Human DNAJ in cancer and stem cells:
- Sterrenberg, Jason N, Edkins, Adrienne L, Blatch, Gregory L
- Authors: Sterrenberg, Jason N , Edkins, Adrienne L , Blatch, Gregory L
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165118 , vital:41210 , DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.08.019
- Description: The heat shock protein 40 kDa (HSP40/DNAJ) co-chaperones constitute the largest and most diverse sub-group of the heat shock protein (HSP) family. DNAJ are widely accepted as regulators of HSP70 function, but also have roles as co-chaperones for the HSP90 chaperone machine, and a growing number of biological functions that may be independent of either of these chaperones. The DNAJ proteins are differentially expressed in human tissues and demonstrate the capacity to function to both promote and suppress cancer development by acting as chaperones for tumour suppressors or oncoproteins. We review the current literature on the function and expression of DNAJ in cancer, stem cells and cancer stem cells. Combining data from gene expression, proteomics and studies in other systems, we propose that DNAJ will be key regulators of cancer, stem cell and possibly cancer stem cell function. The diversity of DNAJ and their assorted roles in a range of biological functions means that selected DNAJ, provided there is limited redundancy and that a specific link to malignancy can be established, may yet provide an attractive target for specific and selective drug design for the development of anti-cancer treatments.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sterrenberg, Jason N , Edkins, Adrienne L , Blatch, Gregory L
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165118 , vital:41210 , DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.08.019
- Description: The heat shock protein 40 kDa (HSP40/DNAJ) co-chaperones constitute the largest and most diverse sub-group of the heat shock protein (HSP) family. DNAJ are widely accepted as regulators of HSP70 function, but also have roles as co-chaperones for the HSP90 chaperone machine, and a growing number of biological functions that may be independent of either of these chaperones. The DNAJ proteins are differentially expressed in human tissues and demonstrate the capacity to function to both promote and suppress cancer development by acting as chaperones for tumour suppressors or oncoproteins. We review the current literature on the function and expression of DNAJ in cancer, stem cells and cancer stem cells. Combining data from gene expression, proteomics and studies in other systems, we propose that DNAJ will be key regulators of cancer, stem cell and possibly cancer stem cell function. The diversity of DNAJ and their assorted roles in a range of biological functions means that selected DNAJ, provided there is limited redundancy and that a specific link to malignancy can be established, may yet provide an attractive target for specific and selective drug design for the development of anti-cancer treatments.
- Full Text:
Hydrological proceses, chemical variability, and multiple isotopestracing of water flow paths in the Kudumela Wetland- Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mekiso, Feleke Abiyo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006153 , Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Description: The hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland, Limpopo Province of South Africa was studied from November 2005 to April 2007, involving both fieldwork and laboratory analyses. This study presents the results of an investigation of the hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland in South Africa, and its contribution to dry season flow in the Mohlapitsi and Olifants Rivers. Initially, 40 Piezometers were installed along seven transects and water levels monitored in order to understand water table level characteristics (fluctuations) with time. Water levels in transects one, three, the right bank portion of transect four and transect six showed fluctuations. Transect two, the left bank portion of transect four and transect five did not show significant temporal changes. The relationships between piezometer water levels, rainfall in the study area and stream flow observed at a river gauging station are not clear. The river within the wetland is a gaining stream because the water table level elevation is above that of the river. This indicates that the wetland is feeding the river. The northern part of the wetland (T1 and T2) is affected by artificial drains and most of the piezometers closest to the river channel showed the lowest variations. The relationships between rainfall, groundwater, and surface water at this site shows that stream flow did not respond quickly to precipitation as expected, even in months when rainfall increased (for example, 74 and 103mm during 08/02/06 and 18/02/06 respectively), and the groundwater levels did not show fluctuations, indicating that groundwater responds gradually to precipitation, and that the relationship between rainfall, groundwater and surface water is complex. The environmental stable isotopes (deuterium and oxygen-18) and the radioactive isotope (tritium) were analyzed, along with field observations of electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total alkalinity (Talka) and some major and minor dissolved ion analyses for tracing water dynamics in the study area. A total of 39 water samples was taken and analyzed from boreholes, auger holes, right bank and left bank drains, various points along the river and springs in four sampling visits to the wetland. The results did not clearly provide a temporal record of isotope and chemical variations in the various sources. Results from the most extensive sampling survey in April 2007 provide the most comprehensive overview of hydrological relationships. Clustering of the stable isotope data suggests that the water samples of upstream and downstream river, auger holes further south and most drains clustered together suggesting a common water source and almost all samples fall above the global (GMWL) and local (Pretoria MWL) meteoric water lines, while some fall between the global and Pretoria meteoric water lines. Six representative water samples were analyzed for major ion concentration. Both cation (Ca, Mg, K, and Na) and anion (HCO3, SO4, Cl, and NO3) analyses in November 2007 confirmed conclusions reached from field observations. The analysis shows that a single type of water (Ca, Mg-HCO3) is involved in the study area. In almost all major ion plots, the right bank drains, upstream river and downstream river samples grouped together in a single cluster. As the means for reliable river flow measurements were not available, except for the gauging station at the outlet of the valley, rough, semi-quantitative estimates were made during several field visits. These, suggest considerable losses of river flow into the gravel/boulder beds at and below a gabion dam at the head of the valley. Three major and several other left bank springs and right bank drains at transects T1 and T2 contributed to the river flow at all times. Along with the isotopic and chemical evidence, these observations have lead to a hypothesis that river water enters the wetland and flows back to the Mohlapitsi River through boulder beds underlying the wetland and through drains on the surface of the argillaceous aquitard covering the more conductive boulder beds. Deeper dolomitic groundwater does not appear to contribute to the water balance at least in the northern half of the wetland. Although environmental isotope and hydrochemistry results may not unequivocally prove this hypothesis they do not contradict it.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mekiso, Feleke Abiyo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006153 , Kudumela Wetland -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland hydrology -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland conservation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Isotopes
- Description: The hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland, Limpopo Province of South Africa was studied from November 2005 to April 2007, involving both fieldwork and laboratory analyses. This study presents the results of an investigation of the hydrology of the Kudumela Wetland in South Africa, and its contribution to dry season flow in the Mohlapitsi and Olifants Rivers. Initially, 40 Piezometers were installed along seven transects and water levels monitored in order to understand water table level characteristics (fluctuations) with time. Water levels in transects one, three, the right bank portion of transect four and transect six showed fluctuations. Transect two, the left bank portion of transect four and transect five did not show significant temporal changes. The relationships between piezometer water levels, rainfall in the study area and stream flow observed at a river gauging station are not clear. The river within the wetland is a gaining stream because the water table level elevation is above that of the river. This indicates that the wetland is feeding the river. The northern part of the wetland (T1 and T2) is affected by artificial drains and most of the piezometers closest to the river channel showed the lowest variations. The relationships between rainfall, groundwater, and surface water at this site shows that stream flow did not respond quickly to precipitation as expected, even in months when rainfall increased (for example, 74 and 103mm during 08/02/06 and 18/02/06 respectively), and the groundwater levels did not show fluctuations, indicating that groundwater responds gradually to precipitation, and that the relationship between rainfall, groundwater and surface water is complex. The environmental stable isotopes (deuterium and oxygen-18) and the radioactive isotope (tritium) were analyzed, along with field observations of electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total alkalinity (Talka) and some major and minor dissolved ion analyses for tracing water dynamics in the study area. A total of 39 water samples was taken and analyzed from boreholes, auger holes, right bank and left bank drains, various points along the river and springs in four sampling visits to the wetland. The results did not clearly provide a temporal record of isotope and chemical variations in the various sources. Results from the most extensive sampling survey in April 2007 provide the most comprehensive overview of hydrological relationships. Clustering of the stable isotope data suggests that the water samples of upstream and downstream river, auger holes further south and most drains clustered together suggesting a common water source and almost all samples fall above the global (GMWL) and local (Pretoria MWL) meteoric water lines, while some fall between the global and Pretoria meteoric water lines. Six representative water samples were analyzed for major ion concentration. Both cation (Ca, Mg, K, and Na) and anion (HCO3, SO4, Cl, and NO3) analyses in November 2007 confirmed conclusions reached from field observations. The analysis shows that a single type of water (Ca, Mg-HCO3) is involved in the study area. In almost all major ion plots, the right bank drains, upstream river and downstream river samples grouped together in a single cluster. As the means for reliable river flow measurements were not available, except for the gauging station at the outlet of the valley, rough, semi-quantitative estimates were made during several field visits. These, suggest considerable losses of river flow into the gravel/boulder beds at and below a gabion dam at the head of the valley. Three major and several other left bank springs and right bank drains at transects T1 and T2 contributed to the river flow at all times. Along with the isotopic and chemical evidence, these observations have lead to a hypothesis that river water enters the wetland and flows back to the Mohlapitsi River through boulder beds underlying the wetland and through drains on the surface of the argillaceous aquitard covering the more conductive boulder beds. Deeper dolomitic groundwater does not appear to contribute to the water balance at least in the northern half of the wetland. Although environmental isotope and hydrochemistry results may not unequivocally prove this hypothesis they do not contradict it.
- Full Text:
I love laser : it's my guiding light
- Authors: Nolan, Cathy
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:7184 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006274 , http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001906/190645e.pdf#190680 , Nyokong, Tebello
- Description: What is the common thread that could possibly link denim jeans, cancer and pesticides? None is evident. Yet when South African chemist Tebello Nyokong describes her fascinating research, the link that emerges is light. Nyokong, a specialist in nanochemistry, loves laser, and is using it in ways that could have a revolutionary impact on medicine and the environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nolan, Cathy
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:7184 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006274 , http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001906/190645e.pdf#190680 , Nyokong, Tebello
- Description: What is the common thread that could possibly link denim jeans, cancer and pesticides? None is evident. Yet when South African chemist Tebello Nyokong describes her fascinating research, the link that emerges is light. Nyokong, a specialist in nanochemistry, loves laser, and is using it in ways that could have a revolutionary impact on medicine and the environment.
- Full Text:
Identifying the interdependence between South Africa's monetary policy and the stock market
- Authors: Muroyiwa, Brian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002716 , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Description: This study estimates the interdependence between South Africa‟s monetary policy and stock market performance, utilising structural vector autoregression (SVAR) methodology. The study finds that a stock price shock which decrease stock prices by 100 basis points leads to 5 basis points decrease in interbank rate. A monetary policy shock that increases the interbank rate by l percent leads to decrease in real stock prices by 1 percent. This result for South Africa is similar to the result by Bjornland and Leteimo (2009) which earlier concluded that there was a high interdependence between interest rate setting and stock prices. However the magnitude of the relationship is relatively lower for South Africa compared to that of the United States of America (USA). The result of the current study is also very much consistent with the argument that the South African stock market is resource-based and so is influenced by external shocks, meaning monetary policy shock does not have as much impact on stock market in South Africa as in the USA. However the SARB may have to consider watching movements in stock prices so that booms in stock markets do not defeat central bank monetary policy thrusts. The stock price market is an essential source of information for monetary policy in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muroyiwa, Brian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002716 , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Securities -- Prices -- South Africa
- Description: This study estimates the interdependence between South Africa‟s monetary policy and stock market performance, utilising structural vector autoregression (SVAR) methodology. The study finds that a stock price shock which decrease stock prices by 100 basis points leads to 5 basis points decrease in interbank rate. A monetary policy shock that increases the interbank rate by l percent leads to decrease in real stock prices by 1 percent. This result for South Africa is similar to the result by Bjornland and Leteimo (2009) which earlier concluded that there was a high interdependence between interest rate setting and stock prices. However the magnitude of the relationship is relatively lower for South Africa compared to that of the United States of America (USA). The result of the current study is also very much consistent with the argument that the South African stock market is resource-based and so is influenced by external shocks, meaning monetary policy shock does not have as much impact on stock market in South Africa as in the USA. However the SARB may have to consider watching movements in stock prices so that booms in stock markets do not defeat central bank monetary policy thrusts. The stock price market is an essential source of information for monetary policy in South Africa.
- Full Text:
Identity, belonging and ecological crisis in South African speculative fiction
- Authors: Steenkamp, Elzette Lorna
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South African fiction -- History and criticism Identity (Philosophical concept) in literature Group identity in literature Ecology in literature Science fiction, South African -- History and criticism Fantasy fiction, South African -- History and criticism Ecofiction -- History and criticism Ecocriticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002262
- Description: This study examines a range of South African speculative novels which situate their narratives in futuristic or ‘alternative’ milieus, exploring how these narratives not only address identity formation in a deeply divided and rapidly changing society, but also the ways in which human beings place themselves in relation to Nature and form notions of ‘ecological’ belonging. It offers close readings of these speculative narratives in order to investigate the ways in which they evince concerns which are rooted in the natural, social and political landscapes which inform them. Specific attention is paid to the texts’ treatment of the intertwined issues of identity, belonging and ecological crisis. This dissertation draws on the fields of Ecocriticism, Postcolonial Studies and Science Fiction Studies, and assumes a culturally specific approach to primary texts while investigating possible cross-cultural commonalities between Afrikaans and English speculative narratives, as well as the cross-fertilisation of global SF/speculative features. It is suggested that South African speculative fiction presents a socio-historically situated, rhizomatic approach to ecology – one that is attuned to the tension between humanistic- and ecological concerns.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Steenkamp, Elzette Lorna
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South African fiction -- History and criticism Identity (Philosophical concept) in literature Group identity in literature Ecology in literature Science fiction, South African -- History and criticism Fantasy fiction, South African -- History and criticism Ecofiction -- History and criticism Ecocriticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002262
- Description: This study examines a range of South African speculative novels which situate their narratives in futuristic or ‘alternative’ milieus, exploring how these narratives not only address identity formation in a deeply divided and rapidly changing society, but also the ways in which human beings place themselves in relation to Nature and form notions of ‘ecological’ belonging. It offers close readings of these speculative narratives in order to investigate the ways in which they evince concerns which are rooted in the natural, social and political landscapes which inform them. Specific attention is paid to the texts’ treatment of the intertwined issues of identity, belonging and ecological crisis. This dissertation draws on the fields of Ecocriticism, Postcolonial Studies and Science Fiction Studies, and assumes a culturally specific approach to primary texts while investigating possible cross-cultural commonalities between Afrikaans and English speculative narratives, as well as the cross-fertilisation of global SF/speculative features. It is suggested that South African speculative fiction presents a socio-historically situated, rhizomatic approach to ecology – one that is attuned to the tension between humanistic- and ecological concerns.
- Full Text:
Ilam's Archival Revitalisation: the past five years at the International Library of African Music
- Authors: Still-Drewett, F
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006719
- Description: The International Library for African Music (ILAM) was begun in 1954 by ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey (1903–1977). Since 2007, an active set of projects in preservation and digitisation of both sound and photographic archives have meant that this highly important archive of traditional African music has been stabilized and conserved. New outreach education projects are helping distribute the wealth of the collection back to the African people. ILAM now has a more secure future and makes seminal contributions in the fields of research, publication and education for African music. French Abstract La Bibliothèque Internationale pour la Musique Africaine (ILAM) a été établie en 1954 par l’ethnomusicologue Hugh Tracey (1903–1977). Depuis 2007, un ensemble de projets actifs dans la préservation et la numérisation des archives sonores et photographiques, a eu comme résultat que ces archives très importantes de la musique traditionnelle africaine ont été stabilisées et conservées. De nouveaux projets d’éducation et de sensibilisation aident à distribuer la richesse de cette collection à la population africaine. ILAM a maintenant un avenir plus sûr et apporte une contribution fondamentale dans les domaines de la recherche, la publication et l’enseignement de la musique africaine. German Abstract Die International Library for African Music (ILAM) wurde im Jahr 1954 durch den Musi kethnolo - gen Hugh Tracey (1903–1977) gegründet. Seit 2007 laufende Projekte zur Bestandssicherung und Digitalisierung des Schall- und Fotoarchivs helfen, dieses überaus wichtige Archiv für traditionelle afrikanische Musik zu erhalten und in seiner Existenz zu stabilisieren. Neue, nach außen wirkende Bildungsprojekte tragen dazu bei, den Reichtum der Sammlung an die afrikanische Bevölkerung zurückzugeben. Durch seine nun gesicherte Zukunft kann ILAM für die afrikanische Musik grundlegende Beiträge in Forschung, Veröffentlichung und Bildung leisten. Afrikaans Abstract Die International Library of African Music (ILAM) is in 1954 deur die etnomusikoloog, Hugh Tracey (1903–1977), gestig. Aktiewe preserverings- en digitaliseringsprojekte van beide klank- en foto-argiewe sedert 2007, het tot gevolg gehad dat hierdie hoogs belangrike argief van tradisionele Afrikamusiek gestabiliseer en bewaar kon word. Nuwe ontwikkelings-uitreikprojekte dra daartoe by dat die rykdom van hierdie versameling teruggeploeg word aan Afrika. ILAM het tans ‘n meer versekerde toekoms en lewer invloedryke bydraes op die gebied van navorsing, publikasie en opleiding in Afrikamusiek. IsiXhosa Abstract Ithala lehlabathi lomculo wase-Afrika, i- International Library for African Music (ILAM) laqalwa ngo- 1954 yingcali yomculo weentlanga ngeentlanga, uHugh Tracey (1903–1977). Ukususela ngo-2007 umsebenzi wokulondoloza nokugcina ngekhompyutha isandi seengoma kwakunye neefoto uthetha ukuba le mbali ibalulekileyo kumculo we-Afrika wemveli iqiniselwe kwaye igcinwe ngononophelo. Iiprojekti ezintsha zokolulela isandla kwabanye abantu ziyanceda ekusasazeni le ndyebo kwabo bantu isuka kubo, ama-Afrika. Ngoku i-ILAM inekamva elingagunqgiyo kwaye inegalelo elibonakalayo kuphando, upapasho nemfundo ngomculo wase-Afrika.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Still-Drewett, F
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006719
- Description: The International Library for African Music (ILAM) was begun in 1954 by ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey (1903–1977). Since 2007, an active set of projects in preservation and digitisation of both sound and photographic archives have meant that this highly important archive of traditional African music has been stabilized and conserved. New outreach education projects are helping distribute the wealth of the collection back to the African people. ILAM now has a more secure future and makes seminal contributions in the fields of research, publication and education for African music. French Abstract La Bibliothèque Internationale pour la Musique Africaine (ILAM) a été établie en 1954 par l’ethnomusicologue Hugh Tracey (1903–1977). Depuis 2007, un ensemble de projets actifs dans la préservation et la numérisation des archives sonores et photographiques, a eu comme résultat que ces archives très importantes de la musique traditionnelle africaine ont été stabilisées et conservées. De nouveaux projets d’éducation et de sensibilisation aident à distribuer la richesse de cette collection à la population africaine. ILAM a maintenant un avenir plus sûr et apporte une contribution fondamentale dans les domaines de la recherche, la publication et l’enseignement de la musique africaine. German Abstract Die International Library for African Music (ILAM) wurde im Jahr 1954 durch den Musi kethnolo - gen Hugh Tracey (1903–1977) gegründet. Seit 2007 laufende Projekte zur Bestandssicherung und Digitalisierung des Schall- und Fotoarchivs helfen, dieses überaus wichtige Archiv für traditionelle afrikanische Musik zu erhalten und in seiner Existenz zu stabilisieren. Neue, nach außen wirkende Bildungsprojekte tragen dazu bei, den Reichtum der Sammlung an die afrikanische Bevölkerung zurückzugeben. Durch seine nun gesicherte Zukunft kann ILAM für die afrikanische Musik grundlegende Beiträge in Forschung, Veröffentlichung und Bildung leisten. Afrikaans Abstract Die International Library of African Music (ILAM) is in 1954 deur die etnomusikoloog, Hugh Tracey (1903–1977), gestig. Aktiewe preserverings- en digitaliseringsprojekte van beide klank- en foto-argiewe sedert 2007, het tot gevolg gehad dat hierdie hoogs belangrike argief van tradisionele Afrikamusiek gestabiliseer en bewaar kon word. Nuwe ontwikkelings-uitreikprojekte dra daartoe by dat die rykdom van hierdie versameling teruggeploeg word aan Afrika. ILAM het tans ‘n meer versekerde toekoms en lewer invloedryke bydraes op die gebied van navorsing, publikasie en opleiding in Afrikamusiek. IsiXhosa Abstract Ithala lehlabathi lomculo wase-Afrika, i- International Library for African Music (ILAM) laqalwa ngo- 1954 yingcali yomculo weentlanga ngeentlanga, uHugh Tracey (1903–1977). Ukususela ngo-2007 umsebenzi wokulondoloza nokugcina ngekhompyutha isandi seengoma kwakunye neefoto uthetha ukuba le mbali ibalulekileyo kumculo we-Afrika wemveli iqiniselwe kwaye igcinwe ngononophelo. Iiprojekti ezintsha zokolulela isandla kwabanye abantu ziyanceda ekusasazeni le ndyebo kwabo bantu isuka kubo, ama-Afrika. Ngoku i-ILAM inekamva elingagunqgiyo kwaye inegalelo elibonakalayo kuphando, upapasho nemfundo ngomculo wase-Afrika.
- Full Text:
Ill at ease in our translated world ecocriticism, language, and the natural environment in the fiction of Michael Ondaatje, Amitav Ghosh, David Malouf and Wilma Stockenström
- Authors: Johnson, Eleanore
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Ondaatje, Michael, 1943- The English patient Ghosh, Amitav. The hungry tide Malouf, David, 1934- An imaginary life Stockenström, Wilma. The expedition to the Baobab tree Ecocriticism Human ecology in literature Nature in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2234 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002277
- Description: This thesis explores the thematic desire to establish an ecological human bond with nature in four contemporary novels: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh, An Imaginary Life by David Malouf, and The Expedition to The Baobab Tree by Wilma Stockenström. These authors share a concern with the influence that language has on human perception, and one of the most significant ways they attempt to connect with the natural world is through somehow escaping, or transcending, what they perceive to be the divisive tendencies of language. They all suggest that human perception is not steered entirely by a disembodied mind, which constructs reality through linguistic and cultural lenses, but is equally influenced by physical circumstances and embodied experiences. They explore the potential of corporeal reciprocity and empathy as that which enables understanding across cultural barriers, and a sense of ecologically intertwined kinship with nature. They all struggle to reconcile their awareness of the potential danger of relating to nature exclusively through language, with a desire to speak for the natural world in literature. I have examined whether they succeed in doing so, or whether they contradict their thematic suspicion of language with their literary medium. I have prioritised a close ecocritical reading of the novels and loosely situated the authors’ approach to nature and language within the broad theoretical frameworks of radical ecology, structuralism and poststructuralism. I suggest that these novels are best analysed in the context of an ecocritical mediation between poststructuralist conceptions of nature as inaccessible cultural construct, and the naïve conception of unmediated, pre-reflective interaction with the natural world. I draw especially on the phenomenological theories of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, whose insistence that perception is always both embodied and culturally mediated truly renders culture and nature irreducible, intertwined categories. By challenging historical dualisms like mind/body and culture/nature, the selected novels suggest a more fluid and discursive understanding of the perceived conflict between language and nature, whilst problematizing the perception of language as merely a cultural artefact. Moreover, they are examples of the kind of literature that has the potential to positively influence our human conception of nature, and adapt us better to our ecological context on a planet struggling for survival.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Johnson, Eleanore
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Ondaatje, Michael, 1943- The English patient Ghosh, Amitav. The hungry tide Malouf, David, 1934- An imaginary life Stockenström, Wilma. The expedition to the Baobab tree Ecocriticism Human ecology in literature Nature in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2234 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002277
- Description: This thesis explores the thematic desire to establish an ecological human bond with nature in four contemporary novels: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh, An Imaginary Life by David Malouf, and The Expedition to The Baobab Tree by Wilma Stockenström. These authors share a concern with the influence that language has on human perception, and one of the most significant ways they attempt to connect with the natural world is through somehow escaping, or transcending, what they perceive to be the divisive tendencies of language. They all suggest that human perception is not steered entirely by a disembodied mind, which constructs reality through linguistic and cultural lenses, but is equally influenced by physical circumstances and embodied experiences. They explore the potential of corporeal reciprocity and empathy as that which enables understanding across cultural barriers, and a sense of ecologically intertwined kinship with nature. They all struggle to reconcile their awareness of the potential danger of relating to nature exclusively through language, with a desire to speak for the natural world in literature. I have examined whether they succeed in doing so, or whether they contradict their thematic suspicion of language with their literary medium. I have prioritised a close ecocritical reading of the novels and loosely situated the authors’ approach to nature and language within the broad theoretical frameworks of radical ecology, structuralism and poststructuralism. I suggest that these novels are best analysed in the context of an ecocritical mediation between poststructuralist conceptions of nature as inaccessible cultural construct, and the naïve conception of unmediated, pre-reflective interaction with the natural world. I draw especially on the phenomenological theories of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, whose insistence that perception is always both embodied and culturally mediated truly renders culture and nature irreducible, intertwined categories. By challenging historical dualisms like mind/body and culture/nature, the selected novels suggest a more fluid and discursive understanding of the perceived conflict between language and nature, whilst problematizing the perception of language as merely a cultural artefact. Moreover, they are examples of the kind of literature that has the potential to positively influence our human conception of nature, and adapt us better to our ecological context on a planet struggling for survival.
- Full Text:
Improved tree species discrimination at leaf level with hyperspectral data combining binary classifiers
- Authors: Dastile, Xolani Collen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mathematical statistics , Analysis of variance , Nearest neighbor analysis (Statistics) , Trees--Classification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002807 , Mathematical statistics , Analysis of variance , Nearest neighbor analysis (Statistics) , Trees--Classification
- Description: The purpose of the present thesis is to show that hyperspectral data can be used for discrimination between different tree species. The data set used in this study contains the hyperspectral measurements of leaves of seven savannah tree species. The data is high-dimensional and shows large within-class variability combined with small between-class variability which makes discrimination between the classes challenging. We employ two classification methods: G-nearest neighbour and feed-forward neural networks. For both methods, direct 7-class prediction results in high misclassification rates. However, binary classification works better. We constructed binary classifiers for all possible binary classification problems and combine them with Error Correcting Output Codes. We show especially that the use of 1-nearest neighbour binary classifiers results in no improvement compared to a direct 1-nearest neighbour 7-class predictor. In contrast to this negative result, the use of neural networks binary classifiers improves accuracy by 10% compared to a direct neural networks 7-class predictor, and error rates become acceptable. This can be further improved by choosing only suitable binary classifiers for combination.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dastile, Xolani Collen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mathematical statistics , Analysis of variance , Nearest neighbor analysis (Statistics) , Trees--Classification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002807 , Mathematical statistics , Analysis of variance , Nearest neighbor analysis (Statistics) , Trees--Classification
- Description: The purpose of the present thesis is to show that hyperspectral data can be used for discrimination between different tree species. The data set used in this study contains the hyperspectral measurements of leaves of seven savannah tree species. The data is high-dimensional and shows large within-class variability combined with small between-class variability which makes discrimination between the classes challenging. We employ two classification methods: G-nearest neighbour and feed-forward neural networks. For both methods, direct 7-class prediction results in high misclassification rates. However, binary classification works better. We constructed binary classifiers for all possible binary classification problems and combine them with Error Correcting Output Codes. We show especially that the use of 1-nearest neighbour binary classifiers results in no improvement compared to a direct 1-nearest neighbour 7-class predictor. In contrast to this negative result, the use of neural networks binary classifiers improves accuracy by 10% compared to a direct neural networks 7-class predictor, and error rates become acceptable. This can be further improved by choosing only suitable binary classifiers for combination.
- Full Text:
In service to the law: Alastair James Kerr SC
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70658 , vital:29686 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC53959
- Description: Professor Alastair James Kerr SC passed away at Settlers Hospital in Grahamstown on the 29th of September 2010. He was eighty-eight years of age. Ironically, his death occurred at the time that the third part of the 2010 SALJ appeared in print, containing a tribute to one of the other great writers on South African contract law, Professor Richard (Dick) Christie, who had passed away earlier in the year (see A J G Lang 'Professor Richard Hunter Christie: A memorial tribute' (2010) 127 SALJ 414). 2010 may have been a momentous year in South Africa for many reasons, but the deaths of these two men in the same year has left the landscape of our contract law irrevocably changed, even though their ideas will live on through their published works.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70658 , vital:29686 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC53959
- Description: Professor Alastair James Kerr SC passed away at Settlers Hospital in Grahamstown on the 29th of September 2010. He was eighty-eight years of age. Ironically, his death occurred at the time that the third part of the 2010 SALJ appeared in print, containing a tribute to one of the other great writers on South African contract law, Professor Richard (Dick) Christie, who had passed away earlier in the year (see A J G Lang 'Professor Richard Hunter Christie: A memorial tribute' (2010) 127 SALJ 414). 2010 may have been a momentous year in South Africa for many reasons, but the deaths of these two men in the same year has left the landscape of our contract law irrevocably changed, even though their ideas will live on through their published works.
- Full Text: false
In vitro toxicity testing of zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanines in fibroblast and keratinocyte cells for the treatment of melanoma cancer by photodynamic therapy
- Maduray, Kaminee, Karsten, Alta, Odhay, Bharti, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Maduray, Kaminee , Karsten, Alta , Odhay, Bharti , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/247588 , vital:51597 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2011.01.020"
- Description: A series of water-soluble tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) dyes have been studied to be used as a drug or photosensitizer (PS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of cancers. During PDT the PS is administrated intravenously or topically to the patient before laser light at an appropriate wavelength is applied to the cancerous area to activate the PS. The activated PS will react with oxygen typically present in the cancerous tissue to generate reactive oxygen species for the destruction of the cancerous tissue. This in vitro study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanines (ZnTSPc) activated with a diode laser (λ = 672 nm) on melanoma, keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. To perform this study 3 × 104 cells/ml were seeded in 24-well plates and allowed to attach overnight, after which cells were treated with different concentrations of ZnTSPc. After 2 h, cells were irradiated with a constant light dose of 4.5 J/cm2. Post-irradiated cells were incubated for 24 h before cell viability was measured using the CellTiter-Blue Viability Assay. Data indicated high concentrations of ZnTSPc (60–100 μg/ml) in its inactive state are cytotoxic to the melanoma cancer cells. Also, results showed that photoactivated ZnTSPc (50 μg/ml) was able to reduce the cell viability of melanoma, fibroblast and keratinocyte cells to 61%, 81% and 83% respectively. At this photosensitizing concentration the efficacy the treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 against other light doses of 2.5 J/cm2, 7.5 J/cm2 and 10 J/cm2 on the different cell lines were analyzed. ZnTSPc at a concentration of 50 μg/ml activated with a light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 was the most efficient for the killing of melanoma cancer cells with reduced killing effects on healthy normal skin cells in comparison to the other treatment light doses. Melanoma cancer cells after PDT with a photosensitizing concentration of 50 μg/ml and a treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 showed certain apoptosis characteristics such as chromatin condensation and fragmentation of the nucleus. This concludes that low concentrations of ZnTSPc activated with the appropriate light dose can be used to induce cell death in melanoma cells with the occurrence of minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maduray, Kaminee , Karsten, Alta , Odhay, Bharti , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/247588 , vital:51597 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2011.01.020"
- Description: A series of water-soluble tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) dyes have been studied to be used as a drug or photosensitizer (PS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of cancers. During PDT the PS is administrated intravenously or topically to the patient before laser light at an appropriate wavelength is applied to the cancerous area to activate the PS. The activated PS will react with oxygen typically present in the cancerous tissue to generate reactive oxygen species for the destruction of the cancerous tissue. This in vitro study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanines (ZnTSPc) activated with a diode laser (λ = 672 nm) on melanoma, keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. To perform this study 3 × 104 cells/ml were seeded in 24-well plates and allowed to attach overnight, after which cells were treated with different concentrations of ZnTSPc. After 2 h, cells were irradiated with a constant light dose of 4.5 J/cm2. Post-irradiated cells were incubated for 24 h before cell viability was measured using the CellTiter-Blue Viability Assay. Data indicated high concentrations of ZnTSPc (60–100 μg/ml) in its inactive state are cytotoxic to the melanoma cancer cells. Also, results showed that photoactivated ZnTSPc (50 μg/ml) was able to reduce the cell viability of melanoma, fibroblast and keratinocyte cells to 61%, 81% and 83% respectively. At this photosensitizing concentration the efficacy the treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 against other light doses of 2.5 J/cm2, 7.5 J/cm2 and 10 J/cm2 on the different cell lines were analyzed. ZnTSPc at a concentration of 50 μg/ml activated with a light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 was the most efficient for the killing of melanoma cancer cells with reduced killing effects on healthy normal skin cells in comparison to the other treatment light doses. Melanoma cancer cells after PDT with a photosensitizing concentration of 50 μg/ml and a treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 showed certain apoptosis characteristics such as chromatin condensation and fragmentation of the nucleus. This concludes that low concentrations of ZnTSPc activated with the appropriate light dose can be used to induce cell death in melanoma cells with the occurrence of minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Full Text:
Incorporating uncertainty in water resources simulation and assessment tools in South Africa
- Hughes, Denis A, Kapangaziwiri, E, Mallory, S J, Wagener, T, Smithers, J
- Authors: Hughes, Denis A , Kapangaziwiri, E , Mallory, S J , Wagener, T , Smithers, J
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438239 , vital:73445 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0128-0 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/18381.pdf
- Description: The main objective of the project was to contribute to the incorporation of uncer-tainty assessments in water resource decision making in South Africa, thereby quan-tifying the risks associated with specific decisions about planned future water re-source developments. This objective was supported by several specific aims: 1. De-velop an understanding of uncertainty and associated risks in water resource man-agement on the basis of literature and known practices, nationally and internation-ally. 2. Identify and characterise the main sources of uncertainty (focusing on cur-rent South African practice and typical situations of data availability). 3. Develop techniques and guidelines for quantifying the uncertainty associated with different models. This will include uncertainty in all relevant areas (hydrological, climate, economic, social, etc.). 4. Determine the effects of uncertainty on water resource management and identify what level of uncertainty is acceptable. 5. Develop guide-lines for the communication of uncertainty and the impacts to various stakeholder groups involved within water resource planning and management. This aim will need to address the issue of the links between uncertainty and risk. 6. Develop guidelines for incorporating uncertainty and the associated risk into water resource decision making processes. 7. Identify those areas of uncertainty that can be realistically re-duced and which will have the greatest impact on reducing the risks involved with water resource decision making.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hughes, Denis A , Kapangaziwiri, E , Mallory, S J , Wagener, T , Smithers, J
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438239 , vital:73445 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0128-0 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/18381.pdf
- Description: The main objective of the project was to contribute to the incorporation of uncer-tainty assessments in water resource decision making in South Africa, thereby quan-tifying the risks associated with specific decisions about planned future water re-source developments. This objective was supported by several specific aims: 1. De-velop an understanding of uncertainty and associated risks in water resource man-agement on the basis of literature and known practices, nationally and internation-ally. 2. Identify and characterise the main sources of uncertainty (focusing on cur-rent South African practice and typical situations of data availability). 3. Develop techniques and guidelines for quantifying the uncertainty associated with different models. This will include uncertainty in all relevant areas (hydrological, climate, economic, social, etc.). 4. Determine the effects of uncertainty on water resource management and identify what level of uncertainty is acceptable. 5. Develop guide-lines for the communication of uncertainty and the impacts to various stakeholder groups involved within water resource planning and management. This aim will need to address the issue of the links between uncertainty and risk. 6. Develop guidelines for incorporating uncertainty and the associated risk into water resource decision making processes. 7. Identify those areas of uncertainty that can be realistically re-duced and which will have the greatest impact on reducing the risks involved with water resource decision making.
- Full Text:
Incorporation of Ni(II)-dimethylglyoxime ion-imprinted polymer into electrospun polysulphone nanofibre for the determination of Ni(II) ions from aqueous samples
- Rammika, M, Darko, G, Torto, N
- Authors: Rammika, M , Darko, G , Torto, N
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6589 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004172
- Description: Ni(II)-dimethylglyoxime ion-imprinted polymer (Ni(II)-DMG IIP) was encapsulated in polysulphone and electrospun into nanofibres with diameters ranging from 406 to 854 nm. The structures of the Ni(II)-DMG encapsulated-IIP nanofibre, non-imprinted encapsulated-polymer nanofibre and polysulphone nanofibre mats were observed by scanning electron microscopy and evaluated by infrared spectroscopy. Electrospinning increased the specific surface area of the Ni(II)-DMG encapsulated-IIP nanofibre mats, as was evidenced by the low masses of the Ni(II)-DMG encapsulated-IIP nanofibre mats used. The accuracy of the method was validated by analysing a custom solution of certified reference material (SEP-3); the concentration of Ni(II) obtained was close to the certified one. The limit of detection was found to be 4.0x10-4 μg∙mℓ−1 while the limit of quantification was found to be 1.2x10-3 μg∙mℓ−1. The recovery of Ni(II) achieved using the Ni(II)-DMG imprinted nanofibre mats in water samples was found to range from 83 to 89%, while that of non-imprinted nanofibre mats was found to range from 59 to 65%, and that of polysulphone from 55 to 62%.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rammika, M , Darko, G , Torto, N
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6589 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004172
- Description: Ni(II)-dimethylglyoxime ion-imprinted polymer (Ni(II)-DMG IIP) was encapsulated in polysulphone and electrospun into nanofibres with diameters ranging from 406 to 854 nm. The structures of the Ni(II)-DMG encapsulated-IIP nanofibre, non-imprinted encapsulated-polymer nanofibre and polysulphone nanofibre mats were observed by scanning electron microscopy and evaluated by infrared spectroscopy. Electrospinning increased the specific surface area of the Ni(II)-DMG encapsulated-IIP nanofibre mats, as was evidenced by the low masses of the Ni(II)-DMG encapsulated-IIP nanofibre mats used. The accuracy of the method was validated by analysing a custom solution of certified reference material (SEP-3); the concentration of Ni(II) obtained was close to the certified one. The limit of detection was found to be 4.0x10-4 μg∙mℓ−1 while the limit of quantification was found to be 1.2x10-3 μg∙mℓ−1. The recovery of Ni(II) achieved using the Ni(II)-DMG imprinted nanofibre mats in water samples was found to range from 83 to 89%, while that of non-imprinted nanofibre mats was found to range from 59 to 65%, and that of polysulphone from 55 to 62%.
- Full Text:
Inflation threshold and nonlinearity: implications for inflation targeting in South Africa
- Authors: Morar, Derwina
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Inflation targeting -- South Africa Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- South Africa Monetary policy -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002718
- Description: Following many other central banks around the world, the South African Reserve Bank has adopted inflation targeting as its monetary policy framework. The aim of this is to achieve low levels of inflation in order to attain price stability thereby promoting growth. In South Africa, the chosen band to target is 3%–6%. This has been criticised by many trade unions who are calling for the abandonment of inflation targeting. Despite targeting 3%–6%, it is not known whether this is the optimal inflation range for South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the inflation threshold level for South Africa using quarterly data for the period 1983 to 2010. The first section determines whether or not there is a long-run relationship between inflation and growth using the Johansen cointegration method. Exogeneity tests determine the causality between these variables. Vector error correction models are estimated if cointegration is found. The second part determines the threshold level of inflation using the method of conditional least squares. The inflation level that maximises the R-squared value and minimises the residual sum of squares gives an indication of the threshold level. The third part of the study determines whether or not inflation volatility has a significant impact on growth. The first part established that there is long-run comovement between inflation and growth.The causality is bidirectional with both variables being endogenous.Findings regarding the threshold level show that the current inflation targeting band of 3%–6% may be extended up to 9.5%. In addition, the range of inflation from 5.5% to 6.5% promotes economic growth in South Africa. Finally, the evidence suggests that inflation volatility does not have a significant impact on economic growth and the focus of policy should be directed towards the level of inflation as has been the case.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Morar, Derwina
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Inflation targeting -- South Africa Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- South Africa Monetary policy -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002718
- Description: Following many other central banks around the world, the South African Reserve Bank has adopted inflation targeting as its monetary policy framework. The aim of this is to achieve low levels of inflation in order to attain price stability thereby promoting growth. In South Africa, the chosen band to target is 3%–6%. This has been criticised by many trade unions who are calling for the abandonment of inflation targeting. Despite targeting 3%–6%, it is not known whether this is the optimal inflation range for South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the inflation threshold level for South Africa using quarterly data for the period 1983 to 2010. The first section determines whether or not there is a long-run relationship between inflation and growth using the Johansen cointegration method. Exogeneity tests determine the causality between these variables. Vector error correction models are estimated if cointegration is found. The second part determines the threshold level of inflation using the method of conditional least squares. The inflation level that maximises the R-squared value and minimises the residual sum of squares gives an indication of the threshold level. The third part of the study determines whether or not inflation volatility has a significant impact on growth. The first part established that there is long-run comovement between inflation and growth.The causality is bidirectional with both variables being endogenous.Findings regarding the threshold level show that the current inflation targeting band of 3%–6% may be extended up to 9.5%. In addition, the range of inflation from 5.5% to 6.5% promotes economic growth in South Africa. Finally, the evidence suggests that inflation volatility does not have a significant impact on economic growth and the focus of policy should be directed towards the level of inflation as has been the case.
- Full Text:
Initial investigations into dynamics of mesozooplankton community structure in Algoa Bay, South Africa
- Authors: Dali, Luzuko O'Brian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa , Phytoplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005401 , Zooplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa , Phytoplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa
- Description: As part of a long-term monitoring programme initiated by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Elwandle Node, the spatio-temporal dynamics of mesozooplankton (200–2000 μm) community structure in Algoa Bay, on the Eastern Cape coastline of southern Africa, was investigated in summer and winter of 2008. Physical-chemical and biological variables were measured at selected sites in the eastern and western sectors of the Bay. During summer, nutrient rich waters upwelling into the eastern sector of the Bay contributed to significant spatial variation in selected physical-chemical variables. During winter, virtually no significant spatial patterns in the physical-chemical variables were observed (P>0.05 in all cases). For the majority of physical-chemical variables, no significant seasonal patterns in values were detected (P>0.05 in all cases). Notable exceptions were water column stability and water temperatures which were highest during summer, and seston, turbidity and ammonium concentrations which attained the highest values in winter. The striking seasonal pattern observed in the water column stability, coupled with the upwelling event, coincided with a strong seasonal pattern in the total surface and integrated chlorophyll-a concentrations within the Bay. During summer, the total surface phytoplankton biomass ranged from 1.87–3.11 μg.L⁻¹ and the integrated biomass values between 44.6 and 89.1 mg chl-a m⁻². In winter, surface chl-a concentrations ranged from 0.49 to 0.55 μg.L⁻¹ and integrated biomass from 13.5 to 13.8 mg chl-a m⁻². During both seasons, the large microphytoplankton (>20 μm) fraction contributed the most (>80%) to the total phytoplankton biomass suggesting that phytoplankton growth is not nutrient limited within the Bay. The total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass values during summer varied between 10088.92 and 28283.21 ind.m⁻³ and between 76.59 and 161.94 mg.m⁻³, respectively. During winter, total abundance and biomass of mesozooplankton within the Bay were significantly lower, ranging from 2392.49 to 11145.29 ind.m⁻³, and from 34.49 to 42.49 mg.m⁻³, respectively (P<0.05). During both seasons, cosmopolitan copepod species 200–500μm in size dominated the total mesozooplankton counts, numerically and in biomass. Hierarchical cluster analyses identified distinct zooplankton groupings within the Bay during both the summer (three groupings) and winter (four groupings) surveys. The different groupings identified during the two seasons were not associated with any specific geographic region or hydrological feature. Nonetheless, a distinct seasonal pattern in the mesozooplankton community was evident, largely reflecting the increased abundance of mesozooplankton during the summer survey. Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) indicated that the zooplankton community structure within Algoa Bay reflected a complex interaction between physical-chemical (e.g. temperature, water column stability, turbidity, and nitrate, dissolved oxygen and nitrite concentrations) and biological factors (e.g. microphytoplankton and picophytoplankton concentrations). These data provide baseline information towards long-term monitoring programs that will be conducted in Algoa Bay, as part of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), in the near future.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dali, Luzuko O'Brian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa , Phytoplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005401 , Zooplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa , Phytoplankton -- Research -- Indian Ocean -- South Africa
- Description: As part of a long-term monitoring programme initiated by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Elwandle Node, the spatio-temporal dynamics of mesozooplankton (200–2000 μm) community structure in Algoa Bay, on the Eastern Cape coastline of southern Africa, was investigated in summer and winter of 2008. Physical-chemical and biological variables were measured at selected sites in the eastern and western sectors of the Bay. During summer, nutrient rich waters upwelling into the eastern sector of the Bay contributed to significant spatial variation in selected physical-chemical variables. During winter, virtually no significant spatial patterns in the physical-chemical variables were observed (P>0.05 in all cases). For the majority of physical-chemical variables, no significant seasonal patterns in values were detected (P>0.05 in all cases). Notable exceptions were water column stability and water temperatures which were highest during summer, and seston, turbidity and ammonium concentrations which attained the highest values in winter. The striking seasonal pattern observed in the water column stability, coupled with the upwelling event, coincided with a strong seasonal pattern in the total surface and integrated chlorophyll-a concentrations within the Bay. During summer, the total surface phytoplankton biomass ranged from 1.87–3.11 μg.L⁻¹ and the integrated biomass values between 44.6 and 89.1 mg chl-a m⁻². In winter, surface chl-a concentrations ranged from 0.49 to 0.55 μg.L⁻¹ and integrated biomass from 13.5 to 13.8 mg chl-a m⁻². During both seasons, the large microphytoplankton (>20 μm) fraction contributed the most (>80%) to the total phytoplankton biomass suggesting that phytoplankton growth is not nutrient limited within the Bay. The total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass values during summer varied between 10088.92 and 28283.21 ind.m⁻³ and between 76.59 and 161.94 mg.m⁻³, respectively. During winter, total abundance and biomass of mesozooplankton within the Bay were significantly lower, ranging from 2392.49 to 11145.29 ind.m⁻³, and from 34.49 to 42.49 mg.m⁻³, respectively (P<0.05). During both seasons, cosmopolitan copepod species 200–500μm in size dominated the total mesozooplankton counts, numerically and in biomass. Hierarchical cluster analyses identified distinct zooplankton groupings within the Bay during both the summer (three groupings) and winter (four groupings) surveys. The different groupings identified during the two seasons were not associated with any specific geographic region or hydrological feature. Nonetheless, a distinct seasonal pattern in the mesozooplankton community was evident, largely reflecting the increased abundance of mesozooplankton during the summer survey. Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) indicated that the zooplankton community structure within Algoa Bay reflected a complex interaction between physical-chemical (e.g. temperature, water column stability, turbidity, and nitrate, dissolved oxygen and nitrite concentrations) and biological factors (e.g. microphytoplankton and picophytoplankton concentrations). These data provide baseline information towards long-term monitoring programs that will be conducted in Algoa Bay, as part of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), in the near future.
- Full Text:
Integrating scholastic and practice-centred epistemologies in a post-graduate professional degree
- Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, Ellery, Karen
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Ellery, Karen
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69489 , vital:29542 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC37710
- Description: This article argues for the integration of both scholastic and practice-centred epistemologies within an Environmental Education (EE) post-graduate curriculum that is oriented towards sustainability and socio-ecological justice. It is an interpretive study based on an in-depth analysis of five assignments by four scholars registered for the M.Ed. EE course at Rhodes University where a contextualised, reflexive research process, based in a work-place context, forms the integrative pedagogic tool. Analyses indicate that involving students in such a process, with close support and guidance, is an effective means of developing both scholastic and practical epistemologies. It is concluded that research-led integration of scholastic and practice-centred epistemologies in a transformational curriculum has the potential to provide epistemological access to the academy, advance knowledge within disciplines, and challenge the dominance of scholastic knowledge in higher education settings.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Ellery, Karen
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69489 , vital:29542 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC37710
- Description: This article argues for the integration of both scholastic and practice-centred epistemologies within an Environmental Education (EE) post-graduate curriculum that is oriented towards sustainability and socio-ecological justice. It is an interpretive study based on an in-depth analysis of five assignments by four scholars registered for the M.Ed. EE course at Rhodes University where a contextualised, reflexive research process, based in a work-place context, forms the integrative pedagogic tool. Analyses indicate that involving students in such a process, with close support and guidance, is an effective means of developing both scholastic and practical epistemologies. It is concluded that research-led integration of scholastic and practice-centred epistemologies in a transformational curriculum has the potential to provide epistemological access to the academy, advance knowledge within disciplines, and challenge the dominance of scholastic knowledge in higher education settings.
- Full Text:
Intellectualisation of African languages with particular reference to isiXhosa
- Authors: Maseko, Pamela
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xhosa language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa , African languages
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58035 , vital:27035
- Description: The research explores the relationship between language and education, and motivates for the intellectualisation of African languages, isiXhosa in particular, and for their use in education. The main rationale behind this is that access to, and success in education can largely be realised if that education is mediated in one’s first language. The thesis discusses works of prominent scholars who have written on the subject - relating cognitive abilities and achievement in education to language in which that education is offered. The lack of terminology in new domains in African languages as barrier to mother tongue education is laid bare by looking specifically at the history of intellectualisation of isiXhosa, from the missionaries in the 1820s up to the new endeavours as recently as 2008. Terminologies that were developed during the Bantu Education era, where development of isiXhosa and other indigenous African languages was accelerated in order to respond to the demands of moedertaal-onderwys (mother tongue education) are surveyed, and the process of their development analysed. Three main terminology lists developed during this period are analysed against terminology development principles, approaches and methods that are seen as a measure to ensure quality terminology development. The efforts of the development of isiXhosa during the post-apartheid South Africa, especially the government-driven initiatives, are also critiqued even though these are not as effective and as extensive, especially in education. The result of this analysis is that African languages and isiXhosa in particular, can be used in scientific disciplines and at the highest levels of education. Its grammar is advanced, and its lexicon is extensive such that new concepts that need to be named can be named, using appropriate term creation strategies. There are also technological tools such as WordSmith tools that can be used that can advance its development, ensuring that the concept represented in the newly-created term is precise, concise and appropriate in terms of its discipline. Therefore it is argued that, in the interim, terminologies should be developed, in various subjects, to support learning, which at this stage is mediated in English, for those students who have other languages as mother tongue. Those terminologies that have been developed in the various historical periods should be collated, revised and brought into the classrooms. The thesis argues that real intellectualisation of isiXhosa and other African languages rests on the use of these languages in classrooms and lecture halls, and in the value that all role players place on these languages.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maseko, Pamela
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xhosa language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa , African languages
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58035 , vital:27035
- Description: The research explores the relationship between language and education, and motivates for the intellectualisation of African languages, isiXhosa in particular, and for their use in education. The main rationale behind this is that access to, and success in education can largely be realised if that education is mediated in one’s first language. The thesis discusses works of prominent scholars who have written on the subject - relating cognitive abilities and achievement in education to language in which that education is offered. The lack of terminology in new domains in African languages as barrier to mother tongue education is laid bare by looking specifically at the history of intellectualisation of isiXhosa, from the missionaries in the 1820s up to the new endeavours as recently as 2008. Terminologies that were developed during the Bantu Education era, where development of isiXhosa and other indigenous African languages was accelerated in order to respond to the demands of moedertaal-onderwys (mother tongue education) are surveyed, and the process of their development analysed. Three main terminology lists developed during this period are analysed against terminology development principles, approaches and methods that are seen as a measure to ensure quality terminology development. The efforts of the development of isiXhosa during the post-apartheid South Africa, especially the government-driven initiatives, are also critiqued even though these are not as effective and as extensive, especially in education. The result of this analysis is that African languages and isiXhosa in particular, can be used in scientific disciplines and at the highest levels of education. Its grammar is advanced, and its lexicon is extensive such that new concepts that need to be named can be named, using appropriate term creation strategies. There are also technological tools such as WordSmith tools that can be used that can advance its development, ensuring that the concept represented in the newly-created term is precise, concise and appropriate in terms of its discipline. Therefore it is argued that, in the interim, terminologies should be developed, in various subjects, to support learning, which at this stage is mediated in English, for those students who have other languages as mother tongue. Those terminologies that have been developed in the various historical periods should be collated, revised and brought into the classrooms. The thesis argues that real intellectualisation of isiXhosa and other African languages rests on the use of these languages in classrooms and lecture halls, and in the value that all role players place on these languages.
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Intimate masculinities in the work of Paul Emmanuel
- Authors: Bronner, Irene Enslé
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Emmanuel, Paul, 1969- Masculinity in art Identity (Psychology) in art Gender identity in art Art, South African -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002193
- Description: Paul Emmanuel is a South African artist who produces incised drawings, outdoor installations and prints (particularly intaglio etchings and manière noire lithographs). These focus on the representation of male bodies and experience. Having begun his career as a collaborative printmaker, since 2002, his work has become more ambitious as well as critically acclaimed. In 2010, his most recent body of work, Transitions, was exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington D.C. I propose that Emmanuel represents the male body as a presence that either is not easily seen or that actively disappears or erases itself. Its subjectivity, and the viewer’s engagement with it, may be characterised as one of intimacy, exposure, loss and vulnerability. Emmanuel’s work may be said to question conventions and ideals of masculinity while, at the same time, refusing any prescriptive interpretation. To develop this proposition, I examine specifically Emmanuel’s incising drawing technique that ‘holds open’ transitions in male lives. In these liminal moments, Emmanuel represents men as ‘seen’ to change state or status, thereby exposing the ongoing process of building masculine identities. Equally elucidatory is Emmanuel’s imprinting of his own body, which, in his use of “traces” that reveal the vacillation between presence and absence, makes contingently ‘visible’ this gendering process, and has particular implications for the expression of subjectivity in a contemporary South African context.
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- Authors: Bronner, Irene Enslé
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Emmanuel, Paul, 1969- Masculinity in art Identity (Psychology) in art Gender identity in art Art, South African -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002193
- Description: Paul Emmanuel is a South African artist who produces incised drawings, outdoor installations and prints (particularly intaglio etchings and manière noire lithographs). These focus on the representation of male bodies and experience. Having begun his career as a collaborative printmaker, since 2002, his work has become more ambitious as well as critically acclaimed. In 2010, his most recent body of work, Transitions, was exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington D.C. I propose that Emmanuel represents the male body as a presence that either is not easily seen or that actively disappears or erases itself. Its subjectivity, and the viewer’s engagement with it, may be characterised as one of intimacy, exposure, loss and vulnerability. Emmanuel’s work may be said to question conventions and ideals of masculinity while, at the same time, refusing any prescriptive interpretation. To develop this proposition, I examine specifically Emmanuel’s incising drawing technique that ‘holds open’ transitions in male lives. In these liminal moments, Emmanuel represents men as ‘seen’ to change state or status, thereby exposing the ongoing process of building masculine identities. Equally elucidatory is Emmanuel’s imprinting of his own body, which, in his use of “traces” that reveal the vacillation between presence and absence, makes contingently ‘visible’ this gendering process, and has particular implications for the expression of subjectivity in a contemporary South African context.
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Invasion of a headwater stream by non-native fishes in the Swartkops River system, South Africa
- Ellender, Bruce R, Weyl, Olaf L F, Swartz, Ernst R
- Authors: Ellender, Bruce R , Weyl, Olaf L F , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/446866 , vital:74566 , https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2011.11407477
- Description: In South Africa, fishes in headwater streams are increasingly being threatened by non-native fish invasions. These invasions originate primarily from source populations in mainstream rivers and impoundments. In the Blindekloof stream, a Swartkops River headwater tributary, the non-native Micropterus salmoides was eradicated from the stream by conservation authorities in 1989. As a result of this eradication subsequent occurrences of non-native fishes are most likely a result of upstream invasions from the mainstream Swartkops River. The Blindekloof stream therefore provided a unique opportunity to investigate whether M. salmoides would reinvade after its removal in 1989 and if the more recently introduced Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia sparrmanii would invade the Blindekloof stream. During snorkel and electrofishing surveys four non-native species were recorded (M. salmoides, M. dolomieu, T. sparrmanii, C. gariepinus ).
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- Authors: Ellender, Bruce R , Weyl, Olaf L F , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/446866 , vital:74566 , https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2011.11407477
- Description: In South Africa, fishes in headwater streams are increasingly being threatened by non-native fish invasions. These invasions originate primarily from source populations in mainstream rivers and impoundments. In the Blindekloof stream, a Swartkops River headwater tributary, the non-native Micropterus salmoides was eradicated from the stream by conservation authorities in 1989. As a result of this eradication subsequent occurrences of non-native fishes are most likely a result of upstream invasions from the mainstream Swartkops River. The Blindekloof stream therefore provided a unique opportunity to investigate whether M. salmoides would reinvade after its removal in 1989 and if the more recently introduced Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia sparrmanii would invade the Blindekloof stream. During snorkel and electrofishing surveys four non-native species were recorded (M. salmoides, M. dolomieu, T. sparrmanii, C. gariepinus ).
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Invasion of a South African Anguilla mossambica (Anguillidae) population by the alien gill worm Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae (Monogenea)
- Parker, Denham, Weyl, Olaf L F, Taraschewski, Horst
- Authors: Parker, Denham , Weyl, Olaf L F , Taraschewski, Horst
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443367 , vital:74111 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC18196
- Description: The parasitic gill monogenean Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae is alien to Africa. In an investigation of 227 longfin eel, Anguilla mossambica, and 26 mottled eel, Anguilla marmorata, sampled from four river systems in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, this parasite was only present on the gills of A. mossambica sampled from the Great Fish River system. In the Great Fish River, it infected 73.2% of the sampled population at a mean intensity of 63.8 ± 34.3 parasites per fish. High prevalence and intensity are indicative of a well-established alien invasive parasitic species. Results showing the absence of P. anguillae from the co-occurring but less abundant A. marmorata indicate that this species may be less susceptible to P. anguillae infection.
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- Authors: Parker, Denham , Weyl, Olaf L F , Taraschewski, Horst
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443367 , vital:74111 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC18196
- Description: The parasitic gill monogenean Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae is alien to Africa. In an investigation of 227 longfin eel, Anguilla mossambica, and 26 mottled eel, Anguilla marmorata, sampled from four river systems in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, this parasite was only present on the gills of A. mossambica sampled from the Great Fish River system. In the Great Fish River, it infected 73.2% of the sampled population at a mean intensity of 63.8 ± 34.3 parasites per fish. High prevalence and intensity are indicative of a well-established alien invasive parasitic species. Results showing the absence of P. anguillae from the co-occurring but less abundant A. marmorata indicate that this species may be less susceptible to P. anguillae infection.
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Invasive alien freshwater fishes in the Wilderness Lakes System, a wetland of international importance in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
- Olds, Alexis A, Smith, M K S, Weyl, Olaf L F, Russell, I A
- Authors: Olds, Alexis A , Smith, M K S , Weyl, Olaf L F , Russell, I A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/446879 , vital:74567 , https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2011.11407491
- Description: The Wilderness Lakes System incorporates a RAMSAR listed wetland. Previous ichthyological surveys reported three invasive freshwater fishes; Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia), Gambusia affinis (mosquitofish) and Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) from this system. To assess the status of these alien fishes, the fish assemblages in the lakes system were sampled with seine nets and fyke nets in 2009 and 2010. A total of 87 893 fish comprising 16 species were caught. In addition to confirming the persistence of O. mossambicus and G. affinis in the system, the current study also reports the presence of a new invader, Cyprinus carpio (common carp). M. salmoides were absent from 2009 and 2010 samples.
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- Authors: Olds, Alexis A , Smith, M K S , Weyl, Olaf L F , Russell, I A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/446879 , vital:74567 , https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2011.11407491
- Description: The Wilderness Lakes System incorporates a RAMSAR listed wetland. Previous ichthyological surveys reported three invasive freshwater fishes; Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia), Gambusia affinis (mosquitofish) and Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) from this system. To assess the status of these alien fishes, the fish assemblages in the lakes system were sampled with seine nets and fyke nets in 2009 and 2010. A total of 87 893 fish comprising 16 species were caught. In addition to confirming the persistence of O. mossambicus and G. affinis in the system, the current study also reports the presence of a new invader, Cyprinus carpio (common carp). M. salmoides were absent from 2009 and 2010 samples.
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