The art of dying
- Authors: Jones, Ward E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275722 , vital:55073 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/05568641.2012.743217"
- Description: In this paper, I explore what Jean Améry calls the ‘aesthetic view of death’. I address the following three questions. To what extent, and how, do we take an aesthetic view of death? Why do we take an aesthetic view of death? Third, for those whose deaths are impending and have some choice over how they die—most prominently the elderly and the terminally ill—what would it mean for them to take an aesthetic view of their own impending deaths, and, in particular, what would it mean for them to act in the light of such a view?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jones, Ward E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275722 , vital:55073 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/05568641.2012.743217"
- Description: In this paper, I explore what Jean Améry calls the ‘aesthetic view of death’. I address the following three questions. To what extent, and how, do we take an aesthetic view of death? Why do we take an aesthetic view of death? Third, for those whose deaths are impending and have some choice over how they die—most prominently the elderly and the terminally ill—what would it mean for them to take an aesthetic view of their own impending deaths, and, in particular, what would it mean for them to act in the light of such a view?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The assessment of the international organisations high performance strategy, through global business unit managers
- Authors: Van den Heever, Andette
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Organisation Effectiviness , Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8837 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019966
- Description: In today’s competitive global environment it is vital for businesses to continuously outperform their competitors, making each business more and more dependent upon product quality and the ability to adjust rapidly to change. To survive, businesses more and more depend on the creativity, initiative and problem-solving abilities of their employees. The research in this treatise will focus on the components of a high performance organisation, when assessing the international high performance strategy of Company A, developed by top management. The implementation of Company A’s strategy relies on how well the organisation fosters an environment which is conducive to high performance. At this stage it is not clear if the chosen strategy will succeed and direct the organisation towards sustainable high performance in the long run. Hence, the research question, which is the crux of this study, is to assess the effectiveness of Company A’s international high performance strategy in creating a sustainable high performance organisation in the long run. To achieve the primary objective of this research study, the researcher compared various prominent models of high performance organisations with one another. Despite the limitations, the researcher believes that the significance of De Waal’s model is that he managed to identify the factors involved in creating a high performance organisation. Based on the quantitative and qualitative comparisons, the researcher decided to use the research conducted by De Waal as the framework for the basis of this study. The Delphi Technique was used to identify the effectiveness of the strategy through a consensus seeking and commitment building process. Contrary to expectations, the empirical results indicated that Company A’s strategy does clearly indicate a high percentage of effectiveness. Although it definitely indicates that there is still a long road ahead of Company A to reach ultimate sustainable high performance, it definitely is on the right track. The research highlighted a few areas of concern, but with continuous adjustment and alignment of their strategy Company A would have a solid framework to work towards high performance in the long run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Van den Heever, Andette
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Organisation Effectiviness , Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8837 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019966
- Description: In today’s competitive global environment it is vital for businesses to continuously outperform their competitors, making each business more and more dependent upon product quality and the ability to adjust rapidly to change. To survive, businesses more and more depend on the creativity, initiative and problem-solving abilities of their employees. The research in this treatise will focus on the components of a high performance organisation, when assessing the international high performance strategy of Company A, developed by top management. The implementation of Company A’s strategy relies on how well the organisation fosters an environment which is conducive to high performance. At this stage it is not clear if the chosen strategy will succeed and direct the organisation towards sustainable high performance in the long run. Hence, the research question, which is the crux of this study, is to assess the effectiveness of Company A’s international high performance strategy in creating a sustainable high performance organisation in the long run. To achieve the primary objective of this research study, the researcher compared various prominent models of high performance organisations with one another. Despite the limitations, the researcher believes that the significance of De Waal’s model is that he managed to identify the factors involved in creating a high performance organisation. Based on the quantitative and qualitative comparisons, the researcher decided to use the research conducted by De Waal as the framework for the basis of this study. The Delphi Technique was used to identify the effectiveness of the strategy through a consensus seeking and commitment building process. Contrary to expectations, the empirical results indicated that Company A’s strategy does clearly indicate a high percentage of effectiveness. Although it definitely indicates that there is still a long road ahead of Company A to reach ultimate sustainable high performance, it definitely is on the right track. The research highlighted a few areas of concern, but with continuous adjustment and alignment of their strategy Company A would have a solid framework to work towards high performance in the long run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The biota of the Swartkops Solar Saltworks and their potential for producing biofuels
- Authors: De Lauwere, Monique Simone
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Organisms , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011657 , Organisms , Biomass energy
- Description: The Swartkops and Missionvale salinas in Port Elizabeth on the east coast of South Africa are surrounding by large informal settlements. The runoff from these settlements contributes largely to the eutrophication of the solar saltworks which in turn has an effect on the biotic functioning of the systems, ultimately affecting the quantity and quality of the salt produced. Inorganic nutrients and organic composition, as well as important biological groups were examined within the brine with the aim of comparing the current condition of the same salinas to their condition twelve years ago. Comparisons between inorganic nutrient concentrations and biological groups showed significantly higher inorganic nutrients, with chlorophyll a concentrations in the Swartkops salina in 2011 being significantly higher than in 2012 and the 1999 and 2011 chlorophyll a concentrations being significantly higher than 2012 in the Missionvale salina. Microalgae found in the salinas were cultured in four different growth media. Cells were stained with Nile Red fluorescent dye in order to estimate the extent of lipids production. Five of the most promising lipid producing species were isolated into a monoculture and grown at different salinities to establish the growth and lipid production in response to salinity. Halamphora coffeaeformis and Navicula sp. were found to be the best candidate species. They grew best at salinities between 50 and 70 psu and produced lipid vesicles consuming approximately 10 percent of the cell.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: De Lauwere, Monique Simone
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Organisms , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011657 , Organisms , Biomass energy
- Description: The Swartkops and Missionvale salinas in Port Elizabeth on the east coast of South Africa are surrounding by large informal settlements. The runoff from these settlements contributes largely to the eutrophication of the solar saltworks which in turn has an effect on the biotic functioning of the systems, ultimately affecting the quantity and quality of the salt produced. Inorganic nutrients and organic composition, as well as important biological groups were examined within the brine with the aim of comparing the current condition of the same salinas to their condition twelve years ago. Comparisons between inorganic nutrient concentrations and biological groups showed significantly higher inorganic nutrients, with chlorophyll a concentrations in the Swartkops salina in 2011 being significantly higher than in 2012 and the 1999 and 2011 chlorophyll a concentrations being significantly higher than 2012 in the Missionvale salina. Microalgae found in the salinas were cultured in four different growth media. Cells were stained with Nile Red fluorescent dye in order to estimate the extent of lipids production. Five of the most promising lipid producing species were isolated into a monoculture and grown at different salinities to establish the growth and lipid production in response to salinity. Halamphora coffeaeformis and Navicula sp. were found to be the best candidate species. They grew best at salinities between 50 and 70 psu and produced lipid vesicles consuming approximately 10 percent of the cell.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The Business Trust and its role as an entity in the financial environment
- Authors: Nel, Ebenhaeser Cornelis
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Trusts and trustees -- South Africa , Corporations -- Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Asset-backed financing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:10250 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020175
- Description: The trust figure in South Africa has undergone an interesting process of evolution during the last century – from a mere gratuity or private tax evasion tool to a proper family protection, business entity, investment, and structured finance vehicle. Its flexibility and multi-functionality positioned the trust as an ideal legal institution for many innovative ideas in the search for holistic business structures, economic empowerment transactions, general estate planning and risk protection initiatives, and ultimately, its application as financial instrument and structured finance entity. The development of both traditional and synthetic securitisation schemes in South Africa has been investigated, with some emphasis on the application of the special purpose institution, which may be in trust form. It is submitted that the application of the trust figure has developed without any significant contribution from the local legislator. A sound legal and regulatory framework is crucial for the creation of a strong future environment for legal and financial vehicles. The question is, however, whether the current South African legal framework for the application of the business trust, and also as a vehicle for financial instruments, is adequately sound and robust in light of the standards set in the international business and financial environment. It is submitted that the hybrid nature of the South African legal landscape is conducive for the development of sound legal systems in an ever-changing legal and economic reality. It is further submitted that in the development of proper legal frameworks, South Africa should position itself particularly in its context as a Southern African developing democracy. The South African trust development is compared with that of some foreign jurisdictions as well as with international conventions and treaties of relevance. Some recommendations for necessary changes are made and it is submitted that such future development of the trust figure should not take place haphazardly, but within the context of a structured regulatory model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nel, Ebenhaeser Cornelis
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Trusts and trustees -- South Africa , Corporations -- Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Asset-backed financing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:10250 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020175
- Description: The trust figure in South Africa has undergone an interesting process of evolution during the last century – from a mere gratuity or private tax evasion tool to a proper family protection, business entity, investment, and structured finance vehicle. Its flexibility and multi-functionality positioned the trust as an ideal legal institution for many innovative ideas in the search for holistic business structures, economic empowerment transactions, general estate planning and risk protection initiatives, and ultimately, its application as financial instrument and structured finance entity. The development of both traditional and synthetic securitisation schemes in South Africa has been investigated, with some emphasis on the application of the special purpose institution, which may be in trust form. It is submitted that the application of the trust figure has developed without any significant contribution from the local legislator. A sound legal and regulatory framework is crucial for the creation of a strong future environment for legal and financial vehicles. The question is, however, whether the current South African legal framework for the application of the business trust, and also as a vehicle for financial instruments, is adequately sound and robust in light of the standards set in the international business and financial environment. It is submitted that the hybrid nature of the South African legal landscape is conducive for the development of sound legal systems in an ever-changing legal and economic reality. It is further submitted that in the development of proper legal frameworks, South Africa should position itself particularly in its context as a Southern African developing democracy. The South African trust development is compared with that of some foreign jurisdictions as well as with international conventions and treaties of relevance. Some recommendations for necessary changes are made and it is submitted that such future development of the trust figure should not take place haphazardly, but within the context of a structured regulatory model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The columnist as trickster: satire and subversion in literary journalism
- Authors: Douglas, Greig
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Satire , Race relations , Journalism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8387 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008397 , Satire , Race relations , Journalism
- Description: This project examines facets of racial identity as they emerge in a contemporary South African context, and considers how instances of local satire both subtly resist and support white normativity. It consists of two separate sections: firstly, a self-reflective essay that, employing current theories from the academic field of whiteness studies, assesses South African satire’s relation to and negotiation of race and identity politics; and secondly, The Weekly Crab, my own creative response to the genre of satire. Using contemporary theories of racial construction, the first section will delineate whiteness as a dominant but invisible identification, and as a social construction underpinned by an inherited and continually reproduced privilege. Satire, in turn, will be described as a mode of rhetorical and conceptual attack that is capable of cultivating an understanding of how whiteness functions as a cultural construct, as well as foster a sensitivity to how its cultural dynamics shape and inform racial politics in the South African context. The first section will identify the website Hayibo.com as a source of local satire whose satirising of current events is often complicit in the perpetuation of white normativity. I will point to moments in its work where white expectations, fears and social mores are left unexamined, and, indeed, become an unspoken part of their critiquing lens rather than the focus of it. An accompanying critical breakdown of my own satire in The Weekly Crab will show my work to be a countertext to Hayibo. As I will make clear, I am not saying that I successfully fill a gap in the landscape of South African satire. Instead, in comparing my work to the satire that Hayibo produces, and by providing, in the second section, a creative response to that particular approach to satire, I am trying to circumscribe a blind spot in South African literary journalism : that is, the paucity of satire that aggressively subverts the normativity of whiteness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Douglas, Greig
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Satire , Race relations , Journalism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8387 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008397 , Satire , Race relations , Journalism
- Description: This project examines facets of racial identity as they emerge in a contemporary South African context, and considers how instances of local satire both subtly resist and support white normativity. It consists of two separate sections: firstly, a self-reflective essay that, employing current theories from the academic field of whiteness studies, assesses South African satire’s relation to and negotiation of race and identity politics; and secondly, The Weekly Crab, my own creative response to the genre of satire. Using contemporary theories of racial construction, the first section will delineate whiteness as a dominant but invisible identification, and as a social construction underpinned by an inherited and continually reproduced privilege. Satire, in turn, will be described as a mode of rhetorical and conceptual attack that is capable of cultivating an understanding of how whiteness functions as a cultural construct, as well as foster a sensitivity to how its cultural dynamics shape and inform racial politics in the South African context. The first section will identify the website Hayibo.com as a source of local satire whose satirising of current events is often complicit in the perpetuation of white normativity. I will point to moments in its work where white expectations, fears and social mores are left unexamined, and, indeed, become an unspoken part of their critiquing lens rather than the focus of it. An accompanying critical breakdown of my own satire in The Weekly Crab will show my work to be a countertext to Hayibo. As I will make clear, I am not saying that I successfully fill a gap in the landscape of South African satire. Instead, in comparing my work to the satire that Hayibo produces, and by providing, in the second section, a creative response to that particular approach to satire, I am trying to circumscribe a blind spot in South African literary journalism : that is, the paucity of satire that aggressively subverts the normativity of whiteness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The competitiveness of the South African citrus industry in the face of the changing global health and environmental standards
- Authors: Ndou, Portia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Safety regulations , Agricultural industries -- Safety regulations , Food -- Safety measures -- International cooperation , Export marketing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Competition, International
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/477 , Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Safety regulations , Agricultural industries -- Safety regulations , Food -- Safety measures -- International cooperation , Export marketing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Competition, International
- Description: In recent years, concern about food safety linked to health issues has seen a rise in private food safety standards in addition to the regulations set by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). These have presented challenges to producers and exporters of agricultural food products especially the producers of fresh fruits and vegetables. In spite of the food safety-linked challenges from the demand side, the vast range of business-environment forces pose equally formidable challenges that negatively impact on the exporting industries’ ability to maintain or improve their market shares and their ability to compete in world markets. The objective of this study was therefore to establish the competitiveness of the South African citrus industry in the international markets within this prevailing scenario. Due to the diversity of the definitions of competitiveness as a concept, this study formulated the following working definition: “the ability to create, deliver and maintain value and constant market share through strategic management of the industrial environment or competitiveness drivers”. This was based on the understanding that the international market shares of an industry are a function of forces in the business environment which range from intra-industry, external and national as well as the international elements. The unit of analysis were the citrus producers engaged in export of their products and the study made use of 151 responses by producers. The study adopted a five-step approach to the analysis of the performance of the South African citrus industry in the global markets, starting with the analysis of the Constant Market Share (CMS) of the South African citrus industry in various world markets, establishing the impact of the business environmental factors upon competitiveness, establishing the costs of compliance with private food safety standards, determining the non-price benefits of compliance with the standards, as well as highlighting the strategies for enhancing long-term competitiveness of the industry in the international markets. South Africa is one of the top three countries dominating the citrus fruit export market. Since its entry into the citrus fruit exports market in the 1900s, the industry has sustained its activity in the international market. The Constant Market Share Analysis shows that, amidst the challenges on the international market side, and the changes in the business environment, over much of which the industry has limited control and influence, the industry has maintained its competitive advantage in several markets. The CMS shows that South Africa’s lemons are competitive in America. Despite a negative trend, the South African grapefruit has been competitive in France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Oranges have been competitive in the Greece, Italy, Portugal, UK, Asian and Northern Europe markets. Competitiveness in these markets has been due to the inherent competitiveness of the industry. Competitiveness in such markets as the Middle East has been attributed to the relatively rapid growth of these markets. The South African citrus industry has similarly undergone many major processes of transformation. The business environmental factors influencing its performance have ranged reform to the challenges beyond the country’s borders. These factors directly and indirectly affect the performance of the industry in the export market. They have influenced the flow of fruits into different international destinations. Of major concern are the food safety and private standards. Challenges in traditional markets as well as opportunities presented by demand from newly emerging citrus consuming nations have seen a diversification in the marketing of the South African citrus. The intensity of competition in the global market is reflected by the fluctuations in the market shares in different markets as well as the increase and fluctuations of fruit rejection rates in some lucrative markets such as America. A combination of challenging national environmental forces and stringent demand conditions negatively impact on revenues especially from markets characterised by price competitiveness. This study identified cost of production, foreign market support systems, adaptability, worker skills, challenges of management in an international environment and government policies such as labour and trade policies as some of the most influential obstacles to competitiveness. Some of the most competiveness-enhancing factors were market availability, market size, market information, market growth and the availability of research institutions. However, compliance with private standards still poses a challenge to the exporters. The different performance levels of the industry in various markets prove the dissimilarity of the demand conditions in the global market. These are supported by the negative influence associated with the foreign market support regimes as well as the challenges associated with compliance with private food safety standards. While market availability, market growth, market information and size were identified as enhancing competitiveness, the fluctuations and inconsistencies in the competitiveness of the industry in different foreign markets require more than finding markets. Resource allocation by both the government and the industry may need to take into account the off-setting of the national challenges and support of farmers faced with distorted and unfair international playing fields. Otherwise, market availability is not a challenge for the industry save meeting the specifications therewith as well as price competitiveness which is unattainable for the South African citrus producers faced with high production costs. For the purposes of further study, it is recommended that account should be taken of all the products marketed by the industry (including processed products such as fruit juices) in order to have a whole picture of the competitiveness of the industry in the international market. This study also proffers a new theoretical framework for the analysis of the business environment for the citrus industry and other agro-businesses. This framework takes into account the indispensability of the food safety standards and measures as well as the diversity of the global consumer and the non-negotiability of food trade for the sustenance of the growing population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndou, Portia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Safety regulations , Agricultural industries -- Safety regulations , Food -- Safety measures -- International cooperation , Export marketing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Competition, International
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/477 , Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Safety regulations , Agricultural industries -- Safety regulations , Food -- Safety measures -- International cooperation , Export marketing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Competition, International
- Description: In recent years, concern about food safety linked to health issues has seen a rise in private food safety standards in addition to the regulations set by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). These have presented challenges to producers and exporters of agricultural food products especially the producers of fresh fruits and vegetables. In spite of the food safety-linked challenges from the demand side, the vast range of business-environment forces pose equally formidable challenges that negatively impact on the exporting industries’ ability to maintain or improve their market shares and their ability to compete in world markets. The objective of this study was therefore to establish the competitiveness of the South African citrus industry in the international markets within this prevailing scenario. Due to the diversity of the definitions of competitiveness as a concept, this study formulated the following working definition: “the ability to create, deliver and maintain value and constant market share through strategic management of the industrial environment or competitiveness drivers”. This was based on the understanding that the international market shares of an industry are a function of forces in the business environment which range from intra-industry, external and national as well as the international elements. The unit of analysis were the citrus producers engaged in export of their products and the study made use of 151 responses by producers. The study adopted a five-step approach to the analysis of the performance of the South African citrus industry in the global markets, starting with the analysis of the Constant Market Share (CMS) of the South African citrus industry in various world markets, establishing the impact of the business environmental factors upon competitiveness, establishing the costs of compliance with private food safety standards, determining the non-price benefits of compliance with the standards, as well as highlighting the strategies for enhancing long-term competitiveness of the industry in the international markets. South Africa is one of the top three countries dominating the citrus fruit export market. Since its entry into the citrus fruit exports market in the 1900s, the industry has sustained its activity in the international market. The Constant Market Share Analysis shows that, amidst the challenges on the international market side, and the changes in the business environment, over much of which the industry has limited control and influence, the industry has maintained its competitive advantage in several markets. The CMS shows that South Africa’s lemons are competitive in America. Despite a negative trend, the South African grapefruit has been competitive in France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Oranges have been competitive in the Greece, Italy, Portugal, UK, Asian and Northern Europe markets. Competitiveness in these markets has been due to the inherent competitiveness of the industry. Competitiveness in such markets as the Middle East has been attributed to the relatively rapid growth of these markets. The South African citrus industry has similarly undergone many major processes of transformation. The business environmental factors influencing its performance have ranged reform to the challenges beyond the country’s borders. These factors directly and indirectly affect the performance of the industry in the export market. They have influenced the flow of fruits into different international destinations. Of major concern are the food safety and private standards. Challenges in traditional markets as well as opportunities presented by demand from newly emerging citrus consuming nations have seen a diversification in the marketing of the South African citrus. The intensity of competition in the global market is reflected by the fluctuations in the market shares in different markets as well as the increase and fluctuations of fruit rejection rates in some lucrative markets such as America. A combination of challenging national environmental forces and stringent demand conditions negatively impact on revenues especially from markets characterised by price competitiveness. This study identified cost of production, foreign market support systems, adaptability, worker skills, challenges of management in an international environment and government policies such as labour and trade policies as some of the most influential obstacles to competitiveness. Some of the most competiveness-enhancing factors were market availability, market size, market information, market growth and the availability of research institutions. However, compliance with private standards still poses a challenge to the exporters. The different performance levels of the industry in various markets prove the dissimilarity of the demand conditions in the global market. These are supported by the negative influence associated with the foreign market support regimes as well as the challenges associated with compliance with private food safety standards. While market availability, market growth, market information and size were identified as enhancing competitiveness, the fluctuations and inconsistencies in the competitiveness of the industry in different foreign markets require more than finding markets. Resource allocation by both the government and the industry may need to take into account the off-setting of the national challenges and support of farmers faced with distorted and unfair international playing fields. Otherwise, market availability is not a challenge for the industry save meeting the specifications therewith as well as price competitiveness which is unattainable for the South African citrus producers faced with high production costs. For the purposes of further study, it is recommended that account should be taken of all the products marketed by the industry (including processed products such as fruit juices) in order to have a whole picture of the competitiveness of the industry in the international market. This study also proffers a new theoretical framework for the analysis of the business environment for the citrus industry and other agro-businesses. This framework takes into account the indispensability of the food safety standards and measures as well as the diversity of the global consumer and the non-negotiability of food trade for the sustenance of the growing population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The conflict between economic and conservation imperatives in the proposed exploration of shale gas in the South Western Karoo basin
- Authors: Mkhacane, Nkateko
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Shale gas -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Karoo , Shale gas -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008180 , Shale gas -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Karoo , Shale gas -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Description: In this research the conflict between economic and conservation imperatives in the proposed exploration of shale gas in the South Western Karoo Basin was investigated. The primary aim of this study was to come to a theoretical understanding of the situation through a critical analysis of existing documents which allowed me to outline in detail the two opposing perspectives that either promote or resist a shale gas exploration project. The second objective of this research was to present empirical data from both a questionnaire completed by 20 respondents and two interviews, that helps amplify and verify arguments for or against a shale gas exploration project. The theoretical and empirical components of the research offer the basis for a balanced assessment of the viability of shell gas exploration in the Karoo. Using three fundamental assessment criteria (social, economic and environmental) for what constitutes a sustainable development project the gathered data was analysed in order to help ascertain whether or not the shale gas exploration project is a worthwhile development project. The question answered was whether a shale gas exploration project meets its social, economic and environmental mandates. From this, the final objective of this research was to make recommendations concerning what a responsible policy would be concerning land use in the Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mkhacane, Nkateko
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Shale gas -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Karoo , Shale gas -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008180 , Shale gas -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Karoo , Shale gas -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Description: In this research the conflict between economic and conservation imperatives in the proposed exploration of shale gas in the South Western Karoo Basin was investigated. The primary aim of this study was to come to a theoretical understanding of the situation through a critical analysis of existing documents which allowed me to outline in detail the two opposing perspectives that either promote or resist a shale gas exploration project. The second objective of this research was to present empirical data from both a questionnaire completed by 20 respondents and two interviews, that helps amplify and verify arguments for or against a shale gas exploration project. The theoretical and empirical components of the research offer the basis for a balanced assessment of the viability of shell gas exploration in the Karoo. Using three fundamental assessment criteria (social, economic and environmental) for what constitutes a sustainable development project the gathered data was analysed in order to help ascertain whether or not the shale gas exploration project is a worthwhile development project. The question answered was whether a shale gas exploration project meets its social, economic and environmental mandates. From this, the final objective of this research was to make recommendations concerning what a responsible policy would be concerning land use in the Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The contribution of hip hop to the construction of personal indentities of South African female late adolescents
- Authors: Gitonga, Priscilla Nyawira
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Hip-hop -- South Africa -- Influence , Women -- Identity , Teenage girls , Group identity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4288 , vital:20581
- Description: Identity construction is an integral task during late adolescence. In this study, I argue that hip hop music contributes to the process of identity construction among female late adolescents. The contexts that the female late adolescent is exposed to affect her process of identity construction. These contexts include family, friends, peers, religion, and popular culture, among other things. Hip hop music forms part of present-day popular culture. Adolescents have access to this genre of music via the mass media and social networks. The aim of this study is to explore the nature of hip hop‘s contribution to the identity construction of female late adolescents in South Africa. To this end, I engaged seven female late adolescents in several research activities, which enabled them to make sense of their perceived identities in the context of hip hop music. I then interpreted the participants‘ stories, in order to understand the process by which hip hop had contributed to their sense of personal identity. The participants in this study were first-year students in the Faculty of Education, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, who were all in the developmental phase of late adolescence. Narrative inquiry and participatory research (PR) approaches were the preferred strategies of data generation. The data-generation techniques included the use of drawings and lyric inquiry. These techniques served to stimulate the generation of narrative data. They also provided frameworks within which the participants could engage with their sense of identity in the context of hip hop music. The research revealed that hip hop music does indeed contribute to the process of personal identity construction of the female late adolescents who participated in the study. It does so by compelling the adolescent to think about herself in relation to her continual self, which draws from her past, present, and future, her interactional self, both at the personal and social levels, and her situational self. The appeal of hip hop to her cognitive capabilities is enhanced through the strong link that hip hop has with her emotions. The significance of this study can be summarised in three points. Firstly, this study provides empirical evidence of hip hop as a meaningful resource for the female adolescent as she constructs her identity. As such, the findings of this study negate the public notion of hip hop as being a bad influence on young people, and provides proof of its significant role in the lives of South African female adolescents. Secondly, this study is important for education in South Africa. The significance of hip hop music in education settings lies in its fundamental communicative capabilities, which can be effectively utilised in the classroom situation. Thirdly, this study strengthens educational research in South Africa, especially research aimed at the liberation and emancipation of female adolescents in South Africa. In this regard, this study provides alternative methodologies of inquiry to conventional research strategies, such as questionnaires and surveys.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Gitonga, Priscilla Nyawira
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Hip-hop -- South Africa -- Influence , Women -- Identity , Teenage girls , Group identity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4288 , vital:20581
- Description: Identity construction is an integral task during late adolescence. In this study, I argue that hip hop music contributes to the process of identity construction among female late adolescents. The contexts that the female late adolescent is exposed to affect her process of identity construction. These contexts include family, friends, peers, religion, and popular culture, among other things. Hip hop music forms part of present-day popular culture. Adolescents have access to this genre of music via the mass media and social networks. The aim of this study is to explore the nature of hip hop‘s contribution to the identity construction of female late adolescents in South Africa. To this end, I engaged seven female late adolescents in several research activities, which enabled them to make sense of their perceived identities in the context of hip hop music. I then interpreted the participants‘ stories, in order to understand the process by which hip hop had contributed to their sense of personal identity. The participants in this study were first-year students in the Faculty of Education, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, who were all in the developmental phase of late adolescence. Narrative inquiry and participatory research (PR) approaches were the preferred strategies of data generation. The data-generation techniques included the use of drawings and lyric inquiry. These techniques served to stimulate the generation of narrative data. They also provided frameworks within which the participants could engage with their sense of identity in the context of hip hop music. The research revealed that hip hop music does indeed contribute to the process of personal identity construction of the female late adolescents who participated in the study. It does so by compelling the adolescent to think about herself in relation to her continual self, which draws from her past, present, and future, her interactional self, both at the personal and social levels, and her situational self. The appeal of hip hop to her cognitive capabilities is enhanced through the strong link that hip hop has with her emotions. The significance of this study can be summarised in three points. Firstly, this study provides empirical evidence of hip hop as a meaningful resource for the female adolescent as she constructs her identity. As such, the findings of this study negate the public notion of hip hop as being a bad influence on young people, and provides proof of its significant role in the lives of South African female adolescents. Secondly, this study is important for education in South Africa. The significance of hip hop music in education settings lies in its fundamental communicative capabilities, which can be effectively utilised in the classroom situation. Thirdly, this study strengthens educational research in South Africa, especially research aimed at the liberation and emancipation of female adolescents in South Africa. In this regard, this study provides alternative methodologies of inquiry to conventional research strategies, such as questionnaires and surveys.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The contribution of the trade in medicinal plants to urban livelihoods: a case study of the informal markets in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Ah Goo, Delia Felecia Stephanie
- Authors: Ah Goo, Delia Felecia Stephanie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011601 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Description: The commercialisation of natural resources such as medicinal plants is a strategy that is increasingly being employed by poor people in developing countries such as South Africa, as a means of generating an income. Increasing economic hardship and a lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector of the economy has led to many urban dwellers seeking alternative means of meeting their everyday livelihood needs. Although the contribution of natural resources to subsistence economies is widely recognised, there are few studies that have examined the significance of the trade in medicinal plants to the livelihoods of poor and marginalised people. Thirty informal street traders were interviewed to investigate the role of the medicinal plant trade in sustaining the livelihoods of the traders who operate in the informal sector of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa. The findings of the research indicate that the sale and collection of medicinal plants is an activity which is exploited by people with limited resources, few skills, little or no education and often without any other source of household income. Middle-aged women from impoverished, single income households dominated the trade. Although income from the trade is modest, it contributed substantially to the total household cash income of the traders. Other benefits of the trade included independence and having a sense of purpose in life, as the traders felt that they were not only helping their families but also the wider community. However, without the income from the trade, many of the traders and their families would be destitute and thus the medicinal plant trade is vital to the wellbeing of these people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ah Goo, Delia Felecia Stephanie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011601 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Description: The commercialisation of natural resources such as medicinal plants is a strategy that is increasingly being employed by poor people in developing countries such as South Africa, as a means of generating an income. Increasing economic hardship and a lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector of the economy has led to many urban dwellers seeking alternative means of meeting their everyday livelihood needs. Although the contribution of natural resources to subsistence economies is widely recognised, there are few studies that have examined the significance of the trade in medicinal plants to the livelihoods of poor and marginalised people. Thirty informal street traders were interviewed to investigate the role of the medicinal plant trade in sustaining the livelihoods of the traders who operate in the informal sector of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa. The findings of the research indicate that the sale and collection of medicinal plants is an activity which is exploited by people with limited resources, few skills, little or no education and often without any other source of household income. Middle-aged women from impoverished, single income households dominated the trade. Although income from the trade is modest, it contributed substantially to the total household cash income of the traders. Other benefits of the trade included independence and having a sense of purpose in life, as the traders felt that they were not only helping their families but also the wider community. However, without the income from the trade, many of the traders and their families would be destitute and thus the medicinal plant trade is vital to the wellbeing of these people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The coping orientation and self-esteem of black learners enrolled in under-resourced schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Ogle, Zimbini
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012591 , Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: It is common knowledge that the delivery of a high quality, well-resourced educational service to learners enrolled in state schools in the Eastern Cape has ground to a halt and this lack of service delivery has now become a pervasive problem. South African education has to a large extent failed to meet the needs of Black learners. Schools, like other contexts of childhood and adolescence are intimate places where youths construct identities, build a sense of self, read how society views them, develop the capacity to sustain relations and forge the skills to initiate change. These are the contexts where youth grow or shrink. Buildings in disrepair are not, therefore, merely a distraction; they are identity producing and selfdefining. There has been much debate on the topic of self-esteem and its relationship to school performance and academic achievement. Previous studies have highlighted that selfesteem and resilience do play a role in academic achievement. Despite the many challenges facing learners in under-resourced schools, many learners have overcome such challenges and achieved academic success. This study aimed to explore and describe the coping orientation and self-esteem of Black learners enrolled in under-resourced state schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. An exploratory, descriptive survey design was employed and eighty-five research participants completed the Orientation to Life Questionnaire 29 Item (OLQ 29 Item), Battle‟s Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory Form AD (CFSEI Form AD) and a biographical questionnaire. Key findings revealed fairly high mean scores on the OLQ 29 Item and low total self-esteem scores. The General, Social and Personal self-esteem of the learners were found to be average. The results also revealed that learners with a high sense of coherence are likely to have high self-esteem; hence high sense of coherence is better explained by high self-esteem and low sense of coherence is better explained by low selfesteem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ogle, Zimbini
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012591 , Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: It is common knowledge that the delivery of a high quality, well-resourced educational service to learners enrolled in state schools in the Eastern Cape has ground to a halt and this lack of service delivery has now become a pervasive problem. South African education has to a large extent failed to meet the needs of Black learners. Schools, like other contexts of childhood and adolescence are intimate places where youths construct identities, build a sense of self, read how society views them, develop the capacity to sustain relations and forge the skills to initiate change. These are the contexts where youth grow or shrink. Buildings in disrepair are not, therefore, merely a distraction; they are identity producing and selfdefining. There has been much debate on the topic of self-esteem and its relationship to school performance and academic achievement. Previous studies have highlighted that selfesteem and resilience do play a role in academic achievement. Despite the many challenges facing learners in under-resourced schools, many learners have overcome such challenges and achieved academic success. This study aimed to explore and describe the coping orientation and self-esteem of Black learners enrolled in under-resourced state schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. An exploratory, descriptive survey design was employed and eighty-five research participants completed the Orientation to Life Questionnaire 29 Item (OLQ 29 Item), Battle‟s Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory Form AD (CFSEI Form AD) and a biographical questionnaire. Key findings revealed fairly high mean scores on the OLQ 29 Item and low total self-esteem scores. The General, Social and Personal self-esteem of the learners were found to be average. The results also revealed that learners with a high sense of coherence are likely to have high self-esteem; hence high sense of coherence is better explained by high self-esteem and low sense of coherence is better explained by low selfesteem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The credit risk management skills shortage in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole
- Authors: Teka, Babalwa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Risk management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Credit -- Management , Risk management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019893
- Description: Tito Mboweni (2011) said one of South Africa’s biggest tests is the overwhelming the skills shortage. He was echoing the views of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande who himself said “South Africa could not afford to have an economy "constrained by a severe lack of skills". There are numerous initiatives that having been undertaken by government in an attempt to solve the skills shortage problem. However, these initiatives are not aimed at the tertiary education system. The tertiary education system is the focus of this study as the author investigates how the NMMU Business School can play a significant role in addressing the skills shortage in the credit risk management sector. Following a literature review, surveys were completed by the NMMU Business School MBA students (ninety of them completed it) and personal interviews were conducted with three Provincial HR managers from South Africa’s “four big banks” in Nelson Mandela Bay (Nedbank, Standard Bank and ABSA). The study found that the skills shortage is indeed a problem. The study found that reasons including the legacy left by apartheid and students pursuing the wrong degrees were highlighted as some of the reason for this skills shortage. An opportunity for the NMMU Business School was identified to support the banking industry in addressing credit risk management skills shortage. The benefits include financial reward and more importantly an opportunity to differentiate the Business School and the courses offered at the school from the rest. Some of the recommendations included sourcing of the best practices from institutions like the Millpark Business School on effective partnering with the banking industry as well as a proactive approach to be adopted by the banking industry in terms of lobbying support from other potential role players for example but not limited to, student bodies, BankSeta and the smaller banks in the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Teka, Babalwa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Risk management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Credit -- Management , Risk management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019893
- Description: Tito Mboweni (2011) said one of South Africa’s biggest tests is the overwhelming the skills shortage. He was echoing the views of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande who himself said “South Africa could not afford to have an economy "constrained by a severe lack of skills". There are numerous initiatives that having been undertaken by government in an attempt to solve the skills shortage problem. However, these initiatives are not aimed at the tertiary education system. The tertiary education system is the focus of this study as the author investigates how the NMMU Business School can play a significant role in addressing the skills shortage in the credit risk management sector. Following a literature review, surveys were completed by the NMMU Business School MBA students (ninety of them completed it) and personal interviews were conducted with three Provincial HR managers from South Africa’s “four big banks” in Nelson Mandela Bay (Nedbank, Standard Bank and ABSA). The study found that the skills shortage is indeed a problem. The study found that reasons including the legacy left by apartheid and students pursuing the wrong degrees were highlighted as some of the reason for this skills shortage. An opportunity for the NMMU Business School was identified to support the banking industry in addressing credit risk management skills shortage. The benefits include financial reward and more importantly an opportunity to differentiate the Business School and the courses offered at the school from the rest. Some of the recommendations included sourcing of the best practices from institutions like the Millpark Business School on effective partnering with the banking industry as well as a proactive approach to be adopted by the banking industry in terms of lobbying support from other potential role players for example but not limited to, student bodies, BankSeta and the smaller banks in the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The deployment of the medico-psychological gaze and disability expertise in relation to children with intellectual disability
- Mckenzie, Judith A, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Mckenzie, Judith A , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014732 , http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13603116.2010.540042
- Description: In this study, we adopt the concepts of Michel Foucault on the medical gaze and Nikolas Rose on psychological expertise to differentiate between two forms of expertise evident in the education of intellectually disabled children. We draw on a discourse analytic study carried out in South Africa on intellectual disability in relation to educational practice to examine the operation of a medico-psychological gaze that calls for disability expertise in the management of disability. We conclude our discussion by noting that the dichotomy between impairment and disability that is proposed in the social model of disability does little to destabilise the power of the medico-psychological gaze since impairment is conceded to biomedical knowledge as an object of positive knowledge. This tacit acceptance of the medical authority gives sanction to disability expertise that operates in diffuse ways to regulate the educational experience of learners with intellectual disability. The implications of this conception for inclusive education are briefly explored, and further areas for research are suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mckenzie, Judith A , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014732 , http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13603116.2010.540042
- Description: In this study, we adopt the concepts of Michel Foucault on the medical gaze and Nikolas Rose on psychological expertise to differentiate between two forms of expertise evident in the education of intellectually disabled children. We draw on a discourse analytic study carried out in South Africa on intellectual disability in relation to educational practice to examine the operation of a medico-psychological gaze that calls for disability expertise in the management of disability. We conclude our discussion by noting that the dichotomy between impairment and disability that is proposed in the social model of disability does little to destabilise the power of the medico-psychological gaze since impairment is conceded to biomedical knowledge as an object of positive knowledge. This tacit acceptance of the medical authority gives sanction to disability expertise that operates in diffuse ways to regulate the educational experience of learners with intellectual disability. The implications of this conception for inclusive education are briefly explored, and further areas for research are suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The design, synthesis and antiplasmodial activity of a series of halogenated fosmidomycin analogues and hybrid drugs
- Authors: Afolayan, Anthonia Folake
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64370 , vital:28538
- Description: Malaria continues to be a devastating disease and a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. With resistance against most of the available antimalarial drugs, there is a need for ongoing research and development of antimalarial agents. Fosmidomycin and its acetyl analogue FR900098 have been identified as potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most deadly form of malaria. Clinical trials of these agents have revealed poor absorption due to their high hydrophilicity. In the present studies the effect of halogenation of the acyl chain as well as the biological effect of extending the acyl sidechain was explored. This provided the basis on which fosmidomycin hybrids were designed to investigate the feasibility of hybrid extending into NADPH binding pocket. Synthesis of a series of halogenated FR900098 analogues was carried out in three stages. This included i) The introduction of the phosphonate group by reaction with 1,3dibromopropane in an Arbuzov reaction, ii) The introduction of a hydroxamate group by reaction of the propyl phosphonate by means of a nucleophilic substitution reaction with BocNHOBn and iii) The introduction of a halogenated acyl side chain on a protected fosmidomycin backbone. The synthesis of fosmidomycin-hybrids for which chloroquinefosmidomycin hybrids were used as the prototype, involved convergence of the two separately constructed moieties i.e. fosmidomycin and the quinoline moieties in a covalent linkage. The quinoline moiety was easily synthesized from the reaction of 4,7dichloroquinoline with 1,2-diamino ethane. The aminoquinoline so formed resulted in chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 when reacted with halogenated FR900098 analogues. Antiplasmodial assays were conducted on the chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids and the halogenated fosmidomycin derivatives against the chloroquine resistant Gambian FCR-3 strain of P. falciparum. The most potent iodoacetyl fosmidomycin analogues 2.21 gave an IC50 value of 5.54 µM which is eight times more potent than the known antiplasmodial FR900098 which gave an IC50 value of 41.67 µM. All the halogenated FR900098 analogues showed better antiplasmodial activity than their non-halogenated derivatives. This indicated that the presence of halogens in the FR900098 analogues contributes to their biological Chapter 1 Literature review activity. The acetyl and propyl linked hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 showed potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 0.18 and 0.82 µM respectively. These were by far the most potent hybrids synthesized and provided leads for a new class of promising antimalarial agents. Preliminary E. coli DXR enzyme inhibition assays were carried out on the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues. The results showed good inhibition of the enzyme by the phosphonic acids of the chloroacetyl and chloropropyl analogues 2.1 and 2.2 respectively. Molecular modelling of the compounds on E. coli (PDB code: 2EGH) and P. falciparum (PDB code: 3AUA) DXR showed strong binding of the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues while the hybrids in the absence of docked NADPH showed minimum binding to the enzymes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Afolayan, Anthonia Folake
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64370 , vital:28538
- Description: Malaria continues to be a devastating disease and a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. With resistance against most of the available antimalarial drugs, there is a need for ongoing research and development of antimalarial agents. Fosmidomycin and its acetyl analogue FR900098 have been identified as potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most deadly form of malaria. Clinical trials of these agents have revealed poor absorption due to their high hydrophilicity. In the present studies the effect of halogenation of the acyl chain as well as the biological effect of extending the acyl sidechain was explored. This provided the basis on which fosmidomycin hybrids were designed to investigate the feasibility of hybrid extending into NADPH binding pocket. Synthesis of a series of halogenated FR900098 analogues was carried out in three stages. This included i) The introduction of the phosphonate group by reaction with 1,3dibromopropane in an Arbuzov reaction, ii) The introduction of a hydroxamate group by reaction of the propyl phosphonate by means of a nucleophilic substitution reaction with BocNHOBn and iii) The introduction of a halogenated acyl side chain on a protected fosmidomycin backbone. The synthesis of fosmidomycin-hybrids for which chloroquinefosmidomycin hybrids were used as the prototype, involved convergence of the two separately constructed moieties i.e. fosmidomycin and the quinoline moieties in a covalent linkage. The quinoline moiety was easily synthesized from the reaction of 4,7dichloroquinoline with 1,2-diamino ethane. The aminoquinoline so formed resulted in chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 when reacted with halogenated FR900098 analogues. Antiplasmodial assays were conducted on the chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids and the halogenated fosmidomycin derivatives against the chloroquine resistant Gambian FCR-3 strain of P. falciparum. The most potent iodoacetyl fosmidomycin analogues 2.21 gave an IC50 value of 5.54 µM which is eight times more potent than the known antiplasmodial FR900098 which gave an IC50 value of 41.67 µM. All the halogenated FR900098 analogues showed better antiplasmodial activity than their non-halogenated derivatives. This indicated that the presence of halogens in the FR900098 analogues contributes to their biological Chapter 1 Literature review activity. The acetyl and propyl linked hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 showed potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 0.18 and 0.82 µM respectively. These were by far the most potent hybrids synthesized and provided leads for a new class of promising antimalarial agents. Preliminary E. coli DXR enzyme inhibition assays were carried out on the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues. The results showed good inhibition of the enzyme by the phosphonic acids of the chloroacetyl and chloropropyl analogues 2.1 and 2.2 respectively. Molecular modelling of the compounds on E. coli (PDB code: 2EGH) and P. falciparum (PDB code: 3AUA) DXR showed strong binding of the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues while the hybrids in the absence of docked NADPH showed minimum binding to the enzymes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The development and optimization of a cosmetic formulation that facilitates the process of detangling braids from African hair
- Authors: Mkentane, Kwezikazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10366 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1662 , Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Description: A large number of people throughout the world have naturally kinky hair that may be very difficult to manage. These people often subject their hair to vigorous and harsh treatment processes in order to straighten it and hence make it more manageable. Hair braiding is a popular and fashionable trend amongst many people, in particular people of African descent. Braided hairstyles serve to preserve hair and protect it, and to give it time to rejuvenate after a period of harsh treatment. During the braiding process synthetic hair is attached to natural hair by weaving a length of the natural hair into one end of each braid. Other materials like wool or cotton may be use used to achieve different hairstyles and textures. Several strands of natural hair are used to secure each braid. The braids are normally left intact for a number of weeks or even months. Although braiding is a helpful African hair grooming practice, the process of taking down or detangling the braids is labor intensive and entails each braid being cut just below where the natural hair ceases and the natural hair being untangled from the braid using a safety pin, a needle or a fine toothed comb. The labor and long hours required to detangle braided hairstyles often results in braid wearers frustratingly pulling on their braided hair. This behavior inevitably destroys the hair follicle and leaves the hair damaged. According to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town’s dermatology department, braiding may be the root cause of traction alopecia (TA) amongst braid wearers. Traction alopecia is a form of alopecia, or gradual hair loss that is caused primarily by excessive pulling forces applied to the hair. The purpose of this current study was to investigate the factors, other than braid tightness, that affect the way and ease with which braids are detangled from the human hair. The study hypothesized that frictional forces present in braided hair were amongst these factors. It was hypothesized that introducing a lubricating formulation in the braids would allow for easier braid detangling. In order to decrease the prevalence of traction alopecia from braided hair, two hair strengthening actives were included in the test formulation. The study investigated the effects of the test formulations on braid detangling, hair friction and on the tensile strength of human hair. The study found that the method used did not pick up any significant differences between the braid detangling forces of treated braids when compared to the braid vi detangling forces of untreated hair. The same method used to measure braid detangling forces was able to show that there are variations in the braid detangling forces of different sections along the braid length. The method to measure braid detangling was based on the principles of hair combability measurements. The study also found that although the method used to measure braid detangling forces was unsuccessful in picking up significant differences in braid detangling forces of treated hair and untreated hair, the method used to measure the frictional forces of human hair showed that the frictional forces of hair treated with test formulations were significantly different than that of untreated hair. The method used to measure frictional forces was based on the capstan approach. The Capstan method measures the forces required to slide a weighted hair fibre over a curved surface of reference material. The interaction between the weighted fibre and the reference material simulates the movement of hair out of a braid ensemble in the braid detangling process. The optimum mixture with the minimum coefficient of friction, predicted a coefficient of friction of 0.61 ± 0.04. The optimum formulation was found to be one that contained 30% Cyclopentasiloxane , 0% PEG-12 Dimethicone, 10% 18-MEA, 29% water, 10% hair strengthening actives, 12.86% emulsifier combination and 8% other oils. The study also showed that including hair strengthening actives, such as hydrolysed proteins had significant effects in the tensile strength properties of chemically treated African hair.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mkentane, Kwezikazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10366 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1662 , Cosmetics--Patents , Hairdressing of Blacks , Braids (Hairdressing)
- Description: A large number of people throughout the world have naturally kinky hair that may be very difficult to manage. These people often subject their hair to vigorous and harsh treatment processes in order to straighten it and hence make it more manageable. Hair braiding is a popular and fashionable trend amongst many people, in particular people of African descent. Braided hairstyles serve to preserve hair and protect it, and to give it time to rejuvenate after a period of harsh treatment. During the braiding process synthetic hair is attached to natural hair by weaving a length of the natural hair into one end of each braid. Other materials like wool or cotton may be use used to achieve different hairstyles and textures. Several strands of natural hair are used to secure each braid. The braids are normally left intact for a number of weeks or even months. Although braiding is a helpful African hair grooming practice, the process of taking down or detangling the braids is labor intensive and entails each braid being cut just below where the natural hair ceases and the natural hair being untangled from the braid using a safety pin, a needle or a fine toothed comb. The labor and long hours required to detangle braided hairstyles often results in braid wearers frustratingly pulling on their braided hair. This behavior inevitably destroys the hair follicle and leaves the hair damaged. According to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town’s dermatology department, braiding may be the root cause of traction alopecia (TA) amongst braid wearers. Traction alopecia is a form of alopecia, or gradual hair loss that is caused primarily by excessive pulling forces applied to the hair. The purpose of this current study was to investigate the factors, other than braid tightness, that affect the way and ease with which braids are detangled from the human hair. The study hypothesized that frictional forces present in braided hair were amongst these factors. It was hypothesized that introducing a lubricating formulation in the braids would allow for easier braid detangling. In order to decrease the prevalence of traction alopecia from braided hair, two hair strengthening actives were included in the test formulation. The study investigated the effects of the test formulations on braid detangling, hair friction and on the tensile strength of human hair. The study found that the method used did not pick up any significant differences between the braid detangling forces of treated braids when compared to the braid vi detangling forces of untreated hair. The same method used to measure braid detangling forces was able to show that there are variations in the braid detangling forces of different sections along the braid length. The method to measure braid detangling was based on the principles of hair combability measurements. The study also found that although the method used to measure braid detangling forces was unsuccessful in picking up significant differences in braid detangling forces of treated hair and untreated hair, the method used to measure the frictional forces of human hair showed that the frictional forces of hair treated with test formulations were significantly different than that of untreated hair. The method used to measure frictional forces was based on the capstan approach. The Capstan method measures the forces required to slide a weighted hair fibre over a curved surface of reference material. The interaction between the weighted fibre and the reference material simulates the movement of hair out of a braid ensemble in the braid detangling process. The optimum mixture with the minimum coefficient of friction, predicted a coefficient of friction of 0.61 ± 0.04. The optimum formulation was found to be one that contained 30% Cyclopentasiloxane , 0% PEG-12 Dimethicone, 10% 18-MEA, 29% water, 10% hair strengthening actives, 12.86% emulsifier combination and 8% other oils. The study also showed that including hair strengthening actives, such as hydrolysed proteins had significant effects in the tensile strength properties of chemically treated African hair.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The development of a programmable engine management system for a formula student race vehicle
- Authors: Parmar, Hiten
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Motors -- Computer control systems , Automotive computers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9601 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010957 , Automobiles -- Motors -- Computer control systems , Automotive computers
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Parmar, Hiten
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Motors -- Computer control systems , Automotive computers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9601 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010957 , Automobiles -- Motors -- Computer control systems , Automotive computers
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The development of an optimised rotor software design tool to improve performance of small horizontal axis wind turbines
- Authors: Newey, Kerryn Brett
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009431 , Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Description: Horizontal axis wind turbines are by far the most common and well understood forms of wind turbine. Typically a large amount of research and development has been invested in the technology of large scale wind turbines. Unfortunately, development of small machines (rotor diameter smaller than 10 metres) has not been as forthcoming. The advantages of small turbines are that they are accessible to the individual consumer and they are a very attractive project for the home builder. The disadvantage of small turbines is that due to the negative influence of economies of scale, they tend to be costly in relation to their power output and suffer from a long-term return on investment. Furthermore, trends in the wind industry have shown that smaller machines tend to be relatively simple devices that have been developed with very little research and development. As a result, small turbines can be inefficient, unreliable and expensive to maintain. In many cases rotor design is less than optimal, with very little blade refinement. This is especially critical for small rotors due to low Reynolds Number operation. Further exacerbating the problem is that the rotors are typically not well matched to the generator. In many cases the machines are not suited to the wind speed range in which they are designed to operate, reducing the financial viability due to poor performance. It is envisaged that by applying optimising techniques and automating some of the design complexities into a software design tool, more cost-effective and viable machines can be developed that will deliver improved performance and therefore become more financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Newey, Kerryn Brett
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009431 , Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Description: Horizontal axis wind turbines are by far the most common and well understood forms of wind turbine. Typically a large amount of research and development has been invested in the technology of large scale wind turbines. Unfortunately, development of small machines (rotor diameter smaller than 10 metres) has not been as forthcoming. The advantages of small turbines are that they are accessible to the individual consumer and they are a very attractive project for the home builder. The disadvantage of small turbines is that due to the negative influence of economies of scale, they tend to be costly in relation to their power output and suffer from a long-term return on investment. Furthermore, trends in the wind industry have shown that smaller machines tend to be relatively simple devices that have been developed with very little research and development. As a result, small turbines can be inefficient, unreliable and expensive to maintain. In many cases rotor design is less than optimal, with very little blade refinement. This is especially critical for small rotors due to low Reynolds Number operation. Further exacerbating the problem is that the rotors are typically not well matched to the generator. In many cases the machines are not suited to the wind speed range in which they are designed to operate, reducing the financial viability due to poor performance. It is envisaged that by applying optimising techniques and automating some of the design complexities into a software design tool, more cost-effective and viable machines can be developed that will deliver improved performance and therefore become more financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The development of an orodispersible sildenafil citrate tablet intended for paediatric use
- Authors: Dagnolo, Bianca
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3751 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003229 , Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Description: Sildenafil citrate (SC) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that is used to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH) in paediatric patients. The purpose of these studies was to develop a formulation and manufacture an orodispersible tablet (ODT) that can be easily administered to neonates and children with PH. The advantages of ODT dosage forms include ease of administration, rapid dissolution of the API, SC. Furthermore the dosage form can be taken without water which is beneficial to patients without immediate access to potable fluids. A simple, rapid, accurate, precise and selective reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and was successfully used for the analysis of SC as raw material and in SC containing pharmaceutical dosage forms. Preformulation studies were performed on SC, alone and in combination with potential excipients that could be used to make tablets. Investigations into potential interactions between SC and the excipients were performed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). DSC results revealed that SC was compatible with all potential excipients except mannitol and magnesium stearate. However these interactions were not observed with IR and therefore it was concluded that the interactions were induced by the high temperatures that DSC operates at. Particle size and shape was also established by use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and flow properties were monitored by calculating Carr’s Index (CI) and the Hausner Ratio (HR). Direct compression was used as the method of manufacture for SC tablets as this approach is simple and the most economic production approach. The powder blends were assessed for bulk and tapped density and the CI and HR were used to determine the flowability of the blends. The quality attributes of the resultant tablets that were monitored included uniformity of weight, friability, crushing strength, tensile strength, disintegration, wetting and in vitro dispersion times. Design of Experiments is an efficient statistical approach that has become a popular tool used in the pharmaceutical industry to optimize formulation compositions, as it allows for the investigation of several input factors at the same time whilst not using the tedious and traditional “ modification of one variable at a time” approach. A Central composite experimental design was chosen as the most appropriate means to optimize the formulation as it produces more accurate results as opposed to other experimental designs approaches as input factors are investigated at five different levels. Through the use of mathematical modelling, optimum concentrations of disintegrant(s) and an appropriate blending time were established. Analysis of the data from the experimental design and mathematical modelling studies reveal that no changes in disintegrant concentration or blending time altered the disintegration time of the formulation to any significant extent. This result is most likely due to the fact that the critical disintegrant concentration has been reached and increasing the disintegrant concentration further has no effect on disintegration time. It was also established that a change in the concentration of CMS and CRP altered the wetting time of the tablet significantly. Finally it was noted that there was a linear relationship between blending time and the uniformity of content of the tablets produced in these studies. The optimized product was a white tablet with a diameter of 7.31 mm with a thickness of 2.80mm.The dosage form had no visible cracks or evidence of picking or sticking. The tablet exhibits suitable friability and tensile strength while exhibiting a disintegration time of only 8s. Therefore an orodispersible tablet containing SC intended for paediatric use has been successfully developed, manufactured and optimized through the use of preformulation studies, appropriate quality control monitoring and mathematical modelling. These formulations require further optimization in respect of addition of flavours and or additional sweetening agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dagnolo, Bianca
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3751 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003229 , Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Description: Sildenafil citrate (SC) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that is used to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH) in paediatric patients. The purpose of these studies was to develop a formulation and manufacture an orodispersible tablet (ODT) that can be easily administered to neonates and children with PH. The advantages of ODT dosage forms include ease of administration, rapid dissolution of the API, SC. Furthermore the dosage form can be taken without water which is beneficial to patients without immediate access to potable fluids. A simple, rapid, accurate, precise and selective reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and was successfully used for the analysis of SC as raw material and in SC containing pharmaceutical dosage forms. Preformulation studies were performed on SC, alone and in combination with potential excipients that could be used to make tablets. Investigations into potential interactions between SC and the excipients were performed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). DSC results revealed that SC was compatible with all potential excipients except mannitol and magnesium stearate. However these interactions were not observed with IR and therefore it was concluded that the interactions were induced by the high temperatures that DSC operates at. Particle size and shape was also established by use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and flow properties were monitored by calculating Carr’s Index (CI) and the Hausner Ratio (HR). Direct compression was used as the method of manufacture for SC tablets as this approach is simple and the most economic production approach. The powder blends were assessed for bulk and tapped density and the CI and HR were used to determine the flowability of the blends. The quality attributes of the resultant tablets that were monitored included uniformity of weight, friability, crushing strength, tensile strength, disintegration, wetting and in vitro dispersion times. Design of Experiments is an efficient statistical approach that has become a popular tool used in the pharmaceutical industry to optimize formulation compositions, as it allows for the investigation of several input factors at the same time whilst not using the tedious and traditional “ modification of one variable at a time” approach. A Central composite experimental design was chosen as the most appropriate means to optimize the formulation as it produces more accurate results as opposed to other experimental designs approaches as input factors are investigated at five different levels. Through the use of mathematical modelling, optimum concentrations of disintegrant(s) and an appropriate blending time were established. Analysis of the data from the experimental design and mathematical modelling studies reveal that no changes in disintegrant concentration or blending time altered the disintegration time of the formulation to any significant extent. This result is most likely due to the fact that the critical disintegrant concentration has been reached and increasing the disintegrant concentration further has no effect on disintegration time. It was also established that a change in the concentration of CMS and CRP altered the wetting time of the tablet significantly. Finally it was noted that there was a linear relationship between blending time and the uniformity of content of the tablets produced in these studies. The optimized product was a white tablet with a diameter of 7.31 mm with a thickness of 2.80mm.The dosage form had no visible cracks or evidence of picking or sticking. The tablet exhibits suitable friability and tensile strength while exhibiting a disintegration time of only 8s. Therefore an orodispersible tablet containing SC intended for paediatric use has been successfully developed, manufactured and optimized through the use of preformulation studies, appropriate quality control monitoring and mathematical modelling. These formulations require further optimization in respect of addition of flavours and or additional sweetening agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The diet and ecological role of black-backed jackals, Canis Mesomelas, in two conservation areas in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Brassine, Mathilde Chloé
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Wildlife conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005344 , Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Wildlife conservation
- Description: Mammalian predators are keystone species and can have disproportionately large impacts, relative to their abundance, on the communities and ecosystems they inhabit. In addition, predator-prey interactions (including bottom-up and top-down effects) are the fundamental linkage among species in food webs. Thus, understanding the food requirements of predators is imperative. There have been no comprehensive studies on the diet of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) across a full seasonal cycle in the Albany Thicket Biome of the Eastern Cape Province. This biome is rich in plant diversity, is highly nutritious for herbivores and supports a large number of mammalian species, yet it is poorly conserved. The aim of the present study was to establish the diet of black-backed jackals on two conservation areas where thicket vegetation dominates (Great Fish River Reserve and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve). The diet was assessed using scats collected monthly from June 2009 to May 2010 and a sample of 25 stomachs over the same period. At both sites and across all seasons, mammalian hair was encountered most often (93% of all scats) and a total of 23 mammal species were consumed. Of the mammals recorded in the scats, hair from several ungulate species was encountered most frequently and these were mostly hider species (offspring hidden in tall vegetation just after birth). On a seasonal basis, the proportion of mammalian hair was lowest in autumn. However, the contribution of fruits (Carissa haematocarpa, Diospyros lycioides and Grewia robusta) to the diet was significantly higher during this season. This suggests that black-backed jackals may employ diet switching in the Eastern Cape as a mechanism to capitalise on seasonally abundant food sources. Based on the stomach content analysis, invertebrates were consumed as frequently as mammalian prey throughout the year but mammalian prey was recorded in greater quantity (i.e. volume and mass). Thus, scat analysis may have overestimated mammalian prey and fruits and underestimated the importance of invertebrates, particularly highly digestible species (e.g. termites). In spite of these differences, scat analysis demonstrated similar general and seasonal trends as the stomach content analysis. Thus, scat analysis can provide an efficient and relatively accurate source of information on the diet of blackbacked jackals in the Eastern Cape. Both stomach content and scat collection methods depicted the black-backed jackal as a generalist and opportunistic predator, mainly relying on mammals and invertebrates. Although the results of my study suggest that black-backed jackal may be important predators of certain ungulate species, further study on their prey preferences, actual biomass ingested and the effects on the population viability of prey species is required in order to develop a robust management plan for the species in the protected areas of the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Brassine, Mathilde Chloé
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Wildlife conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005344 , Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Wildlife conservation
- Description: Mammalian predators are keystone species and can have disproportionately large impacts, relative to their abundance, on the communities and ecosystems they inhabit. In addition, predator-prey interactions (including bottom-up and top-down effects) are the fundamental linkage among species in food webs. Thus, understanding the food requirements of predators is imperative. There have been no comprehensive studies on the diet of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) across a full seasonal cycle in the Albany Thicket Biome of the Eastern Cape Province. This biome is rich in plant diversity, is highly nutritious for herbivores and supports a large number of mammalian species, yet it is poorly conserved. The aim of the present study was to establish the diet of black-backed jackals on two conservation areas where thicket vegetation dominates (Great Fish River Reserve and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve). The diet was assessed using scats collected monthly from June 2009 to May 2010 and a sample of 25 stomachs over the same period. At both sites and across all seasons, mammalian hair was encountered most often (93% of all scats) and a total of 23 mammal species were consumed. Of the mammals recorded in the scats, hair from several ungulate species was encountered most frequently and these were mostly hider species (offspring hidden in tall vegetation just after birth). On a seasonal basis, the proportion of mammalian hair was lowest in autumn. However, the contribution of fruits (Carissa haematocarpa, Diospyros lycioides and Grewia robusta) to the diet was significantly higher during this season. This suggests that black-backed jackals may employ diet switching in the Eastern Cape as a mechanism to capitalise on seasonally abundant food sources. Based on the stomach content analysis, invertebrates were consumed as frequently as mammalian prey throughout the year but mammalian prey was recorded in greater quantity (i.e. volume and mass). Thus, scat analysis may have overestimated mammalian prey and fruits and underestimated the importance of invertebrates, particularly highly digestible species (e.g. termites). In spite of these differences, scat analysis demonstrated similar general and seasonal trends as the stomach content analysis. Thus, scat analysis can provide an efficient and relatively accurate source of information on the diet of blackbacked jackals in the Eastern Cape. Both stomach content and scat collection methods depicted the black-backed jackal as a generalist and opportunistic predator, mainly relying on mammals and invertebrates. Although the results of my study suggest that black-backed jackal may be important predators of certain ungulate species, further study on their prey preferences, actual biomass ingested and the effects on the population viability of prey species is required in order to develop a robust management plan for the species in the protected areas of the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The diet of black-backed jackal (Canis Mesomelas) on two contrasting land-use types in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and the validation of a new analytical method of mammalian hair identification
- Authors: Forbes, Ross William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Mammals -- Identification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005345 , Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Mammals -- Identification
- Description: Diet assessments are critical for understanding the foraging behaviour, habitat use and trophic separation of mammalian predators and are vital for gaining insight into how predators influence prey populations. The aim of this research was to qualitatively describe the diet of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas, Schreber 1775) using scat analysis on two contrasting land-use types in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Scats were collected on a monthly basis from November 2009 to October 2010 from two game reserves (Great Fish River Reserve and Shamwari Private Game Reserve) and two neighbouring livestock farms. The relative frequency of occurrence of mammal hair (33 – 47 %) and vegetation (32 – 45%)dominated jackal diet throughout the year across the four study sites. Other important prey items included invertebrates (8 – 21 %) and fruit and seeds (3 – 11 %). Birds and reptiles constituted ≤ 2 % of the diet and were only recorded on the game reserves. Significant seasonal dietary shifts were observed on the game reserves but not on the farms. Fruit and seeds were significantly more frequent in the diet during autumn at Great Fish River Reserve and invertebrates were significantly less common in the diet during winter on both reserves. In addition, vegetation was significantly more common in the diet during winter at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The significant temporal variation of certain prey items is testament to black-backed jackals being opportunistic generalists, foraging on those food items which are most abundant, accessible and energetically beneficial. Land-use type also influenced the diet of black-backed jackals with significantly more invertebrates and, fruit and seeds being recorded on the game reserves than on the farms. By contrast, significantly more mammal hair and vegetation were present in the diet on the farms compared with the game reserves. The mammalian component of the diet was dominated by ruminants and rodents on the game reserves and by ruminants and livestock on the farms. The presence of livestock in the diet of black-backed jackals on the farms highlights their potential impact on the livestock industry in the region and may assist farmers in determining which predators are responsible for stock loss. Previous approaches for identifying mammalian hairs from predator scats have utilised dichotomous keys and reference collections but these are often time-consuming and require a trained individual to carry out the identification. Thus, I also tested the efficacy of an automated pattern recognition programme (HairSnap) for identifying mammalian hairs from black-backed jackal scats. The overall accuracy of the programme was 38 % with black-backed jackal, Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) hairs being accurately identified more often (70 – 80 %) than any other species tested. It is likely that both the size and species composition of the sample resulted in the poor accuracy of the programme. However, with the implementation of several improvement measures (e.g. adjustment of the algorithm) the programme may offer a superior, bias-free method of mammalian hair identification. The dietary information gathered here furthers our knowledge of the biology of the blackbacked jackals, especially in the locally important thicket biome. Moreover, understanding their foraging habits allows for more effective management of the species on both game reserves and farmlands. I recommend that future research should focus on quantitatively assessing the diet of black-backed jackals in the Eastern Cape Province and elsewhere. This will compliment the dietary description provided in this study and may offer a biologically more meaningful indication of the relative importance of the prey items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Forbes, Ross William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Mammals -- Identification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005345 , Black-backed jackal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Jackals -- Food , Mammals -- Identification
- Description: Diet assessments are critical for understanding the foraging behaviour, habitat use and trophic separation of mammalian predators and are vital for gaining insight into how predators influence prey populations. The aim of this research was to qualitatively describe the diet of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas, Schreber 1775) using scat analysis on two contrasting land-use types in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Scats were collected on a monthly basis from November 2009 to October 2010 from two game reserves (Great Fish River Reserve and Shamwari Private Game Reserve) and two neighbouring livestock farms. The relative frequency of occurrence of mammal hair (33 – 47 %) and vegetation (32 – 45%)dominated jackal diet throughout the year across the four study sites. Other important prey items included invertebrates (8 – 21 %) and fruit and seeds (3 – 11 %). Birds and reptiles constituted ≤ 2 % of the diet and were only recorded on the game reserves. Significant seasonal dietary shifts were observed on the game reserves but not on the farms. Fruit and seeds were significantly more frequent in the diet during autumn at Great Fish River Reserve and invertebrates were significantly less common in the diet during winter on both reserves. In addition, vegetation was significantly more common in the diet during winter at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The significant temporal variation of certain prey items is testament to black-backed jackals being opportunistic generalists, foraging on those food items which are most abundant, accessible and energetically beneficial. Land-use type also influenced the diet of black-backed jackals with significantly more invertebrates and, fruit and seeds being recorded on the game reserves than on the farms. By contrast, significantly more mammal hair and vegetation were present in the diet on the farms compared with the game reserves. The mammalian component of the diet was dominated by ruminants and rodents on the game reserves and by ruminants and livestock on the farms. The presence of livestock in the diet of black-backed jackals on the farms highlights their potential impact on the livestock industry in the region and may assist farmers in determining which predators are responsible for stock loss. Previous approaches for identifying mammalian hairs from predator scats have utilised dichotomous keys and reference collections but these are often time-consuming and require a trained individual to carry out the identification. Thus, I also tested the efficacy of an automated pattern recognition programme (HairSnap) for identifying mammalian hairs from black-backed jackal scats. The overall accuracy of the programme was 38 % with black-backed jackal, Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) hairs being accurately identified more often (70 – 80 %) than any other species tested. It is likely that both the size and species composition of the sample resulted in the poor accuracy of the programme. However, with the implementation of several improvement measures (e.g. adjustment of the algorithm) the programme may offer a superior, bias-free method of mammalian hair identification. The dietary information gathered here furthers our knowledge of the biology of the blackbacked jackals, especially in the locally important thicket biome. Moreover, understanding their foraging habits allows for more effective management of the species on both game reserves and farmlands. I recommend that future research should focus on quantitatively assessing the diet of black-backed jackals in the Eastern Cape Province and elsewhere. This will compliment the dietary description provided in this study and may offer a biologically more meaningful indication of the relative importance of the prey items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The dionysian in performance reclaiming the female transgressive performing body
- Authors: Solomon, Zanne
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Dionysia , Feminism and theater , Human body in literature , Performance art , Performing arts , Body image in women , Self-perception in women , Human body -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002380
- Description: In this thesis I investigate the theoretical or philosophical notion/archetype of the Dionysian in relation to the transgressive female body in performance. I do so through 1) an investigation into the theories behind the Dionysian and the transgressive; 2) an examination of the performative practice of the transgressive female body; and 3) a personal exploration of the theatrical practice. 1) In the first chapter I introduce and thoroughly explore the archetypal concept of the Dionysian, and identify its significance because of its intrinsic association with the transgressive. I associate it with its oppositional force, the Apollonian, which is similarly significant because it is through the Dionysian disruption of the Apollonian from which the very notion of the transgressive springs. Through a review of Camille Paglia's seminal text on the subject of the Dionysian¹, this chapter provides a historical, mythological and theoretical context for the schism between the two archetypal aesthetics, starting from the description of the mythology of the ancient Greek gods, Dionysus and Apollo, and unpacks the transgressive nature of the Dionysian. Drawing on concurring theories of Friedrich Nietzsche and Julia Kristeva, as well as Hans Thies-Lehmann's writings on post-dramatic theatre², Chapter One attempts to firmly establish the inherent link between the Dionysian and theatre and performance, as well as the Dionysian and the transgressive, and provide a thorough theoretical framework for the rest of the thesis. 2) The second chapter investigates the work of two female performance artists³ who (re)present⁴ their bodies as transgressive in performance, namely Marina Abramovic and Karen Finley. It critically examines specific performance works of theirs, and through this examination it explores how they (re)present their bodies as transgressive in performance, and why they do so. This chapter furthermore establishes the connection between the transgressive female performing body, as (re)presented by Abramovic and Finley, and the Dionysian. In so doing it explores how they negotiate this ancient aesthetic or practice in a contemporary performance context. I believe that these performance artists are in fact striving to celebrate and reclaim the Dionysian within their work, and I attempt to establish this within this chapter. 3) The third chapter of this thesis analyses my own practical exploration of the transgressive female body in performance in a piece entitled Bleeding Mermaid (2008). It examines this exploration in the context of the theory of the Dionysian, as well as investigating how and why I (re)presented my body as transgressive in the performance. The analysis furthermore questions how I understand my work on the (re)presentation of the transgressive female body in relation to, and within the context of, Finley and Abramovic's work on the same subject. Through this investigation, I aim to establish a link between the Dionysian and the transgressive female performing body; and investigate the motivation(s) behind the (re)presentation of the transgressive female body in performance. I hope to open up a pathway to the reclamation of the Dionysian, both in performance practice and research. ¹Paglia, Camille. Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson. England: Penguin Books, 1990. ²Lehmann, Hans-Thies. Postdramatic Theatre. Trans. and Intro. Karen Jürs-Munby. London and New York: Routledge, 2006. ³Performance Art began around the 1960s in Europe and America. It is performance with a sense of immediacy – in that it is hard to replicate as it interacts with each unique audience – it is thus effectively a fresh/new experience each time. It breaks the boundaries of traditional theatre (form, structure, venue, time etc) and is often shocking or provocative in nature. It mixed the aesthetics of theatre and art, often taking place in installation settings. Performance Art has developed and morphed throughout the years, and is also referred to as Live Art in Britain. A performance artist is someone who produces performance art. It is possible that Performance Art no longer exists/is possible because it no longer shocks or affects the audience. ⁴My use of the brackets in (re)presented/(re)present throughout this thesis is because I would like to make simultaneous reference to the words/connotations of "presentation" and "representation", without being bound to the connotations of illusion/falseness/non-reality as is associated with the word "representation" (in opposition to the concept of the "real"), and thus be left only with the one-dimensional approach/meaning of "presentation".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Solomon, Zanne
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Dionysia , Feminism and theater , Human body in literature , Performance art , Performing arts , Body image in women , Self-perception in women , Human body -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002380
- Description: In this thesis I investigate the theoretical or philosophical notion/archetype of the Dionysian in relation to the transgressive female body in performance. I do so through 1) an investigation into the theories behind the Dionysian and the transgressive; 2) an examination of the performative practice of the transgressive female body; and 3) a personal exploration of the theatrical practice. 1) In the first chapter I introduce and thoroughly explore the archetypal concept of the Dionysian, and identify its significance because of its intrinsic association with the transgressive. I associate it with its oppositional force, the Apollonian, which is similarly significant because it is through the Dionysian disruption of the Apollonian from which the very notion of the transgressive springs. Through a review of Camille Paglia's seminal text on the subject of the Dionysian¹, this chapter provides a historical, mythological and theoretical context for the schism between the two archetypal aesthetics, starting from the description of the mythology of the ancient Greek gods, Dionysus and Apollo, and unpacks the transgressive nature of the Dionysian. Drawing on concurring theories of Friedrich Nietzsche and Julia Kristeva, as well as Hans Thies-Lehmann's writings on post-dramatic theatre², Chapter One attempts to firmly establish the inherent link between the Dionysian and theatre and performance, as well as the Dionysian and the transgressive, and provide a thorough theoretical framework for the rest of the thesis. 2) The second chapter investigates the work of two female performance artists³ who (re)present⁴ their bodies as transgressive in performance, namely Marina Abramovic and Karen Finley. It critically examines specific performance works of theirs, and through this examination it explores how they (re)present their bodies as transgressive in performance, and why they do so. This chapter furthermore establishes the connection between the transgressive female performing body, as (re)presented by Abramovic and Finley, and the Dionysian. In so doing it explores how they negotiate this ancient aesthetic or practice in a contemporary performance context. I believe that these performance artists are in fact striving to celebrate and reclaim the Dionysian within their work, and I attempt to establish this within this chapter. 3) The third chapter of this thesis analyses my own practical exploration of the transgressive female body in performance in a piece entitled Bleeding Mermaid (2008). It examines this exploration in the context of the theory of the Dionysian, as well as investigating how and why I (re)presented my body as transgressive in the performance. The analysis furthermore questions how I understand my work on the (re)presentation of the transgressive female body in relation to, and within the context of, Finley and Abramovic's work on the same subject. Through this investigation, I aim to establish a link between the Dionysian and the transgressive female performing body; and investigate the motivation(s) behind the (re)presentation of the transgressive female body in performance. I hope to open up a pathway to the reclamation of the Dionysian, both in performance practice and research. ¹Paglia, Camille. Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson. England: Penguin Books, 1990. ²Lehmann, Hans-Thies. Postdramatic Theatre. Trans. and Intro. Karen Jürs-Munby. London and New York: Routledge, 2006. ³Performance Art began around the 1960s in Europe and America. It is performance with a sense of immediacy – in that it is hard to replicate as it interacts with each unique audience – it is thus effectively a fresh/new experience each time. It breaks the boundaries of traditional theatre (form, structure, venue, time etc) and is often shocking or provocative in nature. It mixed the aesthetics of theatre and art, often taking place in installation settings. Performance Art has developed and morphed throughout the years, and is also referred to as Live Art in Britain. A performance artist is someone who produces performance art. It is possible that Performance Art no longer exists/is possible because it no longer shocks or affects the audience. ⁴My use of the brackets in (re)presented/(re)present throughout this thesis is because I would like to make simultaneous reference to the words/connotations of "presentation" and "representation", without being bound to the connotations of illusion/falseness/non-reality as is associated with the word "representation" (in opposition to the concept of the "real"), and thus be left only with the one-dimensional approach/meaning of "presentation".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012