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1
Spies, M. M. E., and Niekerk T. M. Van. "Employability of the Central University of Technology Free State graduates : a case study." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 6, Issue 1: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/402.
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Published ArticleThe problem statement to be proposed in this article is that student employability suffers as a result of the fact that students do not make use of the available employment skills training, offered by the CUT, which will enable them to present themselves in a professional manner to prospective employers when entering the labour market. Certain suggestions will be offered in this publication of how the CUT could go about creating opportunities for students to enable them to successfully enter the labour market, after the completion of their studies.
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Esterhuizen, H. L., Beer K. J. De, and N. Baird. "The development of supplemental instruction at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 7, Issue 2: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/387.
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Published ArticleThe former Technikon Free State, now the CUT, was concerned about the academic achievements of students and decided to introduce a programme to enhance the outcomes of student learning. The then Technikon initially identified weak performers and advised / compelled them to attend special classes. This programme proved to be unsuccessful due to the potential stigma associated with attending special classes. The Technikon commenced with its first research initiatives to implement supplemental instruction (SI) in 1993. The founders of SI, Profs Diana Martin and Robert Blanc of the University of Kansas City in Missouri, USA, presented demonstrations at joint workshops and also invited attendees to attend SI workshops in the USA. Soon permission was granted to implement SI at this institution in 1993. A new dimension to the concept of SI, namely to record SI lectures for discussion afterwards was added.
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Maasdorp, C., and S. M. Holtzhausen. "Bridging the gap towards postgraduate studies at the Central University of Technology, Free State." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 10 , Issue 1: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/334.
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Published ArticleA worldwide concern are focusing on the quality of postgraduate training in higher education institutions, the length of time it takes postgraduate students to complete their studies, and the high percentage of postgraduate students who terminate there studies. Furthermore the involvement in research is making increasing quality demands on higher education institutions in terms of sustaining high-level research capability and involvement on an efficient and effective basis. It is clear that the postgraduate environment will have certain expectations as well as obstacles for the students and therefore if the undergraduate students are prepared beforehand for the postgraduate environment, they will be able to bridge the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate studies more successfully.
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Smit, Louise Mancy. "A framework for an affordable pricing strategy at the Central University of Technology, Free State." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/200.
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Thesis (D. Tech. (Cost and Management Accounting)) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011The focus area of this research project is on the pricing function in an organisation. The discussion of the pricing function commences with a generic perspective and concludes with the pricing of academic programmes at a typical public higher education institution, namely the Central University of Technology, Free State. The following summary sets out the key issues addressed in this study: a) The pricing function b) The pricing plan c) Pricing and its effect on the affordability of public higher education The analyses conducted proved that a comprehensive pricing plan does not exist at the Central University of Technology, Free State for the pricing of the various academic programmes, and that higher education has, despite the increasing trend in government funding, become less affordable for students at the institution. The affordability issue at the Central University of Technology, Free State can be partly attributed to the lack of a comprehensive pricing plan with clear attainable pricing objectives, and a pricing strategy to accomplish the stated pricing objectives. Another contributing factor to the affordability issue is the lack of an integrated cost accounting system and costing policies that outline measures to address the cost efficiency of the institution. Implementation of the recommended pricing plan should assist management in determining tuition fees on a scientific basis, and will also enable the management of the Central University of Technology, Free State to explain to all relevant stakeholders how the tuition fees of the various academic programmes are calculated.
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Molefe, Moyahabo Walter. "Supervisory communication and its effect on employee satisfaction at the Central University of Technology, Welkom campus." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/179.
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Thesis (M. Tech. (Language Practice)) -- Central University of Technology, free State, 2013Many large organisations tend to focus on their external communication in order to project a positive image to potential clients. However the role of internal communication with employees has often been overlooked, although it remains one of the most important areas of organisational communication. Employees‟ views about their own organisation impact on how external clients view that particular organisation. In order for employees to become advocates of their own organisation, supervisors of different operational units should develop and manage their internal communication activities in a way that motivates and stimulates employees‟ enthusiasm for meeting the organisational goals. Once employees are satisfied with the state of supervisory communication in their respective units, they should be able to identify with their organisation and endeavour to attain its organisation‟s goals. The researcher investigated supervisory communication and its effect on employee satisfaction at the Central University of Technology, Free State, Welkom Campus (CUT, W). The study was conducted through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. A questionnaire was distributed among the forty employees, whereas interviews were conducted with the five remaining employees at the CUT, W. The researcher used purposive sampling to select the respondents and participants of the study. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by calculating the Cronbach Alpha coefficient (CAc) of the constructs. All the Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire constructs indicated CAc of .0974 which is consistent with a high level of internal stability. The study (quantitative research method) indicated that the majority of the respondents showed overall satisfaction on all CSQ constructs, except Personal Feedback. However, the study has revealed that the Schools of Government Management and Human Resources as well as the School of Accounting have revealed communication deficiencies on constructs such as Supervisory Communication, Divisional Information, Communication Climate, Co-Worker Communication and Personal Feedback. The qualitative findings have revealed communication deficiencies in four categorical themes, namely, lack of: * Communication and commitment to institutional values and policies by Supervisors. * Consultation and openness to ideas. * Performance standards and career-pathing. * Co-worker communication. * Downward flow of information. The researcher recommends that the Schools1 of Government Management, Human Resources and Accounting put more effort into improving their Schools‟ communication climate and giving personal feedback to their subordinates. The CUT, W should develop a Performance Management Plan to appraise their staff. The researcher further recommends that meetings should be held regularly to provide the necessary platform for the employees to raise concerns related to their specific jobs. The researcher also believes that Supervisors should consult with employees in their specific units before making any important decisions.
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Duvenhage, C. J., and Beer K. J. De. "Research on Quality Assurance at the Regional Learning Centre Kimberley, Central University of Technology, Free State." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 5, Issue 1: Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/413.
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Published ArticleDue to the new Higher Education landscape in South Africa, Universities of Technology will have to adapt to the changing socio-political scene on and off their campuses. This implies that public accountability is becoming the most significant vehicle of government policy and an integrated part of decision-making models. Subsequently, it also imp lies part time services to distance campuses or at regional learning centres too. In 2004, the Higher Education Quality Assurance Committee (HEQC), audited the Kimberley Regional Learning Centre of the CUT exactly according to the universal standards related to quality assurance for part time or so called distance learners. These universal concepts entail self-evaluation practices, selection approaches, efficiency and performance and of course, public accountability. In follow up reports to the HEQC what has been done to ensure better services to part time distance learners, the manager of the Regional Learning Centre and the director for distance learning launched an ongoing research project on quality assurance to find answers to problems that the HEQC audit has revealed. The following article contains the very first phase of an ongoing process to research universal standards that implies universal standards for other universities of technology as well.
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Mumpower, Lori. "SPACE MATTERS: AN INSTITUTIONAL CRITIQUE OF DISTANCE LEARNING WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA ENGLISH DEPARTMENT." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2007. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3519.
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This dissertation examines distance learning within a local, particular context: UCF's English department. In order to fully examine distance learning in this specific environment, I employ institutional critique as my methodology, a rhetorical and spatial approach that allows me to map distance learning within UCF's English department. Drawing upon the work of David Harvey, I examine the experienced, perceived, and imagined spaces of distance learning in our department. Through an examination of the history of naming UCF, rhetorical analyses of institutional documents that reference technologies, analysis of survey results noting faculty attitudes and perceptions of online learning, and postmodern mapping of faculty members' perceived and ideal spaces, we can find local solutions for local problems related to distance learning.Ph.D.
Department of English
Arts and Humanities
Texts and Technology PhD
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Marumo, Khomotso Moetanalo Hilda. "Sensemaking in turbulence : an analysis of the merger of the Central University of Technology from a sensemaking perspective." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/49218.
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Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study takes as starting point the observation in sensemaking theory that autonomic arousal is accompanied by a loss of existing frames and cues and the consequential cognitive implosion. Situations such as these are marked by a crisis in identity construction and the resultant loss of sense being made. The aim of the study was to find out to what extent this phenomenon is at play during a merger between two organizations. Specifically to what extent this phenomenon did manifest itself among the employees of the Central University of Technology in Welkom after the merger of the former Welkom Campus of Vista University and the Technikon Free State. The study starts with an overview of the literature on corporate mergers; focusing on research on effects with regards to (i) how the different gender groups of employees were affected by these interruptions, (ii) how employees with diverse levels of experience were affected, (iii) to what extent the qualifications of employees was a factor regarding the impact of this autonomic arousal and (iv) whether race was a factor in determining the extent of autonomic arousal. The above is followed by an explanation of the sensemaking perspective and the nature of and moment for autonomic arousal. It is argued that organizational mergers represent an interruption in the ongoing flow of sensemaking that could lead to autonomic arousal. Using sensemaking theory and autonomic arousal as a theoretical starting point, interviews were conducted with key figures in the specific merger between the Vista University Welkom Campus and the Technikon Free State. The respondents were selected using the snowballing sampling technique. The idea behind the interviews was to demonstrate how staff members were emotionally affected by the interruption of the merger and how it had an impact on their perceptions about their work. It was found that the flow of experience was interrupted and as cues and frames were reduced, the employees focussed more on personal issues.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie neem as vertrekpunt die observasie van singewingsteorie dat outonomiese aktivering gepaard gaan met 'n verlies aan bestaande raamwerke en aanduidings en die gevolglike kognitiewe implosie. Sulke situasies word gekenmerk deur 'n krisis in identiteitskonstruksie en gevolglike verlies aan sin. Die doel van hierdie studie was om uit te vind tot watter mate hierdie fenomeen plaasvind tydens 'n samesmelting van organisasies, en spesifiek hoe dit manifesteer onder die werknemers van die Sentrale Universiteit van Tegnologie in Welkom na die samesmelting van die Welkom-kampus van Vista Universiteit en die Technikon Vrystaat. Die studie begin met 'n oorsig van die literatuur oor korporatiewe samesmeltings en oomames, spesifiek oor daardie studies wat die effekte bestudeer met betrekking tot (i) hoe verskillend mans en vroue geraak is, (ii) die impak van verskillende vlakke van ervaring onder werknemers se persepsies oor die samesmelting, (iii) die mate waartoe die kwalifikasievlak van werknemers, asook (iv) ras 'n rol gespeel het in die vlak van outonomiese aktivering wat deur werknemers ervaar is. Daama word singewingsteorie en die aard en geleenthede van outonomiese aktivering uitgepak. Daar word argumenteer dat korporatiewe samesmelting 'n onderbreking in die vloei van sin veroorsaak wat tot outonomiese aktivering kan lei. Ge1ei deur singewingsteorie en outonomiese aktivering as teoretiese vertrekpunt is onderhoude gevoer met sleutelfigure in die spesifieke samesmelting tussen die Welkom kampus van Vista Universiteit en die Technikon Vrystaat om die outonomiese effek van die onderbreking te illustreer. Die respondente is deur die sneeubalmetode geselekteer. Die idee is om te toon hoe werknemers emosioneel getref is en hoedat dit 'n impak op hulle persepsies rondom hulle werk tot gevolg gehad het. Daar is bevind dat die vloei van sin deur die samesmelting onderbreek is, en dat werknemers soos te wagte, meer op persoonlik sake begin fokus. Dit dui op 'n vemouing van singewingsraamwerke en die verlies van lewensin.
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Matoti, S. N., and K. E. Junquiera. "Assessing the academic behavioural confidence (ABC) of first-year students at the Central University of Technology, Free State." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 8, Issue 2: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/369.
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Published ArticleFirst-year university students make judgements about their capabilities in mathematics which mainly stem from their past school experiences. It is against this background that the researchers decided to conduct a study with the aim of assessing the academic behavioural confidence of first-year students enrolled in the B.Ed. (FET): Natural Sciences programme and the B.Ed. (FET): Economic and Management Sciences programme offered by the School of Teacher Education at the Central University of Technology, Free State. Bandura's (1986) Social Cognitive Theory is the overarching theoretical framework of the self-efficacy construct and therefore also for this study. A quantitative approach was followed and the Academic Behavioural Confidence scale (ABC) designed by Sander and Sanders (2006), was adopted for use in the study. The study sought to first of all determine whether a significant difference in the academic behavioural confidence of the first-year students within the Natural Sciences and Economic and Management Sciences programmes does exist. It furthermore wanted to determine if a significant difference in the academic behavioural confidence between male and female students within these two programmes exists. The results indicated that there is a significant difference in the academic behavioural confidence of the NS and EMS groups. There is, however, no significant difference between male and female students within and between the two groups. Based on the findings some recommendations on dealing with first-year students have been made.
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van, der Linde A. S., and S. M. Holtzhausen. "AN IMPROVEMENT-ORIENTED INVESTIGATION INTO SUPERVISION PRACTICES AT THE CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, FREE STATE: A CASE STUDY." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 6, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/507.
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Published ArticlePostgraduate supervision and research training are core academic activities for most higher education institutions. Worldwide, including in South Africa, there is concern about the quality of postgraduate training in higher education institutions, the length of time it takes postgraduate students to complete their postgraduate studies, and the high percentage of students who terminate their studies. Against the backdrop of these concerns, the quality of research supervision is essential for the successful completion of studies. However, ensuring the quality of the input dimension within South African postgraduate supervision is complicated – the reasons being that the process is entangled with issues of power, desire, and differences in relation to supervision practices, along with rapid higher education transformation demanding more quality and accountability, etc. Therefore it is recommended that the supervision process be monitored for improvement purposes and to address context-specific needs. This article reports on an improvement-oriented investigation into the current supervision practices at the case study university.
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Kokt, D., L. O. K. Lategan, and F. M. Orkin. "Reflecting on multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary (MIT) research at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 10, Issue 3: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/621.
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Published ArticleIn their research as well as their teaching, universities of technology (UoTs) expect to be infused by the application of technology and to be integrally related to the world of work. At the same time, research at UoTs is characteristically innovatory, in the specific sense of transforming research discoveries into products or services that are user-oriented and commercially viable. Since practical problems and user needs do not respect disciplinary boundaries it follows, firstly, that such research at a UoT will in some sense not respect disciplinary boundaries, i.e. it will have to connect, cross, or integrate traditional disciplines. This paper seeks accordingly conceptually to differentiate the relevant senses of multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary (MIT) research. It then characterises the fourteen current research programmes at Central University of Technology (CUT) in these regards, comparing the findings from interviews with the programme leaders with the insights of the authors. Secondly, in that most research at UoTs is also expected to be innovatory, it is demanded of researchers that they also master the skill of researching the feasible applications of findings, developing products, and envisaging commercialisation; and handing the stakeholder relationships that arise in these interactions. The interviews further indicate the extent to which the respective programmes have moved down the MIT road. They also reveal that the challenges that are faced by the programmes are overwhelming generic rather than specifically MIT-related. Some strategic recommendations are extracted from the findings.
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Botha, R. W., and B. Kotze. "The preparedness of Bloemfontein radiographers for common medical emergencies." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 12, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/658.
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Published ArticleRadiographers need to know how to react appropriately when a patient has a medical emergency; this is not only essential but lifesaving. This reaction stems from a theoretical framework that guides an automotive sense of knowing what to do and how to assist. Having the correct equipment completes this circle. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the responses of Bloemfontein radiographers in emergency situations based on the awareness of their role in emergency procedures and their role in the application of pharmaceuticals and equipment on the emergency trolley. A checklist compiled from literature was used to evaluate the state of emergency trolleys at four hospitals in Bloemfontein through impromptu visits. A questionnaire was used to determine the preparedness of radiographers for common medical emergencies. The currency of their first aid training was also established. The study results showed that 50% of the emergency trolleys' content conformed to guidelines in literature; the other trolleys contained expired medicine. Forty-five percent of the radiographers in the sample did not know how to assist effectively when using an emergency trolley. Of the participants 73.5% would respond according to protocol in emergency situations. Fifty-three percent of the radiographers in the study did not have valid first aid certificates. This study showed that though most participating radiographers would respond to emergency situations according to protocol, certain aspects of their response have shortcomings. Additionally the availability of equipment and medication is cause for concern.
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De, Wet M. A. "The introduction of problem based learning in Hospitality Management at the Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 8, Issue 1: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/359.
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Published ArticleProblem-based learning (PBL) is a learner-centred strategy that can be used to achieve the objectives of Outcomes Based Education (OBE). The Hospitality management program has no evidence of a fixed learner-centred didactic approach such as PBL, E-learning or Resource-based learning (RBL). In considering PBL, we raised questions: Why PBL? To what extent are staff and learners prepared for PBL? What are the characteristics of the curriculum when implementing PBL etc? This paper highlights these and other questions. The outcome shows that principles of PBL are extremely applicable to Hospitality but that timetabling within the program is a concern.
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Vera, Carlos G. "Implementation and structure of a distance learning course for the Food Technology Graduate program of the University Central of Venezuela." Online version, 2003. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2003/2003verac.pdf.
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Molopyane, J. M. (Jeannet Makasi). "A framework to promote workplace information literacy in academic settings : a case study of Central University of Technology, Free State." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/45946.
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What constitutes workplace information literacy is still a subject of research, as evidenced in
the subject literature. The need for workplace information literacy is motivated by the
challenge that today’s workplace faces abundant information and that employees need to be
information literate. Without proper information literacy skills, organisations will miss out on
competitiveness, sustainability and keeping track with global trends.
Workplace information literacy is regarded as an essential skill for the new knowledge
economy and therefore organisations, government and business, and especially tertiary
institutions, should harness opportunities to address and promote workplace information
literacy.
The purpose of this research is to unfold the concept ‘workplace information literacy’. What it
proposes to achieve in terms of the literature and data collected so as to develop and present
a framework. From the subject literature there is little evidence that workplace information
literacy is promoted in South Africa. International literature indicates that some strides have,
however, been accomplished in this regard.
The study was conducted using the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) as a
case study. The university consists of two campuses, namely the Bloemfontein campus and
the Welkom campus. The study sought to examine current practices internationally, nationally
and the need for workplace information literacy at CUT.
Mixed method research (qualitative and quantitative) was used was used for the study. For
interview (qualitative) purposes, a sample of 20 top managers, senior managers and
managers was selected. The reason for selecting managers was that they are the university’s
decision makers. A tape recorder was used to capture the data (4 participated in individual
interviews and interviews with committees; there are thus 24 entries in Table 1.3). A total of
200 copies of a questionnaire (as a quantitative data collection instrument) was distributed to
lecturing and support services staff, with 136 questionnaires being returned. Only 121 of the
questionnaires were completed. The purpose was to determine the workplace-related information needs experienced by workers, their workplace information literacy skills and
abilities as well as current practices at CUT. Opinions were offered as to the importance and
value of workplace information literacy for organisations. The need for workplace information
literacy was regarded by both interview participants and questionnaire respondents as very
important. Training needs were addressed as well as how such training could be conducted.
The fact that workplace information literacy should form part of the CUT corporate strategy
was also mentioned. From the data collected and analysed, suggestions and
recommendations alluded to factors that are important regarding a framework for workplace
information literacy. Various intervention mechanisms were suggested in both interviews and
questionnaires. The roles that committees could play in ensuring that workplace information
literacy is adopted were also stated.
A workplace information literacy framework with related components was developed. The
components comprised institutional buy-in, needs analysis, situation analysis, strategic plan,
and alignment with corporate strategy including formulation of policy, programme design and
development, programme administration, awareness-raising and marketing, and on-going
monitoring and evaluation. Each component outlined ways in which it could be implemented.Dissertation (MIS)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
tm2015
Information Science
MIS
Unrestricted
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Beukes, Johannes Andreas Gerhardus. "A study of the emotional intelligence levels of first year student teachers at the Central University of Technology, Free State." Thesis, Bloemfontein: Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/676.
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Thesis (M. Ed. (Education)) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014The goal of the education system is to increase cognitive capacity, competencies and skills such as acquiring new knowledge, recalling facts and figures and applying this information to reasoning, understanding and solving problems. To achieve all these competencies teachers and lecturers traditionally use Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning Domains. The competencies and skills as described by Bloom are measured by standardised intelligence tests. Society takes it for granted that the higher a person’s IQ (Intelligence quotient), the better he/she will perform at school level. But what happens after school? While cognitive intelligence may be able to predict quite accurately how one will perform at school, it predicts very little else in the way of social performance and interaction after school. As such, IQ is a rather weak predictor of performance in interpersonal relations, at work and in coping with a wide variety of challenges that surface in the course of one's life on a daily basis (Wagner, 1997). Some writers makes a strong case that people owe their success in their professional careers to much more than mere IQ. Wagner reviews data and offers convincing cases to show that an IQ above 110, fails as an accurate predictor of success in a career. In other words, you need to be smart enough to handle the cognitive complexity of the information you need for a given role or job, be it engineering, law, medicine, or business. But after reaching this threshold of “smart enough,” your intellect makes little difference. Wagner concludes that IQ alone predicts just 6 to 10 percent of career success. It has been argued for over a century, as early as Charles Darwin that something is missing from the human performance formula that is needed to explain why some people do very well in life while others do not, irrespective of how cognitively intelligent they may be. One of the first attempts by psychologists to identify additional predictors of performance in other aspects of life was made by Edward Thorndike (1920) when he described "social intelligence" as the ability to perceive one's own and others' internal states, motives and behaviours, and to act towards them appropriately on the basis of that information. Mayer, Salovey and Caruso (2000:273) state that emotional intelligence includes “the ability to perceive, appraise and express emotion accurately and adaptively; the ability to understand emotion and emotional knowledge; the ability to access and generate feelings where they facilitate cognitive activities and adaptive action; and the ability to regulate emotions in oneself and others”. All of these skills are necessary for the teacher to function successfully in the classroom. The question is: does the modern teacher have the necessary EI skills? This dissertation explores and describes the level of Emotional Intelligence of the first year student teachers at the Central University of Technology, Free State. Seventy-nine (79) students were tested during 2012 and 2013 to establish whether they have the necessary levels of Emotional Intelligence to ensure that they will be able to become good classroom leaders upon entering the teacher’s profession. Traits of Emotional Intelligence were assessed by means of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue). The study investigates the Emotional Intelligence attributes and skills that a teacher will need to become a good classroom leader. The study examines the four main areas tested in the TEIQue, namely the well-being, the emotionality, the sociability and the self-control of the student teacher. Findings suggest that the student teachers still need to develop their emotional intelligence as their results fall in the lower level of the acceptable range.
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Santos, Teresa P. G. "Tone-evoked Fos labeling in the central auditory pathway : effects of stimulus intensity and auditory fear conditioning." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/37905.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, 2006.Includes bibliographical references.
Understanding intensity coding and auditory learning are basic concerns of research on the auditory central pathway. There is no unifying model of intensity coding but several mechanisms have been proposed to play a role. The first aim of this thesis was to determine the mechanisms of intensity coding in the central auditory pathway from the cochlear nucleus to the auditory cortex. The Fos labeling method was used to assess neuronal activation in the central auditory system. This technique allows one to study large regions of the brain in awake animals. Increasing sound pressure level led to: (1) spreading of labeling towards neurons with higher best frequencies; (2) spread of labeling orthogonal to the tonotopic axis; (3) and increased density of labeling within the tonotopic band. In addition to encoding the physical features of a stimulus, it is fundamental for survival that we learn about the meaning of sounds and put them in a behavioral context. The second aim of this thesis was to study how learning, in particular auditory fear conditioning, changes the pattern of neuronal activation of neurons, as measured with Fos labeling, in the central nervous system. Conditioning led to an increase in Fos labeling in central auditory nuclei.
(cont.) This increase in labeling was similar to the effects of increasing sound intensity. The present results support the idea that auditory fear memories are stored in the auditory pathway.
by Teresa P.G. Santos.
Ph.D.
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Molopyane, J. "Through the eye of a student : customer care in academic libraries, a case at the Central University of Technology, Free State." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 13, Issue 4: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/319.
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Published ArticleThe purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of clients namely, students, about the quality of library services and also the quality of staff client relationship. It was envisaged that through this study the perceptions, feelings and views of students in as far as their needs satisfaction could be illuminated. The study addressed the following concerns: Apart from the physical and other library resources, are there other mechanisms of evaluating the quality of services an academic library has to offer? In order for an academic library to improve service quality, what role should clients play? What are their concerns about their information needs consideration and what other possible means can be done to satisfy those needs?
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Beyer, L., A. C. Wilkinson, and H. S. Friedrich-Nel. "A survey of the generic graduate skills that the Central University of Technology Radiography graduates need for the world of work." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal: Vol 9, Issue 1: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/340.
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Published ArticleThe issue of Generic Skills has received considerable attention over the past few years as universities, in their response to calls for accountability, need to articulate and demonstrate the achievement of these (Barrie, 2005: 1). In recent years, employers and their representatives consistently demand that their employees must possess a range of personal and intellectual attributes. These include attributes beyond those traditionally made explicit in programmes of study in higher education institutions (Harvey, 2000:7). Universities describe these graduate qualities differently, resulting in a variety of terms used to target the same attribute (Barrie, 2006:218). This diversity of descriptions prompts questions as to the extent to what stakeholders in the Radiography programme understand by the term generic graduate skills. One of the major goals was to explore what the stakeholders involved in academic and work-based learning as well as radiography students identified as generic graduate skills radiography students must obtain during their studies to prepare them adequately for the world of work. Findings from this study agreed on the importance of higher education to be informed of expectations from employees in order to respond to the need of preparing students adequately for future job tasks and contributions to society. In addition to this. the study also identified the particular generic skills stakeholders regard essential for students entering the profession.
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De, Beer K. J. "Enhancing the contribution of open and distance e-learning in higher education : implications for the central university of technology, Free State." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal: Vol 9, Issue 2: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/351.
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Published ArticleThe aims of this article are to describe the findings of the author over the last decade regarding traditional distance education which eventually became Open and Distance E-Learning (ODEL) at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and secondly, the integration of Open Education Resources (OER) within ODEL. Up for debate in Perspectives in Education is the question whether ODEL and OER have not already stimulated a new constellation for higher education? After attending several international conferences of the International Organization for Open and Distance Education (lODE), the National Association for Open Distance Education of South Africa (NADEOSA), Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) as well as the South African Association for Research Development in Higher Education (SMRDHE), it became evident to the author that global trends forced a number of changes onto the South African higher education system. Subsequently, the CUT also had to reconsider the role of distance education within the Free State and Northern Cape provinces where it operates. In 2004 for example, students enrolled for distance education countrywide already constituted between 4% and 32% at traditional face-to-face universities while for universities of technology the figure was only 4,74% (CHE, 2004:185-186). However, universities of technology since expanded tremendously in using ODEL.
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Matoti, S. N. "Assessing the level of preparedness, preferences, and fears of first-year science students at the Central University of Technology, Free State." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 1: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/555.
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Published ArticleThis exploratory and descriptive study examines the perceptions of first-year science students regarding their preparedness for the programme, their preferences and their fears as they embark on university education for the first time. A questionnaire was used to collect data from all the first year students enrolled in the programme in 2008. Seventy students answered the questionnaire from a class of 78. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were used to analyse and present data in the study. The results showed that students differed in their preparedness for the programme, their preferences regarding teaching methodologies, learning methods, and classroom climates, and the kinds of fear or apprehension about the programme and university education. Some recommendations regarding the teaching and learning of science are made.
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Makhoahle, P. M., and T. M. Bagali. "The impact of HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns on students who enrolled from 2009-2011 at Central University of Technology, Free State." Interim : Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol 12, Issue 1: Central University of Technology Free State Bloemfontein, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/293.
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Published ArticlesCentral University of Technology (CUT) holds awareness campaigns on yearly basis to educate and test students on health related issues. Basic knowledge about the spread of HIV and safe sexual practices has a critical impact on prevention of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other associated diseases such as TB. The problem among students at higher education institutions (HEIs) is that they are a high risk group of contracting HIV infection due to uninformed decisions that they end up making. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of CUT students towards HIV, sexual transmitted infections (STIs) and sexuality. A cross sectional survey of 120 randomly selected undergraduate students (73 females, 47 males, aged 18-25 years) was performed. Questionnaires were used to assess the knowledge and attitude of the students towards HIV and AIDS. Generated knowledge and attitude scores from the student responses and gender variable were used to study their association. Students had heard about HIV, and 93% understood that HIV is not curable. Ninety percent of the students were aware of the symptoms of STIs, and some didn't know that STIs are associated with an increased chances of having HIV. Participants were well informed about selected aspects of HIV. A high number of participants were conversant with the modes of spread of HIV and the use of condoms in preventing STIs and HIV infection. The gap of knowledge between males and females, and the way they attend to the testing facility suggests the need for targeting males in the national awareness campaigns. The Medical Center should continue to host and fund health awareness campaigns because they play a major role as source of information.
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Rijuan, Li. "Problems encountered with the teaching of computer applications technology and information technology at senior secondary school level : a managerial approach." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/38.
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Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010The aim of the study was to determine the problems encountered by educators who teach Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information Technology (IT) in the FET band in the Bloemfontein area, Free State. The main contribution of the study lies in the identification of those problems. By knowing and understanding the problems, the Department of Education and the stakeholders will seek solutions to rectify the problems which will lead to the successful implementation of IT and CAT. The assumptions of the study were that many educators lacked basic ICT skills and pedagogical training, and there were not enough computer stations for learners. Both the qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in the study. The researcher used the survey research method and data was collected through the use of questionnaires and interviews. Simple random sampling was used to ensure that each member of the population in the study had an equal chance of being selected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data from the questionnaires. In order to analyze the qualitative data from the interviews, the researcher described the sample populations, ordered and coded the data (data processing), and displayed summaries of data in such a way that interpretation became easy. This was done by preparing tables, diagrams and pie charts. According to the results of the study, the problems that the educators encountered include a lack of sufficient didactical training for educators, learners don’t have computers at home to practice on, a lack of financial support to provide relevant facilities for schools, such as computer laboratories and learning materials in IT/CAT, educators spend too much time on paper work and do not have enough time for teaching, and IT/CAT teachers become ‘do-it-all’ teachers with regard to any work on the computer, such as fixing the computer, designing the school website. Regarding the identified problems, recommendations were made, such as the Department of Education must review the curriculum of IT and CAT, sufficient subject related training and didactical training for IT and CAT educators should be provided by the Department of Education on a regular basis.
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Atoofi, Payam, Fred H. Hamker, and John Nassour. "Learning of Central Pattern Generator Coordination in Robot Drawing." Frontiers Media S.A, 2018. https://monarch.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A31530.
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How do robots learn to perform motor tasks in a specific condition and apply what they have learned in a new condition? This paper proposes a framework for motor coordination acquisition of a robot drawing straight lines within a part of the workspace. Then, it addresses transferring the acquired coordination into another area of the workspace while performing the same task. Motor patterns are generated by a Central Pattern Generator (CPG) model. The motor coordination for a given task is acquired by using a multi-objective optimization method that adjusts the CPGs' parameters involved in the coordination. To transfer the acquired motor coordination to the whole workspace we employed (1) a Self-Organizing Map that represents the end-effector coordination in the Cartesian space, and (2) an estimation method based on Inverse Distance Weighting that estimates the motor program parameters for each SOM neuron. After learning, the robot generalizes the acquired motor program along the SOM network. It is able therefore to draw lines from any point in the 2D workspace and with different orientations. Aside from the obvious distinctiveness of the proposed framework from those based on inverse kinematics typically leading to a point-to-point drawing, our approach also permits of transferring the motor program throughout the workspace.
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Noe, Herbert Malise. "The influence of aerosolized microorganisms on the safety and quality of fortified biscuits." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/59.
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Thesis (M. Tech.(Environmental Health)) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2005As the concentration of dust has been shown to be proportional to seasonal change in the Free State Province of South Africa, one might expect the prevalence of associated microorganisms to follow the same pattern. The presence of dust is also associated with an aerosolised microbial population that gets blown into almost any unsealed environment including food storage facilities at schools. In addition, facility design and storage practices at these schools are under-developed and could subsequently lead to the contamination of stored food by dust, insects and rainwater. The foods in question include fortified biscuits that are intended for malnourished, and in several cases immunocompromised, children who are susceptible to opportunistic pathogens. Therefore this study aimed to determine the impact of facility design on the level and distribution of viable airborne microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in the storage rooms and the outdoor environment at both rural (higher dust exposure) and urban schools. Besides the pathogenicity of these organisms, their ability to degrade the sugars (major fortifying agent) in the mentioned biscuits was also established. The results showed the presence of Escherichia coli, which signifies faecal contamination and could be attributed to the lack of toilet facilities in the schools, especially in rural areas. Although Staphylococcus sp. is normally related to poor personal hygiene practices, these organisms were also isolated from the air of the storerooms and school premises. The presence of moulds and airborne microorganisms was attributed to unfavourable environmental conditions as well as crowding in the classrooms. The microbial contamination originally present on the fortified biscuits or originating from the air further caused deterioration in the quality of the food. The fungi present in the air (identified species) cause respiratory problems when inhaled by children as they are opportunistic pathogens. It is further evident that a change of season corresponded to a general change in bioaerosol composition, such as the increased presence of dust during the winter months. It was further concluded that schools situated in different environments (urban/rural) should have storerooms that address the various environmental factors influencing bioaerosols. This would impact not only directly on the health of children in terms of their exposure to possible allergens, but also indirectly through the food that they consume as part of the feeding programme.
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Shih, Pei-Chi. "The English benchmark policy for graduation : an investigation of perception, motivation, and approaches to learning at a University of Technology in central Taiwan." Thesis, Durham University, 2013. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/8512/.
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The present study explored teachers’ and students’ attitudes towards the English graduation benchmark policy and the perceived impact of the policy on students’motivation for learning. Under the policy, students had to pass one of the recommended standardised English proficiency tests in order to graduate. 15 English teachers and 982 non-English majors at a technological university in central Taiwan participated in the study. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed for the present study. The results showed that the policy was approved overall by teachers and students. Students reported relatively high levels of identified regulation(i.e., a more autonomous form of extrinsic motivation) and mastery-approach goals,indicating that they wanted to do well on the exam and had a desire to improve their English proficiency. Differences by gender, year of study, academic discipline, English proficiency levels, and test status in terms of the motivational responses to the policy were also examined in the present study. The results showed that the extent of the approval of the policy seemed to be more related to students’ English abilities than to other characteristics; the degree of test anxiety was more related to students’ year and their English abilities than to other characteristics; students’ English abilities seemed to play an important role in determining the adoption of motivational regulations and approaches to learning; and finally, the role of performance-avoidance goals might be more important than other types of achievement goals in this high-stakes testing context. The pedagogical suggestions are proposed as follows: the quality of the English exit exam has to be ensured; students need to be provided with different sets of standards under the policy; appropriate learning strategies, especially deep approaches, have to be taught; and finally, a connection among curriculum,instruction, and the assessment should be facilitated.
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Naong, M. N., and C. M. Mateusi. "Overcoming inclusive classroom challenges for teachers : a Lesotho case-study." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 12, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/661.
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Published ArticleTeachers in Lesotho are confronted by a myriad of challenges, such as ensuring the meaningful inclusion of learners with impairments as well as adequately meeting their educational needs. This paper therefore, explores this challenge and how it impacts on teachers' abilities to deal it, and further recommend some teaching strategies to overcome it. An Attitudes Toward Inclusive Educational Scale (ATIES) questionnaire was adapted in this paper for the collection of data from 211 randomly-selected teachers from the Maseru and Berea districts of Lesotho. Findings as reported by teachers indicate, amongst many factors contributing to the challenges brought about by inclusive education, inadequate teacher training, inadequate resources, and a lack of support from authorities and parents. The revamp of classroom infrastructure and the review of teacher training approaches in Lesotho are vital policy imperatives to eradicate these educational challenges.
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Raphela, S. F. "Treatment and disposal of medical waste in rural and urban clinics within Polokwane municipality of South Africa." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 12, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/663.
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Published ArticleThe objective of the study was to assess the medical waste management practices used by clinics located in the Polokwane Municipality, South Africa. The clinic personnel were not informed prior to the visit. A walkthrough survey was conducted on-site where potential health and safety risks were identified and noted. The health care personnel in charge of specific clinics completed the questionnaires providing general and detailed information about the treatment and disposal of medical waste. Frequencies and percentages were calculated from the data obtained. Data obtained indicate that (i) medical waste was not segregated from general waste in most of the clinics, (ii) rural clinics were burning medical waste with general waste inside the clinic yard (iii) there was no sufficient collection and transport of medical waste in clinics, (iv) sharps were disposed at various hospital incinerators and (v) most of the clinics did not have storage facilities for medical waste.
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Marais, L., and H. Johannes. "The perceived usefulness of WebCT training for Public Management students at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)." Journal of Public Administration, 2005. http://encore.tut.ac.za/iii/cpro/DigitalItemViewPage.external?sp=1000906.
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At previous conferences in the subject field of web-based teaching and learning
a number of presenters emphasised the importance of training to users
of WebCT, as well as the unsuccessful implementation of WebCT tools and
applications due to insufficient training. To address this important and basic step of
successful use of WebCT, third year Public Management students at the Tshwane
University of Technology (TUT) received intensive training to make use of particular
WebCT applications comfortably.
The focus, pertaining to WebCT activities in the subject Public Human Resource
Management, is primarily on on-line assignments and e-tivities, as well as the use of
quizzes for self-assessment. The WebCT training subsequently focuses primarily on the
use of the assignment and quiz tools in WebCT, additional to the use of general tools
such as the bulletin board and calendar. The paper will outline and explore the various
steps and applications, used to enhance WebCT training to these students. Special measures
were implemented to accommodate a large group of students (200). Furthermore,
the perceived usefulness and value of a Camtasia Studio training DVD, compared to
face-to-face training in the Electronic Research Centres (ERCs), will be explored.
This article aims to focus on the end results and success in terms of the experiences
and perceptions of the students, as well as skills obtained by the provision of intensive training for the use of particular WebCTtools. It will determine by exploring a number of training strategies and approaches for "Creative training strategy can make a difference, this article uses interesting empirical data to illustrate the use of student training as a key success factor in the implementation of WebCt in teachning and learning environments.
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Taljard, Annemi. "AN EVALUATION OF FACTORS RESTRICTING MIDDLE MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES IN A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: A CASE STUDY OF THE CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, FREE STATE." Thesis, Welkom Campus: Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/218.
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Thesis(M. Ed.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008.The existence and survival of an individual and/or organization, such as a Higher Education Institution (HEI), have always depended on the ability of this individual or organization to control the environment in which it exists. This person or organization should overcome certain threats and obstacles that may cross its path by means of simple, pre-constructed plans. The situation must thus be managed in order to ensure the continuation of the person or organization. In this study the focus is on the functional tasks of the middle management team in an HEI. Middle management is concerned with the near future and is therefore responsible for medium- and short-term planning, organizing functional areas, leading by means of departmental heads, and controlling the management activities of the middle managers’ own departments. This study wants to identify factors in the different functional areas of middle management that could hamper the productivity of this area, and thus the institution as a whole. A qualitative study, with questionnaires as data capturing tool, was employed. Various factors that may hamper proper functioning were identified in the study. Lack of intra- and inter-departmental communication, staff shortages due to the restructuring process, countless policies and procedures in place (to streamline the execution of duties) hamper more than assist staff members in the execution of their duties. It was found that the staff members seek a sense of security, as this will lead to improved productivity.
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Jadhav, Rajratna Uttamrao. "Eastern regionalism and Indian identity : a case study of Charles Correa's 'Inter-university center for astronomy and astrophysics' & Raj Rewal's Central Institute of Educational Technology." Kansas State University, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/36121.
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Lategan, L. O. K. ""Research education" : a concept wider than postgraduate supervision?" Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 12, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/660.
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Published ArticleThis paper promotes the argument that although conventional postgraduate supervision is useful to address the research skills and competences of postgraduate students, a wider perspective is nonetheless required to educate and train any researcher (including postgraduate students upon their entrée into the world of research) to comprehend the demands made by research and how best these demands can be addressed. It is in this context that a more comprehensive concept of research education is promoted. The argument is based on the perspective that methodological understanding alone is not sufficient to assist a researcher in meeting the expectations of a research project. Research education refers to the training of researchers to be responsive to the research value chain. This includes aspects such as the formal research process, the importance of research ethics and integrity regarding the research project, the imperative to promote scholarship in research and the application of research results through technology transfer, innovation and incubation. Research education sensitizes the researcher to look beyond the scope of the academic research project and to extend the research to activities such as technology transfer, innovation, commercialization and partnerships. The aim of research education is to promote the wide range of aspects contributing to the understanding of what counts as research and its application.
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Van, der Merwe Belinda. "Radiation distribution in a private neurological theatre during invasive back pain management procedures." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/110.
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Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008The aim of the study was to determine radiation dose levels around the theatre table, on either side of the C-Arm, in order to establish if the radiation dose received by staff during back pain procedures fell within the limits set by the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP). The question that arose from this goal was whether the stance of staff, in relation to the x-ray tube side of the C-Arm, influenced radiation dose levels. In order to apply the ALARA principle, the possibility of lowering the radiation dose in the neurological theatre was explored. The measurement methodology of the study was twofold: measurements were executed by means of TLD meters, as well as with an ionisation chamber. TLD meters were placed on the patient, the neurosurgeon and the radiographer during back pain procedures, and, more specifically, during fluoroscopy, to record the doses with the Image Intensifier (II) above the table as well as with the x-ray tube above the table, at the pelvis and the chest height of the staff. Ionisation chamber measurements were recorded in 25cm intervals around the theatre table with a phantom and the C-Arm positioned in the PA, oblique and lateral positions at 110cm and 133cm heights from the floor. The TLD results indicated that, when compared to the Image Intensifier side, the radiation dose was higher on the x-ray tube side of the C-Arm. The radiation dose was higher at the height closest to the x-ray source. The radiation dose received by the patient was higher with the x-ray tube positioned above the table (PA). The radiation dose to the surgeon’s hand and body was higher with the x-ray tube positioned above the table (PA). Radiation dose levels with the x-ray tube above the table during back pain procedures in the current theatre exceeded the occupational annual recommendation of 500mSv to the neurosurgeons hands, as recommended by the ICRP. The opposite is true with the II positioned above the table. The research question was answered positively in that the x-ray tube under couch orientation has the potential to limit dose levels during back pain procedures. The measurement values resulted in a proposed protocol in terms of positioning of staff and orientation of the C-Arm in order to apply the ALARA principle during back pain procedures. Constant revision of protocols is the responsibility of the radiographer in order to guarantee that the ALARA principle is implemented in every unique situation.
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Perridge, Allison. "Geophagic practices and geophagic soil nematode content in Thabo Mofutsanyane District, South Africa." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/23.
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Thesis (M. Tech.(Biomedical Technology)) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010Introduction: Geophagia, generally referred to as earth-eating, occurs in many countries of the world, including African countries such as South Africa. A need was identified to characterize human geophagic habits and the microbiological content of geophagic clayey soil, including the presence of potentially pathogenic nematodes (geohelminths), in South Africa. Materials and methods: Questionnaires were developed to generate data on human geophagia and included demography, socio-economics, indigenous knowledge, business aspects, mining and hygiene practices of vendors/geophagists. A total of 52 soil samples (n = 52) were collected from the district of Thabo Mofutsanyane (Free State, South Africa), which comprised of vendor, topsoil, excavated and control soil sample groups. Nematode content were isolated using the Ammonium bicarbonate protocol, thereafter the nematodes were classified and population sizes determined for each sample. Soil colour classification was completed using the Munsell Soil Color Charts. Results and discussion: The questionnaire revealed that geophagia in this region was practised mainly by women of child-bearing age because of the taste of the soil. Vendors sell geophagic clayey soil (known as mobu) collected from the mountain- and riversides for subsistence, generally costing one to two rand per bag. Hygiene and environmental conditions are considered when mining geophagic clayey soils. Whitish-perceived clayey soils are preferred by most of the geophagists. According to the Munsell Soil Color classification, Thabo Mofutsanyane geophagic soils ranged from brownish, to greyish, to yellowish in colour. Vendor soils were mostly greyish, while topsoils, excavated soils and control soils were mostly brownish. No human pathogenic nematode ova or larvae were isolated from any of the samples, however 34 nonpathogenic nematode taxa representing five trophic levels were identified. These included mainly herbivores, but also fungivores, bacteriovores, omnivores and predators. Taxon richness (number of taxa) greatly varied in the soil sample groups with vendor soil n = 9, topsoil n = 24, excavated soil n = 16 and control soil n = 14. Tylenchus sp., Criconemoides sphaerocephalus and Ditylenchus sp. were the only nematode taxa identified in all the different sample groups, with Tylenchus sp. notably more abundant overall. When the median nematode population sizes were compared between the geophagic soil samples, no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) could be identified. In contrast, the median nematode population sizes for all samples differed significantly (p < 0.05) from the control soil sample group. Conclusion: This study revealed that geophagia is probably not a vector for geohelminth infection in the district of Thabo Mofutsanyane, South Africa. However, the rich presence of non-pathogenic soil nematode communities in these brownish, greyish and yellowish geophagic soils may be useful as biological indicators of general soil health.
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Muller, Henra. "Patient radiation dose ranges for procedures in Universitas Hospital vascular laboratories." Thesis, Bloemfontein: Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/674.
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Thesis (M. Tech. (Diagnostic Radiography)) Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014Over the past two decades, interventional radiology has been a fast developing field with great advances in technology in the diagnosing and treatment of patients. Interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive and require little to no hospitalisation time. These procedures are fluoroscopically guided and serial runs are used for documentation, so they have the potential to deliver high doses to patients. Reports about deterministic skin reactions resulting from interventional radiology have become more and more prevalent from the early 1990s. Worldwide concern thus led to legislation for the limitation, justification and optimisation of these doses. Setting of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for these procedures is difficult, as they can be complex in nature and are often clinically open-ended. In the case where DRLs were used, they needed to be for a specific locality and had to be refined for the specific circumstances. Patients must be informed of the doses they will be receiving during diagnostic or interventional procedures before consent can be obtained from them. Little information on dose audits was available for South Africa at the time of the study, and it was decided to determine dose ranges at a local level. The research question of this study was: “What radiation doses do patients receive when undergoing vascular, diagnostic and interventional procedures in the interventional suites at a tertiary training hospital in the Free State?” The primary objective was to determine the doses and dose ranges to patients. A secondary objective was to identify specific high dose procedures to individual patients and to the population. A third objective was to investigate the factors influencing these doses. The data of patients who received procedures in two fluoroscopic rooms at the research site were documented over a three-year period. The dose area product (DAP) values were used to calculate skin dose. With the information gathered, dose ranges for frequently performed procedures were determined and specific high dose procedures to individuals and the population identified. Factors influencing the dose were also investigated. This included the relationship of the level of technology, a VI patient’s BMI and practitioners’ level of experience on dose as the research site was a training facility. The results indicated that both diagnostic and interventional procedures have the potential to deliver high doses, as was evident with the isolated occurrences where the response threshold for deterministic effects was exceeded. Most of the locally performed procedures delivered lower or on par radiation dose, compared to values in the literature. Increased BMI values of patients can negatively influence doses received. The level of a practitioner’s experience also plays a vital role in the dose that the patient will receive. Specific recommendations and the implementing of a dose optimisation protocol are proposed to reduce and optimise doses at the research site. This dose optimisation programme will create greater awareness about radiation dose and effects, follow-up procedures and dose reduction methods amongst role-payers. Key words: interventional radiology; limitation, justification and optimisation of radiation dose; deterministic effects; radiation dose awareness
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Tetsoane, Samuel Tshehla. "Evaluation of the swat model in simulating catchment hydrology : case study of the Modder river basin." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/195.
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Thesis (M. Tech. (Civil engineering)) - Central University of Technology, free State, 2013Hydrological models have become vital tools for understanding hydrologic processes at the catchment level. In order to use model outputs for tasks ranging from regulation to research, models should be scientifically sound, robust, and tenable. Model evaluation is therefore beneficial in the acceptance of models to support scientific research and to guide policy, regulatory, and management decision-making. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the SWAT model in simulating stream flow for the Modder River Basin. The study area is situated at -29° 11’ latitude and 26° 6’ longitude at an elevation of 1335 m and drains a land area of 949 km2. The land cover is mainly grassland (pasture) with other minor land use types. The climate of the area is semi-arid with Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) of 563 mm. Two techniques that are widely used in evaluating models, namely quantitative statistics and graphical techniques, were applied to evaluate the performance of the SWAT model. Three quantitative statistics, namely Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), and ratio of the mean square error to the standard deviation of measured data (RSR), in addition to the graphical techniques, were identified to be used in model evaluation. Results of calibration and validation of the model at a monthly time step gave NSE of 0.65, Pbias of 15 and RSR of 0.4, while NSE of 0.5, Pbias of 31 and RSR of 0.5 were recorded for validation. According to monthly model performance ratings, the model performed well during calibration and performed satisfactory during the validation stage.
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Louw, Celmarie. "Factors influencing the bacteriological quality of raw milk produced on dairy farms in Central South Africa." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/204.
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Thesis (M. Tech. (Environmental health)) - Central University of technology, Free State, 2013Introduction Dairy farms in central South Africa produce a substantial amount of milk, which is sold in Bloemfontein, Free State. Large volumes of unpasteurized (raw) milk is collected on the dairy farms, which undergoes further processing before it reaches the consumer at the end of the production line. There is a large proportion of the population that, in most cases unknowingly, consumes raw milk that has bacterial counts substantially higher than legal standards. Poor quality unpasteurized milk is either sold as fresh milk in the informal market, or as dairy products, such as cheese, manufactured from unpasteurized milk. Consumers are therefore, in most cases, unaware of the poor quality dairy products they consume. Milk quality is usually assessed in terms of bacterial content, which include Escherichia coli, coliforms and total bacterial count. The bacterial quality of milk is influenced by a number of factors, including farming practices, structural design of the milking shed, herd health and quality of water used in the dairy. If the highest level of hygiene practices is maintained, contamination of the milk by pathogenic microorganisms will be controlled, however, any drop in the vigilance of hygiene practices could result in unacceptable high levels of pathogenic microorganisms resulting in poor quality raw milk. Poor quality raw milk will inevitably result in poor quality pasteurized milk, containing unacceptably high levels of pathogenic organisms, which will eventually reach the consumer. Objectives The objectives of this study were to assess the quality of milk and influencing factors of milk produced on 83 dairy farms that supply milk intended for further processing to the greater Mangaung region, Central South Africa. Influencing factors investigated included, water quality and hygiene of milk contact surfaces, namely pulsator surfaces and milk pipeline surfaces. Methods Standard sampling procedures were followed when milk was sampled from bulk milk tanks, water at the point of use in the dairy, as well as collection of surface swabs. Escherichia coli, coliforms, total bacterial counts and somatic cell counts in milk were determined in terms of the regulations relating to milk and dairy products, and for water in terms of drinking water standards. These data were analysed and the factors that directly influence bacterial quality of milk were identified. Results 93% of the dairy farms displayed E. coli in their bulk milk containers, which did not comply with the legal standard. For coliforms, 86% of the milk samples did not comply with the legal standard. The total bacterial count of 85% of the milk samples did comply with the legal standard. The somatic cell count of 42% of the milk samples did not comply with the legal standard. The pulsator surfaces as well as the milk pipeline surfaces of 13% of the dairy farms displayed the presence of E. coli. 80% of the pulsator surfaces and 78% of the milk pipeline surfaces did comply with the legal standard pertaining to coliforms. The total bacterial count of pulsator surfaces revealed that 19% complied, whereas 29% of the milk pipeline surfaces complied with the legal standard. The water data further revealed that 31% of the dairy farms contained E. coli in the water used in the dairies. 63% of the dairy farms contained more than the allowable number of coliforms in their water. Chi-square tests revealed significant differences (p > 0.05) between the presence or absence of E. coli in milk and water; the presence or absence of E. coli in milk and milk pipeline surfaces; the presence or absence of E. coli in milk and pulsator surfaces and the presence or absence of E. coli in milk and the positioning of the cows in the milking shed. When milk quality indexes were calculated for all the farms, only four farms were classified with excellent milk, the remainder were all classified as producing poor quality milk. The hygiene quality indexes revealed that the hygiene practices on all the farms were not up to standard. Discussion and conclusion The study revealed that the milk produced for commercial processing and distribution in the greater Mangaung region of central South Africa was of poor quality. It is often mistakenly believed that the pasteurization process will remove all microorganisms from milk. As this is not the case, it is of major concern that milk delivered commercially is not of acceptable quality. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the quality of milk products from raw milk were also probably not of acceptable quality. The results further revealed that the possible contributing factors to the poor quality milk produced by the 83 commercial dairy farms were; poor quality water used in dairy sheds and contaminated milk contact surfaces. From this study it could be concluded that the overall status of milk production on the 83 commercial dairy farms studied, did not meet the standards required for milk quality, water quality and hygiene practices.
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Van, Horne Constance. "Innovation and Value: Knowledge and Technology Transfer from University-Industry Research Centres to the Forest Products Industry." Thesis, Université Laval, 2009. http://www.theses.ulaval.ca/2009/26328/26328.pdf.
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Venter, Tania. "Modelling the catabolite and microbiological profile of cheddar cheese manufactured from ayrshire milk." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/127.
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Thesis (D. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010Branded dairy products have lately become a global trend. As a result of this, the origin of the milk used in the manufacturing of branded cheeses must be declared by the producer, since it is known that these products are highly adulterated with foreign milk. In South Africa, branded Ayrshire Cheddar cheese has become highly popular due to its unique organoleptic properties and in light of claims that it ripens much faster than cheese made from other milk (not including Ayrshire). This study was therefore directed to investigate the unique properties of branded Ayrshire Cheddar cheese versus Cheddar cheese manufactured from a mixture of other breeds’ milk (not including Ayrshire milk) and to establish a catabolite profile for each cheese type. The outlay of the thesis was constructed into six chapters each with its own outcomes. The first chapter focused on the variations between the two Cheddar cheese batches (produced from Ayrshire and other breeds’ milk) with regards to organic acid, selected chemical parameters and starter microbiotia. In the following three chapters mathematical models were developed that would predict organic-; fatty and amino acid fluxtuations respectively in the cheese made from Ayrshire and other milk. In the last chapter two artificial neural networks were designed with the two starter organisms, Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus as variable indicator respectively. Thirty-two cheese samples of each batch (pure Ayrshire (4) / mix breed with no Ayrshire (4)) were ripened and samples were analysed under the same conditions on the following days after production: 2, 10, 22, 36, 50, 64, 78, and 92. In the subsequent chapters, the following analysis were done on each day of analysis: organic acid by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); fatty acids by means of Gas Chromatography Mass Spectometry (GCMS); amino acids by means of GC-MS; microbial analysis by means of traditional methods, total DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and standard chemical analysis for moisture, NaCl and pH. In the first research chapter, the minimum and maximum (min/max) values, standard deviations and proposed rel X values of organic acids were evaluated in Ayrshire and the mixed-breed Cheddar cheese, and showed that isovaleric acid is the organic acid with the least variation relative to concentration in both cheeses and it was assumed that this organic acid is the most effective indicator of cheese uniformity. Clear differences in organic acids, chemical variables and starter micro-organisms were also evident in the two cheese batches. Results obtained from the regression models which was defined for each organic -; amino - and fatty acid by means of mathematical equations can be used by the manufacturer to achieve i.e. the selection of cheese for specialist lines, the early exclusion of defective cheeses, and the establishment of brand origin (Ayrshire vs. mixed-breed Cheddar cheeses). The regression graphs also illustrate unique flux patterns in Ayrshire and the mixed-breed in terms of organic -, fatty -, and amino acid content. In the last chapter, the discrimination between the two batches was respectively done via artificial neural network (ANN) modelling of Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus as indicator organisms. The ANN consisted of a multilayered network with supervised training arranged into an ordered hierarchy of layers, in which connections were allowed only between nodes in immediately adjacent layers. The construction thereof allowed for two output nodes, connected to an input layer consisting of two nodes to which the inputs were connected. In both cheeses the results from the ANN showed acceptable classification of the cheeses based on the counts of L. lactis and S. thermophilus.
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Clark, Chevon Lee. "Quality of life of chronic dialysis patients." Thesis, [Bloemfontein?] : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/194.
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Thesis (D. Tech. (Clinical Technology)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2013Objectives: Survival with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) is made possible by dialysis but is in turn associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life (QOL). Quality of life is a frequently overlooked, yet a critical consideration in evaluating the overall medical care of ESKD patients. This study aimed to evaluate the QOL of chronic haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in multiple dialysis units in South Africa. Methods: A comparative descriptive study carried out on 100 haemodialysis (HD) (n=100) and 100 peritoneal dialysis patients (PD) (n=100) patients, evaluating factors such as demographics, duration on dialysis, medical history, clinical indicators and the patient’s understanding thereof, was performed. Quality of life was measured using the medical outcomes study 36 (SF-36). These factors, clinical scores and QOL measures were compared amongst HD and PD patients and thereafter correlated to nephrology professionals’ perspective on QOL. Results: A total of 200 (n=200) patients from 11 dialysis units were evaluated. Mean age for the HD group was 49±15 years compared to 53±14 years for the PD group (p=0.043). The HD patient group had an improved physical composite (PCS) score adjusted for age, urea, creatinine and albumin (p<0.001). The mental composite score (MCS) was improved in the PD group although not significant (p>0.05). A positive correlation was found, as PD patients had an improved symptom control score, adjusted for age (p=0.04), an improved effect of kidney disease score adjusted for albumin (p=0.000), and an improved burden QOL score adjusted for urea, creatinine and albumin (p=0.019). Age was shown to be associated to the physical functioning (p=0.01) and PCS (p=0.040), and diabetes to the emotional role (p=0.04), in QOL. An increase in the years on dialysis showed a reduced emotional well-being (p=0.028) and being on the transplant list an improved MCS (p=0.003). Participation in a pre-end stage kidney disease (PESKD) management programme showed improvement in the general health component (p=0.032), the effect (p=0.01), and the burden of kidney disease (p=0.02). Assessing patients’ knowledge on ESKD revealed the relationship of the PCS to the understanding of managing the complications associated with CKD (p=0.01) and access management (p=0.01). The understanding of diet was found to be significant to the burden of CKD (p=0.01) and the complications associated with CKD was found to be further significant to the effect and symptom QOL (p=0.01). Nephrology professionals rated the difficulty of living with kidney disease a 7.49 out of 10 score and 71% felt QOL is taken into consideration with managing ESKD patients. Conclusion: The study demonstrated differences in the adjusted QOL scores amongst HD and PD dialysis patients in the dialysis units studied. The importance of PESKD was emphasized in relation to improved QOL. Quality of life is a valid marker and important for the ongoing audit of renal services.
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Viljoen, Vernon. "Integration of a vision-guided robot into a reconfigurable component- handling platform." Thesis, [Bloemfontein?] : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/120.
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Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010The latest technological trend in manufacturing worldwide is automation. Reducing human labour by using robots to do the work is purely a business decision. The reasons for automating a plant include: Improving productivity Reducing labour and equipment costs Reducing product damage Monitoring system reliability Improving plant safety. The use of robots in the automation sector adds value to the production line because of their versatility. They can be programmed to follow specific paths when moving material from one point to another and their biggest advantage is that they can operate for twenty-four hours a day while delivering consistent quality and accuracy. Vision-Guided Robots (VGRs) are developed for many different applications and therefore many different combinations of VGR systems are available. All VGRs are equipped with vision sensors which are used to locate and inspect various objects. In this study a robot and a vision system were combined for a pick-and-place application. Research was done on the design of a robot for locating, inspecting and picking selected components from a moving conveyor system.
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Lebona, Teboho Godfrey. "The implementation of inclusive education in primary schools in the Lejweleputswa education district / by Teboho Godfrey Lebona." Thesis, Welkom: Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/226.
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Thesis (M. Ed. ) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013The drafting and promulgation of education policies bring hope and an expectation to those whose interests, concerns and problems, are addressed by them. On the other hand, such policies bring confusion, uncertainty and stress to teachers who are expected to implement and put into practice prescripts of those policies. Response to the Education White Paper 6: Special Needs Education – Building an Inclusive Education and Training System (2001) and subsequent policies on inclusive education which followed, brought uncertainty to teachers and also led to some developing a negative attitude towards inclusive education. This study focused on the implementation of inclusive education in primary schools in the Lejweleputswa District of the Free State province. A literature review provided insight into the concept of inclusive education and moreover shed light on policy developments regarding learner diversity through the curriculum. An empirical investigation using a qualitative approach was conducted and data was gathered by means of focus group interviews with school-based support teams as well as a questionnaire completed by principals. Furthermore, the findings of the empirical investigation concurred, to a large degree, with the findings of the literature study. In general, it was brought to light that inclusive education is not implemented correctly in primary schools in the Lejweleputswa District. Based on certain findings, recommendations are made regarding the successful implementation of inclusive education in primary schools.
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Snyman, Marina J. "Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility characterisation of listeria SPP. in selected food premises in Central South Africa." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/138.
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Thesis (M. Tech. Environmental health) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2011Microbial pathogens play an important role in the food industry where they could cause disease and subsequently significant economic losses. Limited information is available on the situation with regard to Listeria in food products in South Africa. However, much research is being done in the rest of the world on Listeria indicating serious problems as a result of resistance development against various antimicrobial agents, including the organic acids. It is hypothesised that the situation with regard to resistance development may be more serious than generally admitted. Isolation of 200 different food samples was done by using a slightly modified EN ISO 11290-1/A1:2004 standard method. Identification of presumptive positive colonies was confirmed as Listeria by API (Analytical profile index) Listeria. API positive cultures were subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing to compare and confirm identification. Isolates and standard strains were screened for resistance to food preservatives such as organic acids and antibiotics used in the current treatment regime for Listeria infections. The organisms evaluated included isolated strains namely Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria welshimeri, Listeria innocua and their corresponding ATCC (American type culture colletion) strains. An agar dilution method as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 11 antibiotics and 13 organic acids and salts for all the isolates. Overall antibiotic susceptibility patterns of all the isolates indicated high level susceptibility to all the antibiotics tested. Susceptibility to all the organic acids was notably reduced at pH 7 in all the isolates and control strains. Eight highly susceptible strains were selected for induction and represented each of the species isolated. These isolates were exposed to increasing concentrations of three antibiotics and three organic acids. MICs were again determined for all the induced strains for five antibiotics and three organic acids. Proteins extracted from the induced strains were separated on discontinuous SDS-PAGE slab gels to generate total protein profiles. Notable variations were observed in MICs, although induction with antibiotics as well as organic acids did not result in general resistance development. However, evidence was provided that continuous exposure to antimicrobial agents may cause Listeria spp. to develop resistance to different antimicrobial agents. Further research and in depth studies on mechanisms involved in the development of resistance to food preservatives would, therefore, be required. Finally, it is concluded that Listeria monocytogenes may be a possible threat in the Central South African food industry, which deserves more attention. The situation may actually pose a problem that is overseen, because only a small percentage of people that get sick from food, would seek medical advice.
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Nkhebenyane, Jane Sebolelo. "Microbial hazards associated with food preparation in Central South African HIV/Aids hospices." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/135.
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Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010South Africa currently faces one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. As this prevalence rises, the strain placed on its hospitals is likely to increase due to the shortage of beds. The devastating effects of HIV/AIDS initiated the establishment of a hospice which is a non-governmental organisation whose goal is the provision of care for terminally ill patients, either in their homes, in hospitals or in a hospice’s own in-patients wards. Part of the hospice’s mission is to offer palliative care without charge to anyone who requires it. The basic elements of hospice care include pain and symptom management, provision of support to the bereaving family and promoting a peaceful and dignified death. This also includes the provision of cooked foods to the patients using the kitchen facilities of the hospices for this activity. It is well known that the kitchen is particularly important in the spread of infectious disease in the domestic environment due to many activities that occur in this particular setting. Food and water safety is especially important to the persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or with immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).It is estimated that food-borne pathogens (disease–causing agents) are responsible for 76 million illnesses, some resulting in death, in the United States alone every year. In one study of patients with AIDS, two-thirds had diarrhoeal disease and in two-thirds of these, the following enteric pathogens were identified: Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria, Yersnia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolylica and Campylobacter sp. In an epidemiological study of patients with HIV infection a close association was found between consumption of raw or partially cooked fish and antimicrobial-resistant Mycobacterium avium complex. Antibiotic resistance in food-borne pathogens has become a reality and this poses a serious threat to the medical fraternity since it diminishes the effectiveness of treatment. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of foodborne pathogens including bio aerosols isolated from the kitchen surfaces and food handler’s before and after cooking. The antibiotic resistance of the isolated pathogens was further determined to assess their impact on treatment. The following microbiota were isolated: Total viable counts (TVC), Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas and presumptive Salmonella. The hospices had high counts of E.coli and S.aureus on the cutting boards for the breakfast session compared to the traditional home based kitchens. It was speculated that this could have originated from crosscontamination via the foodhandler’s hands and the food served. It is evident from the results that hospices lack a management system regarding the prevalence of E. coli as it was present on the cutting boards throughout the food preparation sessions. Gram negative organisms (coliform and P. aeruginosa) were in particular both resistant to oxacillin and this pose a great challenge in this particular setting. This can be addressed by putting emphasis on hygiene as a strategy per se for reducing antibiotic resistance.
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Starz, Anton Johannes. "A calculation concept to reduce manufacturing cost on laser sintering machines." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/117.
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Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008A company’s ability to produce products faster and more economically may lead to a competitive edge in the international market. The reduction of development costs and shortened development time will undeniably depend on effective organisational structures that are based on effective information- and communication techniques and manufacturing technologies. An innovative manufacturing technology that impacts on rapid product development is Rapid Prototyping (RP). The Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM) works closely with South African companies, supporting them with common mechanical engineering solutions and specialising in the manufacturing of prototypes. One of the options offered in the manufacture of prototypes is the Laser Sintering (LS) process. It is however, difficult to determine the product cost for the building volume used to manufacture the prototypes. Prototypes from different clients can be manufactured at the same time in the same process. The problem however, is how to calculate the costs for each prototype and to offer the clients an accurate quotation for the manufacture of the prototype. Therefore, it is necessary to design a calculation concept, which includes all accrued costs and allocate these to the different parts/prototypes. As it is problematic to calculate the manufacturing cost of prototypes, it is necessary to analyse all the effects, parameters and influences on the manufacturing process in order to determine the manufacturing time, and ultimately the machine costs. This is needed to calculate the total cost of one platform and the cost of each individual part. The project, through various experiments determined how to allocate the costs, through a correlation between part volume and platform height. The aim of the study was to determine a calculation concept to estimate the total platform cost and the cost of each individual part. Furthermore, the estimated cost was compared with the actual cost to determine the deviation between the calculation methods, and lead to a calculation concept that can be used to predict and reduce the manufacturing costs. The results obtained from the research were used for an exact calculation and reduction of prototype unit costs manufactured on LS machines, which gave three basic advantages: * Manufacturing costs were reduced to benefit clients, which meant that they could invest more in the design of new prototypes and products, to improve customer satisfaction * Prototype manufacturing on expensive RP machines could be optimised by using more prototypes and lower costs for entering the market. * The calculation risk could be minimised, which lowered the risk of losing money on a project and resulted in better planning for available resources.
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Bereng, Nthabiseng. "An investigation into the application of customer relationship management (CRM) by the water and sewerage authority (WASA) in Maseru Lesotho." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/9.
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Rowe, Michelle. "A hermeneutical approach to creative perception as an element in photography." Thesis, [Bloemfontein?] : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/150.
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Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011The purpose of the study is to mitigate the restrictions of ocularcentrism by employing an interactive hermeneutical approach to the creation and interpretation of the implied meanings in a photograph. The principles of hermeneutic phenomenology are applied to outline the putative strengths and weaknesses associated with ocularcentrism as applied to photography and to attempt to illustrate how the proposed model of aesthetic participation may overcome these weaknesses. The literature review shows that ocularcentrism is a mode of perception concerned with a one-sided preference to sight over the other senses and may limit photographers and perceivers to create or interpret meaning in a photograph solely on what they see. Concerning ocularcentrism, it is not the art object alone, but the self-centred worldviews of the photographer and perceiver that limit the basis for the development of an interactive aesthetic experience. The photographer who successfully challenges the ocularcentric worldviews of perceivers in the world of the work succeeds in initiating participation between all the coordinates of the proposed interactive hermeneutical model of aesthetic participation. Interactivity between the coordinates artist, perceiver, artwork and worldviews is achieved through the application of creative strategies during the creation of photographs. These creative strategies may include facets that contradict consistency building, illusion building, defamiliarization, irony, the deliberate stimulation or frustration of a perceiver's interpretation and the use of a known theme placed within an unknown context with a view on challenging the ocularcentric perceptions of perceivers. The application of any combination of these strategies is the decision of the photographer, who applies them according to the imaginary embodiment of the photographer in the position of the perceiver. The photographs produced by the author for analysis in this study presents three images which elicit allegorical, figurative and esoterical forms of interpretation. Each step of the hermeneutic phenomenological process was carefully documented prior to the analysis and are presented in the hermeneutic phenomenological format in conjunction with the proposed interactive model of aesthetic participation. The main point that emerged from this study is that a hermeneutical approach to creative perception as an element in photography will give rise to interactive participation between all the coordinates of the proposed interactive hermeneutical model of aesthetic participation and thus ocularcentric restrictions may be overcome by photographers and perceivers by employing an interactive hermeneutical approach when creating as well as interpreting the implied meanings in a photograph.
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Kander, Veena. "Validation of a pediatric guideline on basic electroencephalogram interpretation for clinicians." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/172.
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Thesis (M. Tech. (Clinical technology )) - Central University of technology, Free State, 2013The incidence of epilepsy is high in sub-Saharan Africa and resource poor countries (RPCs). There are few neurologists and paediatric neurologists to manage people with epilepsy (PWE). Health care is often limited, particularly technological services, including electroencephalogram (EEG), video EEG monitoring, and Neuroradiology services. All these are important in the management of PWE. Since 2008, informal electrophysiology training has been provided at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital, in the Department of Paediatric Neurology. The Principal Investigator (PI) elected to develop a formal teaching course on EEG interpretation at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital. A study was designed to evaluate the practical use of a handbook entitled “Handbook of Paediatric Electroencephalography: A guide to basic paediatric electroencephalogram interpretation.” This has been developed to fulfill the need for basic understanding and interpretation of EEG amongst clinicians caring for children in sub-Saharan Africa who may not have access to, or be able to afford, training at a recognized facility or on-line. In 2008, the department of Paediatric Neurology at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital had their first African fellow from Kenya. By 2011, seven participants had undergone EEG training. A quantitative research approach and design was used in order to evaluate the handbook in terms of the accessibility of the contents and its practical use. Quantification included the recruitment of participants who constituted the population sample, a pilot study, and the collection of data from comparative assessments of participants’ use of the handbook, and from questionnaires completed by participants. This provided the researcher with the opportunity to improve and validate her knowledge of training in EEG interpretation. The researcher was able to quantify and compare the scores of participants using the handbook, as well as to compare their evaluative responses to its content and practical use. Eleven of thirteen participants completed the study. The pre-training results showed a median percentage of 50 which increased to 70 percent post-test. A comparison of the scores of trained versus not-trained revealed that those participants who had undergone one-on-one training on site at the unit fared much better both in their interpretations, conclusions, and reporting of EEG findings. The responses from the evaluative and comparative survey between the two groups showed no significant difference across all questions, the majority of the questions on the relative usefulness of the handbook being rated ‘agree’ and ‘strongly agree’, thus supporting the finding that all participants found the handbook useful whether they had received one-on-one training or not. The post-training results in EEG interpretation showed a stronger trend towards statistical significance (p<0.06) with trained participants and with the not-trained. These findings lend support to the success and usefulness of the handbook as a basic guide to paediatric EEG interpretation. The handbook was not aimed at making the electroencephalography reader an expert at a specialist level, but rather to maximize the reliability of the reading of EEG when screening electroencephalograms for important key diagnostic markers which would alter the child’s management. This is the first published handbook on paediatric EEG in South Africa. The results of this study strongly suggest that the handbook is useful as a learning and reference tool in interpretation of paediatric EEG, both for individuals with access to one-on-one training as well as those without. It is intended that the handbook, in conjunction with one-on-one training, will form part of a post-graduate diploma course offered by the University of Cape Town on “basic electrophysiology and the management of children with epilepsy” for training neurologists and child neurologists, paediatricians and health care workers in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Crous, Altia. "An evaluation and comparison of metabolic and clinical changes in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery." Thesis, Bloemfontein: Central University of Technology Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/233.
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Thesis ( M. Tech. (Clinical Technology )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013The best approach to surgical myocardil revascularization remains controversial. It is already known that an inflammatory response exists due to several factors related to the use of CPB. physiological stress response which leads to an increase in pro-inflammatory markers still remains during OPCAB surgery. surgery induces a wide haematological and hemodynamic changes. Hemodynamic and metabolic optimization is of daily importance in the hospital environment. morbidity and mortality. Lactate is also often used to predict clinical outcomes and complications but controversy remains about using this measure because of discrepancies in The aim of the study was to evaluate how metabolic and clinical changes relate to the incidence of complications and clinical outcomes in ACS patients undergoing on-pump and off-pump CABG Sixty patients diagnosed with ACS who received CABG surgery were recruited to participate in the study (30 patients on-pump and 30 patients off-pump). Patients not receiving isolated with reference to the intra-operative and post-operative metabolic data, intra-operative hemodynamic data and post-operative clinical outcomes/complications. lactate levels <5mmol/L or patients with lactate levels >5mmol/L. Comparisons between the two groups were made with reference to the intra-operative and post-operative metabolic data, Intra-operative metabolic data indicated 11 (37.0%) on-pump patients and 6 (20.0%) off-pump patients had peak lactate levels of >5mmol/L during cardiac surgery. The difference between the statistically comparison, the difference cannot be considered clinically relevant. differences (p<0.05) between the lactate < 5mmol/L group and the lactate > 5 mmol/L group. Intra-operative hemodynamic data showed statistically significant differences between the on- Post-operative metabolic data showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the on-pump and off-pump groups for acid-base balance variables, pH, HCO3- and BE (B) from The metabolites, glucose and lactate, showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the on-pump and off-pump groups from admission to ICU until 12 hours post- Despite the fact that elevated lactate levels have been described to be associated with adverse outcomes in paediatric- as well as general intensive care admission, no specific lactate level has surgery. Lactate values for the on-pump group were significantly higher during the immediate post- resulting in vasoconstriction and a redistribution of blood flow away from the peripheral tissue and the splanchnic circulation, creating an environment for increased lactate levels in the tissue. indication of a patient's likelihood of experiencing various complications. Both groups recovered to lactate levels of <2mmol/L by the 24th hour post-operatively. According to operatively this is associated with an increased 60-day mortality. The study did show a statistically significant difference between the on-pump and off-pump comparison, the difference cannot be considered conclusive and we can only make suggestions as to the trends seen in the data. Elevated lactate levels show that they may be poorly correlated with clinical outcomes and in order to see a more definite relationship between peak lactate levels and clinical outcomes, a larger study population will be required or perhaps a different lactate cut-off value should be considered. It may also be more useful to see if there is a positive correlation between the duration of time a patient is subjected to peak lactate levels of >5mmol/L and clinical outcomes. We recommend larger study population and change lactate cut-off value to >10mmol/L.
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Meiring, Linda. "A distribution model for the assessment of database systems knowledge and skills among second-year university students." Thesis, [Bloemfontein?] : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/44.
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