The interpretation of ABET placement tests in the recognition of prior learning
- Authors: Blunt, Sandra Viki
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Ability testing , English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1582 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003464
- Description: This thesis analyses the way in which placement testing is being interpreted in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET). The thesis examines whether the placement tests used in the case study were valid in terms of whether their contents were relevant and authentic with regard to what English second language speakers could reasonably be expected to know. Adult learners have differing English second language knowledge depending on the different contexts in which they have learned their second language. This thesis investigates the implications of the different contexts and different language needs of adult learners for the testing of English as a second language for placement purposes in ABET programmes. The thesis examined two placement tests to determine how the recognition of prior second language learning was being interpreted and how the interpretation affected the validity of the tests. Learners= perceptions of the assessment process and test content were elicited in order to determine whether a policy of transparency had been followed in the implementation of the assessment. It was also established what the goals of the organisation were in implementing an ABET programme. This research suggests that placement testing should be viewed holistically; in other words, the goals of the organisation and the level of transparency affect the validity of the placement test. The conclusions were that the placement tests were inauthentic since their contents excluded certain vital aspects of real life performance, namely, that related to the work context. The research revealed that if the placement testing process and the ABET programme are integrated into the culture of the organisation and if employees are remunerated when they have passed the different levels in the programme, the programme is likely to achieve a fair measure of success. Recommendations are that literacy should be viewed as based on a variety of contexts and uses and that therefore tests should be tailored to suit each particular organisation and should contain workrelated content. Furthermore, multiple methods of assessment should be considered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Blunt, Sandra Viki
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Ability testing , English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1582 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003464
- Description: This thesis analyses the way in which placement testing is being interpreted in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET). The thesis examines whether the placement tests used in the case study were valid in terms of whether their contents were relevant and authentic with regard to what English second language speakers could reasonably be expected to know. Adult learners have differing English second language knowledge depending on the different contexts in which they have learned their second language. This thesis investigates the implications of the different contexts and different language needs of adult learners for the testing of English as a second language for placement purposes in ABET programmes. The thesis examined two placement tests to determine how the recognition of prior second language learning was being interpreted and how the interpretation affected the validity of the tests. Learners= perceptions of the assessment process and test content were elicited in order to determine whether a policy of transparency had been followed in the implementation of the assessment. It was also established what the goals of the organisation were in implementing an ABET programme. This research suggests that placement testing should be viewed holistically; in other words, the goals of the organisation and the level of transparency affect the validity of the placement test. The conclusions were that the placement tests were inauthentic since their contents excluded certain vital aspects of real life performance, namely, that related to the work context. The research revealed that if the placement testing process and the ABET programme are integrated into the culture of the organisation and if employees are remunerated when they have passed the different levels in the programme, the programme is likely to achieve a fair measure of success. Recommendations are that literacy should be viewed as based on a variety of contexts and uses and that therefore tests should be tailored to suit each particular organisation and should contain workrelated content. Furthermore, multiple methods of assessment should be considered.
- Full Text:
The measurement of genetic diversity in mycobacterium tuberculosis using random amplified polymorphic DNA profiling
- Authors: Richner, Sharon M
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- History -- 20th century , Tuberculosis -- Africa, Southern , Tuberculosis -- Treatment , Tuberculosis -- Africa , Tuberculosis -- Prevention , Tuberculosis -- Pathogenesis , Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004068 , Tuberculosis -- History -- 20th century , Tuberculosis -- Africa, Southern , Tuberculosis -- Treatment , Tuberculosis -- Africa , Tuberculosis -- Prevention , Tuberculosis -- Pathogenesis , Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Description: Mycobacterium tuberculosis has caused a resurgence in pulmonary disease in both developed and developing countries in recent times, particularly amongst people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. The disease has assumed epidemic proportions in South Africa and in the Eastern Cape Province in particular. Of further concern is the isolation of increasing numbers of multiply drug resistant strains. Knowledge of the genetic capability of this organism is essential for the successful development of novel antibiotics and vaccines in an attempt to bring the global pandemic under control. Measurement of the genetic diversity of the organism may significantly contribute to such knowledge, and is of vital importance in monitoring epidemics and in improving treatment and control of the disease. This will entail answering a number of questions related to the degree of genetic diversity amongst strains, to the difference between urban and rural strains, and between drug resistant and drug sensitive strains, and to the geographical distribution of strains. In order to establish such baseline information, RAPD profiling of a large population of isolates from the western and central regions of the Eastern Cape Province was undertaken. A smaller number of drug resistant strains from a small area of KwaZulu-Natal were also analysed, with a view to establishing the genetic difference between strains from the two provinces. Cluster analysis, analysis of molecular variance and Geographical Information Systems technology were used to analyse the RAPD profiles generated. An unexpectedly high degree of genetic diversity was detected in strains from both provinces. While no correlation was seen between genetic diversity and either urban-rural situation or geographical location, a small degree of population structure could be correlated with drug resistance in the Eastern Cape. Furthermore, a significant degree of population structure was detected between strains from the two provinces, although this was still within the parameters for conspecific populations. Future work is necessary to further characterise strains from rural areas of both provinces, as well as from the eastern region of the Eastern Cape in an attempt to pinpoint the cause of the separation of the provincial populations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Richner, Sharon M
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- History -- 20th century , Tuberculosis -- Africa, Southern , Tuberculosis -- Treatment , Tuberculosis -- Africa , Tuberculosis -- Prevention , Tuberculosis -- Pathogenesis , Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004068 , Tuberculosis -- History -- 20th century , Tuberculosis -- Africa, Southern , Tuberculosis -- Treatment , Tuberculosis -- Africa , Tuberculosis -- Prevention , Tuberculosis -- Pathogenesis , Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Description: Mycobacterium tuberculosis has caused a resurgence in pulmonary disease in both developed and developing countries in recent times, particularly amongst people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. The disease has assumed epidemic proportions in South Africa and in the Eastern Cape Province in particular. Of further concern is the isolation of increasing numbers of multiply drug resistant strains. Knowledge of the genetic capability of this organism is essential for the successful development of novel antibiotics and vaccines in an attempt to bring the global pandemic under control. Measurement of the genetic diversity of the organism may significantly contribute to such knowledge, and is of vital importance in monitoring epidemics and in improving treatment and control of the disease. This will entail answering a number of questions related to the degree of genetic diversity amongst strains, to the difference between urban and rural strains, and between drug resistant and drug sensitive strains, and to the geographical distribution of strains. In order to establish such baseline information, RAPD profiling of a large population of isolates from the western and central regions of the Eastern Cape Province was undertaken. A smaller number of drug resistant strains from a small area of KwaZulu-Natal were also analysed, with a view to establishing the genetic difference between strains from the two provinces. Cluster analysis, analysis of molecular variance and Geographical Information Systems technology were used to analyse the RAPD profiles generated. An unexpectedly high degree of genetic diversity was detected in strains from both provinces. While no correlation was seen between genetic diversity and either urban-rural situation or geographical location, a small degree of population structure could be correlated with drug resistance in the Eastern Cape. Furthermore, a significant degree of population structure was detected between strains from the two provinces, although this was still within the parameters for conspecific populations. Future work is necessary to further characterise strains from rural areas of both provinces, as well as from the eastern region of the Eastern Cape in an attempt to pinpoint the cause of the separation of the provincial populations.
- Full Text:
The nature and control of organic compounds in soda ash evaporate production
- Masemola, Patricia Mmoniemang
- Authors: Masemola, Patricia Mmoniemang
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Organic compounds , Biotic communities , Sua Pan Soda Ash Project -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003961 , Organic compounds , Biotic communities , Sua Pan Soda Ash Project -- Botswana
- Description: Solar evaporite systems are man-managed ecosystems which are highly vulnerable to biological,physical and chemical disturbances. The problems encountered in such systems are in many cases found to be associated with the microbial ecology and the design of the system. This project focussed on investigating the nature of organic compounds contaminating soda ash produced at a solar evaporite production system located at Sua Pan in Botswana. Several years after the plant was commissioned, problems, including accumulation of total organic carbon (TOC) and discolouration of the soda ash product were encountered. The salt produced also retained high moisture content and was coloured pink. These phenomena impacted severely on the economic performance of the enterprise. This study was aimed at determining the origin and fate of these organic compounds within the system in order to elucidate the nature of the problem and also to conceptualise a remediation strategy suitable to reducing its impact. This was achieved by analysis of both dialysed and solvent extracts of the influent brine (well-brine), brine in the ponds (T-brine) and the bicarbonate filter cake. Although complete identification of the organic compounds isolated was not undertaken in this study, spectroscopic analysis of compounds isolated, by UV, IR, NMR and MS, strongly indicated that fulvic acids, a component of the influent well-brine organics, contribute to the organic contamination of the final product. Part of this component, however, is degraded during the ponding process. It was shown that an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by Dunaliella. spp., which proliferates in the evaporation ponds, contributes in a major way to the accumulation of TOC in the system. This was demonstrated by relating the sugar profile of carbohydrates isolated from the pond brine and final product, being arabinose, xylose, 2-o-methyl hexose, mannose, glucose and galactose. Studies reported show that EPS production was enhanced when algal cultures were exposed to stress conditions of high illumination, increasing salinity and temperature, and nitrogen limitation. Studies undertaken for the development of a remediation process for this system have shown that nutrient stripping and bacterial systems could be applied to deal with the dissolved TOC fraction, whereas adsorption systems could deal with the particulate fractions. Algal systems showed most potential for the removal of nutrients in the influent well-brine compared to chemical processes.Complete removal of ammonium and phosphorus removal efficiencies of pproximately 50% were achieved in an unoptimised pilot-scale Dunaliella-based HRAP. While similar effects were demonstrated for chemical processes, some economic constraints were noted. The potential of halophilic bacterial systems for the degradation of organic compounds in brine was also demonstrated. The limitations on the performance of such systems, associated with the low metabolic diversity, and poor immobilisation of physico-chemical processes were found to have a very low impact on the dissolved TOC fraction of the brine, the removal of the particulate material was found to result in a 35% TOC reduction in the final soda ash product and the production of a white final product.halobacteria, however, were noted. Although physico-chemical processes were found to have a very low impact on the dissolved TOC fraction of the brine, the removal of the particulate material was found to result in a 35% TOC reduction in the final soda ash product and the production of a white final product. Apart from a description of the microbial ecology of the ponds and the identification of major contributions to the TOC of the final product, a number of remediation strategies were evaluated and are described. These include chemical and biological stripping of nutrients sustaining microbial TOC production in the ponds, and also biological and physico-chemical processes for their removal once formed. Future studies to undertake the further development of these proposals has been described
- Full Text:
- Authors: Masemola, Patricia Mmoniemang
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Organic compounds , Biotic communities , Sua Pan Soda Ash Project -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003961 , Organic compounds , Biotic communities , Sua Pan Soda Ash Project -- Botswana
- Description: Solar evaporite systems are man-managed ecosystems which are highly vulnerable to biological,physical and chemical disturbances. The problems encountered in such systems are in many cases found to be associated with the microbial ecology and the design of the system. This project focussed on investigating the nature of organic compounds contaminating soda ash produced at a solar evaporite production system located at Sua Pan in Botswana. Several years after the plant was commissioned, problems, including accumulation of total organic carbon (TOC) and discolouration of the soda ash product were encountered. The salt produced also retained high moisture content and was coloured pink. These phenomena impacted severely on the economic performance of the enterprise. This study was aimed at determining the origin and fate of these organic compounds within the system in order to elucidate the nature of the problem and also to conceptualise a remediation strategy suitable to reducing its impact. This was achieved by analysis of both dialysed and solvent extracts of the influent brine (well-brine), brine in the ponds (T-brine) and the bicarbonate filter cake. Although complete identification of the organic compounds isolated was not undertaken in this study, spectroscopic analysis of compounds isolated, by UV, IR, NMR and MS, strongly indicated that fulvic acids, a component of the influent well-brine organics, contribute to the organic contamination of the final product. Part of this component, however, is degraded during the ponding process. It was shown that an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by Dunaliella. spp., which proliferates in the evaporation ponds, contributes in a major way to the accumulation of TOC in the system. This was demonstrated by relating the sugar profile of carbohydrates isolated from the pond brine and final product, being arabinose, xylose, 2-o-methyl hexose, mannose, glucose and galactose. Studies reported show that EPS production was enhanced when algal cultures were exposed to stress conditions of high illumination, increasing salinity and temperature, and nitrogen limitation. Studies undertaken for the development of a remediation process for this system have shown that nutrient stripping and bacterial systems could be applied to deal with the dissolved TOC fraction, whereas adsorption systems could deal with the particulate fractions. Algal systems showed most potential for the removal of nutrients in the influent well-brine compared to chemical processes.Complete removal of ammonium and phosphorus removal efficiencies of pproximately 50% were achieved in an unoptimised pilot-scale Dunaliella-based HRAP. While similar effects were demonstrated for chemical processes, some economic constraints were noted. The potential of halophilic bacterial systems for the degradation of organic compounds in brine was also demonstrated. The limitations on the performance of such systems, associated with the low metabolic diversity, and poor immobilisation of physico-chemical processes were found to have a very low impact on the dissolved TOC fraction of the brine, the removal of the particulate material was found to result in a 35% TOC reduction in the final soda ash product and the production of a white final product.halobacteria, however, were noted. Although physico-chemical processes were found to have a very low impact on the dissolved TOC fraction of the brine, the removal of the particulate material was found to result in a 35% TOC reduction in the final soda ash product and the production of a white final product. Apart from a description of the microbial ecology of the ponds and the identification of major contributions to the TOC of the final product, a number of remediation strategies were evaluated and are described. These include chemical and biological stripping of nutrients sustaining microbial TOC production in the ponds, and also biological and physico-chemical processes for their removal once formed. Future studies to undertake the further development of these proposals has been described
- Full Text:
The new initiative of the East African Cooperation : opportunities, challenges and prospects
- Authors: Kimemia, Peter Njau
- Date: 2000 , 2013-04-25
- Subjects: International economic relations , Africa, East -- Foreign economic relations , East African Co-operation , Africa, East -- Economic integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1041 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004743 , International economic relations , Africa, East -- Foreign economic relations , East African Co-operation , Africa, East -- Economic integration
- Description: The landmark inauguration of the East African Cooperation (EAC) on 14 March 1996 brought to the fore some key issues regarding regional economic integration in East Africa, particularly since it signalled the second attempt by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to form a regional economic bloc. The EAC's predecessor, the East African Community, had collapsed in 1977 in acrimonious circumstances. Prominent among the issues that led to the collapse of the East African Community was the perception of unequal gains from the integration scheme, with Uganda and Tanzania considering that disproportionate benefits were accruing to Kenya at their expense. With the new initiative, the question emerges as to whether the problems that caused the collapse of the Community will not beset the EAC and subject it to a similar fate. In an attempt to address this question, this study considers some of the theoretical issues relating to regional economic integration among countries at different levels of development, and attempts to provide an analysis of the new initiative of the EAC in the light of this theory and the history of the East African Community. The study also critically examines the objectives of the EAC and the integration strategy adopted by the three countries, and offers suggestions on the way forward. Among the arguments made in this thesis are that, contrary to the suggestions of orthodox static analysis, if the dynamic effects of integration are considered, then there may be important gains which may accrue to integrating states in the developing country context. It is also argued that different levels of development among integrating states need not necessarily be an impediment to economic integration. The study finds that, in spite of the enormous challenges facing the EAC, member states may be better off within the integration scheme than if they acted as individual units in a rapidly globalizing international system.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kimemia, Peter Njau
- Date: 2000 , 2013-04-25
- Subjects: International economic relations , Africa, East -- Foreign economic relations , East African Co-operation , Africa, East -- Economic integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1041 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004743 , International economic relations , Africa, East -- Foreign economic relations , East African Co-operation , Africa, East -- Economic integration
- Description: The landmark inauguration of the East African Cooperation (EAC) on 14 March 1996 brought to the fore some key issues regarding regional economic integration in East Africa, particularly since it signalled the second attempt by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to form a regional economic bloc. The EAC's predecessor, the East African Community, had collapsed in 1977 in acrimonious circumstances. Prominent among the issues that led to the collapse of the East African Community was the perception of unequal gains from the integration scheme, with Uganda and Tanzania considering that disproportionate benefits were accruing to Kenya at their expense. With the new initiative, the question emerges as to whether the problems that caused the collapse of the Community will not beset the EAC and subject it to a similar fate. In an attempt to address this question, this study considers some of the theoretical issues relating to regional economic integration among countries at different levels of development, and attempts to provide an analysis of the new initiative of the EAC in the light of this theory and the history of the East African Community. The study also critically examines the objectives of the EAC and the integration strategy adopted by the three countries, and offers suggestions on the way forward. Among the arguments made in this thesis are that, contrary to the suggestions of orthodox static analysis, if the dynamic effects of integration are considered, then there may be important gains which may accrue to integrating states in the developing country context. It is also argued that different levels of development among integrating states need not necessarily be an impediment to economic integration. The study finds that, in spite of the enormous challenges facing the EAC, member states may be better off within the integration scheme than if they acted as individual units in a rapidly globalizing international system.
- Full Text:
The phenomenology of the anorexic body
- Authors: Shapiro, Joel
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Anorexia nervosa Eating disorders Anorexia nervosa -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002562
- Description: The purpose of the study is to articulate the phenomenology of the anorexic body. In order to describe the complex meaning of the anorexic body, the present research adopts the qualitative and exploratory approach of Seidman's (1991) in-depth phenomenologically based interviewing method. This involves a series of three separate interviews, with three research participants who have had personal experience of anorexia. The method of data analysis used is essentially on editing style of analysis (Miller and Crabtree, 1992) and is based on a hybrid of the grounded theory approach of Glaser and Strauss (1967) and Heidegger's (1927) ontological hermeneutics to form what Addison (1992) calls grounded interpretive research. Anorexic embodiment is conceptualised as precipitating a fundamental disturbance between the interactions of embodied consciousness and the world. The body is no longer taken-for-granted, and becomes an object for scrutiny. As an object, the body is experienced as a thing exterior to the self, and this awareness contributes to the sense of qisorder which permeates anorexic embodiment. Bodily intentionality is frustrated when the sphere of bodily actions and habitual acts become circumscribed. The character of lived temporality and lived spatiality are also effected with the anorexic's focus on the now, ushering in a spatiality of the here. These findings indicate that anorexic embodiment is experienced primarily as a disruption of the 'lived body' rather than that of the biological body. The prevailing discourses of anorexic embodiment are shown to be split between the naturalized discourses that provide a model of the body that is biologically determined and ahistorical, and the denaturalized discourses that provide a model of the body that is culturally constructed and lacks embodied givenness. It is argued that Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology of the body offers a renaturalization of the body that overcomes the nature/culture dichotomy of the naturalized and denaturalized discourses, thereby providing a solid foundation that more directly addresses the phenomenology of the anorexic body. The theoretical and treatment implications of Merleau-Ponty's renaturalization of the anorexic body are highlighted, and suggestions for further research are presented.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shapiro, Joel
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Anorexia nervosa Eating disorders Anorexia nervosa -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002562
- Description: The purpose of the study is to articulate the phenomenology of the anorexic body. In order to describe the complex meaning of the anorexic body, the present research adopts the qualitative and exploratory approach of Seidman's (1991) in-depth phenomenologically based interviewing method. This involves a series of three separate interviews, with three research participants who have had personal experience of anorexia. The method of data analysis used is essentially on editing style of analysis (Miller and Crabtree, 1992) and is based on a hybrid of the grounded theory approach of Glaser and Strauss (1967) and Heidegger's (1927) ontological hermeneutics to form what Addison (1992) calls grounded interpretive research. Anorexic embodiment is conceptualised as precipitating a fundamental disturbance between the interactions of embodied consciousness and the world. The body is no longer taken-for-granted, and becomes an object for scrutiny. As an object, the body is experienced as a thing exterior to the self, and this awareness contributes to the sense of qisorder which permeates anorexic embodiment. Bodily intentionality is frustrated when the sphere of bodily actions and habitual acts become circumscribed. The character of lived temporality and lived spatiality are also effected with the anorexic's focus on the now, ushering in a spatiality of the here. These findings indicate that anorexic embodiment is experienced primarily as a disruption of the 'lived body' rather than that of the biological body. The prevailing discourses of anorexic embodiment are shown to be split between the naturalized discourses that provide a model of the body that is biologically determined and ahistorical, and the denaturalized discourses that provide a model of the body that is culturally constructed and lacks embodied givenness. It is argued that Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology of the body offers a renaturalization of the body that overcomes the nature/culture dichotomy of the naturalized and denaturalized discourses, thereby providing a solid foundation that more directly addresses the phenomenology of the anorexic body. The theoretical and treatment implications of Merleau-Ponty's renaturalization of the anorexic body are highlighted, and suggestions for further research are presented.
- Full Text:
The political significance of Winnie-Madikazela Mandela's position in the African National Congress
- Authors: Motseta, Sello
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: African National Congress , Mandela, Winnie , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003020 , African National Congress , Mandela, Winnie , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Winnie Mandela has endured so many scandals over the last ten years that she has acquired a reputation for being untouchable. It is therefore ironic that there are those who feel that "the ANC want to act against Winnie not because of her human rights record, but for her outspoken criticism of the government's inability to deliver houses, thwart crime and testing our feelings on the death penalty." This assessment is instructive because in the "... turbulent years of the 1980s, she was a hero, a living martyr to the black liberation cause and despite the discomforts inflicted on her by her perpetrators, she revelled in the role" (Sparks, 1994:15). But Winnie Madikazela-Mandela, who was a Deputy Minister before being dismissed and who has had to appear before the TRC because of allegations that she was responsible for the death of teenage activist Stompie Seipei, has nevertheless been able to make a political comeback. The thesis therefore sets out to examine the rationale behind the State President's (he did not hold this title then) decision to take a considerable risk in standing by Winnie Madikazela-Mandela (they were at the time married) during her trial on charges of kidnapping in 1991. Even after her conviction, Mandela wrote that "as far as I was concerned, verdict or no verdict, her innocence was not in doubt." This unstinting loyalty was replicated elsewhere. Commenting on her acquittal on the assault charges, ANC Youth League President, Peter Mokaba, said: "What was taken away from her as a result of these false allegations must now be given back". He described the Appellate Division decision as "a political sentence" saying: "It has nothing to do with whether she was guilty or not."3 The ANC has established a practice of accommodating dissidents within its structures and has survived complex challenges during its years in exile by doing so. But political commentators are now asking whether the political cost will prove to be too great.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Motseta, Sello
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: African National Congress , Mandela, Winnie , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003020 , African National Congress , Mandela, Winnie , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Winnie Mandela has endured so many scandals over the last ten years that she has acquired a reputation for being untouchable. It is therefore ironic that there are those who feel that "the ANC want to act against Winnie not because of her human rights record, but for her outspoken criticism of the government's inability to deliver houses, thwart crime and testing our feelings on the death penalty." This assessment is instructive because in the "... turbulent years of the 1980s, she was a hero, a living martyr to the black liberation cause and despite the discomforts inflicted on her by her perpetrators, she revelled in the role" (Sparks, 1994:15). But Winnie Madikazela-Mandela, who was a Deputy Minister before being dismissed and who has had to appear before the TRC because of allegations that she was responsible for the death of teenage activist Stompie Seipei, has nevertheless been able to make a political comeback. The thesis therefore sets out to examine the rationale behind the State President's (he did not hold this title then) decision to take a considerable risk in standing by Winnie Madikazela-Mandela (they were at the time married) during her trial on charges of kidnapping in 1991. Even after her conviction, Mandela wrote that "as far as I was concerned, verdict or no verdict, her innocence was not in doubt." This unstinting loyalty was replicated elsewhere. Commenting on her acquittal on the assault charges, ANC Youth League President, Peter Mokaba, said: "What was taken away from her as a result of these false allegations must now be given back". He described the Appellate Division decision as "a political sentence" saying: "It has nothing to do with whether she was guilty or not."3 The ANC has established a practice of accommodating dissidents within its structures and has survived complex challenges during its years in exile by doing so. But political commentators are now asking whether the political cost will prove to be too great.
- Full Text:
The presence and role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in coastal sand dune systems
- Authors: Haller, Anjanette H. A
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Mycorrhizas , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa , Mycorrhizal fungi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4196 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003765 , Mycorrhizas , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa , Mycorrhizal fungi
- Description: Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) are mutually beneficial symbiotic associations between the roots of plants and certain Zygomycetous fungi. The role of AM fungi in coastal sand dunes has been explored in many parts of the world, though little work has been conducted in South African dune systems. This study aimed to investigate the presence and extent of mycorrhizal colonisation of a coastal sand dune in South Africa. The roots of five plant species (Scaevola plumieri, Arctotheca populifolia, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Ehrharta villosa and Chrysanthemoides monilifera) were sampled along a foredune profile at Old Woman's River in the Eastern Cape. These roots were assessed for the percentage mycorrhizal colonisation they supported. Spores extracted from the rhizosphere sand of each plant species were counted and identified to genus level. Results were related to seasonality and the position of the plants along the profile. All plant species were found to be mycorrhizal. Percentage colonisation ranged from 0-92%, depending on plant species and season. Mycorrhizal colonisation was generally highest in the winter months, and especially so in I pes-caprae and E. villosa. The extent of various mycorrhizal structures in root tissue varied between plant species. Spore numbers ranged from 0-48 spores 100g-1 sand with highest numbers occurring in winter. S. plumieri and A. populifolia were associated with greatest spore abundance. Four fungal genera (Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora and Gigaspora) were identified. Distribution of these genera showed seasonal variations between plant species. A bioassay, using Sorghum, was conducted to test the inoculum potentials of sand from the Scaevola hummock and the IpomoealEhrharta dune. Highest percentage colonisation occurred in plants grown in the Scaevola sand, which also had the lowest root and shoot measurements. The bioassay confirmed that AM propagules are present and viable, even in the mobile sand of the foredune. This study showed that mycorrhizal colonisation and spore numbers varied seasonally, but that the extent of this was dependent on plant species. The position of plants along the foredune profile tended to be less important than plant species. It is thought that the growth cycle and rooting system of each plant species determines seasonal cycles and abundance of AM fungi. Variation within fungal populations probably also impacts on this. Knowledge of the presence and distribution of AM fungi in this system paves the way for more detailed studies which need to examine the role of these endophytes in South African sand dunes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Haller, Anjanette H. A
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Mycorrhizas , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa , Mycorrhizal fungi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4196 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003765 , Mycorrhizas , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa , Mycorrhizal fungi
- Description: Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) are mutually beneficial symbiotic associations between the roots of plants and certain Zygomycetous fungi. The role of AM fungi in coastal sand dunes has been explored in many parts of the world, though little work has been conducted in South African dune systems. This study aimed to investigate the presence and extent of mycorrhizal colonisation of a coastal sand dune in South Africa. The roots of five plant species (Scaevola plumieri, Arctotheca populifolia, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Ehrharta villosa and Chrysanthemoides monilifera) were sampled along a foredune profile at Old Woman's River in the Eastern Cape. These roots were assessed for the percentage mycorrhizal colonisation they supported. Spores extracted from the rhizosphere sand of each plant species were counted and identified to genus level. Results were related to seasonality and the position of the plants along the profile. All plant species were found to be mycorrhizal. Percentage colonisation ranged from 0-92%, depending on plant species and season. Mycorrhizal colonisation was generally highest in the winter months, and especially so in I pes-caprae and E. villosa. The extent of various mycorrhizal structures in root tissue varied between plant species. Spore numbers ranged from 0-48 spores 100g-1 sand with highest numbers occurring in winter. S. plumieri and A. populifolia were associated with greatest spore abundance. Four fungal genera (Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora and Gigaspora) were identified. Distribution of these genera showed seasonal variations between plant species. A bioassay, using Sorghum, was conducted to test the inoculum potentials of sand from the Scaevola hummock and the IpomoealEhrharta dune. Highest percentage colonisation occurred in plants grown in the Scaevola sand, which also had the lowest root and shoot measurements. The bioassay confirmed that AM propagules are present and viable, even in the mobile sand of the foredune. This study showed that mycorrhizal colonisation and spore numbers varied seasonally, but that the extent of this was dependent on plant species. The position of plants along the foredune profile tended to be less important than plant species. It is thought that the growth cycle and rooting system of each plant species determines seasonal cycles and abundance of AM fungi. Variation within fungal populations probably also impacts on this. Knowledge of the presence and distribution of AM fungi in this system paves the way for more detailed studies which need to examine the role of these endophytes in South African sand dunes.
- Full Text:
The protein requirements of the South African abalone, Haliotis midae
- Authors: Shipton, Thomas A
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Abalones -- Nutrition Abalones -- Digestion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005159
- Description: The potential to reduce feed formulation costs by the replacement of existing proteinsources in artificial feeds for Haliotis midae was assessed. A comparison between the efficacy of the direct method and chromic oxide marker techniques in determining apparent protein digestibility coefficients, revealed that while the former was not a suitable methodology for use with this species, the latter produced replicable and reliable results. It was established that the chromic oxide marker is inert, is not absorbed by the abalone, does not interfere with the digestive processes and moves through the intestine at the same rate to the protein. However, as this method was time consuming and expensive to implement, a multienzyme pH-stat in vitro protein digestibility technique using a three enzyme system was employed to rapidly assess the protein quality of 34 protein sources. The efficacy of the technique was established by correlating the in vitro digestibility estimates with in vivo digestibility coefficients obtained using the chromic oxide marker technique. The highest degree of in vivo predictability was attained when protein sources were separated according to origin, and significant correlations between either animal (r²=0.89, P<0.004) or plant (r²=0.79, P<0.04) protein sources were found. The effect of animal size on the qualitative protein requirements of two size classes of H.midae was assessed by feeding 12 isonitrogenous and isoenergetic single protein diets to juvenile and young adult animals (10-20 and 40-50mm shell length). The criteria for protein source selection were their bioavailability as determined using the pH-stat in vitro digestibility technique, and their cost and availability within South Africa. The protein sources identified for the trial comprised four fishmeals, casein, spirulina, abalone viscera silage, brewery waste, torula yeast, carcass, sunflower and cotton meals. The results indicated that in terms of growth and feed efficiency, the fishmeals and spirulina were the most suitable candidates as primary protein sources in formulated feeds for H.midae, and with the exceptions of the carcass meal and brewery waste, the remaining protein sources demonstrated promise as partial primary protein source replacements. The smaller size class of abalone displayed significantly reduced growth, feed and protein efficiency than their larger counterparts. In terms of feed conversion and growth response, two-way analysis of variance revealed significant interactions between protein source and animal size, suggesting that qualitative differences exist between the dietary protein requirements of the juvenile and young adult abalone. The commercial implication of thisfinding was discussed. An evaluation was undertaken to determine the effects of the partial and total replacement of dietary fishmeal with selected plant protein sources on growth and nutritional indices of juvenile H.midae. A commercial “Abfeed” formulation in which 100% of the protein component comprised LT-fishmeal was employed as a control. Fifteen isonitrogenous experimental diets were formulated in which the LT fishmeal was substituted at either 10, 15, 30, 50, 75 or 100% with either spirulina, semolina, ground maize, torula yeast, soya, sunflower or corn gluten meals or combinations thereof. No significant differences were found in the growth rates between the control diet and those diets in which 30% of the fishmeal component had been replaced by either soya, sunflower meal, or torula yeast. In addition, 50% of the fishmeal component could be substituted with either soya meal or spirulina without affecting growth. Replacement of either 75 or 100% of the fishmeal had a significant negative affect on growth. Pearson product moment correlations between dietary lysine levels and either growth rates or protein efficiency ratios revealed positive correlations (r=0.77, P=0.0005; r=0.52, P=0.04 respectively) suggesting that lysine may have been the first limiting amino acid in these diets. Carcass analysis revealed that dietary protein source had no significant effect on body composition. An assessment of the dietary arginine requirement of juvenile H.midae using whole proteins to supply graded levels of dietary arginine did not promote a growth response. It was concluded that arginine is probably not the first limiting amino acid in formulated feeds for H.midae. An assessment of the dietary lysine requirement of juvenile H.midae using two micro-encapsulation techniques (gelatin/acacia colloid or cellulose acetate phthalate) was not successful. The efficacy of the encapsulation techniques were established and an assessment of the degree of lysine supplementation undertaken. Failure of the crystalline lysine enriched diets to promote growth suggests that the prospects for using crystalline amino acids in essential amino acid requirement studies in H.midae is low. The results of the present study indicate that the prospects for replacing fishmeal with cheaper alternative protein sources in artificial feeds for H.midae is promising. Furthermore, while the technical difficulties such as the determination of the essential amino acid requirements of the abalone precluded the application of “least cost” programming, the prospects for its future application are promising.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shipton, Thomas A
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Abalones -- Nutrition Abalones -- Digestion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005159
- Description: The potential to reduce feed formulation costs by the replacement of existing proteinsources in artificial feeds for Haliotis midae was assessed. A comparison between the efficacy of the direct method and chromic oxide marker techniques in determining apparent protein digestibility coefficients, revealed that while the former was not a suitable methodology for use with this species, the latter produced replicable and reliable results. It was established that the chromic oxide marker is inert, is not absorbed by the abalone, does not interfere with the digestive processes and moves through the intestine at the same rate to the protein. However, as this method was time consuming and expensive to implement, a multienzyme pH-stat in vitro protein digestibility technique using a three enzyme system was employed to rapidly assess the protein quality of 34 protein sources. The efficacy of the technique was established by correlating the in vitro digestibility estimates with in vivo digestibility coefficients obtained using the chromic oxide marker technique. The highest degree of in vivo predictability was attained when protein sources were separated according to origin, and significant correlations between either animal (r²=0.89, P<0.004) or plant (r²=0.79, P<0.04) protein sources were found. The effect of animal size on the qualitative protein requirements of two size classes of H.midae was assessed by feeding 12 isonitrogenous and isoenergetic single protein diets to juvenile and young adult animals (10-20 and 40-50mm shell length). The criteria for protein source selection were their bioavailability as determined using the pH-stat in vitro digestibility technique, and their cost and availability within South Africa. The protein sources identified for the trial comprised four fishmeals, casein, spirulina, abalone viscera silage, brewery waste, torula yeast, carcass, sunflower and cotton meals. The results indicated that in terms of growth and feed efficiency, the fishmeals and spirulina were the most suitable candidates as primary protein sources in formulated feeds for H.midae, and with the exceptions of the carcass meal and brewery waste, the remaining protein sources demonstrated promise as partial primary protein source replacements. The smaller size class of abalone displayed significantly reduced growth, feed and protein efficiency than their larger counterparts. In terms of feed conversion and growth response, two-way analysis of variance revealed significant interactions between protein source and animal size, suggesting that qualitative differences exist between the dietary protein requirements of the juvenile and young adult abalone. The commercial implication of thisfinding was discussed. An evaluation was undertaken to determine the effects of the partial and total replacement of dietary fishmeal with selected plant protein sources on growth and nutritional indices of juvenile H.midae. A commercial “Abfeed” formulation in which 100% of the protein component comprised LT-fishmeal was employed as a control. Fifteen isonitrogenous experimental diets were formulated in which the LT fishmeal was substituted at either 10, 15, 30, 50, 75 or 100% with either spirulina, semolina, ground maize, torula yeast, soya, sunflower or corn gluten meals or combinations thereof. No significant differences were found in the growth rates between the control diet and those diets in which 30% of the fishmeal component had been replaced by either soya, sunflower meal, or torula yeast. In addition, 50% of the fishmeal component could be substituted with either soya meal or spirulina without affecting growth. Replacement of either 75 or 100% of the fishmeal had a significant negative affect on growth. Pearson product moment correlations between dietary lysine levels and either growth rates or protein efficiency ratios revealed positive correlations (r=0.77, P=0.0005; r=0.52, P=0.04 respectively) suggesting that lysine may have been the first limiting amino acid in these diets. Carcass analysis revealed that dietary protein source had no significant effect on body composition. An assessment of the dietary arginine requirement of juvenile H.midae using whole proteins to supply graded levels of dietary arginine did not promote a growth response. It was concluded that arginine is probably not the first limiting amino acid in formulated feeds for H.midae. An assessment of the dietary lysine requirement of juvenile H.midae using two micro-encapsulation techniques (gelatin/acacia colloid or cellulose acetate phthalate) was not successful. The efficacy of the encapsulation techniques were established and an assessment of the degree of lysine supplementation undertaken. Failure of the crystalline lysine enriched diets to promote growth suggests that the prospects for using crystalline amino acids in essential amino acid requirement studies in H.midae is low. The results of the present study indicate that the prospects for replacing fishmeal with cheaper alternative protein sources in artificial feeds for H.midae is promising. Furthermore, while the technical difficulties such as the determination of the essential amino acid requirements of the abalone precluded the application of “least cost” programming, the prospects for its future application are promising.
- Full Text:
The psychological role of homoeroticism in the spiritual growth of priests: a study of individuation processes and homoerotic sexualities
- Authors: Taute, Harold Graeme
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Homosexuality -- Psychological aspects Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3069 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002578
- Description: The study explored the psychological role of homoeroticism in the spiritual growth of priests, using Grounded Theory and James Fowler’s stages of faith development as the basis for the research methodology. Three Anglican priests were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. The research interview combined Fowler’s Faith Development Interview Guide and a semi-structured interview in order to ascertain the priests’ level of spiritual development, as well as to explore their experience of the homoerotic component to their sexuality, and its influence on their spiritual growth. The interviews and iterative analysis focussed on four major questions: (1) Are priests who experience and actively work at integrating the homoerotic aspect to themselves assisted thereby in their spiritual growth, and if so, how might this be accounted for?; (2) Following Fowler’s model of spiritual development, what processes characterise each priest’s approach to meaning-creation in their lives?; (3) Following Fowler’s model, can the psychological work of engaging with and accepting homoeroticism be conceived of as serving an initiatory function in the emergence of new processes of meaning-creation?; (4) What role does homoeroticism serve in the spiritual growth of priests? The interpretative phase consisted of three stages. A grounded theory analysis of each interview was undertaken, developing a model for understanding the role of homoeroticism in spiritual growth. In the second stage, the priest’s level of spiritual development was ascertained, using Fowler’s Faith Development Guide. The third stage linked each participant’s level of spiritual development (in Fowler’s terms) with their core stories regarding experiences, meanings, and roles of homoeroticism. Finally, an integrative theory of the role of homoeroticism in spiritual growth was developed, using Jungian and post-Jungian theory as a basis for the discussion. The results suggested that homoeroticism did not play any role in spiritual growth and individuation separate to the manner in which it was experienced as having been constructed by society and the Church, and separate to the manner in which each priest in the study expressed, experienced, or engaged with it. In this context the experience of homoeroticism appeared to play a diversity of roles, including representing the collective and personal shadow, the archetypal anima/animus, the archetypal puer/senex constellation, the transcendent function, and thereby, as an expression of these roles, contribute to the emergence of new processes of meaning-creation in the spiritual growth and individuation of priests.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Taute, Harold Graeme
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Homosexuality -- Psychological aspects Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3069 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002578
- Description: The study explored the psychological role of homoeroticism in the spiritual growth of priests, using Grounded Theory and James Fowler’s stages of faith development as the basis for the research methodology. Three Anglican priests were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. The research interview combined Fowler’s Faith Development Interview Guide and a semi-structured interview in order to ascertain the priests’ level of spiritual development, as well as to explore their experience of the homoerotic component to their sexuality, and its influence on their spiritual growth. The interviews and iterative analysis focussed on four major questions: (1) Are priests who experience and actively work at integrating the homoerotic aspect to themselves assisted thereby in their spiritual growth, and if so, how might this be accounted for?; (2) Following Fowler’s model of spiritual development, what processes characterise each priest’s approach to meaning-creation in their lives?; (3) Following Fowler’s model, can the psychological work of engaging with and accepting homoeroticism be conceived of as serving an initiatory function in the emergence of new processes of meaning-creation?; (4) What role does homoeroticism serve in the spiritual growth of priests? The interpretative phase consisted of three stages. A grounded theory analysis of each interview was undertaken, developing a model for understanding the role of homoeroticism in spiritual growth. In the second stage, the priest’s level of spiritual development was ascertained, using Fowler’s Faith Development Guide. The third stage linked each participant’s level of spiritual development (in Fowler’s terms) with their core stories regarding experiences, meanings, and roles of homoeroticism. Finally, an integrative theory of the role of homoeroticism in spiritual growth was developed, using Jungian and post-Jungian theory as a basis for the discussion. The results suggested that homoeroticism did not play any role in spiritual growth and individuation separate to the manner in which it was experienced as having been constructed by society and the Church, and separate to the manner in which each priest in the study expressed, experienced, or engaged with it. In this context the experience of homoeroticism appeared to play a diversity of roles, including representing the collective and personal shadow, the archetypal anima/animus, the archetypal puer/senex constellation, the transcendent function, and thereby, as an expression of these roles, contribute to the emergence of new processes of meaning-creation in the spiritual growth and individuation of priests.
- Full Text:
The Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices Test: a pilot study for the establishment of normative data for Xhosa-speaking primary school pupils in the Grahamstown region
- Authors: Bass, Natalie Tanyia
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002439 , Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Description: The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) test is used extensively across a wide variety of settings in South Africa, however more appropriate local normative data has yet to be established. The CPM is internationally recognised as a culture-fair test of nonverbal intelligence, designed for use with children between the ages of 5½ and 11½. This pilot study thus sought to establish normative data for this instrument for a population of Xhosa-speaking Primary School children in the peri-urban township area in the Grahamstown region. The booklet version of the test was used and it was administered in group format and according to an alternate method of test administration (using Xhosa instructions) developed by Vass in 1992. The final normative sample consisted of 197 male and 182 female Xhosa-speaking children in Grades Two to Seven (N=379). The results showed (1) a significant effect of age on test scores, where scores increased with age as expected; (2) a consistent tendency for males to outperform females was also noted, however small sample sizes precluded any categorical claims to this effect; (3) no significant effect of education on test scores was observed and finally; (4) and finally, it appeared that the norms generated for this study revealed a tendency to be lower than those obtained by Raven, Court and Raven (1990) during the standardisation of this instrument in the United Kingdom and America. The study concluded that (1) there is an urgent need for more appropriate South African normative data for this test; and (2) that when assessing African children from disadvantaged backgrounds, further research into the effects of cultural and socio-economic factors and gender on non-verbal intelligence (and on performance on this test in particular) is required.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bass, Natalie Tanyia
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002439 , Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Description: The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) test is used extensively across a wide variety of settings in South Africa, however more appropriate local normative data has yet to be established. The CPM is internationally recognised as a culture-fair test of nonverbal intelligence, designed for use with children between the ages of 5½ and 11½. This pilot study thus sought to establish normative data for this instrument for a population of Xhosa-speaking Primary School children in the peri-urban township area in the Grahamstown region. The booklet version of the test was used and it was administered in group format and according to an alternate method of test administration (using Xhosa instructions) developed by Vass in 1992. The final normative sample consisted of 197 male and 182 female Xhosa-speaking children in Grades Two to Seven (N=379). The results showed (1) a significant effect of age on test scores, where scores increased with age as expected; (2) a consistent tendency for males to outperform females was also noted, however small sample sizes precluded any categorical claims to this effect; (3) no significant effect of education on test scores was observed and finally; (4) and finally, it appeared that the norms generated for this study revealed a tendency to be lower than those obtained by Raven, Court and Raven (1990) during the standardisation of this instrument in the United Kingdom and America. The study concluded that (1) there is an urgent need for more appropriate South African normative data for this test; and (2) that when assessing African children from disadvantaged backgrounds, further research into the effects of cultural and socio-economic factors and gender on non-verbal intelligence (and on performance on this test in particular) is required.
- Full Text:
The representation of "South Africanness" in the locally produced television production, Generations
- Authors: Dentlinger, Lindsay
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Television soap operas -- South Africa , National characteristics, South African, In Literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3425 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002878 , Television soap operas -- South Africa , National characteristics, South African, In Literature
- Description: The aim of this study is to analyse selected episodes of the locally produced television programme Generations, in order to identify specific ways in which the programme seeks to forge a South African identity, and in so doing, 'flag' our nationhood as South Africans. These elements of 'South Africanness' are broadly defined as connections to a South African way of life, context, values and experiences. Generations is a programme produced under South African broadcasting local content provisions. These provisions arise out of the need, inter alia, to reflect the identity and multi-cultural nature of South Africa in order to foster 'national identity' and 'national culture'. These elements of 'South Africanness' are extracted through a genre and ideological analysis of selected sample episodes, taking into consideration the theoretical frameworks of the politics of representation and identity. The production context of, and representations made, in Generations, are found to be situated largely within the context of the South African discourses of the ‘rainbow nation', 'African renaissance' and 'black economic empowerment'. The analysis concludes that through the various categories of representations of 'South Africanness' in the selected episodes of Generations, specific instances of identity, that of national culture and national identity are formed.
- Full Text:
The representation of "South Africanness" in the locally produced television production, Generations
- Authors: Dentlinger, Lindsay
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Television soap operas -- South Africa , National characteristics, South African, In Literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3425 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002878 , Television soap operas -- South Africa , National characteristics, South African, In Literature
- Description: The aim of this study is to analyse selected episodes of the locally produced television programme Generations, in order to identify specific ways in which the programme seeks to forge a South African identity, and in so doing, 'flag' our nationhood as South Africans. These elements of 'South Africanness' are broadly defined as connections to a South African way of life, context, values and experiences. Generations is a programme produced under South African broadcasting local content provisions. These provisions arise out of the need, inter alia, to reflect the identity and multi-cultural nature of South Africa in order to foster 'national identity' and 'national culture'. These elements of 'South Africanness' are extracted through a genre and ideological analysis of selected sample episodes, taking into consideration the theoretical frameworks of the politics of representation and identity. The production context of, and representations made, in Generations, are found to be situated largely within the context of the South African discourses of the ‘rainbow nation', 'African renaissance' and 'black economic empowerment'. The analysis concludes that through the various categories of representations of 'South Africanness' in the selected episodes of Generations, specific instances of identity, that of national culture and national identity are formed.
- Full Text:
The response of the two interrelated river components, geomorphology and riparian vegetation, to interbasin water transfers in the Orange-Fish-Sundays River Interbasin Transfer Scheme
- Authors: du Plessis, A J E
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Skoenmakers River (South Africa) , Riparian ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Geomorphology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005526
- Description: The Skoenmakers River (located in the semi-arid Karoo region of the Eastern Cape) is being used as a transfer route for water transferred by the Orange-Fish-Sundays River Interbasin Transfer Scheme. The change in the hydrological regime of this once ephemeral stream to a much bigger perennial river led to dramatic changes to both the physical structure and riparian vegetation structure of the river system. These changes differ for each of the three river sections, the upper,middle and lower reaches. Qualitative, descriptive geomorphological data was gathered by means of field observations and this was then compared to the quantitative data collected by means of surveyed cross-sectional profiles at selected sites along the length of both the regulated Skoenmakers River and a nonregulated tributary of equivalent size, the Volkers River. Riparian vegetation data was gathered by means of plot sampling along belt transects at each site. A qualitative assessment of the vegetation conditions was also made at each site and then added to the quantitative data from the plot sampling. At each site the different morphological units were identified along the cross-section and changes in the vegetation and sediment composition were recorded. Aerial photographs were used as additional sources of data and observations made from these were compared to data gathered in the field. The pre-IBT channel in this river section was formed by low frequency flood flows but the hydrological regime has now been converted to base flows much higher than normal flood flows. Severe incision, erosion and degradation of both the channel bed and banks occurred. In the lower reaches, post-IBT base flows are lower than pre-IBT flood flows and, due to the increased catchment area, the impact of the IBT was better ‘absorbed’ by the river system. Aggradation and deposition increased for the regulated river in comparison to the non-regulated river due to more sediment introduced The IBT had the greatest impact in the upper reaches of the regulated river due to more sediment introduced at the top of the system.
- Full Text:
- Authors: du Plessis, A J E
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Skoenmakers River (South Africa) , Riparian ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Geomorphology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005526
- Description: The Skoenmakers River (located in the semi-arid Karoo region of the Eastern Cape) is being used as a transfer route for water transferred by the Orange-Fish-Sundays River Interbasin Transfer Scheme. The change in the hydrological regime of this once ephemeral stream to a much bigger perennial river led to dramatic changes to both the physical structure and riparian vegetation structure of the river system. These changes differ for each of the three river sections, the upper,middle and lower reaches. Qualitative, descriptive geomorphological data was gathered by means of field observations and this was then compared to the quantitative data collected by means of surveyed cross-sectional profiles at selected sites along the length of both the regulated Skoenmakers River and a nonregulated tributary of equivalent size, the Volkers River. Riparian vegetation data was gathered by means of plot sampling along belt transects at each site. A qualitative assessment of the vegetation conditions was also made at each site and then added to the quantitative data from the plot sampling. At each site the different morphological units were identified along the cross-section and changes in the vegetation and sediment composition were recorded. Aerial photographs were used as additional sources of data and observations made from these were compared to data gathered in the field. The pre-IBT channel in this river section was formed by low frequency flood flows but the hydrological regime has now been converted to base flows much higher than normal flood flows. Severe incision, erosion and degradation of both the channel bed and banks occurred. In the lower reaches, post-IBT base flows are lower than pre-IBT flood flows and, due to the increased catchment area, the impact of the IBT was better ‘absorbed’ by the river system. Aggradation and deposition increased for the regulated river in comparison to the non-regulated river due to more sediment introduced The IBT had the greatest impact in the upper reaches of the regulated river due to more sediment introduced at the top of the system.
- Full Text:
The role of black consciousness in the experience of being black in South Africa: the shaping of the identity of two members of AZAPO
- Authors: Mnguni, Mphikeleli Matthew
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Black consciousness , Azanian People's Organization , Identity (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3022 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002531 , Black consciousness , Azanian People's Organization , Identity (Psychology)
- Description: The research attempts to understand the role Black Consciousness (BC) plays in the identity of blacks in South Africa by exploring and describing the experience of self-identity in the life-history context of two members of AZAPO, a BC organisation. The literature review explores the work of Biko, Manganyi, and Fanon with a view to understanding whether and how it might be claimed that BC galvanises the black person to discard the crippling fear of colonialism which inflicts feelings of inferiority, and to rise up to claim his/her rightful place in community life. To explore the philosophical assumptions made in the literature review, a qualitative study was conducted. Interviews were conducted with two black adults who have adopted BC philosophy. Three separate in-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted which yielded a description of the experiences of each respondent. A tape recorder was used to record the interviews and they were transcribed for analysis. A thematic analysis was conducted using the reading guide method. The material was thematised using the following questions: What biographical factors are seen as being important prior to the respondent becoming black conscious? How did the participant come to realise his/her self-identity as problematic? How did the process of adopting BC change the participant’s selfidentity? The results indicate that participants became aware very early in their lives and prior to adopting BC, that their own supportive and cohesive family cultures were at odds with the surrounding social context. Early experiences of this were initially unintelligible but impressionable. BC in this sense provided a framework for understanding and engaging with these experiences. The study shows that the adoption of BC helped to make sense of experiences of community isolation, discrimination, oppression and provided them with a mode of engaging practically with these issues. It was not adopted from a perspective of poor self-esteem or other such purely personal characteristics which may have been expected on the basis of literature in the area. BC was adopted as a way of understanding the relationship between their communities or backgrounds and the broader social environment and if there was a ‘healing’ project it was at this level.However, the study did show the close relationship between individual and social well-being that emerged as intrinsic both to the philosophy of BC and the lives of these individuals. This was shown to play out in the commitment of these individuals to the development of black communities and in their tying of their own destinies to the destiny of the oppressed black people in general. These and other issues which emerged in the two case studies are discussed in relation to the literature in the area.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mnguni, Mphikeleli Matthew
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Black consciousness , Azanian People's Organization , Identity (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3022 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002531 , Black consciousness , Azanian People's Organization , Identity (Psychology)
- Description: The research attempts to understand the role Black Consciousness (BC) plays in the identity of blacks in South Africa by exploring and describing the experience of self-identity in the life-history context of two members of AZAPO, a BC organisation. The literature review explores the work of Biko, Manganyi, and Fanon with a view to understanding whether and how it might be claimed that BC galvanises the black person to discard the crippling fear of colonialism which inflicts feelings of inferiority, and to rise up to claim his/her rightful place in community life. To explore the philosophical assumptions made in the literature review, a qualitative study was conducted. Interviews were conducted with two black adults who have adopted BC philosophy. Three separate in-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted which yielded a description of the experiences of each respondent. A tape recorder was used to record the interviews and they were transcribed for analysis. A thematic analysis was conducted using the reading guide method. The material was thematised using the following questions: What biographical factors are seen as being important prior to the respondent becoming black conscious? How did the participant come to realise his/her self-identity as problematic? How did the process of adopting BC change the participant’s selfidentity? The results indicate that participants became aware very early in their lives and prior to adopting BC, that their own supportive and cohesive family cultures were at odds with the surrounding social context. Early experiences of this were initially unintelligible but impressionable. BC in this sense provided a framework for understanding and engaging with these experiences. The study shows that the adoption of BC helped to make sense of experiences of community isolation, discrimination, oppression and provided them with a mode of engaging practically with these issues. It was not adopted from a perspective of poor self-esteem or other such purely personal characteristics which may have been expected on the basis of literature in the area. BC was adopted as a way of understanding the relationship between their communities or backgrounds and the broader social environment and if there was a ‘healing’ project it was at this level.However, the study did show the close relationship between individual and social well-being that emerged as intrinsic both to the philosophy of BC and the lives of these individuals. This was shown to play out in the commitment of these individuals to the development of black communities and in their tying of their own destinies to the destiny of the oppressed black people in general. These and other issues which emerged in the two case studies are discussed in relation to the literature in the area.
- Full Text:
The scrum-down on brain damage effects of cumulative mild head injury in rugby: a comparison of group mean scores between national rugby players and non-contact sport controls
- Authors: Finkelstein, Melissa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Sports injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Rugby football injuries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:2976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002485 , Sports injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Rugby football injuries
- Description: The present study comprises the second phase of a larger and ongoing research study investigating the brain damage effects of cumulative mild head injury in rugby. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cumulative mild head injury sustained in the game of rugby would cause brain injury as evidenced by impaired performance on sensitive neuropsychological tests. Participants were Springbok professional rugby players (n = 26), Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and a non-contact sport control of national hockey players (n = 21). Comparisons of performance were carried out across a spectrum of neuropsychological tests for the three rugby groups (Total Rugby, Springbok Rugby, and Under 21 Rugby) versus the performance of the non-contact sport control group (Hockey Control), as well as comparisons of performance f9r the subgroups of Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs. Comparisons revealed a consistent pattern of poorer performance across all rugby groups relative to the performance of the controls on tests highly sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. Within rugby group comparisons (Forwards versus Backs) showed significantly poorer performance for Total Rugby Forwards and Springbok Rugby Forwards relative to the performance of the respective Total Rugby Backs and Springbok Rugby Backs on sensitive, as well as on somewhat less sensitive, neuropsychological tests. The performance of Under 21 Rugby Forwards relative to Under 21 Rugby Backs demonstrated similar trends. Brain reserve capacity theory was used as a conceptual basis for discussing the implications of these findings.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Finkelstein, Melissa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Sports injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Rugby football injuries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:2976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002485 , Sports injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Rugby football injuries
- Description: The present study comprises the second phase of a larger and ongoing research study investigating the brain damage effects of cumulative mild head injury in rugby. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cumulative mild head injury sustained in the game of rugby would cause brain injury as evidenced by impaired performance on sensitive neuropsychological tests. Participants were Springbok professional rugby players (n = 26), Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and a non-contact sport control of national hockey players (n = 21). Comparisons of performance were carried out across a spectrum of neuropsychological tests for the three rugby groups (Total Rugby, Springbok Rugby, and Under 21 Rugby) versus the performance of the non-contact sport control group (Hockey Control), as well as comparisons of performance f9r the subgroups of Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs. Comparisons revealed a consistent pattern of poorer performance across all rugby groups relative to the performance of the controls on tests highly sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. Within rugby group comparisons (Forwards versus Backs) showed significantly poorer performance for Total Rugby Forwards and Springbok Rugby Forwards relative to the performance of the respective Total Rugby Backs and Springbok Rugby Backs on sensitive, as well as on somewhat less sensitive, neuropsychological tests. The performance of Under 21 Rugby Forwards relative to Under 21 Rugby Backs demonstrated similar trends. Brain reserve capacity theory was used as a conceptual basis for discussing the implications of these findings.
- Full Text:
The serpent both in water and on land : a critical phenomenological investigation of foreign students' experiences of learning English in South Africa
- Authors: Picard, Michelle Yvette
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers , English language -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1408 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002639
- Description: In this dissertation I attempt to examine “the experience of the perspective” of foreign students introduced into English classrooms in South Africa. I acknowledge the importance of focussing on the individual’s narrative, since it is “only through an unconscious synthetic activity of consciousness” that perspectives are connected together (Carspeken 1996:11), but, along with Freire, I believe that “generative themes” can only be investigated in “man-world relationships”. The researcher needs to examine the phenomenon in context of the world that it originated from, since “historical themes are never isolated , independent, disconnected or static” (Freire 1972: 73). In this dissertation I, therefore, carefully follow the classic phenomenological steps to analyse data from my respondents and then immediately contextualise it in term of literature about the learners background, the educational and political system in which they currently find themselves as well as general literature about the phenomenon of immigrants and learning of a second language. The premise underlying this research is the “taken-for-granted certainty” (Carspeken 1996:11) that there is something unique in the South African situation which results in foreign students experiencing the learning of English in a particular way within this context.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Picard, Michelle Yvette
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers , English language -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1408 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002639
- Description: In this dissertation I attempt to examine “the experience of the perspective” of foreign students introduced into English classrooms in South Africa. I acknowledge the importance of focussing on the individual’s narrative, since it is “only through an unconscious synthetic activity of consciousness” that perspectives are connected together (Carspeken 1996:11), but, along with Freire, I believe that “generative themes” can only be investigated in “man-world relationships”. The researcher needs to examine the phenomenon in context of the world that it originated from, since “historical themes are never isolated , independent, disconnected or static” (Freire 1972: 73). In this dissertation I, therefore, carefully follow the classic phenomenological steps to analyse data from my respondents and then immediately contextualise it in term of literature about the learners background, the educational and political system in which they currently find themselves as well as general literature about the phenomenon of immigrants and learning of a second language. The premise underlying this research is the “taken-for-granted certainty” (Carspeken 1996:11) that there is something unique in the South African situation which results in foreign students experiencing the learning of English in a particular way within this context.
- Full Text:
The solubility enhancement and the stability assessment of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide in aqueous media
- Authors: Chen, Yu-Jen
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Gel permeation chromatography , Rifampin , Isoniazid , Pyridazines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4346 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005009 , Gel permeation chromatography , Rifampin , Isoniazid , Pyridazines
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is widely spread in South Africa, especially in the rural areas of the Western Province. Rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide are the three most effective drugs against this organism. However, most of the current commercial anti-TB formulations are inconvenient to administrate. This results in patient non-compliance which has increased with incomplete tuberculosis treatment and further has intensified the mortality rate. The matter is especially severe amongst the paediatric and geriatric patients. Therefore, creating a "user-friendly" but non-alcoholic liquid formulation should improve the whole situation. The key to a successful formulation relies on sufficient concentrations of the drugs within the formulation together with acceptable stability of these drugs. Therefore, during the pre-formulation stage, the solubility and stability studies of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide are to be conducted. Rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide were fully characterized and identified by means of spectroscopic and thermal techniques. A HPLC method for simultaneous analysis of the three drugs was developed and validated. This HPLC method was employed for all the solubility and stability assessments. Unbuffered HPLC water of pH value 7.01 was chosen as the aqueous solvent. This was decided after the stability of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide was studied at a pH range of 2 to 10. The solubility and the stability studies of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, rifampicin with isoniazid, rifampicin with pyrazinamide, isoniazid with pyrazinamide and rifampicin combined with both isoniazid and pyrazinamide were performed in the presence of various agents. These agents can be categorized into three groups: the surfactants (poloxamer 188, poloxamer 407 and sorbitol) which could increase the intrinsic solubility or the drugs by altering the surface tensions of the aqueous solution medium, the suspending agents (carbopol 934 and carbopol 974P) which could enable the amount of dosage required to be homogeneously suspended in the formulation without considering the low intrinsic solubility factor of the drugs, and the complexing agents (ß-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin and -cyclodextrin) which could initiated the inclusion complex between the host cyclodextrin and the drugs, thus further enhance the solubility of the drugs . The stability assessments were performed after 7-days stability trail with the HPLC method developed. Each drug/combination of drugs were stored in closed ampoules and subjected to 25, 40 and 60° C with or without nitrogen flushing while in the presence of the above mentioned agents. While assessing the solubility/stability of the drugs in the presence of the above mentioned surfactants, the phase-solubility curves indicate that both rifampicin and pyrazinamide fail to achieve the desired concentration. Moreover, the stability-time plots clearly indicate that these surfactants fail to enhance the general stabilities of the drugs. When the stabilizing effects of the above mentioned suspending agents were investigated, it was found that although the desired concentration could be easily accomplished by suspending the drug in the aqueous carbopol solutions, the stabilities of the different drug combinations were still below the regulatory level. Cyclodextrins are well known to form inclusion complexes with less polar drug molecules. The inclusion complexation could enhance both the solubility and the stability of the included drug molecules. The computer force field generated models of the cyclodextrin-drug were used to predict the complexation sites. The results indicated the all the inclusion complexation between the drugs and the cyclodextrins were favourable, but do not necessary protect the potential degradation sites of the drugs. The stability results confirmed the above findings as the cyclodextrins did not enhance the stability of the drugs. Various drug-drug interaction pathways were also predicted from the experimental observations which clearly indicated the stability reductions of these drugs in combination. This leads to the conclusion that a liquid formulation combining rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide should not initiate the use of aqueous solutions as the protic ions of the solution are able to initiate the degradation of these drugs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chen, Yu-Jen
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Gel permeation chromatography , Rifampin , Isoniazid , Pyridazines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4346 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005009 , Gel permeation chromatography , Rifampin , Isoniazid , Pyridazines
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is widely spread in South Africa, especially in the rural areas of the Western Province. Rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide are the three most effective drugs against this organism. However, most of the current commercial anti-TB formulations are inconvenient to administrate. This results in patient non-compliance which has increased with incomplete tuberculosis treatment and further has intensified the mortality rate. The matter is especially severe amongst the paediatric and geriatric patients. Therefore, creating a "user-friendly" but non-alcoholic liquid formulation should improve the whole situation. The key to a successful formulation relies on sufficient concentrations of the drugs within the formulation together with acceptable stability of these drugs. Therefore, during the pre-formulation stage, the solubility and stability studies of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide are to be conducted. Rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide were fully characterized and identified by means of spectroscopic and thermal techniques. A HPLC method for simultaneous analysis of the three drugs was developed and validated. This HPLC method was employed for all the solubility and stability assessments. Unbuffered HPLC water of pH value 7.01 was chosen as the aqueous solvent. This was decided after the stability of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide was studied at a pH range of 2 to 10. The solubility and the stability studies of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, rifampicin with isoniazid, rifampicin with pyrazinamide, isoniazid with pyrazinamide and rifampicin combined with both isoniazid and pyrazinamide were performed in the presence of various agents. These agents can be categorized into three groups: the surfactants (poloxamer 188, poloxamer 407 and sorbitol) which could increase the intrinsic solubility or the drugs by altering the surface tensions of the aqueous solution medium, the suspending agents (carbopol 934 and carbopol 974P) which could enable the amount of dosage required to be homogeneously suspended in the formulation without considering the low intrinsic solubility factor of the drugs, and the complexing agents (ß-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin and -cyclodextrin) which could initiated the inclusion complex between the host cyclodextrin and the drugs, thus further enhance the solubility of the drugs . The stability assessments were performed after 7-days stability trail with the HPLC method developed. Each drug/combination of drugs were stored in closed ampoules and subjected to 25, 40 and 60° C with or without nitrogen flushing while in the presence of the above mentioned agents. While assessing the solubility/stability of the drugs in the presence of the above mentioned surfactants, the phase-solubility curves indicate that both rifampicin and pyrazinamide fail to achieve the desired concentration. Moreover, the stability-time plots clearly indicate that these surfactants fail to enhance the general stabilities of the drugs. When the stabilizing effects of the above mentioned suspending agents were investigated, it was found that although the desired concentration could be easily accomplished by suspending the drug in the aqueous carbopol solutions, the stabilities of the different drug combinations were still below the regulatory level. Cyclodextrins are well known to form inclusion complexes with less polar drug molecules. The inclusion complexation could enhance both the solubility and the stability of the included drug molecules. The computer force field generated models of the cyclodextrin-drug were used to predict the complexation sites. The results indicated the all the inclusion complexation between the drugs and the cyclodextrins were favourable, but do not necessary protect the potential degradation sites of the drugs. The stability results confirmed the above findings as the cyclodextrins did not enhance the stability of the drugs. Various drug-drug interaction pathways were also predicted from the experimental observations which clearly indicated the stability reductions of these drugs in combination. This leads to the conclusion that a liquid formulation combining rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide should not initiate the use of aqueous solutions as the protic ions of the solution are able to initiate the degradation of these drugs.
- Full Text:
The structure and function of the gametes of the striped field mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio)
- Authors: Tinney, Gregory Michael
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Gametes , Microtus , Mice
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005462 , Gametes , Microtus , Mice
- Description: This study was initiated in an attempt toadd the four-striped field mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) to the small group of mammals that are used to study and develop assisted reproductive technologies. To accomplish this, a complete knowledge of both the male and female gametes was necessary, as well as a repeatable and successful IVF protocol. The gametes of the field mouse, both the falciformspermand the mature oocytes, were shown to be similar in several respects to those of many other rodent species. The induction of both the capacitated state and the acrosome reaction in the sperm were readily achieved. The success of retrieving mature oocytes was very low, with the rare occurrence of polar bodies within ovulated oocytes. The difficulties with oocytes was either related to the lack of a regular oestrous cycle, or to the hormonal regime used to induce superovulation. Although several protocols were used to accomplish superovulation in this species, it was seldom achieved. In in vitro fertilization trials, sperm were found to attach to both the cumulus oophorus and the zona pellucida of the oocytes. However, fertilization was never accomplished. This failure to achieve fertilization was probably related to the immaturity of the oocytes. Without further studies on Rhabdomys pumilio and further attempts at accomplishing in vitro fertilization, it would seem that this species would not easily be introduced as an animalmodelfor assisted reproduction.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tinney, Gregory Michael
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Gametes , Microtus , Mice
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005462 , Gametes , Microtus , Mice
- Description: This study was initiated in an attempt toadd the four-striped field mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) to the small group of mammals that are used to study and develop assisted reproductive technologies. To accomplish this, a complete knowledge of both the male and female gametes was necessary, as well as a repeatable and successful IVF protocol. The gametes of the field mouse, both the falciformspermand the mature oocytes, were shown to be similar in several respects to those of many other rodent species. The induction of both the capacitated state and the acrosome reaction in the sperm were readily achieved. The success of retrieving mature oocytes was very low, with the rare occurrence of polar bodies within ovulated oocytes. The difficulties with oocytes was either related to the lack of a regular oestrous cycle, or to the hormonal regime used to induce superovulation. Although several protocols were used to accomplish superovulation in this species, it was seldom achieved. In in vitro fertilization trials, sperm were found to attach to both the cumulus oophorus and the zona pellucida of the oocytes. However, fertilization was never accomplished. This failure to achieve fertilization was probably related to the immaturity of the oocytes. Without further studies on Rhabdomys pumilio and further attempts at accomplishing in vitro fertilization, it would seem that this species would not easily be introduced as an animalmodelfor assisted reproduction.
- Full Text:
The structure and microbiology of floating sulphide oxidising biofilms
- Authors: Gilfillan, Joanne Criseyde
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Biofilms , Sulfides
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003962 , Biofilms , Sulfides
- Description: Floating sulphur biofilms are observed as surface layers in numerous aquatic sulphide-rich environments, and apparently play an important role in the cycling of sulphur in its various oxidation states. In addition to the conversion of sulphide to sulphur and/or sulphate species, it has been suspected that subsequent reduction back to sulphide may occur within the floating sulphur biofi1m in organic-rich environments. The use of sulphur biofilms for the harvesting of elemental sulphur from wastewater treatment systems has also been suggested. There is, however, little documented information in the literature on the structure of floating sulphur biofilms, or the microbial species responsible for their occurrence. In this study, floating sulphur biofilms were generated in a continuous flow baflle reactor and their structure was examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that they occur as layered structures with morphologically distinct bacterial forms present in different layers of the biofilm. The biofilpl structure was also found to be dynamic, with structural changes observed as feed conditions were altered. An enriched culture derived from the biofi1m demonstrated rates of sulphide oxidation comparable to values reported in the literature for liquid culture systems. The microbiology of the biofi1m was studied using traditional plate culture techniques and analysis ofrRNA genes. Identification of plate culture isolates as representatives of the biofi1m community proved to be limited, leading to a PeR-based cloning approach. The majority of the organisms present in the sulphur biofi1m were classified as species in the genus ~eudomonas, and a number of other bacterial species whose sulphide oxidising capacity has been noted previously. Surprisingly, only 2% of the clone library consisted of Thiobacillus spp., and no sulphate reducing bacteria were identified in the biofilm at all. These results indicate that in organic sulphide-rich environments facultative chemolithoheterotrophic bacterial forms predominate in floating sulphur biofilms, and that the complete biological cycling of sulphur may not occur in these systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gilfillan, Joanne Criseyde
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Biofilms , Sulfides
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003962 , Biofilms , Sulfides
- Description: Floating sulphur biofilms are observed as surface layers in numerous aquatic sulphide-rich environments, and apparently play an important role in the cycling of sulphur in its various oxidation states. In addition to the conversion of sulphide to sulphur and/or sulphate species, it has been suspected that subsequent reduction back to sulphide may occur within the floating sulphur biofi1m in organic-rich environments. The use of sulphur biofilms for the harvesting of elemental sulphur from wastewater treatment systems has also been suggested. There is, however, little documented information in the literature on the structure of floating sulphur biofilms, or the microbial species responsible for their occurrence. In this study, floating sulphur biofilms were generated in a continuous flow baflle reactor and their structure was examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that they occur as layered structures with morphologically distinct bacterial forms present in different layers of the biofilm. The biofilpl structure was also found to be dynamic, with structural changes observed as feed conditions were altered. An enriched culture derived from the biofi1m demonstrated rates of sulphide oxidation comparable to values reported in the literature for liquid culture systems. The microbiology of the biofi1m was studied using traditional plate culture techniques and analysis ofrRNA genes. Identification of plate culture isolates as representatives of the biofi1m community proved to be limited, leading to a PeR-based cloning approach. The majority of the organisms present in the sulphur biofi1m were classified as species in the genus ~eudomonas, and a number of other bacterial species whose sulphide oxidising capacity has been noted previously. Surprisingly, only 2% of the clone library consisted of Thiobacillus spp., and no sulphate reducing bacteria were identified in the biofilm at all. These results indicate that in organic sulphide-rich environments facultative chemolithoheterotrophic bacterial forms predominate in floating sulphur biofilms, and that the complete biological cycling of sulphur may not occur in these systems.
- Full Text:
The use of indigenous macroinvertebrates and Daphnia pulex in acute toxicity testing
- Authors: Everitt, Victoria Jane
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Water -- Pollution -- Toxicology , Toxicity testing , Daphnia pulex
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005483
- Description: Aquatic toxicology has been identified as a valuable tool in the identification and management of chemical pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Standardised methodologies for acute aquatic bioassays have been adopted from international agencies. As a result of these standard methods, the use of laboratory cultured organisms for toxicity testing has been more popular than that of indigenous field-caught organisms. Included in these adopted methods are those for the cultured crustacean Daphnia pUlex. D.pulex is adapted to living in standing water and the suitability of this species to determine toxic effects for South African riverine environments, which are largely flowing, has been questioned. Thus this thesis is a case-study ofthe use of D.pulex and indigenous site-specific macroinvertebrates as toxicity test organisms for setting acute water quality guidelines to protect aquatic ecosystems. The study highlights site-specific problems such as reference sites and organism identification. The acute tolerance of selected indigenous invertebrates was compared to that of D. pulex, using both a single-substance reference toxicant (zinc) and selected whole efiluents. The significance of source population and culture age as a potential source of biological variability between D.pulex cultures was also investigated. D.pulex cultures have been initiated in South Africa from females collected from a number of different local populations; also it is assumed that no genetic change (due to mutation) occurs within a D.pulex culture over time. In order to establish if source population and culture age are a source of biological variability between D.pulex experiments, the acute tolerJuce to zinc of two different D.pulex populations and three different generations within a population were compared. Due to experimental variability results were inconclusive, and differences in tolerance as a result of population difference or culture age could not be determined with confidence. The acute tolerance of D.pulex to a single reference chemical (zinc) and selected whole efiluents was compared to that of selected indigenous invertebrates. Acute 48 h D.pulex zinc tolerance (LC50 range: 0.22 - 0.60 mg/l Zn) was found to be more sensitive than acute 96 h tolerances shown by mayfly species A.fconurus peringueyi (Heptageniidae) (LC50: 17.42 mg/l Zn), Euthrauluselegans (Leptophlebiidae) (LC50: 0.98 mg/IZn), Ba~tidae (LC50: 0.94mg/IZn) and shrimp, Caradina nilotica (Atyidae) (LC50: 3.17 mg/l Zn). This result suggests that guidelines for zinc set using D.pulex will protect the selected indigenous invertebrates. Selected whole eftluents were not acutely toxic to either D.pulex or selected indigenous invertebrates. These experiments were used as a case study for method development regarding the comparative use of D.pulex and indigenous invertebrates in acute whole eftluent toxicity testing. Finally, it is recommended that a suite of indigenous organisms (e.g. macroinvertebrates, fish and algae), as well as laboratory cultured D.pulex, be used in the initial setting of guidelines and that D.pulex be used for routine compliance monitoring. It is futher recommended that a suite of available monitoring methods, such as chemical and biomonitoring methodologies, be used in conjuction with toxicity testing in water quality management.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Everitt, Victoria Jane
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Water -- Pollution -- Toxicology , Toxicity testing , Daphnia pulex
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005483
- Description: Aquatic toxicology has been identified as a valuable tool in the identification and management of chemical pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Standardised methodologies for acute aquatic bioassays have been adopted from international agencies. As a result of these standard methods, the use of laboratory cultured organisms for toxicity testing has been more popular than that of indigenous field-caught organisms. Included in these adopted methods are those for the cultured crustacean Daphnia pUlex. D.pulex is adapted to living in standing water and the suitability of this species to determine toxic effects for South African riverine environments, which are largely flowing, has been questioned. Thus this thesis is a case-study ofthe use of D.pulex and indigenous site-specific macroinvertebrates as toxicity test organisms for setting acute water quality guidelines to protect aquatic ecosystems. The study highlights site-specific problems such as reference sites and organism identification. The acute tolerance of selected indigenous invertebrates was compared to that of D. pulex, using both a single-substance reference toxicant (zinc) and selected whole efiluents. The significance of source population and culture age as a potential source of biological variability between D.pulex cultures was also investigated. D.pulex cultures have been initiated in South Africa from females collected from a number of different local populations; also it is assumed that no genetic change (due to mutation) occurs within a D.pulex culture over time. In order to establish if source population and culture age are a source of biological variability between D.pulex experiments, the acute tolerJuce to zinc of two different D.pulex populations and three different generations within a population were compared. Due to experimental variability results were inconclusive, and differences in tolerance as a result of population difference or culture age could not be determined with confidence. The acute tolerance of D.pulex to a single reference chemical (zinc) and selected whole efiluents was compared to that of selected indigenous invertebrates. Acute 48 h D.pulex zinc tolerance (LC50 range: 0.22 - 0.60 mg/l Zn) was found to be more sensitive than acute 96 h tolerances shown by mayfly species A.fconurus peringueyi (Heptageniidae) (LC50: 17.42 mg/l Zn), Euthrauluselegans (Leptophlebiidae) (LC50: 0.98 mg/IZn), Ba~tidae (LC50: 0.94mg/IZn) and shrimp, Caradina nilotica (Atyidae) (LC50: 3.17 mg/l Zn). This result suggests that guidelines for zinc set using D.pulex will protect the selected indigenous invertebrates. Selected whole eftluents were not acutely toxic to either D.pulex or selected indigenous invertebrates. These experiments were used as a case study for method development regarding the comparative use of D.pulex and indigenous invertebrates in acute whole eftluent toxicity testing. Finally, it is recommended that a suite of indigenous organisms (e.g. macroinvertebrates, fish and algae), as well as laboratory cultured D.pulex, be used in the initial setting of guidelines and that D.pulex be used for routine compliance monitoring. It is futher recommended that a suite of available monitoring methods, such as chemical and biomonitoring methodologies, be used in conjuction with toxicity testing in water quality management.
- Full Text:
The use of indigenous plants as food by a rural community in the Eastern Cape : an educational exploration
- Authors: Shava, Soul
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Wild plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Human-plant relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Endemic plants -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1813 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003699
- Description: Looking at the use of plants as food reflects how humankind has fashioned nature. There has been a significant change in production patterns from hunter-gathering through subsistence agriculture to technologically advanced commercial agriculture with a subsequent reduction in the diversity of plants used as food. A parallel trend in consumption patterns has occurred, from home-based food processing for subsistence through small- scale production to large-scale industrial processing and the commodification of food. The overall result of such trends is a narrowing of the food resource base and an increasing reliance on processed foods at the expense of traditional diets, accompanied by increasing diet-related health risks. This research is an ethnographic case study on the use of indigenous food plants by the community of Tuku A village in the Eastern Cape using interviews and observations as the main data collecting strategies. A nutritional analysis of some wild food plants was also carried out. An inventory of more than 70 food plant species was compiled, with the knowledge of such plants found among both the elderly and the youth. The incorporation of this knowledge into education systems is recommended. Of the wild food plants documented, some were non-indigenous indicating the dynamic nature of indigenous knowledge. Some wild spinach were left to grow amongst cultivated food plants, hinting at some form of ‘domestication’ in process. This observation together with the observation that wild fruit trees were selectively conserved highlights the possibility of the continued use of wild food contributing to conservation of botanical diversity. Community use of indigenous food was found to be diminishing. Stigmatisation of indigenous food plants, urbanisation, formal education, changes in lifestyle, and media were some of the factors possibly influencing this dietary shift. The community made links between diet and health, which correspond to modern scientific knowledge, with modern diet being lamented for ill health. The nutritional analysis revealed that wild food plants do contain essential dietary nutrients, an area recommended for further research.
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- Authors: Shava, Soul
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Wild plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Human-plant relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Endemic plants -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1813 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003699
- Description: Looking at the use of plants as food reflects how humankind has fashioned nature. There has been a significant change in production patterns from hunter-gathering through subsistence agriculture to technologically advanced commercial agriculture with a subsequent reduction in the diversity of plants used as food. A parallel trend in consumption patterns has occurred, from home-based food processing for subsistence through small- scale production to large-scale industrial processing and the commodification of food. The overall result of such trends is a narrowing of the food resource base and an increasing reliance on processed foods at the expense of traditional diets, accompanied by increasing diet-related health risks. This research is an ethnographic case study on the use of indigenous food plants by the community of Tuku A village in the Eastern Cape using interviews and observations as the main data collecting strategies. A nutritional analysis of some wild food plants was also carried out. An inventory of more than 70 food plant species was compiled, with the knowledge of such plants found among both the elderly and the youth. The incorporation of this knowledge into education systems is recommended. Of the wild food plants documented, some were non-indigenous indicating the dynamic nature of indigenous knowledge. Some wild spinach were left to grow amongst cultivated food plants, hinting at some form of ‘domestication’ in process. This observation together with the observation that wild fruit trees were selectively conserved highlights the possibility of the continued use of wild food contributing to conservation of botanical diversity. Community use of indigenous food was found to be diminishing. Stigmatisation of indigenous food plants, urbanisation, formal education, changes in lifestyle, and media were some of the factors possibly influencing this dietary shift. The community made links between diet and health, which correspond to modern scientific knowledge, with modern diet being lamented for ill health. The nutritional analysis revealed that wild food plants do contain essential dietary nutrients, an area recommended for further research.
- Full Text: