Beta decay of 100/400 Zr produced in neutron-induced fission of natural uranium
- Authors: Kamoto, Thokozani
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3024 , vital:20353
- Description: Fission fragments, produced by neutron bombardment of natural uranium at the Physics Department, Jyväskylä, Finland, are studied in this work. The data had been sorted into 25 Y — y coincidence matrices which were then analysed. In this work we aimed to identify the fission products using Y-Y coincidence analysis and then study the beta-decay of some of the fission products. Sixteen fission products ranging from A = 94 to A = 136 were identified. Out of these fission products beta decay of the A = 100 (100/40 Zr – 100/41 Nb – 100/42 Mo) chain was studied in greater detail. We have also studied the variation of the relative intensities as a function of time of the 159-, 528-, 600-, 768-, 928- and 1502-keV Y-rav lines in 100/42 Mo and the profiles of the relative intensities have been modelled with the variation of the activity of 100/41 Nb against time. Configuration assignments of 100 Zr and 100/42 Mo are discussed.
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An evaluation of resistance to change of the East London industrial development zone (ELIDZ) structural realignment
- Authors: Moonieya, Vernon Craig
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Organizational change -- Management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Communication in management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013303
- Description: From Integrative Summary: This research paper comprises of three sections that include: an evaluation report, a literature review and the research methodology. The first section assesses the management of resistance to change as encountered during the ELIDZ structural re-alignment initiative. The assessment was done after the change initiative had been implemented to see what could be learnt from the exercise, in order to be better prepared for future change programmes. The implemented change was initiated by the CEO of the ELIDZ but its criticality in terms of purpose, or the need for the change was unclear to many employees at the time of initiation. An examination of the literature on change management highlighted the importance of managing resistance to change as part of a change initiative, so as to ensure a successful transition. The review of the literature on management of resistance to change in section 2 of this paper examines the definition of management of resistance to change and in particular, covers key factors like change readiness, participation in change and change communication. These key concepts underpin effective management of resistance during change. The literature on management of resistance to change with respect to the role of change readiness, participation in change and change communication was used to develop a questionnaire that was used to assess the ELIDZ change initiative. The questionnaire was developed in a Likert Scale format with questions across the spectrum of change readiness, change participation and change communication. Section 3 of this paper describes how the quantitative research was provided to the population sample of employees from the ELIDZ where the questions on change readiness, change participation and change communication was used to assess the effectiveness of management of resistance to change during the ELIDZ change initiative. In addition section 3 provides an explanation of how the results of the research were derived. The results on change readiness suggest that the ELIDZ change initiative did not address change readiness adequately. There is therefore a risk of resistance to change that could manifest. This also indicates that change readiness must be planned more thoroughly in future change endeavours. Most of the population sampled did not feel that they participated in the change initiative, suggesting that the ELIDZ did not address participation in the change initiative adequately. Not enabling employees to actively participate in the change is tantamount to decreasing the potential for acceptance of change and increasing the risk of resistance to change. In order to ensure that future change initiatives are not met with employee resistance to change, the ELIDZ should plan for employee participation throughout the change process. The extent to which change communication was addressed in the ELIDZ change initiative was demonstrated by very poor results. The results from the population sampled suggest that the change was not well communicated to employees. As change communication is known to reduce the potential for resistance to change, it is imperative for the ELIDZ to plan for comprehensive communication strategies to cover the change process for future change action.
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The lived experiences of HIV-positive women in poverty
- Authors: Msengana, Sweetlener Thobeka
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: HIV-positive women -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poor -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Stigma (Social psychology) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013269
- Description: The focus of this study was on the experiences of a small sample of local women who are HIVpositive and are living in poverty. The researcher was interested in exploring the psychological and social experiences of these women using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. This research aimed at giving these women a voice to express their first-hand, personal accounts of living with HIV in poverty. Data was analysed for meaningful units, which were interpreted inductively and hermeneutically, and categorised into super-ordinate themes. Six themes within the participants' experiences of living with HIV were determined, namely: (I) experiences of diagnosis, (2) disclosure experiences, (3) stigma, (4) ARV experiences, (5) experiences of social support and (6) poverty. This research found that after an HIV-positive diagnosis, most women experience a variety of emotional reactions. These reactions however seem to change overtime into positive acceptance of the HIV diagnosis. Most of the women in this study preferred to use partial disclosure than to fully disclose their HJV-positive status openly to families, friends and to their community. Reasons for not using full disclosure included fear of discrimination and stigma, which included a fear of being rejected or being blamed for their status and a fear of losing relationships. It was also evident from the findings that most of the women had experienced stigma directly and therefore partial disclosure was used as a coping mechanism to protect the self from further harm. It was also revealed that stigma not only has a negative impact on disclosure but also on social support and ARV experiences. Because ofHIV-related stigma, lack of social support was a struggle that almost all the women in this study had experienced. Lack of understandings about their medication also had a negative impact of the ARV experiences. Stigmas along with poverty are the major struggles that HIV -positive women have to deal with in their day to day living. The findings of this study reveal a need for further research in this experiential area as well as campaigns and education around issues such as stigma, medication, and emotional difficulties associated with HIV.
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The ecology and conservation of Mackinder's eagle owls (Bubo capensis mackinderi) in central Kenya in relation to agricultural land-use and cultural attitudes
- Authors: Ogada, Darcy L
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cape eagle owl -- Kenya Cape eagle owl -- Habitat -- Kenya Cape eagle owl -- Breeding -- Kenya Cape eagle owl -- Nutrition -- Kenya Bubo -- Kenya Wildlife conservation -- Kenya Biodiversity conservation -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005353
- Description: The loss of habitat to agriculture is a worldwide problem for biodiversity conservation. One species that has seemingly been able to adapt to the conversion of forests to farmlands is Mackinder’s eagle owl (Bubo capensis mackinderi), which inhabits highland areas, but little is known of its ecology, especially outside of protected areas. This study examined the impact of agricultural practices and farmer’s attitudes on the foraging and population ecology of the Mackinder’s eagle owl in central Kenya. Owl territories were monitored monthly from June 2004- October 2006 for signs of occupancy, breeding activity, mortality and to collect data on food resources. Nest site characteristics were measured for all known nests. Because previous studies showed an affinity for rodents, small mammals were trapped monthly using mark-recapture methodology. In each territory, the type and amount of farm crops were measured each month and farmers were interviewed about their knowledge and beliefs about owls. Mackinder’s eagle owls in central Kenya lived at extremely high density 0.87 owl pairs/km². This density was high compared to other populations of Mackinder’s eagle owl and to Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) populations in Europe. Breeding success was 48% over three years and this compared well with other species of eagle owl inhabiting human-disturbed areas. All nests and roosts were located in river valleys, and all successful nest sites were located on cliffs or other inaccessible rocky terrain. Nest sites were located adjacent to farms, which provided for both open hunting and an abundance of prey. Breeding activity was concentrated after the rainy seasons and this was likely linked to prey availability after the rains. Agricultural activities generally had a positive effect on rodent populations. Small mammal trapping results revealed that rodents were over 14 times more abundant in farms than in adjacent grassland habitat. This population of Mackinder’s eagle owl had a very catholic diet and consumed mostly mammalian prey species including hares, giant rats, root rats, grooved-tooth rats and small rodents. Small rodents accounted for almost half of the owls’ diet and when their numbers increased, owls responded by consuming more of them, indicating the importance of farming activities to this population of owls. Other populations of eagle owl inhabiting human-disturbed areas had diet widths positively related to levels of habitat disturbance. This result supported optimal foraging theory that more productive environments have predators with more specialized diets, while patchy environments have generalist predators. The ecology of this population of Mackinder’s eagle owls was heavily influenced by human agricultural activities, which generally had a positive effect on their population. Farming activities changed rapidly both within and between seasons as plots were small and neighbouring farmers planted various crops at different times of the year and this was enhanced by irrigation in some areas. Year-round availability of forage within farms had a positive effect on owl prey species, some of which increased relative to the type and amount of crops found in farms. However, 57% of owl injuries and mortalities that occurred were related either directly or indirectly to human activities. Cultural prejudices against owls remain the biggest threat to this population’s long-term persistence. Farmer education was shown to play a significant role in overcoming negative beliefs about owls. Because Mackinder’s eagle owls are highly adaptable to anthropomorphic landscape changes, largely due to their adaptability as food generalists, they are one of the few top predators remaining in this highly disturbed agricultural system. However, populations within agricultural areas remain especially vulnerable to negative human attitudes towards owls due to their close association with human activities.
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A comparison of depressed and non-depressed mothers' speech to two-month old infants in a South African peri-urban settlement
- Authors: Gulle, Gillian Julie
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Postpartum depression Postpartum depression -- South Africa Mother and infant Mother and infant -- South Africa Speech perception in infants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3172 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007801
- Description: Research shows that maternal depression has adverse effects on mother-infant attachment and subsequent infant development (Cogill, Caplan, Alexandra, Robson & Kumar, 1986). The mechanisms through which this comes about are unclear. Murray & Cooper (1997) suggest an impaired pattern of mother-infant communication is responsible. Within this, Murray proposes that maternal speech may be a key factor. This study constitutes a preliminary exploration into the mechanisms through which maternal depression effects mother-infant interaction in South Africa. 147 predominantly Xhosa-speaking mother-infant dyads that took part in a broader epidemiological study on post-partum depression in Khayelitsha (Cooper, Tomlinson, Swartz, Woolgar, Murray & Molteno, 1999) made up the subjects. Maternal depression was assessed according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSMIV (SCID). Maternal speech recorded from standard, five-minute, face-to -face mother-infant interactions was translated and analysed according to a coding system developed by Murray (Murray, Kempton, Woolgar & Hooper, 1993). The speech of depressed mothers to their two month old infants was compared to the speech of non-depressed mothers on dimensions of focus, affect and agency, and the role of infant gender was assessed. Results revealed no significant group differences for depression. Maternal speech to male infants was found to hold significantly less ascription of agency than to female infants. Findings suggest that maternal speech may be too narrow a marker of maternal depression in this context and that broader indices are needed. It is recommended that future research control for measures of social adversity, factor in cultural and language particularities, and consider contextual aspects of mother-infant interaction / attachment processes, in investigating the mechanisms through which post-partum depression leads to negative infant outcome in the developing world.
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Observations of selective feeding of the aphid, Sitobion yakini (eastop) on leaf blades of barley (Hordeum vulgare L)
- Authors: Matsiliza, Babalwa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Aphids , Phloem , Barley
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4212 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003781 , Aphids , Phloem , Barley
- Description: Penetration of leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants grown under normal conditions and those exposed to physiological stress, by the aphid, Sitobion yakini was investigated using light and electron microscope techniques. This was carried out to determine if there was evidence of preferential feeding on either thin- or thick-walled sieve tubes in the barley leaf. Under both stress and non-stress conditions, preliminary results of an electron microscope investigation showed that penetration of the epidermis and mesophyll was largely intercellular, becoming partly intercellular and in part intracellular inside the vascular bundle. A total of 317 stylets and stylet tracks were encountered during the examination of 2000 serial sections. In non-stressed plant material, 293 (92%) terminated in thin-walled sieve tubes and only 24 (8%) in thick-walled sieve tubes. Investigation of 1000 serial sections using stressed plant material showed, that 84 of 89 (94%) stylets and stylet tracks encountered terminated in thin-walled sieve tubes. Furthermore, 90 of 94 (96%) stylets and stylet tracks encountered in 1000 serial sections from the second experiment of control non-stressed plant material (control) terminated in thin-walled sieve tubes. The thin-walled sieve tubes were significantly more visited (probed) by the aphid than the thick-walled sieve tubes. Under stress conditions, 50 of 89 (56%) stylets and stylet tracks which terminated in thin-walled sieve tubes were associated with the small longitudinal bundles. Under normal conditions, 65 of 94 (69%) stylets and stylet tracks which terminated in thin-walled sieve tubes were associated with the small longitudinal bundles. There were no significant differences on the number of probes of sieve elements between the two treatments. These data suggest that the aphid S. yakini feeds preferentially on the thin-walled sieve tubes of the small longitudinal vascular bundles in plants grown under normal conditions and those exposed to physiological stress, such as water stress. This further suggests that the thin-walled sieve tubes in barley leaf blades are more attractive to the aphid and are probably most functional in terms of phloem loading and transport.
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A theology of spiritual direction for the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa
- Authors: Snyman, Kevin
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Spiritual direction , Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: vital:1301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016260
- Description: This essay is written in response to a lacuna that appears to exist within the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa with regard to the ancient and highly regarded ministry of spiritual direction. My primary assertion is that, in the light of what might be perceived of as a crisis of relevance in Presbyterian life and spiritual practice, spiritual direction offers one particular way of fostering an exciting and existentially relevant spirituality for the denomination. Through the hoped-for renewal brought about by direction, Presbyterians may well have something to say to a South Africa racked not only with violence and poverty, but also bored by an increasingly irrelevant Christianity. The essay traces that history of spiritual direction most apposite to Presbyterianism in South Africa. This includes an overview of aspects of the Celtic and African spiritual traditions with a view to finding any correspondence that would help to narrow the distance between the spirituality of its black and white members. It then asks questions about the character and tasks of directors. Highlighted is the task of fostering an awareness of God that is not purely ''heavenly minded", but is able to speak into the real issues facing Presbyterians today. The essay goes on to explore the relationship that should exist between director and directee, focussing for a moment on the direction necessary in the directee's prayer life. The essay comes full circle as it considers the implications of introducing direction more widely in this largely "directionless" denomination. As a microcosm of the country, divergent cultures are as much a reality in the P.C.S.A. as in the rest of South Africa. So respect for uniqueness and the practice of interpathy are encouraged as part of the familiarisation process. Throughout the essay, I attempt to show that spiritual direction is a means of allowing the directee to more clearly discern the voice of the Spirit, who constantly encourages the transcendence of self - viz. the breaking of and dying to old perceptions, habits and beliefs so that s/he might more fully enter into the mystery that one usually refers to as God.
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Aspects of brutality : anxious concepts in sculpture since 1950
- Authors: Lang, Graham Charles
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Sculpture, Modern -- 20th century Violence in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2484 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012724
- Description: It would be wrong to suggest that this essay is in any way a comprehensive study of brutal sculpture. Certainly not. There have been many deliberate omissions for reasons which become clear in the text. Very briefly, omissions of certain sculptors and their work are largely due to my wish to avoid repetitive ideas and images. My view in this essay is to provide a cross-section of ideas and works, whereby the reader might gain some insight into the varied nature of this kind of sculpture. Thus, there seemed very little need for endless similarities of concept and expression. It was the diversity which I felt was important. The chapter which discusses concepts of beauty is also not a comprehensive study. This subject demands more than a humble essay to do it any justice. However, my reasons for touching the vague and controversial outline of these concepts were, primarily, to suggest that notions of beauty as the sole criterion in the judgement of art are too limiting, and, consequently, to introduce the concept of vitalism, which I believe is more valid. Finally, I wish to mention the personal motive behind this work. Over the years, I have witnessed the emergence of brutal elements in my own work, which I found disturbing at times. I have never been able to answer satisfactorily the criticism I've received. All I knew was that these things came from a very deep source. It is with this in mind that I embarked on this project, hoping to achieve two things. Firstly, to provide an objective survey of an important development in art, and, secondly , to answer some of my criticism. Foreword, p. 1.
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South African art, the romantic principle and the Grahamstown group
- Authors: Clark, George Phillip Haven
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Art, South African , Art -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014638
- Description: The purpose of this essay is to examine the "rumblings in the belly of Leviathan from which we are able to diagnose his disease" (Comfort). Adopting a cyclical idea of art, it aims to point out that South African art has degenerated to a state where the much publicised so-called leaders of art are simply using charm techniques to woo the consent of a society whose metaphysics are derived from twentieth century collective materialism. The South African situation is examined, as is the Romantic principle underlying all genuine artistic activity. It is proposed that the cure lies in a reinstatement of this principle and in a readjustment of the concepts of reality and unreality. Finally, the Grahamstown Group is propounded as an embodiment of the Romantic principle with its implicit concept of artistic reality.
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The effect of perceptual skill of RFT scores : a cross-cultural study
- Authors: Marais, W F
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Witkin, Herman A , Personality , Personality and culture -- Cross-cultural studies , Cross-cultural studies , Perception
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3285 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012838
- Description: The increasing need to select individuals for tasks suited to their personality make-up, has added to the challenge psychology faces of developing tests which can be applied to subjects from different cultures and environments. Many attempts at such designs litter the history of industrial and cross- cultural personality research. Among those to have survived years of reassessment, is the cognitive style approach developed by Herman Witkin. Intro., p. 1.
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Geology of the Elisenheim area, Windhoek district, South West Africa, with special reference to the Matchless amphibolite belt
- Authors: Finnemore, S H
- Date: 1976
- Subjects: Matchless Copper Mine (Namibia) , Geology, Structural -- Namibia , Amphibolite -- Namibia , Geology -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011864
- Description: The Elisenheim area is situated just north of Windhoek within the Windhoek Formation of the Swakop Subgroup and is underlain by monotonous succession of semi-pelitic schists with intercalations of amphibolite, talc schist, graphitic schist and marble. Petrographic studies on units of the Matchless amphibolite which outcrop in the south of the property, have resulted in the recognition of three different types of amphibolite, namely, epidote amphibolite, porphyroblastic amphibolite and chlorite-amphibole schist. Amphibole porphyroblasts generally display patchy and zonal intergrowths of hornblende and actinolite which are indicative of non-equilibration during prograde metamorphism. Talc schists have been mapped in the north of the property. All lithotypes have undergone three phases of deformation (Fl, FZ, F3) which terminated with the faulting which underlies the Klein Windhoek, Dobra, Tigenschlücht and Kuruma rivers. Medium grade regional metamorphism accompanied F 1, F Z and F 3 and outlasted the latter. Mineral assemblages throughout the area are those of the amphibolite facies and P, T conditions prevailing during metamorphism are estimated to have been at least 5 kb at ~ 550° C. Petrochemical evidence indicates that the Matchless amphibolites are igneous in origin and genetically related to the ultrabasic talc schists. They are similar in composition to oceanic tholeiites and are thought to have been extruded subaqueously.
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