Small mammal communities at high altitude within the Sneeuberg Mountain complex, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Kok, Armand du Preez
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mountain animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammal populations -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005454 , Mountain animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammal populations -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Due to their widespread and specious nature, small mammals are ideal for biogeographical studies. Small mammals also effectively connect various trophic levels by being both consumers and prey items for other animals. The Great Escarpment is the dominant mountain landscape in South Africa. Yet, very little small mammal research has been conducted on the Great Escarpment outside of the Main Drakensberg Mountains. This is surprising given the importance of mountains in shaping regional ecology. In this study, I assessed the diversity and community composition of small mammals at three high altitude (>1700m) sites within the Sneeuberg Mountain Complex (SMC) from June 2009 to May 2010. I also tested the effectiveness of five different bait types for measuring small mammal diversity (i.e. number of individuals caught, species richness, Shannon diversity index and Simpson index of diversity). Out of a total of 423 captures, 292 individuals of 12 small mammal species (one shrew, one elephant shrew and 10 rodents) were recorded over 5280 trap nights. The species richness and diversity of small mammals captured at the three sites were similar and this homogeneity was probably related to the regional processes (e.g. climate and latitude) that govern species richness and diversity. The most effective bait type in terms of capture success, species richness and diversity measurements was peanut butter and oats. In addition, the use of richness estimators revealed that peanut butter and oats was the most effective bait for sampling the species richness of small mammals. The effectiveness of peanut butter and oats was related to this bait having a more attractive scent, when compared to the other bait types. Future studies should focus on researching the range of local and regional processes that drive small mammal diversity at high altitudes in South Africa. I also recommend the use of more than one bait type when planning to survey small mammal communities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kok, Armand du Preez
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mountain animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammal populations -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005454 , Mountain animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammal populations -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Due to their widespread and specious nature, small mammals are ideal for biogeographical studies. Small mammals also effectively connect various trophic levels by being both consumers and prey items for other animals. The Great Escarpment is the dominant mountain landscape in South Africa. Yet, very little small mammal research has been conducted on the Great Escarpment outside of the Main Drakensberg Mountains. This is surprising given the importance of mountains in shaping regional ecology. In this study, I assessed the diversity and community composition of small mammals at three high altitude (>1700m) sites within the Sneeuberg Mountain Complex (SMC) from June 2009 to May 2010. I also tested the effectiveness of five different bait types for measuring small mammal diversity (i.e. number of individuals caught, species richness, Shannon diversity index and Simpson index of diversity). Out of a total of 423 captures, 292 individuals of 12 small mammal species (one shrew, one elephant shrew and 10 rodents) were recorded over 5280 trap nights. The species richness and diversity of small mammals captured at the three sites were similar and this homogeneity was probably related to the regional processes (e.g. climate and latitude) that govern species richness and diversity. The most effective bait type in terms of capture success, species richness and diversity measurements was peanut butter and oats. In addition, the use of richness estimators revealed that peanut butter and oats was the most effective bait for sampling the species richness of small mammals. The effectiveness of peanut butter and oats was related to this bait having a more attractive scent, when compared to the other bait types. Future studies should focus on researching the range of local and regional processes that drive small mammal diversity at high altitudes in South Africa. I also recommend the use of more than one bait type when planning to survey small mammal communities.
- Full Text:
Smashing the crystal ball: post-structural insights associated with contemporary anarchism and the revision of blueprint utopianism
- Authors: Alexander, Tarryn Linda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003099 , Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Description: This thesis is an exploration of the images which define revolution's meaning. It suggests a possible shifting of emphasis from the scientific imaginary which centres on identifying the correct way to totalising revolution, towards a post-structuralist-anarchistic imaginary which privileges prefigurative radicalisations of social relations in the here and now. It looks specifically at how the field of post-structuralism intertwines with historically anarchist concepts to generate an horizon of social change animated by experimental and open-ended transformations. While the thesis offers positive characterisations of the types of contemporary movements, tactics and principles which embody the change from closed to open utopianism, it is chiefly a commentary on the role of theory in depicting the complexity of relations on the ground and the danger of proposing one totalising pathway from one state of society to another. It asks the reader to consider, given the achievements of movements and given the insights of post-structuralism, whether it is still worthwhile to proclaim certainty when sketching the possibilities for transcendence toward emancipation, an aim, which in itself, is always under construction. I engage this by firstly establishing a practical foundation for the critique of endpoints in theory by exploring the horizontal and prefigurative nature of a few autonomous movements today. Secondly I propose the contemporary theory of post-structuralist anarchism as concomitant with conclusions about transformation made in the first chapter. Finally I recommend a few initial concepts to start debate about the way forward from old objectivist models of transformation. The uncertainties of daily life, crumbling of economic powers and rapid pace of change in the twenty-first century have opened up fantastic spaces for innovative thought. Reconsidering old consensus around what constitutes a desirable image of revolution is of considerable importance given today's burgeoning bottom-up political energy and the global debate surrounding the possibilities for bottom-up revolutionisation of society. I submit that theories which portray stories of permanent, pure and natural end-points to revolution are deficient justifications for radical action.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Alexander, Tarryn Linda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003099 , Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Description: This thesis is an exploration of the images which define revolution's meaning. It suggests a possible shifting of emphasis from the scientific imaginary which centres on identifying the correct way to totalising revolution, towards a post-structuralist-anarchistic imaginary which privileges prefigurative radicalisations of social relations in the here and now. It looks specifically at how the field of post-structuralism intertwines with historically anarchist concepts to generate an horizon of social change animated by experimental and open-ended transformations. While the thesis offers positive characterisations of the types of contemporary movements, tactics and principles which embody the change from closed to open utopianism, it is chiefly a commentary on the role of theory in depicting the complexity of relations on the ground and the danger of proposing one totalising pathway from one state of society to another. It asks the reader to consider, given the achievements of movements and given the insights of post-structuralism, whether it is still worthwhile to proclaim certainty when sketching the possibilities for transcendence toward emancipation, an aim, which in itself, is always under construction. I engage this by firstly establishing a practical foundation for the critique of endpoints in theory by exploring the horizontal and prefigurative nature of a few autonomous movements today. Secondly I propose the contemporary theory of post-structuralist anarchism as concomitant with conclusions about transformation made in the first chapter. Finally I recommend a few initial concepts to start debate about the way forward from old objectivist models of transformation. The uncertainties of daily life, crumbling of economic powers and rapid pace of change in the twenty-first century have opened up fantastic spaces for innovative thought. Reconsidering old consensus around what constitutes a desirable image of revolution is of considerable importance given today's burgeoning bottom-up political energy and the global debate surrounding the possibilities for bottom-up revolutionisation of society. I submit that theories which portray stories of permanent, pure and natural end-points to revolution are deficient justifications for radical action.
- Full Text:
Social capital and fisheries co-management in South Africa: the East Coast Rock Lobster Fishery in Tshani Mankozi, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kaminsky, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social capital (Sociology) -- Economic aspects Human capital -- South Africa Fishery management -- South Africa Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa Rural poor -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3322 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003110
- Description: It is evident that natural fish stocks are in rapid decline and that millions of people around the world rely on these resources for food and for securing a livelihood. This has brought many social scientists, biologists and fisheries experts to acknowledge that communities need to take more control in managing their natural resources. The paradigm shift in fisheries management from a top-down resource orientated control to a participatory people-centred control is now being advocated in many maritime nations in facilitating community-based natural resource management. At the heart of these projects is the establishment of institutions and social networks that allow for clear communication and information sharing, based on scientific data and traditional knowledge which ultimately allow empowered communities to collectively manage their resources in partnership with government, market actors and many other stakeholders. Central to the problem is the issue of access rights. In many situations where co-management of natural resources through community-government partnerships is advocated, the failure of coastal states to provide adequate legislature and regulatory frameworks has jeopardised such projects. A second issue is the failure of many states to provide adequate investments in social and human capital which will enable communities to become the primary stakeholder in the co-management of their natural resources. Whilst investments like capacity building, education, skills training and development, communications and institution building can initially require high financial investments, the regulatory costs for monitoring, controlling and surveying fish stocks along the coastline will go down as communities take ownership of their resources under sustainable awareness. The main unit of investment therefore is social capital which allows for the increase in trust, cooperativeness, assertiveness, collective action and general capabilities of natural resource governance. High levels of social capital require good social relations and interactions which ultimately create a social network of fishers, community members and leaders, government officials, market players, researchers and various other stakeholders. Co-management thus has an inherent network structure made up of social relations on a horizontal scale amongst community members as well as on a vertical scale with government and fisheries authorities. These bonding relations between people and the bridging relations with institutions provide the social capital currency that allows for a successful co-management solution to community-based natural resource governance. The South African coastline is home to thousands of people who harvest the marine resources for food security and securing a basic income. Fishing is a major cultural and historical component of the livelihoods of many people along the coastline, particularly along the Wild Coast of South Africa located on its South-eastern shoreline. Due to the geopolitical nature of South Africa’s apartheid past many people were located in former tribal lands called Bantustans. The Transkei, one of the biggest homelands, is home to some of South Africa’s poorest people, many of whom rely on the marine resources. By 1998 the government sought to acknowledge the previously unrecognised subsistence sector that lived along the South African coastline with the promulgation of the Marine Living Resources Act. The act sought to legalise access rights for fishers and provide opportunities for the development of commercial fisheries. The act and many subsequent policies largely called for co-management as a solution to the management of the subsistence sector. This thesis largely explains the administrative and legislative difficulties in transporting the participatory components of co-management to the ground level. As such co-management has largely remained in rhetoric whilst the government provides a contradictory policy regarding the management of subsistence and small-scale fishers. This thesis attempts to provide qualitative ethnographic research of the East Coast Rock Lobster fishery located in a small fishing village in the Transkei. The fishery falls somewhere on the spectrum between the small-scale and subsistence sector as there are a basket of high and low value resources being harvested. It will be argued that in order to economically and socially develop the fishery the social capital and social networks of the community and various stakeholders needs to be analysed in order to effectively create a co-management network that can create a successful collective management of natural resources thereby sustaining these communities in the future.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kaminsky, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social capital (Sociology) -- Economic aspects Human capital -- South Africa Fishery management -- South Africa Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa Rural poor -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3322 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003110
- Description: It is evident that natural fish stocks are in rapid decline and that millions of people around the world rely on these resources for food and for securing a livelihood. This has brought many social scientists, biologists and fisheries experts to acknowledge that communities need to take more control in managing their natural resources. The paradigm shift in fisheries management from a top-down resource orientated control to a participatory people-centred control is now being advocated in many maritime nations in facilitating community-based natural resource management. At the heart of these projects is the establishment of institutions and social networks that allow for clear communication and information sharing, based on scientific data and traditional knowledge which ultimately allow empowered communities to collectively manage their resources in partnership with government, market actors and many other stakeholders. Central to the problem is the issue of access rights. In many situations where co-management of natural resources through community-government partnerships is advocated, the failure of coastal states to provide adequate legislature and regulatory frameworks has jeopardised such projects. A second issue is the failure of many states to provide adequate investments in social and human capital which will enable communities to become the primary stakeholder in the co-management of their natural resources. Whilst investments like capacity building, education, skills training and development, communications and institution building can initially require high financial investments, the regulatory costs for monitoring, controlling and surveying fish stocks along the coastline will go down as communities take ownership of their resources under sustainable awareness. The main unit of investment therefore is social capital which allows for the increase in trust, cooperativeness, assertiveness, collective action and general capabilities of natural resource governance. High levels of social capital require good social relations and interactions which ultimately create a social network of fishers, community members and leaders, government officials, market players, researchers and various other stakeholders. Co-management thus has an inherent network structure made up of social relations on a horizontal scale amongst community members as well as on a vertical scale with government and fisheries authorities. These bonding relations between people and the bridging relations with institutions provide the social capital currency that allows for a successful co-management solution to community-based natural resource governance. The South African coastline is home to thousands of people who harvest the marine resources for food security and securing a basic income. Fishing is a major cultural and historical component of the livelihoods of many people along the coastline, particularly along the Wild Coast of South Africa located on its South-eastern shoreline. Due to the geopolitical nature of South Africa’s apartheid past many people were located in former tribal lands called Bantustans. The Transkei, one of the biggest homelands, is home to some of South Africa’s poorest people, many of whom rely on the marine resources. By 1998 the government sought to acknowledge the previously unrecognised subsistence sector that lived along the South African coastline with the promulgation of the Marine Living Resources Act. The act sought to legalise access rights for fishers and provide opportunities for the development of commercial fisheries. The act and many subsequent policies largely called for co-management as a solution to the management of the subsistence sector. This thesis largely explains the administrative and legislative difficulties in transporting the participatory components of co-management to the ground level. As such co-management has largely remained in rhetoric whilst the government provides a contradictory policy regarding the management of subsistence and small-scale fishers. This thesis attempts to provide qualitative ethnographic research of the East Coast Rock Lobster fishery located in a small fishing village in the Transkei. The fishery falls somewhere on the spectrum between the small-scale and subsistence sector as there are a basket of high and low value resources being harvested. It will be argued that in order to economically and socially develop the fishery the social capital and social networks of the community and various stakeholders needs to be analysed in order to effectively create a co-management network that can create a successful collective management of natural resources thereby sustaining these communities in the future.
- Full Text:
Social networks in recently established human settlements in Grahamstown East/Rhini, South Africa
- Authors: Mukorombindo, Yeukai Chido
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Human settlements -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Social capital (Sociology) Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social life and customs Poor -- Social networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social conditions Social change -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003098
- Description: This thesis attempts to understand the concepts of social capital and social networks within the South African government’s current policy on “human settlements”. It considers the association between social networks, social capital and social cohesion, community development and improved general quality of life. The thesis also explores the possibility and challenges of using social capital and social networks amongst low income urban communities as a viable strategy against poverty and for the development of sustainable human settlements. The thesis will examine the nature and form in which informal social networks function in a low income urban community in South Africa and the benefits that arise from these. The thesis particularly looked at informal social security networks in the form of savings clubs/stokvels and burial societies as well as other informal social networks such as religious associations and neighbourhood social support groups. The study discovered that in light of the high unemployment rate, high poverty levels and increasing urban economic pressures, most low income households cannot access or rely on social networks as a means of survival but on grants and wages. Social security networks are only accessible to those who can afford monthly membership contributions thereby excluding the poorest of the poor. For those who can afford to be members of social security networks, the benefits are limited and they do not adequately address household needs. The study also showed how those who cannot afford to be members of social security networks still have access to some sort of communal social support. Neighbours stand out as valuable in this regard. However, the casual neighbourhood support networks are not ‘resource rich’ mainly due to, the inability of people to donate and reciprocate. Religious networks are mainly identified with emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being, providing friendship, comfort and advice but these benefits are only provided to members only in their time of need. The theoretical understanding of social networks producing social capital which is seen as being beneficial to the poorest of the poor is questioned, as the results show the inequalities and divisions that exist within informal social networks themselves. On the other hand, all the social networks considered in this thesis have managed to contribute towards strengthening neighbourly relations, trust, building community identity and promoting values of ubuntu- sharing and caring for one another which in the long-run benefits the community, both members and non-members alike.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mukorombindo, Yeukai Chido
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Human settlements -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Social capital (Sociology) Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social life and customs Poor -- Social networks -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social conditions Social change -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003098
- Description: This thesis attempts to understand the concepts of social capital and social networks within the South African government’s current policy on “human settlements”. It considers the association between social networks, social capital and social cohesion, community development and improved general quality of life. The thesis also explores the possibility and challenges of using social capital and social networks amongst low income urban communities as a viable strategy against poverty and for the development of sustainable human settlements. The thesis will examine the nature and form in which informal social networks function in a low income urban community in South Africa and the benefits that arise from these. The thesis particularly looked at informal social security networks in the form of savings clubs/stokvels and burial societies as well as other informal social networks such as religious associations and neighbourhood social support groups. The study discovered that in light of the high unemployment rate, high poverty levels and increasing urban economic pressures, most low income households cannot access or rely on social networks as a means of survival but on grants and wages. Social security networks are only accessible to those who can afford monthly membership contributions thereby excluding the poorest of the poor. For those who can afford to be members of social security networks, the benefits are limited and they do not adequately address household needs. The study also showed how those who cannot afford to be members of social security networks still have access to some sort of communal social support. Neighbours stand out as valuable in this regard. However, the casual neighbourhood support networks are not ‘resource rich’ mainly due to, the inability of people to donate and reciprocate. Religious networks are mainly identified with emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being, providing friendship, comfort and advice but these benefits are only provided to members only in their time of need. The theoretical understanding of social networks producing social capital which is seen as being beneficial to the poorest of the poor is questioned, as the results show the inequalities and divisions that exist within informal social networks themselves. On the other hand, all the social networks considered in this thesis have managed to contribute towards strengthening neighbourly relations, trust, building community identity and promoting values of ubuntu- sharing and caring for one another which in the long-run benefits the community, both members and non-members alike.
- Full Text:
Social recruiting: a next generation social engineering attack
- Schoeman, A H B, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Schoeman, A H B , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428600 , vital:72523 , https://www.jstor.org/stable/26486876
- Description: Social engineering attacks initially experienced success due to the lack of understanding of the attack vector and resultant lack of remedial actions. Due to an increase in media coverage corporate bodies have begun to defend their interests from this vector. This has resulted in a new generation of social engineering attacks that have adapted to the industry response. These new forms of attack take into account the increased likelihood that they will be detected; rendering traditional defences against social engineering attacks moot. This paper highlights these attacks and will explain why traditional defences fail to address them as well as suggest new methods of incident response.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schoeman, A H B , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428600 , vital:72523 , https://www.jstor.org/stable/26486876
- Description: Social engineering attacks initially experienced success due to the lack of understanding of the attack vector and resultant lack of remedial actions. Due to an increase in media coverage corporate bodies have begun to defend their interests from this vector. This has resulted in a new generation of social engineering attacks that have adapted to the industry response. These new forms of attack take into account the increased likelihood that they will be detected; rendering traditional defences against social engineering attacks moot. This paper highlights these attacks and will explain why traditional defences fail to address them as well as suggest new methods of incident response.
- Full Text:
Spectral, photophysical and photochemical properties of tetra-and octaglycosylated zinc phthalocyanines
- Iqbal, Zafar, Masilela, Nkosiphile, Nyokong, Tebello, Lyubimtsev, Alexey, Hanack, Michael, Ziegler, Thomas
- Authors: Iqbal, Zafar , Masilela, Nkosiphile , Nyokong, Tebello , Lyubimtsev, Alexey , Hanack, Michael , Ziegler, Thomas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244428 , vital:51256 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/c2pp05348a"
- Description: Photophysical and photochemical properties of a series of tetra- and octaglycosylated zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) substituted with glucose and galactose moieties have been reported. Spectral properties of these phthalocyanines are compared in DMSO. Absorption spectra of the non-peripherally tetra-substituted ZnPcs 2 showed a significant red shift in their Q-band maxima as compared to the peripherally substituted analog 1. All the complexes gave high triplet quantum yields ranging from 0.68 to 0.88, whereas triplet lifetimes were in the range of 100–430 µs in argon-saturated solutions. The octagalactosylated ZnPc 3b showed the highest triplet quantum yield and singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.88 and 0.69, respectively. The fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of all the compounds under investigation were within the range of zinc phthalocyanine complexes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Iqbal, Zafar , Masilela, Nkosiphile , Nyokong, Tebello , Lyubimtsev, Alexey , Hanack, Michael , Ziegler, Thomas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244428 , vital:51256 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/c2pp05348a"
- Description: Photophysical and photochemical properties of a series of tetra- and octaglycosylated zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) substituted with glucose and galactose moieties have been reported. Spectral properties of these phthalocyanines are compared in DMSO. Absorption spectra of the non-peripherally tetra-substituted ZnPcs 2 showed a significant red shift in their Q-band maxima as compared to the peripherally substituted analog 1. All the complexes gave high triplet quantum yields ranging from 0.68 to 0.88, whereas triplet lifetimes were in the range of 100–430 µs in argon-saturated solutions. The octagalactosylated ZnPc 3b showed the highest triplet quantum yield and singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.88 and 0.69, respectively. The fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of all the compounds under investigation were within the range of zinc phthalocyanine complexes.
- Full Text:
Spectroscopic and physicochemical behavior of magnesium phthalocyanine derivatives mono-substituted with a carboxylic acid group
- Nombona, Nolwazi, Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nombona, Nolwazi , Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244450 , vital:51258 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2011.12.051"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of novel unsymmetrically substituted magnesium phthalocyanine complexes containing one carboxyl group. The physicochemical behavior of these complexes were compared with those of their unmetallated and zinc counterparts. The MgPcs showed interesting absorption spectra with [8,15,22-Tris-(naphtho)-4,5-(3-carboxy-1,2-dioxyphenyl)phthalocyaninato]magnesium (II) showing a large split in the Q band whereas [8,15,22-Tris-(naphtho)-2-(carboxy) phthalocyaninato]magnesium(II) presented only a small splitting. The magnesium phthalocyanine derivatives displayed higher fluorescence quantum yields compared to unmetallated and zinc phthalocyanine counterparts. The latter gave admirable triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields. These molecules can distinctly be employed in the field of photodynamic therapy in combination with fluorescence imaging.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nombona, Nolwazi , Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244450 , vital:51258 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2011.12.051"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of novel unsymmetrically substituted magnesium phthalocyanine complexes containing one carboxyl group. The physicochemical behavior of these complexes were compared with those of their unmetallated and zinc counterparts. The MgPcs showed interesting absorption spectra with [8,15,22-Tris-(naphtho)-4,5-(3-carboxy-1,2-dioxyphenyl)phthalocyaninato]magnesium (II) showing a large split in the Q band whereas [8,15,22-Tris-(naphtho)-2-(carboxy) phthalocyaninato]magnesium(II) presented only a small splitting. The magnesium phthalocyanine derivatives displayed higher fluorescence quantum yields compared to unmetallated and zinc phthalocyanine counterparts. The latter gave admirable triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields. These molecules can distinctly be employed in the field of photodynamic therapy in combination with fluorescence imaging.
- Full Text:
STAT3 interacts directly with Hsp90:
- Prinsloo, Earl, Kramer, Adam H, Edkins, Adrienne L, Blatch, Gregory L
- Authors: Prinsloo, Earl , Kramer, Adam H , Edkins, Adrienne L , Blatch, Gregory L
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165142 , vital:41212 , DOI: 10.1002/iub.607
- Description: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) functionally modulates signal transduction. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates interleukin‐6 family cytokine signaling. Aberrant activation and mutation of STAT3 is associated with oncogenesis and immune disorders, respectively. Hsp90 and STAT3 have previously been shown to colocalize and coimmunoprecipitate in common complexes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Prinsloo, Earl , Kramer, Adam H , Edkins, Adrienne L , Blatch, Gregory L
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165142 , vital:41212 , DOI: 10.1002/iub.607
- Description: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) functionally modulates signal transduction. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates interleukin‐6 family cytokine signaling. Aberrant activation and mutation of STAT3 is associated with oncogenesis and immune disorders, respectively. Hsp90 and STAT3 have previously been shown to colocalize and coimmunoprecipitate in common complexes.
- Full Text:
Structural analysis of effects of mutations on HIV-1 subtype C protease active site
- Mathu, Alexander Muchugia Nganga
- Authors: Mathu, Alexander Muchugia Nganga
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004073 , HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Description: HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic that poses a great threat especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where the highest population of those infected with the virus is found. It has far reaching medical, socio-economic and scientific implications. The HIV-1 protease enzyme is a prime therapeutic target that has been exploited in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality. However problems arise from drug toxicity and drug-resistant mutations of the protease which is a motivation for research for new, safer and effective therapies. Evidence exists to show that there are significant genomic differences in Subtype B and C that have a negative effect on the intrinsic binding of inhibitors. It is imperative to look at all perspectives from epidemiological, molecular to the pharmacological ones so as to achieve rational design of therapeutic agents. This study involved the use of in silico structural analysis of the effects of mutations in the active site. The data was provided by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases consisting of HIV-1 Subtype C protease sequences of 29 infants exhibiting drug-resistance to ritonavir and lopinavir. The major active site mutations causing drug resistance identified in this study were M46I, I54V and V82A using the Stanford HIV database tool. Homology modeling without extra restraints produced models with improved quality in comparison to those with restraints. MetaMQAPII results differed when models were visualized as dimers giving erroneous modeled regions in comparison to monomers. A broader study with a larger dataset of HIV-1 subtype C protease sequences is required to increase statistical confidence and in order to identify the pattern of drug resistant mutations. Homology modeling without extra restraints is preferred for calculating homology models for the HIV-1 subtype C. Further investigations needs to be done to ascertain the accuracy of validation results for dimers from MetaMQAPII as it is designed for evaluation of monomers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mathu, Alexander Muchugia Nganga
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004073 , HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Description: HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic that poses a great threat especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where the highest population of those infected with the virus is found. It has far reaching medical, socio-economic and scientific implications. The HIV-1 protease enzyme is a prime therapeutic target that has been exploited in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality. However problems arise from drug toxicity and drug-resistant mutations of the protease which is a motivation for research for new, safer and effective therapies. Evidence exists to show that there are significant genomic differences in Subtype B and C that have a negative effect on the intrinsic binding of inhibitors. It is imperative to look at all perspectives from epidemiological, molecular to the pharmacological ones so as to achieve rational design of therapeutic agents. This study involved the use of in silico structural analysis of the effects of mutations in the active site. The data was provided by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases consisting of HIV-1 Subtype C protease sequences of 29 infants exhibiting drug-resistance to ritonavir and lopinavir. The major active site mutations causing drug resistance identified in this study were M46I, I54V and V82A using the Stanford HIV database tool. Homology modeling without extra restraints produced models with improved quality in comparison to those with restraints. MetaMQAPII results differed when models were visualized as dimers giving erroneous modeled regions in comparison to monomers. A broader study with a larger dataset of HIV-1 subtype C protease sequences is required to increase statistical confidence and in order to identify the pattern of drug resistant mutations. Homology modeling without extra restraints is preferred for calculating homology models for the HIV-1 subtype C. Further investigations needs to be done to ascertain the accuracy of validation results for dimers from MetaMQAPII as it is designed for evaluation of monomers.
- Full Text:
Structural analysis of prodomain inhibition of cysteine proteases in plasmodium species
- Authors: Njuguna, Joyce Njoki
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004081 , Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Description: Plasmodium is a genus of parasites causing malaria, a virulent protozoan infection in humans resulting in over a million deaths annually. Treatment of malaria is increasingly limited by parasite resistance to available drugs. Hence, there is a need to identify new drug targets and authenticate antimalarial compounds that act on these targets. A relatively new therapeutic approach targets proteolytic enzymes responsible for parasite‟s invasion, rupture and hemoglobin degradation at the erythrocytic stage of infection. Cysteine proteases (CPs) are essential for these crucial roles in the intraerythrocytic parasite. CPs are a diverse group of enzymes subdivided into clans and further subdivided into families. Our interest is in Clan CA, papain family C1 proteases, whose members play numerous roles in human and parasitic metabolism. These proteases are produced as zymogens having an N-terminal extension known as the prodomain which regulates the protease activity by selectively inhibiting its active site, preventing substrate access. A Clan CA protease Falcipain-2 (FP-2) of Plasmodium falciparum is a validated drug target but little is known of its orthologs in other malarial Plasmodium species. This study uses various structural bioinformatics approaches to characterise the prodomain‟s regulatory effect in FP-2 and its orthologs in Plasmodium species (P. vivax, P. berghei, P. knowlesi, P. ovale, P. chabaudi and P. yoelii). This was in an effort to discover short peptides with essential residues to mimic the prodomain‟s inhibition of these proteases, as potential peptidomimetic therapeutic agents. Residues in the prodomain region that spans over the active site are most likely to interact with the subsite residues inhibiting the protease. Sequence analysis revealed conservation of residues in this region of Plasmodium proteases that differed significantly in human proteases. Further prediction of the 3D structure of these proteases by homology modelling allowed visualisation of these interactions revealing differences between parasite and human proteases which will lead to significant contribution in structure based malarial inhibitor design.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Njuguna, Joyce Njoki
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004081 , Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Description: Plasmodium is a genus of parasites causing malaria, a virulent protozoan infection in humans resulting in over a million deaths annually. Treatment of malaria is increasingly limited by parasite resistance to available drugs. Hence, there is a need to identify new drug targets and authenticate antimalarial compounds that act on these targets. A relatively new therapeutic approach targets proteolytic enzymes responsible for parasite‟s invasion, rupture and hemoglobin degradation at the erythrocytic stage of infection. Cysteine proteases (CPs) are essential for these crucial roles in the intraerythrocytic parasite. CPs are a diverse group of enzymes subdivided into clans and further subdivided into families. Our interest is in Clan CA, papain family C1 proteases, whose members play numerous roles in human and parasitic metabolism. These proteases are produced as zymogens having an N-terminal extension known as the prodomain which regulates the protease activity by selectively inhibiting its active site, preventing substrate access. A Clan CA protease Falcipain-2 (FP-2) of Plasmodium falciparum is a validated drug target but little is known of its orthologs in other malarial Plasmodium species. This study uses various structural bioinformatics approaches to characterise the prodomain‟s regulatory effect in FP-2 and its orthologs in Plasmodium species (P. vivax, P. berghei, P. knowlesi, P. ovale, P. chabaudi and P. yoelii). This was in an effort to discover short peptides with essential residues to mimic the prodomain‟s inhibition of these proteases, as potential peptidomimetic therapeutic agents. Residues in the prodomain region that spans over the active site are most likely to interact with the subsite residues inhibiting the protease. Sequence analysis revealed conservation of residues in this region of Plasmodium proteases that differed significantly in human proteases. Further prediction of the 3D structure of these proteases by homology modelling allowed visualisation of these interactions revealing differences between parasite and human proteases which will lead to significant contribution in structure based malarial inhibitor design.
- Full Text:
Students’ navigation of the uncharted territories of academic writing
- Bharuthram, Sharita, McKenna, Sioux
- Authors: Bharuthram, Sharita , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187373 , vital:44626 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2012.742651"
- Description: Many students enter tertiary education unfamiliar with the ‘norms and conventions’ of their disciplines. Research into academic literacies has shown that in order to succeed in their studies, students are expected to conform to these norms and conventions, which are often unrecognized or seen as ‘common sense’ by lecturers. Students have to develop their own ‘map’ of their programme’s expectations in order to make sense of the seemingly mysterious practices they are expected to take on. This study, undertaken at a University of Technology in South Africa, details students’ perceptions of their writing difficulties and their attempts to navigate their way through various writing tasks. The findings reveal that students experience a range of difficulties and that the students often feel unsupported in their travails with academic writing.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bharuthram, Sharita , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187373 , vital:44626 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2012.742651"
- Description: Many students enter tertiary education unfamiliar with the ‘norms and conventions’ of their disciplines. Research into academic literacies has shown that in order to succeed in their studies, students are expected to conform to these norms and conventions, which are often unrecognized or seen as ‘common sense’ by lecturers. Students have to develop their own ‘map’ of their programme’s expectations in order to make sense of the seemingly mysterious practices they are expected to take on. This study, undertaken at a University of Technology in South Africa, details students’ perceptions of their writing difficulties and their attempts to navigate their way through various writing tasks. The findings reveal that students experience a range of difficulties and that the students often feel unsupported in their travails with academic writing.
- Full Text:
Studies on existing and new isolates of Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV) on Thaumatotibia leucotreta populations from a range of geographic regions in South Africa
- Authors: Opoku-Debrah, John Kwadwo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- South Africa Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Biological control Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Life cycles Baculoviruses Lepidoptera -- Biological control Tortricidae -- Biological control Microbial insecticides Pests -- Integrated control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005466
- Description: Baculoviruses are arthropod-specific DNA viruses that are highly virulent to most lepidopteran insects. Their host specificity and compatibility with IPM programmes has enabled their usage as safe microbial insecticides (biopesticides). Two baculovirus-based biopesticides, Cryptogran and Cryptex, which have been formulated with Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV) have been registered for the control of false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia (=Cryptophlebia) leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in South Africa and have been successfully incorporated into IPM programmes. However, several studies have indicated that insects can develop resistance to baculovirus-based biopesticide as was shown with field populations of codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.), which developed resistance to the biopesticide Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV-M) in Europe. Other studies have shown that, under laboratory conditions, FCM populations differ in their susceptibility to Cryptogran and Cryptex. In order to investigate difference in susceptibility as well as protect against any future resistance by FCM to Cryptogran and Cryptex, a search for novel CrleGV-SA isolates from diseased insects from different geographic regions in South Africa was performed. Six geographic populations (Addo, Citrusdal, Marble Hall, Nelspruit, Baths and Mixed colonies) of FCM were established and maintained in the laboratory. Studies on the comparative biological performance based on pupal mass, female fecundity, egg hatch, pupal survival, adult eclosion and duration of life cycle of the Addo, Citrusdal, Marble Hall, Nelspruit and Mixed colonies revealed a low biological performance for the Citrusdal colony. This was attributed to the fact that FCM populations found in the Citrusdal area are not indigenous and may have been introduced from a very limited gene pool from another region. When insects from five colonies, excluding the Baths colony, were subjected to stress by overcrowding , a latent baculovirus resident in the Addo, Nelspruit, Citrusdal, Marble Hall and Mixed colonies was brought into an overt lethal state. Transmission electron micrographs revealed the presence of GV occlusion bodies (OBs) in diseased insects. DNA profiles obtained by single restriction endonuclease analysis of viral genomic DNA using BamH 1, Sa/1, Xba1 , Pst1, Xh01 , Kpn1, Hindlll and EcoR1 revealed five CrleGV-SA isolates latent within the insect populations. The new isolates were named CrleGV-SA Ado, CrleGV-SA Cit, CrleGV-SA Mbl, CrleGVSA Nels and CrleGV-SA Mix isolates. The novelty of the five CrleGV-SA isolates was confirmed by the presence of unique submolar bands, indicating that each isolate was genetically different. PCR amplification and sequencing of the granulin and egt genes from the five isolates revealed several single nucleotide polymorph isms (SNPs) which, in some cases, resulted in amino acid substitutions. DNA profiles from RFLPs, as well as phylogenetic analysis based on granulin and egt sequencing showed the presence of two CrleGV-SA genome types for the CrleGV-SA isolate. Cryptex and CrleGV-SA Ado, CrleGV-SA Cit, CrleGV-SA Mbl and CrleGV-SA Mix were placed as members of Group one CrleGV-SA, and Cryptogran and CrleGV-SA Nels isolate were placed into Group two CrleGV-SA. In droplet feeding bioassays, the median survival time (STso) for neonate larvae inoculated with Group one and two CrleGV-SA were determined to range from 80 - 88 hours (3.33 - 3.67 days), for all five colonies. LDso values for Group one and two CrleGV-SA against neonates from the Addo, Citrusdal, Marble Hall, Nelspruit and Mixed colonies varied between some populations and ranged from 0.80 - 3.12 OBs per larva, indicating some level of variation in host susceptibility. This is the first study reporting the existence of genetically distinct CrleGV baculovirus isolates infecting FCM in different geographical areas of South Africa. The results of this study have broad-ranging implications for our understanding of baculovirus-host interactions and for the application of baculovirus basedbiopesticides.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Opoku-Debrah, John Kwadwo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- South Africa Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Biological control Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Life cycles Baculoviruses Lepidoptera -- Biological control Tortricidae -- Biological control Microbial insecticides Pests -- Integrated control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005466
- Description: Baculoviruses are arthropod-specific DNA viruses that are highly virulent to most lepidopteran insects. Their host specificity and compatibility with IPM programmes has enabled their usage as safe microbial insecticides (biopesticides). Two baculovirus-based biopesticides, Cryptogran and Cryptex, which have been formulated with Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV) have been registered for the control of false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia (=Cryptophlebia) leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in South Africa and have been successfully incorporated into IPM programmes. However, several studies have indicated that insects can develop resistance to baculovirus-based biopesticide as was shown with field populations of codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.), which developed resistance to the biopesticide Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV-M) in Europe. Other studies have shown that, under laboratory conditions, FCM populations differ in their susceptibility to Cryptogran and Cryptex. In order to investigate difference in susceptibility as well as protect against any future resistance by FCM to Cryptogran and Cryptex, a search for novel CrleGV-SA isolates from diseased insects from different geographic regions in South Africa was performed. Six geographic populations (Addo, Citrusdal, Marble Hall, Nelspruit, Baths and Mixed colonies) of FCM were established and maintained in the laboratory. Studies on the comparative biological performance based on pupal mass, female fecundity, egg hatch, pupal survival, adult eclosion and duration of life cycle of the Addo, Citrusdal, Marble Hall, Nelspruit and Mixed colonies revealed a low biological performance for the Citrusdal colony. This was attributed to the fact that FCM populations found in the Citrusdal area are not indigenous and may have been introduced from a very limited gene pool from another region. When insects from five colonies, excluding the Baths colony, were subjected to stress by overcrowding , a latent baculovirus resident in the Addo, Nelspruit, Citrusdal, Marble Hall and Mixed colonies was brought into an overt lethal state. Transmission electron micrographs revealed the presence of GV occlusion bodies (OBs) in diseased insects. DNA profiles obtained by single restriction endonuclease analysis of viral genomic DNA using BamH 1, Sa/1, Xba1 , Pst1, Xh01 , Kpn1, Hindlll and EcoR1 revealed five CrleGV-SA isolates latent within the insect populations. The new isolates were named CrleGV-SA Ado, CrleGV-SA Cit, CrleGV-SA Mbl, CrleGVSA Nels and CrleGV-SA Mix isolates. The novelty of the five CrleGV-SA isolates was confirmed by the presence of unique submolar bands, indicating that each isolate was genetically different. PCR amplification and sequencing of the granulin and egt genes from the five isolates revealed several single nucleotide polymorph isms (SNPs) which, in some cases, resulted in amino acid substitutions. DNA profiles from RFLPs, as well as phylogenetic analysis based on granulin and egt sequencing showed the presence of two CrleGV-SA genome types for the CrleGV-SA isolate. Cryptex and CrleGV-SA Ado, CrleGV-SA Cit, CrleGV-SA Mbl and CrleGV-SA Mix were placed as members of Group one CrleGV-SA, and Cryptogran and CrleGV-SA Nels isolate were placed into Group two CrleGV-SA. In droplet feeding bioassays, the median survival time (STso) for neonate larvae inoculated with Group one and two CrleGV-SA were determined to range from 80 - 88 hours (3.33 - 3.67 days), for all five colonies. LDso values for Group one and two CrleGV-SA against neonates from the Addo, Citrusdal, Marble Hall, Nelspruit and Mixed colonies varied between some populations and ranged from 0.80 - 3.12 OBs per larva, indicating some level of variation in host susceptibility. This is the first study reporting the existence of genetically distinct CrleGV baculovirus isolates infecting FCM in different geographical areas of South Africa. The results of this study have broad-ranging implications for our understanding of baculovirus-host interactions and for the application of baculovirus basedbiopesticides.
- Full Text:
Study South Africa
- International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA), Jooste, Nico
- Authors: International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) , Jooste, Nico
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Technical Institutes -- South Africa , Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64928 , vital:28637 , ISBN 9780620542661
- Description: [Extract from article by Ms Merle Hodges]: A recent article points to the feeling of alienation that students feel when studying away from home. It seeks to address the problem by establishing a range of fora where foreign students can feel more ‘at home’. It encourages host students to be more willing to accommodate these ‘outsiders’ in order to boost the reputation of the institution. Most of these initiatives are slightly patronising, but obviously well-meant. The overriding sense behind the article is that international students, within higher education institutions, are a benevolent burden. International students should be looked after, because universities are generally maternal (they are someone’s alma mater after all), places of kindness (they literally give away knowledge) and generally care for others (community outreach is fundamental to most universities). More importantly, international students – in places like the USA and UK – generate additional funding in an environment where government and federal funding is drying up. But what if four out of every ten students in the world who graduated were from China and India? In the next eight years? That genial inconvenience now becomes an imperative. These are the predictions by such august organisations as The British Council and the education branch of the OECD. It is also anticipated that these countries will not be in a position to educate this number of students internally. Which, in turn, suggests that there will be mass outflows at the undergraduate level and, by sheer dint of numbers, also means that internationalisation is heading towards a compounding acceleration in numbers. Where then does internationalisation stand? It will no longer be an altruistic add-on, but core business to the lifeblood of the universities across the globe. As far back as 1994, Jane Knight understood internationalisation as a phenomenon that would have a profound impact on the functions and structures of the university. “Internationalization,” she points out, “is the process of integrating an international, intercultural, global outlook into the major functions of a university – teaching, SRC, and service functions.” Over the past year arguments have been made that suggest that global shifts in student demographics are not the ‘province’ of South African higher education and that our obligation is to focus internally, on poverty alleviation and job creation. This argument misses the point. The free flow of academics and students – especially the large number of postgraduate students from other countries already at our institutions – are working with our academics on solving exactly these kinds of problems. IEASA is no longer only about the 60 000 students who migrate to our shores annually. It’s about what they learn and the diverse experiences that they will go through; experiences that will change them for life and will inevitably bring them to a different understanding of the world that we, collectively, are presently fashioning. , 12th Edition
- Full Text:
- Authors: International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) , Jooste, Nico
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Technical Institutes -- South Africa , Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64928 , vital:28637 , ISBN 9780620542661
- Description: [Extract from article by Ms Merle Hodges]: A recent article points to the feeling of alienation that students feel when studying away from home. It seeks to address the problem by establishing a range of fora where foreign students can feel more ‘at home’. It encourages host students to be more willing to accommodate these ‘outsiders’ in order to boost the reputation of the institution. Most of these initiatives are slightly patronising, but obviously well-meant. The overriding sense behind the article is that international students, within higher education institutions, are a benevolent burden. International students should be looked after, because universities are generally maternal (they are someone’s alma mater after all), places of kindness (they literally give away knowledge) and generally care for others (community outreach is fundamental to most universities). More importantly, international students – in places like the USA and UK – generate additional funding in an environment where government and federal funding is drying up. But what if four out of every ten students in the world who graduated were from China and India? In the next eight years? That genial inconvenience now becomes an imperative. These are the predictions by such august organisations as The British Council and the education branch of the OECD. It is also anticipated that these countries will not be in a position to educate this number of students internally. Which, in turn, suggests that there will be mass outflows at the undergraduate level and, by sheer dint of numbers, also means that internationalisation is heading towards a compounding acceleration in numbers. Where then does internationalisation stand? It will no longer be an altruistic add-on, but core business to the lifeblood of the universities across the globe. As far back as 1994, Jane Knight understood internationalisation as a phenomenon that would have a profound impact on the functions and structures of the university. “Internationalization,” she points out, “is the process of integrating an international, intercultural, global outlook into the major functions of a university – teaching, SRC, and service functions.” Over the past year arguments have been made that suggest that global shifts in student demographics are not the ‘province’ of South African higher education and that our obligation is to focus internally, on poverty alleviation and job creation. This argument misses the point. The free flow of academics and students – especially the large number of postgraduate students from other countries already at our institutions – are working with our academics on solving exactly these kinds of problems. IEASA is no longer only about the 60 000 students who migrate to our shores annually. It’s about what they learn and the diverse experiences that they will go through; experiences that will change them for life and will inevitably bring them to a different understanding of the world that we, collectively, are presently fashioning. , 12th Edition
- Full Text:
Subject marking and preverbal coordination in Sesotho: A perspective from Optimality Theory
- De Vos, Mark A, Mitchley, Hazel
- Authors: De Vos, Mark A , Mitchley, Hazel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/469393 , vital:77238 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2012.737591
- Description: Agreement usually operates in a one-to-one fashion where an agreement target is matched to a source of agreement. However, when there is more than one source (for example, in preverbal coordination constructions) agreement mismatches occur. These may be resolved either through partial agreement with only a single source, or by various resolution strategies. Bantu languages with their rich noun-class system are an ideal domain to explore resolution strategies. This paper examines the phenomenon of subject-verb agreement with preverbal coordinated DPs in Sesotho (S33) and outlines an Optimality Theoretic analysis of the various strategies that speakers use to negotiate subject verb agreement.
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Vos, Mark A , Mitchley, Hazel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/469393 , vital:77238 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2012.737591
- Description: Agreement usually operates in a one-to-one fashion where an agreement target is matched to a source of agreement. However, when there is more than one source (for example, in preverbal coordination constructions) agreement mismatches occur. These may be resolved either through partial agreement with only a single source, or by various resolution strategies. Bantu languages with their rich noun-class system are an ideal domain to explore resolution strategies. This paper examines the phenomenon of subject-verb agreement with preverbal coordinated DPs in Sesotho (S33) and outlines an Optimality Theoretic analysis of the various strategies that speakers use to negotiate subject verb agreement.
- Full Text:
Subject marking, coordination and noun classes in ciNsenga
- Authors: Simango, Silvester R
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/469256 , vital:77224 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2012.737595
- Description: Subject marking on the Bantu verb seems to be a straightforward process in clauses with simple subject noun phrases (NP) as the verb only has to agree with a single NP. With conjoined NPs, on the other hand, subject-verb agreement is more complicated as there are three possibilities for such agreement: (i) agreement with both conjuncts (total agreement); (ii) agreement with one of the conjuncts (partial agreement); (iii) no agreement at all (default agreement). This study reveals that in ciNsenga partial agreement with conjoined NPs is not permitted; that total agreement and default agreement are determined by a combination of number, human, and gender features. Total agreement is possible only if the conjuncts denote nouns from the same plural class. Default agreement comes in two different forms: (i) if two conjuncts from different noun classes denote humans then agreement is with Class 2; (ii) if the conjuncts denote singular non-humans or they conflict in noun class then agreement is with Class 8. The study also reveals that default agreement for non-humans is restricted by word order, which suggests that agreement patterns are restricted by a combination of semantic and syntactic factors.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Simango, Silvester R
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/469256 , vital:77224 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2012.737595
- Description: Subject marking on the Bantu verb seems to be a straightforward process in clauses with simple subject noun phrases (NP) as the verb only has to agree with a single NP. With conjoined NPs, on the other hand, subject-verb agreement is more complicated as there are three possibilities for such agreement: (i) agreement with both conjuncts (total agreement); (ii) agreement with one of the conjuncts (partial agreement); (iii) no agreement at all (default agreement). This study reveals that in ciNsenga partial agreement with conjoined NPs is not permitted; that total agreement and default agreement are determined by a combination of number, human, and gender features. Total agreement is possible only if the conjuncts denote nouns from the same plural class. Default agreement comes in two different forms: (i) if two conjuncts from different noun classes denote humans then agreement is with Class 2; (ii) if the conjuncts denote singular non-humans or they conflict in noun class then agreement is with Class 8. The study also reveals that default agreement for non-humans is restricted by word order, which suggests that agreement patterns are restricted by a combination of semantic and syntactic factors.
- Full Text:
Submission to Press Freedom Commission (PFC) on Media Self-regulation, Co-regulation or Statutory regulation in South Africa:
- Wasserman, Herman, Steenveld, Lynette N, Strelitz, Larry N, Amner, Roderick J, Boshoff, Priscilla A, Mathurine, Jude, Garman, Anthea
- Authors: Wasserman, Herman , Steenveld, Lynette N , Strelitz, Larry N , Amner, Roderick J , Boshoff, Priscilla A , Mathurine, Jude , Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143571 , vital:38263 , ISBN , https://www.ru.ac.za/media/rhodesuniversity/content/ruhome/documents/JMS Submission to Press Freedom Commission.pdf
- Description: Prof Duncan has outlined the relative merits and demerits of self-regulation, co-regulation and deregulation, with which we are in broad agreement. She has also ably dealt with the three functions of regulatory bodies, namely the setting of ground rules for the industry to ensure best practice; enforcement of these; and adjudication of claims and counter claims re journalistic practice (Duncan 2012, p17). Finally, she has also taken up the issue of the necessity of accepting Third Party Complaints as one of the fundamental mechanisms by which citizens can make complaints on the basis of principle, rather than being personally aggrieved. While we are in broad agreement with her on these issues, we would like to highlight some further points for consideration.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wasserman, Herman , Steenveld, Lynette N , Strelitz, Larry N , Amner, Roderick J , Boshoff, Priscilla A , Mathurine, Jude , Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143571 , vital:38263 , ISBN , https://www.ru.ac.za/media/rhodesuniversity/content/ruhome/documents/JMS Submission to Press Freedom Commission.pdf
- Description: Prof Duncan has outlined the relative merits and demerits of self-regulation, co-regulation and deregulation, with which we are in broad agreement. She has also ably dealt with the three functions of regulatory bodies, namely the setting of ground rules for the industry to ensure best practice; enforcement of these; and adjudication of claims and counter claims re journalistic practice (Duncan 2012, p17). Finally, she has also taken up the issue of the necessity of accepting Third Party Complaints as one of the fundamental mechanisms by which citizens can make complaints on the basis of principle, rather than being personally aggrieved. While we are in broad agreement with her on these issues, we would like to highlight some further points for consideration.
- Full Text:
Substantive second-level reasoning and experiential learning in legal ethics
- Authors: Kruuse, Helen
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68983 , vital:29345 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC127082
- Description: Publisher version , This article takes a critical look at law teaching in South Africa and seeks to consider how the application of experiential learning theory may assist law students in gaining a deeper understanding of the law in general, and the complexities of real life practice in particular. While clinical legal education is often seen as the locus of experiential learning in law, the author proposes that well-structured simulations in class can achieve similar goals. The article comprises a description of the nature of experiential learning and a further description of the application of the principles of experiential learning in a particular simulation exercise in a Legal Ethics course (using the US case of Wash St Phys Ins Exch v Fisons Corp 858 P2d 1054 (Wash 1993) as a basis). The author posits that the so-called experiential learning "cycle" or "process" enables a process of learning which draws out the students' beliefs and ideas about a topic so that it can be examined, tested and integrated with new, more refined ideas. This notion is then in keeping with the expectation that students who emerge from higher education institutions have developed meta-cognitive skills. Essentially then, it is hoped that, by using the methods proposed in this article, students can then manage their own development and learning throughout life.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Kruuse, Helen
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68983 , vital:29345 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC127082
- Description: Publisher version , This article takes a critical look at law teaching in South Africa and seeks to consider how the application of experiential learning theory may assist law students in gaining a deeper understanding of the law in general, and the complexities of real life practice in particular. While clinical legal education is often seen as the locus of experiential learning in law, the author proposes that well-structured simulations in class can achieve similar goals. The article comprises a description of the nature of experiential learning and a further description of the application of the principles of experiential learning in a particular simulation exercise in a Legal Ethics course (using the US case of Wash St Phys Ins Exch v Fisons Corp 858 P2d 1054 (Wash 1993) as a basis). The author posits that the so-called experiential learning "cycle" or "process" enables a process of learning which draws out the students' beliefs and ideas about a topic so that it can be examined, tested and integrated with new, more refined ideas. This notion is then in keeping with the expectation that students who emerge from higher education institutions have developed meta-cognitive skills. Essentially then, it is hoped that, by using the methods proposed in this article, students can then manage their own development and learning throughout life.
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Surface electrochemistry : structured electrode, synthesis, and characterization
- Bedioui, Fethi, Nyokong, Tebello, Zagal, José H
- Authors: Bedioui, Fethi , Nyokong, Tebello , Zagal, José H
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004126 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/405825
- Description: From introduction: The aim of this special issue is to show, through recent updated significant examples, how the electrochemical techniques allow the unique characterization of specific properties of micro- and nanostructured materials that offer varied possibilities of uses and the preparation of specific types of ordered materials that take advantage of electrochemical synthetic methods such as structuring nanosized wires and dots, to cite only two examples.
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- Authors: Bedioui, Fethi , Nyokong, Tebello , Zagal, José H
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004126 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/405825
- Description: From introduction: The aim of this special issue is to show, through recent updated significant examples, how the electrochemical techniques allow the unique characterization of specific properties of micro- and nanostructured materials that offer varied possibilities of uses and the preparation of specific types of ordered materials that take advantage of electrochemical synthetic methods such as structuring nanosized wires and dots, to cite only two examples.
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Syntheses, protonation constants and antimicrobial activity of 2-substituted N-alkylimidazole derivatives
- Kleyi, Phumelele, Walmsley, Ryan S, Gundhla, Isaac Z, Walmsley, Tara A, Jauka, Tembisa I, Dames, Joanna F, Walker, Roderick B, Torto, Nelson, Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Authors: Kleyi, Phumelele , Walmsley, Ryan S , Gundhla, Isaac Z , Walmsley, Tara A , Jauka, Tembisa I , Dames, Joanna F , Walker, Roderick B , Torto, Nelson , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184066 , vital:44165 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajc/article/view/123858"
- Description: A series of N-alkylimidazole-2-carboxylic acid, N-alkylimidazole-2-carboxaldehyde and N-alkylimidazole-2-methanol derivatives [alkyl = benzyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, heptyl, octyl and decyl] have been synthesized and the protonation constants determined. The antimicrobial properties of the compounds were tested against Gram-negative (Escherichi coli), Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii) bacterial strains and yeast (C. albicans). Both the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods for testing the antimicrobial activity showed that N-alkylation of imidazole with longer alkyl chains and the substitution with low pKa group at 2-position resulted in enhanced antimicrobial activity. Particularly, the N-alkylimidazole-2-carboxylic acids exhibited the best antimicrobial activity due to the low pKa of the carboxylic acid moiety. Generally, all the N-alkylimidazole derivatives were most active against the Gram-positive bacteria [S. aureus (MIC = 5–160 µg mL–1) and B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii (5–20 µg mL–1)], with the latter more susceptible. All the compounds showed poor antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative (E. coli, MIC = 0.15 to >2500 µg mL–1) bacteria and all the compounds were inactive against the yeast (Candida albicans).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kleyi, Phumelele , Walmsley, Ryan S , Gundhla, Isaac Z , Walmsley, Tara A , Jauka, Tembisa I , Dames, Joanna F , Walker, Roderick B , Torto, Nelson , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184066 , vital:44165 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajc/article/view/123858"
- Description: A series of N-alkylimidazole-2-carboxylic acid, N-alkylimidazole-2-carboxaldehyde and N-alkylimidazole-2-methanol derivatives [alkyl = benzyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, heptyl, octyl and decyl] have been synthesized and the protonation constants determined. The antimicrobial properties of the compounds were tested against Gram-negative (Escherichi coli), Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii) bacterial strains and yeast (C. albicans). Both the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods for testing the antimicrobial activity showed that N-alkylation of imidazole with longer alkyl chains and the substitution with low pKa group at 2-position resulted in enhanced antimicrobial activity. Particularly, the N-alkylimidazole-2-carboxylic acids exhibited the best antimicrobial activity due to the low pKa of the carboxylic acid moiety. Generally, all the N-alkylimidazole derivatives were most active against the Gram-positive bacteria [S. aureus (MIC = 5–160 µg mL–1) and B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii (5–20 µg mL–1)], with the latter more susceptible. All the compounds showed poor antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative (E. coli, MIC = 0.15 to >2500 µg mL–1) bacteria and all the compounds were inactive against the yeast (Candida albicans).
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Synthesis and photophysical behavior of a novel zinc phthalocyanine containing a single carboxylic acid and three phenylthio substituents
- Forteath, Shaun, Antunes, Edith M, Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Forteath, Shaun , Antunes, Edith M , Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243207 , vital:51127 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.03.050"
- Description: Zinc 2, (3)-tri-(phenylthio)-2, (3)-carboxy phthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3), zinc 2, (3)-tetra-(phenylthio) phthalocyanine (ZnPc(SPh)4) and 2, (3)-tetra-(phenylthio) phthalocyanine (H2Pc(SPh)4) were synthesized and their photophysical behavior were compared with those of a number of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives. ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3 and ZnPc(SPh)4 had similar fluorescence (ΦF=0.14) and triplet state (ΦT=0.65) quantum yields in dimethylsulfoxide, hence showing no effects of the replacement of one of the phenylthio groups with a carboxylic acid group. ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3 displayed a slightly shorter triplet lifetime (τT=331 μs) than ZnPc (τT=350 μs) in DMSO, but within the range of ZnPc derivatives. The triplet lifetime for ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3 is much longer than for the symmetrical derivative (ZnPc(SPh)4) with τT=149 μs in DMSO.
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- Authors: Forteath, Shaun , Antunes, Edith M , Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243207 , vital:51127 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.03.050"
- Description: Zinc 2, (3)-tri-(phenylthio)-2, (3)-carboxy phthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3), zinc 2, (3)-tetra-(phenylthio) phthalocyanine (ZnPc(SPh)4) and 2, (3)-tetra-(phenylthio) phthalocyanine (H2Pc(SPh)4) were synthesized and their photophysical behavior were compared with those of a number of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives. ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3 and ZnPc(SPh)4 had similar fluorescence (ΦF=0.14) and triplet state (ΦT=0.65) quantum yields in dimethylsulfoxide, hence showing no effects of the replacement of one of the phenylthio groups with a carboxylic acid group. ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3 displayed a slightly shorter triplet lifetime (τT=331 μs) than ZnPc (τT=350 μs) in DMSO, but within the range of ZnPc derivatives. The triplet lifetime for ZnPc(COOH)(SPh)3 is much longer than for the symmetrical derivative (ZnPc(SPh)4) with τT=149 μs in DMSO.
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