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The use of catchment areas for the study of elemental mobilities is discussed with particular reference to two catchments in north-east Scotland. Underlying geology has considerable influence on their respective stream water compositions, although total annual solute output ultimately depends on the quantity of stream runoff. Tremendous fluctuations in stream water chemistry occur during storms which, it has been suggested, are due to the pathways taken by storm water through chemically contrasting soil horizons. Field sampling of this soil throughflow storm component and laboratory studies involving the leaching of undisturbed soil cores (taken at various depths down the profile) support this conclusion. Relationships between iron, aluminium and organic matter in stream water are discussed in detail. Full use of the available analytical facilities has been made with modifications to existing methods and development of new methods undertaken where necessary.

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This work in the domain of quality management and business process design looks at how the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard for quality management systems are designed and implemented in business. It is the aim of the research reported in this thesis to support manufacturing companies when modelling a Fulfil Order Process by identifying the links to the ISO 9001 quality standard and highlighting potential impact from any changes in the process or the standard during a redesign project. It does so by presenting a modelling technique, named IDEF9ooow, hich will enablec ompaniest o take a systemic perspectiveo f a Fulfil Order Process identifying all relevant links to ISO 9001. A research strategy based around the experiences of companies when designing business processes with links to ISO 9001 was adopted. In-depth case studies carried out by the author showed that simply documenting what an organisation does to satisfy the various elements of ISO 9001 is still one of the most common approaches adopted. This results in a process-oriented character only at the documentation stage. It is the result of limited guidance on how to integrate the requirements of ISO 9001 in business processes. The work proceeded by exploring the domains of business processes, the use of systems thinking to explain business processes and the relevance of ISO 9001 requirements from a processbased viewpoint. A set of criteria was developed to identify activities, information and other flows controlled by ISO 9001 to design a Fulfil Order Process in a manufacturing company. This provided the context for the development of the modelling technique IDEF90oow, hich is an enhanced version of IDEFo, and its validation by review and by use in two manufacturing companies. The originality of this work lies in the identification and emphasis by the author of the need to take a systemic view of business processes when designing or redesigning a processbased ISO 9001 quality management system. Also, criteria for a technique to address the modelling of a Fulfil Order Process were identified. Furthermore this contribution to knowledge includes the identification of links between ISO 9001 requirements and a holistic Fulfil Order Process. This led to the development of further criteria for modelling such a business process showing the links to ISO 9001. IDEFooo represents an improved modelling approach that fulfils the identified criteria and permits the systemic design or redesign of a Fulfil Order Process while establishing the links controlled by the ISO 9001 quality standard

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / P.V. Vara Prasad / Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is cultivated as an important food grain in the semi-arid regions of Africa. Processed grain sorghum is traditionally consumed as porridge, couscous, traditional tô or beer. The quality of such foods is highly dependent upon grain characteristics. Sorghum grain quality traits mainly include kernel hardness, kernel weight, kernel size, protein content and kernel color. Grain quality traits are often influenced by environment, genotypes, fertilizer management and their interaction. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of different levels of nitrogen application (0, 45, and 90 kg ha[superscript]-1) on grain quality of selected sorghum genotypes. The field experiment was conducted at three locations in 2010 (Manhattan, Ottawa, and Hays) and at two locations in 2011 (Manhattan and Ottawa). The experiment was laid in split plot randomized complete bloc design and replicated four times. The main plots were assigned to three N regimes: control (0 kg N ha[superscript]-1), half recommended rate (45 kg N ha[superscript]-1) and recommended rate (90 kg N ha[superscript]-1). The subplots were assigned to twelve genotypes (six hybrids and six inbred lines). Plot size was 6.1 m x 3.0 m with a row spacing of 0.75 m. After harvest, grain quality traits (hardness, weight, diameter and protein content) were evaluated using standard procedures and the data subjected to statistical design using SAS. There were significant effects of genotype for most grain quality traits across both locations in Manhattan. Inbred lines SC35 and SC599 had maximum hardness at all locations while hybrid 95207, had the lowest hardness for all locations. Also, Inbred lines SC35 and Tx340 had maximum protein content at all the locations. While hybrids 95207, 26056, 23012 had the lowest protein content. Genotypes Tx430, SC35, had higher hardness and with higher protein content were classified as high quality. We conclude that application of N (45 or 90 kg ha[superscript]-1) significantly improved grain protein, but not other quality traits. There are opportunities to improve grain protein through fertilizer management and plant breeding.

Prof. D. de Villiers

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Dentistry (Community Dentistry) Johannesburg, 2015 / This study aims to assess Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among children with special needs, from the caregiver’s perspective. The objectives of the study were: (i) To describe the demographic profile of the caregivers in terms of age, gender and socio-economic status,(ii) To assess the dental caries status of children with special needs,(iii) To establish the caregivers’ perceived Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of the children with special needs using the short-form Parent-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire, (iv) To assess the impact of the dental caries status on the families of children with special needs using the Family Impact Scale questionnaire. Results: The study consisted of 150 caregiver child pairs, the mean age of the caregivers was 39.52 years (SD 9.26) and mean age of children was 8.72 years (SD 6.07). There was a high prevalence of untreated caries regardless of the type of disability. The highest caries prevalence in both the primary and permanent dentition was found in the Epilepsy and the Autism groups (75%-83%) while the lowest was found among Down syndrome and Cerebral palsy groups (30%-47%).All the caregivers expressed impact on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life.The mean Parent-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire score was 12.88 (SD 12.14) while the mean Family Impact score was 6.05 (SD 6.77). The highest Parent-Caregiver Perception score of 20.5 (SD 11.07) was found in the complex disability group followed by the Down syndrome group 15.87 (SD 13.87). The highest scores were found in the oral symptoms, functional limitation and emotional wellbeing domains which contributed more to the parent perception score. Conclusion: Caregivers of children with special needs in the current study experienced a negative impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life. Caries experience of the children with special needs was slightly lower than in the general population irrespective of disabilities and had no impact on the FIS and overall global rating-well-being.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the discipline of Dermatology Johannesburg, 2017 / Introduction: Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder and has an estimated global prevalence of around one to two percent. Vitiligo can significantly affect patients’ Quality of life (QoL). It is cosmetically and psychologically devastating, and can affect anyone irrespective of race, skin type or ethnicity. There is a paucity of research evaluating the QoL amongst vitiligo patients in Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa in particular. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate how vitiligo has altered the QoL of vitiligo patients treated at the skin outpatients’ clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: Our research was a prospective cross-sectional study of all individuals who were diagnosed with vitiligo at the three dermatology outpatients’ clinics in three academic public hospitals, and the phototherapy daycare centre in Johannesburg. All patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were requested to take part in the study. Data was obtained from enrolled individuals using a data collection sheet and the Dermatology Life Quality index questionnaire. This information was analysed using statistical software (STATA version 12). Results: A total of ninety-five (n=95) respondents were included as per inclusion criteria in our study. Our cohort comprised of sixty-two females (n=62, 65.26%), thirty-three males (n=33, 34. 74%). DLQI scores were in the ranges of 0 to 28 and the mean was 10.06±6.52, which indicates a moderate Quality of life (QoL) impairment in our cohort. Conclusion: Our study has shown that vitiligo moderately affects the QOL life of adult South African vitiligo patients. Therefore, treatment measures should be directed towards medical and psychological aspects of our patients for better treatment outcomes and improved QoL. This would be an argument for establishment of psychodermatology clinics at our referral hospitals. / MT2017

This study investigates in what ways a relevant and reliable accountability system that supports and strengthens the professional responsibility of teachers could improve quality. The study explores three issues: why teachers believe their professionalism is under attack, what they believe can improve the quality of learning outcomes in their schools, and what model of teacher regulation emerges from their accounts. The study is conducted by means of a case study of five individual “quality teachers” and five focus groups of teachers from five diverse “achieving schools” in Gauteng, South Africa. The beliefs and experiences of these teachers are investigated by means of an interview using a semi-structured interview schedule, a written questionnaire and a drawing. The data is analysed using grounded theory analysis. The study finds that the teachers’ professional identity is fragile. There are factors operating mostly at the internal level of the school and at the level of teachers’ capacity that strengthen their professional identity but others, particularly from the external environment, tend to fragment it. The study finds that if teachers, who are embedded in a nest of contractual obligations, do not have capacity and the other layers of the nest do not support the teacher, neither the teacher nor the school can improve quality regardless of the amount of pressure placed on them. To deliver quality teachers require a balance between autonomy and control. This is best attained by ensuring that teachers’ internal capacity/accountability is aligned to external accountability demands. A teacher-centred model of accountability that recognises the moral obligation of all parties, understands that the teacher is at the centre of the process of quality education and consequently invests in building their instructional capacity, and ensures institutional alignment, emerges as an appropriate model for quality improvement. This model respects and strengthens the professionalism of teachers.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Ophthalmology Date: 22 June 2017 / Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the quality of life of patients who underwent an eye amputation after open globe injury. The study addressed both general and vision related quality of life, focussing on anxiety and depression. The demographics of the study participants/respondents were compared to similar studies. Design and Method: The study design was a quantitative, prospective cross- sectional study using as a data tool, a self-administered questionnaire with demographic information, an extract of the WHO PBD VF20 questionnaire and the EQ5D. The participants were sampled using the convenience sampling method from the oculo-prosthesis clinic at the St John Eye Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, Gauteng, during March 2016 to June 2016. The information was collated and the data analysed using SAS to determine means, distributions and comparisons among the groups. Results: The demographics were comparable to other studies, except that more females were recruited in this current study. Vision specific quality of life: 51% of the respondents experienced no problems, 26.4% experienced problems, sometimes, and 9.3% experienced problems, very often. General health quality of life: 52,3% experienced an ideal life state. Only three respondents experienced a quality of life that was less than 50% of the ideal health state, all of whom indicated that they suffered severe pain. 83,8% of the study participants/respondents experienced a quality of life that was more than 75% of the ideal health state. Conclusion: Primary evisceration in severe ocular trauma is justified at the St John Eye Hospital due to the high burden of disease on the public health system (>70% of households), provided that certain criteria are met with regards to the visual potential of the eye. The higher female incidence could be due to alcohol misuse and gender violence; however, this will require further research. Despite the majority of the respondents having a health score of more than 75%, those with a higher pain score recorded a lower quality of life score. The participants who sustained open eye injuries leading to amputation were more prone to high levels of anxiety and depression. Continued health surveillance at the oculo-prosthesis clinic is advised with appropriate referrals to a social worker and or a psychologist/ psychiatrist and further on- referrals. / MT2017