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An investigation on the impact of the land redistribution and development (LRAD) programme with special reference to the Tsomo Valley Agricultural Co-operative farms

  • Authors: Tuta, Wonga Precious
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa , Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (South Africa) , Land tenure -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9080 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1126 , Rural development -- South Africa , Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (South Africa) , Land tenure -- South Africa
  • Description: The purpose of the research was to assess the policy impact of the Land Redistribution and Development (LRAD) Programme, which substituted the Settlement and Land Acquisition Grant (SLAG) programme. Both these policies were meant to make land accessible to previously disadvantaged groups including Africans, Coloureds and Indians, as part of land reform policies of the post 1994 democratic government. Due to some failures of SLAG after its first five years of implementation, which were from 1995 to 1999, the land redistribution policy was revised and the LRAD programme came as an improved policy of SLAG. There has not been much research on the impact of this programme, which has been implemented since August 2001.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

An open service delivery platform for adding value to softswitch-based telephony environments

  • Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa , Terzoli, Alfredo , Wells, George C
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428450 , vital:72512 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfredo-Ter-zoli/publication/251923990_An_open_service_delivery_platform_for_adding_value_to_softswitch-based_telephony_environments/links/0c9605298fdf0ef8d3000000/An-open-service-delivery-platform-for-adding-value-to-softswitch-based-telephony-environments.pdf
  • Description: Softswitches have played a crucial role in next generation networks (NGNs) not only as the primary agents responsible for controlling the data and media paths between endpoints, but also as hosts of telepho-ny applications such as billing and legal intercept. Even though very useful and flexible application interfaces have been used to program these softswitches, there is much benefit that can be derived from de-coupling the application layer from the switching core. NGN architec-tures such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) have borrowed the concept of an application server from the IT domain in order to deliver enhanced services to the network. This paper describes an initial inves-tigation into the development of a service delivery platform (SDP) based on the JAIN Service Logic and Execution Environment (JSLEE) indus-try standard, to provide advanced services that can be deployed over a telephony environment called iLanga, which is based on the open source software PBX named Asterisk.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

An organisation development intervention in a rural school in the Omusati region of Namibia

  • Authors: Perestrelo, Helena Ndeyatila
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Rural schools -- Namibia -- Omusati Organizational change -- Namibia -- Omusati School management and organization -- Namibia -- Omusati Educational change -- Namibia -- Omusati School improvement programs -- Namibia -- Omusati
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1932 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007636
  • Description: Organizations globally are challenged with a very volatile, fast changing environment. It is only those organizations that develop the capacity to change timeously that will survive in this millennium. (Meyer & Botha, 2000, p.23) Organizational development (OD) is a planned change approach aimed at changing behaviour and enhancing organizational effectiveness. Central to such an approach is continuous business process improvement. OD rests on the foundation of values and assumptions about people and organizations, and it is imperative that organizations adopt systematic methodologies in introducing business improvement interventions. The study introduced an OD approach to one of the rural primary schools in the Omusati region of Namibia, with the purpose of examining if it would bring change in the school. My goal was to explore participants' experience and perception of the OD process and to investigate the possible short term outcome of such an intervention. The case study involved 16 staff members made up of a principal, one head of department and 14 teachers. Data was gathered through formal interviews with the principal, head of department and three teachers, through a focus group interview with teachers, and through observation and observation note entries. The study found that OD was a new concept approach to the participants which differs completely from the way that change processes are introduced in the schools. Participants felt that introducing change in an organization using an OD approach can bring effective change, but it can also place huge demands on participants' commitment. This is particularly so if they do not adopt it as an internal process of business improvement. The OD approach is a long-term change process and not a quick fix. Finally, the outcome of the intervention indicated enthusiasm for the school to continue addressing the prevailing challenges despite various obstacles that they do not have control over.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

An overview of the management practices for wool production amongst the communal farmers of the Hewu district in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Makapela, Mbulelo Joseph
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:10734 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1009 , Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
  • Description: The research was conducted in the Hewu area situated between Queenstown (20 km) and Whittlesea (15km) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In this area communal farming is practiced. Livestock and livestock products (wool) are the main sources of income. The farmers are mainly farming with Merino and Döhne Merino sheep. The lack of management systems (production, reproduction and management) for communal farmers resulted into ineffective communal farming defining the research problem. The research objectives set were: • To establish production norms for wool sheep. • To establish reproduction norms for wool sheep. • To establish effective management practices for wool sheep farmers. • To examine key constraints of wool sheep farmers. The farmers shear their sheep every 12 months usually in October of every year. The average wool production per sheep is 2.17kg. The clip averages a fineness of 19.1-20 micron. That is far below the wool production of the commercial farmers of the Eastern Cape who are producing between 4kg to 5kg per sheep at an average growing period of 12 months. The lack of proper fencing and camps causes major reproduction problems. The lambing percentage of the ewes is 94.85 percent. The weaning percentage referring to the reproductive efficiency of the mated ewes is only 17.24 percent. The survival rate of the lambs born alive is only 18.18 percent. Reproduction is the biggest problem of communal farms. Effective livestock- and grazing management systems for communal areas are essential for the successful development of farmers on communal grazing areas. Unfortunately the Hewu farmers still have many problems effecting their wool production and the production of lambs.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Analysis and modelling of the temperature distribution during the friction taper stud welding of 10CrMo910

  • Authors: Van Zyl, Carlo Angelo Antonio
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Friction welding , Pressure welding
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9630 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012898 , Friction welding , Pressure welding
  • Description: Heat generation during the FTSW process plays and important role in determining the characteristics of the weld. In order to obtain temperature fields, a transient temperature heat analysis is required. An area is the maximum temperatures reached within the base material during the FTSW process. These temperatures will be measured during experimentation, and compared to the welding simulation done using FEA. From the literature search it appeared that no heat transfer analysis had been done using finite element methods.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Analysis of leadership styles and school performance of secondary schools in Uganda

  • Authors: Nsubuga, Yusuf Khalid Kibuuka
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Educational leadership -- Uganda , Education, Secondary -- Uganda
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
  • Identifier: vital:9525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/978 , Educational leadership -- Uganda , Education, Secondary -- Uganda
  • Description: The study sought to analyze the leadership styles of head teachers and school performance of secondary schools in Uganda. It was a mixed study that used both the qualitative and quantitative methods. It adopted a correlation survey research design that helped in establishing the relationship of leadership styles and school performance. In this regard, data for this study was collected on the independent variable, which was leadership styles, and that of the dependent variable, which was school performance. The relationship between the two variables was investigated in order to determine the strength of their relationship and the coefficients of determination existing between them. Together with observations during school visits, interviews were also conducted with head teachers and teachers and focused group discussions were held with selected students and parents, to identify factors affecting school performance and the effectiveness and relationship between leadership styles and school performance. The researcher discovered on the basis of an extensive literature review and the in-depth research undertaken that head teachers adopt a range of leadership styles. However, for the purposes of this investigation, the researcher examined the relationship between leadership styles in general and school performance, and later analyzed four leadership styles in relation to school performance. v While noting the many challenges and demands made on the head teachers during the execution of their tasks, the study underscored the need for the development of management and leadership skills amongst head teachers. The study established that unless head teachers are well equipped with knowledge and skills in management and leadership, they would not be able to improve school performance significantly. The study established that effective school performance requires visionary leadership, amongst others, and that there is a strong relationship between visionary leadership and transformational leadership, which is recommended for education leaders.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Analysis of the extended defects in 3C-SiC

  • Authors: Olivier, Ezra Jacobus
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Crystals -- Defects , Crystallography , Silicon carbide
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/730 , Crystals -- Defects , Crystallography , Silicon carbide
  • Description: The dissertation focuses on the analysis of the extended defects present in as-grown and proton bombarded β-SiC (annealed and unannealed) grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) on (001) Si. The proton irradiation was done to a dose of 2.8 × 1016 protons/cm2 and the annealing took place at 1300°C and 1600°C for 1hr. The main techniques used for the analysis were transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). From the diffraction study of the material the phase of the SiC was confirmed to be the cubic beta phase with the zinc-blende structure. The main defects found in the β- SiC were stacking faults (SFs) with their associated partial dislocations and microtwins. The SFs were uniformly distributed throughout the foil. The SFs were identified as having a fault vector of the type 1/3 <111> with bonding partial dislocations of the type 1/6 <121> by using image simulation. The SFs were also found to be predominantly extrinsic in nature by using HRTEM analysis of SFs viewed edge-on. Also both bright and dar-field images of SFs on inclined planes exhibited symmetrical and complementary fringe contrast images. This is a result of the anomalous absorption ratio of SiC lying between that of Si and diamond. The analysis of the annealed and unannealed irradiated β-SiC yielded no evidence of radiation damage or change in the crystal structure of the β-SiC. This confirmed that β-SiC is a radiation resistant material. The critical proton dose for the creation of small dislocation loops seems to be higher than for other compound semiconductors with the zinc-blende structure.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Antibacterial properties of the methanol extract of helichrysum pedunculatum

  • Authors: Ncube, Nqobile S
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Medicinal plants , Methanol , Helichrysum
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
  • Identifier: vital:11241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/461 , Medicinal plants , Methanol , Helichrysum
  • Description: The methanol extract of Helichrisum pedunculatum was screened for antimicrobial activity up to a concentration of 5 mg/ml using the agar dilution technique. A number of test bacterial isolates, comprising both Gram negative and Gram positive organisms were susceptible to the crude extract of the plant. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract ranged between 1 and 5 mg/ml for the susceptible organisms. The MICs of the selected antibiotics, chloramphenicol and penicillin, ranged between 2 and 4 mg/L, and 2 and 32 mg/L respectively against Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus OKOH1. Bactericidal activity was determined by the time kill assay. The methanol extract of the plant was not bactericidal at 1 × MIC for B. cereus, P. vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1. At 2 × MIC the extract was bacteriostatic against B. cereus but bactericidal against P. vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1. Combination studies were done at 1/2 × MIC, 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC of the plant extract with 1 × MIC of the antibiotics. Combinations of the plant extract and chloramphenicol resulted in mostly indifferent interactions against P. vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1 but synergistic interactions at higher concentration of the plant extract for B. cereus. Penicillin combinations gave synergistic interactions at lower concentrations of the plant for P.vulgaris and Staph. aureus OKOH1 but was mostly indifferent for B. cereus.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Application of dermal microdialysis and tape stripping methods to determine the bioavailability and/or bioequivalence of topical ketoprofen formulations

  • Authors: Tettey-Amlalo, Ralph Nii Okai
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Drugs -- Therapeutic equivalency Transdermal medication High performance liquid chromatography Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents -- Bioavailability Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents -- Effectiveness Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents -- Testing Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents -- Side effects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003274
  • Description: The widespread acceptance of topical formulations intended for local and/or regional activity has prompted renewed interest in developing a model to determine the bioavailability of drugs in order to establish bioequivalence as a means of evaluating formulation performance of multisource products and also for use during formulation development. Current in vivo techniques such as blister suction and skin biopsy amongst others used to determine the bioavailability and/or bioequivalence of topical formulations are either too invasive to generate appropriate concentration-time profiles or require large numbers of study subjects thereby making the study expensive and time-consuming. Moreover, there are currently no sampling techniques that can demonstrate dermal bioavailability and/or bioequivalence of topical formulations intended for local and/or regional activity. Dermal microdialysis is a relatively new application of microdialysis that permits continuous monitoring of endogenous and/or exogenous solutes in the interstitial fluid. The technique is involves the implantation of semi-permeable membranes which are perfused with an isotonic medium at extremely slow flow rates and collection of microlitre sample volumes containing diffused drugs. Tape stripping, a relatively older technique, has been extensively used in comparative bioavailability studies of various topical formulations. However, due to shortcomings arising from reproducibility and inter-subject variation amongst others, the published FDA guidance outlining the initial protocol was subsequently withdrawn. The incorporation of transepidermal water loss with tape stripping has garnered renewed interest and has been used for the determination of drug bioavailability from a number of topical formulations. Hence the primary objective of this research is to develop and evaluate microdialysis sampling and tape stripping techniques, including the incorporation of the determination of transepidermal water loss, to assess the dermal bioavailability of ketoprofen from topical gel formulations and to develop models for bioequivalence assessment. A rapid UPLC-MS/MS method with requisite sensitivity for the analysis of samples generated from dermal microdialysis was developed and validated which accommodated the microlitre sample volumes collected. An HPLC-UV method was developed and validated for the analysis of samples generated from the in vitro microdialysis and in vivo tape stripping studies. The work presented herein contributes to a growing body of scientific knowledge seeking to develop a model for the determination of bioequivalence of pharmaceutically equivalent topical formulations intended for local and/or regional activity in human subjects.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Application of satellite-derived rainfall estimates to extend water resource simulation modelling in South Africa

  • Authors: Sawunyama, Tendai , Hughes, Denis A
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: vital:7089 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012419
  • Description: Spatially interpolated rainfall estimates from rain-gauges are widely used as input to hydrological models, but deriving accurate estimates at appropriate space and time scales remain a major problem. In South Africa there has been a gradual decrease in the number of active rain-gauges over time. Satellite-based estimates of spatial rainfall are becoming more readily available and offer a viable substitute. The paper presents the potential of using Climate Prediction Center African daily precipitation climatology (CPCAPC) satellite-based datasets (2001-2006) to drive a Pitman hydrological model which has been calibrated using gauge-based rainfall data (1920-1990). However, if two sources of rainfall data are to be used together, it is necessary to ensure that they are compatible in terms of their statistical properties. A non-linear frequency of exceedance transformation technique was used to correct the satellite data to be more consistent with historical spatial rainfall estimates. The technique generated simulation results for the 2001 to 2006 period that were greatly improved compared to the direct use of the untransformed satellite data. While there remain some further questions about the use of satellite-derived rainfall data in different parts of the country, they do seem to have the potential to contribute to extending water resource modelling into the future.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Application of the Baylis-Hillman methodology in the construction of novel heterocyclic derivatives

  • Authors: Nyoni, Dubekile
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006704
  • Description: Baylis-Hillman reactions of 2,2’-dithiodibenzaldehyde with the acyclic alkenes, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and methyl acrylate have afforded the thiochromene derivatives in moderate yields, and this approach has been extended to the use of the cyclic alkenes, 2-cyclohexenone and 2-cyclopentenone to afford the tricyclic analogues. In all cases, reduction of the disulphide link and intramolecular cyclisation occurred in situ, and a preliminary kinetic study of this reaction using the acyclic substrates MVK and methyl acrylate was undertaken with the aim of elucidating the mechanism involved. The results obtained showed that the consumption of both 2,2’-dithiodibenzaldehyde and MVK and/or methyl acrylate followed 1st-order kinetics during the initial stages of the reaction, but then deviated from 1st-order linearity. The reaction with methyl acrylate was much slower than with MVK, and the kinetic data indicates the mechanism to be more complex than anticipated. Conjugate addition reactions of methyl acrylate-derived 2-nitrobenzaldehyde Baylis-Hillman adducts with the amines, piperidine and benzylamine, afforded a range of conjugate addition products as diastereomeric mixtures in excellent yield (80-100%). Catalytic hydrogenation of the conjugate addition products using a Pd-C catalyst in ethanol, has afforded the corresponding, novel 3-amino-2-quinolone derivatives in lower yield (22-37%).The application of [superscript 13]C NMR prediction programmes to selected compounds synthesized in this study has revealed reasonable correlations between the experimental and predicted values.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Archdeacon Merriman, ‘Caliban’, and the Cattle-Killing of 1856–57

  • Authors: Wright, Laurence
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:7026 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007212 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00020180802242574
  • Description: [From the introduction]: Did Archdeacon Merriman accept that Mhlakaza was Wilhelm Goliath? The short answer is that we don’t know. However, historical problems sometimes yield, or at least buckle slightly, when approached from unusual, tangential perspectives.I believe it can be shown that in the terrible aftermath of the Cattle-Killing, Nathaniel Merriman was brooding on his former servant, Wilhelm Goliath, and that evidence of this preoccupation emerges indirectly in a very open and unexpected forum: a public lecture on Shakespeare.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Aspects of the breeding biology of the African penguin on Bird Island, Algoa Bay

  • Authors: Ralph, Mark Shaun
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Penguins -- South Africa -- Conservation , Penguins -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10716 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/840 , Penguins -- South Africa -- Conservation , Penguins -- South Africa
  • Description: It is important to the survival of the Africa Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) population that breeding at the nest site is successful and that large numbers of chicks are fledged into the breeding population. Nest distribution on Bird Island is not random and locality preferences for breeding exist. Although it seems that sufficient area exists on Bird Island for penguin nests, it can hardly be considered as suitable to optimise breeding. During prolonged heat conditions, breeders relocated to nest sites that were sheltered. Nests that were below ground in burrows was the only habitat that did not suffer nest desertion whilst all the other habitat types (including those that were sheltered) experienced 2-3 fold declines in nest numbers. Nests density and the selection of suitable nest sites are significantly influenced by the stage of breeding that the majority of birds are in, yet nests that are shaded, well-ventilated and protected seem to be the most preferred sites for breeding. Adults that attempt to breed are considered then to be in a healthy condition and will usually lay a double clutch (Randell 1983). The frequency of double clutches being laid during the peak breeding attempt was significantly higher compared to the replacement one. Breeding failure was fairly similar to breeding success during the incubation stage for nests with double clutches however, was substantially higher in single clutches. The growth rate of chicks was best fit to the von Bertalanffy growth curve in 90 percent of the cases. The overall growth rate of chicks from double broods was faster than from single broods, however was not significant. A-chicks maitain a high growth rate until they fledged. Yet, the sibling B-chick recorded the lowest growth rate of the successfully fledged chicks and up to until day 30 recorded a similar weight to those chicks that failed to fledge. Contrary to findings of Randall (1983), chicks from single broods delayed fledging, recorded lowest overall growth rates and experienced the greatest weight loss of all groups, yet fledged successfully. In order for chicks to fledge successfully, they needed to obtain a weight of 1060 g before day 30.5 in their growth cycles to avoid death due to startvation later on. Single chicks that are raised from a double cluth, fledged more other than chicks raised from a single clutch. Unfit or ill-adapted breeders that are marginal in the capabilities of raising offspring, already manifest in a small clutch size and offspring unable to obtain adequate weights during the initial stages of growth.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Aspects of the thermal ecology of six species of carcass beetles in South Africa

  • Authors: Midgley, John Mark
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Forensic entomology , Diptera -- South Africa , Beetles -- South Africa , Burying beetles , Burying beetles -- South Africa , Beetles -- Effect of temperature on
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005325 , Forensic entomology , Diptera -- South Africa , Beetles -- South Africa , Burying beetles , Burying beetles -- South Africa , Beetles -- Effect of temperature on
  • Description: The forensic application of entomology is well known, but it is generally a field which concentrates on Diptera. Many Coleoptera also have forensic application, but are generally neglected by forensic entomology researchers. Necrophilic Coleoptera are diverse and therefore have application in estimating Post-Mortem Interval (PMI) by community composition, but they are also valuable in estimating PMI by development. In addition, Coleoptera are more common in stored product cases. Six species of forensically important Coleoptera were studied, three from the family Dermestidae (Dermestes haemorrhoidalis, D. maculatus and D. peruvianus) and three from the family Silphidae (Silpha punctulata, Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus). The effect of killing method and storage time on larval length was investigated in T. micans. Coleopteran larvae were shown not to behave in the same way as dipteran larvae. In contrast to dipteran larvae, it is recommended that coleopteran larvae be killed using ethanol. A development model is presented for T. micans. This represents the first statistically robust development model for forensically important Coleoptera, and the first development model for forensically important Silphidae. The model offers a method of estimating PMI which can be used once Diptera are no longer present on a corpse. Upper lethal temperature limits for four species of carcass beetle were determined. A comparison between species shows distinct differentiation between families and species. This differentiation accounts for microhabitat differences which these species show on carcasses. Bioclimatic models for the six species showed contrasting distributions, with both widespread and localised species. These models allow forensic investigators to assess whether the absence of a species from a corpse is forensically significant, or a result of the species distributions. Moisture-related variables were shown to be more important in predicting species distributions than temperature at a regional scale. Forensic entomology standards can be adjusted based on the findings of this study. Length was again shown to be an inferior measurement of larval age. Coleopteran development has been shown to be useful, and should be given greater consideration in future work. T. micans has been shown to be capable of locating and ovipositing on carcasses promptly after death, making it a good forensic indicator. Further work is needed for the full potential of necrophilic Coleoptera to be realised.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Assembly of Omegatetravirus virus-like particles in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

  • Authors: Tomasicchio, Michele
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Helicoverpa armigera Imbrasia cytherea Viruses RNA viruses Insects -- Viruses Lepidoptera -- Viruses Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003989
  • Description: The Tetraviridae are a family of ss (+) RNA viruses that specifically infect lepidopteran insects. Their icosahedral capsids are non-enveloped and approximately 40 nm in diameter with T=4 quasi-equivalent symmetry. The omegatetraviruses, which are structurally the best characterised in the family, include Helicoverpa armigera stunt virus (HaSV) and Nudaurelia capensis omega virus (NwV). The omegatetravirus procapsid is composed of 240 identical copies of the capsid precursor proteins, which undergo autoproteolytic cleavage at its carboxyl-terminus generating the mature capsid protein (b) and γ-peptide. This process occurs in vitro following a shift from pH 7.6 to pH 6.0. The viral capsid encapsidates two ss genomic RNAs: The larger RNA1 encodes the viral replicase as well as three small ORFs while RNA2 encodes the capsid precursor protein together with an overlapping ORF designated P17. While a wealth of structural data pertaining to the assembly and maturation of omegatetraviruses is available, little is known about how this relates to their lifecycle. The principle aim of the research described in this thesis was to use an experimental system developed in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to investigate the assembly of HaSV and NwV virus-like particles (VLPs) in terms of maturation and encapsidation of viral RNAs, in vivo. The yeast expression system used two promoter systems for expression of capsid precursor protein: in the first, a hybrid promoter (PGADH) was used for high-level expression, while the second, PGAL1, produced substantially lower levels of the virus capsid protein precursors. An increase in the level of HaSV capsid protein precursor (p71) via the PGADH promoter resulted in a dramatic increase in VLP assembly as compared with the PGAL system. A protein equivalent to the mature capsid protein (p64) appeared at later time intervals following induction of transcription. Transmission electron microscopic studies showed that p64 correlated with the presence of mature VLPs as opposed to procapsids in cells containing p71. This confirmed that the presence of p64 denoted maturation of VLPs in vivo. Further investigation indicated that maturation correlated with cell aging and the onset of apoptosis. It was shown that induction of apoptosis resulted in VLP maturation while inhibition of apoptosis prevented maturation. These results suggested that the process of apoptosis might be the trigger for maturation of virus procapsids in their host cells. The increase in the efficiency of VLP assembly observed in the high-level expression system was proposed to be due to an increase in the cellular concentrations of viral RNA. To test this hypothesis, HaSV P71 was co-expressed with either P71 mRNA or full length RNA2. An increase in the solubility of p71 was observed in cells expressing increased levels of both RNAs, but there was no increase in the efficiency of VLP assembly. Northern analysis of encapsidated RNAs revealed that there was no selective encapsidation of either P71 mRNA or viral RNA2. This data indicated that the increase in viral RNA was not the reason for increased efficiency of VLP assembly, but most likely resulted from higher concentrations of p71 itself. It was decided to determine whether a highly efficient nodavirus replication system developed in yeast for heterologous production of proteins, could be used as a method for expressing the capsid protein precursor. The aim of using this system was to determine if VLPs assembled in a replication system specifically encapsidated viral RNA. Transcripts encoding the NwV capsid protein precursor (p70) were generated in yeast cells by replication of a hybrid RNA template by the Nodamura virus (NoV) replicase. Western analysis confirmed the presence of p70 as well as a protein of 62 kDa corresponding to the mature NwV capsid protein. Northern analysis of purified VLPs showed that NoV RNA1 and RNA3 were encapsidated, but no RNA2 was detected. Taken together, the data lead to the conclusion that specific encapsidation of tetraviral RNAs required more than close proximity of the viral RNAs and assembling virus-like particles. Encapsidation specificity in the omegatetraviruses may require additional viral proteins such as p17 during encapsidation or specific viral RNA encapsidation was replication-dependent. Replication-dependent assembly has been shown in the nodaviruses.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Assessing quality management systems of SMME's in the manufacturing sector

  • Authors: Prince, Shawn Noel
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Production management -- Quality control , Quality control -- Manufactures , Small business -- Management -- South Africa , Quality management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8729 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/870 , Production management -- Quality control , Quality control -- Manufactures , Small business -- Management -- South Africa , Quality management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: This dissertation summarises an analysis and assessment of the application of Quality Management Systems (QMS) by Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), in the Engineering Manufacturing Sector of the greater Cape Town Metropolitan area. An outline of the existing hypothesis derived from previous international SMME studies related to the adoption of QMS by SMME’s, the management’s understanding of quality principles, the potential business benefits of QMS and the reasons for implementing Quality Management systems are given as background to the study. The dissertation includes a discussion of literature on the state of QMS in SMMEs, in particular, recent international research literature hypothesising that SMME management lack essential QMS knowledge and that, in general, most SMME’s do not have a QMS and that SMMEs only implement a QMS as a result of contractual pressures / requirements. Also reported are the results and findings of a survey conducted to test the validity of the existing hypotheses amongst a representative sample of Engineering Manufacturing SMMEs registered with the Cape Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Western Cape. Results of the survey indicate that almost 90 percent, of the companies surveyed had some type of Quality management System, the only two companies that reported not having a QMS, were companies classified as “Micro”, in terms of the National Small business Act. Analysis of the response to the survey concludes that, in general, more than 80 percent of Engineering SMMEs in the Manufacturing Sector have adopted a QMS based on ISO 9001 and that, on average, their management have a medium to high level of understanding of QMS and the associated business benefits. It is also apparent from survey responses, that companies classified as “Micro” in terms of the Small Business Act of 1996, do not see the need for a formal QM system as the owners of these companies consider them too small for a formal QMS. Instead they take direct ownership of their service and product quality in the face of the customer.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Assessing unwanted early sexual experiences: a South African university study

  • Authors: Defferary, Tanya E M
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: College students -- Attitudes -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
  • Identifier: vital:11603 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/137 , College students -- Attitudes -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology
  • Description: This study assessed the prevalence of unwanted early sexual experiences (UESE), of the first year psychology students at the University of Fort Hare, in East London. Of the participants, 65 (31 percent) indicated that they had been exposed to some form of non-contact (56.9percent) or contact (22.3 prercent) UESE before the age of 16 years. It was found that more male (42.5 percent) than female (25.2 percent) students reported being exposed to an UESE. The most common perpetrator reported by the majority of the participants were friends (52.4 percent). Most respondents reported that they were only exposed to the UESE once (55.6 percent). The study found that females were significantly more bothered than males both at the time of the UESE and at the time of completing the questionnaire. Both male and female participants were more bothered by the UESE at the time of the event than they were at the time of completing the questionnaire, which indicates an abatement of symptoms over time. The results indicate that flashbacks of the UESE were the most bothersome experience for both male and female participants at the time of completing the questionnaire.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Assessment of the impact of Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme 2002-2007

  • Authors: Peter, Ntombentle Cordelia
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11623 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/190 , Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: The study sought to assess the impact of the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme (MURP) in Buffalo City Municipality from an analytical perspective of policy making, policy implementation, strategies and results of the programme. The aim was to analyse and evaluate the policy and implementation framework underpinning the MURP within the auspices of the national Urban Renewal Programme (URP). During the course of the study, literature was reviewed with the aim of contextualizing the study, especially given the ‘controversies’ associated with urban renewal interventions globally. As far as implementation is concerned, the institutional mechanisms, the cooperative government imperatives and the community perspectives are highlighted and reported on. Lastly, the study also proposed different policy and implementation options, as well as an implementation model. This model is advocated as an option for local government consideration with the aim of resolving the urban renewal problematique.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

ATP mimics as glutamine synthetase inhibitors : an exploratory synthetic study

  • Authors: Salisu, Sheriff Tomilola
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Glutamine synthetase Tuberculosis -- Treatment Tuberculosis -- Chemotherapy Adenosine triphosphate Adenosine triphosphate -- Synthesis Drug development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:4408 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006715
  • Description: Using a mechanism-based approach to drug discovery, efforts have been directed towards developing novel ATP mimics that can act as GS inhibitors. The purine-based systems, adenosine, adenine and allopurinol, were identified as possible scaffolds for potential ATP mimics, while various meta-disubstituted benzenoid compounds, 3-aminobenzonitrile, 3-aminophenol, resorcinol, 3-aminobenzyl alcohol, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3-aminobenzoic acid have been explored as adenine analogues. These compounds were treated with different alkylating and acylating agents. Allylation of all the substrates was achieved using allyl bromide and N-9 alkylation of protected allopurinol was effected using a number of specially prepared Baylis-Hillman adducts. Acylation of the benzenoid precursors with chloroacetyl chloride, acetoxyacetyl chloride, acryloyl chloride and specially prepared 2,3,4,5,6-pentaacetylgluconoyl chloride afforded the corresponding mono- and /or diacylated products in varying yields (4-96%). Elaboration of the alkylated and acylated products has involved the reaction of hydroxy systems with diethyl chloro phosphate and chloro derivatives with triethyl phosphite in Arbuzov-type reactions to afford phosphorylated products. In all cases, products were fully characterized using 1- and 2-D NMR analysis and, where appropriate, high-resolution mass spectrometry. The application of Modgraph and ChemWindow NMR prediction programmes has been explored and the resulting data have been compared with experimental chemical shift assignments to confirm chemical structures and, in some cases, to establish the position of allylation or acylation. Experimental assignments were found to be generally comparable with the Modgraph data, but not always with the ChemWindow values. The docking of selected products in the 'active-site' of GS and their structural homology with ATP, both in their free and bound conformations have been studied using the ACCELERYS Cerius² platform. All the selected ATP mimics exhibit some form of interaction with the 'active-site' residues, and a number of them appear to be promising GS ligands.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

Automating the creation of 3D animation from annotated fiction text

  • Authors: Glass, Kevin A , Bangay, Shaun D
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432639 , vital:72889 , https://www.iadisportal.org/digital-library/automating-the-creation-of-3d-animation-from-annotated-fiction-text
  • Description: This paper describes a strategy for automatically converting fiction text into 3D animations. It assumes the existence of fiction text annotated with avatar, object, setting, transition and relation annotations, and presents a transformation process that converts annotated text into quantified constraint systems, the solutions to which are used in the population of 3D environments. Constraint solutions are valid over temporal intervals, ensuring that consistent dynamic behaviour is produced. A substantial level of automation is achieved, while providing opportunities for creative manual intervention in animation process. The process is demonstrated using annotated examples drawn from popular fiction text that are converted into animation sequences, confirming that the desired results can be achieved with only high-level human direction.
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  • Date Issued: 2008
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