Crumpled hearts
- Authors: Crain, Patricia Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) , English language -- Writing , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015676
- Description: A middle-aged woman, living in Johannesburg, has an experience which catapults her into changing her life. In the process of confronting her alcoholism, she realizes how patterns of addiction extend to other areas of her life and tries to make sense of the tragic events that have occurred. Her world becomes a different place as she questions everything that she has been taught about relationships, religion, race and her place in society. In the search for answers she uncovers stories about the lives of her parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and acquaintances. Embarking on a journey of discovery and rediscovery through her experiences and those of others, she explores the ways in which the things that she thought she knew defined her behaviour and expression of herself.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Crain, Patricia Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) , English language -- Writing , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015676
- Description: A middle-aged woman, living in Johannesburg, has an experience which catapults her into changing her life. In the process of confronting her alcoholism, she realizes how patterns of addiction extend to other areas of her life and tries to make sense of the tragic events that have occurred. Her world becomes a different place as she questions everything that she has been taught about relationships, religion, race and her place in society. In the search for answers she uncovers stories about the lives of her parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and acquaintances. Embarking on a journey of discovery and rediscovery through her experiences and those of others, she explores the ways in which the things that she thought she knew defined her behaviour and expression of herself.
- Full Text:
Cultural bias on the IELTS examination
- Authors: Freimuth, Hilda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: International English Language Testing System -- Evaluation Language and culture -- United Arab Emirates English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers English language -- Examinations Critical realism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1324 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012088
- Description: The study reported in this thesis investigated Emirati students’ claims related to experiences of cultural bias of the reading component of the IELTS examination through a critical realist lens. Critical realism posits a layered reality which allows for the conceptualization of experiences as emerging from the interplay of events and mechanisms found in two other realms of reality – the actual and the real. Experiences, therefore, have a different ontological status than the events and the causal mechanisms to which they are attributed. Social realism was used to further explore the depth of the realm of the real through Archer’s construct of analytical dualism. This allowed for the placement of generative mechanisms into three domains: structure, culture, and agency. There were two parts to this investigation: a content analysis and a focus group study. The first part of the content analysis consisted of analyzing 60 reading passages from 20 IELTS examinations for a number of cultural categories. These included such things as cultural objects, social roles, idiomatic expressions, traditions and festivals, superstitions and beliefs, and political and historical settings. The second part of the content analysis focused on the question types and syntactical structure of the 5 different IELTS examinations that the focus groups students sat. All three components of the analysis – the cultural content, question types, and syntactical structure – were conducted at the level of the actual. Findings indicated that on average, an IELTS examination contained 14 cultural references of various kinds. Only 4% of all geographical references pertained to the Middle East with the biggest share being western locations. The most common question types were matching questions, fill in the blank questions, and yes/no questions with more than 50% of all questions requiring some form of higher order thinking due to text reinterpretation. The study also found that the question types were not consistently distributed over the examinations with each consisting of a different variety of questions and some even having repetitive question types on one reading examination. The second part of the study was the focus groups. Here, 21 Emirati students sat 5 different IELTS examinations. Upon test completion, these students underwent a semistructured interview to relate their experiences of the test. These experiences, at the level of the empirical, all shared 7 ideas: reading is hard, the questions are too difficult, the passages are too long and difficult, the topics are unfamiliar, the topics are not interesting, the vocabulary is too difficult, and there is not enough time. When the processes of retroduction and abduction were applied to both the content analysis and these common experiences, numerous structures and discourses at the level of the real were identified as having contributed to the emergence of the feeling of bias at the level of the empirical. These structures included such things as the students’ school system (eg. curriculum, assessment, instructors etc.), religion, literacy practices, and home. In the cultural domain, a number of discourses were found to contribute to the experiences at the level of the empirical. Amongst these were the ‘Unimportance of Reading’, the culture of ‘Obedience’, the rejection of the ‘un-Islamic’, and the students’ sense of ‘Entitlement’.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Freimuth, Hilda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: International English Language Testing System -- Evaluation Language and culture -- United Arab Emirates English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers English language -- Examinations Critical realism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1324 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012088
- Description: The study reported in this thesis investigated Emirati students’ claims related to experiences of cultural bias of the reading component of the IELTS examination through a critical realist lens. Critical realism posits a layered reality which allows for the conceptualization of experiences as emerging from the interplay of events and mechanisms found in two other realms of reality – the actual and the real. Experiences, therefore, have a different ontological status than the events and the causal mechanisms to which they are attributed. Social realism was used to further explore the depth of the realm of the real through Archer’s construct of analytical dualism. This allowed for the placement of generative mechanisms into three domains: structure, culture, and agency. There were two parts to this investigation: a content analysis and a focus group study. The first part of the content analysis consisted of analyzing 60 reading passages from 20 IELTS examinations for a number of cultural categories. These included such things as cultural objects, social roles, idiomatic expressions, traditions and festivals, superstitions and beliefs, and political and historical settings. The second part of the content analysis focused on the question types and syntactical structure of the 5 different IELTS examinations that the focus groups students sat. All three components of the analysis – the cultural content, question types, and syntactical structure – were conducted at the level of the actual. Findings indicated that on average, an IELTS examination contained 14 cultural references of various kinds. Only 4% of all geographical references pertained to the Middle East with the biggest share being western locations. The most common question types were matching questions, fill in the blank questions, and yes/no questions with more than 50% of all questions requiring some form of higher order thinking due to text reinterpretation. The study also found that the question types were not consistently distributed over the examinations with each consisting of a different variety of questions and some even having repetitive question types on one reading examination. The second part of the study was the focus groups. Here, 21 Emirati students sat 5 different IELTS examinations. Upon test completion, these students underwent a semistructured interview to relate their experiences of the test. These experiences, at the level of the empirical, all shared 7 ideas: reading is hard, the questions are too difficult, the passages are too long and difficult, the topics are unfamiliar, the topics are not interesting, the vocabulary is too difficult, and there is not enough time. When the processes of retroduction and abduction were applied to both the content analysis and these common experiences, numerous structures and discourses at the level of the real were identified as having contributed to the emergence of the feeling of bias at the level of the empirical. These structures included such things as the students’ school system (eg. curriculum, assessment, instructors etc.), religion, literacy practices, and home. In the cultural domain, a number of discourses were found to contribute to the experiences at the level of the empirical. Amongst these were the ‘Unimportance of Reading’, the culture of ‘Obedience’, the rejection of the ‘un-Islamic’, and the students’ sense of ‘Entitlement’.
- Full Text:
Culture environment and hatchery of origin influence growth, condition and feeding organ morphology in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in South Africa
- Nel, A, Pitcher, G, Richoux, Nicole B, Jackson, S
- Authors: Nel, A , Pitcher, G , Richoux, Nicole B , Jackson, S
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/457215 , vital:75617 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2014.982187"
- Description: South Africa lacks a commercial oyster hatchery. To inform the sourcing of seed for future hatchery establishments, we compared half-sib Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas cohorts from hatcheries in Namibia and Chile. We measured oyster growth, mortality, condition and feeding organ morphology in Algoa Bay (AB, Eastern Cape) and Saldanha Bay (SB, Western Cape), South Africa, from July 2011 to June 2012. Within SB, 14.3% of mean daily sea temperatures exceeded this species’ thermal optimum of 19 °C, compared to 50.5% in AB. Food abundance (mean daily chlorophyll a concentration) in SB (7.8 mg m–3) was double that in AB (3.9 mg m–3) where, presumably to increase particle clearance rates in a relatively phytoplankton-poor environment, oysters had larger gill:palp surface area ratios. Plankton fatty acid profiles (indicators of food quality) differed between locations. In AB, instantaneous growth rates differed between cohorts, and trends varied seasonally. Within both locations, condition index was usually higher in Chilean oysters, whereas shell density was higher in Namibian oysters. In AB only, Chilean seed suffered substantially higher summer mortalities than Namibian seed, suggesting that the latter are more suited to temperatures in AB. AB should also be assessed for culture of the indigenous oyster species that occur there.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nel, A , Pitcher, G , Richoux, Nicole B , Jackson, S
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/457215 , vital:75617 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2014.982187"
- Description: South Africa lacks a commercial oyster hatchery. To inform the sourcing of seed for future hatchery establishments, we compared half-sib Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas cohorts from hatcheries in Namibia and Chile. We measured oyster growth, mortality, condition and feeding organ morphology in Algoa Bay (AB, Eastern Cape) and Saldanha Bay (SB, Western Cape), South Africa, from July 2011 to June 2012. Within SB, 14.3% of mean daily sea temperatures exceeded this species’ thermal optimum of 19 °C, compared to 50.5% in AB. Food abundance (mean daily chlorophyll a concentration) in SB (7.8 mg m–3) was double that in AB (3.9 mg m–3) where, presumably to increase particle clearance rates in a relatively phytoplankton-poor environment, oysters had larger gill:palp surface area ratios. Plankton fatty acid profiles (indicators of food quality) differed between locations. In AB, instantaneous growth rates differed between cohorts, and trends varied seasonally. Within both locations, condition index was usually higher in Chilean oysters, whereas shell density was higher in Namibian oysters. In AB only, Chilean seed suffered substantially higher summer mortalities than Namibian seed, suggesting that the latter are more suited to temperatures in AB. AB should also be assessed for culture of the indigenous oyster species that occur there.
- Full Text:
Curriculum outcomes, teaching practices and learner competencies in isiXhosa in three Grahamstown schools
- Authors: Fobe, Mila Pamella
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Language and education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Curriculum planning Second language acquisition Public schools -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Language policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3630 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012072
- Description: This study looks at the curriculum outcomes, teaching practices and learner competencies in isiXhosa at three Eastern Cape schools and across three different grades, 7-9. It explores the link between language learning and teaching as well as the teaching strategies used within the classroom. In particular, the study seeks to analyse how isiXhosa is taught at three different levels of instruction, namely at Home Language (HL), First Additional Language (FAL) and Second Additional Language (SAL) levels. Qualitative methods were used, and the study took the form of interpretive case studies within the respective schools. The purpose of using multiple case studies was to investigate the reality within the three sites selected. The three schools had three extreme settings, in the sense that one of the schools is a rich isiXhosa environment and the other two schools are English environments. The tools used for data gathering were interviews, classroom observations, and an analysis of documents from the Department of Basic Education. Data was then presented and analysed in Chapter 4 and 5 against the backdrop of an extensive literature review in Chapter 2 as well as a detailed methodological approach as outlined in Chapter 3. One of the findings of this research indicates that in two of the schools the teaching culture is largely from a western perspective, whereas in one of the schools the learners are primarily isiXhosa speaking and teachers use a different linguistic approach to imparting knowledge. In the private and ex-Model C school it was found that a lack of exposure to isiXhosa is the primary cause of language problems for L2 learners. Secondly the L1 is not appropriately maintained or promoted in the school environment because it is presumed that learners are sufficiently exposed to their L1 at home. The research found therefore that in this particular schooling environment there is an inconsistency between the curricula that is taught in relation to the linguistic abilities of the learners, many of whom are mother tongue speakers of isiXhosa. Furthermore and more generally, it was found that teachers are still not well informed concerning South Africa’s Language-in-Education-Policy and there is a need for more inservice training that will focus on the nature of additional language acquisition in order to address the challenges of teaching these languages. The thesis concludes that extensive work needs to be done in order to reposition the teaching of isiXhosa at all three levels, but particularly at FAL level. This research shows that there is a disjuncture between the proposed curriculum/learning outcomes and the standards or levels achieved by the learners, more especially at FAL and SAL where oral proficiency in isiXhosa remains a challenge. Specific recommendations are contained in the final chapter of the thesis which also makes reference to the draft policy of the Ministry of Basic Education regarding the incremental introduction of the teaching of African languages from 2014 onwards. This thesis also makes takes as a point of departure the importance of multilingualism in a multicultural society such as South Africa where language is suggested as a strong factor in the fostering of social cohesion. It is for this reason that the thesis argues that the expert teaching of African languages, in this case isiXhosa, at both mother tongue and second language levels is of fundamental importance to the future of South African society.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fobe, Mila Pamella
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Language and education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Curriculum planning Second language acquisition Public schools -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Language policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3630 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012072
- Description: This study looks at the curriculum outcomes, teaching practices and learner competencies in isiXhosa at three Eastern Cape schools and across three different grades, 7-9. It explores the link between language learning and teaching as well as the teaching strategies used within the classroom. In particular, the study seeks to analyse how isiXhosa is taught at three different levels of instruction, namely at Home Language (HL), First Additional Language (FAL) and Second Additional Language (SAL) levels. Qualitative methods were used, and the study took the form of interpretive case studies within the respective schools. The purpose of using multiple case studies was to investigate the reality within the three sites selected. The three schools had three extreme settings, in the sense that one of the schools is a rich isiXhosa environment and the other two schools are English environments. The tools used for data gathering were interviews, classroom observations, and an analysis of documents from the Department of Basic Education. Data was then presented and analysed in Chapter 4 and 5 against the backdrop of an extensive literature review in Chapter 2 as well as a detailed methodological approach as outlined in Chapter 3. One of the findings of this research indicates that in two of the schools the teaching culture is largely from a western perspective, whereas in one of the schools the learners are primarily isiXhosa speaking and teachers use a different linguistic approach to imparting knowledge. In the private and ex-Model C school it was found that a lack of exposure to isiXhosa is the primary cause of language problems for L2 learners. Secondly the L1 is not appropriately maintained or promoted in the school environment because it is presumed that learners are sufficiently exposed to their L1 at home. The research found therefore that in this particular schooling environment there is an inconsistency between the curricula that is taught in relation to the linguistic abilities of the learners, many of whom are mother tongue speakers of isiXhosa. Furthermore and more generally, it was found that teachers are still not well informed concerning South Africa’s Language-in-Education-Policy and there is a need for more inservice training that will focus on the nature of additional language acquisition in order to address the challenges of teaching these languages. The thesis concludes that extensive work needs to be done in order to reposition the teaching of isiXhosa at all three levels, but particularly at FAL level. This research shows that there is a disjuncture between the proposed curriculum/learning outcomes and the standards or levels achieved by the learners, more especially at FAL and SAL where oral proficiency in isiXhosa remains a challenge. Specific recommendations are contained in the final chapter of the thesis which also makes reference to the draft policy of the Ministry of Basic Education regarding the incremental introduction of the teaching of African languages from 2014 onwards. This thesis also makes takes as a point of departure the importance of multilingualism in a multicultural society such as South Africa where language is suggested as a strong factor in the fostering of social cohesion. It is for this reason that the thesis argues that the expert teaching of African languages, in this case isiXhosa, at both mother tongue and second language levels is of fundamental importance to the future of South African society.
- Full Text:
Cytotoxicity, phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of crude extracts from Rhizomes of Elephantorrhiza Elephantina and Pentanisia Prunelloides
- Mpofu, Smart J, Msagati, Titus A M, Krause, Rui W M
- Authors: Mpofu, Smart J , Msagati, Titus A M , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125097 , vital:35728 , https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v11i1.6
- Description: Background: Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Ee) and Pentanisia prunelloides (Pp) are two medicinal plants which are widely used to remedy various ailments including diarrhoea, dysentery, inflammation, fever, rheumatism, heartburn, tuberculosis, haemorrhoids, skin diseases, perforated peptic ulcers and sore joints in southern Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana and Zimbabwe). The following study was conducted to explore the in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant properties and phytochemical profile of the two medicinal plants. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of the aqueous and methanol extracts and fractions of both species was studied using the brine shrimp lethality tests (BST) for the first time. Results: The results demonstrated that the lethality (LC50) for crude extracts for both plants ranged between 1.8 and 5.8 ppm and was relatively greater than that for the methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of the extracts which ranged between 2.1 ppm and 27 ppm. This suggested that crude extracts were more potent than their respective fractions, further explaining that the different fractions of phytochemicals in these plant species work jointly (in synergy) to exert their therapeutic efficacy. Both aqueous and methanol extracts of the two medicinal plants demonstrated a high degree of antioxidant capacity against the DPPH radical with the Duh and Yen inhibition percentage ranging between 4.5% and 72%. Phytochemical studies of the rhizome extracts showed that the major compounds present include flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanidins, anthraquinones, triterpenoids (oleanolic acid), the steroidal saponin Diosgenin, the sugars, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, Arabinose and hexoses. Conclusion: This is the first report of the detection and isolation of diosgenin and oleanolic acid from the rhizome extracts of Ee and Pp. All structures were determined using spectroscopic/spectrometric techniques (1H NMR and 13C and LC-ESI-MS) and by comparison with literature data.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mpofu, Smart J , Msagati, Titus A M , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125097 , vital:35728 , https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v11i1.6
- Description: Background: Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Ee) and Pentanisia prunelloides (Pp) are two medicinal plants which are widely used to remedy various ailments including diarrhoea, dysentery, inflammation, fever, rheumatism, heartburn, tuberculosis, haemorrhoids, skin diseases, perforated peptic ulcers and sore joints in southern Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana and Zimbabwe). The following study was conducted to explore the in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant properties and phytochemical profile of the two medicinal plants. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of the aqueous and methanol extracts and fractions of both species was studied using the brine shrimp lethality tests (BST) for the first time. Results: The results demonstrated that the lethality (LC50) for crude extracts for both plants ranged between 1.8 and 5.8 ppm and was relatively greater than that for the methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of the extracts which ranged between 2.1 ppm and 27 ppm. This suggested that crude extracts were more potent than their respective fractions, further explaining that the different fractions of phytochemicals in these plant species work jointly (in synergy) to exert their therapeutic efficacy. Both aqueous and methanol extracts of the two medicinal plants demonstrated a high degree of antioxidant capacity against the DPPH radical with the Duh and Yen inhibition percentage ranging between 4.5% and 72%. Phytochemical studies of the rhizome extracts showed that the major compounds present include flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanidins, anthraquinones, triterpenoids (oleanolic acid), the steroidal saponin Diosgenin, the sugars, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, Arabinose and hexoses. Conclusion: This is the first report of the detection and isolation of diosgenin and oleanolic acid from the rhizome extracts of Ee and Pp. All structures were determined using spectroscopic/spectrometric techniques (1H NMR and 13C and LC-ESI-MS) and by comparison with literature data.
- Full Text:
Dangerous people and places : a community newspaper's constructions of crime
- Authors: Raymond, Leigh Alice
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) , Community newspapers -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Crime and the press -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Newspapers -- Objectivity , Mass media policy -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police and the press -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3527 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013091
- Description: This thesis argues that there is a clear imbalance in the representation of crime in the newspaper, Grocott’s Mail, in Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The thesis concludes that the system of marginalisation and segregation which was established during the apartheid era is the foundation for the continued segregation and marginalisation of certain groups of people in Grahamstown as depicted in crime journalism. Previous research shows that not only people, but spaces are marginalised through media representations of crime. As people are represented as dangerous, so too the spaces they occupy become dangerous spaces. Importantly, the research shows that discourses of marginalisation are present in newspaper reports reproducing the discourses prominent in society, and in turn, the newspaper itself perpetuates these marginalising discourses. This extends into the coverage that different crimes receive in newspapers. For instance, the reports show that a middle-class audience will be more concerned with property crime in middle-class neighbourhoods, than other crimes in lower-class neighbourhoods. I argue that not only the type of crime, but the severity, the effect, and the necessity for justice represented by the newspaper, are all largely determined by the region of the crime. Further, I show that the criminal is not only demonised and represented as individually deviant in the reports in the newspaper, but that these representations are made by this newspaper because they are deeply imbedded as a discourse in society. This is partly because this newspaper has taken on a monitorial role, requiring neutral reporting from journalists, and a dedication to surveying the processes of state institutions, like the police and courts. As a result, the ways in which crime is reported on in the newspaper is fairly well fixed, making it difficult for journalists to conceive of different ways of reporting crime. The representations of the criminal justice system that the monitorial media, this newspaper included present, are a careful balance between the interest of the public, and the need to preserve relationships with sources. The monitorial media in general, and this newspaper in particular, represent the criminal justice system. The relationship between the police and the newspaper, and the courts and the media, therefore strongly influences the way in which crime news is reported. In particular, crime news is represented from the perspective of the criminal justice system. This research was carried out using Critical Discourse Analysis, qualitative interviews, and focus group interviews.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Raymond, Leigh Alice
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) , Community newspapers -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Crime and the press -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Newspapers -- Objectivity , Mass media policy -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Police and the press -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3527 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013091
- Description: This thesis argues that there is a clear imbalance in the representation of crime in the newspaper, Grocott’s Mail, in Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The thesis concludes that the system of marginalisation and segregation which was established during the apartheid era is the foundation for the continued segregation and marginalisation of certain groups of people in Grahamstown as depicted in crime journalism. Previous research shows that not only people, but spaces are marginalised through media representations of crime. As people are represented as dangerous, so too the spaces they occupy become dangerous spaces. Importantly, the research shows that discourses of marginalisation are present in newspaper reports reproducing the discourses prominent in society, and in turn, the newspaper itself perpetuates these marginalising discourses. This extends into the coverage that different crimes receive in newspapers. For instance, the reports show that a middle-class audience will be more concerned with property crime in middle-class neighbourhoods, than other crimes in lower-class neighbourhoods. I argue that not only the type of crime, but the severity, the effect, and the necessity for justice represented by the newspaper, are all largely determined by the region of the crime. Further, I show that the criminal is not only demonised and represented as individually deviant in the reports in the newspaper, but that these representations are made by this newspaper because they are deeply imbedded as a discourse in society. This is partly because this newspaper has taken on a monitorial role, requiring neutral reporting from journalists, and a dedication to surveying the processes of state institutions, like the police and courts. As a result, the ways in which crime is reported on in the newspaper is fairly well fixed, making it difficult for journalists to conceive of different ways of reporting crime. The representations of the criminal justice system that the monitorial media, this newspaper included present, are a careful balance between the interest of the public, and the need to preserve relationships with sources. The monitorial media in general, and this newspaper in particular, represent the criminal justice system. The relationship between the police and the newspaper, and the courts and the media, therefore strongly influences the way in which crime news is reported. In particular, crime news is represented from the perspective of the criminal justice system. This research was carried out using Critical Discourse Analysis, qualitative interviews, and focus group interviews.
- Full Text:
Data-centric security : towards a utopian model for protecting corporate data on mobile devices
- Authors: Mayisela, Simphiwe Hector
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Computer security , Computer networks -- Security measures , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Mobile computing -- Security measures , Mobile communication systems -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4688 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011094 , Computer security , Computer networks -- Security measures , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Mobile computing -- Security measures , Mobile communication systems -- Security measures
- Description: Data-centric security is significant in understanding, assessing and mitigating the various risks and impacts of sharing information outside corporate boundaries. Information generally leaves corporate boundaries through mobile devices. Mobile devices continue to evolve as multi-functional tools for everyday life, surpassing their initial intended use. This added capability and increasingly extensive use of mobile devices does not come without a degree of risk - hence the need to guard and protect information as it exists beyond the corporate boundaries and throughout its lifecycle. Literature on existing models crafted to protect data, rather than infrastructure in which the data resides, is reviewed. Technologies that organisations have implemented to adopt the data-centric model are studied. A utopian model that takes into account the shortcomings of existing technologies and deficiencies of common theories is proposed. Two sets of qualitative studies are reported; the first is a preliminary online survey to assess the ubiquity of mobile devices and extent of technology adoption towards implementation of data-centric model; and the second comprises of a focus survey and expert interviews pertaining on technologies that organisations have implemented to adopt the data-centric model. The latter study revealed insufficient data at the time of writing for the results to be statistically significant; however; indicative trends supported the assertions documented in the literature review. The question that this research answers is whether or not current technology implementations designed to mitigate risks from mobile devices, actually address business requirements. This research question, answered through these two sets qualitative studies, discovered inconsistencies between the technology implementations and business requirements. The thesis concludes by proposing a realistic model, based on the outcome of the qualitative study, which bridges the gap between the technology implementations and business requirements. Future work which could perhaps be conducted in light of the findings and the comments from this research is also considered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mayisela, Simphiwe Hector
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Computer security , Computer networks -- Security measures , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Mobile computing -- Security measures , Mobile communication systems -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4688 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011094 , Computer security , Computer networks -- Security measures , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Mobile computing -- Security measures , Mobile communication systems -- Security measures
- Description: Data-centric security is significant in understanding, assessing and mitigating the various risks and impacts of sharing information outside corporate boundaries. Information generally leaves corporate boundaries through mobile devices. Mobile devices continue to evolve as multi-functional tools for everyday life, surpassing their initial intended use. This added capability and increasingly extensive use of mobile devices does not come without a degree of risk - hence the need to guard and protect information as it exists beyond the corporate boundaries and throughout its lifecycle. Literature on existing models crafted to protect data, rather than infrastructure in which the data resides, is reviewed. Technologies that organisations have implemented to adopt the data-centric model are studied. A utopian model that takes into account the shortcomings of existing technologies and deficiencies of common theories is proposed. Two sets of qualitative studies are reported; the first is a preliminary online survey to assess the ubiquity of mobile devices and extent of technology adoption towards implementation of data-centric model; and the second comprises of a focus survey and expert interviews pertaining on technologies that organisations have implemented to adopt the data-centric model. The latter study revealed insufficient data at the time of writing for the results to be statistically significant; however; indicative trends supported the assertions documented in the literature review. The question that this research answers is whether or not current technology implementations designed to mitigate risks from mobile devices, actually address business requirements. This research question, answered through these two sets qualitative studies, discovered inconsistencies between the technology implementations and business requirements. The thesis concludes by proposing a realistic model, based on the outcome of the qualitative study, which bridges the gap between the technology implementations and business requirements. Future work which could perhaps be conducted in light of the findings and the comments from this research is also considered.
- Full Text:
Dependence on environmental resources and implications for household welfare: evidence from the Kalahari drylands, South Africa
- Thondhlana, Gladman, Muchapondwa, Edwin
- Authors: Thondhlana, Gladman , Muchapondwa, Edwin
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67810 , vital:29149 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.10.003
- Description: Publisher version , This paper examines dependence on environmental resources and impacts on household welfare among the indigenous San and Mier rural communities neighbouring Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa. Data on the various household income types, including environmental income, were collected through a structured survey of 200 households. Environmental income constituted 20% of the total income. The poorest income quintile showed the highest relative dependence on environmental income (31%), though absolute environmental income increased with total income. Poverty analyses showed that poverty incidence and poverty gap would increase by 13 and 7 percentage points respectively without environmental income. Gini-coefficient analyses revealed that income inequality would increase by 6 percentage points for all households if environmental income was excluded. The results generally suggest that environmental income is important for both the poor and the well-off, and wealth accumulation might be tied to resource use. There is a case for promoting sound environmental management, and sustainable and fair resource use in the Kalahari drylands in order to help pull more households out of poverty. Our findings also point to issues of heterogeneity in resource access even among indigenous communities previously thought to be homogenous. These should be key considerations for conservation interventions.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Thondhlana, Gladman , Muchapondwa, Edwin
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67810 , vital:29149 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.10.003
- Description: Publisher version , This paper examines dependence on environmental resources and impacts on household welfare among the indigenous San and Mier rural communities neighbouring Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa. Data on the various household income types, including environmental income, were collected through a structured survey of 200 households. Environmental income constituted 20% of the total income. The poorest income quintile showed the highest relative dependence on environmental income (31%), though absolute environmental income increased with total income. Poverty analyses showed that poverty incidence and poverty gap would increase by 13 and 7 percentage points respectively without environmental income. Gini-coefficient analyses revealed that income inequality would increase by 6 percentage points for all households if environmental income was excluded. The results generally suggest that environmental income is important for both the poor and the well-off, and wealth accumulation might be tied to resource use. There is a case for promoting sound environmental management, and sustainable and fair resource use in the Kalahari drylands in order to help pull more households out of poverty. Our findings also point to issues of heterogeneity in resource access even among indigenous communities previously thought to be homogenous. These should be key considerations for conservation interventions.
- Full Text: false
Design of a Network Packet Processing platform
- Pennefather, Sean, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427901 , vital:72472 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barry-Ir-win/publication/327622772_Design_of_a_Network_Packet_Processing_platform/links/5b9a187f92851c4ba8181bd6/Design-of-a-Network-Packet-Processing-platform.pdf
- Description: This paper describes the design considerations investigated in the implementation of a prototype embedded network packet processing platform. The purpose of this system is to provide a means for researchers to process, and manipulate network traffic using an embedded standalone hardware platform, with the provision this be soft-configurable and flexible in its functionality. The performance of the Ethernet layer subsystem implemented using XMOS MCU’s is investigated. Future applications of this prototype are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pennefather, Sean , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427901 , vital:72472 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barry-Ir-win/publication/327622772_Design_of_a_Network_Packet_Processing_platform/links/5b9a187f92851c4ba8181bd6/Design-of-a-Network-Packet-Processing-platform.pdf
- Description: This paper describes the design considerations investigated in the implementation of a prototype embedded network packet processing platform. The purpose of this system is to provide a means for researchers to process, and manipulate network traffic using an embedded standalone hardware platform, with the provision this be soft-configurable and flexible in its functionality. The performance of the Ethernet layer subsystem implemented using XMOS MCU’s is investigated. Future applications of this prototype are discussed.
- Full Text:
Determining the difficulty of accelerating problems on a GPU
- Tristram, Dale, Bradshaw, Karen L
- Authors: Tristram, Dale , Bradshaw, Karen L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/475208 , vital:77784
- Description: General-purpose computation on graphics processing units (GPGPU) has great potential to accelerate many scientific models and algorithms. However, since some problems are considerably more difficult to accelerate than others, ascertaining the effort required to accelerate a particular problem is challenging. Through the acceleration of three typical scientific problems, seven problem attributes have been identified to assist in the evaluation of the difficulty of accelerating a problem on a GPU. These attributes are inherent parallelism, branch divergence, problem size, required computational parallelism, memory access pattern regularity, data transfer overhead, and thread cooperation. Using these attributes as difficulty indicators, an initial problem difficulty classification framework has been created that aids in evaluating GPU acceleration difficulty. The difficulty estimates obtained by applying the classification framework to the three case studies correlate well with the actual effort expended in accelerating each problem.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tristram, Dale , Bradshaw, Karen L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/475208 , vital:77784
- Description: General-purpose computation on graphics processing units (GPGPU) has great potential to accelerate many scientific models and algorithms. However, since some problems are considerably more difficult to accelerate than others, ascertaining the effort required to accelerate a particular problem is challenging. Through the acceleration of three typical scientific problems, seven problem attributes have been identified to assist in the evaluation of the difficulty of accelerating a problem on a GPU. These attributes are inherent parallelism, branch divergence, problem size, required computational parallelism, memory access pattern regularity, data transfer overhead, and thread cooperation. Using these attributes as difficulty indicators, an initial problem difficulty classification framework has been created that aids in evaluating GPU acceleration difficulty. The difficulty estimates obtained by applying the classification framework to the three case studies correlate well with the actual effort expended in accelerating each problem.
- Full Text:
Developing a relational perspective on intergenerational learning
- Authors: Schudel, Ingrid J
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437161 , vital:73349 , ISBN 978-9086862528 , https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-802-5_16
- Description: This chapter argues for a critical perspective on the use of lo-cal knowledge and practices in teaching and learning, present-ing some pedagogical thinking tools for reviewing intergenera-tional teaching and learning processes. The chapter highlights five relational elements in teaching and learning processes, including the relationship between individual and community, social and historic contexts, school-based actions and local practices, local and regional/national/global concerns, and fi-nally between local knowledge and abstract school knowledge. These relational elements of learning illustrate how it is possi-ble to mitigate against conservative, over-simplistic or idealistic responses to environmental concerns. This argument is illus-trated through reference to a lesson designed and implement-ed by a school teacher participating in a Rhodes University ac-credited teacher professional development course–the Schools and Sustainability course. This teacher depended substantially on intergenerational communication for her les-son, which supported Grade 1 pupils to research the use of wild vegetables historically in their community and plant these vegetables in their school garden with the support of knowledgeable community members.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schudel, Ingrid J
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437161 , vital:73349 , ISBN 978-9086862528 , https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-802-5_16
- Description: This chapter argues for a critical perspective on the use of lo-cal knowledge and practices in teaching and learning, present-ing some pedagogical thinking tools for reviewing intergenera-tional teaching and learning processes. The chapter highlights five relational elements in teaching and learning processes, including the relationship between individual and community, social and historic contexts, school-based actions and local practices, local and regional/national/global concerns, and fi-nally between local knowledge and abstract school knowledge. These relational elements of learning illustrate how it is possi-ble to mitigate against conservative, over-simplistic or idealistic responses to environmental concerns. This argument is illus-trated through reference to a lesson designed and implement-ed by a school teacher participating in a Rhodes University ac-credited teacher professional development course–the Schools and Sustainability course. This teacher depended substantially on intergenerational communication for her les-son, which supported Grade 1 pupils to research the use of wild vegetables historically in their community and plant these vegetables in their school garden with the support of knowledgeable community members.
- Full Text:
Development and assessment of sustained release stavudine loaded microparticles
- Authors: Zindove, Chiedza Cathrine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54722 , vital:26603
- Description:
Stavudine (D4T) has been used as first line treatment for HIV/AIDS and is part of highly active anti retroviral treatment (HAART). It is an affordable medicine and its use is beneficial in resource limited settings. However D4T exhibits dose dependent side effects that may lead to non-adherence in patients. This study was undertaken to formulate, develop and manufacture a dosage form that could reduce dose dependent side effects by decreasing the dose of D4T but still exhibit antiretroviral (ARV) activity. The use of sustained release (SR) formulations of D4T that ensure constant levels of the D4T in the body would not only optimize therapy but also reduce the incidence of side effects thereby increasing patient adherence. SR microparticles containing 30mg D4T were manufactured and loaded into size 3 hard gelatine capsules prior to analysis. The D4T microparticles were manufactured by microencapsulation using non-aqueous oil-in-oil solvent evaporation approach. D4T-excipient, excipient-excipient interactions and D4T purity were assessed using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Copolymers synthesized from acrylic and methacrylic acid esters viz., Eudragit® RSPO and S100 were used as rate retardant materials and the effect of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel® PH102) on the microparticles was also investigated. Magnesium stearate was used as a droplet stabilizer and n-hexane was added to harden the microspheres formed in a liquid paraffin continuous phase. The microparticles were optimized using a Box Behnken design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The microparticles were characterized in terms of their flow properties and encapsulation efficiency (% EE), in addition to visualization of the surface morphology with Scanning Electron Microscopy. In vitro D4T release studies were performed using USP Apparatus III in media of different pH and the samples were analysed using a validated High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection that had been developed and optimized using a Central Composite Design (CCD). The method was validated according to ICH guidelines. The IR spectra and DSC thermographs revealed that D4T exhibited thermal stability and there was no evidence of D4T-excipient and excipient-excipient interactions. The microparticles that were produced were white, free flowing and were obtained in a high yield with high encapsulation efficiency. Scanning Electron Microscopy studies revealed that the microparticles were spherical and porous in nature. In vitro D4T release extended to 12 hours and the mechanism of release was established using model dependent methods by fitting the data to a Zero order, First order, Higuchi and Hixson Crowell model. It was observed that the mechanism of D4T release was diffusion-controlled and that the data was best fitted to the Higuchi model with correlation coefficients > 0.9. The release mechanism was confirmed using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model that revealed that most of the formulations exhibited anomalous transport kinetics with the release exponent, n, ranging from 0.5
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zindove, Chiedza Cathrine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54722 , vital:26603
- Description:
Stavudine (D4T) has been used as first line treatment for HIV/AIDS and is part of highly active anti retroviral treatment (HAART). It is an affordable medicine and its use is beneficial in resource limited settings. However D4T exhibits dose dependent side effects that may lead to non-adherence in patients. This study was undertaken to formulate, develop and manufacture a dosage form that could reduce dose dependent side effects by decreasing the dose of D4T but still exhibit antiretroviral (ARV) activity. The use of sustained release (SR) formulations of D4T that ensure constant levels of the D4T in the body would not only optimize therapy but also reduce the incidence of side effects thereby increasing patient adherence. SR microparticles containing 30mg D4T were manufactured and loaded into size 3 hard gelatine capsules prior to analysis. The D4T microparticles were manufactured by microencapsulation using non-aqueous oil-in-oil solvent evaporation approach. D4T-excipient, excipient-excipient interactions and D4T purity were assessed using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Copolymers synthesized from acrylic and methacrylic acid esters viz., Eudragit® RSPO and S100 were used as rate retardant materials and the effect of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel® PH102) on the microparticles was also investigated. Magnesium stearate was used as a droplet stabilizer and n-hexane was added to harden the microspheres formed in a liquid paraffin continuous phase. The microparticles were optimized using a Box Behnken design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The microparticles were characterized in terms of their flow properties and encapsulation efficiency (% EE), in addition to visualization of the surface morphology with Scanning Electron Microscopy. In vitro D4T release studies were performed using USP Apparatus III in media of different pH and the samples were analysed using a validated High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection that had been developed and optimized using a Central Composite Design (CCD). The method was validated according to ICH guidelines. The IR spectra and DSC thermographs revealed that D4T exhibited thermal stability and there was no evidence of D4T-excipient and excipient-excipient interactions. The microparticles that were produced were white, free flowing and were obtained in a high yield with high encapsulation efficiency. Scanning Electron Microscopy studies revealed that the microparticles were spherical and porous in nature. In vitro D4T release extended to 12 hours and the mechanism of release was established using model dependent methods by fitting the data to a Zero order, First order, Higuchi and Hixson Crowell model. It was observed that the mechanism of D4T release was diffusion-controlled and that the data was best fitted to the Higuchi model with correlation coefficients > 0.9. The release mechanism was confirmed using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model that revealed that most of the formulations exhibited anomalous transport kinetics with the release exponent, n, ranging from 0.5
- Full Text:
Development and evaluation of pictograms on medication labels for patients with limited literacy skills in a culturally diverse multiethnic population:
- Kheir, Nadir, Awaisu, Ahmed, Radoui, Amina, El Badawi, Aya, Jean, Linda, Dowse, Roslind
- Authors: Kheir, Nadir , Awaisu, Ahmed , Radoui, Amina , El Badawi, Aya , Jean, Linda , Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156720 , vital:40041 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2013.11.003
- Description: Much of the migrant workforce in Qatar is of low literacy level and does not understand Arabic or English, presenting a significant challenge to health care professionals. Medicine labels are typically in Arabic and English and are therefore poorly understood by these migrant workers. To develop pictograms illustrating selected medicine label instructions and to evaluate comprehension of the pictograms or conventional text supported with verbal instructions in foreign workers with low literacy skills.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kheir, Nadir , Awaisu, Ahmed , Radoui, Amina , El Badawi, Aya , Jean, Linda , Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156720 , vital:40041 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2013.11.003
- Description: Much of the migrant workforce in Qatar is of low literacy level and does not understand Arabic or English, presenting a significant challenge to health care professionals. Medicine labels are typically in Arabic and English and are therefore poorly understood by these migrant workers. To develop pictograms illustrating selected medicine label instructions and to evaluate comprehension of the pictograms or conventional text supported with verbal instructions in foreign workers with low literacy skills.
- Full Text:
Development NGOs : understanding participatory methods, accountability and effectiveness of World Vision in Zimbabwe with specific reference to Umzingwane District.
- Authors: Knight, Kayla Christine
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: World Vision International , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Evaluation , Economic assistance -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980- , Zimbabwe -- Social conditions -- 1980- , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions -- 1980-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3376 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013135
- Description: Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have occupied a prominent role in the development of rural Zimbabwe since the time of its independence in 1980. NGO work in Zimbabwe currently takes place within the context of a tense and fluid political climate, an economy struggling to recover from crisis, international skepticism toward long-term donor investment in development, and global expectations about the methodologies and accountability measures carried out in intervention-based development work. In the light of the participatory methodologies and empowerment-based development frameworks that dominate the current global expectations for work within the NGO sector, this thesis focuses on the work of one particular NGO working in Zimbabwe, namely, World Vision. The main objective of the thesis is to understand and explain the participatory methods, accountability and effectiveness of World Vision in Zimbabwe (with particular reference to Umzingwane District) and, in doing so, to deepen the theoretical understanding of NGOs as constituting a particular organizational form. World Vision is a large-scale international NGO that has a pronounced presence in Zimbabwe and it is specifically active in Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South Province. The thesis argues that NGOs exist within a complex and tense condition entailing continuous responses to pressures from donors and states that structure their survival. Ultimately, in maneuvering through such pressures, NGOs tend to choose directions which best enable their own sustainability, often at the cost of the deep participatory forms that may heighten the legitimacy of their roles. World Vision Zimbabwe responds to donor trends, national and local expectations of the state and its own organizational expectations by building local government capacity in order to maintain the longevity and measureable outputs of its projects. In doing so, it redefines the concept of participation in pursuing efficient and practical approaches to ‘getting things done’. This compromises deep participatory methodologies and, in essence, alters the practices involved in participatory forms in order to maintain World Vision’s own organizational sustainability and presence in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Knight, Kayla Christine
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: World Vision International , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Evaluation , Economic assistance -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980- , Zimbabwe -- Social conditions -- 1980- , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions -- 1980-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3376 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013135
- Description: Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have occupied a prominent role in the development of rural Zimbabwe since the time of its independence in 1980. NGO work in Zimbabwe currently takes place within the context of a tense and fluid political climate, an economy struggling to recover from crisis, international skepticism toward long-term donor investment in development, and global expectations about the methodologies and accountability measures carried out in intervention-based development work. In the light of the participatory methodologies and empowerment-based development frameworks that dominate the current global expectations for work within the NGO sector, this thesis focuses on the work of one particular NGO working in Zimbabwe, namely, World Vision. The main objective of the thesis is to understand and explain the participatory methods, accountability and effectiveness of World Vision in Zimbabwe (with particular reference to Umzingwane District) and, in doing so, to deepen the theoretical understanding of NGOs as constituting a particular organizational form. World Vision is a large-scale international NGO that has a pronounced presence in Zimbabwe and it is specifically active in Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South Province. The thesis argues that NGOs exist within a complex and tense condition entailing continuous responses to pressures from donors and states that structure their survival. Ultimately, in maneuvering through such pressures, NGOs tend to choose directions which best enable their own sustainability, often at the cost of the deep participatory forms that may heighten the legitimacy of their roles. World Vision Zimbabwe responds to donor trends, national and local expectations of the state and its own organizational expectations by building local government capacity in order to maintain the longevity and measureable outputs of its projects. In doing so, it redefines the concept of participation in pursuing efficient and practical approaches to ‘getting things done’. This compromises deep participatory methodologies and, in essence, alters the practices involved in participatory forms in order to maintain World Vision’s own organizational sustainability and presence in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
Development of an ionospheric map for Africa
- Authors: Ssessanga, Nicholas
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Ionosondes Ionosphere Ionosphere -- Observations Ionosphere -- Research -- Africa Ionospheric electron density -- Africa Ionospheric critical frequencies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011498
- Description: This thesis presents research pertaining to the development of an African Ionospheric Map (AIM). An ionospheric map is a computer program that is able to display spatial and temporal representations of ionospheric parameters such as, electron density and critical plasma frequencies, for every geographical location on the map. The purpose of this development was to make the most optimum use of all available data sources, namely ionosondes, satellites and models, and to implement error minimisation techniques in order to obtain the best result at any given location on the African continent. The focus was placed on the accurate estimation of three upper atmosphere parameters which are important for radio communications: critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2), Total Electron Content (TEC) and the maximum usable frequency over a distance of 3000 km (M3000F2). The results show that AIM provided a more accurate estimation of the three parameters than the internationally recognised and recommended ionosphere model (IRI-2012) when used on its own. Therefore, the AIM is a more accurate solution than single independent data sources for applications requiring ionospheric mapping over the African continent.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ssessanga, Nicholas
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Ionosondes Ionosphere Ionosphere -- Observations Ionosphere -- Research -- Africa Ionospheric electron density -- Africa Ionospheric critical frequencies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011498
- Description: This thesis presents research pertaining to the development of an African Ionospheric Map (AIM). An ionospheric map is a computer program that is able to display spatial and temporal representations of ionospheric parameters such as, electron density and critical plasma frequencies, for every geographical location on the map. The purpose of this development was to make the most optimum use of all available data sources, namely ionosondes, satellites and models, and to implement error minimisation techniques in order to obtain the best result at any given location on the African continent. The focus was placed on the accurate estimation of three upper atmosphere parameters which are important for radio communications: critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2), Total Electron Content (TEC) and the maximum usable frequency over a distance of 3000 km (M3000F2). The results show that AIM provided a more accurate estimation of the three parameters than the internationally recognised and recommended ionosphere model (IRI-2012) when used on its own. Therefore, the AIM is a more accurate solution than single independent data sources for applications requiring ionospheric mapping over the African continent.
- Full Text:
Development of Graphene/CdSe Quantum Dots‐Co Phthalocyanine Nanocomposite for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
- Nyoni, Stephen, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189944 , vital:44950 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400372"
- Description: Nanocomposites containing CdSe quantum dots, tetra(4-(4,6-diaminopyrimidin-2-ylthio) phthalocyaninatocobalt(II)) (CoPyPc) and reduced graphene nanosheets (rGNS) were devoloped and used for the modification of a glassy carbon electrode. Characterization of the nanocomposites was done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for electrochemical characterization of the prepared nanocomposite for oxygen reduction reaction. The oxygen reduction activity for rGNS/CdSe-CoPyPc nanocomposite was found to be superior over the individual nanomaterials in this study. The activity of the nanocomposite towards oxygen reduction was also tested for tolerance to methanol crossover effect using chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189944 , vital:44950 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400372"
- Description: Nanocomposites containing CdSe quantum dots, tetra(4-(4,6-diaminopyrimidin-2-ylthio) phthalocyaninatocobalt(II)) (CoPyPc) and reduced graphene nanosheets (rGNS) were devoloped and used for the modification of a glassy carbon electrode. Characterization of the nanocomposites was done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for electrochemical characterization of the prepared nanocomposite for oxygen reduction reaction. The oxygen reduction activity for rGNS/CdSe-CoPyPc nanocomposite was found to be superior over the individual nanomaterials in this study. The activity of the nanocomposite towards oxygen reduction was also tested for tolerance to methanol crossover effect using chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies.
- Full Text:
Development of styrene based imprinted sorbents for selective clean-up of metalloporphyrins in organic media
- Authors: Awokoya, Kehinde Nurudeen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54521 , vital:26580
- Description: Most crude oils contain traces of vanadium and nickel complex with porphyrins (VTPP and NTPP) within their asphaltene fraction. Although these metals are only present in trace quantities, they have a significant and detrimental impact on the refining process by degrading the quality of intermediate and end products. Therefore, their selective removal is highly desirable. This thesis presents the development of nickel porphyrin, nickel vanadyl porphyrin imprinted nanofibers and vanadyl porphyrin imprinted polymer (MIP) particles for application as selective sorbents. Computational model based on the combination of molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics was successfully applied to the styrene functional monomer selection. The particle was prepared by bulk polymerization and the nanofibers by a novel approach combining molecular imprinting and electrospinning technology. The morphologies, thermal stabilities and porosities of the imprinted sorbents were studied using SEM, TGA, and BET nitrogen gas adsorption. Chloroform was found to swell the polymer particles to a higher degree than methanol and acetonitrile. The adsorption characteristics of the imprinted sorbents best fitted with Freundlich isotherm model. The imprinted sorbents recorded high extraction efficiencies (EEs) of > 99 % in selectively extracting the metalloporphyrins. The impact of the template on the affinity of recognition for NTPP was evaluated. The results showed that the NTPP adsorption capacity increased as the molar ratio of NTPP to styrene was increased from 1:1 to 3:1. The optimal ratio of template to functional monomer which yielded the best specific affinity and highest recovery (99.9 %) was 3:1. The effects of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), dichloromethane (DCM), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), pentane (PEN) on electro-spinnability of the polymer solutions and the morphological appearance of the nanofibers were investigated. The imprinted nanofibers exhibited the same selectivity specialism for both NTPP and VTPP. A remarkable stability in relation to reusability was observed when imprinted nanofibers were used, as they could be reused nine times without incurring any significant loss in removal efficiency. The results were validated by analysing a certified reference material. The imprinted sorbents were therefore found to be selective sorbents that are well suited for handling trace metals in organic media.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Awokoya, Kehinde Nurudeen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54521 , vital:26580
- Description: Most crude oils contain traces of vanadium and nickel complex with porphyrins (VTPP and NTPP) within their asphaltene fraction. Although these metals are only present in trace quantities, they have a significant and detrimental impact on the refining process by degrading the quality of intermediate and end products. Therefore, their selective removal is highly desirable. This thesis presents the development of nickel porphyrin, nickel vanadyl porphyrin imprinted nanofibers and vanadyl porphyrin imprinted polymer (MIP) particles for application as selective sorbents. Computational model based on the combination of molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics was successfully applied to the styrene functional monomer selection. The particle was prepared by bulk polymerization and the nanofibers by a novel approach combining molecular imprinting and electrospinning technology. The morphologies, thermal stabilities and porosities of the imprinted sorbents were studied using SEM, TGA, and BET nitrogen gas adsorption. Chloroform was found to swell the polymer particles to a higher degree than methanol and acetonitrile. The adsorption characteristics of the imprinted sorbents best fitted with Freundlich isotherm model. The imprinted sorbents recorded high extraction efficiencies (EEs) of > 99 % in selectively extracting the metalloporphyrins. The impact of the template on the affinity of recognition for NTPP was evaluated. The results showed that the NTPP adsorption capacity increased as the molar ratio of NTPP to styrene was increased from 1:1 to 3:1. The optimal ratio of template to functional monomer which yielded the best specific affinity and highest recovery (99.9 %) was 3:1. The effects of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), dichloromethane (DCM), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), pentane (PEN) on electro-spinnability of the polymer solutions and the morphological appearance of the nanofibers were investigated. The imprinted nanofibers exhibited the same selectivity specialism for both NTPP and VTPP. A remarkable stability in relation to reusability was observed when imprinted nanofibers were used, as they could be reused nine times without incurring any significant loss in removal efficiency. The results were validated by analysing a certified reference material. The imprinted sorbents were therefore found to be selective sorbents that are well suited for handling trace metals in organic media.
- Full Text:
Diagnosing the sexual pattern of Diplodus cervinus hottentotus (Pisces: Sparidae) from southern Angola
- Winkler, Alexander C, Santos, Carmen V D, Potts, Warren M
- Authors: Winkler, Alexander C , Santos, Carmen V D , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124286 , vital:35589 , https://doi.10.1007/s11160-006-9034-6
- Description: The sexual pattern of Diplodus cervinus hottentotus was investigated in southern Angola. Females were significantly smaller and found in greater numbers, with an adult sex ratio of 1.0:0.7, F:M. Histological observations of preserved gonads indicated that the species is a rudimentary hermaphrodite, possessing a non-functional bisexual ovotestis before maturation. Histological examination of five macroscopically staged ‘bisexual’ individuals revealed that they were functional males with residual ovarian tissue in the gonad, which had persisted from a juvenile bisexual stage. Although empirical population structure and macroscopic observations suggested protogyny, histological evidence suggested otherwise, confirming the need for the use of histology when diagnosing the sexual pattern of sparid fishes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Winkler, Alexander C , Santos, Carmen V D , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124286 , vital:35589 , https://doi.10.1007/s11160-006-9034-6
- Description: The sexual pattern of Diplodus cervinus hottentotus was investigated in southern Angola. Females were significantly smaller and found in greater numbers, with an adult sex ratio of 1.0:0.7, F:M. Histological observations of preserved gonads indicated that the species is a rudimentary hermaphrodite, possessing a non-functional bisexual ovotestis before maturation. Histological examination of five macroscopically staged ‘bisexual’ individuals revealed that they were functional males with residual ovarian tissue in the gonad, which had persisted from a juvenile bisexual stage. Although empirical population structure and macroscopic observations suggested protogyny, histological evidence suggested otherwise, confirming the need for the use of histology when diagnosing the sexual pattern of sparid fishes.
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Dietary aspects of establishing a mainland-based colony of the endangered African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) in St Francis Bay, South Africa
- Authors: Voogt, Nina Margaret
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African penguin -- South Africa -- Cape Saint Francis , African penguin -- Food -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , African penguin -- Habitat suitability index models -- South Africa -- Cape Saint Francis , Stable isotopes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5875 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013115
- Description: Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape, has been identified as one of four potential sites for establishing a mainland-based African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colony. This thesis comprises three main components: a verification of a preparation method for stable isotope samples from penguin feathers; a dietary analysis of the penguins on Bird Island, Algoa Bay, though stable isotope analysis of whole blood and feathers (2012 and 2013); and an estimation of available fish surplus that could potentially support a colony of penguins at Cape St Francis. Each component contributes towards the next, all building towards answering the main research question: Will there be enough food around St Francis Bay to support a colony of penguins and sustain the already established fisheries industry within the bay? Stable isotope analysis of whole blood and feathers from breeding adults and whole blood from juveniles provided insight into the variability of African penguins’ diets at different stages in their life history. Stable isotope mixing models indicated that the predicted proportions that each prey species could potentially contribute to diet conflicted with published stomach sample data. This might arise from inaccurate trophic enrichment factors used in the model, or from systematic biases in the published stomach sampling techniques, or both. Dietary sexual dimorphism was not demonstrated by the isotope signatures of breeding penguins. Based on official catch data, the fisheries activity on the south coast, and especially around the potential colony site at St Francis, is much lower than around the west coast’s penguin colonies. The model provided a first-order estimate for fish supply around the potential colony site at St Francis both at a large coastal scale and a local small scale. At both scales the estimate indicated an ample availability of fish at current fishing levels. The model in Chapter 4 can also be applied to refining the assessments of other potential colony sites on the south coast. In conclusion, the south coast is a promising area for a new colony of penguins in terms of food availability. There is relatively low fishing activity in the area and, as suggested by the large-scale model in Chapter 4, an ample fish resource. The final chapter briefly discusses factors that need to be considered before attempting to establish a mainland-based colony of African penguins.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Voogt, Nina Margaret
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African penguin -- South Africa -- Cape Saint Francis , African penguin -- Food -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , African penguin -- Habitat suitability index models -- South Africa -- Cape Saint Francis , Stable isotopes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5875 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013115
- Description: Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape, has been identified as one of four potential sites for establishing a mainland-based African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colony. This thesis comprises three main components: a verification of a preparation method for stable isotope samples from penguin feathers; a dietary analysis of the penguins on Bird Island, Algoa Bay, though stable isotope analysis of whole blood and feathers (2012 and 2013); and an estimation of available fish surplus that could potentially support a colony of penguins at Cape St Francis. Each component contributes towards the next, all building towards answering the main research question: Will there be enough food around St Francis Bay to support a colony of penguins and sustain the already established fisheries industry within the bay? Stable isotope analysis of whole blood and feathers from breeding adults and whole blood from juveniles provided insight into the variability of African penguins’ diets at different stages in their life history. Stable isotope mixing models indicated that the predicted proportions that each prey species could potentially contribute to diet conflicted with published stomach sample data. This might arise from inaccurate trophic enrichment factors used in the model, or from systematic biases in the published stomach sampling techniques, or both. Dietary sexual dimorphism was not demonstrated by the isotope signatures of breeding penguins. Based on official catch data, the fisheries activity on the south coast, and especially around the potential colony site at St Francis, is much lower than around the west coast’s penguin colonies. The model provided a first-order estimate for fish supply around the potential colony site at St Francis both at a large coastal scale and a local small scale. At both scales the estimate indicated an ample availability of fish at current fishing levels. The model in Chapter 4 can also be applied to refining the assessments of other potential colony sites on the south coast. In conclusion, the south coast is a promising area for a new colony of penguins in terms of food availability. There is relatively low fishing activity in the area and, as suggested by the large-scale model in Chapter 4, an ample fish resource. The final chapter briefly discusses factors that need to be considered before attempting to establish a mainland-based colony of African penguins.
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Differential motif enrichment analysis of paired ChIP-seq experiments
- Lesluyes, Tom, Johnson, James, Machanick, Philip, Bailey, Timothy L
- Authors: Lesluyes, Tom , Johnson, James , Machanick, Philip , Bailey, Timothy L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/439250 , vital:73559 , https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-752
- Description: Motif enrichment analysis of transcription factor ChIP-seq data can help identify transcription factors that cooperate or compete. Previously, little attention has been given to comparative motif enrichment analysis of pairs of ChIP-seq experiments, where the binding of the same transcription factor is assayed under different conditions. Such comparative analysis could potentially identify the distinct regulatory partners/competitors of the assayed transcription factor under different conditions or at different stages of development.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lesluyes, Tom , Johnson, James , Machanick, Philip , Bailey, Timothy L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/439250 , vital:73559 , https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-752
- Description: Motif enrichment analysis of transcription factor ChIP-seq data can help identify transcription factors that cooperate or compete. Previously, little attention has been given to comparative motif enrichment analysis of pairs of ChIP-seq experiments, where the binding of the same transcription factor is assayed under different conditions. Such comparative analysis could potentially identify the distinct regulatory partners/competitors of the assayed transcription factor under different conditions or at different stages of development.
- Full Text: