The development of a pro forma document for use in police rape investigations in South Africa
- Authors: Netto, Lauren Joy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Interviewing in law enforcement , Criminal investigation , Police questioning -- Forms , Rape -- Investigation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3031 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002540 , Interviewing in law enforcement , Criminal investigation , Police questioning -- Forms , Rape -- Investigation -- South Africa
- Description: This research developed a pro forma document for use in police rape investigations in South Africa. The immediate context for the research is the alarmingly high incidence of rape in South Africa. The rape statistics vary to an extent, largely due to the fact that a large proportion of the rapes that occur in South Africa are not reported to the police. These statistics expose the limited success of the South African Police Services (SAPS) in terms of investigating rape cases in this country, as well as the public perception of the effectiveness of the South African Police Services in this regard as evidenced by the non or under-reporting of rape in South Africa. The pro forma document is an investigative tool designed to standardise and systematise rape investigations by providing set guidelines for obtaining the essential information about each rape case. This is a prerequisite for Tender profiling, which involves predicting the relationship between offence and offender variables. Profiling can only be successful if the investigator obtains all the information about a crime. Hence the pro forma document, as an investigative instrument designed to access essential information about a crime, is a key requirement for the development of informed and accurate profiles of offenders. As a standardised form, the document will allow for systematic and thorough rape investigations in South Africa. The researcher employed the qualitative methodology of action research. This entailed involving the participants in all stages of the research process. The data was collected by means of focus group interviews with detectives from the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit and the Child Protection Unit in Grahamstown. Additional sources of data were various investigative documents that originated from a number of different countries. Analysis of the data followed a number of procedural steps specifically suggested for focus group interview research and involved a process of coding. The codes identified during the analysis provided the foundation for the items that were included in the pro forma document. In keeping with the action research approach, the participants were caned upon to evaluate the progress of the research after the initial data collection and analysis were completed, and a draft version of the pro forma document had been compiled. This feedback provided another source of data which contained suggestions for amendments to the pro forma document which the researcher implemented. The research process was hindered to a certain extent by the unpredictable nature of police work which influenced the data gathering procedure. This could point to a possible limitation of the research. Furthermore, the aim of the research was to develop a pro forma document for use in rape investigations in South Africa. This aim did not encompass marketing the document. Herein lies another possible limitation of the research in that the document has not yet been used and tested in real cases. A discussion of the research process includes issues involved in practically implementing the pro forma document in rape investigations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Netto, Lauren Joy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Interviewing in law enforcement , Criminal investigation , Police questioning -- Forms , Rape -- Investigation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3031 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002540 , Interviewing in law enforcement , Criminal investigation , Police questioning -- Forms , Rape -- Investigation -- South Africa
- Description: This research developed a pro forma document for use in police rape investigations in South Africa. The immediate context for the research is the alarmingly high incidence of rape in South Africa. The rape statistics vary to an extent, largely due to the fact that a large proportion of the rapes that occur in South Africa are not reported to the police. These statistics expose the limited success of the South African Police Services (SAPS) in terms of investigating rape cases in this country, as well as the public perception of the effectiveness of the South African Police Services in this regard as evidenced by the non or under-reporting of rape in South Africa. The pro forma document is an investigative tool designed to standardise and systematise rape investigations by providing set guidelines for obtaining the essential information about each rape case. This is a prerequisite for Tender profiling, which involves predicting the relationship between offence and offender variables. Profiling can only be successful if the investigator obtains all the information about a crime. Hence the pro forma document, as an investigative instrument designed to access essential information about a crime, is a key requirement for the development of informed and accurate profiles of offenders. As a standardised form, the document will allow for systematic and thorough rape investigations in South Africa. The researcher employed the qualitative methodology of action research. This entailed involving the participants in all stages of the research process. The data was collected by means of focus group interviews with detectives from the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit and the Child Protection Unit in Grahamstown. Additional sources of data were various investigative documents that originated from a number of different countries. Analysis of the data followed a number of procedural steps specifically suggested for focus group interview research and involved a process of coding. The codes identified during the analysis provided the foundation for the items that were included in the pro forma document. In keeping with the action research approach, the participants were caned upon to evaluate the progress of the research after the initial data collection and analysis were completed, and a draft version of the pro forma document had been compiled. This feedback provided another source of data which contained suggestions for amendments to the pro forma document which the researcher implemented. The research process was hindered to a certain extent by the unpredictable nature of police work which influenced the data gathering procedure. This could point to a possible limitation of the research. Furthermore, the aim of the research was to develop a pro forma document for use in rape investigations in South Africa. This aim did not encompass marketing the document. Herein lies another possible limitation of the research in that the document has not yet been used and tested in real cases. A discussion of the research process includes issues involved in practically implementing the pro forma document in rape investigations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Enzymes with biocatalytic potential from Sorghum bicolor
- Nganwa, Patience Jennifer Kengyeya
- Authors: Nganwa, Patience Jennifer Kengyeya
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Enzymes , Sorghum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003967 , Enzymes , Sorghum
- Description: Sorghum is a staple food in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa, sustaining the lives of the poorest rural people. This project set out to improve the potential economic value of Sorghum bicolor as a crop. The task was undertaken by screening for selected enzymes in the plant that would have a potential market for use in industrial applications and in biotransformations, specifically proteases, polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases. Asurveywas conducted using standard enzyme assays and crude plant extracts, to determine whether the selected enzymes were present. Grain tissue did not appear to have significant protease or polyphenoloxidase activity, but high levels of peroxidases were detected, withthe young grain extracts showing more activity(4.63U/mL)thanripegrain extracts (0.62 U/mL). Leaf tissue extracts contained low levels of protease activity, a considerable amount of polyphenol oxidase (0.127 U/mL), and peroxidase (4.7 U/mL) activities comparable with that found in grain tissue. Root tissue extract was found to contain the highest levels of peroxidase activity (7.8 U/mL) compared to the other extracts. Therefore, sorghum peroxidase from the root was isolated, purified, characterized and applied to biotransformation reactions. Different sorghum strains,withvaryinggraincolour, (Zimbabwe - bronze, Seredo - brown and Epurpur - cream/white) were investigated for the presence of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities. Results of spectrophotometric analysis showed that the enzymes did not appear to be strain specific. However, gel electrophoresis analysis revealed differences in band patterns among the strains. Partial purification of sorghum root peroxidase was achieved after centrifugation, extraction with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), ultrafiltration, and hydrophobic chromatography with phenyl Sepharose, followed by polyacrylamidegelelectrophoresis (PAGE). The specific activity of the 5-fold purified enzyme was found to be 122.3 U/mg. After PAGE analysis, two bands with molecular weights of approximately 30 000 and 40 000 were detected, which compares well with horse radish peroxidase (HRP) which has a molecular weight of approximately 44 000. The colour intensity of the bands in the activity gels indicated that sorghum root peroxidase had apparently higher levels of peroxidase activity than commercial horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Characterizationexperiments revealed that sorghumroot peroxidase is active over a broad temperature range and remains active at temperatures up to 100°C. It also has a broad substrate range. The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be pH 5 - 6. Under standardized assay conditions, the optimal substrate concentration, using o-dianisidine as substrate, was 50 mM, and the optimal H2O2 concentration under these conditions was found to be 100 mM. Sorghum root peroxidase was applied in a preliminary investigation into the oxidative biotransformationof a number of aromatic compounds. The products obtained were comparable withthose whenthe compounds are reacted with HRP which is the most commonly used commercial peroxidase and has been extensively studied. However, HRP is relatively costly, and the use of peroxidase from sorghum roots as an alternative source, appears to be promising. A patent has been provisionally registered, covering application of sorghum root peroxidase for biotransformations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Nganwa, Patience Jennifer Kengyeya
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Enzymes , Sorghum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003967 , Enzymes , Sorghum
- Description: Sorghum is a staple food in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa, sustaining the lives of the poorest rural people. This project set out to improve the potential economic value of Sorghum bicolor as a crop. The task was undertaken by screening for selected enzymes in the plant that would have a potential market for use in industrial applications and in biotransformations, specifically proteases, polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases. Asurveywas conducted using standard enzyme assays and crude plant extracts, to determine whether the selected enzymes were present. Grain tissue did not appear to have significant protease or polyphenoloxidase activity, but high levels of peroxidases were detected, withthe young grain extracts showing more activity(4.63U/mL)thanripegrain extracts (0.62 U/mL). Leaf tissue extracts contained low levels of protease activity, a considerable amount of polyphenol oxidase (0.127 U/mL), and peroxidase (4.7 U/mL) activities comparable with that found in grain tissue. Root tissue extract was found to contain the highest levels of peroxidase activity (7.8 U/mL) compared to the other extracts. Therefore, sorghum peroxidase from the root was isolated, purified, characterized and applied to biotransformation reactions. Different sorghum strains,withvaryinggraincolour, (Zimbabwe - bronze, Seredo - brown and Epurpur - cream/white) were investigated for the presence of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities. Results of spectrophotometric analysis showed that the enzymes did not appear to be strain specific. However, gel electrophoresis analysis revealed differences in band patterns among the strains. Partial purification of sorghum root peroxidase was achieved after centrifugation, extraction with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), ultrafiltration, and hydrophobic chromatography with phenyl Sepharose, followed by polyacrylamidegelelectrophoresis (PAGE). The specific activity of the 5-fold purified enzyme was found to be 122.3 U/mg. After PAGE analysis, two bands with molecular weights of approximately 30 000 and 40 000 were detected, which compares well with horse radish peroxidase (HRP) which has a molecular weight of approximately 44 000. The colour intensity of the bands in the activity gels indicated that sorghum root peroxidase had apparently higher levels of peroxidase activity than commercial horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Characterizationexperiments revealed that sorghumroot peroxidase is active over a broad temperature range and remains active at temperatures up to 100°C. It also has a broad substrate range. The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be pH 5 - 6. Under standardized assay conditions, the optimal substrate concentration, using o-dianisidine as substrate, was 50 mM, and the optimal H2O2 concentration under these conditions was found to be 100 mM. Sorghum root peroxidase was applied in a preliminary investigation into the oxidative biotransformationof a number of aromatic compounds. The products obtained were comparable withthose whenthe compounds are reacted with HRP which is the most commonly used commercial peroxidase and has been extensively studied. However, HRP is relatively costly, and the use of peroxidase from sorghum roots as an alternative source, appears to be promising. A patent has been provisionally registered, covering application of sorghum root peroxidase for biotransformations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Research portfolio
- Authors: Ngwane, Mandisa Sweetness
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Educational surveys -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Education -- Environmental aspects Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1728 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003611
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Ngwane, Mandisa Sweetness
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Educational surveys -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Education -- Environmental aspects Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1728 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003611
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
A portfolio of original compositions with a commentary
- Authors: Nkuna, Musa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: String quartets -- Scores Song cycles -- Scores Music -- Africa -- Scores
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2698 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018689
- Description: This portfolio consists of four diverse original compositions written in 1999 : a string quartet, a cello suite and a set of two choral pieces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Nkuna, Musa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: String quartets -- Scores Song cycles -- Scores Music -- Africa -- Scores
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2698 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018689
- Description: This portfolio consists of four diverse original compositions written in 1999 : a string quartet, a cello suite and a set of two choral pieces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
A survey of Butterworth senior secondary school teachers' views on the relationship between teacher involvement in decision-making and morale
- Authors: Nongwe, Tozamile Johnson
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Decision making Decision making -- Case studies Teacher morale Vuli-Valley Senior Secondary School
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003672
- Description: Tbe purpose of this survey was to investigate Butterworth Senior Secondary School teachers' views on the relationship between teacher involvement in decision-making and morale. Out of four Butterworth Senior Secondary Schools with a population of about eigbhy six teachers, thirty teachers were willing participants in the research study. The teachers come from a homogeneous background (Xhosa-speaking). Questionnaires were administered to tbe sample subjects (population). The results (responses) of these teacbers (respondents) were then analyzed. After the analysis of their results, it became clear that there is a relationship between teacher involvement in decision-making and morale. Thus, the findings did not support the null hypothesis which stated that Butterworth Senior Secondary Scbool teachers see no relationship between their involvement in decision-making and morale.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Nongwe, Tozamile Johnson
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Decision making Decision making -- Case studies Teacher morale Vuli-Valley Senior Secondary School
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003672
- Description: Tbe purpose of this survey was to investigate Butterworth Senior Secondary School teachers' views on the relationship between teacher involvement in decision-making and morale. Out of four Butterworth Senior Secondary Schools with a population of about eigbhy six teachers, thirty teachers were willing participants in the research study. The teachers come from a homogeneous background (Xhosa-speaking). Questionnaires were administered to tbe sample subjects (population). The results (responses) of these teacbers (respondents) were then analyzed. After the analysis of their results, it became clear that there is a relationship between teacher involvement in decision-making and morale. Thus, the findings did not support the null hypothesis which stated that Butterworth Senior Secondary Scbool teachers see no relationship between their involvement in decision-making and morale.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
The biology of commercially important fish species and a preliminary assessment of the fisheries potential of Katse Dam, Lesotho
- Authors: Nthimo, Mokitinyane Francis
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Fishes -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishes -- Physiology , Rainbow trout , Barbus aeneus , Labeo , Katse dam (Lesotho) , Fisheries -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishery management -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5238 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005081 , Fishes -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishes -- Physiology , Rainbow trout , Barbus aeneus , Labeo , Katse dam (Lesotho) , Fisheries -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishery management -- Lesotho
- Description: The construction of the Katse dam was completed in 1996. The dam started filling in 1995 and reached full capacity in early 1998. It forms part of Phase 1A of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The main aim of the project is to provide revenue to Lesotho, by transferring water from the catchment of the Senqu (Orange) River in Lesotho to South Africa’s major industrial and population centres. During the implementation of the project, an estimated 130 people were displaced. However, the most serious impact has been the loss of the traditional way of life in the form of arable and grazing land as a consequence of inundation. One of the obligations of the project is to ensure that the standard of living of those affected by the project is not impaired. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority identified a number of rural development projects, which included fisheries development. This study is an integral part of fisheries development in Lesotho. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the biology and the demographics of the fish species in the lake. This information would serve as the basis for the development of a management plan for the sustainable utilisation of the fisheries resources. To achieve this aim, the following specific objectives were addressed: 1. Investigation of the biology of the three principal species. 2. Description of the key population parameters (growth, mortality & recruitment). 3. Investigation of the distribution and relative abundance of the three species. The three principal species in the Katse dam are rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and the two cyprinids, Barbus aeneus and Labeo capensis. Sectioned otoliths were used to age O. mykiss while both otoliths and scales were used to age B. aeneus and L. capensis. Marginal zone analysis revealed that slow growth was experienced in winter for the three species. The maximum-recorded age for both B. aeneus and L. capensis was 12 years while O. mykiss reached 4 years. There was no significant difference in growth rates of the different sexes and growth was best described by the 3 parameter Von-Bertalanfy growth model as Lt = 603[1-e⁻°·¹⁵⁽t ⁺ °·°³⁾] for B. aeneus, Lt = 526[1-e⁻°·²¹⁽t ⁺ °·⁹⁾] for O. mykiss and Lt = 521[1-e⁻°·¹⁷⁽t ⁺ °·²¹⁾] for L.capensis. Male and female O. mykiss attained 50% sexual maturity (Lm₅₀) at 235 and 275mm FL, respectively. There was no difference in Lm₅₀ for male and female B. aeneus and L. capensis. B. aeneus reached sexual maturity at 285mm FL while L. capensis reached sexual maturity at 244mm. Both cyprinid species spawned in summer (November to January) while O. mykiss spawned in winter (May to August). The mean total mortality rate (Z) estimated from catch curves and Butterworth et al (1989) equation was 0.72 yr⁻¹ for B. aeneus, 0.62 yr⁻¹ for L. capensis and 1.32 yr⁻¹ for O. mykiss. The estimate of natural mortality was 0.41 yr⁻¹ for both B. aeneus and L. capensis and 0.81yr⁻¹ for O. mykiss.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Nthimo, Mokitinyane Francis
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Fishes -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishes -- Physiology , Rainbow trout , Barbus aeneus , Labeo , Katse dam (Lesotho) , Fisheries -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishery management -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5238 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005081 , Fishes -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishes -- Physiology , Rainbow trout , Barbus aeneus , Labeo , Katse dam (Lesotho) , Fisheries -- Lesotho -- Katse dam , Fishery management -- Lesotho
- Description: The construction of the Katse dam was completed in 1996. The dam started filling in 1995 and reached full capacity in early 1998. It forms part of Phase 1A of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The main aim of the project is to provide revenue to Lesotho, by transferring water from the catchment of the Senqu (Orange) River in Lesotho to South Africa’s major industrial and population centres. During the implementation of the project, an estimated 130 people were displaced. However, the most serious impact has been the loss of the traditional way of life in the form of arable and grazing land as a consequence of inundation. One of the obligations of the project is to ensure that the standard of living of those affected by the project is not impaired. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority identified a number of rural development projects, which included fisheries development. This study is an integral part of fisheries development in Lesotho. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the biology and the demographics of the fish species in the lake. This information would serve as the basis for the development of a management plan for the sustainable utilisation of the fisheries resources. To achieve this aim, the following specific objectives were addressed: 1. Investigation of the biology of the three principal species. 2. Description of the key population parameters (growth, mortality & recruitment). 3. Investigation of the distribution and relative abundance of the three species. The three principal species in the Katse dam are rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and the two cyprinids, Barbus aeneus and Labeo capensis. Sectioned otoliths were used to age O. mykiss while both otoliths and scales were used to age B. aeneus and L. capensis. Marginal zone analysis revealed that slow growth was experienced in winter for the three species. The maximum-recorded age for both B. aeneus and L. capensis was 12 years while O. mykiss reached 4 years. There was no significant difference in growth rates of the different sexes and growth was best described by the 3 parameter Von-Bertalanfy growth model as Lt = 603[1-e⁻°·¹⁵⁽t ⁺ °·°³⁾] for B. aeneus, Lt = 526[1-e⁻°·²¹⁽t ⁺ °·⁹⁾] for O. mykiss and Lt = 521[1-e⁻°·¹⁷⁽t ⁺ °·²¹⁾] for L.capensis. Male and female O. mykiss attained 50% sexual maturity (Lm₅₀) at 235 and 275mm FL, respectively. There was no difference in Lm₅₀ for male and female B. aeneus and L. capensis. B. aeneus reached sexual maturity at 285mm FL while L. capensis reached sexual maturity at 244mm. Both cyprinid species spawned in summer (November to January) while O. mykiss spawned in winter (May to August). The mean total mortality rate (Z) estimated from catch curves and Butterworth et al (1989) equation was 0.72 yr⁻¹ for B. aeneus, 0.62 yr⁻¹ for L. capensis and 1.32 yr⁻¹ for O. mykiss. The estimate of natural mortality was 0.41 yr⁻¹ for both B. aeneus and L. capensis and 0.81yr⁻¹ for O. mykiss.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Research Portfolio
- Authors: Nts'aba, Likengkeng
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School board members -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Decision making , Education -- Political aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018259
- Description: The move towards greater democracy and participation in our education system is legislated quite succinctly in our South African Schools Act. The Act furthermore, and more importantly for this case study, posits that decision-making should be democratic in nature and our schools should eventually become governed in a collaborative and co-operative manner. Other policy texts such as the Labour Relations Act and the South African Constitution canonise the demand for a democratic South African society. This study investigates how democratic decision-making practices are taking place in an East London Secondary School namely Ebenezer Majombozi High. Even though distinct links exist between management and governance arms of schools, this study concentrates predominantly on decision-making within the school governing body and touches briefly on management thinking trends as a theoretical background to the kind of management at the school. What makes the school interesting as a case study is its rich history and its location in a deprived and impoverished township environment. The school was also part of the ex-Department of Education and Training, the black educational department of the past apartheid state. The kind of research undertaken was in the form of unstructured personal :interviews with influential stakeholders at the school. Some of these stakeholders fonn part of the school governing body and the questions asked probed forms of governance at the school and how decision-making impacted on the overall school governance. The research fmdings acknowledges that decision-making does occur democratically at the school but that the practical implementation of positive consensual decisions are rarely realized. The school governing body only meets to deal with crises underpinned by a lack of learning and teaching and has not even debated the policies within the South African Schools Act. The study also argues that only by building capacity within the school and empowering the stakeholders, can constructive participation by all become a reality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Nts'aba, Likengkeng
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School board members -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Decision making , Education -- Political aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018259
- Description: The move towards greater democracy and participation in our education system is legislated quite succinctly in our South African Schools Act. The Act furthermore, and more importantly for this case study, posits that decision-making should be democratic in nature and our schools should eventually become governed in a collaborative and co-operative manner. Other policy texts such as the Labour Relations Act and the South African Constitution canonise the demand for a democratic South African society. This study investigates how democratic decision-making practices are taking place in an East London Secondary School namely Ebenezer Majombozi High. Even though distinct links exist between management and governance arms of schools, this study concentrates predominantly on decision-making within the school governing body and touches briefly on management thinking trends as a theoretical background to the kind of management at the school. What makes the school interesting as a case study is its rich history and its location in a deprived and impoverished township environment. The school was also part of the ex-Department of Education and Training, the black educational department of the past apartheid state. The kind of research undertaken was in the form of unstructured personal :interviews with influential stakeholders at the school. Some of these stakeholders fonn part of the school governing body and the questions asked probed forms of governance at the school and how decision-making impacted on the overall school governance. The research fmdings acknowledges that decision-making does occur democratically at the school but that the practical implementation of positive consensual decisions are rarely realized. The school governing body only meets to deal with crises underpinned by a lack of learning and teaching and has not even debated the policies within the South African Schools Act. The study also argues that only by building capacity within the school and empowering the stakeholders, can constructive participation by all become a reality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Organisational leaders' perceptions of the challenges and constraints of the leadership development of Blacks in South African private organisations
- Authors: Nyamuda, Paul Andrew
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Leadership , Black people -- South Africa , Black people -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002542 , Leadership , Black people -- South Africa , Black people -- Employment -- South Africa
- Description: In recent years, it has become clear that a lot of corporate collapse can be traced down to poor leadership. As more and more black executives are climbing the corporate ladder, it is becoming all the more necessary to explore how their effective leadership development can occur with private organisations in South Africa. There are many challenges and constraints associated with the leadership development of these executives. This can be expected as they are entering an environment which has been largely white-dominated. As a result they find themselves facing the challenges of succeeding amidst negative perceptions they have experienced from their superiors and subtle pressures from subordinates. Therefore, it can only be expected that if organisations are to maintain a competitive advantage they need to understand how to effectively develop this new breed of leaders. Hence, the researcher has used a qualitative approach to investigate the complexities of the experiences of black executives in private organisations. In terms of the theoretical framework, the research focuses on some of the new approaches to leadership. It was discovered that leadership development is essentially a process that goes beyond mere training sessions, and largely involves the relationships one has within the organisation. This involves relationships with superiors, peers, and subordinates. The research indicates that if these relationships are managed effectively, leadership development is enhanced. Whilst the role of formal training programs appeared somewhat downplayed, it was clear that these programs had a strong role in terms of their psychological impact on participants. They certainly affected their perception of the organisation and their own self-efficacy. The research, therefore illustrates how there are a variety of individual and organisational attributes that form a basis for effective leadership development of blacks in private organisations. The researcher argues that if these are implemented, organisational well-being is enhanced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Nyamuda, Paul Andrew
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Leadership , Black people -- South Africa , Black people -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002542 , Leadership , Black people -- South Africa , Black people -- Employment -- South Africa
- Description: In recent years, it has become clear that a lot of corporate collapse can be traced down to poor leadership. As more and more black executives are climbing the corporate ladder, it is becoming all the more necessary to explore how their effective leadership development can occur with private organisations in South Africa. There are many challenges and constraints associated with the leadership development of these executives. This can be expected as they are entering an environment which has been largely white-dominated. As a result they find themselves facing the challenges of succeeding amidst negative perceptions they have experienced from their superiors and subtle pressures from subordinates. Therefore, it can only be expected that if organisations are to maintain a competitive advantage they need to understand how to effectively develop this new breed of leaders. Hence, the researcher has used a qualitative approach to investigate the complexities of the experiences of black executives in private organisations. In terms of the theoretical framework, the research focuses on some of the new approaches to leadership. It was discovered that leadership development is essentially a process that goes beyond mere training sessions, and largely involves the relationships one has within the organisation. This involves relationships with superiors, peers, and subordinates. The research indicates that if these relationships are managed effectively, leadership development is enhanced. Whilst the role of formal training programs appeared somewhat downplayed, it was clear that these programs had a strong role in terms of their psychological impact on participants. They certainly affected their perception of the organisation and their own self-efficacy. The research, therefore illustrates how there are a variety of individual and organisational attributes that form a basis for effective leadership development of blacks in private organisations. The researcher argues that if these are implemented, organisational well-being is enhanced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
The economic implications of trade policy reform in South Africa for the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Onyango, Donald Otieno
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Commercial policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:936 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002669 , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Commercial policy
- Description: South Africa is no longer a pariah state and has been fully integrated into the global family of nations. With the country’s accession to multilateral agreements like the World Trade Organization (WTO), there has been pressure on the government to abandon its hitherto protectionist trade regime in favour of free and fair trade. Trade liberalisation has had profound implications for the country’s manufacturing sector in general, and the automotive industry in particular, which has seen tariff protection radically slashed and import restrictions greatly eased. Not only has the market share of domestic producers fallen, but increases in exports have to date not matched those of imports. As a result there has been a deterioration in the sector’s balance of trade and a reduction in employment levels, at a time when the country desperately needs to create new jobs. Recent developments, however, suggest that this scenario may be set to change. The thesis applies orthodox neoclassical and heterodox approaches to trade policy to an assessment of the likely economic impact of trade liberalisation on the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape, and by extension nationally. The thesis argues that reliance on orthodox trade theory to inform the direction of trade policy, especially in a developing country context, is unlikely to bring about an adequate increase in the level of exports and employment. This is because liberalisation of the import regime is likely to increase import levels without necessarily stimulating export levels, a scenario which serves to negate the presupposed benefits of liberalisation. The study uses information from surveys conducted on both motor vehicle assemblers and component manufacturing firms to investigate the effect of trade liberalisation on the sector in the Province and finds that, by and large, the motor assemblers have not fared as badly as expected and have in fact positioned themselves to export more vehicles and components. The components sector has had to contend with increased competition from cheaper imports. The thesis, while acknowledging that, as far as possible, free trade is an optimal position, nonetheless argues that governments still have an important role to play in the promotion of industrialisation. The scope of government intervention should, however, be limited to selective interventions which are aimed at counteracting market failure and facilitating innovation and the diffusion of technological know-how. The thesis argues that institution of supply side measures, such as the encouragement of research and development (R&D), skills development and industrial training, is necessary for sustained growth in the manufacturing sector to be realised. The thesis also finds that, contrary to expectations, the liberalisation of the automotive sector has not had the desired effects. Despite an increase in the value of automotive exports and an overall trend towards reduced net foreign exchange usage, employment levels are on the decline. The thesis also finds that without major export initiatives by both motor vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers, the future of the industry will be placed in jeopardy, especially with reduced protection and incentives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Onyango, Donald Otieno
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Commercial policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:936 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002669 , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Commercial policy
- Description: South Africa is no longer a pariah state and has been fully integrated into the global family of nations. With the country’s accession to multilateral agreements like the World Trade Organization (WTO), there has been pressure on the government to abandon its hitherto protectionist trade regime in favour of free and fair trade. Trade liberalisation has had profound implications for the country’s manufacturing sector in general, and the automotive industry in particular, which has seen tariff protection radically slashed and import restrictions greatly eased. Not only has the market share of domestic producers fallen, but increases in exports have to date not matched those of imports. As a result there has been a deterioration in the sector’s balance of trade and a reduction in employment levels, at a time when the country desperately needs to create new jobs. Recent developments, however, suggest that this scenario may be set to change. The thesis applies orthodox neoclassical and heterodox approaches to trade policy to an assessment of the likely economic impact of trade liberalisation on the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape, and by extension nationally. The thesis argues that reliance on orthodox trade theory to inform the direction of trade policy, especially in a developing country context, is unlikely to bring about an adequate increase in the level of exports and employment. This is because liberalisation of the import regime is likely to increase import levels without necessarily stimulating export levels, a scenario which serves to negate the presupposed benefits of liberalisation. The study uses information from surveys conducted on both motor vehicle assemblers and component manufacturing firms to investigate the effect of trade liberalisation on the sector in the Province and finds that, by and large, the motor assemblers have not fared as badly as expected and have in fact positioned themselves to export more vehicles and components. The components sector has had to contend with increased competition from cheaper imports. The thesis, while acknowledging that, as far as possible, free trade is an optimal position, nonetheless argues that governments still have an important role to play in the promotion of industrialisation. The scope of government intervention should, however, be limited to selective interventions which are aimed at counteracting market failure and facilitating innovation and the diffusion of technological know-how. The thesis argues that institution of supply side measures, such as the encouragement of research and development (R&D), skills development and industrial training, is necessary for sustained growth in the manufacturing sector to be realised. The thesis also finds that, contrary to expectations, the liberalisation of the automotive sector has not had the desired effects. Despite an increase in the value of automotive exports and an overall trend towards reduced net foreign exchange usage, employment levels are on the decline. The thesis also finds that without major export initiatives by both motor vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers, the future of the industry will be placed in jeopardy, especially with reduced protection and incentives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Cuba's revolutionist and anti-imperialist foreign policy in Southern Africa: the case of Angola and Namibia
- Authors: Othieno, Timothy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2819 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003029 , Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Description: This study examines Cuba’s role in the two southern African countries of Angola and Namibia during the Cold War period. It argues that Cuba’s ideological motivations have been embodied in the mutually reinforcing concepts of proletarian internationalism and anti-imperialism. These conceptual perspectives constitute some of the central variables that influence Cuba’s foreign policy behaviour in international relations. It is within this context that one can understand Cuba’s involvement in Southern Africa. This study also attempts to explain that Cuban foreign policy towards Africa was based on two complementary and contextual objectives namely, promoting nationalism at home and nurturing revolutionary Marxist-Leninist governments, as well as supporting anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements abroad. For the purpose of achieving these foreign policy objectives, Cuba not only engaged in state-to-state relations with Angola and Namibia; but had cordial relations with the rest of the continent and in particular Southern Africa, which also became a direct military testing ground for Cuba’s commitment to an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolutionary stance. Furthermore, the thesis shows that Cuba’s relentless hatred of imperialism is rooted in its historical relationship with the United States because from the turn of the century till 1958, the Americans interfered in Cuba’s internal affairs by supporting corrupt administrations and exploited the country. These practices by the United States laid the foundation for Cuba’s anti-colonialism and antiimperialism abroad. Ultimately, this thesis shows that Cuban involvement in Angola and Namibia can be conceptualised within these contexts (anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, proletarian internationalism and revolutionary Marxism-Leninism). The role of Cuban nationalism in the realisation of these objectives and ideals, as well as its role in perpetuating and consolidating her foreign policy is assessed in this study. This nationalism and ideals of internationalism constitutes the central idea in the Cuban revolution. Finally, this thesis asserts that Cuban motives for getting involved in the politics of Southern Africa were not motivated by economic or imperialistic reasons. Rather, the historical similarity and colonial experiences between Africa and Cuba were some of the central causal factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Othieno, Timothy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2819 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003029 , Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Description: This study examines Cuba’s role in the two southern African countries of Angola and Namibia during the Cold War period. It argues that Cuba’s ideological motivations have been embodied in the mutually reinforcing concepts of proletarian internationalism and anti-imperialism. These conceptual perspectives constitute some of the central variables that influence Cuba’s foreign policy behaviour in international relations. It is within this context that one can understand Cuba’s involvement in Southern Africa. This study also attempts to explain that Cuban foreign policy towards Africa was based on two complementary and contextual objectives namely, promoting nationalism at home and nurturing revolutionary Marxist-Leninist governments, as well as supporting anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements abroad. For the purpose of achieving these foreign policy objectives, Cuba not only engaged in state-to-state relations with Angola and Namibia; but had cordial relations with the rest of the continent and in particular Southern Africa, which also became a direct military testing ground for Cuba’s commitment to an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolutionary stance. Furthermore, the thesis shows that Cuba’s relentless hatred of imperialism is rooted in its historical relationship with the United States because from the turn of the century till 1958, the Americans interfered in Cuba’s internal affairs by supporting corrupt administrations and exploited the country. These practices by the United States laid the foundation for Cuba’s anti-colonialism and antiimperialism abroad. Ultimately, this thesis shows that Cuban involvement in Angola and Namibia can be conceptualised within these contexts (anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, proletarian internationalism and revolutionary Marxism-Leninism). The role of Cuban nationalism in the realisation of these objectives and ideals, as well as its role in perpetuating and consolidating her foreign policy is assessed in this study. This nationalism and ideals of internationalism constitutes the central idea in the Cuban revolution. Finally, this thesis asserts that Cuban motives for getting involved in the politics of Southern Africa were not motivated by economic or imperialistic reasons. Rather, the historical similarity and colonial experiences between Africa and Cuba were some of the central causal factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Development of the components of a low cost, distributed facial virtual conferencing system
- Authors: Panagou, Soterios
- Date: 2000 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006490 , Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Description: This thesis investigates the development of a low cost, component based facial virtual conferencing system. The design is decomposed into an encoding phase and a decoding phase, which communicate with each other via a network connection. The encoding phase is composed of three components: model acquisition (which handles avatar generation), pose estimation and expression analysis. Audio is not considered part of the encoding and decoding process, and as such is not evaluated. The model acquisition component is implemented using a visual hull reconstruction algorithm that is able to reconstruct real-world objects using only sets of images of the object as input. The object to be reconstructed is assumed to lie in a bounding volume of voxels. The reconstruction process involves the following stages: - Space carving for basic shape extraction; - Isosurface extraction to remove voxels not part of the surface of the reconstruction; - Mesh connection to generate a closed, connected polyhedral mesh; - Texture generation. Texturing is achieved by Gouraud shading the reconstruction with a vertex colour map; - Mesh decimation to simplify the object. The original algorithm has complexity O(n), but suffers from an inability to reconstruct concave surfaces that do not form part of the visual hull of the object. A novel extension to this algorithm based on Normalised Cross Correlation (NCC) is proposed to overcome this problem. An extension to speed up traditional NCC evaluations is proposed which reduces the NCC search space from a 2D search problem down to a single evaluation. Pose estimation and expression analysis are performed by tracking six fiducial points on the face of a subject. A tracking algorithm is developed that uses Normalised Cross Correlation to facilitate robust tracking that is invariant to changing lighting conditions, rotations and scaling. Pose estimation involves the recovery of the head position and orientation through the tracking of the triangle formed by the subject's eyebrows and nose tip. A rule-based evaluation of points that are tracked around the subject's mouth forms the basis of the expression analysis. A user assisted feedback loop and caching mechanism is used to overcome tracking errors due to fast motion or occlusions. The NCC tracker is shown to achieve a tracking performance of 10 fps when tracking the six fiducial points. The decoding phase is divided into 3 tasks, namely: avatar movement, expression generation and expression management. Avatar movement is implemented using the base VR system. Expression generation is facilitated using a Vertex Interpolation Deformation method. A weighting system is proposed for expression management. Its function is to gradually transform from one expression to the next. The use of the vertex interpolation method allows real-time deformations of the avatar representation, achieving 16 fps when applied to a model consisting of 7500 vertices. An Expression Parameter Lookup Table (EPLT) facilitates an independent mapping between the two phases. It defines a list of generic expressions that are known to the system and associates an Expression ID with each one. For each generic expression, it relates the expression analysis rules for any subject with the expression generation parameters for any avatar model. The result is that facial expression replication between any subject and avatar combination can be performed by transferring only the Expression ID from the encoder application to the decoder application. The ideas developed in the thesis are demonstrated in an implementation using the CoRgi Virtual Reality system. It is shown that the virtual-conferencing application based on this design requires only a bandwidth of 2 Kbps. , Adobe Acrobat Pro 9.4.6 , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Panagou, Soterios
- Date: 2000 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006490 , Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Description: This thesis investigates the development of a low cost, component based facial virtual conferencing system. The design is decomposed into an encoding phase and a decoding phase, which communicate with each other via a network connection. The encoding phase is composed of three components: model acquisition (which handles avatar generation), pose estimation and expression analysis. Audio is not considered part of the encoding and decoding process, and as such is not evaluated. The model acquisition component is implemented using a visual hull reconstruction algorithm that is able to reconstruct real-world objects using only sets of images of the object as input. The object to be reconstructed is assumed to lie in a bounding volume of voxels. The reconstruction process involves the following stages: - Space carving for basic shape extraction; - Isosurface extraction to remove voxels not part of the surface of the reconstruction; - Mesh connection to generate a closed, connected polyhedral mesh; - Texture generation. Texturing is achieved by Gouraud shading the reconstruction with a vertex colour map; - Mesh decimation to simplify the object. The original algorithm has complexity O(n), but suffers from an inability to reconstruct concave surfaces that do not form part of the visual hull of the object. A novel extension to this algorithm based on Normalised Cross Correlation (NCC) is proposed to overcome this problem. An extension to speed up traditional NCC evaluations is proposed which reduces the NCC search space from a 2D search problem down to a single evaluation. Pose estimation and expression analysis are performed by tracking six fiducial points on the face of a subject. A tracking algorithm is developed that uses Normalised Cross Correlation to facilitate robust tracking that is invariant to changing lighting conditions, rotations and scaling. Pose estimation involves the recovery of the head position and orientation through the tracking of the triangle formed by the subject's eyebrows and nose tip. A rule-based evaluation of points that are tracked around the subject's mouth forms the basis of the expression analysis. A user assisted feedback loop and caching mechanism is used to overcome tracking errors due to fast motion or occlusions. The NCC tracker is shown to achieve a tracking performance of 10 fps when tracking the six fiducial points. The decoding phase is divided into 3 tasks, namely: avatar movement, expression generation and expression management. Avatar movement is implemented using the base VR system. Expression generation is facilitated using a Vertex Interpolation Deformation method. A weighting system is proposed for expression management. Its function is to gradually transform from one expression to the next. The use of the vertex interpolation method allows real-time deformations of the avatar representation, achieving 16 fps when applied to a model consisting of 7500 vertices. An Expression Parameter Lookup Table (EPLT) facilitates an independent mapping between the two phases. It defines a list of generic expressions that are known to the system and associates an Expression ID with each one. For each generic expression, it relates the expression analysis rules for any subject with the expression generation parameters for any avatar model. The result is that facial expression replication between any subject and avatar combination can be performed by transferring only the Expression ID from the encoder application to the decoder application. The ideas developed in the thesis are demonstrated in an implementation using the CoRgi Virtual Reality system. It is shown that the virtual-conferencing application based on this design requires only a bandwidth of 2 Kbps. , Adobe Acrobat Pro 9.4.6 , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Spirulina as a bioremediation agent : interaction with metals and involvement of carbonic anhydrase
- Authors: Payne, Rosemary Anne
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Spirulina , Bioremediation , Carbonic anhydrase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003968 , Spirulina , Bioremediation , Carbonic anhydrase
- Description: Heavy metal contamination from mining and other industrial operations is becoming an increasing problem with regards to the depleting water resources in South Africa. This study involved the investigation of the use of an algal biomass as a possible alternative to the traditional chemical means of removing these metals. When the toxic effects of metals were investigated, Spirulina was found to have a threshold level of about 30 μM for copper, zinc and lead. Copper and zinc appeared to have a direct effect on the photosynthetic pathway, thereby causing a rapid decline in cell growth. Lead on the other hand seemed to affect surface properties and hence took longer to cause deterioration in growth. Although relatively low concentrations of metal may have a toxic effect on the cyanobacterium, Spirulina may have potential as a precipitation agent. The role of Spirulina in the precipitation of heavy metals appears to be through its ability to maintain a high pH in the surrounding medium, possibly through the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Subsequent studies therefore focused on the assay and isolation of this enzyme. Two different radiotracer assays, in which carbonic anhydrase converts radiolabelled bicarbonate to carbon dioxide, were investigated, but were found to have several problems. Results were insensitive and could not be reproduced. The standard Wilbur-Anderson method subsequently investigated also proved to be insensitive with a tremendous degree of variability. Although not quantitative, SDS-PAGE proved to be the most reliable method of detection, and was therefore used in subsequent procedures. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was the subject of initial enzyme isolation studies as these procedures are well documented. Although the published protocols proved unsuccessful, affinity chromatography of a membrane stock solution from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii yielded two relatively pure protein bands. These bands were presumed to represent two subunits of carbonic anhydrase, although Western blot analysis would be required to confirm their identity. Purification of carbonic anhydrase from Spirulina, however, proved unsuccessful and results obtained were very inconclusive. Hence, further analysis of Spirulina is required. The possibility of cloning CA from a genomic library was also considered, but suitable primers could not be designed from the aligned sequences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Payne, Rosemary Anne
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Spirulina , Bioremediation , Carbonic anhydrase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003968 , Spirulina , Bioremediation , Carbonic anhydrase
- Description: Heavy metal contamination from mining and other industrial operations is becoming an increasing problem with regards to the depleting water resources in South Africa. This study involved the investigation of the use of an algal biomass as a possible alternative to the traditional chemical means of removing these metals. When the toxic effects of metals were investigated, Spirulina was found to have a threshold level of about 30 μM for copper, zinc and lead. Copper and zinc appeared to have a direct effect on the photosynthetic pathway, thereby causing a rapid decline in cell growth. Lead on the other hand seemed to affect surface properties and hence took longer to cause deterioration in growth. Although relatively low concentrations of metal may have a toxic effect on the cyanobacterium, Spirulina may have potential as a precipitation agent. The role of Spirulina in the precipitation of heavy metals appears to be through its ability to maintain a high pH in the surrounding medium, possibly through the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Subsequent studies therefore focused on the assay and isolation of this enzyme. Two different radiotracer assays, in which carbonic anhydrase converts radiolabelled bicarbonate to carbon dioxide, were investigated, but were found to have several problems. Results were insensitive and could not be reproduced. The standard Wilbur-Anderson method subsequently investigated also proved to be insensitive with a tremendous degree of variability. Although not quantitative, SDS-PAGE proved to be the most reliable method of detection, and was therefore used in subsequent procedures. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was the subject of initial enzyme isolation studies as these procedures are well documented. Although the published protocols proved unsuccessful, affinity chromatography of a membrane stock solution from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii yielded two relatively pure protein bands. These bands were presumed to represent two subunits of carbonic anhydrase, although Western blot analysis would be required to confirm their identity. Purification of carbonic anhydrase from Spirulina, however, proved unsuccessful and results obtained were very inconclusive. Hence, further analysis of Spirulina is required. The possibility of cloning CA from a genomic library was also considered, but suitable primers could not be designed from the aligned sequences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
On using AMOS, EQS, LISREL, Mx, RAMONA and SEPATH for structural equation modeling
- Authors: Peprah, Syvester
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Latent variables , Multivariate analysis , Mathematical statistics -- computer programs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:11082 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/279 , Latent variables , Multivariate analysis , Mathematical statistics -- computer programs
- Description: Structural Equation Modeling is a common name for the statistical analysis of Structural Equation Models. Structural Equation Models are models that specify relationships between a set of variables and can be specified by means of path diagrams. A number of Structural Equation Modeling programs have been developed. These include, amongst others, AMOS, EQS, LISREL, Mx, RAMONA and SEPATH. A number of studies have been published on the use of some of the applications mentioned above. They include, amongst others, Brown (1986), Waller (1993) and Kano (1997). Structural Equation Models are increasingly being used in the social, economic and behavioral sciences. More and more people are therefore making use of one or more of the Structural Equation Modeling applications on the market. This study is performed with the aim of using each of the Structural Equation Modeling applications AMOS, EQS, LISREL, Mx, RAMONA and SEPATH for the first time and document the experience, joy and the difficulties encountered while using them. This treatise is different from the comparisons already published in that it is based on the use of AMOS, EQS, LISREL, Mx, RAMONA and SEPATH to fit a Structural Equation Model for peer influences on ambition, which is specified for data obtained by Duncan, Haller and Portes (1971), by myself as a first time user of each of the programs mentioned. The impressive features as well as the difficulties encountered are listed for each application. Recommendations for possible improvements to the various applications are also proposed. Finally, recommendations for future studies on the use of Structural Equation Modeling programs are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Peprah, Syvester
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Latent variables , Multivariate analysis , Mathematical statistics -- computer programs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:11082 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/279 , Latent variables , Multivariate analysis , Mathematical statistics -- computer programs
- Description: Structural Equation Modeling is a common name for the statistical analysis of Structural Equation Models. Structural Equation Models are models that specify relationships between a set of variables and can be specified by means of path diagrams. A number of Structural Equation Modeling programs have been developed. These include, amongst others, AMOS, EQS, LISREL, Mx, RAMONA and SEPATH. A number of studies have been published on the use of some of the applications mentioned above. They include, amongst others, Brown (1986), Waller (1993) and Kano (1997). Structural Equation Models are increasingly being used in the social, economic and behavioral sciences. More and more people are therefore making use of one or more of the Structural Equation Modeling applications on the market. This study is performed with the aim of using each of the Structural Equation Modeling applications AMOS, EQS, LISREL, Mx, RAMONA and SEPATH for the first time and document the experience, joy and the difficulties encountered while using them. This treatise is different from the comparisons already published in that it is based on the use of AMOS, EQS, LISREL, Mx, RAMONA and SEPATH to fit a Structural Equation Model for peer influences on ambition, which is specified for data obtained by Duncan, Haller and Portes (1971), by myself as a first time user of each of the programs mentioned. The impressive features as well as the difficulties encountered are listed for each application. Recommendations for possible improvements to the various applications are also proposed. Finally, recommendations for future studies on the use of Structural Equation Modeling programs are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Water requirements and distribution of Ammophila arenaria and Scaevola plumieri on South African coastal dunes
- Authors: Peter, Craig Ingram
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Scaevola plumieri , Sand dune plants , Sand dune planting , Plants -- Transpiration , Sandworts , Plant-water relationships , Evapotranspiration , Plants, Effect of heat on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003788 , Scaevola plumieri , Sand dune plants , Sand dune planting , Plants -- Transpiration , Sandworts , Plant-water relationships , Evapotranspiration , Plants, Effect of heat on
- Description: Phenomenological models are presented which predicts transpiration rates (E) of individual leaves of Scaevola plumieri, an indigenous dune pioneer, and Ammophila arenaria, an exotic grass species introduced to stabilise mobile sand. In both cases E is predictably related to atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD). VPD is calculated from measurements of ambient temperature and humidity, hence, where these two environmental variables are known, E can be calculated. Possible physiological reasons for the relationships of E to VPD in both species are discussed. Scaling from measurements of E at the leaf level to the canopy level is achieved by summing the leaf area of the canopy in question. E is predicted for the entire canopy leaf area by extrapolation to this larger leaf area. Predicted transpiration rates of individual shoot within the canopy were tested gravimetrically and shown to be accurate in the case of S. plumieri, but less so in the case of A. arenaria. Using this model, the amount of water used by a known area of sand dune is shown to be less than the rainfall input in the case of S. plumieri in wet and dry years. The water use of A. arenaria exceeds rainfall in the low-rainfall year of 1995, while in 1998 rainfall input is slightly higher than water extraction by the plants. Using a geographic information system (GIS), regional maps (surfaces) of transpiration were calculated from surfaces of mean monthly temperature and mean monthly relative humidity. Monthly surfaces of transpiration were subtracted from the monthly median rainfall to produce a surface of mean monthly water deficit. Areas of water surpluses along the coast correspond with the recorded distribution of both species in the seasons that the plants are most actively growing and reproducing. This suggests that unfavourable water availability during these two species growth periods limit their distributions along the coast. In addition to unfavourable water deficits, additional climatic variables that may be important in limiting the distribution of these two species were investigated using a discriminant function analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Peter, Craig Ingram
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Scaevola plumieri , Sand dune plants , Sand dune planting , Plants -- Transpiration , Sandworts , Plant-water relationships , Evapotranspiration , Plants, Effect of heat on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003788 , Scaevola plumieri , Sand dune plants , Sand dune planting , Plants -- Transpiration , Sandworts , Plant-water relationships , Evapotranspiration , Plants, Effect of heat on
- Description: Phenomenological models are presented which predicts transpiration rates (E) of individual leaves of Scaevola plumieri, an indigenous dune pioneer, and Ammophila arenaria, an exotic grass species introduced to stabilise mobile sand. In both cases E is predictably related to atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD). VPD is calculated from measurements of ambient temperature and humidity, hence, where these two environmental variables are known, E can be calculated. Possible physiological reasons for the relationships of E to VPD in both species are discussed. Scaling from measurements of E at the leaf level to the canopy level is achieved by summing the leaf area of the canopy in question. E is predicted for the entire canopy leaf area by extrapolation to this larger leaf area. Predicted transpiration rates of individual shoot within the canopy were tested gravimetrically and shown to be accurate in the case of S. plumieri, but less so in the case of A. arenaria. Using this model, the amount of water used by a known area of sand dune is shown to be less than the rainfall input in the case of S. plumieri in wet and dry years. The water use of A. arenaria exceeds rainfall in the low-rainfall year of 1995, while in 1998 rainfall input is slightly higher than water extraction by the plants. Using a geographic information system (GIS), regional maps (surfaces) of transpiration were calculated from surfaces of mean monthly temperature and mean monthly relative humidity. Monthly surfaces of transpiration were subtracted from the monthly median rainfall to produce a surface of mean monthly water deficit. Areas of water surpluses along the coast correspond with the recorded distribution of both species in the seasons that the plants are most actively growing and reproducing. This suggests that unfavourable water availability during these two species growth periods limit their distributions along the coast. In addition to unfavourable water deficits, additional climatic variables that may be important in limiting the distribution of these two species were investigated using a discriminant function analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
An appraisal of the production and utility of digital atlases in Africa: a case study of Swaziland
- Authors: Pettit, Louise Manda
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Swaziland Atlases , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , Cartography -- Data processing , Cartography -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005490 , Swaziland Atlases , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , Cartography -- Data processing , Cartography -- Africa
- Description: This research will appraise the production and utility of digital atlases in an African context, using personal experience gained through the production of a digital atlas for Swaziland, the opinions obtained from other producers of African digital atlases and relevant literature. Since the 1950s, decision makers and researchers have viewed information as a powerful contributor to national development. Over the past thirty years, developed countries have increased the efficient collation and dissemination of geographic information through the utilization of the digital environment. The development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has increased the range of applications attainable in digital mapping projects. Applications have ranged from resource inventories to the monitoring of environmental degradation, crime patterns and service provision. The patchy history of data collection, analysis and mapping in Africa, has had a limiting effect on the ability of countries to identify, plan and control their resources efficiently. Despite the desire to automate the mapping process and reap some of the planning benefits evident in the developed world, Africa has not succeeded in mobilising full technological potential. Political instability, poor infrastructure, the absence of national policy guidelines, and a lack of skilled manpower are some of the issues which have limited utilization. Despite many of the hurdles faced by African countries, automated mapping and analysis technologies are still being pursued. The role of computers in the utilisation of data has become apparent through several means, one of which is the digital atlas. Analytical functions in many of these products allow situation modelling and provide superior graphic displays in comparison to their paper counterparts. Several African countries have embarked on the development of national digital databases and in some cases have produced digital national atlases. The potential to improve resource utilization, service provision and land use planning using these atlases, does exist. The production and utility of these atlases in an African context, however, needs closer assessment. "Computers don't clothe, don't cure, don't feed. Their power begins and ends with information. Their usefulness is therefore strictly linked to the ffectiveness of the information" (Gardner,1993:16).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Pettit, Louise Manda
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Swaziland Atlases , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , Cartography -- Data processing , Cartography -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005490 , Swaziland Atlases , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , Cartography -- Data processing , Cartography -- Africa
- Description: This research will appraise the production and utility of digital atlases in an African context, using personal experience gained through the production of a digital atlas for Swaziland, the opinions obtained from other producers of African digital atlases and relevant literature. Since the 1950s, decision makers and researchers have viewed information as a powerful contributor to national development. Over the past thirty years, developed countries have increased the efficient collation and dissemination of geographic information through the utilization of the digital environment. The development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has increased the range of applications attainable in digital mapping projects. Applications have ranged from resource inventories to the monitoring of environmental degradation, crime patterns and service provision. The patchy history of data collection, analysis and mapping in Africa, has had a limiting effect on the ability of countries to identify, plan and control their resources efficiently. Despite the desire to automate the mapping process and reap some of the planning benefits evident in the developed world, Africa has not succeeded in mobilising full technological potential. Political instability, poor infrastructure, the absence of national policy guidelines, and a lack of skilled manpower are some of the issues which have limited utilization. Despite many of the hurdles faced by African countries, automated mapping and analysis technologies are still being pursued. The role of computers in the utilisation of data has become apparent through several means, one of which is the digital atlas. Analytical functions in many of these products allow situation modelling and provide superior graphic displays in comparison to their paper counterparts. Several African countries have embarked on the development of national digital databases and in some cases have produced digital national atlases. The potential to improve resource utilization, service provision and land use planning using these atlases, does exist. The production and utility of these atlases in an African context, however, needs closer assessment. "Computers don't clothe, don't cure, don't feed. Their power begins and ends with information. Their usefulness is therefore strictly linked to the ffectiveness of the information" (Gardner,1993:16).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
The serpent both in water and on land : a critical phenomenological investigation of foreign students' experiences of learning English in South Africa
- Authors: Picard, Michelle Yvette
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers , English language -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1408 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002639
- Description: In this dissertation I attempt to examine “the experience of the perspective” of foreign students introduced into English classrooms in South Africa. I acknowledge the importance of focussing on the individual’s narrative, since it is “only through an unconscious synthetic activity of consciousness” that perspectives are connected together (Carspeken 1996:11), but, along with Freire, I believe that “generative themes” can only be investigated in “man-world relationships”. The researcher needs to examine the phenomenon in context of the world that it originated from, since “historical themes are never isolated , independent, disconnected or static” (Freire 1972: 73). In this dissertation I, therefore, carefully follow the classic phenomenological steps to analyse data from my respondents and then immediately contextualise it in term of literature about the learners background, the educational and political system in which they currently find themselves as well as general literature about the phenomenon of immigrants and learning of a second language. The premise underlying this research is the “taken-for-granted certainty” (Carspeken 1996:11) that there is something unique in the South African situation which results in foreign students experiencing the learning of English in a particular way within this context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Picard, Michelle Yvette
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers , English language -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1408 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002639
- Description: In this dissertation I attempt to examine “the experience of the perspective” of foreign students introduced into English classrooms in South Africa. I acknowledge the importance of focussing on the individual’s narrative, since it is “only through an unconscious synthetic activity of consciousness” that perspectives are connected together (Carspeken 1996:11), but, along with Freire, I believe that “generative themes” can only be investigated in “man-world relationships”. The researcher needs to examine the phenomenon in context of the world that it originated from, since “historical themes are never isolated , independent, disconnected or static” (Freire 1972: 73). In this dissertation I, therefore, carefully follow the classic phenomenological steps to analyse data from my respondents and then immediately contextualise it in term of literature about the learners background, the educational and political system in which they currently find themselves as well as general literature about the phenomenon of immigrants and learning of a second language. The premise underlying this research is the “taken-for-granted certainty” (Carspeken 1996:11) that there is something unique in the South African situation which results in foreign students experiencing the learning of English in a particular way within this context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Management of political behaviour in organisations
- Authors: Pio, Riaan Johan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Organizational behavior , Corporate culture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33 , Organizational behavior , Corporate culture
- Description: In this research paper, the constructive management of political behaviour in organisations was investigated. A general overview of relevant aspects which specifically relate to the constructive management of political behaviour in the automotive industry was presented. The literature study included a discussion of the nature of political behaviour and guidelines for the management of political behaviour in organisations. The research methodology consisted of three phases: Phase 1: A literature study to determine guidelines to manage political behaviour in organisations constructively. Phase 2: An empirical study to determine the effectiveness of these guidelines in practice by means of a survey amongst role players in the automotive industry in South Africa. Phase 3: The findings from the literature study and empirical study were integrated into guidelines of how managers can manage political behaviour constructively. The study identified nine main strategies for managing political behaviour. They are: Open communication. Communication must be open to keep all parties informed and to prevent distrust. Reduction of uncertainty. This involves preventing employees being unsure of what the future holds. Awareness. The aim of awareness is for managers to be sensitive to and aware of situations that could elicit political behaviours. Furthermore, they must recognize political behaviour for what it is. Setting an example. Managers must set an exemplary example and not engage in political behaviour. An understanding of the reason/motivation for the formation of informal (political) groups or cliques. Having established the reason why political groups form will enable a manager to manage them more effectively. Confront political game players. Managers must address all forms of possible political behaviour in a serious manner. Understanding the organisation’s strategy, goals and action plans. All employees need to know exactly what direction the organization is moving in and what is in it for them. It is management’s task to ensure this open and clear communication, to prevent fears and political behaviour. Tie resource allocation and rewards to strategy. This can be achieved by ensuring that the criteria for the allocation of rewards is straight forward and understood by all. Reward systems must, furthermore, be directly linked to performance. There should also be transparency in decision-making. Isolate resource acquisition from internal operations. It is necessary to clearly specify the conditions and ground rules for the acquisition of resources to ensure that the process is transparent. The conclusion reached is that political behaviour in organizations can be managed constructively to build win-win relationships.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Pio, Riaan Johan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Organizational behavior , Corporate culture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33 , Organizational behavior , Corporate culture
- Description: In this research paper, the constructive management of political behaviour in organisations was investigated. A general overview of relevant aspects which specifically relate to the constructive management of political behaviour in the automotive industry was presented. The literature study included a discussion of the nature of political behaviour and guidelines for the management of political behaviour in organisations. The research methodology consisted of three phases: Phase 1: A literature study to determine guidelines to manage political behaviour in organisations constructively. Phase 2: An empirical study to determine the effectiveness of these guidelines in practice by means of a survey amongst role players in the automotive industry in South Africa. Phase 3: The findings from the literature study and empirical study were integrated into guidelines of how managers can manage political behaviour constructively. The study identified nine main strategies for managing political behaviour. They are: Open communication. Communication must be open to keep all parties informed and to prevent distrust. Reduction of uncertainty. This involves preventing employees being unsure of what the future holds. Awareness. The aim of awareness is for managers to be sensitive to and aware of situations that could elicit political behaviours. Furthermore, they must recognize political behaviour for what it is. Setting an example. Managers must set an exemplary example and not engage in political behaviour. An understanding of the reason/motivation for the formation of informal (political) groups or cliques. Having established the reason why political groups form will enable a manager to manage them more effectively. Confront political game players. Managers must address all forms of possible political behaviour in a serious manner. Understanding the organisation’s strategy, goals and action plans. All employees need to know exactly what direction the organization is moving in and what is in it for them. It is management’s task to ensure this open and clear communication, to prevent fears and political behaviour. Tie resource allocation and rewards to strategy. This can be achieved by ensuring that the criteria for the allocation of rewards is straight forward and understood by all. Reward systems must, furthermore, be directly linked to performance. There should also be transparency in decision-making. Isolate resource acquisition from internal operations. It is necessary to clearly specify the conditions and ground rules for the acquisition of resources to ensure that the process is transparent. The conclusion reached is that political behaviour in organizations can be managed constructively to build win-win relationships.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
An exploration of female physicality and psyche and how these inform art-making
- Authors: Poole, Tanya Katherine
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Women artists , Women artists -- Psychology , Rego, Paula -- Interviews , Feminism , Women -- Sexual behavior , Sherman, Cindy , Saville, Jenny, 1970-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002215 , Women artists , Women artists -- Psychology , Rego, Paula -- Interviews , Feminism , Women -- Sexual behavior , Sherman, Cindy , Saville, Jenny, 1970-
- Description: This thesis proposes that female physicality informs the psyche and thus in turn, art-making. My argument will be shown to be apposite and informative to the discussion of the work of Paula Rego, Jenny Saville and Cindy Sherman. Furthermore such an understanding is helpful to a reading of my practice. In examining issues of identity, which contribute to the formulation of a distinctly female psyche, I will base my critique on the philosophical positions of Sartre, de Beauvoir and Paglia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Poole, Tanya Katherine
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Women artists , Women artists -- Psychology , Rego, Paula -- Interviews , Feminism , Women -- Sexual behavior , Sherman, Cindy , Saville, Jenny, 1970-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002215 , Women artists , Women artists -- Psychology , Rego, Paula -- Interviews , Feminism , Women -- Sexual behavior , Sherman, Cindy , Saville, Jenny, 1970-
- Description: This thesis proposes that female physicality informs the psyche and thus in turn, art-making. My argument will be shown to be apposite and informative to the discussion of the work of Paula Rego, Jenny Saville and Cindy Sherman. Furthermore such an understanding is helpful to a reading of my practice. In examining issues of identity, which contribute to the formulation of a distinctly female psyche, I will base my critique on the philosophical positions of Sartre, de Beauvoir and Paglia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
An examination of the drafting-responding process used to develop students' writing in an English Language for Academic Purposes Course
- Authors: Quinn, Lynn
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002642 , English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Description: Many students when they arrive at university do not possess the “cultural capital” (Bourdieu 1977) which is favoured by the institution. The purpose of the English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) course and the drafting-responding process is to help students to begin to acquire the “cultural capital” required to succeed at university. The research reported on in this thesis examined the drafting-responding process as it is used to develop students’ writing in the ELAP course at Rhodes University. The process involved students submitting drafts of their essays on which they received constructive and formative feedback from their ELAP tutor. This feedback was then used to revise their essays before a final version was submitted for assessment. The research took the form of a case study with an essentially interpretive orientation. I examined the drafts (with the tutor’s comments) and final versions of seven students’ ELAP essays. Additional data was obtained by interviewing the students and the tutor. Underpinning my beliefs regarding the role of writing in learning as well as my orientation to research is an understanding of knowledge and learning as being socially constructed. All writing is embedded in and dependent on, not only the immediate social circumstances, but also the broader social and cultural context. In analysing and discussing the data in this research I used Halliday’s (1985) definition of context, in which he draws a broad distinction between the immediate context of situation and the broader context of culture The research findings showed that the drafting-responding process can help students with the process of developing the academic literacy they need in order to write essays within specific situational contexts, in this case, the context of the ELAP course. In addition, at a broader level, it can help students to begin the process of being initiated into the culture of the university as a whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Quinn, Lynn
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002642 , English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Description: Many students when they arrive at university do not possess the “cultural capital” (Bourdieu 1977) which is favoured by the institution. The purpose of the English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) course and the drafting-responding process is to help students to begin to acquire the “cultural capital” required to succeed at university. The research reported on in this thesis examined the drafting-responding process as it is used to develop students’ writing in the ELAP course at Rhodes University. The process involved students submitting drafts of their essays on which they received constructive and formative feedback from their ELAP tutor. This feedback was then used to revise their essays before a final version was submitted for assessment. The research took the form of a case study with an essentially interpretive orientation. I examined the drafts (with the tutor’s comments) and final versions of seven students’ ELAP essays. Additional data was obtained by interviewing the students and the tutor. Underpinning my beliefs regarding the role of writing in learning as well as my orientation to research is an understanding of knowledge and learning as being socially constructed. All writing is embedded in and dependent on, not only the immediate social circumstances, but also the broader social and cultural context. In analysing and discussing the data in this research I used Halliday’s (1985) definition of context, in which he draws a broad distinction between the immediate context of situation and the broader context of culture The research findings showed that the drafting-responding process can help students with the process of developing the academic literacy they need in order to write essays within specific situational contexts, in this case, the context of the ELAP course. In addition, at a broader level, it can help students to begin the process of being initiated into the culture of the university as a whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
The effect of load carriage on selected metabolic and perceptual responses of military personnel
- Authors: Ramabhai, Leena I
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Marching -- Physiological aspects , Military art and science , Marching -- Psychological aspects , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5111 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005189
- Description: Taking a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach, the present study sought to examine selected physiological and psycho-physical parameters related to load carriage involving a 12 km march under military conditions. Military constraints hampered, but did not entirely inhibit the secondary aim of the study which concerned the effectiveness of relativising loads in order to normalise responses for all soldiers, irrespective of morphological diversity. Forty three subjects were measured in six groups using a test-retest experimental protocol. They were involved in a rest-broken 12 km march at 4 km.h⁻¹ under 40.5 kg absolute total load and under a relative load of 37% of body mass. Heart rates, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as well as area and intensity of discomfort were monitored for all subjects. Ten subjects were measured more extensively with regard to physiology using the Metamax, a portable ergospirometry system that provides all the data needed for a complete functional analysis of lung, heart, circulation and metabolic activity. Physiological responses (fc; fb; V̇T; V̇E; V̇O₂; EE; V̇CO₂; R; T°) indicated subjects were not severely physically taxed and that the loads imposed constituted a sub-maximal demand. Moreover, there appeared to be a limited cumulative effect over the 3.5 h. Data from the first and third hours were similar, while the significantly higher responses in the second hour reflected the challenge of the undulating terrain encountered during this section of the march. All responses during the Relative load conditions mirrored those of the Absolute load condition but, because the demands were less, the trends occurred at a reduced level. Furthermore, the reduction in inter-individual variability indicates that relativised load carriage tends to stress the soldiers in a more uniform manner. All "local" RPE responses were higher than "central" ratings, suggesting soldiers were in good cardiovascular condition and experienced marginally more strain in the lower limbs. There was increased perceived strain corresponding to the increase in gradient, with little cumulative effect over the three hours. The shoulders and feet were the two regions in which most discomfort was experienced; the shoulders being the worst area in the first hour and the feet being rated the worst after the third hour of marching. This study clearly demonstrates the probability of a significant improvement in mean combat-readiness following loaded marching by showing that, if loads are set at levels commensurate with individual capabilities to carry them without undue strain, unnecessary physical demands experienced by smaller, more gracile soldiers are reduced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Ramabhai, Leena I
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Marching -- Physiological aspects , Military art and science , Marching -- Psychological aspects , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5111 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005189
- Description: Taking a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach, the present study sought to examine selected physiological and psycho-physical parameters related to load carriage involving a 12 km march under military conditions. Military constraints hampered, but did not entirely inhibit the secondary aim of the study which concerned the effectiveness of relativising loads in order to normalise responses for all soldiers, irrespective of morphological diversity. Forty three subjects were measured in six groups using a test-retest experimental protocol. They were involved in a rest-broken 12 km march at 4 km.h⁻¹ under 40.5 kg absolute total load and under a relative load of 37% of body mass. Heart rates, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as well as area and intensity of discomfort were monitored for all subjects. Ten subjects were measured more extensively with regard to physiology using the Metamax, a portable ergospirometry system that provides all the data needed for a complete functional analysis of lung, heart, circulation and metabolic activity. Physiological responses (fc; fb; V̇T; V̇E; V̇O₂; EE; V̇CO₂; R; T°) indicated subjects were not severely physically taxed and that the loads imposed constituted a sub-maximal demand. Moreover, there appeared to be a limited cumulative effect over the 3.5 h. Data from the first and third hours were similar, while the significantly higher responses in the second hour reflected the challenge of the undulating terrain encountered during this section of the march. All responses during the Relative load conditions mirrored those of the Absolute load condition but, because the demands were less, the trends occurred at a reduced level. Furthermore, the reduction in inter-individual variability indicates that relativised load carriage tends to stress the soldiers in a more uniform manner. All "local" RPE responses were higher than "central" ratings, suggesting soldiers were in good cardiovascular condition and experienced marginally more strain in the lower limbs. There was increased perceived strain corresponding to the increase in gradient, with little cumulative effect over the three hours. The shoulders and feet were the two regions in which most discomfort was experienced; the shoulders being the worst area in the first hour and the feet being rated the worst after the third hour of marching. This study clearly demonstrates the probability of a significant improvement in mean combat-readiness following loaded marching by showing that, if loads are set at levels commensurate with individual capabilities to carry them without undue strain, unnecessary physical demands experienced by smaller, more gracile soldiers are reduced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000