Work-family conflict, stress and some demographic and occupational variables among female factory workers in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Work and family -- South Africa , Job stress -- South Africa , Women employees -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24128 , vital:62382
- Description: The study examines work-family conflict, stress, and some demographic and occupational variables among female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The participants were female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The independent variables for the study were, demographic and occupational variables, while stress is the dependent variable. Work-family conflict is dependent on demographic and occupational variables, while on the other hand is independent to stress. The demographic variables concerned are age, marital status, number of children and age of the last born child. The occupational variable on the other hand is occupational level, i.e. managerial versus non-managerial. The measuring instruments were a self-designed questionnaire to measure the demographic and occupational variables, a questionnaire developed by Stephens and Sommer (1996) to measure work-family conflict (cronbach’s alpha = 0,90) and the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (Pikhart, Bobak, Siegrist, Pajak, Rywick, Kyshegyi, Gostaus, Skodova& Marmot, 1996) to measure stress at workplace. Cronbach’s alpha for the whole questionnaire reaches the value of 0,89. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Work and family -- South Africa , Job stress -- South Africa , Women employees -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24128 , vital:62382
- Description: The study examines work-family conflict, stress, and some demographic and occupational variables among female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The participants were female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The independent variables for the study were, demographic and occupational variables, while stress is the dependent variable. Work-family conflict is dependent on demographic and occupational variables, while on the other hand is independent to stress. The demographic variables concerned are age, marital status, number of children and age of the last born child. The occupational variable on the other hand is occupational level, i.e. managerial versus non-managerial. The measuring instruments were a self-designed questionnaire to measure the demographic and occupational variables, a questionnaire developed by Stephens and Sommer (1996) to measure work-family conflict (cronbach’s alpha = 0,90) and the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (Pikhart, Bobak, Siegrist, Pajak, Rywick, Kyshegyi, Gostaus, Skodova& Marmot, 1996) to measure stress at workplace. Cronbach’s alpha for the whole questionnaire reaches the value of 0,89. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Response and adherence of HIV positive women to cervical cancer treatment
- Authors: Ngugi, Pearl
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Chemotherapy -- South Africa , Patient compliance -- South Africa , Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Treatment , HIV-positive women -- South Africa , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014129
- Description: It is estimated that 6742 South African women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3681 women die from the disease every year. In 1993, The Centers for Disease Control declared cervical cancer an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome defining illness. Apart from persistent human papillomavirus infection, HIV infection is the most common co-factor contributing to cervical cancer in South Africa. Studies have noted that in HIV positive women, there has been an occurrence of faster progression to more advanced stages of cervical cancer with high cases of treatment failure and recurrence. There is limited literature available regarding the prognosis of HIV positive women who suffer from cervical cancer. Women who are HIV positive and have cervical cancer have not been evaluated in detail regarding their response and adherence to cervical cancer treatment. Standard treatment protocols for this set of patients have not been defined. The aim of this study was to assess how HIV positive women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer responded and adhered to cervical cancer therapy which includes: curative radiotherapy; curative chemotherapy; concurrent chemoradiation or palliative radiotherapy. The study also evaluated the effects of the concurrent use of antiretrovirals and cervical cancer treatment. This was done to determine whether invasive cervical cancer in women who were HIV positive could be managed using the same treatment protocols as patients who were HIV negative. A historical cohort design was employed for the study. The study was conducted at the Oncology Department of a tertiary level hospital located in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The total sample consisted of 196 medical records of women diagnosed with cervical cancer between 2005 and 2008. One hundred women were HIV negative, 83 were HIV positive and the HIV status of 13 women could not be determined. The records were audited over a period of two years from the date of diagnosis. The term „complete response‟ referred to patients who had no recurrence of cervical cancer and no evidence of metastases after undergoing treatment. At one month following treatment there was a significant difference in the incidence of complete response between the HIV positive patients and the HIV negative patients (Chi2 = 16.4, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00005, Cramer‟s V = 0.31). The significant difference in response to treatment between the HIV positive patients and the HIV negative patients was maintained at six months after treatment (Chi2 = 15, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00011, Cramer‟s V = 0.34), 12 months after treatment (Chi2 = 20.5, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00001, Cramer‟s V = 0.37), 18 months after treatment (Chi2 = 9.8, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00173, Cramer‟s V = 0.28) and 24 months after treatment (Chi2 = 5.0, d.f. = 1, p = 0.02571, Cramer‟s V = 0.26). At each of these intervals, cases of treatment failure and metastases were significantly higher in the HIV positive women than in the HIV negative women. Although there was no significant difference in the incidence of adherence between the HIV negative women, the HIV positive women who were on HAART and the HIV positive women who were not on HAART, there was a significant difference in the incidence of the various reasons for non adherence between the various groups. These reasons included: missed scheduled appointments (Chi2 = 2.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.02385, Cramer‟s V = 0.31); low blood count (Chi2 = 4.0, d.f. = 2, p = 0.01327, Cramer‟s V = 0.15); radiotherapy induced skin breakdown (Chi2 = 0.6, d.f. = 2, p = 0.04581, Cramer‟s V = 0.16) and radiotherapy induced diarrhoea (Chi2 = 6.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.03118, Cramer‟s V = 0.19). According to the 2004 National Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines, cervical cancer patients would fall into the WHO stage IV category of HIV disease thus all patients with confirmed diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer should be commenced on antiretrovirals as soon as the cancer diagnosis is made regardless of their CD4 count. However, in the current study, 13 percent (n= 83) of the HIV positive women were not on antiretrovirals. The study concluded that HIV positive women had a higher incidence of both treatment failure and metastases to cervical cancer treatment. Standard radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation cervical cancer treatment protocols should be still be used in both HIV negative patients and HIV positive patients so as not to compromise tumour control. Furthermore, in accordance with the antiretroviral treatment guidelines, all HIV positive patients with cervical cancer should receive antiretrovirals irrespective of their CD4 count.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ngugi, Pearl
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Chemotherapy -- South Africa , Patient compliance -- South Africa , Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Treatment , HIV-positive women -- South Africa , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014129
- Description: It is estimated that 6742 South African women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3681 women die from the disease every year. In 1993, The Centers for Disease Control declared cervical cancer an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome defining illness. Apart from persistent human papillomavirus infection, HIV infection is the most common co-factor contributing to cervical cancer in South Africa. Studies have noted that in HIV positive women, there has been an occurrence of faster progression to more advanced stages of cervical cancer with high cases of treatment failure and recurrence. There is limited literature available regarding the prognosis of HIV positive women who suffer from cervical cancer. Women who are HIV positive and have cervical cancer have not been evaluated in detail regarding their response and adherence to cervical cancer treatment. Standard treatment protocols for this set of patients have not been defined. The aim of this study was to assess how HIV positive women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer responded and adhered to cervical cancer therapy which includes: curative radiotherapy; curative chemotherapy; concurrent chemoradiation or palliative radiotherapy. The study also evaluated the effects of the concurrent use of antiretrovirals and cervical cancer treatment. This was done to determine whether invasive cervical cancer in women who were HIV positive could be managed using the same treatment protocols as patients who were HIV negative. A historical cohort design was employed for the study. The study was conducted at the Oncology Department of a tertiary level hospital located in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The total sample consisted of 196 medical records of women diagnosed with cervical cancer between 2005 and 2008. One hundred women were HIV negative, 83 were HIV positive and the HIV status of 13 women could not be determined. The records were audited over a period of two years from the date of diagnosis. The term „complete response‟ referred to patients who had no recurrence of cervical cancer and no evidence of metastases after undergoing treatment. At one month following treatment there was a significant difference in the incidence of complete response between the HIV positive patients and the HIV negative patients (Chi2 = 16.4, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00005, Cramer‟s V = 0.31). The significant difference in response to treatment between the HIV positive patients and the HIV negative patients was maintained at six months after treatment (Chi2 = 15, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00011, Cramer‟s V = 0.34), 12 months after treatment (Chi2 = 20.5, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00001, Cramer‟s V = 0.37), 18 months after treatment (Chi2 = 9.8, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00173, Cramer‟s V = 0.28) and 24 months after treatment (Chi2 = 5.0, d.f. = 1, p = 0.02571, Cramer‟s V = 0.26). At each of these intervals, cases of treatment failure and metastases were significantly higher in the HIV positive women than in the HIV negative women. Although there was no significant difference in the incidence of adherence between the HIV negative women, the HIV positive women who were on HAART and the HIV positive women who were not on HAART, there was a significant difference in the incidence of the various reasons for non adherence between the various groups. These reasons included: missed scheduled appointments (Chi2 = 2.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.02385, Cramer‟s V = 0.31); low blood count (Chi2 = 4.0, d.f. = 2, p = 0.01327, Cramer‟s V = 0.15); radiotherapy induced skin breakdown (Chi2 = 0.6, d.f. = 2, p = 0.04581, Cramer‟s V = 0.16) and radiotherapy induced diarrhoea (Chi2 = 6.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.03118, Cramer‟s V = 0.19). According to the 2004 National Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines, cervical cancer patients would fall into the WHO stage IV category of HIV disease thus all patients with confirmed diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer should be commenced on antiretrovirals as soon as the cancer diagnosis is made regardless of their CD4 count. However, in the current study, 13 percent (n= 83) of the HIV positive women were not on antiretrovirals. The study concluded that HIV positive women had a higher incidence of both treatment failure and metastases to cervical cancer treatment. Standard radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation cervical cancer treatment protocols should be still be used in both HIV negative patients and HIV positive patients so as not to compromise tumour control. Furthermore, in accordance with the antiretroviral treatment guidelines, all HIV positive patients with cervical cancer should receive antiretrovirals irrespective of their CD4 count.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Bayesian logistic regression models for credit scoring
- Authors: Webster, Gregg
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Bayesian statistical decision theory Credit scoring systems Regression analysis Logistic regression analysis Monte Carlo method Markov processes Financial institutions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:5574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005538
- Description: The Bayesian approach to logistic regression modelling for credit scoring is useful when there are data quantity issues. Data quantity issues might occur when a bank is opening in a new location or there is change in the scoring procedure. Making use of prior information (available from the coefficients estimated on other data sets, or expert knowledge about the coefficients) a Bayesian approach is proposed to improve the credit scoring models. To achieve this, a data set is split into two sets, “old” data and “new” data. Priors are obtained from a model fitted on the “old” data. This model is assumed to be a scoring model used by a financial institution in the current location. The financial institution is then assumed to expand into a new economic location where there is limited data. The priors from the model on the “old” data are then combined in a Bayesian model with the “new” data to obtain a model which represents all the available information. The predictive performance of this Bayesian model is compared to a model which does not make use of any prior information. It is found that the use of relevant prior information improves the predictive performance when the size of the “new” data is small. As the size of the “new” data increases, the importance of including prior information decreases
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Webster, Gregg
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Bayesian statistical decision theory Credit scoring systems Regression analysis Logistic regression analysis Monte Carlo method Markov processes Financial institutions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:5574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005538
- Description: The Bayesian approach to logistic regression modelling for credit scoring is useful when there are data quantity issues. Data quantity issues might occur when a bank is opening in a new location or there is change in the scoring procedure. Making use of prior information (available from the coefficients estimated on other data sets, or expert knowledge about the coefficients) a Bayesian approach is proposed to improve the credit scoring models. To achieve this, a data set is split into two sets, “old” data and “new” data. Priors are obtained from a model fitted on the “old” data. This model is assumed to be a scoring model used by a financial institution in the current location. The financial institution is then assumed to expand into a new economic location where there is limited data. The priors from the model on the “old” data are then combined in a Bayesian model with the “new” data to obtain a model which represents all the available information. The predictive performance of this Bayesian model is compared to a model which does not make use of any prior information. It is found that the use of relevant prior information improves the predictive performance when the size of the “new” data is small. As the size of the “new” data increases, the importance of including prior information decreases
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Challenging the forked tongue of multilingualism: scholarship in African languages at SA Universities with specific reference to Rhodes
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018946 , https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5481-6748
- Description: [From the text] Effective multilingualism will aid SA in creating Social Cohesion (cultural, linguistic), a National Government initiative forming part of language planning. Languages should be seen as part of our environment and “resource package” within an intercultural paradigm. All students exiting School and University must be proficient in an African language and English or Afrikaans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018946 , https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5481-6748
- Description: [From the text] Effective multilingualism will aid SA in creating Social Cohesion (cultural, linguistic), a National Government initiative forming part of language planning. Languages should be seen as part of our environment and “resource package” within an intercultural paradigm. All students exiting School and University must be proficient in an African language and English or Afrikaans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Living by voices we shall never hear: seeing animals differently
- Mitchell, Pauline, Mitchell, Les
- Authors: Mitchell, Pauline , Mitchell, Les
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Monograph
- Identifier: vital:12230
- Description: We live in the midst of animals; the products of their bodies and products made from their bodies are everywhere. Over thousands of years we have used these beings for our own ends; for hauling loads, grinding grain, making roads, carrying people, working in mines, powering machinery, ploughing land and making war. Each day of the year we kill, on average, in the food industry alone, the same number of animals as there are people in the whole of southern Africa. Animals have been our unpaid, unacknowledged and, for the most part, appallingly treated slaves, on whose backs, it is no exaggeration to say, our present world has been built. Perhaps it is time to consider our relationship with them. For this book we originally asked Quakers and people attending Quaker Meetings to write about ‘seeing animals differently’ and our contributors are Friends or attenders or people who have some association with Friends. The authors live in the UK, South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. There is a saying that trying to organise Quakers is like trying to herd cats and the diversity in this small book clearly bears this out. We An introduction to the book Pauline and Les Mitchell Introduction have not made any attempt to impose uniformity or to ask authors to write to any formula, which means that what you read carries the original voice and style of the contributor. We feel that, rather than a weakness, this is a strength of the collection and shows how diverse yet interwoven our perspectives can be.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mitchell, Pauline , Mitchell, Les
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Monograph
- Identifier: vital:12230
- Description: We live in the midst of animals; the products of their bodies and products made from their bodies are everywhere. Over thousands of years we have used these beings for our own ends; for hauling loads, grinding grain, making roads, carrying people, working in mines, powering machinery, ploughing land and making war. Each day of the year we kill, on average, in the food industry alone, the same number of animals as there are people in the whole of southern Africa. Animals have been our unpaid, unacknowledged and, for the most part, appallingly treated slaves, on whose backs, it is no exaggeration to say, our present world has been built. Perhaps it is time to consider our relationship with them. For this book we originally asked Quakers and people attending Quaker Meetings to write about ‘seeing animals differently’ and our contributors are Friends or attenders or people who have some association with Friends. The authors live in the UK, South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. There is a saying that trying to organise Quakers is like trying to herd cats and the diversity in this small book clearly bears this out. We An introduction to the book Pauline and Les Mitchell Introduction have not made any attempt to impose uniformity or to ask authors to write to any formula, which means that what you read carries the original voice and style of the contributor. We feel that, rather than a weakness, this is a strength of the collection and shows how diverse yet interwoven our perspectives can be.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011
Expression of heat shock proteins on the plasma membrane of cancer cells : a potential multi-chaperone complex that mediates migration
- Authors: Kenyon, Amy
- Date: 2011 , 2011-03-29
- Subjects: Heat shock proteins , Protein folding , Molecular chaperones , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013362
- Description: Current dogma suggests that the Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) molecular chaperones and associated co-chaperones function primarily within the cell, although growing evidence suggests a role for these proteins on the plasma membrane of cancer cells. Hsp90 does not function independently in vivo, but instead functions with a variety of partner chaperones and co-chaperones, that include Hsp70 and Hsp90/Hsp70 organising protein (Hop), which are thought to regulate ATP hydrolysis and the binding of Hsp90 to its client proteins. Hsp90 on the plasma membrane appears to have distinct roles in pathways leading to cell motility, invasion and metastasis. We hypothesised that Hsp90 on the plasma membrane is present as part of a multi-chaperone complex that participates in the chaperone-assisted folding of client membrane proteins in a manner analogous to the intracellular chaperone complex. This study characterised the membrane expression of Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop in different cell models of different adhesive and migratory capacity, namely MDA-MB-231 (metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), MCF-7 (non-metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), U937 and THP1 (monocytic leukemia suspension cell lines). Membrane expression of the Hsps was analysed using a combination of subcellular fractionation, biotin-streptavidin affinity purification and immunofluorescence. This study provided evidence to suggest that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop are membrane associated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop associated with the plasma membrane such that at least part of the protein is located extracellularly. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop at the leading edge may localize to membrane ruffles in MDA-MB-231 cells, in accordance with the published role of Hsp90 in migration. An increase in this response was seen in cells stimulated to migrate with SDF-1. By immunoprecipitation, we isolated a putative extracellular membrane associated complex containing Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop. Using soluble Hsp90 and antibodies against membrane associated Hsp90, we suggested roles for soluble extracellular Hsp90 in mediating migration by wound healing assays and inducing actin reorganisation and vinculin-based focal adhesion formation. The effects of extracellular Hsp90 are mediated by signalling through an ERK1/2 dependent pathway. An anti-Hsp90 antibody against an N-terminal epitope in Hsp90 appeared to be able to overcome the death inducing effects of a combination of SDF-1 and AMD3100, while soluble Hsp90 could not overcome this effect. We propose that this study provides preliminary evidence that extracellular Hsp90 functions as part of a multi-chaperone complex that includes Hsp70 and Hop. The extracellular Hsp90 chaperone complex may mediate cell processes such as migration by modulating the conformation of cell surface receptors, leading to downstream signalling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kenyon, Amy
- Date: 2011 , 2011-03-29
- Subjects: Heat shock proteins , Protein folding , Molecular chaperones , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013362
- Description: Current dogma suggests that the Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) molecular chaperones and associated co-chaperones function primarily within the cell, although growing evidence suggests a role for these proteins on the plasma membrane of cancer cells. Hsp90 does not function independently in vivo, but instead functions with a variety of partner chaperones and co-chaperones, that include Hsp70 and Hsp90/Hsp70 organising protein (Hop), which are thought to regulate ATP hydrolysis and the binding of Hsp90 to its client proteins. Hsp90 on the plasma membrane appears to have distinct roles in pathways leading to cell motility, invasion and metastasis. We hypothesised that Hsp90 on the plasma membrane is present as part of a multi-chaperone complex that participates in the chaperone-assisted folding of client membrane proteins in a manner analogous to the intracellular chaperone complex. This study characterised the membrane expression of Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop in different cell models of different adhesive and migratory capacity, namely MDA-MB-231 (metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), MCF-7 (non-metastatic adherent breast cancer cell line), U937 and THP1 (monocytic leukemia suspension cell lines). Membrane expression of the Hsps was analysed using a combination of subcellular fractionation, biotin-streptavidin affinity purification and immunofluorescence. This study provided evidence to suggest that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop are membrane associated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop associated with the plasma membrane such that at least part of the protein is located extracellularly. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop at the leading edge may localize to membrane ruffles in MDA-MB-231 cells, in accordance with the published role of Hsp90 in migration. An increase in this response was seen in cells stimulated to migrate with SDF-1. By immunoprecipitation, we isolated a putative extracellular membrane associated complex containing Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hop. Using soluble Hsp90 and antibodies against membrane associated Hsp90, we suggested roles for soluble extracellular Hsp90 in mediating migration by wound healing assays and inducing actin reorganisation and vinculin-based focal adhesion formation. The effects of extracellular Hsp90 are mediated by signalling through an ERK1/2 dependent pathway. An anti-Hsp90 antibody against an N-terminal epitope in Hsp90 appeared to be able to overcome the death inducing effects of a combination of SDF-1 and AMD3100, while soluble Hsp90 could not overcome this effect. We propose that this study provides preliminary evidence that extracellular Hsp90 functions as part of a multi-chaperone complex that includes Hsp70 and Hop. The extracellular Hsp90 chaperone complex may mediate cell processes such as migration by modulating the conformation of cell surface receptors, leading to downstream signalling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An assessment of the effectiveness of public consultation: the case study of selected ward committees in the Northern Bay Municipality
- Authors: Arends, Darrin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1535 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Since 1994, the South African local government has been obligated to consult with its citizenry in respect of the processes of relating to service delivery. The South African Government has developed a wide range of legislation that ensures that communities are consulted on a continuous basis with regard to how services need to be rendered. Communities have a right to be consulted and to give input into issues affecting them. Public consultation as envisaged in the South African legislation has, however, not yielded the desired results which is evident in the spate of service delivery protests over poor or non service delivery. Therefore, this study seeks to analyse the effectiveness and efficiency of pubic consultation in the Northern Areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The researcher used qualitative research methods since it would provide the reader with more insight into how public consultation is implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The communities, senior municipal officials, and councillors have been interviewed in a structured manner and a content analysis has been made of the minutes of the ward committees in the Northern Areas, the annual reports of the Municipality’s Oversight Committee and a range of other reading material. A number of findings has been made during this research project with the most pertinent being the non-compliance to certain sections of legislation by the Municipality. The communities in the Northern Areas generally felt that efficient and effective public consultation would reduce the number of service delivery protests in that part of the Municipality. A number of interventions need to be made by the political leadership with regard to public consultation and more resources need to be committed towards those processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Arends, Darrin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1535 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Since 1994, the South African local government has been obligated to consult with its citizenry in respect of the processes of relating to service delivery. The South African Government has developed a wide range of legislation that ensures that communities are consulted on a continuous basis with regard to how services need to be rendered. Communities have a right to be consulted and to give input into issues affecting them. Public consultation as envisaged in the South African legislation has, however, not yielded the desired results which is evident in the spate of service delivery protests over poor or non service delivery. Therefore, this study seeks to analyse the effectiveness and efficiency of pubic consultation in the Northern Areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The researcher used qualitative research methods since it would provide the reader with more insight into how public consultation is implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The communities, senior municipal officials, and councillors have been interviewed in a structured manner and a content analysis has been made of the minutes of the ward committees in the Northern Areas, the annual reports of the Municipality’s Oversight Committee and a range of other reading material. A number of findings has been made during this research project with the most pertinent being the non-compliance to certain sections of legislation by the Municipality. The communities in the Northern Areas generally felt that efficient and effective public consultation would reduce the number of service delivery protests in that part of the Municipality. A number of interventions need to be made by the political leadership with regard to public consultation and more resources need to be committed towards those processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Institutional constraints to horticulture production and marketing
- Mphahama, Litsoanelo Evodiah
- Authors: Mphahama, Litsoanelo Evodiah
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Horticulture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Agricultural extension work -- Lesotho , Gardening -- Lesotho , Food security -- Lesotho , Poverty -- Lesotho , Agricultural productivity -- Lesotho , Farm produce -- Lesotho -- Marketing , Land tenure -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/428 , Horticulture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Agricultural extension work -- Lesotho , Gardening -- Lesotho , Food security -- Lesotho , Poverty -- Lesotho , Agricultural productivity -- Lesotho , Farm produce -- Lesotho -- Marketing , Land tenure -- Lesotho
- Description: Lesotho has a land area of about 30.340 square kilometers and is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Much of the country is mountainous. Its agricultural sector is characterized by low productivity due to erratic climatic conditions, limited arable land and fragile soils with a low water holding capacity. These conditions have proved very detrimental to crop production, rendering agriculture a risky economic activity. Numerous efforts have been made over the years to address the technical constraints confronting the sector, but nothing seems to be changing. The implication is that the technical/climatic factors mentioned above may be only part of the problem. The current situation whereby Lesotho imports nearly 95% of its domestic food requirements is unsustainable, but this desperate picture looks set to worsen with the continuing threats of contracting farm sizes and further declines in farmer participation rates. But this sector has continued to be an important source of household survival and existence. A study was designed and conducted during 2008 and 2009 to identify the institutional constraints to horticulture production in Lesotho, looking specifically at the obstacles to effective production and marketing of horticultural products. A total of 100 farming households were enumerated in four districts of the country, namely Butha Buthe, Berea, Mafeteng, and Thaba-Tseka. A range of institutional and non-price factors in the farming and marketing environment were incorporated in a binary choice model to investigate the degree of satisfaction of the farming households with their previous year’s farming results. To avoid selection bias in the sample, a probit model was chosen, and the Stata-10 software was used to estimate probit coefficients. The results provide indications that property rights, the agricultural extension service, the condition of the physical infrastructure, and distance to markets may be crucial elements threatening the existence of this sector in Lesotho. The difficulties in accessing markets and land remain important institutional constraints to horticulture production and marketing in Lesotho. Recommendations made on these issues include providing more policy support to homestead gardening and for these issues to be incorporated into the Vision 2020 process. Also to be included is the issue of addressing the growing national food insecurity and enhancing Basotho livelihoods in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mphahama, Litsoanelo Evodiah
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Horticulture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Agricultural extension work -- Lesotho , Gardening -- Lesotho , Food security -- Lesotho , Poverty -- Lesotho , Agricultural productivity -- Lesotho , Farm produce -- Lesotho -- Marketing , Land tenure -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/428 , Horticulture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Agricultural extension work -- Lesotho , Gardening -- Lesotho , Food security -- Lesotho , Poverty -- Lesotho , Agricultural productivity -- Lesotho , Farm produce -- Lesotho -- Marketing , Land tenure -- Lesotho
- Description: Lesotho has a land area of about 30.340 square kilometers and is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Much of the country is mountainous. Its agricultural sector is characterized by low productivity due to erratic climatic conditions, limited arable land and fragile soils with a low water holding capacity. These conditions have proved very detrimental to crop production, rendering agriculture a risky economic activity. Numerous efforts have been made over the years to address the technical constraints confronting the sector, but nothing seems to be changing. The implication is that the technical/climatic factors mentioned above may be only part of the problem. The current situation whereby Lesotho imports nearly 95% of its domestic food requirements is unsustainable, but this desperate picture looks set to worsen with the continuing threats of contracting farm sizes and further declines in farmer participation rates. But this sector has continued to be an important source of household survival and existence. A study was designed and conducted during 2008 and 2009 to identify the institutional constraints to horticulture production in Lesotho, looking specifically at the obstacles to effective production and marketing of horticultural products. A total of 100 farming households were enumerated in four districts of the country, namely Butha Buthe, Berea, Mafeteng, and Thaba-Tseka. A range of institutional and non-price factors in the farming and marketing environment were incorporated in a binary choice model to investigate the degree of satisfaction of the farming households with their previous year’s farming results. To avoid selection bias in the sample, a probit model was chosen, and the Stata-10 software was used to estimate probit coefficients. The results provide indications that property rights, the agricultural extension service, the condition of the physical infrastructure, and distance to markets may be crucial elements threatening the existence of this sector in Lesotho. The difficulties in accessing markets and land remain important institutional constraints to horticulture production and marketing in Lesotho. Recommendations made on these issues include providing more policy support to homestead gardening and for these issues to be incorporated into the Vision 2020 process. Also to be included is the issue of addressing the growing national food insecurity and enhancing Basotho livelihoods in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony 2011
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007246
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies [at] 1820 Settlers National Monument Thursday, 7 April at 18.00 [and] Friday, 8 April at 10:30; 14:30 & 18:00 [and] Saturday, 9 April at 10:30
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007246
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies [at] 1820 Settlers National Monument Thursday, 7 April at 18.00 [and] Friday, 8 April at 10:30; 14:30 & 18:00 [and] Saturday, 9 April at 10:30
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation of the attitudes of South African Police Service management with respect to the viability of computer-assisted training in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Adams, Leinadu
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1410 , Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: The South African Police Service (SAPS) as a constituent part of the public service was established to deliver a specific category of services to the public. These services have to conform to requirements that are prescribed by various legislative provisions to promote effective and efficient delivery of public services. The implications of these provisions that are pursued by the study firstly, refer to the emphasis of government on the enhancement of public service delivery, with due consideration given to cost effectiveness and efficiency. Secondly, it refers to government's realisation of the important impact of education, development and training (EDT) on the competency of public service officials with an emphasis on the utilisation of information technology to enhance the effectiveness of EDT. Consequently, the study explores the viability of the utilisation of information technology as a measure to assist EDT interventions within the SAPS of the Eastern Cape Province to equip members of the institution to better fulfil their functions and duties. In this respect the study commenced to ascertain the levels of computer literacy of role-players, access to the appropriate facilities and what the general attitude in the organisation would be towards the utilisation of such an intervention. It was found that the computer literacy levels of role-players may be perceived as a problematic issue in this regard. However, access to suitable facilities was found to be more than sufficient for this intention. Furthermore, role-players agreed that information technology could be optimally applied in the EC SAPS for the mentioned use, thereby portraying an optimistic attitude towards the use thereof to harmonise EDT in the SAPS. The aim of the study has been to develop a model that will incorporate the use of information technology, given the strengths and weaknesses of the SAPS to enhance EDT and learning in the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Adams, Leinadu
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1410 , Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: The South African Police Service (SAPS) as a constituent part of the public service was established to deliver a specific category of services to the public. These services have to conform to requirements that are prescribed by various legislative provisions to promote effective and efficient delivery of public services. The implications of these provisions that are pursued by the study firstly, refer to the emphasis of government on the enhancement of public service delivery, with due consideration given to cost effectiveness and efficiency. Secondly, it refers to government's realisation of the important impact of education, development and training (EDT) on the competency of public service officials with an emphasis on the utilisation of information technology to enhance the effectiveness of EDT. Consequently, the study explores the viability of the utilisation of information technology as a measure to assist EDT interventions within the SAPS of the Eastern Cape Province to equip members of the institution to better fulfil their functions and duties. In this respect the study commenced to ascertain the levels of computer literacy of role-players, access to the appropriate facilities and what the general attitude in the organisation would be towards the utilisation of such an intervention. It was found that the computer literacy levels of role-players may be perceived as a problematic issue in this regard. However, access to suitable facilities was found to be more than sufficient for this intention. Furthermore, role-players agreed that information technology could be optimally applied in the EC SAPS for the mentioned use, thereby portraying an optimistic attitude towards the use thereof to harmonise EDT in the SAPS. The aim of the study has been to develop a model that will incorporate the use of information technology, given the strengths and weaknesses of the SAPS to enhance EDT and learning in the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Characterization of stratified L-topological spaces by convergence of stratified L-filters
- Authors: Orpen, David Lisle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Topology , Generalized spaces , Filters (Mathematics) , Topological spaces
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005216 , Topology , Generalized spaces , Filters (Mathematics) , Topological spaces
- Description: For the case where L is an ecl-premonoid, we explore various characterizations of SL-topological spaces, in particular characterization in terms of a convergence function lim: FS L(X) ! LX. We find we have to introduce a new axiom , L on the lim function in order to completely describe SL-topological spaces, which is not required in the case where L is a frame. We generalize the classical Kowalski and Fischer axioms to the lattice context and examine their relationship to the convergence axioms. We define the category of stratified L-generalized convergence spaces, as a generalization of the classical convergence spaces and investigate conditions under which it contains the category of stratified L-topological spaces as a reflective subcategory. We investigate some subcategories of the category of stratified L-generalized convergence spaces obtained by generalizing various classical convergence axioms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Orpen, David Lisle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Topology , Generalized spaces , Filters (Mathematics) , Topological spaces
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005216 , Topology , Generalized spaces , Filters (Mathematics) , Topological spaces
- Description: For the case where L is an ecl-premonoid, we explore various characterizations of SL-topological spaces, in particular characterization in terms of a convergence function lim: FS L(X) ! LX. We find we have to introduce a new axiom , L on the lim function in order to completely describe SL-topological spaces, which is not required in the case where L is a frame. We generalize the classical Kowalski and Fischer axioms to the lattice context and examine their relationship to the convergence axioms. We define the category of stratified L-generalized convergence spaces, as a generalization of the classical convergence spaces and investigate conditions under which it contains the category of stratified L-topological spaces as a reflective subcategory. We investigate some subcategories of the category of stratified L-generalized convergence spaces obtained by generalizing various classical convergence axioms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessment of the antibacterial properties of n-Hexane extract of Cocos Nucifera and its interactions with some conventional antibiotics
- Authors: Akinyele, Taiwo Adesola
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/416 , Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Description: Cocos nucifera belong to the family Aracaceae (palm Family). The English name is coconut and it is used extensively as medicinal remedies against infections such as urinary tract infections, gastro intestinal infections, skin and wound infections. The in vitro antibacterial (including anti-listerial and anti-vibrio) properties as well as the evaluation of the combination potentials of the plant extract with six front-line antibiotics were evaluated in this study using standard procedures. The in vitro anti-listerial properties of the crude aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of Cocos nucifera were carried out against 37 Listeria isolates. Twenty-nine of the test organisms were susceptible to the aqueous extract while thirty were susceptible to the n-Hexane extract both at the screening concentration of 25 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.6 - 5.0 mg/ml. For the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count ranged between 0.32 Log10 and 4.8 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 2.4 Log10 and 6.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. The time-kill characteristics of the two extracts suggest that at higher concentration (2 × MIC) and longer duration of interaction (8 hr), more bacteria were killed. In vitro anti-vibrio and antibacterial properties experiment revealed that of all the 45 vibrio and 25 bacteria strains that was tested, 37 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 38 to the n-Hexane extract, while 17 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 21 to the n-Hexane extract. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.3 - 5.0 mg/ml. viii The time kill studies revealed that for the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.12 Log10 and 4.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 0.56 Log10 and 6.4 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. In the test for the combination interactions, the checkerboard method revealed synergy of 67% and indifferent of 33%, while the time kill assay detected synergy in 72% and indifferent in 28% of the combinations tested. The synergy detected was not specific to any of the antibiotics or the Gram reaction of the bacteria, and no antagonism was detected. We conclude that the aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of C. nucifera contains potential broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds that could be relevant in the treatment of infections caused by these pathogens. In addition, the husk which is being discarded as agro waste will opens up a vista of opportunities for utilization for therapeutic purposes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Akinyele, Taiwo Adesola
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/416 , Coconut palm , Microbial sensitivity tests , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Vibrio infections , Antibiotics , Hexane , Extracts
- Description: Cocos nucifera belong to the family Aracaceae (palm Family). The English name is coconut and it is used extensively as medicinal remedies against infections such as urinary tract infections, gastro intestinal infections, skin and wound infections. The in vitro antibacterial (including anti-listerial and anti-vibrio) properties as well as the evaluation of the combination potentials of the plant extract with six front-line antibiotics were evaluated in this study using standard procedures. The in vitro anti-listerial properties of the crude aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of Cocos nucifera were carried out against 37 Listeria isolates. Twenty-nine of the test organisms were susceptible to the aqueous extract while thirty were susceptible to the n-Hexane extract both at the screening concentration of 25 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.6 - 5.0 mg/ml. For the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count ranged between 0.32 Log10 and 4.8 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 2.4 Log10 and 6.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. The time-kill characteristics of the two extracts suggest that at higher concentration (2 × MIC) and longer duration of interaction (8 hr), more bacteria were killed. In vitro anti-vibrio and antibacterial properties experiment revealed that of all the 45 vibrio and 25 bacteria strains that was tested, 37 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 38 to the n-Hexane extract, while 17 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 21 to the n-Hexane extract. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.3 - 5.0 mg/ml. viii The time kill studies revealed that for the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.12 Log10 and 4.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 0.56 Log10 and 6.4 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. In the test for the combination interactions, the checkerboard method revealed synergy of 67% and indifferent of 33%, while the time kill assay detected synergy in 72% and indifferent in 28% of the combinations tested. The synergy detected was not specific to any of the antibiotics or the Gram reaction of the bacteria, and no antagonism was detected. We conclude that the aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of C. nucifera contains potential broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds that could be relevant in the treatment of infections caused by these pathogens. In addition, the husk which is being discarded as agro waste will opens up a vista of opportunities for utilization for therapeutic purposes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A series of systematic case studies on the treatment of rape-related PTSD in the South African context implications for practice and policy
- Authors: Padmanabhanunni, Anita
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- South Africa -- Treatment Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Patients Case studies Rape victims -- Counseling of -- South Africa Psychic trauma -- Treatment Rape victims -- Counseling of Case studies Cognitive therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3035 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002544
- Description: In 2009, South African police statistics revealed that more than 68 332 women were raped in the country. The evidence from independent researchers has shown that SAPS statistics are highly susceptible to under-reporting and the actual figure is more than double this amount. One pervasive feature of the phenomenology of rape is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a highly debilitating condition with severe individual and societal costs. The condition takes a critical toll on occupational functioning, schooling and personal relationships and is associated with depression, suicide risk, self-harming behaviours and alcohol-abuse problems. The Ehlers and Clark (2000) cognitive model represents the most efficacious treatment for PTSD but the approach is severely under-utilised by South African practitioners working with sexual trauma. The reasons for such under-utilisation relate to a lack of exposure and training surrounding the model and concerns about the transportability of the treatment to a multi-cultural context. One method of addressing these barriers to treatment delivery is through systematic case-based research. Systematic case-based research offers a complementary means of refining theory and developing evidence-based practice in the context of a developing country. The method offers an intensive analysis and description of the particular phenomena under study within its real-life context. It allows the researcher to intensively examine and identify the specific aspects of the therapist’s responses and client’s reactions that contributed to significant change. Unlike efficacy studies, generalisability in case-study research is based on replication on a case-by-case basis and the creation of case law. This research study uses a systematic-case study approach to investigate the applicability of the Ehlers and Clark (2000) model in the treatment of rape-related PTSD in South Africa. The study aims to demonstrate the transportability of the model and develop a needed evidence base for service providers in the country. Seven women participated in the project and lent their treatment process to the research. The participants varied in terms of age, race, culture, socio-economic status and the nature of their sexual trauma. Through synoptic thematic analysis of their therapy process specific client-related personal aspects, client-related contextual factors and state-level factors were found to impede treatment delivery and implementation. The implications of these aspects for clinical practice and social policy are comprehensively discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Padmanabhanunni, Anita
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- South Africa -- Treatment Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Patients Case studies Rape victims -- Counseling of -- South Africa Psychic trauma -- Treatment Rape victims -- Counseling of Case studies Cognitive therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3035 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002544
- Description: In 2009, South African police statistics revealed that more than 68 332 women were raped in the country. The evidence from independent researchers has shown that SAPS statistics are highly susceptible to under-reporting and the actual figure is more than double this amount. One pervasive feature of the phenomenology of rape is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a highly debilitating condition with severe individual and societal costs. The condition takes a critical toll on occupational functioning, schooling and personal relationships and is associated with depression, suicide risk, self-harming behaviours and alcohol-abuse problems. The Ehlers and Clark (2000) cognitive model represents the most efficacious treatment for PTSD but the approach is severely under-utilised by South African practitioners working with sexual trauma. The reasons for such under-utilisation relate to a lack of exposure and training surrounding the model and concerns about the transportability of the treatment to a multi-cultural context. One method of addressing these barriers to treatment delivery is through systematic case-based research. Systematic case-based research offers a complementary means of refining theory and developing evidence-based practice in the context of a developing country. The method offers an intensive analysis and description of the particular phenomena under study within its real-life context. It allows the researcher to intensively examine and identify the specific aspects of the therapist’s responses and client’s reactions that contributed to significant change. Unlike efficacy studies, generalisability in case-study research is based on replication on a case-by-case basis and the creation of case law. This research study uses a systematic-case study approach to investigate the applicability of the Ehlers and Clark (2000) model in the treatment of rape-related PTSD in South Africa. The study aims to demonstrate the transportability of the model and develop a needed evidence base for service providers in the country. Seven women participated in the project and lent their treatment process to the research. The participants varied in terms of age, race, culture, socio-economic status and the nature of their sexual trauma. Through synoptic thematic analysis of their therapy process specific client-related personal aspects, client-related contextual factors and state-level factors were found to impede treatment delivery and implementation. The implications of these aspects for clinical practice and social policy are comprehensively discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The entrepreneurial orientation of selected ICT SMME's
- Authors: Whittaker, Donna
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business enterprises , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011417 , Business enterprises , Information technology
- Description: Despite the demand for ICT skills, businesses are experiencing an ICT skills shortage. Constantly changing ICT technologies require business leaders to find qualified ICT professionals to implement new business strategies and business processes. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is experiencing a continued skills shortage and various initiatives have been launched to address the problem. Businesses continually struggle to find qualified and suitably skilled ICT personnel. As a result businesses have had to outsource their ICT requirements off-shore to obtain the required ICT skills and maintain their competitive advantage. In a country desperate for job creation, entrepreneurial inclination and start up of new businesses may play a pivotal role in the economic development and well being of individuals able to capitalise on the availability of ICT opportunities. Entrepreneurship is a critical factor in promoting innovation, creating employment opportunities and generating social and economic wealth in a country's economy. Sectors such as Information and Communication Technologies can be seen as archetypal entrepreneurial industries and can consequently play a key role in economic development. In the research that follows the author identifies an ICT skills shortage in South Africa. This is followed by an exploratory study that investigates the influence of psychological traits and socio-cultural variables on the entrepreneurial intent of selected ICT SMME’s in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area. The findings revealed that both psychological traits together with socio-cultural variables influence an individual’s intention to start up a business. The predominant psychological trait discovered during the research was perseverance. Family environmental issues were the dominant socio-cultural variable influencing entrepreneurial intention amongst the case study subjects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Whittaker, Donna
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business enterprises , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011417 , Business enterprises , Information technology
- Description: Despite the demand for ICT skills, businesses are experiencing an ICT skills shortage. Constantly changing ICT technologies require business leaders to find qualified ICT professionals to implement new business strategies and business processes. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is experiencing a continued skills shortage and various initiatives have been launched to address the problem. Businesses continually struggle to find qualified and suitably skilled ICT personnel. As a result businesses have had to outsource their ICT requirements off-shore to obtain the required ICT skills and maintain their competitive advantage. In a country desperate for job creation, entrepreneurial inclination and start up of new businesses may play a pivotal role in the economic development and well being of individuals able to capitalise on the availability of ICT opportunities. Entrepreneurship is a critical factor in promoting innovation, creating employment opportunities and generating social and economic wealth in a country's economy. Sectors such as Information and Communication Technologies can be seen as archetypal entrepreneurial industries and can consequently play a key role in economic development. In the research that follows the author identifies an ICT skills shortage in South Africa. This is followed by an exploratory study that investigates the influence of psychological traits and socio-cultural variables on the entrepreneurial intent of selected ICT SMME’s in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area. The findings revealed that both psychological traits together with socio-cultural variables influence an individual’s intention to start up a business. The predominant psychological trait discovered during the research was perseverance. Family environmental issues were the dominant socio-cultural variable influencing entrepreneurial intention amongst the case study subjects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The medicinal chemistry of cyclo(D-Phe-2Cl-Pro) and cyclo(Phe-4F-Pro)
- Authors: Ndung'u, Susan Wanjiru
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Peptide drugs , Cyclic peptides , Pharmaceutical chemistry , Peptides -- Synthesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7083 , vital:21223
- Description: Although peptides and proteins are considered as lead compounds for the discovery and development of new therapeutic agents, poor metabolic and physical properties have limited their optimisation as drug candidates (Adessi & Soto, 2002). Research by medicinal chemists however, generated the discovery of structural similarities between some peptides and diketopiperazines and the common occurrence of such compounds in natural products. This discovery initiated the synthesis of diketopiperazines from amino acids in an attempt to bypass the previously mentioned limitations of using peptides as drug candidates (Dinsmore & Beshore, 2002). Diketopiperazines (DKPs) are the simplest form of cyclic dipeptides, and a class of unexplored bioactive peptides that have great potential for the future. The compounds are relatively simple to synthesise and are prevalent in nature (Prasad, 1995). The DKP backbone is rigid and therefore poses conformational constraint on the compounds. This rigidity allows for simple conformational analysis of the compounds and also gives insight into the conformational requirements for interaction with the targets involved in their biological activity. The reduced conformational freedom also increases the receptor specificity and thus the compounds are proposed to have less unfavourable effects (Anteunis, 1978). The aim of the study was to synthesise compounds that would exhibit metabolic stability, receptor specificity and enhanced lipophilicity which would increase the bioavailability of the compounds. This was to be achieved by the introduction of fluorine and chlorine elements into the DKPs. The structure of the DKPs would be altered which in turn would improve the physicochemical properties and the biological activity of the compounds (Naumann, 1999). Cyclo(D-Phe-2Cl-Pro) and cyclo(Phe-4F-Pro) were synthesised using the method of Milne et al. (1992) and by boiling the linear counterparts under reflux in sec-butanol-toluene. The structures of the synthesised DKPs were elucidated using mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Qualitative analysis and evaluation of the physicochemical properties of the DKPs were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray powder diffraction. The study aimed to determine the biological activity of cyclo(D-Phe-2Cl-Pro) and cyclo(Phe-4F-Pro) with respect to their anticancer, antimicrobial, haematological and antidiabetic effects. The anticancer results obtained indicated that the percentage inhibition produced by both DKPs were lower than those proposed by Graz et al. (2000) for proline-containing DKPs where, a greater than 50% inhibition was observed for cyclo(Phe-Pro). Antimicrobial studies revealed that both DKPs demonstrated marginal effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms but showed significant effects against C. albicans. The haematological studies revealed that cyclo(D-Phe-2Cl-Pro) at a screening concentration of 12.5 mM, significantly decreased the levels of D-dimer (P < 0.0001). The antidiabetics studies showed limited activity of the DKPs in inhibiting the activity of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ndung'u, Susan Wanjiru
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Peptide drugs , Cyclic peptides , Pharmaceutical chemistry , Peptides -- Synthesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7083 , vital:21223
- Description: Although peptides and proteins are considered as lead compounds for the discovery and development of new therapeutic agents, poor metabolic and physical properties have limited their optimisation as drug candidates (Adessi & Soto, 2002). Research by medicinal chemists however, generated the discovery of structural similarities between some peptides and diketopiperazines and the common occurrence of such compounds in natural products. This discovery initiated the synthesis of diketopiperazines from amino acids in an attempt to bypass the previously mentioned limitations of using peptides as drug candidates (Dinsmore & Beshore, 2002). Diketopiperazines (DKPs) are the simplest form of cyclic dipeptides, and a class of unexplored bioactive peptides that have great potential for the future. The compounds are relatively simple to synthesise and are prevalent in nature (Prasad, 1995). The DKP backbone is rigid and therefore poses conformational constraint on the compounds. This rigidity allows for simple conformational analysis of the compounds and also gives insight into the conformational requirements for interaction with the targets involved in their biological activity. The reduced conformational freedom also increases the receptor specificity and thus the compounds are proposed to have less unfavourable effects (Anteunis, 1978). The aim of the study was to synthesise compounds that would exhibit metabolic stability, receptor specificity and enhanced lipophilicity which would increase the bioavailability of the compounds. This was to be achieved by the introduction of fluorine and chlorine elements into the DKPs. The structure of the DKPs would be altered which in turn would improve the physicochemical properties and the biological activity of the compounds (Naumann, 1999). Cyclo(D-Phe-2Cl-Pro) and cyclo(Phe-4F-Pro) were synthesised using the method of Milne et al. (1992) and by boiling the linear counterparts under reflux in sec-butanol-toluene. The structures of the synthesised DKPs were elucidated using mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Qualitative analysis and evaluation of the physicochemical properties of the DKPs were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray powder diffraction. The study aimed to determine the biological activity of cyclo(D-Phe-2Cl-Pro) and cyclo(Phe-4F-Pro) with respect to their anticancer, antimicrobial, haematological and antidiabetic effects. The anticancer results obtained indicated that the percentage inhibition produced by both DKPs were lower than those proposed by Graz et al. (2000) for proline-containing DKPs where, a greater than 50% inhibition was observed for cyclo(Phe-Pro). Antimicrobial studies revealed that both DKPs demonstrated marginal effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms but showed significant effects against C. albicans. The haematological studies revealed that cyclo(D-Phe-2Cl-Pro) at a screening concentration of 12.5 mM, significantly decreased the levels of D-dimer (P < 0.0001). The antidiabetics studies showed limited activity of the DKPs in inhibiting the activity of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Diverse pollination systems of the twin-spurred orchid genus Satyrium in African grasslands
- Johnson, S.D, Peter, C.I, Ellis, A.G, Boberg, E, Botes, C, Van der Niet, T
- Authors: Johnson, S.D , Peter, C.I , Ellis, A.G , Boberg, E , Botes, C , Van der Niet, T
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006025 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00606-010-0411-1
- Description: The large terrestrial orchid genus Satyrium underwent evolutionary radiations in the Cape floral region and the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. These radiations were accompanied by tremendous diversification of the unusual twin-spurred flowers that characterize the genus, but pollination data required to interpret these patterns of floral evolution have been lacking for grassland species in the genus. Here we document pollinators, nectar properties, and levels of pollination success for 11 grassland Satyrium species in southern and south-central Africa. Pollinators of these species include bees, beetles, butterflies, hawkmoths, noctuid moths, long-proboscid flies, and sunbirds. Most species appear to be specialized for pollination by one functional pollinator group. Long-proboscid fly pollination systems are reported for the first time in Satyrium (in S. macrophyllum and a high-altitude form of S. neglectum). Floral morphology, especially spur length and rostellum structure, differs markedly among plants with different pollinators, while nectar volume, concentration, and sugar composition are fairly uniform across species. Most taxa exhibited high levels of pollination success (>50% of flowers pollinated), a trend that can be attributed to the presence of nectar in the twin spurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Johnson, S.D , Peter, C.I , Ellis, A.G , Boberg, E , Botes, C , Van der Niet, T
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006025 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00606-010-0411-1
- Description: The large terrestrial orchid genus Satyrium underwent evolutionary radiations in the Cape floral region and the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. These radiations were accompanied by tremendous diversification of the unusual twin-spurred flowers that characterize the genus, but pollination data required to interpret these patterns of floral evolution have been lacking for grassland species in the genus. Here we document pollinators, nectar properties, and levels of pollination success for 11 grassland Satyrium species in southern and south-central Africa. Pollinators of these species include bees, beetles, butterflies, hawkmoths, noctuid moths, long-proboscid flies, and sunbirds. Most species appear to be specialized for pollination by one functional pollinator group. Long-proboscid fly pollination systems are reported for the first time in Satyrium (in S. macrophyllum and a high-altitude form of S. neglectum). Floral morphology, especially spur length and rostellum structure, differs markedly among plants with different pollinators, while nectar volume, concentration, and sugar composition are fairly uniform across species. Most taxa exhibited high levels of pollination success (>50% of flowers pollinated), a trend that can be attributed to the presence of nectar in the twin spurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Radiation damage in GaAs and SiC
- Authors: Janse van Vuuren, Arno
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gallium arsenide semiconductors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1477 , Gallium arsenide semiconductors
- Description: In this dissertation the microstructure and hardness of phosphorous implanted SiC and neutron irradiated SiC and GaAs have been investigated. SiC is important due to its application as a barrier coating layer in coated particle fuel used in high temperature gas cooled reactors. The characterisation of neutron irradiated GaAs has been included in this study in order to compare the radiation damage produced by protons and neutrons since proton bombardment of SiC could in principle be used for out-of-reactor simulations of the neutron irradiation damage created in SiC during reactor operation. The following SiC and GaAs compounds were investigated: As-implanted and annealed single crystal 6H-SiC wafers and polycrystalline 3C-SiC bulk material implanted with phosphorous ions. As-irradiated and annealed polycrystalline 3C-SiC bulk material irradiated with fast neutrons. As-irradiated and annealed single crystal GaAs wafers irradiated with fast neutrons. The main techniques used for the analyses were transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nano-indentation hardness testing. The following results were obtained for the investigation of implanted and irradiated SiC and GaAs: Phosphorous Implanted 6H-SiC and 3C-SiC The depth of the P+ ion damage was found to be in good agreement with predictions by TRIM 2010. Micro-diffraction of the damage region in P+ implanted 6H-SiC (dose 5×1016 ions/cm2) indicates that amorphization occurred and that recrystallisation of this layer occurred during annealing at 1200°C. TEM analysis revealed that the layer recrystallised in the 3C phase of SiC and twin defects also formed within the layer. Micro-diffraction of the damage region in P+ implanted 3C-SiC (dose 1×1015 ions/cm2) indicates that amorphization also occurred for this sample and that recrystallisation of this layer occurred during annealing at 800°C. Nano-hardness testing of the P+ implanted 6H-SiC indicated that the hardness of the implanted SiC was initially much lower than unimplanted SiC due to the formation of an amorphous layer during ion implantation. After annealing the implanted SiC at 800°C and 1200°C, the hardness increased due to re-crystallisation and point defect hardening. Neutron Irradiated 3C-SiC TEM investigations of neutron irradiated 3C-SiC revealed the presence dark spot defects for SiC samples irradiated to a dose of 5.9×1021 n/cm2 and 9.6×1021 n/cm2. Neutron Irradiated GaAs TEM investigation revealed a high density of dislocation loops in the unannealed neutron irradiated GaAs. The loop diameters increased after post-irradiation annealing in the range 600 to 800 °C. The dislocation loops were found to be of interstitial type lying on the {110} cleavage planes of GaAs. This finding is in agreement with earlier studies on 300 keV proton bombarded and 1 MeV electron irradiated GaAs where interstitial loops on {110} planes became visible after annealing at temperatures exceeding 500 °C. The small dislocation loops on the {110} planes of the neutron irradiated GaAs transformed to large loops and dislocations after annealing at 1000 °C.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Janse van Vuuren, Arno
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gallium arsenide semiconductors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1477 , Gallium arsenide semiconductors
- Description: In this dissertation the microstructure and hardness of phosphorous implanted SiC and neutron irradiated SiC and GaAs have been investigated. SiC is important due to its application as a barrier coating layer in coated particle fuel used in high temperature gas cooled reactors. The characterisation of neutron irradiated GaAs has been included in this study in order to compare the radiation damage produced by protons and neutrons since proton bombardment of SiC could in principle be used for out-of-reactor simulations of the neutron irradiation damage created in SiC during reactor operation. The following SiC and GaAs compounds were investigated: As-implanted and annealed single crystal 6H-SiC wafers and polycrystalline 3C-SiC bulk material implanted with phosphorous ions. As-irradiated and annealed polycrystalline 3C-SiC bulk material irradiated with fast neutrons. As-irradiated and annealed single crystal GaAs wafers irradiated with fast neutrons. The main techniques used for the analyses were transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nano-indentation hardness testing. The following results were obtained for the investigation of implanted and irradiated SiC and GaAs: Phosphorous Implanted 6H-SiC and 3C-SiC The depth of the P+ ion damage was found to be in good agreement with predictions by TRIM 2010. Micro-diffraction of the damage region in P+ implanted 6H-SiC (dose 5×1016 ions/cm2) indicates that amorphization occurred and that recrystallisation of this layer occurred during annealing at 1200°C. TEM analysis revealed that the layer recrystallised in the 3C phase of SiC and twin defects also formed within the layer. Micro-diffraction of the damage region in P+ implanted 3C-SiC (dose 1×1015 ions/cm2) indicates that amorphization also occurred for this sample and that recrystallisation of this layer occurred during annealing at 800°C. Nano-hardness testing of the P+ implanted 6H-SiC indicated that the hardness of the implanted SiC was initially much lower than unimplanted SiC due to the formation of an amorphous layer during ion implantation. After annealing the implanted SiC at 800°C and 1200°C, the hardness increased due to re-crystallisation and point defect hardening. Neutron Irradiated 3C-SiC TEM investigations of neutron irradiated 3C-SiC revealed the presence dark spot defects for SiC samples irradiated to a dose of 5.9×1021 n/cm2 and 9.6×1021 n/cm2. Neutron Irradiated GaAs TEM investigation revealed a high density of dislocation loops in the unannealed neutron irradiated GaAs. The loop diameters increased after post-irradiation annealing in the range 600 to 800 °C. The dislocation loops were found to be of interstitial type lying on the {110} cleavage planes of GaAs. This finding is in agreement with earlier studies on 300 keV proton bombarded and 1 MeV electron irradiated GaAs where interstitial loops on {110} planes became visible after annealing at temperatures exceeding 500 °C. The small dislocation loops on the {110} planes of the neutron irradiated GaAs transformed to large loops and dislocations after annealing at 1000 °C.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Group-based guilt and shame in the desegregated context: the role of the perception of social change and ingroup identification
- Authors: Clarke, Rochelle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Guilt , Shame , Race awareness -- Psychological aspects , Intergroup relations , Group identity , Social perception
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/513 , Guilt , Shame , Race awareness -- Psychological aspects , Intergroup relations , Group identity , Social perception
- Description: A correlational study on group-based guilt and shame of white South Africans in post-Apartheid South Africa investigates the role of the perception of social change and how it impacts on the group-based emotions guilt and shame as well as reparation intentions when controlled for ingroup identification. The study also aimed to control for the antecedents of group-based guilt and collective shame. Results revealed that guilt is predicted by perceived responsibility and is influenced by shame, while shame is predicted by image threat and guilt. The results further propose that the perceptions of status change for the ingroup and the outgroup predict the feelings of shame for high ingroup identifiers while status change (or lack thereof) for the ingroup predicts the willingness for symbolic reparation for low ingroup identifiers. The results are presented and discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Clarke, Rochelle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Guilt , Shame , Race awareness -- Psychological aspects , Intergroup relations , Group identity , Social perception
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/513 , Guilt , Shame , Race awareness -- Psychological aspects , Intergroup relations , Group identity , Social perception
- Description: A correlational study on group-based guilt and shame of white South Africans in post-Apartheid South Africa investigates the role of the perception of social change and how it impacts on the group-based emotions guilt and shame as well as reparation intentions when controlled for ingroup identification. The study also aimed to control for the antecedents of group-based guilt and collective shame. Results revealed that guilt is predicted by perceived responsibility and is influenced by shame, while shame is predicted by image threat and guilt. The results further propose that the perceptions of status change for the ingroup and the outgroup predict the feelings of shame for high ingroup identifiers while status change (or lack thereof) for the ingroup predicts the willingness for symbolic reparation for low ingroup identifiers. The results are presented and discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
'Carrying the fire' : Cormac McCarthy's moral philosophy
- Authors: Davies, Christopher
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: McCarthy, Cormac, 1933- -- Criticism and interpretation American fiction -- 20th century -- Moral and ethical aspects American fiction -- 20th century -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002260
- Description: In this thesis, I argue that the question of ethics, despite claims to the contrary, is a central concern in Cormac McCarthy’s fiction. My principal contention, in this regard, is that an approach that is not reliant on conventional systems of meaning is needed if one is to engage effectively with the moral value of this writer’s oeuvre. In devising such an approach, I draw heavily on the ‘immoralist’ writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. The first chapter of the study contends that good and evil, terms central to conventional morality, do not occupy easily definable positions in McCarthy’s work. In the second chapter, the emphasis falls on the way in which language and myth’s mediation of reality informs choice. The final chapter focuses on the post-apocalyptic setting of The Road, in which normative systems of value are completely absent. It argues that, despite this absence, McCarthy presents a compassionate ethic that is able to find purchase in the harsh world depicted in the novel. Finally, then, this study argues that McCarthy’s latest novel, The Road, requires a reconsideration of the critical claim that his work is nihilistic and that it negates moral value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Davies, Christopher
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: McCarthy, Cormac, 1933- -- Criticism and interpretation American fiction -- 20th century -- Moral and ethical aspects American fiction -- 20th century -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002260
- Description: In this thesis, I argue that the question of ethics, despite claims to the contrary, is a central concern in Cormac McCarthy’s fiction. My principal contention, in this regard, is that an approach that is not reliant on conventional systems of meaning is needed if one is to engage effectively with the moral value of this writer’s oeuvre. In devising such an approach, I draw heavily on the ‘immoralist’ writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. The first chapter of the study contends that good and evil, terms central to conventional morality, do not occupy easily definable positions in McCarthy’s work. In the second chapter, the emphasis falls on the way in which language and myth’s mediation of reality informs choice. The final chapter focuses on the post-apocalyptic setting of The Road, in which normative systems of value are completely absent. It argues that, despite this absence, McCarthy presents a compassionate ethic that is able to find purchase in the harsh world depicted in the novel. Finally, then, this study argues that McCarthy’s latest novel, The Road, requires a reconsideration of the critical claim that his work is nihilistic and that it negates moral value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Solid-phase extraction based sample preparation for the determination of drug and organic pollutant residue
- Authors: Pule, Bellah Oreeditse
- Date: 2011 , 2011-02-08
- Subjects: Food contamination , Drugs -- Analysis , Pharmaceutical chemistry , Extraction (Chemistry) , Sorbents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4406 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006711 , Food contamination , Drugs -- Analysis , Pharmaceutical chemistry , Extraction (Chemistry) , Sorbents
- Description: This thesis presents solid phase extraction (SPE) methodologies based on mixed-mode polymeric sorbents; a mixed mode strong anion exchanger (Agilent SampliQ SAX) and a mixed mode strong cation exchanger (Agilent SampliQ SCX). Furthermore, dispersive-SPE based on a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method was assessed for applicability in the determination of drug residues. The mixed-mode polymeric sorbents were evaluated for the simultaneous fractionation of drugs that exhibit diverse polarities with acidic, basic and neutral functionalities in biological matrices (plasma and urine). The polymeric skeleton of these sorbents entails an exchanger group and therefore provides two retention mechanisms, strong cation or anion exchange retention mechanisms with hydrophobic interactions. It was demonstrated that with a sequential elution protocol for sample clean-up analytes were fractionated into acidic, basic and neutral classes. The SAX was employed for analysis of ketoprofen, naproxen (acidic drugs), nortriptyline (basic) and secobarbital (neutral) from urine sample. The SCX was used for fractionating phenobarbital, p-toluamide (acidic), amphetamine, m-toluidine (basic) and acetaminophen (neutral drug) from plasma sample. QuEChERS method was employed for quantitative determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from fish fillets and soil; 9 sulfonamides (SAs) from chicken muscles and acrylamide (AA) in cooking oil. The analyte recoveries ranged from 79.6 - 109% with RSDs ranging from 0.06 - 1.9% at three different fortification levels. Good linearity (r2 > 0.9990) was attained for most analytes. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.03 - 0.84 μg/ml and 0.81 - 1.89 μg/ml respectively for analytes in biological samples. LODs and LOQs for analytes in food and environmental samples ranged from 0.02 to 0.39 and 0.25 to 1.30 ng/g respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Pule, Bellah Oreeditse
- Date: 2011 , 2011-02-08
- Subjects: Food contamination , Drugs -- Analysis , Pharmaceutical chemistry , Extraction (Chemistry) , Sorbents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4406 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006711 , Food contamination , Drugs -- Analysis , Pharmaceutical chemistry , Extraction (Chemistry) , Sorbents
- Description: This thesis presents solid phase extraction (SPE) methodologies based on mixed-mode polymeric sorbents; a mixed mode strong anion exchanger (Agilent SampliQ SAX) and a mixed mode strong cation exchanger (Agilent SampliQ SCX). Furthermore, dispersive-SPE based on a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method was assessed for applicability in the determination of drug residues. The mixed-mode polymeric sorbents were evaluated for the simultaneous fractionation of drugs that exhibit diverse polarities with acidic, basic and neutral functionalities in biological matrices (plasma and urine). The polymeric skeleton of these sorbents entails an exchanger group and therefore provides two retention mechanisms, strong cation or anion exchange retention mechanisms with hydrophobic interactions. It was demonstrated that with a sequential elution protocol for sample clean-up analytes were fractionated into acidic, basic and neutral classes. The SAX was employed for analysis of ketoprofen, naproxen (acidic drugs), nortriptyline (basic) and secobarbital (neutral) from urine sample. The SCX was used for fractionating phenobarbital, p-toluamide (acidic), amphetamine, m-toluidine (basic) and acetaminophen (neutral drug) from plasma sample. QuEChERS method was employed for quantitative determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from fish fillets and soil; 9 sulfonamides (SAs) from chicken muscles and acrylamide (AA) in cooking oil. The analyte recoveries ranged from 79.6 - 109% with RSDs ranging from 0.06 - 1.9% at three different fortification levels. Good linearity (r2 > 0.9990) was attained for most analytes. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.03 - 0.84 μg/ml and 0.81 - 1.89 μg/ml respectively for analytes in biological samples. LODs and LOQs for analytes in food and environmental samples ranged from 0.02 to 0.39 and 0.25 to 1.30 ng/g respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011