Purification and characterization of fructosyltransferase for the synthesis of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and investigation into thier anti-carcinogenic properties
- Authors: Nemukula, Aluwani
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Oligosaccharides , Polygalacturonase , Aspergillus , Fructose , Inulin , Cancer -- Prevention , Cancer -- Research , Carcinogens , High performance liquid chromatography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003986 , Oligosaccharides , Polygalacturonase , Aspergillus , Fructose , Inulin , Cancer -- Prevention , Cancer -- Research , Carcinogens , High performance liquid chromatography
- Description: There is a growing attention in the synthesis of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) due to their excellent bio-functional and health-promoting properties. The current production processes are limited to chemical hydrolysis reactions of plant extracts, which are often associated with several drawbacks. In this study, fructosyltransferase (FTase) and polygalacturonase (PGase) activities, present in a commercial enzyme preparation (Pectinex® Ultra SP-L) sourced from Aspergillus aculeatus, have been separated and fully purified by anion-exchange and sizeexclusion chromatography. The FTase possesses fructosyl transfer activity for FOS synthesis and the PGase has pectin hydrolytic activity. Fructosyltransferase is a single-band protein with a molecular weight of 85 kDa, whereas PGase is a distinct protein of 40 kDa. The temperature and pH optima of FTase were 60 ºC and 6.0, with a half-life of 8 h; while that for PGase were 40 ºC and 6.0, respectively. FTase was slightly inhibited in the presence of Ni²⁺, Mg²⁺ and urea; but PGase was more susceptible to divalent ions such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺. The kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of FTase for the hydrolysis of β-(2→1) linkages from sucrose were 752.3 mM and 120.5 μmol.min⁻¹.mL⁻¹, respectively; whereas the same parameters for pectin hydrolysis by PGase were 13.0 mg.mL⁻¹ and 263 μmol.min-1.mL⁻¹, respectively. The purified FTase was able to transfer fructosyl residues from sucrose, synthesizing the corresponding chains of FOS. PGase was relatively stable at 40 ºC (t½ > 3 h), depolymerizing the pectin backbone while releasing the inulins from within the chicory roots. Analysis of various mixtures of FOS by mass spectrometry, HPLC and ¹H-NMR was undertaken. Results indicated that MS with electrospray ionization and ¹H-NMR are capable of providing relative quantitative data of the FOS present in the mixtures. The pharmaceutical effects of various sc-FOS (0.5%, v/v) and SCFA (0.3%, v/v) on certain bacterial enzymes (β-glucuronidase, urease and β-glucosidase) associated with the formation of carcinogens were also studied. These enzyme activities were not directly influenced by the sc-FOS, but were found to be remarkably decreased by SCFA, pointing toward the prebiotic effect of FOS in intestinal microflora modulation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nemukula, Aluwani
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Oligosaccharides , Polygalacturonase , Aspergillus , Fructose , Inulin , Cancer -- Prevention , Cancer -- Research , Carcinogens , High performance liquid chromatography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003986 , Oligosaccharides , Polygalacturonase , Aspergillus , Fructose , Inulin , Cancer -- Prevention , Cancer -- Research , Carcinogens , High performance liquid chromatography
- Description: There is a growing attention in the synthesis of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) due to their excellent bio-functional and health-promoting properties. The current production processes are limited to chemical hydrolysis reactions of plant extracts, which are often associated with several drawbacks. In this study, fructosyltransferase (FTase) and polygalacturonase (PGase) activities, present in a commercial enzyme preparation (Pectinex® Ultra SP-L) sourced from Aspergillus aculeatus, have been separated and fully purified by anion-exchange and sizeexclusion chromatography. The FTase possesses fructosyl transfer activity for FOS synthesis and the PGase has pectin hydrolytic activity. Fructosyltransferase is a single-band protein with a molecular weight of 85 kDa, whereas PGase is a distinct protein of 40 kDa. The temperature and pH optima of FTase were 60 ºC and 6.0, with a half-life of 8 h; while that for PGase were 40 ºC and 6.0, respectively. FTase was slightly inhibited in the presence of Ni²⁺, Mg²⁺ and urea; but PGase was more susceptible to divalent ions such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺. The kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of FTase for the hydrolysis of β-(2→1) linkages from sucrose were 752.3 mM and 120.5 μmol.min⁻¹.mL⁻¹, respectively; whereas the same parameters for pectin hydrolysis by PGase were 13.0 mg.mL⁻¹ and 263 μmol.min-1.mL⁻¹, respectively. The purified FTase was able to transfer fructosyl residues from sucrose, synthesizing the corresponding chains of FOS. PGase was relatively stable at 40 ºC (t½ > 3 h), depolymerizing the pectin backbone while releasing the inulins from within the chicory roots. Analysis of various mixtures of FOS by mass spectrometry, HPLC and ¹H-NMR was undertaken. Results indicated that MS with electrospray ionization and ¹H-NMR are capable of providing relative quantitative data of the FOS present in the mixtures. The pharmaceutical effects of various sc-FOS (0.5%, v/v) and SCFA (0.3%, v/v) on certain bacterial enzymes (β-glucuronidase, urease and β-glucosidase) associated with the formation of carcinogens were also studied. These enzyme activities were not directly influenced by the sc-FOS, but were found to be remarkably decreased by SCFA, pointing toward the prebiotic effect of FOS in intestinal microflora modulation.
- Full Text:
Putting the ‘T’ into South African human rights: transsexuality in the post-apartheid order
- Vincent, Louise, Camminga, Bianca
- Authors: Vincent, Louise , Camminga, Bianca
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141606 , vital:37989 , DOI: 10.1177/1363460709346108
- Description: Informed by narratives provided by self-identified South African transsexuals, whose lives span different periods of South Africa’s political and social history, this article seeks to explore how South Africa’s medical, legal and military establishments have exerted power over the transsexual body. A variety of studies outline the extent to which the apartheid state was a highly gendered state characterized by inflexible patriarchal norms and the dominance of violent and authoritarian forms of masculine expression. Hyper masculinization and militarization were explicit goals of the apartheid state. Deviance from the state’s prescribed gender norms was not simply socially unacceptable, it was, in many cases, punishable. South Africa’s post-1994 democratic Constitution, in contrast, explicitly outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. But the democratic legal framework, which provides significant protections for freedom of sexual expression and freedom from discrimination for homosexuals has arguably had less of an impact on the lives of South Africa’s transsexual community. The state, even the post-apartheid state, has been loathe to move beyond the idea of a necessary correlation between the physical make-up of the body and the gender identity of a person in the way in which it has treated the idea of transsexualism.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Vincent, Louise , Camminga, Bianca
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141606 , vital:37989 , DOI: 10.1177/1363460709346108
- Description: Informed by narratives provided by self-identified South African transsexuals, whose lives span different periods of South Africa’s political and social history, this article seeks to explore how South Africa’s medical, legal and military establishments have exerted power over the transsexual body. A variety of studies outline the extent to which the apartheid state was a highly gendered state characterized by inflexible patriarchal norms and the dominance of violent and authoritarian forms of masculine expression. Hyper masculinization and militarization were explicit goals of the apartheid state. Deviance from the state’s prescribed gender norms was not simply socially unacceptable, it was, in many cases, punishable. South Africa’s post-1994 democratic Constitution, in contrast, explicitly outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. But the democratic legal framework, which provides significant protections for freedom of sexual expression and freedom from discrimination for homosexuals has arguably had less of an impact on the lives of South Africa’s transsexual community. The state, even the post-apartheid state, has been loathe to move beyond the idea of a necessary correlation between the physical make-up of the body and the gender identity of a person in the way in which it has treated the idea of transsexualism.
- Full Text:
Quantitative post-release evaluation of biological control of floating fern, Salvinia molesta DS Mitchell (Salviniaceae), with Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands (Coleoptera Curculionidae) on the Senegal River and Senegal River Delta
- Diop Ousseynou, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Diop Ousseynou , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451467 , vital:75051 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32802
- Description: The floating aquatic fern, Salvinia molesta D.S Mitchell (Salviniaceae) was first recorded in Senegal in 1999 and by 2000 it covered an estimated area of 18 000 ha on the Senegal River Left Bank and tributaries (Senegal) and 7840 ha on the Senegal River Right Bank (Mauritania). The weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was considered the best option for control and some 48 953 weevils were released at 270 sites during 2002. Within one year, weevils had established and were recovered up to 50km from the release sites. At most of the release sites, the S. molesta infestation was reduced from 100 % to less than 5 % within 24 months of release. These results are discussed in the context of the weed's negative impact on aquatic systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Diop Ousseynou , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451467 , vital:75051 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32802
- Description: The floating aquatic fern, Salvinia molesta D.S Mitchell (Salviniaceae) was first recorded in Senegal in 1999 and by 2000 it covered an estimated area of 18 000 ha on the Senegal River Left Bank and tributaries (Senegal) and 7840 ha on the Senegal River Right Bank (Mauritania). The weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was considered the best option for control and some 48 953 weevils were released at 270 sites during 2002. Within one year, weevils had established and were recovered up to 50km from the release sites. At most of the release sites, the S. molesta infestation was reduced from 100 % to less than 5 % within 24 months of release. These results are discussed in the context of the weed's negative impact on aquatic systems.
- Full Text:
Quantity and significance of wild meat off-take by a rural community in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Kaschula, Sarah A H, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah A H , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006864
- Description: When compared to tropical forest zones in west and central Africa, off-take of wild meat from savannah and grassland biomes by local rural communities has not been well assessed. This case study of wild meat collection activities within a rural community in the Mount Frere region of the Eastern Cape (South Africa) uses last-catch records derived from 50 wild meat gatherers to calculate average off-take of taxa, species and fresh mass of wild meat per collection event. When per-event off take is overlaid onto household hunting frequency data, annual off-take would be 268.6 kg km−2 yr−1 or 3 kg person−1 yr−1 presuming constant off-take over an annual period. Monetary value of off-take would be South African R 307 (US$ 39) per household annually. For some species, off-take weight per km2 shows similar values to data from tropical forest zones, but high human population densities tend to dilute off-takes to less nutritionally significant amounts at the per person scale. However, unlike many tropical zones, none of the species harvested can be considered high-priority conservation species. Even densely populated and heavily harvested communal lands appear to offer high wild meat off-takes from low conservation priority species.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah A H , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006864
- Description: When compared to tropical forest zones in west and central Africa, off-take of wild meat from savannah and grassland biomes by local rural communities has not been well assessed. This case study of wild meat collection activities within a rural community in the Mount Frere region of the Eastern Cape (South Africa) uses last-catch records derived from 50 wild meat gatherers to calculate average off-take of taxa, species and fresh mass of wild meat per collection event. When per-event off take is overlaid onto household hunting frequency data, annual off-take would be 268.6 kg km−2 yr−1 or 3 kg person−1 yr−1 presuming constant off-take over an annual period. Monetary value of off-take would be South African R 307 (US$ 39) per household annually. For some species, off-take weight per km2 shows similar values to data from tropical forest zones, but high human population densities tend to dilute off-takes to less nutritionally significant amounts at the per person scale. However, unlike many tropical zones, none of the species harvested can be considered high-priority conservation species. Even densely populated and heavily harvested communal lands appear to offer high wild meat off-takes from low conservation priority species.
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Racism and law : implementing the right to equality in selected South African equality courts
- Authors: Krüger, Rósaan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3677 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003192 , South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Racism has informed South African society since colonial times. Racist beliefs found expression in the laws of colonial and apartheid South Africa and shaped both state and society. The constitutional state that South Africa has become since 1994, is based on the values of ‘human dignity’, ‘the achievement of equality’ and ‘nonracialism’, among others. Law formed the basis of the racist state prior to 1994, and now law has a fundamental role to play in the transformation of the state and society in an egalitarian direction by addressing socio-economic inequalities on the one hand, and by changing patterns of behaviour based on racist beliefs forged in the past, on the other. This thesis examines one of the legal instruments that is intended to contribute to transformation in the latter sense, namely the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (the Equality Act), with specific reference to the issue of racism. The provisions of this Act and the framework for its operation against the background of South Africa’s racist past, and within the broader framework of international and constitutional law, are examined. These two legal frameworks are analysed for the purpose of determining the standards set by international and constitutional law regarding racial equality in order to determine whether the Equality Act measures up. This thesis also incorporates an analysis of the practical application of the provisions of the Equality Act to complaints of racism in selected equality courts. The theoretical analysis of the Act’s provisions and their application in the equality courts point to various problematic formulations and obstacles which negatively affect the application of the provisions and thus hamper social change. The thesis concludes with recommendations for refining the Act’s provisions and its application.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Krüger, Rósaan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3677 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003192 , South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Racism has informed South African society since colonial times. Racist beliefs found expression in the laws of colonial and apartheid South Africa and shaped both state and society. The constitutional state that South Africa has become since 1994, is based on the values of ‘human dignity’, ‘the achievement of equality’ and ‘nonracialism’, among others. Law formed the basis of the racist state prior to 1994, and now law has a fundamental role to play in the transformation of the state and society in an egalitarian direction by addressing socio-economic inequalities on the one hand, and by changing patterns of behaviour based on racist beliefs forged in the past, on the other. This thesis examines one of the legal instruments that is intended to contribute to transformation in the latter sense, namely the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (the Equality Act), with specific reference to the issue of racism. The provisions of this Act and the framework for its operation against the background of South Africa’s racist past, and within the broader framework of international and constitutional law, are examined. These two legal frameworks are analysed for the purpose of determining the standards set by international and constitutional law regarding racial equality in order to determine whether the Equality Act measures up. This thesis also incorporates an analysis of the practical application of the provisions of the Equality Act to complaints of racism in selected equality courts. The theoretical analysis of the Act’s provisions and their application in the equality courts point to various problematic formulations and obstacles which negatively affect the application of the provisions and thus hamper social change. The thesis concludes with recommendations for refining the Act’s provisions and its application.
- Full Text:
Rapid biological assessment of the fishery potential of Xonxa Dam, near Queenstown, South Africa
- Richardson, T J, Booth, Anthony J, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Richardson, T J , Booth, Anthony J , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125798 , vital:35818 , https://doi.10.2989/AJAS.2009.34.1.9.734
- Description: In Africa, the harvesting of fish from small reservoirs has been identified as an important food resource for small rural communities, particularly those living close to waterbodies (Kapetsky and Petr 1984, Marshall and Maes 1994, van der Knaap 1994). Development of fisheries to utilize these resources has recently been identified by the African Union as a priority investment area for poverty alleviation and regional economic development (NEPAD 2005). Within a South African context, it is suspected that there will be increased interest in developing these fisheries to address major national policy objectives, which include food security, economic empowerment, optimal economic benefit from water, and poverty eradication (RSA 1998a, 1998b). South Africa, however, presents a somewhat anomalous situation. The lack of a fishing history in communities, the lack of species with a high fisheries potential, inadequate inland fisheries policy and a lack of directed fisheries development have resulted in low utilisation levels of fish resources in South African reservoirs (Weyl et al. 2007).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Richardson, T J , Booth, Anthony J , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125798 , vital:35818 , https://doi.10.2989/AJAS.2009.34.1.9.734
- Description: In Africa, the harvesting of fish from small reservoirs has been identified as an important food resource for small rural communities, particularly those living close to waterbodies (Kapetsky and Petr 1984, Marshall and Maes 1994, van der Knaap 1994). Development of fisheries to utilize these resources has recently been identified by the African Union as a priority investment area for poverty alleviation and regional economic development (NEPAD 2005). Within a South African context, it is suspected that there will be increased interest in developing these fisheries to address major national policy objectives, which include food security, economic empowerment, optimal economic benefit from water, and poverty eradication (RSA 1998a, 1998b). South Africa, however, presents a somewhat anomalous situation. The lack of a fishing history in communities, the lack of species with a high fisheries potential, inadequate inland fisheries policy and a lack of directed fisheries development have resulted in low utilisation levels of fish resources in South African reservoirs (Weyl et al. 2007).
- Full Text:
Rapid method for the quantitative determination of efavirenz in human plasma
- Kanfer, Isadore, Mogatle, Seloi
- Authors: Kanfer, Isadore , Mogatle, Seloi
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006309
- Description: A pharmacokinetic interaction study between efavirenz (EFV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the treatment of HIV-1 infection, and an African traditional medicine, African potato in human subjects was undertaken. This necessitated the development and validation of a quantitative method for the analysis of EFV in plasma. A simple mobile phase consisting of 0.1 M formic acid, acetonitrile and methanol (43:52:5) was pumped at a low flow rate of 0.3 ml/min through a reverse phase Phenomenex® Luna C18 (2) (5 μm, 150 mm × 2.0 mm i.d.) column maintained at 40 °C. Diclofenac sodium was used as an internal standard (IS) and EFV and IS were monitored at 247 nm and 275 nm, respectively. A simple and rapid sample preparation involved the addition of mobile phase to 100 μl of plasma to precipitate plasma proteins followed by direct injection of 10 μl of supernatant onto the column. The procedures were validated according to international standards with good reproducibility and linear response (r = 0.9990). The intra- and inter-day accuracies were between 12.3 and 17.7% at the LLOQ and between −5.8 and 9.1% for the QC samples. The intra- and inter-day precision of EFV determinations were 5.1 or less and 7.2% RSD or less, respectively across the entire QC concentration range. Mean recovery based on high, medium and low quality control standards ranged between 92.7 and 94.1% with %RSD values better than 3%. Plasma samples were evaluated for short-term (ambient temperature for 6 h) and long-term (−10 ± 2 °C for 60 days) storage conditions and were found to be stable. The method described is cost-effective and has the necessary accuracy and precision for the rapid quantitative determination of EFV in human plasma.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kanfer, Isadore , Mogatle, Seloi
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006309
- Description: A pharmacokinetic interaction study between efavirenz (EFV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the treatment of HIV-1 infection, and an African traditional medicine, African potato in human subjects was undertaken. This necessitated the development and validation of a quantitative method for the analysis of EFV in plasma. A simple mobile phase consisting of 0.1 M formic acid, acetonitrile and methanol (43:52:5) was pumped at a low flow rate of 0.3 ml/min through a reverse phase Phenomenex® Luna C18 (2) (5 μm, 150 mm × 2.0 mm i.d.) column maintained at 40 °C. Diclofenac sodium was used as an internal standard (IS) and EFV and IS were monitored at 247 nm and 275 nm, respectively. A simple and rapid sample preparation involved the addition of mobile phase to 100 μl of plasma to precipitate plasma proteins followed by direct injection of 10 μl of supernatant onto the column. The procedures were validated according to international standards with good reproducibility and linear response (r = 0.9990). The intra- and inter-day accuracies were between 12.3 and 17.7% at the LLOQ and between −5.8 and 9.1% for the QC samples. The intra- and inter-day precision of EFV determinations were 5.1 or less and 7.2% RSD or less, respectively across the entire QC concentration range. Mean recovery based on high, medium and low quality control standards ranged between 92.7 and 94.1% with %RSD values better than 3%. Plasma samples were evaluated for short-term (ambient temperature for 6 h) and long-term (−10 ± 2 °C for 60 days) storage conditions and were found to be stable. The method described is cost-effective and has the necessary accuracy and precision for the rapid quantitative determination of EFV in human plasma.
- Full Text:
Rapid UPLC - MS/MS method for the determination of ketoprofen in human dermal microdialysis samples
- Tettey-Amlalo, Ralph N O, Kanfer, Isadore
- Authors: Tettey-Amlalo, Ralph N O , Kanfer, Isadore
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6444 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006631
- Description: Dermal microdialysis (DMD) is a technique capable of determining the percutaneous penetration of drugs from topical formulations intended for local and/or regional activity. Typically, the concentrations of drug collected in dialysates are very low, generally in the ng/ml or even pg/ml range. An additional challenge is the very low volume of sample collected at each collection time and which can range from 1 to 30 μl only. Hence the objective was to develop and validate a rapid, accurate, precise, reproducible and highly sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of ketoprofen (KET) in dialystes following application of a topical gel product to the skin of human subjects. UPLC–MS/MS was used and KET was separated on an Acquity™ UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm i.d., 1.7 μm) and analysed in negative-ion (NI) electrospray ionisation (ESI) mode. The mobile phase (MP) consisted of acetonitrile:methanol:water (60:20:20, v/v/v) under isocratic conditions at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. Samples were extracted using ethyl acetate with ibuprofen (IBU) as internal standard (IS) and the organic solvent was then evaporated to dryness and the residue re-constituted in methanol. 5 μl samples were injected and analysis was performed at ambient temperature 22 ± 0.5 °C. KET and IBU eluted at 1.07 and 1.49 min, respectively. KET and IBU responses were optimised at the transitions 253.00 > 209.00 and 205.00 > 161.00, respectively. Calibration curves were linear over the range 0.5–500 ng/ml with correlation coefficients > 0.999. The accuracy and precision of the method were found to be between 99.97% and 104.67% (R.S.D. < 2%) and the mean recovery of KET from normal saline was 88.03 ± 0.3% (R.S.D. < 2.20%). The LLOQ and LOD values were found to be 0.5 and 0.1 ng/ml respectively whereas the ULOD was set at 500 ng/ml. The method was successfully applied to determine the bioavailability of KET following application of topical KET gel, Fastum® gel, to the skin of human volunteers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tettey-Amlalo, Ralph N O , Kanfer, Isadore
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6444 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006631
- Description: Dermal microdialysis (DMD) is a technique capable of determining the percutaneous penetration of drugs from topical formulations intended for local and/or regional activity. Typically, the concentrations of drug collected in dialysates are very low, generally in the ng/ml or even pg/ml range. An additional challenge is the very low volume of sample collected at each collection time and which can range from 1 to 30 μl only. Hence the objective was to develop and validate a rapid, accurate, precise, reproducible and highly sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of ketoprofen (KET) in dialystes following application of a topical gel product to the skin of human subjects. UPLC–MS/MS was used and KET was separated on an Acquity™ UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm i.d., 1.7 μm) and analysed in negative-ion (NI) electrospray ionisation (ESI) mode. The mobile phase (MP) consisted of acetonitrile:methanol:water (60:20:20, v/v/v) under isocratic conditions at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. Samples were extracted using ethyl acetate with ibuprofen (IBU) as internal standard (IS) and the organic solvent was then evaporated to dryness and the residue re-constituted in methanol. 5 μl samples were injected and analysis was performed at ambient temperature 22 ± 0.5 °C. KET and IBU eluted at 1.07 and 1.49 min, respectively. KET and IBU responses were optimised at the transitions 253.00 > 209.00 and 205.00 > 161.00, respectively. Calibration curves were linear over the range 0.5–500 ng/ml with correlation coefficients > 0.999. The accuracy and precision of the method were found to be between 99.97% and 104.67% (R.S.D. < 2%) and the mean recovery of KET from normal saline was 88.03 ± 0.3% (R.S.D. < 2.20%). The LLOQ and LOD values were found to be 0.5 and 0.1 ng/ml respectively whereas the ULOD was set at 500 ng/ml. The method was successfully applied to determine the bioavailability of KET following application of topical KET gel, Fastum® gel, to the skin of human volunteers.
- Full Text:
Recent progress in electrochemical oxidation of saccharides at gold and copper electrodes in alkaline solutions
- Authors: Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6599 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004348
- Description: This article reviews the progress made in the past 10 years, on electrochemical oxidation of saccharides in alkaline media for gold and copper electrodes. The mechanism and processes associated with the electrochemical oxidation of saccharides at native and surface coated electrodes continues to be of great interest. Despite the effort and various mechanisms proposed, still the need for an electrochemically active material that understands the complexity associated with saccharides continues to increase as their detection poses a challenge for bioanalytical chemistry and liquid chromatography.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6599 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004348
- Description: This article reviews the progress made in the past 10 years, on electrochemical oxidation of saccharides in alkaline media for gold and copper electrodes. The mechanism and processes associated with the electrochemical oxidation of saccharides at native and surface coated electrodes continues to be of great interest. Despite the effort and various mechanisms proposed, still the need for an electrochemically active material that understands the complexity associated with saccharides continues to increase as their detection poses a challenge for bioanalytical chemistry and liquid chromatography.
- Full Text:
Recontextualising issues in the 'NISTCOL" environmental education curriculum module for Primary Diploma by Distance Learning in Zambia
- Authors: Moose, John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003605
- Description: This study investigated the recontextualising of the NISTCOL environmental education curriculum module for the Primary Teachers’ Diploma by Distance Learning (PTDDL) in Zambia. It focused on three case sites, the NISTCOL EE curriculum module for PTDDL and the University of Zambia, the National In-Service Teacher’s College (NISTCOL) and four basic schools: chalimbana, Bimbe, Chongwe and Silver Rest. The study looked at teacher professional development in environmental education in Zambia. The aims and goals were to investigate the NISTCOL EE curriculum and identifying issues that were associated with lecturers in the recontextualising process and further examine what issues were associated with curriculum recontextualisation in Zambian schools. For the conceptual constructs, the research drew on Bernstein’s (1990) framework of pedagogic discourse, it traced how the pedagogic discourse was de-located from the field of production and re-located into the pedagogic practice of each stated case above. It further examined the continuities, discontinuities and changes in the official environmental discourse as it was recontextualised. The study particularly focused on Bernstein’s conceptual constructs of selective appropriation and ideological transformation. In each case the Bernstein framework is used to analyze the process to identify recontextualising issues influencing pedagogical practice in the Zambian schools and college. The study revealed that each case under focus was unique but through examining the environmental discourse and pedagogical discourse in each case recontextalising issues were identified. Each case was influenced by different factors, such as lack of policy synergy, lack of EE vision at national level in Zambia, experience and knowledge, ideologies and emphasis, and depth of engagement. These factors provided me with a deeper insight into the curriculum recontextualising processes in Zambian schools.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moose, John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003605
- Description: This study investigated the recontextualising of the NISTCOL environmental education curriculum module for the Primary Teachers’ Diploma by Distance Learning (PTDDL) in Zambia. It focused on three case sites, the NISTCOL EE curriculum module for PTDDL and the University of Zambia, the National In-Service Teacher’s College (NISTCOL) and four basic schools: chalimbana, Bimbe, Chongwe and Silver Rest. The study looked at teacher professional development in environmental education in Zambia. The aims and goals were to investigate the NISTCOL EE curriculum and identifying issues that were associated with lecturers in the recontextualising process and further examine what issues were associated with curriculum recontextualisation in Zambian schools. For the conceptual constructs, the research drew on Bernstein’s (1990) framework of pedagogic discourse, it traced how the pedagogic discourse was de-located from the field of production and re-located into the pedagogic practice of each stated case above. It further examined the continuities, discontinuities and changes in the official environmental discourse as it was recontextualised. The study particularly focused on Bernstein’s conceptual constructs of selective appropriation and ideological transformation. In each case the Bernstein framework is used to analyze the process to identify recontextualising issues influencing pedagogical practice in the Zambian schools and college. The study revealed that each case under focus was unique but through examining the environmental discourse and pedagogical discourse in each case recontextalising issues were identified. Each case was influenced by different factors, such as lack of policy synergy, lack of EE vision at national level in Zambia, experience and knowledge, ideologies and emphasis, and depth of engagement. These factors provided me with a deeper insight into the curriculum recontextualising processes in Zambian schools.
- Full Text:
Redress : debates informing exhibitions and acquisitions in selected South African public art galleries (1990-1994)
- Authors: Cook, Shashi Chailey
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Gallery Exhibitions Durban Art Gallery Exhibitions Joahnnesburg Art Gallery Exhibitions Art -- South Africa -- Exhibitions Art, South African Exhibitions South Africa History Exhibitions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002195
- Description: This thesis centres on the debates informing the progress of three public art galleries in South Africa between 1990 and 1994. This was a period of great change in the country, spanning from the unbanning of left-wing political parties and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, to the first democratic elections which resulted in his inauguration as President of South Africa. The study focuses specifically on the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery, and the Durban Art Gallery, delineating the events and exhibitions held, the programmes initiated, and the artists represented by these galleries during this post-apartheid/pre-democracy phase of the country’s history. The debates relevant to these galleries linked to those prevalent in the arts, museology, and politics at the time. Many contemporary South African artists called attention to apartheid oppression and human rights abuses during the 1980s. After 1990, with these pressures alleviating, there was a stage of uncertainty as to the role, responsibility, and focus of visual art in a post-‘struggle’ context, however there was also an unprecedented upswing in interest and investment in it. On a practical level, the administration of the arts was being re-evaluated and contested by both independent and politically-aligned arts groups. Public art museums and sponsored art competitions and exhibitions made increasing efforts to be ‘representative’ of South Africans of all races, cultures, creeds, sexes and genders. The many conferences, committees, and conventions created during this transitional era focused on the creation of policies that would assist in nation-building; historical and cultural redress and regeneration; and the education and representation of previously disadvantaged groups. This coincided with a revolution in museological discourses internationally, from the theorization of a museum as a place of commemoration and conservation, to a forum for discussion and revision between both academic and non-academic communities. With the sharing of the process of constructing history and knowledge, came the challenging dynamics involved in the representation of identity and history. In all of these groups - the arts, museology, and South African politics - the predominant issue seemed to be a negotiation between the bid to open up control to more parties, and the reluctance of some parties to relinquish control. While the emphasis is on significant changes that were implemented in the transitional period, the study locates the changes at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery and the Durban Art Gallery within their historical, geographical, and socio-political context. Various artists working in these locations during this era are also discussed, as the changes in their status, and the progressions in their subject matter, materials, and concerns are interesting to examine more nuanced definitions of the ‘political’, probing the politics of identity, sexuality, gender, race, geography, and belief systems. Some artists also focused specifically on post-apartheid preoccupations with territory, trauma, conflict, memory and freedom. This kind of artwork was assiduously acquired during the early ‘90s by public art galleries, whose exhibitions and collecting focus and policies were undergoing considerable revision and redress. This thesis examines these changes in light of their socio-political contexts, as well as in light of shifting national and international imperatives and conceptions of museums and museum practice.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cook, Shashi Chailey
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Gallery Exhibitions Durban Art Gallery Exhibitions Joahnnesburg Art Gallery Exhibitions Art -- South Africa -- Exhibitions Art, South African Exhibitions South Africa History Exhibitions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002195
- Description: This thesis centres on the debates informing the progress of three public art galleries in South Africa between 1990 and 1994. This was a period of great change in the country, spanning from the unbanning of left-wing political parties and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, to the first democratic elections which resulted in his inauguration as President of South Africa. The study focuses specifically on the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery, and the Durban Art Gallery, delineating the events and exhibitions held, the programmes initiated, and the artists represented by these galleries during this post-apartheid/pre-democracy phase of the country’s history. The debates relevant to these galleries linked to those prevalent in the arts, museology, and politics at the time. Many contemporary South African artists called attention to apartheid oppression and human rights abuses during the 1980s. After 1990, with these pressures alleviating, there was a stage of uncertainty as to the role, responsibility, and focus of visual art in a post-‘struggle’ context, however there was also an unprecedented upswing in interest and investment in it. On a practical level, the administration of the arts was being re-evaluated and contested by both independent and politically-aligned arts groups. Public art museums and sponsored art competitions and exhibitions made increasing efforts to be ‘representative’ of South Africans of all races, cultures, creeds, sexes and genders. The many conferences, committees, and conventions created during this transitional era focused on the creation of policies that would assist in nation-building; historical and cultural redress and regeneration; and the education and representation of previously disadvantaged groups. This coincided with a revolution in museological discourses internationally, from the theorization of a museum as a place of commemoration and conservation, to a forum for discussion and revision between both academic and non-academic communities. With the sharing of the process of constructing history and knowledge, came the challenging dynamics involved in the representation of identity and history. In all of these groups - the arts, museology, and South African politics - the predominant issue seemed to be a negotiation between the bid to open up control to more parties, and the reluctance of some parties to relinquish control. While the emphasis is on significant changes that were implemented in the transitional period, the study locates the changes at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery and the Durban Art Gallery within their historical, geographical, and socio-political context. Various artists working in these locations during this era are also discussed, as the changes in their status, and the progressions in their subject matter, materials, and concerns are interesting to examine more nuanced definitions of the ‘political’, probing the politics of identity, sexuality, gender, race, geography, and belief systems. Some artists also focused specifically on post-apartheid preoccupations with territory, trauma, conflict, memory and freedom. This kind of artwork was assiduously acquired during the early ‘90s by public art galleries, whose exhibitions and collecting focus and policies were undergoing considerable revision and redress. This thesis examines these changes in light of their socio-political contexts, as well as in light of shifting national and international imperatives and conceptions of museums and museum practice.
- Full Text:
Reflections on the sine causa requirements and the condictiones in South African law
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70668 , vital:29687 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC54716
- Description: The condictiones present interesting and difficult challenges of classification for the modern South African jurist. Their casuistic development has made them difficult to work with, and for a long time it was argued that a single general enrichment action should take their place. But the Supreme Court of Appeal in McCarthy Retail Ltd v Shortdistance Carriers CC 2001 3 SA 482 (SCA) chose not to follow this path, and instead preferred the idea that a general enrichment action should be subsidiary to the traditional actions. This has breathed new life into debates on the future of the condictiones. This article first examines the current range of application of the condictiones. It then proceeds to show how the courts in the first decade of the 21st century seem to have eschewed the technicalities inherent in pleading the condictiones, and have preferred rather to resolve cases by applying the general requirements of enrichment liability, in contrast to the injunction in McCarthy. The difficulty with this approach is the lack of substance that is given to the sine causa requirement. The article proceeds to examine the various theories about how we in South Africa should understand and give content to the sine causa requirement. This provides a springboard for considering the possible futures of the condictiones. Broadly, it seems that two options are possible: either to collapse the condictiones into one action to deal with cases of enrichment by transfer; or largely to retain the status quo. The most recent decisions of the Supreme Court of Appeal indicate that the latter, more conservative option is likely to be chosen in the short-term. If this approach is to be adopted, it will require a further review of how each of the constituent condictiones fulfils a particular function. A revisionist view of the condictio indebiti is postulated by way of example.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70668 , vital:29687 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC54716
- Description: The condictiones present interesting and difficult challenges of classification for the modern South African jurist. Their casuistic development has made them difficult to work with, and for a long time it was argued that a single general enrichment action should take their place. But the Supreme Court of Appeal in McCarthy Retail Ltd v Shortdistance Carriers CC 2001 3 SA 482 (SCA) chose not to follow this path, and instead preferred the idea that a general enrichment action should be subsidiary to the traditional actions. This has breathed new life into debates on the future of the condictiones. This article first examines the current range of application of the condictiones. It then proceeds to show how the courts in the first decade of the 21st century seem to have eschewed the technicalities inherent in pleading the condictiones, and have preferred rather to resolve cases by applying the general requirements of enrichment liability, in contrast to the injunction in McCarthy. The difficulty with this approach is the lack of substance that is given to the sine causa requirement. The article proceeds to examine the various theories about how we in South Africa should understand and give content to the sine causa requirement. This provides a springboard for considering the possible futures of the condictiones. Broadly, it seems that two options are possible: either to collapse the condictiones into one action to deal with cases of enrichment by transfer; or largely to retain the status quo. The most recent decisions of the Supreme Court of Appeal indicate that the latter, more conservative option is likely to be chosen in the short-term. If this approach is to be adopted, it will require a further review of how each of the constituent condictiones fulfils a particular function. A revisionist view of the condictio indebiti is postulated by way of example.
- Full Text: false
Reform in defence of sovereignty: South Africa in the UN Security Council, 2007–2008
- Authors: Bischoff, Paul, 1954-
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161431 , vital:40626 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/000203970904400205
- Description: After 1994, South Africa became the sine qua non of an internationalist state, willing to promote cooperation amongst a plurality of actors, believing common interests to be more important than their differences. This raised the hopes of constitutionalists, and those who believed in the expansion of a liberal democratic peace. South Africa has acted out two seemingly contradictory roles: those of a reformer and those of a conserver. By 2007–2008 she had shifted towards the latter, conservative-reformist position. Thus, South Africa's voting record at the General Assembly expressed her overriding concern to regionalise African issues and minimise the US and the West shaping political events. This brought her foreign policy into sharper relief. But while in some sense successful, it came at a price: a controversy about her surrendering her internationalism and principles on human rights for African unity and traditional sovereignty. But it also marked the arrival of South Africa in the world of international Realpolitik.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bischoff, Paul, 1954-
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161431 , vital:40626 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/000203970904400205
- Description: After 1994, South Africa became the sine qua non of an internationalist state, willing to promote cooperation amongst a plurality of actors, believing common interests to be more important than their differences. This raised the hopes of constitutionalists, and those who believed in the expansion of a liberal democratic peace. South Africa has acted out two seemingly contradictory roles: those of a reformer and those of a conserver. By 2007–2008 she had shifted towards the latter, conservative-reformist position. Thus, South Africa's voting record at the General Assembly expressed her overriding concern to regionalise African issues and minimise the US and the West shaping political events. This brought her foreign policy into sharper relief. But while in some sense successful, it came at a price: a controversy about her surrendering her internationalism and principles on human rights for African unity and traditional sovereignty. But it also marked the arrival of South Africa in the world of international Realpolitik.
- Full Text:
Regional trade agreements and South-South FDI: potential benefits and challenges for SACU-MERCOSUR investment relations
- Authors: Cattaneo, Nicolette S
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/470256 , vital:77341
- Description: In December 2004, the countries of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 1 signed an initial preferential trade agreement (PTA) as a step towards the eventual formation of a free trade area. The PTA was expanded and consolidated during subsequent negotia-tions that took place between 2004 and 2008, and the new agreement, signed by SACU ministers in April 2009 and MER-COSUR in December 2008, is expected to enter into force at the beginning of 2010. At present, the PTA provides for preferences on a limited range of products, and includes annexes relating to rules of origin, safeguards, dispute settlement, sanitary and phy-tosanitary measures and customs administration. 2 While trade between MERCOSUR and SACU comprises only a small propor-tion (1-2%) of each bloc’s total trade, bilateral trade has trebled since 2001 (Woolfrey, 2009). From SACU’s perspective, this trade largely involves the export of primary products in exchange for higher value-added goods from MERCOSUR, effectively reinforc-ing North-South trade patterns (Roberts, 2004: 10). 3 The ra-tionale for the PTA thus appears to rest on trade and investment potential and, more broadly, on growing moves to intensify South-South trade and investment cooperation. Such moves have gath-ered momentum with the increasing influence of emerging econ-omies such as the BRIC.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cattaneo, Nicolette S
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/470256 , vital:77341
- Description: In December 2004, the countries of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 1 signed an initial preferential trade agreement (PTA) as a step towards the eventual formation of a free trade area. The PTA was expanded and consolidated during subsequent negotia-tions that took place between 2004 and 2008, and the new agreement, signed by SACU ministers in April 2009 and MER-COSUR in December 2008, is expected to enter into force at the beginning of 2010. At present, the PTA provides for preferences on a limited range of products, and includes annexes relating to rules of origin, safeguards, dispute settlement, sanitary and phy-tosanitary measures and customs administration. 2 While trade between MERCOSUR and SACU comprises only a small propor-tion (1-2%) of each bloc’s total trade, bilateral trade has trebled since 2001 (Woolfrey, 2009). From SACU’s perspective, this trade largely involves the export of primary products in exchange for higher value-added goods from MERCOSUR, effectively reinforc-ing North-South trade patterns (Roberts, 2004: 10). 3 The ra-tionale for the PTA thus appears to rest on trade and investment potential and, more broadly, on growing moves to intensify South-South trade and investment cooperation. Such moves have gath-ered momentum with the increasing influence of emerging econ-omies such as the BRIC.
- Full Text:
Regional transport challenges within the Southern African Development Community and their implications for economic integration and development
- Authors: Mutambara, Tsitsi E
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/477831 , vital:78128 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02589000903399488
- Description: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) seeks to deepen economic integration among its members through the SADC free trade area that came into effect in January 2008. The thrust for a progressive reduction of tariff and no-tariff barriers, which the market integration model emphasises, has serious im-plications for the impact of transport and communication systems on economic integration and development within SADC. Transport and communications systems have an important bear-ing on economic integration and development because they can be significant non-tariff barriers. The SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology is the instrument through which transport and communications constraints are to be ad-dressed. Through this protocol, some institutions have been es-tablished and others proposed to ensure that projects designed to deepen economic integration and development are implemented effectively.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutambara, Tsitsi E
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/477831 , vital:78128 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02589000903399488
- Description: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) seeks to deepen economic integration among its members through the SADC free trade area that came into effect in January 2008. The thrust for a progressive reduction of tariff and no-tariff barriers, which the market integration model emphasises, has serious im-plications for the impact of transport and communication systems on economic integration and development within SADC. Transport and communications systems have an important bear-ing on economic integration and development because they can be significant non-tariff barriers. The SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology is the instrument through which transport and communications constraints are to be ad-dressed. Through this protocol, some institutions have been es-tablished and others proposed to ensure that projects designed to deepen economic integration and development are implemented effectively.
- Full Text:
Regulating franchise operations in South Africa : a study of the existing legal framework with suggestions for reform.
- Authors: Woker, Tanya Ann
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Franchise Association of Southern Africa , Franchises (Retail trade) -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Dept. of Trade and Industry , Common law -- South Africa , Commercial law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015719
- Description: This thesis analyses the existing legal framework that applies to franchising in South Africa today. The study begins with an examination of the history and nature of the franchise contract, focusing particularly on the nature of the franchise relationship. This study is undertaken in order to substantiate the argument that franchising is a unique method of doing business. There is a need therefore to recognise that the franchise contract is a special contract in its own right, just like contracts of sale, lease, insurance and suretyship. The study then goes on to examine the problems which are experienced in the sector, as well as the law which must provide solutions to these problems. The research will show that in a modern commercial world the existing legal framework, especially the common law, cannot adequately deal with many of these problems. The complex relationship between franchising and competition law is also explored. A common thread that emerges from franchise disputes is the lack of protection afforded to the interests of franchisees. Franchisees tend to be at the mercy of economically stronger franchisors, hence the belief that there is a need for a stronger regulatory framework. The study then shifts to proposals for reform. In 2000 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) established the Franchise Steering Committee in conjunction with the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) to review the regulatory environment. This Committee drafted franchise legislation which aimed to bring the regulation of the sector under the control of the DTI. This legislation has not been implemented and the DTI has changed its strategy. Instead of dealing with franchising independently, franchising will fall within the scope of consumer protection legislation. Both the consumer protection legislation and the legislation proposed by the Franchise Steering Committee are thoroughly examined and explained. Shortcomings in the proposals are highlighted and an alternative approach is recommended. It is proposed that franchise-specific legislation should be introduced but that this legislation should establish a system of co-regulation between the government and the franchise sector.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Woker, Tanya Ann
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Franchise Association of Southern Africa , Franchises (Retail trade) -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Dept. of Trade and Industry , Common law -- South Africa , Commercial law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015719
- Description: This thesis analyses the existing legal framework that applies to franchising in South Africa today. The study begins with an examination of the history and nature of the franchise contract, focusing particularly on the nature of the franchise relationship. This study is undertaken in order to substantiate the argument that franchising is a unique method of doing business. There is a need therefore to recognise that the franchise contract is a special contract in its own right, just like contracts of sale, lease, insurance and suretyship. The study then goes on to examine the problems which are experienced in the sector, as well as the law which must provide solutions to these problems. The research will show that in a modern commercial world the existing legal framework, especially the common law, cannot adequately deal with many of these problems. The complex relationship between franchising and competition law is also explored. A common thread that emerges from franchise disputes is the lack of protection afforded to the interests of franchisees. Franchisees tend to be at the mercy of economically stronger franchisors, hence the belief that there is a need for a stronger regulatory framework. The study then shifts to proposals for reform. In 2000 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) established the Franchise Steering Committee in conjunction with the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) to review the regulatory environment. This Committee drafted franchise legislation which aimed to bring the regulation of the sector under the control of the DTI. This legislation has not been implemented and the DTI has changed its strategy. Instead of dealing with franchising independently, franchising will fall within the scope of consumer protection legislation. Both the consumer protection legislation and the legislation proposed by the Franchise Steering Committee are thoroughly examined and explained. Shortcomings in the proposals are highlighted and an alternative approach is recommended. It is proposed that franchise-specific legislation should be introduced but that this legislation should establish a system of co-regulation between the government and the franchise sector.
- Full Text:
Repetitive symbolic play as a therapeutic process
- Authors: Campbell, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Play therapy Symbolic play Child psychology Developmental psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2944 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002453
- Description: Child centred play therapy theory explains that the facilitative environment of the relationship between child and play therapist allows the child the opportunity to confront emotional pain imbedded in lived, relational experiences, and in so doing process and gain mastery over it. However very little research exists into how the child, through his use of repetitive, symbolic play, as a therapeutic process, achieves this resolution. This research project aims to address this gap in research by exploring and describing repetitive symbolic play as a therapeutic process within child centred play therapy that facilitates change in the child‟s sense of self, assisting him towards healthy adjustment. The research project uses a young boys‟ therapeutic process as a case study, employing a qualitative research design that draws from interpretative research. Fourteen repetitive play sequence themes were analysed within the context of the case formulation and follow-up feedback meetings that took place throughout the therapy process. Using a hermeneutic enquiry the researcher illustrates how the child‟s sense of self, dependent on his perceptions of his external environment, became far more congruent, as evident through his behaviour, when his environment, first in play therapy, then at home and at school became more consistent, supportive and nurturing. Within this facilitative environment the researcher then describes how the child used repetitive symbolic play to address and process emotional issues relating to earlier experiences within his external environment. Hermeneutic analysis suggests that the child‟s use of repetitive symbolic play within the facilitative relationship between him and his therapist became a therapeutic process in and of itself that contributed towards self-directed healing, and change within his sense of self, that promoted healthier adjustment within his environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Campbell, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Play therapy Symbolic play Child psychology Developmental psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2944 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002453
- Description: Child centred play therapy theory explains that the facilitative environment of the relationship between child and play therapist allows the child the opportunity to confront emotional pain imbedded in lived, relational experiences, and in so doing process and gain mastery over it. However very little research exists into how the child, through his use of repetitive, symbolic play, as a therapeutic process, achieves this resolution. This research project aims to address this gap in research by exploring and describing repetitive symbolic play as a therapeutic process within child centred play therapy that facilitates change in the child‟s sense of self, assisting him towards healthy adjustment. The research project uses a young boys‟ therapeutic process as a case study, employing a qualitative research design that draws from interpretative research. Fourteen repetitive play sequence themes were analysed within the context of the case formulation and follow-up feedback meetings that took place throughout the therapy process. Using a hermeneutic enquiry the researcher illustrates how the child‟s sense of self, dependent on his perceptions of his external environment, became far more congruent, as evident through his behaviour, when his environment, first in play therapy, then at home and at school became more consistent, supportive and nurturing. Within this facilitative environment the researcher then describes how the child used repetitive symbolic play to address and process emotional issues relating to earlier experiences within his external environment. Hermeneutic analysis suggests that the child‟s use of repetitive symbolic play within the facilitative relationship between him and his therapist became a therapeutic process in and of itself that contributed towards self-directed healing, and change within his sense of self, that promoted healthier adjustment within his environment.
- Full Text:
Restoration of degraded subtropical thickets in the Baviaanskloof Megareserve, South Africa: the role of carbon stocks and Portulacaria afra survivorship
- Authors: Powell, Michael John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4764 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007164 , Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Description: The semi-arid forms of subtropical thicket in the Eastern and Western Cape have been heavily degraded through unsustainable pastoralism over the last century or more. The degraded areas exhibit a significant loss of above-ground and belowground carbon stocks, and consequently provide an opportunity for restoration through the formal and informal carbon markets. A prerequisite for the attainment of carbon credits is to ensure sound carbon stock baselines prior to effecting restoration. I report on the carbon stocks (including sub-pools) for a number of intact subtropical thicket types, as well as the differentials between the intact and degraded states (including the sub-pools). Total carbon stocks (TCS in t C ha⁻¹) for intact vegetation (to a soil depth 0–25 cm), ranged from 87.73±6.51 to 70.64±17.24. For degraded vegetation (including old lands), TCS (t C ha⁻¹) ranged from 34.05±3.61 to 21.03±2.70. For all vegetation types, the differentials in TCS along the degradation gradient (0–25 cm) are highly significant and strengthen the possibility for carbon credit financing to catalyse the restoration of the degraded semi-arid subtropical thickets. This study has shown a mean loss of 57.23 t C ha⁻¹ in Baviaanskloof spekboom thickets, when measured to a soil depth of 25 cm. Portulacaria afra is a key species within the semi-arid subtropical thickets, being a canopy dominant and a driver of soil nutrient status, but has been largely lost from the degraded landscapes. Degraded semi-arid subtropical thicket vegetation lacks regeneration via seedling recruitment; restoration therefore requires the manual replanting of P. afra using cut truncheons. Survivorship trials were undertaken infield in 2005 to establish restoration protocols for P. afra, with survivorship being recorded in 2006 and 2008. Overall survivorship for all treatments was found to be 43.2±2.8% in 2006, dropping to 35.8±2.7% in 2008. Planting posture (flat or upright) showed the most significant results of all the factors tested in 2006 and 2008. Micro-damming also influenced survivorship in that micro-damming was associated with marginally higher survivorship (47.4 ±2.0% with damming vs. 39.1±1.5% without damming in 2006, and 39.3±1.9% vs. 32.3±1.5% in 2008). Higher planting density only showed a significant positive impact on survivorship in 2008. Neither stem diameter nor clumping significantly affected degree of survival. A key finding in the study has been the non-static nature of P. afra truncheon survivorship, even after being well established (three years since planting). The results from the study will guide the restoration protocols for the restoration of degraded subtropical thickets, where P. afra requires replanting.
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- Authors: Powell, Michael John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4764 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007164 , Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Description: The semi-arid forms of subtropical thicket in the Eastern and Western Cape have been heavily degraded through unsustainable pastoralism over the last century or more. The degraded areas exhibit a significant loss of above-ground and belowground carbon stocks, and consequently provide an opportunity for restoration through the formal and informal carbon markets. A prerequisite for the attainment of carbon credits is to ensure sound carbon stock baselines prior to effecting restoration. I report on the carbon stocks (including sub-pools) for a number of intact subtropical thicket types, as well as the differentials between the intact and degraded states (including the sub-pools). Total carbon stocks (TCS in t C ha⁻¹) for intact vegetation (to a soil depth 0–25 cm), ranged from 87.73±6.51 to 70.64±17.24. For degraded vegetation (including old lands), TCS (t C ha⁻¹) ranged from 34.05±3.61 to 21.03±2.70. For all vegetation types, the differentials in TCS along the degradation gradient (0–25 cm) are highly significant and strengthen the possibility for carbon credit financing to catalyse the restoration of the degraded semi-arid subtropical thickets. This study has shown a mean loss of 57.23 t C ha⁻¹ in Baviaanskloof spekboom thickets, when measured to a soil depth of 25 cm. Portulacaria afra is a key species within the semi-arid subtropical thickets, being a canopy dominant and a driver of soil nutrient status, but has been largely lost from the degraded landscapes. Degraded semi-arid subtropical thicket vegetation lacks regeneration via seedling recruitment; restoration therefore requires the manual replanting of P. afra using cut truncheons. Survivorship trials were undertaken infield in 2005 to establish restoration protocols for P. afra, with survivorship being recorded in 2006 and 2008. Overall survivorship for all treatments was found to be 43.2±2.8% in 2006, dropping to 35.8±2.7% in 2008. Planting posture (flat or upright) showed the most significant results of all the factors tested in 2006 and 2008. Micro-damming also influenced survivorship in that micro-damming was associated with marginally higher survivorship (47.4 ±2.0% with damming vs. 39.1±1.5% without damming in 2006, and 39.3±1.9% vs. 32.3±1.5% in 2008). Higher planting density only showed a significant positive impact on survivorship in 2008. Neither stem diameter nor clumping significantly affected degree of survival. A key finding in the study has been the non-static nature of P. afra truncheon survivorship, even after being well established (three years since planting). The results from the study will guide the restoration protocols for the restoration of degraded subtropical thickets, where P. afra requires replanting.
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Restructuring of the Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex: a perspective from the planned change management approach
- Authors: Qwesha, Babalwa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitals -- Administration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Organizational change -- Management -- South Africa Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003883
- Description: The research objectives which underpin this study were threefold. Firstly was to analyze the Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex (PEHC) restructuring process from a planned changed management perspective in particular the three stage model of Lewin (1951) which include unfreezing the current equilibrium, moving to a new position and refreezing in the new position. Secondly was to analyze how unforeseen circumstances were dealt with. Thirdly was to analyse the setting of objectives and measurements of targets to monitor progress. The study is based on the restructuring that took place in the PEHC which was called “Rationalization”. The research indicates that the development and implementation of the rationalization cannot be understood from the perspective of the three stage model of Lewin (1951). The conclusion was based on the manager’s perceptions of their analysis of the restructuring in the light of the theory of the three stage model of Lewin (1951). The study has shown that: · Rationalisation began by gathering information on the shortcomings of the structure of the three hospitals, but did not understand the degree of readiness to change. · The timescales for achieving rationalization were not clearly defined. · It was driven from the top with clear objectives and no timescales. · There was no structure that prepared the employees to go through the process of rationalisation. · There was lack of capacity of middle managers to respond to the workers in an encouraging way. · Rationalisation sub-committees had limited time to meet with employees at the sectional level. · External stakeholder involvement was not mobilized to its full potential. · Rationalisation was not an open process that involved both formal and informal employees. · Budget constraints and staff shortages were not informed by the restructuring needs. · Workers did not feel secure about the current and future work practises. · There was no feeling that the change will be beneficial to their wellbeing and to the organisation’s goals and mission · There was no monitoring and evaluation put in place to track progress. · There was centralisation of even the most basic administrative functions. The study seems to imply that the restructuring in the PEHC bears no resemblance to the Lewin (1951) planned change model and therefore cannot be understood from the perspective of this model. Given the initiative to rationalize, the PEHC management can learn from the model of Lewin (1951) planned change.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Qwesha, Babalwa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitals -- Administration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Organizational change -- Management -- South Africa Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003883
- Description: The research objectives which underpin this study were threefold. Firstly was to analyze the Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex (PEHC) restructuring process from a planned changed management perspective in particular the three stage model of Lewin (1951) which include unfreezing the current equilibrium, moving to a new position and refreezing in the new position. Secondly was to analyze how unforeseen circumstances were dealt with. Thirdly was to analyse the setting of objectives and measurements of targets to monitor progress. The study is based on the restructuring that took place in the PEHC which was called “Rationalization”. The research indicates that the development and implementation of the rationalization cannot be understood from the perspective of the three stage model of Lewin (1951). The conclusion was based on the manager’s perceptions of their analysis of the restructuring in the light of the theory of the three stage model of Lewin (1951). The study has shown that: · Rationalisation began by gathering information on the shortcomings of the structure of the three hospitals, but did not understand the degree of readiness to change. · The timescales for achieving rationalization were not clearly defined. · It was driven from the top with clear objectives and no timescales. · There was no structure that prepared the employees to go through the process of rationalisation. · There was lack of capacity of middle managers to respond to the workers in an encouraging way. · Rationalisation sub-committees had limited time to meet with employees at the sectional level. · External stakeholder involvement was not mobilized to its full potential. · Rationalisation was not an open process that involved both formal and informal employees. · Budget constraints and staff shortages were not informed by the restructuring needs. · Workers did not feel secure about the current and future work practises. · There was no feeling that the change will be beneficial to their wellbeing and to the organisation’s goals and mission · There was no monitoring and evaluation put in place to track progress. · There was centralisation of even the most basic administrative functions. The study seems to imply that the restructuring in the PEHC bears no resemblance to the Lewin (1951) planned change model and therefore cannot be understood from the perspective of this model. Given the initiative to rationalize, the PEHC management can learn from the model of Lewin (1951) planned change.
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Review of South African research and interventions in the development of a policy strategy on teen-aged pregnancy
- Macleod, Catriona I, Tracey, Tiffany
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Tracey, Tiffany
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , review
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434425 , vital:73058 , ISBN review , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Catriona-Macleod-3/publication/43108043_Review_of_South_African_Research_and_Interventions_in_the_Development_of_a_Policy_Strategy_on_Teen-Aged_Pregnancy/links/0c960539ff3f3595e6000000/Review-of-South-African-Research-and-Interventions-in-the-Development-of-a-Policy-Strategy-on-Teen-Aged-Pregnancy.pdf
- Description: In line with international trends, current South African policy and plans identify sexual and reproductive health as a key priority area for health intervention. Both the prevention of unwanted pregnancies amongst teenagers and the provision of support to those who do conceive contribute to the overall aim of enhancing reproductive health. This report represents a first step in the review of youth and adolescent health policy with regards to pregnancy amongst teenagers. It consists of a review of the scientific literature published in the last 10 years supplemented by information gathered in interviews with key informants from a range of key directorates and organisations. Two broad principles frame this report. The first is the adoption of a nuanced and criti cal approach to understanding ‘adolescent pregnancy’ in context. The second is the adoption of a human rights based perspective that underlies much of South Africa’s legislation and policy with respect to youth sexuality and reproduction.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Tracey, Tiffany
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , review
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434425 , vital:73058 , ISBN review , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Catriona-Macleod-3/publication/43108043_Review_of_South_African_Research_and_Interventions_in_the_Development_of_a_Policy_Strategy_on_Teen-Aged_Pregnancy/links/0c960539ff3f3595e6000000/Review-of-South-African-Research-and-Interventions-in-the-Development-of-a-Policy-Strategy-on-Teen-Aged-Pregnancy.pdf
- Description: In line with international trends, current South African policy and plans identify sexual and reproductive health as a key priority area for health intervention. Both the prevention of unwanted pregnancies amongst teenagers and the provision of support to those who do conceive contribute to the overall aim of enhancing reproductive health. This report represents a first step in the review of youth and adolescent health policy with regards to pregnancy amongst teenagers. It consists of a review of the scientific literature published in the last 10 years supplemented by information gathered in interviews with key informants from a range of key directorates and organisations. Two broad principles frame this report. The first is the adoption of a nuanced and criti cal approach to understanding ‘adolescent pregnancy’ in context. The second is the adoption of a human rights based perspective that underlies much of South Africa’s legislation and policy with respect to youth sexuality and reproduction.
- Full Text: