The future of accessing our past : collaboration and digitisation in libraries, archives and museums

Abstract: Technological innovation has led to disruptions in the global economy. In South Africa, one such disruption has been the shift towards the digitisation of resources that were previously only available in hard copy. Institutions most notably affected by the digitisation drive, have been libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs), which serve as important cultural heritage organisations. Considering the significant financial implications of a digitisation project, this paper explores the possible benefits and challenges that are faced when LAMs collaborate with each other, when digitising content. This qualitative, cross sectional study compared results from the data of 21 interview transcripts, which were first analysed through thematic coding in ATLAS.ti, and then analysed in Leximancer, a software tool which applies natural language processing to text..

(6Z)-4-Bromo-6-{[(2-hy­droxy­eth­yl)amino]­methyl­idene}cyclo­hexa-2,4-dien-1-one

The title mol­ecule, C9H10BrNO2, excluding methyl­ene H atoms and the C—OH group, is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.037 (2) Å for the N atom. The N—C—C—O torsion angle is −63.1 (3)°. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by a weak intra­molecular N—H⋯O(carbonyl) hydrogen bond, forming an S(6) motif. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network

Design, Construction and Performance Reliability Verification Evaluation of a High Pressure Volumetric Sorption System for CO2 Sorption In South African Coals

High pressure sorption equipment are based on the gravimetric or volumetric principle method of gas sorption onto a specific sorbent. This paper discusses the design, construction and performance consistency testing that was conducted on a recently constructed in-house high pressure volumetric sorption system (HPVSS) in South Africa (SA) which was used for the evaluation of supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) sorption on SA coals. A detailed description of the equipment, the commissioning phase, leak testing evaluation, estimation of sample, reference and void volume, as well as the method of conducting the measurements of the sorption isotherms are explained. Six (6) South African (SA) coals were selected based on their myriad of properties i.e. coal rank, coal type, and petrographic and proximate analyses. The samples were used as the sorbing material for pure CO2 in supercritical phase to conduct the isothermal sorption investigations. In order to evaluate the system, multiple reliability experimental runs were conducted and the isotherms were evaluated and the sorption data was verified using the one-way analysis of variance method (ANOVA) to ensure the equipment performance was statistically reliable. Both the, system temperature and pressures, were varied to determine the potential risks of leaks in order to validate the consistency of the system at varying conditions of supercritical gas injection. For the total number of experimental test runs that were conducted, was observed that very good repeatability of the sorption data was reproduced under all conditions. The data exhibited good homogenous variance in all data sets compared, thus demonstrating overall confidence in the repeatability of these CO2 results, and that the reliability of the HPVSS has been confirmed in the test sorption experiments. A comparison to both national and international published data sets also confirmed good fit of the findings

Hybrid deposition additive manufacturing: novel volume distribution, thermo-mechanical characterization, and image analysis

(c) The Author/sCAUL read and publish agreement 2022The structural integrity of additive manufacturing structures is a pronounced challenge considering the voids and weak layer-to-layer adhesion. One of the potential ways is hybrid deposition manufacturing (HDM) that includes fused filament fabrication (FFF) with the conventional filling process, also known as “HDM composites". HDM is a potential technique for improving structural stability by replacing the thermoplastic void structure with a voidless epoxy. However, the literature lacks investigation of FFF/epoxy HDM-based composites regarding optimal volume distribution, effects of brittle and ductile FFF materials, and fractographic analysis. This research presents the effects of range of volume distributions (10–90%) between FFF and epoxy system for tensile, flexure, and compressive characterization. Volume distribution in tensile and flexure samples is achieved using printable wall thickness, slot width, and maximum width. For compression, the printable wall thickness, slot diameter, and external diameter are considered. Polylactic acid and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene are used to analyze the brittle and ductile FFF structures. The research reports novel application of image analysis during mechanical characterization using high-quality camera and fractographic analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results present surprising high tensile strain (0.038 mm/mm) and compressive strength (64.5 MPa) for lower FDM-percentages (10%, 20%) that are explained using in situ image analysis, SEM, stress–strain simulations, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In this regard, the proposed work holds novelty to apply DMA for HDM. The optimal volume distributions of 70% and 80% alongside fractographic mechanisms for lower percentages (10%, 20%) can potentially contribute to structural applications and future material-based innovations for HDM.fals

The evaluation of immediate behavioural outcomes of the syndromic case management approach for the treatement of patients with sexually transmitted infections at PHC centres of South Africa: Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and sexual behaviour

This study aimed to determine the immediate behavioural outcomes of the WHO syndromic case management model for STIs in the public health sector in South Africa, on the levels of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and behavioural practices (KABPs) concerning STIs. An outcomes evaluation was conducted using KABP methodology. Exit interviews were conducted with 126 STI and non-STI patients at 24 primary health care (PHC) centres in four provinces. Both groups were found to have equally high levels of knowledge about STIs and their attitudes towards and beliefs about STIs were mostly practical and slightly negative, with only promiscuity both stereotyped and stigmatised. However, both groups were found to engage in risky sexual behavioural practices although they also indicated very strong intentions to use condoms in future. Overall, no significant differences were found between the two groups on any of the variables investigated. The implications of these findings for the control and prevention of both classic STIs and HIV/AIDS in South Africa are discussed. Keywords: sexually transmitted infections, syndromic case management, KABP, South Africa, primary health care centres. RÉSUMÉ Le but de cette étude était d'établir les résultats comportementaux immédiats du modèle de l'OMS de la gestion syndromique de cas de maladies sexuellement transmises (STIs) dans le secteur public de santé en Afrique du Sud au niveau de la connaissance, des attitudes, de la croyance et des pratiques (KABP) vis-à-vis les STIs. Une évaluation des résultats a été faite par le biais de la méthodologie KABP. Des entrevues de sortie ont eu lieu auprès de 126 patients de STIs et des patients qui n'en souffrent pas dans 24 centres de santé situés dans quatre provinces. Les résultats ont montré que les deux groupes avaient le même niveau de connaissance des STIs, leur attitude envers les STIs et ce qu'ils croyent des STIs étaient plutôt pratiques et un peu négatifs. La promiscuité était la seule à être stéréotypée et à être stigmatisée. Cependant, tous les deux groupes ont eu des rapports sexuels risqués, même s'ils ont montré une intention d'utiliser des préservatifs dans l'avenir. Dans l'ensemble, il n'y a pas eu de différences importantes entre les deux groupes sur les variables étudiées. Les conséquences de ces résultats pour le contrôle et la prévention des STIs et le VIH/SIDA en Afrique du Sud sont au centre de cette étude. Mots clés : les maladies/infections sexuellement transmises, la gestion syndromique de cas, les centres pour la santé primaire, l'Afrique du Sud. SAHARA J Vol.1(1) 2004: 35-4

Partial Biodegradable Blend with High Stability against Biodegradation for Fused Deposition Modeling.

This research presents a partial biodegradable polymeric blend aimed for large-scale fused deposition modeling (FDM). The literature reports partial biodegradable blends with high contents of fossil fuel-based polymers (>20%) that make them unfriendly to the ecosystem. Furthermore, the reported polymer systems neither present good mechanical strength nor have been investigated in vulnerable environments that results in biodegradation. This research, as a continuity of previous work, presents the stability against biodegradability of a partial biodegradable blend prepared with polylactic acid (PLA) and polypropylene (PP). The blend is designed with intended excess physical interlocking and sufficient chemical grafting, which has only been investigated for thermal and hydrolytic degradation before by the same authors. The research presents, for the first time, ANOVA analysis for the statistical evaluation of endurance against biodegradability. The statistical results are complemented with thermochemical and visual analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) determines the signs of intermolecular interactions that are further confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermochemical interactions observed in FTIR and DSC are validated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is also used as a visual technique to affirm the physical interlocking. It is concluded that the blend exhibits high stability against soil biodegradation in terms of high mechanical strength and high mass retention percentage.Published onlin

Partial Biodegradable Blend for Fused Filament Fabrication: In-Process Thermal and Post-Printing Moisture Resistance.

Despite the extensive research, the moisture-based degradation of the 3D-printed polypropylene and polylactic acid blend is not yet reported. This research is a part of study reported on partial biodegradable blends proposed for large-scale additive manufacturing applications. However, the previous work does not provide information about the stability of the proposed blend system against moisture-based degradation. Therefore, this research presents a combination of excessive physical interlocking and minimum chemical grafting in a partial biodegradable blend to achieve stability against in-process thermal and moisture-based degradation. In this regard, a blend of polylactic acid and polypropylene compatibilized with polyethylene graft maleic anhydride is presented for fused filament fabrication. The research implements, for the first time, an ANOVA for combined thermal and moisture-based degradation. The results are explained using thermochemical and microscopic techniques. Scanning electron microscopy is used for analyzing the printed blend. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has allowed studying the intermolecular interactions due to the partial blending and degradation mechanism. Differential scanning calorimetry analyzes the blending (physical interlocking or chemical grafting) and thermochemical effects of the degradation mechanism. The thermogravimetric analysis further validates the physical interlocking and chemical grafting. The novel concept of partial blending with excessive interlocking reports high mechanical stability against moisture-based degradation.Published onlin

Socio-cultural, geographical and financial factors that influence a tourist’s overall experience of Township Tours in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Consumers are becoming more focused on the experience attached to a service or product, which can be created through the use of the experience economy. An experience is created through various indicators and becomes a main driver of overall satisfaction. This study focusses on the tourism industry in South Africa, specifically, township tourism in the Western Cape. The purpose of this article is to investigate the relation between authenticity, memorabilia, entertaining experience, safety, tour conditions, monetary value, flow of income, and the tourists’ overall satisfaction of township tours in the Western Cape. These variables or indicators of experience in the tourism industry are grouped into three categories; socio-cultural; geographical, and; financial factors. Furthermore, the disconfirmation theory as well as the expectancy value theory are utilised to explain the relation between the variables of the study. This study makes use of a quantitative research paradigm and the data was collected by means of a questionnaire. The findings of this article state tourist’ overall experience of township tours relate strongly on the interaction with the locals, availability of memorabilia, and arts and crafts. Tour guides provide tourists with adequate information and knowledge to provide a feeling of safety. From the findings, recommendations to the stakeholders of township tours are made, The managerial implication is that the tour operators of township tours need to be aware of the impact that the township tours has on the local economy and that tourists are willing to pay more for an authentic experience.The study is significant as it is one of very few studies conducted on township tours in South Africa, and the first in the Western Cape