Effects of treatment on Lantana camara (L.) and the restoration potential of riparian seed banks in cleared areas of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, Livingstone, Zambia
- Nang'alelwa, Michael Mubitelela
- Authors: Nang'alelwa, Michael Mubitelela
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Lantana camara -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian restoration -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian ecology -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003786 , Lantana camara -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Lantana camara -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian restoration -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian ecology -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
- Description: The exotic plant Lantana camara L. has invaded the riparian areas of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site in Livingstone, southern Zambia, threatening native plant communities which support populations of species of special concern. I trialled the mechanical control method of manual uprooting and 3 different herbicides applied through paint brushing of an imazapyr concentrate at 250g. l¯¹, spraying on cut stumps with metsulfron methyl at 600g.l¯¹, and foliar spraying on re-emergent lantana foliage with glyphosate at a dosage of 166g. l¯¹ in July 2008 in 20 100m2 treatment plots, 5 invaded control plots and 5 uninvaded controls. Follow-up treatments for re-sprouting lantana stumps and emerging seedlings were undertaken in June 2009. I measured effectiveness of the methods using adult lantana mortality in June 2009 and lantana seedling density in the different treatment plots during the follow-up exercise. The cost of the various methods and human labour applied were compared across the four treatments at initial clear and at follow-up. All treatments recorded a high adult lantana mortality rate, though there were no significant differences in lantana adult mortality amongst the treatments. Overall, uprooting had the highest adult mortality, followed by imazapyr, metsulfron and lastly glyphosate. Germination of lantana seedlings after clearing was high for all treatments but with no significant differences occurring between the treatments. Both adult lantana mortality and seedling density were however significantly different from the control. With labour included, chemical costs were far higher relative to uprooting, though uprooting costs were the highest when it came to the follow-up because of the emerging seedlings and some resprouting stumps. The effects of mechanical and chemical treatments on vegetation composition in the cleared areas were also assessed in order to detect any non-target and medium term effects of treatments. Contrary to expectation, none of the chemicals showed any significant effects on vegetation composition in the short and medium-term and no significant differences were found in plant species richness, diversity and seedling density between invaded and uninvaded plots at baseline, in October 2008 and in September 2009. In order to determine potential for unaided vegetation recovery in the riparian areas of the study site after lantana clearing, I conducted an investigation of soil seed banks and seed rain using 60 seed bank samples measuring 1800m³ collected from 30 invaded and uninvaded plots. Using the seedling emergence method, 1, 991 seedlings belonging to 66 species representing 27 families germinated from the seed bank. Sedges (Cyperaceae family) were the most abundant taxa in the seed banks from invaded areas, followed by Ageratum conyzoides, lantana, Triumfetta annua and Achyranthes aspera which also occurred in the uninvaded soil seed banks. The seed banks from uninvaded plots were dominated by the grass Oplismenus hirtellus. Overall, species richness, diversity and seedling density from seed banks in invaded areas did not differ significantly from seed bank in uninvaded areas and there was a low similarity in species composition when above ground vegetation was compared to seed banks from invaded and uninvaded areas. It would appear if natural regeneration occured from the current seed bank in disturbed areas, future vegetation would largely comprise of short lived, early successional species in the short term as the seed bank is dominated by non-native herbaceous weedy species. From the seed traps investigating seed rain, a total of 27 species numbering 623 individual seeds were found in the thirty 1m² seedtraps distributed in invaded and uninvaded areas at the five sites, over an intermittent period of three months. Lantana had the highest monthly arrival rate in the seed traps followed by Phoenix reclinata and Ricinus communis. The number of species with invasive potential found in the seed traps located in invaded areas was more than that found in seed traps under native vegetation cover by far. Considerable forest remnants still occur around the invaded sites, and these could serve as an important source for long-term natural re-establishment of native vegetation if seed availability by animals and wind dispersal continues, while the re-invasion of lantana is prevented by ongoing follow-ups and futher clearing of lantana invaded areas. It is concluded that while uprooting and other treatments are effective in the control of lantana, its successful control in the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site will require extensive clearing to keep it from reinvading infested areas after clearing as shown by the seed rain data. The high seedling density of lantana in the seed banks and in the cleared areas shows the need for ongoing follow-up in order to deplete soil stored seed banks. There is need for longer term research to establish what the exact follow-up requirements are in order to contain lantana re-infestation and create favourable micro-sites for native species to establish. It is predicted that ongoing lantana control in the cleared plots will most likely initiate long-term community recovery.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nang'alelwa, Michael Mubitelela
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Lantana camara -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian restoration -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian ecology -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003786 , Lantana camara -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Lantana camara -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian restoration -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian ecology -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
- Description: The exotic plant Lantana camara L. has invaded the riparian areas of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site in Livingstone, southern Zambia, threatening native plant communities which support populations of species of special concern. I trialled the mechanical control method of manual uprooting and 3 different herbicides applied through paint brushing of an imazapyr concentrate at 250g. l¯¹, spraying on cut stumps with metsulfron methyl at 600g.l¯¹, and foliar spraying on re-emergent lantana foliage with glyphosate at a dosage of 166g. l¯¹ in July 2008 in 20 100m2 treatment plots, 5 invaded control plots and 5 uninvaded controls. Follow-up treatments for re-sprouting lantana stumps and emerging seedlings were undertaken in June 2009. I measured effectiveness of the methods using adult lantana mortality in June 2009 and lantana seedling density in the different treatment plots during the follow-up exercise. The cost of the various methods and human labour applied were compared across the four treatments at initial clear and at follow-up. All treatments recorded a high adult lantana mortality rate, though there were no significant differences in lantana adult mortality amongst the treatments. Overall, uprooting had the highest adult mortality, followed by imazapyr, metsulfron and lastly glyphosate. Germination of lantana seedlings after clearing was high for all treatments but with no significant differences occurring between the treatments. Both adult lantana mortality and seedling density were however significantly different from the control. With labour included, chemical costs were far higher relative to uprooting, though uprooting costs were the highest when it came to the follow-up because of the emerging seedlings and some resprouting stumps. The effects of mechanical and chemical treatments on vegetation composition in the cleared areas were also assessed in order to detect any non-target and medium term effects of treatments. Contrary to expectation, none of the chemicals showed any significant effects on vegetation composition in the short and medium-term and no significant differences were found in plant species richness, diversity and seedling density between invaded and uninvaded plots at baseline, in October 2008 and in September 2009. In order to determine potential for unaided vegetation recovery in the riparian areas of the study site after lantana clearing, I conducted an investigation of soil seed banks and seed rain using 60 seed bank samples measuring 1800m³ collected from 30 invaded and uninvaded plots. Using the seedling emergence method, 1, 991 seedlings belonging to 66 species representing 27 families germinated from the seed bank. Sedges (Cyperaceae family) were the most abundant taxa in the seed banks from invaded areas, followed by Ageratum conyzoides, lantana, Triumfetta annua and Achyranthes aspera which also occurred in the uninvaded soil seed banks. The seed banks from uninvaded plots were dominated by the grass Oplismenus hirtellus. Overall, species richness, diversity and seedling density from seed banks in invaded areas did not differ significantly from seed bank in uninvaded areas and there was a low similarity in species composition when above ground vegetation was compared to seed banks from invaded and uninvaded areas. It would appear if natural regeneration occured from the current seed bank in disturbed areas, future vegetation would largely comprise of short lived, early successional species in the short term as the seed bank is dominated by non-native herbaceous weedy species. From the seed traps investigating seed rain, a total of 27 species numbering 623 individual seeds were found in the thirty 1m² seedtraps distributed in invaded and uninvaded areas at the five sites, over an intermittent period of three months. Lantana had the highest monthly arrival rate in the seed traps followed by Phoenix reclinata and Ricinus communis. The number of species with invasive potential found in the seed traps located in invaded areas was more than that found in seed traps under native vegetation cover by far. Considerable forest remnants still occur around the invaded sites, and these could serve as an important source for long-term natural re-establishment of native vegetation if seed availability by animals and wind dispersal continues, while the re-invasion of lantana is prevented by ongoing follow-ups and futher clearing of lantana invaded areas. It is concluded that while uprooting and other treatments are effective in the control of lantana, its successful control in the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site will require extensive clearing to keep it from reinvading infested areas after clearing as shown by the seed rain data. The high seedling density of lantana in the seed banks and in the cleared areas shows the need for ongoing follow-up in order to deplete soil stored seed banks. There is need for longer term research to establish what the exact follow-up requirements are in order to contain lantana re-infestation and create favourable micro-sites for native species to establish. It is predicted that ongoing lantana control in the cleared plots will most likely initiate long-term community recovery.
- Full Text:
Electrocatalytic oxidation of amitrole and diuron on iron (II) tetraaminophthalocyanine-single walled carbon nanotube dendrimer
- Mugadza, Tawanda, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mugadza, Tawanda , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/262611 , vital:53536 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2009.12.051"
- Description: FeTAPc-single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dendrimers are employed as glassy carbon electrode modifiers for the electrocatalytic oxidations of amitrole and diuron. The catalytic rate constants were 4.55 × 103 M−1 s−1 and 1.79 × 104 M−1 s−1 for amitrole and diuron, respectively using chronoamperometric studies. The diffusion constants were found to be 1.52 × 10−4 cm2 s−1 and 1.91 × 10−4 cm2 s−1 for diuron and amitrole, respectively. The linear concentration range for both were from 5.0 × 10−5 to 1.0 × 10−4 M and sensitivities of 0.6603 μA/μM and 0.6641 μA/μM for amitrole and diuron, with corresponding limits of detection of 2.15 × 10−7 and 2.6 × 10−7 M using the 3δ notation, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mugadza, Tawanda , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/262611 , vital:53536 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2009.12.051"
- Description: FeTAPc-single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dendrimers are employed as glassy carbon electrode modifiers for the electrocatalytic oxidations of amitrole and diuron. The catalytic rate constants were 4.55 × 103 M−1 s−1 and 1.79 × 104 M−1 s−1 for amitrole and diuron, respectively using chronoamperometric studies. The diffusion constants were found to be 1.52 × 10−4 cm2 s−1 and 1.91 × 10−4 cm2 s−1 for diuron and amitrole, respectively. The linear concentration range for both were from 5.0 × 10−5 to 1.0 × 10−4 M and sensitivities of 0.6603 μA/μM and 0.6641 μA/μM for amitrole and diuron, with corresponding limits of detection of 2.15 × 10−7 and 2.6 × 10−7 M using the 3δ notation, respectively.
- Full Text:
Electrochemical, spectroscopic and microscopic studies of new manganese phthalocyanine complexes in solution and as self-assembled monolayers on gold
- Coates, Megan, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Coates, Megan , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/261144 , vital:53363 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424610002471"
- Description: Four new manganese(III) phthalocyanines (3a–d), octasubstituted at the peripheral position with pentylthio, decylthio, benzylthio, and phenylthio groups, respectively, were synthesized. Their specific electrochemical, spectroscopic and microscopic properties in solution and as self-assembled monolayers on gold were characterized. The UV-vis spectra confirmed red-shifted Q bands for all the complexes, due to the effect of the central metal and the electron-donating substituents. Three redox couples were visible during cyclic voltammetry studies for the four complexes, and spectroelectrochemistry confirmed the couples as corresponding to MnIIIPc-2/MnIIPc-2 (II) (metal reduction), MnIIPc-2/MnIIPc-3 (III) (ring reduction) and MnIIIPc-1/MnIIIPc-2 (I) (ring oxidation). Electrochemistry was also used to determine the blocking characteristics of the MnPc self-assembled monolayers on gold, which proved to be highly dependent on the type of substituent. Other methods of characterization included Raman spectroscopy, atomic force and scanning electrochemical microscopy analyses of the SAMs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Coates, Megan , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/261144 , vital:53363 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424610002471"
- Description: Four new manganese(III) phthalocyanines (3a–d), octasubstituted at the peripheral position with pentylthio, decylthio, benzylthio, and phenylthio groups, respectively, were synthesized. Their specific electrochemical, spectroscopic and microscopic properties in solution and as self-assembled monolayers on gold were characterized. The UV-vis spectra confirmed red-shifted Q bands for all the complexes, due to the effect of the central metal and the electron-donating substituents. Three redox couples were visible during cyclic voltammetry studies for the four complexes, and spectroelectrochemistry confirmed the couples as corresponding to MnIIIPc-2/MnIIPc-2 (II) (metal reduction), MnIIPc-2/MnIIPc-3 (III) (ring reduction) and MnIIIPc-1/MnIIIPc-2 (I) (ring oxidation). Electrochemistry was also used to determine the blocking characteristics of the MnPc self-assembled monolayers on gold, which proved to be highly dependent on the type of substituent. Other methods of characterization included Raman spectroscopy, atomic force and scanning electrochemical microscopy analyses of the SAMs.
- Full Text:
Empirically modelled Pc3 activity based on solar wind parameters
- Heilig, B, Lotz, Stefanus I, Verő, J, Sutcliffe, P, Reda, J, Pajunpää, G, Raita, T
- Authors: Heilig, B , Lotz, Stefanus I , Verő, J , Sutcliffe, P , Reda, J , Pajunpää, G , Raita, T
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6814 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004324
- Description: It is known that under certain solar wind (SW)/interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions (e.g. high SW speed, low cone angle) the occurrence of ground-level Pc3–4 pulsations is more likely. In this paper we demonstrate that in the event of anomalously low SW particle density, Pc3 activity is extremely low regardless of otherwise favourable SW speed and cone angle. We re-investigate the SW control of Pc3 pulsation activity through a statistical analysis and two empirical models with emphasis on the influence of SW density on Pc3 activity. We utilise SW and IMF measurements from the OMNI project and ground-based magnetometer measurements from the MM100 array to relate SW and IMF measurements to the occurrence of Pc3 activity. Multiple linear regression and artificial neural network models are used in iterative processes in order to identify sets of SW-based input parameters, which optimally reproduce a set of Pc3 activity data. The inclusion of SW density in the parameter set significantly improves the models. Not only the density itself, but other density related parameters, such as the dynamic pressure of the SW, or the standoff distance of the magnetopause work equally well in the model. The disappearance of Pc3s during low-density events can have at least four reasons according to the existing upstream wave theory: 1. Pausing the ion-cyclotron resonance that generates the upstream ultra low frequency waves in the absence of protons, 2. Weakening of the bow shock that implies less efficient reflection, 3. The SW becomes sub-Alfvénic and hence it is not able to sweep back the waves propagating upstream with the Alfvén-speed, and 4. The increase of the standoff distance of the magnetopause (and of the bow shock). Although the models cannot account for the lack of Pc3s during intervals when the SW density is extremely low, the resulting sets of optimal model inputs support the generation of mid latitude Pc3 activity predominantly through upstream waves.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Heilig, B , Lotz, Stefanus I , Verő, J , Sutcliffe, P , Reda, J , Pajunpää, G , Raita, T
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6814 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004324
- Description: It is known that under certain solar wind (SW)/interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions (e.g. high SW speed, low cone angle) the occurrence of ground-level Pc3–4 pulsations is more likely. In this paper we demonstrate that in the event of anomalously low SW particle density, Pc3 activity is extremely low regardless of otherwise favourable SW speed and cone angle. We re-investigate the SW control of Pc3 pulsation activity through a statistical analysis and two empirical models with emphasis on the influence of SW density on Pc3 activity. We utilise SW and IMF measurements from the OMNI project and ground-based magnetometer measurements from the MM100 array to relate SW and IMF measurements to the occurrence of Pc3 activity. Multiple linear regression and artificial neural network models are used in iterative processes in order to identify sets of SW-based input parameters, which optimally reproduce a set of Pc3 activity data. The inclusion of SW density in the parameter set significantly improves the models. Not only the density itself, but other density related parameters, such as the dynamic pressure of the SW, or the standoff distance of the magnetopause work equally well in the model. The disappearance of Pc3s during low-density events can have at least four reasons according to the existing upstream wave theory: 1. Pausing the ion-cyclotron resonance that generates the upstream ultra low frequency waves in the absence of protons, 2. Weakening of the bow shock that implies less efficient reflection, 3. The SW becomes sub-Alfvénic and hence it is not able to sweep back the waves propagating upstream with the Alfvén-speed, and 4. The increase of the standoff distance of the magnetopause (and of the bow shock). Although the models cannot account for the lack of Pc3s during intervals when the SW density is extremely low, the resulting sets of optimal model inputs support the generation of mid latitude Pc3 activity predominantly through upstream waves.
- Full Text:
Enhancing the saccharolytic phase of sugar beet pulp via hemicellulase synergy
- Authors: Dredge, Roselyn Ann
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sugar plantations , Sugar plantations -- South Africa , Sugar beet industry -- South Africa , Saccharomyces cerevisiae -- Biotechnology , Biomass energy industries -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004014 , Sugar plantations , Sugar plantations -- South Africa , Sugar beet industry -- South Africa , Saccharomyces cerevisiae -- Biotechnology , Biomass energy industries -- South Africa
- Description: The sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) plant has in recent years been added to the Biofuel Industrial Strategy (Department of Minerals and Energy, 2007) by the South African government as a crop grown for the production of bio-ethanol. Sugar beet is commonly grown in Europe for the production of sucrose and has recently been cultivated in Cradock and the surrounding areas (Engineering News, 2008). The biofuel industry usually ferments the sucrose with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to yield bio-ethanol. However, researchers are presented with a critical role to increase current yields as there are concerns over the process costs from industrial biotechnologists. The beet factories produce a pulp by-product removed of all sucrose. The hemicellulose-rich pulp can be degraded by microbial enzymes to simple sugars that can be subsequently fermented to bio-ethanol. Thus, the pulp represents a potential source for second generation biofuel. The process of utilising microbial hemicellulases requires an initial chemical pre-treatment step to delignify the sugar beet pulp (SBP). An alkaline pre-treatment with ‘slake lime’ (calcium hydroxide) was investigated using a 23 factorial design and the factors examined were: lime load; temperature and time. The analysed results showed the highest release of reducing sugars at the pre-treatment conditions of: 0.4 g lime / g SBP; 40°C and 36 hours. A partial characterisation of the Clostridium cellulovorans hemicellulases was carried out to verify the optimal activity conditions stated in literature. The highest release of reducing sugars was measured at pH 6.5 – 7.0 and at 45°C for arabinofuranosidase A (ArfA); at pH 5.5 and 40°C for mannanase A (ManA) and pH 5.0 – 6.0 and 45°C for xylanase A (XynA). Temperature studies showed that a complete loss of enzymatic activity occurred after 11 hours for ManA; and 84-96 hours for ArfA. XynA was still active after 120 hours. The optimised lime pre-treated SBP was subsequently degraded using various combinations and percentages of C. cellulovorans ArfA, ManA and XynA to determine the maximal release of reducing sugars. Synergistically, the highest synergy was observed at 75% ArfA and 25% ManA, with a specific activity of 2.9 μmol/min/g protein. However, the highest release of sugars was observed at 4.2 μmol/min/g protein at 100% ArfA. This study has initiated the research within South Africa on SBP and its degradation by C. cellulovorans. Preliminary studies show that SBP has the potential to be utilised as a second generation biofuel source.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dredge, Roselyn Ann
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sugar plantations , Sugar plantations -- South Africa , Sugar beet industry -- South Africa , Saccharomyces cerevisiae -- Biotechnology , Biomass energy industries -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004014 , Sugar plantations , Sugar plantations -- South Africa , Sugar beet industry -- South Africa , Saccharomyces cerevisiae -- Biotechnology , Biomass energy industries -- South Africa
- Description: The sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) plant has in recent years been added to the Biofuel Industrial Strategy (Department of Minerals and Energy, 2007) by the South African government as a crop grown for the production of bio-ethanol. Sugar beet is commonly grown in Europe for the production of sucrose and has recently been cultivated in Cradock and the surrounding areas (Engineering News, 2008). The biofuel industry usually ferments the sucrose with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to yield bio-ethanol. However, researchers are presented with a critical role to increase current yields as there are concerns over the process costs from industrial biotechnologists. The beet factories produce a pulp by-product removed of all sucrose. The hemicellulose-rich pulp can be degraded by microbial enzymes to simple sugars that can be subsequently fermented to bio-ethanol. Thus, the pulp represents a potential source for second generation biofuel. The process of utilising microbial hemicellulases requires an initial chemical pre-treatment step to delignify the sugar beet pulp (SBP). An alkaline pre-treatment with ‘slake lime’ (calcium hydroxide) was investigated using a 23 factorial design and the factors examined were: lime load; temperature and time. The analysed results showed the highest release of reducing sugars at the pre-treatment conditions of: 0.4 g lime / g SBP; 40°C and 36 hours. A partial characterisation of the Clostridium cellulovorans hemicellulases was carried out to verify the optimal activity conditions stated in literature. The highest release of reducing sugars was measured at pH 6.5 – 7.0 and at 45°C for arabinofuranosidase A (ArfA); at pH 5.5 and 40°C for mannanase A (ManA) and pH 5.0 – 6.0 and 45°C for xylanase A (XynA). Temperature studies showed that a complete loss of enzymatic activity occurred after 11 hours for ManA; and 84-96 hours for ArfA. XynA was still active after 120 hours. The optimised lime pre-treated SBP was subsequently degraded using various combinations and percentages of C. cellulovorans ArfA, ManA and XynA to determine the maximal release of reducing sugars. Synergistically, the highest synergy was observed at 75% ArfA and 25% ManA, with a specific activity of 2.9 μmol/min/g protein. However, the highest release of sugars was observed at 4.2 μmol/min/g protein at 100% ArfA. This study has initiated the research within South Africa on SBP and its degradation by C. cellulovorans. Preliminary studies show that SBP has the potential to be utilised as a second generation biofuel source.
- Full Text:
Estuarine use by spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii in a South African estuary, as determined by acoustic telemetry
- Childs, Amber-Robyn, Cowley, Paul D, Næsje, T F, Booth, Anthony J, Potts, Warren M, Thorstad, Eva B, Økland, F
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn , Cowley, Paul D , Næsje, T F , Booth, Anthony J , Potts, Warren M , Thorstad, Eva B , Økland, F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124428 , vital:35612 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JMS.2008.30.1.12.462
- Description: Estuaries are important in the life history and the maintenance of the diversity of coastal fish species because of their function as nursery areas for juveniles as well as feeding grounds for adults (Cyrus 1991). The dependence of many fish species on estuaries is well documented (e.g. Wallace et al. 1984, Lenanton and Potter 1987, Blaber et al. 1989, Whitfield 1990, Hoss and Thayer 1993). Spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae) (Lacepède 1801) is an estuarine-dependent species which spawns in the KwaZulu-Natal inshore coastal waters, between August and December (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Harris and Cyrus 1997, 1999). The eggs and larvae are transported southwards by the Agulhas Current, and juveniles between 20 mm and 50 mm TL recruit into the KwaZulu-Natal and south-eastern Cape estuaries (Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Whitfield 1990). Juvenile spotted grunter make use of the abundant food resources in estuaries, where they grow rapidly and remain for a period of 1–3 years (Wallace and Schleyer 1979, Day et al. 1981). Upon attaining sexual maturity (at between 300 mm and 400 mm TL), they return to the marine environment (Wallace 1975b). Some adults, however, return to estuaries to feed and to regain condition after spawning (Wallace 1975b, Whitfield 1994). The return of post-spawning fish coincides with increased catches by fishers in estuaries between July and January. These events are known as ‘grunter runs’ (Wallace 1975a, Marais and Baird 1980, Marais 1988, Pradervand and Baird 2002). It is suggested that adults spend up to several months in estuaries, before moving back to sea where they undergo gonadal development and ultimately spawn (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975). It is believed that adult fish also enter estuaries in a prespawning state to gain condition en route to their spawning grounds in KwaZulu-Natal (Webb 2002).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn , Cowley, Paul D , Næsje, T F , Booth, Anthony J , Potts, Warren M , Thorstad, Eva B , Økland, F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124428 , vital:35612 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JMS.2008.30.1.12.462
- Description: Estuaries are important in the life history and the maintenance of the diversity of coastal fish species because of their function as nursery areas for juveniles as well as feeding grounds for adults (Cyrus 1991). The dependence of many fish species on estuaries is well documented (e.g. Wallace et al. 1984, Lenanton and Potter 1987, Blaber et al. 1989, Whitfield 1990, Hoss and Thayer 1993). Spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae) (Lacepède 1801) is an estuarine-dependent species which spawns in the KwaZulu-Natal inshore coastal waters, between August and December (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Harris and Cyrus 1997, 1999). The eggs and larvae are transported southwards by the Agulhas Current, and juveniles between 20 mm and 50 mm TL recruit into the KwaZulu-Natal and south-eastern Cape estuaries (Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Whitfield 1990). Juvenile spotted grunter make use of the abundant food resources in estuaries, where they grow rapidly and remain for a period of 1–3 years (Wallace and Schleyer 1979, Day et al. 1981). Upon attaining sexual maturity (at between 300 mm and 400 mm TL), they return to the marine environment (Wallace 1975b). Some adults, however, return to estuaries to feed and to regain condition after spawning (Wallace 1975b, Whitfield 1994). The return of post-spawning fish coincides with increased catches by fishers in estuaries between July and January. These events are known as ‘grunter runs’ (Wallace 1975a, Marais and Baird 1980, Marais 1988, Pradervand and Baird 2002). It is suggested that adults spend up to several months in estuaries, before moving back to sea where they undergo gonadal development and ultimately spawn (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975). It is believed that adult fish also enter estuaries in a prespawning state to gain condition en route to their spawning grounds in KwaZulu-Natal (Webb 2002).
- Full Text:
Ethics-oriented learning in environmental education workplaces: An activity theory approach
- Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370961 , vital:66398 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122874"
- Description: In the context of increasing national and global environmental challenges and their implications for the working world, new ethics and practices are being introduced into workplaces that take better account of socio-ecological relations. Little is understood, however, about the nature of ethics-oriented workplace learning. Drawing on Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), which enables historically and contextually situated relational perspectives to emerge, this paper explores contradictions in the activity systems of two young environmental education learner-practitioners struggling to engage with the ethical dimensions of their professional work and the professional development course they are studying. The study focuses in particular on the environmental values and ethics component of their course – a year-long Learnership in Environmental Education, Training and Development Practices (EETDP). The paper reflects how tensions and contradictions within and between the interacting activity systems of the workplace, the course, and its regulating qualifications authority influence the teaching and learning of the environmental ethics component of the course. Ethics-oriented teaching and learning processes are found to be strongly influenced by the ‘rules’ and ‘mediating tools’ of these interacting systems, but these are often at odds with the ethical perspectives, socio-cultural context and skills of the ‘subject’ and ‘community’. These systemic contradictions can be more fully understood when their cultural and historical origins are made explicit. The analytical process has led to a more nuanced understanding of ethics-oriented teaching and learning in a workplace-based course, and has revealed several areas needing more careful research (particularly the area of environmental discourses) and the explicit and implicit language of ethics.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370961 , vital:66398 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122874"
- Description: In the context of increasing national and global environmental challenges and their implications for the working world, new ethics and practices are being introduced into workplaces that take better account of socio-ecological relations. Little is understood, however, about the nature of ethics-oriented workplace learning. Drawing on Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), which enables historically and contextually situated relational perspectives to emerge, this paper explores contradictions in the activity systems of two young environmental education learner-practitioners struggling to engage with the ethical dimensions of their professional work and the professional development course they are studying. The study focuses in particular on the environmental values and ethics component of their course – a year-long Learnership in Environmental Education, Training and Development Practices (EETDP). The paper reflects how tensions and contradictions within and between the interacting activity systems of the workplace, the course, and its regulating qualifications authority influence the teaching and learning of the environmental ethics component of the course. Ethics-oriented teaching and learning processes are found to be strongly influenced by the ‘rules’ and ‘mediating tools’ of these interacting systems, but these are often at odds with the ethical perspectives, socio-cultural context and skills of the ‘subject’ and ‘community’. These systemic contradictions can be more fully understood when their cultural and historical origins are made explicit. The analytical process has led to a more nuanced understanding of ethics-oriented teaching and learning in a workplace-based course, and has revealed several areas needing more careful research (particularly the area of environmental discourses) and the explicit and implicit language of ethics.
- Full Text:
Exploring and expanding learning processes in sustainable agriculture workplace contexts
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern Sustainable development -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern Permaculture -- Zimbabwe Organic farming -- South Africa Farmers -- Social conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Economic conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Training of -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003421
- Description: The focus of this study is to explore and expand farmer learning processes in sustainable agriculture workplace contexts. It examines change oriented learning processes in the context of three sustainable agriculture practices. The study begins by discussing the history and emergence of environmental discourses and approaches; sustainable agriculture; and the histories of three kinds of sustainable agriculture practices: Permaculture, Organic Farming and Machobane Farming System. It also traces the evolution of agricultural extension approaches within the wider context of education for sustainable development. The main focus of the study is an exploration of how farmer learning can be mediated through an expansive learning process. The study methodology surfaces some of the contradictions in sustainable agriculture and learning activity systems that farmers encounter in learning and practising sustainable agriculture. It uses these contradictions as sources of expansive learning in and between the respective activity systems of farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, agricultural extension workers (conventional) and organic entrepreneurs. As shown in the study, the expansive learning processes result in the modelling, implementation and reviewing of solutions to contradictions being faced in the learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. The study also proposes a number of tools that can be adapted and used by development farmers and agricultural trainers to examine and expand learning as well as build farmer agency. The study was conducted in three case study sites in Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe the study is located in Hwedza district in the St Margaret Primary School and community that learn, practise and facilitate the learning of Permaculture within the Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE). The second study site is in South Africa: Durban urban and peri-urban areas where a community of organic farmers, facilitators and entrepreneurs coordinate the marketing of their produce through Isidore Farm and Earth Mother Organic and support each other to learn and practise organic farming. The third study site is based in the Mafeteng and Mohale‟s Hoek districts of Lesotho where the focus was on farmers who learn and practise the Machobane Farming System (MFS) and are supported in this by the Rural Self Development Association (RSDA) and the Machobane Agricultural Development Foundation (MADF). Drawing on three sensitising concepts of dialectics, reflexivity and agency, the study worked with Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) underpinned by critical realism to reveal how farmer learning is mediated and expanded. The theory of practice/habitus also provided a useful theoretical lens with which to examine data generated. Using a two-phased, multiple embedded case study approach, the study worked within the broad framework of social learning. It used semi-structured individual and group interviews, observations and document analysis to explore learning processes and generate „mirror‟ data. This data was then used in Change Laboratory Workshops, within the Developmental Work Research methodology, where double stimulation and focus group discussions contributed to expanding learning processes. Drawing on critical realism the study used inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference to analyse data in each case study as well as across case studies. The findings of the study reveal that farmer learning is influenced by both intrinsic motives, such as identity, and extrinsic motives which are primarily associated with economic, ecological and health benefits. Farmers learn through scaffolding and mediating tools that link everyday and scientific knowledge. They also learn from fellow farmers through observation, practising and experimentation. Some of the issues that were raised in connection with farmer learning processes are: language; time to learn, practice and appropriate concepts; time to improve the natural resource base while at the same time improving income generation; and responses to climate change. The study also found that farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture in the case studies investigated, is influenced by past and current agricultural and educational policies; societal values and attitudes; social and cultural backgrounds; work affordances and gender relations; quality of training offered; poverty; and, HIV and AIDS. In the second phase of the study, which built on the problematic situations being encountered by research participants (sustainable agriculture farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, extension workers, and organic marketers) to surface contradictions, the main finding was that the expansive learning process has potential to enhance farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. It does this by mobilising distributed cognition among participants as well as their preparedness to act. Through the expansive learning processes in each case study, research participants were able to question their practices, surface contradictions, model solutions and implement them, and thus build individual, collective and relational agency reflexively. Observation of this required micro-analysis of agentive talk and reflective talk. The study contributes in-depth insight into participatory research and learning processes, especially within the context of people-centred learning and innovation in the agricultural development arena. It provides empirical and explanatory insight into how change oriented social learning can emerge and be expanded in Education for Sustainable Development, explaining learning and change relationships in three sustainable agricultural practices. It also provides learning and extension tools to work with contradictions that arise from intentionality, experience, context and history in farming and training activity systems. Its key contribution lies in providing in-depth insight into mobilisation of human agency and reflexivity in change oriented sustainable agriculture learning and development, processes that are critical for responding to contemporary socio-ecological issues and risks.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern Sustainable development -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern Permaculture -- Zimbabwe Organic farming -- South Africa Farmers -- Social conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Economic conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Training of -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003421
- Description: The focus of this study is to explore and expand farmer learning processes in sustainable agriculture workplace contexts. It examines change oriented learning processes in the context of three sustainable agriculture practices. The study begins by discussing the history and emergence of environmental discourses and approaches; sustainable agriculture; and the histories of three kinds of sustainable agriculture practices: Permaculture, Organic Farming and Machobane Farming System. It also traces the evolution of agricultural extension approaches within the wider context of education for sustainable development. The main focus of the study is an exploration of how farmer learning can be mediated through an expansive learning process. The study methodology surfaces some of the contradictions in sustainable agriculture and learning activity systems that farmers encounter in learning and practising sustainable agriculture. It uses these contradictions as sources of expansive learning in and between the respective activity systems of farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, agricultural extension workers (conventional) and organic entrepreneurs. As shown in the study, the expansive learning processes result in the modelling, implementation and reviewing of solutions to contradictions being faced in the learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. The study also proposes a number of tools that can be adapted and used by development farmers and agricultural trainers to examine and expand learning as well as build farmer agency. The study was conducted in three case study sites in Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe the study is located in Hwedza district in the St Margaret Primary School and community that learn, practise and facilitate the learning of Permaculture within the Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE). The second study site is in South Africa: Durban urban and peri-urban areas where a community of organic farmers, facilitators and entrepreneurs coordinate the marketing of their produce through Isidore Farm and Earth Mother Organic and support each other to learn and practise organic farming. The third study site is based in the Mafeteng and Mohale‟s Hoek districts of Lesotho where the focus was on farmers who learn and practise the Machobane Farming System (MFS) and are supported in this by the Rural Self Development Association (RSDA) and the Machobane Agricultural Development Foundation (MADF). Drawing on three sensitising concepts of dialectics, reflexivity and agency, the study worked with Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) underpinned by critical realism to reveal how farmer learning is mediated and expanded. The theory of practice/habitus also provided a useful theoretical lens with which to examine data generated. Using a two-phased, multiple embedded case study approach, the study worked within the broad framework of social learning. It used semi-structured individual and group interviews, observations and document analysis to explore learning processes and generate „mirror‟ data. This data was then used in Change Laboratory Workshops, within the Developmental Work Research methodology, where double stimulation and focus group discussions contributed to expanding learning processes. Drawing on critical realism the study used inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference to analyse data in each case study as well as across case studies. The findings of the study reveal that farmer learning is influenced by both intrinsic motives, such as identity, and extrinsic motives which are primarily associated with economic, ecological and health benefits. Farmers learn through scaffolding and mediating tools that link everyday and scientific knowledge. They also learn from fellow farmers through observation, practising and experimentation. Some of the issues that were raised in connection with farmer learning processes are: language; time to learn, practice and appropriate concepts; time to improve the natural resource base while at the same time improving income generation; and responses to climate change. The study also found that farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture in the case studies investigated, is influenced by past and current agricultural and educational policies; societal values and attitudes; social and cultural backgrounds; work affordances and gender relations; quality of training offered; poverty; and, HIV and AIDS. In the second phase of the study, which built on the problematic situations being encountered by research participants (sustainable agriculture farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, extension workers, and organic marketers) to surface contradictions, the main finding was that the expansive learning process has potential to enhance farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. It does this by mobilising distributed cognition among participants as well as their preparedness to act. Through the expansive learning processes in each case study, research participants were able to question their practices, surface contradictions, model solutions and implement them, and thus build individual, collective and relational agency reflexively. Observation of this required micro-analysis of agentive talk and reflective talk. The study contributes in-depth insight into participatory research and learning processes, especially within the context of people-centred learning and innovation in the agricultural development arena. It provides empirical and explanatory insight into how change oriented social learning can emerge and be expanded in Education for Sustainable Development, explaining learning and change relationships in three sustainable agricultural practices. It also provides learning and extension tools to work with contradictions that arise from intentionality, experience, context and history in farming and training activity systems. Its key contribution lies in providing in-depth insight into mobilisation of human agency and reflexivity in change oriented sustainable agriculture learning and development, processes that are critical for responding to contemporary socio-ecological issues and risks.
- Full Text:
Extending Java’s communication mechanisms for multicore processors
- Authors: Wells, George C
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430526 , vital:72697 , https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1type=pdfdoi=4068ed60c317e81dc70288cf36ff586dc057233f
- Description: With the current trend towards the increased use of multicore proces-sors, there is a growing need for simple, efficient parallel programming mechanisms. While Java has good support for multithreaded and dis-tributed application development, our research into tuple-space systems for multicore processors highlighted a gap in the concurrency facilities available in Java. This arises in the context of independent applications (running in separate virtual machines) that need to synchronise their ac-tivities or communicate with each other. There are several possible solu-tions to this problem, ranging from extensions to the language and/or runtime environment through to the use of distributed programming methods. Using the latter introduces considerable performance over-heads, and so we explored the use of the Java Native Interface in order to take advantage of the interprocess communication (IPC) facilities pro-vided by the underlying operating system. The analysis and comparison of the performance of the standard approaches and our prototype library suggest that there are real benefits to be gained by alternative ap-proaches to the provision of IPC mechanisms for independent Java programs executing on multicore systems. We hope that these findings will spur further investigation of this problem and other possible solu-tions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wells, George C
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430526 , vital:72697 , https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1type=pdfdoi=4068ed60c317e81dc70288cf36ff586dc057233f
- Description: With the current trend towards the increased use of multicore proces-sors, there is a growing need for simple, efficient parallel programming mechanisms. While Java has good support for multithreaded and dis-tributed application development, our research into tuple-space systems for multicore processors highlighted a gap in the concurrency facilities available in Java. This arises in the context of independent applications (running in separate virtual machines) that need to synchronise their ac-tivities or communicate with each other. There are several possible solu-tions to this problem, ranging from extensions to the language and/or runtime environment through to the use of distributed programming methods. Using the latter introduces considerable performance over-heads, and so we explored the use of the Java Native Interface in order to take advantage of the interprocess communication (IPC) facilities pro-vided by the underlying operating system. The analysis and comparison of the performance of the standard approaches and our prototype library suggest that there are real benefits to be gained by alternative ap-proaches to the provision of IPC mechanisms for independent Java programs executing on multicore systems. We hope that these findings will spur further investigation of this problem and other possible solu-tions.
- Full Text:
Fabrication and characterization of single walled carbon nanotubes-iron phthalocyanine nano-composite
- Akinbulu, Isaac A, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Akinbulu, Isaac A , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/262622 , vital:53537 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C0NJ00395F"
- Description: Nano-composite of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and iron phthalocyanine, peripherally tetra-substituted with diethylaminoethanethiol (complex 2), was fabricated and characterized by infra red (IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM technique gave a convincing image of the nano-composite. Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) film of the composite (SWCNT-2-SAM) was formed on gold electrode. Its surface properties were investigated, relative to that of 2-SAM film, by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry, using [Fe(CN)6]3− as redox probe, were used to investigate the dynamics of electron transport in the SWCNT-2-SAM film. Lower charge transfer resistance, RCT, of the SWCNT-2-SAM modified Au electrode, relative to that of the 2-SAM modified Au electrode, was an indication of enhanced electron transport in the presence of SWCNT. The SAM film of the nano-composite showed better electrocatalytic behaviour, relative to that of 2-SAM film, towards the oxidation of the insecticide, carbofuran. The electrode (SWCNT-2-SAM) showed good selectivity for carbofuran, in the presence of diazinon (a non-electroactive interferent) and at lower concentration of the electroactive interferents (chlorpyrifos and dichlorfos).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Akinbulu, Isaac A , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/262622 , vital:53537 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C0NJ00395F"
- Description: Nano-composite of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and iron phthalocyanine, peripherally tetra-substituted with diethylaminoethanethiol (complex 2), was fabricated and characterized by infra red (IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM technique gave a convincing image of the nano-composite. Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) film of the composite (SWCNT-2-SAM) was formed on gold electrode. Its surface properties were investigated, relative to that of 2-SAM film, by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry, using [Fe(CN)6]3− as redox probe, were used to investigate the dynamics of electron transport in the SWCNT-2-SAM film. Lower charge transfer resistance, RCT, of the SWCNT-2-SAM modified Au electrode, relative to that of the 2-SAM modified Au electrode, was an indication of enhanced electron transport in the presence of SWCNT. The SAM film of the nano-composite showed better electrocatalytic behaviour, relative to that of 2-SAM film, towards the oxidation of the insecticide, carbofuran. The electrode (SWCNT-2-SAM) showed good selectivity for carbofuran, in the presence of diazinon (a non-electroactive interferent) and at lower concentration of the electroactive interferents (chlorpyrifos and dichlorfos).
- Full Text:
Facile electrocatalytic oxidation of diuron on polymerized nickel hydroxo tetraamino-phthalocyanine modified glassy carbon electrodes
- Mugadza, Tawanda, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mugadza, Tawanda , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/261269 , vital:53379 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2010.02.037"
- Description: The facile electro-oxidation of diuron occurred at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with polymerized nickel tetraamino-phthalocyanine (NiTAPc), containing O–Ni–O bridges represented as poly-Ni(OH)TAPc-GCE. The oxidation of diuron occurred at a potential which is 60 mV less than that of poly-NiTAPc (without O–Ni–O bridges) and was accompanied by enhanced catalytic currents. The catalytic rate constant and the diffusion constant were found to be 5.91 × 102 mol−1 L s−1 and 6.43 × 10−6 cm2 s−1, respectively. The linear concentration range of diuron was 3.0 × 10−5 to 3.5 × 10−4 mol L−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.3 × 10−7 mol L−1 (3δ notation) and a sensitivity of 12.9 A mol−1 L cm−2.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mugadza, Tawanda , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/261269 , vital:53379 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2010.02.037"
- Description: The facile electro-oxidation of diuron occurred at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with polymerized nickel tetraamino-phthalocyanine (NiTAPc), containing O–Ni–O bridges represented as poly-Ni(OH)TAPc-GCE. The oxidation of diuron occurred at a potential which is 60 mV less than that of poly-NiTAPc (without O–Ni–O bridges) and was accompanied by enhanced catalytic currents. The catalytic rate constant and the diffusion constant were found to be 5.91 × 102 mol−1 L s−1 and 6.43 × 10−6 cm2 s−1, respectively. The linear concentration range of diuron was 3.0 × 10−5 to 3.5 × 10−4 mol L−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.3 × 10−7 mol L−1 (3δ notation) and a sensitivity of 12.9 A mol−1 L cm−2.
- Full Text:
Factors affecting recapture rates of raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus tagged off the east coast of South Africa
- Dicken, Matthew L, Booth, Anthony J, Smale, Malcolm J
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
Family ploceidae (weavers)
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465592 , vital:76623 , ISBN 978-84-96553-68-2
- Description: Volume 15 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World covers 606 species across eight families, including weavers, waxbills, vireos, finches, and New World warblers. The volume features a Foreword on bird conservation by BirdLife International experts and contains 60 color plates, 495 photographs, 614 distribution maps, and over 6,000 bibliographical references.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465592 , vital:76623 , ISBN 978-84-96553-68-2
- Description: Volume 15 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World covers 606 species across eight families, including weavers, waxbills, vireos, finches, and New World warblers. The volume features a Foreword on bird conservation by BirdLife International experts and contains 60 color plates, 495 photographs, 614 distribution maps, and over 6,000 bibliographical references.
- Full Text:
Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany District, 1957-2008
- Authors: Roberts, Tamaryn Jean
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Agricultural laborers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural wages -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural laborers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Agricultural laborers -- Protection -- South Africa , Agricultural laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour economics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002712
- Description: Agriculture is a major employer of labour in South Africa with about 8.8% of the total labour force directly involved in agricultural production (StatsSA, 2007a). Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany district were researched in 1957 by Roberts (1958) and 1977 by Antrobus (1984). Research in 2008, involving face-to-face interviews of a sample survey of 40 Albany farmers, was undertaken to update the situation facing farm labourers and allowed for comparisons with the work previously done. Farm workers were governed by common law until 1994 when the government intervened with legislation. The introduction of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997) for farm workers, amended in 2002 to include minimum wage legislation, and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) of 1997 impacted the supply and demand of farm workers. Other impacts have been due to the Albany district experiencing an increase in the establishment of Private Game Reserves and game-tourism with a simultaneous decline in conventional farming. It was concluded from the survey conducted that minimum wage legislation decreased the demand for regular and increased the demand for casual labour, which incur lower costs including transaction costs, than their regular counterparts. The ESTA of 1997 contributed to a decreased number of farm residents, which had spin-off affects on the supply of labour. Farmers experienced a simultaneous price-cost squeeze, which furthermore decreased the demand for labour. Studying the working and living conditions showed that farm workers had limited access to educational and recreational facilities which negatively impacted the supply of labour.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Roberts, Tamaryn Jean
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Agricultural laborers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural wages -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural laborers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Agricultural laborers -- Protection -- South Africa , Agricultural laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour economics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002712
- Description: Agriculture is a major employer of labour in South Africa with about 8.8% of the total labour force directly involved in agricultural production (StatsSA, 2007a). Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany district were researched in 1957 by Roberts (1958) and 1977 by Antrobus (1984). Research in 2008, involving face-to-face interviews of a sample survey of 40 Albany farmers, was undertaken to update the situation facing farm labourers and allowed for comparisons with the work previously done. Farm workers were governed by common law until 1994 when the government intervened with legislation. The introduction of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997) for farm workers, amended in 2002 to include minimum wage legislation, and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) of 1997 impacted the supply and demand of farm workers. Other impacts have been due to the Albany district experiencing an increase in the establishment of Private Game Reserves and game-tourism with a simultaneous decline in conventional farming. It was concluded from the survey conducted that minimum wage legislation decreased the demand for regular and increased the demand for casual labour, which incur lower costs including transaction costs, than their regular counterparts. The ESTA of 1997 contributed to a decreased number of farm residents, which had spin-off affects on the supply of labour. Farmers experienced a simultaneous price-cost squeeze, which furthermore decreased the demand for labour. Studying the working and living conditions showed that farm workers had limited access to educational and recreational facilities which negatively impacted the supply of labour.
- Full Text:
Fashionably ethnic
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/229567 , vital:49688 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1013929X.2010.9678333"
- Description: This essay highlights a shift in South African literature towards ideals of individualism and explores some of the paradoxes inherent in the competing claims of individuality and heritage. The characters created by Greig Coetzee in Happy Natives are examined as examples of identities constructed in terms of tradition, function and indoctrination. The comic potential of these incongruent identity constructions is then elaborated by means of Henri Bergson’s description of the humour arising from an inability to adapt to changing fashions. Ultimately, appeals towards tradition and individuality begin to look like similar proposals.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/229567 , vital:49688 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1013929X.2010.9678333"
- Description: This essay highlights a shift in South African literature towards ideals of individualism and explores some of the paradoxes inherent in the competing claims of individuality and heritage. The characters created by Greig Coetzee in Happy Natives are examined as examples of identities constructed in terms of tradition, function and indoctrination. The comic potential of these incongruent identity constructions is then elaborated by means of Henri Bergson’s description of the humour arising from an inability to adapt to changing fashions. Ultimately, appeals towards tradition and individuality begin to look like similar proposals.
- Full Text:
Firming up the foundations: reflections on verifying the quotations in a historical dictionary, with reference to "A Dictionary of South African English on Historical Principles"
- Authors: Hicks, Sheila
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7012 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013240
- Description: A Dictionary of South African English on Historical Principles (DSAEHist) is rooted in quotation evidence. It contains just over 8 000 South African English entries, with about 45 000 citations to support those words included as headwords in the dictionary. Using the legacy electronic format in which DSAEHist was typeset, the Dictionary Unit for South African English embarked on a digitising process of DSAEHist, during which it became clear that the quotations would benefit from a full review involving the verification of all quotations against their original sources. This article examines the evolution of the quotation verification project from its beginnings as an entirely manual exercise to its current use of software developed for the purpose. Some of the project’s achievements, such as antedatings and primary source identification, are highlighted, and challenges, such as unverifiable quotations and sometimes highly convoluted research paths, are described. In addition to this, the article looks at the necessarily systematic nature of quotation handling and the main types of considerations determining methodology (for example, lexicographic, bibliographic and typographic requirements).
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- Authors: Hicks, Sheila
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7012 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013240
- Description: A Dictionary of South African English on Historical Principles (DSAEHist) is rooted in quotation evidence. It contains just over 8 000 South African English entries, with about 45 000 citations to support those words included as headwords in the dictionary. Using the legacy electronic format in which DSAEHist was typeset, the Dictionary Unit for South African English embarked on a digitising process of DSAEHist, during which it became clear that the quotations would benefit from a full review involving the verification of all quotations against their original sources. This article examines the evolution of the quotation verification project from its beginnings as an entirely manual exercise to its current use of software developed for the purpose. Some of the project’s achievements, such as antedatings and primary source identification, are highlighted, and challenges, such as unverifiable quotations and sometimes highly convoluted research paths, are described. In addition to this, the article looks at the necessarily systematic nature of quotation handling and the main types of considerations determining methodology (for example, lexicographic, bibliographic and typographic requirements).
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First oceanographic survey of the entire continental shelf adjacent to the northern Agulhas Current
- Lutjeharms, Johan R E, Durgadoo, Jonathan V, Schapira, Mathilde, McQuaid, Christopher D
- Authors: Lutjeharms, Johan R E , Durgadoo, Jonathan V , Schapira, Mathilde , McQuaid, Christopher D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011499 , http://www.sajs.co.za/index.php/SAJS/article/view/410
- Description: [from introduction] The Agulhas Current is by far the largest western boundary current of the southern hemisphere1 and carries about 70 × 106 m3/s of seawater past the eastern shores of South Africa.2 Being more than 2000 m deep, it follows the continental shelf edge quite closely. Its northern part, all the way downstream to Algoa Bay, has a very stable trajectory whereas the southern part meanders widely to either side of a mean geographical location,3 in the process creating shear edge eddies and attendant plumes of warm surface water over the shelf.4 However, the direct influence of the Agulhas Current on the waters and ecosystems of the adjacent shelf of South Africa remains largely unknown.
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- Authors: Lutjeharms, Johan R E , Durgadoo, Jonathan V , Schapira, Mathilde , McQuaid, Christopher D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011499 , http://www.sajs.co.za/index.php/SAJS/article/view/410
- Description: [from introduction] The Agulhas Current is by far the largest western boundary current of the southern hemisphere1 and carries about 70 × 106 m3/s of seawater past the eastern shores of South Africa.2 Being more than 2000 m deep, it follows the continental shelf edge quite closely. Its northern part, all the way downstream to Algoa Bay, has a very stable trajectory whereas the southern part meanders widely to either side of a mean geographical location,3 in the process creating shear edge eddies and attendant plumes of warm surface water over the shelf.4 However, the direct influence of the Agulhas Current on the waters and ecosystems of the adjacent shelf of South Africa remains largely unknown.
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Fluorescence quenching and energy transfer in conjugates of quantum dots with zinc and indium tetraamino phthalocyanines
- Britton, Jonathan, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Britton, Jonathan , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/262638 , vital:53539 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2009.12.013"
- Description: CdTe QDs capped with mercapto propionic acid (MPA) and thioglycolic acid (TGA) were covalently linked to zinc and indium tetraaminophthalocyanines (TAPcs) using N-ethyl-N(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) as the coupling agents. The results presented give evidence in favour of formation of an amide bond between the MTAPc and CdTe QDs. Both the linked ZnTAPc–QD complexes and the mixture of QDs and ZnTAPc (without chemical linking) showed Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), whereas the QD interactions with InTAPc yielded no evidence of FRET. Both MTAPcs quenched the QDs emission, with quenching constants of the order of 103–104 M−1. High energy transfer efficiencies were obtained in some cases (as high as 93%), due to the low donor to acceptor distances.
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- Authors: Britton, Jonathan , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/262638 , vital:53539 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2009.12.013"
- Description: CdTe QDs capped with mercapto propionic acid (MPA) and thioglycolic acid (TGA) were covalently linked to zinc and indium tetraaminophthalocyanines (TAPcs) using N-ethyl-N(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) as the coupling agents. The results presented give evidence in favour of formation of an amide bond between the MTAPc and CdTe QDs. Both the linked ZnTAPc–QD complexes and the mixture of QDs and ZnTAPc (without chemical linking) showed Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), whereas the QD interactions with InTAPc yielded no evidence of FRET. Both MTAPcs quenched the QDs emission, with quenching constants of the order of 103–104 M−1. High energy transfer efficiencies were obtained in some cases (as high as 93%), due to the low donor to acceptor distances.
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Foreign direct investment in the agriculture sector of South Africa: do GDP and exports determine locational inflows?
- Dlamini, Thula S, Fraser, Gavin C G
- Authors: Dlamini, Thula S , Fraser, Gavin C G
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/473130 , vital:77609 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC21499
- Description: This study investigates the causal link between agricultural foreign direct investment (FDI), agricultural exports, and agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa for the period 1994 - 2006. The central goal of this paper is to answer the question of whether there exists any complementary relationships or not between the two sets of variables. The paper utilizes the Granger causality method and the error correction method (ECM), in a bivariate setting. The results show that while there is a bi-directional causality from FDI to exports, there is only one-way causality from GDP to FDI. Rather than FDI stimulating agricultural productivity, agricultural productivity stimulates FDI. Thus, an increase in agricultural productivity is envisaged to yield increased FDI in the agricultural sector of South Africa.
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- Authors: Dlamini, Thula S , Fraser, Gavin C G
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/473130 , vital:77609 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC21499
- Description: This study investigates the causal link between agricultural foreign direct investment (FDI), agricultural exports, and agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa for the period 1994 - 2006. The central goal of this paper is to answer the question of whether there exists any complementary relationships or not between the two sets of variables. The paper utilizes the Granger causality method and the error correction method (ECM), in a bivariate setting. The results show that while there is a bi-directional causality from FDI to exports, there is only one-way causality from GDP to FDI. Rather than FDI stimulating agricultural productivity, agricultural productivity stimulates FDI. Thus, an increase in agricultural productivity is envisaged to yield increased FDI in the agricultural sector of South Africa.
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Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations. 2nd Edition, J.H. Byrd and J.L. Castner (Eds.): book review
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451705 , vital:75071 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32854
- Description: In the last century, the primary texts on forensic entomology were those by Smith (1986) for reference, and Catts and Haskell (1990) for teaching and training. Between their publication and that of the first edition of Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations (Byrd and Castner 2000), about 16 research papers relevant to forensic entomology appeared each year; since then it has been over 40, and several more books (Greenberg and Kunish 2002; Wyss and Cherix 2006; Gennard 2007; Amendt et al. 2010) have appeared. With so much research accumulating, it was certainly time for an updated edition.
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- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451705 , vital:75071 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32854
- Description: In the last century, the primary texts on forensic entomology were those by Smith (1986) for reference, and Catts and Haskell (1990) for teaching and training. Between their publication and that of the first edition of Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations (Byrd and Castner 2000), about 16 research papers relevant to forensic entomology appeared each year; since then it has been over 40, and several more books (Greenberg and Kunish 2002; Wyss and Cherix 2006; Gennard 2007; Amendt et al. 2010) have appeared. With so much research accumulating, it was certainly time for an updated edition.
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