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Ecosystematic and socio-cultural perspective in understanding learner bullying behaviour in two township primary schools in Gauteng
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and ZuluIn today's education system, learners from diverse cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds present various emotional and behavioural challenges. Such challenges are further compounded by differences in gender orientation, ethnicity and ability. This study aimed to identify the ecosystemic and socio-cultural factors that contribute to the prevalence of bullying in schools. The study utilised the Bronfenbrenner bio-ecological systems theory and Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory as a lens to understand the factors that influence bullying and its management in schools. An interpretivist research paradigm and qualitative approach were adopted in this study guided by a case study design. The study employed purposive sampling to gather data from a sample of participants comprising two principals, two Heads of Department, four Grade 7 teachers, two School Governing Body members (SGB), and twelve Grade 7 learners aged between 10 to 13. Purposive sampling ensured that participants were selected due to their diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. The area of study was two primary schools in Diepsloot Township, which is located in Johannesburg North Region. Diepsloot was selected because of its diversity. According to the study's findings, school bullying is influenced by various factors within the ecosystem and socio-cultural context. These factors encompass peer relationships, family dynamics, community norms and school policies. Moreover, the study emphasises the intricate interplay between these factors and their contribution to the prevalence of bullying in diverse settings. Furthermore, the study revealed that both boys and girls experience some form of bullying; however, they engage in bullying behaviours differently. The study recommended a holistic approach to managing bullying effectively, which entails collaboration between schools, families and communities to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.In die huidige onderwysstelsel kom verskeie emosionele en gedragsuitdagings by leerders uit diverse
kulturele, godsdienstige en sosio-ekonomiese agtergronde voor. Hierdie uitdagings word verder
vererger deur verskille in geslagsoriëntasie, etnisiteit en bevoegdheid. Die studie was daarop
gemik om die ekosistemiese en sosiokulturele faktore te identifiseer wat tot afknouery
(boeliegedrag) in skole bydra. Die studie het Bronfenbrenner se bio-ekologiese stelselteorie en
Vygotsky se sosiokulturele teorie as lens gebruik om die faktore te verstaan waardeur afknouery en
die bestuur daarvan in skole beïnvloed word. ’n Vertolkende navorsingsparadigma en kwalitatiewe
benadering is vir hierdie studie aanvaar en die studie is deur ’n gevallestudie-ontwerp gerig.
Doelgerigte steekproefneming is gebruik om data in te samel. Die deelnemers het bestaan uit twee
skoolhoofde, twee departementshoofde, vier Graad 7- onderwysers, twee lede van skoolbeheerliggame
en 12 Graad 7-leerders tussen die ouderdomme van 10 en 13 jaar. Doelgerigte steekproefneming het
verseker dat deelnemers op grond van hul diverse kulturele en godsdienstige agtergronde gekies is.
Die studiegebied was twee primêre skole in die Diepsloot-dorpsgebied wat in die Johannesburg-Noord
streek geleë is. Diepsloot is gekies op grond van sy diversiteit. Volgens die studiebevindinge,
word skoolafknouery deur verskeie faktore binne die ekosisteem en sosiokulturele konteks
beïnvloed. Hierdie faktore sluit portuurverhoudings, gesinsdinamika, gemeenskapsnorme en
skoolbeleide in. Daarbenewens beklemtoon die studie die ingewikkelde wisselwerking tussen hierdie
faktore en hul bydrae tot die voorkoms van afknouery in diverse omgewings. Die studie het voorts
ook openbaar dat beide seuns en dogters die een of ander vorm van afknouery ervaar, maar dat daar
’n verskil is in die manier waarop hulle met afknouery omgaan. Die studie het ’n holistiese
benadering aanbeveel ten einde afknouery doeltreffend te bestuur. Dit behels samewerking
tussen skole, families en gemeenskappe om ’n veilig en inklusiewe omgewing vir alle leerders te
skep.Uhlelo lwesimanje lokufunda luhlanganisa, abafundi abasuka ezindaweni ezahlukene ngokwamasiko, ezenkolo kanye nezenhlalo-mnotho futhi bafika nezinselelo ezehlukene ngokwemizwa nokuziphatha kwabo. Lezi zinselelo zidalwa nawukwehluka ngokuzizwa ngokobulili, ubuzwe kanye nekhono lokwenza izinto. Lolu cwaningo beluhlose ukuhlonza umthelela wendlela yokuphila nenhlalo ngokwesiko okwenza izingane zivukwe ubuqhwaga ezikoleni. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise itiyori ka-Bronfenbrenner ebheka ubudlelwane bengane nomzali kanye netiyori ka-Vygotsky ebheka inhlalo ngokwesiko njengendlela yokuqonda imithelela edala ubuqhwaga kanjalo nendlela yokubhekana nalobu buqhwaga ezikoleni. Lolu cwaningo lwenziwe ngokuthi kusetshenziswe indlela yokuhlola iqophelo lokuthi abantu basiqonda ngokunjani isimo, kwaphinda kwasetshenziswa imibhalo ecwaningiwe. Ucwaningo lusebenzise amasampula ukuze kuqoqwe idatha kubabambiqhaza abahlanganisa othishanhloko ababili, izinhloko zomnyango ezimbili, othisha abane Bebanga lesi-7, amalungu amabili esigungu esimelele isikole (SGB) kanye nabafundi abayi-12 Bebanga lesi-7 abaneminyaka ephakathi kweyi-10 kuya kweyi-13 ubudala. Ukuthathwa kwesampula kuye kwaqinisekisa ukuthi ababambiqhaza bakhethwa ngenxa yokwehluka kwabo ngokwamasiko nezenkolo. Indawo okubanjelwe kuyo ucwaningo bekusezikoleni ezimbili zamabanga aphansi elokishini e-Diepsloot, esifundeni esiseNyakatho yeGoli. I-Diepsloot ikhethwe ngenxa yokuhlukahluka kwabantu abayakhele. Ngokwemiphumela yalolu cwaningo, ubuqhwaga ezikoleni budalwa yimithelela eminingi eyahlukene ngokwendlela yokuphila nenhlalo ngokwesiko. Le mithelela ifaka phakathi ubudlelwane kontanga, ukuhluka kwezinto emindenini, izinkambiso zomphakathi kanye nenqubomgomo yezikole. Ngaphezu kwalokhu, lolu cwaningo lugcizelela ukusebenzisana ekubhekaneni nale mithelela kanye negalelo layo ekusabalaleni kobuqhwaga ezindaweni ezahlukahlukene. Okunye futhi ukuthi, ucwaningo luveze ukuthi abafana namantombazane baye babhekane nezinhlobo ezithile zobuqhwaga; ngenxa yalokhu-ke, ihlukile nendlela ababhekana ngayo nalobu buqhwaga. Lolu cwaningo luncome indlela ehlanganisa konke yokubhekana kahle nobuqhwaga, ezohlanganisa ukubambisana phakathi kwezikole, imindeni kanye nemiphakathi ukuze kwakheke sibe nendawo ephephile futhi ebandakanya abafundi bonke.M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)Psychology of Educatio
Exchange-rate dynamics in South Africa during the global COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and Northern SothoThis study examines the volatility of the USD/ZAR exchange rate in South Africa
during the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 was a global pandemic that affected all
countries across the globe, placing limits on the mobility between cities and countries
in terms of the movement of goods, services, and individuals. During this period more
economically vulnerable countries, such as South Africa, were more predisposed to
the effects of this and thus experienced increased levels of volatility within various
markets. This research aims to take a closer look at the volatility of the foreignexchange
market, between the South African rand and United States dollar, during the
period, to determine if Covid-19 resulted in increased volatility within this market.
Furthermore, this study takes a close look at the drivers of volatility during this period,
to determine if the monetary and fiscal policies implemented by the South African
government were successful in restricting the level of volatility.
In order to determine the volatility of the USD/ZAR exchange rate, an EGARCH model
is generated for the prior period, as well as for the period where covid was considered
national state of disaster. This model revealed that, overall, there is volatility and
specifically volatility clustering within the market, as both tests yielded significant
results. However, it was noted that, during the Covid-19 period, the persistence of
volatility as viewed in the GARCH variable was increased, meaning there was more
persistent volatility during this period. When viewing the descriptive statistics of this
model, it was noted that there was a larger period of volatility in prior periods, which
indicated that monetary or fiscal policy may have been able to restrain this to an extent.
To test this, the error correction model was estimated based on the monthly exchange
rate, real interest rate, broad money supply and government spending. This estimation
revealed that, while monetary policy tools, real interest rates and broad money supply
were significant factors in the determination of the USD/ZAR exchange rate during this
period, the fiscal-policy tool government spending did not. Lastly, this study
determined that in the event of a global crisis, measures such as; decreasing the repo
rate, are effective and should be utilised. As these measures assist borrowers in
managing their financial obligations. An alternate SARB policy recommendation that
proved to be fruitful is enhancing the liquidity in the banking sector, increased money
supply assisted in maintaining exchange rate stability, by limiting volatility in the foreign exchange market. A final policy recommendation determined is that fiscal policies
should not be used with the intention of affecting the exchange rate dynamics.Nyakisiso ye e latelago e ka ga phetogophetogo ya kelo ya neeletsano ya USD/ZAR
ka Afrika Borwa nakong ya leuba la Covid-19. Covid-19 e bile leuba la lefase ka
bophara leo le amilego dinaga ka moka lefaseng ka bophara, le le beago mellwane
ya mosepelo gare ga ditoropokgolo le dinaga go ya ka tshepelo ya dithoto, ditirelo le
batho. Mo lebakeng le dinaga tseo di nago le ikonomi ya go fokola, go swana le Afrika
Borwa, di amilwe kudu ke dikhuetso tse gomme ka go realo di itemogetse maemo ao
a oketsegilego a phetogophetogo ka gare ga mebaraka ya go fapana. Maikemisetso
a dinyakisiso tse ke go lebelela ka kelohloko go phetogophetogo ya mmaraka wa
neeletsano ya dinaga tsa ka ntle gare ga ranta ya Afrika Borwa le tolara ya United
States mo lebakeng le, go bona ge eba Covid-19 e feleleditse ka phetogophetogo ye
e oketsegilego ka gare ga mmaraka wo.
Go feta fao, nyakisiso ye e lebelela ka kelohloko dihlohleletsi tsa phetogophetogo mo
lebakeng le, go bona ge eba dipholisi tsa ditshelete le ikonomi tseo di
phethagaditswego ke mmuso wa Afrika Borwa e atlegile go thibela maemo a
phetogophetogo.
Go laetsa phetogophetogo ya kelo ya neeletsano ya USD/ZAR, mmotlolo wa EGARCH o tsweleleditswe lebaka le le fetilego, go tloga ka la 1 Febereware 2018 go
fihla ka la 29 Febereware 2020 gammogo le lebakeng la Covid gare ga la 1 Matshe
2020 le mafelelo a kgwedi a maemo a bosetshaba a masetlapelo ka Aporele 2022.
Mmotlolo wo o utolotse gore, ka kakaretso, go na le phetogophetogo le
phetogophetogo ye e kgobokanego fela ka gare ga mmaraka, ka ge diteko ka bobedi
di tsweleditse dipoelo tse bohlokwa. Le ge go le bjalo, go lemogilwe gore lebakeng la
Covid-19, phegelelo ya phetogophetogo bjalo ka ge go bonwe ka gare ga phetogo ya
GARCH go oketsegile, mo go supago gore go bile le phetogophetogo ye e
phegeletsego kudu mo lebakeng le. Ge go lebelelwa dipalopalo tse di hlalosago tsa
mmotlolo wo, go lemogilwe gore go bile le lebaka le letelele la phetogophetogo mo
mabakeng ao a fetilego, yeo e laeditsego gore pholisi ya ditshelete goba ya ikonomi
e ka ba e kgonne go thibela se go fihla bokgoleng bjo itsego. Go leka se, mmotlolo wa
tokiso ya diphoso o akanyeditswe go ya ka kelo ya neeletsano ya kgwedi le kgwedi,
kelo ya tswala ya nnete, kabo ya tshelete ye e nabilego le tshomiso ya tshelete ya
mmuso. Kakanyetso ye e utolotse gore, le ge e le gore didiriswa tsa pholisi ya
ditshelete, dikelo tsa tswala ya nnete le kabo ya tshelete ye e nabilego e be e le mabaka a bohlokwa mo go laetseng kelo ya neeletsano ya USD/ZAR mo lebakeng le,
tshomiso ya tshelete ya mmuso ya sediriswa sa pholisi ya ditshelete ga se go be le
khuetso ye kgolo godimo ga kelo ya neeletsano.Die volgende studie oorweeg die wisselvalligheid van die USD/ZAR-wisselkoers in
Suid-Afrika gedurende die Covid-19-pandemie. Covid-19 was ’n wêreldwye pandemie
wat alle lande regoor die wêreld geraak het, en beperkings geplaas het op mobiliteit
tussen stede and lande wat betref die beweging van goedere, dienste en individue.
Gedurende hierdie tydperk was ekonomies kwesbare lande, soos Suid-Afrika, meer
vatbaar vir hierdie nadelige gevolge van die pandemie, en het die lande dus
verhoogde vlakke van wisselvalligheid in verskeie markte ervaar. Hierdie navorsing se
doel is om die wisselvalligheid van die buitelandse-valutamark tussen die Suid
Afrikaanse rand en die Amerikaanse dollar gedurende hierdie tydperk van nader te
ondersoek, om te bepaal of Covid-19 verhoogde wisselvalligheid in hierdie mark tot
gevolg gehad het.
Verder kyk hierdie studie ook van naderby na die dryfvere van wisselvalligheid
gedurende hierdie tydperk, om te bepaal of die monetêre en fiskale beleide wat deur
die Suid-Afrikaanse regering geïmplementeer is, suksesvol was om die vlak van
wisselvalligheid te beperk.
Om die wisselvalligheid van die USD/ZAR-wisselkoers te bepaal is ’n EGARCH-model
geskep vir die tydperk voor die Covid-19 pandemie, asook vir die Covid-tydperk tot die
einde van die maand van die nasionale ramptoestand in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie model
het onthul dat daar, oor die algemeen, wisselvalligheid en spesifiek
wisselvalligheidsvorming in die mark is, aangesien albei toetse beduidende resultate
gelewer het. Daar is egter agtergekom dat die voortduur van wisselvalligheid soos
beskou in die GARCH-veranderlike toegeneem het gedurende die Covid-19-tydperk,
wat beteken dat daar meer voortdurende wisselvalligheid gedurende hierdie tydperk
was. Wanneer daar gekyk word na die beskrywende statistieke van hierdie model is
daar opgelet dat daar ’n groter tydperk van wisselvalligheid in vorige tydperke was, wat aangedui het dat monetêre of fiskale beleid dit tot ’n mate kon beperk het. Om
hierdie te toets is die foutregstellingsmodel beraam gebaseer op die maandelikse
wisselkoers, reële rentekoers, breëgeldvooraad (broad money supply) en
owerheidsbesteding. Hierdie beraming het onthul dat hoewel monetêre
beleidshulpmiddels, reële wisselkoerse en breëgeldvoorraad beduidende faktore was
in die bepaling van die USD-ZAR-wisselkoers gedurende hierdie tydperk, het owerheidsbesteding, ’n fiskale-beleidshulpmiddel, geen beduidende impak op die
wisselkoers of die wisselvalligheid daarvan gehad nie.Economic
Challenges experienced by social workers responsible for rehabilitation and social reintegration of parolees within the Department of Correctional Services: guidelines for social work support services
No full textThe provision of social work services to parolees is crucial for their rehabilitation and successful reintegration back into the community. Different stakeholders should play a role to ensure that parolees are successfully reintegrated back into their community where they originated. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore the challenges facing social workers responsible for the rehabilitation and reintegration of parolees within the Department of Correctional Services and to develop guidelines for social work support services. A qualitative study using the phenomenological, exploratory, descriptive and contextual designs was undertaken. Purposive sampling was used to select 19 participants from three groups, namely social workers, social work supervisors and heads of community corrections. Data was collected through individual, face-to-face and telephone semi structured interviews undertaken in Gauteng Region and analysed according to the eight steps of data analysis proposed by Tesch (cited in Creswell 2018:158-162). Lincoln and Guba’s principles of trustworthiness were employed in the verification of the data. The ethical principles of informed consent, harm to participants, anonymity and confidentiality, management of information and debriefing of participants were observed. This study draws from the ecological systems theory and the social conflict theory.
The goals of the study were to develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by social workers responsible for the rehabilitation and reintegration of parolees as well as to provide guidelines for social work support services focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration of parolees. The findings suggest that social workers are working in stressful conditions due to lack of resources in the community. Furthermore, social workers were not trained on community corrections systems and, as a result, they were unable to violate offenders who are not complying with the parole conditions. Participants also expressed that they found it difficult to work in isolation as there is no teamwork at community corrections. Suggestions of participants on how to improve services at community corrections included appointment of more social workers at community corrections to deal with the existing caseload.D. Phil. (Social Work)Social Wor
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds as a natural coagulant for water turbidity treatment: assessment of efficacy and dosage
Get PDFAbstract
The quality of river and borehole water fluctuates because of both agricultural and industrial pollutants. Surface runoff during the rainy seasons is high which promote increased turbidity levels in water sources, and this exerts pressure on the quality and usability of the water for domestic use. Unfortunately, most municipalities in developing countries are poor to afford conventional water treatment methods. This study assessed the use of natural coagulants extracted from sunflower seeds for turbidity treatment. Water samples were collected during summer, winter, and autumn from 10 randomly selected groundwater sources and three segments of the Mwerahari River in Buhera District, Zimbabwe. Results captured seasonal turbidity variations across the river segments and the boreholes. Summer season recorded the maximum average levels of turbidity (76 NTU) while autumn and winter recorded 38.7 NTU 36.7 NTU, respectively. Water turbidity levels were above the acceptable 5 NTU Standard Association of Zimbabwe and WHO. The maximum removal efficiency of turbidity was achieved at 80 min at the dose of 4 g/l. These results revealed that the removal efficiency of 95% with 4.6 NTU turbidity is a function of dose; removal efficiency increases as dose of coagulant increases. These results demonstrated that sunflower seed is an effective low-cost natural coagulant for turbidity water treatment
Critical analysis of public insecurity and the right to freedom from all forms of violence in South Africa
Get PDFSouth Africa faces high levels of public insecurity and various forms of violence, which threaten to curtail the constitutional right of everyone to enjoy the right to freedom from all forms of violence emanating from public or private sources. However, little attention has been paid to the state’s obligations to provide public safety and security in terms of the Constitution and international law. As a result, this dissertation examines the right to freedom from all forms of violence in South Africa, as guaranteed by section 12(1)(c) of the Constitution. It investigates whether the state has fulfilled its obligations to respect, protect, promote, and fulfil this right in terms of the Constitution and international human rights instruments. The study adopts a qualitative research design, using a critical paradigm and an interpretive approach to analyse the concept of violence, public insecurity, and the legal framework for the right to freedom from violence. It analyses primary and secondary data sources, such as legislation, case law, treaties, reports, and academic literature. The study finds that South Africa faces high levels of violence and public insecurity, which threaten the enjoyment of this right by all people. It also finds that the state has failed to comply with its constitutional and international obligations to provide adequate safety and security measures, prevent and punish violence, and address its root causes. The study argues, with reference to local case law, that the right to freedom from violence is a fundamental human right essential for human dignity, democracy, and social justice. It concludes by recommending legal, policy, and institutional reforms to enhance the protection and promotion of the right to freedom from violence. It suggests that the state should adopt a comprehensive and holistic strategy to combat violence based on human rights principles, accountability, and participation. The study contributes to the literature on violence and human rights in South Africa. It proposes a normative framework for the interpretation and implementation of the right to freedom from violence.LL.M. (Constitutional Law)College of La
Search for new particles in final states with a boosted top quark and missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
No full textAbstract
A search for events with one top quark and missing transverse momentum in the final state is presented. The fully hadronic decay of the top quark is explored by selecting events with a reconstructed boosted top-quark topology produced in association with large missing transverse momentum. The analysis uses 139 fb−1 of proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of
s
= 13 TeV recorded during 2015-2018 by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The results are interpreted in the context of simplified models for Dark Matter particle production and the single production of a vector-like T quark. Without significant excess relative to the Standard Model expectations, 95% confidence-level upper limits on the corresponding cross-sections are obtained. The production of Dark Matter particles in association with a single top quark is excluded for masses of a scalar (vector) mediator up to 4.3 (2.3) TeV, assuming mχ = 1 GeV and the model couplings λq = 0.6 and λχ = 0.4 (a = 0.5 and gχ = 1). The production of a single vector-like T quark is excluded for masses below 1.8 TeV assuming a coupling to the top quark κT = 0.5 and a branching ratio for T → Zt of 25%
A framework to enhance audit committee effectiveness in Ghana’s public sector
No full textThe purpose of this work was to construct a framework, proposing to enhance the effectiveness of Audit Committees (ACs) in Ghana’s public sector institutions (referred to as “covered entities” [CEs]). This was predicated on the perennial pervasiveness of financial management infractions and irregularities in Ghana’s public sector, as reported annually by the Auditor-General. The Agency theory and Institutional theory were the underpinning concepts applied in an initial literature review. The Interactive Qualitative Analysis method was utilised in conduct focus groups sessions and analyses of the information collected. Knowledge of the factors that influenced the effectiveness of ACs was obtained from AC members and key stakeholders of ACs in CEs. The knowledge acquired was further enhanced by enquiry into the factors identified by AC members and the stakeholders, through a further literature exploration and examination of international best practices. Contribution was also sought from available and willing key stakeholders, concerning the applicability as well as comprehensiveness of the proposed frameworks constructed, which lead to filtering of the final output (the frameworks). In summary, the findings identified include seventy-two subaffinities, grouped into twenty-five affinities, that influence AC effectiveness in CEs. These affinities were consolidated into five themes, that guided the subsequent stages of the study, that included further literature examination. The five themes were (1) Governance and policies; (2) Stakeholder engagement; (3) Status of the AC; (4) Quality management; and (5) AC financing/funding. The interpretation of the findings resulted in the development of two draft frameworks; one for ACs and another for managers of CEs. To achieve the primary objective and obtain validity, these two draft frameworks were subjected a survey questionnaire administered to purposefully selected respondents. The findings indicate that there are two main frameworks for enhancing the effectiveness of ACs in Ghana’s public sector: one for ACs and the other for management of CEs.
The summary of the main recommendations was for ACs and management of CEs to adopt the tenets of these frameworks towards enhancing the effectiveness of ACs.D. Phil. (Accounting Science)Auditin
Controllable preparation and application of porous carbon-based electrode materials
No full textWith the growing demand for energy storage and conversion technologies, porous
carbon-based materials (PCMs) have garnered widespread attention due to their
excellent electrical conductivity, high surface area (SSA), and good chemical and
thermal stability. This study aims to develop PCMs and explore their applications in the
field of energy storage and conversion. By carefully selecting carbon precursor and
preparation process, I precisely controlled the pore characteristics and composition of
PCMs, resulting in the fabrication of PCMs with different morphologies, including
heteroatom-doped and porous carbon/transition metal composites. The morphology,
structure, composition, and electrocatalytic performance of these PCMs were
systematically analyzed. The specific research content and results are as follows:
1). This study focuses on the controlled preparation and electrochemical properties of
one-dimensional porous carbon nanofibers (PCFs). Using a silica-assisted method,
PCFs were synthesized and their electrocatalytic performance for supercapacitors (SC)
were systematically evaluated. Optimal PCFs exhibits a hierarchical porous structure
with high SSA (1407 m2 g-1) and suitable nitrogen doping. When used as electrode material for SC, it shows a specific capacitance of 314 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, excellent cycling
stability (after 10,000 cycles at 5 A g-1), and 92.5 % capacity retention. In an assembled
SC device, the energy density reached 31.9 W h kg-1 in 1M Na2SO4 electrolyte, and two
PCF devices in series powered 2.2 V LEDs, demonstrating their practical potential.
2). The study also explores N/Co co-doped hollow porous carbon nanospheres
(Co/N@PCS) as electrocatalysts for the alkaline oxygen reduction reaction (ORR),
showing a half-wave potential of 0.81 V vs RHE and an onset potential of 0.91 V vs
RHE, along with long-term durability in alkaline electrolytes. This work shows that the
Co/N@PCS electrocatalyst has great potential in the field of alkaline ORR.
3). Wrinkled surface nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCTs) were prepared by a
green, controllable template method. The optimal NCTs exhibits a high specific
capacitance (336 F g-1) and excellent cycling stability (96.1 % capacitance retention
after 10,000 cycles) in SC.
4). Additionally, nitrogen-doped porous carbon spheres (NPCS) synthesized by a
simple self-template strategy with phenol formaldehyde resin oligomers (resol) serving
as the carbon precursor and g-C3N4 as a self-template. The final NPCS possesses a high
SSA of 880 m2 g-1, abundant pore structure and suitable nitrogen doping (2.35 %),
exhibiting excellent performance as SC electrode material.
5). Porous Carbon nanosheets (PCNs) with adjustable thickness were synthesized by a
template method and the electrocatalytic performance differences of PCNs with varying
wall thickness were studied. The optimized PCNs, with a rich pore structure, large SSA,
and moderate wall thickness, demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 278 F g-1,excellent rate capability (81.2 %), and good cycle stability (91.3 % capacitance
retention after 10,000 cycles) as electrode material for SC.D. Phil. (Engineering)School of Engineerin
In Vitro α-Amylase, α-Glucose, Cytotoxicity and free radical scavenging inhibitory effects of synthesized nanoparticles from Moringa Oleifera and Hypoxis Hemerocallidea
No full textText in EnglishDiabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide alongside cancer, heart complications and kidney disease. It is prevalent in developing and underdeveloped countries due to lack of access to healthy food and quality health care. Medicinal plants have been used around the world by developing countries for the treatment of various diseases and are credited with being the base and inspiration to some of the popular medicine used today. Moringa oleifera and Hypoxis hemerocallidea are one of the popular plants used in treating various diseases including diabetes.
Aqueous extracts of M. oleifera and H. hermerocallidea were used to synthesize magnesium oxide nanoparticles, the H. hemerocallidea synthesized nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a zeta potential of -28.11 mV, indicating strong absorption of bioactive compounds, and high stability. The synthesized nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a diameter of 8.3 nm and a zeta potential value of 5.6 mV.
The IC50 values for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of H. hermerocallidea nanoparticles were 33.03 ± 1.43 μg/mL and 52.38 ± 3.06 μg/mL, respectively, while for M. oleifera nanoparticles, they were 36.58 ± 0.74 μg/mL and 55.03 ± 1.678 μg/mL respectively.
the results obtained indicated that nanoparticles of both plants have the ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase with H. hemerocallidea being more efficient. MTT assay indicated that the H. hemerocallidea nanoparticles were nontoxic to the HEK-293 cell line with an IC50 value of 41.63 ± 0.73 μg/mL while M. oleifera exhibited IC50 value of 68.22 ± 0.12 μg/mL.
The H. hermerocallidea MgO nanoparticles were tested for antioxidant activity using DPPH and ABTS methods, the obtained results indicated IC50 values of 57.35 ± 0.28 and
52.08 ±0.24 respectively, while M. oleifera MnO nanoparticles IC50 values were 9.08 ±
0.11 and 6.62 ± 0.12 μg/mL, this indicated H. hemerocallidea and M. oleifera nanoparticles have good antioxidant ability. The synthesized nanoparticles can help to manage diabetes by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, increasing the antioxidants in the body and thus lowering oxidative stress with no toxic side effects.M. Sc. (Life Sciences)Life and Consumer Science
Factors motivating early antenatal attendance in Lesotho
No full textEarly antenatal care (ANC) attendance in the first trimester of pregnancy provides a unique opportunity for early identification of health concerns, prompt treatment and health education. There are several national and international research studies on the reasons for late ANC attendance. However, literature on the drivers for early ANC is limited, indicating the need for more contextualised research on factors motivating early ANC attendance.
A qualitative, explorative, descriptive study was conducted to explore and describe factors motivating women to attend ANC services before 16 weeks’ gestation in a healthcare centre in Lesotho where 14 participants were purposely selected, and data collected through semi-structured interviews. Tesch’s thematic analysis protocol was used to guide the analysis process.
Six themes were identified as the factors motivating early ANC attendance in Lesotho, namely, 1) confirmation of pregnancy, 2) concern for foetal wellbeing, 3) the need to optimise maternal well-being, 4) health education on early ANC attendance, 5) motivation from significant others and 6) motivation from social norms. The findings can advise the development of health education programs and interventions to strengthen the ANC service and to promote early ANC attendance.M. P. H.Health Studie