Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of novel soluble tetra [4-(thiophen-3yl)-phenoxy] phthalocyaninato zinc (II) and Ti (IV) O complexes
- Erdoğmuş, Ali, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Erdoğmuş, Ali , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263318 , vital:53617 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2009.07.015"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of zinc and oxo-titanium phthalocyanine derivatives 4-(tetra[4-(thiophen-3yl)-phenoxy]phthalocyaninato)zinc(II), (2); and 4-(tetra[4-(thiophen-3yl)-phenoxy]phthalocyaninato)oxo-titanium(IV), (3), are described for the first time. These peripherally substituted complexes (2 and 3) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and electronic spectroscopy. The compounds (2 and 3) have good solubility in organic solvents such as CHCl3, DCM, DMSO, DMF, THF and toluene and are not aggregated within a wide concentration range. General trends are described for singlet oxygen, photodegradation, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times of these complexes in DMSO, DMF and THF. Compound 2 has higher fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times than 3, however, the former has lower singlet oxygen quantum yields and photodegradation quantum yields than the latter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Erdoğmuş, Ali , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263318 , vital:53617 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2009.07.015"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of zinc and oxo-titanium phthalocyanine derivatives 4-(tetra[4-(thiophen-3yl)-phenoxy]phthalocyaninato)zinc(II), (2); and 4-(tetra[4-(thiophen-3yl)-phenoxy]phthalocyaninato)oxo-titanium(IV), (3), are described for the first time. These peripherally substituted complexes (2 and 3) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and electronic spectroscopy. The compounds (2 and 3) have good solubility in organic solvents such as CHCl3, DCM, DMSO, DMF, THF and toluene and are not aggregated within a wide concentration range. General trends are described for singlet oxygen, photodegradation, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times of these complexes in DMSO, DMF and THF. Compound 2 has higher fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times than 3, however, the former has lower singlet oxygen quantum yields and photodegradation quantum yields than the latter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
New soluble methylendioxy-phenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanine derivatives : synthesis, photophysical and photochemical studies
- Erdoğmuş, Ali, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Erdoğmuş, Ali , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6572 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004135
- Description: The syntheses of new three phthalonitriles (1, 2 and 3), together with photophysical and photochemical properties of the resulting peripherally and non-peripherally tetrakis- and octakis 3,4-(methylendioxy)-phenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are described for the first time. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectra. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have good solubility in organic solvents such as CHCl3, DCM, DMSO, DMF, THF and toluene and are mainly not aggregated (except for complex 6 in DMSO) within a wide concentration range. General trends are described for singlet oxygen, photodegradation, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times of these complexes in DMSO and toluene. Complex 4 has higher singlet oxygen quantum yields, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times than complexes 5 and 6. The effect of the solvents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are also reported.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Erdoğmuş, Ali , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6572 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004135
- Description: The syntheses of new three phthalonitriles (1, 2 and 3), together with photophysical and photochemical properties of the resulting peripherally and non-peripherally tetrakis- and octakis 3,4-(methylendioxy)-phenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are described for the first time. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectra. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have good solubility in organic solvents such as CHCl3, DCM, DMSO, DMF, THF and toluene and are mainly not aggregated (except for complex 6 in DMSO) within a wide concentration range. General trends are described for singlet oxygen, photodegradation, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times of these complexes in DMSO and toluene. Complex 4 has higher singlet oxygen quantum yields, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times than complexes 5 and 6. The effect of the solvents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are also reported.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Shame is valuable
- Authors: Euvrard, Jonathan George
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Shame Ethics Self-evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002838
- Description: In this thesis I argue that shame is valuable because it contributes to the moral life by promoting coherence. I start by developing and defending a conception of shame. On my conception, rational shame involves a negative self-assessment, in which I am both the assessor and the object of assessment, and in which the standard of assessment is my own. I then develop a notion of coherence, and apply it to the relationship between values, and the relationship between values and actions. I also tie the notion of coherence to what I call “the moral life”. I then discuss two ways in which shame can work to promote coherence. Firstly, I describe a process of critical reflective self-assessment, and show how this is a particularly effective method of promoting coherence when coupled with shame. Secondly, I discuss the connection between my emotions and my values, arguing that this connection promotes coherence, and that shame works to reinforce this connection and thereby to promote coherence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Euvrard, Jonathan George
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Shame Ethics Self-evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002838
- Description: In this thesis I argue that shame is valuable because it contributes to the moral life by promoting coherence. I start by developing and defending a conception of shame. On my conception, rational shame involves a negative self-assessment, in which I am both the assessor and the object of assessment, and in which the standard of assessment is my own. I then develop a notion of coherence, and apply it to the relationship between values, and the relationship between values and actions. I also tie the notion of coherence to what I call “the moral life”. I then discuss two ways in which shame can work to promote coherence. Firstly, I describe a process of critical reflective self-assessment, and show how this is a particularly effective method of promoting coherence when coupled with shame. Secondly, I discuss the connection between my emotions and my values, arguing that this connection promotes coherence, and that shame works to reinforce this connection and thereby to promote coherence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Evaluating the success of total productive maintenance at Faurecia interior systems
- Faber, John Cornelius Jacobus
- Authors: Faber, John Cornelius Jacobus
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Total quality management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1206 , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Total quality management -- South Africa
- Description: Manufacturing processes should operate at optimal levels in order to remain competitive in current economic environment. The optimal manufacturing performance can be achieved by overall equipment efficiency which is also a measurement for Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). The successful implementation of TPM has been evaluated at Faurecia Interior Systems. The research consisted out of a literature review into the elements and benefits of TPM. A questionnaire was sent to all operator level personnel at Faurecia Interior Systems to establish their views on the implementation level of TPM at the East London site. In conclusion, this research paper has also led to the development of recommendations which should improve TPM at the site.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Faber, John Cornelius Jacobus
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Total quality management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1206 , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Total quality management -- South Africa
- Description: Manufacturing processes should operate at optimal levels in order to remain competitive in current economic environment. The optimal manufacturing performance can be achieved by overall equipment efficiency which is also a measurement for Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). The successful implementation of TPM has been evaluated at Faurecia Interior Systems. The research consisted out of a literature review into the elements and benefits of TPM. A questionnaire was sent to all operator level personnel at Faurecia Interior Systems to establish their views on the implementation level of TPM at the East London site. In conclusion, this research paper has also led to the development of recommendations which should improve TPM at the site.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Sibling partnerships in South African small and medium-sized family businesses
- Authors: Farrington, Shelley Maeva
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Management , Family corporations -- South Africa -- Management , Families -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Small business -- Management -- South Africa , Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: vital:9289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/952 , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Management , Family corporations -- South Africa -- Management , Families -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Small business -- Management -- South Africa , Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession -- South Africa
- Description: Given the predicted increase in the number of family businesses owned and/or managed by siblings (Sibling Partnerships), as well as the lack of understanding and research attention given to such sibling teams, the purpose of this study was to contribute to the more effective functioning of such family businesses in South Africa by identifying the factors that impact on their success. With this purpose in mind, the primary objective was to identify, investigate and empirically test the possible influences of, and relationships between, various factors and the Perceived success of Sibling Partnerships. This study sets out to integrate prior findings and theories on team effectiveness and family relationships, to find support for these theories in the family business literature, and to incorporate these findings into a comprehensive model. The literature study revealed 5 main categories (context, composition, structure, processes, and people) of constructs influencing the Perceived success of sibling teams. Within these 5 main constructs, 13 underlying independent variables were identified and hypothesised to influence measures of effectiveness of sibling teams, namely the dependent variable Perceived success, and the 2 intermediate variables Financial performance and Family harmony. Of the 13 underlying independent variables, 6 were categorised as task-based and 7 as relational-based factors. In addition, hypotheses were formulated for possible relationships between the various task-based constructs (context, composition and structure) and the processes and people constructs. Each construct was clearly defined and then operationalised. Operationalisation was done by using reliable and valid items sourced from tested measuring instruments used in previous studies, as well as several self-generated items based on secondary sources. A structured questionnaire was made available to respondents identified by means of the convenience snowball sampling technique, and the data collected from 371 usable questionnaires was subjected to various statistical analyses. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and Cronbach-alpha coefficients were calculated to confirm the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument. The 6 task-based latent variables were confirmed by the exploratory factor analysis. However, all the other latent variables, as originally intended in the theoretical model, could not be confirmed. Instead, 3 dependent variables were identified, namely Financial performance, Growth performance and Satisfaction with work and family relationships, and 6 relational-based constructs, with some changes, did emerge. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was the main statistical procedure used to test the significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. Because of sample size restrictions the conceptual model could not be subjected to SEM as a whole; consequently 10 submodels were identified and subjected to further analysis. The following independent variables were identified as influencing the dependent variables in this study: • Internal context • Complementary skills • Leadership • Shared dream • Fairness • Sibling relationship • Non-family members • No other family members (spouses and non-active siblings) In addition, the factors Complementary skills, Leadership, Past parent involvement, No present parent involvement, and No other family members, were identified as significantly influencing the relationship between the siblings involved in the Sibling Partnership. Furthermore, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Multiple Linear Regression analysis and t-tests were undertaken to determine the influence of demographic variables on the dependent variables. How ownership is shared in a family business involving siblings, the shareholding between the siblings themselves, and the nature of leadership between the siblings, has been found to influence the iv dependent variables in the present study. In addition, a Sibling Partnership is likely to perform most effectively when it is composed of a relatively young sibling team that has a small age gap between the members, and business performance will improve as the siblings gain work experience together, and as the number of employees increase. This study has added to the empirical body of family business research by investigating a particularly limited segment of the literature, namely Sibling Partnerships in family businesses. By identifying and developing various models that outline the most significant factors that influence the success of such family business partnerships, this study offers recommendations and suggestions for managing family businesses involving siblings, in such a way as to enrich their family relationships and to improve the financial performance of their businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Farrington, Shelley Maeva
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Management , Family corporations -- South Africa -- Management , Families -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Small business -- Management -- South Africa , Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: vital:9289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/952 , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Management , Family corporations -- South Africa -- Management , Families -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Small business -- Management -- South Africa , Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession -- South Africa
- Description: Given the predicted increase in the number of family businesses owned and/or managed by siblings (Sibling Partnerships), as well as the lack of understanding and research attention given to such sibling teams, the purpose of this study was to contribute to the more effective functioning of such family businesses in South Africa by identifying the factors that impact on their success. With this purpose in mind, the primary objective was to identify, investigate and empirically test the possible influences of, and relationships between, various factors and the Perceived success of Sibling Partnerships. This study sets out to integrate prior findings and theories on team effectiveness and family relationships, to find support for these theories in the family business literature, and to incorporate these findings into a comprehensive model. The literature study revealed 5 main categories (context, composition, structure, processes, and people) of constructs influencing the Perceived success of sibling teams. Within these 5 main constructs, 13 underlying independent variables were identified and hypothesised to influence measures of effectiveness of sibling teams, namely the dependent variable Perceived success, and the 2 intermediate variables Financial performance and Family harmony. Of the 13 underlying independent variables, 6 were categorised as task-based and 7 as relational-based factors. In addition, hypotheses were formulated for possible relationships between the various task-based constructs (context, composition and structure) and the processes and people constructs. Each construct was clearly defined and then operationalised. Operationalisation was done by using reliable and valid items sourced from tested measuring instruments used in previous studies, as well as several self-generated items based on secondary sources. A structured questionnaire was made available to respondents identified by means of the convenience snowball sampling technique, and the data collected from 371 usable questionnaires was subjected to various statistical analyses. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and Cronbach-alpha coefficients were calculated to confirm the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument. The 6 task-based latent variables were confirmed by the exploratory factor analysis. However, all the other latent variables, as originally intended in the theoretical model, could not be confirmed. Instead, 3 dependent variables were identified, namely Financial performance, Growth performance and Satisfaction with work and family relationships, and 6 relational-based constructs, with some changes, did emerge. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was the main statistical procedure used to test the significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. Because of sample size restrictions the conceptual model could not be subjected to SEM as a whole; consequently 10 submodels were identified and subjected to further analysis. The following independent variables were identified as influencing the dependent variables in this study: • Internal context • Complementary skills • Leadership • Shared dream • Fairness • Sibling relationship • Non-family members • No other family members (spouses and non-active siblings) In addition, the factors Complementary skills, Leadership, Past parent involvement, No present parent involvement, and No other family members, were identified as significantly influencing the relationship between the siblings involved in the Sibling Partnership. Furthermore, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Multiple Linear Regression analysis and t-tests were undertaken to determine the influence of demographic variables on the dependent variables. How ownership is shared in a family business involving siblings, the shareholding between the siblings themselves, and the nature of leadership between the siblings, has been found to influence the iv dependent variables in the present study. In addition, a Sibling Partnership is likely to perform most effectively when it is composed of a relatively young sibling team that has a small age gap between the members, and business performance will improve as the siblings gain work experience together, and as the number of employees increase. This study has added to the empirical body of family business research by investigating a particularly limited segment of the literature, namely Sibling Partnerships in family businesses. By identifying and developing various models that outline the most significant factors that influence the success of such family business partnerships, this study offers recommendations and suggestions for managing family businesses involving siblings, in such a way as to enrich their family relationships and to improve the financial performance of their businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Resilience in families where a parent misuses alcohol
- Authors: Fisher, Ruth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Alcoholics -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Alcoholism -- South Africa -- Prevention , Family psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/953 , Alcoholics -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Alcoholism -- South Africa -- Prevention , Family psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Description: Surveys have shown that alcohol misuse is the biggest substance misuse problem in the world today, affecting millions of people. With the disease being part of a family, all members of the family experience the distress of parental alcohol misuse. While the challenges that these families have to face are many, they seem to have the ability to “bounce back”, in other words, have resilience. There has been limited research to date on family relations and alcohol misuse in South Africa, especially in terms of the parental member as the alcohol misuser. The proposed research aimed to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in families where a member misuses alcohol. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation was used to analyze the factors that enable a family to adapt to the alcohol misuse, as outlined in the broader study at the University of Stellenbosch. An exploratory descriptive research design was employed in the proposed study. For the purposes of this study, the researcher combined qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to use their complementary strengths to enrich the data obtained from the proposed study. Sixty three families were surveyed using a biographical questionnaire and seven pencil-and-paper questionnaires. These families were accessed via drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities throughout South Africa. The data from the biographical questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative data was analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. The findings of the proposed research allow for better management of the alcohol misuser’s condition through the understanding of what resiliency areas the family may improve upon. Furthermore, the study can be used as a stepping stone for future research of resilience in families living with a parental member who misuses alcohol, and ultimately contributes to the broader context of family resilience research in South Africa. Key words: alcohol misuse, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, family, resilience, adjustment, adaptability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fisher, Ruth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Alcoholics -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Alcoholism -- South Africa -- Prevention , Family psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/953 , Alcoholics -- South Africa -- Family relationships , Alcoholism -- South Africa -- Prevention , Family psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Description: Surveys have shown that alcohol misuse is the biggest substance misuse problem in the world today, affecting millions of people. With the disease being part of a family, all members of the family experience the distress of parental alcohol misuse. While the challenges that these families have to face are many, they seem to have the ability to “bounce back”, in other words, have resilience. There has been limited research to date on family relations and alcohol misuse in South Africa, especially in terms of the parental member as the alcohol misuser. The proposed research aimed to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in families where a member misuses alcohol. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation was used to analyze the factors that enable a family to adapt to the alcohol misuse, as outlined in the broader study at the University of Stellenbosch. An exploratory descriptive research design was employed in the proposed study. For the purposes of this study, the researcher combined qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to use their complementary strengths to enrich the data obtained from the proposed study. Sixty three families were surveyed using a biographical questionnaire and seven pencil-and-paper questionnaires. These families were accessed via drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities throughout South Africa. The data from the biographical questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative data was analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. The findings of the proposed research allow for better management of the alcohol misuser’s condition through the understanding of what resiliency areas the family may improve upon. Furthermore, the study can be used as a stepping stone for future research of resilience in families living with a parental member who misuses alcohol, and ultimately contributes to the broader context of family resilience research in South Africa. Key words: alcohol misuse, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, family, resilience, adjustment, adaptability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Conflict, contradiction and crisis: an analysis of the politics of AIDS policy in post-Apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Fletcher, Haley Kim
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Political aspects -- Africa, Southern AIDS (Disease) -- Political aspects -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002985
- Description: Despite the profound impacts of HIV and AIDS on all sectors of South African society, governmental responses to the AIDS epidemic have been inundated with contradiction, conflict and contestation. Though governmental leaders have justified not funding HIV treatment programs because they believe that poverty needs to be dealt with first, social spending has been slashed as part of an adherence to a neo-liberal economic model. Though it would seem that the government would seem to have everything to gain by establishing a cooperative relationship with non-governmental actors regarding the epidemic, the relationship between the government and non-governmental actors has instead been described as nothing short of hostile. Though the government enthusiastically backed Virodene, a supposed treatment for AIDS that turned out to be no more than an industrial solvent, other ‘scientifically backed’ AIDS treatments have been treated with caution and skepticism – to the point where the government even refused to provide funding for programs to prevent mother to child transmission of the virus. And perhaps the most perplexing is that although widely respected for his intellect and cool demeanor, former President Mbeki chose to risk his political career on the AIDS issue by shunning away from the mainstream consensus on the biomedical causes of the epidemic and instead surrounded himself and sought advice from AIDS ‘dissidents’ This thesis will seek explanations for these apparent contradictions. Using Bourdieu’s (1986) typology of capitals, it will build on an argument put forward by Helen Schneider (2002): from the South African government’s perspective, the contestation regarding HIV and AIDS policy and implementation is over symbolic capital, or the right to legitimately hold and exercise political power regarding the epidemic. Though this argument helps explain the conflictual relationship between the government and non-governmental actors regarding the AIDS crisis, in order to understand the perplexing contradictions within the governmental policy response, the political context of policy formation must first be taken into consideration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fletcher, Haley Kim
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Political aspects -- Africa, Southern AIDS (Disease) -- Political aspects -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002985
- Description: Despite the profound impacts of HIV and AIDS on all sectors of South African society, governmental responses to the AIDS epidemic have been inundated with contradiction, conflict and contestation. Though governmental leaders have justified not funding HIV treatment programs because they believe that poverty needs to be dealt with first, social spending has been slashed as part of an adherence to a neo-liberal economic model. Though it would seem that the government would seem to have everything to gain by establishing a cooperative relationship with non-governmental actors regarding the epidemic, the relationship between the government and non-governmental actors has instead been described as nothing short of hostile. Though the government enthusiastically backed Virodene, a supposed treatment for AIDS that turned out to be no more than an industrial solvent, other ‘scientifically backed’ AIDS treatments have been treated with caution and skepticism – to the point where the government even refused to provide funding for programs to prevent mother to child transmission of the virus. And perhaps the most perplexing is that although widely respected for his intellect and cool demeanor, former President Mbeki chose to risk his political career on the AIDS issue by shunning away from the mainstream consensus on the biomedical causes of the epidemic and instead surrounded himself and sought advice from AIDS ‘dissidents’ This thesis will seek explanations for these apparent contradictions. Using Bourdieu’s (1986) typology of capitals, it will build on an argument put forward by Helen Schneider (2002): from the South African government’s perspective, the contestation regarding HIV and AIDS policy and implementation is over symbolic capital, or the right to legitimately hold and exercise political power regarding the epidemic. Though this argument helps explain the conflictual relationship between the government and non-governmental actors regarding the AIDS crisis, in order to understand the perplexing contradictions within the governmental policy response, the political context of policy formation must first be taken into consideration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A grid based approach for the control and recall of the properties of IEEE 1394 audio devices
- Authors: Foulkes, Philip James
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: IEEE 1394 (Standard) , Computer sound processing , Digital communications , Local area networks (Computer networks) , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Computational grids (Computer systems)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4594 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004836 , IEEE 1394 (Standard) , Computer sound processing , Digital communications , Local area networks (Computer networks) , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Computational grids (Computer systems)
- Description: The control of modern audio studios is complex. Audio mixing desks have grown to the point where they contain thousands of parameters. The control surfaces of these devices do not reflect the routing and signal processing capabilities that the devices are capable of. Software audio mixing desk editors have been developed that allow for the remote control of these devices, but their graphical user interfaces retain the complexities of the audio mixing desk that they represent. In this thesis, we propose a grid approach to audio mixing. The developed grid audio mixing desk editor represents an audio mixing desk as a series of graphical routing matrices. These routing matrices expose the various signal processing points and signal flows that exist within an audio mixing desk. The routing matrices allow for audio signals to be routed within the device, and allow for the device’s parameters to be adjusted by selecting the appropriate signal processing points. With the use of the programming interfaces that are defined as part of the Studio Connections – Total Recall SDK, the audio mixing desk editor was integrated with compatible DAW applications to provide persistence of audio mixing desk parameter states. Many audio studios currently use digital networks to connect audio devices together. Audio and control signals are patched between devices through the use of software patchbays that run on computers. We propose a double grid-based FireWire patchbay aimed to simplify the patching of signals between audio devices on a FireWire network. The FireWire patchbay was implemented in such a way such that it can host software device editors that are Studio Connections compatible. This has allowed software device editors to be associated with the devices that are represented on the FireWire patchbay, thus allowing for studio wide control from a single application. The double grid-based patchbay was implemented such that it can be hosted by compatible DAW applications. Through this, the double grid-based patchbay application is able to provide the DAW application with the state of the parameters of the devices in a studio, as well as the connections between them. The DAW application may save this state data to its native song files. This state data may be passed back to the double grid-based patchbay when the song file is reloaded at a later stage. This state data may then be used by the patchbay to restore the parameters of the patchbay and its device editors to a previous state. This restored state may then be transferred to the hardware devices being represented by the patchbay.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Foulkes, Philip James
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: IEEE 1394 (Standard) , Computer sound processing , Digital communications , Local area networks (Computer networks) , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Computational grids (Computer systems)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4594 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004836 , IEEE 1394 (Standard) , Computer sound processing , Digital communications , Local area networks (Computer networks) , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Computational grids (Computer systems)
- Description: The control of modern audio studios is complex. Audio mixing desks have grown to the point where they contain thousands of parameters. The control surfaces of these devices do not reflect the routing and signal processing capabilities that the devices are capable of. Software audio mixing desk editors have been developed that allow for the remote control of these devices, but their graphical user interfaces retain the complexities of the audio mixing desk that they represent. In this thesis, we propose a grid approach to audio mixing. The developed grid audio mixing desk editor represents an audio mixing desk as a series of graphical routing matrices. These routing matrices expose the various signal processing points and signal flows that exist within an audio mixing desk. The routing matrices allow for audio signals to be routed within the device, and allow for the device’s parameters to be adjusted by selecting the appropriate signal processing points. With the use of the programming interfaces that are defined as part of the Studio Connections – Total Recall SDK, the audio mixing desk editor was integrated with compatible DAW applications to provide persistence of audio mixing desk parameter states. Many audio studios currently use digital networks to connect audio devices together. Audio and control signals are patched between devices through the use of software patchbays that run on computers. We propose a double grid-based FireWire patchbay aimed to simplify the patching of signals between audio devices on a FireWire network. The FireWire patchbay was implemented in such a way such that it can host software device editors that are Studio Connections compatible. This has allowed software device editors to be associated with the devices that are represented on the FireWire patchbay, thus allowing for studio wide control from a single application. The double grid-based patchbay was implemented such that it can be hosted by compatible DAW applications. Through this, the double grid-based patchbay application is able to provide the DAW application with the state of the parameters of the devices in a studio, as well as the connections between them. The DAW application may save this state data to its native song files. This state data may be passed back to the double grid-based patchbay when the song file is reloaded at a later stage. This state data may then be used by the patchbay to restore the parameters of the patchbay and its device editors to a previous state. This restored state may then be transferred to the hardware devices being represented by the patchbay.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An examination of an incentive system to maximize performance in an automobile manufacturing environment
- Authors: Fourie, Dawie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Daimlerchrysler -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Incentives in industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Performance Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Achievement motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003866
- Description: This investigation was undertaken to explore an incentive system to maximize performance in an automotive manufacturing environment. The unit under study was a motor manufacturing company in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The approach to this investigation was to start with a quantitative analysis to identify if there was a relationship between the incentive reward and employee satisfaction. This was to be done by correlation analysis between the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and the performance related incentive reward (PBR) of the abovementioned company. The data was then used to develop an interview guide, which was used in a focus group study, to evaluate the current incentive system as a motivator of performance. The analysis of the qualitative interview data was to be done through the use of thematic analysis. Using a percentage based estimation per production line, 150 workers were selected from the 2100 shop floor workers. The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) questionnaires were used to measure the satisfaction index of the workers. The performance data was gathered from the company's incentive statistics over the past year, 2004. All other related data was obtained though thematic analysis by the researcher, who was interested to get the insiders' view. From the emic perspective, more data could be obtained by the researcher by probing with follow-up questions. After both the quantitative and qualitative procedures were completed, the results of the study were found to be much the same as those described in the reviewed literature. The quantitative analysis did not prove a significant correlation between incentive reward and satisfaction; and employees were most satisfied with work, supervision and co-workers and less satisfied with pay and promotion. The qualitative procedure (thematic analysis) highlighted that the current reward system was not motivating performance, but rather demoralised employees, as it was used as a punitive measure to encourage work attendance. The current system also confirmed the error made by many organisations, where the organization purely concentrates on motivating employees with extrinsic rewards and little thought is given to intrinsic recognition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fourie, Dawie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Daimlerchrysler -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Incentives in industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Performance Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Achievement motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003866
- Description: This investigation was undertaken to explore an incentive system to maximize performance in an automotive manufacturing environment. The unit under study was a motor manufacturing company in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The approach to this investigation was to start with a quantitative analysis to identify if there was a relationship between the incentive reward and employee satisfaction. This was to be done by correlation analysis between the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and the performance related incentive reward (PBR) of the abovementioned company. The data was then used to develop an interview guide, which was used in a focus group study, to evaluate the current incentive system as a motivator of performance. The analysis of the qualitative interview data was to be done through the use of thematic analysis. Using a percentage based estimation per production line, 150 workers were selected from the 2100 shop floor workers. The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) questionnaires were used to measure the satisfaction index of the workers. The performance data was gathered from the company's incentive statistics over the past year, 2004. All other related data was obtained though thematic analysis by the researcher, who was interested to get the insiders' view. From the emic perspective, more data could be obtained by the researcher by probing with follow-up questions. After both the quantitative and qualitative procedures were completed, the results of the study were found to be much the same as those described in the reviewed literature. The quantitative analysis did not prove a significant correlation between incentive reward and satisfaction; and employees were most satisfied with work, supervision and co-workers and less satisfied with pay and promotion. The qualitative procedure (thematic analysis) highlighted that the current reward system was not motivating performance, but rather demoralised employees, as it was used as a punitive measure to encourage work attendance. The current system also confirmed the error made by many organisations, where the organization purely concentrates on motivating employees with extrinsic rewards and little thought is given to intrinsic recognition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The representation of materialist consumerism in film
- Authors: Fourie, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/954 , Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Description: People are constantly bombarded with the latest technology, the latest fashion, the latest ‘must have’ item. We are encouraged to buy things that promise to change our lives and give us satisfaction or even create happiness. Interestingly we often succumb to the temptation of these material things, which is not always a negative reaction; however it does become negative when our lives are controlled by material possessions and we give up certain aspects of who we are to enable us to obtain these possessions. Further more it becomes problematic when we start to rely on material possessions to define us in terms of our identity or to help us fit into particular groups within society. With the media playing such a large role in societies at present it is almost inevitable that the phenomenon of materialist consumerism will make its way into the media. The media however holds control, to an extent, over whether or not materialist consumerism is viewed in a negative or affirmative light. An analysis of the representation of materialist consumerism in selected instances of mainstream cinema will be the aim of my proposed study. The study will look at the representation of materialist consumerism in so far as it offers viewers a place to ‘fit’ into a particular group within society. The group I am referring to can be categorised as the upper-middle class of contemporary western society. I have thus selected films that represent this group specifically. For the purpose of the treatise ‘materialist consumerism’ is understood as a way of life, or alternatively, an ideology, which assumes that the accumulation of material wealth through consumption imparts meaning to human lives. The treatise will analyse both sides of the coin, or in other words films that support or promote materialist consumerism and those that either revolt against or criticise this form of consumerism. The study will explore different aspects of consumerism in so far as these are represented in the films, with an identifiable axiological bias.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fourie, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/954 , Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Description: People are constantly bombarded with the latest technology, the latest fashion, the latest ‘must have’ item. We are encouraged to buy things that promise to change our lives and give us satisfaction or even create happiness. Interestingly we often succumb to the temptation of these material things, which is not always a negative reaction; however it does become negative when our lives are controlled by material possessions and we give up certain aspects of who we are to enable us to obtain these possessions. Further more it becomes problematic when we start to rely on material possessions to define us in terms of our identity or to help us fit into particular groups within society. With the media playing such a large role in societies at present it is almost inevitable that the phenomenon of materialist consumerism will make its way into the media. The media however holds control, to an extent, over whether or not materialist consumerism is viewed in a negative or affirmative light. An analysis of the representation of materialist consumerism in selected instances of mainstream cinema will be the aim of my proposed study. The study will look at the representation of materialist consumerism in so far as it offers viewers a place to ‘fit’ into a particular group within society. The group I am referring to can be categorised as the upper-middle class of contemporary western society. I have thus selected films that represent this group specifically. For the purpose of the treatise ‘materialist consumerism’ is understood as a way of life, or alternatively, an ideology, which assumes that the accumulation of material wealth through consumption imparts meaning to human lives. The treatise will analyse both sides of the coin, or in other words films that support or promote materialist consumerism and those that either revolt against or criticise this form of consumerism. The study will explore different aspects of consumerism in so far as these are represented in the films, with an identifiable axiological bias.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Overcoming marginalisation? Open Access research repositories at a South African and a Swedish University
- Fox, Roddy C, Wihlborg, E, Lawrence, D
- Authors: Fox, Roddy C , Wihlborg, E , Lawrence, D
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6667 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006680
- Description: Open Access Research Repositories have developed very rapidly since c2000 as a global phenomenon in their number, their location, the number and type of resources available in them. The creation of institutional repositories has been affected by different motives. They can serve as collections of a University's research output with the intention of making it 'freely' available. We ask here, just what patterns of access can be analysed, what trends do we see when examining our two institutions? Alternatively they can be seen as ways to raise the research profile of individuals and institutions and citation records. We do not see Open Access Research as being a neutral, value free technological innovation with clear outcomes. Our perspective draws from the fields of socio-technical and complex adaptive systems and so we anticipate that although the future impacts of Open Access research can be discerned they cannot be mechanistically predicted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fox, Roddy C , Wihlborg, E , Lawrence, D
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6667 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006680
- Description: Open Access Research Repositories have developed very rapidly since c2000 as a global phenomenon in their number, their location, the number and type of resources available in them. The creation of institutional repositories has been affected by different motives. They can serve as collections of a University's research output with the intention of making it 'freely' available. We ask here, just what patterns of access can be analysed, what trends do we see when examining our two institutions? Alternatively they can be seen as ways to raise the research profile of individuals and institutions and citation records. We do not see Open Access Research as being a neutral, value free technological innovation with clear outcomes. Our perspective draws from the fields of socio-technical and complex adaptive systems and so we anticipate that although the future impacts of Open Access research can be discerned they cannot be mechanistically predicted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Learning about sustainability through experiencing complex, adverse conditions typical of the South : reflections from the African Catchment Games played in Finland 2008
- Fraenkel, Linda A, Fox, Roddy C
- Authors: Fraenkel, Linda A , Fox, Roddy C
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6666 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006678
- Description: The African Catchment Game is an innovative role playing game which was played twice in Finland in 2008 as part of the CIMO funded collaboration between Finland Futures Research Centre and Rhodes University. It simulates a "real imaginary country" and enables participants to explore and experience how southern countries may or may not develop scenarios of sustainable resource extraction and consumption. New processes modelling climatic variability, water management and consumption were introduced for these two game runs. This imaginary country has roles for an urban/industrial sector, the informal sector, trading intermediaries, overseas trade, a government comprised of a president and two ministers, peasant and commercial farmers. Chapman's original game, Green Revolution Game/Exaction, is based on systems and complexity theories from the 1970s and 1980s. Our modifications to Chapman’s game are underpinned by theories of Complex Adaptive Systems and educational approaches based on constructivist, active/experiential learning models. The paper presents an analysis of the two Finnish games from the perspectives of the participants and the game managers. Participants’ information came from pre and post game questionnaires and the focus group discussions that were part of the debriefing pro-cess. These two methods enabled us to examine the local and network processes which de-veloped during the games. Global scale processes of production, consumption, resource utilization, trading and water provision was collected by the game managers as part of their management processes throughout each game run. Our analysis shows that the par-ticipants’ understanding altered and deepened as a result of playing the game. The nature of the game, as a Complex Adaptive System, and the constructivist learning approach through which the game is experienced means that lessons of a more universal nature cannot be extrapolated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fraenkel, Linda A , Fox, Roddy C
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6666 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006678
- Description: The African Catchment Game is an innovative role playing game which was played twice in Finland in 2008 as part of the CIMO funded collaboration between Finland Futures Research Centre and Rhodes University. It simulates a "real imaginary country" and enables participants to explore and experience how southern countries may or may not develop scenarios of sustainable resource extraction and consumption. New processes modelling climatic variability, water management and consumption were introduced for these two game runs. This imaginary country has roles for an urban/industrial sector, the informal sector, trading intermediaries, overseas trade, a government comprised of a president and two ministers, peasant and commercial farmers. Chapman's original game, Green Revolution Game/Exaction, is based on systems and complexity theories from the 1970s and 1980s. Our modifications to Chapman’s game are underpinned by theories of Complex Adaptive Systems and educational approaches based on constructivist, active/experiential learning models. The paper presents an analysis of the two Finnish games from the perspectives of the participants and the game managers. Participants’ information came from pre and post game questionnaires and the focus group discussions that were part of the debriefing pro-cess. These two methods enabled us to examine the local and network processes which de-veloped during the games. Global scale processes of production, consumption, resource utilization, trading and water provision was collected by the game managers as part of their management processes throughout each game run. Our analysis shows that the par-ticipants’ understanding altered and deepened as a result of playing the game. The nature of the game, as a Complex Adaptive System, and the constructivist learning approach through which the game is experienced means that lessons of a more universal nature cannot be extrapolated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation into the antimicrobial and anticancer activities of Geranium incanum, Artemisia afra and Artemisia absinthium
- Authors: Freidberg, Ryno
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Cancer -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1045 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Cancer -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents
- Description: It has been estimated that between 3000 and 4000 plant species are used for their medicinal properties throughout South Africa, with approximately 27 million South Africans making use of traditional medicines. Of this 27 million, 3 million South Africans rely on traditional medicine as their primary source of health care. Of the 250 000 to 500 000 known plant species, very few have been investigated for their pharmacological qualities, and compounds of significant medicinal value may still remain undiscovered in many plant species. The aims of this study included investigating the antimicrobial properties of Geranium incanum and Artemisia afra, both plants traditionally used for their medicinal properties, and comparing the antimicrobial activity of the latter to that of Artemisia absinthium, as well as investigating the anticancer properties of G. incanum and A. afra, and comparing the anticancer activity of the latter to that of A. absinthium. Infusions, aqueous-, methanol- and acetone extracts of the three plants were prepared and used for anticancer and antimicrobial screening. Plant specimens used to prepare extracts for antimicrobial activity were collected and extracted over three seasons, while extracts used for anticancer screening were prepared from plants collected during the summer only. Considerable variation existed in the percentage crude extract yields obtained when different extractants were used, while the season in which the plants were harvested and extracted also appeared to play a significant role in the amount of extract obtained. The plant extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against various strains of Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, using an agar dilution method. G. incanum and A. afra possessed activity for C. albicans, while all three plants showed activity for S. aureus and B. cereus. Activity was largely dependent on the extraction method used. iii The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to screen for anticancer activity of the respective extracts, at varying concentrations, against MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cells, HT-29 (human colonic adenocarcinoma) cells and HeLa (human cervical cancer) cells. All of the extracts showed cytotoxic activity in all three cell lines to varying extents, depending on the extract used and cell line screened. The acetone extract of A. afra proved to be the most effective inhibitor with the lowest IC50 (2.65 ± 1.05 μg/ml) having been shown in MCF-7 cells. A. afra and A. absinthium showed similar inhibitory patterns, with the methanol- and acetone extracts having been the most potent inhibitors of each of the respective cell lines in general. Fluorescence microscopy employing 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) and propidium iodide (PI) staining indicated that the acetone extract of A. afra induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as apposed to necrosis, and the results were comparable to those obtained for cells exposed to cisplatin. Screening of the A. afra acetone extract for toxicity in normal human cells using the CellTiter-Blue® assay indicated the extract to be toxic to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC’s) at concentrations comparable to that for MCF-7 cells, while cell cycle analysis of MCF-7 cells exposed to the A. afra acetone extract indicated the extract’s ability to induce apoptosis comparable to that of cisplatin, with the extract exerting its activity at a point during or just prior to the S phase of the cell cycle.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Freidberg, Ryno
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Cancer -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1045 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Cancer -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents
- Description: It has been estimated that between 3000 and 4000 plant species are used for their medicinal properties throughout South Africa, with approximately 27 million South Africans making use of traditional medicines. Of this 27 million, 3 million South Africans rely on traditional medicine as their primary source of health care. Of the 250 000 to 500 000 known plant species, very few have been investigated for their pharmacological qualities, and compounds of significant medicinal value may still remain undiscovered in many plant species. The aims of this study included investigating the antimicrobial properties of Geranium incanum and Artemisia afra, both plants traditionally used for their medicinal properties, and comparing the antimicrobial activity of the latter to that of Artemisia absinthium, as well as investigating the anticancer properties of G. incanum and A. afra, and comparing the anticancer activity of the latter to that of A. absinthium. Infusions, aqueous-, methanol- and acetone extracts of the three plants were prepared and used for anticancer and antimicrobial screening. Plant specimens used to prepare extracts for antimicrobial activity were collected and extracted over three seasons, while extracts used for anticancer screening were prepared from plants collected during the summer only. Considerable variation existed in the percentage crude extract yields obtained when different extractants were used, while the season in which the plants were harvested and extracted also appeared to play a significant role in the amount of extract obtained. The plant extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against various strains of Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, using an agar dilution method. G. incanum and A. afra possessed activity for C. albicans, while all three plants showed activity for S. aureus and B. cereus. Activity was largely dependent on the extraction method used. iii The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to screen for anticancer activity of the respective extracts, at varying concentrations, against MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cells, HT-29 (human colonic adenocarcinoma) cells and HeLa (human cervical cancer) cells. All of the extracts showed cytotoxic activity in all three cell lines to varying extents, depending on the extract used and cell line screened. The acetone extract of A. afra proved to be the most effective inhibitor with the lowest IC50 (2.65 ± 1.05 μg/ml) having been shown in MCF-7 cells. A. afra and A. absinthium showed similar inhibitory patterns, with the methanol- and acetone extracts having been the most potent inhibitors of each of the respective cell lines in general. Fluorescence microscopy employing 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) and propidium iodide (PI) staining indicated that the acetone extract of A. afra induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as apposed to necrosis, and the results were comparable to those obtained for cells exposed to cisplatin. Screening of the A. afra acetone extract for toxicity in normal human cells using the CellTiter-Blue® assay indicated the extract to be toxic to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC’s) at concentrations comparable to that for MCF-7 cells, while cell cycle analysis of MCF-7 cells exposed to the A. afra acetone extract indicated the extract’s ability to induce apoptosis comparable to that of cisplatin, with the extract exerting its activity at a point during or just prior to the S phase of the cell cycle.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Polymers, catalysts and nanostructures a hybrid approach to biomolecule detection
- Authors: Frith, Kelly-Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Polymers , Nanostructured materials , Biomolecules , Tryptophan , Melatonin , Electrodes , Electrochemistry , Tryptophan oxygenase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004039 , Polymers , Nanostructured materials , Biomolecules , Tryptophan , Melatonin , Electrodes , Electrochemistry , Tryptophan oxygenase
- Description: The main goals in electroanalytical sensing are towards improved sensitivity and selectivity, or specificity, of an analyte. There are several approaches to achieving these goals with the main approach being modification of an electrode surface with synthetic or natural catalysts (enzymes), polymers and also utilisation of nanostructured materials. At present, there is a strong movement towards hybrid sensing which couple different properties of two or more surface modification approaches. In this thesis, a range of these surface modifications were explored for analysis and detection of two main analytes: the amino acid, tryptophan (Trp); and, the neurotransmitter, dopamine (DA). Specifically, this thesis aimed to utilise these methods to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity for Trp over an interferent, the indoleamine, melatonin (Mel); and, DA over the vitamin, ascorbic acid (AA). For Trp detection, immobilisation of an enzyme, Tryptophanase (Trpase) resulted in poor selectivity for the analyte. However, enhanced sensitivity and selectivity was achieved through pH manipulation of the electrolyte medium at a Nafion®-modified electrode surface for both Trp and Mel. At pH 3.0, the Mel and Trp anodic peak potentials were sufficiently resolved allowing for an LOD of 1.60 and 1.62 nM,respectively, and permitting the accurate analysis of Trp in a dietary supplement containing Mel. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) suspended in Nafion® exhibited further increases in the signal responses of these analytes at pH 3.0 and 7.4 with minimal change in the resolution of the anodic peaks. A lower sensitivity was, therefore, observed at the Nafion® and MWCNT modified electrode compared to the Nafion®-modified electrode at pH 3.0 with LODs of 0.59 and 0.80 nM exhibited for Trp and Mel, respectively. Enhanced selectivity for Trp in the presence of Mel can be achieved with MWCNTs in the presence of metallotetrasulphonated phthalocyanines (MTSPcs) particularly at pH 3.0, owing to cation exchange effects. However, the lack of sensitivity towards Trp, and even Mel, at this CoTSPc and MWCNT modified electrode remains a drawback. For DA, detection at the MWCNT and Nafion® surface resulted in improved sensitivity over that of both the bare electrode (613.0 nM) and the Nafion® modified electrode (1045.1 nM) with a calculated LOD of 133.9 nM at this layer. Furthermore, improvements in the selectivity of DA were achieved at the Nafion® and MWCNT modified electrode as exclusion of AA (150 μM) was achieved. At the MWCNT and CoTSPc surface, AA was excluded up to 130 μM with sensitivity for DA extending as low as 14.3 nM, far greater than observed for Trp and Mel. These concentrations are well within physiological concentration ranges and represent the most significant solution yet in terms of AA exclusion and enhanced sensitivity for DA. An examination of the surface layering by impedance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy indicates that the success of the hybrid sensor utilising CoTSPc and MWCNTs lay in improved dispersion of MWCNTs and improved electron transfer kinetics, facilitated by the net charge of the materials present. This thesis, thus, showed the utility of a judicious selection of synthetic and biological catalysts, polymers and carbon nanomaterials towards a hybrid approach to the electrochemical sensing of Trp, Mel, DA and AA with focus on sensitivity and selectivity of these analytes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Frith, Kelly-Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Polymers , Nanostructured materials , Biomolecules , Tryptophan , Melatonin , Electrodes , Electrochemistry , Tryptophan oxygenase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004039 , Polymers , Nanostructured materials , Biomolecules , Tryptophan , Melatonin , Electrodes , Electrochemistry , Tryptophan oxygenase
- Description: The main goals in electroanalytical sensing are towards improved sensitivity and selectivity, or specificity, of an analyte. There are several approaches to achieving these goals with the main approach being modification of an electrode surface with synthetic or natural catalysts (enzymes), polymers and also utilisation of nanostructured materials. At present, there is a strong movement towards hybrid sensing which couple different properties of two or more surface modification approaches. In this thesis, a range of these surface modifications were explored for analysis and detection of two main analytes: the amino acid, tryptophan (Trp); and, the neurotransmitter, dopamine (DA). Specifically, this thesis aimed to utilise these methods to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity for Trp over an interferent, the indoleamine, melatonin (Mel); and, DA over the vitamin, ascorbic acid (AA). For Trp detection, immobilisation of an enzyme, Tryptophanase (Trpase) resulted in poor selectivity for the analyte. However, enhanced sensitivity and selectivity was achieved through pH manipulation of the electrolyte medium at a Nafion®-modified electrode surface for both Trp and Mel. At pH 3.0, the Mel and Trp anodic peak potentials were sufficiently resolved allowing for an LOD of 1.60 and 1.62 nM,respectively, and permitting the accurate analysis of Trp in a dietary supplement containing Mel. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) suspended in Nafion® exhibited further increases in the signal responses of these analytes at pH 3.0 and 7.4 with minimal change in the resolution of the anodic peaks. A lower sensitivity was, therefore, observed at the Nafion® and MWCNT modified electrode compared to the Nafion®-modified electrode at pH 3.0 with LODs of 0.59 and 0.80 nM exhibited for Trp and Mel, respectively. Enhanced selectivity for Trp in the presence of Mel can be achieved with MWCNTs in the presence of metallotetrasulphonated phthalocyanines (MTSPcs) particularly at pH 3.0, owing to cation exchange effects. However, the lack of sensitivity towards Trp, and even Mel, at this CoTSPc and MWCNT modified electrode remains a drawback. For DA, detection at the MWCNT and Nafion® surface resulted in improved sensitivity over that of both the bare electrode (613.0 nM) and the Nafion® modified electrode (1045.1 nM) with a calculated LOD of 133.9 nM at this layer. Furthermore, improvements in the selectivity of DA were achieved at the Nafion® and MWCNT modified electrode as exclusion of AA (150 μM) was achieved. At the MWCNT and CoTSPc surface, AA was excluded up to 130 μM with sensitivity for DA extending as low as 14.3 nM, far greater than observed for Trp and Mel. These concentrations are well within physiological concentration ranges and represent the most significant solution yet in terms of AA exclusion and enhanced sensitivity for DA. An examination of the surface layering by impedance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy indicates that the success of the hybrid sensor utilising CoTSPc and MWCNTs lay in improved dispersion of MWCNTs and improved electron transfer kinetics, facilitated by the net charge of the materials present. This thesis, thus, showed the utility of a judicious selection of synthetic and biological catalysts, polymers and carbon nanomaterials towards a hybrid approach to the electrochemical sensing of Trp, Mel, DA and AA with focus on sensitivity and selectivity of these analytes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The impact of service quality perceptions on the service delivery of a financial aid office at a metropolitan university
- Authors: Gallant, Brian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/955 , Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Greater access to education for many South Africans is inextricably linked to the development of the country and its collective ability to deal with the many socio– economic challenges it presently faces. The availability of financial aid at Higher Education Institutions to support financially needy and academically deserving students as part of a comprehensive programme to address the need for skills development, socio–economic backlogs and imbalances that exist in the country is supported by various Government Departments, private donors and Higher Education Institutions. Financial Aid Offices responsible for the distribution of both public and private donor funding, face various challenges at South African universities in their endeavours to render quality service and prompt service delivery to their clients, the students who are the recipients of this funding. The present study attempts to identify the most important service quality dimensions relevant to effective and efficient service delivery in the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Furthermore, this study aims to assess the performance of the Financial Aid Office to provide possible recommendations with a view to improving service delivery at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to measure financial aid students’ perceptions of service quality with a Financial Aid Office at a Higher Education Institution and estimate the effect these perceptions have on service delivery. All bursary and loan awardees from 2008, that is, only students who were successful in their financial aid applications for 2008, were invited to collect and complete a questionnaire at the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. v The measuring instrument used was a self-administered, structured questionnaire divided into two sections. Section A measured service quality perceptions of the Financial Aid Office of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Section B measured personal data of the respondents. A total of 500 questionnaires was distributed of which 228 were returned, yielding a final sample of 204 that could be statistically analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the empirical results. Overall, the results show that respondents were, by and large, satisfied with the service rendered by the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Thus, perceptions of the five service quality dimensions measured in this study were favourable, implying that respondents did not have any major problems with the present service offering of the Financial Aid Office. It is important to note that while these results indicate favourable perceptions of service quality of the Financial Aid office at one point in time, they will not necessarily be permanent. The Financial Aid Office must therefore ensure that it continues to build on this valuable strength. Specifically, the Financial Aid Office should continue delivering this level of quality of service and concentrate on improving the service quality of the items in the questionnaire with the lowest mean scores. Service quality is an important construct and needs to be assessed in Financial Aid Offices to ensure the desired outcome of producing more graduates, especially from financially needy and academically deserving backgrounds. Students, as customers, deserve the best service, as they would expect from any other service provider such as a bank or a supermarket. The strengths of this Financial Aid Office can serve to assist other universities in providing a positive student experience through the delivery of a quality service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gallant, Brian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/955 , Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Greater access to education for many South Africans is inextricably linked to the development of the country and its collective ability to deal with the many socio– economic challenges it presently faces. The availability of financial aid at Higher Education Institutions to support financially needy and academically deserving students as part of a comprehensive programme to address the need for skills development, socio–economic backlogs and imbalances that exist in the country is supported by various Government Departments, private donors and Higher Education Institutions. Financial Aid Offices responsible for the distribution of both public and private donor funding, face various challenges at South African universities in their endeavours to render quality service and prompt service delivery to their clients, the students who are the recipients of this funding. The present study attempts to identify the most important service quality dimensions relevant to effective and efficient service delivery in the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Furthermore, this study aims to assess the performance of the Financial Aid Office to provide possible recommendations with a view to improving service delivery at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to measure financial aid students’ perceptions of service quality with a Financial Aid Office at a Higher Education Institution and estimate the effect these perceptions have on service delivery. All bursary and loan awardees from 2008, that is, only students who were successful in their financial aid applications for 2008, were invited to collect and complete a questionnaire at the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. v The measuring instrument used was a self-administered, structured questionnaire divided into two sections. Section A measured service quality perceptions of the Financial Aid Office of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Section B measured personal data of the respondents. A total of 500 questionnaires was distributed of which 228 were returned, yielding a final sample of 204 that could be statistically analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the empirical results. Overall, the results show that respondents were, by and large, satisfied with the service rendered by the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Thus, perceptions of the five service quality dimensions measured in this study were favourable, implying that respondents did not have any major problems with the present service offering of the Financial Aid Office. It is important to note that while these results indicate favourable perceptions of service quality of the Financial Aid office at one point in time, they will not necessarily be permanent. The Financial Aid Office must therefore ensure that it continues to build on this valuable strength. Specifically, the Financial Aid Office should continue delivering this level of quality of service and concentrate on improving the service quality of the items in the questionnaire with the lowest mean scores. Service quality is an important construct and needs to be assessed in Financial Aid Offices to ensure the desired outcome of producing more graduates, especially from financially needy and academically deserving backgrounds. Students, as customers, deserve the best service, as they would expect from any other service provider such as a bank or a supermarket. The strengths of this Financial Aid Office can serve to assist other universities in providing a positive student experience through the delivery of a quality service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
In vitro effects of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids on insulin resistance and secretion
- Authors: Gallant, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cannabinoids , Cannabis , Insulin resistance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10324 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1076 , Cannabinoids , Cannabis , Insulin resistance
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus results from a combination of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids on insulin resistant cell lines, viz skeletal muscle (C2C12) and fat (3T3-L1), and to investigate the effects of these cannabinoids on insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells (INS 1). Insulin resistance was induced in the cells using 20 ng/mL TNF-α (3T3-L1) and 100 nM insulin (C2C12). Insulin resistant cells were exposed to cannabinoids for 48 hours after which glucose uptake, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis was performed. Additionally, adipokine assays were performed on the 3T3-L1 cells. The insulin resistant 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells had reduced glucose uptake, decreased IRS-1 and Glut-4 expression indicative of an insulin resistant state. The extract and THC significantly enhanced glucose uptake, IRS-1 and Glut-4 in 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells. The extract and THC thus have the potential to be an insulin sensitizing agent. Interleukin-6 was significantly decreased by THC. INS 1 cells, cultured under normoglycemic conditions, were exposed to cannabinoids for 48 hours after which glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, radioimmunoassay, oxygen consumption, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis was performed. Insulin stimulatory index was not significantly affected after cannabinoid exposure, except by THC. The cannabinoids decreased insulin content, in a concentration dependent manner, but the inhibition mechanism remains elusive. The cannabinoid Treated cells showed insulin gene expression levels similar to the control, while only THC proved effective in significantly stimulating Glut-2 gene expression. Oxygen consumption studies showed levels lower than the control cells. Most of the cannabinoids inhibited insulin secretion under normoglycemia except THC, while the cannabinoids exhibited the potential to improve insulin resistant adipocyte and myocytes response to glucose and gene regulation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gallant, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cannabinoids , Cannabis , Insulin resistance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10324 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1076 , Cannabinoids , Cannabis , Insulin resistance
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus results from a combination of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids on insulin resistant cell lines, viz skeletal muscle (C2C12) and fat (3T3-L1), and to investigate the effects of these cannabinoids on insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells (INS 1). Insulin resistance was induced in the cells using 20 ng/mL TNF-α (3T3-L1) and 100 nM insulin (C2C12). Insulin resistant cells were exposed to cannabinoids for 48 hours after which glucose uptake, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis was performed. Additionally, adipokine assays were performed on the 3T3-L1 cells. The insulin resistant 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells had reduced glucose uptake, decreased IRS-1 and Glut-4 expression indicative of an insulin resistant state. The extract and THC significantly enhanced glucose uptake, IRS-1 and Glut-4 in 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells. The extract and THC thus have the potential to be an insulin sensitizing agent. Interleukin-6 was significantly decreased by THC. INS 1 cells, cultured under normoglycemic conditions, were exposed to cannabinoids for 48 hours after which glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, radioimmunoassay, oxygen consumption, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis was performed. Insulin stimulatory index was not significantly affected after cannabinoid exposure, except by THC. The cannabinoids decreased insulin content, in a concentration dependent manner, but the inhibition mechanism remains elusive. The cannabinoid Treated cells showed insulin gene expression levels similar to the control, while only THC proved effective in significantly stimulating Glut-2 gene expression. Oxygen consumption studies showed levels lower than the control cells. Most of the cannabinoids inhibited insulin secretion under normoglycemia except THC, while the cannabinoids exhibited the potential to improve insulin resistant adipocyte and myocytes response to glucose and gene regulation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Application of Baylis-Hillman methodology in the construction of complex heterocyclic targets
- Ganto, Mlungiseleli MacDonald
- Authors: Ganto, Mlungiseleli MacDonald
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives Heterocyclic chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006703
- Description: Baylis-Hillman reactions using various aromatic aldehydes, activated alkenes and catalysts have been used to: - access an extensive range of poly-heterocyclic products;explore chemoselectivity; and optimise reaction efficiency. Chromone-3-carbaldehydes and chromone-2-carbaldehydes, prepared via Vielsmeier-Haack and Kostanecki-Robinson methodology, respectively, have been used as Baylis-Hillman substrates with four different catalysts, viz., 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 3-hydroxyquinuclidine (3-HQ), imidazole and N’,N’,N’,N’- tetramethylpropanediamine (TMPDA), and with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), methyl acrylate, cyclic enones (2-cyclohexen-1-one, 2-cyclopenten-1-one and chromones) as activated alkenes. Reactions of the chromone- -carbaldehydes with MVK afforded dimeric Baylis-Hillman adducts when catalyzed by DABCO but when the same reactions were repeated using 3-HQ as catalyst, the dimeric products were accompanied by tricyclic Baylis-Hillman adducts. Use of excess MVK, however, led to mixtures of the normal Baylis-Hillman adducts and the tricyclic adducts – interestingly, with the apparent absence of the dimeric products. While reactions of chromone-3-carbaldehydes with methyl acrylate afforded the normal Baylis-Hillman adducts, the chromone-2- carbaldehydes produced, instead, rearrangement products, consistent with an earlier, single observation. Reactions of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes with cyclic enones using imidazole as catalyst afforded the normal Baylis-Hillman adducts, reductive cyclisation of the 2-cyclohexen-1- one and 2-cyclopenten-1-one adducts, using acetic acid and iron powder, afforded the corresponding quinoline erivatives. Treatment of cyclic enones with pyridine-2-carbaldehydes and quinoline-2-carbaldehydes using TMPDA as catalyst generally gave the expected Baylis-Hillman adducts. However, indolizine derivatives were isolated directly from Baylis-Hillman reactions involving pyridine-2-carbaldehydes and 2-cyclohexen-1-one. The remaining Baylis-Hillman adducts were cyclized to the corresponding indolizines by treatment with acetic anhydride both under reflux and under microwave-assisted conditions, the latter approach providing remarkably rapid and efficient access to the polycyclic products. Computer modelling studies have been conducted on selected polycyclic products at the Molecular Mechanics (MM), Quantum Mechanical (QM) and Density Functional (DFT) levels. The theoretical results have been used to calculate UV, IR and NMR absorption data, which have been compared, in turn, with the experimental spectroscopic data. Use has also been made of the estreNova NMR prediction programme and, generally, good agreement has been observed between the predicted and experimental spectroscopic data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ganto, Mlungiseleli MacDonald
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives Heterocyclic chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006703
- Description: Baylis-Hillman reactions using various aromatic aldehydes, activated alkenes and catalysts have been used to: - access an extensive range of poly-heterocyclic products;explore chemoselectivity; and optimise reaction efficiency. Chromone-3-carbaldehydes and chromone-2-carbaldehydes, prepared via Vielsmeier-Haack and Kostanecki-Robinson methodology, respectively, have been used as Baylis-Hillman substrates with four different catalysts, viz., 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 3-hydroxyquinuclidine (3-HQ), imidazole and N’,N’,N’,N’- tetramethylpropanediamine (TMPDA), and with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), methyl acrylate, cyclic enones (2-cyclohexen-1-one, 2-cyclopenten-1-one and chromones) as activated alkenes. Reactions of the chromone- -carbaldehydes with MVK afforded dimeric Baylis-Hillman adducts when catalyzed by DABCO but when the same reactions were repeated using 3-HQ as catalyst, the dimeric products were accompanied by tricyclic Baylis-Hillman adducts. Use of excess MVK, however, led to mixtures of the normal Baylis-Hillman adducts and the tricyclic adducts – interestingly, with the apparent absence of the dimeric products. While reactions of chromone-3-carbaldehydes with methyl acrylate afforded the normal Baylis-Hillman adducts, the chromone-2- carbaldehydes produced, instead, rearrangement products, consistent with an earlier, single observation. Reactions of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes with cyclic enones using imidazole as catalyst afforded the normal Baylis-Hillman adducts, reductive cyclisation of the 2-cyclohexen-1- one and 2-cyclopenten-1-one adducts, using acetic acid and iron powder, afforded the corresponding quinoline erivatives. Treatment of cyclic enones with pyridine-2-carbaldehydes and quinoline-2-carbaldehydes using TMPDA as catalyst generally gave the expected Baylis-Hillman adducts. However, indolizine derivatives were isolated directly from Baylis-Hillman reactions involving pyridine-2-carbaldehydes and 2-cyclohexen-1-one. The remaining Baylis-Hillman adducts were cyclized to the corresponding indolizines by treatment with acetic anhydride both under reflux and under microwave-assisted conditions, the latter approach providing remarkably rapid and efficient access to the polycyclic products. Computer modelling studies have been conducted on selected polycyclic products at the Molecular Mechanics (MM), Quantum Mechanical (QM) and Density Functional (DFT) levels. The theoretical results have been used to calculate UV, IR and NMR absorption data, which have been compared, in turn, with the experimental spectroscopic data. Use has also been made of the estreNova NMR prediction programme and, generally, good agreement has been observed between the predicted and experimental spectroscopic data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The both-and edition:
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158817 , vital:40231 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC139955
- Description: I was driving down the N2 from Cape Town towards the airport recently and scanning the turn-offs for Vanguard Drive, when suddenly I noticed among the shacks that line the road some really interesting buildings. These were not the pale pink matchboxes that periodically spring up in rows alongside the derelict housing that millions of South Africans call home. They were multi-levelled, had large windows and looked like an architect might have had something to do with them. I was heartened at the sight of housing – at last – with humanity in mind. But as I reread the 2010 pieces in this edition, I’m reminded by Jane Duncan in particular (“Whose World Cup?” page 23) that prettifying the ghastly spaces in our world cup cities that will be visible to those international tourists is high on the agenda for our government. But then, I reason, at least someone will benefit from living along the noisy and congested airport route!.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158817 , vital:40231 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC139955
- Description: I was driving down the N2 from Cape Town towards the airport recently and scanning the turn-offs for Vanguard Drive, when suddenly I noticed among the shacks that line the road some really interesting buildings. These were not the pale pink matchboxes that periodically spring up in rows alongside the derelict housing that millions of South Africans call home. They were multi-levelled, had large windows and looked like an architect might have had something to do with them. I was heartened at the sight of housing – at last – with humanity in mind. But as I reread the 2010 pieces in this edition, I’m reminded by Jane Duncan in particular (“Whose World Cup?” page 23) that prettifying the ghastly spaces in our world cup cities that will be visible to those international tourists is high on the agenda for our government. But then, I reason, at least someone will benefit from living along the noisy and congested airport route!.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The economic contribution of trout fly-fishing to the economy of the rhodes region
- Authors: Gatogang, Ballbo Patric
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/919 , Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Description: Approximately 24 alien fish species, equivalent to 9 percent of all South African freshwater fish species, were introduced and established into South African waters during the 19th and 20th Centuries (Skelton, 2001). Of the 24 species introduced, the Rainbow trout and the Brown trout have over time become South Africa's most widely spread and used freshwater fish species (Bainbridge, Alletson, Davies, Lax and Mills, 2005). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, no.10 of 2004 has, however, cast considerable doubt on the future of trout as a food source and a recreational fishing resource in South Africa. More specifically, Section 64 of the Act has the following aims: “(a) to prevent the unauthorized introduction and spread of alien species and invasive species to ecosystems and habitats where they do not naturally occur; (b) to manage and control alien species and invasive species to prevent or minimize harm to the environment and to biodiversity in particular; and (c) to eradicate alien species and invasive species from ecosystems and habitats where they may harm such ecosystems or habitats.” The uncertainty surrounding the future of trout in South Africa is mainly underpinned by aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act. Regarding the eradication of trout and in keeping with aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act, three remarks can be made. First, there exists a paucity of published studies which offer validated proof of the impacts which may be ascribed entirely to the introduction of alien trout in South Africa, since no pre-stocking assessments were conducted (Bainbridge et al., 2005). Second, the elimination of trout is feasible in a few limited closed ecosystems, such as small dams, but is highly impractical and untenable from an environmental and cost perspective where open and established river systems are concerned (Bainbridge et al., x 2005). More specifically, there are no efficient or adequate eradication measures which may be used in wide-ranging open ecosystems, which selectively target alien fish species. Moreover, most, if not all, measures have the potential to cause considerable adverse impacts on indigenous aquafaunal species. Finally, the elimination of trout could undermine the tourism appeal of many upper catchment areas in South Africa. The trout fishing industry is well established and is a source of local and foreign income, as well as a job creator in the South African economy (Bainbridge et al., 2005; Hlatswako, 2000; Rogerson, 2002). In particular, the industry provides a two-tier service: first, in food production at the subsistence as well as commercial levels, and second, as an angling resource. Recreational angling, including fly-fishing for trout, is one of the fastest growing tourism attractions in South Africa. Furthermore, the trout fishing industry is sustained and underpinned by a considerable infrastructure consisting of tackle manufacturers and retailers, tourist operators, professional guides, hotels, lodges and B&Bs. The economic case for the trout fishing industry in South Africa has, however, not been convincingly made. The economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing is priced directly in the market place by expenditures made by fly-fishers, and indirectly in property values, which provide access to fly-fishing opportunities. The benefit of trout and trout fly-fishing can also be valued through non-market valuation techniques. Non-market valuation is used to calculate values for items that are not traded in markets, such as environmental services. There are several non-market valuation methods available to the researcher, namely those based on revealed preference and those based on stated preference. The former includes the hedonic pricing method and the travel cost method, while the latter includes the contingent valuation method and the choice modelling method. Of the available non-market valuation techniques, the travel cost method is the most suitable method for determining the value of trout and the trout fishing industry because travel cost is often the main expenditure incurred. xi The aim of this study is threefold: first, to value the economic contribution of trout and trout fly-fishing to the Rhodes region, North Eastern Cape; second, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project that entails the rehabilitation and maintenance of trout streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to increase their trout carrying capacity by 10 percent; third, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project aimed at eradicating trout from streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to prevent trout from harming the indigenous yellowfish habitat. The first aim was achieved by applying the travel cost method, whereas the second and third aims were achieved by applying the contingent valuation method. The study aimed to provide policy makers with information regarding the value of trout fishing in the Rhodes region, so as to create an awareness of the economic trade-offs associated with alien fish eradication. Through the application of the travel cost method, the consumer surplus per trout fly-fishermen was estimated to be R19 677.69, while the total consumer surplus was estimated to be R13 774 384.40. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to rehabilitate trout habitat was estimated to be R248.95, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R199 462.20. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to eradicate alien trout from the Rhodes region rivers and streams was estimated to be R41.18, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R28 829.36. This study concludes that trout and trout fly-fishing make a valuable economic contribution to the Rhodes region. The extent of the economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing services in the Rhodes region should be carefully considered in any stream management project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gatogang, Ballbo Patric
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/919 , Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Description: Approximately 24 alien fish species, equivalent to 9 percent of all South African freshwater fish species, were introduced and established into South African waters during the 19th and 20th Centuries (Skelton, 2001). Of the 24 species introduced, the Rainbow trout and the Brown trout have over time become South Africa's most widely spread and used freshwater fish species (Bainbridge, Alletson, Davies, Lax and Mills, 2005). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, no.10 of 2004 has, however, cast considerable doubt on the future of trout as a food source and a recreational fishing resource in South Africa. More specifically, Section 64 of the Act has the following aims: “(a) to prevent the unauthorized introduction and spread of alien species and invasive species to ecosystems and habitats where they do not naturally occur; (b) to manage and control alien species and invasive species to prevent or minimize harm to the environment and to biodiversity in particular; and (c) to eradicate alien species and invasive species from ecosystems and habitats where they may harm such ecosystems or habitats.” The uncertainty surrounding the future of trout in South Africa is mainly underpinned by aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act. Regarding the eradication of trout and in keeping with aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act, three remarks can be made. First, there exists a paucity of published studies which offer validated proof of the impacts which may be ascribed entirely to the introduction of alien trout in South Africa, since no pre-stocking assessments were conducted (Bainbridge et al., 2005). Second, the elimination of trout is feasible in a few limited closed ecosystems, such as small dams, but is highly impractical and untenable from an environmental and cost perspective where open and established river systems are concerned (Bainbridge et al., x 2005). More specifically, there are no efficient or adequate eradication measures which may be used in wide-ranging open ecosystems, which selectively target alien fish species. Moreover, most, if not all, measures have the potential to cause considerable adverse impacts on indigenous aquafaunal species. Finally, the elimination of trout could undermine the tourism appeal of many upper catchment areas in South Africa. The trout fishing industry is well established and is a source of local and foreign income, as well as a job creator in the South African economy (Bainbridge et al., 2005; Hlatswako, 2000; Rogerson, 2002). In particular, the industry provides a two-tier service: first, in food production at the subsistence as well as commercial levels, and second, as an angling resource. Recreational angling, including fly-fishing for trout, is one of the fastest growing tourism attractions in South Africa. Furthermore, the trout fishing industry is sustained and underpinned by a considerable infrastructure consisting of tackle manufacturers and retailers, tourist operators, professional guides, hotels, lodges and B&Bs. The economic case for the trout fishing industry in South Africa has, however, not been convincingly made. The economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing is priced directly in the market place by expenditures made by fly-fishers, and indirectly in property values, which provide access to fly-fishing opportunities. The benefit of trout and trout fly-fishing can also be valued through non-market valuation techniques. Non-market valuation is used to calculate values for items that are not traded in markets, such as environmental services. There are several non-market valuation methods available to the researcher, namely those based on revealed preference and those based on stated preference. The former includes the hedonic pricing method and the travel cost method, while the latter includes the contingent valuation method and the choice modelling method. Of the available non-market valuation techniques, the travel cost method is the most suitable method for determining the value of trout and the trout fishing industry because travel cost is often the main expenditure incurred. xi The aim of this study is threefold: first, to value the economic contribution of trout and trout fly-fishing to the Rhodes region, North Eastern Cape; second, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project that entails the rehabilitation and maintenance of trout streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to increase their trout carrying capacity by 10 percent; third, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project aimed at eradicating trout from streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to prevent trout from harming the indigenous yellowfish habitat. The first aim was achieved by applying the travel cost method, whereas the second and third aims were achieved by applying the contingent valuation method. The study aimed to provide policy makers with information regarding the value of trout fishing in the Rhodes region, so as to create an awareness of the economic trade-offs associated with alien fish eradication. Through the application of the travel cost method, the consumer surplus per trout fly-fishermen was estimated to be R19 677.69, while the total consumer surplus was estimated to be R13 774 384.40. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to rehabilitate trout habitat was estimated to be R248.95, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R199 462.20. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to eradicate alien trout from the Rhodes region rivers and streams was estimated to be R41.18, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R28 829.36. This study concludes that trout and trout fly-fishing make a valuable economic contribution to the Rhodes region. The extent of the economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing services in the Rhodes region should be carefully considered in any stream management project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of school management teams in the implementation and maintenance of inclusive education
- Authors: Geduld, Deidre Chante
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/956 , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Description: Inclusion is about the organizational change within schools to improve the educational system for all learners. It means changes in the curriculum, changes in how teachers teach and how learners learn, as well as changes in how learners with and without special needs interact with and relate to one another. The quality of leadership makes a significant difference to educator participation in accommodating all learners. However, for this we as educators must ensure that we are fully capable of delivering this service irrespective how old we are or what our qualification levels are. It is my objective to understand the role the school management team plays in facilitating the process of changes, as change cannot be forced and the fear of change must be acknowledged and faced. The qualitative research paradigm and more specifically the participatory action research approach, which is, applied research that treats knowledge as a form of power and designates with the line between research and social action particularly assisted me in answering my research question. xiv used to describe school management team members’ understanding and experiences pertaining to inclusive education and why they are procrastinating. After data analysis of the first step was concluded, the research established that the participant educators were not in favour of inclusive education and for that reason perceived it negatively. Educators are not enthusiastic about inclusivity. Step 2 was the action plan of my research study on which the school management team members decided collective as a method to restructure their thinking towards an implementation programme for inclusive education for their school. The researcher also reflected on the limitations inherent to this study and presented guidelines and recommendations for implementing and maintaining inclusive education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Geduld, Deidre Chante
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/956 , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Description: Inclusion is about the organizational change within schools to improve the educational system for all learners. It means changes in the curriculum, changes in how teachers teach and how learners learn, as well as changes in how learners with and without special needs interact with and relate to one another. The quality of leadership makes a significant difference to educator participation in accommodating all learners. However, for this we as educators must ensure that we are fully capable of delivering this service irrespective how old we are or what our qualification levels are. It is my objective to understand the role the school management team plays in facilitating the process of changes, as change cannot be forced and the fear of change must be acknowledged and faced. The qualitative research paradigm and more specifically the participatory action research approach, which is, applied research that treats knowledge as a form of power and designates with the line between research and social action particularly assisted me in answering my research question. xiv used to describe school management team members’ understanding and experiences pertaining to inclusive education and why they are procrastinating. After data analysis of the first step was concluded, the research established that the participant educators were not in favour of inclusive education and for that reason perceived it negatively. Educators are not enthusiastic about inclusivity. Step 2 was the action plan of my research study on which the school management team members decided collective as a method to restructure their thinking towards an implementation programme for inclusive education for their school. The researcher also reflected on the limitations inherent to this study and presented guidelines and recommendations for implementing and maintaining inclusive education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009