A study of South African computer users' password usage habits and attitude towards password security
- Authors: Friendman, Brandon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Computers -- Access control -- Passwords , Computer users -- Attitudes , Internet -- Access control , Internet -- Security measures , Internet -- Management , Data protection
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4700
- Description: The challenge of having to create and remember a secure password for each user account has become a problem for many computer users and can lead to bad password management practices. Simpler and less secure passwords are often selected and are regularly reused across multiple user accounts. Computer users within corporations and institutions are subject to password policies, policies which require users to create passwords of a specified length and composition and change passwords regularly. These policies often prevent users from reusing previous selected passwords. Security vendors and professionals have sought to improve or even replace password authentication. Technologies such as multi-factor authentication and single sign-on have been developed to complement or even replace password authentication. The objective of the study was to investigate the password habits of South African computer and internet users. The aim was to assess their attitudes toward password security, to determine whether password policies a↵ect the manner in which they manage their passwords and to investigate their exposure to alternate authentication technologies. The results from the online survey demonstrated that password practices of the participants across their professional and personal contexts were generally insecure. Participants often used shorter, simpler and ultimately less secure passwords. Participants would try to memorise all of their passwords or reuse the same password on most of their accounts. Many participants had not received any security awareness training, and additional security technologies (such as multi-factor authentication or password managers) were seldom used or provided to them. The password policies encountered by the participants in their organisations did little towards encouraging the users to apply more secure password practices. Users lack the knowledge and understanding about password security as they had received little or no training pertaining to it.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Friendman, Brandon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Computers -- Access control -- Passwords , Computer users -- Attitudes , Internet -- Access control , Internet -- Security measures , Internet -- Management , Data protection
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4700
- Description: The challenge of having to create and remember a secure password for each user account has become a problem for many computer users and can lead to bad password management practices. Simpler and less secure passwords are often selected and are regularly reused across multiple user accounts. Computer users within corporations and institutions are subject to password policies, policies which require users to create passwords of a specified length and composition and change passwords regularly. These policies often prevent users from reusing previous selected passwords. Security vendors and professionals have sought to improve or even replace password authentication. Technologies such as multi-factor authentication and single sign-on have been developed to complement or even replace password authentication. The objective of the study was to investigate the password habits of South African computer and internet users. The aim was to assess their attitudes toward password security, to determine whether password policies a↵ect the manner in which they manage their passwords and to investigate their exposure to alternate authentication technologies. The results from the online survey demonstrated that password practices of the participants across their professional and personal contexts were generally insecure. Participants often used shorter, simpler and ultimately less secure passwords. Participants would try to memorise all of their passwords or reuse the same password on most of their accounts. Many participants had not received any security awareness training, and additional security technologies (such as multi-factor authentication or password managers) were seldom used or provided to them. The password policies encountered by the participants in their organisations did little towards encouraging the users to apply more secure password practices. Users lack the knowledge and understanding about password security as they had received little or no training pertaining to it.
- Full Text:
A study of spherical solutions in chameleon scalar-tensor theories
- Authors: Mohapi, Neo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Scalar field theory , Equivalence principle (Physics) , General relativity (Physics) , Bosons , Dark energy (Astronomy) , Galactic dynamics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013315
- Description: The equivalence principle has proven to be central to theories of gravity, with General Relativity being the simplest and most elegant theory to embody the principle. Most alternative theories of gravity struggle to satisfy the principle and still be distinct from GR. Extensions of cosmological and quantum theories question the irrefutably of the equivalence at every scale. The possibility of an equivalence principle violation at galactic scales would be an exciting prospect. In this thesis, we will carefully examine the equivalence principle through the study of chameleon scalar-tensor theories, this will include solutions for hypothetical stars known as boson stars. Such theories find varied application, especially in cosmology, where they model dark energy and inflation. The AWE hypothesis, is an instance of this. It is a nonuniversally coupled model in which violations of the equivalence principle on galactic scales may be apparent. We investigate spherically symmetric and static solutions within the framework of this theory. The constraints obtained from galactic rotation curves results in values of the couplings that show no significant violation of the equivalence principle or values consistent with a theory of dark energy
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mohapi, Neo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Scalar field theory , Equivalence principle (Physics) , General relativity (Physics) , Bosons , Dark energy (Astronomy) , Galactic dynamics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013315
- Description: The equivalence principle has proven to be central to theories of gravity, with General Relativity being the simplest and most elegant theory to embody the principle. Most alternative theories of gravity struggle to satisfy the principle and still be distinct from GR. Extensions of cosmological and quantum theories question the irrefutably of the equivalence at every scale. The possibility of an equivalence principle violation at galactic scales would be an exciting prospect. In this thesis, we will carefully examine the equivalence principle through the study of chameleon scalar-tensor theories, this will include solutions for hypothetical stars known as boson stars. Such theories find varied application, especially in cosmology, where they model dark energy and inflation. The AWE hypothesis, is an instance of this. It is a nonuniversally coupled model in which violations of the equivalence principle on galactic scales may be apparent. We investigate spherically symmetric and static solutions within the framework of this theory. The constraints obtained from galactic rotation curves results in values of the couplings that show no significant violation of the equivalence principle or values consistent with a theory of dark energy
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A study of the Consumption Capital Asset Pricing Model's appilcability across four countries
- Spurway, Kayleigh Fay Nanette
- Authors: Spurway, Kayleigh Fay Nanette
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Econometric models , Capital assets pricing model , Investments , Econometric models -- Germany , Econometric models -- South Africa , Econometric models -- Great Britain , Econometric models -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013016
- Description: Historically, the Consumption Capital Asset Pricing Method (C-CAPM) has performed poorly in that estimated parameters are implausible, model restrictions are often rejected and inferences appear to be very sensitive to the choice of economic agents' preferences. In this study, we estimate and test the C-CAPM with Constant Relative Risk Aversion (CRRA) using time series data from Germany, South Africa, Britain and America during relatively short time periods with the latest available data sets. Hansen's GMM approach is applied to estimate the parameters arising from this model. In general, estimated parameters fall outside the bounds specified by Lund & Engsted (1996) and Cuthbertson & Nitzsche (2004), even though the models are not rejected by the J-test and are associated with relatively small minimum distances.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Spurway, Kayleigh Fay Nanette
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Econometric models , Capital assets pricing model , Investments , Econometric models -- Germany , Econometric models -- South Africa , Econometric models -- Great Britain , Econometric models -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013016
- Description: Historically, the Consumption Capital Asset Pricing Method (C-CAPM) has performed poorly in that estimated parameters are implausible, model restrictions are often rejected and inferences appear to be very sensitive to the choice of economic agents' preferences. In this study, we estimate and test the C-CAPM with Constant Relative Risk Aversion (CRRA) using time series data from Germany, South Africa, Britain and America during relatively short time periods with the latest available data sets. Hansen's GMM approach is applied to estimate the parameters arising from this model. In general, estimated parameters fall outside the bounds specified by Lund & Engsted (1996) and Cuthbertson & Nitzsche (2004), even though the models are not rejected by the J-test and are associated with relatively small minimum distances.
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A study on the application technology of the sterile insect technique, with focus on false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a pest of citrus in South Africa
- Authors: Nepgen, Eugene Stephan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Citrus -- Diseases and pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect sterilization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013199
- Description: False codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is considered the most important indigenous pest of citrus in southern Africa. Major concerns such as progressive insecticidal resistance, the negative impact of insecticides on the environment, as well as the influence of consumers opposed to chemical residues on fruit, created opportunities for biological control methods such as Sterile Insect Technology (SIT). This technology is now established in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa as an effective, sustainable alternative to conventional FCM control methods. Due to the prevalence of the pest in all citrus producing areas of South Africa, potential for SIT to expand is enormous. Success of an SIT programme is highly dependent on efficient application of the technology to achieve its objectives in a timeous manner. The aim of this study was to advance the application of SIT for control of FCM on citrus in South Africa, by investigating the effect of certain critical stages in the process. The effect of long-distance transportation on fitness of irradiated FCM was determined, showing reduced performance with cold-immobilized transport. A significant decrease in flight ability and longevity of irradiated FCM was found, although critically, realized fecundity was not affected. The effect of two different insecticides in the pyrethroid and organophosphate chemical groups were investigated for their residual effect on mortality of released irradiated FCM, to determine if these pest control programmes could be integrated. Both chlorpyrifos and tau-fluvalinate were effective in killing irradiated FCM for a number of days after application, after which degradation of the active ingredient rendered it harmless. This effect was found to be similar for irradiated and non-irradiated males, consequently ratios of sterile : wild male FCM should be retained regardless of whether sprays are applied or not. The modes for release of sterile FCM in an SIT programme were investigated. Efficacy of ground and aerial release platforms were tested by evaluating the recovery of released irradiated male FCM in these orchards. More irradiated FCM were recovered in orchards released from the ground compared to air. However, an economic analysis of both methods shows application of irradiated insects over a large geographical area is more cost-effective by air. Depending on the terrain and size of the target area, a combination of both methods is ideal for application of SIT for control of FCM in citrus. Development of application technology for advance of the programme is discussed and recommendations for future research and development are offered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nepgen, Eugene Stephan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Citrus -- Diseases and pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect sterilization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013199
- Description: False codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is considered the most important indigenous pest of citrus in southern Africa. Major concerns such as progressive insecticidal resistance, the negative impact of insecticides on the environment, as well as the influence of consumers opposed to chemical residues on fruit, created opportunities for biological control methods such as Sterile Insect Technology (SIT). This technology is now established in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa as an effective, sustainable alternative to conventional FCM control methods. Due to the prevalence of the pest in all citrus producing areas of South Africa, potential for SIT to expand is enormous. Success of an SIT programme is highly dependent on efficient application of the technology to achieve its objectives in a timeous manner. The aim of this study was to advance the application of SIT for control of FCM on citrus in South Africa, by investigating the effect of certain critical stages in the process. The effect of long-distance transportation on fitness of irradiated FCM was determined, showing reduced performance with cold-immobilized transport. A significant decrease in flight ability and longevity of irradiated FCM was found, although critically, realized fecundity was not affected. The effect of two different insecticides in the pyrethroid and organophosphate chemical groups were investigated for their residual effect on mortality of released irradiated FCM, to determine if these pest control programmes could be integrated. Both chlorpyrifos and tau-fluvalinate were effective in killing irradiated FCM for a number of days after application, after which degradation of the active ingredient rendered it harmless. This effect was found to be similar for irradiated and non-irradiated males, consequently ratios of sterile : wild male FCM should be retained regardless of whether sprays are applied or not. The modes for release of sterile FCM in an SIT programme were investigated. Efficacy of ground and aerial release platforms were tested by evaluating the recovery of released irradiated male FCM in these orchards. More irradiated FCM were recovered in orchards released from the ground compared to air. However, an economic analysis of both methods shows application of irradiated insects over a large geographical area is more cost-effective by air. Depending on the terrain and size of the target area, a combination of both methods is ideal for application of SIT for control of FCM in citrus. Development of application technology for advance of the programme is discussed and recommendations for future research and development are offered.
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A teaching case study on the effect of growth on organisational leadership and culture at hardware warehouse as the organisation grew from one store to 18 stores
- Authors: Mfabane, Masiwakhe
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Case studies , Leadership -- South Africa -- Case studies , Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Hardware stores -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:829 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013008
- Description: From summary:The main objective of this research study was to write up a teaching case study, based on Greiner’s (1998) model of organisational development, outlining what effect the growth of Hardware Warehouse had on the leadership and culture of the organisation. The study is a teaching case study in the form of “a descriptive case focusing on presenting a description of past events and decisions” (Cappel and Schwager, 2002: 289).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mfabane, Masiwakhe
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Case studies , Leadership -- South Africa -- Case studies , Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Hardware stores -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:829 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013008
- Description: From summary:The main objective of this research study was to write up a teaching case study, based on Greiner’s (1998) model of organisational development, outlining what effect the growth of Hardware Warehouse had on the leadership and culture of the organisation. The study is a teaching case study in the form of “a descriptive case focusing on presenting a description of past events and decisions” (Cappel and Schwager, 2002: 289).
- Full Text:
A temporal dimension to the influence of pollen rewards on bee behaviour and fecundity in Aloe tenuior
- Duffy, Karl J, Johnson, Steven D, Peter, Craig I
- Authors: Duffy, Karl J , Johnson, Steven D , Peter, Craig I
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011735 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094908
- Description: The net effect of pollen production on fecundity in plants can range from negative – when self-pollen interferes with fecundity due to incompatibility mechanisms, to positive – when pollen availability is associated with increased pollinator visitation and fecundity due to its utilization as a reward. We investigated the responses of bees to pollen and nectar rewards, and the effects of these rewards on pollen deposition and fecundity in the hermaphroditic succulent shrub Aloe tenuior. Self-pollinated plants failed to set fruit, but their ovules were regularly penetrated by self-pollen tubes, which uniformly failed to develop into seeds as expected from ovarian self-incompatibility (or strong early inbreeding depression). Bees consistently foraged for pollen during the morning and early afternoon, but switched to nectar in the late afternoon. As a consequence of this differential foraging, we were able to test the relative contribution to fecundity of pollen- versus nectar-collecting flower visitors. We exposed emasculated and intact flowers in either the morning or late afternoon to foraging bees and showed that emasculation reduced pollen deposition by insects in the morning, but had little effect in the afternoon. Despite the potential for self-pollination to result in ovule discounting due to late-acting self-sterility, fecundity was severely reduced in artificially emasculated plants. Although there were temporal fluctuations in reward preference, most bee visits were for pollen rewards. Therefore the benefit of providing pollen that is accessible to bee foragers outweighs any potential costs to fitness in terms of gender interference in this species.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Duffy, Karl J , Johnson, Steven D , Peter, Craig I
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011735 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094908
- Description: The net effect of pollen production on fecundity in plants can range from negative – when self-pollen interferes with fecundity due to incompatibility mechanisms, to positive – when pollen availability is associated with increased pollinator visitation and fecundity due to its utilization as a reward. We investigated the responses of bees to pollen and nectar rewards, and the effects of these rewards on pollen deposition and fecundity in the hermaphroditic succulent shrub Aloe tenuior. Self-pollinated plants failed to set fruit, but their ovules were regularly penetrated by self-pollen tubes, which uniformly failed to develop into seeds as expected from ovarian self-incompatibility (or strong early inbreeding depression). Bees consistently foraged for pollen during the morning and early afternoon, but switched to nectar in the late afternoon. As a consequence of this differential foraging, we were able to test the relative contribution to fecundity of pollen- versus nectar-collecting flower visitors. We exposed emasculated and intact flowers in either the morning or late afternoon to foraging bees and showed that emasculation reduced pollen deposition by insects in the morning, but had little effect in the afternoon. Despite the potential for self-pollination to result in ovule discounting due to late-acting self-sterility, fecundity was severely reduced in artificially emasculated plants. Although there were temporal fluctuations in reward preference, most bee visits were for pollen rewards. Therefore the benefit of providing pollen that is accessible to bee foragers outweighs any potential costs to fitness in terms of gender interference in this species.
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Accounting student's success factors: an exploratory investigation
- Authors: Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2134 , vital:20258
- Description: This presentation is aimed at identifying possible success factors leading to the success of students studying accounting, as well as to hightlight some of the problems they may face.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2134 , vital:20258
- Description: This presentation is aimed at identifying possible success factors leading to the success of students studying accounting, as well as to hightlight some of the problems they may face.
- Full Text:
Activated carbon from lignocellulosic waste residues: effect of activating agent on porosity characteristics and use as adsorbents for organic species
- Olorundare, O F, Okonkwo, J O, Msagati, T A M, Mamba, Bhekie B, Krause, Rui W M
- Authors: Olorundare, O F , Okonkwo, J O , Msagati, T A M , Mamba, Bhekie B , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125233 , vital:35748 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-1876-2
- Description: This paper reports on the effect of activating agents such as the impregnation ratio of phosphoric acid (1:1–1:5) at constant activation temperature on the performance of porous activated carbon from waste residues (maize tassel). The variation in the impregnation ratio of the produced activated carbon (AC) from 1:1 to 1:5 enabled the preparation of a high surface area (1,263 m2/g) and a large pore volume (1.592 cm3/g) of AC produced from maize tassel (MT) using a convectional chemical activating agent (phosphoric acid). Impregnation ratios (IR) of the precursors were varied between 1:1 and 1:5 in which it was found that the ratio of 1:4 was optimal based on the high surface area, while 1:5 has the optimal pore volume value for the produced activated carbon.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Olorundare, O F , Okonkwo, J O , Msagati, T A M , Mamba, Bhekie B , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125233 , vital:35748 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-1876-2
- Description: This paper reports on the effect of activating agents such as the impregnation ratio of phosphoric acid (1:1–1:5) at constant activation temperature on the performance of porous activated carbon from waste residues (maize tassel). The variation in the impregnation ratio of the produced activated carbon (AC) from 1:1 to 1:5 enabled the preparation of a high surface area (1,263 m2/g) and a large pore volume (1.592 cm3/g) of AC produced from maize tassel (MT) using a convectional chemical activating agent (phosphoric acid). Impregnation ratios (IR) of the precursors were varied between 1:1 and 1:5 in which it was found that the ratio of 1:4 was optimal based on the high surface area, while 1:5 has the optimal pore volume value for the produced activated carbon.
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Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children in Zimbabwe: a randomized control trial to validate a new self-reported adherence monitoring tool
- Authors: Mugore, Linnetie
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54734 , vital:26607
- Description: Background: Among children taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), self-reports have been widely reported to over-estimate adherence levels. Pill count adherence levels are often lower than self-reported levels, with unannounced home pill count adherence being lower than facility based pill count adherence. There is often poor agreement between pill count adherence levels and those measured using other objective adherence measuring methods such as Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS®), which is widely viewed as the gold standard for adherence measurement. Objectives: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a new self-reported paediatric adherence monitoring tool, assess the feasibility of using pill count methods in monitoring adherence and identify challenges to reporting adherence among children on ART in rural and urban Zimbabwe. Methods A dual centre, superiority, parallel design RCT was conducted to evaluate the newly-developed visually- and verbally-cued „past 10 days‟ tool for the assessment of adherence in children on ART at two sites in Zimbabwe; Harare Central Children‟s Hospital in an urban setting, and Murambinda Mission Hospital, a rural site. Child-caregiver pairs presenting to one of these facilities for the child‟s review of ART and refill of the medication were recruited, signed informed consent obtained, and were randomised for self-reported adherence monitoring into either the experimental group („new 10-day tool‟) or the control group („PACTG-style‟ self-report tool). Data (demographic, socioeconomic, and reported adherence) were collected in individual interviews with child-caregiver pairs. Additional adherence monitoring methods used for both groups included the Morisky-8-Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and a facility based pill count. FGDs were held with groups of caregivers and groups of children ≥13 years of age to understand reasons for non-adherence as well as issues around reporting non-adherence. Superiority testing was conducted by comparing adherent proportions and their confidence intervals (95% CI). Further concurrent validity test was done using the Mann-Whitney U test to evaluate the relationship between the new tool and the MMAS-8 scores. Agreement between the child and caregiver reports of adherence was used as a test of reliability of the new tool using the kappa statistic. Socio-demographic, clinical and care-related factors associated with adherence were identified using reported adherence in both child and caregiver groups in a logistic regression model. Two pill count methods were assessed for feasibility using the proportions of children with complete data for calculating adherence levels, and their CI and a comparison of the two methods, a routinely-used method and one that incorporated the reported residual quantity (RRQ) of medication at last refill. Results : Analysis included 245 child-caregiver pairs, 123 in the experimental group and 122 in the control group. The median age for children was 9 years. In the experimental group, adherence by caregiver and child reports ranged from 94.3% - 98.4% and 78.4% - 96.1%, and those in the control group ranged from 89.2% - 97.5% and 71.2% - 98.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference between adherence levels in the two groups. Adherence levels measured by both the experimental and control tools were found to be associated with MMAS-8 adherence levels (p <0.05). Agreement between child- and caregiver-reported adherence was moderate though significant (kappa; 0.407, p <0.05). Only about half of the children had adequate data to compute pill counts. Proportions adherent at 95% cut-off were 39% by the „routine pill count‟ and 58% by the „Pill count RRQ‟. Being an orphan was associated with child reported-adherence whereas use of non-human reminders, having a maternal relative as a primary caregiver and knowledge of dose frequency, were all associated with caregiver-reported adherence. Major causes of non-adherence mentioned during the FGDs included interference of medication administration times with scheduling of routine socio-economic activities and lack of support from some non-biological caregivers. Reporting of non-adherence appeared to be hampered by perceptions of negative reactions by healthcare workers to these reports and by caregivers being unaware that the child missed some doses. Conclusions: The „new 10-day tool‟ was not shown to be superior to the „PACTG-style tool‟ in detecting non-adherence, however this new tool was found to be a valid and reliable adherence monitoring tool that included a moderately long recall period of 10 days, can be applied without the need for the respondent to remember names of individual medicines in the
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mugore, Linnetie
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54734 , vital:26607
- Description: Background: Among children taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), self-reports have been widely reported to over-estimate adherence levels. Pill count adherence levels are often lower than self-reported levels, with unannounced home pill count adherence being lower than facility based pill count adherence. There is often poor agreement between pill count adherence levels and those measured using other objective adherence measuring methods such as Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS®), which is widely viewed as the gold standard for adherence measurement. Objectives: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a new self-reported paediatric adherence monitoring tool, assess the feasibility of using pill count methods in monitoring adherence and identify challenges to reporting adherence among children on ART in rural and urban Zimbabwe. Methods A dual centre, superiority, parallel design RCT was conducted to evaluate the newly-developed visually- and verbally-cued „past 10 days‟ tool for the assessment of adherence in children on ART at two sites in Zimbabwe; Harare Central Children‟s Hospital in an urban setting, and Murambinda Mission Hospital, a rural site. Child-caregiver pairs presenting to one of these facilities for the child‟s review of ART and refill of the medication were recruited, signed informed consent obtained, and were randomised for self-reported adherence monitoring into either the experimental group („new 10-day tool‟) or the control group („PACTG-style‟ self-report tool). Data (demographic, socioeconomic, and reported adherence) were collected in individual interviews with child-caregiver pairs. Additional adherence monitoring methods used for both groups included the Morisky-8-Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and a facility based pill count. FGDs were held with groups of caregivers and groups of children ≥13 years of age to understand reasons for non-adherence as well as issues around reporting non-adherence. Superiority testing was conducted by comparing adherent proportions and their confidence intervals (95% CI). Further concurrent validity test was done using the Mann-Whitney U test to evaluate the relationship between the new tool and the MMAS-8 scores. Agreement between the child and caregiver reports of adherence was used as a test of reliability of the new tool using the kappa statistic. Socio-demographic, clinical and care-related factors associated with adherence were identified using reported adherence in both child and caregiver groups in a logistic regression model. Two pill count methods were assessed for feasibility using the proportions of children with complete data for calculating adherence levels, and their CI and a comparison of the two methods, a routinely-used method and one that incorporated the reported residual quantity (RRQ) of medication at last refill. Results : Analysis included 245 child-caregiver pairs, 123 in the experimental group and 122 in the control group. The median age for children was 9 years. In the experimental group, adherence by caregiver and child reports ranged from 94.3% - 98.4% and 78.4% - 96.1%, and those in the control group ranged from 89.2% - 97.5% and 71.2% - 98.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference between adherence levels in the two groups. Adherence levels measured by both the experimental and control tools were found to be associated with MMAS-8 adherence levels (p <0.05). Agreement between child- and caregiver-reported adherence was moderate though significant (kappa; 0.407, p <0.05). Only about half of the children had adequate data to compute pill counts. Proportions adherent at 95% cut-off were 39% by the „routine pill count‟ and 58% by the „Pill count RRQ‟. Being an orphan was associated with child reported-adherence whereas use of non-human reminders, having a maternal relative as a primary caregiver and knowledge of dose frequency, were all associated with caregiver-reported adherence. Major causes of non-adherence mentioned during the FGDs included interference of medication administration times with scheduling of routine socio-economic activities and lack of support from some non-biological caregivers. Reporting of non-adherence appeared to be hampered by perceptions of negative reactions by healthcare workers to these reports and by caregivers being unaware that the child missed some doses. Conclusions: The „new 10-day tool‟ was not shown to be superior to the „PACTG-style tool‟ in detecting non-adherence, however this new tool was found to be a valid and reliable adherence monitoring tool that included a moderately long recall period of 10 days, can be applied without the need for the respondent to remember names of individual medicines in the
- Full Text:
Adolescent pregnancy: a community engaged participatory approach to design and implement an educational intervention
- Authors: Siruma, Amanda Tatenda
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54656 , vital:26597
- Description: Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 focuses on improving maternal health, due to global acknowledgment that no woman should have to die as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Adolescents have an increased risk of maternal death compared with older women. Adolescent pregnancy also poses a threat to the empowerment of young girls by mitigating their physical, educational, social, and economic development. In this context, maternal health promotion strategies which inclusively target adolescents are crucial, not only in improving maternal health outcomes, but also in optimising the overall transition of adolescent girls to adulthood. This study was a first time collaborative partnership of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Community Engagement Office of Rhodes University with the Angus Gillis Foundation (a non-profit community development organisation), and community participants of Glenmore and Ndwayana, two rural communities in the Eastern Cape. The aim of this study was to identify the maternal health issue of most concern to community participants and to design and implement an appropriate educational intervention for a suitable target group. During the baseline phase of this study, ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 76 community stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews (SSIs) were conducted with two Sisters-in-Charge from each Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in the study setting. Data on the stock status of World Health Organization (WHO) identified lifesaving priority medicines for women’s health was also collected at both PHCs. Thereafter, pre- and posteducational interventions SSIs with female adolescent participants were conducted. The educational intervention was followed up with the development of a booklet on reproductive health. FGD participants identified adolescent pregnancy as the maternal health issue of most concern. They also highlighted challenges in service delivery of ambulance services for expectant mothers in urgent need of transportation to a referral hospital. A majority of preintervention SSI participants indicated coercion from both younger and older men as a factor influencing early sexual debut amongst adolescent girls in their communities. Despite availability in the PHCs, challenges in accessing contraceptives were highlighted by the participants. Additionally, a number of sexually active adolescent girls defaulted on their next allocated visit to the PHC due to myths regarding use of oral and injectable contraceptives. During the educational intervention sessions, participants recognised knowledge gaps regarding reproductive health issues and the influence of peer pressure as constraining factors in preventing adolescent pregnancy. During the post-intervention phase, participants highlighted that the educational intervention of this study had provided a forum to discuss ways of preventing adolescent pregnancy. The educational booklet developed is intended to serve as a resource tool of the educational programme on prevention of adolescent pregnancy, which is expected to be incorporated into the Angus Gillis Foundation’s existing ‘Positive Health’ Programme. The results of this study show that community-based participatory research facilitated the identification of the maternal health issue of most concern to these communities. Working synergistically with key stakeholders in designing and implementing an educational intervention for preventing adolescent pregnancy provides a good foundation for future up scaling and sustainability of this educational programme.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Siruma, Amanda Tatenda
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54656 , vital:26597
- Description: Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 focuses on improving maternal health, due to global acknowledgment that no woman should have to die as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Adolescents have an increased risk of maternal death compared with older women. Adolescent pregnancy also poses a threat to the empowerment of young girls by mitigating their physical, educational, social, and economic development. In this context, maternal health promotion strategies which inclusively target adolescents are crucial, not only in improving maternal health outcomes, but also in optimising the overall transition of adolescent girls to adulthood. This study was a first time collaborative partnership of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Community Engagement Office of Rhodes University with the Angus Gillis Foundation (a non-profit community development organisation), and community participants of Glenmore and Ndwayana, two rural communities in the Eastern Cape. The aim of this study was to identify the maternal health issue of most concern to community participants and to design and implement an appropriate educational intervention for a suitable target group. During the baseline phase of this study, ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 76 community stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews (SSIs) were conducted with two Sisters-in-Charge from each Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in the study setting. Data on the stock status of World Health Organization (WHO) identified lifesaving priority medicines for women’s health was also collected at both PHCs. Thereafter, pre- and posteducational interventions SSIs with female adolescent participants were conducted. The educational intervention was followed up with the development of a booklet on reproductive health. FGD participants identified adolescent pregnancy as the maternal health issue of most concern. They also highlighted challenges in service delivery of ambulance services for expectant mothers in urgent need of transportation to a referral hospital. A majority of preintervention SSI participants indicated coercion from both younger and older men as a factor influencing early sexual debut amongst adolescent girls in their communities. Despite availability in the PHCs, challenges in accessing contraceptives were highlighted by the participants. Additionally, a number of sexually active adolescent girls defaulted on their next allocated visit to the PHC due to myths regarding use of oral and injectable contraceptives. During the educational intervention sessions, participants recognised knowledge gaps regarding reproductive health issues and the influence of peer pressure as constraining factors in preventing adolescent pregnancy. During the post-intervention phase, participants highlighted that the educational intervention of this study had provided a forum to discuss ways of preventing adolescent pregnancy. The educational booklet developed is intended to serve as a resource tool of the educational programme on prevention of adolescent pregnancy, which is expected to be incorporated into the Angus Gillis Foundation’s existing ‘Positive Health’ Programme. The results of this study show that community-based participatory research facilitated the identification of the maternal health issue of most concern to these communities. Working synergistically with key stakeholders in designing and implementing an educational intervention for preventing adolescent pregnancy provides a good foundation for future up scaling and sustainability of this educational programme.
- Full Text:
Adolescent pregnancy: A feminist issue
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434360 , vital:73051 , ISBN 978-1-4899-8025-0 , https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4899-8026-7_6
- Description: Pregnancy and mothering are enduring and central concerns of feminism. DiQuinzo (1999) sums this up in stating that “mothering is both an important site at which the central concepts of feminist theory are elaborated and a site at which these concepts are challenged and reworked.” Stephens (2004) argues, ‘…reproduction and mothering are central to theories of patriarchy and women’s unequal position in Western society…Childbirth can paradoxically be seen as both a cause of women’s subordinate position in society and a means of empowerment.’ Yet, despite the pivotal nature of pregnancy and mothering in feminist literature, there has been surprisingly little direct engagement by feminists in the area of ‘adolescent pregnancy.’ The engagement that there has been is a whisper in relation to the plethora of public health, medical, and psychological writings on ‘adolescent pregnancy.’ The feminists who have engaged with ‘adolescent pregnancy’ have, from their initial engagement and to varying degrees, tried to undermine simple interpretations of ‘adolescent pregnancy’ as a social problem and to link micro- and macro-level gender relations to occurrence of, and responses to, ‘adolescent pregnancy.’ Thus, for example, in the 1980s, Chilman (1985) asserted, ‘Sexism particularly afflicts programs and policies for these young people [unmarried teenage parents] as well as the behaviors that lead up to their becoming unmarried parents.’ In the 1990s, Pillow (1997), using a combination of feminist and postmodern theory, argued that ‘teen research and policy interventions can be understood as entrenched in the dilemmas of modernism, resulting often in normative assumptions that reflect our paradoxical attitudes and practices concerning female sexuality.’ More recently, Wilson and Huntington (2005) observed ‘adolescent pregnancy’ at a time when rates of fertility among young women are decreasing in ‘Western’ societies is ‘underpinned by changing social and political imperatives regarding the role of women in these countries.’
- Full Text:
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434360 , vital:73051 , ISBN 978-1-4899-8025-0 , https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4899-8026-7_6
- Description: Pregnancy and mothering are enduring and central concerns of feminism. DiQuinzo (1999) sums this up in stating that “mothering is both an important site at which the central concepts of feminist theory are elaborated and a site at which these concepts are challenged and reworked.” Stephens (2004) argues, ‘…reproduction and mothering are central to theories of patriarchy and women’s unequal position in Western society…Childbirth can paradoxically be seen as both a cause of women’s subordinate position in society and a means of empowerment.’ Yet, despite the pivotal nature of pregnancy and mothering in feminist literature, there has been surprisingly little direct engagement by feminists in the area of ‘adolescent pregnancy.’ The engagement that there has been is a whisper in relation to the plethora of public health, medical, and psychological writings on ‘adolescent pregnancy.’ The feminists who have engaged with ‘adolescent pregnancy’ have, from their initial engagement and to varying degrees, tried to undermine simple interpretations of ‘adolescent pregnancy’ as a social problem and to link micro- and macro-level gender relations to occurrence of, and responses to, ‘adolescent pregnancy.’ Thus, for example, in the 1980s, Chilman (1985) asserted, ‘Sexism particularly afflicts programs and policies for these young people [unmarried teenage parents] as well as the behaviors that lead up to their becoming unmarried parents.’ In the 1990s, Pillow (1997), using a combination of feminist and postmodern theory, argued that ‘teen research and policy interventions can be understood as entrenched in the dilemmas of modernism, resulting often in normative assumptions that reflect our paradoxical attitudes and practices concerning female sexuality.’ More recently, Wilson and Huntington (2005) observed ‘adolescent pregnancy’ at a time when rates of fertility among young women are decreasing in ‘Western’ societies is ‘underpinned by changing social and political imperatives regarding the role of women in these countries.’
- Full Text:
Advantages of using development models of the carrion beetles Thanatophilus micans (Fabricius) and T. mutilatus (Castelneau)(Coleoptera Silphidae) for estimating minimum post mortem intervals, verified with case data
- Ridgeway, Jaryd A, Midgley, John M, Collett, Isabel J, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Ridgeway, Jaryd A , Midgley, John M , Collett, Isabel J , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441737 , vital:73911 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0865-0
- Description: Some beetles are as useful as blow flies for estimating the minimum post mortem interval (PMImin) or time since death. Examples include Thanatophilus micans (Fabricius) and Thanatophilus mutilatus (Castelneau), two geographically and ecologically overlapping African beetles. Molecular means of identifying these species, descriptions of their natural history, thermal summation models for the development of each species, and a case in which T. micans was recovered are presented. These beetles colonise bodies soon after death, their development spans more time than that of flies, and they may be little affected by maggot-generated heat. From an experimental perspective, they can be reared individually, which allows the identification of sick individuals and has analytical advantages relative to fly larvae that must be reared in groups. Estimating minimum post mortem intervals for both species using the case data strongly suggests that developmental models parameterised for one species should not be used to make forensic estimates for closely related species for which no specific model is available and emphasises the need for correct identifications.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ridgeway, Jaryd A , Midgley, John M , Collett, Isabel J , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441737 , vital:73911 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0865-0
- Description: Some beetles are as useful as blow flies for estimating the minimum post mortem interval (PMImin) or time since death. Examples include Thanatophilus micans (Fabricius) and Thanatophilus mutilatus (Castelneau), two geographically and ecologically overlapping African beetles. Molecular means of identifying these species, descriptions of their natural history, thermal summation models for the development of each species, and a case in which T. micans was recovered are presented. These beetles colonise bodies soon after death, their development spans more time than that of flies, and they may be little affected by maggot-generated heat. From an experimental perspective, they can be reared individually, which allows the identification of sick individuals and has analytical advantages relative to fly larvae that must be reared in groups. Estimating minimum post mortem intervals for both species using the case data strongly suggests that developmental models parameterised for one species should not be used to make forensic estimates for closely related species for which no specific model is available and emphasises the need for correct identifications.
- Full Text:
Age, growth, reproduction and sexual dimorphism of the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, off the south-east coast of southern Africa
- Authors: Bishop, Amy Ruth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Striped dolphin -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Striped dolphin -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dimorphism (Animals)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011600 , Striped dolphin -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Striped dolphin -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dimorphism (Animals)
- Description: The striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, is an oceanic dolphin found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. Globally populations are threatened through direct fishing, bycatch and pollution. Little is known about the life history of this species in South African waters and it is currently listed as ‘Data Deficient’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Critical to the conservation and management of this species is an understanding of basic life history parameters. For the present study, metadata and tissues from 101 stranded S. coeruleoalba along the south-east coast of southern Africa between 1969 and 2012 were analyzed to examine age and growth, male and female reproduction and sexual dimorphism. Age and growth were determined by counting the number of growth layer groups (GLG’s) present in their teeth. A von Bertalanffy growth curve gave the best fit to the data and indicated that physical maturity was reached around 21 years in males and 18 years in females. Additionally, asymptotic lengths were reached at 231cm and 224cm in males and females, respectively. The maximum ages obtained were 21 years for males and 20 years for females. Length at birth was estimated to be between 116cm and 119cm for males and between 112cm and 114cm for females. The reproductive status of the adult dolphins was assessed by histological and macroscopic analyses of gonadal tissue. Sexual maturity was attained before physical maturity in both sexes. The males reached sexual maturity between 8 and 12 years of age and between 209 and 224cm in total body length. The maximum combined testis weight comprised about 0.24% of the total body weight and sexual maturity was reached between a combined testis weight of 16 and 41g, a mean testis length of 8 and 10cm, and a mean seminiferous tubule diameter of 44 and 70μm. Females attained sexual maturity between 7 and 8 years of age and between 213 and 216 cm in total body length. The ovulation rate was 0.32 per year and the majority of ovulations occurred in the left ovary, with ovulations occurring in the right ovary only in individuals older than 10 years of age. The annual pregnancy rate was calculated to be 26%. Reproductive seasonality could not be established due to the small sample size and the absence of samples throughout the year. However, both conceptions and births appear to occur in both August and December/January. Additionally, testis weight and seminiferous tubule diameters appear to fluctuate throughout the year, which could suggest reproductive seasonality in this species. Sexual size dimorphism in mature adults was evident for a number of external measurements, however, sexual shape dimorphism was not present in this species. Mature males had significantly longer and wider pectoral fins, dorsal fins and flukes than females (p<0.05 in all cases). It was suggested that the larger appendages are required for male on male combat during intraspecific competition for females. Additionally, larger appendages aid in thermoregulation, propulsion and maneuverability. Females had a significantly greater distance between the tip upper jaw and the genital aperture and anus, which was expected due to differences in anatomy between male and female genital openings. Overall, S. coeruleoalba did not exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism and together with the relatively small testes in relation to the total body weight (0.24%) it was proposed that this species demonstrates a less extreme form of polygyny. Additionaly, the results of this study are important to the understanding of the basic biology of the species.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bishop, Amy Ruth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Striped dolphin -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Striped dolphin -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dimorphism (Animals)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011600 , Striped dolphin -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Striped dolphin -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Striped dolphin -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Conservation -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Development -- Africa, Southern , Dolphins -- Africa, Southern -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Age determination -- Africa, Southern , Dimorphism (Animals)
- Description: The striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, is an oceanic dolphin found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. Globally populations are threatened through direct fishing, bycatch and pollution. Little is known about the life history of this species in South African waters and it is currently listed as ‘Data Deficient’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Critical to the conservation and management of this species is an understanding of basic life history parameters. For the present study, metadata and tissues from 101 stranded S. coeruleoalba along the south-east coast of southern Africa between 1969 and 2012 were analyzed to examine age and growth, male and female reproduction and sexual dimorphism. Age and growth were determined by counting the number of growth layer groups (GLG’s) present in their teeth. A von Bertalanffy growth curve gave the best fit to the data and indicated that physical maturity was reached around 21 years in males and 18 years in females. Additionally, asymptotic lengths were reached at 231cm and 224cm in males and females, respectively. The maximum ages obtained were 21 years for males and 20 years for females. Length at birth was estimated to be between 116cm and 119cm for males and between 112cm and 114cm for females. The reproductive status of the adult dolphins was assessed by histological and macroscopic analyses of gonadal tissue. Sexual maturity was attained before physical maturity in both sexes. The males reached sexual maturity between 8 and 12 years of age and between 209 and 224cm in total body length. The maximum combined testis weight comprised about 0.24% of the total body weight and sexual maturity was reached between a combined testis weight of 16 and 41g, a mean testis length of 8 and 10cm, and a mean seminiferous tubule diameter of 44 and 70μm. Females attained sexual maturity between 7 and 8 years of age and between 213 and 216 cm in total body length. The ovulation rate was 0.32 per year and the majority of ovulations occurred in the left ovary, with ovulations occurring in the right ovary only in individuals older than 10 years of age. The annual pregnancy rate was calculated to be 26%. Reproductive seasonality could not be established due to the small sample size and the absence of samples throughout the year. However, both conceptions and births appear to occur in both August and December/January. Additionally, testis weight and seminiferous tubule diameters appear to fluctuate throughout the year, which could suggest reproductive seasonality in this species. Sexual size dimorphism in mature adults was evident for a number of external measurements, however, sexual shape dimorphism was not present in this species. Mature males had significantly longer and wider pectoral fins, dorsal fins and flukes than females (p<0.05 in all cases). It was suggested that the larger appendages are required for male on male combat during intraspecific competition for females. Additionally, larger appendages aid in thermoregulation, propulsion and maneuverability. Females had a significantly greater distance between the tip upper jaw and the genital aperture and anus, which was expected due to differences in anatomy between male and female genital openings. Overall, S. coeruleoalba did not exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism and together with the relatively small testes in relation to the total body weight (0.24%) it was proposed that this species demonstrates a less extreme form of polygyny. Additionaly, the results of this study are important to the understanding of the basic biology of the species.
- Full Text:
Aggrey Klaaste : the relentless community-builder
- Authors: Mbonambi, Phakama
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Klaaste, Aggrey , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Newspaper editors -- South Africa -- Biography , Nation-building -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020882
- Description: This thesis looks at the life and times of Aggrey Klaaste, the larger-than-life late editor of Sowetan who shot to fame by championing a novel idea of nation building. His initiative started in 1988 as flames of violence engulfed South Africa and it seemed as if an apocalypse was on the cards. Sickened by what the frustrated black community was doing to itself, for example the use of the dreadful practice of necklacing against the so-called collaborators, he called for moral regeneration. He wanted his compatriots to look into the future and take their destiny in their own hands. Through nation building he tirelessly launched into crusading journalism that sought to heal the scars of the black community after decades of apartheid. It was grassroots community building. He rewarded ordinary men and women who made a difference in their communities. He actively sought peace to end the violence of the 1980s and 1990s. He spoke his mind without wearing any ideological blinkers, even as some thought his initiative would disturb the march to freedom. He was the ultimate newspaperman. This thesis argues that by calling for reconciliation and rebuilding of battered black communities even before freedom came, Klaaste was ahead of his time and even predated Nelson Mandela. Klaaste preferred to do what was right and not be shackled to any ideology. In doing so, he angered many people who felt his thinking was derailing the struggle for freedom. But Klaaste stressed that nation building was ideologically neutral and was meant for everyone. By contradicting prevailing political orthodoxy, he very likely risked his own life. But, like a true leader, he stuck to his convictions. Klaaste was exemplary in calling for reconciliation and building when others called for breaking. Ten years after he died, as the country still grapples with issues he raised in his popular weekly column On The Line, it is worth appraising his thinking and actions. The thesis also looks at the environment that influenced his thinking. His life is interwoven with South African history. That he began his adult life shakily, spending his days in a drunken stupor at Johannesburg shebeens to being awarded the Order for Meritorious Service for his outstanding community work, makes him an interesting subject to look at. It’s a story of a man who vanquished his demons and, through his compassionate community engagement, became an asset to the country. It’s a story of redemption. As his private life attests, he was man with flaws – like anyone else. But Aggrey Klaaste strived to do what was right for his community at all times. He was a restless community builder.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbonambi, Phakama
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Klaaste, Aggrey , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Newspaper editors -- South Africa -- Biography , Nation-building -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020882
- Description: This thesis looks at the life and times of Aggrey Klaaste, the larger-than-life late editor of Sowetan who shot to fame by championing a novel idea of nation building. His initiative started in 1988 as flames of violence engulfed South Africa and it seemed as if an apocalypse was on the cards. Sickened by what the frustrated black community was doing to itself, for example the use of the dreadful practice of necklacing against the so-called collaborators, he called for moral regeneration. He wanted his compatriots to look into the future and take their destiny in their own hands. Through nation building he tirelessly launched into crusading journalism that sought to heal the scars of the black community after decades of apartheid. It was grassroots community building. He rewarded ordinary men and women who made a difference in their communities. He actively sought peace to end the violence of the 1980s and 1990s. He spoke his mind without wearing any ideological blinkers, even as some thought his initiative would disturb the march to freedom. He was the ultimate newspaperman. This thesis argues that by calling for reconciliation and rebuilding of battered black communities even before freedom came, Klaaste was ahead of his time and even predated Nelson Mandela. Klaaste preferred to do what was right and not be shackled to any ideology. In doing so, he angered many people who felt his thinking was derailing the struggle for freedom. But Klaaste stressed that nation building was ideologically neutral and was meant for everyone. By contradicting prevailing political orthodoxy, he very likely risked his own life. But, like a true leader, he stuck to his convictions. Klaaste was exemplary in calling for reconciliation and building when others called for breaking. Ten years after he died, as the country still grapples with issues he raised in his popular weekly column On The Line, it is worth appraising his thinking and actions. The thesis also looks at the environment that influenced his thinking. His life is interwoven with South African history. That he began his adult life shakily, spending his days in a drunken stupor at Johannesburg shebeens to being awarded the Order for Meritorious Service for his outstanding community work, makes him an interesting subject to look at. It’s a story of a man who vanquished his demons and, through his compassionate community engagement, became an asset to the country. It’s a story of redemption. As his private life attests, he was man with flaws – like anyone else. But Aggrey Klaaste strived to do what was right for his community at all times. He was a restless community builder.
- Full Text:
An analysis of alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development.
- Authors: Hlanti, Msawenkosi Madoda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: National income -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Gross domestic product -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Economic policy , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1099 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013144
- Description: The measurement of economic performance and social development has become increasingly important as societies have evolved and become more complex. At present nations do not only seek to improve economic performance but are also compelled to improve social development through improvements in socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Traditional measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is derived from United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA) have been criticised given the inability to adequately account for these social and environmental aspects of social development. Given these perceived deficiencies in the conventional measures, several alternative objective measures have been proposed in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to analyse, via a literature survey, these alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development. The alternative measures that constitute the survey are the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), the Genuine Savings (GS), and the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI). Upon the completion of the literature survey, sustainable development theory is used to evaluate the extent to which the National Accounts and the alternative objective measures are consistent with Hicksian and Fisherian definitions of income and capital, which embody the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The evaluation reveals that the National Accounts neither conform to the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income, thus could not be viewed as a measure of sustainable income. It is found that the ISEW is consistent with the Fisherian definition of income and is also a partial indicator of sustainable development. The evaluation of the GS measure reveals that it is consistent with the Hicksian definition but not the Fisherian definition. In terms of overall sustainability, it is argued that GS is a partial measure of weak sustainability. The HDI is similar to the National Accounts, in that it is neither consistent with the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income and is also not a measure of sustainability. In summary, the study demonstrates that despite GDP's shortcomings as a measure of economic performance and social development, currently, there is no alternative approach which simultaneously addresses every flaw in GDP. However, all the alternatives yield a much better approximation of social development than GDP.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hlanti, Msawenkosi Madoda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: National income -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Gross domestic product -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Economic policy , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1099 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013144
- Description: The measurement of economic performance and social development has become increasingly important as societies have evolved and become more complex. At present nations do not only seek to improve economic performance but are also compelled to improve social development through improvements in socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Traditional measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is derived from United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA) have been criticised given the inability to adequately account for these social and environmental aspects of social development. Given these perceived deficiencies in the conventional measures, several alternative objective measures have been proposed in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to analyse, via a literature survey, these alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development. The alternative measures that constitute the survey are the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), the Genuine Savings (GS), and the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI). Upon the completion of the literature survey, sustainable development theory is used to evaluate the extent to which the National Accounts and the alternative objective measures are consistent with Hicksian and Fisherian definitions of income and capital, which embody the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The evaluation reveals that the National Accounts neither conform to the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income, thus could not be viewed as a measure of sustainable income. It is found that the ISEW is consistent with the Fisherian definition of income and is also a partial indicator of sustainable development. The evaluation of the GS measure reveals that it is consistent with the Hicksian definition but not the Fisherian definition. In terms of overall sustainability, it is argued that GS is a partial measure of weak sustainability. The HDI is similar to the National Accounts, in that it is neither consistent with the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income and is also not a measure of sustainability. In summary, the study demonstrates that despite GDP's shortcomings as a measure of economic performance and social development, currently, there is no alternative approach which simultaneously addresses every flaw in GDP. However, all the alternatives yield a much better approximation of social development than GDP.
- Full Text:
An analysis of how Zimbabwean female audiences decode meaning from the Shona-language radio programme Nguva Yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) against the background of their lived experiences
- Authors: Chihota-Charamba, Audrey
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011750 , Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This study investigates the Zimbabwean women listeners of a gender-focused radio programme Nguva yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) to find out what meanings they take from the programme. Located within the broad theoretical framework of cultural studies and drawing on audience reception theories, the study focuses on the ways in which Shona-speaking women bring their understandings of their social roles, derived from their lived socio-cultural experiences of patriarchy, to their decoding of the text. The study was set in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mbare and used the qualitative research methods of individual and focus group interviews. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) of September 2008, which ended the impasse among the warring political parties, ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC and introduced a new era of collectively tackling socio-economic development, including redressing gender disparities through women’s empowerment. This study examines the factors shaping the audiences’ readings of the programme and seeks to establish whether the mass media has determining power on its audience in the reception of messages or if the audiences (women) have interpretive freedom. Using Hall’s (1980) Encoding/ Decoding model, the study examines the factors that influence the audiences’ choice in making preferred, negotiated or oppositional readings and the arguments they advance in line with those readings. While the interviews revealed that most of the female listeners “negotiated” the dominant encoded meanings, seeking their relevance to their varied situations and contexts (O’ Sullivan et al. 1994:152; Ang 1990: 159), of interest is the manner in which the women dealt with the discourse of patriarchy within the context of promoting women empowerment. The contestation between women empowerment and addressing patriarchy reflected the subverted notions of maintaining the status quo, while applauding the women’s commitment and ability to interrogate the practicality of issues under discussion and drawing lessons relevant to their day to day lives prior to making the preferred reading. As such, the study revealed that preferred readings are not always automated, but can be a result of intense interrogation among media audiences.
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- Authors: Chihota-Charamba, Audrey
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011750 , Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This study investigates the Zimbabwean women listeners of a gender-focused radio programme Nguva yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) to find out what meanings they take from the programme. Located within the broad theoretical framework of cultural studies and drawing on audience reception theories, the study focuses on the ways in which Shona-speaking women bring their understandings of their social roles, derived from their lived socio-cultural experiences of patriarchy, to their decoding of the text. The study was set in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mbare and used the qualitative research methods of individual and focus group interviews. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) of September 2008, which ended the impasse among the warring political parties, ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC and introduced a new era of collectively tackling socio-economic development, including redressing gender disparities through women’s empowerment. This study examines the factors shaping the audiences’ readings of the programme and seeks to establish whether the mass media has determining power on its audience in the reception of messages or if the audiences (women) have interpretive freedom. Using Hall’s (1980) Encoding/ Decoding model, the study examines the factors that influence the audiences’ choice in making preferred, negotiated or oppositional readings and the arguments they advance in line with those readings. While the interviews revealed that most of the female listeners “negotiated” the dominant encoded meanings, seeking their relevance to their varied situations and contexts (O’ Sullivan et al. 1994:152; Ang 1990: 159), of interest is the manner in which the women dealt with the discourse of patriarchy within the context of promoting women empowerment. The contestation between women empowerment and addressing patriarchy reflected the subverted notions of maintaining the status quo, while applauding the women’s commitment and ability to interrogate the practicality of issues under discussion and drawing lessons relevant to their day to day lives prior to making the preferred reading. As such, the study revealed that preferred readings are not always automated, but can be a result of intense interrogation among media audiences.
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An analysis of the impact of an official diagnosis and label of ʹdyslexiaʹ on pupils’ self-concept and self-esteem : a sociological case study involving pupils in Grahamstown
- Authors: Johnson, Gwendolyn Gay
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dyslexic children -- Education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Self-perception in adolescence , Emotions in adolescence , Dyslexia , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3375 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013124
- Description: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of how Grahamstown teenagers are affected by the label ʹdyslexiaʹ; by providing a space in which their feelings about being labelled dyslexic and their experiences can be voiced. Historically much international and local research has focussed on causation and remediation of dyslexia and has neglected the social aspects of the diagnosis. Causation and remediation are categories which form part of the medical or educational models. A social model of dyslexia needs to be applied. Due to the paucity of South African literature on the social experiences of dyslexic teenagers, this research thesis aims to add to the body of knowledge and hopefully provide an avenue for more research within the context of Sociology. This is a micro study, situated in Grahamstown Eastern Cape, South Africa, and the author recognizes that responses cannot be generalized to the greater dyslexic population. All human environments consist of objects which are given meaning through social interaction. Meaning is central to human behaviour and therefor explains the ways in which humans conduct their lives based on these meanings. For this reason George Herbert Mead’s (1934) and Herbert Blumers (1969) symbolic interactionist positions have framed the theoretical approach to this research. Qualitative methods of interviewing provide an opportunity for dyslexic individuals to discuss the meaning dyslexia gives to them, from their perspective and in their own words. The following conclusions have been arrived at: Educational psychologists in Grahamstown are reticent to diagnose individuals as dyslexic. This lack of identification hinders early intervention which can be very detrimental to individuals struggling with reading, writing and spelling as well as the associated co-morbid conditions of dyslexia. Teenagers who have had early diagnosis and intervention with support structures in place identify with their dyslexic identity more positively as they are able to make sense of their struggles of a dyslexic nature.
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- Authors: Johnson, Gwendolyn Gay
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dyslexic children -- Education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Self-perception in adolescence , Emotions in adolescence , Dyslexia , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3375 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013124
- Description: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of how Grahamstown teenagers are affected by the label ʹdyslexiaʹ; by providing a space in which their feelings about being labelled dyslexic and their experiences can be voiced. Historically much international and local research has focussed on causation and remediation of dyslexia and has neglected the social aspects of the diagnosis. Causation and remediation are categories which form part of the medical or educational models. A social model of dyslexia needs to be applied. Due to the paucity of South African literature on the social experiences of dyslexic teenagers, this research thesis aims to add to the body of knowledge and hopefully provide an avenue for more research within the context of Sociology. This is a micro study, situated in Grahamstown Eastern Cape, South Africa, and the author recognizes that responses cannot be generalized to the greater dyslexic population. All human environments consist of objects which are given meaning through social interaction. Meaning is central to human behaviour and therefor explains the ways in which humans conduct their lives based on these meanings. For this reason George Herbert Mead’s (1934) and Herbert Blumers (1969) symbolic interactionist positions have framed the theoretical approach to this research. Qualitative methods of interviewing provide an opportunity for dyslexic individuals to discuss the meaning dyslexia gives to them, from their perspective and in their own words. The following conclusions have been arrived at: Educational psychologists in Grahamstown are reticent to diagnose individuals as dyslexic. This lack of identification hinders early intervention which can be very detrimental to individuals struggling with reading, writing and spelling as well as the associated co-morbid conditions of dyslexia. Teenagers who have had early diagnosis and intervention with support structures in place identify with their dyslexic identity more positively as they are able to make sense of their struggles of a dyslexic nature.
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An analysis of the structure of knowledge and students' construction of knowledge in an introductory accounting course
- Authors: Myers, Lyndrianne Peta
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge, Theory of , Learning, Psychology of , Accounting -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013227
- Description: This research seeks to explain how students construct knowledge in introductory accounting. It was prompted by concerns over low pass rates for first-year Introductory Accounting students at Rhodes University and particularly low pass rates amongst novice (first-time) Accounting Students. In trying to get a better understanding of reasons behind these pass rates, this research focuses on the structure of knowledge in the discipline and what this means for how students should construct knowledge in the course. Bernstein’s Pedagogic Device and the dimensions of Semantics and Specialisation in Maton’s Legitimation Code Theory are used as theoretical and analytical frameworks to help understand the structure of knowledge in this course, how knowledge is recontextualised and finally how it is acquired by students. A group of students from the 2011 class were interviewed to gain a better understanding of how each of these students constructed knowledge during the semester. The analysis of these interviews reveals how students construct knowledge in the course and the implications this has for their success over the semester. Analysing this interview data, and comparing it with the levels of success for each student, permitted me to develop an improved understanding of how successful and unsuccessful students construct knowledge. As a teacher of Accounting, understanding and being explicit about the structure of knowledge in the discipline, and how this impacts on the construction of knowledge, will allow me to advise future students on how to most effectively construct knowledge in this course and to advise and guide colleagues on how best to present this course.
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- Authors: Myers, Lyndrianne Peta
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge, Theory of , Learning, Psychology of , Accounting -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013227
- Description: This research seeks to explain how students construct knowledge in introductory accounting. It was prompted by concerns over low pass rates for first-year Introductory Accounting students at Rhodes University and particularly low pass rates amongst novice (first-time) Accounting Students. In trying to get a better understanding of reasons behind these pass rates, this research focuses on the structure of knowledge in the discipline and what this means for how students should construct knowledge in the course. Bernstein’s Pedagogic Device and the dimensions of Semantics and Specialisation in Maton’s Legitimation Code Theory are used as theoretical and analytical frameworks to help understand the structure of knowledge in this course, how knowledge is recontextualised and finally how it is acquired by students. A group of students from the 2011 class were interviewed to gain a better understanding of how each of these students constructed knowledge during the semester. The analysis of these interviews reveals how students construct knowledge in the course and the implications this has for their success over the semester. Analysing this interview data, and comparing it with the levels of success for each student, permitted me to develop an improved understanding of how successful and unsuccessful students construct knowledge. As a teacher of Accounting, understanding and being explicit about the structure of knowledge in the discipline, and how this impacts on the construction of knowledge, will allow me to advise future students on how to most effectively construct knowledge in this course and to advise and guide colleagues on how best to present this course.
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An assessment of equilibrium in the Merensky Reef : a textural, geochemical and Nd isotope study of coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxene from Winnaarshoek in the eastern Bushveld Complex, RSA
- Authors: Raines, Mark Douglas
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Plagioclase , Neodymium , Petrology , Electron probe microanalysis , Isotope geology , Mineralogical chemistry , Crystallization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015644
- Description: Evidence of mineral disequilibrium is presented for the Merensky Reef at Winnaarshoek in the eastern Bushveld Complex. Petrographic disequilibrium textures, disequilibrium in orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene mineral compositions as well as disequilibrium in Sm-Nd isotopic compositions of whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxene are presented. Disequilibrium textures presented include clinopyroxene exsolution lamellae in orthopyroxene; resorbed plagioclase in orthopyroxene or relict plagioclase; various inclusions such as orthopyroxene, plagioclase or clinopyroxene in larger oikocrysts of clinopyroxene or orthopyroxene; discontinuous rims of clinopyroxene surrounding orthopyroxene; resorbed orthopyroxene in clinopyroxene; and corona textures associated with olivine. These textures were used to derive a possible mineral crystallization sequence. At least two sequences of crystallization took place, both of which crystallized plagioclase first. One sequence then crystallized olivine which was then consumed to produce orthopyroxene which crystallized prior to late clinopyroxene. The other sequence indicates orthopyroxene crystallization after plagioclase crystallization, followed by crystallization of clinopyroxene. These sequences indicate at least two magmas were responsible for the genesis of the Merensky Reef and its hanging wall and footwall units. Compositionally, disequilibrium is evident in the range of compositions found in coexisting orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene with stratigraphic height, with particular reference to the change in mineral composition in each of the hanging wall, Reef and footwall units. Orthopyroxene compositions range in Mg numbers between 74.6 and 82.9 (77.4) in the hanging wall, 78.5 and 87.0 (avg. 81.1) in the Reef, and 77.9 and 84.1 (avg. 81.3) in the footwall. Plagioclase compositions range in An content between An64.9 and An82.3 (avg. An75.1) in the hanging wall, An56.8 to An70.8 (avg. An62.7) in the Reef, and An54.2 to An86.3 (avg. An73.2) in the footwall. In terms of Sm-Nd isotopic compositions, disequilibrium is evident between both whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxenes. Bulk rock Sm-Nd isotopic compositions show a range in ԐNd values between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.8 to -6.4 in the hangingwall, ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -6.3 to -8.5 in the Reef, and ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.5 to -6.3 in the footwall. Similar ԐNd values are present in the hanging wall and footwall units, with a clear “spike” in the Merensky Reef. ԐNd values in plagioclase are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -5.8 and -7.8, while orthopyroxene isotopic Sm-Nd values are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga = -7.1 and -9.1. The mineral disequilibrium features presented within this study help elucidate the crystallization sequence of the magma as well as to constrain the contamination of the magma upon ascension and emplacement of the Merensky Reef. The results of this study favour a model where a mantle plume resulted in the ascent of a new magma which was contaminated by the assimilation of old, lower crust. Contamination took place prior to the possible lateral emplacement of the Merensky reef as a density current. 5-10% contamination of depleted mantle or a B2-“like” source by Archaean TTGs is modeled to achieve the contamination “spike” of ԐNd = -8.5 in the Merensky Reef.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Raines, Mark Douglas
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Plagioclase , Neodymium , Petrology , Electron probe microanalysis , Isotope geology , Mineralogical chemistry , Crystallization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015644
- Description: Evidence of mineral disequilibrium is presented for the Merensky Reef at Winnaarshoek in the eastern Bushveld Complex. Petrographic disequilibrium textures, disequilibrium in orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene mineral compositions as well as disequilibrium in Sm-Nd isotopic compositions of whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxene are presented. Disequilibrium textures presented include clinopyroxene exsolution lamellae in orthopyroxene; resorbed plagioclase in orthopyroxene or relict plagioclase; various inclusions such as orthopyroxene, plagioclase or clinopyroxene in larger oikocrysts of clinopyroxene or orthopyroxene; discontinuous rims of clinopyroxene surrounding orthopyroxene; resorbed orthopyroxene in clinopyroxene; and corona textures associated with olivine. These textures were used to derive a possible mineral crystallization sequence. At least two sequences of crystallization took place, both of which crystallized plagioclase first. One sequence then crystallized olivine which was then consumed to produce orthopyroxene which crystallized prior to late clinopyroxene. The other sequence indicates orthopyroxene crystallization after plagioclase crystallization, followed by crystallization of clinopyroxene. These sequences indicate at least two magmas were responsible for the genesis of the Merensky Reef and its hanging wall and footwall units. Compositionally, disequilibrium is evident in the range of compositions found in coexisting orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene with stratigraphic height, with particular reference to the change in mineral composition in each of the hanging wall, Reef and footwall units. Orthopyroxene compositions range in Mg numbers between 74.6 and 82.9 (77.4) in the hanging wall, 78.5 and 87.0 (avg. 81.1) in the Reef, and 77.9 and 84.1 (avg. 81.3) in the footwall. Plagioclase compositions range in An content between An64.9 and An82.3 (avg. An75.1) in the hanging wall, An56.8 to An70.8 (avg. An62.7) in the Reef, and An54.2 to An86.3 (avg. An73.2) in the footwall. In terms of Sm-Nd isotopic compositions, disequilibrium is evident between both whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxenes. Bulk rock Sm-Nd isotopic compositions show a range in ԐNd values between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.8 to -6.4 in the hangingwall, ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -6.3 to -8.5 in the Reef, and ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.5 to -6.3 in the footwall. Similar ԐNd values are present in the hanging wall and footwall units, with a clear “spike” in the Merensky Reef. ԐNd values in plagioclase are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -5.8 and -7.8, while orthopyroxene isotopic Sm-Nd values are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga = -7.1 and -9.1. The mineral disequilibrium features presented within this study help elucidate the crystallization sequence of the magma as well as to constrain the contamination of the magma upon ascension and emplacement of the Merensky Reef. The results of this study favour a model where a mantle plume resulted in the ascent of a new magma which was contaminated by the assimilation of old, lower crust. Contamination took place prior to the possible lateral emplacement of the Merensky reef as a density current. 5-10% contamination of depleted mantle or a B2-“like” source by Archaean TTGs is modeled to achieve the contamination “spike” of ԐNd = -8.5 in the Merensky Reef.
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An assessment of human carnivore conflict in the Kalahari region of Botswana
- Authors: Klein, Rebecca Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Carnivores -- Botswana , Carnivores -- Effect of human beings on -- Botswana , Human-animal relationships , Predatory animals -- Control -- Botswana , Wildlife depredation -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5876 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013132
- Description: Human wildlife conflict is a considerable conservation challenge that threatens many carnivore species worldwide and is a result of complex socio-economic and ecological processes. An understanding of the drivers of conflict is essential for any efforts to achieve coexistence. This study investigated the levels of conflict, livestock management and tolerance amongst the farming communities of the Southern and Western Kalahari in Botswana. A questionnaire survey was completed with 310 farmers throughout the region. The majority of respondents regarded coexisting with carnivores as a challenge, with losses due to depredation perceived as the greatest problem facing farmers. Conflict was widespread throughout the study area, with some spatial variations for certain species. Cattle management levels were low and while smallstock management was better, the use of improved levels of management could reduce current levels of conflict. Tolerance levels were generally low with few respondents seeing the benefits of coexistence with carnivore species. The results indicated that farm type, gender, education level, source of income, livestock numbers, location and land use all have an effect on perceived conflict and tolerance levels and strongly interact with each other. In general cattleposts were characterised by higher proportions of females, lower education levels, more benefits derived from wildlife and veld products and fewer livestock than fenced ranches. They also experienced more conflict, carried out more management and had better tolerance levels. It could be that closer connections to the land and deriving benefits from natural resources resulted in more tolerance and this is certainly worth further investigation. An improvement in the use of effective methods of livestock management, targeted environmental education programs to develop a greater awareness for the conservation value of carnivores and a diversification of livelihoods to include benefits from natural resources have the potential to reduce conflict and improve tolerance in the Kalahari region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Klein, Rebecca Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Carnivores -- Botswana , Carnivores -- Effect of human beings on -- Botswana , Human-animal relationships , Predatory animals -- Control -- Botswana , Wildlife depredation -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5876 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013132
- Description: Human wildlife conflict is a considerable conservation challenge that threatens many carnivore species worldwide and is a result of complex socio-economic and ecological processes. An understanding of the drivers of conflict is essential for any efforts to achieve coexistence. This study investigated the levels of conflict, livestock management and tolerance amongst the farming communities of the Southern and Western Kalahari in Botswana. A questionnaire survey was completed with 310 farmers throughout the region. The majority of respondents regarded coexisting with carnivores as a challenge, with losses due to depredation perceived as the greatest problem facing farmers. Conflict was widespread throughout the study area, with some spatial variations for certain species. Cattle management levels were low and while smallstock management was better, the use of improved levels of management could reduce current levels of conflict. Tolerance levels were generally low with few respondents seeing the benefits of coexistence with carnivore species. The results indicated that farm type, gender, education level, source of income, livestock numbers, location and land use all have an effect on perceived conflict and tolerance levels and strongly interact with each other. In general cattleposts were characterised by higher proportions of females, lower education levels, more benefits derived from wildlife and veld products and fewer livestock than fenced ranches. They also experienced more conflict, carried out more management and had better tolerance levels. It could be that closer connections to the land and deriving benefits from natural resources resulted in more tolerance and this is certainly worth further investigation. An improvement in the use of effective methods of livestock management, targeted environmental education programs to develop a greater awareness for the conservation value of carnivores and a diversification of livelihoods to include benefits from natural resources have the potential to reduce conflict and improve tolerance in the Kalahari region.
- Full Text: