Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Authors: Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184768 , vital:44270 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-98c37d47c"
- Description: It is an honour and a pleasure to report on the activities of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences since the PSSA AGM in 2016. The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (APSSA) held their 37th Annual Conference and 38th Annual General Meeting at the All African Congress on Pharmacology and Pharmacy. The conference was jointly organised by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences of South Africa (APSSA), the South African Society for Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (SASBCP) on behalf of Pharmacology for Africa (Pharfa) and the Toxicology Society of South Africa (ToxSA). The annual APSSA conference was hosted by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology under the leadership of Dr Ilze Vermaak and was held from 5-8 October 2016 at Misty Hills Conference Centre, situated close to the Cradle of Humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184768 , vital:44270 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-98c37d47c"
- Description: It is an honour and a pleasure to report on the activities of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences since the PSSA AGM in 2016. The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (APSSA) held their 37th Annual Conference and 38th Annual General Meeting at the All African Congress on Pharmacology and Pharmacy. The conference was jointly organised by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences of South Africa (APSSA), the South African Society for Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (SASBCP) on behalf of Pharmacology for Africa (Pharfa) and the Toxicology Society of South Africa (ToxSA). The annual APSSA conference was hosted by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology under the leadership of Dr Ilze Vermaak and was held from 5-8 October 2016 at Misty Hills Conference Centre, situated close to the Cradle of Humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Addressing constraints in promoting wild edible plants’ utilization in household nutrition: case of the Congo Basin forest area
- Ngome, Precillia Ijang Tata, Shackleton, Charlie M, Degrande, Anne, Tieguhong, Julius Chupezi
- Authors: Ngome, Precillia Ijang Tata , Shackleton, Charlie M , Degrande, Anne , Tieguhong, Julius Chupezi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60822 , vital:27836 , DOI 10.1186/s40066-017-0097-5
- Description: It is worth raising the question, why are wild edible plants (WEPs) which are rich in diverse nutrients and widely abundant underutilized despite the increasing rate of undernourishment in poor regions? One reason is that their culinary uses are not quantified and standardized in nutrition surveys, and therefore, they are not properly included in household diet intensification and diversification across regions and cultures. Active steps are needed to bridge this gap. This paper outlines the constraints to including WEPs in nutritional surveys as the lack of standard ways of food identification of diverse WEPs, lack of specific food categorization and therefore difficult dissemination across regions and cultures. As a way forward, a functional categorization of 11 subgroups for WEPs is introduced and discussed. In labeling these sub-food groups, the paper advocates that more WEPs food items and culinary uses should be enlisted during household nutrition surveys. Food researchers could then capitalize these enlisted species and disseminate them to promote diverse food use of WEPs in other regions where they exist but are not utilized as food.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ngome, Precillia Ijang Tata , Shackleton, Charlie M , Degrande, Anne , Tieguhong, Julius Chupezi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60822 , vital:27836 , DOI 10.1186/s40066-017-0097-5
- Description: It is worth raising the question, why are wild edible plants (WEPs) which are rich in diverse nutrients and widely abundant underutilized despite the increasing rate of undernourishment in poor regions? One reason is that their culinary uses are not quantified and standardized in nutrition surveys, and therefore, they are not properly included in household diet intensification and diversification across regions and cultures. Active steps are needed to bridge this gap. This paper outlines the constraints to including WEPs in nutritional surveys as the lack of standard ways of food identification of diverse WEPs, lack of specific food categorization and therefore difficult dissemination across regions and cultures. As a way forward, a functional categorization of 11 subgroups for WEPs is introduced and discussed. In labeling these sub-food groups, the paper advocates that more WEPs food items and culinary uses should be enlisted during household nutrition surveys. Food researchers could then capitalize these enlisted species and disseminate them to promote diverse food use of WEPs in other regions where they exist but are not utilized as food.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Aesthetic and spiritual ecosystem services provided by urban sacred sites
- De Lacy, Peter J G, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: De Lacy, Peter J G , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60919 , vital:27891 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su9091628
- Description: The range and use of ecosystem services provided by urban sacred sites has hardly been considered in studies of urban ecology, sustainability and human wellbeing. This paper examines the perceived ecosystem services supplied by green spaces or gardens associated with places of religious worship and appreciated by worshippers in a mid-sized town in South Africa. A questionnaire with open, closed and Likert scale questions was administered at 30 places of worship (25 with gardens and five without). Respondents identified a wide diversity of ecosystem services provided by gardens, with social ones being more recognized than ecological, and economic services the least. Approximately two-thirds of respondents visited a sacred site garden weekly or more often. The majority of respondents (96%) felt that a garden was necessary because it added to their feelings of connection with God, or helped them relax and so be better able to concentrate, and 54% stated that a garden enhanced their overall spiritual experience. Regression analysis revealed that aesthetic appreciation of a garden was significantly related to woody plant species richness, number and basal area in the garden. On the other hand, spiritual experience was positively related to woody plant basal area, but not species richness nor tree number. Neither size of the garden, nor number of years the respondents had been vising a particular sacred site had any influence on the rated spiritual or aesthetic experiences. These results reveal the widely appreciated ecosystem services provided by urban sacred spaces and their centrality in enhancing spiritual satisfaction for some.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: De Lacy, Peter J G , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60919 , vital:27891 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su9091628
- Description: The range and use of ecosystem services provided by urban sacred sites has hardly been considered in studies of urban ecology, sustainability and human wellbeing. This paper examines the perceived ecosystem services supplied by green spaces or gardens associated with places of religious worship and appreciated by worshippers in a mid-sized town in South Africa. A questionnaire with open, closed and Likert scale questions was administered at 30 places of worship (25 with gardens and five without). Respondents identified a wide diversity of ecosystem services provided by gardens, with social ones being more recognized than ecological, and economic services the least. Approximately two-thirds of respondents visited a sacred site garden weekly or more often. The majority of respondents (96%) felt that a garden was necessary because it added to their feelings of connection with God, or helped them relax and so be better able to concentrate, and 54% stated that a garden enhanced their overall spiritual experience. Regression analysis revealed that aesthetic appreciation of a garden was significantly related to woody plant species richness, number and basal area in the garden. On the other hand, spiritual experience was positively related to woody plant basal area, but not species richness nor tree number. Neither size of the garden, nor number of years the respondents had been vising a particular sacred site had any influence on the rated spiritual or aesthetic experiences. These results reveal the widely appreciated ecosystem services provided by urban sacred spaces and their centrality in enhancing spiritual satisfaction for some.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
African transnationalism in China: at the interface of local, transnational, bilateral and multilateral responses
- Authors: Bischoff, Paul, 1954-
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161522 , vital:40635 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/0021909615623809
- Description: The growing presence of a diversifying group of Africans in China raises broader issues of their status and permanence. The politics associated with African transnationalism in China are evident in Chinese and African government responses and the transnational African voice. This article looks at facets of an African transnational presence and some key responses at a local, international and transnational level to suggest an evolving state of Sino-African relations in which African multilateralism and the transnational African actor play a greater part.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bischoff, Paul, 1954-
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161522 , vital:40635 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/0021909615623809
- Description: The growing presence of a diversifying group of Africans in China raises broader issues of their status and permanence. The politics associated with African transnationalism in China are evident in Chinese and African government responses and the transnational African voice. This article looks at facets of an African transnational presence and some key responses at a local, international and transnational level to suggest an evolving state of Sino-African relations in which African multilateralism and the transnational African actor play a greater part.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Alex Baine's women's emancipation in Uganda: a visual archive of the history of a new generation of women in Uganda
- Authors: Tumusiime, Amanda
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145631 , vital:38453 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1162/AFAR_a_00344
- Description: Alex Baine is a contemporary Ugandan woman artist who graduated from the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art (or MTSIFA) in 1989. During her final year, she painted a large work, Women's Emancipation in Uganda (Fig. 1) (1989), in which she represented women in domestic and nondomestic (conventional and unconventional) economies, spaces, and histories. Baine has not produced any other painting since her graduation. It is evident that Baine's art career, like those of several other female graduates of the Art School, has been interrupted by many issues including family, business, further education, and diversion into other professions. However, in this article I acknowledge that she championed women's emancipation in Uganda's contemporary art in the 1980s, a debate that I trace in her work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Tumusiime, Amanda
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145631 , vital:38453 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1162/AFAR_a_00344
- Description: Alex Baine is a contemporary Ugandan woman artist who graduated from the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art (or MTSIFA) in 1989. During her final year, she painted a large work, Women's Emancipation in Uganda (Fig. 1) (1989), in which she represented women in domestic and nondomestic (conventional and unconventional) economies, spaces, and histories. Baine has not produced any other painting since her graduation. It is evident that Baine's art career, like those of several other female graduates of the Art School, has been interrupted by many issues including family, business, further education, and diversion into other professions. However, in this article I acknowledge that she championed women's emancipation in Uganda's contemporary art in the 1980s, a debate that I trace in her work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Alice in Wonderland: translating to read across Africa
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174901 , vital:42520 , https://doi.org/10.1080/13696815.2016.1160827
- Description: This article comments on various translation strategies aiming at equivalence used by translators when reworking Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland into nine African languages. The back translations provided by the translators form the basis for the discussion [Lindseth, Jon, ed. 2015. Alice in a World of Wonderlands. Volume 1: Essays. Delaware: Oak Knoll Press]. This article provides examples and discussion of how African language translators deviated from the original text and it analyses the possible reasons for doing so, both linguistic and socio-cultural. The way in which translators created an African voice in the target languages is discussed by analysing their reflective essays and back translations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174901 , vital:42520 , https://doi.org/10.1080/13696815.2016.1160827
- Description: This article comments on various translation strategies aiming at equivalence used by translators when reworking Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland into nine African languages. The back translations provided by the translators form the basis for the discussion [Lindseth, Jon, ed. 2015. Alice in a World of Wonderlands. Volume 1: Essays. Delaware: Oak Knoll Press]. This article provides examples and discussion of how African language translators deviated from the original text and it analyses the possible reasons for doing so, both linguistic and socio-cultural. The way in which translators created an African voice in the target languages is discussed by analysing their reflective essays and back translations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Allosteric modulation of conformational dynamics in human Hsp90α: a computational study
- Penkler, David L, Atilgan, Canan, Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Authors: Penkler, David L , Atilgan, Canan , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68531 , vital:29276 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/198341
- Description: Central to Hsp90’s biological function is its ability to interconvert between various conformational states. Drug targeting of Hsp90’s regulatory mechanisms, including its modulation by co-chaperone association, presents as an attractive therapeutic strategy for Hsp90 associated pathologies. Here, we utilize homology modeling techniques to calculate full-length structures of human Hsp90α in closed and partially-open conformations. Atomistic simulations of these structures demonstrated that bound ATP stabilizes the dimer by ‘tensing’ each protomer, while ADP and apo configurations ‘relax’ the complex by increasing global flexibility. Dynamic residue network analysis revealed regions of the protein involved in intra-protein communication, and identified several overlapping key communication hubs that correlate with known functional sites. Perturbation response scanning analysis identified several potential residue sites capable of modulating conformational change in favour of interstate conversion. For the ATP-bound open conformation, these sites were found to overlap with known Aha1 and client binding sites, demonstrating how naturally occurring forces associated with co-factor binding could allosterically modulate conformational dynamics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Penkler, David L , Atilgan, Canan , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68531 , vital:29276 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/198341
- Description: Central to Hsp90’s biological function is its ability to interconvert between various conformational states. Drug targeting of Hsp90’s regulatory mechanisms, including its modulation by co-chaperone association, presents as an attractive therapeutic strategy for Hsp90 associated pathologies. Here, we utilize homology modeling techniques to calculate full-length structures of human Hsp90α in closed and partially-open conformations. Atomistic simulations of these structures demonstrated that bound ATP stabilizes the dimer by ‘tensing’ each protomer, while ADP and apo configurations ‘relax’ the complex by increasing global flexibility. Dynamic residue network analysis revealed regions of the protein involved in intra-protein communication, and identified several overlapping key communication hubs that correlate with known functional sites. Perturbation response scanning analysis identified several potential residue sites capable of modulating conformational change in favour of interstate conversion. For the ATP-bound open conformation, these sites were found to overlap with known Aha1 and client binding sites, demonstrating how naturally occurring forces associated with co-factor binding could allosterically modulate conformational dynamics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis on the re-emergence of SQL Slammer worm using network telescope data
- Chindipha, Stones, D, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones, D , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428326 , vital:72503 , https://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/bitstream/handle/10204/9705/Chindipha_19658_2017.pdf?sequence=1ansisAllowed=y
- Description: The SQL Slammer worm is a self propagated computer virus that caused a denial of service on some Internet hosts and dramatically slowed down general Internet traffic. An observation of network traffic captured in the Rhodes University’s network telescopes shows that traf-fic observed in it shows an escalation in the number of packets cap-tured by the telescopes between January 2014 and December 2016 when the expected traffic was meant to take a constant decline in UDP packets from port 1434. Using data captured over a period of 84 months, the analysis done in this study identified top ten /24 source IP addresses that Slammer worm repeatedly used for this attack together with their geolocation. It also shows the trend of UDP 1434 packets re-ceived by the two network telescopes from January 2009 to December 2015. In line with epidemic model, the paper has shown how this traffic fits in as SQL Slammer worm attack. Consistent number of packets ob-served in the two telescopes between 2014 and 2016 shows qualities of the Slammer worm attack. Basic time series and decomposition of additive time series graphs have been used to show trend and ob-served UDP packets over the time frame of study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones, D , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428326 , vital:72503 , https://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/bitstream/handle/10204/9705/Chindipha_19658_2017.pdf?sequence=1ansisAllowed=y
- Description: The SQL Slammer worm is a self propagated computer virus that caused a denial of service on some Internet hosts and dramatically slowed down general Internet traffic. An observation of network traffic captured in the Rhodes University’s network telescopes shows that traf-fic observed in it shows an escalation in the number of packets cap-tured by the telescopes between January 2014 and December 2016 when the expected traffic was meant to take a constant decline in UDP packets from port 1434. Using data captured over a period of 84 months, the analysis done in this study identified top ten /24 source IP addresses that Slammer worm repeatedly used for this attack together with their geolocation. It also shows the trend of UDP 1434 packets re-ceived by the two network telescopes from January 2009 to December 2015. In line with epidemic model, the paper has shown how this traffic fits in as SQL Slammer worm attack. Consistent number of packets ob-served in the two telescopes between 2014 and 2016 shows qualities of the Slammer worm attack. Basic time series and decomposition of additive time series graphs have been used to show trend and ob-served UDP packets over the time frame of study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An IMS subscriber location function for OpenBaton—A standards based MANO environment
- Tsietsi, Mosiuoa, Chindeka, Tapiwa, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa , Chindeka, Tapiwa , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430567 , vital:72700 , 10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095600
- Description: In the past, virtualisation, and with it the move toward the cloud, has had a strong influence on the ICT (Information Communication Technology) sector, and now seems set to revolutionise the telecommunications sector as well. The virtualisation into software artefacts of functions that would usually be deployed as hardware has come to be known as Net-work Function Virtualisation (NFV), and the European Telecommunica-tions Standards Institute (ETSI) through its MANO (Management and Orchestration) framework has outlined comprehensively how such functions could be orchestrated and managed over infrastructure such as the cloud. A set of functions of particular interest are the call session control functions (CSCFs) and HSS (Home Subscriber Server) of the IP Multimedia System (IMS) which perform signalling and authentication functions for multimedia calls in contexts such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE). IMS has enjoyed significant focus in the past from the re-search community, as such an implementation of an IMS service pack-age has been provided in an open source MANO-compliant implemen-tation called OpenBaton. While the service package provides the IMS CSCFs and HSS, it does not include a Subscriber Location Function (SLF) which provides a mapping function to map a subscriber identity to a hosting HSS. The SLF is an important element for building distributed networks that partition user data into multiple databases, and as such represents a useful inclusion to the developer community. This paper describes an extension to the OpenBaton service package that in-cludes an SLF for partitioning large user populations across multiple HSSes and resolving individual addresses in real-time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa , Chindeka, Tapiwa , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430567 , vital:72700 , 10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095600
- Description: In the past, virtualisation, and with it the move toward the cloud, has had a strong influence on the ICT (Information Communication Technology) sector, and now seems set to revolutionise the telecommunications sector as well. The virtualisation into software artefacts of functions that would usually be deployed as hardware has come to be known as Net-work Function Virtualisation (NFV), and the European Telecommunica-tions Standards Institute (ETSI) through its MANO (Management and Orchestration) framework has outlined comprehensively how such functions could be orchestrated and managed over infrastructure such as the cloud. A set of functions of particular interest are the call session control functions (CSCFs) and HSS (Home Subscriber Server) of the IP Multimedia System (IMS) which perform signalling and authentication functions for multimedia calls in contexts such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE). IMS has enjoyed significant focus in the past from the re-search community, as such an implementation of an IMS service pack-age has been provided in an open source MANO-compliant implemen-tation called OpenBaton. While the service package provides the IMS CSCFs and HSS, it does not include a Subscriber Location Function (SLF) which provides a mapping function to map a subscriber identity to a hosting HSS. The SLF is an important element for building distributed networks that partition user data into multiple databases, and as such represents a useful inclusion to the developer community. This paper describes an extension to the OpenBaton service package that in-cludes an SLF for partitioning large user populations across multiple HSSes and resolving individual addresses in real-time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An update on the management of breast cancer in Africa
- Vanderpuye, V, Grover, S, Hammad, N, Prabhakar, Pooja, Simonds, H, Olopade, F, Stefan, D C
- Authors: Vanderpuye, V , Grover, S , Hammad, N , Prabhakar, Pooja , Simonds, H , Olopade, F , Stefan, D C
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Africa Cancer--Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6048 , vital:45108 , DOI 10.1186/s13027-017-0124-y
- Description: There is limited information about the challenges of cancer management and attempts at improving outcomes in Africa. Even though South and North Africa are better resourceds to tackle the burden of breast cancer, similar poor prognostic factors are common to all countries. The five-year overall Survival rate for breast cancer patients does not exceed 60% for any low and middle-income country (LMIC) in Africa. In spite of the gains achieved over the past decade, certain characteristics remain the same such as limited availability of breast conservation therapies, inadequate access to drugs, few oncology specialists and adherence to harmful socio-cultural practices. This review on managing breast cancer in Africa is authored by African oncologists who practice or collaborate in Africa and with hands-on experience with the realities. A search was performed via electronic databases from 1999 to 2016. (PubMed/Medline, African Journals Online) for all literature in English or translated into English, covering the terms "breast cancer in Africa and developing countries". One hundred ninety were deemed appropriate. Breast tumors are diagnosed at earlier ages and later stages than in highincome countries. There is a higher prevalence of triple-negative cancers. The limitations of poor nursing care and surgery, inadequate access to radiotherapy, poor availability of basic and modern systemic therapies translate into lower survival rate. Positive strides in breast cancer management in Africa include increased adaptation of treatment guidelines, improved pathology services including immuno-histochemistry, expansion and upgrading of radiotherapy equipment across the continent in addition to more research opportunities. This review is an update of the management of breast cancer in Africa, taking a look at the epidemiology, pathology, management resources, outcomes, research and limitations in Africa from the perspective of oncologists with local experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Vanderpuye, V , Grover, S , Hammad, N , Prabhakar, Pooja , Simonds, H , Olopade, F , Stefan, D C
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Africa Cancer--Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6048 , vital:45108 , DOI 10.1186/s13027-017-0124-y
- Description: There is limited information about the challenges of cancer management and attempts at improving outcomes in Africa. Even though South and North Africa are better resourceds to tackle the burden of breast cancer, similar poor prognostic factors are common to all countries. The five-year overall Survival rate for breast cancer patients does not exceed 60% for any low and middle-income country (LMIC) in Africa. In spite of the gains achieved over the past decade, certain characteristics remain the same such as limited availability of breast conservation therapies, inadequate access to drugs, few oncology specialists and adherence to harmful socio-cultural practices. This review on managing breast cancer in Africa is authored by African oncologists who practice or collaborate in Africa and with hands-on experience with the realities. A search was performed via electronic databases from 1999 to 2016. (PubMed/Medline, African Journals Online) for all literature in English or translated into English, covering the terms "breast cancer in Africa and developing countries". One hundred ninety were deemed appropriate. Breast tumors are diagnosed at earlier ages and later stages than in highincome countries. There is a higher prevalence of triple-negative cancers. The limitations of poor nursing care and surgery, inadequate access to radiotherapy, poor availability of basic and modern systemic therapies translate into lower survival rate. Positive strides in breast cancer management in Africa include increased adaptation of treatment guidelines, improved pathology services including immuno-histochemistry, expansion and upgrading of radiotherapy equipment across the continent in addition to more research opportunities. This review is an update of the management of breast cancer in Africa, taking a look at the epidemiology, pathology, management resources, outcomes, research and limitations in Africa from the perspective of oncologists with local experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Analysing an audit cycle: a critical realist account
- Boughey, Chrissie, McKenna, Sioux
- Authors: Boughey, Chrissie , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66741 , vital:28988 , ISSN 1470-3300 , https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1072148
- Description: Pre-print , This paper reports on the use of a framework developed from Bhaskar's critical realism and Archer's social realism to analyse teaching- and learning-related data produced as a result of the first cycle of institutional audits in the South African higher education system. The use of the framework allows us to see what this cycle of audits did achieve, namely some change in structural systems related to teaching and learning alongside the appointment of key agents. It also allows us to see how the stagnation of sets of ideas about teaching and learning in the domain of culture may mean that an assurance of the quality of learning experiences for all students remained elusive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Boughey, Chrissie , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66741 , vital:28988 , ISSN 1470-3300 , https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1072148
- Description: Pre-print , This paper reports on the use of a framework developed from Bhaskar's critical realism and Archer's social realism to analyse teaching- and learning-related data produced as a result of the first cycle of institutional audits in the South African higher education system. The use of the framework allows us to see what this cycle of audits did achieve, namely some change in structural systems related to teaching and learning alongside the appointment of key agents. It also allows us to see how the stagnation of sets of ideas about teaching and learning in the domain of culture may mean that an assurance of the quality of learning experiences for all students remained elusive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Anti-malarial synergy of secondary metabolites from Morinda lucida Benth.
- Lakkakula, Jaya R, Matshaya, Thabo, Krause, Rui W M
- Authors: Lakkakula, Jaya R , Matshaya, Thabo , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125609 , vital:35800 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2016.08.073
- Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance The roots, stem and leaves of Morinda lucida are used in some African countries as treatment against different types of fevers including yellow fever, malaria, trypanosomiasis and feverish conditions during child birth. Aim of the study To determine the in vitro cell toxicity and anti-malarial activity of the extracts of stem bark of M. lucida and to identify the secondary metabolites in the extract that may be responsible for this activity. Materials and methods The cell toxicity studies of crude extract [dichloromethane (DCM): Methanol (MeOH) in a ratio of1:1 (v/v)] as well as compounds isolated from the same extract were carried out using human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa cells); while the anti-malarial activities of the same samples were performed against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. The isolation of the active compounds was carried out using chromatographic techniques (column and thin layer chromatography) where as mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as 1D- and 2D- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses were employed in the characterisation and identification of the isolated secondary metabolites. Results The pLDH and cell toxicity assays for the crude extract and the fractions of M. lucida indicated that some fractions reduced the malaria parasite viability by approximately 50% at 100 μg/mL and they were not significantly cytotoxic. An IC50 done on the crude extract gave a value of 25 μg/mL. The % cell viability for the crude extract in cell toxicity assay remained at 100%. Seven chemical constituents i.e. asperuloside (1), asperulosidic acid (2), stigmasterol (3a), β-sitosterol (3b), cycloartenol (3c), campesterol (3d) and 5,15-O-dimethylmorindol (4) were isolated from the DCM-MeOH extract of stem bark. The isolated compounds tested were not that active by themselves individually at 20 μM but their activities were increased when the isolated compounds were combined. As seen when compounds 2, 3 and 4 (% viability: 93, 123 and 101 respectively) were combined yielding an IC50 value of 17 μM. Furthermore, this is the first report of compounds 1, 2, 3c, 3d and 4 isolated from M. lucida. Conclusion The crude extract completely suppressed the growth of P. falciparum. This indicates that the crude extract contains many compounds that might be acting in synergy. The observed activity of the crude extract and the samples containing a mixture of different compounds support the traditional use of M. lucida for the treatment of malaria.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Lakkakula, Jaya R , Matshaya, Thabo , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125609 , vital:35800 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2016.08.073
- Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance The roots, stem and leaves of Morinda lucida are used in some African countries as treatment against different types of fevers including yellow fever, malaria, trypanosomiasis and feverish conditions during child birth. Aim of the study To determine the in vitro cell toxicity and anti-malarial activity of the extracts of stem bark of M. lucida and to identify the secondary metabolites in the extract that may be responsible for this activity. Materials and methods The cell toxicity studies of crude extract [dichloromethane (DCM): Methanol (MeOH) in a ratio of1:1 (v/v)] as well as compounds isolated from the same extract were carried out using human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa cells); while the anti-malarial activities of the same samples were performed against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. The isolation of the active compounds was carried out using chromatographic techniques (column and thin layer chromatography) where as mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as 1D- and 2D- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses were employed in the characterisation and identification of the isolated secondary metabolites. Results The pLDH and cell toxicity assays for the crude extract and the fractions of M. lucida indicated that some fractions reduced the malaria parasite viability by approximately 50% at 100 μg/mL and they were not significantly cytotoxic. An IC50 done on the crude extract gave a value of 25 μg/mL. The % cell viability for the crude extract in cell toxicity assay remained at 100%. Seven chemical constituents i.e. asperuloside (1), asperulosidic acid (2), stigmasterol (3a), β-sitosterol (3b), cycloartenol (3c), campesterol (3d) and 5,15-O-dimethylmorindol (4) were isolated from the DCM-MeOH extract of stem bark. The isolated compounds tested were not that active by themselves individually at 20 μM but their activities were increased when the isolated compounds were combined. As seen when compounds 2, 3 and 4 (% viability: 93, 123 and 101 respectively) were combined yielding an IC50 value of 17 μM. Furthermore, this is the first report of compounds 1, 2, 3c, 3d and 4 isolated from M. lucida. Conclusion The crude extract completely suppressed the growth of P. falciparum. This indicates that the crude extract contains many compounds that might be acting in synergy. The observed activity of the crude extract and the samples containing a mixture of different compounds support the traditional use of M. lucida for the treatment of malaria.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Aporias of Rock Art interpretation: advancing a phenomenological reading
- Authors: Horwitz, Nomvuyo
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145609 , vital:38451 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1162/AFAR_a_00342
- Description: A porias—from the Greek a + poros (“without” + “passage”)—are defined by Jacques Derrida (1993) as philosophical expressions of doubt and confusion; they are irresolvable logical disjunctions in a given line of enquiry. Stuart Murray (2009:11) describes aporias as being constituted by “an intrinsic undecidability … a contradiction, a puzzle or a paradox.” In this article, I argue that academic interpretation of San rock art has been marked by certain aporias—moments of inherent, irresolvable confusion or doubt—because of the methodological tendencies that contemporary researchers have employed. By viewing the interpretation of San paintings as a detective-like “deciphering”—that is, as a journey that must end at the “arrival” of a static meaning— researchers have created pockets of contradictions: San rock art paintings are part of a process of perceptual meaning-making through aesthetic expression, not merely clues for deciphering a simplified “bygone” past. In this view, I advance a phenomenological approach to interpreting these paintings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Horwitz, Nomvuyo
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145609 , vital:38451 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1162/AFAR_a_00342
- Description: A porias—from the Greek a + poros (“without” + “passage”)—are defined by Jacques Derrida (1993) as philosophical expressions of doubt and confusion; they are irresolvable logical disjunctions in a given line of enquiry. Stuart Murray (2009:11) describes aporias as being constituted by “an intrinsic undecidability … a contradiction, a puzzle or a paradox.” In this article, I argue that academic interpretation of San rock art has been marked by certain aporias—moments of inherent, irresolvable confusion or doubt—because of the methodological tendencies that contemporary researchers have employed. By viewing the interpretation of San paintings as a detective-like “deciphering”—that is, as a journey that must end at the “arrival” of a static meaning— researchers have created pockets of contradictions: San rock art paintings are part of a process of perceptual meaning-making through aesthetic expression, not merely clues for deciphering a simplified “bygone” past. In this view, I advance a phenomenological approach to interpreting these paintings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Application of graphene quantum dots functionalized with thymine and thymine-appended zinc phthalocyanine as novel photoluminescent nanoprobes
- Achadu, Ojodomo John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188508 , vital:44760 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C6NJ03285K"
- Description: Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) were separately modified with thymine to obtain thymine-functionalized GQDs (T-GQDs) and ZnPc (T-ZnPc). T-GQDs and nanoconjugates of T-ZnPc with pristine GQDs (represented as pristine GQDs–T-ZnPc) or T-GQDs (represented as T-GQDs–T-ZnPc) were employed as fluorescent probes for the detection of mercury(II) ions (Hg2+). The as-synthesized T-GQDs alone demonstrated a highly sensitive and selective fluorescence “turn-OFF” process for Hg2+ detection due to the specific interaction between the thymine functionality on the T-GQDs with Hg2+. On the other hand, the fluorescence of pristine GQDs and T-GQDs was quenched (“turn-OFF”) upon coordination with T-ZnPc. However, the fluorescence emission was selectively restored (“turn-ON” process) in the presence of Hg2+ resulting in the sensitive detection of Hg2+ in the nanomolar concentration range (limit of detection = 0.05 nM, for the pristine GQDs–T-ZnPc probe). The probe containing pristine GQDs and the T-ZnPc complex demonstrated a higher specific and sensitive recognition of Hg2+ as compared to the T-GQDs alone or T-GQDs–T-ZnPc probes which are ascribed to the fluorescence “turn-ON” process of the former. Screening of different metal ions and counter ions proved that the probes are specifically suited for Hg2+ detection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188508 , vital:44760 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C6NJ03285K"
- Description: Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) were separately modified with thymine to obtain thymine-functionalized GQDs (T-GQDs) and ZnPc (T-ZnPc). T-GQDs and nanoconjugates of T-ZnPc with pristine GQDs (represented as pristine GQDs–T-ZnPc) or T-GQDs (represented as T-GQDs–T-ZnPc) were employed as fluorescent probes for the detection of mercury(II) ions (Hg2+). The as-synthesized T-GQDs alone demonstrated a highly sensitive and selective fluorescence “turn-OFF” process for Hg2+ detection due to the specific interaction between the thymine functionality on the T-GQDs with Hg2+. On the other hand, the fluorescence of pristine GQDs and T-GQDs was quenched (“turn-OFF”) upon coordination with T-ZnPc. However, the fluorescence emission was selectively restored (“turn-ON” process) in the presence of Hg2+ resulting in the sensitive detection of Hg2+ in the nanomolar concentration range (limit of detection = 0.05 nM, for the pristine GQDs–T-ZnPc probe). The probe containing pristine GQDs and the T-ZnPc complex demonstrated a higher specific and sensitive recognition of Hg2+ as compared to the T-GQDs alone or T-GQDs–T-ZnPc probes which are ascribed to the fluorescence “turn-ON” process of the former. Screening of different metal ions and counter ions proved that the probes are specifically suited for Hg2+ detection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Application of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction in the synthesis of 3-[(N-cycloalkylbenzamido)methyl]-2-quinolones as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors
- Sekgota, Khethobole C, Majumder, Swarup, Isaacs, Michelle, Mnkandhla, Dumisani, Hoppe, Heinrich C, Khanye, Setshaba D, Kriel, Frederik H, Coates, Judy, Kaye, Perry T
- Authors: Sekgota, Khethobole C , Majumder, Swarup , Isaacs, Michelle , Mnkandhla, Dumisani , Hoppe, Heinrich C , Khanye, Setshaba D , Kriel, Frederik H , Coates, Judy , Kaye, Perry T
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66178 , vital:28913 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2017.09.015
- Description: publisher version , A practicable six-step synthetic pathway has been developed to access a library of novel 3-[(N-cycloalkylbenzamido)methyl]-2-quinolones using Morita-Baylis-Hillman methodology. These compounds and their 3-[(N-cycloalkylamino)methyl]-2-quinolone precursors have been screened as potential HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors. A concomitant survey of their activity against HIV-1 protease and reverse-transcriptase reveals selective inhibition of HIV-1 IN.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sekgota, Khethobole C , Majumder, Swarup , Isaacs, Michelle , Mnkandhla, Dumisani , Hoppe, Heinrich C , Khanye, Setshaba D , Kriel, Frederik H , Coates, Judy , Kaye, Perry T
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66178 , vital:28913 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2017.09.015
- Description: publisher version , A practicable six-step synthetic pathway has been developed to access a library of novel 3-[(N-cycloalkylbenzamido)methyl]-2-quinolones using Morita-Baylis-Hillman methodology. These compounds and their 3-[(N-cycloalkylamino)methyl]-2-quinolone precursors have been screened as potential HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors. A concomitant survey of their activity against HIV-1 protease and reverse-transcriptase reveals selective inhibition of HIV-1 IN.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
Artist in Residence: Rehema Chachage
- Authors: Chachage, Rehema
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146479 , vital:38529 , https://www.ru.ac.za/artsofafrica/exhibitionsperformances/inzwi/
- Description: Inzwi! was an art event during the 2017 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown that celebrated the 5th anniversary of the Lucid Lunchbox, a student-led series of talks linked to the Arts of Africa and Global Souths research programme at Rhodes University. During the festival, five sets composed of three videos interjected the talks presented by Dineo Seshee Bopape and Beth Diane Armstrong, as well as a conversation between Andrew Tshabangu, Thembinkosi Goniwe and Philiswa Lila. The event intended to trigger reflection and dialogue, through a ‘wake-up call’ to grapple with our collective heritage and struggles, our fears and points of departure in order to envision futures. The selection of videos drew from the work of Rhodes Fine Art students, Alumni and Artists in Residence. Works on display addressed matters of identity (social, political and/or fictional); social engagement and activism; religious and spiritual practices in African contexts; race and white supremacy; and, finally, patronising relations in the art world. Borrowing from the words of Weléla Mar Kindred, the choreography of this event, like others that have been propelling black body politics in recent movements, is one of "communal healing, strength and solidarity".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chachage, Rehema
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146479 , vital:38529 , https://www.ru.ac.za/artsofafrica/exhibitionsperformances/inzwi/
- Description: Inzwi! was an art event during the 2017 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown that celebrated the 5th anniversary of the Lucid Lunchbox, a student-led series of talks linked to the Arts of Africa and Global Souths research programme at Rhodes University. During the festival, five sets composed of three videos interjected the talks presented by Dineo Seshee Bopape and Beth Diane Armstrong, as well as a conversation between Andrew Tshabangu, Thembinkosi Goniwe and Philiswa Lila. The event intended to trigger reflection and dialogue, through a ‘wake-up call’ to grapple with our collective heritage and struggles, our fears and points of departure in order to envision futures. The selection of videos drew from the work of Rhodes Fine Art students, Alumni and Artists in Residence. Works on display addressed matters of identity (social, political and/or fictional); social engagement and activism; religious and spiritual practices in African contexts; race and white supremacy; and, finally, patronising relations in the art world. Borrowing from the words of Weléla Mar Kindred, the choreography of this event, like others that have been propelling black body politics in recent movements, is one of "communal healing, strength and solidarity".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Aspect and slope as determinants of vegetation composition and soil properties in coastal forest backdunes of Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Ruwanza, Sheunesu, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180376 , vital:43358 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12343"
- Description: Coastal sand dune ecosystems are subjected to many stress and disturbance factors that are particularly high in the foredunes compared to the backdunes. Although a few studies have been conducted on eastern coastline sand dunes of South Africa, none have examined the relationship between aspect and slope on vegetation composition and soil properties of coastal forest backdunes. Vegetation and soil sampling were conducted in 11 transects, each with four plots measuring 10 × 10 m, located on the seaward and landward sides and on middle and lower slopes of backdunes of Bathurst coastal forest. A total of 39 species were identified, of which 23 were trees and shrubs, thirteen were forbs and three were grasses. The data show that both aspect and slope had limited influence on vegetation community assemblage and soil properties, but had significant effects on individual species distribution. There was a grass-dominated community on the middle slope and a tree- and shrub- dominated community on the lower slope. These two plant communities act as the required coastal forest ecosystem engineer driving variability in soil properties between the slopes, the most prominent being high soil nutrients and moisture in the lower slopes compared to the middle slopes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180376 , vital:43358 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12343"
- Description: Coastal sand dune ecosystems are subjected to many stress and disturbance factors that are particularly high in the foredunes compared to the backdunes. Although a few studies have been conducted on eastern coastline sand dunes of South Africa, none have examined the relationship between aspect and slope on vegetation composition and soil properties of coastal forest backdunes. Vegetation and soil sampling were conducted in 11 transects, each with four plots measuring 10 × 10 m, located on the seaward and landward sides and on middle and lower slopes of backdunes of Bathurst coastal forest. A total of 39 species were identified, of which 23 were trees and shrubs, thirteen were forbs and three were grasses. The data show that both aspect and slope had limited influence on vegetation community assemblage and soil properties, but had significant effects on individual species distribution. There was a grass-dominated community on the middle slope and a tree- and shrub- dominated community on the lower slope. These two plant communities act as the required coastal forest ecosystem engineer driving variability in soil properties between the slopes, the most prominent being high soil nutrients and moisture in the lower slopes compared to the middle slopes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Assessing a social norms approach for improving recreational fisheries compliance
- Bova, Christopher S, Halse, Sarah J, Aswani, Shankar, Potts, Warren M
- Authors: Bova, Christopher S , Halse, Sarah J , Aswani, Shankar , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123122 , vital:35408 , https://doi.10.1111/fme.12218
- Description: This study aimed to assess the suitability of the Berkowitz’ (2005) social norms approach (SNA) for improving compliance behaviour amongst recreational fishers. A total of 138 recreational shore anglers were interviewed in Eastern Cape, South Africa and asked about their compliance, attitudes towards compliance, perceptions of compliance and the attitudes of other anglers. Results indicate that angler compliance for individual regulations was relatively high (75%–90%). Attitudes of anglers towards compliance was positive, with >80% feeling that “breaking any regulation is wrong.” Yet, as predicted by the SNA, interviewees often overestimated the non-compliance and negative attitudes of other anglers, particularly as their social proximity decreased. Interviewees with the greatest misperceptions were also less compliant. The social norms present in the Eastern Cape rock and surf fishery fulfil the criteria required for the application of the SNA, suggesting that this approach may provide a suitable normative intervention for improving compliance to be used in conjunction with instrumental approaches in recreational fisheries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bova, Christopher S , Halse, Sarah J , Aswani, Shankar , Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123122 , vital:35408 , https://doi.10.1111/fme.12218
- Description: This study aimed to assess the suitability of the Berkowitz’ (2005) social norms approach (SNA) for improving compliance behaviour amongst recreational fishers. A total of 138 recreational shore anglers were interviewed in Eastern Cape, South Africa and asked about their compliance, attitudes towards compliance, perceptions of compliance and the attitudes of other anglers. Results indicate that angler compliance for individual regulations was relatively high (75%–90%). Attitudes of anglers towards compliance was positive, with >80% feeling that “breaking any regulation is wrong.” Yet, as predicted by the SNA, interviewees often overestimated the non-compliance and negative attitudes of other anglers, particularly as their social proximity decreased. Interviewees with the greatest misperceptions were also less compliant. The social norms present in the Eastern Cape rock and surf fishery fulfil the criteria required for the application of the SNA, suggesting that this approach may provide a suitable normative intervention for improving compliance to be used in conjunction with instrumental approaches in recreational fisheries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Assessing the morphological and physiological adaptations of the parasitoid wasp E chthrodesis lamorali for survival in an intertidal environment
- Owen, Candice A, Coetzee, Julie A, van Noort, Simon, Austin, Andrew D
- Authors: Owen, Candice A , Coetzee, Julie A , van Noort, Simon , Austin, Andrew D
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123178 , vital:35412 , https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12187
- Description: As a result of a variety of chemical, environmental, mechanical and physiological difficulties, insects that spend their entire life spans in the marine or intertidal region are relatively rare. The present study assesses whether morphological and physiological adaptations have evolved in a maritime parasitoidwasp species Echthrodesis lamorali Masner, 1968 (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Scelioninae), in response to environmental pressures on its respiratory functioning. Scanning electron and light microscopy of whole and sectioned specimens show the presence of structure-retaining taenidia in the tracheal tubes, although there is an absence of other major adaptations associated with the trachea or spiracles. Histological sectioning reveals the presence of unusual sacs in the female metasoma whose role is unknown, although they are hypothesized to most likely be linked to ovipositor control. Respirometry experiments illustrate the formation of a plastron when submerged, with the longevity of the wasps being increased by quiescence. The critical thermal range of E. lamorali is shown to be large: from −1.1 ∘C±0.16 to 45.7 ∘C±0.26 (mean±SE). Behavioural and physiological adaptations in E. lamorali appear to have evolved in response to exposure to the heterogeneous environmental conditions experienced within the intertidal zone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Owen, Candice A , Coetzee, Julie A , van Noort, Simon , Austin, Andrew D
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123178 , vital:35412 , https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12187
- Description: As a result of a variety of chemical, environmental, mechanical and physiological difficulties, insects that spend their entire life spans in the marine or intertidal region are relatively rare. The present study assesses whether morphological and physiological adaptations have evolved in a maritime parasitoidwasp species Echthrodesis lamorali Masner, 1968 (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Scelioninae), in response to environmental pressures on its respiratory functioning. Scanning electron and light microscopy of whole and sectioned specimens show the presence of structure-retaining taenidia in the tracheal tubes, although there is an absence of other major adaptations associated with the trachea or spiracles. Histological sectioning reveals the presence of unusual sacs in the female metasoma whose role is unknown, although they are hypothesized to most likely be linked to ovipositor control. Respirometry experiments illustrate the formation of a plastron when submerged, with the longevity of the wasps being increased by quiescence. The critical thermal range of E. lamorali is shown to be large: from −1.1 ∘C±0.16 to 45.7 ∘C±0.26 (mean±SE). Behavioural and physiological adaptations in E. lamorali appear to have evolved in response to exposure to the heterogeneous environmental conditions experienced within the intertidal zone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Assessing the status of biological control as a management tool for suppression of invasive alien plants in South Africa
- Zachariades, Costas, Paterson, Iain D, Strathie, Lorraine W, Hill, Martin P, van Wilgen, Brian W
- Authors: Zachariades, Costas , Paterson, Iain D , Strathie, Lorraine W , Hill, Martin P , van Wilgen, Brian W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59762 , vital:27646 , https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v47i2.2142
- Description: Biological control of invasive alien plant (IAP) species is the use of introduced, highly selective natural enemies (usually herbivorous arthropods or pathogens) to control plants. It has been used in 130 countries as a valuable tool for the control of IAP species, with a total of over 550 biological control agents having been released (Winston et al. 2014). The benefits of biological control to natural ecosystems are significant (Van Driesch et al. 2010), with some specific examples of threatened indigenous species being protected by the action of biological control agents (Barton et al. 2007; Meyer, Fourdrigniez & Taputuarai 2011). Detailed analyses of programmes on biological control of IAPs have also clearly indicated that the risks of non-target effects from biological control agents are minimal (Fowler, Syrett & Hill 2000; Funasaki et al. 1988; Moran & Hoffmann 2015; Paynter et al. 2004; Pemberton 2000; Suckling & Sforza 2014). Less than 1% of all the agents released have a negative impact on non-target plant populations, and those that do could have been predicted to do so, and would not be released today (Suckling & Sforza 2014).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zachariades, Costas , Paterson, Iain D , Strathie, Lorraine W , Hill, Martin P , van Wilgen, Brian W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59762 , vital:27646 , https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v47i2.2142
- Description: Biological control of invasive alien plant (IAP) species is the use of introduced, highly selective natural enemies (usually herbivorous arthropods or pathogens) to control plants. It has been used in 130 countries as a valuable tool for the control of IAP species, with a total of over 550 biological control agents having been released (Winston et al. 2014). The benefits of biological control to natural ecosystems are significant (Van Driesch et al. 2010), with some specific examples of threatened indigenous species being protected by the action of biological control agents (Barton et al. 2007; Meyer, Fourdrigniez & Taputuarai 2011). Detailed analyses of programmes on biological control of IAPs have also clearly indicated that the risks of non-target effects from biological control agents are minimal (Fowler, Syrett & Hill 2000; Funasaki et al. 1988; Moran & Hoffmann 2015; Paynter et al. 2004; Pemberton 2000; Suckling & Sforza 2014). Less than 1% of all the agents released have a negative impact on non-target plant populations, and those that do could have been predicted to do so, and would not be released today (Suckling & Sforza 2014).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017