43867 research outputs found
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Research Project: Science Education (Supp)
No full textExam paper (Supplementary) for second semester 202
Learning in Primary School: Mathematics and Science (Supp)
No full textExam paper (Supplementary) for second semester 202
COVID-19 and the making of a South African democratic developmental state : prospects and pitfalls amid a pandemic
Get PDFAbstract: This article assesses the impact of untraditional security threats on the origin and institutional configuration of existing and prospective developmental states in Africa. It adopts a case study research methodological approach which interrogates the effect of internal and global security threats on the formation of 21st-century African developmental states through the presence of four developmental state features: Development-Oriented Political Leadership; Presence of a Pilot Agency; Private Sector and/or Broad-Based Developmental Coalitions; and Popular Mobilisation through a Developmentalist Ideology. The case studies under review include four existing (Botswana, Mauritius, Ethiopia, and Rwanda) and one prospective (South Africa) African developmental states. This article finds that intense ethnic rivalries and domestic development imperatives were sufficient factors triggering the construction of developmental states in Botswana, Mauritius, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Furthermore, the outbreak of COVID-19 has served as a global threat which precipitated developmental state project in South Africa
Sustainable harm reduction needle and syringe programs for people who inject drugs : a scoping review of their implementation qualities
Get PDFAbstract: While substance use disorders (SUD) continue to be a global concern, harm reduction approaches can provide sustainable harm minimization to people who inject drugs (PWID) without requiring abstinence. Yet, the evidence for the sustainable implementation of harm reduction approaches is newly emerging. This scoping review sought to map the evidence on implementation qualities of sustainable harm reduction needle and syringe programs (NSPs). We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, ProQuest Central, and Directory of Open Access Journals for empirical studies (a) with an explicit focus on harm minimization NSPs, (b) with a clearly identified study population, (c) that described the specific NSP implementation protocol, (d) that provided information on accessibility, affordability, and feasibility, and (e) were published in English between 2000–2020. Following narrative qualitative synthesis, the evidence suggests individual implementer characteristics directly influenced sustainable availability and scope of NSP provision while implementation processes explained the predictability and continuity of service provision across services. External factors including community perceptions of NSPs and policing activity influenced the sustainability of NSP implementation. The emerging evidence suggests that sustainable NSP programs for PWID require provider, consumer, and community engagement, supported by enabling health policies
Designing of a positive omni-experience as a marketing strategy for the female plus-size consumer in South Africa
Get PDFAbstract: The purpose of this study was to recommend a positive omni-experience to inform the design of a marketing strategy for South African small business clothing stores that cater specifically to female plus-size consumers. This study consisted of three main objectives, mainly, to explore and describe the lived shopping experiences of female plus-size participants in South Africa regarding plus-size clothing stores, in order to establish what their needs, wants and expectations are regarding a retail experience and, secondly, to analyse existing South African plus-size clothing stores in order to establish how they currently cater for participants’ needs, wants and expectations in-store and online. Lastly, to recommend a positive omni-experience as a marketing strategy for small business clothing stores in South Africa that cater to female plus-size consumers. This study was undertaken in the form of qualitative research and was conducted in two research phases. The first research phase consisted of eight South African female plus-size participants (selected from cases aligned to the second phase of this study). Data was gathered from these participants through e-mail interviews and analysed through content analysis. The second research phase was undertaken in the form of a qualitative multiple case study, and five South African plus-size clothing stores were selected for participation. The research methods for phase two included visual analysis, researcher’s field notes and observations. The methods and techniques employed during the second research phase seemed to corroborate and provide visual evidence to the accounts participants made during research phase one. The findings revealed several needs, wants and expectations specific to South African female plus-size participants that are seemingly not being satisfied by plus-size clothing stores. Further analysis of the data revealed recommendations that could be implemented by South African small business clothing stores in order to design or enhance a positive omni-experience for female plus-size consumers. These recommendations include a merger of several dimensions of omni-channel consumer experience, namely: physical and sensorial dimension, social dimension, service delivery dimension and online dimension. The vii marketing strategy and its implementation could possibly lead to satisfying female plus-size consumers while offering them a holistic omni-experience that could foster consumer evangelism.M.A. (Design
Effect of emotional intelligence on resistance towards 4IR technology changes
Get PDFAbstract: Orientation – As we quickly move into the extensive changes the fourth industrial revolution presents, we often struggle to accept those changes and we tend to resist change, especially if the change might seem of a threatening nature. Understanding the forces of resistance is paramount in creating solutions to adopt and embrace technology rather than resist it. Research purpose – This study attempted to specifically look at how people’s emotional intelligence might influence their level of resistance towards Industry 4.0 changes within their working environments. The study also attempted to see if there were any significant differences in levels of resistance to change experienced/displayed by individual in vulnerable occupations and individuals in less vulnerable occupations. Motivation for the study – The fourth industrial revolution holds unlimited potential for all humans, especially in the working environment, but unfortunately the resisting attitudes of the working force make it difficult to fully unlock the technological potential of the working environment. People who are resistant and hesitant to the technologically advanced changes that need to be implemented by managers are the people who will render the success and growth of current organisations. To truly remain competitive, organisations must adapt, and organisations must make the hard decisions to leave behind those who are not willing to adapt with them to the future. It is therefore crucial to deepen our understating of why and how people are resisting these technological changes so that we can tackle them in a constructive way. Research design, approach, and method – In order to carry out the research the Rahim Emotional Quotient Index and the Resistance to Change Measure was administered to working individuals (N=320) in various industries across Gauteng, South Africa. Main Findings – The results indicated that level of emotional intelligence and its five subscales had a statistically significant negative relationship with level of resistance towards change experienced. Additionally, the findings indicated that occupation vulnerability did not significantly influence the level of resistance to change experienced by individuals. Practical/managerial implications - As suggested by this study, the emotional intelligence of individuals plays a role in resisting attitudes towards technological changes. Managers will therefore be able to successfully implement interventions to address the problems faced within the working environment caused by resistant workers. These interventions will not only help organisations more smoothly implement technology in the working environment, but it will also help organisations to improve the mindsets and wellbeing of their working individuals.M.Com. (Industrial Psychology
Curcumin–silica nanocomplex preparation, hemoglobin and DNA interaction and photocytotoxicity against melanoma cancer cells
Get PDFAbstract: Melanoma is a malignant cancer of the skin associated with a high mortality. Early medical diagnosis and surgical intervention are essential for the treatment of melanoma. The use of plant-based compounds is an important strategy for the prevention and treatment of different types of cancers. Curcumin is a promising natural anticancer compound used towards treatment for various kinds of cancers. Studies have shown that curcumin could be applied as a photosensitizer in cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT uses light and a photosensitizing agent which produce reactive oxygen species leading to cancer cell death. The main obstacle for using curcumin as photosensitizer is its low solubilization ability in an aqueous environment. To improve its application in cancer treatment, we synthetized curcumin–silica nanoparticles as photosensitizer for photodynamic treatment of human melanoma cancer cells. Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Powder Xray diffraction and Thermo geometric analysis indicated that curcumin was loaded on silica. The solubility of curcumin in water increased by using silica nanoparticles which wasconfirmed by spectroscopy results. The spectroscopy study confirmed the interaction of curcumin–silica nanocomplex with double strand DNA and no interaction with hemoglobin. The curcumin–silica nanocomplex and curcumin photodynamic effect was investigated on human melanoma cancer cells (A375) and also human fibroblast cells. The cell toxicity experiments showed that the curcumin–silica nanocomplex had greater photodynamic effects on cancer cell death as compared to free curcumin. The apoptotic assay by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) dual staining and colony forming ability confirmed the MTT results. Therefore, these results suggest that the curcumin–silica nanocomplex has great potential to be employed in photodynamic treatment of melanoma cancer
Exploring knowledge and behavioural intentions for implant contraceptives uptake among rural South African young women
Get PDFAbstract: Modern contraceptives such as implants have the potential to alleviate unintended pregnancies among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). In South Africa, the use of free implant contraceptives in the public health sector decreased from 175 000 in 2014/2015 to only 50 000 in 2016/2017, with declines noted in all provinces. This study explores whether South African AGYW, if exposed to messages about benefits and risks prior to use, would be willing to use them to manage personal reproductive health. The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey with a post-test only design among secondary schools in Limpopo Province, among 306 school going young women. Findings revealed that majority of participants were unwilling to use implant contraceptives whether exposed to a health campaign message about benefits and risks of using implant contraceptives. Insights into underlying sentiments could assist health promotion organisations to formulate effective campaigns towards the use of implant contraceptives
The disruptive adaptations of Construction 4.0 and Industry 4.0 as a pathway to a sustainable innovation and inclusive Industrial Technological Development
Get PDFAbstract: Construction 4.0 (C4.0) has tremendously impacted construction activities worldwide in recent times. This effect was made possible on account of innovations brought about by Industry 4.0 (I4.0). Industry 4.0 has the potential to create Construction 4.0 through the integration of the design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure through useful component integration for industrial and technological development. Therefore, this study aimed to present a pathway for achieving sustainable innovations and inclusive technological and infrastructural developments. The following parameters were reviewed in this study as part of the goals and objectives set in the survey: identifying the adaptable areas of Construction 4.0 in design, planning, construction and maintenance as part of infrastructural innovation in order to study the industrial application drivers of I4.0 and C4.0 hindrances in achieving C4.0; achieving the automation dream through C4.0, benchmarking the social and economic implications of C4.0 and identifying the issues and challenges in achieving sustainable innovation through infrastructural development and documenting the disruptive tools of C4.0 in achieving a sustainable design through technological development and examining the critical factors influencing the effective adaptation of C4.0 in achieving growth. The authors utilised 200 construction firms for this study using the Cochran and Slovin’s formulas. In addition, the sample size of 150 respondents that constituted the study were construction professionals. The respondents used the simple percentage, relative index, Spearman’s rank, Mann–Whitney U test, Kendall’s Tau test, Student’s t-test, ANOVA and chi-square tools in the data processing. The study found out, among other things, the following as part of the parameters earlier proposed: the introduction of a circular economy by adopting intelligent innovation, engaging new tools, technological innovation diffusion and the vertical and horizontal integration of versatile tools like I4.0 and C4.0 for inclusive technological development. This study recommended the objective and effective adaptation of I4.0 tools to enhance C4.0 for technical development, circular economic integration and a framework for sustainable innovation and a system for the inclusive monitoring of innovations in the design and planning of construction maintenance
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