The generalization ability of artificial neural networks in forecasting TCP/IP network traffic trends
- Authors: Moyo, Vusumuzi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021127
- Description: Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been used in many fields for a variety of applications, and proved to be reliable. They have proved to be one of the most powerful tools in the domain of forecasting and analysis of various time series. The forecasting of TCP/IP network traffic is an important issue receiving growing attention from the computer networks. By improving upon this task, efficient network traffic engineering and anomaly detection tools can be created, resulting in economic gains from better resource management. The use of ANNs requires some critical decisions on the part of the user. These decisions, which are mainly concerned with the determinations of the components of the network structure and the parameters defined for the learning algorithm, can significantly affect the ability of the ANN to generalize, i.e. to have the outputs of the ANN approximate target values given inputs that are not in the training set. This has an impact on the quality of forecasts produced by the ANN. Although there are some discussions in the literature regarding the issues that affect network generalization ability, there is no standard method or approach that is universally accepted to determine the optimum values of these parameters for a particular problem. This research examined the impact a selection of key design features has on the generalization ability of ANNs. We examined how the size and composition of the network architecture, the size of the training samples, the choice of learning algorithm, the training schedule and the size of the learning rate both individually and collectively affect the ability of an ANN to learn the training data and to generalize well to novel data. To investigate this matter, we empirically conducted several experiments in forecasting a real world TCP/IP network traffic time series and the network performance validated using an independent test set. MATLAB version 7.4.0.287’s Neural Network toolbox version 5.0.2 (R2007a) was used for our experiments. The results are found to be promising in terms of ease of design and use of ANNs. Our results indicate that in contrast to Occam’s razor principle for a single hidden layer an increase in number of hidden neurons produces a corresponding increase in generalization ability of ANNs, however larger networks do not always improve the generalization ability of ANNs even though an increase in number of hidden neurons results in a concomitant rise in network generalization. Also, contradicting commonly accepted guidelines, networks trained with a larger representation of the data, exhibit better generalization than networks trained on smaller representations, even though the larger networks have a significantly greater capacity. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that the learning rate, momentum, training schedule and choice of learning algorithm have as much a significant effect on ANN generalization ability. A number of conclusions were drawn from the results and later used to generate a comprehensive set of guidelines that will facilitate the process of design and use of ANNs in TCP/IP network traffic forecasting. The main contribution of this research lies in the identification of optimal strategies for the use of ANNs in forecasting TCP/IP network traffic trends. Although the information obtained from the tests carried out in this research is specific to the problem considered, it provides users of back-propagation networks with a valuable guide on the behaviour of networks under a wide range of operating conditions. It is important to note that the guidelines accrued from this research are of an assistive and not necessarily restrictive nature to potential ANN modellers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Moyo, Vusumuzi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021127
- Description: Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been used in many fields for a variety of applications, and proved to be reliable. They have proved to be one of the most powerful tools in the domain of forecasting and analysis of various time series. The forecasting of TCP/IP network traffic is an important issue receiving growing attention from the computer networks. By improving upon this task, efficient network traffic engineering and anomaly detection tools can be created, resulting in economic gains from better resource management. The use of ANNs requires some critical decisions on the part of the user. These decisions, which are mainly concerned with the determinations of the components of the network structure and the parameters defined for the learning algorithm, can significantly affect the ability of the ANN to generalize, i.e. to have the outputs of the ANN approximate target values given inputs that are not in the training set. This has an impact on the quality of forecasts produced by the ANN. Although there are some discussions in the literature regarding the issues that affect network generalization ability, there is no standard method or approach that is universally accepted to determine the optimum values of these parameters for a particular problem. This research examined the impact a selection of key design features has on the generalization ability of ANNs. We examined how the size and composition of the network architecture, the size of the training samples, the choice of learning algorithm, the training schedule and the size of the learning rate both individually and collectively affect the ability of an ANN to learn the training data and to generalize well to novel data. To investigate this matter, we empirically conducted several experiments in forecasting a real world TCP/IP network traffic time series and the network performance validated using an independent test set. MATLAB version 7.4.0.287’s Neural Network toolbox version 5.0.2 (R2007a) was used for our experiments. The results are found to be promising in terms of ease of design and use of ANNs. Our results indicate that in contrast to Occam’s razor principle for a single hidden layer an increase in number of hidden neurons produces a corresponding increase in generalization ability of ANNs, however larger networks do not always improve the generalization ability of ANNs even though an increase in number of hidden neurons results in a concomitant rise in network generalization. Also, contradicting commonly accepted guidelines, networks trained with a larger representation of the data, exhibit better generalization than networks trained on smaller representations, even though the larger networks have a significantly greater capacity. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that the learning rate, momentum, training schedule and choice of learning algorithm have as much a significant effect on ANN generalization ability. A number of conclusions were drawn from the results and later used to generate a comprehensive set of guidelines that will facilitate the process of design and use of ANNs in TCP/IP network traffic forecasting. The main contribution of this research lies in the identification of optimal strategies for the use of ANNs in forecasting TCP/IP network traffic trends. Although the information obtained from the tests carried out in this research is specific to the problem considered, it provides users of back-propagation networks with a valuable guide on the behaviour of networks under a wide range of operating conditions. It is important to note that the guidelines accrued from this research are of an assistive and not necessarily restrictive nature to potential ANN modellers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The impact of land and agrarian reforms on poverty alleviation: lessons from the Jay Dee Rovon workers trust and Mon Desire in Joubertina, Eastern Cape-South Africa
- Authors: Mqikela, Ntombozuko
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11207 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016070 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The broad objective of the study is to investigate the impact of Land and Agrarian reforms on poverty alleviation in Joubertina. Purposive sampling method (non-probability sampling) was carried out mainly on two groups of people, land reform beneficiary in Jay Dee Rovon and non-beneficiary in Mon Desire. Moreover, the stratified random sampling method was also applied in Jay Dee Rovon to choose a sample of 60 households from 129 land reform beneficiaries in Jay Dee Rovon and simple random sample of 60 applied to Mon Desire household subsistence. Binary Logistic Regression model was used to test factors that influenced beneficiary on level of production. Results indicated that age and farming experience were significant variables. Age had a negative coefficient value, meaning an increase in age was less likely to cause beneficiary to produce at commercial level. Descriptive statistics revealed that farming activities in the study areas seems to be performed mostly by relatively medium age people followed by younger people and lastly by the older people. Moreover, farming experience with positive coefficient revealed that it is highly likely to influence the beneficiary to produce at commercial for marketing. The older the farmer the more the experience s/he had in farming activities. However, descriptive revealed, medium and young age people with little knowledge tend to be more active than older people on farming activities but on the other hand they are more capable of carrying out physical activities. The results revealed that land reform beneficiaries likely to influence the level of production for marketing while non-beneficiaries produce for home consumption and little for sale in local market. An improvement on yield results an increase on income and thus leading to a change in ownership of household’s durable assets. An increase in yield also indirectly results employment recreation, increasing real wage and improve farm income thus leading to poverty reduction in JDR as compare to MD. The study recommends that the government should also assist non-beneficiaries in MD with agricultural infrastructure to improve their level of production and food security at household level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mqikela, Ntombozuko
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11207 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016070 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The broad objective of the study is to investigate the impact of Land and Agrarian reforms on poverty alleviation in Joubertina. Purposive sampling method (non-probability sampling) was carried out mainly on two groups of people, land reform beneficiary in Jay Dee Rovon and non-beneficiary in Mon Desire. Moreover, the stratified random sampling method was also applied in Jay Dee Rovon to choose a sample of 60 households from 129 land reform beneficiaries in Jay Dee Rovon and simple random sample of 60 applied to Mon Desire household subsistence. Binary Logistic Regression model was used to test factors that influenced beneficiary on level of production. Results indicated that age and farming experience were significant variables. Age had a negative coefficient value, meaning an increase in age was less likely to cause beneficiary to produce at commercial level. Descriptive statistics revealed that farming activities in the study areas seems to be performed mostly by relatively medium age people followed by younger people and lastly by the older people. Moreover, farming experience with positive coefficient revealed that it is highly likely to influence the beneficiary to produce at commercial for marketing. The older the farmer the more the experience s/he had in farming activities. However, descriptive revealed, medium and young age people with little knowledge tend to be more active than older people on farming activities but on the other hand they are more capable of carrying out physical activities. The results revealed that land reform beneficiaries likely to influence the level of production for marketing while non-beneficiaries produce for home consumption and little for sale in local market. An improvement on yield results an increase on income and thus leading to a change in ownership of household’s durable assets. An increase in yield also indirectly results employment recreation, increasing real wage and improve farm income thus leading to poverty reduction in JDR as compare to MD. The study recommends that the government should also assist non-beneficiaries in MD with agricultural infrastructure to improve their level of production and food security at household level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Towards the modeling of indigenous poultry production in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: characterization and extension evaluation for poverty reduction
- Yusuf, Shehu Folaranmi Gbolahan Shehu
- Authors: Yusuf, Shehu Folaranmi Gbolahan Shehu
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Poultry -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11223 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019833 , Poultry -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Poverty remains a critical issue mostly in the rural South Africa. Various initiatives, policies and programs have been enacted by the government with attempting to reduce poverty at the national and provincial levels; poverty is yet to be abated. The target of the Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG1) of halving poverty by the year 2015 notwithstanding, poverty remains a threat to quality livelihoods. Agriculture has continued to be one of the pillars of government efforts to address poverty. However, in livestock production interventions, efforts of government had largely been on cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and exotic poultry with little attention being given to indigenous poultry production (IPP). This study explores the option of using IPP to address rural poverty by capitalizing on its minimal inputs while recognizing its prevalence in a variety of households. The study addresses the characterization of the IPP from the perspectives of housing, feeding, healthcare management, breeding and marketing options.Skill competencies of the indigenous poultry farmers (IPFs) and the Agricultural Development Technicians (ADTs) were examined. This study reviewed poultry models in different parts of the world with special attention to Africa. The human resource development program of the department of rural development and agrarian reform was discussed. The study employed the use of multi-methods approach, the quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Descriptive statistical analysis, frequent count, percentage, means, standard deviation, chisquare, and principal component analysis was used in the quantitative data analysis while the “open social system” was used for the qualitative methodology. Findings revealed that IPFs face some challenges among which are, the poor housing that exposed the birds to inclement weather, predator attacks and stock theft, high mortality of chicks after hatching and expensive feed for the flock. The IPFs showed competencies in nine skill items that included ability to identify chicken predators (x=3.92) and high yielding chickens (x=3.79); control of predators(x=3.77); methods of using ethno veterinary drugs to treat chicken diseases and pests (x=3.72), and identify signs of diseases (x=3.69), among others. However, the ADTs did not show any competency in any of the 32 skills items. The principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was performed to ascertain the dimensionality of the measures. Six factors with eigen value of >1, which accounted for 77.317% were extracted, with each factor loading ranging from 0.523 to 0.93. Factor loading after rotation that emerged on the same component was described; as brooding, shelter and care of the chicks; predators and healthcare; hygiene and litter management; feeds and feeding stuff; and record keeping and marketing. The findings on the human resource development revealed that staff meetings were the most common method of capacity development. This was followed by in-service-training, formal study, workshop, and on the job training. The farmers’ field school and study tours were sparingly used. However, respondents were in favor of on-site training, staff meetings, formal study and in-service training. The findings on the appropriate model suggest a theoretical indigenous poultry production model (IPPM) for the Eastern Cape Province (ECP). The “open social system” was used to develop a framework for an indigenous poultry cooperative society (to be known as Abafuyi Benkukhu Zemveli [ABZ]). This was meant to create a binding force for capacity development, a strong economic foundation through equity contributions, creation of marketing channels, and the development of a concept of ‘‘our own'' product in the market. Lastly, the study offers options for a training program that would accommodate the new initiatives, with a strong capacity development training approach. In this context, the study advocates for institutional support for the IPFs and the incorporation of indigenous poultry in the curriculum of the agricultural training programs at higher education institutions in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Yusuf, Shehu Folaranmi Gbolahan Shehu
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Poultry -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11223 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019833 , Poultry -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Poverty remains a critical issue mostly in the rural South Africa. Various initiatives, policies and programs have been enacted by the government with attempting to reduce poverty at the national and provincial levels; poverty is yet to be abated. The target of the Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG1) of halving poverty by the year 2015 notwithstanding, poverty remains a threat to quality livelihoods. Agriculture has continued to be one of the pillars of government efforts to address poverty. However, in livestock production interventions, efforts of government had largely been on cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and exotic poultry with little attention being given to indigenous poultry production (IPP). This study explores the option of using IPP to address rural poverty by capitalizing on its minimal inputs while recognizing its prevalence in a variety of households. The study addresses the characterization of the IPP from the perspectives of housing, feeding, healthcare management, breeding and marketing options.Skill competencies of the indigenous poultry farmers (IPFs) and the Agricultural Development Technicians (ADTs) were examined. This study reviewed poultry models in different parts of the world with special attention to Africa. The human resource development program of the department of rural development and agrarian reform was discussed. The study employed the use of multi-methods approach, the quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Descriptive statistical analysis, frequent count, percentage, means, standard deviation, chisquare, and principal component analysis was used in the quantitative data analysis while the “open social system” was used for the qualitative methodology. Findings revealed that IPFs face some challenges among which are, the poor housing that exposed the birds to inclement weather, predator attacks and stock theft, high mortality of chicks after hatching and expensive feed for the flock. The IPFs showed competencies in nine skill items that included ability to identify chicken predators (x=3.92) and high yielding chickens (x=3.79); control of predators(x=3.77); methods of using ethno veterinary drugs to treat chicken diseases and pests (x=3.72), and identify signs of diseases (x=3.69), among others. However, the ADTs did not show any competency in any of the 32 skills items. The principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was performed to ascertain the dimensionality of the measures. Six factors with eigen value of >1, which accounted for 77.317% were extracted, with each factor loading ranging from 0.523 to 0.93. Factor loading after rotation that emerged on the same component was described; as brooding, shelter and care of the chicks; predators and healthcare; hygiene and litter management; feeds and feeding stuff; and record keeping and marketing. The findings on the human resource development revealed that staff meetings were the most common method of capacity development. This was followed by in-service-training, formal study, workshop, and on the job training. The farmers’ field school and study tours were sparingly used. However, respondents were in favor of on-site training, staff meetings, formal study and in-service training. The findings on the appropriate model suggest a theoretical indigenous poultry production model (IPPM) for the Eastern Cape Province (ECP). The “open social system” was used to develop a framework for an indigenous poultry cooperative society (to be known as Abafuyi Benkukhu Zemveli [ABZ]). This was meant to create a binding force for capacity development, a strong economic foundation through equity contributions, creation of marketing channels, and the development of a concept of ‘‘our own'' product in the market. Lastly, the study offers options for a training program that would accommodate the new initiatives, with a strong capacity development training approach. In this context, the study advocates for institutional support for the IPFs and the incorporation of indigenous poultry in the curriculum of the agricultural training programs at higher education institutions in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Water footprint of growing vegetables in selected smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa
- Authors: Nyambo, Patrick
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Water consumption , Irrigation efficiency , Rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Soil Science)
- Identifier: vital:11964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019775 , Water consumption , Irrigation efficiency , Rural development
- Description: Knowledge of water use, through water foot printing (WF) in smallholder agriculture crop production is the key to the global fight against poverty, achievement of food security and sustainability within the world’s rural community. Water footprint of a crop can be defined as the volume of fresh water used to produce a certain crop in all the steps in the production line. This study, therefore aimed at contributing towards improvements in rural livelihoods by raising awareness of the increased productive use of green, blue and grey water in smallholder agriculture in South Africa. This was done through determination of water footprints of five vegetable crops, i.e. potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), cabbage (Brassica oleracea spp) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in the 2000-2013 period. Quantification of water footprints has been done worldwide but, in South Africa (SA) focus has mostly been on the industrial and domestic sector. Water footprint assessment framework, was used to estimate the full impact of vegetable production on water resources at Zanyokwe, Thabina and Tugela Ferry irrigation schemes as case studies. The CROPWAT@ model was used to calculate crop evapotranspiration, differentiating green and blue water. Local climatic data were obtained from SA weather services, while the crop and soil parameters were obtained from the FAO data base. Nitrogen was considered the main pollutant hence its use in the grey water footprint calculation. Generally, Thabina irrigation scheme had the highest water footprint, followed by Tugela Ferry irrigation scheme whilst Zanyokwe irrigation scheme had the lowest. Green beans had the highest water footprint at all the three irrigation schemes with Thabina irrigation scheme having the highest (3535.1 m3/ton). For Tugela Ferry irrigation scheme, the calculated WF was 2753 m3/ton whilst the lowest was observed at ZIS i.e. 2407.6 m3/ton. Cabbage had the lowest water footprint. The highest water footprint for growing cabbage was 254.5 m3/ton in TFIS, 223.1 m3/ton in TIS and the lowest was 217.8 m3/ton in ZIS. The differences observed in the WF of a crop at each scheme maybe attributed to the differences management, weather and environmental characteristics, in the three locations. Moreover, the needs for ET are related to soil type and plant growth, and primarily depend on crop development and climatic factors which are closely related to climatic demands. The grey water footprint was calculated using the recommended fertilizer application rates for all the three sites. Green beans had the highest WFgrey i.e. 373 m3/ton and the lowest was cabbage with 37 m3/ton. Potato, spinach and tomatoes had 156 m3/ton, 214 m3/ton and 132 m3/ton, respectively. Grey water footprint in this study was higher as compared to other studies, possibly because of the high rates of nitrogen fertilizers used in the calculations and the low yields farmers get. Compared with estimates from other studies, the water footprints of vegetable production within smallholder irrigation schemes was relatively high. There is therefore, a need to focus on crop management and tillage practices that will help in increasing yield while minimizing water usage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nyambo, Patrick
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Water consumption , Irrigation efficiency , Rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Soil Science)
- Identifier: vital:11964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019775 , Water consumption , Irrigation efficiency , Rural development
- Description: Knowledge of water use, through water foot printing (WF) in smallholder agriculture crop production is the key to the global fight against poverty, achievement of food security and sustainability within the world’s rural community. Water footprint of a crop can be defined as the volume of fresh water used to produce a certain crop in all the steps in the production line. This study, therefore aimed at contributing towards improvements in rural livelihoods by raising awareness of the increased productive use of green, blue and grey water in smallholder agriculture in South Africa. This was done through determination of water footprints of five vegetable crops, i.e. potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), cabbage (Brassica oleracea spp) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in the 2000-2013 period. Quantification of water footprints has been done worldwide but, in South Africa (SA) focus has mostly been on the industrial and domestic sector. Water footprint assessment framework, was used to estimate the full impact of vegetable production on water resources at Zanyokwe, Thabina and Tugela Ferry irrigation schemes as case studies. The CROPWAT@ model was used to calculate crop evapotranspiration, differentiating green and blue water. Local climatic data were obtained from SA weather services, while the crop and soil parameters were obtained from the FAO data base. Nitrogen was considered the main pollutant hence its use in the grey water footprint calculation. Generally, Thabina irrigation scheme had the highest water footprint, followed by Tugela Ferry irrigation scheme whilst Zanyokwe irrigation scheme had the lowest. Green beans had the highest water footprint at all the three irrigation schemes with Thabina irrigation scheme having the highest (3535.1 m3/ton). For Tugela Ferry irrigation scheme, the calculated WF was 2753 m3/ton whilst the lowest was observed at ZIS i.e. 2407.6 m3/ton. Cabbage had the lowest water footprint. The highest water footprint for growing cabbage was 254.5 m3/ton in TFIS, 223.1 m3/ton in TIS and the lowest was 217.8 m3/ton in ZIS. The differences observed in the WF of a crop at each scheme maybe attributed to the differences management, weather and environmental characteristics, in the three locations. Moreover, the needs for ET are related to soil type and plant growth, and primarily depend on crop development and climatic factors which are closely related to climatic demands. The grey water footprint was calculated using the recommended fertilizer application rates for all the three sites. Green beans had the highest WFgrey i.e. 373 m3/ton and the lowest was cabbage with 37 m3/ton. Potato, spinach and tomatoes had 156 m3/ton, 214 m3/ton and 132 m3/ton, respectively. Grey water footprint in this study was higher as compared to other studies, possibly because of the high rates of nitrogen fertilizers used in the calculations and the low yields farmers get. Compared with estimates from other studies, the water footprints of vegetable production within smallholder irrigation schemes was relatively high. There is therefore, a need to focus on crop management and tillage practices that will help in increasing yield while minimizing water usage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Wild vegetables of the Eastern Cape of South Africa: the nutritional value and domestication of solanum nigrum l
- Authors: Bvenura, Callistus
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Ethnobotany)
- Identifier: vital:11885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015514
- Description: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Alice and Willowvale in the Nkonkobe and Mbashe municipalities of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa to identify and document wild vegetables growing in the areas. The survey documented 22 vegetable species belonging to 12 different families. The Amaryllidaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cruciferae, Cucurbitaceaea, Euphorbiaceae, Tiliaceae, Solanaceae, Polygonaceae and Urticaceae were the families that were recorded. The species were Tulbaghia violacea Harv., Amaranthus blitoides S., Amaranthus blitum L., Amaranthus hybridus L., Centella coriacea Nannfd., Bidens pilosa L, Cotula heterocarpa DC., Sonchus oleraceus L., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Taraxacum officinale Weber, Hypochaeris radicata L., Stellaria media L., Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium murale L., Ipomoea batatas L., Sisymbrium thellungii O. Schulz, Cucurbita pepo L., Rumex crispus L., Acalypha virginica L., Nicandra physalodes L., Physalis peruviana L., Solanum nigrum L., Urtica urens L. and Corchorus olitorius L. About 27 % of the wild vegetables were native to South Africa and about 45 % were also used as medicinal plants in the areas. Sun drying was the most common method of preserving the wild vegetables for the off season months. This study also revealed that, men and the younger generation knew less about wild vegetables than the women. The study also revealed a loss of knowledge of wild vegetables and their use by the rural dwellers who are more in favour of the exotic types such as spinach and cabbage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Bvenura, Callistus
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Ethnobotany)
- Identifier: vital:11885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015514
- Description: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Alice and Willowvale in the Nkonkobe and Mbashe municipalities of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa to identify and document wild vegetables growing in the areas. The survey documented 22 vegetable species belonging to 12 different families. The Amaryllidaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cruciferae, Cucurbitaceaea, Euphorbiaceae, Tiliaceae, Solanaceae, Polygonaceae and Urticaceae were the families that were recorded. The species were Tulbaghia violacea Harv., Amaranthus blitoides S., Amaranthus blitum L., Amaranthus hybridus L., Centella coriacea Nannfd., Bidens pilosa L, Cotula heterocarpa DC., Sonchus oleraceus L., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Taraxacum officinale Weber, Hypochaeris radicata L., Stellaria media L., Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium murale L., Ipomoea batatas L., Sisymbrium thellungii O. Schulz, Cucurbita pepo L., Rumex crispus L., Acalypha virginica L., Nicandra physalodes L., Physalis peruviana L., Solanum nigrum L., Urtica urens L. and Corchorus olitorius L. About 27 % of the wild vegetables were native to South Africa and about 45 % were also used as medicinal plants in the areas. Sun drying was the most common method of preserving the wild vegetables for the off season months. This study also revealed that, men and the younger generation knew less about wild vegetables than the women. The study also revealed a loss of knowledge of wild vegetables and their use by the rural dwellers who are more in favour of the exotic types such as spinach and cabbage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
‘Student life’ discourse and the perception of risk for HIV infection among undergraduate nursing students, at a university, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mnwana, Sindiswa Millicent
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11922 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019830
- Description: There is evidence that the HIV prevalence rates among South African university students remains low at 3.4 %. However, the vulnerability of young people to HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious concern as the prevalence of sexual risk behaviour among students in South African universities is reported to reach 68% in heterosexual relationships. Some analysts argue that so far little is known about the influence of the university culture (the so called “student life”) in this behaviour. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the risk for HIV infection amongst undergraduate nursing students at an institution of higher learning (university) in East London, Eastern Cape. More specifically, the study examined the ways in which the ‘student life’ discourse functions to influence students’ perceptions of the risk to HIV infection at the selected institution of higher learning. An explorative and descriptive qualitative design was used. The purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. In total, 12 one to one interviews and four focus group discussions (n=35) were conducted. An interview guide was used and a voice recorder to record interviews. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the research sought to provide insight into the perceptions of risk for HIV infection. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and the themes identified formed the basis for discussion in this study. Among the key findings, that emerged from this study was that knowledge about potential risks to HIV/AIDS did not seem to influence the general sexual behaviour of students. A majority of the participants, 90% that were interviewed individually perceived themselves to be at “little or no” risk of contracting HIV/AIDS despite the high prevalence of HIV risk indicators among them. One of the main findings was that the students’ values that they bring from home were seriously challenged by the student life when they arrived at the university. Therefore in this regard undergraduate nursing students should be equipped by the university with aspects of sexual behaviour such as sexual negotiation and sexual decision making. This would equip them with the necessary skills to resist peer pressure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mnwana, Sindiswa Millicent
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11922 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019830
- Description: There is evidence that the HIV prevalence rates among South African university students remains low at 3.4 %. However, the vulnerability of young people to HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious concern as the prevalence of sexual risk behaviour among students in South African universities is reported to reach 68% in heterosexual relationships. Some analysts argue that so far little is known about the influence of the university culture (the so called “student life”) in this behaviour. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the risk for HIV infection amongst undergraduate nursing students at an institution of higher learning (university) in East London, Eastern Cape. More specifically, the study examined the ways in which the ‘student life’ discourse functions to influence students’ perceptions of the risk to HIV infection at the selected institution of higher learning. An explorative and descriptive qualitative design was used. The purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. In total, 12 one to one interviews and four focus group discussions (n=35) were conducted. An interview guide was used and a voice recorder to record interviews. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the research sought to provide insight into the perceptions of risk for HIV infection. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and the themes identified formed the basis for discussion in this study. Among the key findings, that emerged from this study was that knowledge about potential risks to HIV/AIDS did not seem to influence the general sexual behaviour of students. A majority of the participants, 90% that were interviewed individually perceived themselves to be at “little or no” risk of contracting HIV/AIDS despite the high prevalence of HIV risk indicators among them. One of the main findings was that the students’ values that they bring from home were seriously challenged by the student life when they arrived at the university. Therefore in this regard undergraduate nursing students should be equipped by the university with aspects of sexual behaviour such as sexual negotiation and sexual decision making. This would equip them with the necessary skills to resist peer pressure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Water and its microbiome: our allies or nemeses? Judge for yourself
- Authors: Okoh, Anthony I
- Date: 2013-11-06
- Subjects: Population growth , Water usage , Urbanisation , Water conservation , Water microbiome -- waste water
- Language: English
- Type: Inaugural lecture
- Identifier: vital:11978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007259 , Population growth , Water usage , Urbanisation , Water conservation , Water microbiome -- waste water
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-11-06
- Authors: Okoh, Anthony I
- Date: 2013-11-06
- Subjects: Population growth , Water usage , Urbanisation , Water conservation , Water microbiome -- waste water
- Language: English
- Type: Inaugural lecture
- Identifier: vital:11978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007259 , Population growth , Water usage , Urbanisation , Water conservation , Water microbiome -- waste water
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-11-06
A farm to fork approach to meat science
- Authors: Muchenje, Voster
- Date: 2013-06-10
- Subjects: Animal welfare , Biomarkers , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses , Nguni cattle , Meat consumption , Sensory evaluation , Meat industry and trade -- Quality control , Meat quality
- Language: English
- Type: Inaugural lecture
- Identifier: vital:11979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007272 , Animal welfare , Biomarkers , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses , Nguni cattle , Meat consumption , Sensory evaluation , Meat industry and trade -- Quality control , Meat quality
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-06-10
- Authors: Muchenje, Voster
- Date: 2013-06-10
- Subjects: Animal welfare , Biomarkers , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses , Nguni cattle , Meat consumption , Sensory evaluation , Meat industry and trade -- Quality control , Meat quality
- Language: English
- Type: Inaugural lecture
- Identifier: vital:11979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007272 , Animal welfare , Biomarkers , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses , Nguni cattle , Meat consumption , Sensory evaluation , Meat industry and trade -- Quality control , Meat quality
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-06-10
A feasibility study of wireless network technologies for rural broadband connectivity
- Authors: Twele, Nombulelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016167 , Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The adoption of wireless broadband technologies to provide network and Internet connectivity in rural communities has conveyed the possibility to overcome the challenges caused by marginalization and many other characteristics possessed by these rural communities. With their different capabilities, these technologies enable communication for rural communities internally within the community and externally on a global scale. Deployment of these technologies in rural areas requires consideration of different factors - these are in contrast, to those considered when deploying these technologies in non-rural, urban areas. Numerous research show consideration of facts for deployment of broadband technologies in urban/ non-rural environments and a little has been done in considering facts for deployment in rural environments. Hence this research aims to define guidelines for selection of broadband technologies and make recommendations on which technologies are suitable for deployment in rural communities, thereby considering facts that are true only within these rural communities. To achieve this, the research determines the metrics that are relevant and important to consider when deploying wireless broadband technology in rural communities of South Africa. It further undertakes a survey of wireless broadband technologies that are suitable for deployment in such areas. The study first profiles a list of wireless communication technologies, determines and documents characteristics of rural communities in Africa, determines metrics used to declare technologies feasible in rural areas. The metrics and rural characteristics are then used to identify technologies that are better suited than others. Informed by this initial profiling, one technology: mobile WiMAX is then selected for deployment and further evaluation. A technical review of mobile WiMAX is then carried out by deploying it at our research site in the rural, marginalized community of Dwesa (Eastern Cape, South Africa). The final section of this research provides recommendations that mobile WiMAX, LTE and Wi-Fi are the best suitable technologies for deployment in rural marginalized environments. This has been supported by extensive research and real life deployment of both Wi-Fi and mobile WiMAX. This research also recommends consideration of the following facts when seeking deployment of these technologies in rural communities: the geographical setting of the target terrain, the distances between sources and target customers and distances between target communities, weather conditions of the area, applications to be deployed over the network, social well-being of the community and their financial freedom as well.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Twele, Nombulelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016167 , Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The adoption of wireless broadband technologies to provide network and Internet connectivity in rural communities has conveyed the possibility to overcome the challenges caused by marginalization and many other characteristics possessed by these rural communities. With their different capabilities, these technologies enable communication for rural communities internally within the community and externally on a global scale. Deployment of these technologies in rural areas requires consideration of different factors - these are in contrast, to those considered when deploying these technologies in non-rural, urban areas. Numerous research show consideration of facts for deployment of broadband technologies in urban/ non-rural environments and a little has been done in considering facts for deployment in rural environments. Hence this research aims to define guidelines for selection of broadband technologies and make recommendations on which technologies are suitable for deployment in rural communities, thereby considering facts that are true only within these rural communities. To achieve this, the research determines the metrics that are relevant and important to consider when deploying wireless broadband technology in rural communities of South Africa. It further undertakes a survey of wireless broadband technologies that are suitable for deployment in such areas. The study first profiles a list of wireless communication technologies, determines and documents characteristics of rural communities in Africa, determines metrics used to declare technologies feasible in rural areas. The metrics and rural characteristics are then used to identify technologies that are better suited than others. Informed by this initial profiling, one technology: mobile WiMAX is then selected for deployment and further evaluation. A technical review of mobile WiMAX is then carried out by deploying it at our research site in the rural, marginalized community of Dwesa (Eastern Cape, South Africa). The final section of this research provides recommendations that mobile WiMAX, LTE and Wi-Fi are the best suitable technologies for deployment in rural marginalized environments. This has been supported by extensive research and real life deployment of both Wi-Fi and mobile WiMAX. This research also recommends consideration of the following facts when seeking deployment of these technologies in rural communities: the geographical setting of the target terrain, the distances between sources and target customers and distances between target communities, weather conditions of the area, applications to be deployed over the network, social well-being of the community and their financial freedom as well.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A simulation study of the behaviour of the logrank test under different levels of stratification and sample sizes
- Authors: Jubane, Ido
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Statistics , Survival analysis (Biometry)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018559 , Statistics , Survival analysis (Biometry)
- Description: In clinical trials, patients are enrolled into two treatment arms. A researcher may be interested in studying the effectiveness of a new drug or the comparison of two drugs for the treatment of a disease. This survival data is later analysed using the logrank test or the Cox regression model to detect differences in survivor functions. However, the power function of the logrank test depends solely on the number of patients enrolled into the study. Because statisticians will always minimise type I and type II errors, a researcher carrying out a clinical trial must define beforehand, the number of patients to be enrolled into the clinical study. Without proper sample size and power estimation a clinical trial may fail to detect a false hypothesis of the equality of survivor functions. This study presents through simulation, a way of power and sample size estimation for clinical trials that use the logrank test for their data analysis and suggests an easy method to estimate power and sample size in such clinical studies. Findings on power analysis and sample size estimation on logrank test are applied to two real examples: one is the Veterans' Administration Lung Cancer study; and the other is the data from a placebo controlled trial of gamma interferon in chronic granulotomous disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Jubane, Ido
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Statistics , Survival analysis (Biometry)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018559 , Statistics , Survival analysis (Biometry)
- Description: In clinical trials, patients are enrolled into two treatment arms. A researcher may be interested in studying the effectiveness of a new drug or the comparison of two drugs for the treatment of a disease. This survival data is later analysed using the logrank test or the Cox regression model to detect differences in survivor functions. However, the power function of the logrank test depends solely on the number of patients enrolled into the study. Because statisticians will always minimise type I and type II errors, a researcher carrying out a clinical trial must define beforehand, the number of patients to be enrolled into the clinical study. Without proper sample size and power estimation a clinical trial may fail to detect a false hypothesis of the equality of survivor functions. This study presents through simulation, a way of power and sample size estimation for clinical trials that use the logrank test for their data analysis and suggests an easy method to estimate power and sample size in such clinical studies. Findings on power analysis and sample size estimation on logrank test are applied to two real examples: one is the Veterans' Administration Lung Cancer study; and the other is the data from a placebo controlled trial of gamma interferon in chronic granulotomous disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A study of psychological intervention strategies used by national soccer coaches for male teams in South Africa
- Authors: Xoxo, Thabo Daniel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sports -- Psychological aspects , Soccer players -- South Africa , Soccer coaches -- South Africa , Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa , Imagery (Psychology) , Soccer -- Coaching -- South Africa , Goal setting -- Mental imagery , Mental imagery -- Team cohesion , Relaxation training -- Psychological intervention strategies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (HMS)
- Identifier: vital:11543 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006883 , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Soccer players -- South Africa , Soccer coaches -- South Africa , Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa , Imagery (Psychology) , Soccer -- Coaching -- South Africa , Goal setting -- Mental imagery , Mental imagery -- Team cohesion , Relaxation training -- Psychological intervention strategies
- Description: The purpose of the current study was to examine the Psychological Intervention Strategies (PIS) that are used by coaches for male soccer teams in South Africa to enhance the performance of the national soccer teams. National soccer coaches for male teams (n = 4) completed a questionnaire and attended in-depth interview. Results from both the questionnaire and in-depth interview revealed a lack of knowledge of PIS which was further supported by the data from the analysis. While some of the coaches did not utilise goal setting and relaxation in their coaching responsibilities, the current results further show that these soccer coaches do not utilise mental imagery as well. These results suggest that the SAFA soccer coaches could not integrate PIS in the coaching. Although the results cannot be generalised there is evidence that the SAFA trained soccer coaches demonstrate inadequacy in using PIS in their soccer coaching. The study finds that soccer coaches are psychologically under-prepared for their arduous task of soccer coaching. By implication the players are also mentally under-prepared that they cannot face their peers competitively. Current studies point to this psychological preparedness as the psychological momentum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Xoxo, Thabo Daniel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sports -- Psychological aspects , Soccer players -- South Africa , Soccer coaches -- South Africa , Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa , Imagery (Psychology) , Soccer -- Coaching -- South Africa , Goal setting -- Mental imagery , Mental imagery -- Team cohesion , Relaxation training -- Psychological intervention strategies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (HMS)
- Identifier: vital:11543 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006883 , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Soccer players -- South Africa , Soccer coaches -- South Africa , Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa , Imagery (Psychology) , Soccer -- Coaching -- South Africa , Goal setting -- Mental imagery , Mental imagery -- Team cohesion , Relaxation training -- Psychological intervention strategies
- Description: The purpose of the current study was to examine the Psychological Intervention Strategies (PIS) that are used by coaches for male soccer teams in South Africa to enhance the performance of the national soccer teams. National soccer coaches for male teams (n = 4) completed a questionnaire and attended in-depth interview. Results from both the questionnaire and in-depth interview revealed a lack of knowledge of PIS which was further supported by the data from the analysis. While some of the coaches did not utilise goal setting and relaxation in their coaching responsibilities, the current results further show that these soccer coaches do not utilise mental imagery as well. These results suggest that the SAFA soccer coaches could not integrate PIS in the coaching. Although the results cannot be generalised there is evidence that the SAFA trained soccer coaches demonstrate inadequacy in using PIS in their soccer coaching. The study finds that soccer coaches are psychologically under-prepared for their arduous task of soccer coaching. By implication the players are also mentally under-prepared that they cannot face their peers competitively. Current studies point to this psychological preparedness as the psychological momentum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Abalone poaching in the East london area, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Nini, Nobuhle Aurelia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Abalone culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fisheries -- Licenses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil (Environmental Studies)
- Identifier: vital:11879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006805 , Abalone culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fisheries -- Licenses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Abalone poaching is a major problem in South Africa. The South African abalone, Haliotis midae, rates as an extreme example of high levels of illegal harvesting. The research aimed at examining the role of the different role players in preventing poaching of the species in the East London area of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and determining the challenges the officers faced as there was an increase in poaching in the area. To achieve this aim, the research techniques including questionnaires, interviews and focus groups were used. Fisheries compliance and enforcement faces challenges of the illegal harvesting of abalone since 1994. In the past 18 years (1994-2012), and more specifically in the past nine years (2004-2012), poaching of abalone has increased at an alarming rate along the East London coastline. The failure of the state to issue fishing rights and conduct effective sea-based compliance, combined with the incentives to fish abalone created the conditions for rapid emergence of illegal harvesting. The uncontrolled fishing had a dramatic effect on the stock, and the average size of abalone decreased significantly. The Eastern Cape Province abalone cultivation industries were developed due to the decline in harvesting of abalone. Government departments such as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism; the South African Police Services together with the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency have conducted joint operations to combat the illegal harvesting of abalone. These operations have led to many arrests of abalone poachers along the East London coastline. The quantity of confiscated abalone has increased from 2007 to 2011. The positive results achieved by the departments during joint operations showcase robust efforts to eradicate the environmental transgression in the East London Coastline. Joint operations are encouraged by all the departments to save the species for future generations. Workshops involving different stakeholders had to take place and the policies in place must have a bottom-up approach where communities are involved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nini, Nobuhle Aurelia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Abalone culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fisheries -- Licenses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil (Environmental Studies)
- Identifier: vital:11879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006805 , Abalone culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abalone populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fisheries -- Licenses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Abalone poaching is a major problem in South Africa. The South African abalone, Haliotis midae, rates as an extreme example of high levels of illegal harvesting. The research aimed at examining the role of the different role players in preventing poaching of the species in the East London area of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and determining the challenges the officers faced as there was an increase in poaching in the area. To achieve this aim, the research techniques including questionnaires, interviews and focus groups were used. Fisheries compliance and enforcement faces challenges of the illegal harvesting of abalone since 1994. In the past 18 years (1994-2012), and more specifically in the past nine years (2004-2012), poaching of abalone has increased at an alarming rate along the East London coastline. The failure of the state to issue fishing rights and conduct effective sea-based compliance, combined with the incentives to fish abalone created the conditions for rapid emergence of illegal harvesting. The uncontrolled fishing had a dramatic effect on the stock, and the average size of abalone decreased significantly. The Eastern Cape Province abalone cultivation industries were developed due to the decline in harvesting of abalone. Government departments such as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism; the South African Police Services together with the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency have conducted joint operations to combat the illegal harvesting of abalone. These operations have led to many arrests of abalone poachers along the East London coastline. The quantity of confiscated abalone has increased from 2007 to 2011. The positive results achieved by the departments during joint operations showcase robust efforts to eradicate the environmental transgression in the East London Coastline. Joint operations are encouraged by all the departments to save the species for future generations. Workshops involving different stakeholders had to take place and the policies in place must have a bottom-up approach where communities are involved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An analysis of the correlation beween packet loss and network delay on the perfomance of congested networks and their impact: case study University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Lutshete, Sizwe
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Computer network protocols -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Packet switching (Data transmission) , Cactus -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network analysis (Planning) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network performance (Telecommunication) , Network Time Protocol (Computer network protocol)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11393 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006843 , Computer network protocols -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Packet switching (Data transmission) , Cactus -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network analysis (Planning) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network performance (Telecommunication) , Network Time Protocol (Computer network protocol)
- Description: In this paper we study packet delay and loss rate at the University of Fort Hare network. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the information derived from a multipoint measurement of, University of Fort Hare network which will be collected for a duration of three Months during June 2011 to August 2011 at the TSC uplink and Ethernet hubs outside and inside relative to the Internet firewall host. The specific value of this data set lies in the end to end instrumentation of all devices operating at the packet level, combined with the duration of observation. We will provide measures for the normal day−to−day operation of the University of fort hare network both at off-peak and during peak hours. We expect to show the impact of delay and loss rate at the University of Fort Hare network. The data set will include a number of areas, where service quality (delay and packet loss) is extreme, moderate, good and we will examine the causes and impacts on network users.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Lutshete, Sizwe
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Computer network protocols -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Packet switching (Data transmission) , Cactus -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network analysis (Planning) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network performance (Telecommunication) , Network Time Protocol (Computer network protocol)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11393 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006843 , Computer network protocols -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Packet switching (Data transmission) , Cactus -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network analysis (Planning) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Network performance (Telecommunication) , Network Time Protocol (Computer network protocol)
- Description: In this paper we study packet delay and loss rate at the University of Fort Hare network. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the information derived from a multipoint measurement of, University of Fort Hare network which will be collected for a duration of three Months during June 2011 to August 2011 at the TSC uplink and Ethernet hubs outside and inside relative to the Internet firewall host. The specific value of this data set lies in the end to end instrumentation of all devices operating at the packet level, combined with the duration of observation. We will provide measures for the normal day−to−day operation of the University of fort hare network both at off-peak and during peak hours. We expect to show the impact of delay and loss rate at the University of Fort Hare network. The data set will include a number of areas, where service quality (delay and packet loss) is extreme, moderate, good and we will examine the causes and impacts on network users.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An assessment of needle ice, snowfall and the zero-curtain effect and its relationship with soil frost dynamics on sub-Antartic Marion Island
- Authors: Zilindile, Mphumzi Brooklyn
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Snow -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Frost -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Ice -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Marion Island (Prince Edward Islands) -- Description and travel
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006908 , Snow -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Frost -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Ice -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Marion Island (Prince Edward Islands) -- Description and travel
- Description: This study aims to uncover the synoptic weather circulation pattern which is associated with the occurrence of needle ice, snowfall and the zero-curtain effect. The method of study was done through an intensive ground climate measurement campaign from April 2008 to May 2009 with a temperature logger installed throughout the recording period. Results from data analyses indicate that the complex changes in climate parameters may lead to an equally complex response in terms of spatial soil frost dynamics and its direct and indirect effects on soil sediment displacement and ecosystem dynamics. Field evidence in the study suggests that on Marion Island needle ice developed in temperatures as high as -0.2 ºC in strong winds. This confirms that the wet environment of Marion Island, which is dominated by diurnal soil frost is fundamentally different from seasonal frost and permafrost environments. The scoria material is susceptible to needle ice growth and the compacted soil alters the micro-climatology of the affected area making it more susceptible to the formation of needle ice. Soil moisture for needle ice formation and growth is provided by the misty conditions associated with the advent of the cold front (pre-cyclonic). Furthermore, observations of needle ice on Marion show that needles are mostly clear with no sediment inclusion. This is indicative of needle ice formation that has not been interrupted by a shortage of moisture. The zero-curtain effect on Marion Island can occur either as a response to the thawing of the soil after the seasonal freeze. The synoptic assessment of snowfall on Marion Island indicates that; snowfall is associated with the passage of a cold front linked to a strong meridional system of low pressure just south of the island.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zilindile, Mphumzi Brooklyn
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Snow -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Frost -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Ice -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Marion Island (Prince Edward Islands) -- Description and travel
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006908 , Snow -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Frost -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Ice -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion Island , Marion Island (Prince Edward Islands) -- Description and travel
- Description: This study aims to uncover the synoptic weather circulation pattern which is associated with the occurrence of needle ice, snowfall and the zero-curtain effect. The method of study was done through an intensive ground climate measurement campaign from April 2008 to May 2009 with a temperature logger installed throughout the recording period. Results from data analyses indicate that the complex changes in climate parameters may lead to an equally complex response in terms of spatial soil frost dynamics and its direct and indirect effects on soil sediment displacement and ecosystem dynamics. Field evidence in the study suggests that on Marion Island needle ice developed in temperatures as high as -0.2 ºC in strong winds. This confirms that the wet environment of Marion Island, which is dominated by diurnal soil frost is fundamentally different from seasonal frost and permafrost environments. The scoria material is susceptible to needle ice growth and the compacted soil alters the micro-climatology of the affected area making it more susceptible to the formation of needle ice. Soil moisture for needle ice formation and growth is provided by the misty conditions associated with the advent of the cold front (pre-cyclonic). Furthermore, observations of needle ice on Marion show that needles are mostly clear with no sediment inclusion. This is indicative of needle ice formation that has not been interrupted by a shortage of moisture. The zero-curtain effect on Marion Island can occur either as a response to the thawing of the soil after the seasonal freeze. The synoptic assessment of snowfall on Marion Island indicates that; snowfall is associated with the passage of a cold front linked to a strong meridional system of low pressure just south of the island.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An explosive study of factors leading to students drop out at Lilitha College of Education in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mnikina, Thandazwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016148
- Description: This study is about exploring the factors that contribute to nursing students’ dropout at a public college. Lilitha College examination policy states that for a student to complete the Four Year Comprehensive Diploma Course, the student shall have passed all the four year courses. An increased student dropout rate has been identified to be affecting nursing student’s progress at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus. This is a cause for concern and the researcher decided to investigate and explore the factors contributing to students’ dropout. This situation paralyzes the attempt by government to deal effectively with the shortage of trained nurses. The purpose of the study was to investigate and explore the factors that contribute to students’ dropout at Lilitha College of Nursing East London Campus. The objectives of this study were: To explore and describe experiences of students who dropped out from Lilitha College before course completion, to identify contributory factors related to increased students’ dropout rate, to come up with recommendations as how to curb the problem of student dropout and to ensure an increase of nursing students who complete at the end of the programme. This study followed a qualitative approach and explorative descriptive design. The population was all the students that have dropped out at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus in the four year basic comprehensive programme from 2007 – 2011 at all levels of study. The sample size in this study was determined by data saturation, meaning that the data were collected to the point where no new information was obtained (Polit & Beck 2004: 308). A purposive sample of 15 former Lilitha students now working as Enrolled nursing assistants participated in this study. Data collection was divided into two sections, namely, demographic characteristics and face to face interviews. Demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained by asking questions related to age, sex, race, marital status, number of children per participant and the year of study at the time of dropping out. In section two of the study the interview guide was used for the purposes of data collection for this study, where four questions were formulated to guide the interview that was followed by probing questions. All tape recordings were listened to and transcribed verbatim. Field notes that were taken during unstructured interview were interpreted. The ideas that emerged from the interview sessions were then consolidated. Questions in the interview guide and their responses were drawn up and similar responses that arose from the interviews were grouped together. The identified major themes and sub themes were coded and categorized. Data belonging to each category were grouped together and analyzed and then the final remarks on the data analysis were completed. For most participants the course was frightening and difficult. They explained that they were exposed to a lot of information in a short space of time. In class, there was a lot of theory and in the wards there were skills to be learnt. Learners had to compile all the information and try to make sense out of it. Students follow up and support in the clinical facilities was reported as inadequate. The college should employ full time facilitators. This can improve teaching in the clinical area. The student should have mentors so that whenever they encounter a problem there will be people to assist and give them guidance. Through mentoring and support, student absenteeism can be controlled and students can gain self-confidence and learn more.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mnikina, Thandazwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016148
- Description: This study is about exploring the factors that contribute to nursing students’ dropout at a public college. Lilitha College examination policy states that for a student to complete the Four Year Comprehensive Diploma Course, the student shall have passed all the four year courses. An increased student dropout rate has been identified to be affecting nursing student’s progress at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus. This is a cause for concern and the researcher decided to investigate and explore the factors contributing to students’ dropout. This situation paralyzes the attempt by government to deal effectively with the shortage of trained nurses. The purpose of the study was to investigate and explore the factors that contribute to students’ dropout at Lilitha College of Nursing East London Campus. The objectives of this study were: To explore and describe experiences of students who dropped out from Lilitha College before course completion, to identify contributory factors related to increased students’ dropout rate, to come up with recommendations as how to curb the problem of student dropout and to ensure an increase of nursing students who complete at the end of the programme. This study followed a qualitative approach and explorative descriptive design. The population was all the students that have dropped out at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus in the four year basic comprehensive programme from 2007 – 2011 at all levels of study. The sample size in this study was determined by data saturation, meaning that the data were collected to the point where no new information was obtained (Polit & Beck 2004: 308). A purposive sample of 15 former Lilitha students now working as Enrolled nursing assistants participated in this study. Data collection was divided into two sections, namely, demographic characteristics and face to face interviews. Demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained by asking questions related to age, sex, race, marital status, number of children per participant and the year of study at the time of dropping out. In section two of the study the interview guide was used for the purposes of data collection for this study, where four questions were formulated to guide the interview that was followed by probing questions. All tape recordings were listened to and transcribed verbatim. Field notes that were taken during unstructured interview were interpreted. The ideas that emerged from the interview sessions were then consolidated. Questions in the interview guide and their responses were drawn up and similar responses that arose from the interviews were grouped together. The identified major themes and sub themes were coded and categorized. Data belonging to each category were grouped together and analyzed and then the final remarks on the data analysis were completed. For most participants the course was frightening and difficult. They explained that they were exposed to a lot of information in a short space of time. In class, there was a lot of theory and in the wards there were skills to be learnt. Learners had to compile all the information and try to make sense out of it. Students follow up and support in the clinical facilities was reported as inadequate. The college should employ full time facilitators. This can improve teaching in the clinical area. The student should have mentors so that whenever they encounter a problem there will be people to assist and give them guidance. Through mentoring and support, student absenteeism can be controlled and students can gain self-confidence and learn more.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation of skills, knowledge and farmer support programmes of land reform beneficiaries :a case study of Forest Hill farmers in Kenton-on-Sea in the Ndlambe Local Municipality
- Authors: Tshuma, Mengezi Chancellor
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013109 , Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: black owners by white colonialists. Even though whites made up less than 20% of the nation‟s population, they took more than 80% of the agriculturally productive land and drove the original owners to the unproductive reserves where they were cramped and could not practice agriculture at all. Various acts such as the Black Land Act of 1913, Development Trust Act of 1936 and the Native Laws Amendment Act of 1937 were introduced which further frustrated the displaced black population thereby plunging it deeper and deeper into poverty. The main objective behind the introduction of these acts was to restrain the black population from earning livelihoods through agriculture thus forcing them to offer their labour to white farmers for low wages just to earn some form of livelihood. Such unfair practices and distribution of land prompted the first democratically elected government of South Africa to embark on a drive to redistribute the nation‟s land equitably amongst its citizens to foster national reconciliation, stimulate economic growth and compensate those that were forced out or lost their land during the apartheid era. This initiative was called the Land Reform Programme (LRP) and was implemented with three prongs namely (i) land redistribution; (ii) restitution; and (iii) land tenure. Among the beneficiaries of the LRP were farmers from a community called Marselle in Kenton-on-sea. In addition to getting land for farming purposes, the Marselle farmers also obtained financial support from the government‟s Land Bank to help them kick-start their farming activities. However, in spite of such interventions, they have struggled to turn their activities into sustainable livelihood sources. One most likely cause for this is the lack of farming knowledge and skills needed to make them more efficient and productive. This study was thus geared towards evaluating the knowledge and skills gap in Marselle which, when addressed, could make the Marselle farmers more productive. Its focus was limited to the 32 livestock and 8 chicory farmers that are recognized members of their respective projects. Focus was limited only to these farmers since the next phase of this study will involve building their capacity based on the skills gaps identified through this study. The findings showed that the two projects benefited at least 130 individuals belonging to the farming households, with 67.5% of these households headed by males. The age of these farmers was equally shared at 40% each between those above 65 years and those that only went as far as fourth grade. No one went to tertiary at all. At least 75% of the investigated farmers were unemployed and 42% of this population was pensioners. In terms of income though, 64.98% of it was from external sources. The Masakhane Silime (Chicory) project was implemented to generate income and provide job opportunities for the locals but neither of these objectives had been met at the time the data for this study was collected due to various challenges like lack of funds and infrastructure to enhance productivity. Just like the chicory project, the livestock project had its own objectives, namely; to remove animals from the residential areas, provide the animals with a safe place, reduce road accidents and also to provide a livelihood source for local farmers. Due to overgrazing the pastures, lack of proper camps and other challenges, some effort still needs to be put to achieve these objectives. Even though the livestock project was formed with these objectives in mind, the farmers themselves reared livestock either for personal consumption, selling, ritual purposes, store of wealth or all these combined. Regarding technical skills, livestock farmers were found to rely mostly on indigenous knowledge sources to attain farming knowledge. Only animal healthcare knowledge was popular to more than half the respondents. This was said to be due to the focus group meetings held on the farm every other Wednesday to share information with local extension officers. In spite of these information sharing events, livestock farmers identified training on how to feed; market; handle; and treat their livestock as key intervention knowledge areas. Attendance to these focus group meetings was limited to livestock farmers only. Various socio-economic factors were also found to have some form of influence on the acquisition of livestock knowledge. Education was the most dominant factor, with a significant association with the farmers‟ feeding (p=0.033); animal healthcare (P=0.038); marketing (p=0.009); veld management (p=0.036); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.027) knowledge. Other variables most influential include the gender and age of the household head. The former was significant at 95% confidence level for farmers‟ feeding knowledge (p=0.021); animal healthcare (p=0.039); marketing (p=0.043); livestock housing and handling (p=0.023); veld management (p=0.018); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.043). The dominance of males in acquiring these skills could be explained by the fact that the majority of the livestock project members were males. The majority of the few female members became members by default after the passing on of their husbands but their participation in the project was done through other project members who looked after their animals on their behalf. The number of farming years also had some positive and significant influence on other knowledge areas such as feeding (p=0.021) and livestock housing and handling (p=0.013). The logic supporting this association is that farmers tend to accumulate new and more skills the longer they stay in the same enterprise. In addition, most of the interviewed farmers were farm labourers prior to relocating to Marselle hence they acquired the necessary knowledge long before the project started. Concerning the chicory project, its members also relied heavily on indigenous knowledge sources for farming knowledge. Soil preparation (24.1%); planting (20.7%); land care (24.1%); and mechanical weed control (48.3%) were the knowledge areas lacked by more than half the respondents. The farmers identified land preparation (75%); communication skills (25%); marketing (100%); financial management (62%); and harvesting (88%) as the key crucial intervention areas they needed prioritized. As a study meant to inform the capacity building phase of the Land Bank project, this study identified the existing skills gaps in the two projects implemented in Forest Hill. When implementing the Capacity Building (CB) phase, various socio-economic factors will have to be considered. For example, the proposed intervention should not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of gender or physical abilities. The skills introduced should also be simple enough to be accepted and acquired even by the illiterate, especially when one considers the high illiteracy levels amongst the respondents. Efforts should also be made to create partnerships with the right organizations or groups of people so that they provide the required expertise and resources for the benefit of the farmers as and when required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tshuma, Mengezi Chancellor
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013109 , Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: black owners by white colonialists. Even though whites made up less than 20% of the nation‟s population, they took more than 80% of the agriculturally productive land and drove the original owners to the unproductive reserves where they were cramped and could not practice agriculture at all. Various acts such as the Black Land Act of 1913, Development Trust Act of 1936 and the Native Laws Amendment Act of 1937 were introduced which further frustrated the displaced black population thereby plunging it deeper and deeper into poverty. The main objective behind the introduction of these acts was to restrain the black population from earning livelihoods through agriculture thus forcing them to offer their labour to white farmers for low wages just to earn some form of livelihood. Such unfair practices and distribution of land prompted the first democratically elected government of South Africa to embark on a drive to redistribute the nation‟s land equitably amongst its citizens to foster national reconciliation, stimulate economic growth and compensate those that were forced out or lost their land during the apartheid era. This initiative was called the Land Reform Programme (LRP) and was implemented with three prongs namely (i) land redistribution; (ii) restitution; and (iii) land tenure. Among the beneficiaries of the LRP were farmers from a community called Marselle in Kenton-on-sea. In addition to getting land for farming purposes, the Marselle farmers also obtained financial support from the government‟s Land Bank to help them kick-start their farming activities. However, in spite of such interventions, they have struggled to turn their activities into sustainable livelihood sources. One most likely cause for this is the lack of farming knowledge and skills needed to make them more efficient and productive. This study was thus geared towards evaluating the knowledge and skills gap in Marselle which, when addressed, could make the Marselle farmers more productive. Its focus was limited to the 32 livestock and 8 chicory farmers that are recognized members of their respective projects. Focus was limited only to these farmers since the next phase of this study will involve building their capacity based on the skills gaps identified through this study. The findings showed that the two projects benefited at least 130 individuals belonging to the farming households, with 67.5% of these households headed by males. The age of these farmers was equally shared at 40% each between those above 65 years and those that only went as far as fourth grade. No one went to tertiary at all. At least 75% of the investigated farmers were unemployed and 42% of this population was pensioners. In terms of income though, 64.98% of it was from external sources. The Masakhane Silime (Chicory) project was implemented to generate income and provide job opportunities for the locals but neither of these objectives had been met at the time the data for this study was collected due to various challenges like lack of funds and infrastructure to enhance productivity. Just like the chicory project, the livestock project had its own objectives, namely; to remove animals from the residential areas, provide the animals with a safe place, reduce road accidents and also to provide a livelihood source for local farmers. Due to overgrazing the pastures, lack of proper camps and other challenges, some effort still needs to be put to achieve these objectives. Even though the livestock project was formed with these objectives in mind, the farmers themselves reared livestock either for personal consumption, selling, ritual purposes, store of wealth or all these combined. Regarding technical skills, livestock farmers were found to rely mostly on indigenous knowledge sources to attain farming knowledge. Only animal healthcare knowledge was popular to more than half the respondents. This was said to be due to the focus group meetings held on the farm every other Wednesday to share information with local extension officers. In spite of these information sharing events, livestock farmers identified training on how to feed; market; handle; and treat their livestock as key intervention knowledge areas. Attendance to these focus group meetings was limited to livestock farmers only. Various socio-economic factors were also found to have some form of influence on the acquisition of livestock knowledge. Education was the most dominant factor, with a significant association with the farmers‟ feeding (p=0.033); animal healthcare (P=0.038); marketing (p=0.009); veld management (p=0.036); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.027) knowledge. Other variables most influential include the gender and age of the household head. The former was significant at 95% confidence level for farmers‟ feeding knowledge (p=0.021); animal healthcare (p=0.039); marketing (p=0.043); livestock housing and handling (p=0.023); veld management (p=0.018); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.043). The dominance of males in acquiring these skills could be explained by the fact that the majority of the livestock project members were males. The majority of the few female members became members by default after the passing on of their husbands but their participation in the project was done through other project members who looked after their animals on their behalf. The number of farming years also had some positive and significant influence on other knowledge areas such as feeding (p=0.021) and livestock housing and handling (p=0.013). The logic supporting this association is that farmers tend to accumulate new and more skills the longer they stay in the same enterprise. In addition, most of the interviewed farmers were farm labourers prior to relocating to Marselle hence they acquired the necessary knowledge long before the project started. Concerning the chicory project, its members also relied heavily on indigenous knowledge sources for farming knowledge. Soil preparation (24.1%); planting (20.7%); land care (24.1%); and mechanical weed control (48.3%) were the knowledge areas lacked by more than half the respondents. The farmers identified land preparation (75%); communication skills (25%); marketing (100%); financial management (62%); and harvesting (88%) as the key crucial intervention areas they needed prioritized. As a study meant to inform the capacity building phase of the Land Bank project, this study identified the existing skills gaps in the two projects implemented in Forest Hill. When implementing the Capacity Building (CB) phase, various socio-economic factors will have to be considered. For example, the proposed intervention should not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of gender or physical abilities. The skills introduced should also be simple enough to be accepted and acquired even by the illiterate, especially when one considers the high illiteracy levels amongst the respondents. Efforts should also be made to create partnerships with the right organizations or groups of people so that they provide the required expertise and resources for the benefit of the farmers as and when required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Antifugal evaluation and phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plants used in the treatment of fungal diseases associated with HIV infection in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mbeng, Wilfred Otang
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006834 , Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Description: Background. As a result of the AIDS pandemic, many people areimmuno compromised andopportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) such as candidiasis are common. Despite the widespread use of medicinal plants in South Africa, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the use of such plants in the management of these infections. This study evaluates three South African medicinal plants (Arctotis arctotoides, Pittosporum viridiflorum, and Gasteria bicolor) traditionally used in the treatment of OFIs in HIV/AIDS patients, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Materials and methods. A six-stage process of documentation, evaluation and analysis of results was conducted: (1) Selection of medicinal plants most frequently used in the treatment of OFIs through ethnomedical studies and the survey of specialised literature; (2) Collection and preparation of the extract of each plant; (3) Antifungal evaluation of the crude plant extracts. (4) Phytochemical and antioxidant evaluation of the active crude plant extracts; (5) Cytotoxicity evaluation of the bioactive extracts using the Chang liver cell line, and (6) Statistical analysis of the results. Ethnobotanical information was obtained through interviews with traditional healers and AIDS patients with the aid of semi-structured questionnaires, direct observations and by reviewing studies reported in the literature. Following the approval from the University of Fort Hare‘s Ethics Committee, 101 HIV/AIDS patients were recruited through convenience sampling into an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study. The agar diffusion and micro-dilution methods were used to determine the antifungal activities of the hexane, acetone and aqueous extracts of A. arctotoides, G. bicolor and P. viridiflorum against 10 opportunistic fungi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mbeng, Wilfred Otang
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006834 , Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Description: Background. As a result of the AIDS pandemic, many people areimmuno compromised andopportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) such as candidiasis are common. Despite the widespread use of medicinal plants in South Africa, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the use of such plants in the management of these infections. This study evaluates three South African medicinal plants (Arctotis arctotoides, Pittosporum viridiflorum, and Gasteria bicolor) traditionally used in the treatment of OFIs in HIV/AIDS patients, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Materials and methods. A six-stage process of documentation, evaluation and analysis of results was conducted: (1) Selection of medicinal plants most frequently used in the treatment of OFIs through ethnomedical studies and the survey of specialised literature; (2) Collection and preparation of the extract of each plant; (3) Antifungal evaluation of the crude plant extracts. (4) Phytochemical and antioxidant evaluation of the active crude plant extracts; (5) Cytotoxicity evaluation of the bioactive extracts using the Chang liver cell line, and (6) Statistical analysis of the results. Ethnobotanical information was obtained through interviews with traditional healers and AIDS patients with the aid of semi-structured questionnaires, direct observations and by reviewing studies reported in the literature. Following the approval from the University of Fort Hare‘s Ethics Committee, 101 HIV/AIDS patients were recruited through convenience sampling into an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study. The agar diffusion and micro-dilution methods were used to determine the antifungal activities of the hexane, acetone and aqueous extracts of A. arctotoides, G. bicolor and P. viridiflorum against 10 opportunistic fungi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Application of assisted reproduction technologies on the indigenous Nguni cows and heifers
- Authors: Maqhashu, Ayanda
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016096
- Description: The aims of the study were to compare superovulatory (SO) response rate and embryo quality recovered; consequently, correlate sperm motility with fertilization rate on superovulated stud Nguni cows and heifers. Furthermore, compare oestrous synchronization response and pregnancy rate of three breed type cows (Brahman, Bonsmara and Nguni) of different body condition scores following timed artificial insemination in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo provinces. Nguni stud cows (n= 15) and heifers (n= 10) aged 4-6 and 2-3 years were used as embryo donors. Superovulation of donors involved insertion of a controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) and two injections of FSH daily 12 hours apart for 4 days on a decreasing dosage. Fresh Nguni semen was collected from proven Nguni stud bulls and assessed by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA) before artificial insemination (AI). The doses of AI were prepared and conducted twice, 12 hours apart on synchronized and superovulated Nguni cows or heifers. Embryos were flushed 7 days after AI using a non-surgical technique. Embryos were immediately evaluated under stereo microscope and classified according IETS standard codes (C1, C1- and C2). All transferrable embryos were vitrified. Two pilot study sites were chosen in Eastern Cape – Great kei; (n= 5) and Limpopo - Vuvha; (n=5) provinces for Embryo transfer. Each recipient cow was implanted with one frozen-thawed embryo. For oestrous synchronization, cows (Braman, Bonsmara and Nguni type) were selected in different villages, regardless of parity, age, breed and body weight following pregnancy diagnosis. Cows were grouped according to breed type and body condition scores (BCS) on a scale of 1-5. Group 1 had BCS of ≤ 2.5 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=81) and Limpopo n=71), Group 2 had BCS of ≥ 3 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=79) and Limpopo (n=100) cows. Cows were synchronized by inserting the controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) and removed on Day 8, followed by administration of prostaglandin. The white heat mount detectors (HMD) were placed on the individual cow’s tail head as an indicator for oestrous response if colour changed to red and inseminated twice at 12 hours interval. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by an ultra sound scanner and rectal palpation 90 days after TAI in embryos and semen recipient cows. There was no significant difference on the superovulatory response rate between Nguni cows (40%) and heifers (40%). There was a significant difference on the ovary reaction (number of corpus luteum) of cows (11.33±1.41) and heifers (4.00±0.57). There were no significant differences observed on the embryo quality between Nguni cows (2.5±1.00 and 1.25±0.59) and heifers (0.83±0.41 and 1.00±0.36) for excellent (C1) and good (C1-). However, cows had more numbers of unfertilized ova (5.5±1.05 and 1.75±0.47) and degenerate embryos (3.66±1.00 and 1.25±0.39) than heifers. Village cows responded to oestrous synchronization successfully in KZN (100%) and Limpopo (99%) regardless of body conditions and breed type. The lowest pregnancy rate was recorded in Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with BCS of ≤ 2.5 regardless of Province. Interestingly, Nguni type cows with same body condition of ≤ 2.5 had higher average pregnancy rate of 59.5% in Limpopo and 53.5% in KZN. However, cows with BCS of ≥3 had better pregnancy rate regardless of cow breed type, and province. In conclusion, only 40% of both Nguni cows and heifers responded to superovulation. However, Nguni cows had better ovaries reaction compared to heifers. The quality of embryos recovered was similar for both Nguni cows and heifers. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between total sperm motility and fertilization rate bull 1 (93.7%) inseminated the cows (67.5%) and bull 2 (83.5%) inseminated the heifers (53.5%). Higher pregnancy rate (60%) was recorded in Limpopo compared to Eastern Cape (0%). Interestingly, more than 99% of village cows responded to synchronization and inseminated with frozen-thawed semen successfully. Village Nguni type cows were not affected by body condition scoring as they had higher and similar pregnancy rate as those that had body condition of ≥ 3. It is suggested that it is not advisable to breed synchronized Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with the body condition of ≤ 2.5 except in Nguni cow type as more than 57% average pregnancy rate was achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Maqhashu, Ayanda
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016096
- Description: The aims of the study were to compare superovulatory (SO) response rate and embryo quality recovered; consequently, correlate sperm motility with fertilization rate on superovulated stud Nguni cows and heifers. Furthermore, compare oestrous synchronization response and pregnancy rate of three breed type cows (Brahman, Bonsmara and Nguni) of different body condition scores following timed artificial insemination in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo provinces. Nguni stud cows (n= 15) and heifers (n= 10) aged 4-6 and 2-3 years were used as embryo donors. Superovulation of donors involved insertion of a controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) and two injections of FSH daily 12 hours apart for 4 days on a decreasing dosage. Fresh Nguni semen was collected from proven Nguni stud bulls and assessed by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA) before artificial insemination (AI). The doses of AI were prepared and conducted twice, 12 hours apart on synchronized and superovulated Nguni cows or heifers. Embryos were flushed 7 days after AI using a non-surgical technique. Embryos were immediately evaluated under stereo microscope and classified according IETS standard codes (C1, C1- and C2). All transferrable embryos were vitrified. Two pilot study sites were chosen in Eastern Cape – Great kei; (n= 5) and Limpopo - Vuvha; (n=5) provinces for Embryo transfer. Each recipient cow was implanted with one frozen-thawed embryo. For oestrous synchronization, cows (Braman, Bonsmara and Nguni type) were selected in different villages, regardless of parity, age, breed and body weight following pregnancy diagnosis. Cows were grouped according to breed type and body condition scores (BCS) on a scale of 1-5. Group 1 had BCS of ≤ 2.5 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=81) and Limpopo n=71), Group 2 had BCS of ≥ 3 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=79) and Limpopo (n=100) cows. Cows were synchronized by inserting the controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) and removed on Day 8, followed by administration of prostaglandin. The white heat mount detectors (HMD) were placed on the individual cow’s tail head as an indicator for oestrous response if colour changed to red and inseminated twice at 12 hours interval. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by an ultra sound scanner and rectal palpation 90 days after TAI in embryos and semen recipient cows. There was no significant difference on the superovulatory response rate between Nguni cows (40%) and heifers (40%). There was a significant difference on the ovary reaction (number of corpus luteum) of cows (11.33±1.41) and heifers (4.00±0.57). There were no significant differences observed on the embryo quality between Nguni cows (2.5±1.00 and 1.25±0.59) and heifers (0.83±0.41 and 1.00±0.36) for excellent (C1) and good (C1-). However, cows had more numbers of unfertilized ova (5.5±1.05 and 1.75±0.47) and degenerate embryos (3.66±1.00 and 1.25±0.39) than heifers. Village cows responded to oestrous synchronization successfully in KZN (100%) and Limpopo (99%) regardless of body conditions and breed type. The lowest pregnancy rate was recorded in Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with BCS of ≤ 2.5 regardless of Province. Interestingly, Nguni type cows with same body condition of ≤ 2.5 had higher average pregnancy rate of 59.5% in Limpopo and 53.5% in KZN. However, cows with BCS of ≥3 had better pregnancy rate regardless of cow breed type, and province. In conclusion, only 40% of both Nguni cows and heifers responded to superovulation. However, Nguni cows had better ovaries reaction compared to heifers. The quality of embryos recovered was similar for both Nguni cows and heifers. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between total sperm motility and fertilization rate bull 1 (93.7%) inseminated the cows (67.5%) and bull 2 (83.5%) inseminated the heifers (53.5%). Higher pregnancy rate (60%) was recorded in Limpopo compared to Eastern Cape (0%). Interestingly, more than 99% of village cows responded to synchronization and inseminated with frozen-thawed semen successfully. Village Nguni type cows were not affected by body condition scoring as they had higher and similar pregnancy rate as those that had body condition of ≥ 3. It is suggested that it is not advisable to breed synchronized Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with the body condition of ≤ 2.5 except in Nguni cow type as more than 57% average pregnancy rate was achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessment of sources of livelihoods and opportunities to improve the contribution of farming within available food chains
- Authors: Mbusi, Nontembeko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livelihood strategies , Outcomes , Poverty , Farming , Employment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11204 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007575 , Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livelihood strategies , Outcomes , Poverty , Farming , Employment
- Description: Official statistics suggest that as many as 40 percent to 60 percent of people in South Africa are living in poverty, and the 15 percent poorest are in a desperate struggle for survival. Since 1994, Government has been making an effort to help smallholder agriculture through numerous programmes, including those that address land ownership and provide credit and grants for farms and households, but very little change has taken place. Understanding the sources of livelihood and opportunities to improve the contribution of farming within available food chains is therefore an important practical need. The study investigated sources of livelihood and mapped the livelihoods profile of the farming households in parts of the Eastern Cape. The study was conducted in the Alice and Peddie communities in the Amathole district municipality. A set of structured questionnaires were used to interview the sample of 80 farming households selected through a random process within two irrigation schemes and communities that were selected purposively in line with the focus of the larger project on which this study is based. The resulting data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The descriptive results indicated that members of most rural households were old, married, uneducated and unemployed. Farming was primary livelihood strategy employed in these areas. Rural households were also dependent on remittances, social grants and pension funds because the farming strategy could not meet all their household needs. The major crops that were grown for income and food security to sustain their livelihoods included maize, potatoes, onions and butternut. Factors that had significant influences on outcomes were extension services, grants, pension and remittances, land productivity, type of irrigation system, market accessibility, output price difference and value adding. The available opportunities were land productivity, irrigation facilities, government or NGO programmes and working as a group. For improved livelihood of rural communities in Alice and Peddie, government needs to strengthen agricultural activities and equip farmers with market information, improve their access to irrigation schemes, provide training on value adding and also improve access to extension services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mbusi, Nontembeko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livelihood strategies , Outcomes , Poverty , Farming , Employment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11204 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007575 , Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livelihood strategies , Outcomes , Poverty , Farming , Employment
- Description: Official statistics suggest that as many as 40 percent to 60 percent of people in South Africa are living in poverty, and the 15 percent poorest are in a desperate struggle for survival. Since 1994, Government has been making an effort to help smallholder agriculture through numerous programmes, including those that address land ownership and provide credit and grants for farms and households, but very little change has taken place. Understanding the sources of livelihood and opportunities to improve the contribution of farming within available food chains is therefore an important practical need. The study investigated sources of livelihood and mapped the livelihoods profile of the farming households in parts of the Eastern Cape. The study was conducted in the Alice and Peddie communities in the Amathole district municipality. A set of structured questionnaires were used to interview the sample of 80 farming households selected through a random process within two irrigation schemes and communities that were selected purposively in line with the focus of the larger project on which this study is based. The resulting data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The descriptive results indicated that members of most rural households were old, married, uneducated and unemployed. Farming was primary livelihood strategy employed in these areas. Rural households were also dependent on remittances, social grants and pension funds because the farming strategy could not meet all their household needs. The major crops that were grown for income and food security to sustain their livelihoods included maize, potatoes, onions and butternut. Factors that had significant influences on outcomes were extension services, grants, pension and remittances, land productivity, type of irrigation system, market accessibility, output price difference and value adding. The available opportunities were land productivity, irrigation facilities, government or NGO programmes and working as a group. For improved livelihood of rural communities in Alice and Peddie, government needs to strengthen agricultural activities and equip farmers with market information, improve their access to irrigation schemes, provide training on value adding and also improve access to extension services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessment of the incidence of E.coli in Tyume and Buffalo rivers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Koba, Siziwe
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006889
- Description: Waterborne diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and every year around 2.2 million people die due to basic hygiene related diseases like coliform diarrhoea. Universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation has been promoted as an essential step in reducing these preventable diseases (Tambekar and Banginwar, 2005; Patil, 2004; Charan, 2004). Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are one of the most important etiologic agents of acute diarrhea and represent a major public health problem in developing countries like South Africa The present study was conducted between August 2010 and July 2011 to investigate the prevalence and distribution of virulent E. coli strains from water samples collected from Tyume and Buffalo River, located in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa using conventional microbiological methods and PCR analysis. Twelve Water samples were collected from three different sites of the rivers, viz; upstream, middle stream and the downstream of the dam. E.coli was isolated by the membrane filtration method on mFC. A total of 374 isolates from both rivers were identified by convenctional microbiological techniques. For both Buffalo and Tyume River, A large proportion (87 and 114, respectively) of the isolates from the mid stream samples satisfied the identification characteristics for E. coli (blue colonies on MFC agar and violet/purple colonies on Chromocult agar) and thus revealing high levels contamination when compared to isolates from the downstream (55 and 47) and the upstream (30 and 31) All the isolates that satisfied the primary identification stage were subjected to PCR. DNA was extracted using the boiling method and then the DNA was used as a template for PCR. Specific PCR analysis was performed on all E. coli isolates to amplify the alr gene that codes for alanine racemase Out and of the 202 isolates amplified for Tyume river, 70 (35 percent) were positively identified as E. coli since they possessed the alr gene fragment. and out of the 172 isolates amplified from Buffalo River, 80(47 percent) were also positively identified as E. coli. For both Tyume and Buffalo River, the highest prevalence was observed midstream (39 percent and 56 pecent respectively). The identified E. coli were further characterized into different pathotypes. Amplification of the shig gene, LT gene, EaeA gene, Eagg gene and the ST gene were used to detect pathogenic E.coli. In Tyume River, Genes of ETEC (lt or st) were detected in 21/70 (30 percent); Gene of EPEC (eae) was detected in 14/70 specimens (35 percent); Genes of EAEC (Eagg) was detected in 14/70(35 percent) and genes of EIEC (shig) were detected in 11/70(16 percent). In Buffalo River, no DEC was recovered upstream and downstream of the river. EAEC (8 percent) was the only pathotypes recovered midstream of the river. Strains of all five E. coli categories showed high-level resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, and chloramphenicol but were highly susceptible to quinolones, aminoglycosides, and novobiocin. The highest resistance (100 percent) amongst the isolates was observed to ampicillin by EAEC, Heat Labile (ETEC) and EIEC, followed by 87.5 percent by EAEC to carbenicillin. The highest susceptibility was to quinolones (100 percent) by all the four categories of E.coli. The screening for antibiotic resistance genes revealed the absence of SHV, CTMX and TetC genes as they were not detected in any of the E.coli isolates. However, TEM genes were observed in 80 percent of the isolates. Integron conserved segment was detected in these same organisms in the same proportion as TEM
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Koba, Siziwe
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006889
- Description: Waterborne diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and every year around 2.2 million people die due to basic hygiene related diseases like coliform diarrhoea. Universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation has been promoted as an essential step in reducing these preventable diseases (Tambekar and Banginwar, 2005; Patil, 2004; Charan, 2004). Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are one of the most important etiologic agents of acute diarrhea and represent a major public health problem in developing countries like South Africa The present study was conducted between August 2010 and July 2011 to investigate the prevalence and distribution of virulent E. coli strains from water samples collected from Tyume and Buffalo River, located in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa using conventional microbiological methods and PCR analysis. Twelve Water samples were collected from three different sites of the rivers, viz; upstream, middle stream and the downstream of the dam. E.coli was isolated by the membrane filtration method on mFC. A total of 374 isolates from both rivers were identified by convenctional microbiological techniques. For both Buffalo and Tyume River, A large proportion (87 and 114, respectively) of the isolates from the mid stream samples satisfied the identification characteristics for E. coli (blue colonies on MFC agar and violet/purple colonies on Chromocult agar) and thus revealing high levels contamination when compared to isolates from the downstream (55 and 47) and the upstream (30 and 31) All the isolates that satisfied the primary identification stage were subjected to PCR. DNA was extracted using the boiling method and then the DNA was used as a template for PCR. Specific PCR analysis was performed on all E. coli isolates to amplify the alr gene that codes for alanine racemase Out and of the 202 isolates amplified for Tyume river, 70 (35 percent) were positively identified as E. coli since they possessed the alr gene fragment. and out of the 172 isolates amplified from Buffalo River, 80(47 percent) were also positively identified as E. coli. For both Tyume and Buffalo River, the highest prevalence was observed midstream (39 percent and 56 pecent respectively). The identified E. coli were further characterized into different pathotypes. Amplification of the shig gene, LT gene, EaeA gene, Eagg gene and the ST gene were used to detect pathogenic E.coli. In Tyume River, Genes of ETEC (lt or st) were detected in 21/70 (30 percent); Gene of EPEC (eae) was detected in 14/70 specimens (35 percent); Genes of EAEC (Eagg) was detected in 14/70(35 percent) and genes of EIEC (shig) were detected in 11/70(16 percent). In Buffalo River, no DEC was recovered upstream and downstream of the river. EAEC (8 percent) was the only pathotypes recovered midstream of the river. Strains of all five E. coli categories showed high-level resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, and chloramphenicol but were highly susceptible to quinolones, aminoglycosides, and novobiocin. The highest resistance (100 percent) amongst the isolates was observed to ampicillin by EAEC, Heat Labile (ETEC) and EIEC, followed by 87.5 percent by EAEC to carbenicillin. The highest susceptibility was to quinolones (100 percent) by all the four categories of E.coli. The screening for antibiotic resistance genes revealed the absence of SHV, CTMX and TetC genes as they were not detected in any of the E.coli isolates. However, TEM genes were observed in 80 percent of the isolates. Integron conserved segment was detected in these same organisms in the same proportion as TEM
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013