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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

Riglyne vir die opleiding van effektiewe tegnologie-onderwysers in die verdere onderwys- en opleidingsband / G.P. Benadé.

Benadé, Gerhardus Petrus January 2010 (has links)
With the implementation of Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in South Africa profound changes were also made to technical education. For example, the name technical education made way for the name technology education, the senior secondary phase was replaced with the Further Education and Training band (FET), the syllabuses made way for curricula and all technical subjects were restructured, reduced and re-curriculated to four new subjects. These four new subjects are defined in the New Curriculum Statement (NCS) documents and should be taught according to the Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) principles. This study was undertaken to determine the nature of technology education in the phase, what competencies these teachers should have and what the perceptions of final year students in this phase are, regarding their vocational competencies. The above named objectives were aimed at contributing guidelines with the purpose of improving the training of FET technology teachers. In order to answer the above named questions a literature review, a qualitative and a quantitative study was undertaken. The literature revealed that technology teaching in the FET phase in South Africa has to do with education that focuses on the teaching of technological knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. The technology education in this phase focuses on electrical, mechanical, civil and design fields, with emphasis on problem solutions and the achievement of four well-defined outcomes. The implementation of FET technology in South Africa follows the international trend to place all training with a technical or technology bias under the banner of technology education because teaching only knowledge and skills were no longer sufficient. Because South Africa is still a developing country, there are unique and distinctive problems facing the effective teaching of technology. In order to train teachers effectively for the new curriculum the opinions of practicing school 'principals and experienced teachers in FET technology should be asked to determine what is expected from these novice teachers in practise. A qualitative study revealed that principals and other senior staff members of technical schools (FET) have certain expectations with regard to the competencies and capabilities of their technology teachers. These requirements, for example, includes professional competencies, general, teaching and practical skills and abilities such as subject knowledge and didactical knowledge. In a qualitative study, in which 20 of the final year FET technology students participated, it was found that according to them, they are, to a great extent, equipped for their task as teachers. With few exceptions, the students felt that they were well-equipped in terms of professional, general, teaching and practical skills as they were properly guided in subject and didactic knowledge. As for the training of technical teachers in the FET phase, it was found that the training to a large extent meets the demands of education and the needs of schools, but that there are one or two areas of training that might be improved on and that there are certain misconceptions when students need to judge the value of certain modules. These misconceptions or problem areas mainly focus on the educational programme, practical teaching, education administration and training in practical skills. Specific recommendations are made regarding the training of technical teachers for the FET phase: Recommendations from this study focus on: • Better planned, more effective and relevant workshop practical training. • Greater exposure to, or better planned exposure to, practical education. • Better definition or tuition of educational and didactical modules. • Specific modules exposing students to more imitated administrative tasks. • Promotion of workshop safety. This study focused on the nature of technology education in the FET band in South Africa, the training of teachers who must be able to teach technology in the FET band and the unique abilities they should possess. Recommendations from this study can thus contribute in improving FET technology training in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.
2

Riglyne vir die opleiding van effektiewe tegnologie-onderwysers in die verdere onderwys- en opleidingsband / G.P. Benadé.

Benadé, Gerhardus Petrus January 2010 (has links)
With the implementation of Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in South Africa profound changes were also made to technical education. For example, the name technical education made way for the name technology education, the senior secondary phase was replaced with the Further Education and Training band (FET), the syllabuses made way for curricula and all technical subjects were restructured, reduced and re-curriculated to four new subjects. These four new subjects are defined in the New Curriculum Statement (NCS) documents and should be taught according to the Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) principles. This study was undertaken to determine the nature of technology education in the phase, what competencies these teachers should have and what the perceptions of final year students in this phase are, regarding their vocational competencies. The above named objectives were aimed at contributing guidelines with the purpose of improving the training of FET technology teachers. In order to answer the above named questions a literature review, a qualitative and a quantitative study was undertaken. The literature revealed that technology teaching in the FET phase in South Africa has to do with education that focuses on the teaching of technological knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. The technology education in this phase focuses on electrical, mechanical, civil and design fields, with emphasis on problem solutions and the achievement of four well-defined outcomes. The implementation of FET technology in South Africa follows the international trend to place all training with a technical or technology bias under the banner of technology education because teaching only knowledge and skills were no longer sufficient. Because South Africa is still a developing country, there are unique and distinctive problems facing the effective teaching of technology. In order to train teachers effectively for the new curriculum the opinions of practicing school 'principals and experienced teachers in FET technology should be asked to determine what is expected from these novice teachers in practise. A qualitative study revealed that principals and other senior staff members of technical schools (FET) have certain expectations with regard to the competencies and capabilities of their technology teachers. These requirements, for example, includes professional competencies, general, teaching and practical skills and abilities such as subject knowledge and didactical knowledge. In a qualitative study, in which 20 of the final year FET technology students participated, it was found that according to them, they are, to a great extent, equipped for their task as teachers. With few exceptions, the students felt that they were well-equipped in terms of professional, general, teaching and practical skills as they were properly guided in subject and didactic knowledge. As for the training of technical teachers in the FET phase, it was found that the training to a large extent meets the demands of education and the needs of schools, but that there are one or two areas of training that might be improved on and that there are certain misconceptions when students need to judge the value of certain modules. These misconceptions or problem areas mainly focus on the educational programme, practical teaching, education administration and training in practical skills. Specific recommendations are made regarding the training of technical teachers for the FET phase: Recommendations from this study focus on: • Better planned, more effective and relevant workshop practical training. • Greater exposure to, or better planned exposure to, practical education. • Better definition or tuition of educational and didactical modules. • Specific modules exposing students to more imitated administrative tasks. • Promotion of workshop safety. This study focused on the nature of technology education in the FET band in South Africa, the training of teachers who must be able to teach technology in the FET band and the unique abilities they should possess. Recommendations from this study can thus contribute in improving FET technology training in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.
3

Tegniese onderwys op sekondêre skoolvlak vir Blankes in Suid-Afrika tot 1974 / Hennie J. Steyn

Steyn, Hennie J January 1977 (has links)
This study is aimed at indicating the development of technical education at secondary level from 1925 to 1974. Attention is paid to the development of technical education as it is presented at full-time day-schools. For the purpose of this research, technical education is defined as: a preparatory study towards an apprenticeship or a further study in technology, while the value of general-formative education is continually stressed. Chapter 2 deals with the control and judicial foundations of technical education. This aspect is treated in three sub-sections namely: * technical education under provincial control before 1925: * technical education under control of the Union Department of Education and the Department of Education, Arts and Science (1925-1967) and * technical education, once more the responsibility of the provincial departments of education (1968-1974). Chapter 3 shows the composition of the curricula for technical schools during 1925-1974 and how it was adapted periodically to continually changing industrial circumstances. In an effort to provide educated technically trained manpower, pupils are educated in the more general scientific principles which are fundamental to each trade. The emphasis, however. did not only fall on the technological training. Since 1925 generally-formative education had already been offered at technical schools. Chapter 4 deals with the entrance requirements for, as well as the number of pupils in technical high schools. This chapter also tries to explain the manner in which pupils are affected by stipulations concerning compulsory education. chapter 5 deals with the financial implications concerning technical education. The financial burden has been the major factor which impeded the realistic development of technical education. It was also one of the most important factors which determined the place of technical schools in the South African school system. Attention is paid in Chapter 6 to the training of teachers for the technical schools and the training of personnel for the workshops at technical schools is stressed, as this kind of education is peculiar to the technical schools. Chapter 7 gives a short summary of the entire study. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO
4

Tegniese onderwys op sekondêre skoolvlak vir Blankes in Suid-Afrika tot 1974 / Hennie J. Steyn

Steyn, Hennie J January 1977 (has links)
This study is aimed at indicating the development of technical education at secondary level from 1925 to 1974. Attention is paid to the development of technical education as it is presented at full-time day-schools. For the purpose of this research, technical education is defined as: a preparatory study towards an apprenticeship or a further study in technology, while the value of general-formative education is continually stressed. Chapter 2 deals with the control and judicial foundations of technical education. This aspect is treated in three sub-sections namely: * technical education under provincial control before 1925: * technical education under control of the Union Department of Education and the Department of Education, Arts and Science (1925-1967) and * technical education, once more the responsibility of the provincial departments of education (1968-1974). Chapter 3 shows the composition of the curricula for technical schools during 1925-1974 and how it was adapted periodically to continually changing industrial circumstances. In an effort to provide educated technically trained manpower, pupils are educated in the more general scientific principles which are fundamental to each trade. The emphasis, however. did not only fall on the technological training. Since 1925 generally-formative education had already been offered at technical schools. Chapter 4 deals with the entrance requirements for, as well as the number of pupils in technical high schools. This chapter also tries to explain the manner in which pupils are affected by stipulations concerning compulsory education. chapter 5 deals with the financial implications concerning technical education. The financial burden has been the major factor which impeded the realistic development of technical education. It was also one of the most important factors which determined the place of technical schools in the South African school system. Attention is paid in Chapter 6 to the training of teachers for the technical schools and the training of personnel for the workshops at technical schools is stressed, as this kind of education is peculiar to the technical schools. Chapter 7 gives a short summary of the entire study. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO
5

Influence of information technology on labour relations in the United Arab Emirates / Matar Alneyadi

Alneyadi, Matar Humaid January 2005 (has links)
Information technology has fundamentally exercised an impact on the employment relationship. Firstly, and most obviously, technology is often used as a substitute for labour. However, improvements in information technology have also served to complement labour. Thus triggered employees to strive to maintain their status not just as another commodity of production, but a vital cog in the organisation. Organisational structures changed to such an extent that employers consult their employees about introduction and implementation of new information technologies in the workplace in order to ensure a well organised introduction and structured implementation. The aim of this research is to conceptualise the influence of information technology from the literature, and to determine how new information technologies affect and are affected by the efficiency and effectiveness of task execution on the geographical distribution of work, and the distinct differences that can be observed under varying technical conditions in the characteristics of organisational structure and culture, which are cooperation, influence, communication and employment policies. A study population was• identified within an information technology environment. The study population can be defined as employees in different organisations of one information technology environment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). A stratified random sample of 360 of the total population of 540 employees (66.67%) in the information technology environment was targeted. A response rate of 70% was achieved, of which 252 responses (99.6%) could be utilised. According to analyses of the data and results of the study the researcher was able to conclude that the need for the implementation of advanced information technology in organisations had increased, that is, if organisations wished to operate in the modem world of business, but it was revealed that little if any corrective channels or procedures accompanied such implementation to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. The researcher established that setting clear goals and objectives for the organisation would help to maintain harmonious relationships. This can be only achieved if the parties to the employment relation understand their stand and role concerning new information technologies. The research consists of the following chapters: Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: Theories of information technology and labour relations. Chapter 3: Influence of information technology on the role players within the labour relations. Chapter 4: Empirical discussion Chapter 5: Overview, recommendations and concluding remarks. Recommendations for the future research are made. / MCom (Industrial Sociology) North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006
6

Influence of information technology on labour relations in the United Arab Emirates / Matar Alneyadi

Alneyadi, Matar Humaid January 2005 (has links)
Information technology has fundamentally exercised an impact on the employment relationship. Firstly, and most obviously, technology is often used as a substitute for labour. However, improvements in information technology have also served to complement labour. Thus triggered employees to strive to maintain their status not just as another commodity of production, but a vital cog in the organisation. Organisational structures changed to such an extent that employers consult their employees about introduction and implementation of new information technologies in the workplace in order to ensure a well organised introduction and structured implementation. The aim of this research is to conceptualise the influence of information technology from the literature, and to determine how new information technologies affect and are affected by the efficiency and effectiveness of task execution on the geographical distribution of work, and the distinct differences that can be observed under varying technical conditions in the characteristics of organisational structure and culture, which are cooperation, influence, communication and employment policies. A study population was• identified within an information technology environment. The study population can be defined as employees in different organisations of one information technology environment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). A stratified random sample of 360 of the total population of 540 employees (66.67%) in the information technology environment was targeted. A response rate of 70% was achieved, of which 252 responses (99.6%) could be utilised. According to analyses of the data and results of the study the researcher was able to conclude that the need for the implementation of advanced information technology in organisations had increased, that is, if organisations wished to operate in the modem world of business, but it was revealed that little if any corrective channels or procedures accompanied such implementation to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. The researcher established that setting clear goals and objectives for the organisation would help to maintain harmonious relationships. This can be only achieved if the parties to the employment relation understand their stand and role concerning new information technologies. The research consists of the following chapters: Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: Theories of information technology and labour relations. Chapter 3: Influence of information technology on the role players within the labour relations. Chapter 4: Empirical discussion Chapter 5: Overview, recommendations and concluding remarks. Recommendations for the future research are made. / MCom (Industrial Sociology) North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006
7

Energy efficiency savings allowance in South Africa : an international comparison

Du Toit, Emile Francois 06 March 2012 (has links)
New and proposed tax relief sections have been added to the Income Tax Act no 58 of 1962 over the past few years and this is an indication that the South African (SA) Government acknowledges that there is considerable investment required, by both SA taxpayers and the SA Government, to go “green” and to save energy. The National Treasury proposed the introduction of section 12L to the Income Tax Act No 58 of 1962 (the Act) in the 2009 Taxation Laws Amendment Act. This will provide an incentive for taxpayers to benefit from energy savings by incurring capital expenditure with the purpose of reducing energy consumption. The idea with the proposed section 12L is that the more energy one saves, the less tax one pays. However, the proposed introduction of section 12L has led to uncertainty as to the process to be followed by a taxpayer, in order to qualify for the allowance. There will be a discussion on whether this notional allowance will be in addition to the allowances and deductions based on actual expenditure incurred in the investment of new green technologies. The objective during the current study is to examine how government should formulate SA legislation in terms of section 12L of the Act to stimulate investment in the conversion of old technologies to new “green” technology. The challenges of improved energy savings will be addressed in the SA context, and compared to similar legislation in China and the United Kingdom (UK). This comparison will identify the gaps, alternatives and possible improvements to the proposed SA section 12L. AFRIKAANS : Nuwe en voorgestelde wetsartikels vir die vermindering van belasting is gedurende die laaste paar jaar ingedien. Dit is ’n aanduiding dat die Suid-Afrikaanse (SA) Regering erken dat aansienlike belegging benodig word om “groen” te raak en om krag te bespaar. Die Nasionale Tesourie het die indiening van artikel 12L in die Inkomste belasting Wet Nr. 58 van 1962 (Die Wet) in die 2009 Belasting Wysigingswet voorgestel. Dit sal as aansporing dien vir belastingbetalers om voordeel te trek uit energiebesparing deur om kapitaaluitgawes wat lei tot die vermindering van kragverbruik aan te gaan. Die idée agter die voorgestelde artikel 12L is dat hoe meer energie ’n mens spaar, hoe minder belasting jy hoef te betaal. Die voorgestelde indiening van wetsartikel 12L lei egter tot onsekerheid oor die proses wat die belatingbetaler moet volg om vir die toelaag te kwalifiseer. Die bespreking sal insluit of hierdie voorgestelde toelaag bykomend sal wees tot die toelae en aftrekkings wat gegrond is op werklike uitgawes wat aangegaan is tydens belegging in die nuwe groen tegnologie. Die doelwit met hierdie studie is om ondersoek in te stel in hoe die regering die SA wetgewing in terme van artikel 12L van die belastingwet moet formuleer om sodoende belegging in die omskakeling van die ou tegnologie na die nuwe “groen” tegnologie te stimuleer. Die uitdaging van energie besparing sal in die SA konteks aangespreek word en vergelyk word met soortgelyke wetgewing in die Verenigde Koningkryk (VK) en China. Die gapings, alternatiewe en moontlike verbeterings in die voorgestelde wetsartikel 12L sal tydens hierdie vergelyking identifiseer word. Copyright 2011, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Du Toit, EF 2011, Energy efficiency savings allowance in South Africa : an international comparison, MCom dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03062012-113449 / > F12/4/146/gm / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Taxation / unrestricted
8

Formulation, characterization and cellular toxicity of lipid based drug delivery systems for mefloquin / Chrizaan Helena (nee Slabbert)

Helena (nee Slabbert), Chrizaan January 2011 (has links)
Malaria affects millions of people annually especially in third world countries. Increase in resistance and limited research being conducted adds to the global burden of malaria. Mefloquine, known for unwanted adverse reactions and neurotoxicity, is highly lipophilic and is still used as treatment and prophylaxis. Lipid drug delivery systems are commonly used to increase solubility and efficacy and decrease toxicity. The most generally used lipid drug delivery system is liposomes. The lipid bilayer structure varying in size from 25 nm to 100 μm can entrap both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. Similar in structure and size to liposomes, Pheroid™ technology consist of natural fatty acids and is also able to entrap lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds. The aim of this study was to formulate liposomes and Pheroid™ vesicles loaded with mefloquine and evaluate the physiochemical characteristic of the formulations followed by efficacy and toxicity studies. Pheroid™ vesicles and liposomes with and without mefloquine were evaluated in size, morphology, pH and entrapment efficacy during three month accelerated stability testing. Optimization of size determination by flow cytometry lead to accurate determination of size for both Pheroid™ vesicles and liposomes. During the three months stability testing, Pheroid™ vesicles showed a small change in size from 3.07 ± 0.01 μm to approximately 3 μm for all three temperatures. Confocal laser scanning microscopic evaluation of the liposomes showed structures uniform in spherical shape and size. No difference in size or structure between the Pheroid™ vesicles with and without mefloquine were obtained. Significant increase (p=0.027) in size from 6.46 ± 0.01 μm to above 10 μm was observed for liposomes at all the temperatures. Clearly formed lipid bilayer structures were observed on micrographs. With the addition of mefloquine to the liposome formulation, a decrease in the amount of bilayer structures and an increase in oil droplets were found. Entrapment efficacy was determined by firstly separating the entrapped drug from the unentrapped drug utilizing a Sephadex®G50 mini column. This was followed by spectrophotometric evaluation by UV-spectrophotometry at 283 nm. Initial entrapment efficacy of both Pheroid™ vesicles and liposomes was above 60%. An increase in entrapment efficacy was observed for Pheroid™ vesicles. The addition of mefloquine to already formulated Pheroid™ vesicles illustrated entrapment efficacy of 60.14 ± 5.59% after 14 days. Formulations loaded with mefloquine resulted in lower pH values as well as a decrease in pH over time. Optimization of efficacy studies utilizing propidium iodide was necessary due to the similarity in size and shape of the drug delivery systems to erythrocytes. A gating strategy was successfully implemented for the determination of the percentage parasitemia. Efficacy testing of mefloquine loaded in Pheroid™ vesicles and liposomes showed a 186% and 207% decrease in parasitemia levels compared to the control of mefloquine. Toxicity studies conducted include haemolysis and ROS (reactive oxygen species) analysis on erythrocytes as well as cell viability on mouse neuroblastoma cells. Pheroid™ vesicles with and without mefloquine resulted in a dose dependent increase in ROS and haemolysis over time. A dose dependent increase in ROS and haemolysis in both liposome formulations were observed, but to a lesser extent. Mefloquine proved to be neurotoxic with similar results obtained when mefloquine was entrapped in liposomes. Pheroid™ vesicles seem to have neuroprotective properties resulting in higher cell viability. Mefloquine could be entrapped successfully in Pheroid™ vesicles and less in liposomes. Pheroid™ vesicles was more stable over a three months accelerated stability testing with more favourable characteristics. The increase in ROS levels of Pheroid™ vesicles could be responsible for the higher efficacy and haemolytic activity. DL-α-Tocopherol in Pheroid™ vesicles possibly acted as a pro-oxidant due to the presence of iron in the erythrocytes. DL-α-Tocopherol showed possible antioxidant properties in the neurotoxicity evaluation resulting in higher cell viability. Even though liposomes illustrated higher efficacy and little haemolysis and ROS production, no difference in neurotoxicity was observed together with unfavourable properties during stability testing makes this drug delivery system less favourable in comparison to Pheroid™ vesicles. Mefloquine was successfully incorporated into Pheroid™ vesicles resulted in high efficacy and showed possible neuroprotection and therefore makes it an ideal system for treatment of malaria. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011
9

Pharmaceutical applications of PheroidTM technology / Anne F. Grobler

Grobler, Anne Frederica January 2009 (has links)
For a drug to have a therapeutic effect, it has to reach its site of action in sufficient quantities. The Pheroid drug delivery system enhances the absorption of drugs in various pharmacological categories and is the focus of this study. A number of patents are registered in various countries to protect its application. Pheroid technology is trademarked, but may for ease of reading, be called Pheroid(s) only. The Pheroid itself is composed of an organic carbon backbone composed of unsaturated fatty acids with some side-chain interactions that result in self-emulsifying characteristics. The resulting vesicles and nano-sponges can entrap hydrophilic, hydrophobic or amphiphilic compounds for biomedical and agricultural application and can be manipulated as to loading ability, mechanical resistance, permeability, size and solubility. Pheroid was investigated for its potential use in the areas of vaccines, peptide drugs, topical products and cosmeceuticals, antimicrobial treatments and agriculture. In all of these areas, the Pheroid has indeed shown applicability: the results showed improved uptake and/or efficacy of the entrapped chemical or biological compounds after administration by a number of administration routes. For oral administration, a precursor format, the pro-Pheroid, was used, wherein the vesicles and/or sponges are formed post-administration. Proof of concept studies on the in vivo absorption and bioavailability, as well as studies on in vitro efficacy of Pheroid-based formulations were carried out for antimicrobials, such as tuberculosis drugs, antimalarials and antiretrovirals. In all cases, the in vitro efficacy of the active compounds was increased, compared to well-known standard drug treatments. In a phase I bio-equivalence study, a Pheroid-containing combination formulation was compared against the comparative market leader. The results demonstrated that the bioavailability of the active compounds in the Pheroid was at least as good but mostly significantly better than that of the comparative medication. In addition, the incidence of side-effects was decreased in the case of the Pheroid formulations. Furthermore, in vitro results indicate that drug resistance can at least partially be negated. Pheroid technology may also be capable of protecting labile drugs such as peptides against degradation and increasing efficacy so that lower dosages can be administered less frequently and with fewer side effects. Based on in vitro and in vivo results, a number of products are currently in development. The application of Pheroid technology is potentially limitless and includes such areas as TB, malaria, cancer, AIDS, gene delivery, vaccines, patented medicines and generics and agriculture. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.
10

Pharmaceutical applications of PheroidTM technology / Anne F. Grobler

Grobler, Anne Frederica January 2009 (has links)
For a drug to have a therapeutic effect, it has to reach its site of action in sufficient quantities. The Pheroid drug delivery system enhances the absorption of drugs in various pharmacological categories and is the focus of this study. A number of patents are registered in various countries to protect its application. Pheroid technology is trademarked, but may for ease of reading, be called Pheroid(s) only. The Pheroid itself is composed of an organic carbon backbone composed of unsaturated fatty acids with some side-chain interactions that result in self-emulsifying characteristics. The resulting vesicles and nano-sponges can entrap hydrophilic, hydrophobic or amphiphilic compounds for biomedical and agricultural application and can be manipulated as to loading ability, mechanical resistance, permeability, size and solubility. Pheroid was investigated for its potential use in the areas of vaccines, peptide drugs, topical products and cosmeceuticals, antimicrobial treatments and agriculture. In all of these areas, the Pheroid has indeed shown applicability: the results showed improved uptake and/or efficacy of the entrapped chemical or biological compounds after administration by a number of administration routes. For oral administration, a precursor format, the pro-Pheroid, was used, wherein the vesicles and/or sponges are formed post-administration. Proof of concept studies on the in vivo absorption and bioavailability, as well as studies on in vitro efficacy of Pheroid-based formulations were carried out for antimicrobials, such as tuberculosis drugs, antimalarials and antiretrovirals. In all cases, the in vitro efficacy of the active compounds was increased, compared to well-known standard drug treatments. In a phase I bio-equivalence study, a Pheroid-containing combination formulation was compared against the comparative market leader. The results demonstrated that the bioavailability of the active compounds in the Pheroid was at least as good but mostly significantly better than that of the comparative medication. In addition, the incidence of side-effects was decreased in the case of the Pheroid formulations. Furthermore, in vitro results indicate that drug resistance can at least partially be negated. Pheroid technology may also be capable of protecting labile drugs such as peptides against degradation and increasing efficacy so that lower dosages can be administered less frequently and with fewer side effects. Based on in vitro and in vivo results, a number of products are currently in development. The application of Pheroid technology is potentially limitless and includes such areas as TB, malaria, cancer, AIDS, gene delivery, vaccines, patented medicines and generics and agriculture. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

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