Becoming and being: a critical realist study into the emergence of identity in emergency medical science students, and the construct of graduate attributes
- Authors: Millar, Bernadette Theresa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Critical realism , Emergency medical personnel -- Psychology , Emergency medical services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1327 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013175
- Description: This critical realist thesis seeks to understand how student, graduate and professional identities emerge in Emergency Medical Science (EMS) students at a South African University of Technology (UoT) as well as in professional paramedics in the Emergency Medical Care Services (EMCS). It further considers the construct of graduate attributes (GAs) and its relationship to emergence of identity and influence on curriculum design. The research design is that of a case study. The theoretical framework is critical realism whose depth ontology posits three domains of reality. Causal powers and generative mechanisms exist in the Real domain which cause events or phenomena to emerge in the Actual domain that are experienced in the Empirical domain. Using retroduction one may come to explore some of the causes for the event. Using Bhaskar’s concepts of identity, the self, absence and emergence, ontology and four-planar social being, a Bhaskarian explanatory framework of identity to explore the emergence of identity has been created. In exploring graduate attributes, a critical realist question is posed: “What must the world be like for GAs to exist” to explore the possibilities of the existence of GAs. It was found that student identity emerges diachronically in three moments, while professional paramedic identity starts to emerge during the third year of study mainly through the structure, culture and agency of workplace-based learning. In answer to the critical realist question it was found that GAs emerge from the neoliberalist commodification of universities. In seeking an alternative to GAs, traits and attitudes were explored. It was found that these emerge from curriculum, interplay of departmental structure, culture and agency of and from students’ being which makes them ontologically radically different from GAs. This study concludes that student, graduate and professional identities emerge from a person’s core constellational identity diachronically within four-planar social being and the interplay of structure, culture and agency. GAs cannot be related to the emergence of identity and curriculum design because of their ontology; however, if traits and attitudes are substituted for GAs, a close relationship does exist between emergence of identity, traits and attitudes and curriculum design.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Millar, Bernadette Theresa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Critical realism , Emergency medical personnel -- Psychology , Emergency medical services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1327 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013175
- Description: This critical realist thesis seeks to understand how student, graduate and professional identities emerge in Emergency Medical Science (EMS) students at a South African University of Technology (UoT) as well as in professional paramedics in the Emergency Medical Care Services (EMCS). It further considers the construct of graduate attributes (GAs) and its relationship to emergence of identity and influence on curriculum design. The research design is that of a case study. The theoretical framework is critical realism whose depth ontology posits three domains of reality. Causal powers and generative mechanisms exist in the Real domain which cause events or phenomena to emerge in the Actual domain that are experienced in the Empirical domain. Using retroduction one may come to explore some of the causes for the event. Using Bhaskar’s concepts of identity, the self, absence and emergence, ontology and four-planar social being, a Bhaskarian explanatory framework of identity to explore the emergence of identity has been created. In exploring graduate attributes, a critical realist question is posed: “What must the world be like for GAs to exist” to explore the possibilities of the existence of GAs. It was found that student identity emerges diachronically in three moments, while professional paramedic identity starts to emerge during the third year of study mainly through the structure, culture and agency of workplace-based learning. In answer to the critical realist question it was found that GAs emerge from the neoliberalist commodification of universities. In seeking an alternative to GAs, traits and attitudes were explored. It was found that these emerge from curriculum, interplay of departmental structure, culture and agency of and from students’ being which makes them ontologically radically different from GAs. This study concludes that student, graduate and professional identities emerge from a person’s core constellational identity diachronically within four-planar social being and the interplay of structure, culture and agency. GAs cannot be related to the emergence of identity and curriculum design because of their ontology; however, if traits and attitudes are substituted for GAs, a close relationship does exist between emergence of identity, traits and attitudes and curriculum design.
- Full Text:
Behavior of palladium nanoparticles in the absence or presence of cobalt tetraaminophthalocyanine for the electrooxidation of hydrazine
- Maringa, Audacity, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Maringa, Audacity , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189796 , vital:44932 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400028"
- Description: We report on the electrodeposition of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and onto a poly-CoTAPc-GCE (CoTAPc=cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine) surface. The electrodes are denoted as PdNPs-GCE and PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE, respectively. PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE showed the best activity for the oxidation of hydrazine at the lowest potential of −0.28 V and with the highest currents. The results were further supported by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which showed that there was less resistance to charge transfer for PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE compared to PdNPs-GCE. The catalytic rate constant for hydrazine oxidation was 6.12×108 cm3 mol−1 s−1 using PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maringa, Audacity , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189796 , vital:44932 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400028"
- Description: We report on the electrodeposition of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and onto a poly-CoTAPc-GCE (CoTAPc=cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine) surface. The electrodes are denoted as PdNPs-GCE and PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE, respectively. PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE showed the best activity for the oxidation of hydrazine at the lowest potential of −0.28 V and with the highest currents. The results were further supported by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which showed that there was less resistance to charge transfer for PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE compared to PdNPs-GCE. The catalytic rate constant for hydrazine oxidation was 6.12×108 cm3 mol−1 s−1 using PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE.
- Full Text:
Behavior of Palladium Nanoparticles in the Absence or Presence of Cobalt Tetraaminophthalocyanine for the Electrooxidation of Hydrazine
- Maringa, Audacity, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Maringa, Audacity , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020382
- Description: We report on the electrodeposition of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and onto a poly-CoTAPc-GCE (CoTAPc=cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine) surface. The electrodes are denoted as PdNPs-GCE and PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE, respectively. PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE showed the best activity for the oxidation of hydrazine at the lowest potential of −0.28 V and with the highest currents. The results were further supported by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which showed that there was less resistance to charge transfer for PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE compared to PdNPs-GCE. The catalytic rate constant for hydrazine oxidation was 6.12×108 cm3 mol−1 s−1 using PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400028
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Maringa, Audacity , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020382
- Description: We report on the electrodeposition of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and onto a poly-CoTAPc-GCE (CoTAPc=cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine) surface. The electrodes are denoted as PdNPs-GCE and PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE, respectively. PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE showed the best activity for the oxidation of hydrazine at the lowest potential of −0.28 V and with the highest currents. The results were further supported by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which showed that there was less resistance to charge transfer for PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE compared to PdNPs-GCE. The catalytic rate constant for hydrazine oxidation was 6.12×108 cm3 mol−1 s−1 using PdNPs/poly-CoTAPc-GCE. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400028
- Full Text: false
Bells as memorials in South Africa to the Great (1914-18) War
- Lewis, Colin A, De Wet, Tertius, Teugels, Jet L, Van Deventer, Pieta J U
- Authors: Lewis, Colin A , De Wet, Tertius , Teugels, Jet L , Van Deventer, Pieta J U
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:6192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013418
- Description: The contribution of South Africa to the allied cause in the Great War, and the sacrifice of so many lives of the White and Coloured populations, is memorialised on bells of the Cape Town carillon, on ringing, and on clock and other bells. The contribution of the Black population awaits recognition. Restoration of the Cape Town carillon so that it can again be played effectively, would be a fitting memorial to those who lost their lives in the non-combative roles that were open to the majority population of South Africa. Completion of the ring at what is now Queenstown cathedral would also be a fitting tribute to the bravery and unstinting service of so many South Africans during the Great War. , Colin Lewis was Professor of Geography at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa from 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2007. In 1990, with the strong support of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Dr Derek Henderson, he instigated the Certificate in Change Ringing (Church Bell Ringing) in the Rhodes University Department of Music and Musicology - the first such course to be offered in Africa. Since that date he has lectured in the basic theory, and taught the practice of change ringing. He is the Ringing Master of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lewis, Colin A , De Wet, Tertius , Teugels, Jet L , Van Deventer, Pieta J U
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:6192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013418
- Description: The contribution of South Africa to the allied cause in the Great War, and the sacrifice of so many lives of the White and Coloured populations, is memorialised on bells of the Cape Town carillon, on ringing, and on clock and other bells. The contribution of the Black population awaits recognition. Restoration of the Cape Town carillon so that it can again be played effectively, would be a fitting memorial to those who lost their lives in the non-combative roles that were open to the majority population of South Africa. Completion of the ring at what is now Queenstown cathedral would also be a fitting tribute to the bravery and unstinting service of so many South Africans during the Great War. , Colin Lewis was Professor of Geography at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa from 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2007. In 1990, with the strong support of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Dr Derek Henderson, he instigated the Certificate in Change Ringing (Church Bell Ringing) in the Rhodes University Department of Music and Musicology - the first such course to be offered in Africa. Since that date he has lectured in the basic theory, and taught the practice of change ringing. He is the Ringing Master of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text:
Beyond black and white: black solidarity in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Majavu, Phumlani
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Black nationalism -- South Africa , Race relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016359
- Description: Almost 20 years after the white Nationalist government was voted out, some black South Africans believe that black solidarity is still necessary in South Africa. These people argue that since post-apartheid South Africa is still marred with racial injustice, it makes sense for blacks to advocate for black solidarity. Although it is true that black solidarity played an important role in the struggle against apartheid, in this thesis I argue that the struggle against current forms of racial injustice does not necessarily require black solidarity. This is not to deny the prevailing racialized oppression in the post-apartheid era, nor to deny the importance of black solidarity in the past; rather the point I am making is that the current form of racial oppression is somewhat different from the one before 1994. Hence I argue in this thesis that the current form of racial oppression requires us to do certain things differently. Doing things differently means improving upon the strategies of the past. For this to happen, I argue that every human being who believes in and is committed to racial justice ought to be included in the struggle for justice. Change, after all, is brought about when committed human beings work together for liberation and justice.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Majavu, Phumlani
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Black nationalism -- South Africa , Race relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016359
- Description: Almost 20 years after the white Nationalist government was voted out, some black South Africans believe that black solidarity is still necessary in South Africa. These people argue that since post-apartheid South Africa is still marred with racial injustice, it makes sense for blacks to advocate for black solidarity. Although it is true that black solidarity played an important role in the struggle against apartheid, in this thesis I argue that the struggle against current forms of racial injustice does not necessarily require black solidarity. This is not to deny the prevailing racialized oppression in the post-apartheid era, nor to deny the importance of black solidarity in the past; rather the point I am making is that the current form of racial oppression is somewhat different from the one before 1994. Hence I argue in this thesis that the current form of racial oppression requires us to do certain things differently. Doing things differently means improving upon the strategies of the past. For this to happen, I argue that every human being who believes in and is committed to racial justice ought to be included in the struggle for justice. Change, after all, is brought about when committed human beings work together for liberation and justice.
- Full Text:
Beyond coming out: lesbians’ (alternative) stories of sexual identity told in post-Apartheid South Africa
- Gibson, Alexandra F, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Gibson, Alexandra F , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: vital:6304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016063
- Description: Over the last several decades, the ‘coming out’i story has become entrenched as the central narrative with which lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people can narrate their experiences of claiming a sexual identity and storying their lives in general (Bacon, 1998; Blackburn, 2009). It has developed into a “canonical narrative” (Bruner, 1987, p. 15), or a culturally recognisable story for LGB people, in that it involves the recounting of a series of familiar events in moving from a place of shame to one of self-acceptance about one’s sexual identity (Cohler & Hammack, 2007; Plummer, 1995). The ‘coming out’ canonical narrative additionally operates as a counter-narrative, which has enabled LGB people to voice their sexuality within heterosexist and heteronormative confines (Blackburn, 2009). Nevertheless, there are limitations (and limiting effects) to this narrative, and further refinement of how we understand sexual identity narratives is required. To illustrate this argument, we draw on a narrative-discursive study of eight lesbians’ stories of sexual identity in post-apartheid South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gibson, Alexandra F , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: vital:6304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016063
- Description: Over the last several decades, the ‘coming out’i story has become entrenched as the central narrative with which lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people can narrate their experiences of claiming a sexual identity and storying their lives in general (Bacon, 1998; Blackburn, 2009). It has developed into a “canonical narrative” (Bruner, 1987, p. 15), or a culturally recognisable story for LGB people, in that it involves the recounting of a series of familiar events in moving from a place of shame to one of self-acceptance about one’s sexual identity (Cohler & Hammack, 2007; Plummer, 1995). The ‘coming out’ canonical narrative additionally operates as a counter-narrative, which has enabled LGB people to voice their sexuality within heterosexist and heteronormative confines (Blackburn, 2009). Nevertheless, there are limitations (and limiting effects) to this narrative, and further refinement of how we understand sexual identity narratives is required. To illustrate this argument, we draw on a narrative-discursive study of eight lesbians’ stories of sexual identity in post-apartheid South Africa.
- Full Text:
Biochemical mechanisms towards understanding Alzheimer's disease
- Authors: Padayachee, Eden Rebecca
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Alzheimer's disease Nitric-oxide synthase Biochemical markers Amyloid beta-protein Peptide hormones
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4103 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011092
- Description: The start of the amyloidogenic pathway in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begins with the deposition of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide surrounded by astrocytes. High levels of arginine and low amounts of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) are associated with AD. These astrocytes store reserve arginine that is eventually metabolized by nNOS, within the vicinity of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. We propose the existence of an association vs. dissociation equilibrium between Aβ and nNOS such that nNOS is an amyloidogenic catalyst for fibrils. When Aβ binds to nNOS, it inhibits the activity of the enzyme (association phase). However when the amyloid peptide dissociates into a form that can no longer bind, later deduced as a fibril, the activity is restored. Thus, the interaction of Aβ with nNOS could serve to regulate the interaction between nNOS and arginine by restoring activity of the enzyme but at the same time promoting fibrillogenesis. Given this event occurring with the neuron, both nNOS and amyloid can serve as a biomarker for the early onset of AD. The enzyme nNOS catalyzed the formation of fibrils in the presence of Aβ peptides, while Ag nps were shown to reverse the fibril formation from Aβ peptides more so than Au and curcumin either through electrostatic or π-π stacking (aromatic) influences. Our studies have shown that the fragments of Aβ₁₋₄₂ i.e. the pentapeptide (Aβ₁₇₋₂₁) and the three glycine zipper peptides (Aβ₂₅₋₂₉, Aβ₂₉₋₃₃, Aβ₃₃₋₃₇) and the full length glycine zipper stretch (Aβ₂₅₋₃₇) all inhibited nNOS activity to varying degrees. The peptides Aβ₁₇₋₂₁ and Aβ₂₉₋₃₃ with their respective Ki values of 5.1 μM and 7.5 μM inhibited the enzyme the most. The Ki values for reversed sequenced peptides (Aβ₁₇₋₂₁r and Aβ₂₉₋₃₃r) were two fold greater than that of the original peptides while the Ki values for the polar forms (Aβ₁₇₋₂₁p and Aβ₂₉₋₃₃p) were between 3-4 fold greater than that of the original peptides. It was also found that Ag nps (Ki = 0.12 μM) inhibited the activity of nNOS the most compared to Au nps; (Ki = 0.15 μM) and curcumin (Ki = 0.25 μM). At 298K, all the ligands bound at a single site on the enzyme (n=1) and a single Trp residue (θ =1), (later identified as Trp678) was made available on the enzyme surface for quenching by the ligands. Increasing the temperature from 298K-313K, increased the value of Ksv and pointed to a dynamic quenching mechanism for Aβ peptides, nps and curcumin interaction with nNOS. The positive signs for entropy and enthalpy for all Aβ peptides nps and curcumin pointed to hydrophobic–hydrophobic interaction with the enzyme. The fact that Kd increased with temperature emphasized the endothermic nature of the binding reaction and the requirement of thermal energy to aid in diffusion of the ligand to the active site. It was concluded that the binding reaction between the ligands and nNOS was non-spontaneous and endothermic at low temperatures (+ΔG) but spontaneous at high temperatures (-ΔG). The two amino acids Tyr706 and Trp678 moved from their original positions, subject to ligand binding. Trp678 moved a minimum distance of 5 Å toward the heme while Tyr706 moved a maximum distance of 14 Å away from the heme. AutoDock 4.2 was a valuable tool in monitoring the distance of Trp678 within the enzyme interior and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was efficient in monitoring the distance moved by Trp residues on the enzyme surface.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Padayachee, Eden Rebecca
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Alzheimer's disease Nitric-oxide synthase Biochemical markers Amyloid beta-protein Peptide hormones
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4103 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011092
- Description: The start of the amyloidogenic pathway in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begins with the deposition of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide surrounded by astrocytes. High levels of arginine and low amounts of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) are associated with AD. These astrocytes store reserve arginine that is eventually metabolized by nNOS, within the vicinity of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. We propose the existence of an association vs. dissociation equilibrium between Aβ and nNOS such that nNOS is an amyloidogenic catalyst for fibrils. When Aβ binds to nNOS, it inhibits the activity of the enzyme (association phase). However when the amyloid peptide dissociates into a form that can no longer bind, later deduced as a fibril, the activity is restored. Thus, the interaction of Aβ with nNOS could serve to regulate the interaction between nNOS and arginine by restoring activity of the enzyme but at the same time promoting fibrillogenesis. Given this event occurring with the neuron, both nNOS and amyloid can serve as a biomarker for the early onset of AD. The enzyme nNOS catalyzed the formation of fibrils in the presence of Aβ peptides, while Ag nps were shown to reverse the fibril formation from Aβ peptides more so than Au and curcumin either through electrostatic or π-π stacking (aromatic) influences. Our studies have shown that the fragments of Aβ₁₋₄₂ i.e. the pentapeptide (Aβ₁₇₋₂₁) and the three glycine zipper peptides (Aβ₂₅₋₂₉, Aβ₂₉₋₃₃, Aβ₃₃₋₃₇) and the full length glycine zipper stretch (Aβ₂₅₋₃₇) all inhibited nNOS activity to varying degrees. The peptides Aβ₁₇₋₂₁ and Aβ₂₉₋₃₃ with their respective Ki values of 5.1 μM and 7.5 μM inhibited the enzyme the most. The Ki values for reversed sequenced peptides (Aβ₁₇₋₂₁r and Aβ₂₉₋₃₃r) were two fold greater than that of the original peptides while the Ki values for the polar forms (Aβ₁₇₋₂₁p and Aβ₂₉₋₃₃p) were between 3-4 fold greater than that of the original peptides. It was also found that Ag nps (Ki = 0.12 μM) inhibited the activity of nNOS the most compared to Au nps; (Ki = 0.15 μM) and curcumin (Ki = 0.25 μM). At 298K, all the ligands bound at a single site on the enzyme (n=1) and a single Trp residue (θ =1), (later identified as Trp678) was made available on the enzyme surface for quenching by the ligands. Increasing the temperature from 298K-313K, increased the value of Ksv and pointed to a dynamic quenching mechanism for Aβ peptides, nps and curcumin interaction with nNOS. The positive signs for entropy and enthalpy for all Aβ peptides nps and curcumin pointed to hydrophobic–hydrophobic interaction with the enzyme. The fact that Kd increased with temperature emphasized the endothermic nature of the binding reaction and the requirement of thermal energy to aid in diffusion of the ligand to the active site. It was concluded that the binding reaction between the ligands and nNOS was non-spontaneous and endothermic at low temperatures (+ΔG) but spontaneous at high temperatures (-ΔG). The two amino acids Tyr706 and Trp678 moved from their original positions, subject to ligand binding. Trp678 moved a minimum distance of 5 Å toward the heme while Tyr706 moved a maximum distance of 14 Å away from the heme. AutoDock 4.2 was a valuable tool in monitoring the distance of Trp678 within the enzyme interior and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was efficient in monitoring the distance moved by Trp residues on the enzyme surface.
- Full Text:
Bioinformatics and data analysis in microbiology:
- Authors: Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148104 , vital:38710 , ISBN 9781908230737 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=-G07DwAAQBAJanddq=Bioinformatics+and+data+analysis+in+microbiologyandsource=gbs_navlinks_s
- Description: The rapid advancement of sequencing techniques, coupled with the new methodologies of bioinformatics to handle large-scale data analysis, are providing exciting opportunities for us to understand microbial communities from a variety of environments beyond previous imagination. This book provides invaluable, up-to-date and detailed information on various aspects of bioinformatics data analysis with applications to microbiology. It describes a number of different useful bioinformatics tools, makes links to some wet-lab techniques, explains different approaches to tackle a problem, talks about current challenges and limitations, gives examples of applications of bioinformatics methods to microbiology, and discusses future trends. The chapters include topics such as genome sequencing techniques, assembly, SNP analysis, annotation, comparative genomics, microbial community profiling, metagenomics, phylogenetic microarrays, barcoding and more. Each chapter is written by scientists who are expert in the field, and is peer-reviewed. Bioinformatics and Data Analysis in Microbiology is an essential book for researchers, lecturers and students involved in microbiology, bioinformatics and genome analysis.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148104 , vital:38710 , ISBN 9781908230737 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=-G07DwAAQBAJanddq=Bioinformatics+and+data+analysis+in+microbiologyandsource=gbs_navlinks_s
- Description: The rapid advancement of sequencing techniques, coupled with the new methodologies of bioinformatics to handle large-scale data analysis, are providing exciting opportunities for us to understand microbial communities from a variety of environments beyond previous imagination. This book provides invaluable, up-to-date and detailed information on various aspects of bioinformatics data analysis with applications to microbiology. It describes a number of different useful bioinformatics tools, makes links to some wet-lab techniques, explains different approaches to tackle a problem, talks about current challenges and limitations, gives examples of applications of bioinformatics methods to microbiology, and discusses future trends. The chapters include topics such as genome sequencing techniques, assembly, SNP analysis, annotation, comparative genomics, microbial community profiling, metagenomics, phylogenetic microarrays, barcoding and more. Each chapter is written by scientists who are expert in the field, and is peer-reviewed. Bioinformatics and Data Analysis in Microbiology is an essential book for researchers, lecturers and students involved in microbiology, bioinformatics and genome analysis.
- Full Text:
Bioinformatics education—perspectives and challenges out of Africa
- Tastan Bishop, Özlem, Adebiyi, Ezekiel F, Alzohairy, Ahmed M, Everett, Dean B, Ghedira, Kais, Ghouila, Amel, Kumuthini, Judit, Mulder, Nicola J, Panji, Sumir, Patterton, Hugh-G
- Authors: Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Adebiyi, Ezekiel F , Alzohairy, Ahmed M , Everett, Dean B , Ghedira, Kais , Ghouila, Amel , Kumuthini, Judit , Mulder, Nicola J , Panji, Sumir , Patterton, Hugh-G
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123244 , vital:35420 , https://doi.10.1093/bib/bbu022
- Description: The discipline of bioinformatics has developed rapidly since the complete sequencing of the first genomes in the 1990s.The development of many high-throughput techniques during the last decades has ensured that bioinformatics has grown into a discipline that overlaps with, and is required for, the modern practice of virtually every field in the life sciences. This has placed a scientific premium on the availability of skilled bioinformaticians, a qualification that is extremely scarce on the African continent. The reasons for this are numerous, although the absence of a skilled bioinformatician at academic institutions to initiate a training process and build sustained capacity seems to be a common African shortcoming.This dearth of bioinformatics expertise has had a knock-on effect on the establishment of many modern high-throughput projects at African institutes, including the comprehensive and systematic analysis of genomes from African populations, which are among the most genetically diverse anywhere on the planet. Recent funding initiatives from the National Institutes of Health and theWellcomeTrust are aimed at ameliorating this shortcoming. In this paper, we discuss the problems that have limited the establishment of the bioinformatics field in Africa, as well as propose specific actions that will help with the education and training of bioinformaticians on the continent. This is an absolute requirement in anticipation of a boom in high-throughput approaches to human health issues unique to data from African populations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Adebiyi, Ezekiel F , Alzohairy, Ahmed M , Everett, Dean B , Ghedira, Kais , Ghouila, Amel , Kumuthini, Judit , Mulder, Nicola J , Panji, Sumir , Patterton, Hugh-G
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123244 , vital:35420 , https://doi.10.1093/bib/bbu022
- Description: The discipline of bioinformatics has developed rapidly since the complete sequencing of the first genomes in the 1990s.The development of many high-throughput techniques during the last decades has ensured that bioinformatics has grown into a discipline that overlaps with, and is required for, the modern practice of virtually every field in the life sciences. This has placed a scientific premium on the availability of skilled bioinformaticians, a qualification that is extremely scarce on the African continent. The reasons for this are numerous, although the absence of a skilled bioinformatician at academic institutions to initiate a training process and build sustained capacity seems to be a common African shortcoming.This dearth of bioinformatics expertise has had a knock-on effect on the establishment of many modern high-throughput projects at African institutes, including the comprehensive and systematic analysis of genomes from African populations, which are among the most genetically diverse anywhere on the planet. Recent funding initiatives from the National Institutes of Health and theWellcomeTrust are aimed at ameliorating this shortcoming. In this paper, we discuss the problems that have limited the establishment of the bioinformatics field in Africa, as well as propose specific actions that will help with the education and training of bioinformaticians on the continent. This is an absolute requirement in anticipation of a boom in high-throughput approaches to human health issues unique to data from African populations.
- Full Text:
Biological control as an integrated control method in the management of aquatic weeds in an urban environmental and socio-political landscape : case study : Cape Town Metropolitan Area
- Authors: Stafford, Martha Louise
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Aquatic weeds -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Water hyacinth -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Metropolitan areas -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013015
- Description: Aquatic weeds transform and degrade the ecosystems which they invade, impacting various aspects of their surroundings ranging from the community level to disrupting important processes affecting ecosystem services. All of the major aquatic weeds of South Africa are found in the Cape Town Metropolitan Area. Landowners, whether private or public, are legally obliged to manage the listed invasive species through applying environmentally acceptable methodologies. This thesis provides an overview of the strategic management options, prevention, early detection, rapid response and eradication of new invasions, and containment and control species of established species. It discusses the different control methods available for managing aquatic weeds, namely mechanical, manual, chemical and biological, and the integration of different methods to improve their effectiveness. Although various studies have shown that biological control is the most cost–effective, environmentally-friendly and sustainable method, it is not yet fully integrated into weed management programmes in South Africa. In addition, the successes achieved in other parts of the world with the control of water hyacinth through biological control have not been repeated in the urban environment, despite the fact that South Africa has the highest number of biological control agents available for the weed. Urbanisation puts pressure on the natural environment and ecosystem functioning. Nutrient-enriched waters support aquatic weed growth and pose a challenge to the management thereof, in particular with regard to integrating biological control into management programmes. The aims of this study were to determine the reasons for the lack of integration of biological control into weed management programmes in South Africa, to determine the feasibility of integrating biological control in aquatic weed management programmes in a complex urban environmental and socio-political landscape by means of three case studies in the Cape Town Metropolitan Area, which showed that biological control is feasible in urban environments and should be considered. Two surveys were conducted to determine the reasons for the lack of integration of biological control into weed management programmes. The surveys showed that there is a gap between research and implementation as a result of poor communication, non-supporting institutional arrangements and a lack of appropriate capacity and skills at the implementation level. Recommendations were offered to address these issues.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stafford, Martha Louise
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Aquatic weeds -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Water hyacinth -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Metropolitan areas -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013015
- Description: Aquatic weeds transform and degrade the ecosystems which they invade, impacting various aspects of their surroundings ranging from the community level to disrupting important processes affecting ecosystem services. All of the major aquatic weeds of South Africa are found in the Cape Town Metropolitan Area. Landowners, whether private or public, are legally obliged to manage the listed invasive species through applying environmentally acceptable methodologies. This thesis provides an overview of the strategic management options, prevention, early detection, rapid response and eradication of new invasions, and containment and control species of established species. It discusses the different control methods available for managing aquatic weeds, namely mechanical, manual, chemical and biological, and the integration of different methods to improve their effectiveness. Although various studies have shown that biological control is the most cost–effective, environmentally-friendly and sustainable method, it is not yet fully integrated into weed management programmes in South Africa. In addition, the successes achieved in other parts of the world with the control of water hyacinth through biological control have not been repeated in the urban environment, despite the fact that South Africa has the highest number of biological control agents available for the weed. Urbanisation puts pressure on the natural environment and ecosystem functioning. Nutrient-enriched waters support aquatic weed growth and pose a challenge to the management thereof, in particular with regard to integrating biological control into management programmes. The aims of this study were to determine the reasons for the lack of integration of biological control into weed management programmes in South Africa, to determine the feasibility of integrating biological control in aquatic weed management programmes in a complex urban environmental and socio-political landscape by means of three case studies in the Cape Town Metropolitan Area, which showed that biological control is feasible in urban environments and should be considered. Two surveys were conducted to determine the reasons for the lack of integration of biological control into weed management programmes. The surveys showed that there is a gap between research and implementation as a result of poor communication, non-supporting institutional arrangements and a lack of appropriate capacity and skills at the implementation level. Recommendations were offered to address these issues.
- Full Text:
Blind ear
- Authors: Berold, Robert
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , poem
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461973 , vital:76256 , ISBN 0028-4459 , https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/EJC171519
- Description: New Coin is one of South Africa's most established and influential poetry journals. It publishes poetry, and poetry-related reviews, commentary and interviews. New Coin places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context. In this sense it has traced the most exciting trends and currents in contemporary poetry in South Africa for a decade of more. The journal is published twice a year in June and December by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Berold, Robert
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , poem
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461973 , vital:76256 , ISBN 0028-4459 , https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/EJC171519
- Description: New Coin is one of South Africa's most established and influential poetry journals. It publishes poetry, and poetry-related reviews, commentary and interviews. New Coin places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context. In this sense it has traced the most exciting trends and currents in contemporary poetry in South Africa for a decade of more. The journal is published twice a year in June and December by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University.
- Full Text:
Book Review: Community of insecurity
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/298606 , vital:57720 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02589001.2014.936174"
- Description: Laurie Nathan's Community of Insecurity is a thoughtful engagement with the ‘establishment, evolution and effectiveness of the regional security arrangements of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’ (1). He argues that it is of ‘great significance and irony that many of the major disputes among member states have been around the orientation and strategies of peacemaking and regional security’. Nathan's empirical claims about the SADC security architecture are drawn from his ‘insider perspective’ due to his involvement in official efforts to design a common security regime in Southern Africa, which include his service as regional security advisor to the SADC Secretariat from 1992 to 1996, to the Foreign Minister of Mozambique Pascoal Mocumbi from 1994 to 1995, to the South African Minister of Defence Joe Modise and the Deputy Minister of Defence Ronnie Kasrils between 1994 and 1999 and to the Foreign Minister of Swaziland Albert Shabangu when he oversaw the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in 1999–2000 (12–13). This ‘insider’ view has allowed him to make a compelling challenge to current theoretical debates about SADC's status as a security community, that is, a community with an affinity amongst member states that is ‘so strong that they enjoy dependable expectations of peaceful change and thus regard the prospect of war among them as inconceivable’(129). While other commentators see SADC as either a ‘nascent’, ‘embryonic’ or ‘emerging’ security community, Nathan argues forcefully that ‘this perspective is mistaken’ as SADC continues to be demonstrative of a what he describes as a ‘community of insecurity’.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/298606 , vital:57720 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02589001.2014.936174"
- Description: Laurie Nathan's Community of Insecurity is a thoughtful engagement with the ‘establishment, evolution and effectiveness of the regional security arrangements of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’ (1). He argues that it is of ‘great significance and irony that many of the major disputes among member states have been around the orientation and strategies of peacemaking and regional security’. Nathan's empirical claims about the SADC security architecture are drawn from his ‘insider perspective’ due to his involvement in official efforts to design a common security regime in Southern Africa, which include his service as regional security advisor to the SADC Secretariat from 1992 to 1996, to the Foreign Minister of Mozambique Pascoal Mocumbi from 1994 to 1995, to the South African Minister of Defence Joe Modise and the Deputy Minister of Defence Ronnie Kasrils between 1994 and 1999 and to the Foreign Minister of Swaziland Albert Shabangu when he oversaw the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in 1999–2000 (12–13). This ‘insider’ view has allowed him to make a compelling challenge to current theoretical debates about SADC's status as a security community, that is, a community with an affinity amongst member states that is ‘so strong that they enjoy dependable expectations of peaceful change and thus regard the prospect of war among them as inconceivable’(129). While other commentators see SADC as either a ‘nascent’, ‘embryonic’ or ‘emerging’ security community, Nathan argues forcefully that ‘this perspective is mistaken’ as SADC continues to be demonstrative of a what he describes as a ‘community of insecurity’.
- Full Text:
Bosman as Verbindingsteken: Hybridities in the Writing of Herman Charles Bosman.
- Authors: Leff, Carol Willa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Bosman, Herman Charles, 1905-1951 -- Criticism and interpretation , South African fiction (English) -- 20th century -- History and criticism , Authors, South African -- 20th century , South Africa -- Social life and customs -- 20th century , National characteristics, South African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013163
- Description: This thesis is concerned with how hybridity is created and interpreted by Herman Charles Bosman in his fiction and non-fiction. Bosman was a gifted writer and raconteur who captured the historical, socio-political context of his time by translating Afrikaans culture for the edification and pleasure of an English readership. Hennie Aucamp summed up this linguistic and cultural translation by pointing out that Bosman was a writer who acted as a “verbindingsteken” or hyphen (65) between Afrikaans and English. His texts contain many voices, and are therefore essentially hybrid. Firstly, by drawing on aspects of postcolonial theory, the terms ‘hybridity’, ‘culture’ and ‘identity’, are discussed. Homi Bhabha’s notion of ‘hybridity’ is the conceptual lens through which Bosman’s texts are viewed, and aspects of Mikhail Bakhtin’s cultural theory also serve the same function. Thereafter, biographies of Bosman are discussed in an effort to understand his hyphenated identity. Following this, specific attention is paid to a selection of Bosman’s essays, short stories, and a novel. Scholarly opinions aid interpretation of levels of hybridity in Bosman’s work. In analysing Bosman’s texts critically, it becomes clear that he believed in a united South Africa that acknowledged and accepted all races. However, analysis also reveals that there are some inconsistencies in Bosman’s personal views, as expressed particularly in his essays. His short stories do not contain the same contradictions. Critical analysis of the novel Willemsdorp attests that cultural hybridity is not always viewed as celebratory. It can also be a painful space where identities are split, living both inside and outside their environment, and subsequently marginalized. Bosman’s texts, although published decades ago, remain relevant today in post-apartheid South Africa as much of his writing can be seen as a record of historical events. His short stories and novels capture a confluence of languages, people and cultures. His essays illustrate a deep commitment to promoting South African culture and literature. When reading Bosman one is constantly reminded that differences are not only to be acknowledged, but embraced, in what he prophetically imagined as a hybrid, post-apartheid South African society.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Leff, Carol Willa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Bosman, Herman Charles, 1905-1951 -- Criticism and interpretation , South African fiction (English) -- 20th century -- History and criticism , Authors, South African -- 20th century , South Africa -- Social life and customs -- 20th century , National characteristics, South African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013163
- Description: This thesis is concerned with how hybridity is created and interpreted by Herman Charles Bosman in his fiction and non-fiction. Bosman was a gifted writer and raconteur who captured the historical, socio-political context of his time by translating Afrikaans culture for the edification and pleasure of an English readership. Hennie Aucamp summed up this linguistic and cultural translation by pointing out that Bosman was a writer who acted as a “verbindingsteken” or hyphen (65) between Afrikaans and English. His texts contain many voices, and are therefore essentially hybrid. Firstly, by drawing on aspects of postcolonial theory, the terms ‘hybridity’, ‘culture’ and ‘identity’, are discussed. Homi Bhabha’s notion of ‘hybridity’ is the conceptual lens through which Bosman’s texts are viewed, and aspects of Mikhail Bakhtin’s cultural theory also serve the same function. Thereafter, biographies of Bosman are discussed in an effort to understand his hyphenated identity. Following this, specific attention is paid to a selection of Bosman’s essays, short stories, and a novel. Scholarly opinions aid interpretation of levels of hybridity in Bosman’s work. In analysing Bosman’s texts critically, it becomes clear that he believed in a united South Africa that acknowledged and accepted all races. However, analysis also reveals that there are some inconsistencies in Bosman’s personal views, as expressed particularly in his essays. His short stories do not contain the same contradictions. Critical analysis of the novel Willemsdorp attests that cultural hybridity is not always viewed as celebratory. It can also be a painful space where identities are split, living both inside and outside their environment, and subsequently marginalized. Bosman’s texts, although published decades ago, remain relevant today in post-apartheid South Africa as much of his writing can be seen as a record of historical events. His short stories and novels capture a confluence of languages, people and cultures. His essays illustrate a deep commitment to promoting South African culture and literature. When reading Bosman one is constantly reminded that differences are not only to be acknowledged, but embraced, in what he prophetically imagined as a hybrid, post-apartheid South African society.
- Full Text:
Breast cancer: current developments in molecular approaches to diagnosis and treatment
- de la Mare, Jo-Anne, Contu, Lara, Hunter, Morgan C, Moyo, Buhle, Sterrenberg, Jason N, Dhanani, Karim C H, Mutsvunguma, Lorraine Z, Edkins, Adrienne L
- Authors: de la Mare, Jo-Anne , Contu, Lara , Hunter, Morgan C , Moyo, Buhle , Sterrenberg, Jason N , Dhanani, Karim C H , Mutsvunguma, Lorraine Z , Edkins, Adrienne L
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164819 , vital:41175 , DOI: 10.2174/15748928113086660046
- Description: Due to the high heterogeneity of breast cancers, numerous recent patents describe improved methods of detection and classification which promise better patient prognosis and treatment. In particular, there has been a shift towards more effective genetic screening to identify specific mutations associated with breast tumours, which may lead to “personalised medicine” with improved outcomes. Two challenging areas of breast cancer research involve the development of treatments for the highly aggressive triple negative breast cancer subtype as well as the chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cell subpopulation. In addition, despite numerous recent advances in breast cancer treatment in woman, male breast cancer remains poorly understood and there are limited therapies available which are developed specifically for men. This review serves to report on important developments in the treatment of breast malignancies patented in the past two years as well as to highlight the current gaps in the field of breast cancer therapeutics and areas which require further study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: de la Mare, Jo-Anne , Contu, Lara , Hunter, Morgan C , Moyo, Buhle , Sterrenberg, Jason N , Dhanani, Karim C H , Mutsvunguma, Lorraine Z , Edkins, Adrienne L
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164819 , vital:41175 , DOI: 10.2174/15748928113086660046
- Description: Due to the high heterogeneity of breast cancers, numerous recent patents describe improved methods of detection and classification which promise better patient prognosis and treatment. In particular, there has been a shift towards more effective genetic screening to identify specific mutations associated with breast tumours, which may lead to “personalised medicine” with improved outcomes. Two challenging areas of breast cancer research involve the development of treatments for the highly aggressive triple negative breast cancer subtype as well as the chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cell subpopulation. In addition, despite numerous recent advances in breast cancer treatment in woman, male breast cancer remains poorly understood and there are limited therapies available which are developed specifically for men. This review serves to report on important developments in the treatment of breast malignancies patented in the past two years as well as to highlight the current gaps in the field of breast cancer therapeutics and areas which require further study.
- Full Text:
Can expansive (social) learning processes strengthen organisational learning for improved wetland management in a plantation forestry company, and if so how? : a case study of Mondi
- Authors: Lindley, David Stewart
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mondi Group , Wetland management -- South Africa , Wetland conservation -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , Action theory , Critical realism , Social learning , Environmental education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015661
- Description: Mondi is an international packaging and paper company that manages over 300 000 ha of land in South Africa. After over a decade of working with Mondi to improve its wetland management, wetland sustainability practices were still not integrated into the broader forestry operations, despite some significant cases of successful wetland rehabilitation. An interventionist research project was therefore conducted to explore the factors inhibiting improved wetland management, and determine if and how expansive social learning processes could strengthen organisational learning and development to overcome these factors. In doing so, the research has investigated how informal adult learning supports organisational change to strengthen wetland and environmental sustainability practices, within a corporate plantation forestry context. How individual and/or group-based learning interactions translate to the collective, at the level of organisational change was a key issue probed in this study. The following three research questions were used to guide the research: 1. What tensions and contradictions exist in wetland management in a plantation forestry company? 2. Can expansive learning begin to address the tensions and contradictions that exist in wetland management in a plantation forestry company, for improved sustainability practices? 3. Can expansive social learning strengthen organisational learning and development, enabling Mondi to improve its wetland sustainability practices, and if so how does it do this? Cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and the theory of expansive learning provided an epistemological framework for the research. The philosophy of critical realism gave ontological depth to the research, and contributed to a deeper understanding of CHAT and expansive learning. Critical realism was therefore used as a philosophy to underlabour the theoretical framework of the research. However CHAT and expansive learning could not provide the depth of detail required to explain how the expansive learning, organisational social change, and boundary crossings that are necessary for assembling the collective were taking place. Realist social theory (developed out of critical realism by Margaret Archer as an ontologically located theory of how and why social change occurs, or does not) supported the research to do this. The morphogenetic framework was used as a methodology for applying realist social theory. The expansive learning cycle was used as a methodology for applying CHAT and the theory of expansive learning; guiding the development of new knowledge creation required by Mondi staff to identify contradictions and associated tensions inhibiting wetland management, understand their root causes, and develop solutions. Through the expansive learning process, the tensions and contradictions become generative as a tool supporting expansive social learning, rather than as a means to an end where universal consensus was reached on how to circumvent the contradictions. The research was conducted in five phases: • Phase 1: Contextual profiling to identify and describe three activity systems in Mondi responsible for wetland management: 1) siviculture foresters; 2) environmental specialists; 3) community engagement facilitators. The data was generated and analysed through through document analysis, 17 interviews, 2nd generation CHAT analysis, and Critical Realist generative mechanism analysis; • Phase 2: Analysis and identification of tensions and contradictions through a first interventionist workshop. Modelling new solutions to deal with contractions, and examining and testing new models in and after the second interventionist workshop; • Phase 3: Implementing new models as wetland management projects and involved project implementation. This included boundary crossing practices of staff in the three activity systems, reflection and re-view in a further five progress review/interventionist workshops, and a management meeting and seminar; • Phase 4: Reflecting on the expansive learning process, results, and consolidation of changed practices, through nine reflective interviews and field observations; • Phase 5: Morphogenic/stasis analysis of the organisational change and development catalysed via the expansive social learning process (or not). The research found that expansive social learning processes supported organisational learning and development for improved wetland management by: 1) strengthening the scope, depth, and sophistication of participant understanding; 2) expanding the ways staff interact and collaboratively work together; 3) democratising decision making; 4) improving social relations between staff, reducing power differentials, and creating stronger relationships; 5) enhancing participant reflexivity through deeper understanding of social structures and cultural systems, and changing them to support improved wetland and environmental practice of staff, and developing the organisational structures and processes to strengthen organisational learning and development; and 6) using the contradictions identified as generative mechanisms to stimulate and catalyse organisational learning and development for changed wetland/environmental management.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lindley, David Stewart
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mondi Group , Wetland management -- South Africa , Wetland conservation -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , Action theory , Critical realism , Social learning , Environmental education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015661
- Description: Mondi is an international packaging and paper company that manages over 300 000 ha of land in South Africa. After over a decade of working with Mondi to improve its wetland management, wetland sustainability practices were still not integrated into the broader forestry operations, despite some significant cases of successful wetland rehabilitation. An interventionist research project was therefore conducted to explore the factors inhibiting improved wetland management, and determine if and how expansive social learning processes could strengthen organisational learning and development to overcome these factors. In doing so, the research has investigated how informal adult learning supports organisational change to strengthen wetland and environmental sustainability practices, within a corporate plantation forestry context. How individual and/or group-based learning interactions translate to the collective, at the level of organisational change was a key issue probed in this study. The following three research questions were used to guide the research: 1. What tensions and contradictions exist in wetland management in a plantation forestry company? 2. Can expansive learning begin to address the tensions and contradictions that exist in wetland management in a plantation forestry company, for improved sustainability practices? 3. Can expansive social learning strengthen organisational learning and development, enabling Mondi to improve its wetland sustainability practices, and if so how does it do this? Cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and the theory of expansive learning provided an epistemological framework for the research. The philosophy of critical realism gave ontological depth to the research, and contributed to a deeper understanding of CHAT and expansive learning. Critical realism was therefore used as a philosophy to underlabour the theoretical framework of the research. However CHAT and expansive learning could not provide the depth of detail required to explain how the expansive learning, organisational social change, and boundary crossings that are necessary for assembling the collective were taking place. Realist social theory (developed out of critical realism by Margaret Archer as an ontologically located theory of how and why social change occurs, or does not) supported the research to do this. The morphogenetic framework was used as a methodology for applying realist social theory. The expansive learning cycle was used as a methodology for applying CHAT and the theory of expansive learning; guiding the development of new knowledge creation required by Mondi staff to identify contradictions and associated tensions inhibiting wetland management, understand their root causes, and develop solutions. Through the expansive learning process, the tensions and contradictions become generative as a tool supporting expansive social learning, rather than as a means to an end where universal consensus was reached on how to circumvent the contradictions. The research was conducted in five phases: • Phase 1: Contextual profiling to identify and describe three activity systems in Mondi responsible for wetland management: 1) siviculture foresters; 2) environmental specialists; 3) community engagement facilitators. The data was generated and analysed through through document analysis, 17 interviews, 2nd generation CHAT analysis, and Critical Realist generative mechanism analysis; • Phase 2: Analysis and identification of tensions and contradictions through a first interventionist workshop. Modelling new solutions to deal with contractions, and examining and testing new models in and after the second interventionist workshop; • Phase 3: Implementing new models as wetland management projects and involved project implementation. This included boundary crossing practices of staff in the three activity systems, reflection and re-view in a further five progress review/interventionist workshops, and a management meeting and seminar; • Phase 4: Reflecting on the expansive learning process, results, and consolidation of changed practices, through nine reflective interviews and field observations; • Phase 5: Morphogenic/stasis analysis of the organisational change and development catalysed via the expansive social learning process (or not). The research found that expansive social learning processes supported organisational learning and development for improved wetland management by: 1) strengthening the scope, depth, and sophistication of participant understanding; 2) expanding the ways staff interact and collaboratively work together; 3) democratising decision making; 4) improving social relations between staff, reducing power differentials, and creating stronger relationships; 5) enhancing participant reflexivity through deeper understanding of social structures and cultural systems, and changing them to support improved wetland and environmental practice of staff, and developing the organisational structures and processes to strengthen organisational learning and development; and 6) using the contradictions identified as generative mechanisms to stimulate and catalyse organisational learning and development for changed wetland/environmental management.
- Full Text:
Can δ15N and δ13C stable isotopes and fatty acid signatures indicate changes in phytobenthos composition on an artificial substrate?
- Dalu, Tatenda, Froneman, P William
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68086 , vital:29197 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2014.974018
- Description: Publisher version , Temporal changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of the phytobenthos growing on artificial clay substrates under natural conditions over a 28-day period at an upstream and a downstream site in the Kowie River near Grahamstown were investigated in 2012. High concentrations of diatom markers 16:1ω7 and 20:5ω3 fatty acids were recorded, especially at the downstream site, reflecting the importance of diatoms in contributing to the phytobenthos communities at that station. After day 7 at the downstream site the average δ15N value of the phytobenthos was lighter, gradually increasing by ∼2‰ and ∼5‰ overall to heavier values on day 28. At the upstream site there were no significant changes (<1‰ increase) in δ15N values of the phytobenthos over time. Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) signatures in the phytobenthos communities were significantly different between sites (one-way ANOVA; p < 0.001). The stable isotope values and fatty acid concentrations of phytobenthos at the downstream site were different to those of the phytobenthos at the upstream site, and they changed concurrently with changes in the phytobenthos community structure. At the downstream site there was a strong correlation of the δ15N of phytobenthos with nitrates (R = 0.56) and time (weeks; R = 0.81). However, the fatty acids were not specific enough to characterise the composition of phytobenthos communities. Other biomarker methods, such as stable isotopes and microscopic examination of the communities, were found to be useful. The results from this relatively small-scale tile experiment indicate the complexity of changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of a phytobenthos community. Stable isotope and fatty acid composition can be successfully used to map changes in phytobenthos composition and carbon and nitrogen flow patterns along a river continuum.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68086 , vital:29197 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2014.974018
- Description: Publisher version , Temporal changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of the phytobenthos growing on artificial clay substrates under natural conditions over a 28-day period at an upstream and a downstream site in the Kowie River near Grahamstown were investigated in 2012. High concentrations of diatom markers 16:1ω7 and 20:5ω3 fatty acids were recorded, especially at the downstream site, reflecting the importance of diatoms in contributing to the phytobenthos communities at that station. After day 7 at the downstream site the average δ15N value of the phytobenthos was lighter, gradually increasing by ∼2‰ and ∼5‰ overall to heavier values on day 28. At the upstream site there were no significant changes (<1‰ increase) in δ15N values of the phytobenthos over time. Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) signatures in the phytobenthos communities were significantly different between sites (one-way ANOVA; p < 0.001). The stable isotope values and fatty acid concentrations of phytobenthos at the downstream site were different to those of the phytobenthos at the upstream site, and they changed concurrently with changes in the phytobenthos community structure. At the downstream site there was a strong correlation of the δ15N of phytobenthos with nitrates (R = 0.56) and time (weeks; R = 0.81). However, the fatty acids were not specific enough to characterise the composition of phytobenthos communities. Other biomarker methods, such as stable isotopes and microscopic examination of the communities, were found to be useful. The results from this relatively small-scale tile experiment indicate the complexity of changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of a phytobenthos community. Stable isotope and fatty acid composition can be successfully used to map changes in phytobenthos composition and carbon and nitrogen flow patterns along a river continuum.
- Full Text: false
Carbon nanotube-enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanines
- Mphahlele, Nonhlanhla E, Le Roux, Lukas, Jafta, Charl J, Cele, Leskev, Mathe, Mkhulu K, Nyokong, Tebello, Kobayashi, Nagao, Ozoemena, Kenneth I
- Authors: Mphahlele, Nonhlanhla E , Le Roux, Lukas , Jafta, Charl J , Cele, Leskev , Mathe, Mkhulu K , Nyokong, Tebello , Kobayashi, Nagao , Ozoemena, Kenneth I
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241595 , vital:50953 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7710-1"
- Description: The photoelectrochemistry of metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanines (MOCPc, where M = Zn or Si(OH)2) integrated with MWCNTs for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is reported. The DSSC performance (obtained from the photo-chronoamperometric and photo-impedimetric data) decreased as ZnOCPc > (OH)2SiOCPc. The incorporation of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film (MOCPc–MWCNT systems) gave higher photocurrent density than the bare MOCPc complexes. Also, from the EIS results, the MOCPc–MWCNT hybrids gave faster charge transport kinetics (approximately three times faster) compared to the bare MOCPc complexes. The electron lifetime was slightly longer (ca. 6 ms) at the ZnOCPc systems than at the (OH)2SiOCPc system (ca. 4 ms) meaning that the presence of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film did not show any significant improvement on preventing charge recombination process.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mphahlele, Nonhlanhla E , Le Roux, Lukas , Jafta, Charl J , Cele, Leskev , Mathe, Mkhulu K , Nyokong, Tebello , Kobayashi, Nagao , Ozoemena, Kenneth I
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241595 , vital:50953 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7710-1"
- Description: The photoelectrochemistry of metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanines (MOCPc, where M = Zn or Si(OH)2) integrated with MWCNTs for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is reported. The DSSC performance (obtained from the photo-chronoamperometric and photo-impedimetric data) decreased as ZnOCPc > (OH)2SiOCPc. The incorporation of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film (MOCPc–MWCNT systems) gave higher photocurrent density than the bare MOCPc complexes. Also, from the EIS results, the MOCPc–MWCNT hybrids gave faster charge transport kinetics (approximately three times faster) compared to the bare MOCPc complexes. The electron lifetime was slightly longer (ca. 6 ms) at the ZnOCPc systems than at the (OH)2SiOCPc system (ca. 4 ms) meaning that the presence of the MWCNTs on the surface of the TiO2 film did not show any significant improvement on preventing charge recombination process.
- Full Text:
Card games and containment : forensic psychiatric patients' experiences of a student-led initiative
- Authors: Higgins, Jane Marie
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Fort England Hospital Buddy Programme -- Grahamstown -- South Africa , Card games -- Therapeutic use , Mental illness -- Treatment , Mentally ill -- Rehabilitation , Group psychotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3243 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013314
- Description: Despite South African forensic psychiatric institutions operating well over capacity, the urgent need for rehabilitation guidelines is neglected through lack of research in this area. This is further compounded by the constrained financial and professional resources available to the sector. The Fort England Hospital Buddy Programme (FEHBP) is a voluntary social and activity-based initiative involving 2 hourly visits between students and male forensic psychiatric patient volunteers. Through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1996), the participants’ experience of the programme was further contextualised within their lives pre and post admission. While further exploration through research is required, it appeared that within institutional confines the FEHBP acted in a substitutionary and surrogacy capacity, as a space for the development of social competence. While participants appeared to experience a sense of protectiveness from the programme, the limitations and restrictions are acknowledged as an increased number and variety of social network links would be required for a more sustainable sense of subjective wellbeing to develop. The FEHBP demonstrates the use of non-professional (community involved) interventions within a forensic psychiatric context.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Higgins, Jane Marie
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Fort England Hospital Buddy Programme -- Grahamstown -- South Africa , Card games -- Therapeutic use , Mental illness -- Treatment , Mentally ill -- Rehabilitation , Group psychotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3243 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013314
- Description: Despite South African forensic psychiatric institutions operating well over capacity, the urgent need for rehabilitation guidelines is neglected through lack of research in this area. This is further compounded by the constrained financial and professional resources available to the sector. The Fort England Hospital Buddy Programme (FEHBP) is a voluntary social and activity-based initiative involving 2 hourly visits between students and male forensic psychiatric patient volunteers. Through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1996), the participants’ experience of the programme was further contextualised within their lives pre and post admission. While further exploration through research is required, it appeared that within institutional confines the FEHBP acted in a substitutionary and surrogacy capacity, as a space for the development of social competence. While participants appeared to experience a sense of protectiveness from the programme, the limitations and restrictions are acknowledged as an increased number and variety of social network links would be required for a more sustainable sense of subjective wellbeing to develop. The FEHBP demonstrates the use of non-professional (community involved) interventions within a forensic psychiatric context.
- Full Text:
Cardiovascular disease risk in Black African females and the efficacy of a walking programme on blood pressure in a sub-sample
- Authors: Crymble, Tegan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hypertension -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Walking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Physiological aspects , Lifestyles -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Health attitudes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013234
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile of black African females in the Makana region, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Baseline measures from 40 participants, who met the criteria, were compared against the 2003 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) and the 2013 South African National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). The risk factors measured were anthropometric (stature, body mass and body mass index (BMI)), morphological (waist circumference (WC), fat mass and lean mass), cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure (BP)), physical activity (step count and energy expenditure), biochemical (glycated haemoglobin and full blood lipid profile) and behavioural (alcohol and tobacco use). Results showed significantly higher (p≤0.05) values for overweight/obesity (BMI 37.60 kg.m⁻²; WC 1130.58 mm; fat mass 45.23%) and high BP (130/88 mmHg) compared to the previous national surveys, highlighting these CVD risk factors as problematic. The subsequent sub-study aimed to assess the efficacy of a pedometer-based walking intervention on high BP. The walking programme (n=25) was based on individual step goals to be completed at a moderate-intensity on five days.week⁻¹ for 12 weeks. The same measurements were taken at monthly intervals, Week 0, Week 4, Week 8 and Week 12, with the addition of dietary intake and fitness level, and the exclusion of the behavioural variables. There were no significant differences (p≤0.05) in systolic and diastolic BP with the exercise intervention, although there was a strong, negative relationship with time for diastolic BP (r²=0.9857). This trend suggests that the lack of significance may be a result of poor compliance and/or the small sample size. Individual results, however, showed no compliance-result relationship for the two risk factors of interest: overweight/obesity and high BP. Future recommendations include supervised or group-based exercise interventions to improve compliance, and the addition of resistance training to the aerobic programme.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Crymble, Tegan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hypertension -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Walking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Physiological aspects , Lifestyles -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Health attitudes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013234
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile of black African females in the Makana region, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Baseline measures from 40 participants, who met the criteria, were compared against the 2003 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) and the 2013 South African National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). The risk factors measured were anthropometric (stature, body mass and body mass index (BMI)), morphological (waist circumference (WC), fat mass and lean mass), cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure (BP)), physical activity (step count and energy expenditure), biochemical (glycated haemoglobin and full blood lipid profile) and behavioural (alcohol and tobacco use). Results showed significantly higher (p≤0.05) values for overweight/obesity (BMI 37.60 kg.m⁻²; WC 1130.58 mm; fat mass 45.23%) and high BP (130/88 mmHg) compared to the previous national surveys, highlighting these CVD risk factors as problematic. The subsequent sub-study aimed to assess the efficacy of a pedometer-based walking intervention on high BP. The walking programme (n=25) was based on individual step goals to be completed at a moderate-intensity on five days.week⁻¹ for 12 weeks. The same measurements were taken at monthly intervals, Week 0, Week 4, Week 8 and Week 12, with the addition of dietary intake and fitness level, and the exclusion of the behavioural variables. There were no significant differences (p≤0.05) in systolic and diastolic BP with the exercise intervention, although there was a strong, negative relationship with time for diastolic BP (r²=0.9857). This trend suggests that the lack of significance may be a result of poor compliance and/or the small sample size. Individual results, however, showed no compliance-result relationship for the two risk factors of interest: overweight/obesity and high BP. Future recommendations include supervised or group-based exercise interventions to improve compliance, and the addition of resistance training to the aerobic programme.
- Full Text:
Career choices of Rhodes University academics : internal and external influences on the decision making process
- Authors: Rippon, Tamsyn
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Vocational guidance , Vocational guidance , Career development -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , College teachers -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Universities and colleges -- Faculty , Qualitative research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3229 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013074
- Description: The career choice process, which emphasises the term ‘choice’, is one which is characterised by an ever changing multi-layered progression (Ozbilgin, Kusku & Erdogmus, 2004). This is due to the choice being a result of the on-going interaction between an individual and their social and organisational contexts. It is then safe to assume that this career decision making process involves an awareness of an individual’s surrounding environment and an ability to acknowledge and understand what they regard as being important to them. In support of this understanding, this research project seeks to draw attention to the career influences of a specific group of professionals rather than researching career choices across a range of professionals within different contexts in efforts to broadly predict career choice behaviour. This study rather focuses on the factors that actively influenced the career choices of ten Rhodes University Academics across a range of disciplines and faculties and their individual career decision making processes. In drawing on “mainstream and heterodox” (Ozbilgin et al., 2004, p. 2) literature, this research aims to apply existing notions presented by past researchers to South African academics, now residing and working at Rhodes University, which is located in the small town of Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. The methods of qualitative inductive research are discussed and the results are explored within the settings and contexts unique to each individual who has been drawn to the specific University context. The purpose of the study is to therefore adopt an inductive thematic analysis approach in seeking to examine the internal and external factors that served to influence the sample of academics into their chosen discipline, their decision to become and academic and their employer of choice, in light of the increasing pressure on higher education institutions to contribute to social and economic transformation within the South Africa (Tettey, 2006).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rippon, Tamsyn
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Vocational guidance , Vocational guidance , Career development -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , College teachers -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Universities and colleges -- Faculty , Qualitative research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3229 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013074
- Description: The career choice process, which emphasises the term ‘choice’, is one which is characterised by an ever changing multi-layered progression (Ozbilgin, Kusku & Erdogmus, 2004). This is due to the choice being a result of the on-going interaction between an individual and their social and organisational contexts. It is then safe to assume that this career decision making process involves an awareness of an individual’s surrounding environment and an ability to acknowledge and understand what they regard as being important to them. In support of this understanding, this research project seeks to draw attention to the career influences of a specific group of professionals rather than researching career choices across a range of professionals within different contexts in efforts to broadly predict career choice behaviour. This study rather focuses on the factors that actively influenced the career choices of ten Rhodes University Academics across a range of disciplines and faculties and their individual career decision making processes. In drawing on “mainstream and heterodox” (Ozbilgin et al., 2004, p. 2) literature, this research aims to apply existing notions presented by past researchers to South African academics, now residing and working at Rhodes University, which is located in the small town of Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. The methods of qualitative inductive research are discussed and the results are explored within the settings and contexts unique to each individual who has been drawn to the specific University context. The purpose of the study is to therefore adopt an inductive thematic analysis approach in seeking to examine the internal and external factors that served to influence the sample of academics into their chosen discipline, their decision to become and academic and their employer of choice, in light of the increasing pressure on higher education institutions to contribute to social and economic transformation within the South Africa (Tettey, 2006).
- Full Text: