Assessing the genetic diversity of catface rockcod epinephelus andersoni in the subtropical Western Indian Ocean and modelling the effects of climate change on their distribution
- Authors: Coppinger, Christine Rose
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54499 , vital:26570
- Description: The catface rockcod Epinephelus andersoni is a range-restricted species that is endemic to the southeast coast of Africa from Quissico in Mozambique (subtropical) to Knysna in South Africa (warmtemperate). Its complex life-history, long-lived nature and high residency make E. andersoni potentially vulnerable to over-exploitation. Epinephelus andersoni is an important fishery species and has shown signs of depletion. Due to inadequate information necessary for management and conservation, further research is vital, particularly in the face of potentially significant climatic changes which could put further pressure on E. andersoni. The aim of the study was to provide information for the management of E. andersoni, with considerations for the possibly detrimental effects of future climate change. The objectives of this study were to describe the genetic structure and diversity of E. andersoni and to determine possible range shifts of E. andersoni with future changes in sea surface temperature. Genetic samples were collected throughout the distribution of E. andersoni. Standard DNA extraction and PCR using universal primers were conducted and nuclear (RPS7-1) and mitochondrial (cytochrome b) data were analysed to determine genetic diversity. A combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers was used to ensure that the results were robust. RPS7-1 haplotype diversity was high (0.801) and an AMOVA on the RPS7-1 data showed significantly high among group variation (ΦCT = 0.204, p < 0.05) between five groups: 1. Quissico to Inhaca; 2. Cape Vidal to Port Edward; 3 Port St Johns to Coffee Bay; 4. Mbashe; 5. Port Alfred. This geographic structuring could be attributed to low gene flow across barriers such as the Port Alfred upwelling cell, the Mozambique Channel eddies and smaller more localised upwelling cells such as the Port St Johns cell. The cytochrome b results contrastingly indicate low haplotype diversity (0.309) and no differentiation (ΦCT = 0.265, p = 0.074) between groups and support the hypothesis of a historical population bottleneck. This may be due to an unusually slower mutation rate of the cytochrome b region than the RPS7-1 region, resulting in the RPS7-1 data showing a more recent picture of diversification. To complement the genetic results, niche modelling techniques were used to determine range shifts of E. andersoni with future temperature trends using species distribution and climatic data. The model illustrated a contraction of the E. andersoni distribution as well as future intensification of various upwelling cells along the south-east African coast including the Port Alfred upwelling cell. Due to the low gene flow across these barriers this intensification could decrease the resilience of E. andersoni, as its range becomes more limited with global change. The genetic data and modelling results combined provide useful information on which to base future fisheries management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Coppinger, Christine Rose
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54499 , vital:26570
- Description: The catface rockcod Epinephelus andersoni is a range-restricted species that is endemic to the southeast coast of Africa from Quissico in Mozambique (subtropical) to Knysna in South Africa (warmtemperate). Its complex life-history, long-lived nature and high residency make E. andersoni potentially vulnerable to over-exploitation. Epinephelus andersoni is an important fishery species and has shown signs of depletion. Due to inadequate information necessary for management and conservation, further research is vital, particularly in the face of potentially significant climatic changes which could put further pressure on E. andersoni. The aim of the study was to provide information for the management of E. andersoni, with considerations for the possibly detrimental effects of future climate change. The objectives of this study were to describe the genetic structure and diversity of E. andersoni and to determine possible range shifts of E. andersoni with future changes in sea surface temperature. Genetic samples were collected throughout the distribution of E. andersoni. Standard DNA extraction and PCR using universal primers were conducted and nuclear (RPS7-1) and mitochondrial (cytochrome b) data were analysed to determine genetic diversity. A combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers was used to ensure that the results were robust. RPS7-1 haplotype diversity was high (0.801) and an AMOVA on the RPS7-1 data showed significantly high among group variation (ΦCT = 0.204, p < 0.05) between five groups: 1. Quissico to Inhaca; 2. Cape Vidal to Port Edward; 3 Port St Johns to Coffee Bay; 4. Mbashe; 5. Port Alfred. This geographic structuring could be attributed to low gene flow across barriers such as the Port Alfred upwelling cell, the Mozambique Channel eddies and smaller more localised upwelling cells such as the Port St Johns cell. The cytochrome b results contrastingly indicate low haplotype diversity (0.309) and no differentiation (ΦCT = 0.265, p = 0.074) between groups and support the hypothesis of a historical population bottleneck. This may be due to an unusually slower mutation rate of the cytochrome b region than the RPS7-1 region, resulting in the RPS7-1 data showing a more recent picture of diversification. To complement the genetic results, niche modelling techniques were used to determine range shifts of E. andersoni with future temperature trends using species distribution and climatic data. The model illustrated a contraction of the E. andersoni distribution as well as future intensification of various upwelling cells along the south-east African coast including the Port Alfred upwelling cell. Due to the low gene flow across these barriers this intensification could decrease the resilience of E. andersoni, as its range becomes more limited with global change. The genetic data and modelling results combined provide useful information on which to base future fisheries management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Participatory Action Research into ways in which Dance Movement Psychotherapy can promote personal and social change in a South African:
- Authors: Copteros, Athina
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142027 , vital:38025 , ISBN Healing and Social Transformation in Mental Healthcare in South Africa Conference, University of Cape Town, 14-15 July
- Description: Participatory Action Research into ways in which Dance Movement Psychotherapy can promote personal and social change in a South African.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Copteros, Athina
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142027 , vital:38025 , ISBN Healing and Social Transformation in Mental Healthcare in South Africa Conference, University of Cape Town, 14-15 July
- Description: Participatory Action Research into ways in which Dance Movement Psychotherapy can promote personal and social change in a South African.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Coping with romantic relationship dissolution: the role of social media
- Authors: Cothill, Elzaan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Online social networks , Man-woman relationships , Cyberspace -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021161
- Description: Individuals utilise social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to communicate and stay in touch with romantic partners and to maintain relationships. SNSs also play a role in connecting individuals to each other – it enables users to gain a better understanding of the self and to develop meaningful relationships with others. It is used to share personal experiences and is frequently used as a means of social support. Making use of social media can therefore also play a role in coping with relationship dissolution, both at the time of the dissolution and during the post-dissolution stages of the romantic relationship. Lazarus’ Stress and Coping Theory, as well as aspects of Social Interactionist Theory, were utilised as a theoretical framework to conceptualise coping strategies and online behaviour. The aim of the study was to create a detailed description of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution. The study was a qualitative, phenomenological study and participants were obtained using purposive and snowball sampling. Unstructured, in-depth interviews were used to collect the data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Based on the findings of the researcher, social media can be both advantageous and disadvantageous in coping with relationships dissolution. Moreover, using social media in order to cope during and after relationship dissolution indicated adaptive coping in the short-term, and maladaptive coping in the long-term. This study has therefore generated an understanding of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cothill, Elzaan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Online social networks , Man-woman relationships , Cyberspace -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021161
- Description: Individuals utilise social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to communicate and stay in touch with romantic partners and to maintain relationships. SNSs also play a role in connecting individuals to each other – it enables users to gain a better understanding of the self and to develop meaningful relationships with others. It is used to share personal experiences and is frequently used as a means of social support. Making use of social media can therefore also play a role in coping with relationship dissolution, both at the time of the dissolution and during the post-dissolution stages of the romantic relationship. Lazarus’ Stress and Coping Theory, as well as aspects of Social Interactionist Theory, were utilised as a theoretical framework to conceptualise coping strategies and online behaviour. The aim of the study was to create a detailed description of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution. The study was a qualitative, phenomenological study and participants were obtained using purposive and snowball sampling. Unstructured, in-depth interviews were used to collect the data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Based on the findings of the researcher, social media can be both advantageous and disadvantageous in coping with relationships dissolution. Moreover, using social media in order to cope during and after relationship dissolution indicated adaptive coping in the short-term, and maladaptive coping in the long-term. This study has therefore generated an understanding of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Assessment of the long-term response to rehabilitation of two wetlands in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa:
- Cowden, Craig, Kotze, Donovan C, Ellery, William F N, Sieben, E J J
- Authors: Cowden, Craig , Kotze, Donovan C , Ellery, William F N , Sieben, E J J
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144431 , vital:38345 , DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2014.954518
- Description: Assessing the ecological outcomes of wetland rehabilitation activities is an important need recognised by the ‘Working for Wetlands’ programme in South Africa. An assessment of ecological response was conducted in the Killarney and Kruisfontein wetlands, KwaZulu-Natal, in 2005 prior to rehabilitation in 2006, and again in 2011 and 2012, respectively, following rehabilitation. The assessment criteria included an evaluation of changes in ecological integrity, the supply of ecosystem services, and vegetation composition. Improvements in hydrological and geomorphic integrity were recorded in both wetlands, resulting in improved ecosystem delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cowden, Craig , Kotze, Donovan C , Ellery, William F N , Sieben, E J J
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144431 , vital:38345 , DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2014.954518
- Description: Assessing the ecological outcomes of wetland rehabilitation activities is an important need recognised by the ‘Working for Wetlands’ programme in South Africa. An assessment of ecological response was conducted in the Killarney and Kruisfontein wetlands, KwaZulu-Natal, in 2005 prior to rehabilitation in 2006, and again in 2011 and 2012, respectively, following rehabilitation. The assessment criteria included an evaluation of changes in ecological integrity, the supply of ecosystem services, and vegetation composition. Improvements in hydrological and geomorphic integrity were recorded in both wetlands, resulting in improved ecosystem delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Crumpled hearts
- Authors: Crain, Patricia Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) , English language -- Writing , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015676
- Description: A middle-aged woman, living in Johannesburg, has an experience which catapults her into changing her life. In the process of confronting her alcoholism, she realizes how patterns of addiction extend to other areas of her life and tries to make sense of the tragic events that have occurred. Her world becomes a different place as she questions everything that she has been taught about relationships, religion, race and her place in society. In the search for answers she uncovers stories about the lives of her parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and acquaintances. Embarking on a journey of discovery and rediscovery through her experiences and those of others, she explores the ways in which the things that she thought she knew defined her behaviour and expression of herself.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Crain, Patricia Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) , English language -- Writing , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015676
- Description: A middle-aged woman, living in Johannesburg, has an experience which catapults her into changing her life. In the process of confronting her alcoholism, she realizes how patterns of addiction extend to other areas of her life and tries to make sense of the tragic events that have occurred. Her world becomes a different place as she questions everything that she has been taught about relationships, religion, race and her place in society. In the search for answers she uncovers stories about the lives of her parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and acquaintances. Embarking on a journey of discovery and rediscovery through her experiences and those of others, she explores the ways in which the things that she thought she knew defined her behaviour and expression of herself.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The perceived visual impacts and attitudes of the Grahamstown community towards the Waainek Wind-Farm
- Authors: Cruickshank, Kyle Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Public opinion Wind power plants -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Wind turbines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: vital:1085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011768
- Description: Renewable energy has become an important feature of most modern economies with clean and non-exhaustible sources of power being given a greater significance. Wind energy is one of the favoured renewable, as it is (2013) generally the cheapest and most mature technology available for commercial use. The South African government, as outlined by the Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), aims to install 5 GW (Gigawatts) of wind energy by 2020. However, South Africa has had little experience in the wind energy industry which is limited to two projects, Klipheuwel (2002) and Darling (2008). Much effort has been dedicated to calculating balance sheet costs, which carries uncertainty due to the high reliance on country specific and site specific variables. An aspect which deserves more attention, and is often ignored, is the public‟s attitudes towards local wind farm developments, which have been known to "make or break" a project during the planning stages. Public backlashes have mostly been concerned with the visual "intrusiveness" of wind farms in the landscape. Detrimental effects on scenery, while seemingly innocuous, are acknowledged as being the single largest barrier to successful wind farm development. Individuals within an area become sentimentally attached to their surroundings, where significant rapid changes in the landscape are viewed as "damage". Economics recognises such declines in scenic resources as market failures, where an externalised cost is passed on to the public and is often not accounted for by private parties responsible for the liability. The primary objective therefore was to measure the magnitude of the visual impact, caused by the Waainek Wind Farm, on the Grahamstown community. Conventional NIMBY¹ (not in my back yard) reasoning, which seeks to explain local wind farm resistance, has attracted criticism with regard to its simplistic approach to wind farm problem identification. Contemporary arguments propose that NIMBY is a poor explanation for the trouble experienced on the local level because it groups problems into one all-encompassing term, leaving much of the discontent unexplained. Instead, the NIMBY explanation is really a broad set of unattended problems, largely resulting from the unsound practices present in the public participation process. Insufficient community involvement and disparities in the negotiation power structures have become the recent focus in wind farm literature. Essentially, these disparities force opposition groups to select factors which may seem more serious to developers, leading to ineffective remedial measures because the core underlying problems are not being remedied. Thus these considerations formed an additional area of investigation. No NIMBY effect was found for the Grahamstown community, as support for both the local and general level was roughly 80%. The public participation process on the other hand revealed that while many found the practices of the developer to be unfair, attitudes towards the wind farm were not adversely affected, especially for the lower income Grahamstown East areas. While the public participation process in this instance did not have any effect on people’s attitudes, careful inspection of the circumstances need to be given. Wind farms are new to South Africa, where the novelty and benefits are the focus of enthusiasm. Job opportunities as well as clean energy are positive drivers for attitudes; however given time, once the anticipation for wind farms dulls, real problems may be revealed. Thus it is crucial to implement good practice procedures during the public participation process, especially when national adoption rates of wind energy are low. Early implementation of an effective public participation process system will ensure that when major problems do arise in future projects, experience and institutional processes would have had ample opportunity to evolve appropriately over a period of time. The double bounded Contingent Valuation Method was used to value the impact of the wind farm on the Waainek scenery through a hypothetical scenario based procedure which presented pictures of the landscape before and after the wind farm had been installed. Based on the perceived impact of the wind farm, respondents were asked their Willingness to Pay to relocate the development, based solely on visual impacts. Learning design Contingent Valuation (Bateman et al., 2008) is a novel technique employed to familiarize respondents with the hypothetical market institution as well as the scenic goods being valued. Average Willingness to Pay was found to be R67 per month, with a final total monthly negative visual impact of R104,000 to R121,000 per month for the entire Grahamstown community. Grahamstown Central (middle-high income) residents were more likely to pay than Grahamstown East (low-middle income) East residents because of socio-economic differences present in each area. A ranking exercise determined that while negative visual impacts are present, the overall benefits derived from the wind farm are potentially much higher. Additionally, positive scenic improvements were found, but were not measured due to time constraints, and would have worked to reduce the net visual impact of the Waainek Wind Farm. ¹Problem where individuals support the general concept of wind power, but when it comes to local implementation, opposition to the development arises within the same group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cruickshank, Kyle Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Public opinion Wind power plants -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Wind turbines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: vital:1085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011768
- Description: Renewable energy has become an important feature of most modern economies with clean and non-exhaustible sources of power being given a greater significance. Wind energy is one of the favoured renewable, as it is (2013) generally the cheapest and most mature technology available for commercial use. The South African government, as outlined by the Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), aims to install 5 GW (Gigawatts) of wind energy by 2020. However, South Africa has had little experience in the wind energy industry which is limited to two projects, Klipheuwel (2002) and Darling (2008). Much effort has been dedicated to calculating balance sheet costs, which carries uncertainty due to the high reliance on country specific and site specific variables. An aspect which deserves more attention, and is often ignored, is the public‟s attitudes towards local wind farm developments, which have been known to "make or break" a project during the planning stages. Public backlashes have mostly been concerned with the visual "intrusiveness" of wind farms in the landscape. Detrimental effects on scenery, while seemingly innocuous, are acknowledged as being the single largest barrier to successful wind farm development. Individuals within an area become sentimentally attached to their surroundings, where significant rapid changes in the landscape are viewed as "damage". Economics recognises such declines in scenic resources as market failures, where an externalised cost is passed on to the public and is often not accounted for by private parties responsible for the liability. The primary objective therefore was to measure the magnitude of the visual impact, caused by the Waainek Wind Farm, on the Grahamstown community. Conventional NIMBY¹ (not in my back yard) reasoning, which seeks to explain local wind farm resistance, has attracted criticism with regard to its simplistic approach to wind farm problem identification. Contemporary arguments propose that NIMBY is a poor explanation for the trouble experienced on the local level because it groups problems into one all-encompassing term, leaving much of the discontent unexplained. Instead, the NIMBY explanation is really a broad set of unattended problems, largely resulting from the unsound practices present in the public participation process. Insufficient community involvement and disparities in the negotiation power structures have become the recent focus in wind farm literature. Essentially, these disparities force opposition groups to select factors which may seem more serious to developers, leading to ineffective remedial measures because the core underlying problems are not being remedied. Thus these considerations formed an additional area of investigation. No NIMBY effect was found for the Grahamstown community, as support for both the local and general level was roughly 80%. The public participation process on the other hand revealed that while many found the practices of the developer to be unfair, attitudes towards the wind farm were not adversely affected, especially for the lower income Grahamstown East areas. While the public participation process in this instance did not have any effect on people’s attitudes, careful inspection of the circumstances need to be given. Wind farms are new to South Africa, where the novelty and benefits are the focus of enthusiasm. Job opportunities as well as clean energy are positive drivers for attitudes; however given time, once the anticipation for wind farms dulls, real problems may be revealed. Thus it is crucial to implement good practice procedures during the public participation process, especially when national adoption rates of wind energy are low. Early implementation of an effective public participation process system will ensure that when major problems do arise in future projects, experience and institutional processes would have had ample opportunity to evolve appropriately over a period of time. The double bounded Contingent Valuation Method was used to value the impact of the wind farm on the Waainek scenery through a hypothetical scenario based procedure which presented pictures of the landscape before and after the wind farm had been installed. Based on the perceived impact of the wind farm, respondents were asked their Willingness to Pay to relocate the development, based solely on visual impacts. Learning design Contingent Valuation (Bateman et al., 2008) is a novel technique employed to familiarize respondents with the hypothetical market institution as well as the scenic goods being valued. Average Willingness to Pay was found to be R67 per month, with a final total monthly negative visual impact of R104,000 to R121,000 per month for the entire Grahamstown community. Grahamstown Central (middle-high income) residents were more likely to pay than Grahamstown East (low-middle income) East residents because of socio-economic differences present in each area. A ranking exercise determined that while negative visual impacts are present, the overall benefits derived from the wind farm are potentially much higher. Additionally, positive scenic improvements were found, but were not measured due to time constraints, and would have worked to reduce the net visual impact of the Waainek Wind Farm. ¹Problem where individuals support the general concept of wind power, but when it comes to local implementation, opposition to the development arises within the same group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Cardiovascular disease risk in Black African females and the efficacy of a walking programme on blood pressure in a sub-sample
- Authors: Crymble, Tegan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hypertension -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Walking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Physiological aspects , Lifestyles -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Health attitudes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013234
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile of black African females in the Makana region, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Baseline measures from 40 participants, who met the criteria, were compared against the 2003 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) and the 2013 South African National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). The risk factors measured were anthropometric (stature, body mass and body mass index (BMI)), morphological (waist circumference (WC), fat mass and lean mass), cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure (BP)), physical activity (step count and energy expenditure), biochemical (glycated haemoglobin and full blood lipid profile) and behavioural (alcohol and tobacco use). Results showed significantly higher (p≤0.05) values for overweight/obesity (BMI 37.60 kg.m⁻²; WC 1130.58 mm; fat mass 45.23%) and high BP (130/88 mmHg) compared to the previous national surveys, highlighting these CVD risk factors as problematic. The subsequent sub-study aimed to assess the efficacy of a pedometer-based walking intervention on high BP. The walking programme (n=25) was based on individual step goals to be completed at a moderate-intensity on five days.week⁻¹ for 12 weeks. The same measurements were taken at monthly intervals, Week 0, Week 4, Week 8 and Week 12, with the addition of dietary intake and fitness level, and the exclusion of the behavioural variables. There were no significant differences (p≤0.05) in systolic and diastolic BP with the exercise intervention, although there was a strong, negative relationship with time for diastolic BP (r²=0.9857). This trend suggests that the lack of significance may be a result of poor compliance and/or the small sample size. Individual results, however, showed no compliance-result relationship for the two risk factors of interest: overweight/obesity and high BP. Future recommendations include supervised or group-based exercise interventions to improve compliance, and the addition of resistance training to the aerobic programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Crymble, Tegan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hypertension -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Walking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Physiological aspects , Lifestyles -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Health attitudes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013234
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile of black African females in the Makana region, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Baseline measures from 40 participants, who met the criteria, were compared against the 2003 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) and the 2013 South African National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). The risk factors measured were anthropometric (stature, body mass and body mass index (BMI)), morphological (waist circumference (WC), fat mass and lean mass), cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure (BP)), physical activity (step count and energy expenditure), biochemical (glycated haemoglobin and full blood lipid profile) and behavioural (alcohol and tobacco use). Results showed significantly higher (p≤0.05) values for overweight/obesity (BMI 37.60 kg.m⁻²; WC 1130.58 mm; fat mass 45.23%) and high BP (130/88 mmHg) compared to the previous national surveys, highlighting these CVD risk factors as problematic. The subsequent sub-study aimed to assess the efficacy of a pedometer-based walking intervention on high BP. The walking programme (n=25) was based on individual step goals to be completed at a moderate-intensity on five days.week⁻¹ for 12 weeks. The same measurements were taken at monthly intervals, Week 0, Week 4, Week 8 and Week 12, with the addition of dietary intake and fitness level, and the exclusion of the behavioural variables. There were no significant differences (p≤0.05) in systolic and diastolic BP with the exercise intervention, although there was a strong, negative relationship with time for diastolic BP (r²=0.9857). This trend suggests that the lack of significance may be a result of poor compliance and/or the small sample size. Individual results, however, showed no compliance-result relationship for the two risk factors of interest: overweight/obesity and high BP. Future recommendations include supervised or group-based exercise interventions to improve compliance, and the addition of resistance training to the aerobic programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A reflection on the use of case studies as a methodology for social learning research in sub Saharan Africa
- Cundill, Georgina, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, 1965-, Mukute, Mutizwa, Ali, Million Belay, Shackleton, Sheona E, Kulundu-Bolus, Injairu M
- Authors: Cundill, Georgina , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, 1965- , Mukute, Mutizwa , Ali, Million Belay , Shackleton, Sheona E , Kulundu-Bolus, Injairu M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182832 , vital:43884 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2013.04.001"
- Description: A recent review has highlighted that the methodology most commonly employed to research social learning has been the individual case study. We draw on four examples of social learning research in the environmental and sustainability sciences from sub-Saharan Africa to reflect on possible reasons behind the preponderance of case study research in this field, and to identify common elements that may be significant for social learning research more generally. We find that a common interest in change oriented social learning, and therefore processes of change, makes case studies a necessary approach because long term process analyses are required that are sensitive to social-ecological contexts. Common elements of the examples reflected upon included: a focus on initiating, tracking and/or understanding a process of change toward sustainability; long term research; an action research agenda that involves reflecting on data with research participants; and temporal, process based analysis of data coupled with in-depth theoretical analysis. This paper highlights that there is significant scope for exploratory research that compares case studies of social learning research to generate a deeper understanding of social learning processes, and their relationship to human agency and societal change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cundill, Georgina , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, 1965- , Mukute, Mutizwa , Ali, Million Belay , Shackleton, Sheona E , Kulundu-Bolus, Injairu M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182832 , vital:43884 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2013.04.001"
- Description: A recent review has highlighted that the methodology most commonly employed to research social learning has been the individual case study. We draw on four examples of social learning research in the environmental and sustainability sciences from sub-Saharan Africa to reflect on possible reasons behind the preponderance of case study research in this field, and to identify common elements that may be significant for social learning research more generally. We find that a common interest in change oriented social learning, and therefore processes of change, makes case studies a necessary approach because long term process analyses are required that are sensitive to social-ecological contexts. Common elements of the examples reflected upon included: a focus on initiating, tracking and/or understanding a process of change toward sustainability; long term research; an action research agenda that involves reflecting on data with research participants; and temporal, process based analysis of data coupled with in-depth theoretical analysis. This paper highlights that there is significant scope for exploratory research that compares case studies of social learning research to generate a deeper understanding of social learning processes, and their relationship to human agency and societal change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Degradation of Paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan®: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Curran,Catherine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3165 , vital:43181
- Description: Abstract text. 5.1 Background Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is useful for the treatment of mild to moderate pain as well as being opiate–sparing. In recent years the problem of poor solubility of paracetamol in water has been overcome and an intravenous formulation of paracetamol developed. In South Africa this is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as Perfalgan®. Each 500 mg or 1g ampoule of Perfalgan® is recommended for single use only and is to be discarded once opened (Medicines.org, n.d.). This is most likely due to concerns about degradation of paracetamol or other ingredients in the solution once exposed to air and sterility issues. However in South Africa where this drug is expensive, some centers use one ampoule for multiple cases over the course of 12-24 hours. No obvious clinical adverse effects have been reported. 5.2 Objective of study The aim of this study was to examine the practice of using a single vial of Perfalgan® in divided doses over the course of a day for different patients by way of assessing the stability of Perfalgan® on exposure to air. The study has three components, namely: 1. In vitro assessment of paracetamol levels on exposure to air and stressors over time. 2. In vitro assessment of levels of the excipients, namely mannitol and cysteine on exposure to air and stressors over time. 3. Assessment of the lipid permeability of paracetamol in Perfalgan® on exposure to air and stressors over time. C Curran 2014 Degradation of paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan® 8 5.3 Methodology High performance liquid chromatography (HPCL-UV) was used to determine the concentration of paracetamol and the presence of degradation products in samples taken at set time periods following exposure of Perfalgan® to air and stressors. Initial work was done using pure paracetamol to determine optimal measurement conditions prior to analysing Perfalgan®. The concentrations of the additives and their degradation products were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR). Appreciable changes in these could indicate a safety hazard or decreased bioavailability. Finally ultraviolet spectroscopy was performed to assess samples at a wider spectrum of wavelengths, instead of the single wavelength used in HPLC. This was used to assess for degradation products which absorb at different wavelengths and therefore may be missed if HPLC was used alone. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was also used to test bioavailability of the drug via the octanol:water partition coefficient under stressed and unstressed conditions. 5.4 Results The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air over 24 hours. Neither did it degrade on exposure to acid, alkali, oxidative or heat stress. The HPLC retention time was constantly between 3.17-3.29 minutes. 1 H NMR revealed no change in the formulation of Perfalgan® except for the conversion of the oxygen scavenger cysteine to cystine. The octanol:water partition coefficient likewise stayed constant and was in agreement with the value of 0.46-0.49 quoted in the literature (International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2008; McNeil Consumer Healthcare, 2010). 5.5 Conclusion The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air and other stressors over 24 hours. The formulation as Perfalgan® was likewise found to be stable. The drug retained its lipid permeability over this period. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Curran,Catherine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3165 , vital:43181
- Description: Abstract text. 5.1 Background Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is useful for the treatment of mild to moderate pain as well as being opiate–sparing. In recent years the problem of poor solubility of paracetamol in water has been overcome and an intravenous formulation of paracetamol developed. In South Africa this is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as Perfalgan®. Each 500 mg or 1g ampoule of Perfalgan® is recommended for single use only and is to be discarded once opened (Medicines.org, n.d.). This is most likely due to concerns about degradation of paracetamol or other ingredients in the solution once exposed to air and sterility issues. However in South Africa where this drug is expensive, some centers use one ampoule for multiple cases over the course of 12-24 hours. No obvious clinical adverse effects have been reported. 5.2 Objective of study The aim of this study was to examine the practice of using a single vial of Perfalgan® in divided doses over the course of a day for different patients by way of assessing the stability of Perfalgan® on exposure to air. The study has three components, namely: 1. In vitro assessment of paracetamol levels on exposure to air and stressors over time. 2. In vitro assessment of levels of the excipients, namely mannitol and cysteine on exposure to air and stressors over time. 3. Assessment of the lipid permeability of paracetamol in Perfalgan® on exposure to air and stressors over time. C Curran 2014 Degradation of paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan® 8 5.3 Methodology High performance liquid chromatography (HPCL-UV) was used to determine the concentration of paracetamol and the presence of degradation products in samples taken at set time periods following exposure of Perfalgan® to air and stressors. Initial work was done using pure paracetamol to determine optimal measurement conditions prior to analysing Perfalgan®. The concentrations of the additives and their degradation products were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR). Appreciable changes in these could indicate a safety hazard or decreased bioavailability. Finally ultraviolet spectroscopy was performed to assess samples at a wider spectrum of wavelengths, instead of the single wavelength used in HPLC. This was used to assess for degradation products which absorb at different wavelengths and therefore may be missed if HPLC was used alone. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was also used to test bioavailability of the drug via the octanol:water partition coefficient under stressed and unstressed conditions. 5.4 Results The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air over 24 hours. Neither did it degrade on exposure to acid, alkali, oxidative or heat stress. The HPLC retention time was constantly between 3.17-3.29 minutes. 1 H NMR revealed no change in the formulation of Perfalgan® except for the conversion of the oxygen scavenger cysteine to cystine. The octanol:water partition coefficient likewise stayed constant and was in agreement with the value of 0.46-0.49 quoted in the literature (International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2008; McNeil Consumer Healthcare, 2010). 5.5 Conclusion The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air and other stressors over 24 hours. The formulation as Perfalgan® was likewise found to be stable. The drug retained its lipid permeability over this period. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Colonisation and community structure of benthic diatoms on artificial substrates following a major flood event: a case of the Kowie River (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
- Dalu, Tatenda, Froneman, P William, Chari, Lenin D, Richoux, Nicole B
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William , Chari, Lenin D , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143357 , vital:38239 , http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v40i3.10
- Description: A major flooding event that occurred during October–November 2012 caused major changes in the Kowie River hydromorphology and aquatic communities. The aim of our study was to identify the environmental variables that structure riverine benthic diatom communities at upstream and downstream locations 25 km apart on the Kowie River, South Africa. This was undertaken using tiles as artificial substrates so that we could study how the communities developed after the flood disturbance. The diatom community structure was assessed over a 28-day period following a flood event in October 2012. The Mann Whitney test indicated that there was a statistically significant difference (p 0.05) in total dissolved solids, salinity, pH and oxygen reduction potential between the two sites. In total, 58 diatom species belonging to 30 genera were identified over the 28-day study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William , Chari, Lenin D , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143357 , vital:38239 , http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v40i3.10
- Description: A major flooding event that occurred during October–November 2012 caused major changes in the Kowie River hydromorphology and aquatic communities. The aim of our study was to identify the environmental variables that structure riverine benthic diatom communities at upstream and downstream locations 25 km apart on the Kowie River, South Africa. This was undertaken using tiles as artificial substrates so that we could study how the communities developed after the flood disturbance. The diatom community structure was assessed over a 28-day period following a flood event in October 2012. The Mann Whitney test indicated that there was a statistically significant difference (p 0.05) in total dissolved solids, salinity, pH and oxygen reduction potential between the two sites. In total, 58 diatom species belonging to 30 genera were identified over the 28-day study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Can δ15N and δ13C stable isotopes and fatty acid signatures indicate changes in phytobenthos composition on an artificial substrate?
- Dalu, Tatenda, Froneman, P William
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68086 , vital:29197 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2014.974018
- Description: Publisher version , Temporal changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of the phytobenthos growing on artificial clay substrates under natural conditions over a 28-day period at an upstream and a downstream site in the Kowie River near Grahamstown were investigated in 2012. High concentrations of diatom markers 16:1ω7 and 20:5ω3 fatty acids were recorded, especially at the downstream site, reflecting the importance of diatoms in contributing to the phytobenthos communities at that station. After day 7 at the downstream site the average δ15N value of the phytobenthos was lighter, gradually increasing by ∼2‰ and ∼5‰ overall to heavier values on day 28. At the upstream site there were no significant changes (<1‰ increase) in δ15N values of the phytobenthos over time. Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) signatures in the phytobenthos communities were significantly different between sites (one-way ANOVA; p < 0.001). The stable isotope values and fatty acid concentrations of phytobenthos at the downstream site were different to those of the phytobenthos at the upstream site, and they changed concurrently with changes in the phytobenthos community structure. At the downstream site there was a strong correlation of the δ15N of phytobenthos with nitrates (R = 0.56) and time (weeks; R = 0.81). However, the fatty acids were not specific enough to characterise the composition of phytobenthos communities. Other biomarker methods, such as stable isotopes and microscopic examination of the communities, were found to be useful. The results from this relatively small-scale tile experiment indicate the complexity of changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of a phytobenthos community. Stable isotope and fatty acid composition can be successfully used to map changes in phytobenthos composition and carbon and nitrogen flow patterns along a river continuum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68086 , vital:29197 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2014.974018
- Description: Publisher version , Temporal changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of the phytobenthos growing on artificial clay substrates under natural conditions over a 28-day period at an upstream and a downstream site in the Kowie River near Grahamstown were investigated in 2012. High concentrations of diatom markers 16:1ω7 and 20:5ω3 fatty acids were recorded, especially at the downstream site, reflecting the importance of diatoms in contributing to the phytobenthos communities at that station. After day 7 at the downstream site the average δ15N value of the phytobenthos was lighter, gradually increasing by ∼2‰ and ∼5‰ overall to heavier values on day 28. At the upstream site there were no significant changes (<1‰ increase) in δ15N values of the phytobenthos over time. Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) signatures in the phytobenthos communities were significantly different between sites (one-way ANOVA; p < 0.001). The stable isotope values and fatty acid concentrations of phytobenthos at the downstream site were different to those of the phytobenthos at the upstream site, and they changed concurrently with changes in the phytobenthos community structure. At the downstream site there was a strong correlation of the δ15N of phytobenthos with nitrates (R = 0.56) and time (weeks; R = 0.81). However, the fatty acids were not specific enough to characterise the composition of phytobenthos communities. Other biomarker methods, such as stable isotopes and microscopic examination of the communities, were found to be useful. The results from this relatively small-scale tile experiment indicate the complexity of changes in fatty acid composition and δ15N, δ13C stable isotope values of a phytobenthos community. Stable isotope and fatty acid composition can be successfully used to map changes in phytobenthos composition and carbon and nitrogen flow patterns along a river continuum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2014
Using multivariate analysis and stable isotopes to assess the effects of substrate type on phytobenthos communities
- Dalu, Tatenda, Richoux, Nicole B, Froneman, P William
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Richoux, Nicole B , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68123 , vital:29201 , https://doi.org/10.5268/IW-4.4.719
- Description: Publisher version , For more than a century, artificial substrates have been employed in phytobenthos studies. In the present study, we compared the phytobenthos community structure in a field experiment over 3 seasons (summer, autumn, and winter) on 3 types of artificial substrates (brick, brown clay tiles, and grey clay tiles) and 3 natural substrates (macrophytes, rocks, and sediment) in a small, temperate system. A combination of multivariate analyses (cluster, multi-response permutation procedure, indicator species [IndVal], and canonical correspondence analysis [CCA]) and stable isotope analysis was used. We identified 96 total phytobenthos taxa. Artificial substrates resulted in different substrate communities, as shown by stable isotope analysis, cluster analysis, and a multi-response permutation procedure, with only those communities growing on grey tiles being similar to natural substrate communities. Overall, artificial substrates exhibited slightly higher species richness compared to natural substrates over the 3 seasons, although there were no significant differences (p> 0.05). Phytobenthos grown on brown tiles, rocks, and bricks showed seasonal variability of the carbon isotope δ13C values using one-way ANOVA (p< 0.05). Phytobenthos community structure did not show great seasonal variation; however, CCA identified water flow, conductivity, ammonium, phosphate, and water depth as important in structuring phytobenthos communities on different substrates. IndVal analysis showed that common phytobenthos taxa were not restricted to a single substrate, but preference was generally high for natural substrate, especially rocks, compared to artificial substrates. Substrate microhabitat type seems to influence the communities within the study areas.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Richoux, Nicole B , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68123 , vital:29201 , https://doi.org/10.5268/IW-4.4.719
- Description: Publisher version , For more than a century, artificial substrates have been employed in phytobenthos studies. In the present study, we compared the phytobenthos community structure in a field experiment over 3 seasons (summer, autumn, and winter) on 3 types of artificial substrates (brick, brown clay tiles, and grey clay tiles) and 3 natural substrates (macrophytes, rocks, and sediment) in a small, temperate system. A combination of multivariate analyses (cluster, multi-response permutation procedure, indicator species [IndVal], and canonical correspondence analysis [CCA]) and stable isotope analysis was used. We identified 96 total phytobenthos taxa. Artificial substrates resulted in different substrate communities, as shown by stable isotope analysis, cluster analysis, and a multi-response permutation procedure, with only those communities growing on grey tiles being similar to natural substrate communities. Overall, artificial substrates exhibited slightly higher species richness compared to natural substrates over the 3 seasons, although there were no significant differences (p> 0.05). Phytobenthos grown on brown tiles, rocks, and bricks showed seasonal variability of the carbon isotope δ13C values using one-way ANOVA (p< 0.05). Phytobenthos community structure did not show great seasonal variation; however, CCA identified water flow, conductivity, ammonium, phosphate, and water depth as important in structuring phytobenthos communities on different substrates. IndVal analysis showed that common phytobenthos taxa were not restricted to a single substrate, but preference was generally high for natural substrate, especially rocks, compared to artificial substrates. Substrate microhabitat type seems to influence the communities within the study areas.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2014
Why care about sharing?: Shared phones and shared netowrks in rural areas: African trends
- Authors: Dalvit, Lorenzo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158639 , vital:40217 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC159490
- Description: Tomi Ahonen, credited with introducing the concept of mobile as the seventh mass media, notes that the arrival of the mobile phone was a God-send for advertisers, as it is the only mass medium where the audience can be accurately identified. Conversely, the pervasiveness of location-aware, multi-sensor, permanently on and constantly connected devices raised privacy concerns about carrying "little brother" in your pocket at all times. One of the distinctive characteristics of mobile phones, setting them apart from all previous media, is the fact that they are personal devices: 60% of married users would not let their spouse access their mobile phone and, not surprisingly, teenagers are even less inclined to let their family members have a look at their device. Things have not always been so. In South Africa, research conducted among university students revealed that for many a hand-me-down phone the size of a brick and shared with siblings was their first mobile device.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dalvit, Lorenzo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158639 , vital:40217 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC159490
- Description: Tomi Ahonen, credited with introducing the concept of mobile as the seventh mass media, notes that the arrival of the mobile phone was a God-send for advertisers, as it is the only mass medium where the audience can be accurately identified. Conversely, the pervasiveness of location-aware, multi-sensor, permanently on and constantly connected devices raised privacy concerns about carrying "little brother" in your pocket at all times. One of the distinctive characteristics of mobile phones, setting them apart from all previous media, is the fact that they are personal devices: 60% of married users would not let their spouse access their mobile phone and, not surprisingly, teenagers are even less inclined to let their family members have a look at their device. Things have not always been so. In South Africa, research conducted among university students revealed that for many a hand-me-down phone the size of a brick and shared with siblings was their first mobile device.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Willingness to pay for marine-based tourism within the Ponto do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve, Mozambique
- Authors: Daly, Clare Amelie Keating
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Ponto do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve , Marine ecotourism -- Mozambique , Marine ecotourism -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Marine ecotourism -- Mozambique -- Marketing , Ecotourism -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Coastal zone management -- Mozambique , Marine resources conservation -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013304
- Description: Marine and coastal ecosystems face widespread degradation largely because market failure hides the economic value of the goods and services provided by them. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can serve as a structure that ensures the continuing function of marine and coastal ecosystem goods and services. Yet, to be effective and sustainable, MPAs must be able to prove their economic worth and generate revenue. User-fees are a common system used to partially finance multi-use MPAs. This study applies contingent valuation as a method of economic valuation within an MPA in southern Mozambique. The objectives of this study are to determine the willingness to pay of combined user groups and of individual user groups for use of the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve and to investigate the potential for the reserve to increase revenues for conservation through the implementation of a user-fee for marine based activities. The payment card contingent valuation method was employed to determine willingness to pay of dolphin swim tourists, scuba divers and fishermen. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews of 120 respondents within two popular tourist locations in the PPMR. Results show that visitors within the PPMR are mainly South Africans, loyal to the area. Probit and OLS regressions were used to determine the effects of various independent variables on willingness to pay. Results from the Probit model indicate that African residency, activity and environmental awareness were significant factors that influenced visitors being WTP more than R20 per person per day as a user fee within the PPMR. The OLS model examined independent variables that influenced visitors being willing to pay as well as the impact of the variables on the amount visitors were willing to pay. The OLS model found income, African residency and environmental awareness to be significant factors influencing visitors being willing to pay. The mean WTP was R43.75 per person per day. Using data supplied by the PPMR, conservative estimated annual revenues based on the implementation of this fee amount would range between R1.46m – R 3.3m.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Daly, Clare Amelie Keating
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Ponto do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve , Marine ecotourism -- Mozambique , Marine ecotourism -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Marine ecotourism -- Mozambique -- Marketing , Ecotourism -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Coastal zone management -- Mozambique , Marine resources conservation -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013304
- Description: Marine and coastal ecosystems face widespread degradation largely because market failure hides the economic value of the goods and services provided by them. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can serve as a structure that ensures the continuing function of marine and coastal ecosystem goods and services. Yet, to be effective and sustainable, MPAs must be able to prove their economic worth and generate revenue. User-fees are a common system used to partially finance multi-use MPAs. This study applies contingent valuation as a method of economic valuation within an MPA in southern Mozambique. The objectives of this study are to determine the willingness to pay of combined user groups and of individual user groups for use of the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve and to investigate the potential for the reserve to increase revenues for conservation through the implementation of a user-fee for marine based activities. The payment card contingent valuation method was employed to determine willingness to pay of dolphin swim tourists, scuba divers and fishermen. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews of 120 respondents within two popular tourist locations in the PPMR. Results show that visitors within the PPMR are mainly South Africans, loyal to the area. Probit and OLS regressions were used to determine the effects of various independent variables on willingness to pay. Results from the Probit model indicate that African residency, activity and environmental awareness were significant factors that influenced visitors being WTP more than R20 per person per day as a user fee within the PPMR. The OLS model examined independent variables that influenced visitors being willing to pay as well as the impact of the variables on the amount visitors were willing to pay. The OLS model found income, African residency and environmental awareness to be significant factors influencing visitors being willing to pay. The mean WTP was R43.75 per person per day. Using data supplied by the PPMR, conservative estimated annual revenues based on the implementation of this fee amount would range between R1.46m – R 3.3m.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Residency patterns and migration dynamics of adult bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) on the east coast of southern Africa:
- Daly, Ryan, Smale, Malcolm J, Cowley, Paul D, Froneman, P William
- Authors: Daly, Ryan , Smale, Malcolm J , Cowley, Paul D , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143235 , vital:38213 , doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0109357
- Description: Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are globally distributed top predators that play an important ecological role within coastal marine communities. However, little is known about the spatial and temporal scales of their habitat use and associated ecological role. In this study, we employed passive acoustic telemetry to investigate the residency patterns and migration dynamics of 18 adult bull sharks (195–283 cm total length) tagged in southern Mozambique for a period of between 10 and 22 months. The majority of sharks (n = 16) exhibited temporally and spatially variable residency patterns interspersed with migration events. Ten individuals undertook coastal migrations that ranged between 433 and 709 km (mean = 533 km) with eight of these sharks returning to the study site.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Daly, Ryan , Smale, Malcolm J , Cowley, Paul D , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143235 , vital:38213 , doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0109357
- Description: Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are globally distributed top predators that play an important ecological role within coastal marine communities. However, little is known about the spatial and temporal scales of their habitat use and associated ecological role. In this study, we employed passive acoustic telemetry to investigate the residency patterns and migration dynamics of 18 adult bull sharks (195–283 cm total length) tagged in southern Mozambique for a period of between 10 and 22 months. The majority of sharks (n = 16) exhibited temporally and spatially variable residency patterns interspersed with migration events. Ten individuals undertook coastal migrations that ranged between 433 and 709 km (mean = 533 km) with eight of these sharks returning to the study site.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An assessment of the challenges faced by the risk management unit in the public sector: the case of the Eastern Cape department of basic education
- Authors: Daniels, Mandisa Julia
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1030 , vital:26520
- Description: The main purpose of the study was to assess the challenges faced by the risk management of the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape Province. The study revealed that the department is faced with challenges ranging from: Poor internal controls, lack of appropriate capacity, non-compliance with management policies, high rate of employment, ineffective performance from the managers and there were no punitive measures applied, no adequate systems in place to identify and disclose irregularities and highly distributed structure where the department failed to demarcate its districts as per local government demarcation. From the analysis of the study, the study reveals that the following legislative frameworks were used in order for risk management in the Department to be performed in an effectively and efficiently manner but the Department failed to receive a positive audit outcome. Just to mention the few are as follow: Public Finance Management Act (Act 1 of 1999), Treasury Regulations, The Constitution of the Country and Risk Management Framework. The Department must speed up the finalization of its organizational structure so as to hire required staff for all sections, speed up the cleaning of data in schools, learners and personnel. It must improve efficiency and effectiveness of systems, process and procedures to achieve a better audit outcome. Training and capacitation of staff must be number one in their agenda. Ensure that systems are in place and have punitive measures to employees who contravene Treasury Regulations. The Department’s plan to reduce the number of districts in the near future must be speed up so as to assist the Department in addressing effective controls, accountability and monitoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Daniels, Mandisa Julia
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1030 , vital:26520
- Description: The main purpose of the study was to assess the challenges faced by the risk management of the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape Province. The study revealed that the department is faced with challenges ranging from: Poor internal controls, lack of appropriate capacity, non-compliance with management policies, high rate of employment, ineffective performance from the managers and there were no punitive measures applied, no adequate systems in place to identify and disclose irregularities and highly distributed structure where the department failed to demarcate its districts as per local government demarcation. From the analysis of the study, the study reveals that the following legislative frameworks were used in order for risk management in the Department to be performed in an effectively and efficiently manner but the Department failed to receive a positive audit outcome. Just to mention the few are as follow: Public Finance Management Act (Act 1 of 1999), Treasury Regulations, The Constitution of the Country and Risk Management Framework. The Department must speed up the finalization of its organizational structure so as to hire required staff for all sections, speed up the cleaning of data in schools, learners and personnel. It must improve efficiency and effectiveness of systems, process and procedures to achieve a better audit outcome. Training and capacitation of staff must be number one in their agenda. Ensure that systems are in place and have punitive measures to employees who contravene Treasury Regulations. The Department’s plan to reduce the number of districts in the near future must be speed up so as to assist the Department in addressing effective controls, accountability and monitoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The plasmodium falciparum exported Hsp40 co-chaperone, PFA0660w
- Authors: Daniyan, Michael Oluwatoyin
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Molecular chaperones Heat shock proteins Proteins -- Analysis Proteins -- Structure Plasmodium Plasmodium falciparum Malaria -- Prevention -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4108 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011780
- Description: Plasmodium falciparum is the pathogen that is responsible for the most virulent, severe and dangerous form of human malaria infection, accounting for nearly a million deaths every year. To survive and develop in the unusual environment of the red blood cells, the parasite causes structural remodelling of the host cell and biochemical changes through the export of virulence factors. Among the exportome are the molecular chaperones of the heat shock protein family, of which Hsp40s and Hsp70s are prominent. PF A0660w, a type II P. falciparum Hsp40, has been shown to be exported in complex with PfHsp70-x into the infected erythrocyte, suggesting possible functional interactions. However, the chaperone properties of PF A0660w and its interactions with proteins of parasite and human origin are yet to be investigated. Using a codon optimised coding region, PF A0660w was successfully expressed in E. coli M 15 [pREP4] cells. However, the expressed protein was largely deposited as insoluble pellet, and analysis of the pellets revealed a high percentage of PF A0660w, characteristic of inclusion body formation. PF A0660w was purified from inclusion bodies using additive enhanced solubilisation and refolding buffers followed by nickel affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and western analysis revealed that the purified protein was of high purity. Size exclusion chromatography showed that the protein existed as a monomer in solution and the secondary structure analysis using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the success of the refolding approach. Its monomeric state suggests that PF A0660w may be functionally different from other Hsp40 that form dimers and that for PF A0660w, dimer formation may not be needed to maintain the stability of the protein in solution, but may occur in response to functional necessities during its interaction with partner Hsp70. PFA0660w was able to significantly stimulate the ATPase activity ofPfl-Isp70-x but not Pfl-Isp70-1 or human Hsp70 (HsHsp70), suggesting a specific functional interaction. Also, PF A0660w produced a dose dependent suppression of rhodanese aggregation and cooperated with Pfl-Isp70-1, PfHsp70-x and HsHsp70 to cause enhanced aggregation suppression. Its ability to independently suppress aggregation may help to maintain substrates in an unfolded conformation for eventual transfer to partner Hsp70s during refolding processes. Also, the in vivo characterisation using a PF A0660w peptide specific antibody confirmed that PF A0660w was exported into the cytosol of infected erythrocytes. Its lack of induction upon heat shock suggests that PF A0660w may not be involved in the response of the parasite to heat stress. Overall, this study has provided the first heterologous over-expression, purification and biochemical evidence for the possible functional role of PF A0660w, and has thereby provided the needed background for further exploration of this protein as a potential target for drug discovery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Daniyan, Michael Oluwatoyin
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Molecular chaperones Heat shock proteins Proteins -- Analysis Proteins -- Structure Plasmodium Plasmodium falciparum Malaria -- Prevention -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4108 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011780
- Description: Plasmodium falciparum is the pathogen that is responsible for the most virulent, severe and dangerous form of human malaria infection, accounting for nearly a million deaths every year. To survive and develop in the unusual environment of the red blood cells, the parasite causes structural remodelling of the host cell and biochemical changes through the export of virulence factors. Among the exportome are the molecular chaperones of the heat shock protein family, of which Hsp40s and Hsp70s are prominent. PF A0660w, a type II P. falciparum Hsp40, has been shown to be exported in complex with PfHsp70-x into the infected erythrocyte, suggesting possible functional interactions. However, the chaperone properties of PF A0660w and its interactions with proteins of parasite and human origin are yet to be investigated. Using a codon optimised coding region, PF A0660w was successfully expressed in E. coli M 15 [pREP4] cells. However, the expressed protein was largely deposited as insoluble pellet, and analysis of the pellets revealed a high percentage of PF A0660w, characteristic of inclusion body formation. PF A0660w was purified from inclusion bodies using additive enhanced solubilisation and refolding buffers followed by nickel affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and western analysis revealed that the purified protein was of high purity. Size exclusion chromatography showed that the protein existed as a monomer in solution and the secondary structure analysis using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the success of the refolding approach. Its monomeric state suggests that PF A0660w may be functionally different from other Hsp40 that form dimers and that for PF A0660w, dimer formation may not be needed to maintain the stability of the protein in solution, but may occur in response to functional necessities during its interaction with partner Hsp70. PFA0660w was able to significantly stimulate the ATPase activity ofPfl-Isp70-x but not Pfl-Isp70-1 or human Hsp70 (HsHsp70), suggesting a specific functional interaction. Also, PF A0660w produced a dose dependent suppression of rhodanese aggregation and cooperated with Pfl-Isp70-1, PfHsp70-x and HsHsp70 to cause enhanced aggregation suppression. Its ability to independently suppress aggregation may help to maintain substrates in an unfolded conformation for eventual transfer to partner Hsp70s during refolding processes. Also, the in vivo characterisation using a PF A0660w peptide specific antibody confirmed that PF A0660w was exported into the cytosol of infected erythrocytes. Its lack of induction upon heat shock suggests that PF A0660w may not be involved in the response of the parasite to heat stress. Overall, this study has provided the first heterologous over-expression, purification and biochemical evidence for the possible functional role of PF A0660w, and has thereby provided the needed background for further exploration of this protein as a potential target for drug discovery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Legislating business rescue in South Africa: a critical evaluation
- Authors: Darko-Mamphey, Dorothy
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11121 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015244
- Description: Social, political and economic changes in post-apartheid South Africa have generated the need for a major reform of the legislative regime governing companies in order to ensure that that regime is capable of addressing the challenges faced in domestic and international circles, and to also meet the demands of globalisation. 1 These developments include the change in culture from company liquidations to commercial renewal which caused the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to embark on drastic reforms of South Africa’s business rescue mechanism as part of the broader company law reform project. 2 The domestic and global environments have indeed changed drastically with corporate structures showing significant evolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Darko-Mamphey, Dorothy
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11121 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015244
- Description: Social, political and economic changes in post-apartheid South Africa have generated the need for a major reform of the legislative regime governing companies in order to ensure that that regime is capable of addressing the challenges faced in domestic and international circles, and to also meet the demands of globalisation. 1 These developments include the change in culture from company liquidations to commercial renewal which caused the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to embark on drastic reforms of South Africa’s business rescue mechanism as part of the broader company law reform project. 2 The domestic and global environments have indeed changed drastically with corporate structures showing significant evolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Local economic development in former homeland areas since 1994
- Authors: Dasheka, Xolile Elson
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Mangaung , Social status -- South Africa -- Mangaung , Homelands (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3275 , vital:20419
- Description: This study seeks to focus on the extent to which the newly formed Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) in the Free State Province of South Africa has been able to close the socio-economic gap between the former homelands’ socio economic status and the current MMM such that the local development in former homeland areas post 1994 is scruitinised with the MMM serving as a unit of study for the scrutiny. A brief history of the three towns that form the Mangaung Metro Police such as Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, the population statistics and economic sectors contributing to its economic environment will be provided. The study will also look into the historical background of Local Economic Development and practices in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dasheka, Xolile Elson
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Mangaung , Social status -- South Africa -- Mangaung , Homelands (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3275 , vital:20419
- Description: This study seeks to focus on the extent to which the newly formed Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) in the Free State Province of South Africa has been able to close the socio-economic gap between the former homelands’ socio economic status and the current MMM such that the local development in former homeland areas post 1994 is scruitinised with the MMM serving as a unit of study for the scrutiny. A brief history of the three towns that form the Mangaung Metro Police such as Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, the population statistics and economic sectors contributing to its economic environment will be provided. The study will also look into the historical background of Local Economic Development and practices in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
“The stranger at home” : representations of home and hospitality in three South African post-transitional novels
- Authors: Dass, Minesh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , Wicomb, Zoë -- Criticism and interpretation , Shukri, Ishtiyaq, 1968- -- Criticism and interpretation , Vladislavić, Ivan, 1957- -- Criticism and interpretation , Home in literature , Hospitality in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016355
- Description: This thesis examines the representation of home and hospitality in Zoë Wicomb’s Playing in the Light, Ishtiyaq Shukri’s The Silent Minaret, and Ivan Vladislavić’s Double Negative. It attempts to trace the un-homeliness of the central characters and to account for their feelings of discomfort. As such, it argues that the home is incapable of being inviolable because the invasion of the public is always a possibility. The implication is that master narratives such as race, history and politics are always entering the space one constructs as private. That said, this study also argues that the home and those things with which it is most closely associated, such as belonging, comfort and safety, may actually hide a form of violence. By this I mean that in the desire for homeliness, one may exclude others from one’s home. Consequently, this argument draws on Jacques Derrida’s writings on the aporia of conditional and unconditional hospitality to investigate what ethical possibilities might, somewhat unexpectedly, be created by the un-homely home. The study is therefore an exploration of the potentials that inhere in a certain kind of un-homeliness, the most important of which is the chance to respond ethically to the alterity of the other. In sum, there is a necessity to extend hospitality beyond condition and beyond limit, and this ethical imperative is at odds with the desire for comfort and safety. The way in which post-transitional novels explore these issues of hospitality and home is the primary focus of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dass, Minesh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , Wicomb, Zoë -- Criticism and interpretation , Shukri, Ishtiyaq, 1968- -- Criticism and interpretation , Vladislavić, Ivan, 1957- -- Criticism and interpretation , Home in literature , Hospitality in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016355
- Description: This thesis examines the representation of home and hospitality in Zoë Wicomb’s Playing in the Light, Ishtiyaq Shukri’s The Silent Minaret, and Ivan Vladislavić’s Double Negative. It attempts to trace the un-homeliness of the central characters and to account for their feelings of discomfort. As such, it argues that the home is incapable of being inviolable because the invasion of the public is always a possibility. The implication is that master narratives such as race, history and politics are always entering the space one constructs as private. That said, this study also argues that the home and those things with which it is most closely associated, such as belonging, comfort and safety, may actually hide a form of violence. By this I mean that in the desire for homeliness, one may exclude others from one’s home. Consequently, this argument draws on Jacques Derrida’s writings on the aporia of conditional and unconditional hospitality to investigate what ethical possibilities might, somewhat unexpectedly, be created by the un-homely home. The study is therefore an exploration of the potentials that inhere in a certain kind of un-homeliness, the most important of which is the chance to respond ethically to the alterity of the other. In sum, there is a necessity to extend hospitality beyond condition and beyond limit, and this ethical imperative is at odds with the desire for comfort and safety. The way in which post-transitional novels explore these issues of hospitality and home is the primary focus of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014