Positioning 'the self': comparative case studies of first generation students' academic identities when home meets campus in a rapidly transforming higher education context
- Authors: Alcock, Andrea
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: First-generation college students -- South Africa , First-generation college students -- South Africa -- Case studies , Social perception -- South Africa , Educational equalization -- South Africa , College students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , College students, Black -- South Africa -- Attitudes , College students, Black -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6897 , vital:21198
- Description: This research offers an in-depth view of the self-positioning of a sample of seven first generation students in an extended curriculum programme for Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology. This comparative case study aims to examine how these participants took up, held or resisted positions, during the transitional process of entering a university. The students' responses were elicited in order to explore the development of student academic identity in this stage of late adolescence. Using positioning theory as an analytical framework, a visual methodology was employed to generate data during photo-elicitation interviews. For these, participants were invited to take metaphorical and non-mimetic photographs, in response to the prompt "Take photographs that show you as a student at home and on campus". Themes that surfaced were examined using positioning theory where the storylines, speech acts and rights and duties form the apex points of the positioning triangle that acts as a framework to analyse the participants' narratives. The study revealed the ways in which participants positioned their home communities and thereby developed their own agency. The majority of the participants used their self-positioning in relation to these home communities to build their academic identities. It was evident in the data that certain role models and peers played a significant part in such self-positioning. The rural to urban migration described by some of the participants indicated that the transition students navigated as they developed their academic identities was profound. The university was often perceived in this process as a powerful structure which offered opportunities but could simultaneously be experienced as alienating. Financial challenges added to the complexity of this experience. The development of student academic identity was evident in positioning statements of the participants and, in some cases, a professional identity was revealed. The analysis indicated that the participants were able to use their self-positioning to overcome many of their challenges through the creation of agential power and resilience. Furthermore the emergence of academic identity seemed to give rise to a positive view of 'the self' in relation to the period of transition to university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Alcock, Andrea
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: First-generation college students -- South Africa , First-generation college students -- South Africa -- Case studies , Social perception -- South Africa , Educational equalization -- South Africa , College students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , College students, Black -- South Africa -- Attitudes , College students, Black -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6897 , vital:21198
- Description: This research offers an in-depth view of the self-positioning of a sample of seven first generation students in an extended curriculum programme for Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology. This comparative case study aims to examine how these participants took up, held or resisted positions, during the transitional process of entering a university. The students' responses were elicited in order to explore the development of student academic identity in this stage of late adolescence. Using positioning theory as an analytical framework, a visual methodology was employed to generate data during photo-elicitation interviews. For these, participants were invited to take metaphorical and non-mimetic photographs, in response to the prompt "Take photographs that show you as a student at home and on campus". Themes that surfaced were examined using positioning theory where the storylines, speech acts and rights and duties form the apex points of the positioning triangle that acts as a framework to analyse the participants' narratives. The study revealed the ways in which participants positioned their home communities and thereby developed their own agency. The majority of the participants used their self-positioning in relation to these home communities to build their academic identities. It was evident in the data that certain role models and peers played a significant part in such self-positioning. The rural to urban migration described by some of the participants indicated that the transition students navigated as they developed their academic identities was profound. The university was often perceived in this process as a powerful structure which offered opportunities but could simultaneously be experienced as alienating. Financial challenges added to the complexity of this experience. The development of student academic identity was evident in positioning statements of the participants and, in some cases, a professional identity was revealed. The analysis indicated that the participants were able to use their self-positioning to overcome many of their challenges through the creation of agential power and resilience. Furthermore the emergence of academic identity seemed to give rise to a positive view of 'the self' in relation to the period of transition to university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating service quality at George Municipality : a complaints management systems approach
- Authors: Alcock, Sandra
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Consumer complaints -- South Africa -- George , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- George , Customer services -- Management , Local government -- South Africa -- George
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8717 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/917 , Consumer complaints -- South Africa -- George , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- George , Customer services -- Management , Local government -- South Africa -- George
- Description: The search for service and product quality has come to the forefront of business studies as the most important consumer trend of the past two decades. Studies conducted indicate that the 1990s saw a dramatic change in customer expectations concerning service quality and standards with a corresponding increase in the number of complaints from disgruntled customers. In response to this, many organisations have established customer care and complaints management services to respond to the need of customers. A substantial amount of literature exists on the subject of complaints management and its role in service quality, however, the focus has been on organisations in the private sector. The research undertaken in this paper aimed to investigate the role of complaints management systems (CMS) to evaluate service quality. The focus of this research was on local government with special attention on George Municipality. A literature review was done to establish the importance of service quality for local government as well as to investigate the link between an effective complaints management system and improvement in service quality. Furthermore, it was necessary to investigate the characteristics, design and implementation of an effective complaints management system. A questionnaire was developed in order to obtain primary data from a selected sample group. The data obtained from the questionnaire was statistically analysed and interpreted. The core findings from the analysed questionnaire indicated the following: service quality is relevant in local government; there is no clear method to measure service quality; no formal and structured complaints management system exist, and the implementation of an effective complaints management system will both improve service delivery and provide benefits to all involved. iv This study recommends that: service quality standards and measurement be of strategic importance to local government; customers should be consulted and involved when determining the service quality standards and measurement, and an organised and structured complaints management system that seeks to address all complaints in order to improve the level of service quality to customers be developed. Finally, the success of the CMS will depend on management’s commitment to change on a continuous basis as well as the degree to which management proactively resolves customer complaint through the involvement of the customer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Alcock, Sandra
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Consumer complaints -- South Africa -- George , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- George , Customer services -- Management , Local government -- South Africa -- George
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8717 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/917 , Consumer complaints -- South Africa -- George , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- George , Customer services -- Management , Local government -- South Africa -- George
- Description: The search for service and product quality has come to the forefront of business studies as the most important consumer trend of the past two decades. Studies conducted indicate that the 1990s saw a dramatic change in customer expectations concerning service quality and standards with a corresponding increase in the number of complaints from disgruntled customers. In response to this, many organisations have established customer care and complaints management services to respond to the need of customers. A substantial amount of literature exists on the subject of complaints management and its role in service quality, however, the focus has been on organisations in the private sector. The research undertaken in this paper aimed to investigate the role of complaints management systems (CMS) to evaluate service quality. The focus of this research was on local government with special attention on George Municipality. A literature review was done to establish the importance of service quality for local government as well as to investigate the link between an effective complaints management system and improvement in service quality. Furthermore, it was necessary to investigate the characteristics, design and implementation of an effective complaints management system. A questionnaire was developed in order to obtain primary data from a selected sample group. The data obtained from the questionnaire was statistically analysed and interpreted. The core findings from the analysed questionnaire indicated the following: service quality is relevant in local government; there is no clear method to measure service quality; no formal and structured complaints management system exist, and the implementation of an effective complaints management system will both improve service delivery and provide benefits to all involved. iv This study recommends that: service quality standards and measurement be of strategic importance to local government; customers should be consulted and involved when determining the service quality standards and measurement, and an organised and structured complaints management system that seeks to address all complaints in order to improve the level of service quality to customers be developed. Finally, the success of the CMS will depend on management’s commitment to change on a continuous basis as well as the degree to which management proactively resolves customer complaint through the involvement of the customer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The perceived economic impact of the city of Johannesburg's storm water attenuation policy on private property developers
- Authors: Aldous, Michael Geoffrey
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Runoff -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Real estate development -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/765 , Runoff -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Real estate development -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Description: Stormwater attenuation policy has, over recent years, become a highly contentious issue for the property development community. Increased urbanisation, locally and internationally, has forced municipal authorities to reconsider the role of stormwater management in this evolving urban landscape. It is within this context that the legislative support and municipal policy for stormwater management in the City of Johannesburg has been explored, particularly in terms of the economic impact on property developers. The research aimed to explore the relationship between stormwater attenuation policy and the economic impact thereof on private property developers. Consideration was given to the cost, risk and time factors of legislative and policy requirements within the development process. Further consideration was given to the physical environment that has brought about current pressures. Based upon research of international issues highlighted in countries with well developed attenuation policy, a questionnaire was constructed to evaluate the response of local private property developers to selected issues as key sub-problems. The responses were tested against the developed set of hypotheses. The research indicated that developers had a generally poor level of knowledge with regard to the stormwater management policy of the City of Johannesburg, as well as the supporting legislative requirements of provincial and national policy documents. The results of the survey also indicated that developers were strongly opposed to the loss of developable area, but indicated a limited financial impact of the current stormwater attenuation policy. The risk inherent in incorporating an attenuation facility within a development was identified as being low with little perceived impact. Developers further indicated that the inclusion of attenuation facilities was seen as a significant contributing factor in the delay, approval and acceptance of new developments in which attenuation facilities were required, while maintenance costs were indicated to be of a low level of importance. Recommendations in response to the research findings included the establishment of detailed policy documentation and support for effective distribution channels in conjunction with industry and public focused information campaigns, improved municipal capacity and a greater level of technical support. A need for additional stormwater research and an increase in the capture of relevant data for GIS purposes was identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Aldous, Michael Geoffrey
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Runoff -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Real estate development -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/765 , Runoff -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Real estate development -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Description: Stormwater attenuation policy has, over recent years, become a highly contentious issue for the property development community. Increased urbanisation, locally and internationally, has forced municipal authorities to reconsider the role of stormwater management in this evolving urban landscape. It is within this context that the legislative support and municipal policy for stormwater management in the City of Johannesburg has been explored, particularly in terms of the economic impact on property developers. The research aimed to explore the relationship between stormwater attenuation policy and the economic impact thereof on private property developers. Consideration was given to the cost, risk and time factors of legislative and policy requirements within the development process. Further consideration was given to the physical environment that has brought about current pressures. Based upon research of international issues highlighted in countries with well developed attenuation policy, a questionnaire was constructed to evaluate the response of local private property developers to selected issues as key sub-problems. The responses were tested against the developed set of hypotheses. The research indicated that developers had a generally poor level of knowledge with regard to the stormwater management policy of the City of Johannesburg, as well as the supporting legislative requirements of provincial and national policy documents. The results of the survey also indicated that developers were strongly opposed to the loss of developable area, but indicated a limited financial impact of the current stormwater attenuation policy. The risk inherent in incorporating an attenuation facility within a development was identified as being low with little perceived impact. Developers further indicated that the inclusion of attenuation facilities was seen as a significant contributing factor in the delay, approval and acceptance of new developments in which attenuation facilities were required, while maintenance costs were indicated to be of a low level of importance. Recommendations in response to the research findings included the establishment of detailed policy documentation and support for effective distribution channels in conjunction with industry and public focused information campaigns, improved municipal capacity and a greater level of technical support. A need for additional stormwater research and an increase in the capture of relevant data for GIS purposes was identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation of integrated development planning (IDP) as a mechanism for poverty alleviation in Grahamstown in the Makana Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Alebiosu, Olumide Ademola
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Makana Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4841 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005517 , Makana Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Poverty among individuals, households or communities is not a static condition. There are many factors which contribute to its causes and depth. In South Africa the economic gaps imposed by the previous apartheid government aggravated economic inequalities and caused considerable disparities, which has resulted in high unemployment rates. Inequalities were also manifest in the neglect of infrastructural and service provision as well in the effective absence of independent governance among some race group. This led to a call for pro-active initiatives by the post-1994 democratic government to remedy the living condition of the previously disadvantaged people. As part of its poverty relief drive the South African government has embarked on a series of developmental initiatives in bringing infrastructure related services to the poor and to reduce the enormous prevailing backlog, with the aim of increasing community participation, improving service delivery and promoting the upliftment of the lives of poor people through the medium of local governance. This study investigated the Integrated Development Planning, which has been undertaken in Grahamstown in the Makana Municipality in the Eastern Cape to respond to the prevailing poverty and underdevelopment among the poor communities. Relying on their developmental mandate to initiate and co-ordinate all development activities within their area of jurisdiction through the IDP, the Makana Municipality has drawn up a development strategic plan in conjunction with the local communities and with other stakeholders and organisations to identify and assess development backlogs within the communities with the aim of addressing such backlogs. This study revealed from the interviews conducted with some municipal personnel and questionnaires administered to sampled residents of Grahamstown that some faces of poverty, such as unemployment and lack of access to some of the most basic of infrastructure such as, sanitation facilities, water, electricity, formal house, education, security and recreation facilities are apparent in Grahamstown. However, the Makana Municipality through, the IDP has achieved some notable feats in the provision of providing some of the basic amenities such as water, housing, electricity and sanitation albeit at a slow rate. The mechanism of delivery is hampered by bureaucratic settings within government and the ambiguity attached to some of the projects. The service and infrastructural developments targeted towards the poor and the involvement of communities in the affairs of the local government might be seen as a partially panacea for poverty alleviation in South Africa. However the capacity of the local governments to effectively carry out this developmental challenge assignment might be a new twist in the developmental challenge facing local governments in South Africa. The thesis provides an overview of the Makana Municipality IDP and the degree to which is serving as one mechanism to address poverty in the Grahamstown urban area
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Alebiosu, Olumide Ademola
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Makana Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4841 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005517 , Makana Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Poverty among individuals, households or communities is not a static condition. There are many factors which contribute to its causes and depth. In South Africa the economic gaps imposed by the previous apartheid government aggravated economic inequalities and caused considerable disparities, which has resulted in high unemployment rates. Inequalities were also manifest in the neglect of infrastructural and service provision as well in the effective absence of independent governance among some race group. This led to a call for pro-active initiatives by the post-1994 democratic government to remedy the living condition of the previously disadvantaged people. As part of its poverty relief drive the South African government has embarked on a series of developmental initiatives in bringing infrastructure related services to the poor and to reduce the enormous prevailing backlog, with the aim of increasing community participation, improving service delivery and promoting the upliftment of the lives of poor people through the medium of local governance. This study investigated the Integrated Development Planning, which has been undertaken in Grahamstown in the Makana Municipality in the Eastern Cape to respond to the prevailing poverty and underdevelopment among the poor communities. Relying on their developmental mandate to initiate and co-ordinate all development activities within their area of jurisdiction through the IDP, the Makana Municipality has drawn up a development strategic plan in conjunction with the local communities and with other stakeholders and organisations to identify and assess development backlogs within the communities with the aim of addressing such backlogs. This study revealed from the interviews conducted with some municipal personnel and questionnaires administered to sampled residents of Grahamstown that some faces of poverty, such as unemployment and lack of access to some of the most basic of infrastructure such as, sanitation facilities, water, electricity, formal house, education, security and recreation facilities are apparent in Grahamstown. However, the Makana Municipality through, the IDP has achieved some notable feats in the provision of providing some of the basic amenities such as water, housing, electricity and sanitation albeit at a slow rate. The mechanism of delivery is hampered by bureaucratic settings within government and the ambiguity attached to some of the projects. The service and infrastructural developments targeted towards the poor and the involvement of communities in the affairs of the local government might be seen as a partially panacea for poverty alleviation in South Africa. However the capacity of the local governments to effectively carry out this developmental challenge assignment might be a new twist in the developmental challenge facing local governments in South Africa. The thesis provides an overview of the Makana Municipality IDP and the degree to which is serving as one mechanism to address poverty in the Grahamstown urban area
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
An investigation of instructional leadership in a Namibian teacher training college
- Alexander, Christa Henriette
- Authors: Alexander, Christa Henriette
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Windhoek College of Education Educational leadership -- Namibia Education -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1634 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003516
- Description: This thesis investigates how instructional leaders at the Windhoek College of Education (in Namibia) make sense of their roles. The Windhoek College of Education (WCE) was selected for this study because that is where I work, therefore it would be easy to observe some of the responses provided by the interviewees. It was also observed that instructional leadership is little researched in Namibia and hence study would contribute towards understanding the various perceptions that instructional leaders have of their roles. There is a need for information about the skills and tasks required to support practices of instructional leadership so that the best possible instruction can be provided. The thesis examines and presents such skills. A qualitative research framework, in particular an interpretative approach was used for the study. As my research is concerned with people’s perceptions, it is located in the interpretative paradigm. Semi-structured, open-ended interview questions were asked in order to gather information on how the participants make meaning of their roles as instructional leaders. The sample for the study consisted of eleven instructional leaders over different levels, i.e., executive leaders, leaders on middle-management level and leaders on classroom-instructional level. The findings indicated a narrow view of instructional leadership at the college. Factors contributing to this narrowness are addressed, e.g., the way concepts such as delegation, guidance and monitoring/supervision are perceived. The findings also addressed certain expectations that are needed from instructional leaders in order to ensure efficiency in their practice. The study concludes by recommending alternative, expansive ways of thinking about instructional leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Alexander, Christa Henriette
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Windhoek College of Education Educational leadership -- Namibia Education -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1634 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003516
- Description: This thesis investigates how instructional leaders at the Windhoek College of Education (in Namibia) make sense of their roles. The Windhoek College of Education (WCE) was selected for this study because that is where I work, therefore it would be easy to observe some of the responses provided by the interviewees. It was also observed that instructional leadership is little researched in Namibia and hence study would contribute towards understanding the various perceptions that instructional leaders have of their roles. There is a need for information about the skills and tasks required to support practices of instructional leadership so that the best possible instruction can be provided. The thesis examines and presents such skills. A qualitative research framework, in particular an interpretative approach was used for the study. As my research is concerned with people’s perceptions, it is located in the interpretative paradigm. Semi-structured, open-ended interview questions were asked in order to gather information on how the participants make meaning of their roles as instructional leaders. The sample for the study consisted of eleven instructional leaders over different levels, i.e., executive leaders, leaders on middle-management level and leaders on classroom-instructional level. The findings indicated a narrow view of instructional leadership at the college. Factors contributing to this narrowness are addressed, e.g., the way concepts such as delegation, guidance and monitoring/supervision are perceived. The findings also addressed certain expectations that are needed from instructional leaders in order to ensure efficiency in their practice. The study concludes by recommending alternative, expansive ways of thinking about instructional leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Psychological resilience: the role of unconscious and conscious coping strategies in the mediation of stress in high risk occupational contexts
- Authors: Alexander, Debra Geraldine
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Hazardous occupations , Teachers -- South Africa -- Job stress , Police -- South Africa -- Job stress , Emergency medical personnel -- South Africa -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3092 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003059 , Hazardous occupations , Teachers -- South Africa -- Job stress , Police -- South Africa -- Job stress , Emergency medical personnel -- South Africa -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology)
- Description: This study investigates the role of unconscious and conscious coping strategies in the mediation of stress in high risk occupational contexts. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Multidimensional Coping Inventory and the Defense Style Questionnaires were completed by 194 police, ambulance and teaching personnel. A sample of 37 teachers served as a non high risk occupation control group. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, analysis of variance, analysis of difference and principal component analysis were performed on the data. Results indicated minimal significant between group differences. Within group variances were yielded. A minor relationship between levels of stress and usage of positive and negative mechanisms was observed. The significance of these findings is discussed and recommendations made for further study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Alexander, Debra Geraldine
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Hazardous occupations , Teachers -- South Africa -- Job stress , Police -- South Africa -- Job stress , Emergency medical personnel -- South Africa -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3092 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003059 , Hazardous occupations , Teachers -- South Africa -- Job stress , Police -- South Africa -- Job stress , Emergency medical personnel -- South Africa -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology)
- Description: This study investigates the role of unconscious and conscious coping strategies in the mediation of stress in high risk occupational contexts. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Multidimensional Coping Inventory and the Defense Style Questionnaires were completed by 194 police, ambulance and teaching personnel. A sample of 37 teachers served as a non high risk occupation control group. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, analysis of variance, analysis of difference and principal component analysis were performed on the data. Results indicated minimal significant between group differences. Within group variances were yielded. A minor relationship between levels of stress and usage of positive and negative mechanisms was observed. The significance of these findings is discussed and recommendations made for further study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
The study of the metabolism of phenylbutazone (4-butyl-1,2 -diphenylpyrazolidine - 3,5 - dione) in rats
- Authors: Alexander, Dorothy Mary
- Date: 1978 , 2013-10-18
- Subjects: Drugs -- Metabolism , Phenylbutazone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007468 , Drugs -- Metabolism , Phenylbutazone
- Description: In this study the metabolism of the anti-arthritic drug, phenylbutazone, was investigated in female Wistar rats, and the results compared with those of other workers in this field. Two interrelated projects were undertaken. The first covered the pattern of excretion, isolation and characterisation of the metabolites and decomposition products of phenylbutazone in rats dosed post-orally with the drug. It was found that the major route of excretion was via the urine and over 50% of the administered dose was excreted in the first 24 hours by this route. A small percentage of the dose was excreted in the faeces. The following compounds were identified using chromatographic and autoradiographic techniques: p-Hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone γ-Hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone in both its molecular forms (ring lactone and straight chain hydroxyl) 4-Hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone p-γ-Dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone p-4-Dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone Hydrolysable conjugates (possibly glucuronides) Water soluble non-hydrolysable conjugates. The second project dealt with the quantitation of the water insoluble compounds isolated in the initial work. Using a unique technique, combining inverse isotope dilution assay and spectrophotometric analysis, it was found that the major metabolite was the γ-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone, present in both its molecular forms. Oxyphenbutazone was a minor metabolite and the p-γ-dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone was present only in very low concentration. These results did not conform with those of previous workers in this field who reported the γ-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone, in one molecular form only, as the major metabolite and the dihydroxy derivative as the second metabolite with a higher concentration in the urine than oxyphenbutazone. This disparity could be due to the fact that these workers took no account of the presence of the two molecular forms of the γ-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone with their different polarities and different Rf values. The present study showed that the straight chain hydroxyl isomer was probably mistakenly identified as the p-γ-dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone. This theory is supported by the fact that the percentage dose recovered by the previous workers of the γ-hydroxy and p-γ-dihydroxy derivatives together equalled the percentage dose recovered in this study of the two molecular forms of the γ-hydroxy derivative. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1978
- Authors: Alexander, Dorothy Mary
- Date: 1978 , 2013-10-18
- Subjects: Drugs -- Metabolism , Phenylbutazone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007468 , Drugs -- Metabolism , Phenylbutazone
- Description: In this study the metabolism of the anti-arthritic drug, phenylbutazone, was investigated in female Wistar rats, and the results compared with those of other workers in this field. Two interrelated projects were undertaken. The first covered the pattern of excretion, isolation and characterisation of the metabolites and decomposition products of phenylbutazone in rats dosed post-orally with the drug. It was found that the major route of excretion was via the urine and over 50% of the administered dose was excreted in the first 24 hours by this route. A small percentage of the dose was excreted in the faeces. The following compounds were identified using chromatographic and autoradiographic techniques: p-Hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone γ-Hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone in both its molecular forms (ring lactone and straight chain hydroxyl) 4-Hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone p-γ-Dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone p-4-Dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone Hydrolysable conjugates (possibly glucuronides) Water soluble non-hydrolysable conjugates. The second project dealt with the quantitation of the water insoluble compounds isolated in the initial work. Using a unique technique, combining inverse isotope dilution assay and spectrophotometric analysis, it was found that the major metabolite was the γ-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone, present in both its molecular forms. Oxyphenbutazone was a minor metabolite and the p-γ-dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone was present only in very low concentration. These results did not conform with those of previous workers in this field who reported the γ-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone, in one molecular form only, as the major metabolite and the dihydroxy derivative as the second metabolite with a higher concentration in the urine than oxyphenbutazone. This disparity could be due to the fact that these workers took no account of the presence of the two molecular forms of the γ-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone with their different polarities and different Rf values. The present study showed that the straight chain hydroxyl isomer was probably mistakenly identified as the p-γ-dihydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone. This theory is supported by the fact that the percentage dose recovered by the previous workers of the γ-hydroxy and p-γ-dihydroxy derivatives together equalled the percentage dose recovered in this study of the two molecular forms of the γ-hydroxy derivative. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1978
An investigation of the influence of knowledge-production and learning processes on complex practices in a community-driven citizen science initiative: A nature conservation case study
- Authors: Alexander, Jaclyn
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Science -- Citizen participation , Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee , Environmental education , Frogs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138173 , vital:37603
- Description: Community-driven citizen science initiatives have become an increasingly popular tool for combating social-ecological challenges that arise within communities. Scientific protocols have been designed to strengthen and support the accuracy and reliability of data collection and information sharing; however, little is understood of the dynamic social processes that reinforce and co-ordinate such community-driven action. This qualitative case study was undertaken to identify and understand complex organisational, political and socio-cultural processes (in particular knowledge-production and learning processes) that have guided, sustained and informed complex practices in a community driven citizen science initiative. The study aimed to inform the development of a social protocol that might be transferable to other citizen science contexts. The study drew on the theory of ‘Landscapes of Practice’, which highlights how multiple communities of practice overlap, interrelate, share knowledge and cross boundaries to create potential learning across a landscape. Additionally, ideas and typologies in recent citizen science literature offered perspective on the community-driven citizen science practices. This qualitative case study focused on the bounded case of the Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee. Specific data generation tools (interviews, observations, document analysis and diagrams) were used from multiple perspectives over time to provide rigor and depth to the data. The study demonstrated how multiple ‘nexes of practice’ co-engaged in collective knowledge creation practices, which helped to enhance ‘knowledgeability’ across the landscape. This coordinated effort, however, was sporadic and inconsistent. Recommendations are made for the development of social protocols that could assist collaborators in citizen science initiatives to scrutinise and rethink their practices and to examine both their successes and shortfalls towards their shared interest.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Alexander, Jaclyn
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Science -- Citizen participation , Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee , Environmental education , Frogs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138173 , vital:37603
- Description: Community-driven citizen science initiatives have become an increasingly popular tool for combating social-ecological challenges that arise within communities. Scientific protocols have been designed to strengthen and support the accuracy and reliability of data collection and information sharing; however, little is understood of the dynamic social processes that reinforce and co-ordinate such community-driven action. This qualitative case study was undertaken to identify and understand complex organisational, political and socio-cultural processes (in particular knowledge-production and learning processes) that have guided, sustained and informed complex practices in a community driven citizen science initiative. The study aimed to inform the development of a social protocol that might be transferable to other citizen science contexts. The study drew on the theory of ‘Landscapes of Practice’, which highlights how multiple communities of practice overlap, interrelate, share knowledge and cross boundaries to create potential learning across a landscape. Additionally, ideas and typologies in recent citizen science literature offered perspective on the community-driven citizen science practices. This qualitative case study focused on the bounded case of the Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee. Specific data generation tools (interviews, observations, document analysis and diagrams) were used from multiple perspectives over time to provide rigor and depth to the data. The study demonstrated how multiple ‘nexes of practice’ co-engaged in collective knowledge creation practices, which helped to enhance ‘knowledgeability’ across the landscape. This coordinated effort, however, was sporadic and inconsistent. Recommendations are made for the development of social protocols that could assist collaborators in citizen science initiatives to scrutinise and rethink their practices and to examine both their successes and shortfalls towards their shared interest.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Stories from forest, river and mountain : exploring children's cultural environmental narratives and their role in the transmission of cultural connection to and protection of biodiversity
- Authors: Alexander, Jamie Kim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Children and the environment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Oral tradition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional ecological knowledge -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015267
- Description: Preservationist conservation created a legacy of national parks and protected areas that were surrounded by local people dispossessed of their land and denied the rights to use the resources they had previously relied upon. Although conservation is now shifting towards a more participatory approach, research gaps still exist in determining the meaning of 'the environment' and the role of local means of conservation in rural communities in South Africa. This study focused on children's cultural environmental narratives from two rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Children from grades 4, 7 and 10 were involved in the study, and adult family members, local experts and village elders were included in the study to allow for comparison between children's and adult's narratives and to realise what Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) was being passed on. This thesis considers children's use of the environment for play and their sense of place as key methods in ascertaining children's environmental narratives and perceptions. At both field sites, local experts and community elders possessed a wealth of cultural environmental narratives, but these narratives were not necessarily being passed on. Changing household structures and other socio-economic factors influence cultural environmental practices, which in turn have an impact on the cultural environmental narratives being passed down. In many cases, parents' safety fears strongly impacted upon children's access to the environment, resulting in gendered environmental knowledge. The study compared differing vegetation types and degrees of environmental access. The differing environments produced similar cultural environmental narratives, leading to new understandings in community environment relationships. Children living near the state administered forest had significantly less environmental knowledge, bringing about questions of sustainable bio-cultural diversity in the future. The recognition of cultural environmental values is especially important in the rural areas of South Africa, where unemployment and increased poverty levels have led to greater dependence on natural resources for social, economic and cultural purposes. It is proposed that local cultural environmental narratives and landscape perceptions be included into community conservation and environmental education policies and programmes to provide local solutions to the problem of biodiversity conservation in local contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Alexander, Jamie Kim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Children and the environment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Oral tradition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional ecological knowledge -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015267
- Description: Preservationist conservation created a legacy of national parks and protected areas that were surrounded by local people dispossessed of their land and denied the rights to use the resources they had previously relied upon. Although conservation is now shifting towards a more participatory approach, research gaps still exist in determining the meaning of 'the environment' and the role of local means of conservation in rural communities in South Africa. This study focused on children's cultural environmental narratives from two rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Children from grades 4, 7 and 10 were involved in the study, and adult family members, local experts and village elders were included in the study to allow for comparison between children's and adult's narratives and to realise what Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) was being passed on. This thesis considers children's use of the environment for play and their sense of place as key methods in ascertaining children's environmental narratives and perceptions. At both field sites, local experts and community elders possessed a wealth of cultural environmental narratives, but these narratives were not necessarily being passed on. Changing household structures and other socio-economic factors influence cultural environmental practices, which in turn have an impact on the cultural environmental narratives being passed down. In many cases, parents' safety fears strongly impacted upon children's access to the environment, resulting in gendered environmental knowledge. The study compared differing vegetation types and degrees of environmental access. The differing environments produced similar cultural environmental narratives, leading to new understandings in community environment relationships. Children living near the state administered forest had significantly less environmental knowledge, bringing about questions of sustainable bio-cultural diversity in the future. The recognition of cultural environmental values is especially important in the rural areas of South Africa, where unemployment and increased poverty levels have led to greater dependence on natural resources for social, economic and cultural purposes. It is proposed that local cultural environmental narratives and landscape perceptions be included into community conservation and environmental education policies and programmes to provide local solutions to the problem of biodiversity conservation in local contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Smashing the crystal ball: post-structural insights associated with contemporary anarchism and the revision of blueprint utopianism
- Authors: Alexander, Tarryn Linda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003099 , Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Description: This thesis is an exploration of the images which define revolution's meaning. It suggests a possible shifting of emphasis from the scientific imaginary which centres on identifying the correct way to totalising revolution, towards a post-structuralist-anarchistic imaginary which privileges prefigurative radicalisations of social relations in the here and now. It looks specifically at how the field of post-structuralism intertwines with historically anarchist concepts to generate an horizon of social change animated by experimental and open-ended transformations. While the thesis offers positive characterisations of the types of contemporary movements, tactics and principles which embody the change from closed to open utopianism, it is chiefly a commentary on the role of theory in depicting the complexity of relations on the ground and the danger of proposing one totalising pathway from one state of society to another. It asks the reader to consider, given the achievements of movements and given the insights of post-structuralism, whether it is still worthwhile to proclaim certainty when sketching the possibilities for transcendence toward emancipation, an aim, which in itself, is always under construction. I engage this by firstly establishing a practical foundation for the critique of endpoints in theory by exploring the horizontal and prefigurative nature of a few autonomous movements today. Secondly I propose the contemporary theory of post-structuralist anarchism as concomitant with conclusions about transformation made in the first chapter. Finally I recommend a few initial concepts to start debate about the way forward from old objectivist models of transformation. The uncertainties of daily life, crumbling of economic powers and rapid pace of change in the twenty-first century have opened up fantastic spaces for innovative thought. Reconsidering old consensus around what constitutes a desirable image of revolution is of considerable importance given today's burgeoning bottom-up political energy and the global debate surrounding the possibilities for bottom-up revolutionisation of society. I submit that theories which portray stories of permanent, pure and natural end-points to revolution are deficient justifications for radical action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Alexander, Tarryn Linda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003099 , Social change , Utopian socialism -- Philosophy , Utopias -- Philosophy , Anarchism
- Description: This thesis is an exploration of the images which define revolution's meaning. It suggests a possible shifting of emphasis from the scientific imaginary which centres on identifying the correct way to totalising revolution, towards a post-structuralist-anarchistic imaginary which privileges prefigurative radicalisations of social relations in the here and now. It looks specifically at how the field of post-structuralism intertwines with historically anarchist concepts to generate an horizon of social change animated by experimental and open-ended transformations. While the thesis offers positive characterisations of the types of contemporary movements, tactics and principles which embody the change from closed to open utopianism, it is chiefly a commentary on the role of theory in depicting the complexity of relations on the ground and the danger of proposing one totalising pathway from one state of society to another. It asks the reader to consider, given the achievements of movements and given the insights of post-structuralism, whether it is still worthwhile to proclaim certainty when sketching the possibilities for transcendence toward emancipation, an aim, which in itself, is always under construction. I engage this by firstly establishing a practical foundation for the critique of endpoints in theory by exploring the horizontal and prefigurative nature of a few autonomous movements today. Secondly I propose the contemporary theory of post-structuralist anarchism as concomitant with conclusions about transformation made in the first chapter. Finally I recommend a few initial concepts to start debate about the way forward from old objectivist models of transformation. The uncertainties of daily life, crumbling of economic powers and rapid pace of change in the twenty-first century have opened up fantastic spaces for innovative thought. Reconsidering old consensus around what constitutes a desirable image of revolution is of considerable importance given today's burgeoning bottom-up political energy and the global debate surrounding the possibilities for bottom-up revolutionisation of society. I submit that theories which portray stories of permanent, pure and natural end-points to revolution are deficient justifications for radical action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A case study of the group work management techniques of an English second language teacher in the Molopo circuit of Bophuthatswana
- Authors: Alfers, Helen Joy
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana--Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1441 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003322
- Description: This study examines the small group work management techniques of a teacher of English in a second language classroom in Bophuthatswana. The school at which the observation takes place, is a black secondary school in Mmabatho which follows the Department of Education and Training (DET) syllabus and writes the DET external matriculation examination. The goal of the research is to assess and evaluate the methods the teacher uses in managing group work according to five specified areas. These areas are noted for their importance in the successful management of group work. The report on the findings of this research reveals that the teacher's understanding of the nature of small group work differs from the accepted characteristics of successful group work management as interpreted by authorities in this field. This gives rise to management techniques that are sometimes inappropriate and ill-considered. Although this study observes only one teacher, the findings indicate the need for more classroom-based research in order to establish the true nature of classroom practice. Assumptions about classroom practice are too readily made by innovators, syllabus designers and textbook writers who design materials based on methodologies which can be complex and difficult to implement. These methodologies require understanding and commitment from the teacher. However, the pre-service and in-service education and development that the teacher receives often does not guarantee understanding of the processes involved nor does it generate the necessary commitment to small group work as an effective teaching technique.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Alfers, Helen Joy
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana--Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1441 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003322
- Description: This study examines the small group work management techniques of a teacher of English in a second language classroom in Bophuthatswana. The school at which the observation takes place, is a black secondary school in Mmabatho which follows the Department of Education and Training (DET) syllabus and writes the DET external matriculation examination. The goal of the research is to assess and evaluate the methods the teacher uses in managing group work according to five specified areas. These areas are noted for their importance in the successful management of group work. The report on the findings of this research reveals that the teacher's understanding of the nature of small group work differs from the accepted characteristics of successful group work management as interpreted by authorities in this field. This gives rise to management techniques that are sometimes inappropriate and ill-considered. Although this study observes only one teacher, the findings indicate the need for more classroom-based research in order to establish the true nature of classroom practice. Assumptions about classroom practice are too readily made by innovators, syllabus designers and textbook writers who design materials based on methodologies which can be complex and difficult to implement. These methodologies require understanding and commitment from the teacher. However, the pre-service and in-service education and development that the teacher receives often does not guarantee understanding of the processes involved nor does it generate the necessary commitment to small group work as an effective teaching technique.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
Stirring the hornet's nest: women's citizenship and childcare in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Alfers, Laura Corrigall
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002967 , Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Description: It is a widely acknowledged fact that women’s access to the full rights of citizenship in the liberal state is restricted because of their unequal responsibility for childcare. The South African state, however, despite its theoretical commitment to gender equality, has failed substantially to engage with the issue of childcare and women’s citizenship. This is problematic because in failing to envisage a role for itself in supporting women with their responsibility for childcare, the state has not only neglected its Constitutional commitments to gender equality, but it has also failed to realise the benefits that could potentially accrue to children if women’s access to economic citizenship is not hampered by childcare. Recognising this problem, this thesis attempts to engender some debate as to how the South African state could feasibly correct this failure. In doing so, it uses feminist political theory as a basis and takes a critical view of the two childcare policies that have dominated the debate over women’s citizenship and childcare in Western liberal democracies – socialised care and the neofamilialist model. In concluding it attempts to provide an idea of what feasible, state-based childcare policies could look like in present-day South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Alfers, Laura Corrigall
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002967 , Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Description: It is a widely acknowledged fact that women’s access to the full rights of citizenship in the liberal state is restricted because of their unequal responsibility for childcare. The South African state, however, despite its theoretical commitment to gender equality, has failed substantially to engage with the issue of childcare and women’s citizenship. This is problematic because in failing to envisage a role for itself in supporting women with their responsibility for childcare, the state has not only neglected its Constitutional commitments to gender equality, but it has also failed to realise the benefits that could potentially accrue to children if women’s access to economic citizenship is not hampered by childcare. Recognising this problem, this thesis attempts to engender some debate as to how the South African state could feasibly correct this failure. In doing so, it uses feminist political theory as a basis and takes a critical view of the two childcare policies that have dominated the debate over women’s citizenship and childcare in Western liberal democracies – socialised care and the neofamilialist model. In concluding it attempts to provide an idea of what feasible, state-based childcare policies could look like in present-day South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
An investigation into the problems related to the adjustment of beginning-teachers leading to the development of an induction programme
- Authors: Algie, Rowan Craig
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Teachers, Probationary -- South Africa Teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003074
- Description: There is little doubt that there is a widespread concern that the transition from the supportive environment of the training institution where mistakes are expected, self criticism is encouraged and both tutorial guidance and peer group friendship are readily available into a situation where professional and personal responsibilities are profoundly altered, where the methods used, the progress of the pupils, their parents' expectations, the working relationship with colleagues are now permanent responsibilities. This transition can be traumatic for some and a considerable ordeal for many.--Chapter 1, p. 10.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
- Authors: Algie, Rowan Craig
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Teachers, Probationary -- South Africa Teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003074
- Description: There is little doubt that there is a widespread concern that the transition from the supportive environment of the training institution where mistakes are expected, self criticism is encouraged and both tutorial guidance and peer group friendship are readily available into a situation where professional and personal responsibilities are profoundly altered, where the methods used, the progress of the pupils, their parents' expectations, the working relationship with colleagues are now permanent responsibilities. This transition can be traumatic for some and a considerable ordeal for many.--Chapter 1, p. 10.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
Does primary resource-based industrialisation offer an escape from underdevelopment?
- Authors: Ali, Fatimah
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Comparative advantage (International trade) , Exports -- Africa, West , Exports -- Mauritius , Exports -- South Africa , Foreign trade promotion -- Mauritius , International trade , Primary commodities -- Africa , Human capital -- Economic aspects -- Africa , Natural resources -- Africa , Africa -- Commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1018 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002753 , Comparative advantage (International trade) , Exports -- Africa, West , Exports -- Mauritius , Exports -- South Africa , Foreign trade promotion -- Mauritius , International trade , Primary commodities -- Africa , Human capital -- Economic aspects -- Africa , Natural resources -- Africa , Africa -- Commerce
- Description: It is commonly believed about sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that the region has a comparative advantage in primary resources as reflected by its high share of primary exports to total exports. In acknowledging the region's comparative advantage, the study tries to put the determinants from the Wood and Mayer (1998, (999) (W-M) Heckscher-Ohlin based model in the context of two relatively diversified countries (South Africa and Mauritius) and two commodity-export-dependent countries of sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria and Cô̌̌te d'Ivoire). The study finds that the skill and land resource measures used in the W -M (1998, 1999) thesis do not explain why Nigeria, having a similar level of skill per worker ratio to South Africa, has not diversified. Further, Mauritius having relatively the highest skill per land ratio specialises in low-skill textiles and clothing, while South Africa specialises in the more human capital-intensive "other manufactures" group. The other measure, a low land per worker ratio that explains Mauritius' relatively higher share of manufacturing exports, also fails to apply to Nigeria. The thesis thus concludes that the W-M land and skill measures could only be rough proxies in determining comparative advantage in manufacturing exports. However, employing the Dutch disease hypothesis recognises the potential of land abundance as a natural resource, namely minerals in South Africa, oil in Nigeria, and cocoa in Cǒ̌te d'Ivoire. The Dutch disease is a dynamic process of structural economic and political development that will permit an understanding of why natural resource abundant countries do not have a comparative advantage in manufacturing, at least in the short to medium term. The study therefore investigates commodity dependence and the Dutch disease effects to examine whether primary resource- based industrialisation offers an escape from underdevelopment. It establishes that South Africa, a mineral resource rich country, diversified based on a broad mineral-energy-complex (MEC) reinforcing the notion that land abundant countries will first invest in capital- intensive primary resource processing. However, the thesis concludes that in Nigeria and Cǒ̌te d'Ivoire where external shocks are more predominant probably because of single commodity export reliance, the manufacturing sector lags behind more due to resource and spending effects that a natural resource boom generates in these economies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Ali, Fatimah
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Comparative advantage (International trade) , Exports -- Africa, West , Exports -- Mauritius , Exports -- South Africa , Foreign trade promotion -- Mauritius , International trade , Primary commodities -- Africa , Human capital -- Economic aspects -- Africa , Natural resources -- Africa , Africa -- Commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1018 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002753 , Comparative advantage (International trade) , Exports -- Africa, West , Exports -- Mauritius , Exports -- South Africa , Foreign trade promotion -- Mauritius , International trade , Primary commodities -- Africa , Human capital -- Economic aspects -- Africa , Natural resources -- Africa , Africa -- Commerce
- Description: It is commonly believed about sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that the region has a comparative advantage in primary resources as reflected by its high share of primary exports to total exports. In acknowledging the region's comparative advantage, the study tries to put the determinants from the Wood and Mayer (1998, (999) (W-M) Heckscher-Ohlin based model in the context of two relatively diversified countries (South Africa and Mauritius) and two commodity-export-dependent countries of sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria and Cô̌̌te d'Ivoire). The study finds that the skill and land resource measures used in the W -M (1998, 1999) thesis do not explain why Nigeria, having a similar level of skill per worker ratio to South Africa, has not diversified. Further, Mauritius having relatively the highest skill per land ratio specialises in low-skill textiles and clothing, while South Africa specialises in the more human capital-intensive "other manufactures" group. The other measure, a low land per worker ratio that explains Mauritius' relatively higher share of manufacturing exports, also fails to apply to Nigeria. The thesis thus concludes that the W-M land and skill measures could only be rough proxies in determining comparative advantage in manufacturing exports. However, employing the Dutch disease hypothesis recognises the potential of land abundance as a natural resource, namely minerals in South Africa, oil in Nigeria, and cocoa in Cǒ̌te d'Ivoire. The Dutch disease is a dynamic process of structural economic and political development that will permit an understanding of why natural resource abundant countries do not have a comparative advantage in manufacturing, at least in the short to medium term. The study therefore investigates commodity dependence and the Dutch disease effects to examine whether primary resource- based industrialisation offers an escape from underdevelopment. It establishes that South Africa, a mineral resource rich country, diversified based on a broad mineral-energy-complex (MEC) reinforcing the notion that land abundant countries will first invest in capital- intensive primary resource processing. However, the thesis concludes that in Nigeria and Cǒ̌te d'Ivoire where external shocks are more predominant probably because of single commodity export reliance, the manufacturing sector lags behind more due to resource and spending effects that a natural resource boom generates in these economies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Toward a culture of engagement: leveraging the enterprise social network
- Authors: Alistoun, Garth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Communication in organizations -- South Africa Business communication -- South Africa Social media -- South Africa -- Case studies Leadership -- South Africa -- Case studies Human capital -- Management Personnel management Organizational effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010869
- Description: This research aims to provide a theory of enterprise social networking that generates and/or sustains a culture of employee engagement within a chosen South African private sector company. Based on an extensive review of interesting literature and the application of a grounded theory process in a chosen case, this research work provides a theory of enterprise social networking sustaining and growing employee engagement together with an explanatory theoretical framework that makes the theory more practical. Employee engagement is defined as “the harnessing of organisation member’s selves to their work roles; in engagement people employ and express themselves physically, cognitively, and emotionally during role performances.” This research regards employee engagement as a three part concept composed of a trait (personality/cognitive) aspect, a state (emotional) aspect, and a behavioural aspect. Research has shown that employee engagement has an unequivocal positive impact on business outcomes, such as profitability, business performance, employee retention and productivity. Employee engagement can be regarded as a culture if it is abundant within the organization’s employee population. Gatenby et al. (2009) propose that employee engagement is fostered by creating the desire and opportunity for employees to connect with colleagues, managers and the wider organisation. This standpoint is supported by Kular et al. (2008) who state that the “key drivers of employee engagement identified include communication, opportunities for employees to feed their views upward and thinking that their managers are committed to the organisation.” Further indicators of employee engagement include strong leadership (particularly in the form of servant leadership), accountability, a positive and open organisational culture, autonomy, and opportunities for development. One of the key facets of employee engagement is connection. A complementary definition of social media, an umbrella under which enterprise social networks fall, is that “(it) is more of a relationship channel, a connection channel. Each and every tweet, update, video, post, is a connection point to another human being. And it’s the other human being who will determine your worth to them.” Social media provides participants with access to a larger pool of resources and relationships than they would normally have access to. This enlarged relationship/resource pool is a result of expanding human and social capital enabled through social media tools. In order to produce a theory of enterprise social networking sustaining and growing a culture of employee engagement a rigorous grounded theory methodology coupled with a case study methodology was applied. The case study methodology was used to identify a suitable research site and interesting participants within the site while the grounded theory process was used to produce both qualitative and quantitative data sets in a suitability rigorous fashion. The corroborative data was then used to discover and define the emergent theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Alistoun, Garth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Communication in organizations -- South Africa Business communication -- South Africa Social media -- South Africa -- Case studies Leadership -- South Africa -- Case studies Human capital -- Management Personnel management Organizational effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010869
- Description: This research aims to provide a theory of enterprise social networking that generates and/or sustains a culture of employee engagement within a chosen South African private sector company. Based on an extensive review of interesting literature and the application of a grounded theory process in a chosen case, this research work provides a theory of enterprise social networking sustaining and growing employee engagement together with an explanatory theoretical framework that makes the theory more practical. Employee engagement is defined as “the harnessing of organisation member’s selves to their work roles; in engagement people employ and express themselves physically, cognitively, and emotionally during role performances.” This research regards employee engagement as a three part concept composed of a trait (personality/cognitive) aspect, a state (emotional) aspect, and a behavioural aspect. Research has shown that employee engagement has an unequivocal positive impact on business outcomes, such as profitability, business performance, employee retention and productivity. Employee engagement can be regarded as a culture if it is abundant within the organization’s employee population. Gatenby et al. (2009) propose that employee engagement is fostered by creating the desire and opportunity for employees to connect with colleagues, managers and the wider organisation. This standpoint is supported by Kular et al. (2008) who state that the “key drivers of employee engagement identified include communication, opportunities for employees to feed their views upward and thinking that their managers are committed to the organisation.” Further indicators of employee engagement include strong leadership (particularly in the form of servant leadership), accountability, a positive and open organisational culture, autonomy, and opportunities for development. One of the key facets of employee engagement is connection. A complementary definition of social media, an umbrella under which enterprise social networks fall, is that “(it) is more of a relationship channel, a connection channel. Each and every tweet, update, video, post, is a connection point to another human being. And it’s the other human being who will determine your worth to them.” Social media provides participants with access to a larger pool of resources and relationships than they would normally have access to. This enlarged relationship/resource pool is a result of expanding human and social capital enabled through social media tools. In order to produce a theory of enterprise social networking sustaining and growing a culture of employee engagement a rigorous grounded theory methodology coupled with a case study methodology was applied. The case study methodology was used to identify a suitable research site and interesting participants within the site while the grounded theory process was used to produce both qualitative and quantitative data sets in a suitability rigorous fashion. The corroborative data was then used to discover and define the emergent theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The origin of endorheic pans on the African erosion surface North of Grahamstown, South Africa
- Authors: Alistoun, Judith Robyn
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011048
- Description: Pans on the African Erosion Surface near Grahamstown are small features, which, perhaps due to their small size have been neglected by researchers. From the outset the striking difference of these pans relative to other pans in southern Africa, is that the host rock is silcrete, a highly resistant rock well known as being associated with deeply weathered plateaus. The dominant origin theory for pans in southern Africa was developed by Goudie and Thomas (1985), and focuses on mechanisms relating to erosion and deflation. This model does not fit in well with the pans that have formed on substrate that has largely been unaffected by erosion in recent geological history (thousands to 10 000 years). As such this study examined the role of prolonged chemical weathering of Dwyka Tillite, that has led to the formation of silcrete. The hypothesis was that such deep weathering is responsible for local scale volume changes, which have in turn led to the formation of a depression. The centre of the pan indicated the highest concentration of Al₂O₃ and kaolinite at mid depths, and their concentrations decreased vertically away from these depths, and laterally towards the margins of the pan. Similar results were noted for SiO₂, while CaO and MgO (and calcite and dolomite) were highest at mid depths along the margins of the pan, and decreased laterally toward the centre of the pan. Results indicated that there was a positive relationship in the centre of the pan between: - the degree of chemical weathering and volume losses, - relative elevation of the pan and volume changes. Geochemically and mineralogically, there was a link between the high concentrations of Ca and Mg carbonates and volume gains in the margin of the pans. It is proposed that transpiration of vegetation along the margin of the pan caused the lateral movement of solutes, and the selective exclusion of these solutes by plants was associated with carbonate precipitation, leading to the creation of local relief. These results provide evidence to suggest that weathering and precipitation processes occurring over geological time scales are responsible for minor scale relief features, whose origin has been mistakenly attributed to deflation processes occurring over hundreds to thousands of years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Alistoun, Judith Robyn
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011048
- Description: Pans on the African Erosion Surface near Grahamstown are small features, which, perhaps due to their small size have been neglected by researchers. From the outset the striking difference of these pans relative to other pans in southern Africa, is that the host rock is silcrete, a highly resistant rock well known as being associated with deeply weathered plateaus. The dominant origin theory for pans in southern Africa was developed by Goudie and Thomas (1985), and focuses on mechanisms relating to erosion and deflation. This model does not fit in well with the pans that have formed on substrate that has largely been unaffected by erosion in recent geological history (thousands to 10 000 years). As such this study examined the role of prolonged chemical weathering of Dwyka Tillite, that has led to the formation of silcrete. The hypothesis was that such deep weathering is responsible for local scale volume changes, which have in turn led to the formation of a depression. The centre of the pan indicated the highest concentration of Al₂O₃ and kaolinite at mid depths, and their concentrations decreased vertically away from these depths, and laterally towards the margins of the pan. Similar results were noted for SiO₂, while CaO and MgO (and calcite and dolomite) were highest at mid depths along the margins of the pan, and decreased laterally toward the centre of the pan. Results indicated that there was a positive relationship in the centre of the pan between: - the degree of chemical weathering and volume losses, - relative elevation of the pan and volume changes. Geochemically and mineralogically, there was a link between the high concentrations of Ca and Mg carbonates and volume gains in the margin of the pans. It is proposed that transpiration of vegetation along the margin of the pan caused the lateral movement of solutes, and the selective exclusion of these solutes by plants was associated with carbonate precipitation, leading to the creation of local relief. These results provide evidence to suggest that weathering and precipitation processes occurring over geological time scales are responsible for minor scale relief features, whose origin has been mistakenly attributed to deflation processes occurring over hundreds to thousands of years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Investigation of the performance of photovoltaic systems
- Authors: Alistoun, Warren James
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008396 , Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of grid integrated PV systems. A data acquisition (DAQ) system was developed to monitor the performance of an existing grid integrated PV system with battery storage. This system is referred to as a grid assisted PV system. A data logger was used together with the inverters built in data logger to monitor environmental and electrical data on a grid tie PV system which was deployed during this study. To investigate the performance of these grid integrated PV systems PV and BOS device characterization was performed. This was achieved by using current voltage curve tracers and the DAQ system developed. Energy yield estimations were calculated referring to the literature review and a meteorological reference for comparison with measured energy yields from the grid tie PV system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Alistoun, Warren James
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008396 , Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of grid integrated PV systems. A data acquisition (DAQ) system was developed to monitor the performance of an existing grid integrated PV system with battery storage. This system is referred to as a grid assisted PV system. A data logger was used together with the inverters built in data logger to monitor environmental and electrical data on a grid tie PV system which was deployed during this study. To investigate the performance of these grid integrated PV systems PV and BOS device characterization was performed. This was achieved by using current voltage curve tracers and the DAQ system developed. Energy yield estimations were calculated referring to the literature review and a meteorological reference for comparison with measured energy yields from the grid tie PV system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A model to measure the maturuty of smartphone security at software consultancies
- Authors: Allam, Sean
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/281 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Description: Smartphones are proliferating into the workplace at an ever-increasing rate, similarly the threats that they pose is increasing. In an era of constant connectivity and availability, information is freed up of constraints of time and place. This research project delves into the risks introduced by smartphones, and through multiple cases studies, a maturity measurement model is formulated. The model is based on recommendations from two leading information security frameworks, the COBIT 4.1 framework and ISO27002 code of practice. Ultimately, a combination of smartphone specific risks are integrated with key control recommendations, in providing a set of key measurable security maturity components. The subjective opinions of case study respondents are considered a key component in achieving a solution. The solution addresses the concerns of not only policy makers, but also the employees subjected to the security policies. Nurturing security awareness into organisational culture through reinforcement and employee acceptance is highlighted in this research project. Software consultancies can use this model to mitigate risks, while harnessing the potential strategic advantages of mobile computing through smartphone devices. In addition, this research project identifies the critical components of a smartphone security solution. As a result, a model is provided for software consultancies due to the intense reliance on information within these types of organisations. The model can be effectively applied to any information intensive organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Allam, Sean
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/281 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Description: Smartphones are proliferating into the workplace at an ever-increasing rate, similarly the threats that they pose is increasing. In an era of constant connectivity and availability, information is freed up of constraints of time and place. This research project delves into the risks introduced by smartphones, and through multiple cases studies, a maturity measurement model is formulated. The model is based on recommendations from two leading information security frameworks, the COBIT 4.1 framework and ISO27002 code of practice. Ultimately, a combination of smartphone specific risks are integrated with key control recommendations, in providing a set of key measurable security maturity components. The subjective opinions of case study respondents are considered a key component in achieving a solution. The solution addresses the concerns of not only policy makers, but also the employees subjected to the security policies. Nurturing security awareness into organisational culture through reinforcement and employee acceptance is highlighted in this research project. Software consultancies can use this model to mitigate risks, while harnessing the potential strategic advantages of mobile computing through smartphone devices. In addition, this research project identifies the critical components of a smartphone security solution. As a result, a model is provided for software consultancies due to the intense reliance on information within these types of organisations. The model can be effectively applied to any information intensive organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An analysis of digital photojournalistic practices: a study of the Sowetan's photographic department
- Authors: Allan, Christopher
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003071 , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: Photojournalism in South Africa is in the process of undergoing a shift from an analogue past to a fully digital future. This shift to digital has already been completed by many of the newspapers in the United States of America and Europe, and the new technology is seen to have made fundamental differences in the way that journalists do their job. This thesis attempts to explore the differences brought about, as well as the problems experienced by the photographic department at the Sowetan newspaper as a result of the shift to digital. How the development of technology has affected the photojournalist throughout is focused upon in a brief history of photojournalism and examples of how technology has shaped different aspects of journalism in both a positive and negative manner is considered. Exactly what digital photography is, how it has been integrated into American Photographic departments and the changes that the new technology has prompted are also explained. The manipulation of images in the past as well as the relative ease of digital manipulation are covered and concerns are raised about the future implications of digital manipulation. By conductlng participant observation and holding interviews, research data was compiled which allowed conclusions to be drawn about the impact that the shift to digital had had on the Sowetan photographic department. Intentional and unintentional consequences were expected and revealed in the research. The job of the photojournalist and photographic editor was found to have changed but perhaps not as dramatically as expected. Third world factors such as crime, poverty and lack of education were discovered to have resulted in problems that differed noticeably from those experienced by American and European photographic departments. Some expected difficulties were not experienced at all, while other major obstacles, specifically the repairs that must constantly be made to the digital cameras, continue to hamper the operations of the new digital department. Some understanding of the problems that might be encountered by future photojournalism departments that are considering making the shift to digital are arrived at, in the hope that they may be foreseen and overcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
An analysis of digital photojournalistic practices: a study of the Sowetan's photographic department
- Authors: Allan, Christopher
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003071 , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: Photojournalism in South Africa is in the process of undergoing a shift from an analogue past to a fully digital future. This shift to digital has already been completed by many of the newspapers in the United States of America and Europe, and the new technology is seen to have made fundamental differences in the way that journalists do their job. This thesis attempts to explore the differences brought about, as well as the problems experienced by the photographic department at the Sowetan newspaper as a result of the shift to digital. How the development of technology has affected the photojournalist throughout is focused upon in a brief history of photojournalism and examples of how technology has shaped different aspects of journalism in both a positive and negative manner is considered. Exactly what digital photography is, how it has been integrated into American Photographic departments and the changes that the new technology has prompted are also explained. The manipulation of images in the past as well as the relative ease of digital manipulation are covered and concerns are raised about the future implications of digital manipulation. By conductlng participant observation and holding interviews, research data was compiled which allowed conclusions to be drawn about the impact that the shift to digital had had on the Sowetan photographic department. Intentional and unintentional consequences were expected and revealed in the research. The job of the photojournalist and photographic editor was found to have changed but perhaps not as dramatically as expected. Third world factors such as crime, poverty and lack of education were discovered to have resulted in problems that differed noticeably from those experienced by American and European photographic departments. Some expected difficulties were not experienced at all, while other major obstacles, specifically the repairs that must constantly be made to the digital cameras, continue to hamper the operations of the new digital department. Some understanding of the problems that might be encountered by future photojournalism departments that are considering making the shift to digital are arrived at, in the hope that they may be foreseen and overcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Ecological role of free-living bacteria in the microbial food web of the temporarily open/closed East Kleinemonde Estuary, South Africa
- Authors: Allan, Elizabeth Louise
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Bacterial growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Microbial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrient cycles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food chains (Ecology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5666 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005351 , Bacterial growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Microbial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrient cycles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food chains (Ecology)
- Description: The main aim of this study was to assess the “top-down” and “bottom-up” control of bacterial production in the small temporarily open/closed East Kleinemonde Estuary, situated on the south-eastern coastline of southern Africa. Spatial and temporal patterns in bacterial abundance, biomass and production and the importance of abiotic and biotic factors were investigated over the period May 2006 to April 2007. The trophic interactions between bacteria, phytoplankton, nanoflagellates (< 20 μm), microzooplankton (< 200 μm) and mesozooplankton (< 2 000 μm) were investigated during winter and summer. Bacterial abundance, biomass and production ranged between 1.00 × 10⁹ and 4.93 × 10⁹ cells 1⁻¹, 32.4 and 109 μg C 1⁻¹ and 0.01 and 1.99 μg C 1⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. With a few exceptions there were no spatial patterns in the values. Bacterial abundance, biomass and production, however, demonstrated a distinct temporal pattern with the lowest values consistently recorded during the winter months. Nanoflagellate and bacterial abundances were significantly correlated to one another (lower reaches: r = 0.818, p < 0.001; middle reaches: r = 0.628, p < 0.001; upper reaches: r = 0.484, p < 0.05) suggesting a strong predator-prey relationship. The frequency of visibly infected bacterial cells and the mean number of virus particles within each bacterial cell during this study demonstrated no temporal or spatial patterns and ranged from 0.5 to 6.1 % and 12.0 to 37.5 virus particles per bacterium, respectively. Viral infection and lysis was thus a constant source of bacterial mortality throughout the year. The estimated percentage of bacterial production removed by viral lysis ranged between 7.8 and 88.9% of the total which suggests that viral lysis represented a very important source of bacterial mortality during this study. The biological interactions between the selected components of the plankton community demonstrated that among the heterotrophic components of the plankton, the nanoflagellates were identified as the most important consumers of bacteria and small phytoplankton cells (< 20 μm). In the presence of microzooplankton the impact of the nanoflagellates on both the bacteria and phytoplankton was reduced, indicating that larger heterotrophs were preying upon the nanoflagellates. Mesozooplankton, however, appeared to exert the greatest impact on nanoflagellates. In the cascading experiments, the data suggest that mesozooplankton consume nanoflagellates, which resulted in a decrease in the predation impact of these organisms on the bacteria. This result is consistent with predator-prey cascades. The presence of the larger heterotrophs therefore, mediates the interactions between the primary bacterivores, the nanoflagellates, and the bacteria within the temporarily open/closed East Kleinemonde Estuary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Allan, Elizabeth Louise
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Bacterial growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Microbial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrient cycles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food chains (Ecology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5666 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005351 , Bacterial growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Microbial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrient cycles -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food chains (Ecology)
- Description: The main aim of this study was to assess the “top-down” and “bottom-up” control of bacterial production in the small temporarily open/closed East Kleinemonde Estuary, situated on the south-eastern coastline of southern Africa. Spatial and temporal patterns in bacterial abundance, biomass and production and the importance of abiotic and biotic factors were investigated over the period May 2006 to April 2007. The trophic interactions between bacteria, phytoplankton, nanoflagellates (< 20 μm), microzooplankton (< 200 μm) and mesozooplankton (< 2 000 μm) were investigated during winter and summer. Bacterial abundance, biomass and production ranged between 1.00 × 10⁹ and 4.93 × 10⁹ cells 1⁻¹, 32.4 and 109 μg C 1⁻¹ and 0.01 and 1.99 μg C 1⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. With a few exceptions there were no spatial patterns in the values. Bacterial abundance, biomass and production, however, demonstrated a distinct temporal pattern with the lowest values consistently recorded during the winter months. Nanoflagellate and bacterial abundances were significantly correlated to one another (lower reaches: r = 0.818, p < 0.001; middle reaches: r = 0.628, p < 0.001; upper reaches: r = 0.484, p < 0.05) suggesting a strong predator-prey relationship. The frequency of visibly infected bacterial cells and the mean number of virus particles within each bacterial cell during this study demonstrated no temporal or spatial patterns and ranged from 0.5 to 6.1 % and 12.0 to 37.5 virus particles per bacterium, respectively. Viral infection and lysis was thus a constant source of bacterial mortality throughout the year. The estimated percentage of bacterial production removed by viral lysis ranged between 7.8 and 88.9% of the total which suggests that viral lysis represented a very important source of bacterial mortality during this study. The biological interactions between the selected components of the plankton community demonstrated that among the heterotrophic components of the plankton, the nanoflagellates were identified as the most important consumers of bacteria and small phytoplankton cells (< 20 μm). In the presence of microzooplankton the impact of the nanoflagellates on both the bacteria and phytoplankton was reduced, indicating that larger heterotrophs were preying upon the nanoflagellates. Mesozooplankton, however, appeared to exert the greatest impact on nanoflagellates. In the cascading experiments, the data suggest that mesozooplankton consume nanoflagellates, which resulted in a decrease in the predation impact of these organisms on the bacteria. This result is consistent with predator-prey cascades. The presence of the larger heterotrophs therefore, mediates the interactions between the primary bacterivores, the nanoflagellates, and the bacteria within the temporarily open/closed East Kleinemonde Estuary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008