Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Recent Submissions
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Exploring plastic waste management practices surrounding the Agulhas National Park: The case of Struisbaai Harbour
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)Marine pollution, particularly plastic waste, is an increasing global concern affecting coastal areas, ecosystems, and human well-being. While South Africa has seen some research on marine plastic pollution, there is a ... -
Dissertation accepted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Information Technology at the North-West University
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)While digital platforms have become indispensable to daily life, the ethical dimensions of user privacy remain under-researched. This study's principal goal was to offer recommendations for safeguarding mobile device users ... -
Cloud computing adoption guidelines in a South African Higher Education Institution
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-07)Global technology is advancing rapidly, particularly within higher education institutions, where remaining competitive in teaching and learning is paramount. Embracing cloud computing offers numerous benefits that higher ... -
Simultaneous quantification of urinary oxidative stress markers in women using combined oral contraceptives
(North-West University (South Africa), 2023)In physiological samples, it is difficult to measure the presence of free radicals. Therefore, secondary oxidative products excreted in urine after detoxification are quantified instead, as they are proportional to the ... -
Ambient and household exposure to particulate matter in a low income settlement
(North-West University (South Africa), 2023-12)Ambient and indoor exposure to particulate matter (PM) is a worldwide health problem, which is most prevalent in developing nations, and typically affects vulnerable groups (elderly, children, and sick people). In South ... -
New characterisation-based tests for symmetry
(North-West University (South Africa), 2021-08)We propose new tests for symmetry of a distribution around an unspecified centre. The first set of tests is based on a lesser-known characterisation involving symmetric integration of the distribution function around the ... -
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial DNA in haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) blood parasites
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)Southern Africa is recognised as one of the most biodiverse regions globally, with a continual expansion of biodiversity marked by the continuous discovery of new parasites parasitising the country’s rich fauna. Species ... -
Determining the regulatory awareness and knowledge of small business owners regarding waste management in the Nquthu Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)Waste management plays a crucial role in preserving the environment, promoting resource efficiency, reducing pollution, and safeguarding human and ecosystem health. It requires collaboration among individuals, businesses, ... -
An investigation into the distance dependence of storativity in dual porosity aquifers
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)Parameterisation of hydraulic systems becomes increasingly difficult in fractured aquifers. Storativity is one of the main parameters used to quantify the available water in aquifers. This dimensionless value is known to ... -
The application of active and passive bioaccumulation methods to measure metallic and organic pollutants along the Namibian coastline
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)Human activities and natural weathering processes are responsible for the input of elements and organic pollutants into marine environments. There is currently no ongoing marine pollution monitoring program in Namibia and ... -
Creation of near infrared spectroscopy calibration algorithms for soil water content prediction
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)Water is arguably the most important human resource, and fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce. Irrigation in agriculture is one of the most water-demanding sectors, which urges the importance of effective management ... -
Novel data augmentation schemes for pose classification using a convolutional neural network
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-05)Population aging is a global trend that can be attributed to declining fertility rates, longer life expectancies, and aging cohorts in many developed countries. The number of individuals over the age of 60 is expected to ... -
Evaluation of ROS production in OXPHOS knockout strains of C. elegans
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)The oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, comprising five complexes, regulates electron transport and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis in mitochondria. Dysfunctions in these complexes lead to diverse diseases. ... -
LC-ESI-MS/MS quantification of hair cortisol, cortisone and DHEA in combined oral contraceptive users
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are used chronically by many women worldwide and in South Africa. Because many COC adverse effects coincide with symptoms of stress-related illnesses, including insulin resistance and ... -
Assessment of bacterial community and characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Diptera flies from livestock kraals and residential dumping sites in Potchefstroom
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)The gut microbiota of Diptera flies is poorly understood, especially those that coexist with rural community farms and human waste sites. Pseudomonas aeruginosa pose challenges in both clinical and environmental contexts ... -
The influence of HIV-1 viral protein R sequence variation on immune activation, inflammation, and metabolism: implications for neurocognitive impairment
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024-06)Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects millions of people around the world and was shown to affect the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Despite the ... -
Towards reducing electronic waste: Exploring environmental professionals' perceptions on the Sharing Economy in South Africa
(North-West University (South Africa), 2023)The United Nations Global E-waste Monitoring Report (2020) reveals that global e-waste production in 2019 reached 53.6 million tonnes, with South Africa contributing approximately 360 000 tonnes. A lack of legislation in ... -
Receptor source apportionment of gaseous species at a site in the Mpumalanga Highveld
(North-West University (South Africa), 2023)To date, most source apportionment studies in South Africa, as well as globally, have focused on determining the chemical composition of aerosols/particulate matter (PM) or precipitation, with little consideration of the ... -
Organochlorine pesticide and mercury bioaccumulation in shark species from the South African coastline
(North-West University (South Africa), 2023)Organochlorine pesticide (OCP), selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) contamination of South Africa’s marine waters potentially has deleterious effects on sharks, rays, and skates. These contaminants are released into the marine ... -
Radiation from relativistic particles accelerated at shear layers in relativistic jets
(North-West University (South Africa), 2023)Relativistic jets, highly collimated and high-velocity outflows of particles and electromagnetic radiation, are a common phenomenon associated with various astrophysical objects including stellar-mass compact objects ...