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Effects of the timing of initiation of maternal anti-retroviral therapy, cd4 count and viral load on birth out comes in South Africa
Get PDFThesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 202
Attitudes and barriers towards HIV testing services among males aged between 15-49 years at Mzamomhle Township: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
Get PDFThis study delves into the attitudes and obstacles surrounding HIV Testing Services (HTS) among males aged 15 to 49 in Mzamomhle Township, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. HIV/AIDS prevalence remains a significant concern, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Employing a mixed-methods approach with questionnaires and interviews, data was gathered from 106 participants. The findings highlight a range of challenges that impede the accessibility of HTS. These challenges include stigma, concerns about privacy, fears related to testing, limited knowledge, and negative attitudes of staff towards HTS. Despite these challenges, the study reveals that participants generally hold positive attitudes towards HTS. However, there are doubts regarding the efficacy of testing in preventing the transmission of HIV. Privacy concerns emerge prominently, with participants fearing that their status might be disclosed. Stigma also acts as a barrier, as individuals fear potential embarrassment if their status becomes known. To address these issues, several recommendations are proposed. These include the establishment of robust support systems, educational campaigns to empower individuals with knowledge about HTS benefits, and community initiatives to combat negative attitudes towards testing. Furthermore, enhancing healthcare worker training and raising political awareness can contribute to creating a more favourable environment for HTS utilisation. By implementing these recommendations, South Africa can work towards dismantling the barriers that hinder HIV testing and promoting a proactive culture of health-seeking behaviour among men. This effort is essential for reducing HIV transmission rates and achieving global health targets.Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 202
Iphoco elinesigcina ntliziyo
No full textThe symbolic necklace showcases a guardian of the heart, embellished with a sizable central pendant and two smaller side pendants. Each pendant carries deep symbolism, with the central one symbolising an elderly man and his wife. This necklace goes beyond mere ornamentation; it embodies love, partnership, and unwavering commitment. As individuals adorn this necklace, they carry with them the narratives and connections of previous generations, paying tribute to the heritage of their forebears and honouring the enduring principles of family and camaraderie.Purchased from Mrs Joan BrosterForms part of: Walter Sisulu University Beadwork Collectio
A native weevil and an exotic planthopper: investigating potential biological control agents for nymphaea mexicana zuccarini (nymphaeaceae) and its hybrids in South Africa
Get PDFNymphaea mexicana Zuccarini (Nymphaeaceae) is an invasive plant originating from southern USA and Mexico that has become problematic in South Africa, invading several water bodies around the country. Manual removal of this plant is very labour intensive and is not cost efficient or effective for long term control, while the use of herbicides is damaging to the environment and expensive. Consequently, this plant is a desirable candidate for biological control, which takes advantage of enemy release of the target weed and aims to re-establish population suppression induced by host specific natural enemies. Initiating biological control requires that several steps are followed to maximise the success of the programme, and the first few of these, including overseas surveys in the native range of the plant, have already been completed. This thesis aimed to continue biological control research for this species to take further steps at effectively managing the plant. Firstly, pre-release surveys in the invaded range are necessary to: determine what factors (including enemy release) contribute to the invasiveness of the target weed; establish a baseline of information to allow for comparison after biological control agents have been released; and identify any insect herbivores that may already be present in the country. The pre-release surveys conducted in this study revealed useful information about N. mexicana invasions in South Africa and provided evidence that enemy release is applicable to this case. However, these studies determined that a native weevil, Bagous longulus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has expanded its host range to include the exotic N. mexicana at three sites, and may thus have potential for management of the species through augmentative releases. The invasion of N. mexicana in South Africa is further complicated by the presence of several Nymphaea hybrids originating from a complex history of horticultural trade. Although previous research has shown that several hybrid groups are present in South Africa, their parentage is not known. As biological control requires the use of host specific insects adapted to overcome the unique chemical and morphological defences utilised by plant species, hybrids are notoriously difficult to manage because they possess intermediate characters inherited from parent species to which natural enemies may not have adapted. Although biological control of hybrids is challenging, other case studies have demonstrated that it is possible to find suitable agents, but the chances of success are increased if putative parents of the hybrids are known so that they can be surveyed for natural enemies. Further molecular studies including possible parents of the Nymphaea hybrids in South Africa were thus carried out in this thesis to focus future surveying efforts. Two main hybrid groups were identified with genetic similarity to two tested putative Nymphaea parents, and this will allow further investigations of these species to improve the chances of successfully managing these hybrid groups. Some of the tested hybrids showed genetic contributions from multiple groups, some of which were unidentified, so it is necessary to prioritise the most problematic hybrids for biological control. With more insight into the genetic makeup of the Nymphaea hybrids in South Africa, investigations into the host specificity of potential biological control agents can be conducted. The ideal biological control agent should have a broad enough host range to impact and survive on both N. mexicana and its hybrids, but without a host range so broad that it would pose risk to native South African species. Host specificity trials are thus necessary to determine the suitability of potential agents. The identification of B. longulus feeding on N. mexicana during pre-release surveys motivated further investigations to determine the natural distribution, field host range, and host specificity of B. longulus in experimentally controlled conditions. Further surveys were therefore conducted at native Nymphaea sites around South Africa in addition to host specificity trials using the native Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. (Nymphaeaceae), two populations of N. mexicana, and a cultivated hybrid. Results from the surveys and host specificity tests suggest that B. longulus is widely distributed across South Africa, is specific to Nymphaea with no observed preference between N. mexicana and the native N. nouchali, and does not perform well on Nymphaea hybrids. Hence, B. longulus is promising for use in new association biological control through augmentative releases but is not suitable for management of hybrids. In addition to the potential use of the South African B. longulus, it is necessary to conduct host specificity trials for natural enemies from the native range of N. mexicana that were prioritised in previous studies. Megamelus toddi Beamer (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is one such species that was imported into quarantined laboratory conditions from Florida, USA. Host specificity trials were conducted using the same test plants as described for the studies on B. longulus, in addition to multigeneration trials to determine how long M. toddi could survive on non-target host plants. As with the B. longulus studies, no statistically significant differences in preference were observed between N. mexicana and N. nouchali, but M. toddi could not complete development on the test hybrid, indicating that this species is also unsuitable for the management of Nymphaea hybrids. Despite suboptimal plant health, M. toddi completed development for three generations on the native N. nouchali. This lack of host specificity deems M. toddi unsafe for release in South Africa but highlights the importance of following predefined steps to develop a biological control programme. The concluding chapter of this thesis discusses the aforementioned findings in a broader context by considering the driving forces of plant invasions in general and specifically for N. mexicana in South Africa. Case studies are also consulted to provide insight into how to proceed with managing Nymphaea hybrids in South Africa, while the factors governing host specificity and host range expansion are also discussed and considered in the context of B. longulus and M. toddi. Finally, after a consideration of the limitations of these studies, recommendations are made to continue the development of biological control for N. mexicana in South Africa.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 202
The prevalence of alcohol use disorders among university students in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFHigh alcohol misuse is associated with many challenges, including (a) unsafe sex, problems with the criminal justice system, absenteeism, academic failure, death, injury, and alcohol related harm, both in the developing and developed world. Despite the above, no meta-analysis had been conducted in the literature to comprehensively study the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) amongst university students in the developing world. This study reviewed literature related to AUDs among university students in developing countries. It described the concept of AUD and the harmful effects of excessive alcohol use, including biological, cognitive, psycho-social, and economic impacts on the individual and the family.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 202
In-silico investigation of the effects of genetic mutations on the structural dynamics of thiopurine s-methyltransferase and their implications on the metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine
Get PDFThiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the S-methylation of aromatic and heterocyclic sulfhydryl compounds such as 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), 6-thioguanine (6TG) and azathioprine (AZA) which is first converted to 6MP through reduction by glutathione S- transferases (GST). The compounds, generally referred to as thiopurines, are immunosuppressants used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), autoimmune disorders and transplant rejection. Thiopurines are prodrugs which require metabolic activation to give thioguanine nucleotides that exert their cytotoxic effects by incorporation into DNA or inhibiting purine synthesis. The methylation reaction by TPMT utilizing S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the methyl donor prevents their conversion to these toxic compounds. The catalytic activity of TPMT in metabolising these compounds has been associated with occurrence of genetic variations. The variations that result to missense mutations cause amino-acid changes and in turn alter the polypeptide sequence of the protein. This could alter functionality and structural dynamics of the enzyme. This study sought to understand the underlying mechanism by which 7 specially selected mutations impede metabolic activity of the enzyme on 6-MP using in silico techniques. VAPOR and PredictSNP were used to predict the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the stability and function of the enzyme. Of the 7 mutations, only H227Q was predicted to be functionally benign while the rest (L49S, L69V, A80P, R163H, R163C and R163P) were predicted to be deleterious or associated with disease. All the SNPs were predicted to destabilize the enzyme. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were preformed to mimic the behaviour of the apo, holo and drug-bound WT and mutant enzymes in vivo. This was followed by post-MD analysis to identify changes in the local and global motions of the protein in the presence of mutations and changes in intra-protein communication networks through contact map and centrality metrics calculations. RMSD and Rg analyses were performed to assess changes in global motions and compactness of the enzyme in the apo, holo and drug-bound states and in the presence of mutations. These revealed that binding of the ligand had a stabilizing effect on the WT enzyme evident from more steady trends from the analyses across trajectories in the holo and drug-bound enzymes compared to the apoenzyme. The occurrence of mutations had an effect on the global motions and compactness of the enzyme across the trajectories. Most mutations resulted in destabilized systems and less compact structures shown by unsteady RMSD and Rg across trajectories respectively. The drugbound systems appeared to be more stable in most of the systems meaning that the binding of 6MP stabilized the enzyme regardless of the presence of a mutation. RMSF analysis recorded local changes in residue flexibility due to the presence of mutations in all the systems. All the drug-bound mutant systems lost flexibility on the αAhelix which caps the active site. This could have an effect on drug binding and result to defective drug metabolism. The A80P mutation resulted to a more rigid structure from both global and local motions compared to the WT enzyme which could be associated with its nearly loss of function in vivo and in vitro. Dynamic cross correlation calculations were performed to assess how the atoms moved together. Correlated, anti-correlated and areas of no correlations were recorded in all the systems and in similar places when compared to each other. This meant that occurrence of mutations had no effect on how the atoms moved together. Contact map analysis showed that occurrence of mutations caused changes in interactions around the positions where the mutations occurred, which could have an effect on protein structural dynamics. The A80P substitution which occurred on the surface away from the binding site was identified as an allosteric mutation that resulted to changes in the catalytic site. Contact maps for the drug-cofactor complex in the mutant systems in comparison with the WT protein revealed changes that could suggest reorientation of the drug at the catalytic site. This could be an implication to altered drug metabolism. Eigenvector centrality (EC) and betweenness centrality (BC) for the most equilibrated portions of the trajectories were calculated for all the studied systems to identify residues connected to the most important residues and those that were spanned the most in shortest paths connecting other residues. Areas that scored highest in these metrics where mostly found in regions surrounding the catalytic site. Top 5% centrality hubs calculations showed loss of major hubs due to mutations with gaining of new ones. This means that mutations affected communication networks within the protein. The gained hubs were in areas close-by the lost ones which could have been an attempt of the protein to accommodate the mutations. Persistent top 5% BC hubs were identified at positions 90 and 151 while one persistent top 5% EC hub was identified at position 70. This positions play important roles in shaping the catalytic site and are in direct contact with the ligands. It was concluded that in silico techniques and analysis applied in this study revealed possible mechanisms in which genetic variations affected the structural dynamics of TMPT enzyme an affecte 6MP metabolism.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 202
Challenges and Opportunities of Preserving African Indigenous Knowledge Using Digital Technologies: The Case of Bogwera
No full textMost indigenous knowledge systems, practices, and values disappear due to the influence of technology, human migrations, climate change, globalization, death, memory loss, and civilization. Therefore, indigenous knowledge systems will disappear if they are no longer used. This is because many traditional practices and activities within indigenous knowledge systems that have been used are essential coping and living strategies and are now in danger of disappearing. The chapter investigates how social web technologies, social media platforms, and online video tools can digitize, share, and preserve indigenous knowledge for the current generations that need to be more knowledgeable about these systems and future generations. With the example of bogwera, the chapter studies the role that digital technologies can play in protecting and preserving indigenous knowledge systems in the Taung community in North West, South Africa
The activity and foraging patterns of the western rock elephant shrew (Elephantulus rupestris)
Get PDFThe increase, and prolonged periods, of high ambient temperatures are cause for concern for small mammals living in arid areas of Southern Africa. In this study, I aimed to determine the effect of high environmental temperatures on the activity, body temperature maintenance and foraging behaviour in a population of Western rock elephant shrew, Elephantulus rupestris, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. I found that E. rupestris maintained stable body temperatures (Tb = 37.31 °C ± 0.64) over a range of environmental temperatures (Tair = 5° to 33.9 °C), indicating their ability to remain normothermic during the heat of the day. Under cool, mild and hot air temperatures, E. rupestris were predominantly active in the morning and night, being the least active during midday. This shift in activity time, known as polyphasic activity, is common amongst Macroscelidea species and is a mechanism for escaping thermal extremes. To determine the effect of temperature on foraging behaviour, I ran giving-up density (GUD) experiments on E. rupestris under a range of environmental conditions. GUD experiments yielded no conclusive results as animals did not show a significant preference for foraging under certain thermal conditions, and rather foraged under a variety of air temperatures. Overall, E. rupestris showed risk adverse behaviour, trading-off thermoregulation with foraging and activity for self-preservation during hot periods of the day.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 202
Investigating pedagogical practices of English First Additional Language educators in Grade 12 short stories: a case study
Get PDFThe focus of this study was to investigate pedagogical practices of English First Additional Language educators in teaching Grade 12 short stories. An interpretive qualitative case study of three educators from three high schools in Chris Hani West district, in Eastern Cape were purposefully selected. Lesson observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis (lesson plans) with three English FAL educators were used to collect data. Shulman’s (1986) Pedagogical Content Knowledge was used as the theoretical framework and analytical tool for the study. Data revealed ineffective teaching strategies and on-the-surface subject matter knowledge that hampers the critical teaching of short stories. It also showed that educators have limited knowledge of learners’ learning difficulties and how to address them. The study recommends less teacher talk that was observed in many classes, to be replaced by extended discussions on the part of the learners. Educators should establish a variety of contemporary teaching strategies which put critical thinking and active learning before examination preparation. Lastly, educators, in their teaching of short stories, should consult various resources and attend content workshops to keep subject knowledge up to date.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Humanities, Study of Englishes of Africa, 202
Exploring grade 8 teachers’ code-switching in teaching orthographic drawing in the Khomas Educational Region, Namibia
Get PDFStudies in learner English proficiency in Namibia have shown that a considerable number of learners in primary and high schools have low proficiency. Naturally, this will be problematic for both learners and teachers who operate under a policy that dictates that from Grade 4 upwards, English is the medium of instruction in government schools. Literature has shown a general bias towards English as a medium of instruction from both the Namibian government and Namibian parents, despite the broader level of low English proficiency among learners. Research reviewed within this study has outlined the multiple benefits of code-switching for both learners and teachers. In fact, a recent study on the perceptions of code-switching in classrooms among Namibian learners indicated a positive attitude towards code-switching as a learning tool. Grade 8 Technical Drawing classes tend to be challenging due to the complexity and novelty of some of the concepts and terminologies used when teaching the subject. This makes it particularly difficult for learners whose first language is not English. Learners struggle to understand and make meaning of the concepts and objects used in Orthographic Drawing. Code-switching has been seen as a beneficial pedagogical tool. The study was therefore conducted to explore the Grade 8 teachers’ code-switching when teaching Orthographic Drawing in the Khomas educational region, Namibia. The study used the Matrix Language Frame Model by Myers-Scotton as the theoretical framework which focuses on two crucial language aspects of participating in code-switching and the matrix and embedded language, which guided this study. The qualitative approach employed a case study design which was used to gain first-hand experience in the Technical Drawing classrooms. Semi-structured interviews and an observation checklist were the research instruments that were used to generate data on the use of code-switching in Orthographic Drawing. Two schools, two Technical Drawing classes with 40 learners and two teachers in the Khomas region, Namibia were conveniently and purposively sampled. The data were analysed using coding, descriptive statistics and thematic data analysis. The primary and secondary results indicate that code-switching occurrence has constructive effects. Consequently, recommendations have been made on the effective use of code-switching along with other pedagogical tools based on the research insights into code-switching when teaching and learning Orthographic Drawing.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Humanities, Study of Englishes of Africa, 202