South East Academic Libraries System (SEALS)
Not a member yet
69550 research outputs found
Sort by
Adolescents and coaches/trainers perspectives of ergogenic sports supplement use within South African private high schools
Get PDFSports supplements, also referred to as ergogenic aids, are used because of the assertion that they can enhance physical or athletic performance and/or physical appearance. Commonly used sports supplements include creatines, proteins, amino acids, stimulants, and in some cases pro-hormones. There is a relatively high and increasing prevalence of sports supplement use by the general population globally and in South Africa, particularly among adolescents and young adults due to various factors. While some research has explored supplement use among adolescents in a school setting, no study has explored this across the private school system in South Africa. Additionally, given the important role that coaches/trainers play in adolescent development, it is critical to also understand the role that they play regarding adolescent supplement use, given that there has been limited research around this topic in South Africa. Therefore, there were two aims of this study; Firstly, this study explored the prevalence and perceptions (knowledge; attitudes; beliefs) of sports supplements among South African private high school adolescents. Secondly, this study explored the perceptions (knowledge; attitudes; application of knowledge) towards sports supplements among adolescent coaches/trainers in South African private high schools. Considering the dual aim of this study, this thesis was structured as a two-part research study. Both parts took the form of a cross-sectional design, using an online questionnaire to collect qualitative and quantitative data. In total, a cohort of n=50 adolescents and n=49 coaches/trainers participated. Adolescent participants reported a high prevalence of sports supplement use (62%) with their main reasons for using them being recovery and performance. Adolescents were primarily influenced/advised by friends and coaches/trainers to start using sports supplements. Coaches/trainers primarily relied on other coaches/trainers and internet advertising/sites as a main source of information. Less than half of the participants from both groups reported having any formal education or training related to sports nutrition or sports supplements. Both groups thought that these products are being misused by adolescents, which may account for why a portion of the adolescent participants reported experiencing adverse side-effects from using sports supplements, and a few coach/trainer participants reported witnessing this in their practice. This may be a result of the professionalisation of school sport which places pressure on athletes and their coaches/trainers to perform and may in turn be the reason why some adolescents reported that they would use, and some coaches/trainers reported they would recommend the use of sports supplements even if they were aware of risk/dangers involved. Thus, there is a need for education/training among South African high school adolescents and their coaches/trainers with respect to the use of sports supplements, so that they can make informed decisions from reliable sources of information or advice in order to use these products safely and effectively.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 202
The Impact of socio-Economic and institutional factors on the Livelihoods of artisanal fisherfolk of Korsten, Gqeberha.
Get PDFhis dissertation focuses on a relatively underrepresented group of the fishing industry: subsistence fisherfolk. By using a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) and Community Capitals Framework (CCF) as a theoretical framework and interpretive lens, the purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the impact of socio-economic and institutional factors on the livelihoods of artisanal fisherfolk of Korsten, Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth). By highlighting the socio-spatial implications of the forced removals of the past, this dissertation shows that legislative reforms should consider the population that they affect. Food security is a major issue on a global scale and South Africa is not impervious to food security concerns. This dissertation focuses on the negative impact that socio-economic climate and legislation has had on subsistence fisherfolk. Hunger and poverty eradication is one of the key goals of sustainable development. In this case, subsistence fishers faced legislative reforms at two distinct points in its tumultuous past, both of which had a detrimental impact on this sector of society's ability to support a healthy livelihood. This research fills a theoretical and practical gap in research regarding the current livelihoods, policies, and laws, as well as provides a deeper understanding of the socio-economic context of the subsistence fishing community of Korsten, Gqeberha. The SLA and CCF helps readers understand how subsistence fishers contribute to local livelihoods and integrate into the greater processes of the community. Further, exploration of the institutional policies limiting subsistence fishers helps understand decision making processes and laws in artisanal fisheries and the implications thereof. A snowball sampling method was used to recruit and enrol participants for this study. The sample size consisted of fourteen (14) participants consisting of eight (8) subsistence fishers and six (6) relatives of subsistence fisherfolk. Narrative analysis is a qualitative method that was conducted in this study. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted as the methods of data collection and analysed in ATLAS.ti 9 Qualitative Analysis Software. Most participants indicated that fishing plays an integral part of their lives. It contributes to and still ensures the food security in the families of Korsten. In addition, participants highlighted the constant legislative and socio-economic barriers as well as the social and personal benefits of fishing in the community. A key recommendation is made for policy-makers to be cognizant of subsistence fishers and to include this underrepresented group in decision making processes.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geosciences, 202
Visualisation processes in teaching patterns and their generalisation: perceptions and experiences from senior phase mathematics teachers
Get PDFThis study investigated how senior phase mathematics teachers used visualisation approaches to teach patterns and their generalisation as a result of an intervention programme. This project is an integral component of the VIPRO MATHS Project and one of a number of post-graduate research projects which has a particular focus on visualisation processes in mathematics education in the Southern African region. This case study of Senior Phase mathematics teachers in the Chris Hani West District (CHW) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa used a social constructivist theory. The study is grounded within an interpretive paradigm explanatory qualitative method design. It surveyed thirty-seven Senior Phase mathematics teachers from schools in the CHW district to get an idea of how teachers teach patterns and their generalisation, prior to an intervention process. After the survey, nine teachers were purposively selected to take part in an intervention programme. They were then observed (teaching) and interviewed to get their perceptions about what factors enable and/or constrain the teaching of patterns and their generalisation when visualisation approaches were used. The data from the survey questionnaire responses, the lesson observations and the interviews were analysed qualitatively. The findings from the survey questionnaire responses revealed that teachers in CHW district value the use of visualisation approaches, although they used visuals to teach patterns in a way that lacked depth, skill and rigor prior to the intervention. Challenges such as difficulty in keeping abreast with the prescribed syllabus, the lack of resources, time constraints, and the limited knowledge of algebra learners have for successfully transferring pictorial representations to symbolic presentations, emerged from the survey data. This necessitated the need for an intervention which focused on the use of a variety of visual strategies and tools to teach patterns and their generalisation effectively. Data from lesson observations showed that all observed participant teachers used visuals to generate image- related questions and created platforms for lively classroom discussions. The teachers used the generated questions to build on learners’ prior knowledge and to promote learner understanding of pattern dynamics that stem from pictorial representations. The data from the interviews revealed that teachers’ perceptions had drastically changed after the intervention. This was because they were now equipped and empowered to effectively make use of visual strategies that enabled them to: build on learners’ prior knowledge, to manipulate visuals for the purpose of prompting learning, develop cognitive perception in learners, cultivate learner innovation and originality and enhance problem solving techniques. This study concludes that the use of visuals enhanced conceptual teaching of patterns and their generalisation in the observed participants. This has the potential to provide mathematics education researchers and curriculum developers with a strong basis to include visualisation processes and strategies into the design of policy documents and to initiate further research efforts. The implications for the teachers are that learners need to be taught ways to create and interpret visual representations in order to understand the dynamics of transferring a pictorial pattern to its resultant symbolic representation expressing pattern regularity. It is also hoped that the results of this study will be utilised by mathematics subject advisers and teacher training institutions to improve the teaching of patterns and their generalisation.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 202
Shifting the Narrative on Food Insecurity: An Investigation into the Potential Power of Social Media to Promote Sustainable Practices
Get PDFFood insecurity is a prevailing problem and according to a report released in 2019 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 2 billion people in the world experience moderate or severe food insecurity (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO 2019: vii). Consequently, if we are to make a significant change in these statistics, the actions taken to “tackle these troubling trends will have to be bolder, not only in scale but also in terms of multisectoral collaboration” (2019: viii). It is against this backdrop that this study will explore the discursive landscape around four social media applications - OLIO, Too Good To Go (TGTG), KHULA and OneFarm Share - working to fight food waste, tackle food insecurity and reimagine the food system. This study is situated in the field of media studies and adopts a qualitative approach, with hermeneutics as the specific research strategy which “[seeks] understanding, rather than to offer explanation” (Kinsella 2006: n.p). This study maps the development of media effect theories over the years and explores where it is today, drawing on key thinkers in the space of new media including Lister, Manovich and Castells. This is followed by a discussion of food insecurity globally, and then locally within a South African context, as well as through the lens of ecosocialism drawing on voices such as Kovel and Löwy. This will lead to a content analysis of the four selected applications exploring the discursive landscape around each, and what similarities and disparities emerge.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Language, Media and Communications, 202
The use of psychometric test systems as a pre-selection tool for identifying successful harvesting machine operators
Get PDFA shift towards fully mechanized forest activities, such as harvesting and, more recently, silviculture, has occurred from the early 2 000’s. The reason for mechanizing these activities differs for each country, although for most countries there is concern relating to the health and safety of forest workers. With mechanization in harvesting, the forest worker has moved away from the physical intensity of having to fell, debranch, debark and cross-cut trees into logs using either an axe or chainsaw, to operating a machine. Studies revolving around the human element (operator) have been conducted specifically relating to the ergonomics of the machines and how operators may influence machine productivity. Results showed that due to the repetitive nature of the work, the operators are exposed to associated stresses for longer periods. Typical injuries associated to these kinds of stressors are whole body vibrations (WBVs), repetitive hand and arm movements, non-neutral body postures and manual lifting, which lead to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back, neck and shoulders. However, as machine technology improves so does the ergonomic conditions which are experienced by machine operators. Machine productivity can be influenced by various factors, with the most influential being tree volume. However, a recent study showed that over 40% of variation in machine productivity has been observed amongst different machine operators operating similar machines. The specific reason for these differences has yet to be determined. However, decision making, motivation, planning capacity, concentration, memory, motor coordination, pattern recognition, logic reasoning, and spatial perception are abilities that have been described as important for successful harvesting work. The pre-selection of operators using psychometric and cognitive tests is not new to forestry, although very little information is available relating to the aptitude test known as the Vienna test system as well as the best possible demographic associated with successful harvesting operators. The overall aim of this study was to determine whether the high variation found amongst harvesting machine operators could be reduced initially through a preselection process which involves the use of aptitude tests (Vienna Test System) and demographic questionnaires. A study was implemented in Zululand, South Africa, testing whether there were significant productivity differences between nine machine operators.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 202
Hydraulic vulnerability of Subtropical Thicket to drought : a remote sensing and physiological perspective
Get PDFWater availability is one of largest constraints on plant survival, growth, and species distribution globally. The recent escalation in tree mortality coupled with declining precipitation and amplified temperatures has implicated drought as a major cause behind many large-scale dieback events observed across the world. Raising the question, what makes some species more resistant and persist while others dwindle and vanish from the landscape? The observed variability in species drought susceptibility demonstrates the complexity of physiological responses of plants to changes in water availability. Hydraulic dysfunction in plants has been purported to be the key mechanism behind drought-induced mortality provoking interest in hydraulic traits and critical thresholds of xylem physiological function. The capability of species to maintain hydraulic functionality under drought strongly influences the survival and general productivity towards water deficits. Hence, two core objectives, and subsequently aims, of this thesis are firstly to investigate the effect of drought on Subtropical Thicket vegetation health and productivity, and secondly to examine the underpinning physiological mechanisms and functional thresholds relaying speciesspecific drought vulnerability within this semi-arid biome. In first data chapter, this thesis offers an assessment of vegetation change under drought and its influence on plant physiological function and productivity across a subsection of Subtropical Thicket distribution. Additionally, this chapter provides a regional scale perspective of drought on Subtropical Thicket flora in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. A severe anomalous dieback event, which coincided with extreme, accumulative drought conditions was observed in 2020. Employing a combination of field-based approaches and remote sensing, this chapter aimed to provide a comprehensive report of the extent and severity of crown defoliation and canopy dieback following this event, additionally describing predisposing and compounding factors. Based on Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration and Standardized Precipitation Indices this event began in 2015 and coincided with amplified temperatures, exacerbating evaporative demand. Aerial UAV surveys and field-based investigations were undertaken. Remotely sensed (RS) indices provided an avenue for extensive spatiotemporal investigations to uncover the extent of drought-related impact on vegetation productivity and discuss potential underpinning mechanisms behind drought-induced mortality in Subtropical Thicket. Leveraging long-term time series RS data, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellites as a proxy vegetation physiological status in combination with SPI and SPEI describing drought condition and groundbased surveying defining canopy vitality condition this study incidentally addressed the aim of endeavoring to link drought-induced mortality and early warning symptoms observed in the field with RS time series data to describe drought impacts across Subtropical Thicket. Furthermore, the findings of this chapter demonstrate the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in drought impacts on Subtropical Thicket. The recent drought of 2015 till 2021 is the longest documented period for the past 50 years in which there has been no accumulated net positive water availability, this apparently perpetual state of water deficiency has enacted a high cost for vegetation productivity and growth for the study area, exhibited well by average NDVI values of less than -0.5 for over 70% of the research site. The findings of this chapter report, to the contrary of anecdotal suggestions in the literature, on the intrinsic tolerance of Subtropical Thicket and that ii drought has a far more significant role on overall vegetation productivity, growth, and mortality in this region. The second data chapter assess whole-plant physiological functionality during a drought event in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This is the first study in Subtropical Thicket to quantify in situ hydraulic functional integrity under a natural drought event testing the leading hypothesis describing tree mortality – hydraulic dysfunction. This chapter firstly, investigates hydraulic traits (e.g., turgor loss point) and describe key physiological thresholds (e.g., P50) for maintaining function during drought. Secondly, levels of native embolism were determined under drought conditions and combined with measurements of xylem vulnerability to embolism providing an estimation of degree of hydraulic dysfunction experienced by six dominant woody canopy species in Subtropical Thicket – to quantify interspecific drought tolerance and susceptibility. Subtropical Thicket species exhibited remarkable tolerance towards desiccation (TLP from as low as -3MPa) and hydraulic functional resistance to embolism (P50 value as low as -7.89MPa). The observed unexpected drought resilience of subtropical derived lineages highlights the intrinsic evolutionary role aridification had, selecting for greater embolism resistance and community-level conservatism in drought resistance of Subtropical Thicket. The level of native embolism and hydraulic safety margins identified two species (Schotia latifolia and Polyagla myrtifolia) that were the most vulnerable, and a third (Pappea capensis) moderately vulnerable, then the remaining studied species – this could result in community-level adjustments in species composition and structure under future projected climate change scenarios where, increased frequencies of drought events are anticipated. This retrospective assessment of canopy vigor with physiological functional thresholds evokes hydraulic dysfunction as the principal mechanism of observed Subtropical Thicket dieback to drought. This chapter provides crucial in situ data for predictive assertions around drought-induced mortality risk in a phylogenetically diverse and climatically unique biome of southern Africa; and is the first to identify critical hydraulic thresholds for tree species within this region.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 202
A case study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the commercially produced South African wool clip 2010 – 2017
Get PDFNo formal study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres has been performed in South Africa. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the validity of the claims that there has been an increase in the production of wool contaminated with medullated and coloured fibres. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip have changed over time. Secondly, the study aimed to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres have a distinct geographic distribution. This study explored eight years of wool production records (2010 to 2017) obtained from BKB, the largest wool broker in South Africa. For the purpose of this research, the wool-producing areas of South Africa were divided into 6 regions, according to average annual rainfall, vegetation type and major farming practices applied in the area. Statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and post-hoc tests, as well as regression analyses. This study succeeded in quantifying the extent and prevalence of contamination with medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip. The overarching conclusions were: • Floating kemp is the most important contaminant of wool in South Africa, with the incidence of harsh kemp and coloured fibres being very low. • Generally, the most important areas that need attention in combatting contamination in the South African wool clip, are the Mixed Farming Summer Rainfall Region, the Semi-Arid Grassveld and the High Rainfall Grassland.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 202
An analysis of the link between monetary policy, exchange rate pass-through effect and domestic prices in South Africa.
Get PDFThe study seeks to analyse the link between monetary policy, domestic prices and exchange rate pass-through effect in South Africa. South Africa’s imports are more than its exports. Therefore, given a higher PTE associated with the importation of necessities, the poor are always left worse off since they are faced with imported inflation that is depreciating exchange rate driven. The Johansen co integration for the long run and the Vector Error Correctional Model for the short run were used to analyse monthly data obtained from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the World Bank from 1990 to 2019. The study consisted of five separate but closely linked models, which are the price equation, excess demand equation, the monetary policy equation, pass through equation and the money demand equation. The results revealed that all models are cointegrated meaning that a long run relationship exist in these equations. However, the VECM short-run results show that two of the models have an ECM term which is negative and significant. The results indicated that there is evidence of the passthrough effect. In this case, a positive pass-through effect of 222 per cent was established between domestic prices and import prices. A pass-through effect of 39 per cent was also identified between imports and exchange rate and lastly a pass-through effect (PTE) of 30 percent was established between oil prices and import prices.Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 202
Feminization of agriculture, livelihoods and climate change in Chivi district, Zimbabwe
Get PDFGiven the historically disadvantaged position of women and their heavy reliance on climate-sensitive activities in many societies, the vagaries of the climate threaten the agrarian livelihoods of women in Chivi district. This study focuses on the impacts of climate change on women working in agriculture in one ward of Chivi district and on the feminization of agriculture during the period from 2000 to 2019. It explores how the roles of women have changed in agricultural production and in relation to household food security. It assesses women’s involvement in decision-making in agriculture as well as in household food security, and analyses the socio-economic impacts of climate change on women subsistence farmers, exploring the adaptation strategies that rural women working in agriculture implement in response to climate-risk events and threats. The study was influenced by ecofeminist theories and the Sustainable Livelihood Framework. Comparative analysis of household types was done after data gathering using participatory rural appraisal tools with women from three villages. Interviews were conducted with key informants from government departments and development institutions. The results show that climate-risk events and threats have resulted in feminization of agricultural labour as men branch out into wage labour, but that changing power relations in the form of decision-making in agriculture and issues related to household food security vary with the type of the household. Worsening climatic conditions have made it difficult for women to ensure household food security and to generate income through agrarian livelihoods. However, women have implemented adaptation strategies including conservation agriculture to mitigate crop failure, and to improve agricultural output and household daily consumption, and thus survive peak hunger periods. The study contributes to our understanding of the resilience of women in the Global South to climate-risk events and threats and contributes to our understanding of participatory rural appraisal tools in addition to conventional data collection tools. The study recommends that development institutions promote gender equality and that development institutions construct dams, rehabilitate collapsed irrigation schemes and accelerate the implementation of novel climate smart technologies in arid regions.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 202
The consumer decision process and determinants of choice for retail consumer lubricants in Gauteng South Africa
Get PDFSouth Africa has an open lubricants market where new marketers and brands are welcome to join the competitive landscape. As a result, there are a vast number of players in the lubricants market including small local blenders. There are five major players in this market, namely: Engen, Chevron (marketed as Caltex), Shell, BP and Total as well as smaller marketers like ENI and Indy Oil (Kline and Company , 2018). Castrol is the leading lubricant brand consumed in the country, followed by Shell, Engen, and Chevron, respectively (Mordor Intelligence, 2021). The South African lubricants market is segmented between three main segments: industrial, commercial automotive, and consumer automotive. Industrial lubricants are sold to large producers of goods for their manufacturing equipment.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 202