Evolvable Hardware is a technique derived from evolutionary computation applied to a hardware design. The term evolutionary computation involves similar steps as involved in the human evolution. It has been given names in accordance with the electronic technology like, Genetic Algorithm (GA), Evolutionary Strategy (ES) and Genetic Programming (GP). In evolutionary computing, a configured bit is considered as a human chromosome for a genetic algorithm, which has to be downloaded into hardware. Early evolvable hardware experiments were conducted in simulation and the only elite chromosome was downloaded to the hardware, which was labelled as Extrinsic Hardware. With the invent of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Reconfigurable Processing Units (RPUs), it is now possible for the implementation solutions to be fast enough to evaluate a real hardware circuit within an evolutionary computation framework; this is called an Intrinsic Evolvable Hardware. This research has been taken in continuation with project 'Evolvable Hardware' done at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT). The project was able to manually evolve two simple electronic circuits of NAND and NOR gates in simulation. In relation to the project done at MIT this research focuses on the following: To automate the simulation by using In Circuit Debugging Emulators (IDEs), and to develop a strategy of configuring hardware like an FPGA without the use of their company supplied in circuit debugging emulators, so that the evolution of an intrinsic evolvable hardware could be controlled, and is hardware independent. As mentioned, the research conducted here was able to develop an evolvable hardware friendly Generic Structure which could be used for the development of evolvable hardware. The structure developed was hardware independent and was able to run on various FPGA hardware’s for the purpose of intrinsic evolution. The structure developed used few configuration bits as compared to current evolvable hardware designs.

Evolvable Hardware is a technique derived from evolutionary computation applied to a hardware design. The term evolutionary computation involves similar steps as involved in the human evolution. It has been given names in accordance with the electronic technology like, Genetic Algorithm (GA), Evolutionary Strategy (ES) and Genetic Programming (GP). In evolutionary computing, a configured bit is considered as a human chromosome for a genetic algorithm, which has to be downloaded into hardware. Early evolvable hardware experiments were conducted in simulation and the only elite chromosome was downloaded to the hardware, which was labelled as Extrinsic Hardware. With the invent of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Reconfigurable Processing Units (RPUs), it is now possible for the implementation solutions to be fast enough to evaluate a real hardware circuit within an evolutionary computation framework; this is called an Intrinsic Evolvable Hardware. This research has been taken in continuation with project 'Evolvable Hardware' done at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT). The project was able to manually evolve two simple electronic circuits of NAND and NOR gates in simulation. In relation to the project done at MIT this research focuses on the following: To automate the simulation by using In Circuit Debugging Emulators (IDEs), and to develop a strategy of configuring hardware like an FPGA without the use of their company supplied in circuit debugging emulators, so that the evolution of an intrinsic evolvable hardware could be controlled, and is hardware independent. As mentioned, the research conducted here was able to develop an evolvable hardware friendly Generic Structure which could be used for the development of evolvable hardware. The structure developed was hardware independent and was able to run on various FPGA hardware’s for the purpose of intrinsic evolution. The structure developed used few configuration bits as compared to current evolvable hardware designs.

Workplace violence is a phenomenon which is growing and it has the potential to affect individual performance and organizational productivity. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of employees regarding workplace violence in the National Department of Social Development. The researcher was motivated to choose this subject as a result of her observation working as Employee Health and Wellness Manager in the same Department whereby there were cases reported were related to workplace violence such as poor working relationships, conflict , work related stress and high level of mental health. Furthermore, lack of research and literature studies concerning workplace violence motivated the research. The qualitative approach was utilized and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data about the experiences of employees utilizing interview scheduled, 10 employees who were employees of the National Department of Social Development were interviewed. Purposive sampling method was used to select the suitable participants of the study who met the specific defined criteria. The type of research utilised was applied research to explore the experiences of employees regarding workplace violence and to give meaning to it. A collective case study was used to focus on participants who have experienced workplace violence in order to understand the types of workplace violence that were experienced, the effects it had on individuals as well as factors contributing to workplace violence in the National Department of Social Development. Theoretical overview that was discussed focused on understanding the how the different concepts related to workplace violence is defined in literature as well as looking at the effects of workplace violence on employees and employer as well as highlighting the different types of workplace violence. The research findings indicated that workplace violence is well conceptualised by the employees of Social Development and they understand the meaning of workplace violence. The study has also confirmed that workplace violence exists within the department and most of participants have experienced internal workplace violence. / Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted

The aim of this research was to explore the causes of relapse post treatment for substance dependency within the South African Police Services (SAPS). “Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing brain disease, so individuals with substance abuse disorders face the possibility of relapse once they stop using alcohol even if they have had a successful treatment” (Perkinson, 2004:180). According to Connors, Maisto and Donovan (1996:5) research revealed that relapse rates among persons treated for alcoholism were approximately 35% and 58% at two weeks and three months after treatment, respectively. A relapse or uncontrolled return to alcohol or other drug use following competent treatment, is one of the greatest problems substance abusers and their counselors face (Lewis, Dana&Blevins, 2002:105; Johnson, 2003:271). The objective of the study was to explore the challenges that members in the South African Police Services (SAPS) experience or are exposed to causing them to relapse post treatment for substance dependency. The findings are intended to provide recommendations to the management of SAPS to develop a relapse prevention programme in the workplace to prevent relapse post treatment. The researcher utilized a quantitative research approach to identify the causes of relapse among SAPS members post rehabilitation for substance dependency. The type of research is applied research as the focus of the study is on identifying the causes for members within the SAPS to relapse post treatment for substance dependency and to address a specific practical issue in the workplace. The literature review focused on understanding the relapse process. The cognitive-behavioural Model of relapse was discussed at length including the prevalence of substance abuse among police members and concluded with information on the relapse prevention programme. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a research tool to collect data from the respondents (See annexure C). The population of this study was the members of the SAPS who had undergone treatment for substance dependency from January 2008 to April 2009. The researcher concentrated on those members in the KZN Province. Consultation with the social workers revealed a population size of 50 members. Due to the small size of the population, no sampling procedure was necessary as the whole population was selected as the sample. The findings of the study were based on 44 questionnaires that were returned by the respondents. The findings were analyzed and presented using tables and graphs which were then interpreted in words. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents attributed their main cause for relapse due to Intrapersonal determinants - they experienced a negative emotional state (for example, feelings of anger, frustration and anxiety) that initially triggered their need to taking that first drink. Secondly respondents identified exposure to peer pressure and boredom as also being a cause for their relapse. They disclosed that at times their peers would pressurize them to consume alcohol. The temptation, urges and cravings and being in the presence of other people consuming alcohol proved too difficult to resist. Alcohol being the recreational drug of choice proved to be tempting to members especially when socialising with colleagues. Based on the findings of the study conclusions and recommendations were made to the development of the relapse prevention programme to assist members post treatment to maintain their sobriety. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / The current crime rate in the Western Cape plays a crucial role in the exposure of police officers to stressful and traumatic events. The intensity and frequency of this exposure, if not treated, could lead to police officers experiencing comorbid disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This leads to an increased need for trauma intervention strategies to be offered, to assist police officers who are exposed to trauma in the South African Police Service (SAPS). Although trauma intervention programmes are established within SAPS, a difference in perception about their effectiveness and service offering are presented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in perception toward stress and trauma intervention strategies within the SAPS in the Western Cape. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the researcher, tapped into the lived experiences of current police officers and Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) staff, employed by SAPS through semi-structured interviews. Through a comparative design, the study will add value to the current body of knowledge, as differences and similarities between two of the primary role players in the trauma debriefing process within the SAPS are explored. The research sample, recruited by means of convenience sampling, consisted of seven EHW staff members who had experience with dealing with stress and trauma-related programmes, and eight visible policing police officers who had experienced some form of trauma-related incident. The researcher made use of an in-depth interview guide as the research instrument for this study, which consisted of audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with the participants. The audio recordings were transcribed, and then analysed by means of thematic analysis. The findings showed that a difference in perception exists between police officers and EHW staff members toward the effectiveness of trauma intervention strategies offered in the SAPS. The findings also suggest that the majority of police officers do not make use of the trauma intervention programmes in the SAPS, in comparison to EHW staff reporting on good attendance by police officers at the service offerings. Similarities in perception between the two groups presented itself in the form of how trauma is defined, the different responses to trauma and coping mechanisms employed by police officers. The implications of this study include a contribution toward policy and structural amendments of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) framework within the SAPS, as well as a motivation for implementing a compulsory trauma counselling programme for police officers.