http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Index en-us 5 http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45039 Wed 30 Mar 2022 14:23:30 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45278 Wed 29 Jun 2022 12:59:33 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45265 Wed 24 Nov 2021 15:28:04 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45269 Wed 23 Mar 2022 11:35:51 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45254 Wed 20 Apr 2022 15:00:38 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45268 Wed 16 Mar 2022 10:18:30 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44806 Wed 13 Apr 2022 14:16:50 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45147 Wed 11 May 2022 12:11:11 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45040 Wed 06 Jul 2022 10:32:41 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45073 Wed 06 Jul 2022 08:47:38 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45062 Wed 06 Apr 2022 14:31:01 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45146 Wed 06 Apr 2022 12:17:55 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45253 Wed 06 Apr 2022 09:09:04 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45063 Wed 02 Mar 2022 16:47:09 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45072 Wed 02 Mar 2022 12:24:25 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45724 Wed 02 Mar 2022 10:25:24 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45279 Tue 16 Nov 2021 10:51:51 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45276 Tue 16 Nov 2021 10:02:53 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45271 Tue 16 Nov 2021 09:28:07 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:57273 Tue 11 Oct 2022 11:14:45 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45248 Tue 11 Jul 2023 15:41:45 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45055 Tue 08 Feb 2022 11:35:34 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44953 Tue 08 Feb 2022 09:15:36 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45260 Tue 05 Jul 2022 12:52:40 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44744 250 m) for the 2001–2018 time series. Comparison of the contemporary (2015–2019) proportions of developing, ripe and spent gonads to the historical study data (1996 – 2000) show minimal differences. Ripe ovaries capable of spawning (Stage IV) were dominant in July (23.8%) and August (26.2%), while ripe testes were prevalent in April (52.5%) and November (28.5%). The discovery of the veil (a gelatinous, flat ribbon structure containing individual eggs) off Namibia for the first time (during this study) is a significant because this result provides important reproduction activities information of this species, which were never recorded off Namibia. The location where the veil was discovered, off Swakopmund (22⁰30'S, 13⁰25'E), provides further evidence of the identified spawning hotspot areas, this location is also identified as a monkfish consecutive hotspot fishing area. The ages, growth rates, and length-weight relationships were compared between fish collected during monkfish commercial fishing activities between 1996 and 1998 (Period 1) and during monkfish routine monitoring surveys from 2014 to 2016 (Period 2). A total of 607 (size range: 9–96 cm total length (TL)) and 852 (size range: 9–96 cm TL) Cape monkfish were aged by reading sectioned illicia, during Periods 1 and 2, respectively. The length-weight relationships were W = 0.012L3.035 (r2 = 0.98) and W = 0.014L 2.989 (r2 = 0.98) for females and males, respectively, during Period 1, and W = 0.01L2.97 (r2 = 0.98) and W = 0.01L 3.03 (r2 = 0.98) for females and males, respectively, in Period 2. The growth of Cape monkfish (in cm) for combined sexes was described by Lt = 94(1 − e(−0.10(t−(-0.31))) in Period 1 and Lt = 98(1 − e(−0.10(t−(-0.33))) in Period 2. Females grew significantly faster during Period 1 (LRT results from Maartens et al., 1999), while male and female growth was not significantly different during Period 2 (F = 0.65, p = 0.58). There were no significant differences between the male and female growth curve in Period 2 (F = 0.65, p = 0.58). Although the growth curves are similar between Period 1 and Period 2, the larger fish are in Period 2 are lighter than those in Period 1. This finding is important to the monkfish fishing industry because fish is sold by weight. This finding may suggest that although the fish grow similarly by length, changes in the environmental conditions may have resulted in a reduced condition of the fish. In terms of mean age, the historical Period 1 had a slightly lower mean age of 4.40 compared with a mean age of 5.49 during Period 2. Slight differences were also observed in the age structure between the two periods, with 2-year-olds (20.3%) the most abundant age class in the historical period while 5-year-old fish (18.3%) were most abundant in Period 2. Although the spatial distribution of the catch was not available for Period 1, 0-year-old fish were distributed from 22⁰ to 24⁰S, and 25⁰ to 26⁰S in shallower waters of 166–290 m during Period 2. Only fish between 5 and 16 years old were found off the documented historical nursery area off 28º S. The similar growth curves and spatial overlap of nursery habitats between Period 1 and Period 2 suggest that Cape monkfish may be fairly resilient to the rapid environmental change reported in this region and to the extensive levels of exploitation for the species. However, the recent spatial shifts in the nursery areas are sensitive to disturbance and may indicate that these changes could be having an impact on the early life stages of the species. Continued monitoring may be necessary to understand the consequences of these spatial shifts for the age and growth and resilience of the species. Analysis of the overall spatial and temporal catches of monkfish (both Cape monkfish and shortspine African monkfish) off Namibia between 1998 and 2018 identified noticeable spatio-temporal trends. The pattern of fishing activities for Cape monkfish is heterogeneous, with identified ‘hotspots’ in specific areas. Of particular importance is the consecutive hotspot, between 1998 to 2018 for monkfish fishing activities between 25⁰ and 26⁰ S. The kernel density analysis indicated that the area around 24⁰S, and between 26º and 27 ⁰S, between Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, had the highest total catch densities (~300 kg/km2), suggesting that this is the core of the stock abundance. Annual monkfish catches have fluctuated since the inception of the fishery in 1994, with a drastic decline in the catch recorded after 2003 through to 2018. Generally, there has been an underutilisation of the total allowable catch (TAC) for most of the years. The decrease in catches and the underutilisation of the TAC might be indicative of the reduction in the stock abundance. However, external factors such as lack of capacity of the fishing industry and the administration can contribute to underutilisation of TAC. Basic regression analysis between total monthly catches and monthly sea surface temperature (SST) yielded low r-squared values indicate that in all three grids, only ~ 1% of the variation is explained between SST and total monkfish catches in these areas. The most prominent points to consider from this study are the results of the comparative feeding study (Chapter 3), reproductive indicators (Chapter 4) and age and growth (Chapter 5). Certainly, there have been changes in feeding, demography, and distribution of the species in the last two decades – climate-driven changes were recorded in the feeding habits of Cape monkfish, spatially and temporally – but despite the changes in prey species composition, distribution and abundance in various habits and periods, Cape monkfish was able to switch prey species, reflecting wide trophic adaptability. The dominance of M. paradoxus at all size classes in all analysed habitats is a significant result because. The peak spawning period has remained the same between July and September, as previously reported in Period 1. The consecutive spawning hotspots were identified in the areas between 22º and 25ºS. From a fisheries management perspective, the spawning ground and spawning season should be protected (by means of closure). The evidence of changes in length at 50% maturity presented in this study hints at both climate change and extensive exploitation pressure. The discovery of the veil for the first time in this study is very important; however, it might be sampling related and not driven by climate or exploitation pressure. Finally, the change in the Cape monkfish distribution discussed in Chapter 6 may be attributed to a shift in the distribution or fishing effort as a consequence of shallow water depletion.]]> Thu 29 Sep 2022 12:49:29 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45280 Thu 23 Jun 2022 12:03:49 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45277 Thu 23 Jun 2022 08:54:54 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:57288 Thu 13 Oct 2022 11:49:52 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:57284 Thu 13 Oct 2022 09:36:46 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45272 Thu 13 Oct 2022 08:40:40 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45038 Thu 02 Dec 2021 15:59:51 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45273 Thu 01 Feb 2024 09:44:59 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44750 22% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 50 μg/mL relative to conjugates with <22% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 50 μg/mL. There was no direct relationship between PDT and singlet oxygen quantum yields. Nonlinear optical characteristics of complexes was improved upon conjugation of DNDs. Absorbance, input energy, percentage loading, central metal, substituent of Pc and nature of interaction (covalent, noncovalent) are amongst some of the factors that influence nonlinear absorption properties of materials used in this study. All materials followed reverse saturable absorption through two photon absorption mechanism at the excitation wavelength of 532 nm. Aggregates reduce excited state lifetime and Beff under high concentrations/absorbance. A direct relationship between absorbance and Beff of DNDs nanoconjugated systems at low concentrations result in increased optical limiting characteristics of materials. The findings from this work show the importance of linking (nonlinear optics and photodynamic therapy) and doping (photodynamic therapy) photosensitisers such as phthalocyanines and sometimes boron dipyrromethenes onto carbon based nanoparticles for the enhanced characteristics in variable applications.]]> Mon 15 Nov 2021 16:13:10 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45267 Mon 15 Nov 2021 15:41:59 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45266 Mon 15 Nov 2021 15:27:51 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45264 Mon 15 Nov 2021 15:06:44 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45013 Mon 15 Nov 2021 15:01:57 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45263 Mon 15 Nov 2021 14:52:54 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45262 Mon 15 Nov 2021 14:45:58 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45012 Mon 15 Nov 2021 11:54:39 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44982 Mon 15 Nov 2021 11:38:47 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45247 Mon 15 Nov 2021 11:36:45 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45071 500 mg/L), increased viscosity, inability to flocculate microalgal cells, a rhamnolipid content of 32%, and a higher surface-activity. Based on these results, Bacillus strain ECCN 41b was rationalized to produce anionic EPS with potential application in metal or oil recovery. In addition to EPS production, the bacteria Planococcus strain ECCN 45b and Exiguobacterium strain ECCN 46b appeared pigmented. Based on partial characterization using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, thin-layer chromatography, FTIR, and NMR, the pigments produced by these two strains appeared to be identical and were tentatively identified as ketocarotenoids. This study successfully demonstrated the importance of EPS production and formation of MaB-flocs in the MLSS from HRAOP of an IAPS treating domestic sewage. It is evident that increased settleability of the biomass does contribute to the reported efficiency of wastewater treatment by IAPS and would reduce both total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). In addition, demonstration that this biomass contains products of value such as carotenoids and EPS with potential for commercial use strengthens the idea of using IAPS as a platform technology for innovation of the wastewater treatment process to a biorefinery.]]> Mon 14 Feb 2022 15:19:49 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45723 Mon 10 Oct 2022 12:00:29 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45041 Fri 18 Feb 2022 14:44:53 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45051 Fri 18 Feb 2022 11:43:00 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45251 Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:41:01 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45145 Fri 07 Jul 2023 09:54:39 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45064 1 relative to the native crab irrespective of region, which were higher for the summer than the winter season, suggesting greater impact of the invaders compared to the native species. This study further estimated the socioeconomic losses due to catch spoilage by C. quadricarinatus which are up to 1500 t per year in the invaded Kafue River Basin, which translates to an annual income loss of US$ 2 million. Information provided in this study is vital for conservation management and to compel policymakers to develop appropriate conservation management tools within regulatory frameworks, which could stop or minimise the spread of crayfish species and protect Africa from further losing aquatic biodiversity.]]> Fri 06 May 2022 11:07:38 SAST ]]> http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45060 Fri 01 Jul 2022 12:49:32 SAST ]]>