43867 research outputs found
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Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using rubus fairholmianus root extract and their activity against pathogenic bacteria
Get PDFAbstract: Recently, the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from crude extracts and phytochemicals has attracted much attention. Green synthesis of NPs is cost-effective, ecofriendly, and is a promising alternative for chemical synthesis. This study involves ZnO NPs synthesis using Rubus fairholmianus root extract (RE) as an efficient reducing agent. The UV spectrum of RE-ZnO NPs exhibited a peak at 357 nm due to intrinsic bandgap absorption and an XRD pattern that matches the ZnO crystal structure (JCPDS card no: 36-1451). The average particle size calculated from the Debye–Scherrer equation is 11.34 nm. SEM analysis showed that the RE-ZnO NPs spherical in shape with clusters (1–100 nm). The antibacterial activity of the NPs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus using agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration, and bacterial growth assay. The R. fairholmianus phytochemicals facilitate the synthesis of stable ZnO NPs and showed antibacterial activity
The REPRISE project : protocol for an evaluation of REProducibility and replicability in syntheses of evidence
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Researcher perspectives on challenges and opportunities in conservation physiology revealed from an online survey
Get PDFAbstract: Conservation physiology represents a recently emerging arm of conservation science that applies physiological tools and techniques to understand and solve conservation issues. While a multi-disciplinary toolbox can only help to address the global biodiversity crisis, any field can face challenges while becoming established, particularly highly applied disciplines that require multi-stakeholder involvement. Gaining first-hand knowledge of the challenges that conservation physiologists are facing can help characterize the current state of the field and build a better foundation for determining how it can grow. Through an online survey of 468 scientists working at the intersection of physiology and conservation, we aimed to identify characteristics of those engaging in conservation physiology research (e.g. demographics, primary taxa of study), gauge conservation physiology’s role in contributing to on-the-ground conservation action, identify the perceived barriers to achieving success and determine how difficult any identified barriers are to overcome. Despite all participants having experience combining physiology and conservation, only one-third considered themselves to be ‘conservation physiologists’. Moreover, there was a general perception that conservation physiology does not yet regularly lead to tangible conservation success. Respondents identified the recent conceptualization of the field and the broader issue of adequately translating science into management action as the primary reasons for these deficits. Other significant barriers that respondents have faced when integrating physiology and conservation science included a lack of funding, logistical constraints (e.g. sample sizes, obtaining permits) and a lack of physiological baseline data (i.e. reference ranges of a physiological metric’s ‘normal’ or pre-environmental change levels).We identified 12 actions based on suggestions of survey participants thatwe anticipate will help deconstruct the barriers and continue to develop a narrative of physiology that is relevant to conservation science, policy and practice
A lean 7s methodology framework to improve efficiency of organisational performance at a packaging and fulfilment SME
Get PDFAbstract: Efficiency and product quality are some of the key differentiators between competing entities in the manufacturing business environment. As such, improving efficiency and quality in the production processes are some of the main challenges in Small–Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. Lean approach techniques are efficiency and process management practices adopted largely from Toyota Production Systems (TPS). There is limited literature on the usage of Lean 7S Methodology to improve SMEs process flow efficiency categorically. Most SMEs are established in response to a unique need in society. Most of the time this done quickly, with little attention to operational systems. Lean 7S Methodology which could be applied by any scope of an organisation is derived from the Japanese Lean 5s Methodology; Sort, set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain (or Self Discipline), extended by Safety as well as Spirit/Support representing the seven (7) steps in this Methodology. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the manufacturing process flow of the case company using the Lean approach as the primary investigation tool – specifically the Lean 7S Methodology, to identify critical areas for enhancement. This investigation will be conducted using a mixed method. Organisational photography and 7S Lean Audit were utilised to assess the process flow. Questionnaires were dispensed to a simple random sample of the case company with 120 people in the central Johannesburg region. For data analyses, Cronbach’s Alpha Measurement was utilised to authenticate the and reliability of the measuring instrument. Chi-square tests were utilised to establish whether there would be a positive association between the Lean approach, Lean 7S in particular and improved process flow efficiency to enhance organisational effectiveness. The outcomes of the investigation showed that the Lean approach, in particular, Lean 7S Methodology have a favourable effect on the organisational performance measures thus improving process flow efficiency. Consequently, it was established that Lean 7S Methodology contributes substantially towards process flow efficiency and organisational performance and in a manufacturing organisation. It is anticipated that this study’s findings will contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance and advance process efficiencies in manufacturing SMEs and therefore enhance organisational performance.M.Tech. (Operations Management
Application of lean principles in small and medium enterprises : the case of the construction industry in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan area
Get PDFAbstract: The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan has a number of construction SMEs that provide services to both the government and private sectors. The industry, however, has been criticised for their substandard work and delayed completion times with projects. Applying lean principles has helped in improving work quality and efficacy and reducing delays in construction projects. The methods used for conducting this research included a critical review of current and existing literature and quantitative methods. A structured questionnaire using the Likert-Type scale was used to measure attitudes and opinions by asking the extent to which participants agree or disagree with a particular question or statement. The findings revealed that SMEs in the Ekurhuleni metropolitan area were implementing some lean principles unknowingly. The research determined a lack of educational support programmes within the SME sector to elucidate on the importance of the lean principles. Despite operating under crippling COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, the SMEs should work hand-in-hand with large construction companies to produce skilled labour, develop healthy competition and constantly seek new ways to improve implementation processes.M.Tech. (Industrial
Challenges of Geotourism in South Africa : a case study of the Kruger National Park
Get PDFAbstract: As a new phenomenon, geotourism research is on the rise. Although South Africa has some interesting geoheritage sites, not much has been done to investigate the potential contribution of geotourism to the tourism sector, the protection of natural resources and employment generation, let alone the challenges that may be experienced in promoting geotourism. Therefore, this paper aims to describe the concept of geotourism and to identify the challenges of geotourism. It achieves this by looking at the case of the Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa, containing an abundance of geotourism sites. This research adopted a qualitative approach, with data collection involving semi-structured interviews with sixteen key informants to understand the challenges of geotourism. Manual content analysis was employed for analysing the data. A significant finding was that there were seven potential challenges in promoting and developing geotourism in the Kruger National Park: (1) a lack of packaging and marketing; (2) a lack of infrastructure; (3) security and access to geoheritage sites by tourists; (4) access to finance and markets; (5) destruction of geoheritage sites; (6) social challenges and (7) regulatory challenges. The results indicated that these challenges of geotourism can lead to negative perceptions about geotourism and can negatively impact the potential for geotourism development towards effective local social sustainability, especially for communities abutting the KNP. The major contribution of this study is its expansion of the geotourism academic literature through newly generated data on the challenges of geotourism in South Africa. Furthermore, this study theoretically contributes to the body of knowledge on geotourism and its challenges in Africa, particularly regarding the Kruger National Park
Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners
Get PDFAbstract: Orientation: Advances in information technology (IT) have prompted the transition of the human resource management (HRM) function from being administrative to strategic. Whilst it has been established that IT has an important role in such a transition, it is not clear to what extent the development of IT competencies would enable HRM professionals to be strategic. Research purpose: The purpose of the article is to determine the IT competencies that will enable entry-level South African HRM professionals to be strategic partners to business. Motivation for the study: The findings of this study will contribute to the effective use of HR technology, thereby mitigating risk and enriching the role of the HR function in local organisations. The use of technology within the HRM function can be enhanced leading to improved data-driven people decisions. Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey was employed. Data collected from 252 HR professionals were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Multiple regression was used to establish the relationship between the identified factors and strategic business partnering. Main findings: The results produced a three-factor model consisting of: (1) technologising employee processes, (2) processing data expertly and (3) translating external trends. These factors explained 34% of the variance in strategic business partnering. Practical implications: The results of this study have implications for organisations with HRM functions and for higher education institutions (HEIs) offering HRM qualifications. Organisations should utilise the identified competencies when hiring and developing entrylevel strategic HRM business partners. Higher education institutions should develop curriculum that would prepare graduates to be effective HRM professionals. Contributions or value-add: This study adds to the limited research on IT competencies required of HRM professionals to contribute as strategic business partners
Space platform anchors for sustainable computing systems
Get PDFAbstract: The need to improve the operational efficiency of terrestrial computing platforms by lowering the power usage effectiveness (PUE) figure is an important research concern. In addition, it is also important to reduce the water footprint of terrestrial computing platforms that use water for cooling and have a high water footprint. This paper proposes a network architecture that achieves the goal of reducing the PUE figure and data centre water footprint. The proposed network architecture identifies terrestrial data centres with high PUE values and replaces them with low PUE value space based data centres. This considers the case where realizing data processing via terrestrial data centres with low PUE values are infeasible. The use of terrestrial and low PUE space data centres enables the reduction of PUE (improving efficiency) the water footprint. Analysis shows that the PUE is enhanced by 30.5% on average. The water footprint is reduced by 58.1%
How do family supportive supervisors affect nurses’ thriving: A research before and during COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFAbstract: Nurses need psychological resources (supervisor support), as well as formal support from their organizations, which help them combat the demands from work and home and be more thrive at work. Family supportive supervisor behaviors have been demonstrated above and beyond general levels of supervisor support in reducing work–family conflict and improving well-being. In line with this, first aim is to examine the effects of Covid-19 pandemic on nurses’ perceived family supportive supervisor behaviors, work-to-family conflict, psychological well-being, and thriving. Second the aim of this study is to test the effects of nurses’ perceived family supportive supervisor behaviors on their thriving through work-to-family conflict and psychological well-being. The study was designed as cross-sectional and analytical. A total of 511 nurses from Nigeria and Turkey participated in the study. Parametric tests and Structural Equation Analysis were employed to analyze the data. The scores of nurses’ perceived family supportive supervisor behaviors and thriving decreased during Covid-19 pandemic, while the scores of their work-to-family conflict increased significantly. Results confirmed the negative effects of Covid-19 pandemic on nurses. Furthermore, results showed that family supportive supervisor behaviors had positive effects on thriving by decreasing work-to-family conflict and increasing psychological well-being. This study is one of the very first study examining the effects of family supportive supervisor behaviors on nurses’ work-to-family conflict, psychological well-being and thriving. Results of this study indicate that nurses need family supportive supervisors to be more thrive at work. Therefore, formal family friendly policies and implications improving family supportive supervisor behaviors are recommended in organizations
Instructional designers’ professional development path in converting a life skills contact programme to an online programme
Get PDFAbstract: The Bright Star Life Skills programme was developed more than twelve years ago to provide a tool to contribute to the holistic development of citizens equipped for the 21st Century. In hindsight, the face-to-face mode of delivery limited the impact of the programme. The disruption to learning systems caused by the COVID 19 pandemic necessitated a redesign of the programme to be delivered online. However, due to the nature of the programme and the type of activities prevalent in face-to-face settings did not allow for a natural transition. Instructional designers not familiar with multiple modes of delivery had to rapidly upskill their knowledge of learning design in the online learning environment. This study focusses on the professional development path of a team of Instructional designers involved in converting the Life Skills programme from the more traditional contact mode of delivery to a fully online programme. Preliminary findings reveal the value of using the Conole (2014) 7Cs of Learning Design framework to ensure effective programme design especially when instructional and programme designers have limited experience of designing for online environments. The 7Cs Design framework covers different pedagogical approaches, disciplines, theories, and methodologies and can be applied at a range of granularities from the design of individual learning activities up to whole programmes. Due to the nature of a Life Skills programme, student-faculty interaction is of utmost importance. The use of the 7Cs of the Learning Design framework assisted the Instructional designers to make design decisions that are pedagogically effective. It also allowed them to make appropriate use of digital technology. The framework, furthermore, assisted the designers to focus more on the resources and activities and not mainly on the content. They had the opportunity to be more creative in their design thinking and will be able to improve their design representations as they gain more experience.M.Ed. (Information and Communication Technology in Education
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