Showing items 61 - 80 of 1091

Your selections:

A quantitative post-release evaluation of biological control of water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) by the weevil Neohydronomus affinis Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) at Cape Recife Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Moore, Gareth R , Hill, Martin P
  • Date: 2012
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: vital:6839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010987 , http://dx.doi.org/10.4001/003.020.0217 , https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0579-5298
  • Description: [from the introduction] Water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) is recognized as being among the world’s worst aquatic weeds. In its adventive range, the plant forms extensive mats capable of blocking navigation channels, impeding water flow in irrigation and flood control canals, and disrupting hydropower generation (Holm et al. 1977). Dense mats of the weed prevent light penetration into the water column which negatively affects submerged aquatic plant communities, causing a lowering of the oxygen concentration and thereby reducing benthic invertebrate and fish populations (Neuenschwander et al. 2009).
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A self-reflexive investigation into effective translation strategies with reference to Jeanne Goosen's Louoond

  • Authors: Minnaar, Rae-Ann
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Translating and interpreting -- South Africa , Afrikaans fiction -- Translating -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8364 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008401 , Translating and interpreting -- South Africa , Afrikaans fiction -- Translating -- South Africa
  • Description: This dissertation is a self-reflexive study into effective translation strategies. The study focuses primarily on the translation strategies by Vinay and Darbelnet (1995), namely direct and oblique strategies of translation. The strategies are used in the translation of Jeanne Goosen‘s novel Louoond (1987). The novel was chosen on account of the writer‘s unique writing style and the challenges it poses for the prospective translator. One of the key objectives of this study was to comprehensively illustrate Vinay and Darbelnet‘s strategies of translation when translating the novel. The theoretical framework of this study is an analysis of Vinay and Darbelnet‘s translation strategies. The study also aims to give insight into what is meant by translation, translation theory, literary theory and literary translation. The translation of the novel is the final product, but in order to illustrate each procedure of Vinay and Darbelnet (1995) examples were taken from this final product. The chapters that follow illustrate the strategies of Vinay and Darbelnet (1995) as used in the translation of an Afrikaans text (SL) into English (TL). Conclusions can then be drawn as to whether full equivalence was obtained and whether the translation is deemed successful.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A socio-economic impact analysis of selected national development agency funded projects in the Eastern Cape province

  • Authors: Mditshwa, Siviwe
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Economics -- Sociological aspects , Economic impact analysis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:8254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012045 , Economics -- Sociological aspects , Economic impact analysis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: The South African government cannot in isolation deliver all the community needs as expected. Therefore, the involvement of all the sectors becomes crucial in the fight against poverty, largely due to the fact that the delivery of services (community needs) by the public sector does not balance with the amount of the resources allocated. This implies that government cannot successfully manage to deliver the community needs in isolation. A shared service delivery strategy to support the socio-economic development initiatives towards sustainable shared growth is therefore essential. The Public-Private Partnerships and Public-Public Partnership have emerged as alternative measures or important public policy tools in addressing the ‘shared delivery’ of services to the general public of South Africa. As a result of high levels of poverty experienced by the people of the Eastern Cape, in fact by the larger South African population, major interventions by NGOs, CBOs and other civil organisation are gaining momentum. Likewise, the establishment of the National Development Agency as mandated is also a public policy tool that looks into improving the socio-economic development of the local communities. Such interventions and partnerships therefore have a big role to play in support of the ANC led government to effectively deliver on its mandate, thus ensuring improved citizen’s welfare. Importantly, what triggered the undertaking of this study are the high levels of poverty, poor local economic developments and poor monitoring and evaluation of the funded projects in the Eastern Cape. In this study community and poverty in developing South Africa is well discussed. Attention is drawn to the whole idea of socio-economic development - simultaneously touching on the socio-economic shift in SA. Local Economic Development is also discussed with its LED dimensions, including business developments within the two said districts. The main aim of this study is to establish the extent to which the interventions by National Development Agency ‘Public Entity’ have improved the socio-economic development of the rural local communities in the Amathole and OR Tambo Districts towards sustainable and shared growth. The study includes a conceptual meaning of the public sector in general with its key service delivery role players. The study also includes the conceptual theoretical basis of the socio-economic development with specific reference to South Africa then cascades down to the study areas. Under the same note, a detailed explanation is also given on the nature of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a model for improved socio-economic development. Conceptual presentation of the Public-Public Partnership (PPP) for shared service delivery is also alluded to.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A South African perspective on the tax implications of virtual asset accumulation and transactions stemming from persistent virtual worlds

  • Authors: Haupt, Alexander
  • Date: 2012
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001638
  • Description: Massively multiplayer online role-playing games are growing in popularity with millions of people participating in these persistent online environments on a daily basis. Accompanying the ever-increasing subscription numbers is an increase in real money trade transactions stemming from these game worlds. The research question to be addressed in this thesis is whether transactions stemming from virtual worlds have real-world taxation consequences. The goal of this research is to determine the taxability of virtual assets obtained in structured as well as unstructured virtual environments and to attempt to establish the differences between capital and revenue receipts in these virtual realms, taking into account the nature of a receipt. The general deduction formula is applied to establish the deductibility of expenditure incurred whilst participating in these virtual environments. Sundry matters such as Value-Added Tax, donations tax, the withholding tax on gambling gains and tax avoidance will also be addressed. The methodology adopted for the research could best be described as interpretative, aimed at analysing and interpreting the relationship between real world taxes and persistent virtual worlds and the transactions that stem from participation therein. The research is based purely on documentary evidence. After applying relevant tax legislation to virtual economies it became evident that merely because virtual assets only exist in virtual reality does not necessarily preclude them real world tax consequences. It was concluded, however, that it is not practical for the South African Revenue Service to monitor all virtual world transactions or for participant taxpayers to calculate the real world value of each and every asset acquired in-world. As a result, it was concluded that real world tax consequences should only be applied in situations where participants actually convert their virtual assets into real world currency.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A spatial and temporal analysis of elephant induced thicket degradation in Addo Elephant National Park

  • Authors: Smith, Janis
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Soil degradation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012903
  • Description: Thicket degradation within the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), Eastern Cape, South Africa is a key issue of concern. The increasing elephant densities have over time threatened thicket vegetation, which is endemic to this area. The “elephant problem” within the Park has raised many concerns as to the vulnerability of thicket to elephant impacts. Remote sensing provides an environment in which temporal changes in thicket vegetation condition can be assessed. The main aim of this study was to assess temporal and spatial trends in thicket degradation within the AENP, using multi-temporal satellite imagery. Elephant induced thicket degradation was assessed using multi-temporal satellite imagery from between 1973 and 2010. Changes in thicket condition in relation to the AENP expansion were analysed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), post-classification and landscape metrics. The ‘per-pixel’ based classification approach was carried out and change detection of land cover classes was analysed by post-classification. Landscape spatial metrics were used in order to gain an understanding of vegetation fragmentation trends. Temporal changes in vegetation gradients in relation to water points and thicket condition within the botanical reserves were also assessed. Thicket condition was noted to deteriorate as the AENP expanded. An expansion of degraded vegetation away from the water points was identified during the study period. Thicket condition in botanical reserves 1 and 2 fluctuated over time, with a registered increase in intact thicket within botanical reserve 2, with botanical reserve 3 remaining constant. Landscape spatial metric analyses revealed evidence of increased vegetation fragmentation as new areas of the AENP were opened for elephant activity. A progressive decline in intact thicket and increase in degraded thicket were observed. Considering the current elephant densities, thicket degradation within AENP is set to continue, causing a continued threat to the thicket biome.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A spatial and temporal analysis of the changes in alien macrophyte communities and a baseline assessment of the macroinvertebrates associated with Eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) in the Vaal River

  • Authors: Fordham, Colin Justin
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Aquatic weeds -- Control -- South Africa , Eurasian watermilfoil -- South Africa , Water quality management -- South Africa , Freshwater invertebrates -- Ecology -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005455 , Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Aquatic weeds -- Control -- South Africa , Eurasian watermilfoil -- South Africa , Water quality management -- South Africa , Freshwater invertebrates -- Ecology -- South Africa
  • Description: The majority of South Africa’s fresh water (lotic and lentic), is eutrophic and this has resulted in water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (C.Mart.) Solms. (Pontederiaceae) becoming South Africa’s most damaging aquatic macrophyte. Recently however, concerns have also been voiced over the presence of highly invasive submerged macrophyte species, such as Eurasian water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) in the Vaal River. Interaction studies between floating and submerged macrophytes have shown that floating macrophyte dominance restricts light penetration into the water column shading out submerged macrophytes while submerged macrophyte dominance reduces nutrient availability in the water column limiting floating macrophyte growth. This cycle ensures that these species cannot coexist in the same habitat for extended periods of time. The aims of this thesis were to: 1. Investigate changes in the historical and current macrophyte dominance in the Vaal River 2. Determine whether these changes could be attributed to stochastic events, such as floods and herbicide control measures. 3. The physio-chemical conditions of the water column, and whether pressure from herbivory by macroinvertebrates had possibly influenced Eurasian water-milfoil’s ability to dominate. Spatial and temporal analysis of satellite imagery revealed that water hyacinth and submerged macrophyte species dominated different regions of the study area over different periods of time from 2006 to 2010. This was significantly correlated with nitrate concentrations of the water column. One of the lower Vaal River Water Management Areas (WMA) had changed from a water hyacinth dominated state in 2006 to an alternative submerged macrophyte dominated stable state in 2008. It was concluded that this change could be attributed to: a stochastic flooding event in 2006; perturbation from integrated control measures implemented against water hyacinth; and low nitrate concentrations of the WMA. The lack of any substantial macroinvertebrate herbivory pressure or control measures implemented against Eurasian water-milfoil, compared to similar surveys conducted in the U.S.A. and its native range in Eurasia was shown to contribute to its dominance. Future successful integrated control programmes, including biological control against Eurasian water-milfoil, could provide the perturbation required to restore the ecosystem. However, without the reduction in nitrate concentration levels, water hyacinth will remain the dominant stable state of the rest of the Vaal River.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A statistical model for valuation of residential property in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area

  • Authors: Van der Byl, Calven
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Residential real estate -- Port Elizabeth , Housing -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:9347 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020045
  • Description: This study applies a process of correlation analysis and hedonic based modelling to investigate the influence of housing attributes and date of sale on transaction prices for residential real estate in the Nelson Mandela Metropole area. Availability of reliable data is a challenge in real estate studies in South Africa. This study integrates several publicly available resources for the purposes of constructing a statistical model. A model is constructed based on a forward variable selection routine using selection criteria. The resulting model shows six highly significant variables that can be used for modelling purposes. The resulting model is used to make comparisons in the value of the geographical location.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A structural and functional specification of a SCIM for service interaction management and personalisation in the IMS

  • Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa Jeremia
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem , Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem -- Specifications , Long-Term Evolution (Telecommunications) , European Telecommunications Standards Institute , Wireless communication systems , Multimedia communications
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:4606 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004864 , Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem , Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem -- Specifications , Long-Term Evolution (Telecommunications) , European Telecommunications Standards Institute , Wireless communication systems , Multimedia communications
  • Description: The Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a component of the 3G mobile network that has been specified by standards development organisations such as the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) and ETSI (European Telecommunication Standards Institute). IMS seeks to guarantee that the telecommunication network of the future provides subscribers with seamless access to services across disparate networks. In order to achieve this, it defines a service architecture that hosts application servers that provide subscribers with value added services. Typically, an application server bundles all the functionality it needs to execute the services it delivers, however this view is currently being challenged. It is now thought that services should be synthesised from simple building blocks called service capabilities. This decomposition would facilitate the re-use of service capabilities across multiple services and would support the creation of new services that could not have originally been conceived. The shift from monolithic services to those built from service capabilities poses a challenge to the current service model in IMS. To accommodate this, the 3GPP has defined an entity known as a service capability interaction manager (SCIM) that would be responsible for managing the interactions between service capabilities in order to realise complex services. Some of these interactions could potentially lead to undesirable results, which the SCIM must work to avoid. As an added requirement, it is believed that the network should allow policies to be applied to network services which the SCIM should be responsible for enforcing. At the time of writing, the functional and structural architecture of the SCIM has not yet been standardised. This thesis explores the current serv ice architecture of the IMS in detail. Proposals that address the structure and functions of the SCIM are carefully compared and contrasted. This investigation leads to the presentation of key aspects of the SCIM, and provides solutions that explain how it should interact with service capabilities, manage undesirable interactions and factor user and network operator policies into its execution model. A modified design of the IMS service layer that embeds the SCIM is subsequently presented and described. The design uses existing IMS protocols and requires no change in the behaviour of the standard IMS entities. In order to develop a testbed for experimental verification of the design, the identification of suitable software platforms was required. This thesis presents some of the most popular platforms currently used by developers such as the Open IMS Core and OpenSER, as well as an open source, Java-based, multimedia communication platform called Mobicents. As a precursor to the development of the SCIM, a converged multimedia service is presented that describes how a video streaming application that is leveraged by a web portal was implemented for an IMS testbed using Mobicents components. The Mobicents SIP Servlets container was subsequently used to model an initial prototype of the SCIM, using a mUlti-component telephony service to illustrate the proposed service execution model. The design focuses on SIP-based services only, but should also work for other types of IMS application servers as well.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of a 2010 strike in a sub-directorate of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

  • Authors: Kigozi, Annet Nakimuli
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Strikes and lockouts -- Municipal government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Industrial relations -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Labor unions -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9421 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021229
  • Description: This research adds on to Chaulk & Brown (2008) research on the assessment of employees’ reaction towards management and the union in the pre-strike and post-strike period. Research problem: The study raised two aspects that form part of the statement of the problem. Firstly, strike action has been a major aspect describing the South African industrial relations climate. The high level of strike action prompts the question; “Are South Africans World Class Strikers?” (Anstey, 2006). Secondly, the analysis of strike action has focussed more on the economic and power testing impact analysis rather than psychological and affective impact analysis of the strike such as establishing the impact of the strike on job satisfaction, work climate satisfaction, organisational commitment, management satisfaction, and union commitment. Research objectives: To address the research problem, research objectives, research questions and hypotheses were established. The main objective of the study was to examine the causes, processes and the impact of the strike, thereby making a contribution to both theory and practice. Whereas the contribution to theory took a form of building on to the research carried out by Chaulk & Brown (2008), and exploring through the process analysis on how behaviour during the conflict impacts on the ongoing relationships within the organisation, the contribution to practice took a form of highlighting to management and unions the impact of the strike on employees so that necessary interventions to prevent the negative impact of the strike would be created. Research questions: Six research questions were established and these were; what were the causes of the strike; how did the strike unfold; what were the substantive outcomes of the strike; what were the procedural outcomes of the strike; what were the climate outcomes of the strike; is there a relationship between the demographic factors and the affective outcomes of the strike? Research hypotheses; Five research hypotheses were established for the research. These hypotheses were aimed at establishing the impact of the strike on the affective outcomes of the strike. These were; there was a significant change in the level of organizational commitment after the strike; there was a significant change in the level of job satisfaction after the strike; there was a significant change in the level of work climate satisfaction after the strike; there was a significant change in the level of management satisfaction after the strike; and there is was significant change in the level of union commitment after the strike. Research design and methodology: Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data. Qualitatively, interviews, media reports and the Municipality records were being used to collect data on the causes, processes and outcomes of the strike. Quantitatively a survey questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was collected from 105 Traffic Officers who had recently been on strike in the NMBM. Measures of organisational and union commitment, employee job satisfaction, and work climate satisfaction were assessed using the Chaulk & Brown (2008) questionnaire. A paired sample t-test, ANOVA test, and Scheffe test and Cronbach’s alpha, were some of the quantitative methods used in data analysis. Henning’s approach was used to analyze qualitative data. Major findings: The results from the questionnaire revealed that job satisfaction, work climate satisfaction and management satisfaction significantly changed in the post-strike period. In addition, impact of demographic factors on affective factors was evident for participation in the strike and the level of union commitment; age and job satisfaction; occupational level and job satisfaction; and service length and union commitment.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of factors influencing curriculum management in Bizana schools in the Eastern Cape Privince

  • Authors: Jebe, Nomakhaya
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Curriculum management -- Schools , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
  • Identifier: vital:18446 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007295
  • Description: The study sought to investigate factors influencing curriculum management in Bizana schools. A survey design which used mainly qualitative aspects of research was used in the study. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. Participants (N=60) were made up of 10 learners,10 teachers, 10 School Management Team members ( SMTs), 10 parents and 20 district officials. The teachers, learners, parents and SMTs including principals were selected from 3 schools being a Primary School, a Junior Secondary School and a Senior Secondary School. Frequency tables were used to present quantitative data while verbal quotes were presented in support of themes that emerged from the qualitative data. The findings of the study revealed that the following factors were regarded as the causes of poor curriculum management; lack of training and skills on the part of curriculum managers, un-availability of resources in schools, the level of parental involvement in curriculum and regular systemic changes. It was recommended that the Department of Education should ensure that all curriculum managers are being trained to provide them with enough skills. The Department of Education should also supply schools with adequate resources. Parents should also be trained on curriculum issues. Too many changes in the system within a short space of time should be avoided.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of four-dimensional oscillator groups and the associated left-invariant control affine systems

  • Authors: Biggs, Rory
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164941 , vital:41186
  • Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, 2012
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of practices in the alternatives to corporal punishment strategy being implemented in selected primary schools in Buffalo city metro municipality: implications for school leadership

  • Authors: Khewu, Noncedo Princess Dorcas
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rewards and punishments in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corporal punishment of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Classroom management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discipline of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
  • Identifier: vital:16170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/533 , School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rewards and punishments in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corporal punishment of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Classroom management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discipline of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes
  • Description: The problem of indiscipline in schools has attracted the growing attention of researchers in South Africa and the world at large. Learner indiscipline has been variously reflected in behaviours which range from serious ones such as drug abuse, assault, theft, rape and murder, to minor ones such as truancy; all of which negatively affect teaching and learning. While there is agreement on the need to address the problem, there is a great deal of contestation around what strategies and practices are appropriate to instil discipline in schools. Within this debate many countries, including South Africa, have decided to move away from punitive approaches such as corporal punishment and replace them with what is called Alternatives to Corporal Punishment (ATCP). The main aim of this study was to interrogate the consistency that prevails between disciplinary practices and principles of alternatives to corporal punishment and the implications of this for school leadership. A mixed method design was used. The study was conducted in two phases: the first was a survey during which trends in disciplinary practices were established; the second was a multiple case study where in-depth interviews were conducted in five primary schools across different contexts which included farm, suburban, township, rural and informal settlement locations. This study has seven main findings. First, it was found that primary schools in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality experienced minor offenses which clustered around levels 1 and 2 of the ATCP classification. Second, although statistically there was a weak negative correlation (r = - 0.11) between location and behaviour which is not significant (p >. 05) or (p = .46), qualitative evidence suggests a relationship between context and disciplinary offences. Third, principals’ roles in instilling discipline were focused mainly on reactive administrative and management functions rather than on giving leadership designed to inspire alternative ways of behaving. Fourth, principals’ and teachers’ belief in the use of alternatives to corporal punishment revealed ambivalence and lack of understanding. Fifth, measures to instil discipline, even though they were said to be based on alternatives to corporal punishment, placed heavy emphasis on inflicting pain and relied on extrinsic control. Sixth, two disciplinary measures designed to inflict pain were found to be weakly associated, but significantly (p < 0.05) with violent behaviour, lending credence to view that in using certain practices to instil discipline there are socialisation consequences. Finally, the use of some measures recommended by alternatives to corporal punishment yielded some unintended socialisation consequences. The study concludes that there was lack of consistency between disciplinary practices in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality primary schools and the principles of Alternatives to Corporal Punishment. The findings suggest that it is difficult to achieve the consistency without a school leadership which understands that the alternatives call for a paradigm shift in measures to instil discipline. For improving discipline in schools, it is recommended that school principals and stakeholders must focus on measures that are meant to cultivate a new school culture guided by values of self-discipline in order to minimise the need for extrinsic punitive control. For further research, a follow up study based on a probability sample, which should include secondary schools, could be undertaken in order that results can be generalised.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of the application of clinoptilolite as an ion exchange agent for selected metals in aqueous solution

  • Authors: Dyeshana, Vuyokazi
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Ion exchange , Clinoptilolite
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:10419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013257
  • Description: The aim of this study was to establish whether samples of South African-mined clinoptilolite could be used to remove selected metal cations from aqueous solution. The clinoptilolite samples supplied, (by Pratley SA) were in four different particle sizes. Batch study results revealed a decrease in the initial metal concentration in samples that were in contact with clinoptilolite. The finer particle size clinoptilolite had a greater capacity to remove metal cations from aqueous solution. However, ion-exchange results from atomic absorption analysis showed that the larger particle sizes, removed more magnesium ions. Magnesium was the only ion investigated in this study that was present as an exchangeable ion in the Pratley clinoptilolite chemical formula, (MgCaNa2K2)2.5(AlO2)7(SiO2)30.21H2O. Results from the ion-exchange studies showed that the decreasing order of percentage metal removal at pH 3.00 was as follows: Pb > Ni > Cu > Fe > Mg. The mass of metal ions that accumulated on one gram of clinoptilolite as determined from the isotherms was calculated to be 6.16 mg/g for lead and 0.74 mg/g for copper. Data from the lead equilibrium studies were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich equations and linear regression was used to calculate linearity coefficients for the isotherms. The results showed that the removal of lead ions by clinoptilolite is complex as both monolayer and multilayer adsorption occurs on a heterogeneous surface.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of the coordination behaviour of the lanthanide series with oxygen-donor ligands

  • Authors: Kuhn, Kirsti
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Chemical elements , Chemical reactions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009533 , Chemical elements , Chemical reactions
  • Description: The reactions between the lanthanide nitrate salts and the ligand triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) gave rise to nine-coordinated complexes of the nature Ln(TPPO)3(NO3)3, for Ln = La – Dy, Er, Tm, in which the Ln(III) centre is coordinated to three phosphoryl oxygen atoms and three bidentate nitrate ligands. Generally, the geometry can be described as being mer-octahedral, where the nitrate ligands are considered as monoatomic species. The product of the reaction between Yb(NO3)3·5H2O and TPPO, however, was a highly symmetrical eight-coordinated complex, in which the Yb(III) centre was coordinated to two bidentate nitrate groups and four TPPO molecules. The geometry in this case is best described as being trans-octahedral, with the two nitrate ligands coordinated practically perpendicular to one another. The complexes isolated from the reactions of lanthanide nitrate salts with the ligand bis(pentamethylene)urea (PMU) had the general formula Ln(PMU)3(NO3)3, where Ln = La – Dy, Yb, Lu. The complexes were found to be nine-coordinated with distorted trigonal prismatic geometry, in which the one base of the prism is composed of the oxygen atoms of the three PMU ligands and the other base is made up by one oxygen atom from each of the bidentate nitrate groups. The second oxygen atoms of each of the nitrate groups protrude upward, occupying capping positions. The reactions of the La and Pr nitrate salts with the ligand 2,2’-dipyridyl-N,N’-dioxide (DPDO) produced two novel complexes of the nature [Ln(DPDO)(H2O)2(NO3)3]. These complexes are remarkable in that their crystal structures reveal the Ln(III) centres to be ten-coordinated. The geometry around the Ln(III) centres was complex, due to the presence of a seven-membered chelate ring, formed by the bidentate coordination of the oxygen atoms from the DPDO ligands to the metal centres. The chelate ring did not lie in a single plane, but was twisted at the pyridyl bridgeheads to lie above and below the coordination plane.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of the implementation of Employment Equity at the Engcobo Local Municipality

  • Authors: Dweba, Thandeka
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008410 , Affirmative action programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: Rationale: It cannot be denied that there has been improvement in demographic representation in South Africa since the implementation of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. Whilst there may still be room for improvement, especially on employer attitudes towards the implementation of employment equity, improved representation of the Previously Disadvantaged Groups has evidently appreciated, however, marginally. Research purpose: This study sought to explore stakeholder perceptions as to why Engcobo Local Municipality had not successfully implemented the Employment Equity Act. Research design, approach and method: This exploratory study was conducted at Engcobo Local Municipality on Councillors, Managers, Key Employees and representatives of Organised Labour. Main findings: a) Engcobo Local Municipality was found not to have complied with various aspects of the Employment Equity Act; b) Respondents mainly believed that failure to implement the Employment Equity Act by Engcobo Local Municipality was due to lack of capacity on the part of the municipality‟s stakeholders; c) Different countries followed different models in the implementation of their Employment Equity, depending on the peculiarity of their circumstances; and d) The most appropriate change management model on which the implementation of the South African Employment Equity is modelled is Hayes‟ Generic Change Management Model. Managerial implications: Future research may be that the municipality can benefit from the recommendations made by the respondents with regard to what they believe needs to be done to remedy the situation. Some of the suggestions include the intensification of communication, establishment consultative structures to facilitate communication and the capacitation of stakeholders to ensure that they understand their responsibilities regarding the implementation of the Employment Equity Act. Contribution: The contribution of the research is supporting the current knowledge base of stakeholders towards the implementation of the Employment Equity Act. Proactive implementation measures should be taken to ensure that people who should benefit from the implementation of the Act are not disadvantaged by the municipality‟s failure to implement the Act. The introduction of the alignment with human resource management practices that complement the implementation of Employment Equity, could overcome the barriers currently being experienced in the effective implementation of the Employment Equity Act.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of the prevalence of refractive errors and of patients requring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and O. R. Tambo districts of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Webber, Fiona
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
  • Identifier: vital:11900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001100 , Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: This is a study on the prevalence of refractive errors and patients requiring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo District Municipalities of the Eastern Cape. This is an area characterised by extreme poverty where the cost of an eye examination and prescription spectacles remains financially unobtainable for most. Optometry services are provided mainly by private optometrists who service the small proportion of the population that can afford them. Adults and children remain house bound or are labelled as dull and unproductive simply because they don’t have access to an eye examination and a pair of spectacles. Purpose The purpose of the study is to identify patients with refractive errors and those requiring refractive services at the 15 eye clinics in the Eastern Cape. Another purpose is to describe the refractive services that are available to patients attending health facilities, where the eye clinics are conducted. Lastly, the purpose is to explore the possibility of nurses providing refractive services independently or under the supervision of optometrists to supplement the lack to refracting and dispensing services. Study Method A quantitative and qualitative non-experimental descriptive design was used. Research involved the analysis of Vision Care’s eye clinic records collected from 15 eye clinics from January 2010-June 2010. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 nurses working at the 15 health facilities where the eye clinics were conducted using purposive sampling. The quantitative data was analysed using excel spreadsheets and graphs and qualitative data was analysed using coding and categorizing methods. Conclusion According to Vision Care’s data of the patients assessed, 19.2 percent had a refractive error and 54 percent of the patients required refractive services. It is estimated that 71.41 percent of the patients had a refractive error according to the optometrist. Although there were some organisations active in the eradication of cataracts, there was little healthcare available in the form of refraction services. xiv Patients needed to travel an average of 63.8kms to access refraction services against the backdrop of poor roads, poverty and unemployment. 28 out of 30 nurses either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that nurses could be trained to perform refractions and dispense spectacles. 29 out of 30 nurses thought that this would have a positive impact on eye care. Further research is necessary to assess the feasibility of implementing a nurse operated refractive program and whether it should be within their scope of practice to refract and dispense spectacles.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study of the selected wild edible plants utilized by indigenous people of the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

  • Authors: Kwinana-Mandindi, Thozama Ndileka
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Wild plants, Edible http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85146686
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19598 , vital:43147
  • Description: Wild edible plants are an indispensible part of diets in some of the poor resourced rural societies. In many less resourced households a main meal comprises of a starch staple which is accompanied by a supplement of vegetables that provide the other nutritional elements as well as flavour to the meals. The vegetable relish (isishebo) thus, becomes an important component of the diet. The sustenance of many such resource poor indigenous societies over many generations has been as a result of their reliance on a readily available supply of their nutritional requirements, where edible wild plants formed the major food source. Wild edible plants provided the most important source of nutritional supply even during times of drought and famine. However, lifestyle changes have caused a serious reduction of the gathering and use of the wild edible vegetables, knowledge about them and the local culture are also lost with them. Unfortunately, others have come to regard their traditional food resource base as primitive and inferior and have come to rely on new exotic food plant whose supply is unstable and narrow compared to the wide variety of wild edible plants. Even when drought challenges play destruction with food availability, resulting in food shortages due to the reliance on cultivated crops that are poorly adapted to local conditions, communities cannot go back to the unknown food plants. However, detailed scientific investigations are needed to understand and preserve wild food uses. This study was undertaken to add to that body of knowledge. It started with an ethnobotanic survey of the use of wild food plants in 10 selected rural villages and peri-urban dwellings in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. These rural areas were chosen because of the belief that there are still individuals who possess the wealth of traditional knowledge within those remote areas in addition to that the villages are surrounded by indigenous vegetation from which they could be harvesting some indigenous food plants. Furthermore, the relationship between people and plants are often clearer in indigenous/traditional societies since the link between production and consumption is more direct. Besides the survey, this research employed various methods including Inductively Coupled Argon (ICP) analyses of minerals and vitamins, determination of phytochemicals and antioxidant/bio-activity that of, higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of other vitamins, assessment of proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of raw and cooked samples of plants, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) to look into the micro-morphology of leaves for details that might have a bearing in the nutrient composition of the wild edible vegetables. This was done with the aim to explore and highlight the wild-food-plant base of indigenous people, to investigate the nutritional value of the selected frequently consumed wild vegetables and to recommend ways of educating people on the value of such plants and the need to promote their continued sustainable use as well as preservation of them for the benefit of people who cannot afford a continuous nutritious meal particularly among rural communities. Twenty-five (25) indigenous wild food plants which included leafy vegetables, nuts and fruits species were identified as being arbitrarily gathered and utilised as food, of which seven wild leafy vegetable species were often mentioned as common among the 15 dwellings surveyed and most frequently consumed by the respondents. Two additional plants were also frequently used as flavoring and in their raw state respectively. Wild edible vegetables were mainly eaten boiled as ‘laxa’, mixed with maize meal as ‘imifino’, fried as relish ‘isishebo’ or raw for both snacking purposes and medicinal functions. Wild edible plant species in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape-South Africa were documented with respect to their uses and knowledge or identification. Four indigenous wild vegetables (Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum/nodiflorum, Amaranthus dubius and Urtica lobulata) frequently consumed by the indigenous communities in the study region were selected. All the plant species had a remarkably high content of pro-anthocyanidins (between 58.42 and 65.18 mg/g) and also exhibited high radical scavenging activity in vitro. S. nigrum and C. album were found to be rich sources of ascorbic acid, having 1.05mg/100g and 1.01mg/100g, respectively. The entire wild, traditionally edible plants contain reasonably good concentrations of riboflavin while U. lobulata was found to contain maximum amount of thiamine. All plant species were rich sources of minerals and vitamins (both water soluble and fat soluble). Appropriate cooking methods are to be used to enhance the bio-availability of vitamins and nutrients in general. Cooking generally improved the nutritive value in certain wild vegetables. However, some nutrients were drained away. For example micro-nutrient and anti-nutrient component in the ash were reduced in cooking. The EDXS analysis has shown that the indigenous, wild vegetables in the Amathole District of South Africa are excellent sources of minerals, while the mineral crystals present at the level of the mesophyll of the indigenous wild vegetables were probably mixtures of calcium oxalate, calcium sulphate and silica. Saponin, tannins, oxalates, phytates and alkaloids are present in all the indigenous wild vegetables, but in minimal safe quantities. Nutritional analysis of some wild food plants demonstrates that in many cases the nutritional quality of the plants is comparable and in some cases even superior to domesticated exotic varieties. Knowledge about gathering and use of some wild food species is common among the rural dwellers. However, most uses are known by few elderly informants only. Education, awareness campaigns and revival of use of wild edible plants directed at the youth particularly is essential and this can be done through all forms of media. , Thesis (PhD) (Ethnobotany) -- University of Fort Hare, 2012
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A study on the morphology of thin copper films on para-aramid yarns and their influence on the yarn’s electro-conductive and mechanical properties

  • Authors: Schwarz, Anne , Hakuzimana, Jean , Westbroek, Philippe , Mey, Gilbert De , Priniotakis, Georgios , Nyokong, Tebello , Langenhove, Lieva Van
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243487 , vital:51157 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517511431291"
  • Description: The latest technological advances in new materials and devices enabled wearable systems to be created by utilizing textile solutions. These solutions require electro-conductive yarns as a basic component. Although the production of electroconductive yarn is widely reported, research is still necessary to characterize them to advance their electro-conductive and mechanical properties. Hence, we served this need and characterized copper-coated para-aramid yarns produced by an in-house developed electroless deposition method. In this paper we present our investigation on the yarn’s copper layer characteristics after deposition. Furthermore, we looked, in depth, at the yarn’s electro-conductive properties before and after washing as well as their mechanical properties before and after copper deposition. We found a dependency of the copper layer morphology on its deposition time. This is directly correlated to the resulting layer thickness and hence to the yarn’s electro-conductive properties, demonstrating the autocatalytic nature of the coating process. Above that, the electro-conductive properties of the coated yarn linearly decrease with washing cycles. Furthermore, the copper coating impairs the yarn’s mechanical properties decreasing its specific stress at break by 30%.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A sustainable development approach in the control of alien invasion vegetation

  • Authors: Ndwayana, Hamilton Ncedo
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Invasive plants -- Ecology , Plant invasions -- Biological control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020803
  • Description: Invasive alien tree species have negative environmental and economic impacts throughout the world. For example, black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) threatens native habitats by competing with and so repressing or excluding indigenous vegetation: in this way it replaces grass communities, reduces biodiversity, and increases water loss from riparian zones, thereby fundamentally damaging the ecosystem. The Acacia mearnsii threat requires urgent attention: effective control and management is urgently required if these deleterious impacts are to be reversed or prevented. The present study was conducted in the Elliot and Ugie communities situated in the Sakhisizwe and Elundini Local Municipalities. The objective of this study was to design integrated, efficient and cost-effective methods to help farmers and members of these communities with control and management of alien plant invasions. Further the study aimed to evaluate the implementation and efficacy of Working for Water (WfW) initiatives in poverty alleviation, and skills development: in addition the study attempted to assess WfW inputs as regards relevant legislation aimed at combating major wattle invasions. Mixed methodological approaches were employed, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, use of photos, content analyses of local documents and experimental field work were all employed in order to collect and interpret data for the study. The study reveals that mechanical control and rehabilitation in combating should provide efficient and cost-effective methods for proper management of rangelands. Moreover the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) should be urged to devise and enforce legislation that will help to ensure sustainable control and management of black wattle through conservation of the natural environment. Furthermore funds should be made available for wattle eradication programmes so as alleviate poverty by creating more job opportunities for members of poor communities.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

A systematic revision of selected genera of afrotropical curtonotidae (Diptera: schizophora: ephydroidea) : a phylogenetic approach

  • Authors: Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Curtonotidae -- Research Diptera -- Research Flies -- Research
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:5627 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004747
  • Description: The first comprehensive phylogeny of the family Curtonotidae is presented based on molecular markers and morphology. This enabled assessment of evolutionary relatedness, species radiation and zoogeography. A revised classification of the world fauna of the family, based on the results of this study is outlined. Nomenclatural acts flowing from these analyses include: the recognition three new Afrotropical species of Axinota van der Wulp; four new species of a new genus, Tigrisomyia Kirk-Spriggs; and nineteen new species of Curtonotum (six Madagascan and thirteen African). Ten informal species-groups of Curtonotum are recognised. Identification keys are provided for the Afrotropical species of these genera and errors in previous interpretations and designation of type specimens are resolved. Species distributions are mapped and interpreted and discussion is made of the historical biogeographical significance of these distributions.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact