Research Publications (Academic Support)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10321/211

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Disruptive changes in the role of academic libraries and librarians: a case study of a university of technology in South Africa
(University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2023-12-1) Moonasar Anushie; Ngoepe Mpho
Due to the proliferation of disruptive technologies that drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), academic libraries have experienced a transformation that has altered the responsibilities of academic librarians. With disruptive technologies, library services can be accessed from anywhere in the world, provided that there is Internet access. Digital libraries, online databases, and electronic resources have enabled users to access a wide range of information. For academic librarians to not be left behind, they need to skill themselves to be relevant in the 4IR. This study, which utilised an explanatory mixed-method approach, aimed to explore how the evolving role of academic librarians can be shaped through continuous professional development at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Quantitative data was collected first through online questionnaires due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by qualitative data through face-to-face interviews with selected participants. Parallel sampling was used in terms of which all librarians at the DUT were chosen for the quantitative phase of the study, while for the qualitative phase to augment the quantitative data, participants were interviewed to the level of saturation. Due to disruptive technologies, the key findings suggest a move towards open access, revitalisation of library spaces, makerspace equipped with the latest technologies such as virtual reality, changing the circulation desk into an information desk, using self-checkout machines, RFID, chutes, and creating neutral spaces to enhance inclusiveness. To counter the disruption, academic librarians at DUT have embraced continuous professional development to update their knowledge and skills to allow them to evolve and adapt to changes within their profession.
Sustainability of environment-assisted energy transfer in quantum photobiological complexes
(Wiley, 2017-9) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
It is shown that quantum sustainability is a universal phenomenon which emerges during environment‐assisted electronic excitation energy transfer (EET) in photobiological complexes (PBCs), such as photosynthetic reaction centers and centers of melanogenesis. We demonstrate that quantum photobiological systems must be sustainable for them to simultaneously endure continuous energy transfer and keep their internal structure from destruction or critical instability. These quantum effects occur due to the interaction of PBCs with their environment which can be described by means of the reduced density operator and effective non‐Hermitian Hamiltonian (NH). Sustainable NH models of EET predict the coherence beats, followed by the decrease of coherence down to a small, yet non‐zero value. This indicates that in sustainable PBCs, quantum effects survive on a much larger time scale than the energy relaxation of an exciton. We show that sustainable evolution significantly lowers the entropy of PBCs and improves the speed and capacity of EET.
Nonlinear wave-mechanical effects in Korteweg fluid magma transport
(IOP Publishing, 2018-5) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
Statistical mechanics arguments and Madelung hydrodynamical presentation are applied to the transport of magma in volcanic conduits. An effective wave equation with logarithmic nonlinearity becomes apparent in systems of this kind, which describes the flow of a two-phase barotropic Korteweg fluid with capillarity, and allows multiple eigen solutions thus leading to wave-mechanical effects. We study spontaneous symmetry breaking in the erupting lava which flows up the conduit, so that fluid fragmentation and nucleation of density inhomogeneities occur; therefore, changing temperature can trigger a transition between the "magma-dissolved gas" fluid and magmatic foam phases. This phase structure is studied by both analytical and numerical methods. In the fluid phase, cell-like inhomogeneities occur which are described by solitary wave solutions with a Gaussian density profile; we derive the many-body interaction potential for these inhomogeneities. For the foam phase, we demonstrate the existence of topological kink solitons which describe bubble-type inhomogeneities; their stability is ensured by the conservation of a topological charge.
Stability and metastability of trapless Bose-Einstein condensates and quantum liquids
(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2017-7) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
Various kinds of Bose-Einstein condensates are considered, which evolve without any geometric constraints or external trap potentials including gravitational. For studies of their collective oscillations and stability, including the metastability and macroscopic tunneling phenomena, both the variational approach and the Vakhitov-Kolokolov (VK) criterion are employed; calculations are done for condensates of an arbitrary spatial dimension. It is determined that that the trapless condensate described by the logarithmic wave equation is essentially stable, regardless of its dimensionality, while the trapless condensates described by wave equations of a polynomial type with respect to the wavefunction, such as the Gross-Pitaevskii (cubic), cubic-quintic, and so on, are at best metastable. This means that trapless “polynomial” condensates are unstable against spontaneous delocalization caused by fluctuations of their width, density and energy, leading to a finite lifetime.
Teachers and school social workers collaborating to support South African adolescents with psychosocial challenges
(Common Ground Research Networks, 2024) Khumalo, Gift; Pretorius, Edmarie
The strategies employed by teachers and school social workers are deemed pivotal in aiding adolescents grappling with psychosocial challenges. Despite the worldwide acknowledgment of the importance of comprehensive support for adolescent development, there exists an evident lack of inquiry into the approaches employed by these professionals in the context of South African public schools. This qualitative exploratory pilot study, conducted with teachers and school social workers (n = 6) from a bigger research project in two Gauteng District eleven schools, explores the perspectives of teachers and school social workers on supporting adolescents with psychosocial challenges. The thematic analysis confirmed that diverse approaches were used to support adolescents, the challenges faced by these professionals in their efforts to provide support, and existing and needed multidisciplinary collaborations in the school. The study recommends that a bigger research study be undertaken focusing on this current aim and multidisciplinary collaboration efforts in schools. It also argues that teachers need to be trained to identify adolescents with psychosocial challenges and school social workers need to be deployed in school settings.
Transition from inflation to dark energy in superfluid vacuum theory
(MDPI AG, 2025-2-8) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
The laminar constant-velocity superflow of a physical vacuum modelled by logarithmic quantum Bose liquid is considered. We demonstrate that this three-dimensional non-relativistic quantum flow generates a four-dimensional relativistic quinton system, which comprises the dilation and quintom (a combination of the quintessence and tachyonic phantom fields); all three fields are thus shown to be projections of the dynamical evolution of superfluid vacuum density and its fluctuations onto the measuring apparatus of a relativistic observer. The unified model describes the transition from the inflationary period in the early universe to the contemporary accelerating expansion of the universe, commonly referred to as the “dark energy” period. The quintessence and tachyonic scalar components of the derived model turn out to be non-minimally coupled, which is a hitherto unexplored generalization of cosmological phantom models.
Transition from inflation to dark energy in Superfluid Vacuum Theory
(MDPI AG, 2025-2-8) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
The laminar constant-velocity super flow of a physical vacuum modelled by logarithmic quantum Bose liquid is considered. We demonstrate that this three-dimensional non-relativistic quantum flow generates a four-dimensional relativistic quinton system, which comprises the dilation and quintom (a combination of the quintessence and tachyonic phantom fields); all three fields are thus shown to be projections of the dynamical evolution of superfluid vacuum density and its fluctuations onto the measuring apparatus of a relativistic observer. The unified model describes the transition from the inflationary period in the early universe to the contemporary accelerating expansion of the universe, commonly referred to as the “dark energy” period. The quintessence and tachyonic scalar components of the derived model turn out to be non-minimally coupled, which is a hitherto unexplored generalization of cosmological phantom models.
Comparison of density matrix and state vector approaches to dissipative evolution of hyperfine levels coupled to optical and radio-frequency fields in the two-level approximation
(Informa UK Limited, 2024-12-14) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
We consider a three-level atom interacting with two optical and one microwave fields in the adiabatic approximation resulting in a simplified description in the terms of a two-level system. Working within the reduced density operator framework, we assume this two-level system to be affected by two types of environment, described by some ad hoc non-Hermitian Hamiltonian and Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad’s models. We compare the three types of dissipative evolution which can occur: driven by equations for a normalized density matrix, a non-normalized density matrix and a normalized state vector. Using the latter type, we derive an effective Hamiltonian, which encodes information about not only the Hamiltonian part of an original master equation but also its non-Hamiltonian (Liouvillian) part. The Hamiltonian turns out to be dependent on the wavefunction itself: the effects of above-mentioned environments induce, respectively, cubic and quintic nonlinear terms. For evolutions driven by density operators, we study various indicators of quantum purity. It is shown that if a trace of density operator is not conserved then conventional von Neumann entropy can no longer be used as a purity indicator; therefore we introduce the purity-normalized definition of quantum statistical entropy.
Generalization of the Schrödinger equation for open systems based on the Quantum-Statistical Approach
(MDPI AG, 2024-1-12) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
Within the framework of the quantum-statistical approach, utilizing both non-Hermitian Hamiltonian and Lindblad’s jump operators, one can derive various generalizations of the von Neumann equation for reduced density operators, also known as hybrid master equations. If one considers the evolution of pure states only, i.e., disregarding the coherence between states and spontaneous transitions from pure to mixed states, then one can resort to quantum-mechanical equations of the Schrödinger type. We derive them from the hybrid master equations and study their main properties, which indicate that our equations have a larger range of applicability compared to other generalized Schrödinger equations proposed hitherto. Among other features, they can describe not only systems which remain in the stationary eigenstates of the Hamiltonian as time passes, but also those which evolve from those eigenstates. As an example, we consider a simple but important model, a quantum harmonic oscillator driven by both Hamiltonian and non-Hamiltonian terms, and derive its classical limit, which turns out to be the damped harmonic oscillator. Using this model, we demonstrate that the effects of dissipative environments of different types can cancel each other, thus resulting in an effectively dissipation-free classical system. Another discussed phenomenon is whether a non-trivial quantum system can reduce to a classical system in free motion, i.e., without experiencing any classical Newtonian forces. This uncovers a large class of quantum-mechanical non-Hamiltonian systems whose dynamics are not determined by conventional mechanics’ potentials and forces, but rather come about through quantum statistical effects caused by the system’s environment.
Phase equilibria and structure of inhomogeneous logarithmic fluids: an atomistic simulation study
(Elsevier BV, 2023-8-1) Lasich, Madison; Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations are applied to study the phase equilibria and structure of a fluid described by a logarithmic interparticle potential. The two-phase pure species phase envelope was generated for various values of the size term of the potential, and the critical point (the set of conditions at which both phases became indistinguishable) was estimated in each case. A monotonic relationship between both the reduced critical density and temperature and the size term was demonstrated. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to study the influence of the thermodynamic conditions on the fluid structure, and three different fluid structures were elucidated.
Derivation of emergent spacetime metric, gravitational potential and speed of light in superfluid vacuum theory
(MDPI AG, 2023-5-17) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
Within the frameworks of the logarithmic superfluid model of physical vacuum, we demonstrate the emergence of four-dimensional curved spacetime from the dynamics of quantum Bose liquid in three-dimensional Euclidean space. We derive the metric tensor of this spacetime and study its special cases and limits, such as the linear-phase flow and linearized gravity limit. We show that the value of speed of light, which is a fundamental parameter in a theory of relativity, is a derived notion in superfluid vacuum theory: its value is a combination of the Planck constant and original parameters of the background superfluid. As for the gravitational potential, then it can be defined in terms of the quantum information entropy of the background superfluid. Thus, relativistic gravity and curved spacetime are shown to result from the dynamics of quantum excitations of the background superfluid being projected onto the measurement apparatus of a relativistic observer.
Can superfluid stars be mistaken for black holes in astronomical observations?
(Sissa Medialab, 2024-5-7) Zloshchastiev, Konstantin G.
We consider a general relativistic model of a self-interacting complex scalar field with logarithmic nonlinearity motivated by studies of laboratory superfluids and Bose-Einstein condensates. Spherically-symmetric gravitational equilibria are shown in this model, which do not have event horizons but which are regular, singularity-free and asymptotically flat. They can be thus interpreted as compact stars whose stability against gravitational collapse is enhanced not only by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle but also by the property of superfluidity itself, their ``darkness'' comes naturally as a result of suppressed dissipative excitations. Such objects do not obey any absolute upper mass limit of a Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff type, while their relativisticity and effective compactness values are comparable to those of black holes. Their spatial density distribution drops abruptly (at the Gaussian-like rate), which can be mistaken in realistic astronomical observations for the presence of an exact material surface. We therefore present logarithmic superfluid stars as dark compact objects and black hole mimickers.
A framework for aligning librarians’ roles and skills with 4IR technologies at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa
(University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2024-12-1) Moonasar, Anushie
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has introduced transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, big data, and blockchain that are reshaping various sectors, including libraries. This article recommends a framework to align librarian roles and skills with these 4IR technologies, focusing on the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The framework ensures that DUT librarians can effectively use these technologies to enhance services and meet evolving and diverse user needs. By examining the connection between librarian competencies and 4IR technologies, the article provides a roadmap for DUT libraries to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this technological revolution.
Tribalism : a thorny concern in Nigerian politics : a discursive review and appraisal
(Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, Pakistan, 2024-03-15) Agbede, Grace Temiloluwa; Oparinde, Kunle Musbaudeen
This paper conducts a review and appraisal of discourse surrounding tribalism, which is deeply entrenched in Nigerian politics at different levels of government as the polity of the country has often experienced significant tension along tribal/ethnic lines. Using digital media data, with specific focus on discourses produced during the 2023 general elections in the country, this study reviews and analyses the discourse of tribalism in Nigerian political communication. In an election heavily contested by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP), with candidates representing three major ethnic groups in Nigeria involving Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo respectively, the entrenched nature of the tribalism mindset in the country was fully exposed. Although tribalism in Nigerian politics has been in existence for a long time, it was only recently witnessed on a large scale on social media given that it is the first time that three popular presidential candidates have emerged from the country’s three most popular ethnic groups. Through a multimodal discourse analysis, the study reveals instances of tribalist discourse in the country vis-à-vis the social context and implications for the democracy, national cohesion, and the development of the country.
An interdisciplinary collaboration of the writing centre support and the nursing department on the development of academic research writing
(Durban University of Technology, 2024) Khumalo, Nonhlanhla Patience; Naidoo, Denver; Bhengu, Thandeka Jacqueline
This qualitative study explores the interdisciplinary collaboration between the Writing Centre (WrC) and the nursing department at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in developing undergraduate (UG) nursing students' academic research writing skills. Guided by the Social Learning Theory, the study aims to evaluate the role of the WrC support in enhancing nursing students' research writing proficiency. Semi-structured interviews in a focus group discussion with WrC tutors were conducted, and thematic analysis was employed to identify common themes and patterns related to the WrC's role in supporting academic research writing. The findings reveal the WrC's best practices in assisting UG nursing students, including creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment that addresses individual students' unique learning styles and research writing needs. The study also provides insights into the challenges faced by WrC tutors and the strategies they employ to overcome them. Furthermore, the benefits of WrC support for students' academic success are highlighted. The study underscores the importance of academic writing in higher education and the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in developing students' research writing skills, particularly in the nursing discipline. The findings contribute to the understanding of effective interventions for improving academic writing and supporting student success in higher education.
Emerging technologies and higher education libraries : a bibliometric analysis of the global literature
(Emerald, 2024-01-01) Mitha, Sara Bibi; Omarsaib, Mousin
Purpose: This paper explores emerging technologies in higher education libraries indexed in the Web of Science core collection and Scopus for the periods between 1994 and 2024 (January 18, 2024) /jats:sec>Design/methodology/approachData from Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were collected and combined using RStudio software. Once this was completed using RStudio, the combined Scopus and Web of Science Excel file was uploaded into Biblioshiny, an interactive web interface. The data was then categorized to illustrate contributions from authors, journals, countries and academic institutions across the globe.FindingsResults and findings related to publication growth trends, annual growth, core journals, impact and productivity of authors, most cited documents, collaborations, network mapping and country contributions on emerging technologies and higher education libraries are presented.Research limitations/implicationsThis topic requires further exploration as academic librarians are fast becoming integrated into the teaching and learning agenda of institutions globally.Practical implicationsHigher education libraries and library schools to promote the teaching identity of academic librarians by helping them improve their pedagogical and digital skills for online teaching.Social implicationsLibrary and information science schools need to fast track the integration of emerging technologies into the curriculum. Higher education libraries should consider the training of staff in order to keep abreast of emerging technologies. Library management must frame their policies and strategies in order to promote the use of emerging technologies in higher education libraries.Originality/valueThe current study is novel in that it explores emerging technologies and higher education libraries using combined data from Scopus and Web of Science. The topic of emerging technologies and higher education libraries is still developing and therefore is in its infancy. The research is useful for researchers, library management and library schools in the higher education sector globally.
Sisterhood in academia : storying our experiences in higher education
(Durban University of Technology, 2024) Govender, Nereshee; Khumalo, Nonhlanhla; Agbede, Grace Temiloluwa
Breaking the barriers for women in higher education institutions has been on the global agenda for over a decade. Women's lived experiences in academia has notably focused on issues of inequality and systemic gendered barriers that lead to women opting out of academia. This study acknowledges that many black women academics feel caged and overlooked in their positions and argues that despite these challenges, women are resilient and need to carve out spaces to navigate their paths in the academy. Using the autoethnography inquiry approach, we reflect on how our experiences shaped our academic journey in higher education institutions. The principles of Communities of Practice (CoP) is adopted as a framework underpinning this paper. It is envisaged that this framework will help examine the challenges and opportunities black women academics experience in higher education. Our reflective discussion on the sisterhood we embraced during our academic journeys has suggested that institutions need to provide mentorship opportunities, and spaces to talk, support and be supported.
HRM alignment and integration in knowledge risk management in South African state-owned enterprises
(Academic Conferences International Ltd, 2024) Phaladi, Malefetjane Phineas
Most state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa face serious challenges with tacit knowledge loss risks, largely due to a lack of alignment and integration points for human resource management (HRM) practices in knowledge management to effectively manage such knowledge loss risks. This study was interdisciplinary in nature, presenting empirical evidence of a strong connection between HRM and knowledge management (KM), especially its knowledge risk management (KRM) sub-domain. The research paper employed a qualitative research design, which involved collecting in-depth qualitative data through interviews with 20 human resource (HR) managers in 9 SOEs. The qualitative data extracted through the interviews were analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti software. The research results revealed that HRM practices are not aligned, integrated and focused on mitigating enterprise tacit knowledge loss risks in most South African SOEs. A lack of HRM alignment and integration was a serious issue across the board, irrespective of whether the participating SOEs had knowledge management structures, roles and strategies in place. However, on a positive note, HR managers acknowledged the need for the integration and alignment of HRM strategies regarding effective knowledge loss risk management. The study highlights a deficiency in HRM alignment and integration for effective knowledge loss risk management. The researcher infers that HRM alignment and integration in KRM has a critical strategic and operational role to play in the mitigation of enterprise knowledge risks, as well as in developing the required knowledge management capabilities. The study sought to close a knowledge gap in the existing body of knowledge by presenting empirical evidence identifying alignment and integration points of HRM strategies into KRM for SOEs to effectively reduce knowledge loss risks. Furthermore, the study presents a strong link between HRM and KRM in building KM capacity for the reduction of the risks associated with tacit knowledge loss.
Key organisational barriers to effective knowledge risk management in South African public sector enterprises
(OmniaScience, 2024) Phaladi, Malefetjane Phineas
Purpose: The aim of this study was to delve into the obstacles preventing the effective management of tacit knowledge risks in South African public sector enterprises (PSEs) from the perspectives of human resource management (HRM) and knowledge management (KM).A perusal of the literature reveals that most South African PSEs are grappling with significant challenges related to potential tacit knowledge loss risks.Design/methodology/approach: The research utilised a mixed methods exploratory sequential design, collecting qualitative data through interviews with 20 HR managers in 9 PSEs and survey data from 585 questionnaires. The reliability of the data was tested, and thematic analysis was performed using Atlas.ti software.Findings: The study identified key barriers to effective tacit knowledge loss risk management in PSEs, including a silo mentality, organisational red-tape, knowledge as a power source, lack of recognition and rewards, KM awareness, cultures and structures, employment equity, fixed-term contracts, competing priorities for leadership, knowledge hoarding, HRM practices, and inadequate KM technologies and systems. These pressing issues need to be addressed to improve knowledge risk management (KRM) efforts in PSEs.Research limitations/implications:The exploration of organisational barriers was only limited to the tacit knowledge loss risks category, induced by human resource turnover in country-specific PSEs. Future studies could explore the organisational barriers and factors affecting other types of knowledge risks in PSEs or similar knowledge-intensive business enterprises across the globe using different samples and populations. Other similar studies could include strategic sectors of the economy such as energy generation, civil aviation, defence, mining and rail. The study contributes to the knowledge-based view and knowledge stickiness theories, and proposes an interdisciplinarity approach using mixed methods for future research on tacit knowledge loss.Practical implications: The research findings conclusively indicate that PSEs face the aforementioned barriers that hinder the effective implementation of the KRM system. This study identifies that key organisational barriers were mainly due to a lack of knowledge-driven HRM strategies in KM. To address these barriers, HR managers and other stakeholders must collaborate to ensure effective knowledge management and mitigate the negative impact of knowledge loss risks on organisational performance.Social Implications: The study highlights the importance of removing key barriers for improved KRM in PSEs. The improved KRM can enhance public service delivery efficiency, transparency and the accountability of PSEs by addressing socio-economic developmental issues in developing economies. Originality/value: Using South African PSEs as a case to address this challenge, the paper sought to explore key organisational barriers to effective knowledge loss risk management in organisations with a view to shaping discourse, policies, research, theories and practices in KM and HRM. Organisational barriers affecting the management of such risks remain unexplored in the extant body of knowledge and practice.
Uncovering the journey of building a community : a story of a global network for early-and mid-career women researchers
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2024-08-06) Zheng, Gaoming; Kim, Mee Joo; Qi, Jing; Aarnikoivu, Melina; Bekova, Saule; Meki-Kombe, Charity; Shabdan, Baktygul; Tsephe, Lifutso
In this chapter, we delve into our journey of establishing and nurturing a global network comprising early-and mid-career women researchers in the realm of doctoral education. Formed and sustained amid the backdrop of the pandemic since 2020, our endeavours of community building have acquired unique attributes, rewards and trials. We begin by tracing the evolution of our collective journey and the collaborative process that has shaped this network. This, in turn, will spotlight the driving forces and expectations that underpinned the birth of this international alliance tailored for aspiring mid-career women researchers. We also delve into the fundamental characteristics of the network and consider the benefits it offers to its members. Lastly, we will address the challenges the network faces, particularly regarding its sustainable development in the context of competitive, academic work environments

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