Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Technologiae: Quality in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2008 / Increasing customer demand for quality products and services have virtually forced organisations to adopt quality in every aspect of their business enterprises. Due to dynamic technological, political and economic changes in the world of business, the science of management is volatile. Higher Education Institutions are service providers and the customers thereof should be the focal point of their existence, requiring very specific structures to manage service quality within the various areas of application. After extensive research on customer complaint behaviours, the value of customer complaints have been highlighted, as it leads to useful insight into critical aspects pertaining to service organisations. Some customers 'pre-plan' complaints, and this act has been labeled as 'faked complaints'. This may lead to the organisation obtaining an image of service failure, however this is not a true representation of the organisation, thus impacting adversely on the efficiency of the organisation. The primary research objectives of this study are the following: ~ To identify key drivers underpinning complaints at the Cape Peninsula University ofTechnology (CPUT), in terms of service delivery. ~ To determine if management has a strategic focus on the quality of service to students at CPUT. ~ To demonstrate the impact that management has on the quality of service delivery. ~ To improve customer service at CPUT by minimizing complaints. It is anticipated that the research will lead to an improvement in the current state of service delivery at CPUT. By identifying and providing possible solutions to customer complaints and addressing problem areas, the research in addition should lead to improved communication between departments and communication between CPUT and its customers (students).

Master of Technology: Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisor:Prof Philander Oscar Bellville Campus Date of submission: April 2013 / The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS), predecessor of the Technology Innovation Agency, was a national strategy focused principally on improving collaboration amongst industry, academia and science councils. The aerospace industries and training institutions in particular have been identified as key thrust areas for achieving economic development through the AMTS. Furthermore, the AMTS Aerospace Interest Group has been identified as one of the most important facets of Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Sensors and Electronics Flagship Program. The manufacturing of Micro and Nano Electronics and sensors is essential for South Africa to sustain the technology capability development as seen in developed countries. For example, there is an urgent need to establish a Photo Lithography facility for South African industry and training Institutions. The demand for the new generations of industrial, military, commercial, medical, automotive and aerospace products in South Africa in particular, and in the world in general, has fuelled research and development activities focused on advanced and smart materials. This situation has allowed for the emergence of a new generation of infrared sensors, the bolometer, based on an infrared thermal detection mechanism which is particularly suited to operate at ambient temperature, opening opportunities for achieving low cost infrared imaging systems for both military and commercial applications. This work deals with different South African bolometer membranes of the second prototype in collaboration with the University of Pretoria and Denel Optronics. The bolometer is an infrared thermal sensor that measures thermal radiation by converting said radiation into a temperature change and subsequently measuring the induced change in electrical resistance. The term infrared from Latin Infra, meaning below, is usually applied to wavelengths between 700nm and 1mm. It can be argued that the first occurrence of infrared sensing actually goes back several millennia, when men placed their hands over recently extinguished fire. However, until Herschel’s experiment, this kind of infrared was between the sun and the earth. Thermal imaging, which refers to the ability to measure the temperature of different points on a scene, requires either an array of infrared detectors operating in those wavelength ranges or a way to scan a scene using a single detector. To realise this work, objectives have been assigned to different groups of the consortium represented by CPUT, UP and Denel. Analyses of thirteen bolometer membranes including metal bolometer (Titanium) and Vanadium oxide were assigned to CPUT, reason why this thesis focuses on the modelling, designing and testing of the bolometer membranes. Masks design of the second prototype bolometer test structures includes several thermally isolated bolometer devices. These devices have been modelled and analysed in order to study their electrical and thermal behaviour. / Cape Peninsula University of Technology University of Pretoria Denel Optronics

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisors: Prof. Adriaan J Esterhuyse Dr Dirk J Bester Bellville January 2014 / Background: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of several ischaemic heart diseases, including atherosclerotic plaque rupture and myocardial infarction. It is widely demonstrated that ischaemia, followed by reperfusion, results in alterations of the mitochondrial and endothelial function through uncontrolled cascades of events characterized by free radical release and inflammation. Recent experimental evidence shows that modulation of inflammatory and antioxidant signaling mediators may determine the host outcome following myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Investigations from the past decade indicate that food supplements may play an important role in the prevention and management of chronic inflammatory diseases. Garcinia kola seeds are flavonoid rich nut from a tropical flowering, non-timber plant of the Guttiferae family. This plant is highly valued in several African cultures for its use in herbal medicine. Recently, the majority of experimental research has linked phytochemicals found in Garcinia kola nut, to its proposed beneficial effects in treatment and management of oxidative stress related-chronic diseases. Research performed in our laboratory demonstrated that kolaviron, a prominent Garcinia kola flavonoid extract, reduces myocardial apoptosis during ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, the aim of our current study was to determine the effects of Garcinia kola supplementation on cardiac inflammatory and antioxidant signaling pathways during ischaemia-reperfusion using a Wistar rat heart model. Materials and Methods: Male wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group receiving 2ml/kg corn oil and the experimental group receiving 100mg/kg Garcinia kola dissolved in corn oil, daily for 4 weeks. After the feeding period, blood samples were collected and lymphocytic DNA damage was analyzed using the alkaline comet assay. Furthermore, rat hearts were isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer on a working heart perfusion apparatus to measure myocardial functional parameters. Myocardial functional recovery was measured after 15 minutes global ischaemia followed by 25 minutes reperfusion. Hearts were freeze clamped at three different time points for myocardial cytokine concentration determinations using multiplex electrochemilunescent immunoassay. Nuclear factor kappa beta (NF- kβ), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK), protein kinase B/Akt (PKB/Akt), nitro-tyrosine, inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), poly (adenosine-di-phosphate) ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and caspase-3 expression and their phosphorylated forms (where applicable) were analyzed using the Western blot technique. Results: Dietary Garcinia kola supplementation significantly improved functional recovery when compared to the control group as reflected by the improved aortic output recovery (68.47 ± 6.16% versus 44.96 ± 7.00%; p<0.05). Our biochemical results supports the hypothesis that, dietary Garcinia kola supplementation modulates different cardiac proteins in terms of expression and activation at different time points when compared to the control group. We show that, before induction of ischaemia, Garcinia kola supplementation attenuates expression of inflammatory mediators and pro-apoptotic proteins when compared to the control group. The improved functional recovery was associated with a prompt inflammatory response, activation of PKB/Akt and attenuation of protein nitrosylation after 10 minutes of reperfusion. Modulation of NF-kβ and the p38 MAPK family proteins expression could have also played a significant role in myocardial functional recovery. Conclusion: We have shown that a 4 week period of dietary Garcinia kola supplementation at 100mg/kg daily improves cardiac functional recovery following ischaemia-reperfusion injury. We propose that dietary Garcinia kola supplementation protects cardiac myocytes from ischaemia-reperfusion induced oxidative stress through the induction of a prompt inflammatory response and controlled expression and/or activation of the, NF-kβ, PKB/Akt and p38 MAPK protein signaling pathways PARP-1 and caspase. Finally, we demonstrated that dietary Garcinia kola supplementation did not induce rat lymphocytic DNA damage when compared to the control group.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Diagnostic Radiography, Department of Nursing and Radiography in the Faculty of Health Wellness Sciences at Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014 / Aim: The aim of this study was to record the values of CTDIw and DLP displayed on the Computed Tomography (CT) scanner monitors of patients undergoing CT examinations of the head as Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL) for dose optimisation in Northern Nigeria. Background: A brain CT scan is the most common CT examination performed, and this modality is recognized as delivering a high dose. CT, therefore, contributes significantly to the total collective effective dose to the population. Elimination of unnecessary or unproductive radiation exposure is necessary. To achieve this, practitioners must adhere to the principles of the justification of practices, and optimisation of radiation protection. Furthermore, the development of DRLs for the local context is advised. These reference doses are a guide to the expected exposure dose from a procedure and are useful as an investigation tool to identify incidences where patient doses are unusually high. Methodology: The study was conducted in three radiology departments with CT centres in Northern Nigeria. Data was collected, using a purposive sampling technique, from 60 consenting adult participants (weighing 70 ±3 kg) that had brain CT scans on seventh generations 4&16-slice GE and 16-slice Philips CT scanners. Prior to commencement of the study the CT scanners were certified by the medical physicists. For each brain scan, patient information, exposure factors, weighted computed tomography dose index (CTDIw), volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) values were recorded. The data were analysed using SPSS version (16) statistical software. The mean, standard deviation and third quartile values of the CTDIw and DLP were calculated. An inter-comparison of the measured doses from the three research sites was conducted. A combined dose for the three centres was calculated, and compared with the reported data from the international communities where there are established DRLs. Results: The mean CTDIw and DLP values were: centre A (88 mGy and 713 mGy.cm), centre B (68 mGy and 1098 mGy.cm), and centre C (70 mGy and 59 mGy.cm). Comparison of CTDIw and DLP for the scanners of the same manufacturers showed statistically significant differences (p=0.003) and (p=0.03) respectively. In the case of the scanners of a different model but the same number of slices, the comparison of DLP was statistically significant (p=0.005) while no significant difference was noted in the measured CTDIw. Third quartile values of the cumulative doses of CTDIw and DLP, for Northern Nigeria were determined as 77 mGy and 985 mGy.cm respectively. Conclusion: The study has established Local DRLs (LDRLs) which are significantly higher than most of the reported data in the literature. Also dose variation between centres was noted. Optimization is thus recommended. Keywords: Head Imaging, Radiation Dose, Dose optimization, Computed Tomography, Local Diagnostic Reference Levels, Radiation Protection

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Radiography in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisor: Ms. Ferial Isaacs Co-supervisor: Prof. Susan J. Van Rensburg Bellville September 2013 / Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterised by demyelination within the central nervous system (CNS), which may result in neurological disabilities over time, causing considerable hardship to patients and their families, in addition to being costly to treat. Recent studies have linked MS to impaired cerebral blood flow, called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). Anecdotal evidence has suggested that surgical correction thereof results in improvement of symptoms experienced by MS patients. To my knowledge, no information is available in the literature on carotid artery disease in MS. The USA National MS Society has therefore called for more research to be done in this area. This cross-sectional observational sub-study will determine, by ultrasound (B-Mode, Colour and Pulsed-wave Doppler), the prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and carotid artery disease in the selected sample of MS patients within the region of the Western Cape, South Africa. Biochemical data; lifestyle factors such as physical activity and smoking; and nutritional status of MS patients were determined from the main study entitled: “The development of a comprehensive gene-based, pathology supported intervention program for improved quality of life in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis” (Division of Chemical Pathology, NHLS, Tygerberg Hospital, and University of Stellenbosch). Twenty-nine (29) patients were aged between 28-64years and they suffered from MS for 0.83-27years. A larger proximal and mid cross-sectional diameter (CSD) of the right IJV compared to the left (differences significant, P= 0.026 and P=0.023) was demonstrated. Increased intima media thickness (IMT) was present in 13.33% of the non-smoking MS group and 20% in the smoking MS group. IJV reflux was evident in 13.33% of the MS group. A significant reduction of cross-sectional diameters of the IJV’s was evident in smoking MS patients; suggesting that smoking is not only a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease but could also be related to narrowing of the major neck veins. This study also supports findings of other studies viz that there’s no significant correlation between extracranial venous abnormalities and MS. Early carotid artery disease was noted in smoking and non-smoking MS patients, however the findings were non-significant.

Since the turn of the millennium, a large number of computational models of visual salience have been put forward. How best to evaluate a given model's ability to predict where human observers fixate in images of real-world scenes remains an open research question. Assessing the role of spatial biases is a challenging issue; this is particularly true when we consider the tendency for high-salience items to appear in the image center, combined with a tendency to look straight ahead (“central bias”). This problem is further exacerbated in the context of model comparisons, because some—but not all—models implicitly or explicitly incorporate a center preference to improve performance. To address this and other issues, we propose to combine a-priori parcellation of scenes with generalized linear mixed models (GLMM), building upon previous work. With this method, we can explicitly model the central bias of fixation by including a central-bias predictor in the GLMM. A second predictor captures how well the saliency model predicts human fixations, above and beyond the central bias. By-subject and by-item random effects account for individual differences and differences across scene items, respectively. Moreover, we can directly assess whether a given saliency model performs significantly better than others. In this article, we describe the data processing steps required by our analysis approach. In addition, we demonstrate the GLMM analyses by evaluating the performance of different saliency models on a new eye-tracking corpus. To facilitate the application of our method, we make the open-source Python toolbox “GridFix” available.

Previous studies have used accelerometers with various operating ranges (ORs) when measuring biomechanical parameters. However, it is still unclear whether ORs influence the accuracy of running parameters, and whether the different stiffnesses of footwear midsoles influence this accuracy. The purpose of the present study was to systematically investigate the influence of OR on the accuracy of stride length, running velocity, and on peak tibial acceleration. Twenty-one recreational heel strike runners ran on a 15-m indoor track at self-selected running speeds in three footwear conditions (low to high midsole stiffness). Runners were equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) affixed to the heel cup of the right shoe and with a uniaxial accelerometer at the right tibia. Accelerometers (at the tibia and included in the IMU) with a high OR of ±70 g were used as the reference and the data were cut at ±32, ±16, and at ±8 g in post-processing, before calculating parameters. The results show that the OR influenced the outcomes of all investigated parameters, which were not influenced by tested footwear conditions. The lower ORs were associated with an underestimation error for all biomechanical parameters, which increased noticeably with a decreasing OR. It can be concluded that accelerometers with a minimum OR of ±32 g should be used to avoid inaccurate measurements.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Public Management, 2017. / Different pedagogies, and writing styles have not only over the years transformed the face of academia, but have played a pivotal role in shaping diverse curricula and contributing to their development. In pursuit of attaining suitable models that have administrative and operational frameworks that address the ever-growing myriad multicultural world we live in today; different models and facilities have been developed to keep up with the development of academic literacies. The overall aim of this research was to investigate a model Writing Centre (WrC) and how its pedagogic, operational and administrative framework contributes to the growth of curricular in an institution of higher education. The study examined the power relations of the tutor and tutee relationship, as explained by the critical discourse analysis and how it adopts the customer contact theory to focus on the intangible assets of the student. The researcher used mixed methods analysis to be able to understand perceptions, views, expectations and experiences by students to explore the different ontologies and epistemologies associated with curriculum development. Finally, the research concluded that a positive contribution to growth for teaching is defined by the pedagogic, operational and administrative framework of a given WrC. It is however, imperative to note that the model can move away from what ought to be but still work, as the phenomenon of a WrC is informed by the institution in which it is birthed. Thus, the findings of this study are not disconfirmed by previous theories and research on similar efforts, but rather add to the already existent knowledge base on writing centres. / D

The investigation of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) has revealed many promising properties. HEAs with a high share of Al and Ti are suitable for the formation of lightweight materials. Investigations of the alloy system AlCoCrFeNiTi showed high strength, hardness, ductility, and wear resistance, which makes this special alloy interesting for surface engineering and particularly for thermal spray technology. In this study, the suitability of inert gas-atomised HEA powder for high-velocity-oxygen-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray is investigated. This process allows for high particle velocities and comparatively low process temperatures, resulting in dense coatings with a low oxidation. The microstructure and phase composition of the atomised powder and the HVOF coating were investigated, as well as the wear behaviour under various conditions. A multiphase microstructure was revealed for the powder and coating, whereas a chemically ordered bcc phase occurred as the main phase. The thermal spray process resulted in a slightly changed lattice parameter of the main phase and an additional phase. In comparison with a hard chrome-plated sample, an increase in wear resistance was achieved. Furthermore, no brittle behaviour occurred under abrasive load in the scratch test. The investigation of wear tracks showed only minor cracking and spallation under maximum load.

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / The aim of the research project is to investigate the effectiveness of an information literacy intervention for first year engineering students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Information literacy has been identified as a necessary outcome of tertiary education. It refers to the life-long learning competencies of finding and using information in order to solve problems, to make decisions and to create new knowledge. Information literacy education has evolved from earlier forms of library user education, such as bibliographic instruction, and is central to the mission of academic libraries. However, librarians responsible for information literacy programmes seldom evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions. In today's climate of accountability and outcomes-based education, it is necessary to provide evidence of the benefits of the user education that libraries provide. The researcher uses the American College and Research Library (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, which are internationally recognized and widely used by South African academic librarians, as a benchmark to evaluate an intervention for a group of first year students enrolled for a mechanical engineering course. The intervention consists of two workshops which aim to teach the students to find information relevant to their essays via the university's OPAC, various engineering databases and to teach them how to reference and cite their sources in their essays. The research methodology assessed students' information literacy before and after the two workshops with the use of a questionnaire consisting of a set of questions based on some of the ACRL standards. The questionnaire also gathered data on students' prior experience of libraries, reading and computers, which might impact on their information literacy. / South Africa