The medical profession and the universalisation of South African Health Care: analysing the response of Eastern Cape general practitioners to the National Health Insurance proposals
- Authors: Hannah, Bridget
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Health insurance -- South Africa , Health insurance -- Government policy -- South Africa , Medical care, Cost of -- South Africa , National health insurance -- South Africa , Medical policy -- South Africa , Physicians -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6075 , vital:21029
- Description: In 2011, the Green Paper on National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa was released, committing the South African government to a 14-year plan to radically transform the currently inequitable health system towards providing comprehensive quality health care free at point of access to all citizens. The pursuit of universal health coverage (UHC) in South Africa forms part of a global aspiration to achieve more equitable healthcare delivery. One of the critical issues emerging from the Green Paper was how the NHI would be staffed. The NHI is unlikely to be adequately staffed without GPs but evidence suggests that private sector doctors have always been resistant to nationalisation or socialisation as a threat to their occupational power and professional status. The core work of this thesis is a study undertaken of 78 doctors in the Eastern Cape, focusing on private sector general practitioners (GPs), as the largest constituency of medical professionals in the country. The interview schedule was designed to gauge doctors' responses to the NHI, encourage discussion on their reactions to the reforms, and its implications in their view for private medical practice. The responses of the doctors are analysed through application of two theoretical themes, namely: (i) actor-centred policy creation, discussed through application of Walt and Gilson's (1994) shared focus on content, context, process and actors in the policy process, and (ii) the debate on medical professionalism, espoused by Freidson (1973, 1994) and argued against by Haug and Sussman (1969), and McKinlay (1972, 1993). Thus, if the process of policy making must take into account key actors in order to deliver a successful policy transition, what are the implications if these actors are actively excluded, or do not willingly cooperate? Does this indicate anything telling about the private sector's role to play in the pursuit of universal healthcare?
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hannah, Bridget
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Health insurance -- South Africa , Health insurance -- Government policy -- South Africa , Medical care, Cost of -- South Africa , National health insurance -- South Africa , Medical policy -- South Africa , Physicians -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6075 , vital:21029
- Description: In 2011, the Green Paper on National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa was released, committing the South African government to a 14-year plan to radically transform the currently inequitable health system towards providing comprehensive quality health care free at point of access to all citizens. The pursuit of universal health coverage (UHC) in South Africa forms part of a global aspiration to achieve more equitable healthcare delivery. One of the critical issues emerging from the Green Paper was how the NHI would be staffed. The NHI is unlikely to be adequately staffed without GPs but evidence suggests that private sector doctors have always been resistant to nationalisation or socialisation as a threat to their occupational power and professional status. The core work of this thesis is a study undertaken of 78 doctors in the Eastern Cape, focusing on private sector general practitioners (GPs), as the largest constituency of medical professionals in the country. The interview schedule was designed to gauge doctors' responses to the NHI, encourage discussion on their reactions to the reforms, and its implications in their view for private medical practice. The responses of the doctors are analysed through application of two theoretical themes, namely: (i) actor-centred policy creation, discussed through application of Walt and Gilson's (1994) shared focus on content, context, process and actors in the policy process, and (ii) the debate on medical professionalism, espoused by Freidson (1973, 1994) and argued against by Haug and Sussman (1969), and McKinlay (1972, 1993). Thus, if the process of policy making must take into account key actors in order to deliver a successful policy transition, what are the implications if these actors are actively excluded, or do not willingly cooperate? Does this indicate anything telling about the private sector's role to play in the pursuit of universal healthcare?
- Full Text:
The myth of a green economy and green jobs: what strategy for labour?
- Authors: Cottle, Eddie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Social policy Economic development -- Political aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Book , Text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59500 , vital:27620 , ISBN 9780868106106
- Description: This paper seeks to analyse the policy position of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to that of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in relation to the green economy and green jobs. It is argued that the ITUC position is consistent with the paradigm of the UNEP that the source of the ecological and jobs crisis lays within the problem of a lack of investment in appropriate alternative technologies and not that of capital accumulation and the nature of material production itself. It is further argued that both the ITUC and the UNEP’s paradigm is flawed on the basis of an assumption that technological efficiencies based upon alternative technologies will reduce the carbon footprint of countries. On the contrary this paper argues that the ITUC and UNEP failed to locate their perspective on a historical understanding of the contradiction of technological efficiencies as part of capital accumulation itself and the continuous expansion of production and secondly, that alternative energy production is still reliant of fossil fuels which will not lead to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, this paper argues that the ITUC does not have an alternative position as the notion of the ‘Just Transition’ is trapped within the existing social democratic, sustainable development paradigm which is committed to a system of capitalist growth. The paper argues that the only viable alternative is for labour to develop and struggle for an alternative eco-socialist society.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cottle, Eddie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Social policy Economic development -- Political aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Book , Text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59500 , vital:27620 , ISBN 9780868106106
- Description: This paper seeks to analyse the policy position of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to that of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in relation to the green economy and green jobs. It is argued that the ITUC position is consistent with the paradigm of the UNEP that the source of the ecological and jobs crisis lays within the problem of a lack of investment in appropriate alternative technologies and not that of capital accumulation and the nature of material production itself. It is further argued that both the ITUC and the UNEP’s paradigm is flawed on the basis of an assumption that technological efficiencies based upon alternative technologies will reduce the carbon footprint of countries. On the contrary this paper argues that the ITUC and UNEP failed to locate their perspective on a historical understanding of the contradiction of technological efficiencies as part of capital accumulation itself and the continuous expansion of production and secondly, that alternative energy production is still reliant of fossil fuels which will not lead to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, this paper argues that the ITUC does not have an alternative position as the notion of the ‘Just Transition’ is trapped within the existing social democratic, sustainable development paradigm which is committed to a system of capitalist growth. The paper argues that the only viable alternative is for labour to develop and struggle for an alternative eco-socialist society.
- Full Text:
The nature of learning and work transitioning in boundaryless work : the case of the environmental engineer
- Ramsarup, Presha, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Authors: Ramsarup, Presha , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Environmental engineers -- South Africa , Environmental degradation , Workplace literacy
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59657 , vital:27635 , https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v.33i1.8
- Description: Transition is a common characteristic of our lives, particularly in a rapidly changing world. In this context, how careers are enacted has become increasingly varied, requiring new conceptual tools to study the transitions of learners and workers. This paper uses theoretical constructs from the literature on boundaryless career discourse as well as learning and on work transitioning in order to explore the learning pathways of environmental engineers. It thus contributes to empirical work that articulates ongoing transitions (beyond the first job) within ‘occupational and organisational life’, as well as to the understanding of learning pathways as educational and occupational progression. The career stories help us to understand how non-linear transitions emerge, the complexity of these transitions, and the need to attend to broader institutional arrangements within and across education and training, the labour market and the workplace. Through its focus on the environmental engineer, it helps us to understand the processes and outcomes of transitions in an important occupation in contemporary professional work in South Africa. Finally, in a field dominated by research on entry into a first job, the paper also provides much-needed insights into occupational transitions into specialised work.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ramsarup, Presha , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Environmental engineers -- South Africa , Environmental degradation , Workplace literacy
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59657 , vital:27635 , https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v.33i1.8
- Description: Transition is a common characteristic of our lives, particularly in a rapidly changing world. In this context, how careers are enacted has become increasingly varied, requiring new conceptual tools to study the transitions of learners and workers. This paper uses theoretical constructs from the literature on boundaryless career discourse as well as learning and on work transitioning in order to explore the learning pathways of environmental engineers. It thus contributes to empirical work that articulates ongoing transitions (beyond the first job) within ‘occupational and organisational life’, as well as to the understanding of learning pathways as educational and occupational progression. The career stories help us to understand how non-linear transitions emerge, the complexity of these transitions, and the need to attend to broader institutional arrangements within and across education and training, the labour market and the workplace. Through its focus on the environmental engineer, it helps us to understand the processes and outcomes of transitions in an important occupation in contemporary professional work in South Africa. Finally, in a field dominated by research on entry into a first job, the paper also provides much-needed insights into occupational transitions into specialised work.
- Full Text:
The pest status and integrated management programme of carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller, attacking citrus in South Africa
- Authors: Thackeray, Sean Robin
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7758 , vital:21293
- Description: The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller, is a pest of agricultural commodities and stored products around the world. Carob moth is known to infest citrus in the Mediterranean region and in southern Africa. In grapefruit cultivars, carob moth infestations are associated with high levels of mealybug. However, although this relationship has been observed in other citrus types such as Navel oranges, this has never been quantified. A recent survey of infested fruit from various production areas in South Africa indicated that the pest status of carob moth on Navel oranges may have been underestimated. As a result of the incidental pest status of carob moth on citrus in South Africa in the past, a species specific integrated pest management (IPM) programme does not exist. Therefore, the overriding aim of this theses was to evaluate the pest status of carob moth in citrus and establish a species specific IPM programme by determine the autecology of carob moth in citrus. Reliable methods for monitoring carob moth in citrus orchards both for producers and for research purposes were developed. A user-friendly monitoring method for determining weekly carob moth infestation through dropped fruit was suitable for producers. A timed scouting method was also developed; although the accuracy of this method varied with the experience of the scout. The pest status of carob moth was highest in the Loskop Valley, Nelspruit and the Vaalharts production areas and economic injury to growers ranged from R512.35 to R3 719.80 per hectare as a direct result of infestation. No infestation was recorded in the Sundays River Valley and Citrusdal production areas over both the 2014-15 and 201516 growing seasons. A laboratory study showed the survival of carob moth larvae infesting citrus is less than 10% in the absence of mealybug. However, this increases to almost 40% in the presence of mealybug residues and sooty mould. There was a significant relationship between carob infestation at harvest and mealybug infestation in the middle months of the growing season. The relationship between carob moth and mealybug indicates that current production guidelines for the management of mealybug in citrus may need to be amended. Consequently, it is proposed that an orchard with a history of carob moth infestation and a high mealybug infestation in the previous season should be subjected to an early season preventative application of a registered control product. Also, if mealybug infestation in December is higher than a 5% of fruit per tree, then a corrective application of a registered product is recommended. The application of 2,4-D at petal drop reduced the size of the navel-end opening, decreasing the proportion of mealybug found in the navel-end, subsequently reducing carob moth infestation, resulting in a direct benefit for producers. Products registered for the control of false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick, were effective in reducing carob moth infestation. In a spray trial conducted over two seasons, Delegate® and Runner® reduced infestation significantly in the 2014-15 season (over 80%), while only Delegate® was effective in the 2015-16 season (over 80%). If a late season corrective chemical application is targeted at both FCM and carob moth, this application should take place between 6-7 weeks prior to harvest. The mating disruption product, SPLAT® EC, reduced carob moth infestation by 70% compared to the untreated control. A laboratory culture was established and head-capsule size categories were determined for all five carob moth instars. A parasitoid survey indicated that parasitism of carob moth larvae is generally less than 5% in citrus orchards and a new species of Braconidae was described as Phanterotoma carobivora van Achterberg and Thackeray. Carob moth fifth instar were found to be the most cold-tolerant larval stage, and were shown to be more cold susceptible than the most cold-tolerant FCM instars at -0.55ºC for eighteen days. This cold treatment resulted in a mortality of 94.6% fifth instar carob moth compared to a combined fourth and fifth instar mortality of 87.8% for FCM after eighteen days. These results indicate that post-harvest cold treatments targeting FCM will be as, if not more, effective against carob moth, suggesting that current phytosanitary legislation for carob moth should be amended to incorporate this study’s findings.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Thackeray, Sean Robin
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7758 , vital:21293
- Description: The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller, is a pest of agricultural commodities and stored products around the world. Carob moth is known to infest citrus in the Mediterranean region and in southern Africa. In grapefruit cultivars, carob moth infestations are associated with high levels of mealybug. However, although this relationship has been observed in other citrus types such as Navel oranges, this has never been quantified. A recent survey of infested fruit from various production areas in South Africa indicated that the pest status of carob moth on Navel oranges may have been underestimated. As a result of the incidental pest status of carob moth on citrus in South Africa in the past, a species specific integrated pest management (IPM) programme does not exist. Therefore, the overriding aim of this theses was to evaluate the pest status of carob moth in citrus and establish a species specific IPM programme by determine the autecology of carob moth in citrus. Reliable methods for monitoring carob moth in citrus orchards both for producers and for research purposes were developed. A user-friendly monitoring method for determining weekly carob moth infestation through dropped fruit was suitable for producers. A timed scouting method was also developed; although the accuracy of this method varied with the experience of the scout. The pest status of carob moth was highest in the Loskop Valley, Nelspruit and the Vaalharts production areas and economic injury to growers ranged from R512.35 to R3 719.80 per hectare as a direct result of infestation. No infestation was recorded in the Sundays River Valley and Citrusdal production areas over both the 2014-15 and 201516 growing seasons. A laboratory study showed the survival of carob moth larvae infesting citrus is less than 10% in the absence of mealybug. However, this increases to almost 40% in the presence of mealybug residues and sooty mould. There was a significant relationship between carob infestation at harvest and mealybug infestation in the middle months of the growing season. The relationship between carob moth and mealybug indicates that current production guidelines for the management of mealybug in citrus may need to be amended. Consequently, it is proposed that an orchard with a history of carob moth infestation and a high mealybug infestation in the previous season should be subjected to an early season preventative application of a registered control product. Also, if mealybug infestation in December is higher than a 5% of fruit per tree, then a corrective application of a registered product is recommended. The application of 2,4-D at petal drop reduced the size of the navel-end opening, decreasing the proportion of mealybug found in the navel-end, subsequently reducing carob moth infestation, resulting in a direct benefit for producers. Products registered for the control of false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick, were effective in reducing carob moth infestation. In a spray trial conducted over two seasons, Delegate® and Runner® reduced infestation significantly in the 2014-15 season (over 80%), while only Delegate® was effective in the 2015-16 season (over 80%). If a late season corrective chemical application is targeted at both FCM and carob moth, this application should take place between 6-7 weeks prior to harvest. The mating disruption product, SPLAT® EC, reduced carob moth infestation by 70% compared to the untreated control. A laboratory culture was established and head-capsule size categories were determined for all five carob moth instars. A parasitoid survey indicated that parasitism of carob moth larvae is generally less than 5% in citrus orchards and a new species of Braconidae was described as Phanterotoma carobivora van Achterberg and Thackeray. Carob moth fifth instar were found to be the most cold-tolerant larval stage, and were shown to be more cold susceptible than the most cold-tolerant FCM instars at -0.55ºC for eighteen days. This cold treatment resulted in a mortality of 94.6% fifth instar carob moth compared to a combined fourth and fifth instar mortality of 87.8% for FCM after eighteen days. These results indicate that post-harvest cold treatments targeting FCM will be as, if not more, effective against carob moth, suggesting that current phytosanitary legislation for carob moth should be amended to incorporate this study’s findings.
- Full Text:
The phenologies of macadamia (Proteaceae) and thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) communities in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
- Authors: Hepburn, Colleen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Macadamia nut -- South Africa , Macadamia nut -- Ecology -- South Africa , Macadamia nut -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Thrips -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:21183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6817
- Description: Macadamia (Proteaceae) is indigenous to Australia; four of the nine species have been used in plant breeding for cultivation and the production of a rapidly growing product. First introduced to Hawaii in the 1880s, macadamias’ potential as a crop was only really considered in 1910. It is due to the early Hawaiian pioneers’ research and the development of Hawaiian cultivars upon which most of the current world’s production is based today. Prior to the 1980s, cultivation in Australia was based mainly on Hawaiian cultivars. Extensive research has been conducted on cultivar development, performance, best practice, production, crop protection and processing. South Africa has become one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of macadamias. The cultivation of macadamia in South Africa began 80 years ago, but the phenology of macadamia has not been rigorously studied under local conditions, and neither has the thrips communities in macadamia. Data collected during this study on the macadamia phenological stages can be used as a foundation on which seasonal data of all insect pests can be plotted, as a basis on which an extensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme can be developed for the macadamia industry in South Africa. Extensive sampling of thrips communities present in macadamias was undertaken over two years, with more than 142,000 individuals collected. The most basic, common trait into which specimens could be sorted were colour groups. Specimens from each colour group were identified through slide-mounting individuals. Fifteen species of thrips were identified to species-level, excluding specimens from the Panchaetothripinae, Haplothrips and Scolothrips which occurred only periodically. The presence of larvae indicated that macadamia is a host plant for some species. Due to their size and morphology, identification i of the total collection could not be processed to species level using a dissection microscope, although Scirtothrips aurantii Faure were distinguishable from other species and their distribution over the seasons observed. Due to logistical constraints and events beyond the author’s control, the results are mainly qualitative. There seems to be phenological variation within and between cultivars. The date of anthesis and duration of immature nut-drop was estimated; some cultivars set out- of-season flowers and nuts; this “secondary crop” could have far-reaching effects on the implementation of an IPM programme. Comparisons of the phenological data of macadamia and thrips showed the highest abundances and diversity of thrips species occurred when flowers were present. An extensive study of abscised nuts showed no significant difference between most cultivars or at the sites where management practices were implemented and those sites where these practices were not. There was however a consistent difference between the two seasons. There was no difference in maturity of abscised nuts, regardless of whether thrips damage to the husk was present or not. Excessive Bathycoelia distincta (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) damage was found on the kernels of the abscised nuts processed for maturity testing, which is more likely to have been the primary cause of abscission. The Author’s opinion is that thrips damage to the outer husk does not lead to abscission of maturing nuts. Ascertaining the cause of abscission at nut-set and immature nut-drop is more problematic as there are numerous other potential causes. Damage to new flush, especially the late summer flush essential for the build-up of carbohydrates and resources for the following yield, should be carefully monitored and controlled when necessary.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hepburn, Colleen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Macadamia nut -- South Africa , Macadamia nut -- Ecology -- South Africa , Macadamia nut -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Thrips -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:21183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6817
- Description: Macadamia (Proteaceae) is indigenous to Australia; four of the nine species have been used in plant breeding for cultivation and the production of a rapidly growing product. First introduced to Hawaii in the 1880s, macadamias’ potential as a crop was only really considered in 1910. It is due to the early Hawaiian pioneers’ research and the development of Hawaiian cultivars upon which most of the current world’s production is based today. Prior to the 1980s, cultivation in Australia was based mainly on Hawaiian cultivars. Extensive research has been conducted on cultivar development, performance, best practice, production, crop protection and processing. South Africa has become one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of macadamias. The cultivation of macadamia in South Africa began 80 years ago, but the phenology of macadamia has not been rigorously studied under local conditions, and neither has the thrips communities in macadamia. Data collected during this study on the macadamia phenological stages can be used as a foundation on which seasonal data of all insect pests can be plotted, as a basis on which an extensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme can be developed for the macadamia industry in South Africa. Extensive sampling of thrips communities present in macadamias was undertaken over two years, with more than 142,000 individuals collected. The most basic, common trait into which specimens could be sorted were colour groups. Specimens from each colour group were identified through slide-mounting individuals. Fifteen species of thrips were identified to species-level, excluding specimens from the Panchaetothripinae, Haplothrips and Scolothrips which occurred only periodically. The presence of larvae indicated that macadamia is a host plant for some species. Due to their size and morphology, identification i of the total collection could not be processed to species level using a dissection microscope, although Scirtothrips aurantii Faure were distinguishable from other species and their distribution over the seasons observed. Due to logistical constraints and events beyond the author’s control, the results are mainly qualitative. There seems to be phenological variation within and between cultivars. The date of anthesis and duration of immature nut-drop was estimated; some cultivars set out- of-season flowers and nuts; this “secondary crop” could have far-reaching effects on the implementation of an IPM programme. Comparisons of the phenological data of macadamia and thrips showed the highest abundances and diversity of thrips species occurred when flowers were present. An extensive study of abscised nuts showed no significant difference between most cultivars or at the sites where management practices were implemented and those sites where these practices were not. There was however a consistent difference between the two seasons. There was no difference in maturity of abscised nuts, regardless of whether thrips damage to the husk was present or not. Excessive Bathycoelia distincta (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) damage was found on the kernels of the abscised nuts processed for maturity testing, which is more likely to have been the primary cause of abscission. The Author’s opinion is that thrips damage to the outer husk does not lead to abscission of maturing nuts. Ascertaining the cause of abscission at nut-set and immature nut-drop is more problematic as there are numerous other potential causes. Damage to new flush, especially the late summer flush essential for the build-up of carbohydrates and resources for the following yield, should be carefully monitored and controlled when necessary.
- Full Text:
The photophysical studies of Pluronic F127/P123 micelle mixture system loaded with metal free and Zn 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis [4-(benzyloxy) phenyl] porphyrins
- Managa, Muthumuni, Ngoy, Bokolombe P, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188932 , vital:44799 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.02.018"
- Description: Binary mixtures of Pluronics are studied as drug nanocarriers in this work. H2 and Zn 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(benzyloxy) phenyl] porphyrin were encapsulated onto binary micelle mixture of Pluronic F127/P123. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins were investigated following incorporation. The fluorescence quantum yield for H2TBnOPP (ΦF = 0.034) was higher than that of ZnTBnOPP (ΦF = 0.023) and decreased when ZnTBnOPP or H2TBnOPP when in the presence of Pluronic F127/P123 binary mixtures. The kq values were 2.8 × 108 and 3.7 × 108 M−1 s−1, for H2TBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123 and ZnTBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123 in water, respectively. The binding constants (Kb) were 1.58 × 105 M−1 and 1.02 × 105 M−1 for ZnTBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123 and H2TBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188932 , vital:44799 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.02.018"
- Description: Binary mixtures of Pluronics are studied as drug nanocarriers in this work. H2 and Zn 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(benzyloxy) phenyl] porphyrin were encapsulated onto binary micelle mixture of Pluronic F127/P123. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins were investigated following incorporation. The fluorescence quantum yield for H2TBnOPP (ΦF = 0.034) was higher than that of ZnTBnOPP (ΦF = 0.023) and decreased when ZnTBnOPP or H2TBnOPP when in the presence of Pluronic F127/P123 binary mixtures. The kq values were 2.8 × 108 and 3.7 × 108 M−1 s−1, for H2TBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123 and ZnTBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123 in water, respectively. The binding constants (Kb) were 1.58 × 105 M−1 and 1.02 × 105 M−1 for ZnTBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123 and H2TBnOPP + Pluronic F127/P123, respectively.
- Full Text:
The potential of hydrellia egeriae rodrigues (diptera: ephydridae) as a biocontrol agent for egeria densa planch. (hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Smith, Rosali
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53733 , vital:26314
- Description: The integrity of South Africa’s valuable freshwater ecosystems has been threatened by aquatic invasive plants since the 1900s. Floating aquatic weeds, such as Eichhornia crassipes (C. Mart) Solms (Pondederiaceae), Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae), Azolla filiculoides Lam. (Azollaceae), and the emergent weed, Myriophyllum aquaticum Verdc. (Haloragaceae) benefited from open, nutrient-rich water bodies. Due to the limitations of mechanical and chemical control in aquatic environments, classical biological control has been a huge asset in managing these weeds; consequently bringing them under complete or substantial control. However, submerged aquatic weeds are widely distributed through the aquarium trade in South Africa; facilitating their invasion into new habitats. The removal of surface mats following the successful management of floating weeds has enhanced the growth and competitive ability of submerged aquatic weeds, such as Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (Hydrocharitaceae), Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) and Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa. Of these species, E. densa has become the most widely distributed, invading numerous systems across South Africa. Compared to other exotic submerged aquatic plants, E. densa is the only species capable of inhabiting freshwater systems in every province and therefore, it is vital to manage existing populations and prevent its further distribution and invasion. Hydrellia spp. (Diptera: Ephydridae) biological control agents have been used extensively in the management of submerged aquatic weeds elsewhere, particularly those in the Hydrocharitaceae (Balciunas and Burrows 1996; Wheeler and Center 2001. Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) has been identified as a promising candidate for E. densa and was imported into quarantine at Rhodes University, Grahamstown in 2014. The aims of this study were to conduct a pre-release assessment of the potential of H. egeriae as a biological control agent for E. densa in South Africa. The first objective of this study was to establish the life history of the agent under controlled conditions on E. densa found in South Africa, as well as its population growth parameters to predict its invasion success in the field. Secondly, laboratory host-specificity testing was conducted to validate the host range of the agent, in view of published native range host-specificity testing, and to establish potential risks to non-target species, should it be released. Finally, a biological control agent should also effectively reduce the fitness of its host plant, and therefore, impact studies were conducted. Laboratory impact studies have been limited in the past, in that they only investigate agent damage for short ecological periods, thus underestimating the damage capacity of the agent under investigation. Therefore, the damage capacity of H. egeriae was investigated over three consecutive generations in multi-generational impact trials. In a controlled environment of 22 ± 2°C, H. egeriae exhibited the ability to rapidly increase in population size within a short period of time, which will enhance agent establishment and build-up in the field. Host-specificity trials indicated that H. egeriae has a host range restricted to the Hydrocharitaceae, with exploratory feeding and development on Lagarosiphon major Ridley, L. muscoides Harvey and Vallisneria spiralis L. However, only L. major supported agent development during paired larval choice tests, and continuation trials showed that the test species was not physiologically capable of supporting viable agent populations. Risk analysis illustrated that the feeding and reproductive risks that H. egeriae pose to non-target species are very low and therefore, H. egeriae should be safe for release in South Africa. Additionally, significant damage to vital plant structures (shoot growth and side shoot length) was only recorded under high (five larvae) agent abundances. Encouragingly, the number of leaves mined at the end of the experiment was similar for both intermediate (three) and high (five) larval abundances, suggesting that cumulative leaf-mining under intermediate larval abundances has the potential to reduce the fitness of E. densa, given sufficient time. Results from pre-release assessments provide a robust understanding of the specialization of the potential biological control agent to its host plant. Nevertheless, the absolute success of a biological control programme depends on the many factors after prerelease assessments that determine agent establishment, persistence and target weed suppression, e.g. mass-rearing, release protocols and a/biotic factors within the recipient community. Considering these factors, the best mass-rearing and release protocols are proposed here and future research priorities are identified. Finally, the long term success for managing E. densa in South Africa will require a holistic approach to address the underlying factors, such as eutrophication and human-mediated distribution that drive submerged aquatic plant invasions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, Rosali
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53733 , vital:26314
- Description: The integrity of South Africa’s valuable freshwater ecosystems has been threatened by aquatic invasive plants since the 1900s. Floating aquatic weeds, such as Eichhornia crassipes (C. Mart) Solms (Pondederiaceae), Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae), Azolla filiculoides Lam. (Azollaceae), and the emergent weed, Myriophyllum aquaticum Verdc. (Haloragaceae) benefited from open, nutrient-rich water bodies. Due to the limitations of mechanical and chemical control in aquatic environments, classical biological control has been a huge asset in managing these weeds; consequently bringing them under complete or substantial control. However, submerged aquatic weeds are widely distributed through the aquarium trade in South Africa; facilitating their invasion into new habitats. The removal of surface mats following the successful management of floating weeds has enhanced the growth and competitive ability of submerged aquatic weeds, such as Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (Hydrocharitaceae), Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) and Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa. Of these species, E. densa has become the most widely distributed, invading numerous systems across South Africa. Compared to other exotic submerged aquatic plants, E. densa is the only species capable of inhabiting freshwater systems in every province and therefore, it is vital to manage existing populations and prevent its further distribution and invasion. Hydrellia spp. (Diptera: Ephydridae) biological control agents have been used extensively in the management of submerged aquatic weeds elsewhere, particularly those in the Hydrocharitaceae (Balciunas and Burrows 1996; Wheeler and Center 2001. Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) has been identified as a promising candidate for E. densa and was imported into quarantine at Rhodes University, Grahamstown in 2014. The aims of this study were to conduct a pre-release assessment of the potential of H. egeriae as a biological control agent for E. densa in South Africa. The first objective of this study was to establish the life history of the agent under controlled conditions on E. densa found in South Africa, as well as its population growth parameters to predict its invasion success in the field. Secondly, laboratory host-specificity testing was conducted to validate the host range of the agent, in view of published native range host-specificity testing, and to establish potential risks to non-target species, should it be released. Finally, a biological control agent should also effectively reduce the fitness of its host plant, and therefore, impact studies were conducted. Laboratory impact studies have been limited in the past, in that they only investigate agent damage for short ecological periods, thus underestimating the damage capacity of the agent under investigation. Therefore, the damage capacity of H. egeriae was investigated over three consecutive generations in multi-generational impact trials. In a controlled environment of 22 ± 2°C, H. egeriae exhibited the ability to rapidly increase in population size within a short period of time, which will enhance agent establishment and build-up in the field. Host-specificity trials indicated that H. egeriae has a host range restricted to the Hydrocharitaceae, with exploratory feeding and development on Lagarosiphon major Ridley, L. muscoides Harvey and Vallisneria spiralis L. However, only L. major supported agent development during paired larval choice tests, and continuation trials showed that the test species was not physiologically capable of supporting viable agent populations. Risk analysis illustrated that the feeding and reproductive risks that H. egeriae pose to non-target species are very low and therefore, H. egeriae should be safe for release in South Africa. Additionally, significant damage to vital plant structures (shoot growth and side shoot length) was only recorded under high (five larvae) agent abundances. Encouragingly, the number of leaves mined at the end of the experiment was similar for both intermediate (three) and high (five) larval abundances, suggesting that cumulative leaf-mining under intermediate larval abundances has the potential to reduce the fitness of E. densa, given sufficient time. Results from pre-release assessments provide a robust understanding of the specialization of the potential biological control agent to its host plant. Nevertheless, the absolute success of a biological control programme depends on the many factors after prerelease assessments that determine agent establishment, persistence and target weed suppression, e.g. mass-rearing, release protocols and a/biotic factors within the recipient community. Considering these factors, the best mass-rearing and release protocols are proposed here and future research priorities are identified. Finally, the long term success for managing E. densa in South Africa will require a holistic approach to address the underlying factors, such as eutrophication and human-mediated distribution that drive submerged aquatic plant invasions.
- Full Text:
The principle of distinction and modern armed conflicts: a critical analysis of the protection regime based on the distinction between civilians and combatants under international humanitarian law
- Authors: Chigowe, Lloyd Tonderai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Humanitarian law , Military art and science -- Law and legislation , Combatants and noncombatants (International law) , Military law , National security -- Law and legislation , Private military companies (International law) , Human rights -- International cooperation , Soft law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4668 , vital:20710
- Description: This thesis interrogates the applicability of the principle of distinction in modern armed conflicts. The distinction between combatants and civilians and between civilian objects and military objectives has become blurred as a result of the changes that have taken place in modern armed conflicts. While the principle of distinction was tailor made to regulate traditional, conventional armed conflicts, an evolution in the nature, means and methods of warfare has made the application of the principle of distinction challenging. One of the challenges that arise as a result of the changes that have taken place in modern armed conflicts include the difficulty of distinguishing civilians and civilian objects, which are entitled to protection under international humanitarian law from combatants and military objectives which are legitimate targets. This has compromised the protection that the law seeks to offer during armed conflicts since civilians and civilian objects have become constant targets. Another challenge is that the involvement of civilian persons in armed conflicts has made it difficult to determine the responsibility of these individuals as well as the states that hire them for violations of international law during armed conflicts. Furthermore, the emergence of new methods of warfare has resulted in many objects and facilities that are traditionally regarded as civilian objects becoming military objectives, thus losing their protection under international humanitarian law. This thesis will use the examples of the involvement of private military and security companies in armed conflicts as well as the emergence of drone and cyber warfare to illustrate these challenges. The study will examine the application of the principle of distinction to the growing practice of outsourcing of military services to Private Military and Security Companies. Firstly, the study will examine the status of PMSC personnel under the principle of distinction, that is whether they qualify as combatants or civilians. The study will then examine the consequences of PMSC personnel’s participation in armed conflicts. Importantly, the study will explore responsibilities of states that hire private military and security personnel, PMSC companies as well as superiors in charge of PMSC personnel for any violation of international law committed by contractors during armed conflicts. The study will also examine the application of the principle of distinction to drone and cyber warfare. The study will examine the status of drone and cyber operators under the principle of distinction as well as the applicability of the principle of distinction between civilian objects and military objectives in drone and cyber warfare. The study will discuss some of the problems that arise as result of the introduction of these new methods of warfare, which makes the application of the principle of distinction to modern armed conflicts challenging. The thesis concludes by arguing that while the principle of distinction remains an indispensable concept of international humanitarian law, it needs to be adapted for it to be applicable to modern armed conflicts. Therefore, suggestions shall be made on how the principle can be adapted to ensure that it remains relevant to modern armed conflicts.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chigowe, Lloyd Tonderai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Humanitarian law , Military art and science -- Law and legislation , Combatants and noncombatants (International law) , Military law , National security -- Law and legislation , Private military companies (International law) , Human rights -- International cooperation , Soft law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4668 , vital:20710
- Description: This thesis interrogates the applicability of the principle of distinction in modern armed conflicts. The distinction between combatants and civilians and between civilian objects and military objectives has become blurred as a result of the changes that have taken place in modern armed conflicts. While the principle of distinction was tailor made to regulate traditional, conventional armed conflicts, an evolution in the nature, means and methods of warfare has made the application of the principle of distinction challenging. One of the challenges that arise as a result of the changes that have taken place in modern armed conflicts include the difficulty of distinguishing civilians and civilian objects, which are entitled to protection under international humanitarian law from combatants and military objectives which are legitimate targets. This has compromised the protection that the law seeks to offer during armed conflicts since civilians and civilian objects have become constant targets. Another challenge is that the involvement of civilian persons in armed conflicts has made it difficult to determine the responsibility of these individuals as well as the states that hire them for violations of international law during armed conflicts. Furthermore, the emergence of new methods of warfare has resulted in many objects and facilities that are traditionally regarded as civilian objects becoming military objectives, thus losing their protection under international humanitarian law. This thesis will use the examples of the involvement of private military and security companies in armed conflicts as well as the emergence of drone and cyber warfare to illustrate these challenges. The study will examine the application of the principle of distinction to the growing practice of outsourcing of military services to Private Military and Security Companies. Firstly, the study will examine the status of PMSC personnel under the principle of distinction, that is whether they qualify as combatants or civilians. The study will then examine the consequences of PMSC personnel’s participation in armed conflicts. Importantly, the study will explore responsibilities of states that hire private military and security personnel, PMSC companies as well as superiors in charge of PMSC personnel for any violation of international law committed by contractors during armed conflicts. The study will also examine the application of the principle of distinction to drone and cyber warfare. The study will examine the status of drone and cyber operators under the principle of distinction as well as the applicability of the principle of distinction between civilian objects and military objectives in drone and cyber warfare. The study will discuss some of the problems that arise as result of the introduction of these new methods of warfare, which makes the application of the principle of distinction to modern armed conflicts challenging. The thesis concludes by arguing that while the principle of distinction remains an indispensable concept of international humanitarian law, it needs to be adapted for it to be applicable to modern armed conflicts. Therefore, suggestions shall be made on how the principle can be adapted to ensure that it remains relevant to modern armed conflicts.
- Full Text:
The relationship between OCT4 and an aggressive phenotype in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)
- Authors: Jackson, Hayley Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59209 , vital:27477
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jackson, Hayley Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59209 , vital:27477
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
The relevance of cross-scale connections and spatial interactions for ecosystem service delivery by protected areas: Insights from southern Africa
- de Vos, Alta, Cumming, Graeme S, Roux, Dirk J
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Cumming, Graeme S , Roux, Dirk J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416438 , vital:71348 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.11.014"
- Description: The ecosystem services (ES) concept can frame the value of protected areas (PAs) to society and identify management actions that bridge biodiversity conservation and human benefits. In this special issue on ES flows to and from southern African PAs we consider two themes: (1) water as a biophysical and social-ecological connector; and (2) cross-scale interactions and connections as influences on cultural ecosystem service (CES) provision. Freshwater flows have supporting, regulating, and cultural elements, leading to complexities in governance as well as place attachment, intellectual, and recreational services. Scale dependence in CES creates trade-offs that challenge the usefulness of the ES framework for PA management. Ecosystem service production can potentially create political support for PAs and helps to build connections and feedbacks that increase PA resilience. Papers in the feature highlight a need to understand trade-offs in optimising for biodiversity vs. particular bundles of ES; impacts of investment in built infrastructure on ES use; how managers facilitate ES; scale and heterogeneity as influences; the role of adaptive monitoring of PAs as social–ecological systems; and services and benefits from PAs that are not well-articulated in ES classifications. PA research can thus add nuance, depth and substance to broader thinking around CES.
- Full Text:
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Cumming, Graeme S , Roux, Dirk J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416438 , vital:71348 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.11.014"
- Description: The ecosystem services (ES) concept can frame the value of protected areas (PAs) to society and identify management actions that bridge biodiversity conservation and human benefits. In this special issue on ES flows to and from southern African PAs we consider two themes: (1) water as a biophysical and social-ecological connector; and (2) cross-scale interactions and connections as influences on cultural ecosystem service (CES) provision. Freshwater flows have supporting, regulating, and cultural elements, leading to complexities in governance as well as place attachment, intellectual, and recreational services. Scale dependence in CES creates trade-offs that challenge the usefulness of the ES framework for PA management. Ecosystem service production can potentially create political support for PAs and helps to build connections and feedbacks that increase PA resilience. Papers in the feature highlight a need to understand trade-offs in optimising for biodiversity vs. particular bundles of ES; impacts of investment in built infrastructure on ES use; how managers facilitate ES; scale and heterogeneity as influences; the role of adaptive monitoring of PAs as social–ecological systems; and services and benefits from PAs that are not well-articulated in ES classifications. PA research can thus add nuance, depth and substance to broader thinking around CES.
- Full Text:
The response of microalgal biomass and community composition to the chemical and physical dynamics of two Eastern Cape estuaries
- Authors: Cotiyane, Phumlile L
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Estuarine plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Phytoplankton -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Algal blooms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Algal blooms -- Monitoring-- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4999 , vital:20751
- Description: Water quality characteristics of estuaries are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic activities. Estuaries situated in coastal urban areas are exposed to more perturbations than those in rural settings. This study determined the drivers of phytoplankton biomass and community composition in two Eastern Cape estuaries and evaluated the anthropogenic activities that influence the overall health of each estuary. The estuaries were sampled in summer and winter (2014, 2015). The water quality of the estuaries was determined by measuring the variability in physico-chemical parameters (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH), nutrients, phytoplankton biomass and composition and faecal bacteria. Results show that both Mngazana and Nahoon are well oxygenated (~ 6.0 mg l-¹) and are saline systems (~ 35 ppt) due to low freshwater inputs into both estuaries. Mngazana Estuary exhibited low nutrient inputs along the length of the estuary including Creeks 1 and 2 with low chlorophyll a (4.0 ± 0.2 µg Chl-a r¹) being recorded during this study while Nahoon Estuary had an overall chlorophyll a of 3.5 ± 0.3 µg Chl-a r¹. The two estuaries were dominated by flagellates with phytoplankton blooms recorded seasonally. Possible eutrophic conditions were evident along the upper reaches of Nahoon indicated by nutrient accumulation and by the presence of cyanobacteria. This also this reflected the possible anthropogenic nutrient inputs originating from the Nahoon catchment despite the low freshwater inflow. The presence of faecal bacteria counts along both estuaries indicates the need for further investigation into the source of faecal contamination. The use of nutrient analyses and phytoplankton composition during this study enabled a clear description of the water characteristics of the investigated estuaries. Furthermore, the need for the adherence to freshwater flow requirements of estuaries to limit the dominance of marine waters was clearly illustrated. Urban runoff due to impervious surfaces increases nutrient inputs into estuaries while rural use of estuarine waters introduces contaminants into the system; coupled with low freshwater inputs and eutrophic conditions, the deterioration of estuarine water quality over time demonstrates the need for effective monitoring of these systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cotiyane, Phumlile L
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Estuarine plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Phytoplankton -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Algal blooms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Algal blooms -- Monitoring-- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4999 , vital:20751
- Description: Water quality characteristics of estuaries are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic activities. Estuaries situated in coastal urban areas are exposed to more perturbations than those in rural settings. This study determined the drivers of phytoplankton biomass and community composition in two Eastern Cape estuaries and evaluated the anthropogenic activities that influence the overall health of each estuary. The estuaries were sampled in summer and winter (2014, 2015). The water quality of the estuaries was determined by measuring the variability in physico-chemical parameters (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH), nutrients, phytoplankton biomass and composition and faecal bacteria. Results show that both Mngazana and Nahoon are well oxygenated (~ 6.0 mg l-¹) and are saline systems (~ 35 ppt) due to low freshwater inputs into both estuaries. Mngazana Estuary exhibited low nutrient inputs along the length of the estuary including Creeks 1 and 2 with low chlorophyll a (4.0 ± 0.2 µg Chl-a r¹) being recorded during this study while Nahoon Estuary had an overall chlorophyll a of 3.5 ± 0.3 µg Chl-a r¹. The two estuaries were dominated by flagellates with phytoplankton blooms recorded seasonally. Possible eutrophic conditions were evident along the upper reaches of Nahoon indicated by nutrient accumulation and by the presence of cyanobacteria. This also this reflected the possible anthropogenic nutrient inputs originating from the Nahoon catchment despite the low freshwater inflow. The presence of faecal bacteria counts along both estuaries indicates the need for further investigation into the source of faecal contamination. The use of nutrient analyses and phytoplankton composition during this study enabled a clear description of the water characteristics of the investigated estuaries. Furthermore, the need for the adherence to freshwater flow requirements of estuaries to limit the dominance of marine waters was clearly illustrated. Urban runoff due to impervious surfaces increases nutrient inputs into estuaries while rural use of estuarine waters introduces contaminants into the system; coupled with low freshwater inputs and eutrophic conditions, the deterioration of estuarine water quality over time demonstrates the need for effective monitoring of these systems.
- Full Text:
The role of doctoral education in early career academic development
- Frick, Liezel, Albertyn, Ruth, Brodin, Eva, McKenna, Sioux, Claessson, Silwa
- Authors: Frick, Liezel , Albertyn, Ruth , Brodin, Eva , McKenna, Sioux , Claessson, Silwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66658 , vital:28978 , ISBN 9781928357216 , https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311427468/download
- Description: The social and economic significance of the doctorate is recognised across the world, as doctoral candidates are considered to be key contributors to the knowledge society by contributing to socio-economic development through innovation (Barnacle 2005; Taylor 2012). Doctoral students – regardless of their discipline – are expected to take part actively in the knowledge creation process at universities, and this is especially important for those who will remain in academia and continue to contribute in this way.1 But knowledge creation is a complex process. Knowledge creation at the doctoral level and beyond requires a comprehensive understanding of relevant knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to advise with insight. Doctoral learning also includes aspects such as abstract reasoning, the ability to conceptualise, and problem solving. Thus, through the original contribution candidates are expected to create during the doctorate, they are supposed to become experts in their chosen field of study. This process has been described by Evans (2014) as disciplinary acculturation. Various authors (for example Danby & Lee 2012; Lin & Cranton 2005; Manathunga & Goozée 2007) point out that this process of becoming an expert is by no means easy or straightforward. Rather, developing as a scholar is a lifelong process in which moving from a novice to an expert is an essential rite of passage into academic practice (Dreyfus & Dreyfus 1986). Benmore (2014) states that for those pursuing academic careers, it involves coming to know, but also coming to be an academic. Such a process of becoming doctorate implies movement over time, progression, and transformation (Barnacle, 2005).
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Frick, Liezel , Albertyn, Ruth , Brodin, Eva , McKenna, Sioux , Claessson, Silwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66658 , vital:28978 , ISBN 9781928357216 , https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311427468/download
- Description: The social and economic significance of the doctorate is recognised across the world, as doctoral candidates are considered to be key contributors to the knowledge society by contributing to socio-economic development through innovation (Barnacle 2005; Taylor 2012). Doctoral students – regardless of their discipline – are expected to take part actively in the knowledge creation process at universities, and this is especially important for those who will remain in academia and continue to contribute in this way.1 But knowledge creation is a complex process. Knowledge creation at the doctoral level and beyond requires a comprehensive understanding of relevant knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to advise with insight. Doctoral learning also includes aspects such as abstract reasoning, the ability to conceptualise, and problem solving. Thus, through the original contribution candidates are expected to create during the doctorate, they are supposed to become experts in their chosen field of study. This process has been described by Evans (2014) as disciplinary acculturation. Various authors (for example Danby & Lee 2012; Lin & Cranton 2005; Manathunga & Goozée 2007) point out that this process of becoming an expert is by no means easy or straightforward. Rather, developing as a scholar is a lifelong process in which moving from a novice to an expert is an essential rite of passage into academic practice (Dreyfus & Dreyfus 1986). Benmore (2014) states that for those pursuing academic careers, it involves coming to know, but also coming to be an academic. Such a process of becoming doctorate implies movement over time, progression, and transformation (Barnacle, 2005).
- Full Text: false
The Role of HOP in Emerin-Mediated Nuclear Structure
- Authors: Kituyi, Sarah Naulikha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Heat shock proteins , Nuclear structure , Nuclear membranes , Cancer Treatment , Molecular chaperones , Cytoskeleton , Cytoplasm
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59230 , vital:27485 , DOI 10.21504/10962/59230
- Description: A vital component of the integral nuclear membrane is emerin, a Lamin Emerin and Man1 (LEM) domain protein whose concentration determines the levels of partner proteins that together constitute the structure of the nuclear envelope. Deficiencies in any of these proteins causes the failure of the structure and assembly and disassembly of the nuclear envelope, which disrupts chromosome segregation and nuclear compartmentalization that are both associated with disease. Emerin also localizes in the cytoplasm where it is implicated in the structure of the cytoskeleton via interaction with tubulin and actin and thus its deficiency may equally contribute to the collapse of the cytoskeleton. The Hsp70-Hsp90 organising protein (Hop) functions as a cochaperone for entry of client proteins into the Hsp90 folding cycle. Hop is upregulated in cancer and regulates a number of cell biology processes via interactions with proteins independently of Hsp90. In a previous study using global whole cell mass spectrometry, emerin was shown to be the most significantly down regulated protein in Hop depleted cell lysates. In this current study, it was postulated that emerin interacts with Hop, and this interaction regulates the stability, and level of emerin in the nucleus which impacts on the structure of the nuclear envelope. We used HEK293T cell lines stably expressing shRNA against Hop, emerin and a non-targeting control alongside the over expression of Hop in HEK293 cells to determine the effect of Hop levels on emerin expression and vice versa via Western blotting. The effect of Hop on the localization of emerin was assessed via subcellullar fractionation and confocal microscopy, while the impact on the structure of the nucleus was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We established that the depletion of Hop using shRNA and the over expression of Hop both result in the proteasomal and lysosomal degradation of emerin. Co-immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that Hop and emerin are in a common complex, which was not dependent on the presence of Hsp90. Loss of Hop or emerin led to a deformation of nuclear structure and a statistically significant decrease in nuclear size compared to control cells and was associated with an increase in the levels of nuclear protein, lamin A-C. Loss of emerin and Hop resulted in increased long term cell survival, but only after restriction of the nucleus when the cells had migrated across a transwell membrane. Taken together, the results obtained suggest that Hop acts as a scaffold for the stabilization of emerin and that the effects of Hop depletion on the structure of the nucleus and long term survival are mediated via the depletion of emerin. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2017
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kituyi, Sarah Naulikha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Heat shock proteins , Nuclear structure , Nuclear membranes , Cancer Treatment , Molecular chaperones , Cytoskeleton , Cytoplasm
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59230 , vital:27485 , DOI 10.21504/10962/59230
- Description: A vital component of the integral nuclear membrane is emerin, a Lamin Emerin and Man1 (LEM) domain protein whose concentration determines the levels of partner proteins that together constitute the structure of the nuclear envelope. Deficiencies in any of these proteins causes the failure of the structure and assembly and disassembly of the nuclear envelope, which disrupts chromosome segregation and nuclear compartmentalization that are both associated with disease. Emerin also localizes in the cytoplasm where it is implicated in the structure of the cytoskeleton via interaction with tubulin and actin and thus its deficiency may equally contribute to the collapse of the cytoskeleton. The Hsp70-Hsp90 organising protein (Hop) functions as a cochaperone for entry of client proteins into the Hsp90 folding cycle. Hop is upregulated in cancer and regulates a number of cell biology processes via interactions with proteins independently of Hsp90. In a previous study using global whole cell mass spectrometry, emerin was shown to be the most significantly down regulated protein in Hop depleted cell lysates. In this current study, it was postulated that emerin interacts with Hop, and this interaction regulates the stability, and level of emerin in the nucleus which impacts on the structure of the nuclear envelope. We used HEK293T cell lines stably expressing shRNA against Hop, emerin and a non-targeting control alongside the over expression of Hop in HEK293 cells to determine the effect of Hop levels on emerin expression and vice versa via Western blotting. The effect of Hop on the localization of emerin was assessed via subcellullar fractionation and confocal microscopy, while the impact on the structure of the nucleus was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We established that the depletion of Hop using shRNA and the over expression of Hop both result in the proteasomal and lysosomal degradation of emerin. Co-immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that Hop and emerin are in a common complex, which was not dependent on the presence of Hsp90. Loss of Hop or emerin led to a deformation of nuclear structure and a statistically significant decrease in nuclear size compared to control cells and was associated with an increase in the levels of nuclear protein, lamin A-C. Loss of emerin and Hop resulted in increased long term cell survival, but only after restriction of the nucleus when the cells had migrated across a transwell membrane. Taken together, the results obtained suggest that Hop acts as a scaffold for the stabilization of emerin and that the effects of Hop depletion on the structure of the nucleus and long term survival are mediated via the depletion of emerin. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2017
- Full Text:
The role of protected areas in the conservation and management of fisheries in the Chobe District of Botswana
- Authors: Bakane, Modiegi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cichlids Botswana Chobe District , Protected areas Botswana Chobe District , Fishery management Botswana Chobe District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7459 , vital:21262
- Description: This study was aimed at better understanding the function of protected areas as a management strategy for the Chobe District fishery in Botswana, by first investigating the relative abundance in fish communities in and outside protected areas and secondly, by performing an assessment of the biology of commercially important large cichlid species viz threespot tilapia Oreochromis andersonii, greenhead tilapia Oreochromis macrochir and redbreast tilapia Coptodon rendalli. In this study, data and specimens were collected during seasonal surveys between September 2014 and April 2015, using the standard graded fleets of gillnets employed in other programmes in the region, together with D-nets, angling and electro-fishing. The study demonstrated that fish communities in the floodplain ecosystems in the Chobe District of Botswana were representative of the region, containing some 70 species in 14 families. This study also demonstrated that for all the species collected, the mean Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) by weight for all the species was significantly higher in protected areas (Kruskal Wallis Test; P<0.05) namely, Zibadianja Lagoon (38 ± 31 kg/net.night"1 and Savuti River/marsh 25 ± 19 kg/net.night"1) than in the fished Chobe River floodplains CPUE (6 ± 3 kg/net.night-1). Biological contributions were estimates of longevity, growth and maturity for O. andersonii, O. macrochir and C. rendalli. Age and growth were estimated using sectioned sagittal otoliths. The Von Bertalanffy growth equation from otolith derived length at age was Lt(mm) =298 (1-e-0 59(t=- 098)) for O. andersonii and Lt(mm) = 337 (1-e-0'20(t=-235)) for C. rendalli. The results indicated that protected areas enhanced fish longevity, and fish in protected areas were larger and older than those in exploited areas. Maturity estimates for the large cichlids were consistent with other research in the region and the length-at-50% maturity was estimated as 250mm Lt for O. andersonii, 225 mm Lt for O. macrochir and 210 mm Lt for C. rendalli. Management recommendations are therefore to retain gill net mesh size regulations that ensure that these fish reach maturity and can breed before being harvested and to assess the possibility of increasing the number of protected areas in the district.
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- Authors: Bakane, Modiegi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cichlids Botswana Chobe District , Protected areas Botswana Chobe District , Fishery management Botswana Chobe District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7459 , vital:21262
- Description: This study was aimed at better understanding the function of protected areas as a management strategy for the Chobe District fishery in Botswana, by first investigating the relative abundance in fish communities in and outside protected areas and secondly, by performing an assessment of the biology of commercially important large cichlid species viz threespot tilapia Oreochromis andersonii, greenhead tilapia Oreochromis macrochir and redbreast tilapia Coptodon rendalli. In this study, data and specimens were collected during seasonal surveys between September 2014 and April 2015, using the standard graded fleets of gillnets employed in other programmes in the region, together with D-nets, angling and electro-fishing. The study demonstrated that fish communities in the floodplain ecosystems in the Chobe District of Botswana were representative of the region, containing some 70 species in 14 families. This study also demonstrated that for all the species collected, the mean Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) by weight for all the species was significantly higher in protected areas (Kruskal Wallis Test; P<0.05) namely, Zibadianja Lagoon (38 ± 31 kg/net.night"1 and Savuti River/marsh 25 ± 19 kg/net.night"1) than in the fished Chobe River floodplains CPUE (6 ± 3 kg/net.night-1). Biological contributions were estimates of longevity, growth and maturity for O. andersonii, O. macrochir and C. rendalli. Age and growth were estimated using sectioned sagittal otoliths. The Von Bertalanffy growth equation from otolith derived length at age was Lt(mm) =298 (1-e-0 59(t=- 098)) for O. andersonii and Lt(mm) = 337 (1-e-0'20(t=-235)) for C. rendalli. The results indicated that protected areas enhanced fish longevity, and fish in protected areas were larger and older than those in exploited areas. Maturity estimates for the large cichlids were consistent with other research in the region and the length-at-50% maturity was estimated as 250mm Lt for O. andersonii, 225 mm Lt for O. macrochir and 210 mm Lt for C. rendalli. Management recommendations are therefore to retain gill net mesh size regulations that ensure that these fish reach maturity and can breed before being harvested and to assess the possibility of increasing the number of protected areas in the district.
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The role of psychosocial factors in academic performance of first year psychology students at a historically white university
- Authors: Dlamini, Sipho Solomon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students , Academic achievement , Undergraduates -- South Africa , Dropouts -- South Africa , College students -- South Africa , Psychology students -- South Africa , Minorities -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5150 , vital:20781
- Description: The success rate of students in higher education has been a cause for concern in South Africa (Letseka & Maile, 2008; Department of Higher Education and Training, 2015). This has been particularly concerning for first-year students, where the rate of attrition is especially high (Letseka, Cosser, Breier, and Visser, 2010). A number of factors have been identified in past research as having an effect on academic performance, which influences attrition and graduation. These factors include age (Justice, & Dornan, 2001), gender (Buchmann, & DiPrete, 2006), socio-economic status which is confounded by race (Letseka & Breier, 2008), type of educational background (Spreen, & Vally, 2006), and whether a student is a domestic or international student (Li, Chen, Duanmu, 2009), social capital (Young & Strelitz, 2014), whether the student is a first language speaker of the language of instruction at the university (Snowball, and Boughey, 2012), student wellbeing (Quinn, & Duckworth, 2007), locus of control (Findley, & Cooper, 1983), and frequency of lecture attendance (van Wallbeek, 2004). The study was conducted at Rhodes University, a small historically white South African institution. For this study, academic performance was measured using the participant’s midyear exam results for an introductory psychology cause, a course that straddles faculties. Of the 690 students registered for the course, 361 (52%) completed an electronic survey that explored the various factors associated with academic performance. A hierarchical regression analysis indicates that pre-university factors (age, gender, race, nationality, language, type of school, and socio-economic status) were the only significant predictors of academic performance, contributing 11% of the effect. Race and nationality, when all the other factors were controlled for, were the only predictors of academic performance. The implications of these findings pose troubling questions of the institutional culture at the university.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dlamini, Sipho Solomon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students , Academic achievement , Undergraduates -- South Africa , Dropouts -- South Africa , College students -- South Africa , Psychology students -- South Africa , Minorities -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5150 , vital:20781
- Description: The success rate of students in higher education has been a cause for concern in South Africa (Letseka & Maile, 2008; Department of Higher Education and Training, 2015). This has been particularly concerning for first-year students, where the rate of attrition is especially high (Letseka, Cosser, Breier, and Visser, 2010). A number of factors have been identified in past research as having an effect on academic performance, which influences attrition and graduation. These factors include age (Justice, & Dornan, 2001), gender (Buchmann, & DiPrete, 2006), socio-economic status which is confounded by race (Letseka & Breier, 2008), type of educational background (Spreen, & Vally, 2006), and whether a student is a domestic or international student (Li, Chen, Duanmu, 2009), social capital (Young & Strelitz, 2014), whether the student is a first language speaker of the language of instruction at the university (Snowball, and Boughey, 2012), student wellbeing (Quinn, & Duckworth, 2007), locus of control (Findley, & Cooper, 1983), and frequency of lecture attendance (van Wallbeek, 2004). The study was conducted at Rhodes University, a small historically white South African institution. For this study, academic performance was measured using the participant’s midyear exam results for an introductory psychology cause, a course that straddles faculties. Of the 690 students registered for the course, 361 (52%) completed an electronic survey that explored the various factors associated with academic performance. A hierarchical regression analysis indicates that pre-university factors (age, gender, race, nationality, language, type of school, and socio-economic status) were the only significant predictors of academic performance, contributing 11% of the effect. Race and nationality, when all the other factors were controlled for, were the only predictors of academic performance. The implications of these findings pose troubling questions of the institutional culture at the university.
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The role of structural bioinformatics in drug discovery via computational SNP analysis–a proposed protocol for analyzing variation at the protein level:
- Brown, David K, Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Authors: Brown, David K , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162914 , vital:40996 , doi: 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.01.009
- Description: With the completion of the human genome project at the beginning of the 21st century, the biological sciences entered an unprecedented age of data generation, and made its first steps towards an era of personalized medicine. This abundance of sequence data has led to the proliferation of numerous sequence-based techniques for associating variation with disease, such as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Candidate Gene Association Studies (CGAS). However, these statistical methods do not provide an understanding of the functional effects of variation. Structure-based drug discovery and design is increasingly incorporating structural bioinformatics techniques to model and analyze protein targets, perform large scale virtual screening to identify hit to lead compounds, and simulate molecular interactions. These techniques are fast, cost-effective, and complement existing experimental techniques such as High Throughput Sequencing (HTS).
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- Authors: Brown, David K , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162914 , vital:40996 , doi: 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.01.009
- Description: With the completion of the human genome project at the beginning of the 21st century, the biological sciences entered an unprecedented age of data generation, and made its first steps towards an era of personalized medicine. This abundance of sequence data has led to the proliferation of numerous sequence-based techniques for associating variation with disease, such as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Candidate Gene Association Studies (CGAS). However, these statistical methods do not provide an understanding of the functional effects of variation. Structure-based drug discovery and design is increasingly incorporating structural bioinformatics techniques to model and analyze protein targets, perform large scale virtual screening to identify hit to lead compounds, and simulate molecular interactions. These techniques are fast, cost-effective, and complement existing experimental techniques such as High Throughput Sequencing (HTS).
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The safety net function of NTFPs in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa
- Mugido, Worship, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180111 , vital:43311 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-017-0285-z"
- Description: Various South African studies have shown that rural households use NTFPs as safety nets in times of misfortune. However being focused on one or two sites, they do not show the prevalence of NTFP use as safety nets across multiple sites. In addition, they do not show the use of NTFPs as safety nets by rural households in different agro-ecological zones. The results of the study showed that about 79% of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most experienced shocks were illness, death, crop failure, and hunger. The households employed various coping strategies in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives, using cash savings, and using NTFPs. Households in low agro-ecological zones used NTFPs as safety nets more than households in high agro-ecological zones.
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- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180111 , vital:43311 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-017-0285-z"
- Description: Various South African studies have shown that rural households use NTFPs as safety nets in times of misfortune. However being focused on one or two sites, they do not show the prevalence of NTFP use as safety nets across multiple sites. In addition, they do not show the use of NTFPs as safety nets by rural households in different agro-ecological zones. The results of the study showed that about 79% of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most experienced shocks were illness, death, crop failure, and hunger. The households employed various coping strategies in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives, using cash savings, and using NTFPs. Households in low agro-ecological zones used NTFPs as safety nets more than households in high agro-ecological zones.
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The sedimentology and depositional model of VS5 reef at Beatrix mine and surrounding areas of the Freestate Goldfield, South Africa
- Authors: Shivambu, Steven
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4942 , vital:20745
- Description: Historically, placers of economic importance at Sibanye Gold's Beatrix No. 3 Shaft were Beatrix Reef, Aandenk Reef and Composite of the two reefs. Recently, the VS5 placer has emerged to be a significant contributor of ore tonnages mined on the Shaft as mining advances into deeper levels towards the northern portion of the mine lease area. Gold concentration in the VS5 Reef is highly variable from uneconomic, through marginal to economic gold values. A good knowledge of the sedimentological framework of the VS5 Reef was considered necessary in order to interpret the variable distribution of the gold within the VS5 placer. The aim of this study was to determine the depositional environments that played a major role during the formation of the VS5 placer by means of investigating the macroscopic sedimentological parameters of this particular reef. These sedimentological parameters were used as the basis for the subdivision of VS5 Reef into different facies recognized in the mine and surrounding areas. It was recognized that the VS5 placer was formed in a distal, braided fluvial environment by the reworking of the pre-existing Aandenk Reef by new materials containing significant amount of nondurable materials (see definition on page xii) such as shale detritus. Where there is no evidence of reworking of the older Aandenk Reef, the VS5 Reef occurs as poorly sorted, polymictic conglomerate with abundance of non-durable detritus. This is referred to as the Immature (IV) VS5 facies and occurs in the northern portion of the study area. The degree of reworking of the gravel bars by waves and current action resulted in the formation of well sorted, oligomictic conglomerates of the Beatrix facies in the southern portion of the mine. At the boundaries between the Immature VS5 and Beatrix facies occurs the Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies, characterized by reef comprising a polymictic upper portion and a basal more mature oligomictic unit. The Transitional VS5 facies extends across the current central northern mining faces of Beatrix No. 3 Shaft with a northwest-southeast trend. There is a strong correlation between the VS5 lithofacies and distribution of gold mineralization. The Immature VS5 facies is poorly mineralized, with gold values averaging 200 c.m.g/t and lower. The Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies has elevated gold values, ranging from 300 c.m.g/t to 1500 cm.g/t. Mineralization in this unit tend to be bottom loaded as well as at the base of each cyclic unit. The Beatrix facies records the highest grades averaging >1500 cmg/t. The improved understanding of the VS5 lithofacies made it possible to predict gold mineralization and aid planning to mine into viable VS5 areas.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shivambu, Steven
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4942 , vital:20745
- Description: Historically, placers of economic importance at Sibanye Gold's Beatrix No. 3 Shaft were Beatrix Reef, Aandenk Reef and Composite of the two reefs. Recently, the VS5 placer has emerged to be a significant contributor of ore tonnages mined on the Shaft as mining advances into deeper levels towards the northern portion of the mine lease area. Gold concentration in the VS5 Reef is highly variable from uneconomic, through marginal to economic gold values. A good knowledge of the sedimentological framework of the VS5 Reef was considered necessary in order to interpret the variable distribution of the gold within the VS5 placer. The aim of this study was to determine the depositional environments that played a major role during the formation of the VS5 placer by means of investigating the macroscopic sedimentological parameters of this particular reef. These sedimentological parameters were used as the basis for the subdivision of VS5 Reef into different facies recognized in the mine and surrounding areas. It was recognized that the VS5 placer was formed in a distal, braided fluvial environment by the reworking of the pre-existing Aandenk Reef by new materials containing significant amount of nondurable materials (see definition on page xii) such as shale detritus. Where there is no evidence of reworking of the older Aandenk Reef, the VS5 Reef occurs as poorly sorted, polymictic conglomerate with abundance of non-durable detritus. This is referred to as the Immature (IV) VS5 facies and occurs in the northern portion of the study area. The degree of reworking of the gravel bars by waves and current action resulted in the formation of well sorted, oligomictic conglomerates of the Beatrix facies in the southern portion of the mine. At the boundaries between the Immature VS5 and Beatrix facies occurs the Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies, characterized by reef comprising a polymictic upper portion and a basal more mature oligomictic unit. The Transitional VS5 facies extends across the current central northern mining faces of Beatrix No. 3 Shaft with a northwest-southeast trend. There is a strong correlation between the VS5 lithofacies and distribution of gold mineralization. The Immature VS5 facies is poorly mineralized, with gold values averaging 200 c.m.g/t and lower. The Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies has elevated gold values, ranging from 300 c.m.g/t to 1500 cm.g/t. Mineralization in this unit tend to be bottom loaded as well as at the base of each cyclic unit. The Beatrix facies records the highest grades averaging >1500 cmg/t. The improved understanding of the VS5 lithofacies made it possible to predict gold mineralization and aid planning to mine into viable VS5 areas.
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The socio-economic contribution of non-timber forest product trade to households in four villages in Zomba and Machinga Districts, Malawi
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
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The South African tax implications of ceasing to be resident
- Authors: Walker, Anthony Howard
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5555 , vital:20941
- Description: In the context of rapid globalisation, skilled South African employees and professionals are often attracted overseas to take up new work opportunities in foreign countries. This may cause these individuals no longer to be “ordinarily resident” in South Africa. At the same time, changes in modes of travel, information and communication channels could result in companies and trusts no longer being considered to be tax resident in South Africa, if the place of effective management for these entities is moved to a foreign country and a double taxation agreement between South Africa and that foreign country deems these entities to be exclusively resident in the foreign country. The objective of this thesis was to analyse the tax implications that could arise when a resident natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or when a Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) ceases to be a CFC. A detailed analysis of the “exit charge” in section 9H of the Income Tax Act was undertaken to understand its normal tax implications when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. This included an analysis of how a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or how a CFC ceases to be a CFC. It was found that certain normal tax principles consistently apply to when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. At the same time, certain unique normal tax implications arise for trusts and CFCs since they are impacted by the special tax rules that apply to these entities. Furthermore in the case of a trust, a judicial precedent has established that the “exit charge” remains and is taxable in the trust. For CFCs, there is uncertainty as to whether the “exit charge” could arise when a shareholder ceases to be resident, which results in residents no longer holding more than 50% of the total participation or voting rights in that foreign company.
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- Authors: Walker, Anthony Howard
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5555 , vital:20941
- Description: In the context of rapid globalisation, skilled South African employees and professionals are often attracted overseas to take up new work opportunities in foreign countries. This may cause these individuals no longer to be “ordinarily resident” in South Africa. At the same time, changes in modes of travel, information and communication channels could result in companies and trusts no longer being considered to be tax resident in South Africa, if the place of effective management for these entities is moved to a foreign country and a double taxation agreement between South Africa and that foreign country deems these entities to be exclusively resident in the foreign country. The objective of this thesis was to analyse the tax implications that could arise when a resident natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or when a Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) ceases to be a CFC. A detailed analysis of the “exit charge” in section 9H of the Income Tax Act was undertaken to understand its normal tax implications when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. This included an analysis of how a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or how a CFC ceases to be a CFC. It was found that certain normal tax principles consistently apply to when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. At the same time, certain unique normal tax implications arise for trusts and CFCs since they are impacted by the special tax rules that apply to these entities. Furthermore in the case of a trust, a judicial precedent has established that the “exit charge” remains and is taxable in the trust. For CFCs, there is uncertainty as to whether the “exit charge” could arise when a shareholder ceases to be resident, which results in residents no longer holding more than 50% of the total participation or voting rights in that foreign company.
- Full Text: