Videographic analysis of the Coelacanth, Latimeria Chalumnae, and associated habitats in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Thornycroft, Rosanne Elizabeth
- Authors: Thornycroft, Rosanne Elizabeth
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005179 , Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Videography is a valuable tool in biological and ecological studies. Using video footage obtained during previous coelacanth surveys, this thesis investigated coelacanths and their associated habitats in the submarine canyons of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa. This thesis aimed to (1) describe the biological habitats within the submarine canyons, (2) determine coelacanth distribution within these habitats, and (3) assess the use of computer-aided identification to successfully identify individual coelacanths. Seven different habitat types were noted with the most distinctive being the canyon margins that consisted of dense agglomerations of gorgonians, wire and whip corals, and sponges. Results suggested that although substratum type has a great influence on invertebrate community structure in the canyons, depth is the principal factor. Coelacanths were associated with cave habitats within the steep rocky canyon walls. Habitat analyses allowed predictive classification tree models to be constructed. Depth, underlying percentage of rock, and percentage cover of gorgonians and sponges were the most important variables for determining coelacanth presence and absence. The overall correct classification rate for the model was estimated at 96.6%, correctly predicting coelacanth absence (> 99%) better than presence (60%). Because coelacanths have a unique spot pattern it was possible to quickly and accurately identify specific individuals photographically using computer-aided identification software. Without any manual intervention by an operator the software accurately identified between 56 and 92% of the individuals. Identification success increased to 100% if the operator could also manually select from other potential matching photographs. It was also shown that fish exhibiting a yaw angle not exceeding 60° could be accurately identified in photographs. Each of the sections presented in this thesis represent a possible step towards analysing coelacanth-related habitats, locating and then analysing new habitats. Steps include first locating a population and then performing a habitat analysis. Coelacanth location within the different habitats can then be determined allowing the development of predictive models to potentially identify possible locations of new populations. The final step is to identify individual fish within the population for assessing demographic parameters and population monitoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Thornycroft, Rosanne Elizabeth
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005179 , Isimangaliso Wetland Park , Coelacanth , Coelacanth -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Habitat (Ecology) , Coelacanth -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Coelacanth -- Habitat -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Videography is a valuable tool in biological and ecological studies. Using video footage obtained during previous coelacanth surveys, this thesis investigated coelacanths and their associated habitats in the submarine canyons of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa. This thesis aimed to (1) describe the biological habitats within the submarine canyons, (2) determine coelacanth distribution within these habitats, and (3) assess the use of computer-aided identification to successfully identify individual coelacanths. Seven different habitat types were noted with the most distinctive being the canyon margins that consisted of dense agglomerations of gorgonians, wire and whip corals, and sponges. Results suggested that although substratum type has a great influence on invertebrate community structure in the canyons, depth is the principal factor. Coelacanths were associated with cave habitats within the steep rocky canyon walls. Habitat analyses allowed predictive classification tree models to be constructed. Depth, underlying percentage of rock, and percentage cover of gorgonians and sponges were the most important variables for determining coelacanth presence and absence. The overall correct classification rate for the model was estimated at 96.6%, correctly predicting coelacanth absence (> 99%) better than presence (60%). Because coelacanths have a unique spot pattern it was possible to quickly and accurately identify specific individuals photographically using computer-aided identification software. Without any manual intervention by an operator the software accurately identified between 56 and 92% of the individuals. Identification success increased to 100% if the operator could also manually select from other potential matching photographs. It was also shown that fish exhibiting a yaw angle not exceeding 60° could be accurately identified in photographs. Each of the sections presented in this thesis represent a possible step towards analysing coelacanth-related habitats, locating and then analysing new habitats. Steps include first locating a population and then performing a habitat analysis. Coelacanth location within the different habitats can then be determined allowing the development of predictive models to potentially identify possible locations of new populations. The final step is to identify individual fish within the population for assessing demographic parameters and population monitoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The analysis of the strain level and the predicted human error probability for critical hospital tasks
- Authors: Burford, Eva-Maria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nursing errors -- South Africa -- Prevention , Nursing -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Hospitals -- Employees -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Nursing -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005182 , Nursing errors -- South Africa -- Prevention , Nursing -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Hospitals -- Employees -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Nursing -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Description: South African hospitals, as a result of numerous factors, have the problem of an increasing workload for nursing staff, which in turn may affect patient treatment quality. This project aimed at addressing patient treatment quality specifically from the perspective of worker capabilities by investigating the strain level and predicted human error probability associated with specific patient-centered tasks in the South African health care sector. This was achieved through two independent yet interlinked studies which focused on seven patient-centred tasks. The tasks analysed were the tasks of setting up and changing intravenous medication, administering injection and pill medication, measuring blood glucose, temperature and heart rate and blood pressure. In the first study, work environment and task characteristics, task structure and execution were analysed. In addition to the task execution, the resulting strain levels, in the form of heart rate measures and subjective ratings of workload, were studied. The second study determined the error protocols and predictive error probability within the healthcare environment for the seven pre-defined tasks. The results for the first study established that different organizational and environment factors could affect task complexity and workload. The individual task components and information processing requirements for each task was also established. For the strain analysis, significant results for the tasks were determined for heart rate frequency and the heart rate variability measures, but some of these were contradictory. For the second study, specific error protocols and error reporting data were determined for the hospital where this research was conducted. Additionally the predictive error probability for the pre-defined tasks was determined. This combined approach and collective results indicate that strain and predictive error probability as a result of task workload can be determined in the field as well as being able to identify which factors have an effect on task strain and error probability. The value of this research lies in the foundation that the gathered information provides and the numerous potential applications of this data. These applications include providing recommendations aimed at improving nursing work environment with regards to workload, improving patient treatment as a result of a reduction in errors and the potential foundation these results provide for future research
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Burford, Eva-Maria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nursing errors -- South Africa -- Prevention , Nursing -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Hospitals -- Employees -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Nursing -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005182 , Nursing errors -- South Africa -- Prevention , Nursing -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Hospitals -- Employees -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Nursing -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Description: South African hospitals, as a result of numerous factors, have the problem of an increasing workload for nursing staff, which in turn may affect patient treatment quality. This project aimed at addressing patient treatment quality specifically from the perspective of worker capabilities by investigating the strain level and predicted human error probability associated with specific patient-centered tasks in the South African health care sector. This was achieved through two independent yet interlinked studies which focused on seven patient-centred tasks. The tasks analysed were the tasks of setting up and changing intravenous medication, administering injection and pill medication, measuring blood glucose, temperature and heart rate and blood pressure. In the first study, work environment and task characteristics, task structure and execution were analysed. In addition to the task execution, the resulting strain levels, in the form of heart rate measures and subjective ratings of workload, were studied. The second study determined the error protocols and predictive error probability within the healthcare environment for the seven pre-defined tasks. The results for the first study established that different organizational and environment factors could affect task complexity and workload. The individual task components and information processing requirements for each task was also established. For the strain analysis, significant results for the tasks were determined for heart rate frequency and the heart rate variability measures, but some of these were contradictory. For the second study, specific error protocols and error reporting data were determined for the hospital where this research was conducted. Additionally the predictive error probability for the pre-defined tasks was determined. This combined approach and collective results indicate that strain and predictive error probability as a result of task workload can be determined in the field as well as being able to identify which factors have an effect on task strain and error probability. The value of this research lies in the foundation that the gathered information provides and the numerous potential applications of this data. These applications include providing recommendations aimed at improving nursing work environment with regards to workload, improving patient treatment as a result of a reduction in errors and the potential foundation these results provide for future research
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Cash transfers and poverty reduction in South Africa: a case study of old age pensions
- Authors: Kasere, Gayle Farai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Grahamstown -- Eastern Cape Social security -- South Africa Pensions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3321 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003109
- Description: Social assistance in the form of cash grants is a large and fiscally costly component of anti-poverty policy in South Africa. A critical question arises: Are the grants effective tools for reducing poverty in South Africa and, moreover, how significant is their impact on poverty? As a measure of reducing poverty, the government has expanded the social grants system since the advent of the new democracy in 1994. The country's social grant system is quite comprehensive and it is intended to cover vulnerable individuals over their life course from childhood to adulthood and into old age. Policy discourse surrounding the grants centres on the sustainability of the system and its implications for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. It is therefore important that the significance of grants is identified and assessed particularly in relation to very poor households. This dissertation focuses specifically on one particular grant, namely, the old age pension. It does so in the context of the sustainable livelihoods conceptual framework and the history of the social grant system in South Africa. Statistical data collected by the South African government as well as more localised evidence gathered in the Eastern Cape town of Grahamstown is used to ascertain the significance of old age pensions for poverty reduction. While there is some evidence to suggest that pensions contribute to poverty reduction, this does not translate into poverty alleviation. In fact, there is some unevenness in the impact of pensions on poverty. In this regard, the decision-making structures in poor households regularly influence the way pension money is allocated and used within households. Grant money is normally shared in extended households, such that the pension does not simply benefit the recipient but the recipient's household as a whole. Although there is cause for concern regarding the propensity of social grants to affect people's behaviour negatively, there is a case to be made for retaining grants as an important, though not the only, form of anti-poverty strategy. This highlights the need for continued research on the social grant system and pensions more specifically.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kasere, Gayle Farai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Grahamstown -- Eastern Cape Social security -- South Africa Pensions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3321 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003109
- Description: Social assistance in the form of cash grants is a large and fiscally costly component of anti-poverty policy in South Africa. A critical question arises: Are the grants effective tools for reducing poverty in South Africa and, moreover, how significant is their impact on poverty? As a measure of reducing poverty, the government has expanded the social grants system since the advent of the new democracy in 1994. The country's social grant system is quite comprehensive and it is intended to cover vulnerable individuals over their life course from childhood to adulthood and into old age. Policy discourse surrounding the grants centres on the sustainability of the system and its implications for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. It is therefore important that the significance of grants is identified and assessed particularly in relation to very poor households. This dissertation focuses specifically on one particular grant, namely, the old age pension. It does so in the context of the sustainable livelihoods conceptual framework and the history of the social grant system in South Africa. Statistical data collected by the South African government as well as more localised evidence gathered in the Eastern Cape town of Grahamstown is used to ascertain the significance of old age pensions for poverty reduction. While there is some evidence to suggest that pensions contribute to poverty reduction, this does not translate into poverty alleviation. In fact, there is some unevenness in the impact of pensions on poverty. In this regard, the decision-making structures in poor households regularly influence the way pension money is allocated and used within households. Grant money is normally shared in extended households, such that the pension does not simply benefit the recipient but the recipient's household as a whole. Although there is cause for concern regarding the propensity of social grants to affect people's behaviour negatively, there is a case to be made for retaining grants as an important, though not the only, form of anti-poverty strategy. This highlights the need for continued research on the social grant system and pensions more specifically.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Empirical modelling of the solar wind influence on Pc3 pulsation activity
- Authors: Lotz, Stefanus Ignatius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Solar wind -- Research Solar activity -- Research Stellar oscillations -- Research , Magnetospheric radio wave propagation , Interplanetary magnetic fields
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005249
- Description: Geomagnetic pulsations are ultra-low frequency (ULF) oscillations of the geomagnetic field that have been observed in the magnetosphere and on the Earth since the 1800’s. In the 1960’s in situ observations of the solar wind suggested that the source of pulsation activity must lie beyond the magnetosphere. In this work the influence of several solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters on Pc3 pulsations are studied. Pc3 pulsations are a class of geomagnetic pulsations with frequency ranging between 22 and 100 mHz. A large dataset of solar wind and pulsation measurements is employed to develop two empirical models capable of predicting the Pc3 index (an indication of Pc3 intensity) at one hour and five minute time resolution, respectively. The models are based on artificial neural networks, due to their ability to model highly non-linear interactions between dependent and independent variables. A robust, iterative process is followed to find and rank the set of solar wind input parameters that optimally predict Pc3 activity. According to the parameter selection process the input parameters to the low resolution model (1 hour data) are, in order of importance, solar wind speed, a pair of time-based parameters, dynamic solar wind pressure, and the IMF orientation with respect to the Sun-Earth line (i.e. the cone angle). Input parameters to the high resolution model (5 minute data) are solar wind speed, cone angle, solar wind density and a pair of time-based parameters. Both models accurately predict Pc3 intensity from unseen solar wind data. It is observed that Pc3 activity ceases when the density in the solar wind is very low, even while other conditions are favourable for the generation and propagation of ULF waves. The influence that solar wind density has on Pc3 activity is studied by analysing six years of solar wind and Pc3 measurements at one minute resolution. It is suggested that the pause in Pc3 activity occurs due to two reasons: Firstly, the ULF waves that are generated in the region upstream of the bow shock does not grow efficiently if the solar wind density is very low; and secondly, waves that are generated cannot be convected into the magnetosphere because of the low Mach number of the solar wind plasma due to the decreased density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Lotz, Stefanus Ignatius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Solar wind -- Research Solar activity -- Research Stellar oscillations -- Research , Magnetospheric radio wave propagation , Interplanetary magnetic fields
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005249
- Description: Geomagnetic pulsations are ultra-low frequency (ULF) oscillations of the geomagnetic field that have been observed in the magnetosphere and on the Earth since the 1800’s. In the 1960’s in situ observations of the solar wind suggested that the source of pulsation activity must lie beyond the magnetosphere. In this work the influence of several solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters on Pc3 pulsations are studied. Pc3 pulsations are a class of geomagnetic pulsations with frequency ranging between 22 and 100 mHz. A large dataset of solar wind and pulsation measurements is employed to develop two empirical models capable of predicting the Pc3 index (an indication of Pc3 intensity) at one hour and five minute time resolution, respectively. The models are based on artificial neural networks, due to their ability to model highly non-linear interactions between dependent and independent variables. A robust, iterative process is followed to find and rank the set of solar wind input parameters that optimally predict Pc3 activity. According to the parameter selection process the input parameters to the low resolution model (1 hour data) are, in order of importance, solar wind speed, a pair of time-based parameters, dynamic solar wind pressure, and the IMF orientation with respect to the Sun-Earth line (i.e. the cone angle). Input parameters to the high resolution model (5 minute data) are solar wind speed, cone angle, solar wind density and a pair of time-based parameters. Both models accurately predict Pc3 intensity from unseen solar wind data. It is observed that Pc3 activity ceases when the density in the solar wind is very low, even while other conditions are favourable for the generation and propagation of ULF waves. The influence that solar wind density has on Pc3 activity is studied by analysing six years of solar wind and Pc3 measurements at one minute resolution. It is suggested that the pause in Pc3 activity occurs due to two reasons: Firstly, the ULF waves that are generated in the region upstream of the bow shock does not grow efficiently if the solar wind density is very low; and secondly, waves that are generated cannot be convected into the magnetosphere because of the low Mach number of the solar wind plasma due to the decreased density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Negotiating family planning radio messages among Malawian rural men of traditional authority Kadewere, Chiradzulo district
- Authors: Ntaba, Jolly Maxwell
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Family planning -- Malawi , Birth control -- Malawi , Radio advertising -- Campaigns -- Malawi , Men -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3548 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018258
- Description: Family planning campaigns, using the media among other advocacy interventions, are produced and disseminated by both government and nongovernment organizations in Malawi, with an aim of reducing fertility and promotion of reproductive health. This qualitative audience study looks specifically at the reception by rural men of radio broadcast Public Service Announcements produced by the NGO, Banja La Mtsogolo, a leading provider of family planning services and products based in Blantyre. The aim of the study is to understand how the appropriation of these messages relates to traditional concepts of gender, masculinity and kinship within an area that has not been spared the influences, values and accoutrements of modernity. Underpinned by Hall’s encoding and decoding model, the study reveals that at most men make an oppositional reading of the texts based on their lived and shared cultural experiences. The results show that while people understand and appreciate the importance of family planning, cultural and traditional influences play a major role in how these messages are appropriated by and incorporated into the everyday lives of their listeners. Given the above understandings, the research asks what are the implications for the success of family-planning media campaigns by government and other non-governmental organisations such as Banja La Mtsogolo
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ntaba, Jolly Maxwell
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Family planning -- Malawi , Birth control -- Malawi , Radio advertising -- Campaigns -- Malawi , Men -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3548 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018258
- Description: Family planning campaigns, using the media among other advocacy interventions, are produced and disseminated by both government and nongovernment organizations in Malawi, with an aim of reducing fertility and promotion of reproductive health. This qualitative audience study looks specifically at the reception by rural men of radio broadcast Public Service Announcements produced by the NGO, Banja La Mtsogolo, a leading provider of family planning services and products based in Blantyre. The aim of the study is to understand how the appropriation of these messages relates to traditional concepts of gender, masculinity and kinship within an area that has not been spared the influences, values and accoutrements of modernity. Underpinned by Hall’s encoding and decoding model, the study reveals that at most men make an oppositional reading of the texts based on their lived and shared cultural experiences. The results show that while people understand and appreciate the importance of family planning, cultural and traditional influences play a major role in how these messages are appropriated by and incorporated into the everyday lives of their listeners. Given the above understandings, the research asks what are the implications for the success of family-planning media campaigns by government and other non-governmental organisations such as Banja La Mtsogolo
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Rhodes University Research Report 2012
- Rhodes University, Roberts, Jaine, Connan, Verna, Mantolo, Thumeka, Macgregor, Jill, Jacob, Patricia
- Authors: Rhodes University , Roberts, Jaine , Connan, Verna , Mantolo, Thumeka , Macgregor, Jill , Jacob, Patricia
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011985
- Description: [From Introduction] Rhodes University continued to grow in overall accredited research outputs in 2012, and in other forms of scholarship which enhance the intellectual space of the university. During the graduation ceremonies that followed the 2012 academic year, 2 288 students earned new qualifications. A record 948 students or 41 percent graduated with postgraduate degrees. We also celebrated a new University record of 63 PhD graduates, a wonderful achievement for the smallest university in the country. Our Science Faculty was a particularly noteworthy contributor to the postgraduate numbers, with 35 PhD graduates, 83 Master’s graduates and 132 honours graduates. The University’s Enrolment Plan outlines our intention of becoming a more postgraduate university, and our overall strategy is to enhance our contribution to knowledge production through research and scholarship. Rhodes is well-positioned for such a trajectory, and we look to strengthening our capacity to serve society in this way by striving to provide our academics with effective research support. In the latest Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Ministerial Report on National Research Outputs, Rhodes University is listed as having the third most favourable research output rate per capita (the accepted norm for measuring efficiency of investment in the research domain) in the South African university system, and the second highest percentage of academic staff with PhDs (56 percent). Other studies show that Rhodes has the top PhD graduation rate of South African Universities, and very good postgraduate throughput rates overall. We continue to give special attention to identifying potential new postgraduate and research niche areas and programmes, and to developing the appropriate institutional arrangements to effectively support larger numbers of Honours, Masters and Doctoral students, and further enhance their academic and social experiences. The audited result of our DHET submission of accredited research outputs for 2012 has not yet been received at the time of writing, so exact success rates in book and conference submissions are not yet known. These are the smaller components of our overall accredited outputs (in the previous year, books and accredited conference proceedings each contributed 7 percent of our total accredited publishing output, while journals contributed 86 percent). In 2012, Rhodes submitted 46.82 book and book chapter units for consideration (up by 33 percent on the 2011 submission), and 32.04 accredited conference proceeding weighted units (down by 8.6 percent on the 2011 submission, which in turn had been up 46.8 percent on the previous year’s submission).Year-on-year variance on the relatively small submission base in these categories is to be expected. The big component of Rhodes’ publication output, our journal publications, grew by 13.2 percent on the 2011 level to 350.47 units (the previous year has seen a 6 percent increase in this category), maintaining Rhodes’ position amongst the most research productive institutions in the South African Higher Education system. Coupled with Rhodes’ high volume of accredited journal outputs in relation to its size, a very pleasing quality measure is that 90 percent of Journal outputs (the highest proportion in the sector) appear in internationally accredited journal indices. Accredited outputs from thesis-based PhD and Masters graduates rose by 4.9 percent in 2012 to a new high for Rhodes (2011’s figure had grown by 15.4 percent over 2010, which in turn had grown by 35.8 percent over 2009). I add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators and partners who contributed to the excellent accredited research results of 2012, as well as generated the many forms of scholarship that are not counted in the accreditation exercise, but which contribute much to the rich intellectual space that is Rhodes. I also thank all of the administrators who play a crucial role in preparing the university’s meticulous audited submissions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Rhodes University , Roberts, Jaine , Connan, Verna , Mantolo, Thumeka , Macgregor, Jill , Jacob, Patricia
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011985
- Description: [From Introduction] Rhodes University continued to grow in overall accredited research outputs in 2012, and in other forms of scholarship which enhance the intellectual space of the university. During the graduation ceremonies that followed the 2012 academic year, 2 288 students earned new qualifications. A record 948 students or 41 percent graduated with postgraduate degrees. We also celebrated a new University record of 63 PhD graduates, a wonderful achievement for the smallest university in the country. Our Science Faculty was a particularly noteworthy contributor to the postgraduate numbers, with 35 PhD graduates, 83 Master’s graduates and 132 honours graduates. The University’s Enrolment Plan outlines our intention of becoming a more postgraduate university, and our overall strategy is to enhance our contribution to knowledge production through research and scholarship. Rhodes is well-positioned for such a trajectory, and we look to strengthening our capacity to serve society in this way by striving to provide our academics with effective research support. In the latest Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Ministerial Report on National Research Outputs, Rhodes University is listed as having the third most favourable research output rate per capita (the accepted norm for measuring efficiency of investment in the research domain) in the South African university system, and the second highest percentage of academic staff with PhDs (56 percent). Other studies show that Rhodes has the top PhD graduation rate of South African Universities, and very good postgraduate throughput rates overall. We continue to give special attention to identifying potential new postgraduate and research niche areas and programmes, and to developing the appropriate institutional arrangements to effectively support larger numbers of Honours, Masters and Doctoral students, and further enhance their academic and social experiences. The audited result of our DHET submission of accredited research outputs for 2012 has not yet been received at the time of writing, so exact success rates in book and conference submissions are not yet known. These are the smaller components of our overall accredited outputs (in the previous year, books and accredited conference proceedings each contributed 7 percent of our total accredited publishing output, while journals contributed 86 percent). In 2012, Rhodes submitted 46.82 book and book chapter units for consideration (up by 33 percent on the 2011 submission), and 32.04 accredited conference proceeding weighted units (down by 8.6 percent on the 2011 submission, which in turn had been up 46.8 percent on the previous year’s submission).Year-on-year variance on the relatively small submission base in these categories is to be expected. The big component of Rhodes’ publication output, our journal publications, grew by 13.2 percent on the 2011 level to 350.47 units (the previous year has seen a 6 percent increase in this category), maintaining Rhodes’ position amongst the most research productive institutions in the South African Higher Education system. Coupled with Rhodes’ high volume of accredited journal outputs in relation to its size, a very pleasing quality measure is that 90 percent of Journal outputs (the highest proportion in the sector) appear in internationally accredited journal indices. Accredited outputs from thesis-based PhD and Masters graduates rose by 4.9 percent in 2012 to a new high for Rhodes (2011’s figure had grown by 15.4 percent over 2010, which in turn had grown by 35.8 percent over 2009). I add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators and partners who contributed to the excellent accredited research results of 2012, as well as generated the many forms of scholarship that are not counted in the accreditation exercise, but which contribute much to the rich intellectual space that is Rhodes. I also thank all of the administrators who play a crucial role in preparing the university’s meticulous audited submissions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An investigation of community learning through participation in integrated water resource management practices
- Authors: Phiri, Charles M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Water-supply -- Management -- South Africa Water conservation -- South Africa -- Management Water resources development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Rain and rainfall -- South Africa Water quality management -- South Africa Integrated water development -- South Africa Water -- Management -- South Africa -- Study and teaching Social learning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003504
- Description: South Africa is a semi arid country in which the average rainfall of 450mm/year is well below the world average of about 860mm/year. As a result, South Africa’s water resources are scarce in global terms and limited in extent. Current predictions are that demand will outstrip water availability in the next 15 years. A coordinated approach to improve both water quality and quantity is needed and in order to achieve that, it is crucial to strengthen capacities of local community involvement in identifying the problems that affect them and strategies to solve them. This research was undertaken to develop a deeper understanding of community learning processes in integrated water resources management (IWRM) practices. The study drew on situated and social learning theory which explains that knowledge and skills are learned and embedded in the contexts in which knowledge is obtained and applied in everyday situations. Multiple data collection techniques were used within a case study design and included document analysis, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Data analysis was done in three phases and involved uncovering patterns and trends in the data sets. In this context I discovered, through careful observation and interviews with members of the different communities of practice, that people are learning through social learning interactions with other community members as they engage in their daily water management and food production practices. Learning interactions take place through both informal and formal processes such as meetings, training workshops, conversations and interactions with outsiders. I also discovered that people learn from ‘external groups’ or training programmes which bring new knowledge and expertise, but this needs to be contextualised in the local communities of practice. The research has also shown that there are a number of challenges that appear to exist in these learning contexts. For instance it was found that participation and social learning processes and interactions are influenced by a range of causal mechanisms that are contextual. These insights into how communities learn, as well as the tensions and difficulties that are experienced in the learning processes are important for furthering learning and participation in community-based IWRM practices, projects and programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Phiri, Charles M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Water-supply -- Management -- South Africa Water conservation -- South Africa -- Management Water resources development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Rain and rainfall -- South Africa Water quality management -- South Africa Integrated water development -- South Africa Water -- Management -- South Africa -- Study and teaching Social learning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003504
- Description: South Africa is a semi arid country in which the average rainfall of 450mm/year is well below the world average of about 860mm/year. As a result, South Africa’s water resources are scarce in global terms and limited in extent. Current predictions are that demand will outstrip water availability in the next 15 years. A coordinated approach to improve both water quality and quantity is needed and in order to achieve that, it is crucial to strengthen capacities of local community involvement in identifying the problems that affect them and strategies to solve them. This research was undertaken to develop a deeper understanding of community learning processes in integrated water resources management (IWRM) practices. The study drew on situated and social learning theory which explains that knowledge and skills are learned and embedded in the contexts in which knowledge is obtained and applied in everyday situations. Multiple data collection techniques were used within a case study design and included document analysis, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Data analysis was done in three phases and involved uncovering patterns and trends in the data sets. In this context I discovered, through careful observation and interviews with members of the different communities of practice, that people are learning through social learning interactions with other community members as they engage in their daily water management and food production practices. Learning interactions take place through both informal and formal processes such as meetings, training workshops, conversations and interactions with outsiders. I also discovered that people learn from ‘external groups’ or training programmes which bring new knowledge and expertise, but this needs to be contextualised in the local communities of practice. The research has also shown that there are a number of challenges that appear to exist in these learning contexts. For instance it was found that participation and social learning processes and interactions are influenced by a range of causal mechanisms that are contextual. These insights into how communities learn, as well as the tensions and difficulties that are experienced in the learning processes are important for furthering learning and participation in community-based IWRM practices, projects and programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Copyright law in the digital environment: DRM systems, anti-circumvention, legislation and user rights
- Authors: Latter, Gareth Paul
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003196 , Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Description: This thesis deals with the way in which copyright law is changing in the digital environment and the mechanisms which are facilitating this change. It deals with these issues by analysing the mechanisms of this change, specifically Digital Rights Management (DRM)Systems and anti-circumvention legislation, and the impact which this change is having on the rights of copyright users. The purpose of copyright is to provide an incentive to authors to continue creating while simultaneously providing a public good in allowing the public to use those creations in certain ways. Copyright achieves this purpose by granting both the author and user certain rights. The author is given a limited monopoly over their work in exchange for allowing this work to enter the public sphere and ensuring that users of that work can utilise that work in certain limited ways. The success of copyright thus rests on maintaining the balance between the rights of these parties. The rise of digital technology has created a situation in which copyright content can be easily copied by any party with a Personal Computer and disseminated around the globe instantly via the Internet. In response to these dangers, copyright owners are making use of DRM systems to protect content. DRM systems include various measures of control within its scope. Theses systems allow for copyright owners to control both access and use of content by copyright users. DRM Systems are not foolproof measures of protection however. Technologically sophisticated users are able to circumvent these protection measures. Thus, in order to protect DRM Systems from circumvention, anti-circumvention legislation has been proposed through international treaties and adopted in many countries. The combined effect of these protection measures are open to abuse by copyright owners and serve to curtail the limited rights of copyright users. The end result of this is that the balance which copyright law was created to maintain is disrupted and copyright law no longer fulfils its purpose. This thesis undertakes an analysis of these issues with reference to how these issues affect copyright users in developing countries. This is done with particular reference to possible approaches to this issue in South Africa as South Africa is a signatory to these anti-circumvention treaties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Latter, Gareth Paul
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003196 , Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Description: This thesis deals with the way in which copyright law is changing in the digital environment and the mechanisms which are facilitating this change. It deals with these issues by analysing the mechanisms of this change, specifically Digital Rights Management (DRM)Systems and anti-circumvention legislation, and the impact which this change is having on the rights of copyright users. The purpose of copyright is to provide an incentive to authors to continue creating while simultaneously providing a public good in allowing the public to use those creations in certain ways. Copyright achieves this purpose by granting both the author and user certain rights. The author is given a limited monopoly over their work in exchange for allowing this work to enter the public sphere and ensuring that users of that work can utilise that work in certain limited ways. The success of copyright thus rests on maintaining the balance between the rights of these parties. The rise of digital technology has created a situation in which copyright content can be easily copied by any party with a Personal Computer and disseminated around the globe instantly via the Internet. In response to these dangers, copyright owners are making use of DRM systems to protect content. DRM systems include various measures of control within its scope. Theses systems allow for copyright owners to control both access and use of content by copyright users. DRM Systems are not foolproof measures of protection however. Technologically sophisticated users are able to circumvent these protection measures. Thus, in order to protect DRM Systems from circumvention, anti-circumvention legislation has been proposed through international treaties and adopted in many countries. The combined effect of these protection measures are open to abuse by copyright owners and serve to curtail the limited rights of copyright users. The end result of this is that the balance which copyright law was created to maintain is disrupted and copyright law no longer fulfils its purpose. This thesis undertakes an analysis of these issues with reference to how these issues affect copyright users in developing countries. This is done with particular reference to possible approaches to this issue in South Africa as South Africa is a signatory to these anti-circumvention treaties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The solo piano music of Einojuhani Rautavaara
- Authors: Matambo, Lotta Eleonoora
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Rautavaara, Einojuhani, 1928 -- Piano music -- Criticism and interpretation Piano music -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002311
- Description: Einojuhani Rautavaara's oeuvre is characterised by four distinctive creative periods, each demonstrating a remarkable variety of compositional idioms and styles. His application of multifaceted elements, often within a single work leading to notions of postmodernism, is derived from multifarious sources, such as (Finnish) folklore, Orthodox mysticism and a wide variety of standard twentieth century compositional techniques. Furthermore, Rautavaara regularly quotes from his own material, thus creating elements of auto-allusions within his oeuvre; a predisposition which forms an essential part of his compositional aesthetic. Analyses of eight piano works (1952-2007) provide a cross-section of Rautavaara's output which, together with a consideration of biographical factors and analytical focus on the intertextual elements of his writing, offers a rationale for determining the development of his musical identity. The analyses conclude that intertextual elements, which appear through a diverse array of expressive modes (such as mysticism, nationalism and constructivism) are an essential part of Rautavaara's eclectic compositional style and contribute to an understanding of the on-going development of his musical identity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Matambo, Lotta Eleonoora
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Rautavaara, Einojuhani, 1928 -- Piano music -- Criticism and interpretation Piano music -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002311
- Description: Einojuhani Rautavaara's oeuvre is characterised by four distinctive creative periods, each demonstrating a remarkable variety of compositional idioms and styles. His application of multifaceted elements, often within a single work leading to notions of postmodernism, is derived from multifarious sources, such as (Finnish) folklore, Orthodox mysticism and a wide variety of standard twentieth century compositional techniques. Furthermore, Rautavaara regularly quotes from his own material, thus creating elements of auto-allusions within his oeuvre; a predisposition which forms an essential part of his compositional aesthetic. Analyses of eight piano works (1952-2007) provide a cross-section of Rautavaara's output which, together with a consideration of biographical factors and analytical focus on the intertextual elements of his writing, offers a rationale for determining the development of his musical identity. The analyses conclude that intertextual elements, which appear through a diverse array of expressive modes (such as mysticism, nationalism and constructivism) are an essential part of Rautavaara's eclectic compositional style and contribute to an understanding of the on-going development of his musical identity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The symmetry group of a model of hyperbolic plane geometry and some associated invariant optimal control problems
- Authors: Henninger, Helen Clare
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Geometry , Symmetry groups , Symmetry (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018232
- Description: In this thesis we study left-invariant control offine systems on the symmetry group of a. model of hyperbolic plane geometry, the matrix Lie group SO(1, 2)₀. We determine that there are 10 distinct classes of such control systems and for typical elements of two of these classes we provide solutions of the left-invariant optimal wntrol problem with quauratic costs. Under the identification of the Lie allgebra .so(l, 2) with Minkowski spacetime R¹̕'², we construct a controllabilility criterion for all left-invariant control affine systems on 50(1. 2)₀ which in the inhomogeneous case depends only on the presence or absence of an element in the image of the system's trace in R¹̕ ²which is identifiable using the inner product. For the solutions of both the optimal control problems, we provide explicit expressions in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions for the solutions of the reduced extremal equations and determine the nonlinear stability of the equilibrium points.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Henninger, Helen Clare
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Geometry , Symmetry groups , Symmetry (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018232
- Description: In this thesis we study left-invariant control offine systems on the symmetry group of a. model of hyperbolic plane geometry, the matrix Lie group SO(1, 2)₀. We determine that there are 10 distinct classes of such control systems and for typical elements of two of these classes we provide solutions of the left-invariant optimal wntrol problem with quauratic costs. Under the identification of the Lie allgebra .so(l, 2) with Minkowski spacetime R¹̕'², we construct a controllabilility criterion for all left-invariant control affine systems on 50(1. 2)₀ which in the inhomogeneous case depends only on the presence or absence of an element in the image of the system's trace in R¹̕ ²which is identifiable using the inner product. For the solutions of both the optimal control problems, we provide explicit expressions in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions for the solutions of the reduced extremal equations and determine the nonlinear stability of the equilibrium points.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Feeding dynamics of suspension-feeders in the nearshore marine environment adjacent to two contrasting estuaries in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Vermeulen, Ilke
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Suspension feeders -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspension feeders -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal organisms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Streamflow -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tetraclitidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mexilhao mussel -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Polychaeta -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuaries -- Freshwater inflow -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016242
- Description: Coastal transition zones form important interlinking regions where marine ecosystems, rivers and estuarine environments significantly influence each other. Coastal rocky shores are key habitats that sustain a variety of primary producers and invertebrates and due to the dynamic nature of coastal ecosystems, suspension-feeders on rocky shores can be influenced by an array of autochthonous and allochthonous food sources. Fatty acid and stable isotope trophic markers were employed to distinguish between regional and temporal changes in the potential food sources to rocky shore suspension-feeders in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The primary aim was to assess the spatial and temporal influences of contrasting river flows on the available food sources to three indigenous coastal suspensionfeeders, namely the volcano barnacle Tetraclita serrata, brown mussel Perna perna and tubebuilding polychaete Gunnarea capensis. This was done by examining the intra- and interspecific changes in the fatty acid and stable isotope signatures of the barnacles, mussels and polychaetes in the adjacent marine environment of a freshwater-restricted (Kariega) and freshwater-dominated (Great Fish) estuary during austral summer and winter. Multivariate and Kruskal-Wallis analyses of variance on the fatty acid and isotopic signatures, respectively, identified significant regional changes in the barnacles and mussels, while only stable isotopes distinguished between the Kariega and Great Fish polychaetes (P < 0.05). In addition, significant temporal changes were observed in consumer fatty acids and isotope values in both regions (P < 0.05). Bacterial sources, detritus and phytoplankton assemblages, which are influenced by hydrology and vegetation, differed between regions and were mainly responsible for the regional and temporal separations. Principal component analyses on the consumer fatty acid signatures distinguished between animals situated upstream (i.e. north) and downstream (i.e. south) of the Kariega Estuary mouth in summer. The north/south separation was mainly due to greater contributions of diatoms to northernlocated animals and dinoflagellates and detritus to southern-located consumers. In addition, the south-flowing Agulhas Current on the eastern shores of southern Africa appeared to influence the north/south separation in the Kariega region, as water leaving the estuary was probably entrained into the south-easterly flowing currents, thereby depositing estuarinederived detritus to southern populations. In general, diatoms and detritus were essential food sources to the filter-feeders in summer, and flagellates, diatoms, zooplankton and detritus were important in winter. Coastal macroalgae was a key food source in the Kariega and Great Fish regions during both seasons. Consistently large levels of diatom markers (16:1n-7 and 20:5n-3) and dinoflagellate markers (22:6n-3) in consumer tissues in the Kariega and Great Fish regions identified that phytoplankton was their dominant food source. The barnacles, mussels and polychaetes had similar fatty acid markers and a fairly narrow δ¹³C range (-16.5 to -14.4 ‰), suggesting that they probably consumed similar food. Carbon isotope analyses, however, separated the suspension-feeders into slightly depleted (barnacles; -16.5 to -16.1 ‰), intermediate (mussels; -15.8 to -15.0 ‰) and enriched (polychaetes; -15.0 to -14.4 ‰) consumers, but did not provide conclusive evidence of their preferences for specific phytoplankton. Conversely, fatty acid analyses highlighted that barnacles and mussels had greater proportions of dinoflagellate markers (22:6n-3; 7.0-15.3 % TFA), while polychaetes had larger diatom levels (20:5n-3; 15.1-22.2 % TFA). In addition, all three species had consistently large contributions from bacterial fatty acids (15:0, i-16:0, 17:0 and i-18:0; 4.2-13.6 % TFA) in summer and winter, and large proportions of saturated fatty acids (33.3-53.1 % TFA) including those with 14 to 18 carbons, indicating that bacterial and detritus food sources played an important role in their diets. Barnacles had small levels of terrestrial markers (18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3; <2.5 % TFA) and demonstrated increased omnivorous feeding compared with the other suspension-feeders [increased levels of 20:1n-11 and 20:1n-9, higher 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratios at ~2.1, enriched δ¹⁵N values at ~10.6 ‰; zooplankton (potentially including microzooplankton, larvae and protists) contribution of up to 61 % of the diet]. Mussels contained significant proportions of the terrestrial markers (18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3; >2.5 % TFA) and exhibited intermediate omnivory (intermediate levels of 20:1n-11 and 20:1n-9, intermediate 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratios at ~1.3, less enriched δ¹⁵N values at ~7.9 ‰; zooplankton contribution of 10-15 % of the diet). The more depleted nitrogen signatures in the mussels relative to the barnacles and polychaetes possibly illustrated a stronger preference for autotrophic food. Polychaetes mainly consumed plant food sources (i.e. microalgae, macroalgae and detritus; high levels of i-18:0, 18:1n-9, 18:4n-3 and 20:5n-3) and displayed little omnivory (low levels of 20:1n-11 and 20:1n-9, low 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratios at ~0.4, intermediate δ¹⁵N values at ~9.1 ‰; zooplankton contribution of <10 % of the diet). The barnacles, mussels and polychaetes are all suspension-feeders, originally presumed to consume the same food sources. The variations observed among the species, therefore, may result from differences in the proportional contributions of the various food sources to their diets as well as distinctions in metabolism. The distinct changes in the fatty acid and stable isotope signatures in all three filter-feeders in the Kariega and Great Fish regions are likely influenced by the diversity in regional vegetation and hydrology in the different systems, combined with interspecific differences in resource partitioning among the species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Vermeulen, Ilke
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Suspension feeders -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspension feeders -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal organisms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Streamflow -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tetraclitidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mexilhao mussel -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Polychaeta -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuaries -- Freshwater inflow -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016242
- Description: Coastal transition zones form important interlinking regions where marine ecosystems, rivers and estuarine environments significantly influence each other. Coastal rocky shores are key habitats that sustain a variety of primary producers and invertebrates and due to the dynamic nature of coastal ecosystems, suspension-feeders on rocky shores can be influenced by an array of autochthonous and allochthonous food sources. Fatty acid and stable isotope trophic markers were employed to distinguish between regional and temporal changes in the potential food sources to rocky shore suspension-feeders in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The primary aim was to assess the spatial and temporal influences of contrasting river flows on the available food sources to three indigenous coastal suspensionfeeders, namely the volcano barnacle Tetraclita serrata, brown mussel Perna perna and tubebuilding polychaete Gunnarea capensis. This was done by examining the intra- and interspecific changes in the fatty acid and stable isotope signatures of the barnacles, mussels and polychaetes in the adjacent marine environment of a freshwater-restricted (Kariega) and freshwater-dominated (Great Fish) estuary during austral summer and winter. Multivariate and Kruskal-Wallis analyses of variance on the fatty acid and isotopic signatures, respectively, identified significant regional changes in the barnacles and mussels, while only stable isotopes distinguished between the Kariega and Great Fish polychaetes (P < 0.05). In addition, significant temporal changes were observed in consumer fatty acids and isotope values in both regions (P < 0.05). Bacterial sources, detritus and phytoplankton assemblages, which are influenced by hydrology and vegetation, differed between regions and were mainly responsible for the regional and temporal separations. Principal component analyses on the consumer fatty acid signatures distinguished between animals situated upstream (i.e. north) and downstream (i.e. south) of the Kariega Estuary mouth in summer. The north/south separation was mainly due to greater contributions of diatoms to northernlocated animals and dinoflagellates and detritus to southern-located consumers. In addition, the south-flowing Agulhas Current on the eastern shores of southern Africa appeared to influence the north/south separation in the Kariega region, as water leaving the estuary was probably entrained into the south-easterly flowing currents, thereby depositing estuarinederived detritus to southern populations. In general, diatoms and detritus were essential food sources to the filter-feeders in summer, and flagellates, diatoms, zooplankton and detritus were important in winter. Coastal macroalgae was a key food source in the Kariega and Great Fish regions during both seasons. Consistently large levels of diatom markers (16:1n-7 and 20:5n-3) and dinoflagellate markers (22:6n-3) in consumer tissues in the Kariega and Great Fish regions identified that phytoplankton was their dominant food source. The barnacles, mussels and polychaetes had similar fatty acid markers and a fairly narrow δ¹³C range (-16.5 to -14.4 ‰), suggesting that they probably consumed similar food. Carbon isotope analyses, however, separated the suspension-feeders into slightly depleted (barnacles; -16.5 to -16.1 ‰), intermediate (mussels; -15.8 to -15.0 ‰) and enriched (polychaetes; -15.0 to -14.4 ‰) consumers, but did not provide conclusive evidence of their preferences for specific phytoplankton. Conversely, fatty acid analyses highlighted that barnacles and mussels had greater proportions of dinoflagellate markers (22:6n-3; 7.0-15.3 % TFA), while polychaetes had larger diatom levels (20:5n-3; 15.1-22.2 % TFA). In addition, all three species had consistently large contributions from bacterial fatty acids (15:0, i-16:0, 17:0 and i-18:0; 4.2-13.6 % TFA) in summer and winter, and large proportions of saturated fatty acids (33.3-53.1 % TFA) including those with 14 to 18 carbons, indicating that bacterial and detritus food sources played an important role in their diets. Barnacles had small levels of terrestrial markers (18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3; <2.5 % TFA) and demonstrated increased omnivorous feeding compared with the other suspension-feeders [increased levels of 20:1n-11 and 20:1n-9, higher 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratios at ~2.1, enriched δ¹⁵N values at ~10.6 ‰; zooplankton (potentially including microzooplankton, larvae and protists) contribution of up to 61 % of the diet]. Mussels contained significant proportions of the terrestrial markers (18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3; >2.5 % TFA) and exhibited intermediate omnivory (intermediate levels of 20:1n-11 and 20:1n-9, intermediate 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratios at ~1.3, less enriched δ¹⁵N values at ~7.9 ‰; zooplankton contribution of 10-15 % of the diet). The more depleted nitrogen signatures in the mussels relative to the barnacles and polychaetes possibly illustrated a stronger preference for autotrophic food. Polychaetes mainly consumed plant food sources (i.e. microalgae, macroalgae and detritus; high levels of i-18:0, 18:1n-9, 18:4n-3 and 20:5n-3) and displayed little omnivory (low levels of 20:1n-11 and 20:1n-9, low 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratios at ~0.4, intermediate δ¹⁵N values at ~9.1 ‰; zooplankton contribution of <10 % of the diet). The barnacles, mussels and polychaetes are all suspension-feeders, originally presumed to consume the same food sources. The variations observed among the species, therefore, may result from differences in the proportional contributions of the various food sources to their diets as well as distinctions in metabolism. The distinct changes in the fatty acid and stable isotope signatures in all three filter-feeders in the Kariega and Great Fish regions are likely influenced by the diversity in regional vegetation and hydrology in the different systems, combined with interspecific differences in resource partitioning among the species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Chief executive officer compensation and the effect on company performance in a South African context
- Authors: Bradley, Samuel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Chief executive officers -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Compensation management -- South Africa , Wage surveys -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:883 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001637 , Chief executive officers -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Compensation management -- South Africa , Wage surveys -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- Evaluation
- Description: The goal of this research was to determine, in a South African context, whether there is any correlation between chief executive officer compensation and the performance of the company. For the purposes of the research , the compensation of chief executive officers was broken down into three components: salary, bonus and "other" remuneration, while company performance was measured on return on equity, return on assets and earnings per share figures. Studies on this topic have been carried out in other countries, most notably in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. It appears that no research of a similar nature has been carried out in South Africa. Data in respect of the forty largest listed companies in South Africa were collected over a period of five years. The econometric models used for the research were based on models identified in the literature study. The data were then analysed for evidence of a correlation between chief executive officer compensation and the performance of the company. The results of this study indicate that there is no linear relationship between chief executive officer compensation and company performance variables. The econometric models did, however, show correlations between certain variables, taking into account the other predictor variables in the model. Evidence of correlations between age and experience and compensation was also found , which may present potential avenues of research to scholars in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Bradley, Samuel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Chief executive officers -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Compensation management -- South Africa , Wage surveys -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:883 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001637 , Chief executive officers -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Compensation management -- South Africa , Wage surveys -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- Evaluation
- Description: The goal of this research was to determine, in a South African context, whether there is any correlation between chief executive officer compensation and the performance of the company. For the purposes of the research , the compensation of chief executive officers was broken down into three components: salary, bonus and "other" remuneration, while company performance was measured on return on equity, return on assets and earnings per share figures. Studies on this topic have been carried out in other countries, most notably in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. It appears that no research of a similar nature has been carried out in South Africa. Data in respect of the forty largest listed companies in South Africa were collected over a period of five years. The econometric models used for the research were based on models identified in the literature study. The data were then analysed for evidence of a correlation between chief executive officer compensation and the performance of the company. The results of this study indicate that there is no linear relationship between chief executive officer compensation and company performance variables. The econometric models did, however, show correlations between certain variables, taking into account the other predictor variables in the model. Evidence of correlations between age and experience and compensation was also found , which may present potential avenues of research to scholars in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Structural analysis of effects of mutations on HIV-1 subtype C protease active site
- Mathu, Alexander Muchugia Nganga
- Authors: Mathu, Alexander Muchugia Nganga
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004073 , HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Description: HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic that poses a great threat especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where the highest population of those infected with the virus is found. It has far reaching medical, socio-economic and scientific implications. The HIV-1 protease enzyme is a prime therapeutic target that has been exploited in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality. However problems arise from drug toxicity and drug-resistant mutations of the protease which is a motivation for research for new, safer and effective therapies. Evidence exists to show that there are significant genomic differences in Subtype B and C that have a negative effect on the intrinsic binding of inhibitors. It is imperative to look at all perspectives from epidemiological, molecular to the pharmacological ones so as to achieve rational design of therapeutic agents. This study involved the use of in silico structural analysis of the effects of mutations in the active site. The data was provided by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases consisting of HIV-1 Subtype C protease sequences of 29 infants exhibiting drug-resistance to ritonavir and lopinavir. The major active site mutations causing drug resistance identified in this study were M46I, I54V and V82A using the Stanford HIV database tool. Homology modeling without extra restraints produced models with improved quality in comparison to those with restraints. MetaMQAPII results differed when models were visualized as dimers giving erroneous modeled regions in comparison to monomers. A broader study with a larger dataset of HIV-1 subtype C protease sequences is required to increase statistical confidence and in order to identify the pattern of drug resistant mutations. Homology modeling without extra restraints is preferred for calculating homology models for the HIV-1 subtype C. Further investigations needs to be done to ascertain the accuracy of validation results for dimers from MetaMQAPII as it is designed for evaluation of monomers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mathu, Alexander Muchugia Nganga
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004073 , HIV (Viruses) -- Research , HIV infections -- Treatment -- Research , Protease inhibitors -- Research , Viruses -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
- Description: HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic that poses a great threat especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where the highest population of those infected with the virus is found. It has far reaching medical, socio-economic and scientific implications. The HIV-1 protease enzyme is a prime therapeutic target that has been exploited in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality. However problems arise from drug toxicity and drug-resistant mutations of the protease which is a motivation for research for new, safer and effective therapies. Evidence exists to show that there are significant genomic differences in Subtype B and C that have a negative effect on the intrinsic binding of inhibitors. It is imperative to look at all perspectives from epidemiological, molecular to the pharmacological ones so as to achieve rational design of therapeutic agents. This study involved the use of in silico structural analysis of the effects of mutations in the active site. The data was provided by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases consisting of HIV-1 Subtype C protease sequences of 29 infants exhibiting drug-resistance to ritonavir and lopinavir. The major active site mutations causing drug resistance identified in this study were M46I, I54V and V82A using the Stanford HIV database tool. Homology modeling without extra restraints produced models with improved quality in comparison to those with restraints. MetaMQAPII results differed when models were visualized as dimers giving erroneous modeled regions in comparison to monomers. A broader study with a larger dataset of HIV-1 subtype C protease sequences is required to increase statistical confidence and in order to identify the pattern of drug resistant mutations. Homology modeling without extra restraints is preferred for calculating homology models for the HIV-1 subtype C. Further investigations needs to be done to ascertain the accuracy of validation results for dimers from MetaMQAPII as it is designed for evaluation of monomers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Structural analysis of prodomain inhibition of cysteine proteases in plasmodium species
- Authors: Njuguna, Joyce Njoki
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004081 , Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Description: Plasmodium is a genus of parasites causing malaria, a virulent protozoan infection in humans resulting in over a million deaths annually. Treatment of malaria is increasingly limited by parasite resistance to available drugs. Hence, there is a need to identify new drug targets and authenticate antimalarial compounds that act on these targets. A relatively new therapeutic approach targets proteolytic enzymes responsible for parasite‟s invasion, rupture and hemoglobin degradation at the erythrocytic stage of infection. Cysteine proteases (CPs) are essential for these crucial roles in the intraerythrocytic parasite. CPs are a diverse group of enzymes subdivided into clans and further subdivided into families. Our interest is in Clan CA, papain family C1 proteases, whose members play numerous roles in human and parasitic metabolism. These proteases are produced as zymogens having an N-terminal extension known as the prodomain which regulates the protease activity by selectively inhibiting its active site, preventing substrate access. A Clan CA protease Falcipain-2 (FP-2) of Plasmodium falciparum is a validated drug target but little is known of its orthologs in other malarial Plasmodium species. This study uses various structural bioinformatics approaches to characterise the prodomain‟s regulatory effect in FP-2 and its orthologs in Plasmodium species (P. vivax, P. berghei, P. knowlesi, P. ovale, P. chabaudi and P. yoelii). This was in an effort to discover short peptides with essential residues to mimic the prodomain‟s inhibition of these proteases, as potential peptidomimetic therapeutic agents. Residues in the prodomain region that spans over the active site are most likely to interact with the subsite residues inhibiting the protease. Sequence analysis revealed conservation of residues in this region of Plasmodium proteases that differed significantly in human proteases. Further prediction of the 3D structure of these proteases by homology modelling allowed visualisation of these interactions revealing differences between parasite and human proteases which will lead to significant contribution in structure based malarial inhibitor design.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Njuguna, Joyce Njoki
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004081 , Plasmodium , Cysteine proteinases , Proteolytic enzymes , Malaria -- Chemotherapy , Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum
- Description: Plasmodium is a genus of parasites causing malaria, a virulent protozoan infection in humans resulting in over a million deaths annually. Treatment of malaria is increasingly limited by parasite resistance to available drugs. Hence, there is a need to identify new drug targets and authenticate antimalarial compounds that act on these targets. A relatively new therapeutic approach targets proteolytic enzymes responsible for parasite‟s invasion, rupture and hemoglobin degradation at the erythrocytic stage of infection. Cysteine proteases (CPs) are essential for these crucial roles in the intraerythrocytic parasite. CPs are a diverse group of enzymes subdivided into clans and further subdivided into families. Our interest is in Clan CA, papain family C1 proteases, whose members play numerous roles in human and parasitic metabolism. These proteases are produced as zymogens having an N-terminal extension known as the prodomain which regulates the protease activity by selectively inhibiting its active site, preventing substrate access. A Clan CA protease Falcipain-2 (FP-2) of Plasmodium falciparum is a validated drug target but little is known of its orthologs in other malarial Plasmodium species. This study uses various structural bioinformatics approaches to characterise the prodomain‟s regulatory effect in FP-2 and its orthologs in Plasmodium species (P. vivax, P. berghei, P. knowlesi, P. ovale, P. chabaudi and P. yoelii). This was in an effort to discover short peptides with essential residues to mimic the prodomain‟s inhibition of these proteases, as potential peptidomimetic therapeutic agents. Residues in the prodomain region that spans over the active site are most likely to interact with the subsite residues inhibiting the protease. Sequence analysis revealed conservation of residues in this region of Plasmodium proteases that differed significantly in human proteases. Further prediction of the 3D structure of these proteases by homology modelling allowed visualisation of these interactions revealing differences between parasite and human proteases which will lead to significant contribution in structure based malarial inhibitor design.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The structural arrangements in local government and their role in promoting community participation in basic service delivery: a case study of Emalahleni and Intsika Yethu local municipalities in the Chris Hani District Municipality area
- Authors: Nqwemeshe, Nomvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003103
- Description: This study analyses the effectiveness of community participation in service delivery. The area of study, the Chris Ham District Municipality (CHDM), is a Water Services Authority, responsible for ensuring access to water services (water and sanitation) by all communities within its jurisdiction. There are eight local municipalities within the CHDM. The objective of this study is to determine whether systems are in place in local government to promote participation by communities in service delivery projects and whether these systems are being utilised efficiently by the role-players concerned. The role-players in this research are people who are involved in community development programmes of the municipality (municipal staff in the relevant departments of the municipalities under study, the social facilitators, civil society organisations, ward committees, ward councillors, traditional authorities as well as the representatives of communities (Project Steering Committees) who are beneficiaries of the projects under study). The projects that are under study were selected from a readily available list of CHDM capital projects that appear in the 2003/2004 financial year funding plan and are running. The findings of the study at both levels (local and district) show that the municipal environment is not conducive to promoting community participation. This is linked to factors such as the structural arrangements, whereby the offices relevant for promoting community participation are not fully occupied, which provided evidence that community participation is not prioritised. There is lack of coordination of programmes within the local government spheres as well within departments of the DM and strategies for community participation have been found to be non-effective. At project level lack of community participation is linked to the utilisation of ward committees as the only mechanism for community participation regardless of its un-equal and party biased representation. This study therefore concludes that although the systems to promote community participation are in place, they are not effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nqwemeshe, Nomvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003103
- Description: This study analyses the effectiveness of community participation in service delivery. The area of study, the Chris Ham District Municipality (CHDM), is a Water Services Authority, responsible for ensuring access to water services (water and sanitation) by all communities within its jurisdiction. There are eight local municipalities within the CHDM. The objective of this study is to determine whether systems are in place in local government to promote participation by communities in service delivery projects and whether these systems are being utilised efficiently by the role-players concerned. The role-players in this research are people who are involved in community development programmes of the municipality (municipal staff in the relevant departments of the municipalities under study, the social facilitators, civil society organisations, ward committees, ward councillors, traditional authorities as well as the representatives of communities (Project Steering Committees) who are beneficiaries of the projects under study). The projects that are under study were selected from a readily available list of CHDM capital projects that appear in the 2003/2004 financial year funding plan and are running. The findings of the study at both levels (local and district) show that the municipal environment is not conducive to promoting community participation. This is linked to factors such as the structural arrangements, whereby the offices relevant for promoting community participation are not fully occupied, which provided evidence that community participation is not prioritised. There is lack of coordination of programmes within the local government spheres as well within departments of the DM and strategies for community participation have been found to be non-effective. At project level lack of community participation is linked to the utilisation of ward committees as the only mechanism for community participation regardless of its un-equal and party biased representation. This study therefore concludes that although the systems to promote community participation are in place, they are not effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Quantification of the cross-sectoral impacts of waterweeds and their control in Ghana
- Authors: Akpabey, Felix Jerry
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Water hyacinth -- Control -- Environmental aspects -- Ghana Alien plants -- Research -- Ghana Introduced organisms Economic development -- Social aspects -- Research -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5748 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005435
- Description: The Akosombo Dam on the Volta River in Ghana was built in 1963 to provide cheap energy to fuel industry and to accelerate the economic growth of the country. It provides hydroelectric power, enhanced fishing and water transportation upstream, and improved opportunities for irrigated farming, especially in the lower reaches, and their attendant economic multiplier effects. A few years after the construction of this major dam, a rapid expansion of industrialization took place in Ghana. This brought about an exponential increase in demand for more electrical power. This led to the construction of a smaller dam at Akuse, downstream of the Akosomho Dam in 1981 and the formation of a headpond at Kpong. The impoundment of the river at the two sites (Akosombo and Kpong) caused an alteration in the existing ecological and biophysical processes in the river basin, including a slowing of the flow of the river, upstream and downstream. Changes in the natural processes, such as a reduction in the flow of the river and an increase in nutrient status of the water, resulted in an invasion of aquatic weeds, increasing the density of aquatic snails (intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis), silting and closure of the estuary, as well as other more subtle effects. The invasion of the river's main course and the dams by aquatic plants led to a corresponding reduction of navigable water both upstream and downstream. The aim of this thesis was to quantify the impact and control of waterweeds, especially water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), in Ghana. A floral survey on the Kpong Headpond recorded 49 emergent, 12 free floating and I submerged aquatic plant species, many of which were indigenous, but the exotic or introduced water hyacinth was recorded at most of the sampling sites, and was the most abundant and had the biggest impact on the utilization of the water resource. Mats of water hyacinth served as substrates for other, indigenous species to grow out into the main channel of the headpond, including the intake point of the Kpong head works of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and landing sites for boats. These mats resulted in a reduction of the fish (fin and shell) harvest, reducing the annual production to far below demand. Water hyacinth was also shown to have severe health implications. A survey of the Ministry of Health records showed that the prevalence of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis had risen significantly over time as the abundance of waterweeds, most notably water hyacinth, increased, and ranged between 70% and 75% but up to 100% in some lakeside communities. Based on the work done by an NGO on board the medical boat ("Onipa Nua "), losses in terms of money due to the effect on health of the aquatic weed infestations on the Volta River in 2006 amounted to US$ 620,000. Economic losses due to invasive alien aquatic weeds were also calculated on the Oti River Arm of Lake Volta. It was estimated that about US$2.3 million per annum would be lost to the Volta Lake Transport Company and individual boat transport operators if this section of the river were 100% covered by aquatic weeds (water hyacinth and Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae)). It was also estimated that US$327,038 was spent annually in monitoring and managing the weeds in the Oti River. Control interventions for aquatic weeds have been implemented in river systems in Ghana. The biological control agents Neochetina bruchi Hustache (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) and Neochetina eichhorniae Warner (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) have been used on water hyacinth infestations in the Oti River Arm of Lake Volta, the Tano River and the Lagoon complex in the south-western part of the country. Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has been used to control salvinia, and Neohydronomous affinis Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to control water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes Lilmaeus (Araceae) in the Tano River and Lagoon complex. Although these projects have been regarded as successful, they have relied on research from elsewhere in the world and no postrelease quantification has been conducted. In evaluating the impact of the biological control agents Neochetina bruchi and Neochetina eichhorniae weevils on water hyacinth infestations in the Tano River, fresh adult feeding scars were recorded as well as the numbers of adult weevils on each water hyacinth plant sampled at six sites. Despite being released in 1994, weevil numbers and resultant damage to plants in the Tano Lagoon was low in comparison to other regions of the world where these agents have been used. The main reason for this is that this lagoon floods seasonally, washing weevil-infested plants out to sea. Water hyacinth then re-infests the lagoon from seed and the weevil populations are low. To resolve this situation, two courses of action are proposed. The first is to mass rear the weevils along the shore of the lagoon and release them when the first seedlings recruit. The second proposal is that additional agents that have shorter lifecycies and are more mobile than the weevils should be released. To this end, the water hyacinth mirid, Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho) (Hemiptera: Miridae) was imported from South Africa and released onto the Tano Lagoon in 2009. Retrospective laboratory host specificity trials were conducted on Neachetina eichharniae and Neachetina bruchi weevils 15 years after their release into Ghana to see if any variation in their host ranges had occurred. Considerable damage was inflicted on the E. crassipes leaves by the Neachetina weevils, while little feeding damage was recorded on both Heteranthera callifalia Kunth. (Pontederiaceae) and Eichharnia natans (P.Beauv.) Solms (Pontederiaceae). All the weevils introduced on H callifalia and E. natans died after the first week. This study served to confirm the host specificity and thereby the safety of these agents. Invasive alien aquatic macrophytes have negative impacts on the environment and economy of Ghana. The control of these weeds is essential to socioeconomic development and improved human health standards in riparian communities. Biological control offers a safe and sustainable control option, but requires diligent implementation. However, aquatic weed invasion is more typically a result of the anthropogenically induced eutrophication of water bodies, and this is the main issue that has to be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Akpabey, Felix Jerry
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Water hyacinth -- Control -- Environmental aspects -- Ghana Alien plants -- Research -- Ghana Introduced organisms Economic development -- Social aspects -- Research -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5748 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005435
- Description: The Akosombo Dam on the Volta River in Ghana was built in 1963 to provide cheap energy to fuel industry and to accelerate the economic growth of the country. It provides hydroelectric power, enhanced fishing and water transportation upstream, and improved opportunities for irrigated farming, especially in the lower reaches, and their attendant economic multiplier effects. A few years after the construction of this major dam, a rapid expansion of industrialization took place in Ghana. This brought about an exponential increase in demand for more electrical power. This led to the construction of a smaller dam at Akuse, downstream of the Akosomho Dam in 1981 and the formation of a headpond at Kpong. The impoundment of the river at the two sites (Akosombo and Kpong) caused an alteration in the existing ecological and biophysical processes in the river basin, including a slowing of the flow of the river, upstream and downstream. Changes in the natural processes, such as a reduction in the flow of the river and an increase in nutrient status of the water, resulted in an invasion of aquatic weeds, increasing the density of aquatic snails (intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis), silting and closure of the estuary, as well as other more subtle effects. The invasion of the river's main course and the dams by aquatic plants led to a corresponding reduction of navigable water both upstream and downstream. The aim of this thesis was to quantify the impact and control of waterweeds, especially water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), in Ghana. A floral survey on the Kpong Headpond recorded 49 emergent, 12 free floating and I submerged aquatic plant species, many of which were indigenous, but the exotic or introduced water hyacinth was recorded at most of the sampling sites, and was the most abundant and had the biggest impact on the utilization of the water resource. Mats of water hyacinth served as substrates for other, indigenous species to grow out into the main channel of the headpond, including the intake point of the Kpong head works of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and landing sites for boats. These mats resulted in a reduction of the fish (fin and shell) harvest, reducing the annual production to far below demand. Water hyacinth was also shown to have severe health implications. A survey of the Ministry of Health records showed that the prevalence of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis had risen significantly over time as the abundance of waterweeds, most notably water hyacinth, increased, and ranged between 70% and 75% but up to 100% in some lakeside communities. Based on the work done by an NGO on board the medical boat ("Onipa Nua "), losses in terms of money due to the effect on health of the aquatic weed infestations on the Volta River in 2006 amounted to US$ 620,000. Economic losses due to invasive alien aquatic weeds were also calculated on the Oti River Arm of Lake Volta. It was estimated that about US$2.3 million per annum would be lost to the Volta Lake Transport Company and individual boat transport operators if this section of the river were 100% covered by aquatic weeds (water hyacinth and Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae)). It was also estimated that US$327,038 was spent annually in monitoring and managing the weeds in the Oti River. Control interventions for aquatic weeds have been implemented in river systems in Ghana. The biological control agents Neochetina bruchi Hustache (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) and Neochetina eichhorniae Warner (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) have been used on water hyacinth infestations in the Oti River Arm of Lake Volta, the Tano River and the Lagoon complex in the south-western part of the country. Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has been used to control salvinia, and Neohydronomous affinis Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to control water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes Lilmaeus (Araceae) in the Tano River and Lagoon complex. Although these projects have been regarded as successful, they have relied on research from elsewhere in the world and no postrelease quantification has been conducted. In evaluating the impact of the biological control agents Neochetina bruchi and Neochetina eichhorniae weevils on water hyacinth infestations in the Tano River, fresh adult feeding scars were recorded as well as the numbers of adult weevils on each water hyacinth plant sampled at six sites. Despite being released in 1994, weevil numbers and resultant damage to plants in the Tano Lagoon was low in comparison to other regions of the world where these agents have been used. The main reason for this is that this lagoon floods seasonally, washing weevil-infested plants out to sea. Water hyacinth then re-infests the lagoon from seed and the weevil populations are low. To resolve this situation, two courses of action are proposed. The first is to mass rear the weevils along the shore of the lagoon and release them when the first seedlings recruit. The second proposal is that additional agents that have shorter lifecycies and are more mobile than the weevils should be released. To this end, the water hyacinth mirid, Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho) (Hemiptera: Miridae) was imported from South Africa and released onto the Tano Lagoon in 2009. Retrospective laboratory host specificity trials were conducted on Neachetina eichharniae and Neachetina bruchi weevils 15 years after their release into Ghana to see if any variation in their host ranges had occurred. Considerable damage was inflicted on the E. crassipes leaves by the Neachetina weevils, while little feeding damage was recorded on both Heteranthera callifalia Kunth. (Pontederiaceae) and Eichharnia natans (P.Beauv.) Solms (Pontederiaceae). All the weevils introduced on H callifalia and E. natans died after the first week. This study served to confirm the host specificity and thereby the safety of these agents. Invasive alien aquatic macrophytes have negative impacts on the environment and economy of Ghana. The control of these weeds is essential to socioeconomic development and improved human health standards in riparian communities. Biological control offers a safe and sustainable control option, but requires diligent implementation. However, aquatic weed invasion is more typically a result of the anthropogenically induced eutrophication of water bodies, and this is the main issue that has to be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The development of an orodispersible sildenafil citrate tablet intended for paediatric use
- Authors: Dagnolo, Bianca
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3751 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003229 , Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Description: Sildenafil citrate (SC) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that is used to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH) in paediatric patients. The purpose of these studies was to develop a formulation and manufacture an orodispersible tablet (ODT) that can be easily administered to neonates and children with PH. The advantages of ODT dosage forms include ease of administration, rapid dissolution of the API, SC. Furthermore the dosage form can be taken without water which is beneficial to patients without immediate access to potable fluids. A simple, rapid, accurate, precise and selective reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and was successfully used for the analysis of SC as raw material and in SC containing pharmaceutical dosage forms. Preformulation studies were performed on SC, alone and in combination with potential excipients that could be used to make tablets. Investigations into potential interactions between SC and the excipients were performed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). DSC results revealed that SC was compatible with all potential excipients except mannitol and magnesium stearate. However these interactions were not observed with IR and therefore it was concluded that the interactions were induced by the high temperatures that DSC operates at. Particle size and shape was also established by use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and flow properties were monitored by calculating Carr’s Index (CI) and the Hausner Ratio (HR). Direct compression was used as the method of manufacture for SC tablets as this approach is simple and the most economic production approach. The powder blends were assessed for bulk and tapped density and the CI and HR were used to determine the flowability of the blends. The quality attributes of the resultant tablets that were monitored included uniformity of weight, friability, crushing strength, tensile strength, disintegration, wetting and in vitro dispersion times. Design of Experiments is an efficient statistical approach that has become a popular tool used in the pharmaceutical industry to optimize formulation compositions, as it allows for the investigation of several input factors at the same time whilst not using the tedious and traditional “ modification of one variable at a time” approach. A Central composite experimental design was chosen as the most appropriate means to optimize the formulation as it produces more accurate results as opposed to other experimental designs approaches as input factors are investigated at five different levels. Through the use of mathematical modelling, optimum concentrations of disintegrant(s) and an appropriate blending time were established. Analysis of the data from the experimental design and mathematical modelling studies reveal that no changes in disintegrant concentration or blending time altered the disintegration time of the formulation to any significant extent. This result is most likely due to the fact that the critical disintegrant concentration has been reached and increasing the disintegrant concentration further has no effect on disintegration time. It was also established that a change in the concentration of CMS and CRP altered the wetting time of the tablet significantly. Finally it was noted that there was a linear relationship between blending time and the uniformity of content of the tablets produced in these studies. The optimized product was a white tablet with a diameter of 7.31 mm with a thickness of 2.80mm.The dosage form had no visible cracks or evidence of picking or sticking. The tablet exhibits suitable friability and tensile strength while exhibiting a disintegration time of only 8s. Therefore an orodispersible tablet containing SC intended for paediatric use has been successfully developed, manufactured and optimized through the use of preformulation studies, appropriate quality control monitoring and mathematical modelling. These formulations require further optimization in respect of addition of flavours and or additional sweetening agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dagnolo, Bianca
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3751 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003229 , Drug development -- Children -- Research -- South Africa , Pulmonary hypertension -- Children -- Research , Tablets (Medicine) -- Development , Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Research
- Description: Sildenafil citrate (SC) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that is used to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH) in paediatric patients. The purpose of these studies was to develop a formulation and manufacture an orodispersible tablet (ODT) that can be easily administered to neonates and children with PH. The advantages of ODT dosage forms include ease of administration, rapid dissolution of the API, SC. Furthermore the dosage form can be taken without water which is beneficial to patients without immediate access to potable fluids. A simple, rapid, accurate, precise and selective reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and was successfully used for the analysis of SC as raw material and in SC containing pharmaceutical dosage forms. Preformulation studies were performed on SC, alone and in combination with potential excipients that could be used to make tablets. Investigations into potential interactions between SC and the excipients were performed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). DSC results revealed that SC was compatible with all potential excipients except mannitol and magnesium stearate. However these interactions were not observed with IR and therefore it was concluded that the interactions were induced by the high temperatures that DSC operates at. Particle size and shape was also established by use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and flow properties were monitored by calculating Carr’s Index (CI) and the Hausner Ratio (HR). Direct compression was used as the method of manufacture for SC tablets as this approach is simple and the most economic production approach. The powder blends were assessed for bulk and tapped density and the CI and HR were used to determine the flowability of the blends. The quality attributes of the resultant tablets that were monitored included uniformity of weight, friability, crushing strength, tensile strength, disintegration, wetting and in vitro dispersion times. Design of Experiments is an efficient statistical approach that has become a popular tool used in the pharmaceutical industry to optimize formulation compositions, as it allows for the investigation of several input factors at the same time whilst not using the tedious and traditional “ modification of one variable at a time” approach. A Central composite experimental design was chosen as the most appropriate means to optimize the formulation as it produces more accurate results as opposed to other experimental designs approaches as input factors are investigated at five different levels. Through the use of mathematical modelling, optimum concentrations of disintegrant(s) and an appropriate blending time were established. Analysis of the data from the experimental design and mathematical modelling studies reveal that no changes in disintegrant concentration or blending time altered the disintegration time of the formulation to any significant extent. This result is most likely due to the fact that the critical disintegrant concentration has been reached and increasing the disintegrant concentration further has no effect on disintegration time. It was also established that a change in the concentration of CMS and CRP altered the wetting time of the tablet significantly. Finally it was noted that there was a linear relationship between blending time and the uniformity of content of the tablets produced in these studies. The optimized product was a white tablet with a diameter of 7.31 mm with a thickness of 2.80mm.The dosage form had no visible cracks or evidence of picking or sticking. The tablet exhibits suitable friability and tensile strength while exhibiting a disintegration time of only 8s. Therefore an orodispersible tablet containing SC intended for paediatric use has been successfully developed, manufactured and optimized through the use of preformulation studies, appropriate quality control monitoring and mathematical modelling. These formulations require further optimization in respect of addition of flavours and or additional sweetening agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An evaluation of the organizational communication of a performance management system in the city of Windhoek
- Authors: Shilongo, Johannes Angula
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Communication in organizations -- Namibia -- Windhoek Performance -- Management -- Namibia -- Windhoek Personnel management -- Namibia -- Windhoek Organizational change -- Namibia -- Windhoek Organizational behavior -- Namibia -- Windhoek
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:788 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003909
- Description: This study evaluated how the communication of the new performance management system by the City of Windhoek influenced the beliefs of its employees and consequently to determine the effects of the communication process on the degree to which buy-in and readiness is created. Armenakis, Harris and Field's (1999) five element model of examining the change recipient's beliefs, namely, discrepancy, appropriateness, principal support, efficacy, and valence was used as a framework for this study. These beliefs play a major role in affecting behaviours of the change recipients (employees) toward the implementation of a new change initiative in an organisation. Discrepancy involves assessing if employees believe that a need for change does really exist in the organization. Appropriateness seeks to find out from the change recipients whether the performance management system being introduced in the organization is an appropriate reaction to the need and the vision of the organisation. Principal support describes the support from change agents and opinion leaders for the organizational change. Efficacy refers to a belief in one's capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given attainments. Valence refers to the intrinsic and extrinsic attractiveness (from the change recipient's perspective) associated with the perceived outcome of the change. Literature on organizational change, organizational communication and change implementation were used, to gain and highlight insights regarding the role of change communication during change implementation, and to provide the conceptual framework for the research design and analysis. A single case study research method was used under a mixed research paradigm. The study used a survey questionnaire that was sent to 711 employees; a sufficient and representative 202 questionnaires were returned from all levels of the organization, yielding a response rate of 22.4%. In addition, three focus group interviews of a representative cross section of staff were conducted as also document analysis to collect data for the study. The summative average percentages of levels of agreements and disagreements of the respondents for each of the five change recipient's beliefs indicate a fairly high degree of agreement (buy-in) and considerably low degree of disagreement (resistance) among the respondents to nearly all five change recipient's beliefs. Discrepancy received the highest degree of agreement (buy-in) 84%; efficacy received 73%, appropriateness 66% and valence 59% whereas principal support scored the lowest degree of agreement of about 40% of the respondents. Despite the high degree of agreement (buy-in) for these elements, there was also a notable number of the respondents who neither agreed nor disagreed to some of the five change recipient's beliefs. In particular, principal support had 38%, valence had 28%, and appropriateness had 22% who neither agreed nor disagreed. The degree of disagreement (resistance) is relatively low in almost all five change recipient‟s beliefs except for principal support which indicated slightly higher levels of disagreement (19%). The results of the study indicate that the communication methods e.g., the road show, leaflets and brochures, discussions and training sessions used during the pre-implementation phase of the new performance management system influenced the change recipient‟s beliefs on the discrepancy for the new performance management system. The evidence is that these communication methods and actions helped to create a sense of urgency and the need to implement a new performance management system among employees. The new performance management system was also believed to be appropriate and its appropriateness was justified through the use of various communication methods which provided detailed explanations on how the new performance management system was different to the earlier performance appraisal system. Notwithstanding the belief in the appropriateness of the new performance management system, the study found that the absence of such a performance management system over a long period of time had cultivated a hidden but unifying shared set of values, beliefs and assumptions among employees that seem not to fit or be suitable to the demands of the new performance management system and the current challenges facing the organization. The employees themselves noted this discrepancy. Hence, they argued, there is a need to bring about new culture with new sets of values, beliefs and assumptions that will better suit and support the current demands facing the organisation and its members. The study found that although employees significantly believe that they have high levels of personal self-efficacy, the change message that was communicated to them did not in itself appear to help to create and further develop this employee self-efficacy. The change message mainly focussed on the need for training, and the design of job descriptions and technical aspects of the performance management system. The study revealed that the employees' belief in principal support of the new performance management system was that principal support was seen as less than sufficient or not as evident as they would have liked. Employees remarked that principal support was only conveyed during the initial stage of communication, thereafter, principal support from senior management was seen to have declined throughout the pre-implementation phase. Nonetheless, immediate supervisors and managers were believed to more supportive than senior management. The literature points to a lack of belief in principal support as an important cause of a loss momentum in change initiatives, which in turn may result in cynicism and greater resistance, especially by those who have vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Valence refers to the intrinsic and extrinsic attractiveness (from the change recipient's perspective) associated with the perceived outcome of the change. The results show that respondents have mixed beliefs about the personal benefits associated with the new performance management system. Thus, 63% of the respondents believe that it will benefit them, 75% believe that it will increase their self fulfilment, 68% believe that it will increase their feeling of accomplishment, 45% believe that their fringe benefit will remain the same after it is implemented, and 58% believe that they could earn high performance return. However, the result also shows that there are still many respondents who neither agree nor disagree to the presence of personal valance with regard to the new performance managements system. This study established that the use of various communication methods persuaded the majority of the City of Windhoek employees to view the new performance management system overall in a favourable light. However, interviewees criticised the communications process on the grounds that most of these methods were only used once and were not repeated, as they would have liked. Lessons on this item from other change studies are that when communicating new change initiatives, change agents should use different methods of communication and as many times as possible to influence the belief of employees. This report is structured as follows: Section 1 provides an abstract and introduction to the study. Section 1.2 presents a brief review of core theories and recent empirical studies relevant to the research problem. Section 1.3 provides a description of the research method followed in addressing aim and objectives of this study. Section 1.4 presents the results of the evaluation report and section 1.5 discusses the findings and make conclusive recommendations. Section 2 of this study complements subsection section 1.2 (in section 1) with a more detailed review of the literature on organizational change, organizational communication and change implementation. This more detailed review was conducted before the field work and write up of Section 1. The literature incorporated into Section 1 was distilled from this more detailed review. Similarly, Section 3 of this study complement subsection 1.3 (of section 1) with an extended description of the research design and research procedure followed in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Shilongo, Johannes Angula
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Communication in organizations -- Namibia -- Windhoek Performance -- Management -- Namibia -- Windhoek Personnel management -- Namibia -- Windhoek Organizational change -- Namibia -- Windhoek Organizational behavior -- Namibia -- Windhoek
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:788 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003909
- Description: This study evaluated how the communication of the new performance management system by the City of Windhoek influenced the beliefs of its employees and consequently to determine the effects of the communication process on the degree to which buy-in and readiness is created. Armenakis, Harris and Field's (1999) five element model of examining the change recipient's beliefs, namely, discrepancy, appropriateness, principal support, efficacy, and valence was used as a framework for this study. These beliefs play a major role in affecting behaviours of the change recipients (employees) toward the implementation of a new change initiative in an organisation. Discrepancy involves assessing if employees believe that a need for change does really exist in the organization. Appropriateness seeks to find out from the change recipients whether the performance management system being introduced in the organization is an appropriate reaction to the need and the vision of the organisation. Principal support describes the support from change agents and opinion leaders for the organizational change. Efficacy refers to a belief in one's capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given attainments. Valence refers to the intrinsic and extrinsic attractiveness (from the change recipient's perspective) associated with the perceived outcome of the change. Literature on organizational change, organizational communication and change implementation were used, to gain and highlight insights regarding the role of change communication during change implementation, and to provide the conceptual framework for the research design and analysis. A single case study research method was used under a mixed research paradigm. The study used a survey questionnaire that was sent to 711 employees; a sufficient and representative 202 questionnaires were returned from all levels of the organization, yielding a response rate of 22.4%. In addition, three focus group interviews of a representative cross section of staff were conducted as also document analysis to collect data for the study. The summative average percentages of levels of agreements and disagreements of the respondents for each of the five change recipient's beliefs indicate a fairly high degree of agreement (buy-in) and considerably low degree of disagreement (resistance) among the respondents to nearly all five change recipient's beliefs. Discrepancy received the highest degree of agreement (buy-in) 84%; efficacy received 73%, appropriateness 66% and valence 59% whereas principal support scored the lowest degree of agreement of about 40% of the respondents. Despite the high degree of agreement (buy-in) for these elements, there was also a notable number of the respondents who neither agreed nor disagreed to some of the five change recipient's beliefs. In particular, principal support had 38%, valence had 28%, and appropriateness had 22% who neither agreed nor disagreed. The degree of disagreement (resistance) is relatively low in almost all five change recipient‟s beliefs except for principal support which indicated slightly higher levels of disagreement (19%). The results of the study indicate that the communication methods e.g., the road show, leaflets and brochures, discussions and training sessions used during the pre-implementation phase of the new performance management system influenced the change recipient‟s beliefs on the discrepancy for the new performance management system. The evidence is that these communication methods and actions helped to create a sense of urgency and the need to implement a new performance management system among employees. The new performance management system was also believed to be appropriate and its appropriateness was justified through the use of various communication methods which provided detailed explanations on how the new performance management system was different to the earlier performance appraisal system. Notwithstanding the belief in the appropriateness of the new performance management system, the study found that the absence of such a performance management system over a long period of time had cultivated a hidden but unifying shared set of values, beliefs and assumptions among employees that seem not to fit or be suitable to the demands of the new performance management system and the current challenges facing the organization. The employees themselves noted this discrepancy. Hence, they argued, there is a need to bring about new culture with new sets of values, beliefs and assumptions that will better suit and support the current demands facing the organisation and its members. The study found that although employees significantly believe that they have high levels of personal self-efficacy, the change message that was communicated to them did not in itself appear to help to create and further develop this employee self-efficacy. The change message mainly focussed on the need for training, and the design of job descriptions and technical aspects of the performance management system. The study revealed that the employees' belief in principal support of the new performance management system was that principal support was seen as less than sufficient or not as evident as they would have liked. Employees remarked that principal support was only conveyed during the initial stage of communication, thereafter, principal support from senior management was seen to have declined throughout the pre-implementation phase. Nonetheless, immediate supervisors and managers were believed to more supportive than senior management. The literature points to a lack of belief in principal support as an important cause of a loss momentum in change initiatives, which in turn may result in cynicism and greater resistance, especially by those who have vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Valence refers to the intrinsic and extrinsic attractiveness (from the change recipient's perspective) associated with the perceived outcome of the change. The results show that respondents have mixed beliefs about the personal benefits associated with the new performance management system. Thus, 63% of the respondents believe that it will benefit them, 75% believe that it will increase their self fulfilment, 68% believe that it will increase their feeling of accomplishment, 45% believe that their fringe benefit will remain the same after it is implemented, and 58% believe that they could earn high performance return. However, the result also shows that there are still many respondents who neither agree nor disagree to the presence of personal valance with regard to the new performance managements system. This study established that the use of various communication methods persuaded the majority of the City of Windhoek employees to view the new performance management system overall in a favourable light. However, interviewees criticised the communications process on the grounds that most of these methods were only used once and were not repeated, as they would have liked. Lessons on this item from other change studies are that when communicating new change initiatives, change agents should use different methods of communication and as many times as possible to influence the belief of employees. This report is structured as follows: Section 1 provides an abstract and introduction to the study. Section 1.2 presents a brief review of core theories and recent empirical studies relevant to the research problem. Section 1.3 provides a description of the research method followed in addressing aim and objectives of this study. Section 1.4 presents the results of the evaluation report and section 1.5 discusses the findings and make conclusive recommendations. Section 2 of this study complements subsection section 1.2 (in section 1) with a more detailed review of the literature on organizational change, organizational communication and change implementation. This more detailed review was conducted before the field work and write up of Section 1. The literature incorporated into Section 1 was distilled from this more detailed review. Similarly, Section 3 of this study complement subsection 1.3 (of section 1) with an extended description of the research design and research procedure followed in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A case study of Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary as a community driven Community-Based Natural Resource Management initiative : maintaining livelihoods and wetland health
- Authors: Gosling, Amanda Karen
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wetland conservation -- Uganda , Wetland ecology -- Uganda , Natural resources management areas -- Uganda , Rural development -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4752 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007065 , Wetland conservation -- Uganda , Wetland ecology -- Uganda , Natural resources management areas -- Uganda , Rural development -- Uganda
- Description: Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) is considered a win-win approach to reconcile conservation with natural resource use. CBNRM aims to accomplish conservation whilst prioritising development and contributing to poverty alleviation. This study analysed the different components of a CBNRM initiative, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (BWS), located in western Uganda. The study was carried out by interviewing the managing committee members (n= 8) as well as local households (n= 68) regarding the manner in which the project works, and the associated benefits and constraints. The main management issues recognised were a lack of monitoring and committee cohesiveness. The information gathered through the household survey enabled the calculation of the value of local livelihood options. This was done on the premise that conservation is better accepted when land users realise the economic value of natural resources. The average annual value of household livelihoods was represented by 30% crop production, 57% natural resource use, and 13% livestock. Lastly, wetland assessments were performed using the WET-Health and WET-EcoServices methodologies from the Wetland Management Series. These assessments indicated that the impacts of local livelihoods on the wetland were currently low but potential issues could arise with the increasing human population density. Ultimately, BWS presents both environmental and social costs and benefits. With a detailed and interdisciplinary method specific recommendations of improvement can be made to reduce such costs and further reconcile the conservation of Bigodi Wetland with local natural resource use..
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Gosling, Amanda Karen
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wetland conservation -- Uganda , Wetland ecology -- Uganda , Natural resources management areas -- Uganda , Rural development -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4752 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007065 , Wetland conservation -- Uganda , Wetland ecology -- Uganda , Natural resources management areas -- Uganda , Rural development -- Uganda
- Description: Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) is considered a win-win approach to reconcile conservation with natural resource use. CBNRM aims to accomplish conservation whilst prioritising development and contributing to poverty alleviation. This study analysed the different components of a CBNRM initiative, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (BWS), located in western Uganda. The study was carried out by interviewing the managing committee members (n= 8) as well as local households (n= 68) regarding the manner in which the project works, and the associated benefits and constraints. The main management issues recognised were a lack of monitoring and committee cohesiveness. The information gathered through the household survey enabled the calculation of the value of local livelihood options. This was done on the premise that conservation is better accepted when land users realise the economic value of natural resources. The average annual value of household livelihoods was represented by 30% crop production, 57% natural resource use, and 13% livestock. Lastly, wetland assessments were performed using the WET-Health and WET-EcoServices methodologies from the Wetland Management Series. These assessments indicated that the impacts of local livelihoods on the wetland were currently low but potential issues could arise with the increasing human population density. Ultimately, BWS presents both environmental and social costs and benefits. With a detailed and interdisciplinary method specific recommendations of improvement can be made to reduce such costs and further reconcile the conservation of Bigodi Wetland with local natural resource use..
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The impact of clothing and protective gear on biophysical, physiological, perceptual and performance responses of rugby players during a simulated rugby protocol
- Authors: Cannon, Michael-John
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Protective clothing -- Rugby football -- Health aspects -- Research , Rugby football injuries -- Prevention -- Research , Sports injuries -- Prevention -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5124 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005202 , Protective clothing -- Rugby football -- Health aspects -- Research , Rugby football injuries -- Prevention -- Research , Sports injuries -- Prevention -- Research
- Description: Background: Clothing and protective gear worn during intermittent exercise has shown to increase physiological and perceptual responses, and negatively impact performance capacities, due to increased heat strain, suggested to hasten the onset of fatigue. However, the mechanisms of fatigue experienced in rugby remain unclear. Objectives: The aim of this study was establish whether clothing and protective gear worn during a simulated rugby protocol impacts players‘ biophysical, physiological, perceptual and performance responses. Methods: 15 registered university and school first XV rugby players with a mean (± SD) age of 20.9 years (± 1.9) volunteered to participate in the study. Testing was performed in a controlled laboratory setting, with temperatures having to be within the range of 16º C-22º C. The mean (± SD) ambient temperature was 17.6º C (± 1.6) for the control condition and 17.3º C (1.5) for the experimental condition. The mean (± SD) relative humidity was 65.2 % (± 9.5) for the control condition and 66.3 % (± 10.0) for the experimental condition. Player‘s performed two protocols of 80-minutes; a control condition (minimal clothing and protective gear) and an experimental condition (full clothing and protective gear). Physiological, perceptual and performance responses were measured at set intervals during the protocol, while biophysical responses were measured pre-, at half-time and post-protocol during a 3-minute EMG treadmill protocol. Results: Muscle activity significantly (p< 0.05) increased with increasing running speeds. There were no significant (p> 0.05) differences for muscle activity between conditions, except for the semitendinosus muscle, which was significantly (p< 0.05) higher during the control condition while running at high speeds. Players‘ heart rates, core temperatures and perceptual responses were significantly (p< 0.05) higher during the experimental condition, compared to the control condition. Performance responses were significantly (p< 0.05) lower during the experimental condition. Conclusion: The main driver of physiological and perceptual responses was the exercise itself. However, the additional clothing and protective gear exacerbated the responses, particularly towards the end stages of the protocol. This negatively impacted players‘ performance. Muscle activity appeared to be unaffected by increased body temperatures. However, core temperatures never reached critically high levels during either condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Cannon, Michael-John
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Protective clothing -- Rugby football -- Health aspects -- Research , Rugby football injuries -- Prevention -- Research , Sports injuries -- Prevention -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5124 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005202 , Protective clothing -- Rugby football -- Health aspects -- Research , Rugby football injuries -- Prevention -- Research , Sports injuries -- Prevention -- Research
- Description: Background: Clothing and protective gear worn during intermittent exercise has shown to increase physiological and perceptual responses, and negatively impact performance capacities, due to increased heat strain, suggested to hasten the onset of fatigue. However, the mechanisms of fatigue experienced in rugby remain unclear. Objectives: The aim of this study was establish whether clothing and protective gear worn during a simulated rugby protocol impacts players‘ biophysical, physiological, perceptual and performance responses. Methods: 15 registered university and school first XV rugby players with a mean (± SD) age of 20.9 years (± 1.9) volunteered to participate in the study. Testing was performed in a controlled laboratory setting, with temperatures having to be within the range of 16º C-22º C. The mean (± SD) ambient temperature was 17.6º C (± 1.6) for the control condition and 17.3º C (1.5) for the experimental condition. The mean (± SD) relative humidity was 65.2 % (± 9.5) for the control condition and 66.3 % (± 10.0) for the experimental condition. Player‘s performed two protocols of 80-minutes; a control condition (minimal clothing and protective gear) and an experimental condition (full clothing and protective gear). Physiological, perceptual and performance responses were measured at set intervals during the protocol, while biophysical responses were measured pre-, at half-time and post-protocol during a 3-minute EMG treadmill protocol. Results: Muscle activity significantly (p< 0.05) increased with increasing running speeds. There were no significant (p> 0.05) differences for muscle activity between conditions, except for the semitendinosus muscle, which was significantly (p< 0.05) higher during the control condition while running at high speeds. Players‘ heart rates, core temperatures and perceptual responses were significantly (p< 0.05) higher during the experimental condition, compared to the control condition. Performance responses were significantly (p< 0.05) lower during the experimental condition. Conclusion: The main driver of physiological and perceptual responses was the exercise itself. However, the additional clothing and protective gear exacerbated the responses, particularly towards the end stages of the protocol. This negatively impacted players‘ performance. Muscle activity appeared to be unaffected by increased body temperatures. However, core temperatures never reached critically high levels during either condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012