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Accelerated sludge solubilisation under sulphate reducing conditions: the effect of hydrolytic enzymes on sludge floc size distribution and EPS composition

  • Authors: Akhurst, P , Rose, Peter D , Whiteley, Chris G , Pletschke, Brett I
  • Date: 2002
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference paper
  • Identifier: vital:6455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010430
  • Description: Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are the construction materials for microbial aggregates such as biofilms, flocs and sludge, and greatly contribute to the structural integrity of sludge flocs in wastewater treatment processes. The loss of integrity of the sewage sludge floc is believed to be due to enhanced hydrolysis of important structural components such as lignin, protein and cellulose in the sludge floc matrix. The mechanism of enhanced sludge floc fracture, due to the action of enzymes hydrolysing these structural components, remains a key element in our understanding of how the floc integrity in systems utilising a sulphate reducing system is compromised. A range of relatively non-specific exogenous enzymes (ß-glucosidase, cellulase, proteases: trypsin, pronase E and chymotrypsin) were added to a sulphidogenic bioreactor- (containing both sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) and a methanogenic bacterial system) and a (control) methanogenic bioreactor sample, and the effect of these enzymes on sludge floc size (diameter) distribution and EPS composition was investigated. Sludge samples from the bioreactors were examined under bright field and differential interference contrast light microscopy. Proteolytic and glucohydrolytic activity of the enzymes were monitored using standard enzyme assaying techniques, and Bradford, Somogyi-Nelson, and total carbohydrate assays were performed to establish the composition of the EPS (after extraction with 3% (v/v) glutaraldehyde and Sephacryl S-400 size exclusion chromatography). Sludge flocs present in the sulphidogenic environment of the sulphidogenic bioreactor were found to have smaller diameters than their counterparts present in the methanogenic bioreactor. The addition of hydrolytic (i.e. proteolytic and glycohydrolytic) enzymes resulted in an increased rate of matrix hydrolysis, leading to increased rates of floc fracture and deflocculation. The presence of ß-glucosidase, cellulase, and proteases naturally residing within the sludge floc was confirmed. We propose that the addition of commercially available enzymes may be prohibitively costly on a large scale, and that the activity of the enzymes naturally residing within the floc matrix be optimised or enhanced. As the bulk of the EPS was shown to be composed of mainly polysaccharides, we propose that by increasing the activity of the naturally occurring ß-glucosidases residing within the floc matrix, the process of deflocculation may be enhanced. As sulphide has been shown to increase the activity of this very important key enzyme, we propose that this is one of the contributing factors why sludge solubilisation is accelerated under sulphate reducing conditions.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

Psychological resilience: the role of unconscious and conscious coping strategies in the mediation of stress in high risk occupational contexts

  • Authors: Alexander, Debra Geraldine
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Hazardous occupations , Teachers -- South Africa -- Job stress , Police -- South Africa -- Job stress , Emergency medical personnel -- South Africa -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3092 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003059 , Hazardous occupations , Teachers -- South Africa -- Job stress , Police -- South Africa -- Job stress , Emergency medical personnel -- South Africa -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology)
  • Description: This study investigates the role of unconscious and conscious coping strategies in the mediation of stress in high risk occupational contexts. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Multidimensional Coping Inventory and the Defense Style Questionnaires were completed by 194 police, ambulance and teaching personnel. A sample of 37 teachers served as a non high risk occupation control group. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, analysis of variance, analysis of difference and principal component analysis were performed on the data. Results indicated minimal significant between group differences. Within group variances were yielded. A minor relationship between levels of stress and usage of positive and negative mechanisms was observed. The significance of these findings is discussed and recommendations made for further study.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

Removal and recovery of gold and platinum from aqueous solutions utilising the non-viable biomass Asolla filiculoides

  • Authors: Antunes, Ana Paula Martins
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Azolla filiculoides Metal wastes -- Recycling Gold -- Recycling Platinum -- Recycling
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003726
  • Description: Waste water from the mining industry is generally extremely complex and contains numerous species which influence the adsorption of the metals to any biomass. A variety of factors need to be addressed before treatment is considered viable. It is also beneficial to establish the binding characteristics of the metal of interest to maximise its interaction with the biomass to be utilised. Azalia filiculaides was investigated in the adsorption of gold(III), lead(II), iron(ID), copper(II) and platinum (IV). In batch studies, the optimum biomass and initial gold(III) concentrations were found to be 5 gIL and 8 mgIL respectively. The adsorption of gold(ID) is principally pH-dependent with optimal removal at pH 2. Lead(II), iron(III) and copper(II) did not compete with gold(III) adsorption under equimolar and simulated effluent conditions. Halides, with increasing affinity for gold (chloride < bromide < iodide), can affect gold uptake with the soft base, iodide, exhibiting the most inhibition (25%) and the hard base, chloride, O%. Mercaptoethanol (soft base) showed no interference in gold(III) adsorption while the presence of sulphate (hard base) and sulphite (borderline base) showed that concentrations in excess of 1 0 mM may adversely affect gold(ill) uptake, most likely due to competition for cationic sites on the biomass. Column studies, better suited to high volume treatment, indicated that a flow-rate of 5 mL/min and an initial gold(ill) concentration of 5 mgIL was optimal. Competitive effects between lead, iron, copper and gold again showed little or no interference. The halides, chloride, bromide and iodide, affect gold(ill) uptake similarly to the batch studies, while the bases mercaptoethanol and sulphate minimally affect gold(III) binding with sulphite severely hampering adsorption (70% inhibition). To optimise gold desorption, preliminary batch studies indicated that a ratio of 1:1 of adsorbentdesorbent was optimal, whilst gas purging of thiourea with oxygen, air and nitrogen decreased gold elution in proportion to decreased amounts of oxygen. A series of desorbents were utilised, in column studies, to optimise and determine the speciation of bound gold. The presence of an oxidant with thiourea enhanced desorption greater than 3 fold when compared with thiourea alone. Thiourea desorption studies, aided by the oxidant, suggest that gold is present in the + I and 0 oxidation states. Ultimately thiourea, perchloric acid and hydrochloric acid was found to be the most optimal elutant for gold (J 00% recovery). For selective metal recovery oflead and copper, pre-washing the plant material with water, utilising an acid (0.3 M nitric acid), pumping in an up-flow mode, and recycling the desorbent six times was found to be optimal elutant for gold (J 00% recovery). Cost analysis of utilising elutant versus incinerating the biomass for gold recovery indicated the latter as the most economical. Over a 5 cycle adsorption and desorption series, acid desorption before each adsorption cycle was found to result in greater than 92% desorption for lead and 96% for copper. Gold recovery was 97% with incineration. A preliminary study with gold effluent (Mine C) indicated that nickel and sulphate was removed in batch and column studies. Gold removal was found to be 100% and 4% in batch and column studies respectively. Adsorption of gold in the effluent study was accompanied by the release ofHt. Modifying the plant material with various reagents failed to identify the primary binding sites and the role of polysaccharides, proteins and lipids in gold(ill) uptake. The mode of gold binding is suggested as being initially ionic, this is very rapid, with the interaction of the anionic complex, [AuCI₄]". with the cationic biomass (PH 2). This eventually leads to the displacement of the chloride ligand(s) initiating covalent binding. Spectral studies of the chemical interaction between gold and the representative tannins indicated the protonated hydroxy groups to be responsible. All evidence suggests that the binding mechanisms of gold are not simple. Preliminary adsorption studies of platinum by Azalia filiculaides were conducted. Batch studies indicated that J gIL biomass concentration, initial platinum concentration of 20 mgIL and pH 2 are optimal, while the column studies indicated a flow-rate of! 0 rnL/min and initial platinum concentration of 20 mgIL as optimal. In the platinum effluent study, platinum showed a removal of 23 % and 2 J % for the batch and column studies respectively. Again adsorption was accompanied by //' release. Azalia filiculaides demonstrated its feasibility in the removal of gold and platinum from simulated as well as waste water solutions. Its potential viability as a biosorbent was demonstrated by the high recovery from synthetic solutions of greater than 99% for gold (2-10 mgIL), and greater than 89% for platinum (20 mgIL).
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  • Date Issued: 2002

The development of a marketing plan for an emergency medical service

  • Authors: Barley, Kim Wayne
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Market -- Planning , Emergency medical services , Health facilities -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:10853 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/120 , Market -- Planning , Emergency medical services , Health facilities -- South Africa
  • Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that would help an emergency medical service (EMS) in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM), capture a significant market share and gain a competitive advantage over competitors. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of a marketing plan was undertaken and used as a theoretical model in developing an actual marketing plan. In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify the key issues critical to the development of a marketing plan for the EMS. The survey method used, based on the key components gained from the literature study, consisted of an in-depth scan of the macro-environment and thorough market investigation of the target industry. The investigation involved the general management and senior personnel from the local emergency medical industry, medical aid schemes and private hospitals and clinics delimited in the study. The results of the above literature study were finally combined with the results of the empirical study and a marketing plan for an emergency medical service was developed. This study concludes with recommendations applicable for the implementation of the actual marketing plan.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

Broken vessels : the im-possibility of the art of remembrance and re-collection in the work of Anselm Kiefer, Christian Boltanski, William Kentridge and Santu Mofokeng

  • Authors: Belluigi, Dina Zoe
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: History in art Kiefer, Anselm, 1945- Boltanski, Christian, 1944- Kentridge, William, 1955- Mofokeng, Santu, 1956-
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
  • Identifier: vital:2395 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002191
  • Description: This thesis is structured around investigating the philosophical and aesthetic problematics, politics, and possibilities of representing the past for the purposes of demythifying the present as well as commemorating the losses of history, as explored in the artworks of Anselm Kiefer, Christian Boltanski, William Kentridge and Santu Mofokeng. The first chapter begins with Theodor Adorno’s philosophical understanding of myth and history: how he is influenced by and then develops Karl Marx’s critique of society, Sigmund Freud’s critique of reason and its subject, and particularly Walter Benjamin’s ideas of history as catastrophe, the role of the historian and his messianic materialism. The second section looks at Theodor Adorno’s dialectic of art and society: immanent criticism in aesthetic practice, mimesis, and the shift in conceptions of allegory from Walter Benjamin’s understanding to that of Jacques Derrida. The last section of the chapter looks at Jacques Derrida’s poststructuralist theories against boundary-fixing, within that the ethical relation to the ‘other’ and the theorist/artist as psychic exile. The second chapter deals with the politics of remembrance and representation — beginning with Theodor Adorno’s historic interpretation of the Mosaic law against the making of images and Jean-Francois Lyotard on the im-possibility of representing the unrepresentable. The chapter is divided in two parts between the post-Holocaust European artists Anselm Kiefer and Christian Boltanski, and the post-apartheid South African artists William Kentridge and Santu Mofokeng. It explores, within these artists’ specific contexts, their formal and philosophical approaches to myth and history, and the problematics of image-making, representing the unrepresentable, and commemorating the immemorial. The thesis concludes by considering different conceptions of melancholia as they relate to these artists: the Freudian psychoanalytic approach, Benjamin’s notions of the artist-genius, and Julia Kristeva’s Lacanian reading of the humanist melancholic, concluding with the mythic-historical Kaballist notion of melancholia as the historical burden or responsibility to commemorate loss.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

The evaluation of waste minimization/waste treatment strategies for a commercial production process of 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide

  • Authors: Bennen, Wilroy
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Hazardous wastes , Hazardous substances -- Analysis
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Chemistry)
  • Identifier: vital:10951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/97 , Hazardous wastes , Hazardous substances -- Analysis
  • Description: Chemical synthesis is closely related to waste minimization. There is no chemical process that does not produce waste. The methods used by industry to deal with this waste is a major environmental concern. This thesis describes the laboratory scale waste minimization and waste treatment strategies for the commercial production process of 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (MTSC). The production process of 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide was investigated with the aim of increasing the isolated yield of MTSC and at the same time decrease the amount and toxicity of effluent obtained. During this study, parameters were investigated such as the use of excess DIPEA and the temperature of the reaction. Preliminary studies clearly showed that both factors have a significant influence on the final yield of the product. The next part of the investigation was to optimize the two parameters influencing the isolated yield of the MTSC. For this investigation, a multi factorial design was used to determine the optimum conditions in the MTSC yield response. From the results obtained, it was clear that the excess of DIPEA and the temperature of the reaction both need to be high to obtain high yields. These theoretical results were confirmed by results obtained practically, where yields of up 82 % were obtained, but it became clear that even higher yields could be obtained since chromatographic results showed yeilds as high as 90 %. The mass balance of the MTSC synthesis showed a loss of approximately 30 grams per reaction. This loss may have an influence on the final yield. The effluent obtained during the synthesis of MTSC was investigated and a waste treatment protocol was established to reduce the high COD value of the MTSC effluent. The protocol consists of two steps used for the clean up of the effluent. The first being a cooling step; the effluent was cooled at 0oC to induce precipitation of a solid, consisting mostly of MTSC. The second step is a high pressure wet oxidation of the effluent with oxygen in a high pressure reactor. The remaining compounds in the effluent were oxidized, resulting in another precipitate, consisting mostly of sulphur. After the oxidation the COD value of the effluent was decreased by 98 % to a value of 0.4 %. The MTSC present in the precipitate obtained after cooling could be isolated and purified, to add to the yield of the synthesis. The sulphur obtained during the oxidation could also be isolated and reused, or sold to prevent it from contaminating the environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

outside Tzaneen

  • Authors: Berold, Robert
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , poem
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/462310 , vital:76291 , ISBN 0028-4459 , https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/AJA00284459_632
  • Description: New Coin is one of South Africa's most established and influential poetry journals. It publishes poetry, and poetry-related reviews, commentary and interviews. New Coin places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context. In this sense it has traced the most exciting trends and currents in contemporary poetry in South Africa for a decade of more. The journal is published twice a year in June and December by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

The secret

  • Authors: Berold, Robert
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , poem
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/462470 , vital:76306 , ISBN 0028-4459 , https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/AJA00284459_632
  • Description: New Coin is one of South Africa's most established and influential poetry journals. It publishes poetry, and poetry-related reviews, commentary and interviews. New Coin places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context. In this sense it has traced the most exciting trends and currents in contemporary poetry in South Africa for a decade of more. The journal is published twice a year in June and December by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

the decision

  • Authors: Berold, Robert
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , poem
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/462366 , vital:76296 , ISBN 0028-4459 , https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/AJA00284459_632
  • Description: New Coin is one of South Africa's most established and influential poetry journals. It publishes poetry, and poetry-related reviews, commentary and interviews. New Coin places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context. In this sense it has traced the most exciting trends and currents in contemporary poetry in South Africa for a decade of more. The journal is published twice a year in June and December by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

the water running

  • Authors: Berold, Robert
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , poem
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/462492 , vital:76308 , ISBN 0028-4459 , https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/AJA00284459_632
  • Description: New Coin is one of South Africa's most established and influential poetry journals. It publishes poetry, and poetry-related reviews, commentary and interviews. New Coin places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context. In this sense it has traced the most exciting trends and currents in contemporary poetry in South Africa for a decade of more. The journal is published twice a year in June and December by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

10 things I love

  • Authors: Berold, Robert
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , poem
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461940 , vital:76253 , ISBN 0028-4459 , https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/AJA00284459_632
  • Description: New Coin is one of South Africa's most established and influential poetry journals. It publishes poetry, and poetry-related reviews, commentary and interviews. New Coin places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context. In this sense it has traced the most exciting trends and currents in contemporary poetry in South Africa for a decade of more. The journal is published twice a year in June and December by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

The impact of multi-skilling training on the paintshop production environment and its employees at Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA)

  • Authors: Bhika, Chandrika
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Employees -- Training of , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:10852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/130 , Employees -- Training of , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: Global competition and rapid technological change have been the driving forces for a more flexible and competent workforce. Continuous employee training assists organisations to achieve their goals by adding value to their key resources, the human factor. The demand for a more qualified workforce becomes a strategic force in the effort to raise competitiveness. Providing, obtaining and improving the necessary skills are important in responding to a rapidly changing international economy. Life-long learning and continuous skills development are the new requirements imposed by our knowledgeintensive society. The overall purpose of the research was to determine the impact of multi-skilling training (MST) on the paintshop production environment and its employees at Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA). The objectives of this research were to: Identify the elements of multi-skilling training and guidelines for its development and implementation; Critically evaluate the current system; Determine the impact of multi-skilling training on the production environment in the paint shop at VWSA The research methodology for this study comprised the following steps: Firstly, the development and implementation of MST at Volkswagen South Africa was assessed. The elements of MST and its impact on production and the employee worldwide were determined through the literature study. Secondly, the limitations of the current MST system used in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa were assessed in an empirical study, which involved completing of questionnaires. The empirical study proved that the current MST system employed in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa had assisted in improving production, and increasing the employees’ morale. The final step of this study entailed the formulation of recommendations, which are as follows: · Sufficient time should be allocated for practical training. · Frequent job rotation must be implement ed. · Advanced MST must be implemented after completion of Level Four. · MST should be presented in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

Design, development and analysis of the friction stir welding process

  • Authors: Blignault, Calvin
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Friction welding
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Mechanical Engineering)
  • Identifier: vital:10809 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1350 , Friction welding
  • Description: The development of a CNC-based technology FSW machine to accurately produce friction stir weld samples that can be analyzed for research purposes is implemented and discussed. A process diagnosis and control scheme to improve the process monitoring and weld evaluation capabilities of an FSW machine are proposed and implemented. Basic CNC-based hardware implementation such as optical encoders and inverters for process control are explained and verified. The control scheme and framework of interfaces to the digital I/O cards for PC user interface are explained. An advanced monitoring system which senses process performance parameters such as tool temperature, 3-axis tool forces, torque and spindle speed are explained. Mechanical designs and manufacturing techniques such as tool, clamp and backing plate designs are explained and verified. The process parameters for quality optimization are investigated and optimized by making use of Correlation and Regression Analysis. The statistical data and analytical relationships between welding parameters (independent) and each of the performance parameters (dependent) are obtained and used to simulate the machining process. The weld research samples are tested for strength and integrity making use of various scientific testing techniques. The reliability of the samples are also evaluated and compared to that of other institutions. Process variables and the optimum operating range of the Friction Stir Welding machine is determined and a framework for further research into weld quality optimization is set.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

The biotransformation of phenolic pollutants using polyphenol oxidase

  • Authors: Boshoff, Aileen
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Polyphenol oxidase Sewage -- Purification
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004035
  • Description: The potential of using mushroom polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.14.18.1) as a biocatalyst for the biotransformation of phenols to produce catechols in an aqueous medium was investigated. Polyphenol oxidase is characterised by two distinct reactions i.e., the ortho-hydroxylation of phenols to catechols (cresolase activity) and the subsequent oxidation of catechols to orthoquinones (catecholase activity). In order to facilitate the development of a process to produce catechols, the accumulation of catechol as a true intermediate product released in the reaction system needed to be investigated, as its release had been disputed due to the oxidation of catechols to o-quinones. Using LC-MS, catechol products were successfully identified as true intermediate products formed during biocatalytic reactions in water.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

Reporting indigenous knowledge: the choices they deserve the local is the global

  • Authors: Boshoff, Priscilla A
  • Date: 2002
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71176 , vital:29804 , http://doi:10.1006/jmbi.1995.0238
  • Description: A few days ago, an interesting article dealing with community development and education came close to being published in a national newspaper. But the editor tossed it back at the surprised journalist, and told him to write it again. Here are some excerpts: Researchers here have recently been facilitating local people to rediscover traditional practices that have been lost through the processes of colonisation and changes in lifestyles. “We are very excited about the ways in which things are being discovered,” said Samuel Mann, research facilitator at the project. “People are beginning to reclaim some of the ways of knowing that still have meaning and relevance to modern everyday life. People are rediscovering the importance of Indigenous Knowledge.” Mba Ngcobo, one of the participants in the project, showed how he and other members of his community had built a grain pit using old traditional knowledge. “It works really well,” he said, “it is amazing how these old ways really work. Our ancestors had marvellous ways of doing things. We can really appreciate the skills that are slowly being lost to us.” Mann explained how the traditional pit storage method produced carbon dioxide that keeps the grain fresh and insect-free for months. “Carbon dioxide storage is now the preferred way of many milling and storage companies to keep grain. It keeps grain fresh without having to resort to insecticides.”
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  • Date Issued: 2002

A cyclic approach to business continuity planning

  • Authors: Botha, Jacques
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Data recovery (Computer science) -- Planning , Data protection , Emergency management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Information Technology)
  • Identifier: vital:10788 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/81 , Data recovery (Computer science) -- Planning , Data protection , Emergency management
  • Description: The Information Technology (IT) industry has grown and has become an integral part in the world of business today. The importance of information, and IT in particular, will in fact only increase with time (von Solms, 1999). For a large group of organizations computer systems form the basis of their day-to-day functioning (Halliday, Badendorst & von Solms, 1996). These systems evolve at an incredible pace and this brings about a greater need for securing them, as well as the organizational information processed, transmitted and stored. This technological evolution brings about new risks for an organization’s systems and information (Halliday et. al., 1996). If IT fails, it means that the business could fail as well, creating a need for more rigorous IT management (International Business Machines Corporation, 2000). For this reason, executive management must be made aware of the potential consequences that a disaster could have on the organisation (Hawkins,Yen & Chou, 2000). A disaster could be any event that would cause a disruption in the normal day-to-day functioning of an organization. Such an event could range from a natural disaster, like a fire, an earthquake or a flood, to something more trivial, like a virus or system malfunction (Hawkins et. al., 2000). During the 1980’s a discipline known as Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) emerged to protect an organization’s data centre, which was central to the organisation’s IT based structure, from the effects of disasters. This solution, however, focussed only on the protection of the data centre. During the early 1990’s the focus shifted towards distributed computing and client/server technology. Data centre protection and recovery were no longer enough to ensure survival. Organizations needed to ensure the continuation of their mission critical processes to support their continued goal of operations (IBM Global Services, 1999). Organizations now had to ensure that their mission critical functions could continue while the data centre was recovering from a disaster. A different approach was required. It is for this reason that Business Continuity Planning (BCP) was accepted as a formal discipline (IBM Global Services, 1999). To ensure that business continues as usual, an organization must have a plan in place that will help them ensure both the continuation and recovery of critical business processes and the recovery of the data centre, should a disaster strike (Moore, 1995). Wilson (2000) defines a business continuity plan as “a set of procedures developed for the entire enterprise, outlining the actions to be taken by the IT organization, executive staff, and the various business units in order to quickly resume operations in the event of a service interruption or an outage”. With markets being highly competitive as they are, an organization needs a detailed listing of steps to follow to ensure minimal loss due to downtime. This is very important for maintaining its competitive advantage and public stature (Wilson, 2000). The fact that the company’s reputation is at stake requires executive management to take continuity planning very serious (IBM Global Services, 1999). Ensuring continuity of business processes and recovering the IT services of an organization is not the sole responsibility of the IT department. Therefore management should be aware that they could be held liable for any consequences resulting from a disaster (Kearvell-White, 1996). Having a business continuity plan in place is important to the entire organization, as everyone, from executive management to the employees, stands to benefit from it (IBM Global Services, 1999). Despite this, numerous organizations do not have a business continuity plan in place. Organizations neglecting to develop a plan put themselves at tremendous risk and stand to loose everything (Kearvell-White, 1996).
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  • Date Issued: 2002

The relationship between the leadership, internal quality, and customer satisfaction levels of dealerships in a South African motor vehicle organisation

  • Authors: Botha, Jennifer
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Consumer satisfaction , Automobile dealers -- South Africa , Industrial productivity , Customer services
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1185 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002802 , Consumer satisfaction , Automobile dealers -- South Africa , Industrial productivity , Customer services
  • Description: This research investigates the relationship between the leadership, internal quality, and customer satisfaction levels in the dealerships of a South African motor vehicle organisation. The Service Profit Chain provides the background theory to this relationship, by suggesting that various factors within the service delivery system of an organisation affect the level of customer satisfaction. From the Service Profit Chain, it is established that two of the prevalent factors affecting customer satisfaction, are leadership and internal quality. The Full Range Leadership Development Theory provides the backdrop for analysing the leadership style of each dealership by using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. The Competence Process forms the theoretical construct against which the internal quality of these dealerships is assessed using the Organisation Competence Analysis Questionnaire. Information was gathered, using these two instruments, from a sample of 85 motor vehicle dealerships within South Africa. The customer satisfaction levels at each of these dealerships, is measured by the motor vehicle organisation’s own instrument, known as the Customer Satisfaction Index. Data obtained from each instrument, for the respective dealerships, was then statistically analysed. However, due to the low reliability of the instruments used in this research, the results of this study indicate that there is no relationship between the leadership, internal quality, and customer satisfaction levels within a South African motor vehicle organisation. Therefore we can conclude that the null hypotheses can not be rejected.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

A comparison of anthropogenic and elephant disturbance on Acacia xanthophloea (fever tree) populations in the Lowveld, South Africa

  • Authors: Botha, Jenny , Witkowski, Ed T F , Shackleton, Charlie M
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181629 , vital:43753 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v45i1.10"
  • Description: Acacia xanthophloea (the ‘fever tree’) is a popular medicinal species that is traded widely in South Africa. Although it occurs throughout southern Africa, there is increasing pressure on its riverine and marshy habitats. This study compares the impact of harvesting on an A. xanthophloea population located on private land near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, with two protected populations situated within the Kruger National Park. The densities of the harvested and protected populations were similar (84±8 trees/ha and 85±20 trees/ha, respectively). There were fluctuations in the quotients between frequencies of trees in successive diameter classes, which is common in savanna where high levels of fire, mega-herbivore and anthropogenic disturbance are experienced. The extent of stem damage (stripping of bark and breakage) by elephants in the protected area was significantly higher than the extent of harvesting on private land, although the degree of damage was relatively low, with only 7 % of the populations having been damaged at rates >26 %. The degree of harvesting on private land was relatively low, with the majority of trees having been harvested at rates of less than 10 % of the stem below 2 m. Despite this, ringbarking had occurred (4 %). The basal diameters and heights were significantly lower in the protected population than in the harvested one, suggesting that over time elephant impact was the more severe disturbance. Acacia xanthophloea exhibited high resilience to disturbance, with all the elephant damaged trees and harvested individuals surviving. However, the mean bark thickness measured in local markets (6.3±1.4 mm) was significantly lower than that measured in either the harvested (12.4±1.0 mm) or the KNP (10.3±0.8 mm) populations. As harvesters tend to select the largest individuals in a population to maximise their financial returns, this could mean that smaller individuals are being harvested, and/or bark is not being given sufficient time to grow back after harvesting. Acacia xanthophloea outside protected areas thus need to be monitored and the management improved, preferably in conjunction with the resource users. In addition, traditional healers, those selling medicinal plants and other members of the community need to continue to be encouraged to cultivate this fast growing species.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

Effect of selected physical and production traits on the tick burdens of beef cattle

  • Authors: Botha, Theunis Christoffel
  • Date: 2002
  • Subjects: Beef cattle -- Breeding
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Agricultural Management)
  • Identifier: vital:10966 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/91 , Beef cattle -- Breeding
  • Description: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of selected traits such as age, sex, body weight, body length and height, body condition score (BCS), coatscore (CS), skin thickness and average skin surface temperature on tick burdens in beef cattle. Bonsmara cattle (n= 143) were used to measure visible tick counts, body condition score, coat score, skin thickness, body height and length, body weight, body surface temperature, gender and inter calving period. Measurements were taken from April to December. All animals were managed extensively on natural and cultivated pastures near George in the Southern Cape. Female animals had significantly (p<0.05) greater tick infestation (37.98±2.7) compared to male animals (16.52±1.2). Age was a significant factor (p<0.001) with the younger animals below two years having (46.40±5.26) more ticks than those of two years and older (20.15±2.44). A significant negative correlation (p<0.001; -0.29) was reported between the infestation of ticks on the animals and the age of the animal. Animals with an average body weight below 250kg had 42% (p<0.05) more ticks compared to animals with a body weight above 250kg. Age of the animal and weight were highly correlated (r= 0.70); p<0.001), while the correlation between the number of ticks per cow and the mean weight was negatively correlated (r= -0.37; p<0.001). Skin surface temperature significantly influenced tick infestation on the animals (p<0.001). The degree of infestation increased as body surface temperature exceeded 30º C. Coat score, skin thickness, body condition score and inter calving period did not significantly influence tick infestation on the animals. The infestation of ticks on the animals were significantly influenced by body height (p<0.019) and body length (p<0.001). Animals smaller than a 130cm in height had a significantly (p<0.05) greater tick infestation (36.5±5) compared to animals taller than 130cm (21.2±1.5). This trend was also observed for body length. Animals with a body length shorter than 145cm had a greater (p<0.05) average tick infestation of 41.3±4.5 compared to 23.2±1.3 to animals longer than 145cm, indicating a 44% greater tick infestation in favour of the shorter animals. For increased production and tick resistance animals should have smoother coats and be able to dissipate heat effectively.
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  • Date Issued: 2002

Naming students problems: an analysis of language-related discourses at a South African university

  • Authors: Boughey, Chrissie
  • Date: 2002
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6086 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008484 , http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13562510220144798
  • Description: This article examines a number of discourses that construct students 'problems' as they engage with tertiary study at a historically black South African university. These dominant discourses are then linked to Street's 'autonomous' model of literacy and Rampton's 'autonomous' model of applied linguistics in order to interrogate their ideological biases. Implications of the discourses for the provision of epistemological access to tertiary study are then explored. The article ends by indicating how a 'literacy across the curriculum' approach to working with students' difficulties could provide an alternative to current 'remedial' programmes.
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  • Date Issued: 2002
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