An economic analysis of eradicating alien vegetation as an alternative to conventional water supply schemes: a case study of the Krom and Kouga
- Authors: Carpenter, Robert Charles
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Alien plants -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Kouga River (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002735 , Alien plants -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Kouga River (South Africa)
- Description: South Africa is classified as an arid to semi-arid region and water scarcity in South Africa has been identified as a key factor limiting socioeconomic development in the next century. In the Algoa region, the total urban plus agricultural water demand is expected to exceed the supply by the year 2005. The Kouga Working for Water Project aims to increase the base flow to the existing dams which supply the Port Elizabeth metropolitan area through the eradication of invasive alien trees in the riparian areas of the Krom and Kouga catchments. This thesis analyses the economic efficiency of optimal catchment management as a water supply scheme. A cost-benefit analysis is conducted for the Kouga eradication programme, and its desirability is evaluated in terms of the net present value (NPV) and the internal rate of return (IRR) criteria. In order to compare the cost-e~i.ciency of the eradication programme to alternative water supply augmentation schemes the Unit Reference Value (URV) is calculated for the project. The NPV for the project is calculated using a discount rate of 7% and amounts to nearly R24 million. This positive NPV indicates that the project is economically desirable in that it results in the improvement of human welfare. The IRR decision rule supports this finding. The URV of the eradication scheme is found to be competitive to that generated by more conventional schemes. Considered in the evaluation of the project are a host of environmental benefits that accompany the eradication of alien vegetation. This is in contrast to alternative schemes which result in several detrimental impacts to the environment. The economic analysis concludes that the eradication of alien vegetation is an efficient and desirable alternative water supply augmentation scheme. The conclusions drawn from the analysis of the eradication programme in this catchment area can be extended to other catchment areas, with the aim of promoting the most efficient supply of water.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Carpenter, Robert Charles
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Alien plants -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Kouga River (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002735 , Alien plants -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Kouga River (South Africa)
- Description: South Africa is classified as an arid to semi-arid region and water scarcity in South Africa has been identified as a key factor limiting socioeconomic development in the next century. In the Algoa region, the total urban plus agricultural water demand is expected to exceed the supply by the year 2005. The Kouga Working for Water Project aims to increase the base flow to the existing dams which supply the Port Elizabeth metropolitan area through the eradication of invasive alien trees in the riparian areas of the Krom and Kouga catchments. This thesis analyses the economic efficiency of optimal catchment management as a water supply scheme. A cost-benefit analysis is conducted for the Kouga eradication programme, and its desirability is evaluated in terms of the net present value (NPV) and the internal rate of return (IRR) criteria. In order to compare the cost-e~i.ciency of the eradication programme to alternative water supply augmentation schemes the Unit Reference Value (URV) is calculated for the project. The NPV for the project is calculated using a discount rate of 7% and amounts to nearly R24 million. This positive NPV indicates that the project is economically desirable in that it results in the improvement of human welfare. The IRR decision rule supports this finding. The URV of the eradication scheme is found to be competitive to that generated by more conventional schemes. Considered in the evaluation of the project are a host of environmental benefits that accompany the eradication of alien vegetation. This is in contrast to alternative schemes which result in several detrimental impacts to the environment. The economic analysis concludes that the eradication of alien vegetation is an efficient and desirable alternative water supply augmentation scheme. The conclusions drawn from the analysis of the eradication programme in this catchment area can be extended to other catchment areas, with the aim of promoting the most efficient supply of water.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An examination of employee participation as provided for in the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995
- Authors: Khoza, Francisco Jabulani
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Decision making , Management -- Employee participation , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Labour Relations Act, 1995
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3676 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003191 , Decision making , Management -- Employee participation , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Labour Relations Act, 1995
- Description: The thesis covers the field of labour law known as employee participation in decision-making. It deals with the examination of the extent to which the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (the Act) promotes employee participation in decision-making. Firstly, the analysis shows that employee participation in decision-making is an aspect of democracy, which is translated into industrial democracy in industrial relations. In South Africa the philosophical foundation of employee participation is supported by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 which embodies democratic values permeating all areas of the law including labour law. Secondly, the study elucidates the jurisprudential background of employee participation in South Africa. There is evidence of the development of some principles of participation like consultation; information disclosure; and the existence of participatory forums like works councils under the LRA 28 of 1956. Thirdly, in evaluating the extent to which the LRA 66 of 1995 promotes employee participation, the following aspects are covered: the relevance and contribution of information disclosure; the effect of consultation prior to dismissal for operational requirements; the role of collective bargaining; and the contribution of workplace forums. The conclusion is reached that all the foregoing aspects of the LRA 66 of 1995 will contribute to the promotion of employee participation in decision-making. The Labour Court and the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration can also ensure that in interpreting the Act employee participation is promoted where appropriate. Finally, employers and employees will have to accept this necessary partnership for the entrenchment of employee participation in decision-making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Khoza, Francisco Jabulani
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Decision making , Management -- Employee participation , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Labour Relations Act, 1995
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3676 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003191 , Decision making , Management -- Employee participation , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Labour Relations Act, 1995
- Description: The thesis covers the field of labour law known as employee participation in decision-making. It deals with the examination of the extent to which the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (the Act) promotes employee participation in decision-making. Firstly, the analysis shows that employee participation in decision-making is an aspect of democracy, which is translated into industrial democracy in industrial relations. In South Africa the philosophical foundation of employee participation is supported by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 which embodies democratic values permeating all areas of the law including labour law. Secondly, the study elucidates the jurisprudential background of employee participation in South Africa. There is evidence of the development of some principles of participation like consultation; information disclosure; and the existence of participatory forums like works councils under the LRA 28 of 1956. Thirdly, in evaluating the extent to which the LRA 66 of 1995 promotes employee participation, the following aspects are covered: the relevance and contribution of information disclosure; the effect of consultation prior to dismissal for operational requirements; the role of collective bargaining; and the contribution of workplace forums. The conclusion is reached that all the foregoing aspects of the LRA 66 of 1995 will contribute to the promotion of employee participation in decision-making. The Labour Court and the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration can also ensure that in interpreting the Act employee participation is promoted where appropriate. Finally, employers and employees will have to accept this necessary partnership for the entrenchment of employee participation in decision-making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An experimental study of the effect of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle trees) on streamflow in the Sand River, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Beyers, Gregory John
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand river (South africa) , Streamflow , Streamflow -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005507 , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand river (South africa) , Streamflow , Streamflow -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis explores the effect of Acacia mearnsii on streamflow in the Eastern Cape. There is a need for data on the localised effects of removing alien trees from the riparian zones within the Fynbos Biome. Fynbos catchments throughout the Western and Eastern Cape yield large quantities of good quality water which is an essential resource in the region. To convince local land owners to manage their riparian zones, small scale experimental results will prove invaluable to assure them of the immediate advantages for themselves and for downstream water users. Three permanent weirs were built 500 m apart to monitor the effect of removing A. mearnsii on streamflow in the Sand River, Eastern Cape. Consecutive weirs allowed for the comparison of streamflow between a cleared and uncleared section of the river without significant differences in riparian conditions, channel morphology and vegetation densities. A site survey confirmed comparable densities of A. mearnsii in both sections. A sample of trees was weighed and a relationship was found between diameter at breast height and above ground wet biomass. Between the first two weirs, 2.5 ha of riparian zone was cleared amounting to approximately 160tlha. Streamflow was monitored from the 10th of January 1996 to the 9th of September 1996. The average streamflow reduction for the duration of the experiment was 15.1 m³/ha/day or 551 mm per annum. Initially, after a period of above average rainfall, streamflow was augmented by discharge from the riparian zone but as conditions dried out, there was a net uptake of water with the highest average uptake of 23. 7m³/ha/day in June. A comparison between weather conditions and streamflow reduction indicated there is a complex relationship, with evidence of A. mearnsii exhibiting control of water loss during dry conditions. Acacia mearnsii trees in the riparian zone have been shown to cause significant streamflow reduction. Permanent weirs were found to be appropriate for this type of study. There is a need for further research on the effect of alien trees in riparian zones around South Africa as there is potential for significant increases in streamflow.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Beyers, Gregory John
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand river (South africa) , Streamflow , Streamflow -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005507 , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand river (South africa) , Streamflow , Streamflow -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis explores the effect of Acacia mearnsii on streamflow in the Eastern Cape. There is a need for data on the localised effects of removing alien trees from the riparian zones within the Fynbos Biome. Fynbos catchments throughout the Western and Eastern Cape yield large quantities of good quality water which is an essential resource in the region. To convince local land owners to manage their riparian zones, small scale experimental results will prove invaluable to assure them of the immediate advantages for themselves and for downstream water users. Three permanent weirs were built 500 m apart to monitor the effect of removing A. mearnsii on streamflow in the Sand River, Eastern Cape. Consecutive weirs allowed for the comparison of streamflow between a cleared and uncleared section of the river without significant differences in riparian conditions, channel morphology and vegetation densities. A site survey confirmed comparable densities of A. mearnsii in both sections. A sample of trees was weighed and a relationship was found between diameter at breast height and above ground wet biomass. Between the first two weirs, 2.5 ha of riparian zone was cleared amounting to approximately 160tlha. Streamflow was monitored from the 10th of January 1996 to the 9th of September 1996. The average streamflow reduction for the duration of the experiment was 15.1 m³/ha/day or 551 mm per annum. Initially, after a period of above average rainfall, streamflow was augmented by discharge from the riparian zone but as conditions dried out, there was a net uptake of water with the highest average uptake of 23. 7m³/ha/day in June. A comparison between weather conditions and streamflow reduction indicated there is a complex relationship, with evidence of A. mearnsii exhibiting control of water loss during dry conditions. Acacia mearnsii trees in the riparian zone have been shown to cause significant streamflow reduction. Permanent weirs were found to be appropriate for this type of study. There is a need for further research on the effect of alien trees in riparian zones around South Africa as there is potential for significant increases in streamflow.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An exploration of environmental understanding among primary health care providers in an Eastern Cape community
- Authors: Hepburn, Mary Patricia
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Medical care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medical care -- Rural areas Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1533 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003415
- Description: This study explores environmental understanding among the health care practitioners serving a rural community in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. During the preliminary phases of the research, the decision was made to adopt a participatory approach to the inquiry as far as was possible. Semi-structured interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions were the techniques chosen to focus the participants' thinking about: the meaning of environment, environmental issues and problems which impact on health, and, environmental education in practice. Comparisons between the recently transformed health education idea proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), known as "health promotion", and a popular environmental education model are made. It is argued that many of the obstacles to effective health education described by the participants in the study can be overcome by using environmental educationlhealth promotion approaches. The findings show that the health practitioners studied relate to a wide range of environmental issues with varying levels of engagement. They are influenced by changing values, their feelings about indigenous knowledge, and their notions about how people should respond to the environment. An urgent need for more and better communication among the different levels of health practitioners is identified. Finally, it is recommended that health care practitioners be supported with opportunities for professional development which can lead to a confident, seIfreflective approach to health education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Hepburn, Mary Patricia
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Medical care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medical care -- Rural areas Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1533 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003415
- Description: This study explores environmental understanding among the health care practitioners serving a rural community in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. During the preliminary phases of the research, the decision was made to adopt a participatory approach to the inquiry as far as was possible. Semi-structured interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions were the techniques chosen to focus the participants' thinking about: the meaning of environment, environmental issues and problems which impact on health, and, environmental education in practice. Comparisons between the recently transformed health education idea proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), known as "health promotion", and a popular environmental education model are made. It is argued that many of the obstacles to effective health education described by the participants in the study can be overcome by using environmental educationlhealth promotion approaches. The findings show that the health practitioners studied relate to a wide range of environmental issues with varying levels of engagement. They are influenced by changing values, their feelings about indigenous knowledge, and their notions about how people should respond to the environment. An urgent need for more and better communication among the different levels of health practitioners is identified. Finally, it is recommended that health care practitioners be supported with opportunities for professional development which can lead to a confident, seIfreflective approach to health education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An exploration of the factors which promote and impede correctional supervision effectiveness with regard to the juvenile or youth offenders
- Authors: Van Zyl, Claudette
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Juvenile corrections , Juvenile delinquency , Juvenile delinquents. , Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:709 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006529 , Juvenile corrections , Juvenile delinquency , Juvenile delinquents. , Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Description: Youth Crime is increasing at an alarming rate and imprisonment as the only measure of punishment has become a contentious issue for the South African Correctional Services. National and international awareness has been raised about young people at risk in the 1992 campaign" Justice for the children: No child should be caged". In the words of Ruth Morris: " Prisons are not the greatest. They breed bitterness and crime, destroy people who work and live in them and its not nice to cage your fellow human beings. Prisons cost more than the best university education, while giving appalling results". (1993 (1) SA 476). The question that needs to be asked is whether imprisonment really does effect the punitive motives of deterrence, retribution, protecting the community and rehabilitation of the offender. The introduction of correctional supervision as a sentencing option has ushered in a new phase in our criminal justice system. The South African Model of correctional supervision is described as a community-based sentence that is served within the community and the probationer is subject to stringent conditions such as house arrest, community service, monitoring and the attendance of treatment programmes. The study aimed to: * identify the variables that appear to be operating in determining the successful and or unsuccessful correctional supervision sentences with young offenders; (the terms effectiveness and successful are used interchangeably). * contribute to a better understanding of working with young offenders in the community and to make positive recommendations concerning their rehabilitation. The design applied in this study was the exploratory-descriptive design. It was exploratory since the field of correctional supervision at this stage is not well developed and descriptive because the researcher described features of this phenomenon. This was combined with an empirical investigation that explored the youths experience on correctional supervision. Another component of the empirical investigation consisted of how the parents or significant other as well as the supervision committee perceived the respondents adjustment on correctional supervision. The findings of the empirical investigation clearly showed that although the respondents found house arrest extremely difficult to comply with, their overall functioning and adjustment in the community was positive. Factors that emerged from the study that can promote a successful correctional supervision sentence were factors such as positive support systems that can instill discipline, no involvement in gangsterism, no family pathologies such as alcoholism, family violence and financial problems. Factors such as negative attitude of staff members, familial problems, stringent house arrest conditions, financial problems impeded the youths functioning on correctional supervision. The correctional social worker together with the multi-disciplinary team both have a cardinal role to play in the treatment of the young offender. The various professions with their expertise have a major role to play in the treatment programmes geared to assist the young offender to reintegrate and function positively in the community
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Van Zyl, Claudette
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Juvenile corrections , Juvenile delinquency , Juvenile delinquents. , Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:709 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006529 , Juvenile corrections , Juvenile delinquency , Juvenile delinquents. , Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Description: Youth Crime is increasing at an alarming rate and imprisonment as the only measure of punishment has become a contentious issue for the South African Correctional Services. National and international awareness has been raised about young people at risk in the 1992 campaign" Justice for the children: No child should be caged". In the words of Ruth Morris: " Prisons are not the greatest. They breed bitterness and crime, destroy people who work and live in them and its not nice to cage your fellow human beings. Prisons cost more than the best university education, while giving appalling results". (1993 (1) SA 476). The question that needs to be asked is whether imprisonment really does effect the punitive motives of deterrence, retribution, protecting the community and rehabilitation of the offender. The introduction of correctional supervision as a sentencing option has ushered in a new phase in our criminal justice system. The South African Model of correctional supervision is described as a community-based sentence that is served within the community and the probationer is subject to stringent conditions such as house arrest, community service, monitoring and the attendance of treatment programmes. The study aimed to: * identify the variables that appear to be operating in determining the successful and or unsuccessful correctional supervision sentences with young offenders; (the terms effectiveness and successful are used interchangeably). * contribute to a better understanding of working with young offenders in the community and to make positive recommendations concerning their rehabilitation. The design applied in this study was the exploratory-descriptive design. It was exploratory since the field of correctional supervision at this stage is not well developed and descriptive because the researcher described features of this phenomenon. This was combined with an empirical investigation that explored the youths experience on correctional supervision. Another component of the empirical investigation consisted of how the parents or significant other as well as the supervision committee perceived the respondents adjustment on correctional supervision. The findings of the empirical investigation clearly showed that although the respondents found house arrest extremely difficult to comply with, their overall functioning and adjustment in the community was positive. Factors that emerged from the study that can promote a successful correctional supervision sentence were factors such as positive support systems that can instill discipline, no involvement in gangsterism, no family pathologies such as alcoholism, family violence and financial problems. Factors such as negative attitude of staff members, familial problems, stringent house arrest conditions, financial problems impeded the youths functioning on correctional supervision. The correctional social worker together with the multi-disciplinary team both have a cardinal role to play in the treatment of the young offender. The various professions with their expertise have a major role to play in the treatment programmes geared to assist the young offender to reintegrate and function positively in the community
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation into cultural differences in the conceptualization of and attributions about cognitive decline in the elderly
- Authors: Fair, David Alan
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Dementia , Older people , Dementia Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002483 , Dementia , Older people , Dementia Case studies
- Description: There is little data regarding the prevalence of dementia in South Africa. Estimating such prevalence is problematic as the most commonly used cognitive screening tests are inappropriate for use in non-western populations. For this reason researchers have explored the use of informant questionnaires where relatives provide information on cognitive functioning over the last year. In the South African context Lenger, de Villiers & Louw (1996) conducted a dementia case-ascertainment study in a Xhosa-speaking community near Cape Town using a well-known informant questionnaire, the DECO, and concurrent clinical assessment. Reflecting on the discrepancies between DECO scores and clinical diagnosis, the researchers conducted interviews to explore beliefs and expectations regarding the elderly and cognitive decline. The aims of the current research were to gather comparative data from Bothasig, an English-speaking community, in order to explore areas of commonality and difference in perceptions and attributions regarding cognitive decline in the elderly. The study found that a significant percentage of informants from both Bothasig and Langa consider forgetfulness to be normal in old age. Different discourses around illness in the elderly were identified incorporating a range of medicalised and folk attributions. The discussion showed that informant perceptions within the Langa community may increase the likelihood that observational data provided in informant questionnaires may be confounded by cultural perceptions regarding the elderly. In addition, certain items on the DECO were found to be unsuitable for use across groups and modifications were proposed. The data was analyzed using both quantitative methods and phenomenological discourse analysis. The discussion concluded with metatheoretical reflections on the tension between etic and emic perspectives in cross-cultural research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Fair, David Alan
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Dementia , Older people , Dementia Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002483 , Dementia , Older people , Dementia Case studies
- Description: There is little data regarding the prevalence of dementia in South Africa. Estimating such prevalence is problematic as the most commonly used cognitive screening tests are inappropriate for use in non-western populations. For this reason researchers have explored the use of informant questionnaires where relatives provide information on cognitive functioning over the last year. In the South African context Lenger, de Villiers & Louw (1996) conducted a dementia case-ascertainment study in a Xhosa-speaking community near Cape Town using a well-known informant questionnaire, the DECO, and concurrent clinical assessment. Reflecting on the discrepancies between DECO scores and clinical diagnosis, the researchers conducted interviews to explore beliefs and expectations regarding the elderly and cognitive decline. The aims of the current research were to gather comparative data from Bothasig, an English-speaking community, in order to explore areas of commonality and difference in perceptions and attributions regarding cognitive decline in the elderly. The study found that a significant percentage of informants from both Bothasig and Langa consider forgetfulness to be normal in old age. Different discourses around illness in the elderly were identified incorporating a range of medicalised and folk attributions. The discussion showed that informant perceptions within the Langa community may increase the likelihood that observational data provided in informant questionnaires may be confounded by cultural perceptions regarding the elderly. In addition, certain items on the DECO were found to be unsuitable for use across groups and modifications were proposed. The data was analyzed using both quantitative methods and phenomenological discourse analysis. The discussion concluded with metatheoretical reflections on the tension between etic and emic perspectives in cross-cultural research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation into the anxiolytic properties of melatonin in humans
- McCallaghan, Johannes Jacobus
- Authors: McCallaghan, Johannes Jacobus
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Melatonin , Pineal gland -- Secretions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003250 , Melatonin , Pineal gland -- Secretions
- Description: The purpose of this project was to investigate the role of melatonin in the pathophysiology of anxiety in humans. The literature study confirmed the intimate relationship between serotonin and melatonin. Melatonin is not only able to act as an agonist (in physiological concentrations) and an antagonist (at higher concentrations) on serotonin receptors but via control of brain pyridoxal kinase activity might have an effect on GABA, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine synthesis. A clinical trial to investigate melatonin's effect on anxiety in humans was conducted as a pilot study. Thirty patients complaining of anxiety participated in a liN of 1" double blind placebo controlled trial. During the experiment each subject was thus exposed to melatonin and a placebo for a week at a time on two occasions. During the first phase of the experiment, (Pair '1) patients showed a statistically significant reduction in their anxiety levels during the first period (P1P1), which was not the case during the second period (P1P2). The improvement however continued during the second phase of the experiment (Pair 2) so that there was also a statistically significant improvement during P 2 P 2 (Period 2 / Pair 2) when placebo was administered. It could not conclusively be shown that melatonin was responsible for the improvement in the patients' anxiety. The explanation for these results suggests thelt the improvement was due to a: 1) placebo effect throughout, 2) psychotherapeutic effect due to contact with a clinician, 3) melatonin induced phase shift in the patient's endogenous melatonin response curve, 4) combination of all 3 options. This pilot study lays the groundwork for a much more exhaustive study in which the melatonin of the patients is determined before melatonin is administered, the role of the clinician is clarified and the most appropriate time for melatonin administration is sought .
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: McCallaghan, Johannes Jacobus
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Melatonin , Pineal gland -- Secretions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003250 , Melatonin , Pineal gland -- Secretions
- Description: The purpose of this project was to investigate the role of melatonin in the pathophysiology of anxiety in humans. The literature study confirmed the intimate relationship between serotonin and melatonin. Melatonin is not only able to act as an agonist (in physiological concentrations) and an antagonist (at higher concentrations) on serotonin receptors but via control of brain pyridoxal kinase activity might have an effect on GABA, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine synthesis. A clinical trial to investigate melatonin's effect on anxiety in humans was conducted as a pilot study. Thirty patients complaining of anxiety participated in a liN of 1" double blind placebo controlled trial. During the experiment each subject was thus exposed to melatonin and a placebo for a week at a time on two occasions. During the first phase of the experiment, (Pair '1) patients showed a statistically significant reduction in their anxiety levels during the first period (P1P1), which was not the case during the second period (P1P2). The improvement however continued during the second phase of the experiment (Pair 2) so that there was also a statistically significant improvement during P 2 P 2 (Period 2 / Pair 2) when placebo was administered. It could not conclusively be shown that melatonin was responsible for the improvement in the patients' anxiety. The explanation for these results suggests thelt the improvement was due to a: 1) placebo effect throughout, 2) psychotherapeutic effect due to contact with a clinician, 3) melatonin induced phase shift in the patient's endogenous melatonin response curve, 4) combination of all 3 options. This pilot study lays the groundwork for a much more exhaustive study in which the melatonin of the patients is determined before melatonin is administered, the role of the clinician is clarified and the most appropriate time for melatonin administration is sought .
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation into the effect of military influences on the theology and form of The Spiritual Exercise of Ignatius of Loyola
- Authors: Christie, David Osborne
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint, 1491-1556. Exercitia spiritualia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008540
- Description: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the influences of a military nature affecting the life of Ignatius of Loyola up to the time he wrote The Spiritual Exercises, and to assess whether such influences may have affected the theology and form of The Spiritual Exercises. The investigation opens with an apologetic on why the author considers it desirable to examine The Spiritual Exercises from this point of view. Thereafter a review of the life of Ignatius up to the time he wrote The Exercises is undertaken to identify which sources may have provided influences of a military nature or nuance, and to examine what possible effect these had upon Ignatius. The potential sources of influence examined include Ignatius's family background and the milieu in which he grew up, the attitude of his mentors in particular and society in general to the profession of arms, and Ignatius's own response to this attitude. From the age of twenty-five to thirty Ignatius was employed on duties of a principally military nature until he was severely wounded at the Battle of Pamplona in 1521. Therefore his military experience is examined together with an attempt to assess the degree, if any, of his spirituality at that point in his life. This is followed by an investigation of the literary sources available to Ignatius from the time of his wounding up to the time when he wrote The Spiritual Exercises at Manresa. Thereafter an examination of the changes which took place in his psyche and spirit, from the time he was wounded up to the time he wrote The Spiritual Exercises is undertaken, in order to ascertain whether his attitude to military concepts immediately prior to writing The Exercises had changed from his pre-Pamplona days. The Spiritual Exercises are then examined to consider which portions, if any, were affected in form or theology by military influences or nuances. The conclusion reached is that whereas The Spiritual Exercises are in no way a military treatise, the form is affected to a reasonable degree by Ignatius's experiences of, and attitude to, the military life, whereas the theology is affected only slightly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Christie, David Osborne
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint, 1491-1556. Exercitia spiritualia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008540
- Description: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the influences of a military nature affecting the life of Ignatius of Loyola up to the time he wrote The Spiritual Exercises, and to assess whether such influences may have affected the theology and form of The Spiritual Exercises. The investigation opens with an apologetic on why the author considers it desirable to examine The Spiritual Exercises from this point of view. Thereafter a review of the life of Ignatius up to the time he wrote The Exercises is undertaken to identify which sources may have provided influences of a military nature or nuance, and to examine what possible effect these had upon Ignatius. The potential sources of influence examined include Ignatius's family background and the milieu in which he grew up, the attitude of his mentors in particular and society in general to the profession of arms, and Ignatius's own response to this attitude. From the age of twenty-five to thirty Ignatius was employed on duties of a principally military nature until he was severely wounded at the Battle of Pamplona in 1521. Therefore his military experience is examined together with an attempt to assess the degree, if any, of his spirituality at that point in his life. This is followed by an investigation of the literary sources available to Ignatius from the time of his wounding up to the time when he wrote The Spiritual Exercises at Manresa. Thereafter an examination of the changes which took place in his psyche and spirit, from the time he was wounded up to the time he wrote The Spiritual Exercises is undertaken, in order to ascertain whether his attitude to military concepts immediately prior to writing The Exercises had changed from his pre-Pamplona days. The Spiritual Exercises are then examined to consider which portions, if any, were affected in form or theology by military influences or nuances. The conclusion reached is that whereas The Spiritual Exercises are in no way a military treatise, the form is affected to a reasonable degree by Ignatius's experiences of, and attitude to, the military life, whereas the theology is affected only slightly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation into the implementation of group work, as a method of social work intervention, in health settings in South Africa
- Authors: Caires, Juliet Margarita
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Social group work , Community health services -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006373 , Social group work , Community health services -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa
- Description: This research aims to discover whether social workers employed in health settings in South Africa use group work as a method of intervention with patients. It attempts to explore in which hospitals (or particular patient populations) group work is considered possible, and to discover to what extent social workers in health settings consider group work to be beneficial to patients. It also attempts to discover some of the potential difficulties experienced in initiating group work in medical settings. An effort is also made to establish, from social workers active and experienced in the field of medical social work,what place group work might have in the broader context of health services in the future. Data was obtained through the use of mailed questionnaires, which were sent to 186 health settings, across South Africa. These settings were chosen according to the following priorities: i) those known to have social workers ii) services offered (e.g. oncology, psychotherapy) iii) size of the setting iv) geographical location (both urban and rural in all nine provinces). The sample included general public and private hospitals, psychiatric hospitals (both public and private), mining hospitals and other health settings such as old age homes and facilities for the mentally retarded and for alcohol and drug rehabilitation (accompanied by a medical facility). Responses were received from 90 health settings, with 64 of these being completed questionnaires. The majority of responses came from public hospitals, and the least from the mining hospital category. Findings of this study indicate that group work is used by 50% of the health settings in South Africa. Groups are most often therapeutic or educational in nature, are run on average once a week for an hour, and are usually of open membership. Group work is not used in some health settings, most commonly due to insufficient time (on the part of the social worker). From the findings, it seems that many more social workers would like to run groups for patients than they do presently. The benefits of group work are acknowledged by the majority of this study's sample of social workers, and if solutions could be found to problems such as heavy caseloads and insufficient time, more social workers would choose to use group work than are doing so currently. Group work is considered to be a feasible method, both in the hospitals and at primary health care level. With South Africa's growing emphasis on primary health care, and the proposed inclusion (by the Department of Health) of social work services at this level, it is important that social workers find a way in which to meet the needs of patients at both levels. With group work, this may be possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Caires, Juliet Margarita
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Social group work , Community health services -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006373 , Social group work , Community health services -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa
- Description: This research aims to discover whether social workers employed in health settings in South Africa use group work as a method of intervention with patients. It attempts to explore in which hospitals (or particular patient populations) group work is considered possible, and to discover to what extent social workers in health settings consider group work to be beneficial to patients. It also attempts to discover some of the potential difficulties experienced in initiating group work in medical settings. An effort is also made to establish, from social workers active and experienced in the field of medical social work,what place group work might have in the broader context of health services in the future. Data was obtained through the use of mailed questionnaires, which were sent to 186 health settings, across South Africa. These settings were chosen according to the following priorities: i) those known to have social workers ii) services offered (e.g. oncology, psychotherapy) iii) size of the setting iv) geographical location (both urban and rural in all nine provinces). The sample included general public and private hospitals, psychiatric hospitals (both public and private), mining hospitals and other health settings such as old age homes and facilities for the mentally retarded and for alcohol and drug rehabilitation (accompanied by a medical facility). Responses were received from 90 health settings, with 64 of these being completed questionnaires. The majority of responses came from public hospitals, and the least from the mining hospital category. Findings of this study indicate that group work is used by 50% of the health settings in South Africa. Groups are most often therapeutic or educational in nature, are run on average once a week for an hour, and are usually of open membership. Group work is not used in some health settings, most commonly due to insufficient time (on the part of the social worker). From the findings, it seems that many more social workers would like to run groups for patients than they do presently. The benefits of group work are acknowledged by the majority of this study's sample of social workers, and if solutions could be found to problems such as heavy caseloads and insufficient time, more social workers would choose to use group work than are doing so currently. Group work is considered to be a feasible method, both in the hospitals and at primary health care level. With South Africa's growing emphasis on primary health care, and the proposed inclusion (by the Department of Health) of social work services at this level, it is important that social workers find a way in which to meet the needs of patients at both levels. With group work, this may be possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation into the neuroprotective properties of melatonin
- Authors: Southgate, Garrick Steven
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Melatonin
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003959
- Description: Until the beginning of this decade the neurohormone, melatonin, had been considered as little more than a tranquillising hormone, responsible for regulating certain circadian and circannual rhythms. In the last eight years, a whole new dimension to melatonin’s role in biological organisms has emerged. In 1991 it was discovered [1,2] that melatonin exhibited antioxidant properties. Since then, many researchers [3,4] have found melatonin to be a powerful free radical scavenger and antioxidant. In the present study, the ability of melatonin to offer neuroprotection against glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), quinolinic acid (QA) and kainic acid (KA) (collectively referred to as the glutamate receptor agonists) was investigated. It was first shown that stress causes an increase in circulating glucocorticoid concentrations, which resulted in an increase the number of glutamate receptors on synaptic membranes in rat brain homogenate. Melatonin acted to reduce the number of glutamate receptors present on the synaptic membranes, implying that melatonin has neuroprotective properties, as overstimulation of the glutamate receptors leads to excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Further investigations showed that the glutamate receptor agonists induce neurodegeneration in primary neuronal cell cultures. Both co-treatment and posttreatment with melatonin against the glutamate receptor agonists, increased neuronal cell viability in a dose dependent manner. Melatonin also appeared to offer protection against quinolinic acid-induced neurodegeneration following intrahippocampal injections of quinolinic acid. The mechanism whereby melatonin offered this protection was investigated. The glutamate receptor agonists caused an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations, which is known [5] to be responsible for initiating the excitotoxic response. Melatonin had no effect on regulating intracellular calcium concentrations Additional studies indicated that melatonin was effective at scavenging superoxide radicals. Production of superoxide radicals was induced by the glutamate receptor agonists in primary neuronal cultures. Superoxide radicals induce lipid peroxidation, which involves the destruction of lipid membranes by chain reactions. By acting as an antioxidant, melatonin was able to reduce quinolinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate, in a dose dependent manner. Melatonin was also effective at reducing lipid peroxidation induced by the glutamate receptor agonists in primary neuronal cultures. Melatonin therefore appeared to be offering neuroprotection by removing superoxide radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. It had been reported [6] that melatonin inhibits nitric oxide synthase activity. This enzyme produces the free radical, nitric oxide, and can also produce superoxide radicals. Melatonin was able to reduce nitric oxide synthase activity in a dose dependent manner. This is a novel method of neuroprotection, as melatonin was now acting as an enzyme regulator. The results obtained demonstrate that melatonin offers neuroprotection against glutamate induced excitotoxicity, by removing free radicals and preventing lipid peroxidation. The neurohormone offers further protection by decreasing the activity of enzymes that aid in the neurotoxic cascade. Melatonin is the most potent naturally occurring free radical scavenger in the body [3]. During aging, the serum concentrations of melatonin decrease [7]. During the senescence of life, free radical damage to the body is at its highest [8], while at the same time melatonin concentrations are at their lowest. Melatonin therefore shows potential for the treatment of diseases and disorders that exhibit an excitotoxic pathology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Southgate, Garrick Steven
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Melatonin
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003959
- Description: Until the beginning of this decade the neurohormone, melatonin, had been considered as little more than a tranquillising hormone, responsible for regulating certain circadian and circannual rhythms. In the last eight years, a whole new dimension to melatonin’s role in biological organisms has emerged. In 1991 it was discovered [1,2] that melatonin exhibited antioxidant properties. Since then, many researchers [3,4] have found melatonin to be a powerful free radical scavenger and antioxidant. In the present study, the ability of melatonin to offer neuroprotection against glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), quinolinic acid (QA) and kainic acid (KA) (collectively referred to as the glutamate receptor agonists) was investigated. It was first shown that stress causes an increase in circulating glucocorticoid concentrations, which resulted in an increase the number of glutamate receptors on synaptic membranes in rat brain homogenate. Melatonin acted to reduce the number of glutamate receptors present on the synaptic membranes, implying that melatonin has neuroprotective properties, as overstimulation of the glutamate receptors leads to excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Further investigations showed that the glutamate receptor agonists induce neurodegeneration in primary neuronal cell cultures. Both co-treatment and posttreatment with melatonin against the glutamate receptor agonists, increased neuronal cell viability in a dose dependent manner. Melatonin also appeared to offer protection against quinolinic acid-induced neurodegeneration following intrahippocampal injections of quinolinic acid. The mechanism whereby melatonin offered this protection was investigated. The glutamate receptor agonists caused an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations, which is known [5] to be responsible for initiating the excitotoxic response. Melatonin had no effect on regulating intracellular calcium concentrations Additional studies indicated that melatonin was effective at scavenging superoxide radicals. Production of superoxide radicals was induced by the glutamate receptor agonists in primary neuronal cultures. Superoxide radicals induce lipid peroxidation, which involves the destruction of lipid membranes by chain reactions. By acting as an antioxidant, melatonin was able to reduce quinolinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate, in a dose dependent manner. Melatonin was also effective at reducing lipid peroxidation induced by the glutamate receptor agonists in primary neuronal cultures. Melatonin therefore appeared to be offering neuroprotection by removing superoxide radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. It had been reported [6] that melatonin inhibits nitric oxide synthase activity. This enzyme produces the free radical, nitric oxide, and can also produce superoxide radicals. Melatonin was able to reduce nitric oxide synthase activity in a dose dependent manner. This is a novel method of neuroprotection, as melatonin was now acting as an enzyme regulator. The results obtained demonstrate that melatonin offers neuroprotection against glutamate induced excitotoxicity, by removing free radicals and preventing lipid peroxidation. The neurohormone offers further protection by decreasing the activity of enzymes that aid in the neurotoxic cascade. Melatonin is the most potent naturally occurring free radical scavenger in the body [3]. During aging, the serum concentrations of melatonin decrease [7]. During the senescence of life, free radical damage to the body is at its highest [8], while at the same time melatonin concentrations are at their lowest. Melatonin therefore shows potential for the treatment of diseases and disorders that exhibit an excitotoxic pathology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation into the structure and process of forgiveness following gross human rights violations
- Authors: Adonis, Cyril Kenneth
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Human rights , Forgiveness -- South Africa , South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Amnesty -- South Africa , Reconciliation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2921 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002430 , Human rights , Forgiveness -- South Africa , South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Amnesty -- South Africa , Reconciliation
- Description: This study focuses on the structure and process of forgiveness as experienced by individuals, from the East London and surrounding areas, who either suffered gross human rights violations or who are related to someone who suffered gross human rights violations during the Apartheid era. Those who participated in the study testified at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and expressed forgiveness towards the perpetrators of the violations. The aims of the study were to reveal: the participants' structure cif forgiveness, i.e. how they define forgiveness; the process of forgiveness, i.e. the changes that took place from the time of the violation up until the participants forgave the perpetrators: and, the relation. if any. between the participants' structure and process of forgiveness. It is argued that mainstream Psychology has neglected to study forgiveness because the subject matter is incompatible with the natural scientific method. For this reason, the study was approached from a hermeneutical paradigm. This was motivated by its ability to explicate the meaning and content of phenomena. Unstructured qualitative interviews were conducted with the participants. Data was analyzed using a multi-layered process of progressively deeper interpretation, employing a reading guide technique. Results indicated that authentic forgiveness is an unconditional commitment on the part of victims and survivors to relate positively towards the perpetrators. The relationship should include non-bitterness, non-vengeance, unconditional love and respect for their human rights. Another significant dimension of the structure of forgiveness is the fact that the desire for the truth is not abandoned although forgiveness has taken place. Forgiveness also does not take away the effects of the violation. This means that one does not forget although forgiveness has been granted. Results further indicate that the forgiveness process is highly complex, individualized and not instantaneous. The individuals have to deal with various intrapersonal conflicts and anxieties as a result of the violation, before forgiveness is explored as an option, and before they can finally forgive. Significant interrelations between the structure and process of forgiveness were also identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Adonis, Cyril Kenneth
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Human rights , Forgiveness -- South Africa , South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Amnesty -- South Africa , Reconciliation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2921 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002430 , Human rights , Forgiveness -- South Africa , South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Amnesty -- South Africa , Reconciliation
- Description: This study focuses on the structure and process of forgiveness as experienced by individuals, from the East London and surrounding areas, who either suffered gross human rights violations or who are related to someone who suffered gross human rights violations during the Apartheid era. Those who participated in the study testified at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and expressed forgiveness towards the perpetrators of the violations. The aims of the study were to reveal: the participants' structure cif forgiveness, i.e. how they define forgiveness; the process of forgiveness, i.e. the changes that took place from the time of the violation up until the participants forgave the perpetrators: and, the relation. if any. between the participants' structure and process of forgiveness. It is argued that mainstream Psychology has neglected to study forgiveness because the subject matter is incompatible with the natural scientific method. For this reason, the study was approached from a hermeneutical paradigm. This was motivated by its ability to explicate the meaning and content of phenomena. Unstructured qualitative interviews were conducted with the participants. Data was analyzed using a multi-layered process of progressively deeper interpretation, employing a reading guide technique. Results indicated that authentic forgiveness is an unconditional commitment on the part of victims and survivors to relate positively towards the perpetrators. The relationship should include non-bitterness, non-vengeance, unconditional love and respect for their human rights. Another significant dimension of the structure of forgiveness is the fact that the desire for the truth is not abandoned although forgiveness has taken place. Forgiveness also does not take away the effects of the violation. This means that one does not forget although forgiveness has been granted. Results further indicate that the forgiveness process is highly complex, individualized and not instantaneous. The individuals have to deal with various intrapersonal conflicts and anxieties as a result of the violation, before forgiveness is explored as an option, and before they can finally forgive. Significant interrelations between the structure and process of forgiveness were also identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation into the use of IEEE 1394 for audio and control data distribution in music studio environments
- Authors: Laubscher, Robert Alan
- Date: 1999 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006483 , Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using a new digital interconnection technology, the IEEE-1394 High Performance Serial Bus, for audio and control data distribution in local and remote music recording studio environments. Current methods for connecting studio devices are described, and the need for a new digital interconnection technology explained. It is shown how this new interconnection technology and developing protocol standards make provision for multi-channel audio and control data distribution, routing, copyright protection, and device synchronisation. Feasibility is demonstrated by the implementation of a custom hardware and software solution. Remote music studio connectivity is considered, and the emerging standards and technologies for connecting future music studio utilising this new technology are discussed. , Microsoft Word , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Laubscher, Robert Alan
- Date: 1999 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006483 , Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using a new digital interconnection technology, the IEEE-1394 High Performance Serial Bus, for audio and control data distribution in local and remote music recording studio environments. Current methods for connecting studio devices are described, and the need for a new digital interconnection technology explained. It is shown how this new interconnection technology and developing protocol standards make provision for multi-channel audio and control data distribution, routing, copyright protection, and device synchronisation. Feasibility is demonstrated by the implementation of a custom hardware and software solution. Remote music studio connectivity is considered, and the emerging standards and technologies for connecting future music studio utilising this new technology are discussed. , Microsoft Word , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation of a framework to evaluate computer supported collaborative work
- Beauvais, Erik Alexander Maoui
- Authors: Beauvais, Erik Alexander Maoui
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Computer networks , Teams in the workplace -- Data processing , Technology -- Data processing , Information technology -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:1135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002763 , Computer networks , Teams in the workplace -- Data processing , Technology -- Data processing , Information technology -- Economic aspects
- Description: Rapidly changing technology constantly modifies the way in which tasks are conceived and executed. Furthermore, leading organisations also encourage the use of new technology to support and establish innovative ways of doing business. For example, technology has helped to drive the globalization and tighter integration of world markets. This has facilitated, and even necessitated, business organisations to compete for work across national borders. For geographically dispersed organisations, collaboration has become critical. But this has presented time and space work complexities. Communication and collaboration technologies, for example, are needed to support such emerging co-operative business practices. The short development cycle of technology, communication and collaborative technologies included, leaves little time for testing and less for understanding the impact of new technology. To compound the problem, no established formulae exist for matching technology with work: over-investment is a waste of resources, while under-investment could lead to work failure. This research proposes a framework to assist organisations in selecting the appropriate level of technology with the work required. In this study, the methodology developed by the Evaluation Working Group, the DARPA Intelligent Collaboration and Visualization program is extended, and a matrix framework is constructed which compares the success of generic work tasks against a range of technology resources. The framework is tested using a low resource configuration, with selected work task types generally found in software development. (The Joint Application Development (JAD) methodology for software development is used as the contextual basis of the experiment.) All activities are evaluated according to selected measure components of success. A collection of research methods known as ethnography is used to examine and test the framework. Methods employed include questionnaires, interviews, interaction analysis and ethnomethodology. The results indicate that even at a low resource level, given selected criteria, collaborative technology successfully supports certain collaborative work activities. Findings also indicate that softer people issues require much more attention in order for technology to support natural collaborative work. Finally, user defined parameter testing has indicated that the framework functions as expected and designed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Beauvais, Erik Alexander Maoui
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Computer networks , Teams in the workplace -- Data processing , Technology -- Data processing , Information technology -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:1135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002763 , Computer networks , Teams in the workplace -- Data processing , Technology -- Data processing , Information technology -- Economic aspects
- Description: Rapidly changing technology constantly modifies the way in which tasks are conceived and executed. Furthermore, leading organisations also encourage the use of new technology to support and establish innovative ways of doing business. For example, technology has helped to drive the globalization and tighter integration of world markets. This has facilitated, and even necessitated, business organisations to compete for work across national borders. For geographically dispersed organisations, collaboration has become critical. But this has presented time and space work complexities. Communication and collaboration technologies, for example, are needed to support such emerging co-operative business practices. The short development cycle of technology, communication and collaborative technologies included, leaves little time for testing and less for understanding the impact of new technology. To compound the problem, no established formulae exist for matching technology with work: over-investment is a waste of resources, while under-investment could lead to work failure. This research proposes a framework to assist organisations in selecting the appropriate level of technology with the work required. In this study, the methodology developed by the Evaluation Working Group, the DARPA Intelligent Collaboration and Visualization program is extended, and a matrix framework is constructed which compares the success of generic work tasks against a range of technology resources. The framework is tested using a low resource configuration, with selected work task types generally found in software development. (The Joint Application Development (JAD) methodology for software development is used as the contextual basis of the experiment.) All activities are evaluated according to selected measure components of success. A collection of research methods known as ethnography is used to examine and test the framework. Methods employed include questionnaires, interviews, interaction analysis and ethnomethodology. The results indicate that even at a low resource level, given selected criteria, collaborative technology successfully supports certain collaborative work activities. Findings also indicate that softer people issues require much more attention in order for technology to support natural collaborative work. Finally, user defined parameter testing has indicated that the framework functions as expected and designed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation of how members of a school governing body perceive and experience their roles : a case study
- Authors: Lusaseni, Pamella Hombakazi
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa School boards -- South Africa Educational leadership School personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006204
- Description: Education in South Africa is currently facing a lot of changes. This study was prompted by one of these changes, the introduction of a School Governing Body (SGB), constituted in terms of the 1996 Schools Act (South Africa 1996), and replacing the previous Parent-Teacher-StudentAssociation (PTSA). The study investigates how the members of a School Governing Body perceive and experience their roles, in an attempt to make a contribution to understanding the nature and implications of education governance policy in South Africa. Central to this exercise is the attempt to understand how the execution of their duties, their practice of both democracy and accountability, and their resolving of tensions and/or differences among parents, teachers and students, impacts upon their school generally and relates both to the Department of Education and other organs of society. The methodology employed in this study includes a review of relevant literature, international and national, followed by a historical overview of education governance in South Africa. The core of the thesis is an interpretive case study of the SGB of one junior secondary school under the auspices of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport, in the South Eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province. The single most important data gathering instrument used was a series of in-depth interviews. The interviewees were the Executive members of the SGB of the school. The major findings of the study were that the SGB was powerful and effective in its area of operation in school governance, despite its lack of skills in the execution of its duties. Many of the difficulties it has encountered can be ascribed to a lack of guidance from the Department of Education. The study thus concludes that whereas the SGB studied represents an important step towards the full democratization of education in general and in this school in particular, its role in school governance can not be described as an unqualified success. However, despite the problems faced by the SGB, its role has made history in the governance of the school. Programmes which the SGB has implemented, such as measures to foster a culture of teaching and learning, have had an important impact on the progress of the school. Finally, the findings of the study indicate that the most important issues to be addressed in respect of the SGB researched are capacity building, communication, cultural understanding and the level of SGB understanding of the Schools Act. The study makes certain recommendations for the attention of SGBs and the Department of Education. These include a well co-ordinated capacity building prograrn to be developed and implemented, that will provide SGBs with access to knowledge of the relevant material and other resources necessary to sustain school governance functions. Because of the limited nature of the study in terms of methodology and constraints of time, the conclusions arrived at cannot and should not be generalized beyond the confines of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Lusaseni, Pamella Hombakazi
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa School boards -- South Africa Educational leadership School personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006204
- Description: Education in South Africa is currently facing a lot of changes. This study was prompted by one of these changes, the introduction of a School Governing Body (SGB), constituted in terms of the 1996 Schools Act (South Africa 1996), and replacing the previous Parent-Teacher-StudentAssociation (PTSA). The study investigates how the members of a School Governing Body perceive and experience their roles, in an attempt to make a contribution to understanding the nature and implications of education governance policy in South Africa. Central to this exercise is the attempt to understand how the execution of their duties, their practice of both democracy and accountability, and their resolving of tensions and/or differences among parents, teachers and students, impacts upon their school generally and relates both to the Department of Education and other organs of society. The methodology employed in this study includes a review of relevant literature, international and national, followed by a historical overview of education governance in South Africa. The core of the thesis is an interpretive case study of the SGB of one junior secondary school under the auspices of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport, in the South Eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province. The single most important data gathering instrument used was a series of in-depth interviews. The interviewees were the Executive members of the SGB of the school. The major findings of the study were that the SGB was powerful and effective in its area of operation in school governance, despite its lack of skills in the execution of its duties. Many of the difficulties it has encountered can be ascribed to a lack of guidance from the Department of Education. The study thus concludes that whereas the SGB studied represents an important step towards the full democratization of education in general and in this school in particular, its role in school governance can not be described as an unqualified success. However, despite the problems faced by the SGB, its role has made history in the governance of the school. Programmes which the SGB has implemented, such as measures to foster a culture of teaching and learning, have had an important impact on the progress of the school. Finally, the findings of the study indicate that the most important issues to be addressed in respect of the SGB researched are capacity building, communication, cultural understanding and the level of SGB understanding of the Schools Act. The study makes certain recommendations for the attention of SGBs and the Department of Education. These include a well co-ordinated capacity building prograrn to be developed and implemented, that will provide SGBs with access to knowledge of the relevant material and other resources necessary to sustain school governance functions. Because of the limited nature of the study in terms of methodology and constraints of time, the conclusions arrived at cannot and should not be generalized beyond the confines of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation of students' role within the governing structures of educational institutions
- Authors: Ngaso, Khayalethu Edward
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Student participation in administration -- South Africa School management and organization -- South Africa Student government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003526
- Description: The question of the role of students in the governance of educational institutions has been an issue for decades in South Africa. It arose out of the desire and struggle by black students for a better sociopolitical environment in general and in education in particular. This demand gained momentum in the years 1976,1980 and 1985. The result was the establishment of Student Representative Councils, Parent-teacher-Student's Associations at schools, Broad Transformation Forums and Governing Councils at tertiary institutions. After 1994 the government of South Africa started the major task of reconstructing the country particularly education and its governance. Democratic governance was accepted as one of the fundamentals of education by the new department of education. The Schools' Act and the Higher Education Act were passed to give effect to this new spirit in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Students had a statutory right to be involved in all matters of governance in educational institutions. However, in the past two years i.e. 1997 and 1998 the issue of student participation has become controversial with tensions erupting amongst stakeholders particularly management and students. The bone of contention this time has not been whether students have to participate or not but how far should they be involved. The National Education Policy Investigation task team had recommended as early as 1992 for the systematic analysis of the roles of the various stakeholders within the governing structures to avoid the present situation to no avail. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate students' perceptions of their role within the governing structures and to assess the implications of such a role for the management of educational institutions. Central to this largely fact finding mission was an attempt to make a contribution engaging students in this debate and get to know them afresh, thereby understand their position, what their perception is about their role in the governance of their institutions. For this purpose the study used phenomenology as the method of research. The reason for that I wanted a methodology which will enable me to produce a report which would not be contaminated with my preconceived ideas about the phenomenon. The tool used for data-gathering was the interview. In-depth interviews were conducted with four student leaders. They were selected purposely due to the fact that they were involved in the governance of their various institutions. The study revealed the complexity of this phenomenon. It indicates that student involvement is crucial for harmonious relations to prevail and the creation of a climate of learning and teaching at educational institutions. Students saw their role as that of legitimising the process of decision-making. This is coupled with enforcing the management to be transparent, bringing back the rule of law, making sure that educational institutions are transformed, that students are empowered and capacitated and looking at the welfare of students. A recommendation that emerge from the study is that much investigation is needed on student participation. Areas which needed much attention are specified in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Ngaso, Khayalethu Edward
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Student participation in administration -- South Africa School management and organization -- South Africa Student government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003526
- Description: The question of the role of students in the governance of educational institutions has been an issue for decades in South Africa. It arose out of the desire and struggle by black students for a better sociopolitical environment in general and in education in particular. This demand gained momentum in the years 1976,1980 and 1985. The result was the establishment of Student Representative Councils, Parent-teacher-Student's Associations at schools, Broad Transformation Forums and Governing Councils at tertiary institutions. After 1994 the government of South Africa started the major task of reconstructing the country particularly education and its governance. Democratic governance was accepted as one of the fundamentals of education by the new department of education. The Schools' Act and the Higher Education Act were passed to give effect to this new spirit in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Students had a statutory right to be involved in all matters of governance in educational institutions. However, in the past two years i.e. 1997 and 1998 the issue of student participation has become controversial with tensions erupting amongst stakeholders particularly management and students. The bone of contention this time has not been whether students have to participate or not but how far should they be involved. The National Education Policy Investigation task team had recommended as early as 1992 for the systematic analysis of the roles of the various stakeholders within the governing structures to avoid the present situation to no avail. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate students' perceptions of their role within the governing structures and to assess the implications of such a role for the management of educational institutions. Central to this largely fact finding mission was an attempt to make a contribution engaging students in this debate and get to know them afresh, thereby understand their position, what their perception is about their role in the governance of their institutions. For this purpose the study used phenomenology as the method of research. The reason for that I wanted a methodology which will enable me to produce a report which would not be contaminated with my preconceived ideas about the phenomenon. The tool used for data-gathering was the interview. In-depth interviews were conducted with four student leaders. They were selected purposely due to the fact that they were involved in the governance of their various institutions. The study revealed the complexity of this phenomenon. It indicates that student involvement is crucial for harmonious relations to prevail and the creation of a climate of learning and teaching at educational institutions. Students saw their role as that of legitimising the process of decision-making. This is coupled with enforcing the management to be transparent, bringing back the rule of law, making sure that educational institutions are transformed, that students are empowered and capacitated and looking at the welfare of students. A recommendation that emerge from the study is that much investigation is needed on student participation. Areas which needed much attention are specified in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An investigation of the work-related values of educational managers of private church secondary schools in Malawi, and the implications of the values for OD interventions: a case study
- Kadyakapita, Mozecie Spector John
- Authors: Kadyakapita, Mozecie Spector John
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Church schools -- Malawi School management and organization -- Malawi Private schools -- Malawi Values -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003542
- Description: One of the organizational change technologies developed in response to the inherent weaknesses of the scientific and classical management theories is organization development (0D). The theories grew out of research experiments in change and training in intergroup relations conducted by Kurt Lewin in 1946 in the United States of America. They have been further developed by other researchers and applied to organizations since then, and to educational organizations since the 1960s. This study was carried out in the light of what some of the 0D esearchers and consultants observed, namely, that 0D interventions tend to be less successful in organizations outside the USA, especially in developing countries. They attributed the lack of success of the interventions to the nature of 0D theories, the skills, attitudes and behaviour of OD consultants, the nature of organizations and, especially, culture. Some of the OD consultants said the culture of the people in developing countries is unreceptive to the values which underpin OD theories. I carried out this study to investigate the work-related values of managers in an educational organization in Malawi, and assess the implications of their values for OD interventions. I used a qualitative case study method and the interview technique to gather data for the study. I also used observation and document analysis techniques to supplement the interview technique. The results of the study indicate that most of the work-related values of the managers closely match the values of OD theories. The findings contradict what some of the OD researchers and consultants said about the culture of the people in developing countries. Hence, OD consultants need to investigate the work-related values of the gatekeepers of cli nt organizations and design and implement OD interventions that fit the interests of the gatekeepers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Kadyakapita, Mozecie Spector John
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Church schools -- Malawi School management and organization -- Malawi Private schools -- Malawi Values -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003542
- Description: One of the organizational change technologies developed in response to the inherent weaknesses of the scientific and classical management theories is organization development (0D). The theories grew out of research experiments in change and training in intergroup relations conducted by Kurt Lewin in 1946 in the United States of America. They have been further developed by other researchers and applied to organizations since then, and to educational organizations since the 1960s. This study was carried out in the light of what some of the 0D esearchers and consultants observed, namely, that 0D interventions tend to be less successful in organizations outside the USA, especially in developing countries. They attributed the lack of success of the interventions to the nature of 0D theories, the skills, attitudes and behaviour of OD consultants, the nature of organizations and, especially, culture. Some of the OD consultants said the culture of the people in developing countries is unreceptive to the values which underpin OD theories. I carried out this study to investigate the work-related values of managers in an educational organization in Malawi, and assess the implications of their values for OD interventions. I used a qualitative case study method and the interview technique to gather data for the study. I also used observation and document analysis techniques to supplement the interview technique. The results of the study indicate that most of the work-related values of the managers closely match the values of OD theories. The findings contradict what some of the OD researchers and consultants said about the culture of the people in developing countries. Hence, OD consultants need to investigate the work-related values of the gatekeepers of cli nt organizations and design and implement OD interventions that fit the interests of the gatekeepers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An object-oriented toolkit for music notation
- Authors: Eales, Andrew Arnold
- Date: 1999 , 2000-04-26
- Subjects: Musical notation , Object-oriented programming (Computer science) , Computer music -- History and criticism , Musical notation -- Software
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4618 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006473 , Musical notation , Object-oriented programming (Computer science) , Computer music -- History and criticism , Musical notation -- Software
- Description: This thesis investigates the design and implementation of an object-oriented toolkit for music notation. It considers whether object-oriented technology provides features that are desirable for representing music notation. The ability to sympathetically represent the conventions of music notation provides software tools that are flexible to use, and easily extended to represent less common features of music notation. The design and implementation of an object-oriented class hierarchy that captures the structural and semantic relationships of music notation symbols is described. Functions that search for symbols, and update symbol positions are also implemented. Traditional context-sensitive and spatial relationships between music symbols may be maintained, or extended to provide notational features found in modern music. MIDI functionality includes the ability to play music notation and to allow step-recording of MIDI events. The toolkit has been designed to simplify the creation of applications that make use of music notation; example applications are created to demonstrate its capabilities. , Microsoft Word , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Eales, Andrew Arnold
- Date: 1999 , 2000-04-26
- Subjects: Musical notation , Object-oriented programming (Computer science) , Computer music -- History and criticism , Musical notation -- Software
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4618 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006473 , Musical notation , Object-oriented programming (Computer science) , Computer music -- History and criticism , Musical notation -- Software
- Description: This thesis investigates the design and implementation of an object-oriented toolkit for music notation. It considers whether object-oriented technology provides features that are desirable for representing music notation. The ability to sympathetically represent the conventions of music notation provides software tools that are flexible to use, and easily extended to represent less common features of music notation. The design and implementation of an object-oriented class hierarchy that captures the structural and semantic relationships of music notation symbols is described. Functions that search for symbols, and update symbol positions are also implemented. Traditional context-sensitive and spatial relationships between music symbols may be maintained, or extended to provide notational features found in modern music. MIDI functionality includes the ability to play music notation and to allow step-recording of MIDI events. The toolkit has been designed to simplify the creation of applications that make use of music notation; example applications are created to demonstrate its capabilities. , Microsoft Word , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
An unusual new fossil shark (Pisces: Chondrichthyes) from the Late Devonian of South Africa
- Anderson, M Eric, Long, John A, Gess, Robert W, Hiller, Norton
- Authors: Anderson, M Eric , Long, John A , Gess, Robert W , Hiller, Norton
- Date: 1999
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/73910 , vital:30240 , http://museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/10. Anderson, Long, Gess, Hiller.pdf
- Description: A new stem-group chondrichthyan fish, PlesioselacJllIs macracanthlls gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Late Devonian Witpoort Formation, representing an estuarine lagoon site, near Grahamstown, South Africa. Based on a single, fairly complete specimen, it is distinctive in its a single dorsal fin braced by a large, stout spine with numerous ribs and posterior denticles, apparently no second dorsal or anal fin, an amphistylic jaw suspension, and a distinctive triangular palatoquadrate. It is suggested that the species may represent a high-latitude, Late Devonian relict taxon.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Anderson, M Eric , Long, John A , Gess, Robert W , Hiller, Norton
- Date: 1999
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/73910 , vital:30240 , http://museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/10. Anderson, Long, Gess, Hiller.pdf
- Description: A new stem-group chondrichthyan fish, PlesioselacJllIs macracanthlls gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Late Devonian Witpoort Formation, representing an estuarine lagoon site, near Grahamstown, South Africa. Based on a single, fairly complete specimen, it is distinctive in its a single dorsal fin braced by a large, stout spine with numerous ribs and posterior denticles, apparently no second dorsal or anal fin, an amphistylic jaw suspension, and a distinctive triangular palatoquadrate. It is suggested that the species may represent a high-latitude, Late Devonian relict taxon.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
Analysis of chromameter results obtained from corticosteroid-induced skin blanching assay: comparison of visual and chromameter data
- Schwarb, Fabian P, Smith, Eric W, Haigh, John M, Surber, Christian
- Authors: Schwarb, Fabian P , Smith, Eric W , Haigh, John M , Surber, Christian
- Date: 1999
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006562
- Description: In a Guidance document, the American FDA recommends the use of a Minolta chromameter rather than the human eye for the quantitative assessment of the pharmacodynamic blanching response produced by topical application of corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to compare the appropriateness of the human eye and two models of chromameter for the estimation of skin blanching, in terms of the quality of the data generated by each method. The corticosteroid-induced skin blanching from four different betamethasone 17-valerate cream formulations was compared in a typical human skin blanching trial. The optimized assay methodology routinely practised in our laboratories was utilized. The blanching responses were assessed visually by three trained, independent observers and recorded by two chromameters (Minolta model CR-200 and model CR-300). The topical availability of the four creams was determined using visual scoring and chromameter measurements. All data were manipulated in such a manner as to produce a blanching response versus time profile from which AUBC analysis could be performed. Good correlation was observed between the visual assessments made by three independent observers. In contrast, moderate correlation was determined between visual, CR-200 and CR-300 measurements. Surprisingly, no direct linear relationship between the AUBCs produced by the two chromameters was observed indicating that the quality of the data obtained from the two instruments may not be equal. This investigation also indicated that the use of the chromameter is not completely objective. Visual scoring and chromameter measurement produce data sets that differ in quality. Each procedure needs to be validated and investigators have to be trained for both visual assessment and the operation of the chromameter, particularly with regard to the manipulation of the measuring head of the instrument.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Schwarb, Fabian P , Smith, Eric W , Haigh, John M , Surber, Christian
- Date: 1999
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006562
- Description: In a Guidance document, the American FDA recommends the use of a Minolta chromameter rather than the human eye for the quantitative assessment of the pharmacodynamic blanching response produced by topical application of corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to compare the appropriateness of the human eye and two models of chromameter for the estimation of skin blanching, in terms of the quality of the data generated by each method. The corticosteroid-induced skin blanching from four different betamethasone 17-valerate cream formulations was compared in a typical human skin blanching trial. The optimized assay methodology routinely practised in our laboratories was utilized. The blanching responses were assessed visually by three trained, independent observers and recorded by two chromameters (Minolta model CR-200 and model CR-300). The topical availability of the four creams was determined using visual scoring and chromameter measurements. All data were manipulated in such a manner as to produce a blanching response versus time profile from which AUBC analysis could be performed. Good correlation was observed between the visual assessments made by three independent observers. In contrast, moderate correlation was determined between visual, CR-200 and CR-300 measurements. Surprisingly, no direct linear relationship between the AUBCs produced by the two chromameters was observed indicating that the quality of the data obtained from the two instruments may not be equal. This investigation also indicated that the use of the chromameter is not completely objective. Visual scoring and chromameter measurement produce data sets that differ in quality. Each procedure needs to be validated and investigators have to be trained for both visual assessment and the operation of the chromameter, particularly with regard to the manipulation of the measuring head of the instrument.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
Anting in Afrotropical birds: a review
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447746 , vital:74671 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1999.9634237
- Description: Passive anting has been recorded from four non-passerine species in Africa, the Rock Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, the African Finfoot Podica senegalensis, the African Hoopoe Upupa epops and the Whitebacked Mousebird Colius colius. Active or passive anting has been recorded from 21 passerine species in 10 families in the wild, and in captive birds in a further 27 species of 3 families. Although such behaviour may have been overlooked or misinterpreted, the rarity of observations implies that in most species anting is likely to be infrequent. In all cases in which the ants have been identified, they were members of the sub-family Formicinae. It appears unlikely that any single functional explanation can account for the observed occurrences of this behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447746 , vital:74671 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1999.9634237
- Description: Passive anting has been recorded from four non-passerine species in Africa, the Rock Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, the African Finfoot Podica senegalensis, the African Hoopoe Upupa epops and the Whitebacked Mousebird Colius colius. Active or passive anting has been recorded from 21 passerine species in 10 families in the wild, and in captive birds in a further 27 species of 3 families. Although such behaviour may have been overlooked or misinterpreted, the rarity of observations implies that in most species anting is likely to be infrequent. In all cases in which the ants have been identified, they were members of the sub-family Formicinae. It appears unlikely that any single functional explanation can account for the observed occurrences of this behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999