Ray Charles: a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Biggs, Ilze
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Charles, Ray, 1930-2004 Psychology -- Biographical methods -- Case studies Jazz singers -- Biography Blind entertainers -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002442
- Description: Psychobiography is the formulation of an individual's narrative according to a psychological theory. Psychobiographical researchers face a number of challenges. One pertinent challenge is the limited amount of psychobiographical research conducted at academic institutions, including South Africa. Although a number of studies had been completed in the past decade, the impact of psychobiographical research remains negligible. Although much has been written about Ray Charles, none of the existing literature adopted a specific psychological focus. Charles developed from a young boy in a poverty stricken, racially segregated society into an exceptionally successful musician who worked productively until he died at the age of 73. He was selected as the subject on the basis of interest value, uniqueness and significance of life achievements. The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the development of Charles according to Levinson's (Levinson, et. ai, 1978) theoretical framework. Levinson's theory of adult development identifies and describes the important changes that occur throughout the lifespan of an individual. A secondary aim was to provide an understanding of Charles within the social, economic and historical context in which he lived. The data collection and analysis was conducted according to Yin's (2003) 'analytic generalization'. The data was analysed according to three linked sub-processes proposed by Huberman and Miles (1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Biggs, Ilze
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Charles, Ray, 1930-2004 Psychology -- Biographical methods -- Case studies Jazz singers -- Biography Blind entertainers -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002442
- Description: Psychobiography is the formulation of an individual's narrative according to a psychological theory. Psychobiographical researchers face a number of challenges. One pertinent challenge is the limited amount of psychobiographical research conducted at academic institutions, including South Africa. Although a number of studies had been completed in the past decade, the impact of psychobiographical research remains negligible. Although much has been written about Ray Charles, none of the existing literature adopted a specific psychological focus. Charles developed from a young boy in a poverty stricken, racially segregated society into an exceptionally successful musician who worked productively until he died at the age of 73. He was selected as the subject on the basis of interest value, uniqueness and significance of life achievements. The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the development of Charles according to Levinson's (Levinson, et. ai, 1978) theoretical framework. Levinson's theory of adult development identifies and describes the important changes that occur throughout the lifespan of an individual. A secondary aim was to provide an understanding of Charles within the social, economic and historical context in which he lived. The data collection and analysis was conducted according to Yin's (2003) 'analytic generalization'. The data was analysed according to three linked sub-processes proposed by Huberman and Miles (1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Re-evaluating the law of vicarious liability in South Africa
- Authors: Small, Jonathan Noel
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Independent contractors -- South Africa Law -- South Africa Torts -- South Africa Courts -- South Africa Jurisdiction -- South Africa International law -- South Africa Roman law Roman-Dutch law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004771
- Description: This thesis is an analysis of the law of vicarious liability and its application within the legal framework of delict in South Africa. A brief overview of the historical development of this branch of law is given, with reference to the influences of Roman, Roman-Dutch and English law. That is followed by an exposition of the 'modem' interpretation of vicarious liability as applied in South African courts, highlighting apparent inconsistencies and the need for reform in what has become a persistently controversial area of law. Specific attention is paid to the so-called 'course and scope enquiry' and to the enduring difficulties associated with attributing liability to employers for the deliberate wrongful conduct of their employees. It is argued that the courts have yet to reach consensus on a general principle capable of being applied to the facts of so-called 'deviation cases', and that consequently the legal divergence on these matters gives rise to uncertainty and concern. It is submitted that the way in which the traditional test for vicarious liability is currently applied fails to give true effect to the policy considerations upon which this branch of law is founded. By way of comparison with the South African position, a detailed account of the law of vicarious liability in comparable foreign jurisdictions is given, with emphasis placed on recent developments in England and the British Commonwealth. The study then moves to an analysis of the various policy considerations behind vicarious liability, with particular attention being paid to the role of risk-related liability and the role of risk-assumption in the 'course and scope' enquiry. A comparative analysis follows, highlighting differences between the approaches of the foreign jurisdictions and that taken by the South African courts. The work concludes with a proposal that the South African courts should broaden the scope of vicarious liability and opt for a model similar to that which has recently been adopted in Canada.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Small, Jonathan Noel
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Independent contractors -- South Africa Law -- South Africa Torts -- South Africa Courts -- South Africa Jurisdiction -- South Africa International law -- South Africa Roman law Roman-Dutch law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004771
- Description: This thesis is an analysis of the law of vicarious liability and its application within the legal framework of delict in South Africa. A brief overview of the historical development of this branch of law is given, with reference to the influences of Roman, Roman-Dutch and English law. That is followed by an exposition of the 'modem' interpretation of vicarious liability as applied in South African courts, highlighting apparent inconsistencies and the need for reform in what has become a persistently controversial area of law. Specific attention is paid to the so-called 'course and scope enquiry' and to the enduring difficulties associated with attributing liability to employers for the deliberate wrongful conduct of their employees. It is argued that the courts have yet to reach consensus on a general principle capable of being applied to the facts of so-called 'deviation cases', and that consequently the legal divergence on these matters gives rise to uncertainty and concern. It is submitted that the way in which the traditional test for vicarious liability is currently applied fails to give true effect to the policy considerations upon which this branch of law is founded. By way of comparison with the South African position, a detailed account of the law of vicarious liability in comparable foreign jurisdictions is given, with emphasis placed on recent developments in England and the British Commonwealth. The study then moves to an analysis of the various policy considerations behind vicarious liability, with particular attention being paid to the role of risk-related liability and the role of risk-assumption in the 'course and scope' enquiry. A comparative analysis follows, highlighting differences between the approaches of the foreign jurisdictions and that taken by the South African courts. The work concludes with a proposal that the South African courts should broaden the scope of vicarious liability and opt for a model similar to that which has recently been adopted in Canada.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Reading Conference recommendations in a wider context of social change
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/373792 , vital:66723 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122783"
- Description: This short Viewpoint paper considers the role and value of conference recommendations in shaping the field of environmental education. It explores the social politics, and often contested nature, of conference recommendations and their institutional histories, arguing that the act of producing conference recommendations forms part of the practices of new social movements. The paper recommends historicising conference recommendations and OEcross readings‚ to consider changing discourses and new developments in the field. Accompanying the short Viewpoint paper, are two sets of recently produced conference recommendations, one from the 4th International Environmental Education Conference held in Ahmedabad, India, and the other from the 1st International Conference on Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African Universities held in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/373792 , vital:66723 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122783"
- Description: This short Viewpoint paper considers the role and value of conference recommendations in shaping the field of environmental education. It explores the social politics, and often contested nature, of conference recommendations and their institutional histories, arguing that the act of producing conference recommendations forms part of the practices of new social movements. The paper recommends historicising conference recommendations and OEcross readings‚ to consider changing discourses and new developments in the field. Accompanying the short Viewpoint paper, are two sets of recently produced conference recommendations, one from the 4th International Environmental Education Conference held in Ahmedabad, India, and the other from the 1st International Conference on Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African Universities held in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Reading nonsense : a journey through the writing of Edward Lear
- Authors: Pendlebury, Kathleen Sarah
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Lear, Edward, 1812-1888 Lear, Edward, 1812-1888 Criticism and interpretation English poetry -- 19th century -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002249
- Description: In this thesis I have addressed some of the problems that have arisen in critical approaches to the nonsense works of Edward Lear from the late nineteenth century. I have entitled it “Reading Nonsense” because my central concern is with how best to apprehend the paradoxes inherent in literary nonsense, which inevitably raises interpretative questions. Because nonsense is a “basic type of communication” whose essence is “unresolved tension between [the] presence and absence of meaning” (Tigges, Anatomy 51), we are called upon either to “make sense of” that which claims to offer up no meaning or to surrender ourselves to meaninglessness. Broadly, critical approaches to nonsense fall into two classes: those that maintain that nonsense is not, in fact, “not sense”, but rather a kind of symbolic language that can be reconciled into meaning; and those which uphold the nonsensicality of nonsense, maintaining that certain ambiguities and paradoxes cannot be accounted for, and it is inappropriate to try to do so. In addition, Lear’s texts are situated in various traditions of writing for children and adults and in the distinctive setting of the Victorian era; and these cultural and literary influences play an important role in the interpretation and misinterpretation of nonsense. My first chapter comprises a mise en scène of the genre of literary nonsense; while in Chapter 2 I turn to the cultural backdrop of Lear’s nonsense in particular, and examine one of the claims frequently made in nonsense criticism: that Lear’s literary nonsense is distinctively “Victorian”. Chapter 3, “How to Read a Learian Limerick”, rests on the exegesis of nonsense that appears in Chapter 1, for here I propose a technique for reading Lear’s limericks that preserves both their “sensical” and nonsensical elements in contrast to critical analyses that attempt to reconcile the nonsense into a code. In Chapter 4 I examine Lear’s songs from the critical perspectives of nonsense and of romanticism. Finally, in conclusion, I consider the role and significance of humour in nonsense, and gesture towards further possible explorations, including in the appendix my essay on the nonsense poetry of South African writer Philip de Vos.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Pendlebury, Kathleen Sarah
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Lear, Edward, 1812-1888 Lear, Edward, 1812-1888 Criticism and interpretation English poetry -- 19th century -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002249
- Description: In this thesis I have addressed some of the problems that have arisen in critical approaches to the nonsense works of Edward Lear from the late nineteenth century. I have entitled it “Reading Nonsense” because my central concern is with how best to apprehend the paradoxes inherent in literary nonsense, which inevitably raises interpretative questions. Because nonsense is a “basic type of communication” whose essence is “unresolved tension between [the] presence and absence of meaning” (Tigges, Anatomy 51), we are called upon either to “make sense of” that which claims to offer up no meaning or to surrender ourselves to meaninglessness. Broadly, critical approaches to nonsense fall into two classes: those that maintain that nonsense is not, in fact, “not sense”, but rather a kind of symbolic language that can be reconciled into meaning; and those which uphold the nonsensicality of nonsense, maintaining that certain ambiguities and paradoxes cannot be accounted for, and it is inappropriate to try to do so. In addition, Lear’s texts are situated in various traditions of writing for children and adults and in the distinctive setting of the Victorian era; and these cultural and literary influences play an important role in the interpretation and misinterpretation of nonsense. My first chapter comprises a mise en scène of the genre of literary nonsense; while in Chapter 2 I turn to the cultural backdrop of Lear’s nonsense in particular, and examine one of the claims frequently made in nonsense criticism: that Lear’s literary nonsense is distinctively “Victorian”. Chapter 3, “How to Read a Learian Limerick”, rests on the exegesis of nonsense that appears in Chapter 1, for here I propose a technique for reading Lear’s limericks that preserves both their “sensical” and nonsensical elements in contrast to critical analyses that attempt to reconcile the nonsense into a code. In Chapter 4 I examine Lear’s songs from the critical perspectives of nonsense and of romanticism. Finally, in conclusion, I consider the role and significance of humour in nonsense, and gesture towards further possible explorations, including in the appendix my essay on the nonsense poetry of South African writer Philip de Vos.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Reconstructing ionospheric TEC over South Africa using signals from a regional GPS network
- Authors: Opperman, B D L
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Global Positioning System Global Positioning System -- Data processing Electrons -- South Africa Ionosphere -- South Africa Ionospheric radio wave propagation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5487 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005273
- Description: Radio signals transmitted by GPS satellites orbiting the Earth are modulated as they propagate through the electrically charged plasmasphere and ionosphere in the near-Earth space environment. Through a linear combination of GPS range and phase measurements observed on two carrier frequencies by terrestrial-based GPS receivers, the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) along oblique GPS signal paths may be quantified. Simultaneous observations of signals transmitted by multiple GPS satellites and observed from a network of South African dual frequency GPS receivers, constitute a spatially dense ionospheric measurement source over the region. A new methodology, based on an adjusted spherical harmonic (ASHA) expansion, was developed to estimate diurnal vertical TEC over the region using GPS observations over the region. The performance of the ASHA methodology to estimate diurnal TEC and satellite and receiver differential clock biases (DCBs) for a single GPS receiver was first tested with simulation data and subsequently applied to observed GPS data. The resulting diurnal TEC profiles estimated from GPS observations compared favourably to measurements from three South African ionosondes and two other GPS-based methodologies for 2006 solstice and equinox dates. The ASHA methodology was applied to calculating diurnal two-dimensional TEC maps from multiple receivers in the South African GPS network. The space physics application of the newly developed methodology was demonstrated by investigating the ionosphere’s behaviour during a severe geomagnetic storm and investigating the long-term ionospheric stability in support of the proposed Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio astronomy project. The feasibility of employing the newly developed technique in an operational near real-time system for estimating and dissimenating TEC values over Southern Africa using observations from a regional GPS receiver network, was investigated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Opperman, B D L
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Global Positioning System Global Positioning System -- Data processing Electrons -- South Africa Ionosphere -- South Africa Ionospheric radio wave propagation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5487 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005273
- Description: Radio signals transmitted by GPS satellites orbiting the Earth are modulated as they propagate through the electrically charged plasmasphere and ionosphere in the near-Earth space environment. Through a linear combination of GPS range and phase measurements observed on two carrier frequencies by terrestrial-based GPS receivers, the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) along oblique GPS signal paths may be quantified. Simultaneous observations of signals transmitted by multiple GPS satellites and observed from a network of South African dual frequency GPS receivers, constitute a spatially dense ionospheric measurement source over the region. A new methodology, based on an adjusted spherical harmonic (ASHA) expansion, was developed to estimate diurnal vertical TEC over the region using GPS observations over the region. The performance of the ASHA methodology to estimate diurnal TEC and satellite and receiver differential clock biases (DCBs) for a single GPS receiver was first tested with simulation data and subsequently applied to observed GPS data. The resulting diurnal TEC profiles estimated from GPS observations compared favourably to measurements from three South African ionosondes and two other GPS-based methodologies for 2006 solstice and equinox dates. The ASHA methodology was applied to calculating diurnal two-dimensional TEC maps from multiple receivers in the South African GPS network. The space physics application of the newly developed methodology was demonstrated by investigating the ionosphere’s behaviour during a severe geomagnetic storm and investigating the long-term ionospheric stability in support of the proposed Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio astronomy project. The feasibility of employing the newly developed technique in an operational near real-time system for estimating and dissimenating TEC values over Southern Africa using observations from a regional GPS receiver network, was investigated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Reflections on the supervision of postgraduate research in Accounting Departments
- Authors: Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6067 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004614
- Description: The need to enhance the research profile of accounting departments and schools of accounting at South African universities and to increase the number of students engaging in postgraduate studies mirrors the challenges faced by universities in Australia and the United Kingdom two decades ago. Coupled with these imperatives is the recognition of the need for supervisor training in accounting departments and schools of accounting and the lack of opportunities for gaining experience in postgraduate research supervision due to the small number of students in the accounting field wishing to undertake research-based studies. This article reviews relevant literature on training for the supervisors of postgraduate research students, documents the personal experience and observations of the writer and, drawing on these sources, makes recommendations for the training of supervisors. The recommendations include a model for the training of supervisors reflecting two perspectives: “on-the-job” training and the introduction of a departmental supervision guide setting out aspects of best practice. Issues to be addressed in the training of supervisors include training in research methodology, technical expertise, managing the supervision relationship, quality control, providing constructive criticism and feedback, and ethical concerns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6067 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004614
- Description: The need to enhance the research profile of accounting departments and schools of accounting at South African universities and to increase the number of students engaging in postgraduate studies mirrors the challenges faced by universities in Australia and the United Kingdom two decades ago. Coupled with these imperatives is the recognition of the need for supervisor training in accounting departments and schools of accounting and the lack of opportunities for gaining experience in postgraduate research supervision due to the small number of students in the accounting field wishing to undertake research-based studies. This article reviews relevant literature on training for the supervisors of postgraduate research students, documents the personal experience and observations of the writer and, drawing on these sources, makes recommendations for the training of supervisors. The recommendations include a model for the training of supervisors reflecting two perspectives: “on-the-job” training and the introduction of a departmental supervision guide setting out aspects of best practice. Issues to be addressed in the training of supervisors include training in research methodology, technical expertise, managing the supervision relationship, quality control, providing constructive criticism and feedback, and ethical concerns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Reflective accounts of childhood inter-species experiences in a Southern-African context: a phenomenological-hermeneutic exploration
- Authors: Rump, Samantha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Child psychology -- South Africa Child development -- South Africa Human-animal relationships -- South Africa Children and animals -- South Africa Animal psychology -- South Africa Hermeneutics Phenomenology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002554
- Description: The aims of this research were to describe in rich phenomenological detail the recollected childhood experiences described by three South African adults of growing up with animals in the context of a traditionally African cultural perspective in South Africa; as well as to document the emotional, physical and social effects of inter-species relationships as described by these participants, in order to explore and situate these experiences in relation to broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development. The question of how these described experiences correlate with broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development comprised the hermeneutic of the study. Here it was found that the experiences of these South African individuals were generally in keeping with the trends found in the literature. Participants attributed to their childhood relationships with animals a variety of benefits. These benefits occur on a range of levels, from the physical to the cognitive, and the psychosocial. The emotional attachment of the participants to animals with whom they had interacted in childhood correlated with the nature of interspecies relationships as anticipated by the literature. Cultural differences in the conceptualisation of inter-species relationships, between western and traditionally African ideologies, appeared to influence the moral and ethical positions assumed by the participants, while the subjective nature of the described attachment between participants and animals remains qualitatively similar across cultures, when explored in relation to international research. The similarities between the experiences of the participants and international research findings lend credence to Wilson’s hypothesis that all human beings are potentially able to connect in deep and profound ways with their natural environment, and that this connection contributes to the development of social and cognitive skills, as well as constituting emotional support and stability. The research concludes with an examination of its own limitations and suggestions are made for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Rump, Samantha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Child psychology -- South Africa Child development -- South Africa Human-animal relationships -- South Africa Children and animals -- South Africa Animal psychology -- South Africa Hermeneutics Phenomenology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002554
- Description: The aims of this research were to describe in rich phenomenological detail the recollected childhood experiences described by three South African adults of growing up with animals in the context of a traditionally African cultural perspective in South Africa; as well as to document the emotional, physical and social effects of inter-species relationships as described by these participants, in order to explore and situate these experiences in relation to broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development. The question of how these described experiences correlate with broad international perspectives on the contribution of animals to human development comprised the hermeneutic of the study. Here it was found that the experiences of these South African individuals were generally in keeping with the trends found in the literature. Participants attributed to their childhood relationships with animals a variety of benefits. These benefits occur on a range of levels, from the physical to the cognitive, and the psychosocial. The emotional attachment of the participants to animals with whom they had interacted in childhood correlated with the nature of interspecies relationships as anticipated by the literature. Cultural differences in the conceptualisation of inter-species relationships, between western and traditionally African ideologies, appeared to influence the moral and ethical positions assumed by the participants, while the subjective nature of the described attachment between participants and animals remains qualitatively similar across cultures, when explored in relation to international research. The similarities between the experiences of the participants and international research findings lend credence to Wilson’s hypothesis that all human beings are potentially able to connect in deep and profound ways with their natural environment, and that this connection contributes to the development of social and cognitive skills, as well as constituting emotional support and stability. The research concludes with an examination of its own limitations and suggestions are made for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Relationship between energy intake and expenditure during harvesting tasks
- Authors: Christie, Candice J
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009461
- Description: The objective of this study was to compare the energy demands of manual harvesting tasks with the associated energy intake of the workers’. Fifty eight workers (29 Chainsaw Operators and 29 Stackers) were assessed in South Africa prior to, and during a ‘normal’ working shift. Habitual dietary analyses showed that the workers were eating less than 56% of the recommended daily allowance and were thus arriving at work with reduced energy stores. Heart rate responses were measured continuously during work and energy expenditure was predicted from the heart rate/oxygen uptake relationship obtained at a post-work progressive step up test completed by each worker. The data indicated that the tasks placed ‘moderate-to-heavy’ demands on the workers resulting in a significant imbalance between the energy demands of the tasks and the associated energy intake of the workers. Energy deficits were in excess of 8 000 kJ and workers lost, on average, 2.8% body mass during work while felling and cross-cutting, and 3.6% during stacking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Christie, Candice J
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009461
- Description: The objective of this study was to compare the energy demands of manual harvesting tasks with the associated energy intake of the workers’. Fifty eight workers (29 Chainsaw Operators and 29 Stackers) were assessed in South Africa prior to, and during a ‘normal’ working shift. Habitual dietary analyses showed that the workers were eating less than 56% of the recommended daily allowance and were thus arriving at work with reduced energy stores. Heart rate responses were measured continuously during work and energy expenditure was predicted from the heart rate/oxygen uptake relationship obtained at a post-work progressive step up test completed by each worker. The data indicated that the tasks placed ‘moderate-to-heavy’ demands on the workers resulting in a significant imbalance between the energy demands of the tasks and the associated energy intake of the workers. Energy deficits were in excess of 8 000 kJ and workers lost, on average, 2.8% body mass during work while felling and cross-cutting, and 3.6% during stacking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Removal and photocatalysis of 4-Nitrophenol using metallophthalocyanines
- Authors: Marais, Eloïse Ann
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Photocatalysis , Catalysis , Electrochemistry , Nitrophenols , Phthalocyanines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4343 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005005 , Photocatalysis , Catalysis , Electrochemistry , Nitrophenols , Phthalocyanines
- Description: Photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-Np) in the presence of water-soluble zinc phthalocyanines and water-insoluble metallophthalocyanines is reported. The water-soluble phthalocyanines employed include zinc tetrasulphophthalocyanine (ZnPcS[subscript 4]), zinc octacarboxyphthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8]) and a sulphonated ZnPc containing a mixture of differently sulphonated derivatives (ZnPcS[subscript mix]), while the water-insoluble phthalocyanines used include unsubstituted magnesium (MgPc), zinc (ZnPc) and chloroaluminium (ClAlPc) phthalocyanine complexes and the ring-substituted zinc tetranitro (ZnPc(NO[subscript 2])[subscript 4]), zinc tetraamino (ZnPc(NH[subscript 2])[subscript 4]), zinc hexadecafluoro (ZnPcF[subscript 16]) and zinc hexadecachloro (ZnPcCl[subscript 16]) phthalocyanines. The most effective water-soluble photocatalyst is ZnPcS[subscript mix] in terms of the high quantum yield obtained for 4-Np degradation (Φ[subscript 4-Np]) as well as its photostability. While ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8] has the highest Φ[subscript 4-Np] value relative to the other water-soluble complexes, it degrades readily during photocatalysis. The Φ[subscript 4-Np] values were closely related to the singlet oxygen quantum yields Φ[subscript Δ] and hence aggregation. The rate constants for the reaction with 4-Np were kr = 0.67 x 10[superscript 6] mol[superscript -1] dm[superscript 3] s[superscript -1] for ZnPcS[subscript mix] and 7.7 x 10[superscript 6] mol[superscript -1] dm[superscript 3] s[superscript -1] for ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8]. ClAlPc is the most effective photocatalyst relative to the other heterogeneous photocatalysts for the phototransformation of 4-Np, with 89 ± 8.4 % degradation of 4-Np achieved after 100 min. The least effective catalysts were ZnPcCl[subscript 16] and MgPc. The final products of the photocatalysis of 4-Np in the presence of the homogeneous photocatalysts include 4-nitrocatechol and hydroquinone, while degradation of 4-Np in the presence of the heterogeneous photocatalysts resulted in fumaric acid and 4-nitrocatechol. ClAlPc was employed for the heterogeneous photocatalysis of the non-systemic insecticide, methyl paraoxon. Complete degradation of the pesticide was confirmed by the disappearance of the HPLC trace for methyl paraoxon after 100 min of irradiation with visible light. The removal of 4-Np from an aqueous medium using commercially available Amberlite[superscript ®] IRA-900 modified with metal phthalocyanines was also investigated. The metallophthalocyanines immobilised onto the surface of Amberlite[superscript ®] IRA-900 include Fe (FePcS[subscript 4]), Co (CoPcS[subscript 4]) and Ni (NiPcS[subscript 4]) tetrasulphophthalocyanines, and differently sulphonated phthalocyanine mixtures of Fe (FePcS[subscript mix]), Co (CoPcS[subscript mix]) and Ni (NiPcS[subscript mix]). Adsorption rates were fastest for the modified adsorbents at pH 9. Using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model, the complexes showed the following order of 4-Np adsorption: CoPcS[subscript mix] > NiPcS[subscript 4] > NiPcS[subscript mix] > FePcS[subscript 4] > FePcS[subscript mix] > CoPcS[subscript 4]. The adsorbents were regenerated using dilute HNO[subscript 3], with 76 % (7.6 x 10[superscript -5] mol) of 4-Np recovered within 150 min.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Marais, Eloïse Ann
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Photocatalysis , Catalysis , Electrochemistry , Nitrophenols , Phthalocyanines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4343 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005005 , Photocatalysis , Catalysis , Electrochemistry , Nitrophenols , Phthalocyanines
- Description: Photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-Np) in the presence of water-soluble zinc phthalocyanines and water-insoluble metallophthalocyanines is reported. The water-soluble phthalocyanines employed include zinc tetrasulphophthalocyanine (ZnPcS[subscript 4]), zinc octacarboxyphthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8]) and a sulphonated ZnPc containing a mixture of differently sulphonated derivatives (ZnPcS[subscript mix]), while the water-insoluble phthalocyanines used include unsubstituted magnesium (MgPc), zinc (ZnPc) and chloroaluminium (ClAlPc) phthalocyanine complexes and the ring-substituted zinc tetranitro (ZnPc(NO[subscript 2])[subscript 4]), zinc tetraamino (ZnPc(NH[subscript 2])[subscript 4]), zinc hexadecafluoro (ZnPcF[subscript 16]) and zinc hexadecachloro (ZnPcCl[subscript 16]) phthalocyanines. The most effective water-soluble photocatalyst is ZnPcS[subscript mix] in terms of the high quantum yield obtained for 4-Np degradation (Φ[subscript 4-Np]) as well as its photostability. While ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8] has the highest Φ[subscript 4-Np] value relative to the other water-soluble complexes, it degrades readily during photocatalysis. The Φ[subscript 4-Np] values were closely related to the singlet oxygen quantum yields Φ[subscript Δ] and hence aggregation. The rate constants for the reaction with 4-Np were kr = 0.67 x 10[superscript 6] mol[superscript -1] dm[superscript 3] s[superscript -1] for ZnPcS[subscript mix] and 7.7 x 10[superscript 6] mol[superscript -1] dm[superscript 3] s[superscript -1] for ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8]. ClAlPc is the most effective photocatalyst relative to the other heterogeneous photocatalysts for the phototransformation of 4-Np, with 89 ± 8.4 % degradation of 4-Np achieved after 100 min. The least effective catalysts were ZnPcCl[subscript 16] and MgPc. The final products of the photocatalysis of 4-Np in the presence of the homogeneous photocatalysts include 4-nitrocatechol and hydroquinone, while degradation of 4-Np in the presence of the heterogeneous photocatalysts resulted in fumaric acid and 4-nitrocatechol. ClAlPc was employed for the heterogeneous photocatalysis of the non-systemic insecticide, methyl paraoxon. Complete degradation of the pesticide was confirmed by the disappearance of the HPLC trace for methyl paraoxon after 100 min of irradiation with visible light. The removal of 4-Np from an aqueous medium using commercially available Amberlite[superscript ®] IRA-900 modified with metal phthalocyanines was also investigated. The metallophthalocyanines immobilised onto the surface of Amberlite[superscript ®] IRA-900 include Fe (FePcS[subscript 4]), Co (CoPcS[subscript 4]) and Ni (NiPcS[subscript 4]) tetrasulphophthalocyanines, and differently sulphonated phthalocyanine mixtures of Fe (FePcS[subscript mix]), Co (CoPcS[subscript mix]) and Ni (NiPcS[subscript mix]). Adsorption rates were fastest for the modified adsorbents at pH 9. Using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model, the complexes showed the following order of 4-Np adsorption: CoPcS[subscript mix] > NiPcS[subscript 4] > NiPcS[subscript mix] > FePcS[subscript 4] > FePcS[subscript mix] > CoPcS[subscript 4]. The adsorbents were regenerated using dilute HNO[subscript 3], with 76 % (7.6 x 10[superscript -5] mol) of 4-Np recovered within 150 min.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Reproductive performance of cows in sweet and sour veld types under communal production systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Nqeno, Noluvuyo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/141 , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Description: The objective of the study was to evaluate cow reproductive performance in the sweetveld and sourveld communal grazing areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In the first experiment, farmer perceptions were obtained using participatory rural appraisals. Farmers ranked lack of fences, tick-borne diseases, poor animal condition during winter and poor breeding practices, respectively as major constraints limiting cattle production in the Eastern Cape. Cattle, sheep and goats, in that order, were ranked as the most important livestock species and were mainly kept for meat, cash and ceremonies, respectively. The non-descript cattle breed was the most common breed found in the smallholder areas. Most farmers preferred Nguni breed because of its adaptive attributes. In the second experiment, structured questionnaires were administered, between June and August 2006, to a total of 551 farmers from 10 communities of the Eastern Cape. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between the use of pregnancy diagnoses and community. About 87 and 77 % of the interviewed farmers did not respond on the extent of pregnancy and calving rates in their herds. A higher proportion of farmers from Hekele (51%) and from Upper Mnxe (45.3%) communities reported low number of bulls as a major constraint to cow reproductive performance. Body condition and ovarian activity were measured in the sweet and sour veld types. Body condition score of animals was measured from March iii 2007 until January 2008 and ovarian activity of cows was performed by a veterinarian through rectal palpation in June, August and October 2007 and January 2008. From March to July, there was a marked decline in body condition on both veld types. In the sweetveld, body condition improved from September until January, whereas in the sourveld the improvement in body condition started in October. The cows in both veld types conceived throughout the year. Most cows in the sweetveld were cycling in January and August (P<0.05) whereas in the sourveld there was no distinct period when the animals were cycling. Overall, there were no differences in the proportion of cows that were cycling between the sour and sweet veldts (P>0.05). There were more cows cycling in sourveld in October than in the sweetveld. Reproductive performance of cows in communal areas could, therefore, be determined by levels and quality of nutrition. Keywords: Participatory rural appraisals; Structured questionnaires; Farmer participation; Farmer perceptions; Body condition scoring; Ovarian activity; Pregnancy diagnoses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Nqeno, Noluvuyo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/141 , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beef cattle -- Breeding , Beef cattle -- Reproduction , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle , Cows
- Description: The objective of the study was to evaluate cow reproductive performance in the sweetveld and sourveld communal grazing areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In the first experiment, farmer perceptions were obtained using participatory rural appraisals. Farmers ranked lack of fences, tick-borne diseases, poor animal condition during winter and poor breeding practices, respectively as major constraints limiting cattle production in the Eastern Cape. Cattle, sheep and goats, in that order, were ranked as the most important livestock species and were mainly kept for meat, cash and ceremonies, respectively. The non-descript cattle breed was the most common breed found in the smallholder areas. Most farmers preferred Nguni breed because of its adaptive attributes. In the second experiment, structured questionnaires were administered, between June and August 2006, to a total of 551 farmers from 10 communities of the Eastern Cape. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between the use of pregnancy diagnoses and community. About 87 and 77 % of the interviewed farmers did not respond on the extent of pregnancy and calving rates in their herds. A higher proportion of farmers from Hekele (51%) and from Upper Mnxe (45.3%) communities reported low number of bulls as a major constraint to cow reproductive performance. Body condition and ovarian activity were measured in the sweet and sour veld types. Body condition score of animals was measured from March iii 2007 until January 2008 and ovarian activity of cows was performed by a veterinarian through rectal palpation in June, August and October 2007 and January 2008. From March to July, there was a marked decline in body condition on both veld types. In the sweetveld, body condition improved from September until January, whereas in the sourveld the improvement in body condition started in October. The cows in both veld types conceived throughout the year. Most cows in the sweetveld were cycling in January and August (P<0.05) whereas in the sourveld there was no distinct period when the animals were cycling. Overall, there were no differences in the proportion of cows that were cycling between the sour and sweet veldts (P>0.05). There were more cows cycling in sourveld in October than in the sweetveld. Reproductive performance of cows in communal areas could, therefore, be determined by levels and quality of nutrition. Keywords: Participatory rural appraisals; Structured questionnaires; Farmer participation; Farmer perceptions; Body condition scoring; Ovarian activity; Pregnancy diagnoses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Resilience in families living with a child diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Authors: Theron, Tania
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Hyperactive children -- Psychological testing , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Diagnosis , Attention-deficit-disordered children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/655 , Hyperactive children -- Psychological testing , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Diagnosis , Attention-deficit-disordered children
- Description: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is not a new phenomenon. Researchers have studied children with restless, inattentive and impulsive types of behaviours for over one hundred years. Although the primary distress of AD/HD falls mainly on the child’s shoulders, all family members experience the disorder’s negative effects. While the challenges that families have to face are many, families seem to have the ability to “bounce back” (i.e., they have resilience). There has been limited research to date focusing on the resiliency of families living with children diagnosed with AD/HD. Research on the construct of resilience, and more specifically, family resilience has surged in recent times. However, South African research on family resilience is limited. This study aimed to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in families after a child has been clinically diagnosed with AD/HD. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation, developed by McCubbin and McCubbin (2001) served as a framework to conceptualize the families’ adjustment and adaptation processes. Non-probability purposive sampling was used in order to gain participants for the study. Twenty-two families participated in this study, providing a total of 44 participants. Participants consisted of the caregivers of a family living with a child diagnosed with AD/HD, between the ages of seven and 12. The study was triangular in nature, with an exploratory, descriptive approach. A biographical questionnaire with an open-ended question was used in conjunction with seven other questionnaires to gather data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the biographical information. Quantitative data were analyzed by means of correlation and regression analysis, and content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data obtained from the biographical questionnaire. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated six significant positive correlations with the FACI8. These variables were relative and friend support, social support, problem solving and behavioural strategies, family hardiness, family problem-solving communication and family time and routines. The results of the qualitative analysis revealed that social support, adherence to a treatment regime, information and knowledge about AD/HD, a supportive family unit, the caregiver’s acceptance of the disorder as well as communication were the most important strength factors identified. The findings of the research could assist parents in managing their children diagnosed with AD/HD more effectively and has helped create further insight into what resiliency areas they could improve upon. Furthermore, this study could be used as a stepping stone for future research on resilience in families living with a pervasive psychological disorder and will contribute to the broader context of family resilience research in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Theron, Tania
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Hyperactive children -- Psychological testing , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Diagnosis , Attention-deficit-disordered children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/655 , Hyperactive children -- Psychological testing , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Diagnosis , Attention-deficit-disordered children
- Description: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is not a new phenomenon. Researchers have studied children with restless, inattentive and impulsive types of behaviours for over one hundred years. Although the primary distress of AD/HD falls mainly on the child’s shoulders, all family members experience the disorder’s negative effects. While the challenges that families have to face are many, families seem to have the ability to “bounce back” (i.e., they have resilience). There has been limited research to date focusing on the resiliency of families living with children diagnosed with AD/HD. Research on the construct of resilience, and more specifically, family resilience has surged in recent times. However, South African research on family resilience is limited. This study aimed to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in families after a child has been clinically diagnosed with AD/HD. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation, developed by McCubbin and McCubbin (2001) served as a framework to conceptualize the families’ adjustment and adaptation processes. Non-probability purposive sampling was used in order to gain participants for the study. Twenty-two families participated in this study, providing a total of 44 participants. Participants consisted of the caregivers of a family living with a child diagnosed with AD/HD, between the ages of seven and 12. The study was triangular in nature, with an exploratory, descriptive approach. A biographical questionnaire with an open-ended question was used in conjunction with seven other questionnaires to gather data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the biographical information. Quantitative data were analyzed by means of correlation and regression analysis, and content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data obtained from the biographical questionnaire. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated six significant positive correlations with the FACI8. These variables were relative and friend support, social support, problem solving and behavioural strategies, family hardiness, family problem-solving communication and family time and routines. The results of the qualitative analysis revealed that social support, adherence to a treatment regime, information and knowledge about AD/HD, a supportive family unit, the caregiver’s acceptance of the disorder as well as communication were the most important strength factors identified. The findings of the research could assist parents in managing their children diagnosed with AD/HD more effectively and has helped create further insight into what resiliency areas they could improve upon. Furthermore, this study could be used as a stepping stone for future research on resilience in families living with a pervasive psychological disorder and will contribute to the broader context of family resilience research in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Resilience in families with a child living with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Authors: Hanekom, Leché
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Autism in children , Parents of autistic children , Autistic children -- Family relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9905 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/973 , Autism in children , Parents of autistic children , Autistic children -- Family relationships
- Description: In recent years the number of studies on resilience emerging within the field of positive psychology has increased. However, such studies are limited within the South African context and so the proposed study aims to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in South African families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. McCubbin, McCubbin and Thompson (2001) developed the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation which were used to conceptualise the family’s adaptation. Mothers (n = 19) from 19 families participated in the study. The families consisted of at least three members, of which two are parents and one a child younger than 18 years of age that has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. A combination of non-probability purposive sampling and snowball sampling was used to select participants. The study had an exploratory and descriptive aim and employed triangulation of method, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures. A biographical questionnaire and the following seven structured paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used: the Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8), the Family Crisis-oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES), the Family Hardiness Index (FHI), the Family Problem-solving Communication (FPSC), the Family Time and Routine Index (FTRI), the Relative and Friend Support (RFS), and the Social Support Index (SSI). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the biographical information. Qualitative data were analysed by means of content analysis. Quantitative data were manipulated by means of correlation and regression analysis. The results from the quantitative analysis indicate three significant positive correlations with the FACI8. These variables were the family hardiness (measured by FHI), family problem-solving communication (measured by the FPSC), and family time and routines (measured by the FTRI). The findings from the qualitative analysis point out that social support, the spousal relationship and family time, togetherness and routines are the most important strength factors that contribute to the family’s adjustment and adaptation. Even though this study had a small sample size and several other limitations, the findings of this study could still assist in guiding specialised institutions toward providing more comprehensive information and support to families living with a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study also contributes to the studies on family resilience within a South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Hanekom, Leché
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Autism in children , Parents of autistic children , Autistic children -- Family relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9905 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/973 , Autism in children , Parents of autistic children , Autistic children -- Family relationships
- Description: In recent years the number of studies on resilience emerging within the field of positive psychology has increased. However, such studies are limited within the South African context and so the proposed study aims to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in South African families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. McCubbin, McCubbin and Thompson (2001) developed the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation which were used to conceptualise the family’s adaptation. Mothers (n = 19) from 19 families participated in the study. The families consisted of at least three members, of which two are parents and one a child younger than 18 years of age that has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. A combination of non-probability purposive sampling and snowball sampling was used to select participants. The study had an exploratory and descriptive aim and employed triangulation of method, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures. A biographical questionnaire and the following seven structured paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used: the Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8), the Family Crisis-oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES), the Family Hardiness Index (FHI), the Family Problem-solving Communication (FPSC), the Family Time and Routine Index (FTRI), the Relative and Friend Support (RFS), and the Social Support Index (SSI). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the biographical information. Qualitative data were analysed by means of content analysis. Quantitative data were manipulated by means of correlation and regression analysis. The results from the quantitative analysis indicate three significant positive correlations with the FACI8. These variables were the family hardiness (measured by FHI), family problem-solving communication (measured by the FPSC), and family time and routines (measured by the FTRI). The findings from the qualitative analysis point out that social support, the spousal relationship and family time, togetherness and routines are the most important strength factors that contribute to the family’s adjustment and adaptation. Even though this study had a small sample size and several other limitations, the findings of this study could still assist in guiding specialised institutions toward providing more comprehensive information and support to families living with a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study also contributes to the studies on family resilience within a South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Resilience in HIV/AIDS' adolescent headed families
- Authors: Beeka, Hershilla A
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/922 , Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: HIV/AIDS has presented humanity with various challenges, one of which is the manner in which it has affected family structure and patterns. Parental illness and eventual death due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic is escalating. One of the major challenges of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa is the increase in the number of orphaned and vulnerable children. As a result new family forms are emerging such as the "skip-generation" family in which children or adolescent siblings head the family. It is anticipated that HIV/AIDS in South Africa will progressively increase the number of such families. During this time of profound family change, the family as an institution has remained remarkably resilient. The present study utilised the Family Resilience Framework and the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation to explore and describe the resilience of HIV/AIDS’ adolescent headed families. A qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research design, which was assessed against Guba’s (1985) model of trustworthiness, was employed and the participants were sampled using non-probability purposive sampling. The Masizakhe Community Project volunteers (an AIDS Community Project in Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth receiving support from the iThemba AIDS Foundation) assisted in identifying participants according to the predetermined inclusion criteria. The sample consisted of four female, adolescent heads of HIV/AIDS’ affected households, who volunteered at the Masizakhe Community Project and resided in Kwazakhele. The data that was collected via audio-recorded semi structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Family resilience factors that emerged included intrafamilial strengths (family cohesion, organisation, hardiness, and adaptability); social support resources (especially from the community project, friends, and community members); family appraisal processes; and problem solving and coping strategies. Extended family support was partial and largely financial. The findings from this study provided insights into the resilience of adolescent-headed families; provided guidance for the development of intervention programmes to assist these families; and affirmed the existing strengths of the families. Furthermore, it has contributed to the research and literature on family resilience and formed the foundation for future research projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Beeka, Hershilla A
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/922 , Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children of AIDS patients -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Families, Black -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: HIV/AIDS has presented humanity with various challenges, one of which is the manner in which it has affected family structure and patterns. Parental illness and eventual death due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic is escalating. One of the major challenges of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa is the increase in the number of orphaned and vulnerable children. As a result new family forms are emerging such as the "skip-generation" family in which children or adolescent siblings head the family. It is anticipated that HIV/AIDS in South Africa will progressively increase the number of such families. During this time of profound family change, the family as an institution has remained remarkably resilient. The present study utilised the Family Resilience Framework and the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation to explore and describe the resilience of HIV/AIDS’ adolescent headed families. A qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research design, which was assessed against Guba’s (1985) model of trustworthiness, was employed and the participants were sampled using non-probability purposive sampling. The Masizakhe Community Project volunteers (an AIDS Community Project in Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth receiving support from the iThemba AIDS Foundation) assisted in identifying participants according to the predetermined inclusion criteria. The sample consisted of four female, adolescent heads of HIV/AIDS’ affected households, who volunteered at the Masizakhe Community Project and resided in Kwazakhele. The data that was collected via audio-recorded semi structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Family resilience factors that emerged included intrafamilial strengths (family cohesion, organisation, hardiness, and adaptability); social support resources (especially from the community project, friends, and community members); family appraisal processes; and problem solving and coping strategies. Extended family support was partial and largely financial. The findings from this study provided insights into the resilience of adolescent-headed families; provided guidance for the development of intervention programmes to assist these families; and affirmed the existing strengths of the families. Furthermore, it has contributed to the research and literature on family resilience and formed the foundation for future research projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Resilience in remarried families
- Authors: Robinson, Julie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Remarried people -- Family relationships , Adjustment (Psychology) , Stepfamilies -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/659 , Remarried people -- Family relationships , Adjustment (Psychology) , Stepfamilies -- Psychological aspects
- Description: Remarried families are no longer the exception in society. Statistics reveal that this type of family structure is increasing. The need for family resilience research in varying family forms has been highlighted. Given the distinctive structure of the remarried family, there are specific dilemmas and challenges that need to be resolved on the journey towards family integration. Despite these challenges, many families benefit from their new family structure and show marked resiliency and ability to adapt. South African family resilience research is scarce. This study aimed to identify, explore and describe the resiliency factors that enable families to adjust and adapt as a result of being a stepfamily. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin, Thompson, & McCubbin, 2001) was used to conceptualize level of adaptation. Participants consisted of both adults and adolescents, in order to gain perspectives of adapting to a remarried family from differing individual family members’ stages of development. Participants consisted of 19 parents and 16 adolescents, equaling a total of 35 participants. Triangulation was employed, with an exploratory, descriptive approach. A biographical questionnaire with an open-ended question, in conjunction with a number of structured questionnaires were used to gather the data. These questionnaires were: The Family Hardiness Index (FHI), the Family Time and Routine Index (FTRI), the Social Support Index (SSI), the Family Problem-Solving Communication (FPSC) Index, the Family Crisis-Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES), the Relative and Friend Support Index (RFS), and the Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8). In this study the FACI8 was used as a measure to determine the level of family adaptation. Non-probability purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the biographical information. Correlation and regression analysis was used to analyze the quantitative data, and content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The results of the quantitative component of the study indicated that there were three significant positive correlations with the FACI8 for both adults and adolescents. These variables were family hardiness (measured by the FHI), family problem solving communication (measured by the FPSC), and family time together and routines (measured by the FTRI). The Social Support subscale of the F-COPES showed a positive correlation with the FACI8 for the adults. The results of the qualitative component of the study revealed that various common themes emerged between the adult and adolescent participants’ responses. These common themes were spirituality; boundaries; respect, love, understanding, compassion and acceptance; communication; flexibility and tolerance; time together, bonding, and routines; and social support. There were four remaining themes that the adults identified as important factors helping them manage being part of a stepfamily. These four remaining themes were equality; forgiveness and acceptance of the past; commitment and being positive; and financial support. The value of the research was discussed. Finally, limitations of the study were discussed, and suggestions were made for future research involving remarried families.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Robinson, Julie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Remarried people -- Family relationships , Adjustment (Psychology) , Stepfamilies -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/659 , Remarried people -- Family relationships , Adjustment (Psychology) , Stepfamilies -- Psychological aspects
- Description: Remarried families are no longer the exception in society. Statistics reveal that this type of family structure is increasing. The need for family resilience research in varying family forms has been highlighted. Given the distinctive structure of the remarried family, there are specific dilemmas and challenges that need to be resolved on the journey towards family integration. Despite these challenges, many families benefit from their new family structure and show marked resiliency and ability to adapt. South African family resilience research is scarce. This study aimed to identify, explore and describe the resiliency factors that enable families to adjust and adapt as a result of being a stepfamily. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin, Thompson, & McCubbin, 2001) was used to conceptualize level of adaptation. Participants consisted of both adults and adolescents, in order to gain perspectives of adapting to a remarried family from differing individual family members’ stages of development. Participants consisted of 19 parents and 16 adolescents, equaling a total of 35 participants. Triangulation was employed, with an exploratory, descriptive approach. A biographical questionnaire with an open-ended question, in conjunction with a number of structured questionnaires were used to gather the data. These questionnaires were: The Family Hardiness Index (FHI), the Family Time and Routine Index (FTRI), the Social Support Index (SSI), the Family Problem-Solving Communication (FPSC) Index, the Family Crisis-Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES), the Relative and Friend Support Index (RFS), and the Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8). In this study the FACI8 was used as a measure to determine the level of family adaptation. Non-probability purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the biographical information. Correlation and regression analysis was used to analyze the quantitative data, and content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The results of the quantitative component of the study indicated that there were three significant positive correlations with the FACI8 for both adults and adolescents. These variables were family hardiness (measured by the FHI), family problem solving communication (measured by the FPSC), and family time together and routines (measured by the FTRI). The Social Support subscale of the F-COPES showed a positive correlation with the FACI8 for the adults. The results of the qualitative component of the study revealed that various common themes emerged between the adult and adolescent participants’ responses. These common themes were spirituality; boundaries; respect, love, understanding, compassion and acceptance; communication; flexibility and tolerance; time together, bonding, and routines; and social support. There were four remaining themes that the adults identified as important factors helping them manage being part of a stepfamily. These four remaining themes were equality; forgiveness and acceptance of the past; commitment and being positive; and financial support. The value of the research was discussed. Finally, limitations of the study were discussed, and suggestions were made for future research involving remarried families.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Retention of medical doctors in the public health sector: a case study of the Port Elizabeth Hospital complex
- Authors: Guvava, Dorothy Dorica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/976 , Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The Port Elizabeth (PE) hospital complex is one of the public hospital groups in South Africa facing a critical shortage of medical practitioners, with reference to doctors in particular. In the quest of finding how to retain doctors in the hospital complex, the aims of this research were to survey doctors’ career intentions; to investigate factors that could be contributing to these career intentions so as to uncover some of the reasons why doctors are leaving the public sector; and to identify effective ways in which the government and hospitals might improve retention by pointing out areas that need improvement. The factors that influence doctors’ career intention included income, work conditions, risk of contracting infection, risk of injury at work, hours of work, work load, work related stress, paid leave days, resources, personal growth and development opportunities, ongoing training opportunities, advancement and promotion opportunities, relation with co-workers, relations with supervisor/superiors, and sense of meaning. Findings revealed that even though the tendency to leave’ group (43%) was smaller than the ‘tendency to stay’ (57%), the majority (85%) of those who intended to leave were younger doctors. Despite some significant differences in responses between the two groups, results revealed that both groups were dissatisfied with almost all conditions of work apart from relationships with supervisors and co-workers. To a large extent, both groups revealed that work conditions are better in the private hospitals than in their current hospitals. viii The fact that some doctors could stay in the public hospital sector despite intense dissatisfaction with conditions of work, and despite the perception that that there are better options in the private hospitals could be attributed to the fact that most of these doctors are older and are at their retirement stage . Adding to this is that most of these doctors, who indicated willingness to say, scored high in sense of meaning as a factor influencing their career intention. This research was based on the assumption that there was no retention strategy put in place to solve the problems facing PE hospital complex. However, during this research a strategy was being developed and implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Therefore, evaluation and recommendations of the strategy are provided in the conclusions of the study. These recommendations relate not only to the implementation of the strategy, but improving it to accommodate all problems currently facing the doctors and finding ways and means of making the strategy sustainable; creating private-public partnerships; focusing on creating a sense of meaning amongst the doctors (especially the younger ones) and focusing on retaining the risk group which was the younger doctors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Guvava, Dorothy Dorica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/976 , Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The Port Elizabeth (PE) hospital complex is one of the public hospital groups in South Africa facing a critical shortage of medical practitioners, with reference to doctors in particular. In the quest of finding how to retain doctors in the hospital complex, the aims of this research were to survey doctors’ career intentions; to investigate factors that could be contributing to these career intentions so as to uncover some of the reasons why doctors are leaving the public sector; and to identify effective ways in which the government and hospitals might improve retention by pointing out areas that need improvement. The factors that influence doctors’ career intention included income, work conditions, risk of contracting infection, risk of injury at work, hours of work, work load, work related stress, paid leave days, resources, personal growth and development opportunities, ongoing training opportunities, advancement and promotion opportunities, relation with co-workers, relations with supervisor/superiors, and sense of meaning. Findings revealed that even though the tendency to leave’ group (43%) was smaller than the ‘tendency to stay’ (57%), the majority (85%) of those who intended to leave were younger doctors. Despite some significant differences in responses between the two groups, results revealed that both groups were dissatisfied with almost all conditions of work apart from relationships with supervisors and co-workers. To a large extent, both groups revealed that work conditions are better in the private hospitals than in their current hospitals. viii The fact that some doctors could stay in the public hospital sector despite intense dissatisfaction with conditions of work, and despite the perception that that there are better options in the private hospitals could be attributed to the fact that most of these doctors are older and are at their retirement stage . Adding to this is that most of these doctors, who indicated willingness to say, scored high in sense of meaning as a factor influencing their career intention. This research was based on the assumption that there was no retention strategy put in place to solve the problems facing PE hospital complex. However, during this research a strategy was being developed and implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Therefore, evaluation and recommendations of the strategy are provided in the conclusions of the study. These recommendations relate not only to the implementation of the strategy, but improving it to accommodate all problems currently facing the doctors and finding ways and means of making the strategy sustainable; creating private-public partnerships; focusing on creating a sense of meaning amongst the doctors (especially the younger ones) and focusing on retaining the risk group which was the younger doctors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Retention strategies for skilled SARS customs employees
- Authors: Lennie, Graeme Mark
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Employee retention , Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/999 , Employee retention , Employee motivation
- Description: The South African Revenue Services (SARS) is an amalgamation of the former Departments of Customs and Excise, and the Receiver of Revenue. SARS obtained full autonomy from the Government in October 1997 in order for it to administer its own affairs. SARS has since made great strides in transforming its people and technology, although some growing pains are recently being experienced, i.e. the “retention question”. The problem statement, “What strategies can be implemented for retaining skilled employees within SARS Customs” is derived from a multitude of problematic issues currently being experienced world wide. Problem areas particular to South Africa, include: the mass exodus of white skilled labour; baby-boomers (aged 60 – 65) nearing retirement, affirmative action, employment equity, and a general lack of skills in the employment industry. An employee engagement survey (2007) conducted at SARS, shows figures that further exacerbates the problem. The objectives of the research were therefore, to conduct a literature study of employee retention strategies, investigate the research strategies currently being employed at SARS, the reasons for the low levels of employee engagement and to develop a strategic model for employee retention for use at SARS Customs in the Eastern Cape Region of South Africa The study takes the form of a case study, using quantitative and qualitative methods of research. A questionnaire was distributed to respondents, the results of which were analysed and presented. The findings show that SARS Customs is in a good position with regards to pay and benefits. Areas that require attention though are training, development and career management, effective supervision, and day-to-day activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Lennie, Graeme Mark
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Employee retention , Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/999 , Employee retention , Employee motivation
- Description: The South African Revenue Services (SARS) is an amalgamation of the former Departments of Customs and Excise, and the Receiver of Revenue. SARS obtained full autonomy from the Government in October 1997 in order for it to administer its own affairs. SARS has since made great strides in transforming its people and technology, although some growing pains are recently being experienced, i.e. the “retention question”. The problem statement, “What strategies can be implemented for retaining skilled employees within SARS Customs” is derived from a multitude of problematic issues currently being experienced world wide. Problem areas particular to South Africa, include: the mass exodus of white skilled labour; baby-boomers (aged 60 – 65) nearing retirement, affirmative action, employment equity, and a general lack of skills in the employment industry. An employee engagement survey (2007) conducted at SARS, shows figures that further exacerbates the problem. The objectives of the research were therefore, to conduct a literature study of employee retention strategies, investigate the research strategies currently being employed at SARS, the reasons for the low levels of employee engagement and to develop a strategic model for employee retention for use at SARS Customs in the Eastern Cape Region of South Africa The study takes the form of a case study, using quantitative and qualitative methods of research. A questionnaire was distributed to respondents, the results of which were analysed and presented. The findings show that SARS Customs is in a good position with regards to pay and benefits. Areas that require attention though are training, development and career management, effective supervision, and day-to-day activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Retrospective stock assessment of the Emperor red snapper (Lutjanus sebae) on the Seychelles Bank between 1977 and 2006
- Grandcourt, E M, Hecht, Thomas, Booth, Anthony J, Robinson, J
- Authors: Grandcourt, E M , Hecht, Thomas , Booth, Anthony J , Robinson, J
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125887 , vital:35829 , https://doi.10.1093/icesjms/fsn064
- Description: The Emperor red snapper, Lutjanus sebae, known as “Bourzwa” in the Seychelles, is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific from the southern Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to Japan and south to Australia. It occurs near coral or rocky reefs and also over adjacent sand flats and gravel patches between 5 and 180 m deep (Allen, 1985; Anderson, 1986). Juveniles are frequently commensal with sea urchins (Kuiter and Tonozuka, 2001), and are found in nearshore, turbid waters (Williams and Russ, 1992), mangrove areas (Allen, 1985), and around coastal and offshore reefs (Williams and Russ, 1992). Larger L. sebae are generally found deeper, although they are also known to move into shallower water during winter (McPherson et al., 1988; Williams and Russ, 1992). Prey items include fish, crabs, other benthic crustaceans, and cephalopods. Lutjanus sebae is a large, long-lived species, attaining a maximum size of 116 cm fork length (McPherson and Squire, 1992) and maximum age of 34 years (Newman and Dunk, 2002). Despite an absence of data on its population structure, mixing, and identity, the population on the Seychelles Bank has been considered to be a unit stock for assessment purposes because of its remote location (e.g. Lablache and Carrara, 1988; Mees, 1992).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Grandcourt, E M , Hecht, Thomas , Booth, Anthony J , Robinson, J
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125887 , vital:35829 , https://doi.10.1093/icesjms/fsn064
- Description: The Emperor red snapper, Lutjanus sebae, known as “Bourzwa” in the Seychelles, is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific from the southern Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to Japan and south to Australia. It occurs near coral or rocky reefs and also over adjacent sand flats and gravel patches between 5 and 180 m deep (Allen, 1985; Anderson, 1986). Juveniles are frequently commensal with sea urchins (Kuiter and Tonozuka, 2001), and are found in nearshore, turbid waters (Williams and Russ, 1992), mangrove areas (Allen, 1985), and around coastal and offshore reefs (Williams and Russ, 1992). Larger L. sebae are generally found deeper, although they are also known to move into shallower water during winter (McPherson et al., 1988; Williams and Russ, 1992). Prey items include fish, crabs, other benthic crustaceans, and cephalopods. Lutjanus sebae is a large, long-lived species, attaining a maximum size of 116 cm fork length (McPherson and Squire, 1992) and maximum age of 34 years (Newman and Dunk, 2002). Despite an absence of data on its population structure, mixing, and identity, the population on the Seychelles Bank has been considered to be a unit stock for assessment purposes because of its remote location (e.g. Lablache and Carrara, 1988; Mees, 1992).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Revised parameter estimation methods for the Pitman monthly rainfall-runoff model
- Authors: Kapangaziwiri, Evison
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rain and rainfall -- Mathematical models , Runoff -- Mathematical models , Hydrology -- Mathematical models , Water supply -- South Africa , Water resources development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006172 , Rain and rainfall -- Mathematical models , Runoff -- Mathematical models , Hydrology -- Mathematical models , Water supply -- South Africa , Water resources development -- South Africa
- Description: In recent years, increased demands have been placed on hydrologists to find the most effective methods of making predictions of hydrologic variables in ungauged basins. A huge part of the southern African region is ungauged and, in gauged basins, the extent to which observed flows represent natural flows is unknown, given unquantified upstream activities. The need to exploit water resources for social and economic development, considered in the light of water scarcity forecasts for the region, makes the reliable quantification of water resources a priority. Contemporary approaches to the problem of hydrological prediction in ungauged basins in the region have relied heavily on calibration against a limited gauged streamflow database and somewhat subjective parameter regionalizations using areas of assumed hydrological similarity. The reliance of these approaches on limited historical records, often of dubious quality, introduces uncertainty in water resources decisions. Thus, it is necessary to develop methods of estimating model parameters that are less reliant on calibration. This thesis addresses the question of whether physical basin properties and the role they play in runoff generation processes can be used directly in the estimation of parameter values of the Pitman monthly rainfall-runoff model. A physically-based approach to estimating the soil moisture accounting and runoff parameters of a conceptual, monthly time-step rainfall-runoff model is proposed. The study investigates the physical meaning of the model parameters, establishes linkages between parameter values and basin physical properties and develops relationships and equations for estimating the parameters taking into account the spatial and temporal scales used in typical model applications. The estimationmethods are then tested in selected gauged basins in southern Africa and the results of model simulations evaluated against historical observed flows. The results of 71 basins chosen from the southern African region suggest that it is possible to directly estimate hydrologically relevant parameters for the Pitman model from physical basin attributes. For South Africa, the statistical and visual fit of the simulations using the revised parameters were at least as good as the current regional sets, albeit the parameter sets being different. In the other countries where no regionalized parameter sets currently exist, simulations were equally good. The availability, within the southern African region, of the appropriate physical basin data and the disparities in the spatial scales and the levels of detail of the data currently available were identified as potential sources of uncertainty. GIS and remote sensing technologies and a widespread use of this revised approach are expected to facilitate access to these data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Kapangaziwiri, Evison
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rain and rainfall -- Mathematical models , Runoff -- Mathematical models , Hydrology -- Mathematical models , Water supply -- South Africa , Water resources development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006172 , Rain and rainfall -- Mathematical models , Runoff -- Mathematical models , Hydrology -- Mathematical models , Water supply -- South Africa , Water resources development -- South Africa
- Description: In recent years, increased demands have been placed on hydrologists to find the most effective methods of making predictions of hydrologic variables in ungauged basins. A huge part of the southern African region is ungauged and, in gauged basins, the extent to which observed flows represent natural flows is unknown, given unquantified upstream activities. The need to exploit water resources for social and economic development, considered in the light of water scarcity forecasts for the region, makes the reliable quantification of water resources a priority. Contemporary approaches to the problem of hydrological prediction in ungauged basins in the region have relied heavily on calibration against a limited gauged streamflow database and somewhat subjective parameter regionalizations using areas of assumed hydrological similarity. The reliance of these approaches on limited historical records, often of dubious quality, introduces uncertainty in water resources decisions. Thus, it is necessary to develop methods of estimating model parameters that are less reliant on calibration. This thesis addresses the question of whether physical basin properties and the role they play in runoff generation processes can be used directly in the estimation of parameter values of the Pitman monthly rainfall-runoff model. A physically-based approach to estimating the soil moisture accounting and runoff parameters of a conceptual, monthly time-step rainfall-runoff model is proposed. The study investigates the physical meaning of the model parameters, establishes linkages between parameter values and basin physical properties and develops relationships and equations for estimating the parameters taking into account the spatial and temporal scales used in typical model applications. The estimationmethods are then tested in selected gauged basins in southern Africa and the results of model simulations evaluated against historical observed flows. The results of 71 basins chosen from the southern African region suggest that it is possible to directly estimate hydrologically relevant parameters for the Pitman model from physical basin attributes. For South Africa, the statistical and visual fit of the simulations using the revised parameters were at least as good as the current regional sets, albeit the parameter sets being different. In the other countries where no regionalized parameter sets currently exist, simulations were equally good. The availability, within the southern African region, of the appropriate physical basin data and the disparities in the spatial scales and the levels of detail of the data currently available were identified as potential sources of uncertainty. GIS and remote sensing technologies and a widespread use of this revised approach are expected to facilitate access to these data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Rhodes professor among best women scientists
- Authors: Ndabeni, Khanyi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:7186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006278 , Nyokong, Tebello
- Description: A RHODES University scientist's ground breaking work in harnessing light for cancer therapy has won her a United Nations award worth almost R1- million. Named on Monday by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as one of the world's top five "Exceptional Women Scientists", Professor Tebello Nyokong said winning the award was "just like getting a Nobel Prize". She was also recognised for her work regarding environmental cleanups. Nyokong, 57, grew up herding sheep in Lesotho and was unable to afford shoes. She now works in Rhodes University's chemistry department. She won the award for the Africa and Arab states category on World Science Day, which took place on Monday.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Ndabeni, Khanyi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:7186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006278 , Nyokong, Tebello
- Description: A RHODES University scientist's ground breaking work in harnessing light for cancer therapy has won her a United Nations award worth almost R1- million. Named on Monday by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as one of the world's top five "Exceptional Women Scientists", Professor Tebello Nyokong said winning the award was "just like getting a Nobel Prize". She was also recognised for her work regarding environmental cleanups. Nyokong, 57, grew up herding sheep in Lesotho and was unable to afford shoes. She now works in Rhodes University's chemistry department. She won the award for the Africa and Arab states category on World Science Day, which took place on Monday.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Rhodes University during the segregation and apartheid eras, 1933 to 1990
- Authors: Greyling, Sean Andrew
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- History Post-apartheid era -- South Africa -- History College students -- South Africa -- Political activity South Africa -- Race relations -- History -- 20th century South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2545 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002397
- Description: In 2004 Rhodes University celebrated its centenary. At a Critical Tradition Colloquium opportunity was given to explore the university’s past. In particular, its liberal image was questioned and its role during apartheid brought under scrutiny. This thesis investigates the questions raised at the Colloquium. It aims to cover the whole apartheid era in one coherent narrative by addressing the history of Rhodes during that era and how it handled issues of race and politics. It begins in 1933, when the first black student applied to Rhodes, and ends in 1990, when apartheid was drawing to a close.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Greyling, Sean Andrew
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- History Post-apartheid era -- South Africa -- History College students -- South Africa -- Political activity South Africa -- Race relations -- History -- 20th century South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2545 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002397
- Description: In 2004 Rhodes University celebrated its centenary. At a Critical Tradition Colloquium opportunity was given to explore the university’s past. In particular, its liberal image was questioned and its role during apartheid brought under scrutiny. This thesis investigates the questions raised at the Colloquium. It aims to cover the whole apartheid era in one coherent narrative by addressing the history of Rhodes during that era and how it handled issues of race and politics. It begins in 1933, when the first black student applied to Rhodes, and ends in 1990, when apartheid was drawing to a close.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008