovering novel compounds that can be used as drugs or backbones of drug leads. Manayi is a natural product that has been used to treat and manage people with HIV, but no scientific studies have been done to prove its efficacy on the HIV under controlled conditions. For the purposes of this study, cooked and uncooked Manayi product was evaluated for its efficacy on HIV in vitro. Manayi samples were collected in East London, Eastern Cape and sequentially extracted with hexane, chloroform, dichloromethane, butanol, methanol, and water as a series of increasingly polar solvents for its bioactive chemical constituents
Measuring the performance of the Integrated Development Plan in a selected metropolitan council in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Cape Town has an extremely unequal society characterized by increased unemployment, and a lack of adequate and affordable service delivery for communities living on the Cape Flats including townships. Is the service delivery demand too big or doesn’t the City of Cape Town municipality have the capacity to cater for all communities within the municipal boundaries? Or is the municipal staff not performing as they are supposed to perform? The Integrated Development Plan can be described as the pivot upon which all development activities in a municipality revolve. The research project investigates the performance of the City of Cape Town Municipality’s IDP. The study further investigates the powers and duties given to people elected and appointed to implement this new South African local government vision of a free and prosperous South Africa for all to enjoy under the African sun. The most important tool in the municipality’s hands is the IDP. The IDP of a municipality is a map that a specific municipality wants to travel in that five-year period while they are in control of that municipality. The vehicle that drives human beings into a specific direction must be strong and able to succeed in pursuing the municipal vision
The effect of rheological properties on sludge dewatering in belt filter press
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Polymers used as flocculants in the secondary sludge dewatering process are one of the most expensive inputs in these plants. The disadvantage is that these polymers cannot be recycled. Currently, controlling of polymer dosing rate is done by trial and error method. It has been shown that huge savings can be made by optimising the polymer dosing using rheological properties. It is not an easy task to optimise this process because of changing sludge characteristics on a daily, seasonal and annual basis. To try and optimise polymer dosing and polymer concentration, the variation in rheological properties needs to be understood first. The correlation between the process parameters and the rheological properties needs to be determined. There is currently no database of rheological properties of secondary wastewater sludge feeding belt filter presses available. To address these issues, a 12 week assessment of the rheological properties of the sludge feed to the belt filter press before and after conditioning in four wastewater treatment plants in Cape Town was conducted. The rheological properties were determined using an MCR-51 rheometer with parallel plate geometry under controlled temperature. After concluding the assessment, a 3-level Box-Behnken factorial trial was conducted at Plant K wastewater treatment plant to statistically analyse the correlation and/or interactions between the process parameters (sludge feed flow rate, polymer dosing concentration, polymer dosing rate and belt press speed) and the rheological properties of the sludge to optimise the plant performance