Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Recent Submissions
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Astrospheric evolution and cosmic-ray particle transport
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)The modulation of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) in astrospheres requires knowledge of large and small scale structures and plasma parameters. These are known for the heliosphere from different spacecraft observations, but ... -
Multivariate statistical process monitoring and diagnostic analysis of compositional data
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)Compositional data are found in many types of data. Some examples of compositional data are particle size distributions, alloy composition and chemical milling bath composition, colour compositions of paintings, chemical ... -
Exploring the perceptions on the effectiveness of solid waste management of end-of-life photovoltaic installations in Gauteng
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)As the world strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of clean energy, halving the greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (United Nations, 2024), the use of solar photovoltaic ... -
Assessment of potential land contamination around abandoned legacy mines in a selected region of South Africa
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)Land contamination is recognised as an infrastructural challenge with unpredictable intensity and implications caused by historical industrial and waste disposal practices. South Africa accounts for approximately 6 000 ... -
On new tests of fit for the geometric distribution based on a characterisation
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)The geometric distribution is used in multiple research fields across various disciplines. Therefore, it is important to be able to test the assumption of whether a set of observed data arises from this distribution. The ... -
Specification tests for autoregressive conditional duration (ACD) models
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)In this dissertation, we propose specification tests for the innovation distribution in autoregressive conditional duration (ACD) models, with specific emphasis on ACD(1,1) models with exponential and Lomax innovations. ... -
Establishing a GC-MS/MS method to quantify redox markers in NDUFS4 knockout mice
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)Through normal metabolic reactions, electron carriers such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced and flavin adenine dinucleotide reduced (NADH and FADH2) are formed through various metabolic pathways which drive the ... -
The host status of selected soybean cultivars to Meloidogyne enterolobii under field and greenhouse conditions
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)Soybean is a popular oilseed crop in South Africa with an increase in prodution and hectares that doubled in last 10 years. Crop production is predicted to increase with 41% by 2030. The crop is infected and damaged by a ... -
Evaluation of recruitment methodologies for Boscia albitrunca in the southern Kalahari, South Africa
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)Boscia albitrunca is protected under the National Forest Act (Act No. 84 of 1998) as well as under the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act (Act No. 9 of 2009). The survival of this species is threatened by farming practices ... -
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial DNA in haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) blood parasites
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)See attachment. -
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)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)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)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)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)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)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)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)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)Title: The influence of HIV-1 viral protein R sequence variation on immune activation, inflammation, and metabolism: implications for neurocognitive impairment Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects ... -
Explainable machine learning model for predictive maintenance in smart agricultural facilities
(North-West University (South Africa), 2024)Machine Learning (ML) models in Smart Agricultural Facilities (SAF) often lack explainability, hindering farmers from taking full advantage of their capabilities. This study tackles this gap by introducing a model that ...