Soil erosion and sediment source dynamics of a catchment in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa: an approach using remote sensing and sediment source fingerprinting techniques
- Authors: Manjoro, Munyaradzi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015038
- Description: This study originated from an evaluation of the performance of a commercially available high concentration point focus concentrator PV system. The effect of module design flaws was studied by using current-voltage (I-V) curves obtained from each module in the array. The position of reverse bias steps revealed the severity of mismatch in a string of series-connected cells. By understanding the effects of the various types of mismatch, power losses and damage to the solar cells resulting from hot spot formation can be minimized and several recommendations for improving the basic performance of similar systems were made. Concern over the extent and type of defect failure of the concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) cells prompted an investigation into the use of a light beam induced current (LBIC) technique to investigate the spatial distribution of defects. An overview of current and developing LBIC techniques revealed that the original standard LBIC techniques have found widespread application, and that far-reaching and important developments of the technique have taken place over the years. These developments are driven by natural progression as well as the availability of newly developed advanced measurement equipment. Several techniques such as Lock-in Thermography and the use of infrared cameras have developed as complementary techniques to advanced LBIC techniques. As an accurate contactless evaluation tool that is able to image spatially distributed defects in cell material, the basis of this method seemed promising for the evaluation of concentrator cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The hybridization of African identities in African film
- Authors: Inocencio, Jessica Lynn
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Motion pictures -- Africa , Motion pictures -- Africa -- History , Africa -- In motion pictures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/828 , Motion pictures -- Africa , Motion pictures -- Africa -- History , Africa -- In motion pictures
- Description: This paper traces the construction of African identities in A Reasonable Man (South Africa 1999), Chikin Biznis: The Whole Story (South Africa 1998), Fools (South Africa/France 1997), Hyènes (1992), Le cri du coeur (Burkina Faso/France 1994), Pièces d'Identités (France/Congo/Belgium 1998), Une couleur café (France 1997), and Xala (Senegal 1975) based on an analysis of race, ethnicity, tradition, modernization, Westernization, and cultural hybridity theories; as a way of contextualizing African history in general, this paper also explores the significance of colonialism, postcolonialism, and forms of neo-colonialism. I argue that nineteenth century perceptions of “race” that arose during the Enlightenment era are mistaken. Instead, African identities presented in film should be re-conceived based on concepts of ethnicity and culture and not simplistic racial constructions—for example “white,” “black,” or “mulatto” to name a few—since such interpretations inevitably surrender to problematic analysis. However, I also contend that neither a typical conception of fixed identities nor cultures can be applied to the understanding of contemporary African identities expressed in African film. The conception of African identities can and ought to be reconsidered as a fluid, social construction based on changing historical phenomena. As an alternative, I suggest that tradition, modernization, and Westernization processes contribute to the overall fluidity of contemporary African identities, which can be elucidated by cultural hybridity theories. Therefore, I ultimately propose that the hybridization of African identities is specifically linked to forms of modernization and Westernization—the practice of Western medicine, beliefs in monogamy, and entrepreneurial aspirations—that have also been filtered through traditional African value systems such as polygamy, traditional healing, patriarchy, communitarianism, and traditional religions within various African communities depicted in African film. Thus, a fixed “African” category that we strive to define—against either Western or African points of reference—is actually neither a fully Westernized nor entirely African distinction but a hybridized identity of traditional, modernized, and Westernized elements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007