The development of a set of guidelines for the revision of psychological tests and the use of revised psychological tests
- Authors: Cronje, Johan Herman
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Psychological tests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46350 , vital:39567
- Description: The psychological testindustry has produced a wide variety of psychological tests that are used by professionals to facilitate measurement and decision-making. Tests are updated and revised periodically in order to remain current, valid and reliable in what is a competitive psychometric industry. Despite the prevalence of test revisions, especially in recent years, a number of authors have commented on the lack of comprehensive guidelines for test revision. Guidelines shouldcover aspects such as what the different types of revision are, when to embark on a revision, whatprocessto followand how test users should use revised tests. Test revision differs from test construction in a number of ways. There are external factors that affect the regularity with which a test should be revised. Test revision also involves more role players than test construction, including the opinions of those test users who may be resistant to any change in the previous test edition. Finally, revised tests sometimes have to contend with requirements from the test publisher who purchased the test or distribution rights from the developer. Test revision is expensive and time consuming, which leaves little scope for experimentation or trial-and-error. The availability of expertise, as well as the human and financial resources required to complete test revisionscan make such projects unaffordable, especiallyforprofessionals indeveloping countries, such as South Africa.It may be more feasible for such professionalsto collaborate with international revision projects. By doing so they cangain experience in test revision, contribute indigenous information that could shapethe revision ofan international test, increase opportunities to engage with international users, and potentially source international funding for research in their own country. The current studydevelopeda comprehensive and practical set of 30 guidelines to assist those involved in test revision. These guidelines were peer-reviewed and refined. Finally, the guidelines were field-tested using a case study of a recently revised ivdevelopmentaltest, the Griffiths III. Professionals from South Africa, including the present researcher,formed part of the international team for the extensive revision of the Griffiths III, which makes this test an ideal case study from both the perspectives of the developed test revision guidelines as well as collaboration of professionals from a developing country in an international test revision. The knowledge gainedfrom the development of guidelines and international collaboration in test revision is reflected on.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Cronje, Johan Herman
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Psychological tests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46350 , vital:39567
- Description: The psychological testindustry has produced a wide variety of psychological tests that are used by professionals to facilitate measurement and decision-making. Tests are updated and revised periodically in order to remain current, valid and reliable in what is a competitive psychometric industry. Despite the prevalence of test revisions, especially in recent years, a number of authors have commented on the lack of comprehensive guidelines for test revision. Guidelines shouldcover aspects such as what the different types of revision are, when to embark on a revision, whatprocessto followand how test users should use revised tests. Test revision differs from test construction in a number of ways. There are external factors that affect the regularity with which a test should be revised. Test revision also involves more role players than test construction, including the opinions of those test users who may be resistant to any change in the previous test edition. Finally, revised tests sometimes have to contend with requirements from the test publisher who purchased the test or distribution rights from the developer. Test revision is expensive and time consuming, which leaves little scope for experimentation or trial-and-error. The availability of expertise, as well as the human and financial resources required to complete test revisionscan make such projects unaffordable, especiallyforprofessionals indeveloping countries, such as South Africa.It may be more feasible for such professionalsto collaborate with international revision projects. By doing so they cangain experience in test revision, contribute indigenous information that could shapethe revision ofan international test, increase opportunities to engage with international users, and potentially source international funding for research in their own country. The current studydevelopeda comprehensive and practical set of 30 guidelines to assist those involved in test revision. These guidelines were peer-reviewed and refined. Finally, the guidelines were field-tested using a case study of a recently revised ivdevelopmentaltest, the Griffiths III. Professionals from South Africa, including the present researcher,formed part of the international team for the extensive revision of the Griffiths III, which makes this test an ideal case study from both the perspectives of the developed test revision guidelines as well as collaboration of professionals from a developing country in an international test revision. The knowledge gainedfrom the development of guidelines and international collaboration in test revision is reflected on.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The effect of gamma radiation on the physical and chemical properties of wool
- Authors: Rapakgadi, Jim
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Semiconductors -- Effect of radiation on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47668 , vital:40263
- Description: Pathogens (e.g. viruses, spores and bacteria) remain one of the biggest threats to trading and the economy of natural fibre products, such as wool, mohair and cotton. One of the means to kill or eliminate pathogens is by radiation sterilisation, involving electromagnetic radiation (e.g. gamma radiation and UV light). The research, reported in this thesis, was aimed at establishing the effect of gamma irradiation dosage on the various quality related physical and chemical characteristics of four different types of merino wool when treated in situ in scoured and greasy state in mini-bale form. Specific properties studied include wool colour (yellowness and brightness), solubility (alkali solubility and urea bisulphite solubility), fibre diameter and tensile properties (staple strength and bundle tenacity). Standard analytical and diagnostic techniques were used to assess changes, if any, in the above mentioned properties due to the radiation treatment. Nominal radiation dosages, ranging from 25 kGy to 75 kGy (actual measured from 0 kGy to 92.2 kGy) were used, 50 kGy normally being regarded as sufficient to destroy the pathogens in question. It was found that nominial gamma radiation dosages of up to 92.2 kGy did not significantly affect fibre diameter or staple length, indicating that no irreversible swelling of the wool fibres occurred as a result of gamma irradiation. Alkali and urea bisulphite solubility as well as yellowness, on the other hand, showed a systematic increase with an increase in irradiation dose, indicating that changes occurred at molecular level. Fibre tensile properties (staple strength and bundle tenacity) were also affected but to a much lesser extent than solubility and colour. The various merino wool types studied showed similar reactions to the radiation treatment, irrespective of the wool quality and type and also whether they were treated in greasy or scoured form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Rapakgadi, Jim
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Semiconductors -- Effect of radiation on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47668 , vital:40263
- Description: Pathogens (e.g. viruses, spores and bacteria) remain one of the biggest threats to trading and the economy of natural fibre products, such as wool, mohair and cotton. One of the means to kill or eliminate pathogens is by radiation sterilisation, involving electromagnetic radiation (e.g. gamma radiation and UV light). The research, reported in this thesis, was aimed at establishing the effect of gamma irradiation dosage on the various quality related physical and chemical characteristics of four different types of merino wool when treated in situ in scoured and greasy state in mini-bale form. Specific properties studied include wool colour (yellowness and brightness), solubility (alkali solubility and urea bisulphite solubility), fibre diameter and tensile properties (staple strength and bundle tenacity). Standard analytical and diagnostic techniques were used to assess changes, if any, in the above mentioned properties due to the radiation treatment. Nominal radiation dosages, ranging from 25 kGy to 75 kGy (actual measured from 0 kGy to 92.2 kGy) were used, 50 kGy normally being regarded as sufficient to destroy the pathogens in question. It was found that nominial gamma radiation dosages of up to 92.2 kGy did not significantly affect fibre diameter or staple length, indicating that no irreversible swelling of the wool fibres occurred as a result of gamma irradiation. Alkali and urea bisulphite solubility as well as yellowness, on the other hand, showed a systematic increase with an increase in irradiation dose, indicating that changes occurred at molecular level. Fibre tensile properties (staple strength and bundle tenacity) were also affected but to a much lesser extent than solubility and colour. The various merino wool types studied showed similar reactions to the radiation treatment, irrespective of the wool quality and type and also whether they were treated in greasy or scoured form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The effects of economic and political instability on decentralised secondary schools in Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe: a case study
- Authors: Katsinde, Tapfuiwa James
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe , Political violence -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conitions -- 1980- , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980-
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165610 , vital:41263
- Description: The purpose of the study was to analyse the effects of economic and political instability on decentralised secondary schools in Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2017. Previous studies in Zimbabwe and elsewhere have shown that schools were negatively affected by economic and political instability. This study adds to this literature by using habitus as a conceptual framework. This was a qualitative study which made use of a multi-case research design. Data was collected using focus group discussions, interviews and document analysis. Eight research sites in the form of secondary schools in four districts were used. Data analysis was done using theoretical prepositions guided by research objectives and research questions. Data presentations was characterised by quotes of participants. Trustworthiness based on dependability, credibility, transferability and conformability formed the basis of quality assurance measures. The study revealed that economic and political instability had similar negative results in the field of secondary schools in the province. Economic instability negatively affected school activities which included teaching and learning, administration and development work. In addition economic instability affected individual secondary school actors psychologically. Economic instability affected relations among the secondary school actors by aggravating already existing contestations amongst actors. Similarly, political instability affected secondary school activities such as teaching and learning, school administration, development, donations and social benefits. Secondary school actors were individually affected psychologically and through physical abuse and the way they responded to political instability. The study has shown that decentralised secondary schools found it difficult to solve the problems introduced by economic and political instability especially when the instabilities occurred within the difficulties of the broader Zimbabwean context. It is therefore recommended that decentralised secondary schools should be assisted financially and with resources to withstand economic challenges. There is a need to protect secondary schools from political activities and activists as these have devastating effects on education if allowed to have a free reign. Further similar research is recommended for other provinces in the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Katsinde, Tapfuiwa James
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe , Political violence -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conitions -- 1980- , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980-
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165610 , vital:41263
- Description: The purpose of the study was to analyse the effects of economic and political instability on decentralised secondary schools in Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2017. Previous studies in Zimbabwe and elsewhere have shown that schools were negatively affected by economic and political instability. This study adds to this literature by using habitus as a conceptual framework. This was a qualitative study which made use of a multi-case research design. Data was collected using focus group discussions, interviews and document analysis. Eight research sites in the form of secondary schools in four districts were used. Data analysis was done using theoretical prepositions guided by research objectives and research questions. Data presentations was characterised by quotes of participants. Trustworthiness based on dependability, credibility, transferability and conformability formed the basis of quality assurance measures. The study revealed that economic and political instability had similar negative results in the field of secondary schools in the province. Economic instability negatively affected school activities which included teaching and learning, administration and development work. In addition economic instability affected individual secondary school actors psychologically. Economic instability affected relations among the secondary school actors by aggravating already existing contestations amongst actors. Similarly, political instability affected secondary school activities such as teaching and learning, school administration, development, donations and social benefits. Secondary school actors were individually affected psychologically and through physical abuse and the way they responded to political instability. The study has shown that decentralised secondary schools found it difficult to solve the problems introduced by economic and political instability especially when the instabilities occurred within the difficulties of the broader Zimbabwean context. It is therefore recommended that decentralised secondary schools should be assisted financially and with resources to withstand economic challenges. There is a need to protect secondary schools from political activities and activists as these have devastating effects on education if allowed to have a free reign. Further similar research is recommended for other provinces in the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The Effects of exchange rates on bilateral trade balances of SACU members states with their trading partners
- Authors: Mhaka, Simbarashe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50371 , vital:42152
- Description: The fluctuations of exchange rates prevent countries from achieving stability in their external account records. Appreciation or depreciation has effects on international trade. This thesis examines the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations on bilateral trade balances focusing on the SACU region. There are several theories made to explain the relationship between exchange rate and trade balances. In examining this phenomenon, this thesis will unveil if the purchasing power parity theory, the Marshall-Lerner condition and the J-curve effect holds in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries. This analysis is divided into three parts. The first part examines the stability of the exchange rate in the SACU countries in the long run as given by the purchasing power parity. To test for the Purchasing Power Parity theory, the recently developed powerful unit root test was applied with multiple smooth structural breaks of Omay (2015), based on a Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Form (FFFFF) on unique data of SACU countries covering the monthly period of 1995M01-2017M11. The Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) results show that the nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) of all SACU members does not provide evidence for PPP theory. In terms of the real effective exchange rate (REER), the PPP condition holds in the case of South Africa only. Further unit root investigations were carried out using the panel data for all SACU members, NEER and REER. The FFFFF test results for panel data shows strong evidence of the PPP while the standard DF test rejects PPP theory in the SACU’s NEER. Both the standard DF and the FFFFF tests show strong evidence of PPP theory in the case of SACU’s REER. The second section of the analysis examines the Marshall-Lerner condition employing annual data from the period of 1980-2017. The import and export model were examined firstly in a time series format and then in a panel data format. The time series data was examined using the ARDL (PMG) model while the panel data used the panel ARDL, fully modified OLS (FMOLS) method and the Dynamic OLS (DOLS) method of estimation. The PMG/ARDL model shows no evidence to support the existence of the Marshall-Lerner condition in the short run for all SACU members. However, only two out of five countries show evidence of the Marshall-Lerner condition in the long run. There is strong evidence of the Marshall-Lerner condition in Namibia and Botswana in the long run using the PMG/ARDL model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mhaka, Simbarashe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50371 , vital:42152
- Description: The fluctuations of exchange rates prevent countries from achieving stability in their external account records. Appreciation or depreciation has effects on international trade. This thesis examines the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations on bilateral trade balances focusing on the SACU region. There are several theories made to explain the relationship between exchange rate and trade balances. In examining this phenomenon, this thesis will unveil if the purchasing power parity theory, the Marshall-Lerner condition and the J-curve effect holds in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries. This analysis is divided into three parts. The first part examines the stability of the exchange rate in the SACU countries in the long run as given by the purchasing power parity. To test for the Purchasing Power Parity theory, the recently developed powerful unit root test was applied with multiple smooth structural breaks of Omay (2015), based on a Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Form (FFFFF) on unique data of SACU countries covering the monthly period of 1995M01-2017M11. The Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) results show that the nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) of all SACU members does not provide evidence for PPP theory. In terms of the real effective exchange rate (REER), the PPP condition holds in the case of South Africa only. Further unit root investigations were carried out using the panel data for all SACU members, NEER and REER. The FFFFF test results for panel data shows strong evidence of the PPP while the standard DF test rejects PPP theory in the SACU’s NEER. Both the standard DF and the FFFFF tests show strong evidence of PPP theory in the case of SACU’s REER. The second section of the analysis examines the Marshall-Lerner condition employing annual data from the period of 1980-2017. The import and export model were examined firstly in a time series format and then in a panel data format. The time series data was examined using the ARDL (PMG) model while the panel data used the panel ARDL, fully modified OLS (FMOLS) method and the Dynamic OLS (DOLS) method of estimation. The PMG/ARDL model shows no evidence to support the existence of the Marshall-Lerner condition in the short run for all SACU members. However, only two out of five countries show evidence of the Marshall-Lerner condition in the long run. There is strong evidence of the Marshall-Lerner condition in Namibia and Botswana in the long run using the PMG/ARDL model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The forensic mental health profile of women offenders in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Nagdee, Mohammed
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Female offenders -- Mental health , Female offenders -- South Africa -- Psychology , Female offenders -- South Africa -- Mental health , People with mental disabilities and crime , Women murderers -- South Africa , Forensic psychology -- South Africa , Fort England Psychiatric Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167109 , vital:41438
- Description: Introduction There is a dearth of research on mental health issues in women offenders in South Africa, especially regarding their socio-demographic backgrounds, offence characteristics, and forensic mental health profiles. Objectives This study examined the psychosocial and forensic mental health profile of women offenders referred by eastern Cape courts for forensic evaluation. A range of socio-demographic, criminological, clinical and forensic mental health variables were systematically explored. Methods A bi-phasic, mixed methods study design was adopted. The clinical and forensic records of all women referred for forensic evaluation to Fort England forensic psychiatric hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa were retrospectively reviewed, comprising 173 individual cases in the study period of 1993-2017. Inferential statistical analyses (chi-squared and multivariate logistic regression) were applied to explore relationships between variables and offending outcomes of nterest. Detailed semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with a sub-sample of 8 women with mental disorder and violent offending ackgrounds. Interview transcripts thematically analysed. Results Most women came from impoverished and disadvantaged backgrounds. Whilst the majority were first offenders, a high proportion had violent index offences, with murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm accounting for over half of cases. The majority of victims of violence were well known to the perpetrator, especially as biological children, intimate male partners or close family members. Biological children in their first year of life were particularly vulnerable to being victims of homicidal violence. Disproportionately high rates of pre-offence mental illness, alcohol misuse, HIV infection and prior abuse of the offender (especially by intimate male partners) were present. High rates of severe mental disorders (especially psychiatric comorbidity and psychotic-spectrum disorders), and relatively low rates of personality disorders and substance disorders were diagnosed. The majority of women were declared to lack trial competence and criminal capacity, respectively, following forensic evaluation. Women who had backgrounds of prior abuse themselves had over three mes the odds of subsequent violent offending in general, and almost six times the odds of homicidal offending in particular. Homicidal offences were significantly more commonly committed by women with no prior psychiatric history and no psychiatric comorbidity. Women who committed homicide had over eleven times of killing children as opposed to adults. Women over the age of 30 years, and those without psychiatric comorbidity, were significantly less likely to have killed children. Thematic analysis of interviews emphasized the important roles played by gender, self-image, and mental health in violent offending pathways. Conclusions A complex array of socio-demographic, criminological, clinical and forensic variables interact in women offenders of the Eastern Cape referred by courts for forensic evaluation. Exploration of these factors improves understanding of the broader psychosocial context of female offending, and of the personal experiences of the women themselves. This in turn provides an enhanced gender-focus to guide the progressive changes required in policy, legislative, clinical and research endeavours in this field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nagdee, Mohammed
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Female offenders -- Mental health , Female offenders -- South Africa -- Psychology , Female offenders -- South Africa -- Mental health , People with mental disabilities and crime , Women murderers -- South Africa , Forensic psychology -- South Africa , Fort England Psychiatric Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167109 , vital:41438
- Description: Introduction There is a dearth of research on mental health issues in women offenders in South Africa, especially regarding their socio-demographic backgrounds, offence characteristics, and forensic mental health profiles. Objectives This study examined the psychosocial and forensic mental health profile of women offenders referred by eastern Cape courts for forensic evaluation. A range of socio-demographic, criminological, clinical and forensic mental health variables were systematically explored. Methods A bi-phasic, mixed methods study design was adopted. The clinical and forensic records of all women referred for forensic evaluation to Fort England forensic psychiatric hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa were retrospectively reviewed, comprising 173 individual cases in the study period of 1993-2017. Inferential statistical analyses (chi-squared and multivariate logistic regression) were applied to explore relationships between variables and offending outcomes of nterest. Detailed semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with a sub-sample of 8 women with mental disorder and violent offending ackgrounds. Interview transcripts thematically analysed. Results Most women came from impoverished and disadvantaged backgrounds. Whilst the majority were first offenders, a high proportion had violent index offences, with murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm accounting for over half of cases. The majority of victims of violence were well known to the perpetrator, especially as biological children, intimate male partners or close family members. Biological children in their first year of life were particularly vulnerable to being victims of homicidal violence. Disproportionately high rates of pre-offence mental illness, alcohol misuse, HIV infection and prior abuse of the offender (especially by intimate male partners) were present. High rates of severe mental disorders (especially psychiatric comorbidity and psychotic-spectrum disorders), and relatively low rates of personality disorders and substance disorders were diagnosed. The majority of women were declared to lack trial competence and criminal capacity, respectively, following forensic evaluation. Women who had backgrounds of prior abuse themselves had over three mes the odds of subsequent violent offending in general, and almost six times the odds of homicidal offending in particular. Homicidal offences were significantly more commonly committed by women with no prior psychiatric history and no psychiatric comorbidity. Women who committed homicide had over eleven times of killing children as opposed to adults. Women over the age of 30 years, and those without psychiatric comorbidity, were significantly less likely to have killed children. Thematic analysis of interviews emphasized the important roles played by gender, self-image, and mental health in violent offending pathways. Conclusions A complex array of socio-demographic, criminological, clinical and forensic variables interact in women offenders of the Eastern Cape referred by courts for forensic evaluation. Exploration of these factors improves understanding of the broader psychosocial context of female offending, and of the personal experiences of the women themselves. This in turn provides an enhanced gender-focus to guide the progressive changes required in policy, legislative, clinical and research endeavours in this field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The impact of the slum upgrading approach on the livelihoods of scheme participants in Uganda : using the sustainable livelihoods framework
- Authors: Karungi, Doreen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Slums -- Public welfare -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48412 , vital:40874
- Description: International and local agencies recommend implementing slum upgrading projects in slum areas for slum improvement. However, with no model or guiding principles provided to slum upgrading project implementers on how to upgrade a slum, slum clearance and redevelopment are implemented rather than slum upgrading consequently projects fail to benefit the target group, slum dwellers. Data collection, took place in five areas in Uganda that implemented slum upgrading. In depth interviews were held with project beneficiaries, local council officials and association executives, and government officials at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Field observation, and document analysis was carried out. Data analysis involved the use of the sustainable livelihoods framework. This study demonstrates that the slum upgrading approach adopted in Uganda exhibited low sustainability and undercut the sustainability of livelihoods of scheme participants. Slum dwellers faced vulnerabilities from loss of land, characterized by rights based actions resulting in minimal to no compensation or eviction and loss of existing livelihoods. Slum upgrading projects introduced new livelihood opportunities that were too few for slum dwellers, were not sustainable and ended during or with project implementation, leaving beneficiaries without employment or income opportunities. Increased vulnerability was observed as slum dwellers that did not benefit from the project were displaced to worse conditions while slum dwellers that benefitted, project beneficiaries remained poor and in debt, with project loans to repay. Although project beneficiaries were provided with access to assets, they were unable to draw on these to build their livelihoods. Some beneficiaries sold plots and project houses allocated to them and moved to adjacent slums, where they lived in worse conditions. At the time of the current research, good quality houses in the slum upgrading areas did not belong to the original beneficiaries old dilapidated structures were occupied by project beneficiaries. This study shows that income earning activities carried out at the time of the study were similar to those carried out prior to the introduction of slum upgrading in project areas and were destroyed during project implementation or banned by implementers. These activities were however carried out in incomplete houses, vacant plots, temporary structures in project areas and in adjacent swamps and forest. Generally, after completion of slum upgrading projects, project areas, adjacent swamps and forest were characterized by haphazard developments including: rentals, informal businesses, farming, brewing and distilling local alcohol used by beneficiaries to derive livelihoods, in other words, slums were recreated, a problem slum upgrading project implementers set out to solve - except in one study area where the project was implemented differently as a result of persist rights based actions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Karungi, Doreen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Slums -- Public welfare -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48412 , vital:40874
- Description: International and local agencies recommend implementing slum upgrading projects in slum areas for slum improvement. However, with no model or guiding principles provided to slum upgrading project implementers on how to upgrade a slum, slum clearance and redevelopment are implemented rather than slum upgrading consequently projects fail to benefit the target group, slum dwellers. Data collection, took place in five areas in Uganda that implemented slum upgrading. In depth interviews were held with project beneficiaries, local council officials and association executives, and government officials at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Field observation, and document analysis was carried out. Data analysis involved the use of the sustainable livelihoods framework. This study demonstrates that the slum upgrading approach adopted in Uganda exhibited low sustainability and undercut the sustainability of livelihoods of scheme participants. Slum dwellers faced vulnerabilities from loss of land, characterized by rights based actions resulting in minimal to no compensation or eviction and loss of existing livelihoods. Slum upgrading projects introduced new livelihood opportunities that were too few for slum dwellers, were not sustainable and ended during or with project implementation, leaving beneficiaries without employment or income opportunities. Increased vulnerability was observed as slum dwellers that did not benefit from the project were displaced to worse conditions while slum dwellers that benefitted, project beneficiaries remained poor and in debt, with project loans to repay. Although project beneficiaries were provided with access to assets, they were unable to draw on these to build their livelihoods. Some beneficiaries sold plots and project houses allocated to them and moved to adjacent slums, where they lived in worse conditions. At the time of the current research, good quality houses in the slum upgrading areas did not belong to the original beneficiaries old dilapidated structures were occupied by project beneficiaries. This study shows that income earning activities carried out at the time of the study were similar to those carried out prior to the introduction of slum upgrading in project areas and were destroyed during project implementation or banned by implementers. These activities were however carried out in incomplete houses, vacant plots, temporary structures in project areas and in adjacent swamps and forest. Generally, after completion of slum upgrading projects, project areas, adjacent swamps and forest were characterized by haphazard developments including: rentals, informal businesses, farming, brewing and distilling local alcohol used by beneficiaries to derive livelihoods, in other words, slums were recreated, a problem slum upgrading project implementers set out to solve - except in one study area where the project was implemented differently as a result of persist rights based actions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and stakeholder perceptions of work challenges in South-Eastern Nigerian quarry mining industry
- Authors: Egwuonwu, Victor Afamerfuna
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Quarries and quarrying -- Health aspects -- Nigeria , Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Nigeria , Miners -- Health and hygiene -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141263 , vital:37957
- Description: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are very common among industrial labourers, leading to sick leave absence, disability and low productivity at work. MSDs have multifactorial causes, thereby making it difficult to pinpoint the extent of the contributions of the various risks regarding the mechanism of its pathophysiology. Previously, attempts were made to study regional pain symptoms in varying occupational groups, disregarding the particularities of the different workplace situations. It is important to highlight, that quantifying physical exposure factors that contribute to MSDs occurrence using quantitative approach alone could be inadequate. It is therefore imperative to incorporate qualitative approach to unmask accompanying psychosocial stressors, which are mostly explanatory variables. The study investigated the following: 12-month retrospective prevalence of MSDs, prospective incidence, risk factors and pattern of MSDs in a 6-month follow-up survey of selected quarry mineworkers, who reported MSDs complaints at the mine clinic. The study also determined the level of psychosocial stress associated with working in the mine by understanding stakeholders’ perception of work challenges, and how it influenced recurrence of MSDs. The study utilised a mixed method design with two phases: phase 1 was an initial baseline retrospective prevalence and a prospective cohort-control incidence survey. The Cultural and Psychosocial Influence on Disability (CUPID) questionnaire was translated into an Igbo-language version, cross-culturally adapted and utilized. The instrument was administered via oral interview and sought information on the following: demographic characteristics; pain in different anatomical sites and associated disability for tasks of daily living; as well as information on any change of job and reason during the study period, recent pain in different anatomical sites and associated disability for tasks of daily living; distress from common somatic symptoms; mental health status, sickness absence in the past 5-months for musculoskeletal pain. Phase 2 was a qualitative focus group discussion that engaged mine stakeholders on their perceptions of work challenges. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation was utilised to analyse sociodemographic characteristics of participants. MSD incidence rates were estimated and the patterns of MSD incidence at different anatomical sites were also determined. The Cox proportional regression analyses were utilised to compare hazard ratios of MSD risks between the exposed cohorts and unexposed cohorts in the phase one incidence survey, alpha level was set at 0.05. Transcription, thematic and content analyses with the aid of Nvivo version 11 for windows was used to interpret stakeholders’ perception of work challenges. The incidence of MSD was 6.2 per 1000, with shoulder pain being the most reported complaint (40% prevalence). This was followed by back pain with the distribution of back pain presented as follows: upper back (20.37%), lower back (45.50%) and both (34.13%). All participants reported previous medical history of back, shoulder and neck pain. The relative risk ratio of mineworkers to MSDs was 4.57, which implies that the mineworkers were approximately 5 times more at risk of developing MSDs compared to the recruited unexposed cohorts. Meanwhile, wrist pain (43.58%) was the highest MSD complaints which lead miners to be absent from work, followed by knee and back with 35.42% and 21% respectively. Physical job risks, such as III working underground and squatting or kneeling at work were all significantly associated with MSDs recurrence in all six body parts (HR: 1.12-1.92, 95%CI). Similarly, time pressure to complete task, low decision latitude, poor job satisfaction, somatisation and mental disorder, job insecurity, poor incentive system (HR: 1.01-1.75, 95%CI) were perceived by stakeholders’ and participants alike in the study to be significantly associated with MSDs incidence. Quarrymen are exposed to high MSD risks associated with elevated psychosocial stress from their difficult work situations. The South Eastern Nigerian mine stakeholders believed that the high incidence of MSDs may have a substantial impact on health and productivity in the near future. Necessitating a clear need for the promotion of stakeholder’s engagement concerning safe work policy implementation initiatives in the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Egwuonwu, Victor Afamerfuna
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Quarries and quarrying -- Health aspects -- Nigeria , Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Nigeria , Miners -- Health and hygiene -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141263 , vital:37957
- Description: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are very common among industrial labourers, leading to sick leave absence, disability and low productivity at work. MSDs have multifactorial causes, thereby making it difficult to pinpoint the extent of the contributions of the various risks regarding the mechanism of its pathophysiology. Previously, attempts were made to study regional pain symptoms in varying occupational groups, disregarding the particularities of the different workplace situations. It is important to highlight, that quantifying physical exposure factors that contribute to MSDs occurrence using quantitative approach alone could be inadequate. It is therefore imperative to incorporate qualitative approach to unmask accompanying psychosocial stressors, which are mostly explanatory variables. The study investigated the following: 12-month retrospective prevalence of MSDs, prospective incidence, risk factors and pattern of MSDs in a 6-month follow-up survey of selected quarry mineworkers, who reported MSDs complaints at the mine clinic. The study also determined the level of psychosocial stress associated with working in the mine by understanding stakeholders’ perception of work challenges, and how it influenced recurrence of MSDs. The study utilised a mixed method design with two phases: phase 1 was an initial baseline retrospective prevalence and a prospective cohort-control incidence survey. The Cultural and Psychosocial Influence on Disability (CUPID) questionnaire was translated into an Igbo-language version, cross-culturally adapted and utilized. The instrument was administered via oral interview and sought information on the following: demographic characteristics; pain in different anatomical sites and associated disability for tasks of daily living; as well as information on any change of job and reason during the study period, recent pain in different anatomical sites and associated disability for tasks of daily living; distress from common somatic symptoms; mental health status, sickness absence in the past 5-months for musculoskeletal pain. Phase 2 was a qualitative focus group discussion that engaged mine stakeholders on their perceptions of work challenges. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation was utilised to analyse sociodemographic characteristics of participants. MSD incidence rates were estimated and the patterns of MSD incidence at different anatomical sites were also determined. The Cox proportional regression analyses were utilised to compare hazard ratios of MSD risks between the exposed cohorts and unexposed cohorts in the phase one incidence survey, alpha level was set at 0.05. Transcription, thematic and content analyses with the aid of Nvivo version 11 for windows was used to interpret stakeholders’ perception of work challenges. The incidence of MSD was 6.2 per 1000, with shoulder pain being the most reported complaint (40% prevalence). This was followed by back pain with the distribution of back pain presented as follows: upper back (20.37%), lower back (45.50%) and both (34.13%). All participants reported previous medical history of back, shoulder and neck pain. The relative risk ratio of mineworkers to MSDs was 4.57, which implies that the mineworkers were approximately 5 times more at risk of developing MSDs compared to the recruited unexposed cohorts. Meanwhile, wrist pain (43.58%) was the highest MSD complaints which lead miners to be absent from work, followed by knee and back with 35.42% and 21% respectively. Physical job risks, such as III working underground and squatting or kneeling at work were all significantly associated with MSDs recurrence in all six body parts (HR: 1.12-1.92, 95%CI). Similarly, time pressure to complete task, low decision latitude, poor job satisfaction, somatisation and mental disorder, job insecurity, poor incentive system (HR: 1.01-1.75, 95%CI) were perceived by stakeholders’ and participants alike in the study to be significantly associated with MSDs incidence. Quarrymen are exposed to high MSD risks associated with elevated psychosocial stress from their difficult work situations. The South Eastern Nigerian mine stakeholders believed that the high incidence of MSDs may have a substantial impact on health and productivity in the near future. Necessitating a clear need for the promotion of stakeholder’s engagement concerning safe work policy implementation initiatives in the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The Integration of Personally-owned Information and Communication Technologies (PICTs) for Teaching and Learning in Resource-Constrained Higher Education Environments – The Case of a Nigerian University
- Authors: Lewis, Oláñrewájú Olúrotimi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163582 , vital:41050 , doi:10.21504/10962/163582
- Description: Thesis (PhD)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Lewis, Oláñrewájú Olúrotimi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163582 , vital:41050 , doi:10.21504/10962/163582
- Description: Thesis (PhD)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The international community’s implementation of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Principle: a Comparative Study of Sudan and Libya
- Authors: Nizeimana, John Bosco
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Responsibility to protect (International law) , Humanitarian intervention -- Libya , Libya -- Foreign relations -- 1969- , Libya -- Politics and government -- 1969- , Humanitarian intervention -- Sudan , Sudan -- Foreign relations , Sudan -- Politics and government -- 1985-
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162631 , vital:40962
- Description: In the history of international relations, the adoption of the R2P principle in 2005 was widely understood to be a break-through in the international community’s efforts to respond to massive human rights violations and atrocities. Despite this, the international community’s implementation of the R2P has been widely contested, including in relation to its application in Sudan and Libya. There is agreement in the literature that, in both cases, the implementation of the R2P failed to achieve its intended purpose of protecting civilian populations. This thesis addresses the question of why the R2P failed in Sudan and Libya. Most explanations concerning the failure of the R2P in Sudan and Libya tend to focus on the politics of big power countries. The study argues that the failure to implement the R2P is related to the interactions between regional organisations and the international community (global organisations like UN) in attempting to solve large-scale human rights violent conflict. The study is firmly embedded in scholarly debates about humanitarian intervention so as to demonstrate the fact that this study is part of efforts to advance knowledge of scholarly debates on humanitarian intervention in this contemporary world order. The study combines a case study approach and qualitative research approach to achieve a nuanced understanding of the reason why the R2P failed in Sudan and Libya. The study relied on the use of documentary reviews and in-depth interviews of experts to collect data which was analysed using critical discourse analysis. The thesis demonstrated that the implementation of the R2P was characterised by a breakdown of the relationship between regional actors like the AU and global institutions like the UN. This breakdown contributed to the failure of the R2P in Sudan and Libya. The lack of financial and operational capacity for rapid deployment, the internal divisions with the AU, and the lack of political will within the AU members states were also cited as obstacles to the realisation of the R2P efforts in Sudan. To establish in-depth knowledge the study revealed other factors related to the politics of big power countries and how they played a part in the failure of the R2P in Sudan and Libya. Among these factors include implementation inconsistencies, the ICC factor, the absence of UNSC consensus in the response over Darfur and Libya, and the veto power factor and its implications in the efforts of the international community in both cases. This study also showed that the implementation of the R2P may not work effectively if left only to international actors to implement. Regional and sub-regional actors are important stakeholders of the R2P, and their interactions with the international community in actualising the implmementation of the R2P on the ground are essential. The manner in which the R2P was applied in Sudan and Libya is an indication its implementation requires improved interaction between regional actors and the international community at all level of collaboration including at global, regional and sub-regional level. This can build a strong foundation to drive the effective implementation of the R2P in future interventions. The findings of this thesis will significantly improve the available literature on the reason why the R2P failed in Sudan and Libya, particularly by paying much attention to the role of regional and sub-regional actors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nizeimana, John Bosco
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Responsibility to protect (International law) , Humanitarian intervention -- Libya , Libya -- Foreign relations -- 1969- , Libya -- Politics and government -- 1969- , Humanitarian intervention -- Sudan , Sudan -- Foreign relations , Sudan -- Politics and government -- 1985-
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162631 , vital:40962
- Description: In the history of international relations, the adoption of the R2P principle in 2005 was widely understood to be a break-through in the international community’s efforts to respond to massive human rights violations and atrocities. Despite this, the international community’s implementation of the R2P has been widely contested, including in relation to its application in Sudan and Libya. There is agreement in the literature that, in both cases, the implementation of the R2P failed to achieve its intended purpose of protecting civilian populations. This thesis addresses the question of why the R2P failed in Sudan and Libya. Most explanations concerning the failure of the R2P in Sudan and Libya tend to focus on the politics of big power countries. The study argues that the failure to implement the R2P is related to the interactions between regional organisations and the international community (global organisations like UN) in attempting to solve large-scale human rights violent conflict. The study is firmly embedded in scholarly debates about humanitarian intervention so as to demonstrate the fact that this study is part of efforts to advance knowledge of scholarly debates on humanitarian intervention in this contemporary world order. The study combines a case study approach and qualitative research approach to achieve a nuanced understanding of the reason why the R2P failed in Sudan and Libya. The study relied on the use of documentary reviews and in-depth interviews of experts to collect data which was analysed using critical discourse analysis. The thesis demonstrated that the implementation of the R2P was characterised by a breakdown of the relationship between regional actors like the AU and global institutions like the UN. This breakdown contributed to the failure of the R2P in Sudan and Libya. The lack of financial and operational capacity for rapid deployment, the internal divisions with the AU, and the lack of political will within the AU members states were also cited as obstacles to the realisation of the R2P efforts in Sudan. To establish in-depth knowledge the study revealed other factors related to the politics of big power countries and how they played a part in the failure of the R2P in Sudan and Libya. Among these factors include implementation inconsistencies, the ICC factor, the absence of UNSC consensus in the response over Darfur and Libya, and the veto power factor and its implications in the efforts of the international community in both cases. This study also showed that the implementation of the R2P may not work effectively if left only to international actors to implement. Regional and sub-regional actors are important stakeholders of the R2P, and their interactions with the international community in actualising the implmementation of the R2P on the ground are essential. The manner in which the R2P was applied in Sudan and Libya is an indication its implementation requires improved interaction between regional actors and the international community at all level of collaboration including at global, regional and sub-regional level. This can build a strong foundation to drive the effective implementation of the R2P in future interventions. The findings of this thesis will significantly improve the available literature on the reason why the R2P failed in Sudan and Libya, particularly by paying much attention to the role of regional and sub-regional actors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The lived experiences of women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Malawi: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
- Authors: Nkhalamba, Mathero Michelle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV-positive women -- Malawi , HIV infections -- Sex factors -- Malawi , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- Malawi , HIV-positive women -- Malawi -- Social conditions , HIV-positive women -- Malawi -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- Malawi , Antiretroviral agents -- Malawi , Phenomenological psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145291 , vital:38425
- Description: Research on African women and HIV, particularly research that investigates their experiences of living with the virus, has been relatively peripheral. As a response to the apparent knowledge and research gaps, this project is a qualitative study involving women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) and attending an anti-retroviral treatment (ART) clinic at Zomba Central Hospital in Southern Malawi. The study utilised an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, which informed all aspects of the data-collection and data-analysis processes. Using purposive sampling, 12 women were recruited and interviewed on three occasions over a period of six months. The interviews were conducted in Chichewa and audio recorded and later transcribed into English. Fourteen superordinate themes emerged from the analysis representing the women’s prominent life experiences, how they received their diagnosis, and how they contained the trauma of their diagnosis. The analysis also developed themes regarding how they coped with the challenges of living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and made sense of their experiences. The results showed that the women struggled with multiple challenges experienced through their various identities as WLHIV. The findings also pointed to interlocking disadvantages that put the women at risk of infection, and which were present from childhood. This has implications for more structural and multidisciplinary interventions for WLHIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nkhalamba, Mathero Michelle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV-positive women -- Malawi , HIV infections -- Sex factors -- Malawi , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- Malawi , HIV-positive women -- Malawi -- Social conditions , HIV-positive women -- Malawi -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- Malawi , Antiretroviral agents -- Malawi , Phenomenological psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145291 , vital:38425
- Description: Research on African women and HIV, particularly research that investigates their experiences of living with the virus, has been relatively peripheral. As a response to the apparent knowledge and research gaps, this project is a qualitative study involving women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) and attending an anti-retroviral treatment (ART) clinic at Zomba Central Hospital in Southern Malawi. The study utilised an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, which informed all aspects of the data-collection and data-analysis processes. Using purposive sampling, 12 women were recruited and interviewed on three occasions over a period of six months. The interviews were conducted in Chichewa and audio recorded and later transcribed into English. Fourteen superordinate themes emerged from the analysis representing the women’s prominent life experiences, how they received their diagnosis, and how they contained the trauma of their diagnosis. The analysis also developed themes regarding how they coped with the challenges of living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and made sense of their experiences. The results showed that the women struggled with multiple challenges experienced through their various identities as WLHIV. The findings also pointed to interlocking disadvantages that put the women at risk of infection, and which were present from childhood. This has implications for more structural and multidisciplinary interventions for WLHIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The management of lions (Panthera Leo) in small, fenced wildlife reserves
- Authors: McEvoy, Orla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Lion -- Behavior -- South Africa , Spatial behavior in animals -- South Africa , Animal populations -- South Africa , Game reserves -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143471 , vital:38249
- Description: Reintroduced lion (Panthera leo) populations pose several ecological and management challenges in small (< 1,000 km2), fenced wildlife reserves. Changes in the natural socialecological conditions of reintroduced lion populations may lead to rapid population growth and a breakdown of natural predator-prey relationships. Reduced competition with other lions also likely reduces the potential for reintroduced lions to naturally form groups. My study used a combination of questionnaire surveys with tourists, existing lion demographic data from 16 wildlife reserves across South Africa and a controlled lion social experiment to address these ecological and management issues. Tourism was the primary reason for lion reintroductions. Tourists scored lions highly in terms of preference for viewing on safari, in particular, lions in larger, natural groups and adult males. Viewing lions also enhanced a tourists’ overall safari experience. The breakdown of natural social behaviour may likely therefore reduce tourist satisfaction related to lions. The number of resident prides and male coalitions in a reserve affected lion vital rates. Lion population growth rate was highest in reserves that contained a single resident pride, and the presence of unknown adult males significantly reduced cub survival and lioness birth intervals. The ratio of male cubs born also increased in reserves with a higher density of unknown adult males. Fertility control measures (deslorelin implants and unilateral hysterectomy) were effective at limiting lion population growth. Deslorelin treatment increased the age of first reproduction or the birth interval and decreased the subsequent litter size of treated lionesses to closer reflect natural vital rates in larger (> 10, 000 km2) systems. However, there was variability in infertility response between lionesses including adverse reactions in a small proportion of treated individuals. The number of resident prides and male coalitions in a reserve affected lion social behaviour. Lionesses formed larger groups in reserves with a higher density of unknown adult female neighbours, likely driven by territory defence. Lion prides with resident cubs were generally more fragmented, likely in response to reduced competition from unknown adult males. However, in areas with a high density of unknown adult female neighbours, prides with cubs formed larger groups likely in response to heightened territory defence. Therefore, with smaller foraging group sizes, predation rate was increased in reserves with reduced competition from unknown lions. My study supports a metapopulation approach for the management of lions in small, fenced reserves, and the standardisation of lion management procedures and database management. Endorsed by the Biodiversity Management Plan for lions in South Africa, this will enhance the long-term conservation potential of isolated populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: McEvoy, Orla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Lion -- Behavior -- South Africa , Spatial behavior in animals -- South Africa , Animal populations -- South Africa , Game reserves -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143471 , vital:38249
- Description: Reintroduced lion (Panthera leo) populations pose several ecological and management challenges in small (< 1,000 km2), fenced wildlife reserves. Changes in the natural socialecological conditions of reintroduced lion populations may lead to rapid population growth and a breakdown of natural predator-prey relationships. Reduced competition with other lions also likely reduces the potential for reintroduced lions to naturally form groups. My study used a combination of questionnaire surveys with tourists, existing lion demographic data from 16 wildlife reserves across South Africa and a controlled lion social experiment to address these ecological and management issues. Tourism was the primary reason for lion reintroductions. Tourists scored lions highly in terms of preference for viewing on safari, in particular, lions in larger, natural groups and adult males. Viewing lions also enhanced a tourists’ overall safari experience. The breakdown of natural social behaviour may likely therefore reduce tourist satisfaction related to lions. The number of resident prides and male coalitions in a reserve affected lion vital rates. Lion population growth rate was highest in reserves that contained a single resident pride, and the presence of unknown adult males significantly reduced cub survival and lioness birth intervals. The ratio of male cubs born also increased in reserves with a higher density of unknown adult males. Fertility control measures (deslorelin implants and unilateral hysterectomy) were effective at limiting lion population growth. Deslorelin treatment increased the age of first reproduction or the birth interval and decreased the subsequent litter size of treated lionesses to closer reflect natural vital rates in larger (> 10, 000 km2) systems. However, there was variability in infertility response between lionesses including adverse reactions in a small proportion of treated individuals. The number of resident prides and male coalitions in a reserve affected lion social behaviour. Lionesses formed larger groups in reserves with a higher density of unknown adult female neighbours, likely driven by territory defence. Lion prides with resident cubs were generally more fragmented, likely in response to reduced competition from unknown adult males. However, in areas with a high density of unknown adult female neighbours, prides with cubs formed larger groups likely in response to heightened territory defence. Therefore, with smaller foraging group sizes, predation rate was increased in reserves with reduced competition from unknown lions. My study supports a metapopulation approach for the management of lions in small, fenced reserves, and the standardisation of lion management procedures and database management. Endorsed by the Biodiversity Management Plan for lions in South Africa, this will enhance the long-term conservation potential of isolated populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Gunhidzirai, Constance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Poverty Alleviation Street children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17998 , vital:42002
- Description: This study was aimed at examining the perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe. The study was based on the pragmatism paradigm that triangulated both quantitative and qualitative research methods of collecting data. A questionnaire survey was administered to 202 street children while 32 heads of households were involved in focus group discussions and four Social Workers took part in semi-structured interviews. Drawing from the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), Psychoanalysis Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) that guided the study, the findings revealed that street children experienced economic, social, physical and psychological challenges that hindered their attainment of full growth and development. Findings further revealed that street children adopted various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in the streets to ensure sustainability. Furthermore, not all Government Social Protection Programmes were effective in addressing the plights of street children. This was due to inadequate funds, corruption and discriminatory criteria for selection of beneficiaries. These impediments hindered the provision of comprehensive social welfare services to street children, which led street children to adopt various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in their efforts to ensure sustainability. The study concludes that Government Social Protection Programmes (GSPPs) such as Basic Education Assistance Module, Child Adoption, Institutional Care, National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Free vii Treatment Order and Harmonized Cash Transfer are not entirely addressing the challenges facing street children in Harare Metropolitan Province. This is because of the criteria used to select street children, which systematically excludes them from benefitting, resulting in extended impoverishment and vulnerability. The study further recommends that the government of Zimbabwe provide productive safety nets and sponsor self-help projects to empower vulnerable households, and source out additional resources such as human resource and finance for Social Protection Programmes from Non-Government Organisations, private companies
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gunhidzirai, Constance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Poverty Alleviation Street children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17998 , vital:42002
- Description: This study was aimed at examining the perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe. The study was based on the pragmatism paradigm that triangulated both quantitative and qualitative research methods of collecting data. A questionnaire survey was administered to 202 street children while 32 heads of households were involved in focus group discussions and four Social Workers took part in semi-structured interviews. Drawing from the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), Psychoanalysis Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) that guided the study, the findings revealed that street children experienced economic, social, physical and psychological challenges that hindered their attainment of full growth and development. Findings further revealed that street children adopted various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in the streets to ensure sustainability. Furthermore, not all Government Social Protection Programmes were effective in addressing the plights of street children. This was due to inadequate funds, corruption and discriminatory criteria for selection of beneficiaries. These impediments hindered the provision of comprehensive social welfare services to street children, which led street children to adopt various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in their efforts to ensure sustainability. The study concludes that Government Social Protection Programmes (GSPPs) such as Basic Education Assistance Module, Child Adoption, Institutional Care, National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Free vii Treatment Order and Harmonized Cash Transfer are not entirely addressing the challenges facing street children in Harare Metropolitan Province. This is because of the criteria used to select street children, which systematically excludes them from benefitting, resulting in extended impoverishment and vulnerability. The study further recommends that the government of Zimbabwe provide productive safety nets and sponsor self-help projects to empower vulnerable households, and source out additional resources such as human resource and finance for Social Protection Programmes from Non-Government Organisations, private companies
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The political promise of choreography in performance and/as research: First Physical Theatre Company’s manifesto and repertory, 1993-2015
- Authors: Finestone-Praeg, Juanita
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Choreography -- Political aspects , Dance -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Dance -- Political aspects , Performance art -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Performance art -- History and criticism , Performance art -- Research , Performance art -- Study and teaching , Performance art -- Philosophy , Experimental theater -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Experimental theater -- History and criticism , Political art -- South Africa -- Makhanda , First Physical Theatre Company , First Physical Theatre Company -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149373 , vital:38844
- Description: This study redefines the political in dance by drawing on the scholarly concept of the “choreopolitical” (André Lepecki) and extending it into analysing related concepts such as the “postdramatic” (Hans-Thies Lehmann), performance and/as research, among others from Performance Studies scholarship as well as from First Physical Theatre Company’s pioneering legacy of production, pedagogy and research in making Phyical Theatre performance. Following from the notion that performance is both a site and a method of study/knowing, the research invites a rethinking of the relationship between art (performance), epistemology and the political, in the sense that performance becomes a way, not of simply re-presenting the political but, as its own way of knowing, actively questioning the very categories on which the political is premised. The argument for Physical Theatre as having nascent potential to invoke what I call “the power of the small” is analysed as a choreopolitical method and community of practice that has a generative capacity to produce the “intimate revolts” (Julia Kristeva) or body of questions that can perform the imaginative curiosities/forms required to create provocative, subversive, ethical, reflexive and charged performance. My argument is supported by critical commentary, insight, choreological analysis and reflection on the dramaturgical strategies and choreopolitics of selected commissioned choreographers and dance forms that extended FPTC’s manifesto and production between 1993 and 2015. My project has the following three goals: (i) to contextualise, conceptualise and identify key issues in the identity, pedagogy and performance ethos of Physical Theatre as a performance philosophy and form; (ii) to engage critically with the praxis of Physical Theatre within the contextual, cultural, historical and political relationships between Physical Theatre and other performance practices in South Africa; and (iii) to document, analyse and interpret selected claims, works and performance processes from the archive of FPTC’s repertory and training manifesto from 1993 to 2015. The research evaluates the political significance and consequence of FPTC’s heritage and legacy problematising constraints, possibilities, tensions, failures and proposing the hope of imaginative entanglements with practising freedoms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Finestone-Praeg, Juanita
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Choreography -- Political aspects , Dance -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Dance -- Political aspects , Performance art -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Performance art -- History and criticism , Performance art -- Research , Performance art -- Study and teaching , Performance art -- Philosophy , Experimental theater -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Experimental theater -- History and criticism , Political art -- South Africa -- Makhanda , First Physical Theatre Company , First Physical Theatre Company -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149373 , vital:38844
- Description: This study redefines the political in dance by drawing on the scholarly concept of the “choreopolitical” (André Lepecki) and extending it into analysing related concepts such as the “postdramatic” (Hans-Thies Lehmann), performance and/as research, among others from Performance Studies scholarship as well as from First Physical Theatre Company’s pioneering legacy of production, pedagogy and research in making Phyical Theatre performance. Following from the notion that performance is both a site and a method of study/knowing, the research invites a rethinking of the relationship between art (performance), epistemology and the political, in the sense that performance becomes a way, not of simply re-presenting the political but, as its own way of knowing, actively questioning the very categories on which the political is premised. The argument for Physical Theatre as having nascent potential to invoke what I call “the power of the small” is analysed as a choreopolitical method and community of practice that has a generative capacity to produce the “intimate revolts” (Julia Kristeva) or body of questions that can perform the imaginative curiosities/forms required to create provocative, subversive, ethical, reflexive and charged performance. My argument is supported by critical commentary, insight, choreological analysis and reflection on the dramaturgical strategies and choreopolitics of selected commissioned choreographers and dance forms that extended FPTC’s manifesto and production between 1993 and 2015. My project has the following three goals: (i) to contextualise, conceptualise and identify key issues in the identity, pedagogy and performance ethos of Physical Theatre as a performance philosophy and form; (ii) to engage critically with the praxis of Physical Theatre within the contextual, cultural, historical and political relationships between Physical Theatre and other performance practices in South Africa; and (iii) to document, analyse and interpret selected claims, works and performance processes from the archive of FPTC’s repertory and training manifesto from 1993 to 2015. The research evaluates the political significance and consequence of FPTC’s heritage and legacy problematising constraints, possibilities, tensions, failures and proposing the hope of imaginative entanglements with practising freedoms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The potential of Raman spectroscopy in distinguishing between wool and mohair fibres
- Authors: Notayi, Mzwamadoda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Textile fabrics , Textile fibers -- Mechanical properties Wool -- Dissertations Mohair -- Dissertations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49248 , vital:41614
- Description: The possible application of the FT Raman, Raman micro-spectroscopy and ATR-FTIR micro-spectroscopy, have been investigated for distinguishing between wool and mohair. Highly identical Raman and FTIR spectra were obtained from the two fibre types, indicating that indeed they share similar basic molecular structural chemistry. The analysis of the amide I through curve fitting of wool and mohair FT Raman spectra showed that the protein and polypeptide secondary structure exists mainly in the α-helical structural conformation with smaller proportions of β-pleated sheet and β-Turns. These proportions, however, could not be used to distinguish between wool and mohair, due to the significant overlap observed between the two fibres. This study also determined the disulphide contents for possibly distinguishing between wool and mohair fibres, with the average and standard deviation values of 0.20±0.04 and 0.17±0.03 for wool and mohair, respectively, being found. Despite the mean values being found to differ statistically significant (p<0.05), a considerable overlap was observed, posing a doubt in the possible application of the method for distinguishing between the two fibres and blend composition analysis of the two fibres. The application of ratiometric analysis, based on the relative peak heights of certain FT Raman bands, showed that a combination of ratios A (I2932/I1450) and D (I508/I1450) could hold great potential in distinguishing between wool and mohair fibre samples. The individual values of ratios A and D varied a great deal from one mohair sample to the other and even more from one wool sample to another, with the individual values for ratio A ranging from 2.71-3.68 and 2.35-3.08 for wool and mohair, respectively, while ratio D ranged from 0.18-0.32 and 0.17-0.22 for wool and mohair, respectively. An important observation from this study is that if, for an unknown sample, if individual values of ratios A and D exceed 3.1 and 0.22, respectively, are found then the sample is most likely to be either a pure wool or blend of wool and mohair, whereas if all the values fall below the two threshold values, then the unknown sample can be declared a pure mohair sample. A Raman spectral database or library of approximately 100 high quality Raman average spectra of wool and mohair fibres has been established for the Bruker 80V FTIR/Raman spectrophotometer at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU). Although this has not been fully validated due to the unforeseen frequent breakdown encountered with the FT Raman system, at this stage, it has been realized that verification of unknown materials is highly possible. A great need for the development of a classification model based on multivariate or chemometrics has been realized. An ATR-FTIR LUMOS micro-spectroscopic system was also investigated for the possible application in distinguishing between wool and mohair single fibres. The amide I/II band ratios were determined for both wool and mohair fibres to distinguish between the two fibre types. The mean and standard deviation values of 1.20±0.02 and 1.21±0.01 for mohair and wool, respectively, were found and were shown not to differ statistically significant (p˃0.05). The secondary structure analysis showed that the content of the α-helical secondary structure might be different between the two fibre types, with a great overlap of individual values, however, being observed between the two fibre types (wool and mohair), raising concerns in the possible application of the α-helical content for distinguishing the two fibres.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Notayi, Mzwamadoda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Textile fabrics , Textile fibers -- Mechanical properties Wool -- Dissertations Mohair -- Dissertations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49248 , vital:41614
- Description: The possible application of the FT Raman, Raman micro-spectroscopy and ATR-FTIR micro-spectroscopy, have been investigated for distinguishing between wool and mohair. Highly identical Raman and FTIR spectra were obtained from the two fibre types, indicating that indeed they share similar basic molecular structural chemistry. The analysis of the amide I through curve fitting of wool and mohair FT Raman spectra showed that the protein and polypeptide secondary structure exists mainly in the α-helical structural conformation with smaller proportions of β-pleated sheet and β-Turns. These proportions, however, could not be used to distinguish between wool and mohair, due to the significant overlap observed between the two fibres. This study also determined the disulphide contents for possibly distinguishing between wool and mohair fibres, with the average and standard deviation values of 0.20±0.04 and 0.17±0.03 for wool and mohair, respectively, being found. Despite the mean values being found to differ statistically significant (p<0.05), a considerable overlap was observed, posing a doubt in the possible application of the method for distinguishing between the two fibres and blend composition analysis of the two fibres. The application of ratiometric analysis, based on the relative peak heights of certain FT Raman bands, showed that a combination of ratios A (I2932/I1450) and D (I508/I1450) could hold great potential in distinguishing between wool and mohair fibre samples. The individual values of ratios A and D varied a great deal from one mohair sample to the other and even more from one wool sample to another, with the individual values for ratio A ranging from 2.71-3.68 and 2.35-3.08 for wool and mohair, respectively, while ratio D ranged from 0.18-0.32 and 0.17-0.22 for wool and mohair, respectively. An important observation from this study is that if, for an unknown sample, if individual values of ratios A and D exceed 3.1 and 0.22, respectively, are found then the sample is most likely to be either a pure wool or blend of wool and mohair, whereas if all the values fall below the two threshold values, then the unknown sample can be declared a pure mohair sample. A Raman spectral database or library of approximately 100 high quality Raman average spectra of wool and mohair fibres has been established for the Bruker 80V FTIR/Raman spectrophotometer at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU). Although this has not been fully validated due to the unforeseen frequent breakdown encountered with the FT Raman system, at this stage, it has been realized that verification of unknown materials is highly possible. A great need for the development of a classification model based on multivariate or chemometrics has been realized. An ATR-FTIR LUMOS micro-spectroscopic system was also investigated for the possible application in distinguishing between wool and mohair single fibres. The amide I/II band ratios were determined for both wool and mohair fibres to distinguish between the two fibre types. The mean and standard deviation values of 1.20±0.02 and 1.21±0.01 for mohair and wool, respectively, were found and were shown not to differ statistically significant (p˃0.05). The secondary structure analysis showed that the content of the α-helical secondary structure might be different between the two fibre types, with a great overlap of individual values, however, being observed between the two fibre types (wool and mohair), raising concerns in the possible application of the α-helical content for distinguishing the two fibres.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The precarious ‘good mother’ position: a psychosocial reading of maternal subjectivity of working mothers in scarcely-resourced South African communities
- Authors: Kinahan-Sweeney, Siobhan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motherhood -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142464 , vital:38082
- Description: This psychosocial study investigates the maternal subjectivities of mothers returning to work after maternity leave, who are living in scarcely-resourced Cape Town communities in South Africa. Engaging with interview texts and listening to mothers’ talk, I explore how and why maternal subjectivity is constructed discursively and defensively in our talk. This thesis claims that these particular mothers predominately employ instrumental mothering discourse. The traditional subject position of the intensive mother – which is typically assumed to be the ‘good mother’ – is not a position available to these mothers due to their social circumstances and working role. Subsequently, material provision, the baby’s thriving and surviving body, finding substitute carers and maternal preoccupation are constructed as qualities of ‘good mothering’ in their talk. This ‘good mother’ position, however, is a precarious position that both these mothers and I invest in to defend against feelings towards their babies and themselves as well as to deny (maternal) ambivalence in a problematic social system. In a combined analysis drawing on discursive theory and psychoanalysis, more specifically contemporary attachment theory and intersubjectivity theory, I illustrate how both these mothers and I – as emotional, social and political subjects – co-construct maternal subjectivity. Based on the findings, recommendations for parent-infant interventions are discussed. Arguing that a purely psychoanalytic reading of investment perpetuates notions of individual blame and pathology, I advocate for a psychosocial reading that does not neglect failing social systems but rather pursues an open and reflective, yet critical, mindfulness when listening to talk.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kinahan-Sweeney, Siobhan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motherhood -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142464 , vital:38082
- Description: This psychosocial study investigates the maternal subjectivities of mothers returning to work after maternity leave, who are living in scarcely-resourced Cape Town communities in South Africa. Engaging with interview texts and listening to mothers’ talk, I explore how and why maternal subjectivity is constructed discursively and defensively in our talk. This thesis claims that these particular mothers predominately employ instrumental mothering discourse. The traditional subject position of the intensive mother – which is typically assumed to be the ‘good mother’ – is not a position available to these mothers due to their social circumstances and working role. Subsequently, material provision, the baby’s thriving and surviving body, finding substitute carers and maternal preoccupation are constructed as qualities of ‘good mothering’ in their talk. This ‘good mother’ position, however, is a precarious position that both these mothers and I invest in to defend against feelings towards their babies and themselves as well as to deny (maternal) ambivalence in a problematic social system. In a combined analysis drawing on discursive theory and psychoanalysis, more specifically contemporary attachment theory and intersubjectivity theory, I illustrate how both these mothers and I – as emotional, social and political subjects – co-construct maternal subjectivity. Based on the findings, recommendations for parent-infant interventions are discussed. Arguing that a purely psychoanalytic reading of investment perpetuates notions of individual blame and pathology, I advocate for a psychosocial reading that does not neglect failing social systems but rather pursues an open and reflective, yet critical, mindfulness when listening to talk.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The role of custodial grandparents in psychosocial well-being of adolescents from single parents in Buffalo City Municipality of Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Adenike,Folorunsho Fausat
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Grandparents as parents Grandparent and child Grandparenting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17943 , vital:41994
- Description: It has been a historical norm in African societies for children to leave in the homes of caregivers. Among these caregivers are the grandparents, who are from time immemorial, being a pillar of support to their children in caring for their grandchildren. Against this background, the study assesses custodial the role of grandparents in the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children from single parents' homes in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study was guided theoretically by Role and Ryff's psychosocial well-being theories. Four sets of participants totaling 323 gathered using a mixed-method approach comprised of 150 adolescents and 136 custodial grandparents through questionnaires, 30 single parents, through in-depth interviews, and seven social workers through focus group discussions. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique to select adolescents and their grandparents, a purposive sampling technique for single parents, and a convenient sampling technique for social workers. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, while the qualitative data were categorized manually into themes and subthemes. Findings indicated a correlation between the attainment of the adolescent children's psychosocial well-being and the effectiveness of the custodial grandparents' role. More also, the challenges encountered by custodial grandparents do affect the attainment of the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children. Furthermore, finding from the study revealed that non-governmental organizations in the municipality were not rendering social support for the custodial grandparents. Finally, the child-support grant received by poor grandparents is grossly inadequate to meet up with the astronomical needs of the adolescent children. The study concluded that custodial grandparents' social support is an effective mechanism in meeting adolescent children's psychosocial well-being. Several recommendations were made from the conclusions to various stakeholders and proposed a responsive conceptual grand-parenting model to cater for effective parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Adenike,Folorunsho Fausat
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Grandparents as parents Grandparent and child Grandparenting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17943 , vital:41994
- Description: It has been a historical norm in African societies for children to leave in the homes of caregivers. Among these caregivers are the grandparents, who are from time immemorial, being a pillar of support to their children in caring for their grandchildren. Against this background, the study assesses custodial the role of grandparents in the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children from single parents' homes in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study was guided theoretically by Role and Ryff's psychosocial well-being theories. Four sets of participants totaling 323 gathered using a mixed-method approach comprised of 150 adolescents and 136 custodial grandparents through questionnaires, 30 single parents, through in-depth interviews, and seven social workers through focus group discussions. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique to select adolescents and their grandparents, a purposive sampling technique for single parents, and a convenient sampling technique for social workers. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, while the qualitative data were categorized manually into themes and subthemes. Findings indicated a correlation between the attainment of the adolescent children's psychosocial well-being and the effectiveness of the custodial grandparents' role. More also, the challenges encountered by custodial grandparents do affect the attainment of the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children. Furthermore, finding from the study revealed that non-governmental organizations in the municipality were not rendering social support for the custodial grandparents. Finally, the child-support grant received by poor grandparents is grossly inadequate to meet up with the astronomical needs of the adolescent children. The study concluded that custodial grandparents' social support is an effective mechanism in meeting adolescent children's psychosocial well-being. Several recommendations were made from the conclusions to various stakeholders and proposed a responsive conceptual grand-parenting model to cater for effective parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The role of microhabitats within mangroves: an invertebrate and fish larval perspective
- Authors: Vorsatz, Lyle Dennis
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mangrove ecology -- South Africa , Mangrove forests -- South Africa , Niche (Ecology) , Rhizophora mucronata , Acanthaceae , Rhizophoraceae , Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa , Aquatic ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167644 , vital:41499
- Description: Microhabitats provided through structural complexity are central for the diversity, productivity, connectivity and niche differentiation within and among ecosystems. Mangrove forests afford juvenile fish and invertebrates with nursery and recruitment habitats, facilitated by the fine scale configuration of their specialised root systems. Although the importance of mangroves for resident and transient juveniles is well recognised, the roles that mangrove microhabitats play for larvae is not yet comprehensively understood. This study aimed to determine how microhabitats with varying degrees of complexity influence the composition, abundance and distribution of larval communities that inhabit mangrove forests and the physiological responses of larvae to acute temperature variations in relation to ontogenetic stage and microenvironment exposure. Two relatively pristine study sites were selected to represent a warm temperate and subtropical mangrove system in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa, respectively. The differences in complexity among the root systems of Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina and Bruguiera gymnorhiza were assessed using 3D scanning and the computed 3D models were then analysed using four complexity metrics. Results indicated that A. marina is the most complex in terms of surface-volume ratio, R. mucronata has the most interstitial space among its roots and B. gymnorhiza and R. mucronata differ in their fractal dimensions. Larvae collected in each microhabitat at each site using light traps showed that, despite temperature and salinity homogeneity across microenvironments, spatio-temporal differences occurred in both fish and invertebrate assemblages. This trend suggests that microhabitat structural complexity exerts an influence on larval community composition by acting as a microscape of available habitat, which ensures ecological linkages within and among the mangrove forest and adjacent ecosystems. In addition, the oxygen consumption rates of mangrove-associated brachyuran larvae varied according to mangrove microhabitat, whereby larvae collected at less complex environments had the highest metabolic rates at increased temperatures. Moreover, ontogenetic shifts in physiology were prevalent as older brachyuran larvae were more eurythermal than earlier stages, suggesting that thermally stressful events will have a greater impact on recently spawned larvae. Overall, the interstitial spaces within individual root systems are the most important complexity measure, as utilisation of these mangrove microhabitats is scale-dependent, and larvae will most likely occupy spaces inaccessible to large predators. Likewise, microscale variation in the environmental conditions and ontogenetic stage of brachyuran larvae within the mangrove microscape, can amplify the physiological responses to rapid temperature variations. Results suggest that early stage larvae are the most vulnerable to mass-mortality, and if thermally stressful events increase in frequency, duration and magnitude, the larval supply for the successful recruitment into adult populations could be under threat. Through linking how mangrove microhabitat complexity influences larvae in terms of community metrics and physiology, this study paves the way for further advancement of our understanding of how microscale processes emerge into meso- and macroscale patterns and influence the stability and functioning of highly productive ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Vorsatz, Lyle Dennis
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mangrove ecology -- South Africa , Mangrove forests -- South Africa , Niche (Ecology) , Rhizophora mucronata , Acanthaceae , Rhizophoraceae , Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa , Aquatic ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167644 , vital:41499
- Description: Microhabitats provided through structural complexity are central for the diversity, productivity, connectivity and niche differentiation within and among ecosystems. Mangrove forests afford juvenile fish and invertebrates with nursery and recruitment habitats, facilitated by the fine scale configuration of their specialised root systems. Although the importance of mangroves for resident and transient juveniles is well recognised, the roles that mangrove microhabitats play for larvae is not yet comprehensively understood. This study aimed to determine how microhabitats with varying degrees of complexity influence the composition, abundance and distribution of larval communities that inhabit mangrove forests and the physiological responses of larvae to acute temperature variations in relation to ontogenetic stage and microenvironment exposure. Two relatively pristine study sites were selected to represent a warm temperate and subtropical mangrove system in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa, respectively. The differences in complexity among the root systems of Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina and Bruguiera gymnorhiza were assessed using 3D scanning and the computed 3D models were then analysed using four complexity metrics. Results indicated that A. marina is the most complex in terms of surface-volume ratio, R. mucronata has the most interstitial space among its roots and B. gymnorhiza and R. mucronata differ in their fractal dimensions. Larvae collected in each microhabitat at each site using light traps showed that, despite temperature and salinity homogeneity across microenvironments, spatio-temporal differences occurred in both fish and invertebrate assemblages. This trend suggests that microhabitat structural complexity exerts an influence on larval community composition by acting as a microscape of available habitat, which ensures ecological linkages within and among the mangrove forest and adjacent ecosystems. In addition, the oxygen consumption rates of mangrove-associated brachyuran larvae varied according to mangrove microhabitat, whereby larvae collected at less complex environments had the highest metabolic rates at increased temperatures. Moreover, ontogenetic shifts in physiology were prevalent as older brachyuran larvae were more eurythermal than earlier stages, suggesting that thermally stressful events will have a greater impact on recently spawned larvae. Overall, the interstitial spaces within individual root systems are the most important complexity measure, as utilisation of these mangrove microhabitats is scale-dependent, and larvae will most likely occupy spaces inaccessible to large predators. Likewise, microscale variation in the environmental conditions and ontogenetic stage of brachyuran larvae within the mangrove microscape, can amplify the physiological responses to rapid temperature variations. Results suggest that early stage larvae are the most vulnerable to mass-mortality, and if thermally stressful events increase in frequency, duration and magnitude, the larval supply for the successful recruitment into adult populations could be under threat. Through linking how mangrove microhabitat complexity influences larvae in terms of community metrics and physiology, this study paves the way for further advancement of our understanding of how microscale processes emerge into meso- and macroscale patterns and influence the stability and functioning of highly productive ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The role of the Hop co-chaperone in the formation of Hsp90 complexes: chaperone link to glycolysis
- Authors: Maharaj, Shantal
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163593 , vital:41051 , doi:10.21504/10962/163593
- Description: Thesis (PhD)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Maharaj, Shantal
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163593 , vital:41051 , doi:10.21504/10962/163593
- Description: Thesis (PhD)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The taxonomic status of dolphins Tursiops spp. and Delphinus in South African waters
- Authors: Ngqulana, Sibusisiwe Gloria
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Dolphins -- Classification -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48566 , vital:40891
- Description: There is a need for identifying important sites, taxonomic units or populations and the usual criterion used is species identification. The species is the most important taxonomic unit to define in taxonomy, as it is the primary unit of concern in biodiversity, conservation and other biological issues. Thus, taxonomy plays an important role in conservation biology. Additionally, taxonomy can contribute to the development of analytical systems that will provide information on priorities for reaching defensible targets for established conservation. This poses a problem for cetaceans as basic information is frequently deficient and therefore not suitable for conservation planning purposes. This leads to difficulties in identifying and prioritizing areas for the monitoring, management and for the protection of species or populations. Morphological and geographic data used to be the primary means used by taxonomists to define species and subspecies, and due to this, most extant species have been classified by morphological characteristics. However, in the recent years, molecular analyses have been introduced and subsequently stable isotopes were also included to assist in interpreting results. Thereafter, it became a common approach to use more than one technique or a combination of independent datasets to resolve taxonomic uncertainties. This has resulted to a proposed term known as integrative taxonomy. Integrative taxonomy has recently been used in most studies that deal with taxonomy or population structure. The use of multiple lines of evidence, which is sometimes referred to as integrative taxonomy, raises the level of confidence in clearly delineating species. Cetaceans are the most taxonomically diverse group of aquatic mammals, with 93 living species accepted. Previously, their taxonomy was based on morphological characters. However, cetaceans have recently been subjected to intense phylogenetic investigations using both morphological and molecular data. These problems are not only prevalent in larger whales, but the small toothed whales also have these challenges, particularly family Delphinidae. This family is known to be the most diverse among the toothed whales. This is because this family diverged recently, and the divergence occurred relatively fast. This study aimed to clarify the taxonomic status of Tursiops spp. and Delphinus in the family Delphinidae, inhabiting the South African waters, using a combination of morphological and molecular methods. For skull morphology, geometric morphometrics were used, while for molecular methods, the D-loop region in the mitochondrial DNA was used to detect any differences within each genus. For the genus Tursiops, this study showed the consistency of results in all analyses used to investigate the presence of two species in the genus Tursiops in South African waters. This study only analysed sequences from the mitochondrial D-loop region and has re-confirmed the presence of the two species in South Africa. Skull and external morphology both show T. truncatus to be bigger and more robust, and to have a shorter rostrum compared with T. aduncus. These external observations are helpful when identifying the species in the field. Providing evidence supporting the presence of two Tursiops species in South Africa does not only contribute to the global context of the taxonomy of this genus, but also in the local context. This study also gives insight on the distribution of the two species in the region. For the genus Delphinus, molecular analysis did not reveal any clustering in South African Delphinus specimens, which suggested a single species, D. delphis, and that this species is morphologically highly variable. Both skull and external morphology did not reflect the molecular results, supporting suggestions that morphology in this genus does not reflect genetic differences. It has been shown that morphological variation reflects feeding specialization rather than speciation. This may also reflect local adaptations. Both skull and external morphology in this study showed no significant differences. This study did not investigate the phylogeographic details of the species in South Africa and further molecular work including a larger sample size from the west coast of South Africa is needed. By attempting to unravel the taxonomy of these dolphins in South African waters, the findings of this study will be very useful in the development of effective conservation and management strategies for these dolphins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ngqulana, Sibusisiwe Gloria
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Dolphins -- Classification -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48566 , vital:40891
- Description: There is a need for identifying important sites, taxonomic units or populations and the usual criterion used is species identification. The species is the most important taxonomic unit to define in taxonomy, as it is the primary unit of concern in biodiversity, conservation and other biological issues. Thus, taxonomy plays an important role in conservation biology. Additionally, taxonomy can contribute to the development of analytical systems that will provide information on priorities for reaching defensible targets for established conservation. This poses a problem for cetaceans as basic information is frequently deficient and therefore not suitable for conservation planning purposes. This leads to difficulties in identifying and prioritizing areas for the monitoring, management and for the protection of species or populations. Morphological and geographic data used to be the primary means used by taxonomists to define species and subspecies, and due to this, most extant species have been classified by morphological characteristics. However, in the recent years, molecular analyses have been introduced and subsequently stable isotopes were also included to assist in interpreting results. Thereafter, it became a common approach to use more than one technique or a combination of independent datasets to resolve taxonomic uncertainties. This has resulted to a proposed term known as integrative taxonomy. Integrative taxonomy has recently been used in most studies that deal with taxonomy or population structure. The use of multiple lines of evidence, which is sometimes referred to as integrative taxonomy, raises the level of confidence in clearly delineating species. Cetaceans are the most taxonomically diverse group of aquatic mammals, with 93 living species accepted. Previously, their taxonomy was based on morphological characters. However, cetaceans have recently been subjected to intense phylogenetic investigations using both morphological and molecular data. These problems are not only prevalent in larger whales, but the small toothed whales also have these challenges, particularly family Delphinidae. This family is known to be the most diverse among the toothed whales. This is because this family diverged recently, and the divergence occurred relatively fast. This study aimed to clarify the taxonomic status of Tursiops spp. and Delphinus in the family Delphinidae, inhabiting the South African waters, using a combination of morphological and molecular methods. For skull morphology, geometric morphometrics were used, while for molecular methods, the D-loop region in the mitochondrial DNA was used to detect any differences within each genus. For the genus Tursiops, this study showed the consistency of results in all analyses used to investigate the presence of two species in the genus Tursiops in South African waters. This study only analysed sequences from the mitochondrial D-loop region and has re-confirmed the presence of the two species in South Africa. Skull and external morphology both show T. truncatus to be bigger and more robust, and to have a shorter rostrum compared with T. aduncus. These external observations are helpful when identifying the species in the field. Providing evidence supporting the presence of two Tursiops species in South Africa does not only contribute to the global context of the taxonomy of this genus, but also in the local context. This study also gives insight on the distribution of the two species in the region. For the genus Delphinus, molecular analysis did not reveal any clustering in South African Delphinus specimens, which suggested a single species, D. delphis, and that this species is morphologically highly variable. Both skull and external morphology did not reflect the molecular results, supporting suggestions that morphology in this genus does not reflect genetic differences. It has been shown that morphological variation reflects feeding specialization rather than speciation. This may also reflect local adaptations. Both skull and external morphology in this study showed no significant differences. This study did not investigate the phylogeographic details of the species in South Africa and further molecular work including a larger sample size from the west coast of South Africa is needed. By attempting to unravel the taxonomy of these dolphins in South African waters, the findings of this study will be very useful in the development of effective conservation and management strategies for these dolphins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Thermal tolerance and the potential effects of climate change on coastal intertidal and estuarine organisms in the Kariega Estuary and adjacent intertitdal coastline, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Van der Walt, Kerry-Ann
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Ectotherms -- Climatic factors , Ectotherms -- Effect of temperature on , Fishes -- Climatic factors , Fishes -- Effect of temperature on , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148459 , vital:38741
- Description: Temperature changes due to the effects of climate change are evident on all continents and oceans. As a result, there is a growing concern over how marine ectotherms will respond to extreme or fluctuating environmental temperatures. Temperature changes have strong direct and indirect effects on individual, population, and ecosystem functioning traits. A multi-scale approach determining the thermal tolerance and performance of several marine ectotherms belonging to different coastal habitats is rarely considered in thermal physiology studies but is effective for an integrated ecosystem assessment. As such, for this thesis, I aimed to quantify and compare the thermal tolerance and performance of a range of coastal marine ectotherms (fish and macro-invertebrates) with different biogeographical distributions from estuarine, subtidal and rocky intertidal habitats to available and projected in situ temperature data. This was also undertaken to gauge the local vulnerability of each species across summer and winter in a warm-temperate region of South Africa. This was done using a multi-method physiological approach, which included the dynamic method (CTmax and CTmin), static respirometry and maximum heart rate fHmax). Results of the dynamic method on several fish and macro-invertebrate species indicated that there are differences in thermal tolerance according to taxonomy, biogeography and habitat for both summer and winter. Macro-invertebrate species generally had higher CTmax endpoints, lower CTmin endpoints, higher upper and lower breadths in tolerance, higher upper and lower thermal safety margins and higher thermal scopes than the fish species. This could be a result of the macro-invertebrate species studied being less mobile compared with fish species (which are able to move to more favourable conditions) as well as having broader geographical distributions. In addition, macro-invertebrates from the intertidal rock pool habitat (Palaemon peringueyi; Pernaperna) were more tolerant of high and low temperatures compared with the macro-invertebrates from the estuarine habitat (Clibanarius virescens; Parasesarma catenatum; Upogebia africana). Overall, macro-invertebrates, with the exception of Parechinus angulosus, investigated in this study indicated that current temperatures and projected climate change scenarios across seasons would not have a significant impact on them and that they are highly adaptable to changing temperature regimes. This sign of high tolerance was further supported by the heart rates of P. perna and P. catenatum under an acute increase in temperature (1.0 °C.h-1) which showed individuals of each species physiologically depressing their metabolism until a final Arrhenius breakpoint temperature was reached (TAB). Among the fish species investigated in this study, tropical species (Chaetodon marleyi; Kuhlia mugil) had the highest CTmax and CTmin endpoints when compared with the temperate (Diplodus capensis; Sarpa salpa), warm-water endemic (Chelon dumerili; Rhabdosargus holubi) and cool-water endemic (Chelon richardsonii) fishes. This suggests that due to their lower breadths in tolerance and thermal safety margins being small, tropical species may be less tolerant of cold temperatures and thermal variability, especially in the form of summer upwelling events which are expected to increase in intensity and frequency in this region as a result of anthropogenic climate change effects. On the other hand, however, if a temperature increase of 2.0 - 4.0 °C takes place at the end of the century as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is likely that tropical species such as C. marleyi will become more common. Temperate species such as D. capensis and S. salpa were able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures (wide thermal scope) compared with the other fish species. These findings may suggest that D. capensis and S. salpa are thermally resilient and may be the least vulnerable to climate change effects and temperature variability. When evaluating the different life stages of D. capensis, however, using the dynamic method (juveniles and adults), static respirometry (juveniles) and maximum heart rate (adults), results suggested that juveniles of this temperate species will be more resilient to increases in ocean temperatures compared with the adults because they have a higher thermal tolerance (CTmax/TCRIT) and a greater metabolic scope (TOPT) at higher temperatures. For both juveniles and adults, temperatures beyond 28.0 °C (upper Tpej; Tarr) will have a significant impact on their physiology. Using a multi-scale and multi-method approach thus helped to identify which species or community may be vulnerable to the effects of climate change within shallow coastal environments in this warm-temperate climate change hotspot. Adopting this type of approach will assist policy makers in developing comprehensive climate change management frameworks for coastal ecosystems globally and around South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Van der Walt, Kerry-Ann
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Ectotherms -- Climatic factors , Ectotherms -- Effect of temperature on , Fishes -- Climatic factors , Fishes -- Effect of temperature on , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148459 , vital:38741
- Description: Temperature changes due to the effects of climate change are evident on all continents and oceans. As a result, there is a growing concern over how marine ectotherms will respond to extreme or fluctuating environmental temperatures. Temperature changes have strong direct and indirect effects on individual, population, and ecosystem functioning traits. A multi-scale approach determining the thermal tolerance and performance of several marine ectotherms belonging to different coastal habitats is rarely considered in thermal physiology studies but is effective for an integrated ecosystem assessment. As such, for this thesis, I aimed to quantify and compare the thermal tolerance and performance of a range of coastal marine ectotherms (fish and macro-invertebrates) with different biogeographical distributions from estuarine, subtidal and rocky intertidal habitats to available and projected in situ temperature data. This was also undertaken to gauge the local vulnerability of each species across summer and winter in a warm-temperate region of South Africa. This was done using a multi-method physiological approach, which included the dynamic method (CTmax and CTmin), static respirometry and maximum heart rate fHmax). Results of the dynamic method on several fish and macro-invertebrate species indicated that there are differences in thermal tolerance according to taxonomy, biogeography and habitat for both summer and winter. Macro-invertebrate species generally had higher CTmax endpoints, lower CTmin endpoints, higher upper and lower breadths in tolerance, higher upper and lower thermal safety margins and higher thermal scopes than the fish species. This could be a result of the macro-invertebrate species studied being less mobile compared with fish species (which are able to move to more favourable conditions) as well as having broader geographical distributions. In addition, macro-invertebrates from the intertidal rock pool habitat (Palaemon peringueyi; Pernaperna) were more tolerant of high and low temperatures compared with the macro-invertebrates from the estuarine habitat (Clibanarius virescens; Parasesarma catenatum; Upogebia africana). Overall, macro-invertebrates, with the exception of Parechinus angulosus, investigated in this study indicated that current temperatures and projected climate change scenarios across seasons would not have a significant impact on them and that they are highly adaptable to changing temperature regimes. This sign of high tolerance was further supported by the heart rates of P. perna and P. catenatum under an acute increase in temperature (1.0 °C.h-1) which showed individuals of each species physiologically depressing their metabolism until a final Arrhenius breakpoint temperature was reached (TAB). Among the fish species investigated in this study, tropical species (Chaetodon marleyi; Kuhlia mugil) had the highest CTmax and CTmin endpoints when compared with the temperate (Diplodus capensis; Sarpa salpa), warm-water endemic (Chelon dumerili; Rhabdosargus holubi) and cool-water endemic (Chelon richardsonii) fishes. This suggests that due to their lower breadths in tolerance and thermal safety margins being small, tropical species may be less tolerant of cold temperatures and thermal variability, especially in the form of summer upwelling events which are expected to increase in intensity and frequency in this region as a result of anthropogenic climate change effects. On the other hand, however, if a temperature increase of 2.0 - 4.0 °C takes place at the end of the century as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is likely that tropical species such as C. marleyi will become more common. Temperate species such as D. capensis and S. salpa were able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures (wide thermal scope) compared with the other fish species. These findings may suggest that D. capensis and S. salpa are thermally resilient and may be the least vulnerable to climate change effects and temperature variability. When evaluating the different life stages of D. capensis, however, using the dynamic method (juveniles and adults), static respirometry (juveniles) and maximum heart rate (adults), results suggested that juveniles of this temperate species will be more resilient to increases in ocean temperatures compared with the adults because they have a higher thermal tolerance (CTmax/TCRIT) and a greater metabolic scope (TOPT) at higher temperatures. For both juveniles and adults, temperatures beyond 28.0 °C (upper Tpej; Tarr) will have a significant impact on their physiology. Using a multi-scale and multi-method approach thus helped to identify which species or community may be vulnerable to the effects of climate change within shallow coastal environments in this warm-temperate climate change hotspot. Adopting this type of approach will assist policy makers in developing comprehensive climate change management frameworks for coastal ecosystems globally and around South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2020