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Search for Higgs boson pair production in association with a vector boson in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
No full textAbstract
This paper reports a search for Higgs boson pair (hh) production in association with a vector boson (
W
o
r
Z
) using 139 fb
-
1
of proton–proton collision data at
s
=
13
TeV
recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The search is performed in final states in which the vector boson decays leptonically (
W
→
ℓ
ν
,
Z
→
ℓ
ℓ
,
ν
ν
with
ℓ
=
e
,
μ
) and the Higgs bosons each decay into a pair of b-quarks. It targets Vhh signals from both non-resonant hh production, present in the Standard Model (SM), and resonant hh production, as predicted in some SM extensions. A 95% confidence-level upper limit of 183 (87) times the SM cross-section is observed (expected) for non-resonant Vhh production when assuming the kinematics are as expected in the SM. Constraints are also placed on Higgs boson coupling modifiers. For the resonant search, upper limits on the production cross-sections are derived for two specific models: one is the production of a vector boson along with a neutral heavy scalar resonance H, in the mass range 260–1000 GeV, that decays into hh, and the other is the production of a heavier neutral pseudoscalar resonance A that decays into a Z boson and H boson, where the A boson mass is 360–800 GeV and the H boson mass is 260–400 GeV. Constraints are also derived in the parameter space of two-Higgs-doublet models
Perceptions of professional ethics in labour relations at the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), South Africa
Get PDFEthics is not a new phenomenon under investigation. Countries worldwide are concerned with how workers conduct themselves while on duty and have developed mechanisms to promote ethical behaviour in both the private and public sectors. It is, furthermore, of essence to promote ethical behaviour in the public services because of the nature of services that are delivered to communities. Although the South African government has done much to provide a legislative milieu for public officials to operate in, the unethical behaviour within the public service continues as if no legislation exists.
In the South African public service, ethics and promotion of ethical behaviour have become a topical debate following the institution of several commissions of inquiry such as the arms deal, allegations for impropriety regarding the public investment corporation, Mokgoro and recently the Zondo commissions. The GDE is not immune to unethical behaviour because there is a steady increase in misconduct cases, grievances, and disputes. These ultimately affect the mandate of the institution to deliver effective service delivery, to promote professionalism, and to clamp down on loss of state finances. The current measures to curb unethical behaviour do not seem to have a positive influence on employees’ behaviour and conduct. This negatively impacts the image of the institution and the relationship between managers and employees which in return affects their operations.
The study followed a quantitative approach to explore whether the existing measures of promoting ethical behaviour enhance professionalism and effectiveness, and ultimately promote sound labour relations between managers and employees at the GDE. A questionnaire was utilised to gather data and following the implementation of the questionnaire, ideas and themes were identified in the data. The research presented the findings and recommendations in response to whether the existing measures of promoting ethical behaviour enhanced professionalism and effectiveness, and sound labour relations between managers and employees at the GDE. The most important findings are that despite the presence of effective measures of promoting ethical behaviour and the existence of sound labour relations at the GDE, there are employees and managers who are still involved in unethical behaviour. There are instances where unfair labour practices are recorded at the GDE, and often not
v
reported in fear of victimisation. The study recommends that the GDE may have to adopt several cardinal ethical standards that would guide all employees and managers on how to act accordingly. Finally, the study recommends that the GDE may have to involve trade unions (representing employees) in different labour relations committees where decisions related to labour relationship are concluded.D. Phil. (Public Administration (Economic and Management Sciences))Public Administration and Managemen
Teacher perceptions on the implementation of inclusive education in mainstream primary schools of Mgwenya Circuit, Mpumalanga Province
No full textResearch shows that most teachers still feel that learners with barriers to learning need teachers who have specialised in that field. As a result, the implementation of inclusive education in schools remains a challenge. This research, therefore, explores teacher perceptions of implementation of inclusive education in primary schools. The study adopted the interpretivist paradigm approach because it is qualitative in nature to help explore teachers’ perceptions on the implementation of inclusive education in mainstream primary schools. The study adopted a case study design in which participants in the study were 15 teachers of primary schools in the Mgwenya Circuit primary schools in the Mpumalanga Province. The study adopted the use of interviews and document analysis to collect data. The interviews used in this study were structured and unstructured interviews. Thematic approach was used to analyse the data which allowed the researcher to develop some codes which would conclusively determine teachers’ perceptions in the implementation of inclusive education in mainstream primary schools. Results from the study indicated that teachers felt that they were not fully prepared to handle implementation of inclusive education into the mainstream primary schools. They felt like the implementation was a top-downward exercise in which they were not well prepared to execute it. Their under-preparedness was on the professional, emotional and institutional part. The study concludes that for teachers to perceive the implementation of inclusive education as a hassle-free exercise, the learning environment in the schools should be made friendly by providing a conducive environment for both the learners and the teachers through provision of ICT materials, good physical environment for learners with special physical needs, in-service training for teachers and provision of monetary incentives to motivate teachers.M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)Inclusive Educatio
What's holding back youth-friendly health services in Blantyre, Malawi? A qualitative exploration
No full textThe use of Youth Friendly Health Services remains sub-optimal in Sub-Saharan Africa despite global agreements on the same. The
aim of this study was to explore barriers to utilization of Youth Friendly Health Services in Blantyre, Malawi. This was a qualitative
study drawing on three focus group discussions of youths aged 10 to 24 (N=24) and individual interviews with Youth Friendly
Health Service providers from four health facilities (N=6). Thematic analysis by Braun and Clark 2006 was used to analyse collected data. Seven themes emerged from the findings: frequent stockouts of medical supplies, lack of entertainment, sporting activities and supporting equipment, lack of dedicated space for Youth Friendly Health Services, lack of knowledge, financial constraints, misconceptions, and distance to the health facilities. Addressing these barriers would increase the utilization of Youth Friendly Health Services and, in turn, increase contraceptive uptake, hence reducing unintended pregnancies and their associated complications.Health Studie
Cyber-attack avoidance behaviour in District Health Information System (DHIS) : a case of Tshwane district healthcare centres
No full textImplementing effective cyber-security controls in e-health systems in South Africa, especially those used in hospitals, will help prevent cyber-attacks and protect sensitive data. This study aimed to determine the effective ways of encouraging compliance with the District Health Information System (DHIS) cyber-security controls. In order to accomplish this aim, the researcher investigated how healthcare support staff from the Tshwane District Healthcare Centres who interact directly with the DHIS perceive cyber-attack threats. The Technology Acceptance Model, Technology, Organisation, Environment framework, and Technology Threat Avoidance Theory were used to develop the conceptual framework for this study. A web-based survey was sent to 126 participants who all interacted directly with the DHIS in the Tshwane District Healthcare Centres. Structural relationships between factors were investigated using correlation and multiple regressions. Of the eight hypotheses, three were found to be significant. Training, top management support, and the perceived ease of use of the DHIS software were found by the multiple regression analysis to relate to cyber-attack avoidance motivation. However, the multiple regression analysis rejected hypotheses with TTAT factors and perceived usefulness of the DHIS software. This was even though the descriptive statistics showed that participants overwhelmingly agreed the severity of cyber-attacks, the system's vulnerability to such attacks, the effectiveness of the prescribed policies and controls, and the usefulness of the District Health Information System were important. The findings of the study also showed that health data was at high risk from ransomware attacks, phishing, and denial-of-service. Based on these findings, the threat of cyber-attacks results from the healthcare institutions’ lack of suitable training, including for cyber-security personnel, and financial and other support from the organisation. The need to protect valuable data from hackers is crucial. Therefore, this research is essential for healthcare professionals, academics and researchers. Hence it is also valuable to the healthcare institutions in Tshwane District Healthcare Centres. This effectiveness will only be achieved if there is appropriate behavioural change on the part of those who can protect the system. The outcome of this study may be used as a recommendation on how to motivate users of the DHIS to implement and adhere to cyber-security controls.M. Sc. (Computing)School of Computin
Leadership styles and success of government construction projects in Kampala : a contingent stakeholder approach
Get PDFText in EnglishThe aim of the thesis was to examine the relationship between leadership styles, stakeholder engagement and government construction project success and developed a framework to enhance project success in Kampala, Uganda. This study adopted a mixed method approach and data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide and analysed using ssps and structural modelling. Additionally, Atlas ti was used to derive themes from qualitative data to triangulate the quantitative results to answer the hypotheses of this study. A sample of 100 out of 120 Kampala Capital City Authority construction projects from the five divisions of Kampala for quantitative data. Four respondents (project engineers, contractors, managers and local council leaders) were purposely selected from each of the 100 projects selected arriving at 400 respondents for the study. Stratified random sampling was used to select road construction projects for the quantitative strand while purposive sampling was used to select local council leaders for interviews for the study. For the qualitative study, 8 out 15 purposely selected local council leaders formed participants for qualitative data. Path goal and stakeholder theories were integrated into an applied framework that explains factors that influence project success. Results showed that leadership styles especially communication and participation are positively and significantly associated with government construction project success (Beta=0.840, SE=0.90, CR=8.440). Results also showed a significant and positive mediating effect of stakeholder engagement in the relationship between leadership styles and success of government construction projects in Uganda. Overall, the mediative role of stakeholder engagement boosts leadership styles by 45 percentage points to promote government construction projects success in Uganda. The study contributions to the body of knowledge are three fold; first, limited knowledge existed on the relationship between leadership styles (participation, communication and success of government construction projects in Kampala, Uganda.This study significantly contributes knowledge towards disclosing the importance of leadership styles especially communication and participation on success of government construction projects in Kampala, Uganda. Secondly, the study adds to existing literature and practice by integrating the mediating role of stakeholder engagement (trust and commitment) in the relationship between leadership styles (communication and participation) and success of construction projects, especially among governments in sub-Saharan Africa. It specifically reveals that the introduction of stakeholder engagement as the mediator variable improves the performance of projects more than when the direct relationships were considered independently during the theoretical analysis. Lastly, the study developed and used communication and participation as measures of leadership styles, commitment and trust as measures of stakeholder engagement as well as quality and cost as measures of project success which measures can be adopted by future project research studies to arrive at reliable conclusions. To policy, findings suggest that policymakers should consider including project practice and implementation literacy education in the secondary education curriculum. Notably, governments in developing countries Uganda inclusive should have strong communication and participation policies in government construction projects. Collective decision making involving all key stakeholders in construction projects can promote efficiency and proper resources allocation to achieve construction milestones. This may reduce on shoddy works and promote timely and certified construction project completion to eliminate resource wastage by controlling government development fund leakages.D. Phil. (Business Management)Business Managemen
Technical and vocational education and training students’ perceptions of using a learning management system for interaction
Get PDFAbstracts in English, Ndebele and ZuluThe COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions on gatherings, which led to TVET colleges introducing online learning. Despite the end of COVID-19, online delivery has continued to be in use and is being improved, and enrolment is growing each semester. Online learning has added flexibility, allowing students to learn wherever they are. The use of technology in education using the learning management system (LMS) is intended to facilitate teaching and learning processes. While the LMS provides many functions and benefits, its use also presents many challenges to students. The purpose of the study is to investigate the TVET students’ perceptions of the use of the LMS for interaction. This study of limited scope adopted qualitative research with a case-study approach. The study was conducted with online National Technical Education (NATED) students at a TVET college in Gauteng. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was utilised to guide data search and understand the concepts. A pilot study with non-study participants was conducted to determine whether the questions intended to be used for data collection required revision. Afterwards, data were collected using online questionnaires with open-ended questions, sent through Google Forms. The selection of participants was done purposively with a total of 14 students who gave insight into students’ perceptions. The responses were analysed using a thematic method of analysis. The study of limited scope revealed that the LMS provided the students with the opportunity to learn in the comfort of their homes and interact with other students as well as their instructors. The study also discovered that the institution providing resources and support to students would greatly improve their level of interaction. In conclusion, the study findings were that participants had a positive perception of using the LMS for interaction despite the challenges they experienced whilst using it.Umbulalazwe weCOVID-19 warholela ekuqintelisweni kwemihlangano, okwabangela bona amakholeji we-TVET angenise ihlelo lokufunda nge-inthanede. Naphezu kokuphela kwe-COVID-19, ihlelo lokufundisa nge-inthanede liye laragela phambili ukobana lisetjenziswe begodu selithuthukile, kanti nezinga lokuzitlolisa kwabafundi liya ngokukhula qobe yisimesta. Ukufunda nge-inthanede sekulethe indlela evumela amatjhuguluko, evumela abafundi bona bakwazi ukufunda nanyana bakuphi. Umsebenzi wethekinoloji kezefundo ngokusebenzisa isistimu yokuphathwa kwehlelo lokufunda (learning management system (LMS) unqophe ukukghonakalisa amahlelo wokufundisa nokufunda. Njengombana i-LMS yenza imisebenzi eminengi begodu neenzuzo ezinengi nje, ukusebenza kwayo godu kuletha iintjhijilo ezinengi kubafundi. Umnqopho werhubhululo kuphenya imiqondo yabafundi be-TVET ngomsebenzi wokusetjenziswa kwe-LMS. Leli rhubhululo elibekelwe imikhawulo (limited scope) lilandela indlela yerhubhululo elidzimelele kukhwalithi ngokusebenzisa indlela yendatjana esibonelo (case-study). Irhubhululo lenziwe nge-inthanede- kubafundi be-National Technical Education (NATED) ekholeji ye-TVET esifundeni se-Gauteng. Imodeli yokwamukela ithekinoloji (technology acceptance model (TAM) isetjenziswe ngehloso yokurhola ihlelo lokusetjha idatha nokuzwisisa amagama. Irhubhululo elisifundomlingwa (pilot study) kanye nababandakanywa abangasibo abaphenduli bemibuzo yerhubhululo, lenziwe ngehloso yokukghona ukubona ukobana ngabe imibuzo yayinqophe ukobana isetjenziselwe ukubuthelela idatha efuneka ehlelweni lokubuyekeza na. Ngemuva kwalokho, idatha yabuthelelwa ngokusebenzisa imitlolo yemibuzo eku-inthanede enemibuzo evulekileko engenamikhawulo, ethunyelwa nge-Google Forms. Ukukhethwa kwabadlalindima kwenziwa ngehloso ngokusebenzisa abafundi abali-14 abanikela ingaphakathi labo kumiqondo yabafundi. Iimpendulo zatsengwa ngokusebenzisa umethodo wokutsenga odzimelele kundikimba/ kumnyombo wendaba. Irhubhululo elibekelwe umkhawulo liveze ukuthi i-LMS inikele abafundi ithuba lokufunda bazigedlile emakhaya wabo bebazibandakanye nabanye abafundi kanye nabalayeli babo. Irhubhululo godu lithole ukuthi iziko elinikelana ngemithombo kanye nangesekelo kubafundi lizokuthuthukisa khulu izinga lokuzibandakanya. Nangiphethako, ilwazi elitholakele kurhubhululo lithi abadlalindima bakhombise umqondo omuhle ngokusebenzisa i-LMS ukuzibandakanya naphezu kobana bahlangabezene neentjhijilo lokha nabalisebenzisako.Ubhubhane i-COVID-19 lwaholela ekutheni kube nemikhawulo uma kunemibuthano, nokudale ukuthi amakolishi ama-TVET ethule uhlelo lokufunda nge-inthanethi. Nanoma ngabe isiphelile i-COVID-19, kusaqhubeka ukufunda nge-inthanethi futhi kuya ngokuya kuphuculwa, kanti futhi nokubhaliswa kwabafundi kukhula ngankathi zonke zonyaka. Ukufunda nge-inthanethi kudale uguquko ekwenzeni izinto, kwavumela abafundi ukuba bafunde nanoma ngabe bakuyiphi indawo. Ukusetshenziswa kobuchwepheshe kwezemfundo ngokohlelo lokuphatha indlela yokufunda (i-LMS) kuhloswe ngakho ukwenza kube lula ukufundisa nokufunda. Nakuba i-LMS ihlinzeka ngezindlela eziningi zokwenza futhi ihlomulisa, ukusetshenziswa kwayo kuza nezinselelo eziningi kubafundi. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo ukuphenya imibono yabafundi bakuma-TVET mayelana nokusetshenziswa kohlelo lwe-LMS ukuze kuxhunyanwe. Lolu cwaningo obelunomkhawulo lwenziwe ngokohlelo lokuhlola iqophelo kwaxoxiswana nabantu ngokuhlukahlukana kwabo. Ucwaningo lwenziwe nabafundi abafunda nge-inthanethi ngaphansi kwe-National Technical Education (NATED) ekolishi i-TVET ese-Gauteng. Kuye kwasetshenziswa uhlelo lokwamukela ubuchwepheshe (TAM) ukuze kulawulwe futhi kuqondakale kahle indlela yokuthungatha ulwazi. Lapha kwenziwe ucwaningo olukhulu nababambiqhaza abangafundi ukuze kutholakale ukuthi kufanele yini ibuyekezwe imibuzo ezosetshenziswa uma kuqoqwa ulwazi. Ngemuva kwalokho, kuye kwaqoqwa ulwazi kusetshenziswa uhlu lwemibuzo evulelekile eku-inthanethi, yathunyelwa ngohlelo lwe-Google Forms. Ukukhethwa kwababambiqhaza kwenziwe ngamabomu ukuthi kube nabafundi abayi-14 abahlinzeke ngemibono yalokho okucatshangwa abafundi. Izimpendulo zihlaziywe ngokusebenzisa indlela yokuhlaziya ngokweqophelo nokuhambisana kwezimpendulo zocwaningo. Lolu cwaningo obelunomkhawulo luveze ukuthi i-LMS ihlinzeka abafundi ngethuba lokufunda ngokunethezeka besemakhaya abo baphinde bahlanganyele nabanye abafundi kanye nothisha babo. Lolu cwaningo luphinde lwathola ukuthi isikhungo esihlinzeka ngezinsiza kanye nokweseka abafundi sisangaliphucula kakhulu izinga laso ekuxhumaneni nabafundi. Uma sesiphetha, imiphumela yocwaningo iveza ukuthi ababambiqhaza babenombono omuhle ngokusebenza kohlelo lwe-LMS ekuxhumaneni nakuba kunezinselelo ezikhona ngokusebenza kwalolu hlelo.M. Ed. (Open Distance Learning)Educational Studie
River baptism and climate change among African-Initiated Churches: An eco-theological critique’,
Get PDFRiver baptism has biblical and historical significance in the Christian tradition. Many
established mainline churches have baptismal pools where they safely conduct baptism.
However, some African-Initiated Churches have been practicing river baptism because of their
beliefs, theology and at times a lack of resources. While African-Initiated Churches have a
theological basis for practicing river baptism, the challenge is that during rainy seasons, river
baptism among African-Initiated Churches becomes hazardous because congregants can get
swept away by water during the baptism ritual. This study uses an eco-theological critique to
assess the relevance of river baptism amid climate change. This is a conceptual study that
opted for content analysis as the research methodology. The study recommends
that African-Initiated Churches that still practice river baptism must take extra caution in
ensuring the safety of their congregants. If possible, life savers can be included in the baptismal
programme of such churches as a way of ensuring the safety of their members. Most
importantly, the African-Initiated Churches will have to rethink their theology of practicing
river baptism amid climate change and other environmental crises. Such a theology should
find a balance between the beliefs in river baptism and the safety of the believers.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
An archaeological investigation of the Bakgatla Baga Kgafela at Mabeleapodi, Pilanesberg National Park, North West Province
No full textThis dissertation, a collections-based study, applies a microscale approach to the study of the unanalysed material excavated from five midden features from three (Kgosing, Morêma, and Tshukudu) of the five sections that make up the 19th-century Bakgatla Baga Kgafela capital settlement, Mabeleapodi, situated in the Pilanesberg National Park, North West. Current ethnographic evidence suggests that Kgosi Pilane lived in the capital, Mabeleapodi, from AD 1830 until his death in AD 1850. As a result, it is believed that Mabeleapodi was probably abandoned in the mid-19th century soon after the death of Kgosi Pilane. However, the archaeological material indicates that Mabeleapodi was occupied from the early 1800s up until the 1860s/1870s, suggesting that the site was occupied long after the death of Kgosi Pilane, and that it may be one of the few sites in the Pilanesberg region that was occupied during and after the Difaqane period.Tlhotlhomisi eno ke thutopatlisiso e e theilweng mo kokoanyong, e dirisa molebo wa sekale sa maekero (microscale) mo patlisisong ya matheriale o o sa lokololwang o o epilweng go tswa mo dithothobolong tse tlhano go tswa mo dikarolong tse tharo (Kgosing, Morêma, le Tshukudu) tsa tse tlhano tse e leng karolo ya bonno jwa ngwagakgolo wa bo19 jwa Bakgatla Ba ga Kgafela e leng Mabeleapodi, e e fitlhelwang mo Phakeng ya Bosetšhaba ya Pilanesberg, Bokonebophirima. Bosupi jwa ga jaana jwa etenokerafi bo bontsha gore Kgosi Pilane o ne a nna mo motsemogolong wa Mabeleapodi, go tloga ka AD1830 go fitlha a tlhokafala ka AD1850. Ka ntlha ya seo, go dumelwa gore Mabeleapodi e ne ya phuaganngwa mo bogareng jwa ngwagakgolo wa bo19 morago fela ga loso la ga Kgosi Pilane. Fela matheriale wa akheoloji o supa fa go ne go na le batho ba ba neng ba nna kwa Mabeleapodi go tloga kwa tshimologong ya bo1800 go fitlha ka bo1860/1870, e leng se se ka supang fa lefelo leo le ne le na le batho sebaka se seleele morago ga loso la ga Kgosi Pilane, le gore e ka ne e le lengwe la mafelo a se kae a a mo Pilanesberg a a neng a nna batho ka paka ya Difaqane le morago ga moo.Hierdie verhandeling is ’n versameling-gebaseerde studie. ’n Mikroskaal-benadering is toegepas op die studie van die onontlede materiaal wat opgegrawe is van vyf puinvoorwerpe van drie (Kgosing, Morêma, en Tshukudu) van die vyf dele van die 19de-eeuse Bakgatla Baga Kgafela-hoofnedersetting, Mabeleapodi, geleë in die Pilanesberg Nasionale Park in Noordwes. Huidige etnografiese bewyse dui daarop dat Kgosi Pilane in die hoofstad, Mabeleapodi, gewoon het van 1830 nC tot sy dood in 1850 nC. Gevolglik word daar geglo dat Mabeleapodi waarskynlik midde-in die 19de eeu verlaat is, kort nadat Kgosi Pilane oorlede is. Die argaeologiese materiaal dui egter aan dat Mabeleapodi bewoon is van die vroeë 1800’s tot die 1860’s/1870’s. Dit kan beteken dat die plek lank ná die dood van Kgosi Pilane bewoon is, en dat dit een van die min plekke in die Pilanesberg-streek is wat gedurende en na afloop van die Difaqane-tydperk beset is.M.A. (Archaeology)Anthropology and Archaeolog
Magnetic chitosan-zeolite composite as an adsorbent in ultrasound-assisted magnetic solid phase extraction of tetracyclines in water samples
Get PDFAbstract
An ultrasound-assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction method was developed to pre-concentrate tetracyclines (TCs) in wastewater and river water. The magnetic chitosan-zeolite composite was used as an adsorbent. The morphological and structural properties of the adsorbent were characterised by various analytical techniques. The factors affecting the ultrasound-assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction method were optimised using a central composite design. A high performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector was used to quantify TCs in wastewater and river water samples. Under optimised parameters, the developed analytical approach gave acceptable linearity (LOQ-400 µg L−1) with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.993, while the detection and quantitation limits ranged from 0.05–0.67 and 0.14–2.03 µg L−1, respectively. Attained recoveries were 90–101%, with intraday and interday precision expressed as the relative standard deviation (%RSD) below 5%. Even though the target analytes (tetracycline, oxytetracycline and oxytetracycline) were not detected in environmental samples, the synthesised adsorbent was suitable for the isolation of TCs in a complex matrix resulting in an accurate, precise, rapid and sensitive analytical method