Hydrological uncertainty analysis and scenario-based streamflow modelling for the Congo River Basin
- Authors: Tshimanga, Raphael Muamba
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Congo River -- Regulation Hydrological surveys -- Congo River Watershed Water resources development -- Congo River Watershed Water resources development -- Environmental aspects -- Congo River Watershed Water supply -- Congo River Watershed River engineering -- Congo River Watershed
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:6029 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006158
- Description: The effects of climate and environmental change are likely to exacerbate water stress in Africa over the next five decades. It appears obvious, therefore, that large river basins with considerable total renewable water resources will play a prominent role in regional cooperation to alleviate the pressure of water scarcity within Africa. However, managing water resources in the large river basins of Africa involves problems of data paucity, lack of technical resources and the sheer scale of the problem. These river basins are located in regions that are characterized by poverty, low levels of economic development and little food security. The rivers provide multiple goods and services that include hydro-power, water supply, fisheries, agriculture, transportation, and maintenance of aquatic ecosystems. Sustainable water resources management is a critical issue, but there is almost always insufficient data available to formulate adequate management strategies. These basins therefore represent some of the best test cases for the practical application of the science associated with the Predictions in Ungauged Basins (PUB). The thesis presents the results of a process-based hydrological modelling study in the Congo Basin. One of the primary objectives of this study was to establish a hydrological model for the whole Congo Basin, using available historical data. The secondary objective of the study was to use the model and assess the impacts of future environmental change on water resources of the Congo Basin. Given the lack of adequate data on the basin physical characteristics, the preliminary work consisted of assessing available global datasets and building a database of the basin physical characteristics. The database was used for both assessing relationships of similarities between features of physiographic settings in the basin (Chapters 3 and 4), and establishing models that adequately represent the basin hydrology (Chapters 5, 6, and 7). The representative model of the Congo Basin hydrology was then used to assess the impacts of future environmental changes on water resources availability of the Congo Basin (Chapter 8). Through assessment of the physical characteristics of the basin, relationships of similarities were used to determine homogenous regions with regard to rainfall variability, physiographic settings, and hydrological responses. The first observation that comes from this study is that these three categories of regional groups of homogenous characteristics are sensible with regards to their geographical settings, but the overlap and apparent relationships between them are weak. An explanation of this observation is that there are insufficient data, particularly associated with defining sub-surface processes, and it is possible that additional data would have assisted in the discrimination of more homogenous groups and better links between the different datasets. The model application in this study consisted of two phases: model calibration, using a manual approach, and the application of a physically-based a priori parameter estimation approach. While the first approach was designed to assess the general applicability of the model and identify major errors with regard to input data and model structure, the second approach aimed to establish an understanding of the processes and identify useful relationships between the model parameters and the variations in real hydrological processes. The second approach was also designed to quantify the sensitivity of the model outputs to the parameters of the model and to encompass information sharing between the basin physical characteristics and quantifying the parameters of the model. Collectively, the study’s findings show that these two approaches work well and are appropriate to represent the real hydrological processes of Congo Basin. The secondary objective of this study was achieved by forcing the hydrological model developed for the Congo Basin with downscaled Global Climate Model (GCMs) data in order to assess scenarios of change and future possible impacts on water resources availability within the basin. The results provide useful lessons in terms of basin-wide adaptation measures to future climates. The lessons suggest that there is a risk of developing inappropriate adaptation measures to future climate change based on large scale hydrological response, as the response at small scales shows a completely different picture from that which is based on large scale predictions. While the study has concluded that the application of the hydrological model has been successful and can be used with some degree of confidence for enhanced decision making, there remain a number of uncertainties and opportunities to improve the methods used for water resources assessment within the basin. The focus of future activities from the perspective of practical application should be on improved access to data collection to increase confidence in model predictions, on dissemination of the knowledge generated by this study, and on training in the use of the developed water resources assessment techniques.
- Full Text:
Identification of novel marine algal compounds with differential anti-cancer activity: towards a cancer stem-cell specific chemotherapy
- Authors: De la Mare, Jo-Anne
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Breast -- Cancer , Stem cells -- Research , Chemotherapy , Algae -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4143 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016250
- Description: Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the treatment-resistant ER-PR-HER2/neu- sub-type is more common among women of African descent, necessitating the search for novel chemotherapies for this form of the disease. The secondary metabolites produced by marine algae represent a rich source of structurally unique compounds with chemotherapeutic potential, particularly in South Africa, whose oceans allegedly host 15 % of the total number of species in the world. Indeed, a recent study reported the isolation of a range of novel compounds from South African red and brown algae of the Plocamium, Portiera and Sargassum genera which displayed cytotoxicity against oesophageal cancer cells in vitro. The molecular mechanisms mediating this toxicity were unknown, as was the effect of these and similar compounds on metastatic ER-PR-HER2/neu- breast cancer cell lines or breast cancer stem cells. The current study aimed to address these questions by screening a library of twenty-two novel marine algal compounds for the ability to inhibit MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T breast cancer cells, while having no adverse effects on non-cancerous MCF12A breast epithelial cells. While twelve of these were toxic in the micromolar range against breast cancer cells, only the polyhalogenated monoterpenes RU004 and RU007, and the tetraprenylated quinone sargaquinoic acid (SQA) were identified as hit compounds based on the criteria that their cytotoxicity was specific to breast cancer and not healthy breast cells in vitro. On the other hand, the halogenated monoterpene RU015 was found to be highly toxic to both breast cancer and non-cancerous breast cell lines, while the halogenated monoterpene stereoisomers RU017 and RU018 were non-toxic to either of these cell lines. The mode of action of RU004, RU007, RU015 and SQA, together with the previously characterized carotenoid fucoxanthin (FXN), was assessed in terms of the type of cell death induced and the effect on cell cycle distribution of these compounds. Flow cytometric analysis of the extent of Hoescht 33342 and propidium iodide staining along with PARP cleavage studies suggested that SQA induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. On the other hand, the highly toxic compound RU015 appeared to induce necrosis as evidenced by 50 kDa PARP cleavage product in MDA-MB-231 cells. The flow cytometry profiles of MDA-MB-231 and Hst578T cells treated with the hit compounds RU004 and RU007 were suggestive of the induction of apoptosis by these compounds. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining revealed that both SQA and FXN induced G0-G1 arrest together with an increase in the apoptotic sub-G0 population, which agreed with previous reports in the literature. The molecular mechanism of action of SQA and FXN were further investigated by the identification of specific signal transducer molecules involved in mediating their anti-cancer activities. SQA was found to require the activity of numerous caspases, including caspase-3, -6, -8, -9, -10 and -13, for its cytotoxicity and was demonstrated to decrease the level of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. On the other hand, FXN was shown to require caspase-1, -2, -3, -9 and - 10 for its toxicity. This, together with the ability to decrease the levels of Bcl-2, pointed to the involvement of the intrinsic pathway in particular in mediating the activity of FXN. The screening of algal compounds against non-cancerous breast epithelial cells carried out in this study, together with the investigation into their mechanisms of action, represent one of the few reports in which characterization of algal metabolites goes beyond the initial cytotoxicity assays. Finally, in order to assess the potential anti-cancer stem cell activity of the marine algal compounds, a subset of these was screened using a mammosphere assay technique developed in this study. The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory proposes that cancers arise from and are maintained by a specific subpopulation of cells able to undergo asymmetric cell division and termed CSCs. These CSCs are capable of anchorage-independent growth in serum-free culture conditions, such as those in the mammosphere assay. Using this assay, the novel halogenated monoterpene stereoisomers RU017 and RU018 were demonstrated to possess putative anti- CSC activity as evidenced by their ability to completely eliminate mammosphere formation in vitro. Furthermore, since RU017 and RU018 were non-toxic to both breast cancer and healthy breast cells, it appeared that the activity of the compounds was potentially specific to the CSCs. The results require further validation, but represent the first report of selective anti-CSC activity.
- Full Text:
Identifying expansive learning opportunities to foster a more sustainable food economy: a case study of Rhodes University dining halls
- Authors: Agbedahin, Adesuwa Vanessa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Food supply -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Case studies Food industry and trade -- Education (Higher) -- Standards -- South Africa -- Case studies Food service employees -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1560 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003442
- Description: This is a one year half thesis. This research was conducted within the context of the food services sector of Higher Education Institution dining halls and in the midst of the rising global call for food resource management and food waste reduction. The main aim of this research therefore was to identify opportunities for learning and change for a more sustainable food economy, contributing to Education for Sustainable Production and Consumption, and by further implication, Education for Sustainable Development. To achieve this aim, I used Cultural Historical Activity Theory as theoretical and methodological framework; drawing on the second and the third generations of this theory. Implicated in the above research approach is the identification of expansive learning opportunities from the surfacing of ‘tensions’ and ‘contradictions’. In this case study of the Rhodes University Campus Food Services, such tensions and contradictions inhibiting a more sustainable food economy, involving food waste production were identified. To narrow the scope of the study, one dining hall formed the focus of the case, with a two phased research approach whereby one research question and three goals were developed for each phase. The former being the exploration phase and the latter being the initial stages of the expansive phase. Methods used in line with the methodological framework included ten individual interviews with food producers (staff members), nine focus group discussions with food consumers (students), observations of the dining hall activities which lasted for over a month and two ‘Change Laboratory Workshops’. Some of the findings of this research are that food wastage cannot be addressed and appropriately curtailed without an intensive consideration of all the stages of food economy. Multiple contradictions and sources of tensions embedded in the Food Services Sector constituted major causes of food waste. Additionally, the lack of substantial food waste related teaching and learning activities, the presence of disputed rules, institutional structure and traditional practices within the Food Services all exacerbated the tensions and contradictions. More so, prioritizing some of this identified contradictions and tensions hindering a more sustainable food economy and relegating some as unimportant or nonurgent is unproductive. Finally, the non-existence of facilitated deliberation, consultation, dialogue, collaboration between food producers and food consumers has been identified as an obstacle to learning and institutional change. Recommendations abound in re-orienting, re-educating, and re-informing the constituents of the food economy. Re-visiting and revising of rules and regulations guiding conduct of students and kitchen staff members in the RU dining halls, as well as revision of existing learning support materials and mediating tools in use is needed. Recognition and consideration of the concerns and interests of students and kitchen staff members are also needed. Finally, there is a need to continue to address the tensions and contradictions identified in this case study, to further the Expansive Learning Process if a more sustainable food economy at Rhodes University is to be established.
- Full Text:
Illustrated medicines information for HIV/AIDS patients: influence on adherence,self-efficacy and health outcomes
- Authors: Barford, Kirsty-Lee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- South Africa , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa , Communication in medicine -- South Africa , Communication in public health -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015678
- Description: South Africa has an estimated 920 000 patients on antiretrovirals (ARVs), the largest number of patients in any country. ARV therapy demands adherence levels in excess of 95% to avoid development of drug resistance, but adherence to ARV therapy is estimated to be only between 50% and 70%. Poor medication adherence is acknowledged as a major public health problem, reducing the effectiveness of therapy and promoting resistance to ARVs. More than two thirds of the South African population have marginal reading skills and this significantly influences a patient’s ability to read and understand health-related information. Patient education materials tailored for the South African population could be a useful aid in facilitating communication with patients and perhaps impact positively on their medicine-taking behaviour. This behaviour is influenced by patient knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and expectations and includes self-management, self-efficacy and adherence. Self-efficacy, which refers to patient confidence in the ability to self-manage medicine taking, is a key factor influencing adherence. This study aimed to develop illustrated patient information leaflets (PILs) and medicine labels for all first-line ARV regimens used in the public health sector in South Africa and, using a randomised control study design, to investigate the impact of these illustrated information materials on knowledge, medication-taking behaviours and health outcomes in HIV/AIDS patients taking ARVs. To achieve this aim, the objectives were to assess HIV/AIDS and ARV-related knowledge, as well as self-efficacy and adherence to ARV therapy; to assess the influence of demographic variables on knowledge, adherence and self-efficacy; to assess the influence of the information materials on knowledge, self-efficacy and adherence and to assess the association of knowledge with health outcomes. Medicine labels and PILs, both English and isiXhosa, were developed for ARV regimens 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d. The 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and HIV Treatment Adherence Self Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES) instruments for measuring respectively adherence and self-efficacy, were modified to optimize clarity, simplicity and cultural acceptability and were translated into isiXhosa using a multi-stage translation-back translation. The questions and the rating scales, for both the MMAS and HIV-ASES, underwent preliminary qualitative evaluation in focus group discussions. Patients were recruited from local Grahamstown clinics. A pilot study to evaluate applicability of the instruments was conducted in 16 isiXhosa AIDS patients on ARVs and the results from this study informed further modifications to the instruments. One hundred and seventeen patients were recruited for the randomised control trial and were randomly allocated to either control group (who received standard care) or experimental group (who received standard care as well as pictogram medicine labels and the illustrated PIL). Interviews were conducted at baseline and at one, three and six months. Data were analysed statistically using the t-test, chi-squared test and ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) at a 5% level of significance. Correlations were determined using Pearson and Spearman rho correlations. Approval was obtained from Rhodes University Ethical Standards Committee, Settlers Hospital Ethics Committee and the Eastern Cape Department of Health. The results of this research showed that illustrated PILs and medicine labels enhanced understanding of HIV/AIDS and ARV information, resulting in a mean overall knowledge score in the experimental group of 96%, which was significantly higher than the 75% measured in the control group. Variable knowledge scores were measured in three areas: baseline knowledge of general HIV/AIDS-related information was good at 87%, whereas knowledge scores relating to ARV-related information (60%) and side-effects (52%) were lower. These scores improved significantly in the experimental group over the 4 interviews during the 6 month trial duration, whereas in the control group, they fluctuated only slightly around the original baseline score. There was no significant influence of gender on knowledge score, whereas health literacy, education level and age tested (at one and three months) had a significant influence on knowledge. Self-efficacy and adherence results were high, indicating that the patients have confidence in their ability to adhere to the ARV therapy and to practice optimal self-care. Age, gender and education, in most cases, significantly influenced self-efficacy, but were found to have no effect on adherence. The CD4 count improved over the trial duration which may have been influenced by a number of factors, including better knowledge of ARVs and improved adherence. No significant parametric correlation was found between knowledge score and change in CD4 count, however, Spearman's rho showed significance (rs=0.498; p=0.022). Both patients and healthcare providers were highly enthusiastic about the illustrated labels and PILs, and indicated their desire for such materials to be routinely available to public sector HIV/AIDS patients. The isiXhosa version of the PIL was preferred by all the patients. These simple, easy-to-read leaflets and illustrated medication labels were shown to increase understanding and knowledge of ARVs and HIV/AIDS in low-literate patients, and their availability in the first-language of the patients was central to making them a highly useful information source.
- Full Text:
Implementation of environmental learning in the NSSC biology curriculum component: a case study of Namibia
- Authors: Tshiningayamwe, Sirkka Alina Nambashusan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Namibia -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Case studies Environmental education -- Evaluation -- Namibia -- Case studies Biology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Case studies Biology -- Curricula
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003446
- Description: In the context of ecological crisis and environmental deterioration, teaching about environmental issues and the preservation of the world’s environment has become increasingly important across the globe (Chi-chung Ko & Chi-kin Lee, 2003). Of the various subjects taught in secondary schools, Science is often perceived as one that can make a significant contribution to environmental education. It is in this light that the study has looked at how Grade 11 and 12 Biology teachers in the Namibian context implement Environmental Learning (EL). This study was constituted as a case study of two schools in Windhoek, in the Khomas region. The study investigated the implementation of EL in the Biology curriculum focusing on the constraints and enabling factors influencing the implementation. This study employed qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews, classroom observations and document analysis in its investigation of EL implementation. Purposive sampling was done and piloting of interview and observation schedules was used to refine the schedules. Ethical issues were taken into consideration throughout the study. The key findings from the study are as follows: - Teachers’ knowledge and interest in environmental education influence how teachers facilitate EL; - There is a mismatch between EL theories and practice; - Teaching of EL is mainly informed by the syllabus and not other curriculum documents, - Current assessment policy and practice impact on EL; and - Possibilities exist for improving EL in Namibia’s Biology curriculum. These key findings have been used to make recommendations for the study which are as follows: - Strengthen the subject content and interest of teachers; - There should be a match between EL theories and practice; - Reorient curriculum documents and other learning support materials used for EL; - Change in assessment approaches; and - Translate constraints of EL into enablers. The study concludes by calling for further research into EL pedagogies. This can be used to improve EL implementation in the region where the study was situated.
- Full Text:
Improving the quality and relevance of environmental learning through the use of a wider range of preferred teaching methods: a case of primary schools in Mufulira District in the Copperbelt Province in Zambia
- Authors: Kalumba, Evaristo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Research -- Zambia Primary school teaching -- Research -- Zambia Primary school teaching -- Methodology -- Research Primary school teaching -- Standards -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003453
- Description: The study was conducted to investigate whether the use of a wider range of teaching methods can improve the quality of environmental learning in five Zambian primary schools. Nine teachers from five schools were involved in the preliminary stage of answering of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions about the use of dominant teaching methods and new teaching methods; while only four were involved in the observations of four lessons. The study is a contribution to the on‐going debate on the investigation of whether teaching methods used by teachers can be one of the factors that can influence the quality of education. Definitions of quality and educational quality in particular, are not easy to establish and no agreed upon framework for educational quality exists at present. This study reviews the debates on educational quality, and identifies three major paradigms or discourses on educational quality; and considers the human rights, social justice and capabilities approaches and educational quality frameworks as being relevant to environmental learning and education for sustainable development in the Southern African Development Community context. This, together with a review of research on teaching methods in environmental education, provides the theoretical framework for this study. Using action research and an interpretative methodological framework, a series of research activities were undertaken to generate research data because the study was investigating the teachers’ practice with a view to probe change and to analyse the findings. Nine teachers participated in the preliminary stage of answering questionnaires and focus group interviews reflecting on existing teaching methods. In stage two of this study, teachers went through a planning workshop during which they planned lessons using new preferred teaching methods. The third stage was lesson observations of planned lessons. The final stage was the reflection workshop during which the teachers shared their experiences with the use of new teaching methods. The teaching practices of teachers using the new teaching methods were the subject of further analysis. In order to find out how the use of a wide range of teaching methods can improve quality of environmental learning in primary schools nine teachers were observed teaching lessons with new teaching methods. The Nikel and Lowe (2010) fabric of dimensions of educational quality was adapted and used to find out if teachers included dimensions of quality in the teaching process. Additional socio‐cultural and structural quality dimensions, identified through a review of southern African research, were used to find out if teachers included contextualized regional dimensions of educational quality. This was done to investigate whether the process of teaching and learning was relevant to the learners. Teachers involved in the research reflected that when they used a wider range of teaching methods the result was that the learning opportunities for learners were enhanced and that the methods added value to their teaching, improving the quality of their teaching. The use of a wider range of teaching methods showed the presence of several indicators of dimensions of educational quality, as reflected in the quality analysis tool. Teachers indicated that the use of a wider range of teaching methods led them to include the socio‐cultural dimensions such as the use of local languages and structural dimensions such as informal seating arrangements or group work that they would otherwise neglect if they used the traditional narrow range of teaching methods. A wider range of teaching methods provided learners with an enjoyable learning atmosphere during the lesson. The research also identified that this study can be taken further through broader observations, and that the educational quality dimensions tool is useful for different levels of the education system, and that it has potentially productive uses in teacher education, particularly for observations during teaching practice.
- Full Text:
In silico characterisation of the four canonical plasmodium falciparum 70 kDa heat shock proteins
- Authors: Hatherley, Rowan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Heat shock proteins -- Research , Plasmodium falciparum -- Research , Plasmodium -- Research , Endoplasmic reticulum , Cytosol , Mitochondria -- Formation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4026 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004086 , Heat shock proteins -- Research , Plasmodium falciparum -- Research , Plasmodium -- Research , Endoplasmic reticulum , Cytosol , Mitochondria -- Formation
- Description: The 70 kDa heat shock proteins expressed by Plasmodium falciparum (PfHsp70s) are believed to be essential to both the survival and virulence of the malaria parasite. A total of six Hsp70 genes have been identified in the genome of P. falciparum. However, only four of these encode canonical Hsp70s, which are believed to localise predominantly in the cytosol (PfHsp70-1 and PfHsp70-x), the endoplasmic reticulum (PfHsp70-2) and mitochondria (PfHsp70-3) of the parasite. These proteins bind and release peptide substrates in an ATP-dependent manner, with the aid of a J-domain protein cochaperone and a nucleotide exchange factor (NEF). The aim of this study was to identify the residues involved in the interaction of these PfHsp70s with their peptide substrates, their J-domain cochaperones and potential NEFs. These residues were then mapped to three-dimensional (3D) structures of the proteins, modelled in three different conformations; each representing a different stage in the ATPase cycle. Additionally, these proteins were compared to different types of Hsp70s from a variety of different organisms and sequence features found to be specific to each PfHsp70 were mapped to their 3D structures. Finally, a novel modelling method was suggested, in which the structures of templates were remodelled to improve their quality before they were used in the homology modelling process. Based on the analysis of residues involved in interactions with other proteins, it was revealed that each PfHsp70 displayed features that were specific to its cellular localisation and each type of Hsp70 was predicted to interact with a different set of NEFs. The study of conserved features in each PfHsp70 revealed that PfHsp70-x displayed various sequence features atypical of both Plasmodium cytosolic Hsp70s and cytosolic Hsp70s in general. Additionally, residues conserved specifically in Hsp70s of Apicomplexa, Plasmodium and P. falciparum were identified and mapped to the each PfHsp70 model. Although these residues were too numerous to reveal any information of specific value, these models may be useful for the purposes of aiding the design of drug compounds against each PfHsp70. Finally, the novel modelling approach did show some promise. Half of the models produced using the modified templates were of a higher quality than their counterparts modelled using the original templates. This approach does still require a lot of validation work and statistical evaluation. It is hoped that it could prove to be a useful approach to homology modelling when the only templates available are poor quality structures.
- Full Text:
In-beam spectroscopy of ⁷²Ge
- Authors: Henninger, Katharine Rose
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nuclear shapes , Hyperfine structure
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5559 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018233
- Description: The high-spin states of the nucleus ⁷²Ge were populated via the ⁷°Zn(a,2n)⁷²Ge fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam-energy of 30 MeV. The ')'-decays were observed with the AFRODITE spectrometer array at iThemba LABS (Faure, South Africa). Twenty-seven new transitions, 18 new levels and 2 new bands were added to the ⁷²Ge level scheme, and several corrections were made to t he previously-known level scheme. Transitions were characterised using Directional Correlation from Oriented states (DCO) and polarisation measurements, and spin-parity assignments were made for 7 new levels. Spin and parity were also reassigned to a previously-known structure. One of the new bands was ident ified as part of an octupole-vibrational band. No tetrahedral states were observed in the scheme despite N = 40 and Z = 32 having been identified as tetrahedral magic numbers. The meaning of the new 14⁺ yrast level for the underlying structure of the ground state band is discussed
- Full Text:
Interest rate pass-through in Cameroon and Nigeria: a comparative analysis
- Authors: Tita, Anthanasius Fomum
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Interest rates -- Cameroon Interest rates -- Nigeria Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- Cameroon Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- Nigeria Interest rates -- Econometric models Cointegration Monetary policy -- Cameroon Monetary policy -- Nigeria Banque des états de l'Afrique centrale Banks and banking -- Cameroon Banks and banking -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1005 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002740
- Description: One of the most important aspects of monetary policy is an understanding of the transmission process: the mechanism through which the monetary policy actions of the Central Bank impact on aggregate demand and prices by influencing the investment and consumption decisions of households and firms. Thus, commercial banks are regarded as conveyers of monetary policy shocks and are expected to adjust retail interest rates in response to policy shocks one-to-one. In practice, commercial banks adjust their retail rates in response to changes in monetary policy with a lag of several months and this delay is often viewed as an impediment on the ability of the Central Bank to steer the economy. Several reasons, such as credit rationing and adverse selection, switching costs, risk sharing, consumer irrationality, structure of the financial system, menu costs and asymmetric information are some of the causes advanced for commercial banks retail rates being sticky. In spite of the important role of pass-through analysis in the monetary policy transmission process, it has received very little attention in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Cameroon and Nigeria, which have implemented a series of reforms. To this end, this study gives a comparative analysis of interest rate pass-through in Nigeria and Cameroon using retail rates (lending and deposit) and a discount rate (policy rate) from January 1990 to December 2010 for Nigeria and from January 1990 to June 2008 for Cameroon. The study examines the magnitude and speed of retail rate adjustments to changes in the Central Bank policy rate as well as examining the possibility of symmetric and asymmetric pass-through in both countries. In addition, the study also investigates whether there is pass-through of monetary policy from one country to the other. The empirical analysis employs four different types of co-integration techniques to test the presence of a long run co-integrating relationship between retail and the policy rates in order to ensure that the relationship detected is robust. Three sets of analyses are carried out in the study. Following Cottarelli and Kourelis (1994), the study employed a co-integration technique, firstly, to analyse pass-through for the entire sample, secondly, to analyse symmetric and asymmetric pass-through using a ten year rolling window analysis in an error correction framework. Finally, the policy rates were swapped around to investigate if there are transmissions of impulses from one country to the other. Overall, evidence from the entire sample and rolling window analysis suggests that monetary policy in Cameroon is less effective. This is perhaps one of the reasons why the Banque Des Etats De L’Afrique Centrale (BEAC) is unable to sterilise the excess liquidity of the banking sector in Cameroon. The long run pass-through of 0.72 and 0.71 for the entire sample, and the average long run pass-through for the rolling window of 0.78 and 0.76 for the lending and deposit rates, suggest that monetary policy is highly effective in Nigeria compared to Cameroon. The empirical evidence confirmed asymmetric adjustment in six rolling windows in the lending rate in Nigeria. Three rolling windows indicated that the direction of rigidity is downward, supporting Scholnick’s (1996) collusive pricing arrangement between banks, and the other three suggested that the lending rate is rigid in the upward direction, corroborating Scholnick’s (1996) customer reaction hypothesis. The deposit rate in Cameroon was also found to adjust asymmetrically and the direction of rigidity is downward, supporting Hannan and Berger’s (1991) customer reaction hypothesis. The investigation of impulse transmission between the two countries revealed that only the policy rate in Nigeria exerts some influence on the deposit rate in Cameroon. Policy recommendations are also discussed.
- Full Text:
International passports : portrait of the Nigerian diaspora
- Authors: Makun, Adetoun Jones
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Portrait painting -- South Africa Nigerians -- Portraits Portrait photography -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2429 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002226
- Description: International Passports: Portraits of the Nigerian Diaspora considers notions of 'alienation‘ and 'nation-hood‘ through the lens of portraiture. This dissertation addresses issues of identity and representation in a contemporary cultural context as they pertain to the concerns presented through my current visual practice. The paintings that I have produced from 'real‘ life are primarily depictions of Nigerian individuals, friends and acquaintances (professionals and students) residing in Grahamstown, South Africa as temporary or permanent migrants. I reference the mug shot pose of identity documents and passport photographs and render them in such a way that ideas of their persona are subject to the viewer‘s gaze and deliberations, thus provoking the spectator to consider questions of 'otherness‘ and 'stereotypes‘. This provocation is subtle and complex, and in many ways I am offering the viewer a 're-looking‘, an opportunity to examine one‘s moral position and subsequent implication within the act of stereotyping an 'other‘ individual. The initial idea within this body of work was to paint images of Nigerian nationals exclusively, yet the restrictive nature of such categorization pushed me to complicate certain nationalist ideologies through the inclusion of non-Nigerian individuals. I look specifically at notions of the 'other‘ and 'strangeness‘ in a contemporary South African context and how this connects to the concept of portraiture and not simply portraiture theory but also the social theory in relation to how people are 'imaged‘. Throughout this thesis I consider several theoretical concerns in portraiture practice and discourse whilst simultaneously unpacking the psychological and social contexts that influence my practice.
- Full Text:
Investigating factors inhibiting the implementation of IQMS in a South African school
- Authors: Mji, Lwazi Knowledge
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003468
- Description: After the 1994 elections education reform has been characterized by the introduction of laws and policies, including IQMS, that seek to reconcile post‐apartheid traditions to practices that would address deficiencies borne by the era in the education field. The IQMS is a clear reaction to the autocratic mode of evaluation that operated during the apartheid era and is a major shift from the old paradigm of external evaluators. It was designed to review performance and identify strengths and weaknesses, encouraging personal and professional development, drawing on peer and collegial feedback rather than official Department of Education surveillance. However, recent studies have shown that the IQMS has failed and is failing to achieve what it was intended to achieve. This study examines the reasons for this failure in a secondary school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This research is an interpretive case study that uses observation, document analysis and interviews utilising theories of learning organizations, management and leadership. The study reveals that the policy is not applied in the way it was intended and is failing in this regard. The policy process has been bureaucratised and suffers from superficial compliance. The developmental thrust of the policy seems to have been lost. It was also discovered that the involvement of teacher unions has both positively and negatively affected the implementation process and that the support schools receive from the department is not enough to keep the policy alive in schools. This research is likely to benefit school principals, policy makers and implementers, and IQMS coordinators, as it provides clarity on the issues restraining IQMS implementation in schools. The study also demonstrates the need for school principals to consider adopting transformational leadership as a strategy to lead teachers against political influence and expose them to professional development opportunities.
- Full Text:
Investigating teaching and learning within three Eastern Cape reception year classrooms
- Authors: Mnene, Mthetheleli
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Competency-based education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Elementary -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Elementary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Elementary -- Parent participation -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- Aims and objectives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Elementary -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1589 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003471
- Description: The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which young children in three Grade R classes in the Eastern Cape Province were exposed to developmentally appropriate opportunities to achieve the Critical Outcomes as outlined in the South African National Curriculum Statement. The research took the form of a case study. Semi-structured interviews and observations were used to collect data. Respondents included children, their parents, Grade R practitioners and the school leadership. The findings tentatively showed that this set of parents perceived their role in providing for their children’s developmental needs as separate to that of the GR practitioners. They seemed to see their roles as helping their children to develop social and emotional competence only, and that the GR practitioners provided, in addition to this, literacy and numeracy teaching to their children. In contrast, the three GR practitioners believed that parents were responsible also for promoting literacy, numeracy and life skills. There seemed therefore to be a lack of clarity of specific teacher and parent views of their roles. The researcher found, however, that the children seemed to be given few developmentally appropriate opportunities for planned and structured activities which enabled them to explore the Critical Outcomes, for example, working together, solving problems, using technology. The teaching methodology used by the GR practitioners during the observation periods, seemed to a large extent, to be based in 'talk and chalk' in the plenary grouping. It did not seem to enable the implementation of the curriculum and especially of the Critical Outcomes in a developmentally appropriate way. In addition, the environment in which children learned was not observed to be developmentally appropriate for relevant education to take place. Too many children were crowded into the available space, while learning equipment and materials were lacking. Any competences that young children in these three GR programmes achieved were therefore possibly learned incidentally, rather than deliberately through planned activities. In addition, GR classes in this study were not observed to be supported within the schools to deliver competent curriculum activities to the children. The study makes suggestions to meet some of these challenges. These include improving the understanding of curriculum guidelines of all role players in the three schools, enabling the management teams and especially parents to take a stronger support and monitoring role, and providing and using materials and equipment to promote the use of the Critical Out comes as methods for teaching and for learning.
- Full Text:
Investigating the dual influences of theory and practice on the design and implementation of a learning programme
- Authors: Jackelman, Susan Iona
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education -- Research Education -- Philosophy Teaching -- Methodology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teaching -- Aids and devices -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1591 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003473
- Description: It is widely recognized that educational research and theory should be motivated by the desire to continually improve the practice of teaching. However, bridging the divide between theoretical research outcomes and the practical constraints of classroom-based teaching has proved somewhat challenging. The involvement of teachers as the 'bridge-builders' between theory and practice could provide an effective mechanism for achieving this integration. The purpose of this study is thus to investigate whether the involvement of teachers in developing and implementing a theory-based teaching module would improve teaching practice in the classroom. A teaching module was collaboratively developed by a group of teachers for Grade 9 linear functions using: the principles of mathematical proficiency postulated by Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findell, (2001); the teaching phases formulated by van Hiele (1986); and the cognitive classification of classroom activities developed by Stein and Smith (1998). This module was then taught to six Grade 9 classes by four teachers in one school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa over a period of 5 weeks. The effectiveness of the module, and its application in the classroom, was assessed in terms of: (i) the extent to which theory could be used to inform the design and development of teaching materials; (ii) the efficacy of this teaching material in promoting teaching for mathematical proficiency; and (iii) the effects of extraneous influences on the usefulness of the module in teaching for mathematical proficiency. While the theoretical framework provided a sound basis for developing the teaching module, it was found that collaboratively transforming this theory into a teaching module for practical use in the classroom is certainly possible, but it requires considerable time and effort that practising teachers do not have. Developing the depth of understanding required for mathematical proficiency also takes time - a commodity often in short supply as teachers grapple with the demands of the curriculum. Teaching for mathematical proficiency is a layered process. It starts with thinking about an idea (like a graph) that is developed out of a related concept that then has a set of characteristic algorithms and actions which are learnt and performed in sequence. Building understanding in this way ends with a student being able to visualize and conceive the graph as a structure that can be described as if it were an object (encapsulating all the previous concepts belonging to similar graphs in one idea). This development of understanding is important for mathematical proficiency but is not necessarily easy. When teaching with the module, it was necessary to create an extra opportunity for students to use procedural knowledge and repetition in order to provide enough examples to help them see the link: between linear number patterns and linear graphs. Extraneous influences on teaching for mathematical proficiency were grouped into two categories - endogenous and exogenous influences. Endogenous influences were teacher related and included the attitudes, decisions and disposition of the teacher. Exogenous influences were more contextual (and in effect out of the control of the teacher) and included teaching time available, curriculum, external assessments etc. Both of these influences were seen to affect teaching for mathematical proficiency, either promoting or inhibiting it. This research affirmed the central role that teachers play in teaching for mathematical proficiency. It is considered critical that research actively involve teachers in the evolution of mathematical theory. The development of an enabling environment (including institutional support, time, capacity, resources, skills and tools) for teachers will further enhance their capacity to teach for mathematical proficiency.
- Full Text:
Investigating the impact of brand reputation on brand architecture strategies : a study on a South African automotive company
- Authors: Waddington, Andrew John
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- Case studies Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Case studies Toyota Jidōsha Kōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha -- Case studies Automobiles -- Marketing -- Case studies Product management -- Case studies Branding (Marketing) -- Management -- Case studies Corporate image -- Management -- Case studies Brand name products -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002796
- Description: The brand architecture of an organisation has become increasingly important to global management and marketing professionals, as it deals with structures and designs of brands which are constantly influenced by a changing environment. The market realities and changes brands face continuously impact the reputation of the brand, which is critical to sustain competitive advantage. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the impact brand reputation has on brand architecture strategies, and an automotive company was chosen as the focus of the research. This research aims to help managers, marketers and brand owners make informative decisions regarding the brand architecture of a company. A quantitative content analysis methodology was used along with a webpage keyword counting application (WebWords). The application was used based on the principles outlined by Corporate Brand and Reputation Analysis (COBRA), which uses a four step progressive filtering process in filtering traditional and consumer generated media. The results from WebWords were then aligned to the brand architecture strategies from the brand relationship spectrum (BRS) to gain insight as to which of the strategies from the BRS were most vulnerable to reputational damage. The study found that the branded house and sub-brand strategies were most vulnerable to reputational damage based on the number reputational hits received. The connection between the master brand and the sub-brands could cause both brands to be affected should any reputational issues arise.
- Full Text:
Investigating the incorporation of education about, in/through and for the environment in the Geography junior phase curriculum: a case study of three Namibian schools
- Authors: Anyolo, Eveline Omagano
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Primary -- Curricula -- Namibia Geography teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1594 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003476
- Description: This study was carried out to investigate how education about, in/through and for the environment is incorporated in the Namibian Geography Junior Phase curriculum in three schools in Oshana Education Region. Education about, in/through and for the environment are three forms of environmental education identified by Fien (1998). This study is a qualitative, interpretive case study. It reviews the activities, content knowledge, methods, competencies and resources and describes how they were used by teachers in fostering education about, in/through and for the environment in the curriculum. Data was generated through document analysis, observations and semi-structured interviews. The results were interpreted and discussed in relation to the research question which is: How is education about, in/through and for the environment incorporated in the Geography Junior Phase curriculum? Key findings of the study suggested that teachers incorporated education about, in/through and for the environment in their teaching. Teachers used the prescribed syllabus to structure their environmental learning lessons. Most methods, resources and activities used by the teachers promoted education about the environment. The study also found that most types of knowledge about the environment were covered by the teachers. This enabled learners to examine the complexity and interrelatedness of natural systems. The study found that the way the resources were used exclusively supported education about the environment. Linking learning to local context in this study encouraged education in/through the environment and enhanced the learning process through real life experience. The study also found that, although teachers taught their learners for the environment, they did not empower them in taking actions towards environmental problems. Based on the insights offered by this research, the study identified further support required by teachers and made recommendations for effective incorporation of about, in/through andfor the environment in the curriculum.
- Full Text:
Investigating tools and techniques for improving software performance on multiprocessor computer systems
- Authors: Tristram, Waide Barrington
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Multiprocessors , Multiprogramming (Electronic computers) , Parallel programming (Computer science) , Linux , Abstract data types (Computer science) , Threads (Computer programs) , Computer programming
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006651 , Multiprocessors , Multiprogramming (Electronic computers) , Parallel programming (Computer science) , Linux , Abstract data types (Computer science) , Threads (Computer programs) , Computer programming
- Description: The availability of modern commodity multicore processors and multiprocessor computer systems has resulted in the widespread adoption of parallel computers in a variety of environments, ranging from the home to workstation and server environments in particular. Unfortunately, parallel programming is harder and requires more expertise than the traditional sequential programming model. The variety of tools and parallel programming models available to the programmer further complicates the issue. The primary goal of this research was to identify and describe a selection of parallel programming tools and techniques to aid novice parallel programmers in the process of developing efficient parallel C/C++ programs for the Linux platform. This was achieved by highlighting and describing the key concepts and hardware factors that affect parallel programming, providing a brief survey of commonly available software development tools and parallel programming models and libraries, and presenting structured approaches to software performance tuning and parallel programming. Finally, the performance of several parallel programming models and libraries was investigated, along with the programming effort required to implement solutions using the respective models. A quantitative research methodology was applied to the investigation of the performance and programming effort associated with the selected parallel programming models and libraries, which included automatic parallelisation by the compiler, Boost Threads, Cilk Plus, OpenMP, POSIX threads (Pthreads), and Threading Building Blocks (TBB). Additionally, the performance of the GNU C/C++ and Intel C/C++ compilers was examined. The results revealed that the choice of parallel programming model or library is dependent on the type of problem being solved and that there is no overall best choice for all classes of problem. However, the results also indicate that parallel programming models with higher levels of abstraction require less programming effort and provide similar performance compared to explicit threading models. The principle conclusion was that the problem analysis and parallel design are an important factor in the selection of the parallel programming model and tools, but that models with higher levels of abstractions, such as OpenMP and Threading Building Blocks, are favoured.
- Full Text:
Investigation of the effect of short duration breaks in delaying the onset of performance related fatigue during long distance monotonous driving at different times of the day
- Authors: Ndaki, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Fatigue -- Physiological aspects , Drowsiness -- Physiological aspects , Automobile driving -- Physiological aspects , Traffic safety -- South Africa , Automobile driving -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016353
- Description: Road traffic accidents are a serious burden to the health systems of many countries especially in South Africa. Research aimed at reducing traffic related accidents is of importance as traffic crashes are rated as the second leading cause of fatalities in South Africa and ninth in the world. Despite the extensive efforts into research and development of new technology, driver fatigue still remains a cause of vehicle accidents worldwide. Fatigue plays a role in up to 20% of vehicle accidents with many being serious or fatal. Numerous coping behaviours are employed by drivers to counteract the negative effects of fatigue. The most common coping behaviours include taking short naps, talking to passengers, listening to the radio, opening windows and drinking stimulants. Driving breaks have long been identified as an effective countermeasure against fatigue. Most research done in driving breaks has investigated the duration of the breaks, activity undertaken during the break and the frequency of the breaks taken outside the vehicle. However limited literature is available on the effectiveness of breaks in counteracting the effects of fatigue. The objective of the current study was aimed at assessing whether short duration breaks are an effective countermeasure against fatigue. Physiological, neurophysiological, subjective and performance measures were used as indicators for fatigue. Additional focus of the research was determining whether breaks were more or less effective at counteracting the effects of fatigue at different times of day. Twelve participants were recruited for the study, six males and six females. The participants were required to perform a driving task on a simulator for 90 minutes. The study consisted of four independent conditions, namely driving during the day with breaks, driving during the day without breaks, driving during the night with breaks and driving during the night without breaks. The without breaks conditions were similar except that they occurred at different times of the day, one session at night and the other session during day time, as was the case for the conditions with breaks. The driving task used in the current study was a low fidelity simulator tracking task. The participants were required to follow a centre line displayed on a tracking path as accurately as possible. The measurements that were recorded in this study included physiological, performance, subjective and neurophysiological. Physiological measures included heart rate and heart rate variability (frequency domain) and core body temperature. The ascending threshold of the critical flicker fusion frequency was the only neurophysiological measurement included in the current investigation. Performance was quantified by mean deviation from a centre line participants were meant to track. Two rating scales were used: Karolinska sleepiness scale and the Wits sleepiness scale were used for the measurement of subjective sleepiness. Heart rate, heart rate variability and mean deviation were measured continuously throughout the 90 minute driving task. Critical flicker fusion frequency, temperature and the subjective scales were measured before and after the 90 minute driving task. The results indicated that the short duration breaks during day time had a positive effect on driving performance; however the breaks at night had a negative effect on driving performance. Heart rate was higher during the day compared to night time and the heart rate variability high frequency spectrum values were lower during the day condition, to show the activation of the sympathetic nervous system which is characteristic of day time. The night conditions had lower heart rate values and higher heart rate variability high frequency values, which show the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system which is dominant during periods of fatigue and night time. Subjective sleepiness levels were also higher at night compared to day time.
- Full Text:
Isolation, structural characterisation and evaluation of cytotoxic activity of natural products from selected South African marine red algae
- Authors: Knott, Michael George
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Marine algae -- South Africa , Red algae -- South Africa , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015460
- Description: The medicinal chemistry of selected marine algae indigenous to South Africa was investigated. Following the isolation and characterisation of a number of new and known compounds, the associated in vitro cytotoxic profiles of these new compounds was investigated. Plocamium maxillosum yielded two new cyclic polyhalogenated monoterpenes which were characterised as 2E-chloromethine-4E-chlorovinyl-4-methyl-5-cyclohexen-1-one (2.1) and 2Z-chloromethine-4E-chlorovinyl-4-methyl-5-cyclohexen-1-one (2.2) on the basis of one and two dimensional NMR spectroscopic data and MS analysis. These compounds were also found to have good cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines. Although these compounds are based on a regular monoterpene skeleton, they represent an uncommon feature not often seen in cyclic halogenated monoterpenes from marine algae. Plocamium robertiae yielded one new cyclic polyhalogenated monoterpene identified as 4,5- dibromo-5-chloromethyl-1-chlorovinyl-2-chloro-methylcyclohexane (2.6) and one known compound called 2,4-dichloro-1-chlorovinyl-1-methylcyclohexane-5-ene or Plocamene D (2.9). Portieria hornemannii was collected from Port Edward in Natal and yielded three new compounds, namely; 3Z-1,6-dibromo-3-(bromomethylidene)-2,7-dichloro-7-methyloctane (3.1), 1E,3Z-1,6-dibromo-3-(bromomethylidene)-7-chloro-7-methyloct-1-ene (3.2), 1Z,3Z- 1,6-dibromo-3-(bromomethylidene)-7-chloro-7-methyloct-1-ene (3.3), and one known compound, namely; 3S,6R-6-bromo-3-(bromomethyl)-3,7-dichloro-7-methyloct-1-ene (3.4). Compounds 3.1 and 3.2 showed no cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells. Another Portieria hornemannii sample was collected from Noordhoek in the Eastern Cape, it yielded one known compound referred to as 3Z-6-bromo-3-(bromomethylidene)-2,7- dichloro-7-methyloct-1-ene (3.5), as well as one new compound called portieric acid A (3.6) or 5-bromo-2-(bromomethylidene)-6-chloro-6-methylheptanoic acid. Portieric acid A showed slight cytotoxic activity and also represents a new class of compound within the genus Portieria. The isolation of secondary metabolites from the South African red alga, Laurencia glomerata, yielded two known compounds; 7-hydroxylaurene (4.9) and cis-neolaurencenyne (4.12), as well as one chamigrane related compound (4.11). Laurencia flexuosa yielded one known compound called 3Z-bromofucin (4.13). Using 1H NMR, GC and molecular systematics, a novel method for identifying different species of Laurencia was also investigated.
- Full Text:
Issues and challenges facing school libraries: a case study of selected primary schools in Gauteng Province, South Africa
- Authors: Paton-Ash, Margaret Sanderson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School libraries -- South Africa -- Gauteng Libraries and state -- South Africa -- Gauteng Libraries and schools -- South Africa -- Gauteng Library planning -- South Africa -- Gauteng Libraries and education -- South Africa -- Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003543
- Description: Fewer than 8% of schools in South Africa have functioning libraries. There is no national policy for school libraries which compels School Governing Bodies and principals to have a library in their schools. This qualitative study, based on grounded theory, investigated ten primary schools in Gauteng that had libraries, or were in the process of setting up a library with the intention of providing a rich description of the issues and challenges facing these schools. The schools were chosen on the basis of location (Soweto and Johannesburg), and the school fees that were paid in a continuum from low/no fee paying schools to the fee paying ex Model-C schools. The resourcing of the school library, the operation of the school library and the role of the library were examined. The findings highlight the lack of a national policy, of school library posts, the theft of computers as a result of the lack of security, as well as the lack of understanding by teachers of the role the library in teaching and learning. Furthermore, there appears to be a disjuncture between the trends evident in the international literature on school libraries and what is actually happening in the primary school libraries in my study. Most significantly low/no fee paying schools with libraries were the exception and those that did have libraries were as a result of the enthusiasm and efforts of one or two individuals with the backing of the principal. Ex-Model C schools had the advantage in terms of the provision and staffing of school libraries as they had the funds to support them and, in some cases, a school librarian, provided that the principal supported the idea of a school library. In all the schools, the belief in the importance of the library regarding reading and literacy was the main motivating factor in establishing or maintaining the school library. A growing public awareness of the value of school libraries was an encouraging trend that emerged from my study.
- Full Text:
Language and social services in rural North West the status of Setswana
- Authors: Nkashe, Esther
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tswana language Linguistic rights -- South Africa -- North-West Linguistic rights Language policy -- South Africa -- North-West Linguistic minorities -- South Africa -- North-West Multiculturalism -- South Africa -- North-West Language and languages -- Political aspects -- South Africa -- North-West
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002165
- Description: This study seeks to support the thesis that African indigenous languages in South Africa should enjoy equal treatment in terms of the South African Constitution. Therefore, it will explore and find ways and means of how the South African government can reach out to rural communities with inadequate English proficiency, in an English-dominated South Africa, by breaking down the existing language barriers and curbing social inequalities. Language rights, like any other human rights, should be protected, as enshrined in the new democratic Constitution of South Africa.
- Full Text: