33074 research outputs found
Sort by
Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Platycladus orientalis leaf extract‑mediated Fe2O3 and Ce‑doped Fe2O3 nanoparticles
Get PDFArticle, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Food Security and Safety)--Northwest University, Mahikeng CampusGreen synthesis of nanomaterials harnesses naturally occurring materials, including plant extracts, to offer environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional biomedicine, agriculture, and other field applications. This study explores
the green route to Fe 2 O 3 and cerium-doped Fe 2 O 3 (Ce-doped Fe 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles synthesized for the first time using the leaf extract of Platycladus orientalis. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized for their structural, morphological, chemical, and optical properties. The hematite phase of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles with spherical morphology was obtained. The introduction of Ce as a dopant into Fe 2 O 3 increased the lattice strain of Ce-doped Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles (0.51%) compared to pristine Fe2O3 (0.46%) even though the size of both nanomaterials was similar. Compared to pristine Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, Ce-doped Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles also demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor mucedo. The green-synthesized Ce-doped Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles possess potential for application in biomedical and environmental fields based on their relevance to human health and food safety, diversity in microbial characteristics, nand potential for resistance to conventional treatments
ESKAPE pathogen incidence and antibiotic resistance in patients with bloodstream infections at a referral hospital in Limpopo, South Africa, 2014–2019: A cross sectional study
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medicine Usage In South Africa (MUSA)-- Potchefstroom CampusBackground: There is a paucity of research on the incidence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. (ESKAPE) pathogens in Africa because of the inadequate establishment of AMR surveillance systems.
Objective: This study reports on the incidence and AMR of bloodstream ESKAPE pathogens at a referral hospital in northern South Africa.
Methods: This retrospective descriptive study used routinely collected bloodstream isolates (pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed using automated systems) from the South African National Health Laboratory Service, from January 2014 to December 2019. Resistant phenotypes analysed included methicillin-resistant S. aureus and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.
Results: The ESKAPE pathogen incidence rate was stable from 2014 to 2019 (p = 0.133). The most isolated pathogens were S. aureus (268/746; 35.9%) and A. baumannii (200/746; 26.8%). Staphylococcus aureus increased from 39 isolates in 2014 to 75 in 2019 (p = 0.132). The incidence rate of A. baumannii increased from 11.9% (16/134) in 2015 to 37.8% (68/180) in 2019 (p = 0.009). Most isolates (417/746; 55.9%) were from the neonatal ward. Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii increased from 68.8% (11/16) in 2014 to 75.0% (51/68) in 2019 (p = 0.009). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus decreased from 56.0% (14/25) in 2016 to 17.3% (13/75) in 2019 (p = 0.260).
Conclusion: Routine data provide essential information on the incidence of ESKAPE pathogens and AMR phenotypes, serving as a basis for an antibiogram, a surveillance tool in antibiotic stewardship programmes.
What this study adds: The study provided local information on the incidence and AMR pattern of ESKAPE pathogens, which is essential when developing empiric treatment protocols for appropriate antibiotic prescribing and infection prevention and control practices.Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the National Health Laboratory Services staff (Thembekile Shelembe), who assisted with data extraction and preparation. This article is partially based on the author’s thesis entitled ‘Antibiotic utilisation in public sector healthcare systems of Limpopo Province, South Africa’ towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy in the Department of Medicine Usage in South Africa, North-West University, South Africa on 2 August 2024, with supervisors, Johanita R. Burger, Martha S. Lubbe and Marlene Julyan
Systematic review of common and specific factors in play therapy for young people with intellectual disability
No full textJournal Article, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Workwell: Research Unit for Economic; Management Sciences-- Potchefstroom CampusBackground: The target group of this study concerns young people with a mild intellectual disability. The central research question is: What evidence can be found in the literature for common and specific factors for a play therapy intervention for young people with a mild intellectual disability struggling with aggression regulation.
Method: The criteria used for selecting articles are presented according to the PRISMA, and the PRISMA guidelines for writing a review have been applied.
Results: Common factors have been found in the literature that relate to the relationship between therapist and client and the therapeutic skills of the play therapist. Clues have also been found for specific factors of play therapy, such as the use of play as a language and a connection with the child's inner world. In addition, certain factors have been found that are specific to the target group of this article. The non-verbal element of play therapy is an active part of this
“Straight-acting to the Front”: Investigating theInfluence of a Sexually Normative Double-bind onGay and Lesbian Students at a South AfricanUniversity Campus
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Humanities, North--West-UniversityHeteronormativity posits heterosexuality as the only acceptable and normalpresentation of gendered and sexual identities. Similarly, homonormativitystructures social life along heteronormative beliefs and ideals to constructconventional gay and lesbian identities. This article comments on a criticalsociological exploration of the influences of these sexual normativities on theidentity construction of gay and lesbian students at one campus of a SouthAfrican university. Discourse was explored through a qualitative researchparadigm focused on the lived experiences and reported narratives of gay andlesbian students. Three findings emerged from the data: first, how theparticipants socially constructed and performed their “ideal” gay and lesbianidentities according to interrelated and mutually reinforcing hetero- andhomonormative principles; second, these idealised typologies informed thesocial placement of gay and lesbian students on campus; finally, said idealsresulted in a so-called sexually normative double-bind that required gay andlesbian students to continuously navigate their membership of in- and/or out-groups on campus
Support Needed By Workers Providing Care To Children With Cognitive Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Health Sciences, Quality In Nursing and Midwifery (NuMiQ)-- Potchefstroom CampusCognitive disability is a concerning health issue. It affects not only the mental functioning, but also the physical and social wellbeing of a person; children and adults are affected. An affected child needs the permanent care of a worker, who experiences strain due to the challenges associated with caring for such a child. In addition, workers have unaddressed needs. Little is known about these challenges and needs, hence the study. This study is a systematic review of content on support needed by workers providing care to children with cognitive disabilities globally. The objectives of the study were to examine the challenges faced by and needs of workers providing care to children with cognitive disabilities and to make recommendations to ensure challenges and needs are addressed. A systematic review was conducted using five steps, as follows: conceptualising clear questions for critique, collecting and categorising data, evaluating, summarising evidence, and discussion. Relevant studies identified by search engines were consulted. The findings reveal challenges faced by workers providing care, such as lack of knowledge about intellectual disability, the burden of caring, lack of assistance and support, stigma attached to caring, social exclusion, physical and emotional exhaustion, low self-esteem, self-blame, and the unavailability of resources and services. Recommended support entails interventions, programmes and relevant policies aimed at positively addressing challenges experienced. The findings of this study add value to future studies aimed at developing programmes, models and interventions that support workers caring for children with cognitive disabilities
Sharks, tourism and conservation: a test of causative and mediating effects on scuba divers attitude.
Get PDFTREES (Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaSharks play an important ecological role and support economies worldwide but are globally threatened by a
series of impacts. Shark-based tourism is a potential tool to conserve sharks and raise awareness of their value.
However, research is required to untangle the complexity of factors potentially determining favourable opinions
of shark-based tourism and shark conservation. This study investigated the influence of perceived shark
uniqueness, shark relatability, shark knowledge, and attitude towards shark framing on attitudes towards sharkbased tourism and shark conservation among recreational scuba divers in Southern Africa. This region hosts a
diversity of sharks and provides different opportunities to interact with sharks. A questionnaire survey was
administered to 294 divers at three locations in South Africa and Mozambique in 2021 and 2022. Structural
equation modelling and multiple regressions were used to analyse the data. The results showed that perceived
shark uniqueness, shark relatability and shark knowledge positively influenced attitude towards shark-based
tourism, while attitude towards shark framing mediated the influence of these factors on attitude towards
shark conservation. Diving experience positively influenced attitudes. Recommendations are advanced to
endorse further engagement in shark support, through efforts from information to shark interactions and
destination branding to increase pride in sharks
Rediscovery of Actinodontum lomaense: a range extension from Sierra Leone to southern Africa
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management-- Potchefstroom CampusThe history of Actinodontum lomaense has been marked by taxonomic revisions since its initial discovery in samples from Sierra Leone during 1984. The reassignment from the genus Docidium to the genus Actinodontum primarily resulted from pronounced morphological differences, including variations in cell size and shape, ornamentations on the cell wall, and the presence of conical teeth-like structures at the isthmus. This article reports on the discovery of A. lomaense in two locations in southern Africa, marking a significant expansion of the geographical distribution range of the genus, from the tropical regions of Sierra Leone to sub-tropical environments in South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho. Additionally, the preference of Actinodontum species for relatively high altitudes, observed in this study, confirms a biogeographical pattern characterising this genus. Cell dimensions recorded in the southern African samples slightly exceeded dimensions previously reported in the literature. As a result, an extention of the dimension ranges for this species is proposed. Findings presented in this article, along with physico-chemical variables measured in their habitat, contribute to our understanding of the ecological preferences and distribution patterns of A. lomaense. It also provides valuable insights into the biogeography of desmid species on the African continent.Acknowledgements
Thank you to Prof. Jonathan Taylor (North-West University, South Africa) who assisted with sampling and diatom identification. We also acknowledge Willie Landman for his help with SEM preparation and investigations
The use of technology to preserve indigenous languages of South Africa
Get PDFArticle, Faculty of Humanities (SA Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLar)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusIndigenous languages in South Africa must be preserved to ensure that they do not lose their identity and become extinct. The four indigenous languages with the fewest speakers among South Africa’s 12 official languages are: Xitsonga, Siswati, Tshivenḓa and isiNdebele. The preservation of these languages in South Africa has been a long-standing challenge because of various social and economic factors. With the advancement of technology, opportunities have arisen to preserve and promote the use of these languages. Therefore, this study explores various technological strategies that can be used to preserve the South African indigenous languages. These languages can be preserved by making them widely accessible to users through various strategies such as localisation of daily used technology, translation through crowdsourcing, digitisation and archiving. Digital learning tools such as machine translation (MT) and creating online dictionaries can also contribute to preserving these languages. Each of these strategies offers benefits on how technology could be employed effectively and facilitate the preservation of indigenous languages. This study demonstrates the significance of technology in preserving indigenous languages and promoting their use around the world.
Contribution: This study fills the practical gap in the use of technology to adequately preserve minority indigenous languages of South Africa, namely, Xitsonga, Siswati, Tshivenḓa and isiNdebele. These languages do not receive much attention in terms of preservation using technology in South Africa. Therefore, the study provides practical technological strategies that need to be implemented to preserve the indigenous minority languages. The insight of this study into the use of technology to preserve South African languages fits well within the scope of Literator, which is to publish studies in linguistics and literature with a special focus on South African languages. This publication will bring solutions to how minority languages could be preserved in the context of South Africa
Gender differences amongst student attitudes towards the use of a virtual learning environment as an advertising platform
Get PDFJournal Article, Marketing Management, North West University, PotchefstroomPurpose of the study: By including advertisements in VLEs, both academically and commercially, HEIs can potentially reduce the significant financial costs associated with the implementation, utilisation and maintenance required for their chosen VLEs, without decreasing the value of the service provided, while simultaneously providing a source of long-term sustainable revenue for HEIs. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to determine whether gender differences exist among students’ attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements at a South African university of technology.
Design/methodology/approach: The sampling frame for this study comprised a public registered South African university of technology. A non-probability convenience sample of 379 students was used. A hand-delivered, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to full-time students during class time at the chosen HEI.
Findings: There was a statistically significant difference found between male and female students at the chosen South African university of technology in terms of the perceived usefulness of VLEs. There is no statistically significant difference between male and female students’ self-efficacy, technology experience, satisfaction, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitudes towards the use of a VLE without the presence of advertisements and attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements.
Recommendations/value: Not only do VLEs, being web-based, provide a means for HEIs to generate long-term revenue, but they have the capacity to become open digital platforms for marketers to take advantage of. With the use of these VLEs, marketers may find it easier to reach their target audiences in a more focused approach when placing advertisements on this platform, while HEIs can use the income generated to cover the cost of any technological advancements that may be required, without having to increase student fees.
Managerial implications: The management of HEIs need to decide if they would like to consider this means of revenue generation and see if it will indeed be as beneficial as what the theory suggests. In order to avoid any potential financial risks associated with the implementation of advertisements on VLEs, HEIs can engage in trial run projects with a willing organisation to analyse the viability of this proposed initiativ
Micro language planning as a contested space: evidence from a South African university
Get PDFJournal Article. School of Languages, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark CampusMicro language planning is often framed as democratic, transformative, inclusive, and therefore, less contested as it reproduces community consensus and support. This is contrasted with macro or top-down language planning which is power inflected and weaponised to serve interests of the dominant class. Through a theorisation of institutional language policies as products of micro language planning, this article analyses the language policy of one university in South Africa and reveals that, contrary to this widely held view, bottom-up language planning is also a site of struggle and contestation. In particular, we focus on specific language policy provisions that reveal the university’s underlying disposition towards multilingualism and linguistic identities. The analysis reveals multi-layered contestations on multilingualism and identity inherent in the university’s language policy. While the language policy purports to foster transformation by promoting multilingualism through the university’s ‘languages of choice,’ it is not exempt from the vagaries of essentialist identity politics and macro level language ideologies which legitimise English and Afrikaans. By identifying only four languages for promotion, the language policy envisages a kind of ‘exclusionary multilingualism’ that disregards the cosmopolitan character of the university and the identities marked by indigenous African languages left invisibilised by the language policy