Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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Multilevel inverters using finite set- model predictive current control for renewable energy systems applications
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThis research focuses on the predictive current control of multilevel converters with the aim of providing an optimized system for three-phase, multilevel inverters (MLIs) so that the load current and the voltage of the capacitors can be controlled. A model predictive current control algorithm is proposed, specifically directed at the utilisation of power obtained from renewable energy systems (RESs). The model was developed for three-phase, multilevel voltage source inverters (MLVSIs), three-phase, three-level diode-clamped converters (DCCs) and flying capacitor converters (FCCs). In this study the renewable energy systems model is used to investigate system performance when power is supplied to a resistiveinductive load (RL-load). The proposed control method was split into two different control algorithms. Firstly, a finite set-model predictive current control (FS-MPCC) method was developed to control the output current of three-phase, MLIs. This control method was selected to reduce the calculation effort for model predictive control (MPC) and to increase the possible prediction horizon. Secondly, to solve the flying capacitor voltage balance problem in an FCC, as well as to solve the DC-link capacitor voltage balance problem in a DCC, a hysteresis-voltage alancing algorithm based on predictive control, was designed—this algorithm was used to
keep the flying capacitor voltages and DC-link capacitor voltages within their hysteresis
bands. Finally, for some classes of power converters, a performance evaluation of the FS-MPCC method for three-phase, three-level MLIs was investigated in terms of power quality and dynamic response. The improvement was assessed in terms of total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output voltage for the RL-load. The modelling and co-simulation were carried out using MATLAB/Simulink with PSIM software. The co-simulation results indicated that the proposed control algorithms achieved both high performance and a high degree of robustness in RESs applications
A mobile-based service to promote reproductive health for youth-at-risk: the case of Grabouw, Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design, at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyTransitioning from childhood to adulthood is typically coupled with many puberty related challenges, and such challenges are heightened by access deficiency to reproductive health information. The situation is worsened in under-resourced communities in Southern Africa as the youth’s socio-economic status is hampered by a lack of timely informed education. Such youth groups are referred to as youth-at-risk. The youth are the most affected in recent days as they are exposed to various health disturbances. The youth need to be aware of critical life information, particularly reproductive health information, in order to make better choices. With mobile technology being an integral part of everyday life and more appealing to the youth, opportunities are opened up for the use of mobile functionalities or an extension thereof to provide relevant mobile-based services for information access. Recently, health information is shared and is accessible on different mobile platforms. This research project focuses on mobile-based services to promote reproductive health information for youth-at-risk groups, aged 18 to 24 from the Grabouw community in the Western Cape of South Africa.
Most of mobile technology’s solutions and proposed mobile-based services come from elsewhere with little or no consideration of the communities and people who will use these services. The youth was engaged in different activities as participants to design a mobile-based service to promote reproductive health information, putting them at the center of the design process as design partners. Service design methods and tools were used as the methodology in a systematic manner. A Double Diamond framework consisting of four phases (Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver) was followed in order to collect the data. The phases guided the design process from ideation to co-designing of the service prototyped herein. Different ways of accessing information especially reproductive health information by youth-at-risk were identified. The available technology and existing practices to access reproductive health information were also identified.
Results clearly indicate that the youth are motivated to use mobile phones to share and receive health information. The youth currently have access to reproductive health information and services, however some services require the youth to travel long distances by vehicle or by walking. The youth walk as a result of lack of transport in some locations because there is no infrastructure in place to support vehicles. Furthermore, the information available to the youth currently is not contextualised, therefore making it irrelevant with consideration to resources available in this particular community. The research project recommends that when a solution is being designed for any community, all the relevant stakeholders have to be involved in the design and development process to allow for a co-design interaction that allows for a usable and relevant solution design with and for the intended users. Involving the user in the design process accelerates adoption if an innovation and easy technology appropriation in the user’s environment. The users add the value needed as they are sharing knowledge, experiences and way of doing things which have a positive effect on the solution. The study recommends service to be developed in the future according to the findings herein. The implementation, testing and use of the mobile-based service (RHIAY) prototyped in this thesis are for future work
Information quality perceptions in the information chain of a retail organisation
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Information Technology In the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyDealing with information quality issues remains a serious concern for organisations. With the fact that modern organisations generate much higher volumes of information than they did in the past, with more variety and at a higher velocity, this concern is only expected to increase. Information quality is a complex topic and there is no single view shared by stakeholders on the quality of information within an organisation’s value chain and information quality issues experienced by stakeholders are also different. In this study, the topic of information quality is addressed through the following research questions: How do information stakeholders view the quality of information throughout the information value chain of a retail organisation? What kind of information quality issues do business stakeholders experience throughout the information value chain of a retail organisation? And how are stakeholder decisions affected by information quality when producing or consuming information at the different touch points of the information value chain? An interpretive research approach was chosen for this study to explore this complex topic. The research was conducted in two phases. A literature review in which different concepts related to information quality were investigated was the first phase. In the second phase, a specific business case was investigated before findings from the two phases were analysed and discussed In response to the main research questions, the findings of the research indicated that information quality is complex and there is no single view shared by all stakeholders involved in an information value chain
A framework for information communication that contributes to the improved management of the intrapartum period
No full textDissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Informatics in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyBackground: Daily activities within a health care organization are mediated by information communication processes (ICP), which involve multiple health care professionals. During pregnancy, birth and motherhood a woman may encounter different professionals including midwives, doctors, laboratory personnel and others. Effective management requires critical information to be accurately communicated. If there is a breakdown in this communication patient safety is at risk for various reasons such as; inadequate critical information, misconception of information and uninformed decisions being made. Method: Multi method, multiple case study approach was used to explore and describe the complexities involved in the (ICP), during the management of the intrapartum period. During the study the expected ICP, the actual ICP, the challenges involved and the desired ICP were analysed. 24 In-depth interviews with skilled birth attendants were conducted, observer- as- participant role was utilized during the observation, fild notes, reflective diaries and document review methods were used to gather the data. Thematic analysis and activity analysis were applied to analyse the data. Findings: The findings illuminated that there are expectations of accessibility to care of the woman during pregnancy birth and the intrapartum, especially linked to referral processes. The actual ICP focused on documentation and communication of the information within and between organizations. Communication was marked by inadequate documentation and therefore errors in the information communicated. The desires for communication were illuminated by the need to change the current situation. Further a framework for effective information communication was developed: the FAAS framework for the effective management of the intrapartum period. Conclusion: In conclusion what is expected is not what is actually happening. The skilled birth attendants (SBAs) do not necessarily have the answers for change but the challenges were identified as desires for change. I urge that the framework will provide a basis for the evaluation of the effectiveness involved in the ICP for the effective management of the intrapartum period
Transformation of urban planning practices using geo-spatial technology in managing rapid urbanisation in Harare: Zimbabwe
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Town and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyPolitical independence for Zimbabwe in 1980 brought about fundamental socio-conomic
changes which impacted on urbanisation trends in the country. For instance the removal of colonial influx control laws and regulations which had previously served to curtail ruralurban migration marked the beginning of a new developmental era characterised by rapid urbanisation. Political and economic downturns later experienced in the country in the last decade of the twentieth century and after resulted in massive de-industrialisation, company closures and high unemployment. These changes impacted significantly on the spatial structure of cities which had to firstly adapt to socio-political integration, and had to later focus on the basic challenges of providing shelter and alternative means of employment in a depressed economy. The physical and spatial manifestations of such changes included the rapid growth of informality, the collapse of urban infrastructure and the apparent disregard for the colonially styled urban development management frameworks. This research consequently evaluates the performance of current urban planning frameworks and practices in the face of such changing circumstances. This is against a backdrop of the apparent failure by urban planning to transform in line such development trends. The study explores the theoretical framework of rapid urbanisation, urban planning, and technological innovation in urban development management systems. The main focus of the study is on the transformation of planning practices and frameworks. Geo-spatial technology (GST) is mainly used as a demonstration and methodological tool for analysis and evaluation. The methodology is made up of two contrasting case studies based in the CBD of Harare (Zimbabwe‟s capital city) and Epworth (an informal settlement on the outskirts of Harare). The CBD case study measures the performance of planning frameworks within a formally planned set up whilst the Epworth case study demonstrates the (in)effectiveness of current planning practices to contemporary urban development challenges. The main findings of the research support the need to have mobile planning frameworks and tools that have the capacity to promptly respond to fast changing developmental trends. The other main finding highlights the positive relationship between impartial participation in planning and high level of success in achieving planning objectives
Prevention and management of occupational injuries at selected higher eduction institution in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology Occupational Health Nursing in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2015Purpose of study: The purpose of this study was to explore the injury on duty prevention and management strategies that are currently used in different higher education settings. The study intended to shed light on specific areas of policy and practice discrepancies related to the disjuncture between employee interactions, regulated directives and organizational goals. Aims and objectives: One of the aims was to determine the types of work-related injuries that occur in HEI’s by verifying the injuries reported on Employers Reports of an Accident. A second aim was to examine strategies that have been put in place to prevent injuries in the workplace by reviewing policies and procedures related to injury prevention. The final aim was to examine systems in-place to manage occupational injuries by looking at staff health or employee wellness service flow charts or models used at the HEIs. Population and sample: Permanently employed personnel at two HEI’s in the Western Cape were participants in a multiple case study. The sample units consisted of health and safety representatives, human resources, maintenance personnel, estates and custodial, traffic services and departmental managers. Methodology: This study applied a mixed-method using a multiple case study design as an approach to the enquiry. Methods of data collection: Documents, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews were be used to obtain data to answer the research questions. Process of analysis: Qualitative and quantitative themes will be analysed in a matrix. The three data sources were triangulated to validate the findings. Benefits of the study: Injury prevention benefits the employer and employee in many ways, including increased employee performance leading to increased productivity as well as cost savings. Main findings: Injuries that were reported are mostly musculoskeletal injuries; however other types of injuries may not be reported due to under reporting of injuries being common in this setting. Health and safety training and knowledge sharing was not well supported and injury prevention strategies were not optimized. The application of health and safety policies and procedures were not adequately communicated, enforced or monitored. Staff health and employee wellness strategies operate independently and do not facilitate a coordinated response to manage occupational injuries in this setting. Lack of monitoring, organizational support, training and knowledge sharing and communication were the four main challenges to injury prevention management systems. Conclusions: The implementation of an effective injury prevention and management
programme could benefit the organization and translate into increased operational value (organizational quality).
Key words: Higher Education Institutions, Occupational Injury prevention, Management of occupational injury
The training, employment and job effectiveness description of public relations practitioners in Botswana
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.Public relations (PR) is still a generally unexplored terrain in Botswana and many public relations practitioners (PRPs) are therefore experiencing challenges to either obtain worthwhile training and valid and applicable job descriptions or support from management where they are working. This is due to a large misunderstanding of what the profession entails. This career and study discipline certainly seems to be misconceived, misunderstood and misappropriated in many organisations and even in individual managers’ minds. Some of these misconceptions reflect that public relations is not sufficiently separated and distinguished from the other study fields and career descriptions in the discipline of communication studies, such as marketing, journalism, integrated marketing communications, corporate communication, branding, propaganda, publicity and advertising. This is a residual effect of earlier appointments of so-called public relations practitioners as the wine-and-dine attendees on the social circuit of a company who need to make a favourable impression of the business and the people on other stakeholders. There is no formal and professional public relations body in Botswana. The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) is in the process of establishing a local chapter, which could be the beginning of an answer to the misconceptions about the country’s public relations industry. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used to collect data, the questionnaires were self-administered and the researcher carried out interviews. The triangulation method was used as one of the strategies to validate the research results. The total population of the study amounted to 110 participants. Unfortunately not all participants completed and returned the questionnaires, but 89 have completed and returned them, while seven interviewees participated. As for the collection of data, the pilot questionnaires were carried out with 18 participants and the pilot findings formed part of the research findings. For sampling of the population, the purposive or judgmental sample was used, based on the fact that the sample had knowledge on the researched title
An analysis of public relations programme’s strategies for sustaining stakeholder relationship with its key industry partners
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.Public relations (PR) scholars and industry partners continue to emphasise the importance of a sustainable relationship between PR disciplines and key industry iii partners. This relationship seeks to respond to stakeholders that remain despondent with the quality of engagement between the South African PR academia and industry. Existing literature in this field argues that PR departments at South African universities are experiencing adverse scrutiny by industry as many current academic programmes do not produce students who are industry ready. To address this critical concern, building and sustaining relations with key stakeholders is imperative. This study examines engagement strategies that the PR programme at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology uses to build and sustain relations with key industry partners. The research draws on two Public Relations theories: stakeholder theory and two-way symmetrical communication to make sense of the strategies used by this programme. It is based on a qualitative approach and an exploratory case study research design. Empirical data were collected through one-to-one interviews and focus group discussions with PR programme staffs, final year PR students and employees from two external PR consultancies. The data were coded and thematically analysed. The main finding of the study is that current engagement strategies are ineffective for relationship building purposes between the PR programme and key industry partners. To sustain mutually beneficial relationships, it is recommended that existing strategies be revised in order to improve relations between the PR department at Cape Peninsular University of Technology (CPUT) and its industry partners, as well as to promote the advancement of both PR as an academic discipline and a profession
Evaluation of the effects of political instability on entrepreneurial activities : the case of the Democratic Republic of Congo
No full textThesis (MTech (Business administration in entrepreneurship))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.Interest in the domain of Entrepreneurship is growing considerably. Nevertheless, the
plan of this study is to discover the distinctiveness of entrepreneurship in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC). The cutting-edge hostile environment for business
developments of underdeveloped countries. In the case of the DRC, entrepreneurship is
developed under life-threatening conditions, rarely seen elsewhere. These extreme
conditions for entrepreneurship are present as the result of transitional particularities and
the marginalised context deriving from political circumstances surrounding the DRC.
Apart from the barriers and particularities of a business environment derived mainly from
a transitional phase, the political situation has heavily influenced entrepreneurial
developments in the country
Reading practices in two urban multi-grade foundation phase classes
No full textA full dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Education
Presented to the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences
2015In Africa, throughout the history of schooling, many teachers have been confronted by the demanding situation of teaching two or more year groups in the same classroom although data on this multi-grade phenomenon is scarce. Although reading is a fundamental competency and the core of our curriculum, a gap exists in practice. In multi-grade classes the gap is wider as a result of the different grades and varying abilities within the grades. The present study was motivated by the researcher’s concern for the status of reading in all Foundation Phase classes.
This study answers one main question: How do teachers in two urban multi-grade classrooms teach reading in the Foundation Phase? The two sub-questions are: What are the current reading practices in urban multi-grade classrooms in the Foundation Phase?
What challenges do teachers of urban multi-grade classes face when teaching reading in the Foundation Phase?
The conceptual framework that was central to answering the two sub questions includes four theorists namely: Lave and Wenger’s (1991) Vygotsky’s (1978); Bronfenbrenner’s (1990) and finally Piaget’s (1972) stages of cognitive development including pre-operational stage and concrete operational stage. The literature review highlights the physical setting of the multi-grade classrooms, debates the advantages and limitations of urban multi-grade teaching, compares the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) 2005 and the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) reading curriculum, briefly deliberates the stages of reading development and finally discusses the variety of reading practices.
A qualitative interpretive case study research design was formulated to explore the complex phenomenon of urban multi-grade reading practices in the Foundation Phase. The first research question explored the reading practices found in two urban multi-grade classes, and the findings include four themes which are: stories, vocabulary, comprehension and reading. The second sub-question, focussed on the challenges the urban multi-grade teachers experienced.
In conclusion this study reveals that reading can be taught successfully in urban multi-grade classes. Teaching reading in multi-grade classes may foster the emotional, intellectual, social and academic well-being of learners. Secondly although the two urban multi-grade teachers faced many challenges, with the necessary support structures in place, these challenges could be minimized