Perceptions of rural consumers on behaviour and beef quality of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Soga, Sizwe William
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Meat -- Quality , Consumers' preferences , Consumers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019812 , Meat -- Quality , Consumers' preferences , Consumers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine perceptions of the consumers on how they judged behaviour and beef quality of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A survey was conducted where a sample of 200 consumers were randomly selected and interviewed. Fifty non-descript cattle were slaughtered during traditional ceremonies and two hundred and twenty four (224) cattle were slaughtered at 3 through-put abattoirs (high, medium and low). Meat quality attributes were determined from the cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies and from cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs. Data for questionnaires was summarized as frequencies for each ceremony and statistical differences were analysed using chi square test (X2). The effect of Age, breed and sex on beef pH, colour, meat tenderness, temperature and cooking loss of cattle slaughtered during traditional ceremonies, at low, medium and high throughput abattoirs were analyzed using General Linear Model (PROG GLM) of SAS (2003). There was a significant age effect (P < 0.05) on beef tenderness and cooking loss of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies. Age of cattle that have milk teeth to 1 year and age of 6 years to 8 years had an effect on the beef tenderness (25.55 ± 8.05) and cooking loss (48.00 ± 4.26) of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies in Table 4.1. There was no significant sex effect on beef tenderness and cooking loss of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies. Non-descript and Angus cattle slaughtered at low throughput abattoir had an effect on the colour of the beef in Table 4.2. The lightness (27.49 ± 2.53) and yellowness (21.16 ± 0.79) of the beef shows that there was a significant breed effect on cattle that are slaughtered at Low throughput abattoir, however redness of the meat was not affected by breed after slaughter. Cattle that are slaughtered at high throughput abattoir between ages of 6 to 8 years and also cattle that are more than 8 years in Table 4.4 had an effect on cooking loss (p < 0.05). Age between 6 to 8 years had an effect on the beef tenderness from cattle that are slaughtered at medium throughput abattoir. It was concluded that the meat tenderness of the young cattle with milk teeth slaughtered for traditional ceremonies was affected. On the other hand the meat tenderness and cooking loss of beef from the cattle slaughtered from low, medium and high throughput abattoir were affected by sex and breed mostly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Soga, Sizwe William
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Meat -- Quality , Consumers' preferences , Consumers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019812 , Meat -- Quality , Consumers' preferences , Consumers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine perceptions of the consumers on how they judged behaviour and beef quality of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A survey was conducted where a sample of 200 consumers were randomly selected and interviewed. Fifty non-descript cattle were slaughtered during traditional ceremonies and two hundred and twenty four (224) cattle were slaughtered at 3 through-put abattoirs (high, medium and low). Meat quality attributes were determined from the cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies and from cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs. Data for questionnaires was summarized as frequencies for each ceremony and statistical differences were analysed using chi square test (X2). The effect of Age, breed and sex on beef pH, colour, meat tenderness, temperature and cooking loss of cattle slaughtered during traditional ceremonies, at low, medium and high throughput abattoirs were analyzed using General Linear Model (PROG GLM) of SAS (2003). There was a significant age effect (P < 0.05) on beef tenderness and cooking loss of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies. Age of cattle that have milk teeth to 1 year and age of 6 years to 8 years had an effect on the beef tenderness (25.55 ± 8.05) and cooking loss (48.00 ± 4.26) of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies in Table 4.1. There was no significant sex effect on beef tenderness and cooking loss of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies. Non-descript and Angus cattle slaughtered at low throughput abattoir had an effect on the colour of the beef in Table 4.2. The lightness (27.49 ± 2.53) and yellowness (21.16 ± 0.79) of the beef shows that there was a significant breed effect on cattle that are slaughtered at Low throughput abattoir, however redness of the meat was not affected by breed after slaughter. Cattle that are slaughtered at high throughput abattoir between ages of 6 to 8 years and also cattle that are more than 8 years in Table 4.4 had an effect on cooking loss (p < 0.05). Age between 6 to 8 years had an effect on the beef tenderness from cattle that are slaughtered at medium throughput abattoir. It was concluded that the meat tenderness of the young cattle with milk teeth slaughtered for traditional ceremonies was affected. On the other hand the meat tenderness and cooking loss of beef from the cattle slaughtered from low, medium and high throughput abattoir were affected by sex and breed mostly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Perinatal experiences of pregnant undergraduate students of a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Simandla, Linda
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016125
- Description: Unplanned pregnancies among students are increasing annually. There are cases of students giving birth by themselves in the rooms within higher education institution residences unsupervised. Unsupervised births put the students at health risk as birth can complicate or even lead to death. The purpose of this study was to explore the perinatal experiences of undergraduate students whilst a pregnant student. In this study the researcher used a qualitative phenomenological approach within interpretive realism. The study was exploratory focusing on the need to understand how students experience perinatal care. Population for this study comprised of undergraduate students that had been pregnant within their undergraduate program which normally takes three to four years and were staying in the higher education institution residence at the time of pregnancy. A snowball sample was used. Data was collected from participants using unstructured in-depth interviews. For the study a total of 9 students were interviewed. Data was collected in English and Xhosa depending on preference. During pilot interviews the researcher established that the participants had difficulty in expressing themselves in English and used slang in spite of being registered for a degree. The interviews were conducted by the researcher and the data tape recorded. Permission to conduct a study at the higher education institution was sought from the Vice- chancellor, the Dean of Students and Research Ethics Committee To ensure trustworthiness of the study credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were adhered to. Four themes with several sub-themes emerged which were: Dynamics on awareness about existence of pregnancy. Support system for female students pertaining to reproductive health. Encountered psychosocial experiences. Coping strategies used by pregnant students. Excerpts were used to support the interpretation of perinatal experiences of the undergraduate students. Recommendations to the management of the higher education institution are to develop guidelines that ensure implementation of the pregnancy policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Simandla, Linda
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016125
- Description: Unplanned pregnancies among students are increasing annually. There are cases of students giving birth by themselves in the rooms within higher education institution residences unsupervised. Unsupervised births put the students at health risk as birth can complicate or even lead to death. The purpose of this study was to explore the perinatal experiences of undergraduate students whilst a pregnant student. In this study the researcher used a qualitative phenomenological approach within interpretive realism. The study was exploratory focusing on the need to understand how students experience perinatal care. Population for this study comprised of undergraduate students that had been pregnant within their undergraduate program which normally takes three to four years and were staying in the higher education institution residence at the time of pregnancy. A snowball sample was used. Data was collected from participants using unstructured in-depth interviews. For the study a total of 9 students were interviewed. Data was collected in English and Xhosa depending on preference. During pilot interviews the researcher established that the participants had difficulty in expressing themselves in English and used slang in spite of being registered for a degree. The interviews were conducted by the researcher and the data tape recorded. Permission to conduct a study at the higher education institution was sought from the Vice- chancellor, the Dean of Students and Research Ethics Committee To ensure trustworthiness of the study credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were adhered to. Four themes with several sub-themes emerged which were: Dynamics on awareness about existence of pregnancy. Support system for female students pertaining to reproductive health. Encountered psychosocial experiences. Coping strategies used by pregnant students. Excerpts were used to support the interpretation of perinatal experiences of the undergraduate students. Recommendations to the management of the higher education institution are to develop guidelines that ensure implementation of the pregnancy policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Preparation and characterisation of nanocomposites of biomass and montmorillonite clay for use as biofuels
- Authors: Nyamutswa, Lavern Tendayi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11345 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019779
- Description: The aim of the study was to prepare composites of clay and biomass which burn longer than unmodified biomass. Montmorillonite clay was converted to mono-ionic clay by ion exchange with sodium using sodium chloride solution. The mono-ionic clay was organically modified with an organic surfactant, methyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide. Nanocomposites were then prepared by combining the modified forms of the clay with sawdust. The three forms of clay used for the formation of composites were unmodified montmorillonite, mono-ionic montmorillonite and organically modified montmorillonite. The solution blending method was used to make the nanocomposites. FT-IR and XRD analysis showed that organic surfactant increases the interlayer space of the clay since it is bulkier than the inorganic cations that are naturally present in the interlayer space of montmorillonite. The combination of clay and sawdust resulted in the formation of exfoliated nanocomposites as shown by the absence of peaks in the low 2 theta angle in the x-ray diffraction data of the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite which was made from sawdust and 1% organically modified clay showed the best results in terms of burning time and thermal stability, as well as giving a calorific value closest to unmodified sawdust and the least amount of residue.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nyamutswa, Lavern Tendayi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11345 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019779
- Description: The aim of the study was to prepare composites of clay and biomass which burn longer than unmodified biomass. Montmorillonite clay was converted to mono-ionic clay by ion exchange with sodium using sodium chloride solution. The mono-ionic clay was organically modified with an organic surfactant, methyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide. Nanocomposites were then prepared by combining the modified forms of the clay with sawdust. The three forms of clay used for the formation of composites were unmodified montmorillonite, mono-ionic montmorillonite and organically modified montmorillonite. The solution blending method was used to make the nanocomposites. FT-IR and XRD analysis showed that organic surfactant increases the interlayer space of the clay since it is bulkier than the inorganic cations that are naturally present in the interlayer space of montmorillonite. The combination of clay and sawdust resulted in the formation of exfoliated nanocomposites as shown by the absence of peaks in the low 2 theta angle in the x-ray diffraction data of the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite which was made from sawdust and 1% organically modified clay showed the best results in terms of burning time and thermal stability, as well as giving a calorific value closest to unmodified sawdust and the least amount of residue.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Prevalence and pathogenicity of vibrios in treated final effluents of selected wastewater treatment plants in the Amathole District Municipality of Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Badela, Andiswa Unathi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019774 , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Description: Waterborne diarrhoeal infections continue to be a major health setback in developing countries, especially in rural areas which lack adequate supply of portable water and sanitation facilities. Globally, waterborne diarrhoeal infections occur with an estimated mortality rate of 10–25 million deaths per year, 95% of which are children under the age of 5 years. The Vibrio species is one of the major groups of enteric pathogens that are responsible for diarrhoeal infections. Many strains of these bacterial species continue to cause epidemics of diarrhoea throughout the world. In this study, the prevalence of Vibrio pathogens in wastewater final effluents was assessed. Wastewater final effluent and discharge point samples were collected monthly between September 2012 and August 2013. All samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1 L Nalgene bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6 h of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 0 to 2.11 × 102 cfu/100 ml. Out of 300 confirmed Vibrio isolates; 13.3% (40/300) were Vibrio fluvialis, 22% (66/300) were confirmed to be Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and 24.7% (74/300) proved to be Vibrio vulnificus, and 40% (120/300) were other Vibrio species which were not assessed for in this study. The strains of Vibrio fluvialis were found to exhibit 100% resistance to Polymixin and Tetracycline. However, Gentamicin was active against all the three Vibrio species selected for the purpose of this research. The recovery of Vibrio species in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering the fact that Vibrio is a pathogenic bacterium. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Badela, Andiswa Unathi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019774 , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Description: Waterborne diarrhoeal infections continue to be a major health setback in developing countries, especially in rural areas which lack adequate supply of portable water and sanitation facilities. Globally, waterborne diarrhoeal infections occur with an estimated mortality rate of 10–25 million deaths per year, 95% of which are children under the age of 5 years. The Vibrio species is one of the major groups of enteric pathogens that are responsible for diarrhoeal infections. Many strains of these bacterial species continue to cause epidemics of diarrhoea throughout the world. In this study, the prevalence of Vibrio pathogens in wastewater final effluents was assessed. Wastewater final effluent and discharge point samples were collected monthly between September 2012 and August 2013. All samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1 L Nalgene bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6 h of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 0 to 2.11 × 102 cfu/100 ml. Out of 300 confirmed Vibrio isolates; 13.3% (40/300) were Vibrio fluvialis, 22% (66/300) were confirmed to be Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and 24.7% (74/300) proved to be Vibrio vulnificus, and 40% (120/300) were other Vibrio species which were not assessed for in this study. The strains of Vibrio fluvialis were found to exhibit 100% resistance to Polymixin and Tetracycline. However, Gentamicin was active against all the three Vibrio species selected for the purpose of this research. The recovery of Vibrio species in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering the fact that Vibrio is a pathogenic bacterium. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains in the final effluents of four wastewater treatment plants in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Seti, Nozuko Zukiswa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11286 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019808 , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Water is an essential need that stimulates health and well being. Increase in population size and urbanization negatively affect water resources due to high demands of effluent outputs. Wastewater is an important reservoir for Escherichia coli and can present significant acute toxicity if released into receiving water sources without being adequately treated. E. coli is used as indicator organism for the detection of faecal contamination. These strains have been considered to be one of the primary causes of diarrhoeal infections worldwide. The present study was conducted between September 2012 and June 2013 to assess the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli strains in the final effluents of four wastewater treatment plants in Chris Hani and Buffalo City Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Standard membrane filtration technique was used for bacteriological analysis and molecular based technique was used for identification of E. coli pathotypes. The results were recorded in colony forming units/100 ml. Faecal coliforms ranged between 0-9.6×10³ CFU/100 ml for the wwtp-Q and E. coli densities ranged between 0-8.4×10³ CFU/100ml. Faecal coliforms ranged between 4×10²-9.7×10³ CFU/100 ml for wwtp-M and E. coli densities ranged between 1.2×10¹-8.4×10³ CFU/100 ml. The wwtp-E showed to have bacterial counts of faecal coliforms ranging between 4.0×10³-8.2×10³ CFU/100 ml and E. coli densities ranging between 3.5×10¹-7.1×10³ CFU/100 ml. The WWTP-K in this study was only assessed for the presence of E. coli. Faecal coliforms were assessed by the other members of the group. This plant showed to have E. coli densities ranging between 0-7.5×10²CFU/100 ml. A total of 200 presumptive E. coli isolates were subjected to screening by conventional PCR in which (29%) of the wwtp-M isolates were positively identified as E. coli, (16%) of the wwtp-K, (22%) of the wwtp-Q and (34%) of the wwtp-E isolates were positively confirmed as E. coli. A total of 100 randomly selected E. coli isolates were characterised into different pathotypes. (16%) of positive isolates were detected as EPEC and 11% were detected as UPEC strains. There was no detection for the ETEC strains. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E. coli strains showed high levels of resistance to Penicillin G, Erythromycin, Tetracycline and Sulfamethoxazole. High levels of Susceptibility were observed in antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, Amoxicillin and Tetracycline. The results of this study reveal that the plants were above the recommended Standard limit of zero CFU/100 ml for effluents meant to be discharge into receiving water sources. This study reveals inadequacy of the plants studied to produce effluents of acceptable quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Seti, Nozuko Zukiswa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11286 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019808 , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Water is an essential need that stimulates health and well being. Increase in population size and urbanization negatively affect water resources due to high demands of effluent outputs. Wastewater is an important reservoir for Escherichia coli and can present significant acute toxicity if released into receiving water sources without being adequately treated. E. coli is used as indicator organism for the detection of faecal contamination. These strains have been considered to be one of the primary causes of diarrhoeal infections worldwide. The present study was conducted between September 2012 and June 2013 to assess the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli strains in the final effluents of four wastewater treatment plants in Chris Hani and Buffalo City Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Standard membrane filtration technique was used for bacteriological analysis and molecular based technique was used for identification of E. coli pathotypes. The results were recorded in colony forming units/100 ml. Faecal coliforms ranged between 0-9.6×10³ CFU/100 ml for the wwtp-Q and E. coli densities ranged between 0-8.4×10³ CFU/100ml. Faecal coliforms ranged between 4×10²-9.7×10³ CFU/100 ml for wwtp-M and E. coli densities ranged between 1.2×10¹-8.4×10³ CFU/100 ml. The wwtp-E showed to have bacterial counts of faecal coliforms ranging between 4.0×10³-8.2×10³ CFU/100 ml and E. coli densities ranging between 3.5×10¹-7.1×10³ CFU/100 ml. The WWTP-K in this study was only assessed for the presence of E. coli. Faecal coliforms were assessed by the other members of the group. This plant showed to have E. coli densities ranging between 0-7.5×10²CFU/100 ml. A total of 200 presumptive E. coli isolates were subjected to screening by conventional PCR in which (29%) of the wwtp-M isolates were positively identified as E. coli, (16%) of the wwtp-K, (22%) of the wwtp-Q and (34%) of the wwtp-E isolates were positively confirmed as E. coli. A total of 100 randomly selected E. coli isolates were characterised into different pathotypes. (16%) of positive isolates were detected as EPEC and 11% were detected as UPEC strains. There was no detection for the ETEC strains. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E. coli strains showed high levels of resistance to Penicillin G, Erythromycin, Tetracycline and Sulfamethoxazole. High levels of Susceptibility were observed in antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, Amoxicillin and Tetracycline. The results of this study reveal that the plants were above the recommended Standard limit of zero CFU/100 ml for effluents meant to be discharge into receiving water sources. This study reveals inadequacy of the plants studied to produce effluents of acceptable quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Professional nurses’ perceptions on quality patient care in one of the Eastern Cape state hospitals
- Authors: Somahela, Khanyisa Judith
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021141
- Description: The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions of professional nurses in the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. Nursing is a challenging, demanding, and yet fulfilling profession, whose goal is to provide quality care to individuals, families and communities. However, there are inconsistencies regarding the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. The media and the public portray nurses as providing poor quality care in the health care facilities. Conversely, the nurses view that they are doing their best, considering the challenging circumstances under which they work in public institutions.The study followed a qualitative approach and an exploratory descriptive design. A purposive sample of 13 professional nurses participated in the study. The sample size was not pre-determined. Data were collected until data saturation, when the interviews yielded no new information. The study was conducted in a state hospital in the Eastern Cape, using an interview guide. Responses were recorded using a tape recorder. No incentives were given to participants. Data were collected and analysed following the Tesch’s method. Prior to conducting the study, the researcher obtained ethical clearance from the University of Fort Hare research ethics committee. The perceptions of the professional nurses who participated in this study were inconsistent. The majority pointed out that the quality of patient care was deteriorating which means the patient care is poor. whereas some participants indicated that the quality of patient care was still the same; it had not changed or deteriorated, The contributing factors to the poor quality patient care were indicated as; shortage of staff, shortage of resources such as equipment, inadequate empowerment of staff, insufficient training of students, staff arriving late for duties, lack of passion their work, skipping and missing of routines, support service that was not working hand in hand with the nursing staff, increased hospitalization of patients and the Eastern cape Department of Health failing to remunerate the nurses as promised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Somahela, Khanyisa Judith
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021141
- Description: The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions of professional nurses in the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. Nursing is a challenging, demanding, and yet fulfilling profession, whose goal is to provide quality care to individuals, families and communities. However, there are inconsistencies regarding the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. The media and the public portray nurses as providing poor quality care in the health care facilities. Conversely, the nurses view that they are doing their best, considering the challenging circumstances under which they work in public institutions.The study followed a qualitative approach and an exploratory descriptive design. A purposive sample of 13 professional nurses participated in the study. The sample size was not pre-determined. Data were collected until data saturation, when the interviews yielded no new information. The study was conducted in a state hospital in the Eastern Cape, using an interview guide. Responses were recorded using a tape recorder. No incentives were given to participants. Data were collected and analysed following the Tesch’s method. Prior to conducting the study, the researcher obtained ethical clearance from the University of Fort Hare research ethics committee. The perceptions of the professional nurses who participated in this study were inconsistent. The majority pointed out that the quality of patient care was deteriorating which means the patient care is poor. whereas some participants indicated that the quality of patient care was still the same; it had not changed or deteriorated, The contributing factors to the poor quality patient care were indicated as; shortage of staff, shortage of resources such as equipment, inadequate empowerment of staff, insufficient training of students, staff arriving late for duties, lack of passion their work, skipping and missing of routines, support service that was not working hand in hand with the nursing staff, increased hospitalization of patients and the Eastern cape Department of Health failing to remunerate the nurses as promised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Quality indices of the final effluents of two sub-urban-based wastewater treatment plants in Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Gcilitshana, Onele
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- Testing , Viruses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water reuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019816 , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- Testing , Viruses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water reuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Worldwide, water reuse is promoted as an alternative for water scarcity, however, wastewater effluents have been reported as possible contaminants to surface water. The failure of some wastewater treatment processes to completely remove organic matter and some pathogenic microorganisms allows them to initiate infections. This manifests more in communities where surface water is used directly for drinking. To assess water quality, bacteria alone cannot be used as it may be absent in virus-contaminated water. This study was carried out to assess the quality of two wastewater treatment plant effluents from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Physicochemical parameters and microbiological parameters like faecal coliforms, adenovirus, rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, norovirus and enterovirus were evaluated over a projected period of one year. Physicochemical parameters were measured on site using multiparameters, faecal coliforms enumerated using culture-based methods and viruses are detected using both conventional and real-time PCR. Physicochemical parameters like electrical conductivity, turbidity, free chlorine and phosphates were incompliant with the standards set by the Department of Water affairs for effluents to be discharged. Faecal coliform counts were nil for one plant (WWTP-R) where they correlated inversely (P < 0.01) with the high free chlorine. For WWTP-K, faecal coliforms were detected in 27% of samples in the range of 9.9 × 101 to 6.4× 104 CFU/100ml. From the five viruses assessed, three viruses were detected with Rotavirus being the most abundant (0-2034176 genome copies/L) followed by Adenovirus (0–275 genome copies/L) then Hepatitis A virus (0–71 genome copies/L) in the WWTP-K while none of the viruses was detected in WWTP-R. Species B, species C and Adv41 serotypes were detected from the May 2013 and June 2013 samples where almost all parameters were incompliant in the plant. The detection of these viruses in supposedly treated effluents is suggestive of these being the sources of contamination to surface water and therefore renders surface waters unsafe for direct use and to aquatic life. Although real-time PCR is more sensitive and reliable in detection of viruses, use of cell-culture techniques in this study would have been more efficient in confirming the infectivity of the viruses detected, hence the recommendation of these techniques in future projects of this nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Gcilitshana, Onele
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- Testing , Viruses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water reuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019816 , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- Testing , Viruses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water reuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Worldwide, water reuse is promoted as an alternative for water scarcity, however, wastewater effluents have been reported as possible contaminants to surface water. The failure of some wastewater treatment processes to completely remove organic matter and some pathogenic microorganisms allows them to initiate infections. This manifests more in communities where surface water is used directly for drinking. To assess water quality, bacteria alone cannot be used as it may be absent in virus-contaminated water. This study was carried out to assess the quality of two wastewater treatment plant effluents from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Physicochemical parameters and microbiological parameters like faecal coliforms, adenovirus, rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, norovirus and enterovirus were evaluated over a projected period of one year. Physicochemical parameters were measured on site using multiparameters, faecal coliforms enumerated using culture-based methods and viruses are detected using both conventional and real-time PCR. Physicochemical parameters like electrical conductivity, turbidity, free chlorine and phosphates were incompliant with the standards set by the Department of Water affairs for effluents to be discharged. Faecal coliform counts were nil for one plant (WWTP-R) where they correlated inversely (P < 0.01) with the high free chlorine. For WWTP-K, faecal coliforms were detected in 27% of samples in the range of 9.9 × 101 to 6.4× 104 CFU/100ml. From the five viruses assessed, three viruses were detected with Rotavirus being the most abundant (0-2034176 genome copies/L) followed by Adenovirus (0–275 genome copies/L) then Hepatitis A virus (0–71 genome copies/L) in the WWTP-K while none of the viruses was detected in WWTP-R. Species B, species C and Adv41 serotypes were detected from the May 2013 and June 2013 samples where almost all parameters were incompliant in the plant. The detection of these viruses in supposedly treated effluents is suggestive of these being the sources of contamination to surface water and therefore renders surface waters unsafe for direct use and to aquatic life. Although real-time PCR is more sensitive and reliable in detection of viruses, use of cell-culture techniques in this study would have been more efficient in confirming the infectivity of the viruses detected, hence the recommendation of these techniques in future projects of this nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Resting site ecology and microhabitat use of the Mozambique thicket rat (Grammomys cometes) in a riverine Combretum forest
- Authors: Gebe, Zimkhitha
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11794 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019768
- Description: Very little is known about the resting and spatial ecology of the Mozambique thicket rat, Grammomys cometes, a rodent species distributed in two disjoint populations in South Africa and Mozambique. The present study focused on determining the characteristics and usage patterns of resting sites, as well as the microhabitat use and selection of this species during its activity period. Broadly, I predicted that resting ecology and space use would be affected by environmental, climatic, social and sexual factors. I also hypothesized that predatory risk could affect thicket rat behaviour. Field work took place in the Great Fish River Reserve complex (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa), in a stretch of riverine Combretum forest (length × breadth: ca. 500 × 100 m) located in the western section of the conservation area. Overall, 38 different rats (22 males and 16 females) were trapped and radio-tracked for varying periods between July 2011 and November 2012. Individual rats used a mean of 2.54 1.89 different resting sites (range: 1–9) during each tracking session and resting-site fidelity averaged 85 17%. Overall, 27% of the 131 resting sites identified were artificial wooden nestboxes, 45% were inside branches, 21% were inside trunks, 3% were located on the ground, 2% in bushes, 1% inside dead logs, with one uncertain location (1%). Cape bushwillows Combretum caffrum were the predominant trees (60.32%) used for the resting sites, probably due to their abundance in the forest, and their propension to rot from the inside and provide natural cavities. The mean height of resting sites used by thicket rats was 217 119 cm, and the mean circumference of branches and trunks was 79 35 cm, with no seasonal and sexual variation. In contrast, males exhibited an overall lower percentage usage of individual resting sites than females, probably due to their increased movements during the long mating season. Percentage usage was significantly higher during the cold season, likely for thermoregulatory seasons. Nearly 50% of the resting sites were shared with an average ( SD) of 3.20 1.25 individuals (range: 2–6). However, simultaneous use of resting sites only took place in about 8% of locations. Sharing involved 2–3 males in 90% of the cases. It is suggested that females are solitary but not territorial, while at least some males are more social or tolerant towards each other, and have overlapping ‘home ranges’. These observations could be indicative of a promiscuous mating system. v Microhabitat use and selection were determined by conducting a 5-day trapping session during each season between June 2011 and May 2012. A grid of 96 stations (16 rows 6 lines) was set at the study site, with pairs of traps per station placed at 10-m intervals, at different heights and on different types of vegetative stands. Several variables describing microhabitat structure were recorded seasonally at each station. Thicket rats (38 individuals captured 91 times) were captured mostly at night, with an overall trapping success of 2.16 0.27% over the year. The average height at which rats were trapped (140 65 cm) was significantly higher than the height of traps set in the field (99 ± 75 cm). A large proportion of traps (31.3%) where rats were caught were placed on Combretum caffrum trees, and majoritarily on trunks (46%), tree canopy (19%) and woody lace (19%). Bonferroni Z tests indicated that thicket rats actively avoided trap stations with less than 50% canopy cover as well as areas that had arboreal connections in less than 50% of the directions. Rats also significantly avoided traps that were set in bushes and on the ground, irrespective of whether these were situated in open terrain or surrounded by some vegetation. Generalized Linear Models confirmed that two main predictors (Cover >150 cm and height) had a significant positive effect on the use of traps and on the numbers of visits to, and different animals caught at, trapping stations. All other variables, including connectivity with the surrounding vegetation, tree species, vegetation type and position in which the traps were placed, and tree trunk/branch circumference at trap height, did not have any significant effects. This study confirms that thicket rats are essentially nocturnal, arboreal and prefer dense canopy cover, possibly because this decreases predation risk at the microhabitat level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Gebe, Zimkhitha
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11794 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019768
- Description: Very little is known about the resting and spatial ecology of the Mozambique thicket rat, Grammomys cometes, a rodent species distributed in two disjoint populations in South Africa and Mozambique. The present study focused on determining the characteristics and usage patterns of resting sites, as well as the microhabitat use and selection of this species during its activity period. Broadly, I predicted that resting ecology and space use would be affected by environmental, climatic, social and sexual factors. I also hypothesized that predatory risk could affect thicket rat behaviour. Field work took place in the Great Fish River Reserve complex (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa), in a stretch of riverine Combretum forest (length × breadth: ca. 500 × 100 m) located in the western section of the conservation area. Overall, 38 different rats (22 males and 16 females) were trapped and radio-tracked for varying periods between July 2011 and November 2012. Individual rats used a mean of 2.54 1.89 different resting sites (range: 1–9) during each tracking session and resting-site fidelity averaged 85 17%. Overall, 27% of the 131 resting sites identified were artificial wooden nestboxes, 45% were inside branches, 21% were inside trunks, 3% were located on the ground, 2% in bushes, 1% inside dead logs, with one uncertain location (1%). Cape bushwillows Combretum caffrum were the predominant trees (60.32%) used for the resting sites, probably due to their abundance in the forest, and their propension to rot from the inside and provide natural cavities. The mean height of resting sites used by thicket rats was 217 119 cm, and the mean circumference of branches and trunks was 79 35 cm, with no seasonal and sexual variation. In contrast, males exhibited an overall lower percentage usage of individual resting sites than females, probably due to their increased movements during the long mating season. Percentage usage was significantly higher during the cold season, likely for thermoregulatory seasons. Nearly 50% of the resting sites were shared with an average ( SD) of 3.20 1.25 individuals (range: 2–6). However, simultaneous use of resting sites only took place in about 8% of locations. Sharing involved 2–3 males in 90% of the cases. It is suggested that females are solitary but not territorial, while at least some males are more social or tolerant towards each other, and have overlapping ‘home ranges’. These observations could be indicative of a promiscuous mating system. v Microhabitat use and selection were determined by conducting a 5-day trapping session during each season between June 2011 and May 2012. A grid of 96 stations (16 rows 6 lines) was set at the study site, with pairs of traps per station placed at 10-m intervals, at different heights and on different types of vegetative stands. Several variables describing microhabitat structure were recorded seasonally at each station. Thicket rats (38 individuals captured 91 times) were captured mostly at night, with an overall trapping success of 2.16 0.27% over the year. The average height at which rats were trapped (140 65 cm) was significantly higher than the height of traps set in the field (99 ± 75 cm). A large proportion of traps (31.3%) where rats were caught were placed on Combretum caffrum trees, and majoritarily on trunks (46%), tree canopy (19%) and woody lace (19%). Bonferroni Z tests indicated that thicket rats actively avoided trap stations with less than 50% canopy cover as well as areas that had arboreal connections in less than 50% of the directions. Rats also significantly avoided traps that were set in bushes and on the ground, irrespective of whether these were situated in open terrain or surrounded by some vegetation. Generalized Linear Models confirmed that two main predictors (Cover >150 cm and height) had a significant positive effect on the use of traps and on the numbers of visits to, and different animals caught at, trapping stations. All other variables, including connectivity with the surrounding vegetation, tree species, vegetation type and position in which the traps were placed, and tree trunk/branch circumference at trap height, did not have any significant effects. This study confirms that thicket rats are essentially nocturnal, arboreal and prefer dense canopy cover, possibly because this decreases predation risk at the microhabitat level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Risk preferences of smallholder irrigation farmers in the former Ciskei homelands of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Itumeleng, Mathlo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Risk-return relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016206 , Risk-return relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Although several studies have investigated on commercial farmers’ risk preferences, there is still lack of information on the risk attitudes and risk preferences of smallholder farmers in South Africa. Risks associated with the adoption of new agricultural technology need to be explored in order to address the transition from homestead food gardening to smallholder irrigated farming. This study seeks to understand risk perception of smallholder irrigation farmers by linking constraints to commercialisation, adoption of new agricultural technologies and risk preferences of smallholder farmers in the former Ciskei Homelands of the Eastern Cape. A total of 101 respondents were surveyed, consisting of 38 smallholder farmers and 63 homestead food gardeners in the Eastern Cape. Questionnaires were used to record household activities, socio-economic and institutional data as well as household demographics through personal interviews. The probit results indicated that older farmers are less risk averse thus more willing to take risk. The risk analysis indicates that farmers who are employed elsewhere are more willing to take risk as income is playing a major role in risk preferences. The results also prove that factors such as tenure system and years in farming have a major influence on farmers’ decision to take risk and adopt new agricultural technology. According to the multi-logit model the major factors influencing technology adoption and risk taking are household size, water rate and type of irrigation system used by the farmers. This study provides useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of technology, increase smallholder farmers capacity to manage risk and drive growth in the food market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Itumeleng, Mathlo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Risk-return relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016206 , Risk-return relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Although several studies have investigated on commercial farmers’ risk preferences, there is still lack of information on the risk attitudes and risk preferences of smallholder farmers in South Africa. Risks associated with the adoption of new agricultural technology need to be explored in order to address the transition from homestead food gardening to smallholder irrigated farming. This study seeks to understand risk perception of smallholder irrigation farmers by linking constraints to commercialisation, adoption of new agricultural technologies and risk preferences of smallholder farmers in the former Ciskei Homelands of the Eastern Cape. A total of 101 respondents were surveyed, consisting of 38 smallholder farmers and 63 homestead food gardeners in the Eastern Cape. Questionnaires were used to record household activities, socio-economic and institutional data as well as household demographics through personal interviews. The probit results indicated that older farmers are less risk averse thus more willing to take risk. The risk analysis indicates that farmers who are employed elsewhere are more willing to take risk as income is playing a major role in risk preferences. The results also prove that factors such as tenure system and years in farming have a major influence on farmers’ decision to take risk and adopt new agricultural technology. According to the multi-logit model the major factors influencing technology adoption and risk taking are household size, water rate and type of irrigation system used by the farmers. This study provides useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of technology, increase smallholder farmers capacity to manage risk and drive growth in the food market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Rural households livelihood strategies in communities around the Fort Hare and Middle Drift rural dairy projects in Eastern Cape Province South Africa
- Authors: Mukotami, Samuel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11228 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021132 , Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In this study, rural households livelihood strategies in communities around Fort Hare and Middle Drift dairy projects in the Nkonkobe Municipality are explored from a household perspective. Rural communities around Fort Hare and Middle Drift dairy projects in Eastern Cape, South Africa are found choosing a multiple of livelihood portfolios that are linked to dairy project activities to increase food, generate income, and safeguard against risks and shocks. The dairy projects in rural areas can reduced the problem of shrinking livelihood options in rural areas were most of the households are relying on government grants which has characterised the rural areas with long queues during month ends. The main objectives of this study are, to assess whether the rural dairy projects set goals are being achieved; to identify dominant livelihood strategies of households living around dairy projects in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and to identify determinant factors influencing rural households around dairy projects to choose certain livelihood strategies that improve their welfare. The study analysed socio-economic survey data that had been collected from households in six rural villages in Nkonkobe Municipality surrounding the Fort Hare and Middle drift dairy projects. The stratified and random sampling method was used. The descriptive analysis comparing the livelihood portfolios’ in the six rural villages around Fort hare and Middle Drift dairy projects has revealed that there is an increasingly important role of the non-farm economy in the area (income from activities not linked to farming) as compared to farming, non-labour (income from remittances and government grants) and non-farm activities that are combined with farming (non-farm and farming activities). The multinomial logistic regression model revealed, with respect to the household variables, social-economic and institutional related variables as some of the barriers faced by poor households in rural areas sharing boundaries with rural dairy projects to enter into various livelihood strategies. Results from this study outlined that rural communities around dairy projects do not rely much on one livelihood pathway but they link multiple strategies together to improve their standard of living. The study, therefore, conclude that rural dairy projects with activities that are complementing with rural livelihood pathways available can be trusted as a reliable and sustainable livelihood source to reduce poverty in communities which share boundaries with rural dairy projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mukotami, Samuel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11228 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021132 , Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In this study, rural households livelihood strategies in communities around Fort Hare and Middle Drift dairy projects in the Nkonkobe Municipality are explored from a household perspective. Rural communities around Fort Hare and Middle Drift dairy projects in Eastern Cape, South Africa are found choosing a multiple of livelihood portfolios that are linked to dairy project activities to increase food, generate income, and safeguard against risks and shocks. The dairy projects in rural areas can reduced the problem of shrinking livelihood options in rural areas were most of the households are relying on government grants which has characterised the rural areas with long queues during month ends. The main objectives of this study are, to assess whether the rural dairy projects set goals are being achieved; to identify dominant livelihood strategies of households living around dairy projects in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and to identify determinant factors influencing rural households around dairy projects to choose certain livelihood strategies that improve their welfare. The study analysed socio-economic survey data that had been collected from households in six rural villages in Nkonkobe Municipality surrounding the Fort Hare and Middle drift dairy projects. The stratified and random sampling method was used. The descriptive analysis comparing the livelihood portfolios’ in the six rural villages around Fort hare and Middle Drift dairy projects has revealed that there is an increasingly important role of the non-farm economy in the area (income from activities not linked to farming) as compared to farming, non-labour (income from remittances and government grants) and non-farm activities that are combined with farming (non-farm and farming activities). The multinomial logistic regression model revealed, with respect to the household variables, social-economic and institutional related variables as some of the barriers faced by poor households in rural areas sharing boundaries with rural dairy projects to enter into various livelihood strategies. Results from this study outlined that rural communities around dairy projects do not rely much on one livelihood pathway but they link multiple strategies together to improve their standard of living. The study, therefore, conclude that rural dairy projects with activities that are complementing with rural livelihood pathways available can be trusted as a reliable and sustainable livelihood source to reduce poverty in communities which share boundaries with rural dairy projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Socio-economic contribution of community food gardens to the livelihoods of rural households in Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality of Limpopo province, South Africa
- Authors: Malahlela, Nkele Dorcus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Rural development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food crops -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11238 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021330 , Community development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Rural development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food crops -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Description: Community food gardens are regarded as a means through which rural households can improve their livelihoods. This study explores the contribution of community food gardens (CFG) to livelihoods in the Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality in the Limpopo province. The objectives of this study are, firstly to explore the reason behind CFG participation and the reasons behind the participating possibility. Secondly, the study seeks to identify the socio-economic factors influencing the participation of households in CFG and lastly to determine the influence of CFG and other socio-economic variables on household food security status (HFSS). Descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe the socio-economic characteristics and the reasons behind CFG participation and the reasons behind the participating possibility. The binary logistic regression model was used to analyse the determinants of household participation in community food gardens as well as the contribution of CFG to HFSS on Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 21. Through a structured questionnaire, data was collected from a sample of 180 households which was obtained using multistage sampling. Descriptive results on the characteristics of sampled households revealed that there are high levels of food security in the area with 70% being food secure of which around 42.2% are CFG participants and 30% are food insecure. Furthermore the descriptive statistical analysis indicated that participation of households in CFG is mainly to obtain a source of food among the CFG participants and to generate income amongst the non-participants. On the basis of descriptive analysis, this study concludes that source of food and income generation respectively are the main reasons behind CFG participation and the possibilities of becoming a participant. Therefore the study accepts the research hypothesis stating that “There are social and economic reasons behind household participation and the possibilities of participating in CFG”. Binary results for the determinants of CFG participation revealed that socio-economic variables such as household size, farm income, household monthly income, land size, household perception, marital status, agricultural training and homestead gardening significantly influence household decisions to participate in CFG. This is an implication that socio-economic variables tested in this study are significantly influential to the household decision to participate in CFG, leading to the acceptance of the first hypothesis which states that “Socioeconomic factors determine the community food garden ownership or participation”. The results of the contribution made by CFG to HFSS showed that socioeconomic variables such as gender, age, household size, farm income, educational level, household monthly income, marital status, information access, formal employment status and CFG involvement significantly affect household food security status in the study area. The result indicates a positive contribution to HFSS and implies that socio-economic variables tested in this study have a significant influence on HFSS, leading to the acceptance of the second hypothesis which states that “Community food gardens have a positive effect on food security status of household in Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality Limpopo province.” Therefore it is relevant to concluded that in the area of Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality, social economic factors plays a vital role in the participation of households in CFG as well as improving the state household food security status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Malahlela, Nkele Dorcus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Rural development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food crops -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11238 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021330 , Community development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Rural development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food crops -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Description: Community food gardens are regarded as a means through which rural households can improve their livelihoods. This study explores the contribution of community food gardens (CFG) to livelihoods in the Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality in the Limpopo province. The objectives of this study are, firstly to explore the reason behind CFG participation and the reasons behind the participating possibility. Secondly, the study seeks to identify the socio-economic factors influencing the participation of households in CFG and lastly to determine the influence of CFG and other socio-economic variables on household food security status (HFSS). Descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe the socio-economic characteristics and the reasons behind CFG participation and the reasons behind the participating possibility. The binary logistic regression model was used to analyse the determinants of household participation in community food gardens as well as the contribution of CFG to HFSS on Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 21. Through a structured questionnaire, data was collected from a sample of 180 households which was obtained using multistage sampling. Descriptive results on the characteristics of sampled households revealed that there are high levels of food security in the area with 70% being food secure of which around 42.2% are CFG participants and 30% are food insecure. Furthermore the descriptive statistical analysis indicated that participation of households in CFG is mainly to obtain a source of food among the CFG participants and to generate income amongst the non-participants. On the basis of descriptive analysis, this study concludes that source of food and income generation respectively are the main reasons behind CFG participation and the possibilities of becoming a participant. Therefore the study accepts the research hypothesis stating that “There are social and economic reasons behind household participation and the possibilities of participating in CFG”. Binary results for the determinants of CFG participation revealed that socio-economic variables such as household size, farm income, household monthly income, land size, household perception, marital status, agricultural training and homestead gardening significantly influence household decisions to participate in CFG. This is an implication that socio-economic variables tested in this study are significantly influential to the household decision to participate in CFG, leading to the acceptance of the first hypothesis which states that “Socioeconomic factors determine the community food garden ownership or participation”. The results of the contribution made by CFG to HFSS showed that socioeconomic variables such as gender, age, household size, farm income, educational level, household monthly income, marital status, information access, formal employment status and CFG involvement significantly affect household food security status in the study area. The result indicates a positive contribution to HFSS and implies that socio-economic variables tested in this study have a significant influence on HFSS, leading to the acceptance of the second hypothesis which states that “Community food gardens have a positive effect on food security status of household in Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality Limpopo province.” Therefore it is relevant to concluded that in the area of Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality, social economic factors plays a vital role in the participation of households in CFG as well as improving the state household food security status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Socio-economic importance, health and welfare aspects of donkeys (Equus asinus) used for carting in a peri-urban area of South Africa
- Authors: Marufu, Madure
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Donkeys -- South Africa , Animal welfare , Donkeys -- Handling , Donkeys -- Health
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019781 , Donkeys -- South Africa , Animal welfare , Donkeys -- Handling , Donkeys -- Health
- Description: The broad objective of the study was to determine the socio-economic importance, health and welfare aspects of donkeys used for carting in a peri-urban area. A survey was conducted among 71 donkey owners in Joza, a peri-urban area near Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) of South Africa to investigate their perceptions on socio-economic importance, health and welfare aspects of donkeys used for transport. Two hundred and seventy-one donkeys used for carting were assessed through direct observation of health and behaviour parameters to determine their welfare status. Results revealed that donkeys are indeed of immense value to people, being used daily (54.93%) for income generation activities and at least once per month (7.08%) for domestic chores. Most of the respondents (32%) earned R 600.00 per week while 11% earned at least R 200.00 per week from carting using donkeys. Donkeys were used for carting of goods (90.14%) more than for manure (16.9%). Gender and age of owners significantly (P < 0.05) influence perceptions on source of income while education level influenced their perceptions on carting firewood, goods and water. Results on management practices and health problems encountered by working donkeys showed that most of the owners managed their animals poorly. Most donkeys were being beaten (74.65%) during work, made to travel long distances (43.66%), worked long hours (52.11%) without adequate water (59.10%) and feed supplements (83.10%). Wounds (95.97%), coughing (75.65%) and lameness (64.79%) were some of the health problems encountered by donkeys. Significant relationships (P ˂ 0.05) were observed between owners’ perceptions on management practices and health problems encountered by donkeys. Among the observed animals, 61% were thin and mostly apathetic (26.2%) than medium and fat animals. Responses to observer approaches were significantly associated with sex and body condition score (BCS), with stallions in good body condition being more aggressive. Donkeys having a BCS of 3-5 avoided chin contact either by kicking out or moving away. Results further showed that most of the donkeys were suffering from external injuries, with the hindquarters (39.85%), shoulder (32.10%) and spine (21.77%) being the mostly affected areas. The prevalence of wounds on tail-base, belly, flank and neck were seen in less than 13% of the animals. The prevalence of wounds was influenced by age and BCS of the animals. Young donkeys with good BCS were less affected than old donkeys. Lameness, poor coat condition, external parasites, abnormal mucous membrane and dental problems were observed in less than 30% of the animals. It was concluded that donkeys play a pivotal role economically and socially to the livelihoods of people in a peri-urban area (Joza) in terms of income generation and transportation. However, these animals are experiencing multiple health and welfare problems. Therefore, more access to veterinary services, training on donkey use and management, health and welfare promotion programs are of paramount importance in solving the problem of poor health and welfare in donkeys.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Marufu, Madure
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Donkeys -- South Africa , Animal welfare , Donkeys -- Handling , Donkeys -- Health
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019781 , Donkeys -- South Africa , Animal welfare , Donkeys -- Handling , Donkeys -- Health
- Description: The broad objective of the study was to determine the socio-economic importance, health and welfare aspects of donkeys used for carting in a peri-urban area. A survey was conducted among 71 donkey owners in Joza, a peri-urban area near Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) of South Africa to investigate their perceptions on socio-economic importance, health and welfare aspects of donkeys used for transport. Two hundred and seventy-one donkeys used for carting were assessed through direct observation of health and behaviour parameters to determine their welfare status. Results revealed that donkeys are indeed of immense value to people, being used daily (54.93%) for income generation activities and at least once per month (7.08%) for domestic chores. Most of the respondents (32%) earned R 600.00 per week while 11% earned at least R 200.00 per week from carting using donkeys. Donkeys were used for carting of goods (90.14%) more than for manure (16.9%). Gender and age of owners significantly (P < 0.05) influence perceptions on source of income while education level influenced their perceptions on carting firewood, goods and water. Results on management practices and health problems encountered by working donkeys showed that most of the owners managed their animals poorly. Most donkeys were being beaten (74.65%) during work, made to travel long distances (43.66%), worked long hours (52.11%) without adequate water (59.10%) and feed supplements (83.10%). Wounds (95.97%), coughing (75.65%) and lameness (64.79%) were some of the health problems encountered by donkeys. Significant relationships (P ˂ 0.05) were observed between owners’ perceptions on management practices and health problems encountered by donkeys. Among the observed animals, 61% were thin and mostly apathetic (26.2%) than medium and fat animals. Responses to observer approaches were significantly associated with sex and body condition score (BCS), with stallions in good body condition being more aggressive. Donkeys having a BCS of 3-5 avoided chin contact either by kicking out or moving away. Results further showed that most of the donkeys were suffering from external injuries, with the hindquarters (39.85%), shoulder (32.10%) and spine (21.77%) being the mostly affected areas. The prevalence of wounds on tail-base, belly, flank and neck were seen in less than 13% of the animals. The prevalence of wounds was influenced by age and BCS of the animals. Young donkeys with good BCS were less affected than old donkeys. Lameness, poor coat condition, external parasites, abnormal mucous membrane and dental problems were observed in less than 30% of the animals. It was concluded that donkeys play a pivotal role economically and socially to the livelihoods of people in a peri-urban area (Joza) in terms of income generation and transportation. However, these animals are experiencing multiple health and welfare problems. Therefore, more access to veterinary services, training on donkey use and management, health and welfare promotion programs are of paramount importance in solving the problem of poor health and welfare in donkeys.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Mzamba formation in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Susela, Zamampondo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019807
- Description: This research project is aimed at providing new information to the stratigraphy, sedimentology, palaeontology and diagenesis of the Mzamba Formation. The study area is located at the south of Port Edward, Eastern Cape. The methodologies employed in this study include field geological investigation and sampling, stratigraphic measurement and logging, thin-section microscope study, powder samples of XRD analysis, and SEM-EDX analysis of rock textures and mineral compositions. The stratigraphy of the Mzamba Formation can be divided into three newly established members, i.e. the Lower Conglomerate Member, Middle Silt/Mudstone-Shell Bed Member and Upper Mudstone-Shell Bed Member with a total thickness of 31.26m in an inland borehole and 30.05m in the field measurement. The Lower Conglomerate Member is 2.65m thick and consists of pebbly conglomerate with coarse sandstone, shell fragments and silicified wood trunks, representing shallow marine nearshore deposits. The Middle Silt/Mudstone and Shell Bed Member is 9.5 m thick and consists of black mudstone and fine-grained siltstone alternated with medium grained pecten beds, which was deposited in a storm influenced deeper marine environment. The Upper Mudstone-Shell Bed Member is 17.9m thick and is made up of fine-mudstones with articulated pecten layers which were deposited in a deep and quiet marine environment. Petrology studies showed that the Mzamba Formation consists of mixed sediments of carbonate and siliciclastic rocks. Siliciclastic rocks include pebbly conglomerates, medium to coarse sandstones and fine-grained mudstones, whereas carbonate rocks include packstone, wackstone and grainstone (pecten beds). The formation shows cyclical pattern of a series fining-upward cyclicities, changing from bottom conglomerate to sandstone, then upward repeated series of cyclotherms from pecten bed to mudstone. Mineralogy of the Mzamba Formation consists of terrigenous minerals of quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, muscovite and various igneous and metamorphic rock-lithics, clay minerals of smectite, illite and sericite, and carbonate minerals of calcite and dolomite; with minor diagenetic minerals of pyrite, glauconite, hematite, gypsum, albite and organic maceral of vitrinite. Heavy minerals of garnet, zircon and rutile are minor minerals in the strata, which were detrital in origin. Mzamba Formation is a fossiliferous sequence, and contains both fauna and flora fossils in the strata. The pecten beds host well-preserved bivalve, gastropod, brachiopoda, ammonite, and echinoderm; whereas trace fossils of coprolites, burrows and tracks, as well as plant fossils of silicified wood trunks were also found in the formation. Some new fossil species were collected and studied, which include Bivalve: Pteriaceae, Pinnacea and Ostreacea; Gastropod: Cerithiacea and Mesogastopoda; Echinoderm: Echinocystoidea and Crinoidea. The benthonic species predominate in the lower part in the succession, whilst the planktonic species are abundant in the upper part of the sequence, which points to increase in water depths of the depositional environment. Based on lithology, sedimentary structures, and stratum architecture, seven different facies have been distinguished. Facies A (Flat bedded pebbly conglomerate), Facie B (Cross-bedded coarse calcareous sandstone facies), Facies C (Burrowed sandstone facies), Facies D (Shell-fragmental fine-grained calcareous sandstone facies), Facies E (Horizontal bedded calcareous mudstone facies), Facies F (Calcareous patch reef), Facies G (Wash out reef facies). Wash out reef facies is rich in algae, bivalve shells, broken oysters, coral fragments and small pebbles. Four types of cements were found in the Mzamba Formation, including calcite, smectite, illite and quartz. Calcite cement can be further classified into two types, micrite calcite cement and sparite calcite cement. The clay cement consists of smectite and illite and mainly occurs as matrix. The isopachous rim calcite and bright isopachous rim of silica cements indicate diagenesis in a marine phreatic zone. Authigenic minerals which formed in early diagenetic stage include quartz, plagioclase, glauconite and organic maceral of vitrinite. Three stages of diagenesis have been recognised in the sequence, i.e. syndiagenesis, early and late diagenesis. Glauconite pellets and worm faecal pellets were formed in syndiagenetic stage; cementation and authigenic minerals were formed in early diagenetic stage; whereas clay mineral conversion of smectite to illite, quartz overgrowth, bioclast recrystallization and calcite replacement took place during late diagenetic stage. The pebbly conglomerate at the bottom of the Mzamba Formation represents high energy deposits in a shallow marine environment; the grain-size gradually becomes finer in the middle succession and finest mudstone facies at the top of the succession, which represents deep marine deposits. Meanwhile, benthonic fossils are dominant in the bottom succession while plankton fossils are more abundant in the top succession. These features indicate that the Mzamba Formation constitutes a perfect transgression sequence, and the depositional environments started from shallow marine near shore environment, and gradually shifted to a deep marine quiet water environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Susela, Zamampondo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019807
- Description: This research project is aimed at providing new information to the stratigraphy, sedimentology, palaeontology and diagenesis of the Mzamba Formation. The study area is located at the south of Port Edward, Eastern Cape. The methodologies employed in this study include field geological investigation and sampling, stratigraphic measurement and logging, thin-section microscope study, powder samples of XRD analysis, and SEM-EDX analysis of rock textures and mineral compositions. The stratigraphy of the Mzamba Formation can be divided into three newly established members, i.e. the Lower Conglomerate Member, Middle Silt/Mudstone-Shell Bed Member and Upper Mudstone-Shell Bed Member with a total thickness of 31.26m in an inland borehole and 30.05m in the field measurement. The Lower Conglomerate Member is 2.65m thick and consists of pebbly conglomerate with coarse sandstone, shell fragments and silicified wood trunks, representing shallow marine nearshore deposits. The Middle Silt/Mudstone and Shell Bed Member is 9.5 m thick and consists of black mudstone and fine-grained siltstone alternated with medium grained pecten beds, which was deposited in a storm influenced deeper marine environment. The Upper Mudstone-Shell Bed Member is 17.9m thick and is made up of fine-mudstones with articulated pecten layers which were deposited in a deep and quiet marine environment. Petrology studies showed that the Mzamba Formation consists of mixed sediments of carbonate and siliciclastic rocks. Siliciclastic rocks include pebbly conglomerates, medium to coarse sandstones and fine-grained mudstones, whereas carbonate rocks include packstone, wackstone and grainstone (pecten beds). The formation shows cyclical pattern of a series fining-upward cyclicities, changing from bottom conglomerate to sandstone, then upward repeated series of cyclotherms from pecten bed to mudstone. Mineralogy of the Mzamba Formation consists of terrigenous minerals of quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, muscovite and various igneous and metamorphic rock-lithics, clay minerals of smectite, illite and sericite, and carbonate minerals of calcite and dolomite; with minor diagenetic minerals of pyrite, glauconite, hematite, gypsum, albite and organic maceral of vitrinite. Heavy minerals of garnet, zircon and rutile are minor minerals in the strata, which were detrital in origin. Mzamba Formation is a fossiliferous sequence, and contains both fauna and flora fossils in the strata. The pecten beds host well-preserved bivalve, gastropod, brachiopoda, ammonite, and echinoderm; whereas trace fossils of coprolites, burrows and tracks, as well as plant fossils of silicified wood trunks were also found in the formation. Some new fossil species were collected and studied, which include Bivalve: Pteriaceae, Pinnacea and Ostreacea; Gastropod: Cerithiacea and Mesogastopoda; Echinoderm: Echinocystoidea and Crinoidea. The benthonic species predominate in the lower part in the succession, whilst the planktonic species are abundant in the upper part of the sequence, which points to increase in water depths of the depositional environment. Based on lithology, sedimentary structures, and stratum architecture, seven different facies have been distinguished. Facies A (Flat bedded pebbly conglomerate), Facie B (Cross-bedded coarse calcareous sandstone facies), Facies C (Burrowed sandstone facies), Facies D (Shell-fragmental fine-grained calcareous sandstone facies), Facies E (Horizontal bedded calcareous mudstone facies), Facies F (Calcareous patch reef), Facies G (Wash out reef facies). Wash out reef facies is rich in algae, bivalve shells, broken oysters, coral fragments and small pebbles. Four types of cements were found in the Mzamba Formation, including calcite, smectite, illite and quartz. Calcite cement can be further classified into two types, micrite calcite cement and sparite calcite cement. The clay cement consists of smectite and illite and mainly occurs as matrix. The isopachous rim calcite and bright isopachous rim of silica cements indicate diagenesis in a marine phreatic zone. Authigenic minerals which formed in early diagenetic stage include quartz, plagioclase, glauconite and organic maceral of vitrinite. Three stages of diagenesis have been recognised in the sequence, i.e. syndiagenesis, early and late diagenesis. Glauconite pellets and worm faecal pellets were formed in syndiagenetic stage; cementation and authigenic minerals were formed in early diagenetic stage; whereas clay mineral conversion of smectite to illite, quartz overgrowth, bioclast recrystallization and calcite replacement took place during late diagenetic stage. The pebbly conglomerate at the bottom of the Mzamba Formation represents high energy deposits in a shallow marine environment; the grain-size gradually becomes finer in the middle succession and finest mudstone facies at the top of the succession, which represents deep marine deposits. Meanwhile, benthonic fossils are dominant in the bottom succession while plankton fossils are more abundant in the top succession. These features indicate that the Mzamba Formation constitutes a perfect transgression sequence, and the depositional environments started from shallow marine near shore environment, and gradually shifted to a deep marine quiet water environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Stratigraphy, sedimentary facies and diagenesis of the ECCA group, Karoo supergroup in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Nyathi, Nonhlanhla
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019776
- Description: This is a MSc research project, and is aimed at the new insight on the stratigraphy, sedimentary facies, diagenesis and depositional environments of the Ecca Group, Karoo Supergroup in the Eastern Cape Province. Methodologies used in this research include field investigation, stratigraphic logging, thin-section microscope study, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. The stratigraphy of the Ecca Group is divided into five formations, namely the Prince Albert Formation, Whitehill Formation, Collingham Formation, Rippon Formation and the Fort Brown Formation from bottom upward. Based on the field investigation and laboratory correlation, the Prince Albert, Whitehill, Collingham, and Fort Brown Formations can each be subdivided into two new members, i.e. lower member and upper member; whereas three new members have been proposed for the Rippon Formation, i.e. lower, middle and upper members. The Ecca Group sediments were accumulated in various depositional environments, from bottom of deep marine environment, passed through the middle of deltaic environment, and ended in a lacustrine environment. The Prince Albert Formation, Whitehill Formation and the Collingham Formation were all deposited in a deep marine basin, whilst the Rippon Formation was laid down in a deltaic environment. As the climate gradually became warmer and drier, the top Fort Brown Formation was lastly deposited in a lacustrine environment. The stratigraphic succession of the Ecca Group constitutes a perfect regression sequence, indicating that the marine water gradually retreated and the sea-level gradually dropped. The rocks in the Ecca Group are mainly terrigenous sandstone and mudstone with some coarse grain-sized siliciclastic rock of conglomerate. The sandstones are dominated by feldspathic graywackes with minor quartz-wackes, and there are no arenites in the Ecca Group. Whereas the mudstones are dominated by grayish mudrocks and black shales, purer claystone was found in the turbidite facies of the Collingham Formation, which probably has economic significance for the future since the reserve is quite large. Optical microscope, XRD and SEM analyses demonstrated that the minerals in the Ecca Group include detrital minerals of quartz, orthoclase, microcline, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite; and clay minerals (smectite, kaolinite, illite and sericite). These minerals constitute the rock framework grains and cements whereas; the authigenic minerals of calcite and hematite were formed during diagenesis. Accessory minerals such as rutile and zircon are the heavy minerals present in the strata, and occur only in a small amount. Based on the lithologies, sedimentary structures and sequence stacking patterns, ten sedimentary facies have been recognised, namely 1) Grayish laminated and thin bedded shale facies, 2) Grayish laminated shale and intercalated chert facies, 3) Grayish rhythmite facies (all the three facies above were deposited in deep marine water); 4) Flat and lenticular bedded graywacke facies, 5) Grayish alternating mudstone and sandstone facies, 6) Dark organic rich mudstone facies, 7) Fossil bearing mudstone facies, 8) Laminated and thin bedded black mudstone with lenticular siltstone facies, 9) Interbedded grayish sandstone and mudstone facies (above Facies 4-9 were deposited in deltaic environment and appeared in the Rippon Formation); and 10) Varved rhythmic mudstone facies, which occurs only in the Fort Brown Formation and represents lacustrine sediments. Four types of cements have been identified in the rocks of the Ecca Group, including quartz, smectite, calcite and feldspar cements. The first three cement types are the major cement types, whilst the feldspar cement is minor and occurs only locally. Recrystallisation in Ecca sediments includes quartz, feldspar, clay mineral recrystallisation and conversion from smectite and kaolinite to illite and then to sericite. Replacement involves calcite replacing quartz, feldspar and clay matrix; accompanied by albitization, i.e. albite replacing other feldspar minerals in a deep burial environment. Dissolution in the Ecca Group involved calcite and kaolinite dissolving and leaching, which created more pore-space and increased porosity. The sediments of the Ecca Group went through three stages of digenesis, namely the early stage, the late stage and the up lift stage which led the rocks being exposed on the Earth’s surface and being weathered. In each stage, some minerals became unstable, then replaced by a more stable mineral suitable for the new diagenetic environment. Precipitation of cements and formation of authigenic minerals mostly occurred in the early diagenetic stage, which led the soft sediments becoming a hard rock; whilst recrystallisation, replacement, and dissolution took place mostly in the later diageneti
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nyathi, Nonhlanhla
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019776
- Description: This is a MSc research project, and is aimed at the new insight on the stratigraphy, sedimentary facies, diagenesis and depositional environments of the Ecca Group, Karoo Supergroup in the Eastern Cape Province. Methodologies used in this research include field investigation, stratigraphic logging, thin-section microscope study, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. The stratigraphy of the Ecca Group is divided into five formations, namely the Prince Albert Formation, Whitehill Formation, Collingham Formation, Rippon Formation and the Fort Brown Formation from bottom upward. Based on the field investigation and laboratory correlation, the Prince Albert, Whitehill, Collingham, and Fort Brown Formations can each be subdivided into two new members, i.e. lower member and upper member; whereas three new members have been proposed for the Rippon Formation, i.e. lower, middle and upper members. The Ecca Group sediments were accumulated in various depositional environments, from bottom of deep marine environment, passed through the middle of deltaic environment, and ended in a lacustrine environment. The Prince Albert Formation, Whitehill Formation and the Collingham Formation were all deposited in a deep marine basin, whilst the Rippon Formation was laid down in a deltaic environment. As the climate gradually became warmer and drier, the top Fort Brown Formation was lastly deposited in a lacustrine environment. The stratigraphic succession of the Ecca Group constitutes a perfect regression sequence, indicating that the marine water gradually retreated and the sea-level gradually dropped. The rocks in the Ecca Group are mainly terrigenous sandstone and mudstone with some coarse grain-sized siliciclastic rock of conglomerate. The sandstones are dominated by feldspathic graywackes with minor quartz-wackes, and there are no arenites in the Ecca Group. Whereas the mudstones are dominated by grayish mudrocks and black shales, purer claystone was found in the turbidite facies of the Collingham Formation, which probably has economic significance for the future since the reserve is quite large. Optical microscope, XRD and SEM analyses demonstrated that the minerals in the Ecca Group include detrital minerals of quartz, orthoclase, microcline, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite; and clay minerals (smectite, kaolinite, illite and sericite). These minerals constitute the rock framework grains and cements whereas; the authigenic minerals of calcite and hematite were formed during diagenesis. Accessory minerals such as rutile and zircon are the heavy minerals present in the strata, and occur only in a small amount. Based on the lithologies, sedimentary structures and sequence stacking patterns, ten sedimentary facies have been recognised, namely 1) Grayish laminated and thin bedded shale facies, 2) Grayish laminated shale and intercalated chert facies, 3) Grayish rhythmite facies (all the three facies above were deposited in deep marine water); 4) Flat and lenticular bedded graywacke facies, 5) Grayish alternating mudstone and sandstone facies, 6) Dark organic rich mudstone facies, 7) Fossil bearing mudstone facies, 8) Laminated and thin bedded black mudstone with lenticular siltstone facies, 9) Interbedded grayish sandstone and mudstone facies (above Facies 4-9 were deposited in deltaic environment and appeared in the Rippon Formation); and 10) Varved rhythmic mudstone facies, which occurs only in the Fort Brown Formation and represents lacustrine sediments. Four types of cements have been identified in the rocks of the Ecca Group, including quartz, smectite, calcite and feldspar cements. The first three cement types are the major cement types, whilst the feldspar cement is minor and occurs only locally. Recrystallisation in Ecca sediments includes quartz, feldspar, clay mineral recrystallisation and conversion from smectite and kaolinite to illite and then to sericite. Replacement involves calcite replacing quartz, feldspar and clay matrix; accompanied by albitization, i.e. albite replacing other feldspar minerals in a deep burial environment. Dissolution in the Ecca Group involved calcite and kaolinite dissolving and leaching, which created more pore-space and increased porosity. The sediments of the Ecca Group went through three stages of digenesis, namely the early stage, the late stage and the up lift stage which led the rocks being exposed on the Earth’s surface and being weathered. In each stage, some minerals became unstable, then replaced by a more stable mineral suitable for the new diagenetic environment. Precipitation of cements and formation of authigenic minerals mostly occurred in the early diagenetic stage, which led the soft sediments becoming a hard rock; whilst recrystallisation, replacement, and dissolution took place mostly in the later diageneti
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Structural, optical and electrical characterization of nano-sized c-tio2 quamtum dots synthesized by spray pyrolysis
- Authors: Taziwa, Raymond Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11342 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016089
- Description: In the 21st century, scientific communities face challenges and opportunities concerning future development, where innovations must be a key driver over the past, evolution of African societies were based on incomplete models, only taking into account economical growth and not paying attention to environmental deterioration as a consequence of anthropogenic activity and environmental pollution. We have to learn from our past mistakes in order not to repeat them. Education and research of today as the embryonic stages of the development models of tomorrow should be directed toward a sustainable mentality. In this sense, solar energy technologies have emerged as key instruments for minimizing environmental impact as well as reducing economic cost in the field of renewable energies. Titanium dioxide is a fascinating low cost material exhibiting unique properties of stability and photo catalytic activities, leading to clean technologies in water purification and energy conversion of sunlight. However, conventional techniques (high temperature, high vacuum, high pressures) of processing titanium dioxide are a technological limitation due to excessive energy consumption. This poses a handicap for practical applications in areas such as preparation of hybrid organic/Titanium dioxide materials or devices on thermo flexible substrates such as plastic material. It is for this reason that the investigation presented in this Ph.D thesis deals with the development of spray pyrolysis techniques for preparation of carbon doped titanium dioxide nano powders for solar cell applications. This thesis is therefore structured as follows: Chapter 1 gives a general overview of the work done in this thesis. This work relies greatly on the excellent structural optical and electrical properties of TiO2 thin films, as well as its chemical resistance and insulating properties. A summary of the physical, optical, electrical and chemical properties reported in the literature, with an emphasis on those relevant to solar cell fabrication, is presented in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 gives a concise literature review on models governing droplet formation in ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) techniques, the limitations of these models have been exposed and a new relation model for estimating the final particle size given a set of initial reaction conditions has been proposed. The presently derived model is quite advantageous in that it does not require the investigator to look up values of surface tension and density for every precursor solution. Chapter 4 presents in detail the designed and constructed spray pyrolysis system capable of realizing desired nano structures for photovoltaic applications. The first system employed an ultrasonic atomization spray nozzle in order to create an aerosol of the TiO2 precursor. The reasons for choosing ultrasonic spray deposition (USP) and the TiO2 precursors, titanium iso propoxide and titanium tetra butoxide are discussed. Chapter 5 outlines experimental methodologies used in synthesis and characterization of the materials used in this study. Chapter 5 further provides experimental methodologies used in fabrication of a new type of photo electrochemical solar cells (PECs). Chapter 6 reveals the opto-electrical results of PECs solar cells fabricated. There are numerous properties that are affected by the size but emphasis will be placed on nano-size and confinement effects. Chapter 7 presents a confirmation of the phonon confinement effects in C-TiO2 QDs for the first time. In addition Chapter 7 also presents a new phonon confinement model. Chapter 8 reveals the optical, structural and electronic properties of C-TiO2 QDs synthesized by USP and PSP techniques. In addition the electrical properties of C-TiO2 QDs PEC solar cells devices are reported in Chapter 8. Concluding remarks, with potential future research projects are presented in Chapter 9. Through these 9 chapters, all research questions have been answered satisfactorily and all objectives met. Most of the work contained in this thesis has been subjected to external reviews through publication of these peer reviewed articles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Taziwa, Raymond Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11342 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016089
- Description: In the 21st century, scientific communities face challenges and opportunities concerning future development, where innovations must be a key driver over the past, evolution of African societies were based on incomplete models, only taking into account economical growth and not paying attention to environmental deterioration as a consequence of anthropogenic activity and environmental pollution. We have to learn from our past mistakes in order not to repeat them. Education and research of today as the embryonic stages of the development models of tomorrow should be directed toward a sustainable mentality. In this sense, solar energy technologies have emerged as key instruments for minimizing environmental impact as well as reducing economic cost in the field of renewable energies. Titanium dioxide is a fascinating low cost material exhibiting unique properties of stability and photo catalytic activities, leading to clean technologies in water purification and energy conversion of sunlight. However, conventional techniques (high temperature, high vacuum, high pressures) of processing titanium dioxide are a technological limitation due to excessive energy consumption. This poses a handicap for practical applications in areas such as preparation of hybrid organic/Titanium dioxide materials or devices on thermo flexible substrates such as plastic material. It is for this reason that the investigation presented in this Ph.D thesis deals with the development of spray pyrolysis techniques for preparation of carbon doped titanium dioxide nano powders for solar cell applications. This thesis is therefore structured as follows: Chapter 1 gives a general overview of the work done in this thesis. This work relies greatly on the excellent structural optical and electrical properties of TiO2 thin films, as well as its chemical resistance and insulating properties. A summary of the physical, optical, electrical and chemical properties reported in the literature, with an emphasis on those relevant to solar cell fabrication, is presented in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 gives a concise literature review on models governing droplet formation in ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) techniques, the limitations of these models have been exposed and a new relation model for estimating the final particle size given a set of initial reaction conditions has been proposed. The presently derived model is quite advantageous in that it does not require the investigator to look up values of surface tension and density for every precursor solution. Chapter 4 presents in detail the designed and constructed spray pyrolysis system capable of realizing desired nano structures for photovoltaic applications. The first system employed an ultrasonic atomization spray nozzle in order to create an aerosol of the TiO2 precursor. The reasons for choosing ultrasonic spray deposition (USP) and the TiO2 precursors, titanium iso propoxide and titanium tetra butoxide are discussed. Chapter 5 outlines experimental methodologies used in synthesis and characterization of the materials used in this study. Chapter 5 further provides experimental methodologies used in fabrication of a new type of photo electrochemical solar cells (PECs). Chapter 6 reveals the opto-electrical results of PECs solar cells fabricated. There are numerous properties that are affected by the size but emphasis will be placed on nano-size and confinement effects. Chapter 7 presents a confirmation of the phonon confinement effects in C-TiO2 QDs for the first time. In addition Chapter 7 also presents a new phonon confinement model. Chapter 8 reveals the optical, structural and electronic properties of C-TiO2 QDs synthesized by USP and PSP techniques. In addition the electrical properties of C-TiO2 QDs PEC solar cells devices are reported in Chapter 8. Concluding remarks, with potential future research projects are presented in Chapter 9. Through these 9 chapters, all research questions have been answered satisfactorily and all objectives met. Most of the work contained in this thesis has been subjected to external reviews through publication of these peer reviewed articles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Studies on the antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative potential of the ethyl acetate extract and compounds of Peltophorum africanum
- Authors: Okeleye, Benjamin Ifeoluwa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11282 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016165
- Description: Cells are constantly exposed to a variety of oxidizing agents, some of which are necessary for life. Oxidants produced in excess can cause an imbalance, leading to oxidative stress, especially in chronic bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. This can result to damage of biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA, hence, an increased risk for cancer. Plants have a long history of use in the treatment of cancer. Plant secondary metabolites have proved to be an excellent reservoir of new medical compounds. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain a wide variety of antioxidant phytochemicals, such as phenolics and carotenoids, and may help protect cellular systems from oxidative damage and also may lower the risk of chronic diseases. Peltophorum africanum, a member of the family Fabaceae (Sond) is also known as the African weeping wattle and is used in traditional medicine in South Africa. This study investigated the antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative potential of the ethyl acetate extract and compounds of Peltophorum africanum in order to validate its pharmacological use. The study assessed the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Peltophorum africanum stem bark and its fractions by the agar well and macrodilution methods. The toxicity on a normal human liver cell (Chang liver cell) and antiproliferation of human breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines were determined using the CellTiter-Blue cell viability assay and the mechanism of action delineated using the Nucleic Acid and Protein Purification Nucleospin® Tissue Kit, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Propidium iodide (PI) and Acridine orange (AO) double-staining techniques, the Cleaved Caspase 3 (Asp 175) Alexa Fluor® 488 Antibody and the Coulter® DNA PrepTM Reagents Kit. Purification and identification of the compounds from EAE and fractions as well as the morphological alteration of bacteria, yeast and cancer cells were determined using thin layer chromatography, infrared spectra fingerprint and GC-MS analysis, micro-dilution and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. In vitro antioxidant activity of EAE was determined by means of radical scavenging and ferric reducing power analysis using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2`-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) kit, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), iron (iii) chloride (Fe3+) and nitric oxide (NO). To assess the likely effects of secondary metabolites on the activities observed; total proanthocyanidins, phenolics, flavonols, and flavonoids were determined using standard phytochemical methods. Data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA; SPSS Version 17.0, 2011), regression analysis (MINITAB, version 12 for windows), probit analysis test (software NCSS, 2007) and GraphPad Prism4 software package. The p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Marked activity of the extract was observed against Plesiomonas shigelloides ATCC 51903, with MIC and MLC values of 0.15625 and 0.3125mg/mL, respectively. The extract was both bactericidal (MICindex ≤ 2) and bacteriostatic/fungistatic (MICindex > 2) in activity. Lethal dose at 50 (LD50) showed 82.64 ± 1.40 degree of toxicity at 24 hrs, and 95 percentile of cell death dose activity ranged from log 3.12 ± 0.01 to 4.59 ± 0.03. The activity of the eight fractions tested ranged from 1.0 ± 0.5 to 3.7 ± 1.6 mg/mL (IC50) and from 2.1 ± 0.8 to 6.25 ± 0 mg/mL (IC90) (Chapter 3). Due to the effect of compounds present in the crude extract and fractions, the P. aeruginosa treated with EAE had a reduction of sodium from 5.55 % (untreated) - 1.50 %. For C. albicans, pottasium was reduced from 4.16 % (untreated) - 0.76 % (T1). Remarkable morphological alterations were observed including deformation of the germ tubes and perforation of the cell wall (Chapter 4). Extract scavenging activity of 88.73± 6.69 % (25 μg mL-1), 53.93±1.09 % (25 μg mL-1) were recorded for H2O2 and NO respectively with proanthocyanidins (92.18±4.68 mg/g) occurring more (p < 0.05) in the extract compared to all other phenolics compounds (Chapter 5). Significant reduction in cell viability of the cells was noted as the MCF-7 cells were reduced from 100 - 54.33±1.84 % after 72 hrs of treatment with 5 μg/mL of EAE (P. value < 0.05). TEt10 was cytotoxic against human normal cells (chang liver cell) at EC50 of 37 μg/mL and 74 μg/mL after 24 and 48 h of treatment respectively. Marked antiproliferative activity of 13.2 μg/mL (EC50) was observed when HeLa cells were treated for 48 h. Internucleosomal DNA of MCF-7, HT-29 and HeLa cells randomly fragmented into an uninterrupted spectrum of sizes, complemented by the intercalation of nucleic acid-specific fluorochromes by PI and AO spotting two phases of apoptosis; early (EA) and late (LA) apoptosis. Distinctive ultramorphological changes observed include; cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and typical cell induced death. The study also recorded 705.102 ± 28.56 % TEt10 caspase-3 activity compared to curcumin 592.857 ± 165.76 % (positive control) and untreated (negative control; 100 ± 15.81 %) cells. Percentage HeLa cell with Sub-G1 DNA phase increased from 0.13 ± 0.06 % (negative control) to 13.8 ± 3.04 % compared to curcumin (8.17 ± 2.20 %) after treatment with TEt10. The compounds identified in the fractions including Colchicine, N-(trifluoroacetyl)methyl-N-deacetyl-, Lupeol and .gamma.-Sitosterol may be responsible for the induction of apoptosis observed and could be further studied in vivo as a potential template for new anticancer treatment (Chapter 6 & 7).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Okeleye, Benjamin Ifeoluwa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11282 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016165
- Description: Cells are constantly exposed to a variety of oxidizing agents, some of which are necessary for life. Oxidants produced in excess can cause an imbalance, leading to oxidative stress, especially in chronic bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. This can result to damage of biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA, hence, an increased risk for cancer. Plants have a long history of use in the treatment of cancer. Plant secondary metabolites have proved to be an excellent reservoir of new medical compounds. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain a wide variety of antioxidant phytochemicals, such as phenolics and carotenoids, and may help protect cellular systems from oxidative damage and also may lower the risk of chronic diseases. Peltophorum africanum, a member of the family Fabaceae (Sond) is also known as the African weeping wattle and is used in traditional medicine in South Africa. This study investigated the antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative potential of the ethyl acetate extract and compounds of Peltophorum africanum in order to validate its pharmacological use. The study assessed the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Peltophorum africanum stem bark and its fractions by the agar well and macrodilution methods. The toxicity on a normal human liver cell (Chang liver cell) and antiproliferation of human breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines were determined using the CellTiter-Blue cell viability assay and the mechanism of action delineated using the Nucleic Acid and Protein Purification Nucleospin® Tissue Kit, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Propidium iodide (PI) and Acridine orange (AO) double-staining techniques, the Cleaved Caspase 3 (Asp 175) Alexa Fluor® 488 Antibody and the Coulter® DNA PrepTM Reagents Kit. Purification and identification of the compounds from EAE and fractions as well as the morphological alteration of bacteria, yeast and cancer cells were determined using thin layer chromatography, infrared spectra fingerprint and GC-MS analysis, micro-dilution and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. In vitro antioxidant activity of EAE was determined by means of radical scavenging and ferric reducing power analysis using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2`-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) kit, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), iron (iii) chloride (Fe3+) and nitric oxide (NO). To assess the likely effects of secondary metabolites on the activities observed; total proanthocyanidins, phenolics, flavonols, and flavonoids were determined using standard phytochemical methods. Data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA; SPSS Version 17.0, 2011), regression analysis (MINITAB, version 12 for windows), probit analysis test (software NCSS, 2007) and GraphPad Prism4 software package. The p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Marked activity of the extract was observed against Plesiomonas shigelloides ATCC 51903, with MIC and MLC values of 0.15625 and 0.3125mg/mL, respectively. The extract was both bactericidal (MICindex ≤ 2) and bacteriostatic/fungistatic (MICindex > 2) in activity. Lethal dose at 50 (LD50) showed 82.64 ± 1.40 degree of toxicity at 24 hrs, and 95 percentile of cell death dose activity ranged from log 3.12 ± 0.01 to 4.59 ± 0.03. The activity of the eight fractions tested ranged from 1.0 ± 0.5 to 3.7 ± 1.6 mg/mL (IC50) and from 2.1 ± 0.8 to 6.25 ± 0 mg/mL (IC90) (Chapter 3). Due to the effect of compounds present in the crude extract and fractions, the P. aeruginosa treated with EAE had a reduction of sodium from 5.55 % (untreated) - 1.50 %. For C. albicans, pottasium was reduced from 4.16 % (untreated) - 0.76 % (T1). Remarkable morphological alterations were observed including deformation of the germ tubes and perforation of the cell wall (Chapter 4). Extract scavenging activity of 88.73± 6.69 % (25 μg mL-1), 53.93±1.09 % (25 μg mL-1) were recorded for H2O2 and NO respectively with proanthocyanidins (92.18±4.68 mg/g) occurring more (p < 0.05) in the extract compared to all other phenolics compounds (Chapter 5). Significant reduction in cell viability of the cells was noted as the MCF-7 cells were reduced from 100 - 54.33±1.84 % after 72 hrs of treatment with 5 μg/mL of EAE (P. value < 0.05). TEt10 was cytotoxic against human normal cells (chang liver cell) at EC50 of 37 μg/mL and 74 μg/mL after 24 and 48 h of treatment respectively. Marked antiproliferative activity of 13.2 μg/mL (EC50) was observed when HeLa cells were treated for 48 h. Internucleosomal DNA of MCF-7, HT-29 and HeLa cells randomly fragmented into an uninterrupted spectrum of sizes, complemented by the intercalation of nucleic acid-specific fluorochromes by PI and AO spotting two phases of apoptosis; early (EA) and late (LA) apoptosis. Distinctive ultramorphological changes observed include; cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and typical cell induced death. The study also recorded 705.102 ± 28.56 % TEt10 caspase-3 activity compared to curcumin 592.857 ± 165.76 % (positive control) and untreated (negative control; 100 ± 15.81 %) cells. Percentage HeLa cell with Sub-G1 DNA phase increased from 0.13 ± 0.06 % (negative control) to 13.8 ± 3.04 % compared to curcumin (8.17 ± 2.20 %) after treatment with TEt10. The compounds identified in the fractions including Colchicine, N-(trifluoroacetyl)methyl-N-deacetyl-, Lupeol and .gamma.-Sitosterol may be responsible for the induction of apoptosis observed and could be further studied in vivo as a potential template for new anticancer treatment (Chapter 6 & 7).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island
- Authors: Bierman, Stefni
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11516 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015532
- Description: The climate of Marion Island is driven by synoptic weather patterns which have also been suggested to influence the soil thermal characteristics. The primary aim of this work was to examine the effect of synoptic weather systems on soil temperature dynamics on an altitudinal gradient on the eastern side of Marion Island. The study specifically addresses the implications of climate change on future soil thermal dynamics in a maritime sub-Antarctic environment. Ground temperature were obtained from three ground temperature monitoring stations on the eastern side of Marion Island, which were established along an altitudinal gradient at Long Ridge North (200m a.s.l.), Katedraalkrans (750m a.s.l) and at Delta Extension (1000m a.s.l.). To assess the synoptic weather circulation patterns, a synoptic climate classification methodology that is based on the single station principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis were used. Results show that certain clusters were more dominant than others and over the measured time span certain synoptic weather patterns, mainly cyclonic air circulation types, have decreased while anticyclonic circulation have increased. Soil frost occurs at all three stations on Marion Island, not only under cyclonic circulations (as previously suggested) but significantly under anticyclonic air mass circulation as well. Soil frost is dependent on the duration of post-cyclonic Antarctic air mass circulation. Synoptic weather patterns are also affecting ground surface lapse rates. Changes from positive to negative lapse rates were observed and this predominantly occurred under the atmospheric circulation pattern associated with clusters that are predominantly anticyclonic. Long term climatic change as predicted by the PCA show a reduction in low pressure systems or more anticyclonic conditions affecting the island. These change will significantly affect the soil thermal dynamics at an altitudinal scale on sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Bierman, Stefni
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11516 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015532
- Description: The climate of Marion Island is driven by synoptic weather patterns which have also been suggested to influence the soil thermal characteristics. The primary aim of this work was to examine the effect of synoptic weather systems on soil temperature dynamics on an altitudinal gradient on the eastern side of Marion Island. The study specifically addresses the implications of climate change on future soil thermal dynamics in a maritime sub-Antarctic environment. Ground temperature were obtained from three ground temperature monitoring stations on the eastern side of Marion Island, which were established along an altitudinal gradient at Long Ridge North (200m a.s.l.), Katedraalkrans (750m a.s.l) and at Delta Extension (1000m a.s.l.). To assess the synoptic weather circulation patterns, a synoptic climate classification methodology that is based on the single station principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis were used. Results show that certain clusters were more dominant than others and over the measured time span certain synoptic weather patterns, mainly cyclonic air circulation types, have decreased while anticyclonic circulation have increased. Soil frost occurs at all three stations on Marion Island, not only under cyclonic circulations (as previously suggested) but significantly under anticyclonic air mass circulation as well. Soil frost is dependent on the duration of post-cyclonic Antarctic air mass circulation. Synoptic weather patterns are also affecting ground surface lapse rates. Changes from positive to negative lapse rates were observed and this predominantly occurred under the atmospheric circulation pattern associated with clusters that are predominantly anticyclonic. Long term climatic change as predicted by the PCA show a reduction in low pressure systems or more anticyclonic conditions affecting the island. These change will significantly affect the soil thermal dynamics at an altitudinal scale on sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Synthesis, characterization, and biological studies of pyrazolone Schiff bases and their transition metal complexes
- Authors: Idemudia, Omoruyi Gold
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016068
- Description: Some new acylpyrazolone Schiff bases have been synthesized from the condensation reaction of two acylpyrazolone diketone precursors with phenylhydrazine, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and sulfanilamide. They have been fully characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (IR,1H and 13C NMR, and mass-spectra). The single crystal structure of the benzoyl derivative acylpyrazolone Schiff bases have been obtained and analyzed by X-ray crystallography technique. Solid state X-ray diffraction revealed a keto tautomer Schiff base in solid state. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with the Schiff bases have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and thermal studies (TGA and DTG). An octahedral geometry around the transition metal ion, consisting of two bidentate Schiff base ligands bonding through the azometine nitrogen and ketonic oxygen have been proposed based on careful interpretation of available analytical and spectroscopic characterization results. Two water molecules as ligands complete the octahedral geometry in all cases. Using the invitro disc diffusion method for screening synthesized compounds against selected gram positive and gram negative bacterial at 40 mg/mL, and the DPPH free radical scavenging methods at 0.50, 0.25 and 0.13 mg/mL, the synthesized Schiff base and metal complexes showed varying biological activities. 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one sul29 fanilamide showed more activity generally, exhibiting a broad spectrum activity against all selected bacterial in some cases. Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of sulfanilamide Schiff base with the acetylpyrazolone derivative 4-acetyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one sulfanilamide, exhibited a stronger and very good DPPH radical scavenging activity as good as ascorbic acid on comparing, but not with Cu(II). As such they could be important antitumour candidates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Idemudia, Omoruyi Gold
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016068
- Description: Some new acylpyrazolone Schiff bases have been synthesized from the condensation reaction of two acylpyrazolone diketone precursors with phenylhydrazine, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and sulfanilamide. They have been fully characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (IR,1H and 13C NMR, and mass-spectra). The single crystal structure of the benzoyl derivative acylpyrazolone Schiff bases have been obtained and analyzed by X-ray crystallography technique. Solid state X-ray diffraction revealed a keto tautomer Schiff base in solid state. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with the Schiff bases have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and thermal studies (TGA and DTG). An octahedral geometry around the transition metal ion, consisting of two bidentate Schiff base ligands bonding through the azometine nitrogen and ketonic oxygen have been proposed based on careful interpretation of available analytical and spectroscopic characterization results. Two water molecules as ligands complete the octahedral geometry in all cases. Using the invitro disc diffusion method for screening synthesized compounds against selected gram positive and gram negative bacterial at 40 mg/mL, and the DPPH free radical scavenging methods at 0.50, 0.25 and 0.13 mg/mL, the synthesized Schiff base and metal complexes showed varying biological activities. 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one sul29 fanilamide showed more activity generally, exhibiting a broad spectrum activity against all selected bacterial in some cases. Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of sulfanilamide Schiff base with the acetylpyrazolone derivative 4-acetyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one sulfanilamide, exhibited a stronger and very good DPPH radical scavenging activity as good as ascorbic acid on comparing, but not with Cu(II). As such they could be important antitumour candidates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Targeting and characterizing potentially high yield aquifers in the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa
- Authors: Madi, Kakaba
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021270
- Description: The Eastern Cape Province has, besides the three known neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) a fourth zone, which is inactive. This inactive zone is located almost in its central part north of the southern neotectonic zone, and south of the northern neotectonic belt. The three above mentioned neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) were chosen for this study, each one with its own characteristics. This study aims at characterizing and targeting potentially high yield aquifers in the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province. The methods used in this study include: 1) A comprehensive literature review on neotectonics in South Africa in general and in the Eastern Cape Province in particular; 2) Extraction of lineaments through remote sensing and examination of digital elevation models; 3) Examination of seismic data for the subsurface visualization onshore and offshore; 4) Study on the genesis of the Grahamstown kaolin deposits through the structural component; and 5) Acquisition and interpretation of magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric data from three of the hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt. The results indicate the following: 1) Old map of seismic epicentres in South Africa need to be reviewed continually. The Eastern Cape was regarded as quiescent in terms of seismicity. However, the investigation from recent seismic epicenters downloadable from the IRIS website has shown that recent seismic events occurred in the Eastern Cape Province especially in the northern and southern neotectonic belts. The central part located north of the southern neotectonic belt and south of the northern neotectonic belt is inactive. This inactive zone can be considered for the storage of nuclear wastes. 2) The eastern neotectonic belt has, like the northern neotectonic belt, a higher density of lineaments oriented northwest-southeast, which makes it the second important neotectonic belt. These lineaments correlate with the normalized difference vegetation index indicative of a good circulation of groundwater. In the south, the Eastern Cape great lineament oriented east-west is now considered a neotectonic domain because many seismic epicentres occur therein. Its geomorphologic shape in graben type form is a favourable structure for groundwater catchment. The surface topography is not uniform and high elevations in the east are related to the uplift that took place in the Quaternary. Most vector gradients are oriented east-west, a fact to be reckon with in the study of surface water flow and aquifers characterization. 3) Offshore along the east coast, the subsurface is affected by neotectonic faults, which are probably splays of the Agulhas Falkland Fractured Zone (AFFZ). The folds that occur are related to the regional compressional stress known as the Wegener Stress Anomaly (WSM). On land, straight lines from seismic profiles indicate that weathering occurs in consolidated materials probably along faults or fractures, unconsolidated sediments always have wavy profiles. On the other hand, field observations in King Williams Town have clearly shown that a tectonic uplift took place on a dolerite sill overlain by mudstones and sandstones. The uplift is possibly related to the Amatole-Swaziland event that occurred in the last five millions years. The escarpment along this dolerite sill overlain by sedimentary rocks is a meso-scale fault with a dip-slip component. Healthy vegetation and a river flowing parallel to the cliff indicate groundwater flow in the zone of weakness. 4) In the southern neotectonic belt there is a clear northwest-southeast horizontal compression and a southwest-northeast vertical to sub-vertical extension. Enrichment of granitic breccias and feldspar in the Grahamstown Dwyka tillite is the source for the formation of kaolin deposits. The weathering starts in the granitic breccias through their extensional fractures and then extends in the matrix, which has micro-fractures that are only visible with the transmitted microscope. Combined extensional strike-slip and dip-slip faulting is responsible for the earthquakes in the region of Grahamstown where the kaolin is formed. There is also an unreported thermal (quartz veins) and neotectonic event identified in this region. 5) The hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt are connected by a regional neotectonic fault. The use of magnetic and electromagnetic methods helped to decipher the occurrence of faults, fractures, dolerite dykes, and variable degree of weathering. Uranium/potassium ratios derived from radiometric surveys show that areas around some hot springs are characterized by enrichment in uranium. High concentrations of thorium are related to its low capacity of being easily dissolved in water. It can be concluded that seismicity, hot springs and accordingly deep groundwater circulation, high density of lineaments, quaternary tectonic uplift, are the predominate characteristics of the three neotectonic zones. Furthermore, on the environmental point of view, thorium concentration is higher than that of either uranium or potassium. Although it is nonetheless below the world average threshold of 7.4 ppm according to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), it may be a source of radiation hazard to humans and animals if they are subjected to prolonged exposure. All the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province present potentials to host good and important aquifers. It is suggested that the Eastern Cape great lineament in the southern neotectonic belt and the Kokstad-Koffiefontein seismic belt in the northern neotectonic belt, be monitored for future research regarding, neotectonics, seismic risk assessment and hydrogeology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Madi, Kakaba
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021270
- Description: The Eastern Cape Province has, besides the three known neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) a fourth zone, which is inactive. This inactive zone is located almost in its central part north of the southern neotectonic zone, and south of the northern neotectonic belt. The three above mentioned neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) were chosen for this study, each one with its own characteristics. This study aims at characterizing and targeting potentially high yield aquifers in the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province. The methods used in this study include: 1) A comprehensive literature review on neotectonics in South Africa in general and in the Eastern Cape Province in particular; 2) Extraction of lineaments through remote sensing and examination of digital elevation models; 3) Examination of seismic data for the subsurface visualization onshore and offshore; 4) Study on the genesis of the Grahamstown kaolin deposits through the structural component; and 5) Acquisition and interpretation of magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric data from three of the hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt. The results indicate the following: 1) Old map of seismic epicentres in South Africa need to be reviewed continually. The Eastern Cape was regarded as quiescent in terms of seismicity. However, the investigation from recent seismic epicenters downloadable from the IRIS website has shown that recent seismic events occurred in the Eastern Cape Province especially in the northern and southern neotectonic belts. The central part located north of the southern neotectonic belt and south of the northern neotectonic belt is inactive. This inactive zone can be considered for the storage of nuclear wastes. 2) The eastern neotectonic belt has, like the northern neotectonic belt, a higher density of lineaments oriented northwest-southeast, which makes it the second important neotectonic belt. These lineaments correlate with the normalized difference vegetation index indicative of a good circulation of groundwater. In the south, the Eastern Cape great lineament oriented east-west is now considered a neotectonic domain because many seismic epicentres occur therein. Its geomorphologic shape in graben type form is a favourable structure for groundwater catchment. The surface topography is not uniform and high elevations in the east are related to the uplift that took place in the Quaternary. Most vector gradients are oriented east-west, a fact to be reckon with in the study of surface water flow and aquifers characterization. 3) Offshore along the east coast, the subsurface is affected by neotectonic faults, which are probably splays of the Agulhas Falkland Fractured Zone (AFFZ). The folds that occur are related to the regional compressional stress known as the Wegener Stress Anomaly (WSM). On land, straight lines from seismic profiles indicate that weathering occurs in consolidated materials probably along faults or fractures, unconsolidated sediments always have wavy profiles. On the other hand, field observations in King Williams Town have clearly shown that a tectonic uplift took place on a dolerite sill overlain by mudstones and sandstones. The uplift is possibly related to the Amatole-Swaziland event that occurred in the last five millions years. The escarpment along this dolerite sill overlain by sedimentary rocks is a meso-scale fault with a dip-slip component. Healthy vegetation and a river flowing parallel to the cliff indicate groundwater flow in the zone of weakness. 4) In the southern neotectonic belt there is a clear northwest-southeast horizontal compression and a southwest-northeast vertical to sub-vertical extension. Enrichment of granitic breccias and feldspar in the Grahamstown Dwyka tillite is the source for the formation of kaolin deposits. The weathering starts in the granitic breccias through their extensional fractures and then extends in the matrix, which has micro-fractures that are only visible with the transmitted microscope. Combined extensional strike-slip and dip-slip faulting is responsible for the earthquakes in the region of Grahamstown where the kaolin is formed. There is also an unreported thermal (quartz veins) and neotectonic event identified in this region. 5) The hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt are connected by a regional neotectonic fault. The use of magnetic and electromagnetic methods helped to decipher the occurrence of faults, fractures, dolerite dykes, and variable degree of weathering. Uranium/potassium ratios derived from radiometric surveys show that areas around some hot springs are characterized by enrichment in uranium. High concentrations of thorium are related to its low capacity of being easily dissolved in water. It can be concluded that seismicity, hot springs and accordingly deep groundwater circulation, high density of lineaments, quaternary tectonic uplift, are the predominate characteristics of the three neotectonic zones. Furthermore, on the environmental point of view, thorium concentration is higher than that of either uranium or potassium. Although it is nonetheless below the world average threshold of 7.4 ppm according to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), it may be a source of radiation hazard to humans and animals if they are subjected to prolonged exposure. All the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province present potentials to host good and important aquifers. It is suggested that the Eastern Cape great lineament in the southern neotectonic belt and the Kokstad-Koffiefontein seismic belt in the northern neotectonic belt, be monitored for future research regarding, neotectonics, seismic risk assessment and hydrogeology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The analysis of the economic impact of climate change on maize production under different farming systems: the case of smallholder Farmers in Jozini Municipality, KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa
- Authors: Nxumalo, Bongiwe Goodness
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11229 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021277 , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Maize is the most grown crop by the farmers in Jozini. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to assess the economic impact of climate change on maize production under different farming systems in Jozini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal (KZN). The study was looking at the smallholder farmers producing maize under dryland and irrigation system. A total of 100 farmers were selected for the study (40 from dry-land and 60 from irrigating farmers). Cluster and random sampling procedures were used to select the sample. Questionnaires were used for the collection of primary data, from the respondents (maize farmers). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margin, regression analysis and the Ricardian model. Data for computing gross margins and net revenue was taken from the on-farm trials. Gross margin was used on regression analysis and the net revenue was used on the Ricardian modelThe results of the regression analysis indicated that land size, farmer’s experience to farming, level of education, use of fertiliser, use of irrigation and the yield obtained were significant and have a positive relationship with farmers gross margin. The results of the Ricardian model indicated that climate change affects both farming systems, but farmers that are producing under dryland are the most affected farmers because they rely more on climate variables especially rainfall for their production. So a change in climate variables affects maize farmers’ productivity and thus affecting farmers’ gross margin and net revenue. The study recommends that the farmers must use irrigation in order to support maize production even in the absence of rainfall. Farmers must also adapt to the short growing season so that they will be able to produce even in the presence of climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nxumalo, Bongiwe Goodness
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11229 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021277 , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Maize is the most grown crop by the farmers in Jozini. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to assess the economic impact of climate change on maize production under different farming systems in Jozini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal (KZN). The study was looking at the smallholder farmers producing maize under dryland and irrigation system. A total of 100 farmers were selected for the study (40 from dry-land and 60 from irrigating farmers). Cluster and random sampling procedures were used to select the sample. Questionnaires were used for the collection of primary data, from the respondents (maize farmers). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margin, regression analysis and the Ricardian model. Data for computing gross margins and net revenue was taken from the on-farm trials. Gross margin was used on regression analysis and the net revenue was used on the Ricardian modelThe results of the regression analysis indicated that land size, farmer’s experience to farming, level of education, use of fertiliser, use of irrigation and the yield obtained were significant and have a positive relationship with farmers gross margin. The results of the Ricardian model indicated that climate change affects both farming systems, but farmers that are producing under dryland are the most affected farmers because they rely more on climate variables especially rainfall for their production. So a change in climate variables affects maize farmers’ productivity and thus affecting farmers’ gross margin and net revenue. The study recommends that the farmers must use irrigation in order to support maize production even in the absence of rainfall. Farmers must also adapt to the short growing season so that they will be able to produce even in the presence of climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014