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Measurement of electroweak Z ν ν ¯ γjj production and limits on anomalous quartic gauge couplings in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
No full textAbstract
The electroweak production of
Z
ν
ν
¯
γ
in association with two jets is studied in a regime with a photon of high transverse momentum above 150 GeV using proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis uses a data sample with an integrated luminosity of 139 fb−1 collected by the ATLAS detector during the 2015–2018 LHC data-taking period. This process is an important probe of the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism in the Standard Model and is sensitive to quartic gauge boson couplings via vector-boson scattering. The fiducial
Z
ν
ν
¯
γjj
cross section for electroweak production is measured to be
0.77
−
0.30
+
0.34
fb and is consistent with the Standard Model prediction. Evidence of electroweak
Z
ν
ν
¯
γjj
production is found with an observed significance of 3.2σ for the background-only hypothesis, compared with an expected significance of 3.7σ. The combination of this result with the previously published ATLAS observation of electroweak
Z
ν
ν
¯
γjj
production yields an observed (expected) signal significance of 6.3σ (6.6σ). Limits on anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings are obtained in the framework of effective field theory with dimension-8 operators
High school students’ experiences attending HIV and AIDS services at Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality
No full textBackground: Globally, the spread of HIV and AIDS among the youth is a widespread public health concern. In the South African context, there has been a realisation of high school learners’ poor access and usage of HIV and AIDS services, despite the provision of HIV and AIDS services in schools.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe experiences of high students attending HIV and AIDS at eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
Methodology: The study adopted the qualitative research approach and its explorative and descriptive research designs in the investigation of high school students’ experiences concerning HIV and AIDS services in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Data was collected by means of in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with the thirty participants chosen from two high schools by means of the non-probability purposive sampling strategy or technique. Participant observation and field notes were also applied to complement the interview-based data. Thematic data analysis was applied for the purpose of organising, categorising and converting the collected data into meaningful findings.
Findings: The findings showed that most participants were aware of the HIV and AIDS services provided at schools, and that reasons for not attending to these services included: the presumption of being sexually active; fear of stigmatization and being judged if the result is positive; and lack of time.
Based on its findings, the study recommends, amongst others, the allocation of a mobile clinic in order to enhance the provision of other on-site services to students; addressing the inconsistency of school health nurses in schools; and private rooms for nurses in schools for conducting HIV tests to students.M.A. (Public Health)Health Studie
Documentation of indigenous methods of waste management in Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, Republic of South Africa
No full textThere is an observed proliferation of studies around indigenous knowledge (IK). However, the definition of indigenous knowledge remains ambiguous from several studies. Some inconsistencies in what some international studies define as indigenous knowledge leave the IK concept fluid. To put the discourse on what IK is, the current study examined the priority elements that can be used to characterize knowledge as being indigenous or foreign to a defined community. In unravelling the discourse, the study examined the influence the demographics of Chief Albert Luthuli municipality on knowledge that is indigenous to this community. Results showed a link (nexus) between common spoken language, cultural, ritual practice, beliefs, and IK practices of communities in general. The study also showed the influence of economics such as employment, levels of education and household income on IK. The ultimate finding was that these variables proved association with the adoption of IK practice as means of survival as alternatives to lack of income or sustainable income in households.
Indigenous methods emerge from language, culture, place, and customs. Indigenous methods were mostly practiced in developing countries, which included social, economic, and environmental activities practiced by the community for survival. Indigenous methods have been observed since time immemorial and have been effective in waste management within households in rural communities. Fewer studies were documented in relation to the waste management methods which were practiced indigenously by the communities in South Africa. Hence the study will explore the skills and practices acquired by the local community of Chief Albert Luthuli in relation to waste management. 398 respondents from the age 18 years and above participated in the study. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) were used for data capturing and analysis. Samples were collected in certain areas of the study area by means of simple random sampling technique. Mixed method which consisted of questionnaires was selected for the purpose of the study. Waste management has been a major challenge for the community that led to indiscriminate waste disposal, hence indigenous waste management should be revisited to curb the challenge. Categories of waste streams were identified during the study and methods how they were indigenously managed by the local community within the study area of Chief Albert Luthuli municipality were also identified. Furthermore, the lack of formal waste management systems in the rural areas of Chief Albert Luthuli have resulted in different indigenous systems and practices of solid waste management.M. Sc. (Environmental Management)Environmental Science
Critical psychosocial interventions: A scoping review
No full textCritical psychosocial interventions aim to improve and maintain well-being by addressing the individual and the social as a single psychosocial entity. Critical psychosocial interventions can assist in developing a holistic and context-sensitive understanding of suffering which can inform how suffering is addressed. As such, critical psychosocial interventions are informed by and go beyond conventional psychological interventions that locate psychological suffering and healing within the individual subject. Psychosocial interventions range greatly in their aim and scope, and little has been written on their general effectiveness. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the effectiveness of critical psychosocial interventions. Using particular selection criteria, we conducted an online search of five prominent databases and two search engines. We found that although the particularities of the studies ranged greatly (e.g., their focus and method), there were also several similarities that cut across the different studies (e.g., they responded to a traumatic event and relied on existing resources within communities). In conclusion, we suggest some future directions for critical psychosocial intervention studies, including a stronger political focus, a focus on protracted psychosocial trauma, and a harnessing of resources beyond those that are immediately available.Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS
Assessing Signals of Mesopredator Release under Two Apex Predator Regimes in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa
No full textText in EnglishPredators have a considerable influence on the structure and functioning of the ecosystems in which they occur, however their numbers have declined, and continue to do so. The eradication of top-level predators has been shown to cause cascading effects on the dynamics of surrounding biological assemblages. Mesopredator Release (MR) is one of these effects. The mesopredator release hypothesis posits that in the absence of apex predators, mesopredators respond functionally by increasing their populations. The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (TKR) provides a unique opportunity to test this hypothesis in the context of an arid savanna that is managed according to conservation principles and that supports a diversity of indigenous species. The TKR is composed of two component regions, Korannaberg and Lekgaba, separated by predator-proof fencing, under two different predator management regimes. At the time of my study Korannaberg supported wild dogs (Lycaon pictus, Temminck, 1820) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus, Schreber, 1775) as top predators (no lions), and Lekgaba supported lions (Panthera leo, Linnaeus, 1758) (no wild dogs or cheetah). For the purpose of my study, I considered both sections homogenous. Both areas support similar assemblages of mesopredators, and a variety of species that are considered prey for mesopredators. I used a quantitative field experiment to gather numerical and empirical data. In this comparative study, I selected sample sites within Korannaberg and Lekgaba using a randomisation process. I compared large predator, mesopredator, large and small ungulate, small mammal and avian relative abundance and diversity, between regions and among seasons. I assessed the relative abundance and diversity of mesopredators and ungulates using camera traps, small mammals using live-trapping transects and birds using modified point counts. I detected no significant differences in relative abundances of the mesopredators (p > 0.05), ungulates (p > 0.05), small mammals (p > 0.05), or birds (p > 0.05), between the two sections, nor differences in diversity either. My results support an increasing body of knowledge suggesting that mesopredator release may not be a ubiquitous phenomenon. Previous studies have evaluated evidence (or lack thereof) for the mesopredator relase hypothesis in the African and more specifically South African context, however, none have been conducted in the Kalahari. In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, mesopredator release was demonstrated through a higher relative abundance of black-backed jackals (Lupulella mesomelas (Schreber, 1775) in the absence of apex predators, however in the Karoo, the control of top predators did not have an effect on the rate of predation of ground-dwelling bird nests. I did, however, find substantial seasonal differences in abundance and diversity of small mammals, with a higher number of captures in the cold-dry season. Additionally, avian populations had a higher relative abundance in the cold-dry season, and a higher diversity in the hot-wet season. There were no seasonal differences in relative abundance or diversity of predators or ungulates (large or small).M. Sc. (Nature Conservation)Environmental Science
Evaluating quality management principles in public schools in the Tshwane District towards improving performance
No full textISO 9001 Quality Management Principles (QMPs) factors were initially developed for manufacturing industries; however, according to literature, they can be used in schools to improve academic and non-academic morale, the productivity of educators and learners, and to deliver higher quality services to school stakeholders. According to literature, given the importance that ISO 9001 QMPs, considered as factors for this study, have on the improvement of the service sector, it is necessary to increase the studies and the body of knowledge on the subject.
The study focused only on secondary public schools in the Tshwane District, Gauteng, as these are the schools that have recorded lower academic performance, compared to the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) schools. The objectives of this study were to identify and then evaluate the most significant factors of quality management principles that improve school performance in the Tshwane District, and to identify the factors that support the QMPs (factors) in improving school performance in the Tshwane District. The reviewed literature in this study indicated that the evaluated seven QMPs (factors) are linked to the research problem, the research questions and research objectives of the study, and the reviewed literature focused on the niche areas of QMPs in the South African school context and the gaps identified in the niche areas. A quantitative research approach was adopted for this study. A cross-sectional study stratified the random sampling method which was used to collect data through an online, self-administered questionnaire.
The findings of this study indicate that there is a positive correlation between the seven QMPs factors and the factors that support the seven QMPs factors, implying that the combination of these factors (the seven QMPs and the supporting factors) are significant and influence school performance. The study fills the void in QMPs (factors) literature and serves as a source of reference for future research in the niche area of ISO 9001 QMPs (factors).M. Com. (Business Management)Business Managemen
Fear of dying dirty: Intimate care encounters during COVID-19 pandemic in South African context
Get PDFBackground: Physical distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene
were encouraged during the pandemic of COVID-19. However, personal hygiene procedures
for patients admitted to hospitals, such as assisted baths, oral care and elimination, were
neglected.
Aim: This study aimed to describe intimate care and touch experiences for patients admitted
to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Setting: This study was conducted in the medical and surgical units of two hospitals in
Gauteng province.
Methods: A generic qualitative approach was used to explore and describe the patients’
intimate care and touch experiences during the COVID-19 hard lockdown. In-patient
individuals above 18 years were purposively sampled. Twelve patients aged between 28 and
60 years participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic
analysis.
Results: Three central themes emerged from the data: (1) Keeping away from the body,
(2) Who is touching my body? and (3) Fear of dying dirty - a sense of losing bodily dignity. The
participants felt that the nurses were trying to avoid them, as they were seen as potential
carriers of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: The cleanliness of a patient’s body gives them a sense of self-respect and dignity.
Nurses should find ways to ensure that patients receive quality intimate care and touch, even
during situations such as the pandemic.
Contribution: Patients’ religious or cultural beliefs and anxieties about dying dirty should
be acknowledged and respected in nursing care to provide quality bodily care for all
patientsHealth StudiesUNISA & NR
The willingness to pay for African wormwood and Cancer bush capsules among youths in Mbombela, South Africa
No full textBackground: The demand for African wormwood and Cancer bush has surged as modern healthcare products have provided limited solutions for the ailments they treat. Moreover, there has been an increase in younger consumers of these medicinal plants, who expect lower-priced products which have a ‘polished look’ that is similar to over-the-counter medicinal products.
Aim: This study investigates the need to introduce lower-priced capsules to meet these changes in consumer product preferences.
Setting: The study was conducted in the city of Mbombela. This is a city that has a rich heritage in indigenous medicinal plant use but has the absence of a large informal market for their sale.
Methods: A willingness-to-pay analysis was conducted. It utilised survey data that was collected from 105 university students.
Results: The study found that there were two market segments split with a ratio of about 3:1 between those willing to pay a price similar to a conventional product in the lower price range and those not willing. However, the market potential for introducing a lower-priced product was only found in the Cancer bush market, where respondents were willing to procure the product at a discounted price, as opposed to the African wormwood market, where some respondents were not willing to part with any money at all.
Conclusion: The study concludes that there is potential for lucrative market diversification if the industry introduces lower-priced capsules for Cancer bush.
Contribution: The study provides insights into the possible areas of market development in the African indigenous medicines market.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
The challenges of parental involvement in rural secondary schools of Umvoti Circuit in KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFThis study was aimed at investigating the challenges of parental involvement in rural secondary schools of Umvoti Circuit in KwaZulu-Natal. Participants included three principals, three teachers, with three or more work experience and six school governing body members. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach, where data was collected using semi-structured interviews and document analysis.
This study revealed that the schools experience significant challenges when it comes to parental involvement. When the school organises meetings, there is only a limited number of parents who attend. The reason for non-participation include parents being committed at work. Other challenges that the schools experience include parents not assisting their children with schoolwork and also checking their schoolwork. Schools also mentioned that parents do not report their children when they are absent from school even when there is a code of conduct that the parents ought to adhere to. Participants further mentioned that sometimes the letters that they send to parents do not reach home, because the learners throw them away. The study reported on the implications of the lack of parental involvement on learner performance. Implications include learners displaying poor performance, developing bad behaviour, and the school experiencing high absenteeism from learners. The findings also revealed that the schools have introduced strategies to promote parental involvement, such as inviting parents for meetings and celebrations, luring parents to attend at school by issuing report cards to them (parents) not learners. Schools also try to include parents by asking for extra assistance from parents to volunteer at school and also offering piece jobs for unemployed parents. Schools have opted to introduce other communication methods, such as communicating with parents who have access to WhatsApp, Facebook, e-mails, placing notices at shops and using loudspeakers, sending sms’s and making calls to parents.M. Ed. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
Investigating the effect of coir substrate on the growth, yield and quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) varieties
Get PDFText in English with abstracts and keywords in English, Afrikaans and SepediCrop yield is the industry standard for calculating the amount of horticultural produce
harvested. As a result, producing sufficient quantities of quality biochemical ingredients
can help to solve food security and nutritional issues. To ensure an adequate food supply,
the use of organic substrate, as opposed to natural soils, is preferred by many growers
for greenhouse cultivation of crops such as peppers. The aim of the study was to
determine the effect of coconut coir substrate on the yield and biochemical constituents
of pepper varieties grown under greenhouse conditions. Two sweet peppers varieties
(Sondela and Ilanga) were grown in fertigated coconut coir (experiment) or loamy soil
(control) under greenhouse conditions for two consecutive growing seasons in 2021 and
2022. The number of pepper fruits, as well as their dried weight and selected biochemical
contents, were investigated. Quantification was done using the concentration of dry
matter and selected biochemical constituents from freeze-dried fruit samples. Results
illustrated that the treatment combination of coconut coir and variety (Ilanga) resulted in
a higher fruit number when compared to other treatments. Biochemical constituents such
as vitamins, total phenols, total flavonoids, copper, iron and zinc were superior in fruits
grown under coir substrate when compared to loamy soil (control). Therefore, farmers are
encouraged to grow sweet peppers varieties under coconut coir substrate for better yield,
nutritional quality and profit maximisation.Opbrengste is die standaard waarvolgens die bedryf bepaal hoeveel tuinbouprodukte
geoes is. Die vervaardiging van voldoende hoeveelhede eersteklas biochemiese
bestanddele kan voedselveiligheid verseker en voedingstekorte aanvul. Die meeste
kwekers verkies ’n organiese substraat bo natuurlike grond om gewasse soos soetrissies
in kweekhuise te verbou omdat die gewasse sodoende genoegsame voeding ontvang.
Hierdie studie wou vasstel of ʼn klapperhaarsubstraat enige uitwerking het op die
opbrengs en biochemiese samestelling van soetrissievariëteite wat in ʼn kweekhuis
verbou word. Twee soetrissievariëteite (Sondela en Ilanga) is in twee opeenvolgende
seisoene (2021 en 2022) in ʼn kweekhuis in bemeste klapperhaar en ook in leemgrond
(die kontrole) geplant. Die aantal soetrissievrugte, hulle droë gewig asook ʼn keur van hul
biochemiese bestanddele is ontleed. Die kwantifisering is gedoen op grond van ʼn
konsentrasie droë materie en ʼn keur van die biochemiese bestanddele van
vriesgedroogde vrugtemonsters. Daar is bevind dat die kombinasie van klapperhaar en
variëteit (Ilanga) ʼn groter opbrengs as enige ander behandeling lewer. Die biochemiese
bestanddele van vrugte wat in ʼn klapperhaarsubstraat gekweek is, soos vitamiene, totale
fenol, totale flavonoïed, koper, yster en sink, was van ʼn hoër gehalte as dié van vrugte
wat in leemgrond (die kontrole) gekweek is. Boere word dus aangeraai om
soetrissievariëteite in ʼn klapperhaarsubstraat te kweek met die oog op ʼn hoër opbrengs,
groter voedingswaarde en ʼn maksimumwins.Palo ya tšweletšo ya temo ya dibjalo tšeo di bunnwego ke maemo ao a šomišwago ke
intasteri go lekola ditšweletšwa tša temo tšeo di bunnwego. Ka lebaka leo, go tšweletša
palo ye e lekanego ya metswako ya boleng ya dikhemikhale tša phepo ya dibjalo go ka
thuša go rarolla mathata a tšhireletšo ya dijo le mathata a tša phepo. Tšhomišo ya
manyora a tlhago ka ntlong ya go godiša dibjalo tše bjalo ka dipherefere go netefatša
gore go na le kabo ya dijo ye e lekanego, ke mokgwa wo o šomišwago ke bontši bja
balemi bakeng sa mabu a tlhago. Maikemišetšo a nyakišišo ye e be e le go laetša khuetšo
ya morole wa khokhonate go puno le metswako ya dikhemikhale tša phepo ya dibjalo go
mehuta ya pherefere ye bjetšwego ka gare ga ntlo ya go godiša dibjalo. Mehuta e mebedi
ya pherefere e bose (Sondela le Ilanga) e bjetšwe ka gare ga morole wa khokhonate wo
o nontšhitšwego le go nošetšwa le mobu wa serota goba seloko (taolo) ka gare ga ntlo
ya go godiša ka dihla tše pedi tša go latelana [2021 le 2022]. Palo ya dienywa tša
pherefere, gammogo le boima bja tše di omilego le metswako ye e kgethilwego tša
dikhemikhale tša phepo ya dibjalo, di ile tša nyakišišwa. Tekanyo e dirilwe ka go šomiša
motswako wa dikarolo tša kgolo ya dibjalo tšeo di omilego le dikarolo tše di kgethilwego
tša dikhemikhale tša phepo ya dibjalo go tšwa go disampole tša dienywa tše di
omišitšwego le go kgahlišwa ka setšidifatši. Dipoelo tša nyakišišo di laeditše gore
mokgwa wa go tswaka morole wa khokhonate le mehuta e mengwe (Ilanga) go bile le
puno ye kgolo ya dienywa ge go bapetšwa le mekgwa e mengwe. Dikarolo tša
dikhemikhale tša phepo ya dibjalo bjalo ka dibithamini, palomoka ya diphenole, palomoka
ya difolavonoite, koporo, tšhipi le zinki di hweditšwe go dienywa tša go bjalwa ka fase ga
manyora ge e bapetšwa le dienywa tša go bjalwa mmung wa serota goba seloko (taolo).
Bjalo, balemi ba hlohleletšwa go bjala mehuta ya go fapana ya di pherefere tše di bose
ka fase ga morole wa khokhonate go tšweletša puno e kaone, boleng bja phepo le go
oketša letseno.M. Sc. (Agriculture)Agriculture and Animal Healt