DSpace Repository

Communities in NWU Repository

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 20

Recent Submissions

Evaluating Different Soil Mapping Methods for Precision Agriculture
(North-West University (South Africa), 2026) Geraldes, Joaquim; van Zijl, George; Ramphisa-Nghondzweni, Dimakatso; Cloete, Willie
This study aimed to determine the most accurate and cost-effective method of soil mapping at field scale. To achieve this, a field was selected from the Free State Province in South Africa, and soil analysis was conducted on samples taken on a 1-hectare grid basis. The industry standard method of soil mapping in South Africa, Ordinary Kriging (OK), was evaluated alongside semi???variograms to determine the viability of using 1-hectare grids to sample soils. The accuracy of the OK maps was assessed using 10-fold cross-validation. Furthermore, digital soil mapping (DSM) with Machine Learning (ML) models were used to create maps from the same properties. The two models used were Cubist and Random Forest (RF), while the covariates used included Brightness Index (BI), Redness Index (RI), Saturation Index (SI), Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Harvester Yield Data. The accuracy of the DSM with ML maps was tested by splitting the dataset 70% - 30%, where 70% of the dataset was used to train the model and 30% was used to validate the predictions. The statistics of the OK and DSM with ML maps were compared, and the maps were also visually inspected. Thereafter, fertiliser recommendation maps were created from the potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) maps of both the OK and DSM predictions. From these fertiliser recommendation maps a financial assessment was conducted of the two mapping methods. The semi-variograms showed that the 1-hectare grid system should not be used. The potassium (K) calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) OK maps all showed directionality. Both the DSM with ML and OK results could not be considered accurate enough. The financial analysis showed that due to the maps being inaccurate, there were huge losses when using both methods of mapping.
The metabolic consequences of two weeks chronic cannabidiol treatment in Kramnik mice
(North-West University (South Africa), 2026) Bhengu, Siyethemba; Mason, Shayne; Omotayo, Abiodun Olusola
The global burden of inflammatory diseases continues to rise, while conventional treatments are either minimally effective or cause potentially harmful side effects. This has prompted the search for alternative strategies, such as plant-derived compounds, which are readily accessible and have been shown to have mostly mild side effects. Among these is cannabidiol (CBD), a compound extracted from Cannabis sativa that does not produce psychotropic effects. The potential of this cannabinoid as an adjunct in neurological conditions has led to the approval of multiple CBD-containing formulations for various forms of epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS). Additionally, several preclinical studies have been conducted on various models of inflammation, in which CBD proved effective. Although many studies have examined this compound, there remains a critical lack of understanding of its effects on healthy subjects when administered repeatedly. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how a 10 mg/kg dose of CBD affected the metabolism of a healthy Kramnik (C3HeB/FeJ) mouse model when administered daily for 14 days. To this end, fourteen (n = 14) Kramnik mice were bred and divided into 2 groups: the CBD group and the vehicle control group. A 10 mg/kg dose of CBD or 10 µL of sunflower oil was administered daily for 14 days via the intrabuccal route. Urine and faeces were collected at the beginning of the study (day 1), on day 3, at the midpoint (day 7), and at the end of the study (day 14). Blood serum was collected only at the end of the study. Untargeted proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) metabolomics was performed on all urine and serum samples using the miniaturised 1H-NMR method, while faecal samples were analysed using a standard 1H-NMR method. Serum samples were re-analysed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), using electrospray ionisation as the ion source and a triple quadrupole as the mass analyser. Here, amino acids and acylcarnitines were targeted. Raw data with high spectral density were obtained from urine and faecal samples, and relatively low spectral density from serum; all spectra were partitioned into small slices or bins. The quality of the bin data was assessed by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV%) of QC samples, which identified bins with non???repeatable QCs, which were subsequently excluded from downstream analysis. MetaboAnalyst was used to identify statistically significant bins, reducing the data to only those bins responsible for the observed changes in the dataset. Metabolites within these bins were identified in one-dimensional mode and confirmed in two???dimensional mode. Raw serum LC-MS/MS data were manually inspected by examining retention times and performing manual integration. The quality of data from both platforms (reduced data for NMR) was assessed using CV% and by monitoring the clustering of QCs in unsupervised groupings with the principal component analysis module in MetaboAnalyst. iii Given that no significant metabolic changes were expected a priori, a relaxed p-value of < 0.1, effect size, and log2 fold change were used to assess statistical significance. All results showed only moderate to minimal metabolic changes between the CBD and vehicle control groups across all collection points. As anticipated, metabolites associated with the gut microbiota and host-gut microbiota co-metabolism were identified, as were those associated with lipid and amino acid metabolism. Faecal metabolomics provided more metabolic information than the other two matrices, making it necessary to explore the faecal metabolome in CBD studies. This study primarily generates, with high confidence, hypotheses about which metabolic pathways to examine and/or which matrices to sample and provides extensive metabolic information relevant to the health of experimental subjects and to how it is affected by CBD administration or other medicinal substances. Additionally, this study demonstrates the feasibility of multiplatform metabolomics using samples of insufficient volume, a limitation inherent to mouse studies. In conclusion, a 10 mg/kg dose of CBD does not cause detrimental or sustained metabolic changes when administered daily for 14 days via the intrabuccal route. Acute effects appear to reverse over time, with almost a return to normal by the 14th and final day of the study.
Investigating the financial well-being of millennials through strategic literacy in the North West Province
(North-West University (South Africa), 2026) Stewart, Elrie .S
Financial well-being remains a significant challenge for South African millennials, particularly in the North West Province, where high unemployment, income instability, debt burdens, and cultural obligations such as "Black Tax" exacerbate financial vulnerability. While financial literacy is widely regarded as a key contributor to financial well-being, limited qualitative research exists on how millennials in this province experience and apply financial knowledge within their specific socio-economic and cultural context. This study aimed to investigate the financial well-being of millennials in the North West Province through the lens of strategic financial literacy. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 19 millennials selected purposively using an interpretivist paradigm and qualitative single-case study design. Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-phased thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. These findings showcase seven major themes: learning financial literacy through life experience, income and employment, coping and survival strategies, debt and financial vulnerability, family responsibility and cultural influence, the need for practical financial education and mentorship, and financial socialisation. Although participants knew about financial principles, they were often unsure how to interpret their knowledge into good longterm financial behaviour because of structural constraints and cultural obligations. The study concludes that financial knowledge alone is insufficient to improve financial wellbeing. Practical, context-specific, and culturally sensitive interventions are essential. These findings contribute qualitative, province-specific insights to the literature and offer recommendations for policymakers, educators, employers, and financial institutions.
Developing and validating a democratised technology maturity framework for South African higher education
(North-West University (South Africa), 2026) Pretorius, Christoffel Eugene; Grobler, Magdalena Johanna
Higher education globally is undergoing profound digital transformation, with technology increasingly decentralised across institutional structures. This shift from centrally governed information technology systems towards democratised digital ecosystems presents both opportunities and challenges for universities. While existing maturity models, such as Capability Maturity Model Integration, Information Technology Infrastructure Library, and Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies, offer structured approaches to capability development, they remain largely predicated on hierarchical control. As a result, they do not sufficiently address the distributed, participatory and socio-technical dynamics associated with democratised technology. The aim of this study was to develop, demonstrate and evaluate a Democratised Technology Maturity Framework (DTMF) for South African higher education institutions. The framework provides a structured basis for assessing, managing and advancing digital transformation in environments where digital capability increasingly extends beyond central information technology departments. Using an integrated literature review, the study synthesised knowledge across technology management, information technology governance, maturity-model scholarship and organisational theory. This synthesis identified six dimensions of democratised technology maturity: Governance and Leadership, Operating Model, Risk, Digital Foundations, Innovation, and Digital Dexterity. These dimensions formed the conceptual basis for the initial artefact, namely the Democratised Technology Maturity Model (DTMM). The DTMM was demonstrated and evaluated through an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. The quantitative phase comprised a survey of 13 South African public universities to assess institutional maturity across the six DTMM dimensions. The qualitative phase followed through semi-structured interviews with senior information and communication technology executives, enabling deeper interpretation of the quantitative patterns and further insight into contextual enablers and constraints. Quantitative results indicated that most maturity items clustered within the Defined category, with uneven progress across dimensions and between institutions. Qualitative findings showed that cultural readiness, leadership behaviour, governance integration and human capability play decisive roles in maturity progression. Through the integration of quantitative and qualitative findings, the initial DTMM was refined into the DTMF as a contextually grounded design artefact. The framework reconceptualises maturity as an adaptive and distributed capability, sustained through reflection, learning, and the alignment of governance, culture, risk, innovation and technology. The study contributes theoretically by v extending maturity-framework scholarship to democratised technology environments and by integrating dynamic capabilities and learning-organisation perspectives into the design logic of the artefact. Methodologically, it demonstrates the use of an integrated literature review and explanatory sequential mixed-methods evaluation within a design science research process. Practically, it provides university leaders, information technology executives and policymakers with a diagnostic and developmental framework for managing digital democratisation in South African higher education.
Investigating the challenges pertaining to financial accountability in the Northern Cape Provincial Government
(North-West University (South Africa), 2026) Nkoe, Khotso; Schutte,Daniel Petrus
Purpose: This study aims to investigate financial accountability challenges in the public sector by examining internal controls, auditing processes, and financial management practices. It further explores compliance and regulatory adherence issues, leadership and governance challenges, as well as accountability and consequence management, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing financial oversight and transparency. Motivation: The study is motivated by persistent issues of corruption, mismanagement of funds, and inadequate oversight mechanisms, which undermine fiscal responsibility and public trust in government departments. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research employs a qualitative approach to explore the concept of financial accountability in the public sector. It examines factors impeding effective financial management through analysis of internal control systems, auditing processes, and governance practices within the Northern Cape government departments. Main findings: The study identifies key challenges to financial accountability in the Northern Cape Provincial Government. Weak enforcement of financial regulations leads to systemic inefficiencies, while insufficient training for officials exacerbates fund mismanagement. Additionally, inadequate internal control practices undermine transparency and accountability. These findings highlight an urgent need for systemic reforms to strengthen financial governance. Practical implications/Managerial impact: The study recommends stronger enforcement of financial regulations, advanced management systems, and targeted training for officials to improve accountability. Implementing these measures would enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and ensure efficient resource use. Independent audits and a culture of integrity are essential to build public trust and strengthen governance frameworks. Novelty/Contribution: The research contributes to the understanding of financial governance challenges in the Northern Cape and offers evidence-based insights into potential reforms for promoting fiscal responsibility and transparency within public sector institutions.