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Decolonising the wearing of church uniforms amongst black women in selected African Independent Churches : a Bosadi transformative missiology
No full textThe practice of wearing religious attire in Africa is both long-lasting and complex. Church uniforms can be viewed as a means of encouraging unity by ensuring a consistent appearance, regardless of one’s financial level or personal fashion preferences. However, they can also be considered as oppressive symbols when they are enforced without considering cultural diversity or individual expression. Black women have historically experienced a “triple oppression” that involves being subjected to racial segregation, gender inequality, and classism. However, the practice of wearing church uniforms was frequently employed as a means of defying colonial rule, especially within African Independent Churches (AICs). These church uniforms symbolised a unique identity and autonomy, setting them apart from the mission churches founded by European intruders. The act of self-expression and resistance against colonial authority demonstrated great strength and served as a means of reclaiming African religious and cultural heritage. Black women in certain AICs, such as the Saint John’s Apostolic Faith Mission (SJAFM) and the Sega Apostolic Church, were interviewed to evaluate the importance of church uniforms in AICs. Furthermore, the interviews aimed to identify any gaps in the leadership transition process/es in these AICs, to explore the decolonial elements present in the use of church uniforms in AICs, and to examine the connection between spirituality and Christianity in relation to the practice of wearing church uniforms in AICs. Additionally, observations were carried out at the Zion Christian Church ZCC with the aim of attaining similar objectives. The aim of this study is to examine the symbolic value of wearing church uniforms among black women in AICs, employing a Bosadi transformational missiology as a conceptual framework. This paradigm was developed by integrating the theories of decoloniality, Bosadi, and transforming missions.Ph. D. (Missiology)Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
Exploring twitter as a two-way interaction with stakeholders at South Africa's National Health Department
No full textThis study explores how South Africa’s National Department of Health (NDoH) uses Twitter as a communication platform to interact with various stakeholders. The aim of the NDoH is to establish a standardised health communication. Anchored in the qualitative methodological framework, the study investigated the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders to inform the development of guidelines for the effective use of Twitter as a communication channel within the department. Key informants were selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data was generated using unstructured interviews and analysed through thematic analysis. The study unveiled that Twitter is used as one-way communication channel for the delivery of health-related messages. This finding is crucial for policymakers as it provides empirical insights for planning and improving strategic health communication. It also contributes to the broader and global academic discourse in scholarly writings. The study adopted an integrative approach and included three theoretical lenses through which to select an appropriate research design, analyse and synthesise literature, and analyse and interpret data. These theoretical lenses were the excellence theory, diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, and the technology acceptance model (TAM).M.A. (Communication)Communication Scienc
Exploring the relationship between discipline and academic performance: a case of secondary schools in Tshwane North District
No full textText in English with summaries in Southern Sotho and ZuluThis thesis examines the critical role of discipline in fostering academic success within secondary schools in the Tshwane North District, Gauteng Province. By examining the relationship between discipline and academic performance, this study offers insights into how effective disciplinary practices contribute to a positive learning environment, which is essential for educational achievement. Through a qualitative research approach, data were gathered from a purposive sample of 40 educators and school leaders, including principals, deputy principals, department heads, and post-level one teachers, as well as 40 learners in selected secondary schools. Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to capture perspectives on the impact of disciplinary measures on students' engagement and motivation, focusing on Grades 8-12.
The findings showed that consistent and fair disciplinary practices improve academic outcomes by fostering a sense of belonging and motivation, which in turn influence students' willingness to meet academic expectations. Themes emerging from the data highlight the complex role of discipline in managing disruptive behaviour, setting clear boundaries, and promoting a culture of respect within the school community. This research adds to the growing body of literature on educational discipline, offering practical recommendations for educators and policymakers on implementing discipline strategies that support academic performance in diverse school environments. The study concludes that discipline is essential to achieving educational goals, emphasising its significance as a fundamental element in the pursuit of academic excellence.Sepheo sa phuputso ena e ne e le ho hlahloba karolo ya bohlokwa ya boitshwaro bakeng sa ho kgothalletsa katleho ya thuto dikolong tse sekondari ka hara Setereke sa Tshwane sa Leboya, Profenseng ya Gauteng. Ka ho hlahloba kamano pakeng tsa kgalemo le tshebetso ya thuto, thuto ena e fana ka lesedi mabapi le kamoo mekgwa e sebetsang ya kgalemelo e kgothalletsang tikoloho e ntle ya ho ithuta, e leng ya bohlokwa bakeng sa katleho ya thuto.Ho batlisisa katleho ya mekgwa ya kgalemelo ho kgothaletsa tikoloho e ntle ya ho ithuta, ya bohlokwa ho phihlello ya thuto, e entswe ka mokgwa wa ho etsa dipatlisiso tsa boleng le dithekniki. Ho ile ha sebediswa dithekniki tsa ho hlahisa datha jwalo ka dipuisano tse hlophisitsweng hantle le dipuisano tsa dihlopha tse tsepamisisang maikutlo ho fumana tlhaisoleseding ho araba potso ya dipatlisiso.E le karolo ya tshebetso, sampole ya sepheo sa matitjhere le baetapele ba dikolo a 40, ho kenyeletswa mesuwe-hlooho, batlatsi ba mesuwehlooho, dihlooho tsa mafapha, le matitjhere a boemong ba pele, mmoho le baithuti ba 40 ba dikolo tse sekondari tse kgethilweng. Dipuisano le dipuisano tsa dihlopha tse tsepamisitsweng maikutlo di ile tsa hapa maikutlo a hore na mehato ya kgalemelo e ama boikamahanyo le kgothatso ya baithuti jwang, e shebane le Kereiti ya 8-12. Mokotaba e nkilweng ho datha e hatella karolo e rarahaneng ya kgalemelo ho laola boitshwaro bo senyang, ho beha meedi e hlakileng, le ho hodisa moetlo o hlomphehang wa sekolo. Diphumano di bontshitse hore mekgwa ya kgalemelo e tsitsitseng, e hlokang leeme, e ntlafatsa sephetho sa thuto ka ho hlaolela boikutlo ba ho ba karolo le kgothatso, e leng se susumetsang boikemisetso ba baithuti ho finyella ditebello tsa thuto. Patlisiso ena e kentse letsoho dibukeng tse mabapi le kgalemo ya thuto, e fana ka dikgothaletso tse sebetsang bakeng sa matitjhere le baetsi ba melawana mabapi le ho sebedisa mekgwa ya kgalemelo e ntlafatsang katleho ya thuto dibakeng tse fapaneng tsa sekolo. Thuto e phethela ka hore kgalemelo ke ya bohlokwa bakeng sa ho fihlela sepheo sa thuto, e totobatsa bohlokwa ba yona jwalo ka motheo wa ho phehella bokgabane dithutong.Inhloso yalolu cwaningo bekuwukuhlola iqhaza elibalulekile lokuziphatha kahle ekukhuthazeni impumelelo ezifundweni ezikoleni zamabanga aphezulu esiFundeni saseTshwane eNyakatho, esifundazweni saseGauteng. Ngokuhlola ukuxhumana phakathi kokuziphatha nokusebenza kahle kwezemfundo, lolu cwaningo lunikeza imininingwane yokuthi izinqubo zokuqondisa izigwegwe zithuthukisa kanjani isimo sokufunda esihle, nesibalulekile ekuzuzeni imfundo.
Ukuphenya ukusebenza ngempumelelo kwezinqubo zokuqondisa izigwegwe naekukhuthazeni isimo esihle sokufunda, okubalulekile ekuzuzweni kwezemfundo, kwenziwa ngendlela yocwaningo olusezingeni eliphezulu kanye namasu. Kusetshenziswe amasu okukhiqiza idatha njengezingxoxo ezingahlelekile kanye nezingxoxo zamaqembu okugxilwe kuwo ukuze kutholwe ulwazi oluphendula umbuzo wocwaningo. Njengengxenye yomsebenzi, isampula yenhloso yothisha nabaholi bezikole abangama-40, okuhlanganisa othishanhloko, amaphini othishanhloko, izinhloko zeminyango, nothisha abakuleveli lokuqala, kanye nabafundi abangama-40 bezikole zamabanga aphezulu ezikhethiwe. Izingxoxo nezingxoxo zamaqembu okugxilwe kuzo zathatha imibono yokuthi izinyathelo zokuqondiswa kwezigwegwe zikuthinta kanjani ukuzibandakanya kwabafundi kanye nogqozi, kugxilwe eBangeni lesi-8-12.
Okutholakele kugcizelela indima eyinkimbinkimbi yokuqondisa izigwegwe ekulawuleni ukuziphatha okuphazamisayo, ukubeka imingcele ecacile, kanye nokuthuthukisa isiko lesikole elinenhlonipho. Ngaphezu kwalokho, okutholakele kubonise ukuthi izinqubo zokuqondiswa kwezigwegwe ezingaguquguquki, ezinobulungiswa zibuye zathuthukisa imiphumela yezifundo ngokuhlakulela umuzwa wokuba ngowabanye kanye nogqozi, okuthonya ukulungela kwabafundi ukuhlangabezana nalokho okulindelekile ezifundweni. Lolu cwaningo lube negalelo ezincwadini eziphathelene nemfundo, luhlinzeka ngezincomo ezisebenzayo kothisha nabakhi benqubomgomo ekusebenziseni amasu okuziphatha athuthukisa ukusebenza kwezemfundo kuzo zonke izindawo zesikole ezahlukahlukene. Ucwaningo luphethe ngokuthi isiyalo sibalulekile ekufezeni izinjongo zemfundo, okugqamisa ukubaluleka kwakho njengento ewumgogodla ekwethuleleni impumelelo ezifundweni.D. Phil. (Educational Foundation)College of Educatio
Experiences of technical vocational education and training college lecturers with students living with special learning needs in a mainstream classroom context in Kwa-Zulu Natal
No full textThe right to education is optimally and deeply embedded in the South African Constitution. This includes people with special learning needs and other disabilities. TVET colleges, however, experience a myriad of challenges with inclusivity. Even though there have been some interventions, numerous challenges still plague the system. This study encapsulates the experiences of TVET college lecturers with students with deficits in learning capacity. The study was conducted at three campuses in the uMgungundlovu district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and exposes the struggle that exists with the understanding and accommodating students with special education needs. Lecturers’ experiences expose the dire consequences emanating in mainstream classes. The focus of the study was to gauge the lecturers’ experiences through a qualitative approach using an interpretivist paradigm. Interviews and observations were conducted to obtain primary data. Literature pertaining to the study was examined intensely and data was collected and analysed. A semi-structured interview guide was used for the senior management and lecturers which reveals the concerns of lecturers who have not been trained in the area of inclusive education and exposes the limitations of TVET colleges. Classroom observations were conducted to ascertain engagement with students.
Interviews were conducted with three senior management officials, three campus managers and twelve lecturers. Major concerns emerged regarding the readiness of colleges for special needs students, including the inability to assist students, a highly skewed curriculum, a lack of support structures, an inability to implement basic inclusive policy, and lecturers that are overloaded with paperwork which is stressful. Lecturers clearly stated that they were ill-prepared to take on special needs students and cope with their workloads, leaving students to cope by themselves. What is evident is that the views and perceptions that emerged indicated a lack of focus on inclusivity which leaves an indelible negative mark on the proper implementation of inclusive policy in the mainstreaming of students. Recommendations have been made to propose a number of viable solutions and a comprehensive framework has been designed for consideration to facilitate proper implementation of inclusivity and accountability within the TVET college.D. Ed. (Adult Education
Employability of graduates entering a South African financial organisation in the fourth Industrial revolution
No full textSignificant change is the order of the day during the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). The study’s key aspects effectively highlight the imperative for the South African financial industry to adapt to the demands of the 4IR. Central to this investigation is the need to understand graduate employability (GE), identify key 4IR employability skills required in the sector, evaluate the industry's readiness to provide relevant training, and explore strategies to bridge the existing skills gap. The inclusion of relevant literature references strengthens the study's rationale. The research questions are comprehensive and well-aligned to identify the employability skills required for South African financial industry graduates during the 4IR. The study ensures a structured and focused investigation by dividing the questions into a literature review and the empirical study sections. The aims and objectives delineate the intended theoretical exploration and empirical investigation. Each objective corresponds to specific research questions, contributing to a cohesive and systematic approach to addressing the research problem. The study adopts an exploratory design, underpinned by an interpretivist philosophical stance — an approach that aligns with qualitative research methodology. This framework enables an in-depth exploration of participant experiences and insights. Purposive sampling, which involves selecting knowledgeable and experienced individuals, improves the credibility of the study findings. The proposal underscores the potential implications of the research findings for the Industrial and Organisational psychology field, particularly in informing strategies for enhancing graduate employability and addressing the skills gap. The study's broader applicability and significance are reflected in the suggestion to extend conclusions and recommendations to other institutions. While the study acknowledges potential limitations such as sample size and scope, it could benefit from a more comprehensive discussion on the potential impact of these limitations on the validity and generalisability of the findings. The study presents a logically structured and academically sound plan for investigating graduate employability and 4IR skills in the South African financial industry. By addressing the identified research questions through a rigorous methodology, the study has the potential to generate valuable insights for both academia and industry practitioners.Die vierde industriële rewolusie bring beduidende veranderinge mee. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse finansiële sektor om aan te pas by die uitdagings en vereistes van die 4IR. Die fokus val op die belangrikheid daarvan om die indiensneembaarheid van gegradueerdes te verstaan, die identifisering van noodsaaklike 4IR-vaardighede, die evaluering van die sektor se gereedheid om opleiding te fasiliteer, en die oorbrugging van die vaardigheidsgaping. Die insluiting van relevante literatuurverwysings versterk die teoretiese grondslag van die studie. Die navorsingsvrae se doel is om die werkbare vaardighede van gegradueerdes in die Suid Afrikaanse finasiele bedryf tydens die 4IR te identifiseer. Om te verseker dat die vrae gestrutueerd en gefokus is, is dit verdeel in literatuur oorsig en empierise studie. Die doelwitte en doelstellings word duidelik uiteengesit, wat die beoogde teoretiese verkenning en empiriese ondersoek afbaken. Elke doelstelling stem ooreen met spesifieke navorsingsvrae, wat bydra tot 'n samehangende en sistematiese benadering van die navorsingsprobleem. Die geloofwaardigheid van die studie word versterk deur doelgerigte steekproefneming om kundige en ervare individue te kies. Die voorstel beklemtoon die potensiële implikasies van die navorsingsbevindinge vir die veld van Industriële en Organisatoriese sielkunde, veral in die vorming van strategieë vir die bevordering van gegradueerdes se werkbare kapasiteit en die aanspreek van die vaardigheidsgaping. Die voorstel om gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings na ander instellings uit te brei reflekteer die breër toepaslikheid en belangrikheid van die studie. Alhoewel die voorstelle moontlike beperkinge soos steekproefgrootte en omvang het, kan daar baat gevind word by 'n meer omvattende bespreking van die potensiële impak van hierdie beperkinge op die geldigheid en generaliseerbaarheid van die bevindings. In die geheel gesien, bied die voorstel 'n goed gestruktureerde en samehangende plan om die werkbare kapasiteit en 4IR vaardighede van gegradueerdes in die Suid-Afrikaanse finansiële bedryf te ondersoek. Die geïdentifiseerde navorsingsvrae is aangespreek met streng metodologie en het die potensiaal om waardevolle insigte vir beide akademie en bedryfpraktyk te genereer.Utshintsho olukhulu lufika ngexesha le Revolusheni Yesine YezeMveliso (4IR). Iimpawu eziphambili zophando zihlola ngempumelelo umnqweno wokuba imboni yezezimali yaseMzantsi Afrika ilungele ukufikelela kwiimfuno ze-4IR, igxininisa ukubaluleka kokuqonda ukufaneleka kwemfundo, ukubona izakhono ezibalulekileyo ze-4IR kwingingqi, ukuxilonga ulungelelaniso lwezakhono, ukunceda ukufundisa abafundi kwiimboni, kunye nokugubungela umgca wezakhono. Ukufakwa kweenkcukacha ezihambelanayo kuqinisa isizathu sophando. Iimibuzo zophando zihlola ngokuqaqambisa kwaye zihambelana kakuhle nenjongo ebalulekileyo yokuchonga izakhono zokufaneleka okufunekayo kubafundi kwiimboni yezezimali yaseMzantsi Afrika ngexesha le-4IR. Ukuze kuqinisekiswe ukuba imibuzo ihloliswa ngokucacileyo kwaye igxile, izihloko zihlulwe phakathi kweencwadi zophando kunye nophando lweempirikali. Isiphakamiso siqinisekisa uphando oluhlelwe kakuhle nolugxilwe kumphando weempirikali. Iinjongo kunye nemigomo zicacisiwe, zichaza uphando lwe-theory oluya kunceda ukufunda ngohlobo lweempirikali. Iinjongo nganye ihambelana nemibuzo ethile zophando, zisebenzela indlela ehlukeneyo nenokulunga yokujolisa kuhlobo lwezicelo. Ukukhetha indlela yephando lokuhlola, ifilosofi ye-interpretivism, kunye nendlela ye-qualitative ilungele imeko yophando, ivumela uphando olunzulu lweemeko zababambiqhaza. Ukusetyenziswa kokukhethwa kwemixholo ukuze ukhethe abantu abanolwazi nabanoobuchule kuphucula ukholo lweziphumo zophando. Isiphakamiso sikhumbuza umphumo onokubakho wezizathu zophando kwiMthetho wezeMveliso kunye nezeMisebenzi, ikakhulu ekuncedeni izicwangciso zokuphucula ukufaneleka kwemfundo kunye nokubhekana nomgca wezakhono. Isikhumbuzo sokwandisa izigqibo kunye neengcebiso kwi ezinye iindawo sikhombisa umphumo omkhulu kunye nokubaluleka kophando. Nangona isiphakamiso siqaphela izithintelo ezinokubakho ezinjengemilinganiselo yesampuli kunye nomxholo, singazuza ngokuxoxa ngaphezulu malunga nomphumo onokwenzeka walezi zithintelo kwi-validity kunye nokuguquguquka kwezinto ezifunyenweyo. Ngokubanzi, isiphakamiso sicebisa uceba oluhlelwe kakuhle noluhambelanayo lokuphanda ukufaneleka kwemfundo kunye nezakhono ze-4IR kwiimboni yezezimali yaseMzantsi Afrika. Ngokubhekisa kwimibuzo yophando echongiweyo ngenkqubo eqinileyo, uphando luneendlela zokufumana iingqiqo eziluncedo kuzo zombini izifundo kunye nabaklami beemisebenzi.M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)Industrial and Organisational Psycholog
Teachers’ experiences and attitudes towards teaching natural sciences in informal learning environments: a case study in the Amajuba district
No full textText in EnglishInformal learning environments are among the most effective settings for enhancing learners’ academic achievement in science subjects. They are expected to motivate learners to take responsibility for their own learning, thus increasing their interest in science subjects. Teachers are seen as an important element in promoting effective teaching and learning in these environments. However, their experiences and attitudes towards informal learning environments can influence their teaching in these environments. Thus, this study sought to explore teachers’ experiences and attitudes towards teaching Natural Sciences in informal learning environments. This study was guided by the concept of informal learning environments and the curricular spider-web model, which was this study’s conceptual framework. This study used a qualitative case study research approach which allowed for the exploration of teachers’ experiences and attitudes. Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants who met the study criteria. Additionally, the study’s objectives were used to select the participants who were appropriate for the study. The study involved seven participants from three different schools. The data was collected through reflective activities, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions with seven Natural Sciences teachers. Eight themes were generated using deductive thematic analysis. The research findings revealed that teachers have an understanding of informal learning environments, and acknowledge the positive impact of informal learning environments on learners’ achievement and their professional development. Furthermore, the study’s results revealed that teachers have positive attitudes towards teaching Natural Sciences in informal learning environments. However, the findings also revealed that schools located in rural areas still encounter problems related to resource shortages, which prevent the successful implementation of teaching in informal learning environments. This study involved only seven participants; therefore, the findings cannot be applied to all Natural Sciences teachers in the Amajuba District and across South Africa. This study recommends that a similar study be conducted on Further Education and Training (FET) phase teachers. This study also recommends that teachers must improvise to overcome any challenges they are facing when teaching in informal learning environments and to improve their teaching in these environments.M. Ed. (Natural Sciences)College of Educatio
Localized surface plasmon resonance and vibrational spectroscopic study of trenbolone acetate dopant towards its rapid and label-free detection
No full textBiomolecular sensing and interaction monitoring have formed the basis for label-free analytical methodologies. The methodology involves the immobilization of the molecular receptor or biomolecule binding on the substrate without interference from modified analytes. The advantages of label-free methods explain their usage in biomedical and analytical techniques. In this work, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and vibrational-based optical techniques; Raman, FTIR, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) have been demonstrated as feasible methods applied in the detection of trenbolone acetate, anabolic androgenic steroid prohibited by the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) due to its potential to enhance muscle mass and positively alter an athlete’s endurance ability, resulting in unfair competition. Laser ablation in Liquid (LAL) was employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles from pristine silver granules. The nanoparticles were then characterized using SEM-EDS, TEM, LIBS, XRD, and EDXRF. SEM and TEM showed that the average particle size was 22nm. The silver nanoparticles were then used as the surface on which trenbolone acetate was adsorbed, leveraging their large surface area relative to their volume, giving ample sites for the molecule to attach. After adsorption, the plasmon band of silver nanoparticles was monitored with the help of UV-VIS spectroscopy. The results showed that after binding with the molecule, an average wavelength redshift of + 18nm of the plasmon band was noted. The value of the shift in the localized surface plasmon band exponentially reduces at lower concentrations before increasing with the increase in the concentration of trenbolone acetate until a saturation point is reached. Besides the shift in the LSPR band position, the band-broadening behavior of the Tren/Ac complex was monitored, showing an inverse exponential relation with analyte concentration. The results demonstrated that mixing silver nanoparticles with trenbolone acetate changes the refractive index of the dielectric environment and the impact can be monitored using UV-VIS spectroscopy.
Raman, FTIR, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy were also employed to characterize the molecule. The Raman and FTIR spectra were obtained experimentally and also simulated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) implemented in Gaussian 09W software package. The results showed that the simulated spectra had a 99% similarity with what was obtained experimentally. Vibrational Energy Distribution Analysis (VEDA) helped to properly assign the vibrational bands to their functional groups through potential energy distribution (PED). Proper assigning of the molecule marks the hallmark of understanding unique vibrational bands that act as a fingerprint for the molecule. Such knowledge is particularly key in the anti-doping campaign since it allows declassifying trenbolone acetate from other steroids that have similar structural traits. The spectral characterization of the molecule was followed by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic studies with silver nanoparticles being used as a substrate. The electromagnetic field potential of silver nanoparticles allowed signal amplification of the trenbolone signal by X11. The signal was even enhanced when SERS was coupled to dry coating deposition Raman. The SERS mixture was drop-casted on an Aluminium foil hydrophobic surface resulting in X60 signal enhancement. The SERS amplification was achieved due to the effective tunability of trenbolone Acetate on silver nanoparticles. The orientation of trenbolone Acetate on silver nanoparticles was monitored by observing shifts in active SERS bands and through HOMO-LUMO studies of the molecule. SERS showed that some bands such as 1618cm-1, 1748cm-1, and 2058cm-1 reported an average of 8nm blue shift in the wavenumbers. This region is assigned to the C=O ketone group which is attached to the acetate part of the steroid. The frontier molecular orbital analysis showed that the energy gap of trenbolone acetate was 3.798eV while the chemical potential of the molecule was 2.094 eV. Consequently, trenbolone acetate can easily participate in a chemical reaction since its potential is lower than the energy gap. The HOMO-LUMO also showed that O2- is the most electronegative and hence the most active adsorbing site in the molecule. The chemical reaction between Ag+ and O2- created an Ag2O complex that influences both the plasmon behavior and the enhancement tendency in SERS. Based on the results of the synthesis and characterization of the silver nanoparticles, their use in surface plasmon resonance and as substrates in SERS, and finally the adsorption studies of Tren Act/ AgNPs complex using DFT, it is possible to develop a cost-effective analytical technique for androgen anabolic steroids. The work suggests using the results as a framework for developing a biosensor prototype for on-site analytical detection of performance-enhancement drugs prohibited in sports competitions.Ph.D. (Physics)Physic
The centrality of the Holy Spirit in God’s grand acts of creation, reconciliation, renewal and fulfilment : the kingdom of God and culture
No full textThe Spirit is the overall renewing and liberating presence-maker of God’s grand acts of
creation, reconciliation, renewal and fulfilment. Not as doctrines, but these acts while we are
involved therein are the ortho-experiential drivers of our reflective experience in which we
reflectively pattern and process our daily experiences. The centrality of the role of the Spirit in
four grand acts of God continuously opens up our awareness of our creatureliness, awareness
of sin, awareness of being reconciled, awareness of being in an ongoing renewal process and
awareness of the dawning of our fulfilment in our everyday experience.
Taking an all-encompassing approach, the Spirit is not only present in love with every creature,
but in many mysterious ways that we have never imagined possible. It is through the presence
of the Spirit that the creatures of the universe are brought into communion with one another.
The Spirit of God then embraces individuals, but he also enables them to exist in a social
environment, that is, in an interrelated world of created beings, bringing them and keeping
them within the ambit of God’s creation, reconciliation, renewal, and fulfilment of everything.
Understanding the key concepts of experience and speculation is important, as well as grasping
the different theological approaches to the Trinitarian scheme. At the same time, the doctrine
of Revelation in form of Scripture, Tradition, Experience and Culture demonstrates how
different understanding of Revelation brings about the different understandings of God (and
concretely the Spirit) on the part of any Christian. Hermeneutically, the role of the Holy Spirit
and God’s grand acts is to be attested by the Bible in consensual negotiation.
Finally, the central role of Spirit opens up the reflective vista of the Kingdom of God as a
dynamic meandering through God’s four grand acts at the end of historical time and as the only
access area where people’s culture, religiosity, ethnicity, social status and language may be
reflected on. Typological approaches describing the relationship between Christ and culture in
Niebuhr’s work need to be compared and evaluated, leading to a deeper discussion about the
‘interminable’ and conflicting relationship between the world and state represented by culture
on the one side and Christianity represented by the Spirit on the other.D. Th.Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theolog
A strategy to reduce neonatal mortality in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Get PDFText in EnglishThis study aimed to investigate the determinants of neonatal mortality that remains a significant public health challenge in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, despite improvements in healthcare delivery system infrastructure.
The study employed a convergent mixed cross-sectional study design, using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Quantitative data were collected from 400 medical records of mothers of deceased neonates in four selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the mothers/ caregivers whose newborn babies were hospitalised due to pregnancy and childbirth-related illness or complications, and from purposefully selected health professionals working in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of four hospitals. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 28 software, while qualitative data were analysed by using Colaizzi’s seven-step method for data analysis.
Results of the study revealed that the leading causes of neonatal mortality at the selected hospitals were preterm birth complications (33.5%), sepsis (29.75%), intrapartum-related complications (perinatal asphyxia) (27.75%) and the remaining 9% died from birth defects and meconium aspiration. Furthermore, the poor socioeconomic status of several of the studied mothers related to accessibility and affordability of health care services were found to contribute to increased risk of neonatal mortality. Importantly, the study found that the awareness level of mothers about their health status before and during pregnancy and in delivery and post-delivery periods played a critical role in determining the health status of the neonates.
In response to the findings identified, the researcher developed an alternative strategy that would help to reduce neonatal mortality rates (NMR) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The strategy primarily focuses on the need for the government (policy makers)to increase focus on the identification of neonatal mortality determinants.
The study further calls on stakeholders and partners to support improving the quality of maternal and newborn services.Ph. D. (Public Health)Health Studie
Measurement of the H → γ γ and H → Z Z ∗ → 4 ℓ cross-sections in pp collisions at s = 13.6 TeV with the ATLAS detector
No full textAbstract
The inclusive Higgs boson production cross-section is measured in the di-photon and the
Z
Z
∗
→
4
ℓ
decay channels using 31.4 and 29.0 fb
-
1
of pp collision data respectively, collected with the ATLAS detector at a centre-of-mass energy of
s
=
13.6
TeV
. To reduce the model dependence, the measurement in each channel is restricted to a particle-level phase space that closely matches the channel’s detector-level kinematic selection, and it is corrected for detector effects. These measured fiducial cross-sections are
σ
fid
,
γ
γ
=
76
-
13
+
14
fb, and
σ
fid
,
4
ℓ
=
2.80
±
0.74
fb, in agreement with the corresponding Standard Model predictions of
67.6
±
3.7
fb and
3.67
±
0.19
fb. Assuming Standard Model acceptances and branching fractions for the two channels, the fiducial measurements are extrapolated to the full phase space yielding total cross-sections of
σ
(
p
p
→
H
)
=
67
-
11
+
12
pb and
46
±
12
pb at 13.6
TeV
from the di-photon and
Z
Z
∗
→
4
ℓ
measurements respectively. The two measurements are combined into a total cross-section measurement of
σ
(
p
p
→
H
)
=
58.2
±
8.7
pb, to be compared with the Standard Model prediction of
σ
(
p
p
→
H
)
SM
=
59.9
±
2.6
pb