Showing items 91 - 110 of 1371

Your selections:

Synchronisation of breeding in populations of the brown mussel Perna perna on the South Coast of South Africa

  • Authors: Ndzipa, Victoria
  • Date: 2013-05-28
  • Subjects: Mussels -- South Africa , Perna -- South Africa , Perna -- Breeding
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5830 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007857 , Mussels -- South Africa , Perna -- South Africa , Perna -- Breeding
  • Description: The general biology and seasonality of breeding of intertidal populations of the brown mussel Perna perna in South Africa are reasonably well known, but we have little information on variability either within or among populations. Synchronous spawning offers adaptive advantages to externally breeding animals. Firstly, it enhances fertilization rates and therefore the species' reproductive fitness. Secondly, spawning can also be timed to coincide with environmental conditions conducive to larval settlement and development. In addition, synchronisation of spawning will influence the synchrony of settlement. Synchronisation of larval settlement, in turn, has implications for popUlation biology, as highly pulsed settlement is likely to lead to density-dependant mortality of recruits and uncoupling of adult/recruit densities, while poorly synchronised settlement will not. Generally, sea temperature and food availability are considered the key factors underlying the initiation and the duration of the breeding cycle of mussels. However, there are proximate local cues that trigger the proliferation, maturation and release of gametes. In this study, the hypothesis tested is that factors that control food availability affect gonad development and so influence synchrony among populations. Much of the published work on spawning is based on observations of the presence of larvae in the plankton, or on settlement. A more reliable method correlates the sequence of gonad development throughout the year with changes in length-weight relationships, using histology. This study is also designed to investigate temporal differences in the timing of the breeding cycle between sheltered and exposed sites along the south coast of South Africa by histological analysis of the reproductive tissue (the gonad) and by dry weight/shell length regreSSIOns. To do this, these two techniques were applied to six mussel populations at three III ocalities that were separated on scales of about 10-20km. Within each locality, two study sites were .dentified. One was exposed to strong wave action and one was sheltered. A few hundred meters ;eparated these sites. The first technique used length-weight regressions as an indication of mussel ~ondition. Abrupt decreases in the dry body weight of a hypothetical standard animal were taken to indicate periods of spawning. Regressions were assessed for samples of 40 mussels taken from each site at intervals of 4 weeks over 13 months. The results were analysed using a 3-way ANCOV A, with dry weight as the dependent variable, shell length as a covariate, and site, exposure and month, as independent variables. The second approach used the more reliable and detailed method of assessing the annual reproductive cycle using histological sections of the gonad. Histological sections of gonads from thirty female mussels, sampled monthly from each site, were examined in the laboratory. Each gonad was categorized into one of six arbitrary developmental stages based on ovary morphology. Synchrony in spawning was examined by comparison of gonad developmental stages of individuals within and among populations. The data were analysed by 3-way nested ANOV A with mean gonad index for each population as the dependent variable, month as an independent variable and exposure nested in site. The results obtained from both techniques showed strong synchronisation among different popUlations, regardless of the scales at which they were separated. The data also indicated good synchrony within populations and, again among populations, regardless of the degree of exposure. The results also indicated that the gonad condition varied significantly at each site, exposure level and month. However, there were significant interactions among these three factors. This means that on a broader seasonal scale the six mussel populations were reasonably synchronised, but on finer monthly scales, there were temporal differences in duration of gametogenic events. The implication is that ovary development is cued by environmental factor(s) that operate on scales of at least 7-20 km rather than more localised events that may affect food availablity either through aggregation of food (local hydrography at different localities) or food delivery to the shore (degree of wave action at different sites.) , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

Synthesis and evaluation of PGM-selective ligands

  • Authors: Gxoyiya, Babalwa Siliziwe Blossom
  • Date: 2013-05-28
  • Subjects: Platinum group , Ligands , Ligands -- Evaluation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4450 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007849 , Platinum group , Ligands , Ligands -- Evaluation
  • Description: A series of polydentate POM-selective, sulfur-containing amide ligands have been synthesized from ro-dibromoalkanes and mercaptoacetanilide, The resulting 3,6- dithiaoctanediamides and 3,7-dithianonanediamides, some of which contain a polymerisable group, were all characterized by high-resolution MS, IR, I Hand I3C NMR spectroscopic methods. Various approaches to the polymerisable ligands were explored, the most efficient proving to be the incorporation of an allyl ether moiety in the mercaptoacetanilide. The corresponding Pd(U) and Pt(II) complexes were also prepared from the metal chloride salts and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The NMR data indicates that both the cis- and transcomplexes were formed, while the IR data indicates cis- coordination of the chlorine . ligands. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP's), prepared using platinum(II) mercaptoacetanilide and 3,6-dithiadiamide complexes, showed high selectivity for , , palladium(II) [in the presence of Pt(II), CoCII), Cu(II) and Ni(II)] as determined by . ICP-MS analysis. The more kinetically inert Pt(II) ions however, slowly displaced Pd(II), confirming the Pt(II) selectivity of the MIP's. Solvent extraction studies were conducted to explore the selectivity of the 3,6- dithiaoctanediamides and 3,7-dithianonanediamides for Pd(U) over CoCII), Cu(U) and Ni(II). The ICP-MS data indicate that, in general, equilibration was achieved within ten minutes and that the longer-chain amides were less selective than the shorter-chain analogues. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

Involuntary consent

  • Authors: Futter, Dylan Brian
  • Date: 2013-05-24
  • Subjects: Ignorance (Theory of knowledge) Responsiblity Free will and determinism Theory (Philosophy) Social ethics Blame
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007846
  • Description: In this dissertation I take exception with a widely held philosophical doctrine, according to which agents are only blameworthy for the bad actions they have chosen to bring about. My argument strategy is to present cases in which agents are blamed for involuntary actions that are not in any way connected to their culpable and voluntary choices. These failures correspond, I suggest, to occasions of culpable ignorance where agents have been negligent or careless. More specifically, I claim that violations of natural duties of respect and consideration, and certain acquired role-type duties, are blamed without any voluntary consent. If my examples are persuasive, then the point is reached where a normative principle of 'voluntary consent' does not in fact coincide with people's actual practices and 'considered judgements'. In the final sections of the dissertation, I argue against the plausibility of keeping the principle and revising our judgements. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

Rugby : more than just a game : a study of the cumulative effects of mild head injuries on high school rugby players

  • Authors: Giai-Coletti, Cristina
  • Date: 2013-05-24
  • Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications Rugby football injuries Brain -- Concussion -- Complications Neuropsychological tests
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007809
  • Description: The present study comprises part of an ongoing research study investigating the effects 0 f cumulative mild head injuries 0 n Rugby Union p layers. The aim 0 f t he study was to ascertain whether there are neuropsychological effects of cumulative mild head injuries sustained during the rugby-playing careers of senior schoolboy rugby players. Participants were top-level rugby players from high schools in Grahamstown and Cape Town (n = 79) and non-contact sport controls of top-level field hockey players from the same schools (n = 58). Group mean comparisons across a battery of neuropsychological tests were carried out between the Total Rugby versus the Total Field Hockey group, and the Rugby Forwards versus the Rugby Backs group. Comparisons between Total Rugby versus Total Field Hockey revealed impaired performance by the rugby players on two tests of visuoperceptual tracking, namely Digit Symbol Substitution and Trail Making Test (Part A). For Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs, there were no consistent differences to support the expectation that forwards would perform worse than backs. Forwards performed more poorly than backs on WMS Associate Learning Subtest - Hard (Delayed Recall), whereas backs performed more poorly than forwards on Digits Backwards. This suggests that some individuals in the cohort were starting to exhibit verbal memory deficit, albeit not clearly in association with forward positional play. Overall, results of the present study provide tentative support for the hypothesis that school level rugby players are more susceptible to the effects of cumulative concussive and sub-concussive head injuries than are non-contact sport controls. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

South African women's literature and the ecofeminist perspective

  • Authors: Ewing, Maureen Colleen
  • Date: 2013-05-24
  • Subjects: Ecofeminism in literature Ecology in literature Nature in literature South African fiction -- History and criticism Smith, Pauline, 1883-1959 Schreiner, Olive, 1855-1920 Matthee, Dalene, 1938-2005 Poland, Marguerite
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2287 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007808
  • Description: A social-constructionist ecofeminist perspective argues that patriarchal society separates the human (or culture) from nature, which causes a false assumption that humanity possesses the right, as a superior species, to dominate nature. This perspective integrates the domination of nature with social conflicts, including but not limited to racial discrimination, gender oppression, and class hierarchies. Understanding how these various forms of oppression interrelate forms the main goal of an ecofeminist perspective. Since the nature-culture, female-male, and whitenonwhite conflicts resonate and interlock throughout South Africa's history, socialconstructionist ecofeminism is an indispensable perspective for analysing South African literature. This thesis takes a social-constructionist ecofeminist approach and applies it to four women authors that write about South African society between the years 1860-1900. This thesis includes the following authors and their works: Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) and two of her novels, The Story of an African Farm (1883) and From Man to Man (published posthumously in 1927); Pauline Smith (1882-1959) and her novel The Beadle (1926); Dalene Matthee (1938- ) and three of her novels, Circles in a Forest (1984), Fiela's Child (1986), and The Mulberry Forest (1987); and Marguerite Poland (1950- ) and one of her novels, Shades (1993). This thesis investigates two women from the time period (Schreiner and Smith) and two women from a late twentieth century perspective (Matthee and Poland) and compares how they depict the natural environment, how they construct gender, and how they interpret class and race power struggles. This thesis concludes that the social-constructionist perspective offers unique insights into these four authors. Schreiner's novels reveal her concerns about gender and racial conflicts in South Africa and her understanding of the nature-culture dichotomy as sustained by Social Darwinism. Smith offers insights into the complex power structures in a rural Afrikaans society that keep women and nonwhite races silent. Matthee writes nature as an active participant in her novels; the social and ecological conflicts emphasise the transformation of the Knysna area. Poland explores the racial tensions, gender conflicts, and environmental concerns that preceded the South African War. Schreiner, Smith, Matthee, and Poland make up a small cross-section of South African literature, but they provide a basis for further discussing the ecofeminist perspective within a South African context. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

Geotectonic controls on primary diamond deposits : a review of exploration criteria

  • Authors: Hannon, Camille
  • Date: 2013-05-23
  • Subjects: Diamonds , Geology, Structural , Diamond deposits , Kimberlite
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007810 , Diamonds , Geology, Structural , Diamond deposits , Kimberlite
  • Description: The origin of diamonds, their preservation and transport to the surface have been important issues over the last decades after the acknowledgement that diamonds are xenocrysts in the host kimberlites and after the discovery of new transport media such as lamproites. Different types of diamonds -E-type diamonds, P-type diamonds- and different types of hosts - Eclogites, Peridotites- have been distinguished. Each type corresponds to particular formation criteria. Ecogitic Diamonds are mostly related to subduction processes, whereas more uncertainties remain regarding the formation of Peridotitic Diamonds. Komatiite extraction and subduction of graphite-bearing serpentinites have been proposed as the more likely processes involved in their formation. A typical mantle signature for diamonds implies a thick, cool, reduced lithosphere. The keel-shape model is the most popular. Archaean cratons are therefore the most promising exploration target and area selection will expect to follow the Clifford's Rule. However, the evidence of cratonic areas hidden under younger formations · through seismic profiles and the discovery of diamond structurally trapped outside their stability field, have increased the potential of diamondiferous areas. Preservation of diamonds inside the lithosphere requires that the mantleroot remains insulated against excessive reheating and tectonic reworking. Mantle-root friendly and mantle-root destructive structures are distinguished. Small-size cratons are usually the most promising exploration targets. Transport of diamonds to the surface is dependant on' the same criteria of preservation. Only kimberlites and lamproites have been recognized as efficient transport media. Their ascent to the surface is conditioned by a multitude of parameters, amongst them the nature of the magma, the speed of ascent, the presence of pre-existing structures in the crust and the availability of ground water in the near-surface environment. The origin of kimberlite magma probably lies near the transition zone. Mixtures of depleted asthenospheric · sources and metasomatically enriched and possibly subducted materials are likely to be at the origin of the different kimberlite magmas. Kimberlite magmatism correlates generally in time with global tectonic events, triggered by either plume activity or by subduction processes, depending of the tectonic school of thought. Kimberlite alignments have been interpreted as hotspot tracks, and kimberlite magmas as volatile-rich melts issued from the remaining plume tail. The plume head produces flood-basalts in an adjacent "thinspot" of the lithosphere, generally on the edges of the cratons. Kimberlite and lamproite ascent to the surface are unconditionally influenced by regional structures. Rift structures, ring structures, transform faults, suture zones and deep-seated faults have been mentioned as controlling or accompanying features of kimberlite magmatism. Nearsurface emplacement constraints are better understood and the ultimate shape of the intrusion(s) depends on the nature of the country rocks, the availability of ground water and the near-surface faulting pattern. The recent discovery of "fissure" kimberlites is one of the more important breakthroughs of the last decade. With a better understanding of the processes involved in diamond formation, preservation and of kimberlite emplacement, major diamond discoveries have recently increased on all the continents. Successful diamond exploration requires today an integration of all geophysical, petrologic, geochemical and structural information available. The particular study of the northwestern Australian lamproite and kimberlite fields, the Brazilian kimberlites, the easternNorth American kimberlite fields, the Lac de Gras kimberlite field, the South African rich kimberlite provinces, and the Yakutian kimberlite fields provide concrete examples of the geotectonic controls on primary diamond deposits. Area selection criteria based on the previous models and examples, are expected to yield to many more discoveries in the coming years. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

An analysis of the impact of democratization on debt-led growth : the Nigerian experience, 1970-2000

  • Authors: Dinneya, Godson Eze
  • Date: 2013-05-22
  • Subjects: Debts, External -- Nigeria Nigeria -- Politics and government -- 1960- Nigeria -- Economic policy Nigeria -- Economic conditions -- 1960-
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:1074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007807
  • Description: The debt-for democracy hypothesis is that undemocratic governments were largely responsible for not only the accumulation but also poor management of externally sourced capital resources. External borrowing had therefore failed to lead to growth of the economies of debtor countries under undemocratic political leadership. Despite this explanation of the debt problem conventional empirical analyses of the debt-growth relationship did not include political institutional variables. This study investigates the relationship between democratization and debt-led growth, using Nigeria, a typical debtor country whose politics was dominated by 'undemocratic ' governance, as a case study. Two broad research questions are investigated namely, whether available data support a negative or positive contribution of debt to the growth of the Nigeria economy during the period 1970-2000; and ifso was there any link between the levels of democratization in Nigeria and debt-led growth. Using a census of major political events in Nigeria around four dimensions of democratization, four primary indices of democratization and one composite index were constructed for the period. Using the Taylor (1983) marginal conditions to gauge the contribution of external debt to the growth of the Nigerian economy, the study found that external debt is capable of playing a double edged sword on the performance of the economy. Positive contributions coincided with the periods when Nigeria's oil dominated foreign exchange revenues were robust, and/ or when debt management strategies were better articulated and vice versa. The analyses of the link between democratization and debt-led growth using both correlation and regression techniques, yielded different results in two definitional contexts of debt-led growth. When defined purely in terms of the Taylor marginal conditions for a positive contribution of debt to the economy of a borrowing nation, the results support the pessimist view that democratization impeded growth. On the contrary, when debt-led growth was defined in a broader sense to incorporate variables such as domestic savings and investment, foreign direct investments, public and private consumption and debt burden, there was strong evidence that debt-led growth performed beller at higher levels of democratization than other wise. The result using the narrow definition was found to be a direct consequence of the overriding influence of export performance in the Taylor conditions. With Nigeria's exports almost entirely dominated by extractive industry the result derived using the narrow definition confirmed the theoretical links between natural resource endowment and regime type on the one hand, and external capital and the nature of the host country 's industry on the other. In the first resource dependence allowed the political leadership to be more detached and less accountable to the electorate since they did not need to levy taxes. Secondly foreign investors concerned with security of their sunk investments in the extractive oil induslly in particular favoured continuity of powerfol regimes with less democratic content. In both findings one thing was common: democratization was associated more with those factors whose decreases affect growth positively than with those whose increases improve growth. The conclusion from this is that the impact of democratization is stronger with negative than with positive growth factors. In other words, while democratization may be supportive of growth its greater impact appears to be in limiting the factors that themselves limit growth. To benefit from the favourable impact of democratisation on debt-led growth therefore the study suggests that improvements in the democratisation process in Nigeria is needed It identifies political education as central to this improvement. A model is developed to show how improvements in the political institutional framework may trickle down, through an enabling environment that is capable of engendering growth-enhancing domestic and international responses to lead in the direction of debt-led growth.
  • Full Text:

The suspension of mastery and the desire for imaginary : applying Jacques Lacan's theory of the imaginary to the beholder/image dialectic as realised in selected paintings by Lucy Cobern and Gerhard Richter

  • Authors: Cobern, Lucy Rebecca
  • Date: 2013-05-21
  • Subjects: Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981 -- Criticism and interpretation Richter, Gerhard, 1932- -- Criticism and interpretation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007806
  • Description: This dissertation seeks to explore the nature of the self/other, subject/object dialectic that can be found in Jacques Lacan's theory of the Minor Stage and his notion of Imaginary mastery, and how this relationship can be re-read in terms of a beholder/image relationship. What I seek to demonstrate in exploring the relationship between the beholder and the image is the staging of two opposing emotions, aggression and desire and the consequential tussle for mastery that arises from the self/other, and hence the beholder/image, dichotomy. I seek to explore the reasons why such a beholder/image relationship becomes ambivalent, due to veiled, obscured and fragmented images. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

Versions of virginity : an exploration of university students' narrative accounts of first sexual experience

  • Authors: Ebden, Tiffany
  • Date: 2013-05-21
  • Subjects: College students -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior Sexual intercourse -- Psychological aspects Virginity
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007797
  • Description: The research assumes a narrative constructionist and feminist perspective in order to explore stories concerning men and women's first sexual experience. Such a metatheoretical stance is concerned with the ways that lives are constructed and storied through language. There is a concern for the myriad voices, both personal and social, that speaks through individuals' stories and for the manner in which these voices are represented. Three men and three women were interviewed to elicit narratives of first sexual experience. The analysis of interview transcripts tells first sexual experience as a rite of passage described in terms of certain mythic elements. That is, the experience of first sex concerns three stages. Firstly the individual is detached from the experience of sex while still a virgin. Secondly the experience itself is one that is ineffable and diffuse. Thirdly the individual must make sense of the experience. Participants' experience could be characterised as containing elements of demonic, heavenly or earthly myths about sexual relationships: demonic elements concerned the base , physical and painful experiences of first sex; the myth of heavenly love emphasises the mental and emotional connection between partners; an earthly myth tells sex as a predestined meeting of two partners. The manner in which stories were constructed was different for male and for female participants, and these differences have implications for the power dynamics at play between genders in the context of sexual interaction, especially first sex. Further the research's storied and ritualised approach to these gender differences suggests the performative aspect of gender. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

A multivariate model of the offence behaviours of South African serial killers

  • Authors: Hodgskiss, Brin Allan
  • Date: 2013-05-14
  • Subjects: Serial murderers -- South Africa -- Psychology Criminal behavior
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007793
  • Description: It was hypothesised that there would be behavioural consistencies in the offences of South African serial killers. The themes underlying these observable differences can help us understand the nature of these offences. Crime scene data was ohtained from police records, and structured, in-depth offender interviews. 73 offences, committed by 13 offenders, were analysed. The analysis used Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), a Multidimensional scaling (MDS) procedure. This analysis revealed systematic patterns of behaviour in the offences. It was found that the focus of these offences is an impersonal, hostile, and act-focused murder were the victim is treated as a depersonalised object. Empirical support for an underlying thematic structure to these offences was also provided. The offence themes identified relate to the nature of the actions committed during the offence, and the function these actions had for the offender. These fmdings thus support the hypothesis that these offences will display meaningful behavioural variation. These findings have direct utility in the investigation and study of serial killing in South Aflica. They also provide the basis for comparison with previously suggested typologies of serial killing, and indicate directions for future research into this phenomenon in the South African setting. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

Rhodes University on the protection of state information bill: Changes welcome, but the bill still threatens academic freedom

  • Authors: Badat, Saleem
  • Date: 2013-05-13
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:7926 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016476
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-05-13

Warden farewell address: MR John McNiell 11 May 2013

  • Authors: Badat, Saleem
  • Date: 2013-05-11
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:7920 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016470
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-05-11

Assessment of the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of Tyume River in Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Sibanda, Timothy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6864-3796
  • Date: 2013-05
  • Subjects: Water -- Purification , Sewage -- Purification
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24465 , vital:62812
  • Description: The bioflocculant-producing potentials of three marine bacteria isolated from the sediment samples of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were assessed. Analysis of the partial nucleotide sequence of the 16S rDNA of the bacteria revealed 99 percent, 99 percent, and 98 percent similarity to Cobetia sp. L222, Bacillus sp. A-5A, and Bacillus sp. HXG-C1 respectively and the sequence was deposited in GenBank as Cobetia sp. OAUIFE, Bacillus sp. MAYA and Bacillus sp. Gilbert (accession number JF799092, JF799093, and HQ537128 respectively). Cultivation condition studies for Cobetia sp. OAUIFE revealed that bioflocculant production was optimal with an inoculum size of 2 percent (v/v), initial pH of 6.0, Mn2+ as the metal ion, and glucose as the carbon source. Metal ions, including Na+, K+, Li+, Ca2+and Mg2+ stimulated bioflocculant production resulting in flocculating activity of above 90 percent. This crude bioflocculant is thermally stable, with about 78 percent of its flocculating activity remaining after heating at 100 oC for 25 min. Analysis of the purified bioflocculant revealed it to be an acidic extracellular polysaccharide. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of methoxyl, hydroxyl, and carboxyl - groups in the compound bioflocculant and SEM micrograph of the bioflocculant revealed a crystal-linear structure. On the other hand, bioflocculant production by Bacillus sp. MAYA was optimal when glucose (95.6 percent flocculating activity) and ammonium nitrate (83.3 percent flocculating activity) were used as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively; inoculum size was 2 percent (v/v); initial pH 6; and Ca2+ as coagulant aid. Chemical analysis of the purified bioflocculant shows that it is composed of uronic acid, neutral sugar and protein. FTIR analysis also revealed the presence of methoxyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino- groups in this bioflocculant. The bioflocculant is thermostable with about 65.6 percent residual flocculating activity retained after heating the bioflocculant at 100 oC for 25 min. However bioflocculant production by Bacillus sp. Gilbert was optimal when sodium carbonate (95.2 percent flocculating activity) and potassium nitrate (76.6 percent flocculating activity) were used as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively; inoculum size was 3 percent (v/v); initial pH 9; and Al3+ as cation. The crude bioflocculant retained 44.2 percent residual flocculating activity after heating at 100 oC for 15 min. FTIR analysis reveals the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and methylene - groups in the compound bioflocculant. SEM micrograph of the bioflocculant revealed an amorphous compound. The consortia of these bacteria strains also produced bioflocculants with high flocculating activities which were highly efficient in removing turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from brewery wastewater, diary wastewater and river water. The bioflocculants from the consortia seemed better than traditional flocculants such as alum . The characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp. OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. MAYA showed that this extracellular bioflocculant, composed of 66percent uronic acid and 31percent protein and an optimum flocculation (90 percent) of kaolin suspension, when the dosage concentration was 0.8 mg/ml, under weak alkaline pH of 8, and Ca2+ as a coagulant aid. The bioflocculant is thermally stable, with a high residual flocculating activity of 86.7 percent, 89.3 percent and 87.0 percent after heating at 50 oC, 80 oC and 100 oC for 25 min respectively. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl and carboxyl functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed a crystal-linear spongy-like bioflocculant structure and EDX analysis of the purified bioflocculant showed that the elemental composition in mass proportion of C,N,O,S and P was 6.67:6.23:37.55:0.38:4.42 (percent w/w). However, the characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. Gilbert showed an optimum flocculation (90 percent) of kaolin suspension when the dosage concentration was 0.2 mg/ml, under neutral pH of 7, and Ca2+ as a coagulant aid. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant Tyume River water samples were collected monthly, over a 12-month period starting from August 2010 and ending in July 2011, and transported on ice to the Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG) Laboratory at the University of Fort Hare, Alice for analyses within 6 h of collection. Electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) of water samples were determined in situ using a multi-parameter ion-specific meter. Concentrations of orthophosphate and total nitrogen (nitrate + nitrite) were determined by standard photometric methods. Total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and enterococci were determined by the membrane filtration method. Viruses in water samples were concentrated using the adsorption-elution method, followed by extraction of viral nucleic acids and purification done using commercially available kits. The concentrations of human enteric viruses in the river-water samples were estimated using quantitative PCR. RNA viruses were quantified in a two-step protocol where RNA was first transcribed into cDNA in a separate reverse-transcription step. Adenovirus species and serotypes were simultaneously detected using serotype-specific multiplex PCR. Norovirus genogroups GI and GII were detected by semi-nested PCR. The risk of infection associated with recreational and domestic use of the water was also estimated. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels fell within the stipulated BOD guideline of 10 mg/ℓ for surface waters where full contact use is allowed and ≤ 30 mg/ℓ where public access is prohibited, restricted, or infrequent. DO concentrations generally ranged between 7.47 mg/ℓ and 10.42 mg/ℓ, well within the target water quality requirements. The temperature regime ranged between 6°C and 28°C and for most sampling sites, the temperature regimes were within the acceptable limit of no risk (≤ 25°C) for domestic water uses in South Africa. EC ranged between 47 μS/cm and 408 μS/cm well within the South African target water quality EC guideline of 700 μS/cm though it was observed to increase as the river flowed through settlements. The pH in the period beginning September 2010 through to January 2011 was consistently below pH 9, but from February 2011 to June 2011 the pH significantly increased to between pH 10 and pH 11 at most sampling sites. Unpolluted waters normally show a pH of between 6.5 and 8.5. Most of the pH values observed in this study lie between pH 8.5 and pH 10.8 levels which are not far off from the upper level guideline of pH 9.0 for domestic use. Turbidity ranged between 6 NTU and 281 and fell short of the target water quality range (0 NTU to 1 NTU) of no risk for domestic water uses in South Africa. Monthly TDS values and EC values showed direct proportionality. TDS concentrations at all sites fell within the acceptable guideline of 0 mg/ℓ to 450 mg/ℓ of TDS for domestic use. Nutrient profiles were as follows: nitrate (0.18 mg/ℓ to 4.21 mg/ℓ); nitrite (0.02 mg/ℓ to 2.35 mg/ℓ); and orthophosphate (0.06 mg/ℓ to 2.72 mg/ℓ). The bacteriological qualities of the water were poor, exceeding the guideline of 200 CFU/100 mℓ and 33 CFU/100 mℓ for FC and enterococci respectively, for recreational water. FC counts also exceeded the 1 000 CFU/100 mℓ guideline for water used in fresh produce irrigation. Generally, higher counts of TC, FC and enterococci were recorded at the sampling sites located at the lower reaches of the river compared to the upper reaches. Adenovirus was detected in 31percent of the river samples in concentrations ranging between 1.0×100 genome copies/ℓ and 8.49×104 genome copies/ℓ. Serotyping showed the presence of species C adenovirus serotypes 1, 2, 6 and 7, and species F adenovirus serotype 41. The prevalence of norovirus was 4percent while rotavirus was detected in 4percent of river samples in concentrations ranging between 9×100 genome copies/ℓ and 5.64×103 genome copies/ℓ. Hepatitis A virus was detected in 13percent of river samples in concentrations ranging between1.67×103 and 1.64×104 genome copies/ℓ while enteroviruses were not detected. Detection of enteric viruses was inversely correlated to temperature. Risk analysis showed that both hepatitis A virus and adenovirus presented significantly higher risk of infection values compared to rotavirus in the case of ingestion of 10 mℓ or 100 mℓ of water from Tyume River while enteroviruses did not present any significant risk of infection. Tyume River water samples also did not conform to the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) bacterial criteria of 200 CFU/100 mℓ faecal coliforms and 33 CFU/100 mℓ enterococci for bathing waters. Whereas the physicochemical parameters showed that Tyume River water was relatively clean, the bacteriological water quality was poor. Most of the microbiological contamination observed in this study (especially FIBs) can be blamed on inadequate sanitary infrastructure as we observed that open defecation is commonplace in this catchment, which also serves as a conduit for effluent discharges from wastewater-treatment facilities. Enteric viruses were detected along the course of the river in a sporadic pattern, generally not related to natural hydrological cycles and so we conclude that the presence of enteric viruses in the river is suggestive of the dynamics of the same in the host population. Even though the proportion of infective viruses was estimated in this study, fact remains that there is considerable risk of infection posed by the use of raw surface water for either domestic or recreational use. This study further confirmed the lack of correlation between faecal indicator bacteria and enteric virus occurrence in environmental waters, showing that assaying for enteric viruses in environmental waters remains the best method for determining the health risks associated with the use of faecally contaminated water. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2013
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-05

Agreement between Newshelf 1167 (SA) (Pty) Ltd t/a United National Breweries (SA) (UNB) and Food and Allied Workers Union

Theses on institutional planning and research at universities

  • Authors: Badat, Saleem
  • Date: 2013-04-23
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:7898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016448
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-04-23

Understanding the harm of rape

  • Authors: Kelland, Lindsay-Ann
  • Date: 2013-04-19
  • Subjects: Rape -- Social aspects--Research -- South Africa Rape -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa Rape trauma syndrome -- Research -- South Africa Rape victims -- South Africa Patriarchy -- South Africa Sexual dominance and submission -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:2700 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001582
  • Description: The aims of this thesis are twofold: to provide an account of the lived experience of the harm of male-on-female rape in patriarchal societies and, on the basis of this account, to generate suggestions that could be of use in the recovery process for survivors of this type of rape. In order to reach these aims my thesis is divided into three parts. In the first part, I propose a phenomenologically based account of women’s situation as a group under patriarchy, according to which women as a group are subjugated to the hegemonic rule of patriarchal ideology. I argue, further, that the meaning, place and pervasiveness of sexual objectification in the lives of women under patriarchy typically results in women’s alienation from their bodies and creates an atmosphere of threat under which women qua women are especially vulnerable to rape. In the second part, I explore the lived experience of the harm of rape; focusing, first, on the reflexive process whereby a survivor attempts to understand how she has been harmed and, second, on providing explanations based on shared features in the lives of women for two phenomena reported to be experienced by rape victims in the aftermath of the trauma, which I call ‘shattering’ and ‘fragmentation'. My discussion of the lived experience of the harm of rape is meant to supplement existing accounts in the contemporary literature that, I argue, are limited to a thirdperson, objective point of view and so fail to provide a link between the harms they describe and the victim’s actual experience of these harms. Finally, I defend two suggestions for the building up of the survivor’s agency and personhood in the aftermath of rape—the deliberate therapeutic use of feminist consciousness-raising and the use of narrative understanding. , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
  • Full Text:

Foreword

  • Authors: Badat, Saleem
  • Date: 2013-04-18
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:7917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016467
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-04-18

Rhodes: who we are, where we are today and where we want to be in 2020

  • Authors: Badat, Saleem
  • Date: 2013-04-12
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:7930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016480
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-04-12

The economic contribution of the tourism accommodation sector in the Karoo

  • Authors: Chandler, Biddy Lee
  • Date: 2013-04-06
  • Subjects: Hospitality industry South Africa Karoo , Karoo (South Africa) Economic conditions , Small cities South Africa Karoo , Tourism South Africa Karoo
  • Language: English
  • Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/366169 , vital:65838
  • Description: Tourism is not only the world’s largest traded commodity in which many countries have gained economic advantage and stability, it is also a phenomenon of great economic and social significance. Tourism’s contribution, especially within developing countries and within emerging markets like South Africa, has become increasingly significant as it has created major economic growth and has highlighted areas of potential new sustainable development. The ultimate goal of achieving an increase in GDP and the creation of new employment opportunities is enhanced through the development of tourism. Considering the importance of the above and because the impact of tourism development in small towns is of significant economic benefit, research into this field is of value. This is the core of this study. As a result of tourism demand continually changing in small towns, mostly due to globalisation, demographic changes and agricultural changes, the need to continually update tourism data to ensure that tourism products remain highly rated is vital. This requires identifying tourists’ needs and supplying exactly what tourists demand. More specifically, evaluating tourist satisfaction and dissatisfaction will give accurate indications of a destination’s ability to satisfy its tourists, which is what will encourage repeat visits. The first objective of this dissertation was to qualitatively evaluate, through determining 27 product owners’ and 206 tourists’, opinions/perceptions of the tourism product offering in the Karoo. This study examined the accommodation sector of the tourism industry within 13 small towns in the Karoo. This is a fast growing and maturing industry. The study revealed that product owners and tourists expressed a positive attitude towards the growth of tourism in the Karoo, which they said was due to its heritage and authenticity, climate, desert tourism, natural beauty, ecotourism, remoteness, peace and quiet and acting as a refuge in an unspoilt natural environment. Amongst other recommendations, this result highlighted the importance of keeping closed the ‘gap’ between the expected product/level of service and the customer’s perception of the actual product/service received, by paying special attention to each of the identified tourist benefits. Most importantly, product owners, local tourism organisations (LTOs), municipalities, the government and all tourism stakeholders need to ensure that they work efficiently and effectively through transparent and collaborative relationships to ensure that they generate the highest possible returns from tourism investment through strategies that take cognizance of the above. The second objective of this dissertation was to quantitatively evaluate the economic impact of tourism through gathering and calculating 107 tourists’ spending data and 15 product owners’ expenditure data over a six month period between December 2010 and May 2011 in Graaff-Reinet. It was found that there was an increase over time in tourist spending, which led to an increase in direct income (net injection of visitor spending) and thus there was an increase in indirect income(affecting the level of product owners’ income)in the Graaff-Reinet economy. The key calculations in this study reflected a high multiplier of 1.2and a small amount of leakage (21%);and the final tourism economic impact of the accommodation sector in Graaff-Reinet wasR8940 982.00. This implies a positive economic contribution to this town. A focus on growing the tourist market is therefore a goal worth pursuing. This study provides up-to-date, statistically valid numerical/quantitative data as well as current qualitative data. However, gathering data for a longitudinal study would be highly beneficial to determine trends of how the tourism market in small towns is developing. This field has been given minimal attention, specifically within small towns. This dissertation was thus an attempt to initiate and motivate further ongoing efforts with regards to gathering, specifically economic, tourism data. Showing the positive economic contribution, and the multiple ripple effects that attracting tourists to an area can have, and the ultimate measurable economic benefit created through having a strong multiplier effect, will hopefully encourage all stakeholders to be confident and take the tourism industry more seriously. This highlights the need to recognise the economic impact potential of the tourism sector and to use the positive results identified in this study as a tool to lobby for tourism investment, which is unfortunately not reflected currently in many governmental programmes. Developing greater co-operation and co-ordination between the private and public sectors is needed: the most appropriate development model for the tourism industry being government led, private sector driven, community based and labour conscious in order for it to reap the benefits reflected in this tourism study. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2013
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-04-06

Vice-Chancellor's graduation ceremonies and chancellor's installation address

  • Authors: Badat, Saleem
  • Date: 2013-04-06
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:7908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016458
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013-04-06
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact