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Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposite obtained by microwave-assisted thermal decomposition route
Get PDFAluminum oxide (Al2O3) and copper oxide (CuO) are known to exhibit very exceptional properties including high thermal and chemical properties that promise a wide area of applications. In this paper, we report the microwave-assisted thermal decomposition route to CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposite and its application as a photocatalyst
for methyl orange (MO) degradation. Al2O3 was first prepared at different temperatures of 900, 1000, and 1100 ◦C, denoted as Al2O3(1), Al2O3(2), and Al2O3(3). Subsequently, the best temperature (1000 ◦C) was selected for the synthesis of CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposite. XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal crystal structure for all the Al2O3 and the monoclinic phase for the CuO within the composite. The crystallite sizes of the alumina
increased with temperature and a similar growth pattern occurred in the entire samples. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) show clear spherical morphology for all the samples with obvious agglomeration as temperature increases. Optical characterization displayed decreasing band gap energies with increasing temperature, implying size increase due to particle interaction, boundary
energy reduction, and grain boundary migration. The photocatalytic performance of the CuO/Al2O3 under visible light was evaluated on methyl orange (MO), and the degradation was studied with some process parameters such as the effect of catalysts dosage and initial concentration of MO. Results showed that the CuO/Al2O3 exhibited
about 94.2 % efficiency within 3 h using an optimum dose of 2.0 g/L and an initial MO concentration of 20 mg/L. However, the use of CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposites to remove other organic pollutants could confirm the robustness of this catalyst
Big Data Analytics for Integrated Infectious Disease Surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa
No full textBackground: Infectious disease outbreaks are common in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Consequently, integrated public health surveillance has become increasingly essential for the region. Health surveillance systems enable early detection and monitoring of emerging and re-emerging disease outbreaks, thus informing preparedness and response measures. However, complex and intertwined factors obstruct a successful integrated public health surveillance in SSA, with dire consequences.
Objectives: The objective of this article was to establish how big data analytics can be used to enhance integrated infectious disease surveillance and response in SSA.
Method: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used to identify and select relevant articles. A total of 10 studies that addressed the article’s objective were selected.
Results: Findings reveal several barriers to the application of big data analytics for public health surveillance in SSA. These include the absence of regulatory and data governance frameworks for big data management in healthcare, disparities in digital health infrastructure across SSA’s healthcare systems, and the digital and analytical skills required for data capture and interpretation. The development of regulatory frameworks is essential for the ethical application of analytical technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Conclusion: This article’s contributions emphasise the need for comprehensive strategies for the application of big data analytics for public health surveillance, as well as addressing barriers to its successful application by highlighting the requirements for an integrated infectious disease surveillance and response system in SSA.
Contribution: The article contributes to the body of knowledge on the interplay between the public health space and digital health interventions by emphasising the beneficial applications of big data analytics for surveillance and response to address emerging and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks in the health systems of sub-Saharan Africa.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
Empirical modelling of corporate diversity, innovation and company performance in the automotive industry in South Africa
No full textThis research explores the relationship between corporate diversity, innovation and company performance in South Africa’s automotive industry. The study is motivated by unsatisfactory company performance in this industry, which is linked to various factors such as high market saturation, high labour costs, and the need for innovative products and services. Moreover, the existence of various research gaps, particularly in the testing of concepts such as corporate diversity, innovation and perceived company performance in the South African automotive industry provided the need for the study. The research study is quantitative in nature, adhering to the correlational research design. The stratified random technique was utilised in recruiting 215 operations and marketing professionals from the automotive industry in various provinces of South Africa to participate in the study. Hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results of the study show that two diversity dimensions, namely attitude about diversity and cultural diversity, positively influenced innovation. Innovation positively influenced all five company performance dimensions, namely perceived value, customer loyalty, market performance, financial performance and environmental performance. Using these results, a model through which corporate diversity can be applied to company performance with the mediation of innovation culture is proposed.D.B.L.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
The use of social media to support teaching and learning in technical and vocational education and training colleges
Get PDFText in EnglishThis study explores the ever-transformative landscape of education through an investigation into "The Use of Social Media to Support Teaching and Learning in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges." Analyzing the integration of social media platforms within the educational sphere, the research navigates the various roles played by social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube in enhancing teaching and learning strategies and fostering communication. Drawing on both scholarly insights and empirical findings, the study uncovers how social media not only facilitates student-teacher interaction but also cultivates collaborative learning environments. In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted a digital transformation in education, the research reflects on the resilience of educators and students in leveraging social media to navigate challenges posed by these external factors. The study concludes by emphasizing the transformative potential of these technologies that transcend traditional classroom boundaries of teaching and learning in TVET colleges and proposes avenues for further innovations in educational practices.M. Ed. (Curriculum and Instructional Studies)Curriculum and Instructional Studie
An exposition of the gap between public sector and private sector participation in green finance
No full textGreening the environment cannot be achieved satisfactorily, considering that the private
sector lags behind the public sector in participation levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons behind the gap in green finance between the two sectors using numerically derived outcomes. Six-year data in the form of total shareholder returns, comprising capital gains and dividends paid from the largest banks in China, the USA, and Europe involved in financing fossil fuels, were extracted from Yahoo.com finance and Macrotrends public forums. Equity premiums were calculated from the total shareholder returns and risk-free rates. A 95% confidence interval was established to determine the lower and upper limits of the equity premiums. The resulting upper limits were used to project premiums that could attract the private sector by 2030. Equity premiums averaged 2.73%, 9.73%, and 4.31% for China, the USA, and Europe, respectively, indicating
the substantial task in the USA of attracting the private sector compared to Europe and China. The projections of total shareholder returns showed the same patterns in equity premiums among China, the United States (USA), and Europe. To bridge the gap, the significant need for economic benefits for the private sector should ideally be addressed through green bonds, tailored to green financing projects that are earmarked for revenue generation
Digital entrepreneurship and the emergence of coopetitive affordance
Get PDFPurpose – By focusing on the contextual conditions of South African digital entrepreneurs and the affordances of digital technologies, we understand how connective affordances of digital technologies enable a collective approach to digital entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – We do so through an interpretive field study of South African digital entrepreneurs operating in resource-constrained settings. Findings – The findings highlight how entrepreneurs appropriate digital technologies in collectives to achieve connective actions and cooperate and compete simultaneously, giving rise to what we call coopetitive affordance, reflecting a fresh perspective on coopetition in increasingly digital and resource-constrained realities. Originality/value – This paper extends the connective affordance perspective by illustrating how the concept of coopetitive affordance brings to light how contextual conditions create a humanitarian bond between entrepreneurs and a digital bond created by their appropriation of digital technologies in collectives.Colleges of Economic and Management Science
Development of novel mesoporous magnetic adsorbents from industrial waste and their application for removal of lead and efavirenz in aqueous solutions
No full textIndustrial waste materials have garnered increased attention as viable adsorbents that could be used for the extraction of heavy metals and organic pollutants from wastewater. This is primarily due to their abundant availability in large quantities and economical cost-effectiveness. Coal fly ash, bottom ash, and fly ash are examples of industrial waste generated from coal combustion in power plants, while petroleum coke is derived from oil refineries. These waste materials contain diverse functional groups, including carbon, calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide, and iron oxide, which makes them ideal for the remediation of wastewater. Previous research studies have indicated that modified industrial waste materials possess greater adsorption capabilities. As a result, this study sought to modify coal fly ash (RCFA), bottom ash (RBA), fly ash (RFA), and petroleum coke (RPC) by adding iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. This modification enables easy separation with an external magnet and enhances their effectiveness in adsorbing lead and efavirenz.
The following adsorbents Fe3O4@APC, Fe3O4@ACFA, Fe3O4@AFA, and Fe3O4@ABA were prepared in a two-step method. The first step was activation of the RPC, RBA, RFA, and RCFA with NaOH then followed by incorporating Fe3O4 nanoparticle. These mesoporous magnetic materials were successfully prepared and characterized using various techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET).
The Langmuir, Temkin, and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyse the equilibrium data. The maximum adsorption capacities for obtained for lead were 48.8, 15.63, 12.16, and 270.27 mg/g for Fe3O4@ACFA, Fe3O4@AFA, Fe3O4@ABA, and Fe3O4@APC, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacities for efavirenz obtained were 25.38, 37.64, 13.07 and 76.54 mg/g Fe3O4@ACFA, Fe3O4@APC, Fe3O4@ABA, Fe3O4@AFA respectively. Based on the adsorption isotherms for lead ions, both Fe3O4@ACFA and Fe3O4@AFA, are best described by the Temkin isotherm while Fe3O4@ABA and Fe3O4@APC were best described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm, respectively. Additionally, adsorption of efavirenz was best described by the Langmuir isotherm for all prepared adsorbents.
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The kinetic data were also evaluated for the lead and efavirenz which revealed that the pseudo-second-order equation provided the best correlation for both lead and efavirenz. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous for lead. However, for efavirenz it behaved differently on various adsorbents, revealing non-spontaneous adsorption. The adsorption process for lead was endothermic for all adsorbents, whereas for efavirenz it was found to be endothermic for Fe3O4@APC and Fe3O4@ACFA adsorbents, while exothermic for Fe3O4@ABA and Fe3O4@AFA adsorbents. The findings demonstrate that Fe3O4@ACFA, Fe3O4@APC, Fe3O4@ABA, and Fe3O4@AFA possesses the potential to effectively remove lead ions and efavirenz from aqueous solutions.M. Sc. (Chemistry)Chemistr
The prediction of rural tourist experience: investigation at the cultural village in Lesotho
Get PDFAbstract in English with AFrikaans and Zulu translationThe development of various service quality models has been well researched, but they still need to be applied at a rural accommodation establishment in Lesotho is still lacking. Although there is consensus that service quality has a fundamental role in tourists' experience, there is a contentious debate that the tourist experience comes as a result of service experience. This has necessitated the adoption of SERVQUAL as an embedded theory to determine whether the scores on tourist safety are related to authenticity, brand personality, and brand attributes to predict the rural tourist experience at the Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village. The study adopted a quantitative research method to analyse the statistical data using IBM SPSS V29. This study used CFA as a statistical technique to confirm the constructs in the measurement model of the Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village. The results of the Pearson product moment correlation indicate the respective correlations between tourist safety, authenticity, brand personality and brand attributes (as independent/exogenous variables) and tourist experience (as dependent/endogenous variables). The SEM results confirmed the performance of the rural tourist experience prediction model at the Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village (as a structural model). This study developed a practical Rural Tourist Experience Prediction Model 1 (Rrtepm1b) for the Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village. More research is needed to investigate these measurement models in contemporary tourism and hospitality studies. A unique combination of items, under the new latent variables, contributes to the existing body of knowledge. The results of this study have various implications for Lesotho tourism practices by helping executives and managers of accommodation establishments in the design of authentic tourism experiences that are responsive to their brand personality and the safety of tourists.Die ontwikkeling van verskeie diensgehaltemodelle is goed nagevors, maar dit moet steeds by ’n landelike verblyfinstansie in Lesotho toegepas word. Alhoewel daar konsensus is dat diensgehalte ’n grondliggende rol in toeriste se ervaring speel, heers daar ’n omstrede debat dat die toeriste-ervaring voortspruit uit die dienservaring. Dit het die aanvaarding van SERVQUAL as ’n ingebedde teorie genoodsaak om te bepaal of die tellings vir toeristeveiligheid verband hou met outentisiteit, handelsmerkpersoonlikheid en handelsmerkkenmerke om die landelike toeriste-ervaring by die Thaba-Bosiu-kultuurdorp te voorspel. Die studie het ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetode gebruik om die statistiese data met behulp van IBM SPSS V29 te analiseer. Die studie het bevestigende data-analise as ’n statistiese tegniek gebruik om die konstrukte in die metingsmodel van die Thaba-Bosiu-kultuurdorp te bevestig. Die resultate van die Pearson-produkmomentkorrelasie dui op die onderskeie korrelasies tussen toeristeveiligheid, outentisiteit, handelsmerkpersoonlikheid en handelsmerkkenmerke (as onafhanklike/eksogene veranderlikes) en toeriste-ervaring (as afhanklike/endogene veranderlike). Die SEM-resultate bevestig die prestasie van die landelike toeriste-ervaringsvoorspellingsmodel by die Thaba-Bosiu-kultuurdorp (as ’n strukturele model). Die studie het ’n praktiese landelike toeriste-ervaringsvoorspellingsmodel 1 (Rrtepm1b) vir die Thaba-Bosiu-kultuurdorp ontwikkel. Meer navorsing is nodig om hierdie metingsmodelle in kontemporêre toerisme- en gasvryheidstudies te ondersoek. ’n Unieke kombinasie van items, onder die nuwe latente veranderlikes, dra by tot die bestaande kennisinhoud. Die resultate van hierdie studie het verskeie implikasies vir Lesotho-toerismepraktyke deur uitvoerende beamptes en bestuurders van verblyfinstansies te help met die ontwerp van outentieke toerisme-ervarings wat reageer op hulle handelsmerkpersoonlikheid en die veiligheid van toeriste.Sekuye kwenziwa ucwaningo olunzulu mayelana nezinhlobo ezahlukene zokuphuculwa kweqophelo lezinsiza, kodwa lokhu kusafanele kwenziwe nasendaweni yokuhlalisa izivakashi esemakhaya eLesotho. Nakuba kunokuvumelana ngokuthi iqophelo lempatho linendima ebalulekile ekuphathekeni kwezivakashi, kunenkulumompikiswano mayelana nemiphumela yokuphatheka kwezivakashi ngokwezinga eziphatheka ngalo. Lokhu kwenze kwaba nesidingo sokuthi kwamukelwe i-SERVQUAL njengetiyori enqala yokunquma ukuthi imiphumela yokuphepha kwezivakashi ihlobene yini nobuqiniso, ukuhlinzekwa okutholayo kanye nomthelela wokuhlinzekwayo ukuze kuqagulwe impatho yezivakashi endaweni yasemakhaya i-Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise indlela yocwaningo lwezilinganiso ukuze kuhlaziywe imininingwane yezibalo ngohlelo lwe-IBM SPSS V29. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise i-CFA njengohlelo lwezibalo ukuze kuqinisekiswe ukwakheka kohlelo lwezilinganiso zase-Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village. Imiphumela yokuhlotshaniswa komkhiqizo ngokwa-Pearson ikhombisa ukuhlobana phakathi kokuphepha kwezivakashi, ubuqiniso, ukuhlinzekwa okutholayo kanye nomthelela wokuhlinzekwayo (njengokuguquguquka okuzimele/okungaphandle) nokuphatheka kwezivakashi (njengokuguquguquka okuncikile/okungaphakathi). Imiphumela ye-SEM iqinisekisa ukuthi ukusebenza kohlelo lokuqagula ukuphatheka kwezivakashi endaweni yasemakhaya e-Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village (kungokohlelo lwezakhiwo). Lolu cwaningo luqhamuke ne-Rural Tourist Experience Prediction Model 1 (R rtepm1b ) esebenzayo e-Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village. Lusaluningi ucwaningo olusadingeka ukuze kuphenywe lezi zinhlelo zezilinganiso ngaphansi kwezifundo zezokuvakasha nokwamukelwa kwezivakashi. Inhlanganisela yezinto eziyivelakancane, ngaphansi kokuguquguquka okusha, inomthelela olwazini lwezinto olukhona. Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo inemithelela eyahlukene kwezokuvakasha eLesotho ngokuthi isiza abaphathi nezimenenja zendawo yokuhlalisa izivakashi bakwazi ukuphucula kahle iqophelo lokuphatheka kwezivakashi likwazi ukumelana nalokho okuhlinzekwayo kanjalo nokuphepha kwezivakashi.M. Com. (Tourism Management)Centre for Transport Economics, Logistics and Touris
A framework of macroeconomic drivers of foreign divestment in African Countries
Get PDFThe act of foreign divestment (FD) is an inescapable decision undertaken by multinational enterprises (MNEs). However, the consequences of macroeconomic variables on FD are yet to be thoroughly examined. Furthermore, despite FD being a widespread phenomenon within the international business domain, there is scant literature on the topic, particularly in Africa. The study therefore aims to develop the framework of the macroeconomic drivers of FD in African countries using annual data from 2000-2020. Owing to the dynamic nature and behaviour of macroeconomic variables susceptible to endogeneity and multicollinearity problems, a variety of econometric techniques were employed. These include the 2-step generalized method of moments (GMM), Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), and Pairwise Dumitrescu Hurlin Granger Panel Causality Tests. Furthermore, the fixed effect, random effect, pooled effect, and feasible generalised least squares (FGLS) were utilised for robustness and comparison purposes. To be specific, this study sought to identify the key FD drivers and subsequently develop an FD framework in African countries.
The empirical evidence revealed that economic growth, natural resources, exchange rate, unemployment, trade openness, human capital development, inflation, political instability, and financial development were identified as the key FD drivers in African countries. Financial development and political instability were found to have a positive but insignificant impact on FD. On the other hand, economic growth, natural resources, exchange rate, unemployment, trade openness, human capital development, and inflation were found to have a negative and significant influence on FD.
Following the identification of the key drivers of FD in African countries, the short and long-run co-integration relationship between FD, financial development (FIN), and economic growth was explored. Using the ARDL method, a positive and significant long-run relationship between FD and financial development was revealed. Interestingly, a negative and significant long-run relationship between economic growth and FD was found. It was also found that there was an inverse relationship between FD and FIN in the short run, whereas short-term economic growth results displayed a positive and significant relationship with FD. On the existence of a unidirectional or associated causation between FD and economic growth in the African continent, no evidence of such an association could be established. Notwithstanding
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this finding, there was a bidirectional causal relationship between FD and FIN. Considering the above results, a framework to mitigate FD was developed, thus signifying the contribution of the study. Policymakers in African countries should focus on implementing policies that promote economic growth, trade openness, HCD, and reduced unemployment to curb FD outflows. Additionally, based on the study's findings, policymakers in African countries should prioritise implementing policies aimed at promoting economic diversification, enhancing trade openness, investing in human capital development, and fostering a stable exchange rate regime to mitigate foreign divestment outflows effectively. Lastly, it is recommended that the adoption of good governance practices to improve government effectiveness in FD management remain a priority of every government in Africa.D.B.L.Graduate School of Business Leadershi