Education in times of COVID-19: Looking for silver linings in the Southern Africa’s educational responses
- Mukute, Mutizwa, Francis, Buhle, Burt, Jane C, De Souza, Ben
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa , Francis, Buhle , Burt, Jane C , De Souza, Ben
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/389799 , vital:68484 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/198219"
- Description: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted socio-economic activities, including formal and non-formal education, across the world at lightning speed. By mid-April 2020, it had interrupted the formal education of nearly 1.6 billion students in 192 countries. COVID-19’s disruption of education in Africa, and especially in southern Africa, has been severe for several reasons. However, educational responses to COVID-19 suggest that it has stimulated the appetite for developing educational innovations – silver linings to the COVID-19 cloud. This paper is based on interviews conducted with 56 parents, students and educators involved in formal and non-formal education in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We identified the main educational challenges in these countries as being concerned with adapting to: (i) online education and learning, (ii) continuity of education from home, and (iii) community-based learning in small groups. The silver linings that we identified are: (i) putting greater emphasis on finding context-specific solutions to education and health problems (improvisation), which is important for educational relevance and reveals the value of local actors, (ii) making linkages between social and ecological systems clearer, which is making the value of education for sustainable development (ESD) in this century more explicit, and (iii) revealing structural inequality and justice issues in education, which draws attention to the need for urgently addressing them as part of transformative change in education and sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa , Francis, Buhle , Burt, Jane C , De Souza, Ben
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/389799 , vital:68484 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/198219"
- Description: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted socio-economic activities, including formal and non-formal education, across the world at lightning speed. By mid-April 2020, it had interrupted the formal education of nearly 1.6 billion students in 192 countries. COVID-19’s disruption of education in Africa, and especially in southern Africa, has been severe for several reasons. However, educational responses to COVID-19 suggest that it has stimulated the appetite for developing educational innovations – silver linings to the COVID-19 cloud. This paper is based on interviews conducted with 56 parents, students and educators involved in formal and non-formal education in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We identified the main educational challenges in these countries as being concerned with adapting to: (i) online education and learning, (ii) continuity of education from home, and (iii) community-based learning in small groups. The silver linings that we identified are: (i) putting greater emphasis on finding context-specific solutions to education and health problems (improvisation), which is important for educational relevance and reveals the value of local actors, (ii) making linkages between social and ecological systems clearer, which is making the value of education for sustainable development (ESD) in this century more explicit, and (iii) revealing structural inequality and justice issues in education, which draws attention to the need for urgently addressing them as part of transformative change in education and sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Environmental health promotion at a National Science Festival: An experiential-education based approach
- Duxbury, Theodore O, Bradshaw, Karen L, Khamanga, Sandile, Tandlich, Roman, Srinivas, Sunitha C
- Authors: Duxbury, Theodore O , Bradshaw, Karen L , Khamanga, Sandile , Tandlich, Roman , Srinivas, Sunitha C
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440274 , vital:73762 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2019.1567406"
- Description: To increase individual and communal environmental health awareness through an experiential-education project. A computer-based pre- and postintervention quiz; an educational poster; an interactive board game; and a take-home information leaflet were utilized for a school learners-centered health promotion exhibit at a National Science Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Out of all the participants, 55.7% were female, and 76.5% attended or had attended a government school. Participants showed significant improvement in their pre- and post educational intervention. The exhibit was effective in educating participants on environmental health, natural resources, and the impact environmental pollution has on their quality of life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Duxbury, Theodore O , Bradshaw, Karen L , Khamanga, Sandile , Tandlich, Roman , Srinivas, Sunitha C
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440274 , vital:73762 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2019.1567406"
- Description: To increase individual and communal environmental health awareness through an experiential-education project. A computer-based pre- and postintervention quiz; an educational poster; an interactive board game; and a take-home information leaflet were utilized for a school learners-centered health promotion exhibit at a National Science Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Out of all the participants, 55.7% were female, and 76.5% attended or had attended a government school. Participants showed significant improvement in their pre- and post educational intervention. The exhibit was effective in educating participants on environmental health, natural resources, and the impact environmental pollution has on their quality of life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Ethics in context
- Burningham, Kate, Venn, Susan, Hayward, Bronwyn, Aoyagi, Midori, Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi, Mattar, Helio, Schudel, Ingrid J, Yoshida, Aya
- Authors: Burningham, Kate , Venn, Susan , Hayward, Bronwyn , Aoyagi, Midori , Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi , Mattar, Helio , Schudel, Ingrid J , Yoshida, Aya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294364 , vital:57215 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2019.1672282"
- Description: Existing literatures have discussed both ethical issues in visual research with young people, and the problems associated with applying ‘universal’ ethical guidelines across varied cultural contexts. There has been little consideration, however, of specific issues raised in projects where visual research is being conducted with young people simultaneously in multiple national contexts. This paper contributes to knowledge in this area. We reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected. Balancing the need for methods to be appropriate, ethical and feasible within each setting with the desire for sufficient consistency across the project is challenging. We argue that an ‘ethics in context’ approach and an attitude of ‘methodological immaturity’ is critical in international visual research projects with young people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Burningham, Kate , Venn, Susan , Hayward, Bronwyn , Aoyagi, Midori , Hasan, Mohammed Mehedi , Mattar, Helio , Schudel, Ingrid J , Yoshida, Aya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294364 , vital:57215 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2019.1672282"
- Description: Existing literatures have discussed both ethical issues in visual research with young people, and the problems associated with applying ‘universal’ ethical guidelines across varied cultural contexts. There has been little consideration, however, of specific issues raised in projects where visual research is being conducted with young people simultaneously in multiple national contexts. This paper contributes to knowledge in this area. We reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected. Balancing the need for methods to be appropriate, ethical and feasible within each setting with the desire for sufficient consistency across the project is challenging. We argue that an ‘ethics in context’ approach and an attitude of ‘methodological immaturity’ is critical in international visual research projects with young people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
No evidence of genetic structure in a sky island endemic: implications for population persistence under a shrinking thermal niche
- Oswald, Krista N, Edwards, Shelley, Lee, Alan T K, Cunningham, Susan J, Smit, Ben
- Authors: Oswald, Krista N , Edwards, Shelley , Lee, Alan T K , Cunningham, Susan J , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461528 , vital:76210 , xlink:href="https://www.authorea.com/doi/full/10.22541/au.157901262.24420308"
- Description: Mountain habitats physically isolated from one another (“sky islands”) represent a unique system for studying dispersal in seemingly isolated populations. The Cape Fold Belt of southwest South Africa forms a sky island archipelago of high-altitude mountain fynbos of which the Cape Rockjumper Chaetops frenatus is an avian-endemic. Continued contraction of habitat due to increasing temperatures may be causing further isolation of C. frenatus populations beyond their dispersal capacities, resulting in currently declining populations in warmer areas of their habitat. In this study, we sequenced two mitochondrial loci and one nuclear locus of 73 C. frenatus samples from 13 localities representing 8 mountain ranges. We found (1) low overall genetic diversity, (2) no evidence for geographically-based genetic structuring, and (3) no evidence for inbreeding within localities. While this may indicate birds are effectively dispersing, it may also indicate strong selective pressure is being placed on their specific genotype. Haplotype networks suggested that C. frenatus may have experienced a bottleneck or founder effect in their recent genetic past —- a result supported by a significantly negative Tajima’s D value. As the first avian genetic study to arise from a range-restricted species of the Cape Fold Belt sky islands, our results show no evidence that C. frenatus are unable to disperse across inhospitable lowland habitat, and thus may not experience isolation due to climate change. We thus potentially found further support that selective pressure in species with highly specialized habitat niches may have a stronger effect than dispersal limitations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Oswald, Krista N , Edwards, Shelley , Lee, Alan T K , Cunningham, Susan J , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461528 , vital:76210 , xlink:href="https://www.authorea.com/doi/full/10.22541/au.157901262.24420308"
- Description: Mountain habitats physically isolated from one another (“sky islands”) represent a unique system for studying dispersal in seemingly isolated populations. The Cape Fold Belt of southwest South Africa forms a sky island archipelago of high-altitude mountain fynbos of which the Cape Rockjumper Chaetops frenatus is an avian-endemic. Continued contraction of habitat due to increasing temperatures may be causing further isolation of C. frenatus populations beyond their dispersal capacities, resulting in currently declining populations in warmer areas of their habitat. In this study, we sequenced two mitochondrial loci and one nuclear locus of 73 C. frenatus samples from 13 localities representing 8 mountain ranges. We found (1) low overall genetic diversity, (2) no evidence for geographically-based genetic structuring, and (3) no evidence for inbreeding within localities. While this may indicate birds are effectively dispersing, it may also indicate strong selective pressure is being placed on their specific genotype. Haplotype networks suggested that C. frenatus may have experienced a bottleneck or founder effect in their recent genetic past —- a result supported by a significantly negative Tajima’s D value. As the first avian genetic study to arise from a range-restricted species of the Cape Fold Belt sky islands, our results show no evidence that C. frenatus are unable to disperse across inhospitable lowland habitat, and thus may not experience isolation due to climate change. We thus potentially found further support that selective pressure in species with highly specialized habitat niches may have a stronger effect than dispersal limitations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Rational design and regioselective synthesis of conformationally restricted furan-derived ligands as potential anti-malarial agents
- Mutorwa, Marius K, Nokalipa, Iviwe, Tanner, Delia C, Blatch, Gregory L, Lobb, Kevin A, Klein, Rosalyn, Kaye, Perry T
- Authors: Mutorwa, Marius K , Nokalipa, Iviwe , Tanner, Delia C , Blatch, Gregory L , Lobb, Kevin A , Klein, Rosalyn , Kaye, Perry T
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447170 , vital:74589 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.24820/ark.5550190.p011.281"
- Description: Substituted 3-furanomethyl phosphate esters and their corresponding phosphoric acids have been prepared as conformationally restricted analogues of DOXP, the natural substrate for Plasmodium falciparum 1-deoxyD-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (PfDXR), and fosmidomycin, an established inhibitor. Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR analysis and in silico docking data suggest the potential of such compounds as PfDXR inhibitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mutorwa, Marius K , Nokalipa, Iviwe , Tanner, Delia C , Blatch, Gregory L , Lobb, Kevin A , Klein, Rosalyn , Kaye, Perry T
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447170 , vital:74589 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.24820/ark.5550190.p011.281"
- Description: Substituted 3-furanomethyl phosphate esters and their corresponding phosphoric acids have been prepared as conformationally restricted analogues of DOXP, the natural substrate for Plasmodium falciparum 1-deoxyD-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (PfDXR), and fosmidomycin, an established inhibitor. Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR analysis and in silico docking data suggest the potential of such compounds as PfDXR inhibitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The conundrums of counselling women in violent intimate partner relationships in South Africa: implications for practice
- Fleischack, Anne, Macleod, Catriona I, Böhmke, Werner
- Authors: Fleischack, Anne , Macleod, Catriona I , Böhmke, Werner
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444117 , vital:74191 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-019-09384-8"
- Description: Little research focuses on how counsellors experience counselling encounters concerning intimate partner violence. This study reports on narrative research conducted with eight South African non-governmental organisation counsellors. Participants spoke of creating productive and caring counselling dynamics, and providing non-directive counselling. However, they also indicated providing moral guidance, particularly in cases where pregnancy or children were involved. Success was viewed rather narrowly as the women leaving the relationship, setting up ‘all-or-nothing’ outcomes. Such ‘success’ led to counsellor happiness, whilst failure in this regard led to counsellors experiencing anger and burn-out. We conclude that the conundrums evident in these data are grounded in patriarchal systems, limiting the efficacy of counselling based on a bondage and deliverance narrative. Implications for practice and training are also outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Fleischack, Anne , Macleod, Catriona I , Böhmke, Werner
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444117 , vital:74191 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-019-09384-8"
- Description: Little research focuses on how counsellors experience counselling encounters concerning intimate partner violence. This study reports on narrative research conducted with eight South African non-governmental organisation counsellors. Participants spoke of creating productive and caring counselling dynamics, and providing non-directive counselling. However, they also indicated providing moral guidance, particularly in cases where pregnancy or children were involved. Success was viewed rather narrowly as the women leaving the relationship, setting up ‘all-or-nothing’ outcomes. Such ‘success’ led to counsellor happiness, whilst failure in this regard led to counsellors experiencing anger and burn-out. We conclude that the conundrums evident in these data are grounded in patriarchal systems, limiting the efficacy of counselling based on a bondage and deliverance narrative. Implications for practice and training are also outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Transforming environmental health practitioners’ knowledge-sharing practices through inter-agency formative intervention workshops
- Masilela, Priscilla, Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Authors: Masilela, Priscilla , Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/372809 , vital:66624 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2020.1717458"
- Description: Home-based care facilities provide basic healthcare services to people too sick or frail to access formal clinics and hospitals. These facilities produce ‘healthcare risk waste’ which must be managed responsibly, and it is the work of Environmental Health Practitioners working within municipalities to ensure that the waste produced by home-based care facilities is managed in line with legislation. This paper presents a case study of a twenty-seven-month expansive learning intervention in a South African municipality that sought to transform its healthcare risk waste management practices. Limited knowledge and inadequate knowledge-sharing practices were identified as the main hindrances to effective waste management. The practitioner-researcher facilitated a series of inter-agency, formative intervention workshops with municipal employees and Community Health Workers using the Developmental Work Research methodology. These workshops strengthened both groups of practitioners’ knowledge of the ‘who, how, what, why and when’ that underpins effective healthcare risk waste management, and enabled ‘boundary crossing’ for practitioners to work across their specialist areas towards co-defining and analysing problems and constructing new solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Masilela, Priscilla , Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/372809 , vital:66624 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2020.1717458"
- Description: Home-based care facilities provide basic healthcare services to people too sick or frail to access formal clinics and hospitals. These facilities produce ‘healthcare risk waste’ which must be managed responsibly, and it is the work of Environmental Health Practitioners working within municipalities to ensure that the waste produced by home-based care facilities is managed in line with legislation. This paper presents a case study of a twenty-seven-month expansive learning intervention in a South African municipality that sought to transform its healthcare risk waste management practices. Limited knowledge and inadequate knowledge-sharing practices were identified as the main hindrances to effective waste management. The practitioner-researcher facilitated a series of inter-agency, formative intervention workshops with municipal employees and Community Health Workers using the Developmental Work Research methodology. These workshops strengthened both groups of practitioners’ knowledge of the ‘who, how, what, why and when’ that underpins effective healthcare risk waste management, and enabled ‘boundary crossing’ for practitioners to work across their specialist areas towards co-defining and analysing problems and constructing new solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Encapsulation of isoniazid-conjugated phthalocyanine-In-cyclodextrin-in-liposomes using heating method
- Nkanga, Christian I, Krause, Rui W M
- Authors: Nkanga, Christian I , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193999 , vital:45414 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47991-y"
- Description: Liposomes are reputed colloidal vehicles that hold the promise for targeted delivery of anti-tubercular drugs (ATBDs) to alveolar macrophages that host Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the costly status of liposome technology, particularly due to the use of special manufacture equipment and expensive lipid materials, may preclude wider developments of therapeutic liposomes. In this study, we report efficient encapsulation of a complex system, consisting of isoniazid-hydrazone-phthalocyanine conjugate (Pc-INH) in gamma-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), in liposomes using crude soybean lecithin by means of a simple organic solvent-free method, heating method (HM). Inclusion complexation was performed in solution and solid-state, and evaluated using UV-Vis, magnetic circular dichroism, 1H NMR, diffusion ordered spectroscopy and FT-IR. The HM-liposomes afforded good encapsulation efficiency (71%) for such a large Pc-INH/γ-CD complex (PCD) system. The stability and properties of the PCD-HM-liposomes look encouraging; with particle size 240 nm and Zeta potential −57 mV that remained unchanged upon storage at 4 °C for 5 weeks. The release study performed in different pH media revealed controlled release profiles that went up to 100% at pH 4.4, from about 40% at pH 7.4. This makes PCD-liposomes a promising system for site-specific ATBD delivery, and a good example of simple liposomal encapsulation of large hydrophobic compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nkanga, Christian I , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193999 , vital:45414 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47991-y"
- Description: Liposomes are reputed colloidal vehicles that hold the promise for targeted delivery of anti-tubercular drugs (ATBDs) to alveolar macrophages that host Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the costly status of liposome technology, particularly due to the use of special manufacture equipment and expensive lipid materials, may preclude wider developments of therapeutic liposomes. In this study, we report efficient encapsulation of a complex system, consisting of isoniazid-hydrazone-phthalocyanine conjugate (Pc-INH) in gamma-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), in liposomes using crude soybean lecithin by means of a simple organic solvent-free method, heating method (HM). Inclusion complexation was performed in solution and solid-state, and evaluated using UV-Vis, magnetic circular dichroism, 1H NMR, diffusion ordered spectroscopy and FT-IR. The HM-liposomes afforded good encapsulation efficiency (71%) for such a large Pc-INH/γ-CD complex (PCD) system. The stability and properties of the PCD-HM-liposomes look encouraging; with particle size 240 nm and Zeta potential −57 mV that remained unchanged upon storage at 4 °C for 5 weeks. The release study performed in different pH media revealed controlled release profiles that went up to 100% at pH 4.4, from about 40% at pH 7.4. This makes PCD-liposomes a promising system for site-specific ATBD delivery, and a good example of simple liposomal encapsulation of large hydrophobic compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring and expanding transdisciplinary research for sustainable and just natural resource management
- Finca, Andiswa, Wolff, Margaret G, Cockburn, Jessica J, de Wet, Christopher J, Bezerra, Joana C, Weaver, Matthew J T, de Vos, Alta, Ralekhetla, Mateboho M, Libala, Notiswa, Mkabile, Qawekazi B, Odume, Oghenekaro N, Palmer, Carolyn G
- Authors: Finca, Andiswa , Wolff, Margaret G , Cockburn, Jessica J , de Wet, Christopher J , Bezerra, Joana C , Weaver, Matthew J T , de Vos, Alta , Ralekhetla, Mateboho M , Libala, Notiswa , Mkabile, Qawekazi B , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416307 , vital:71337 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11077-240414"
- Description: Transdisciplinarity is gaining acceptance in sustainability science research as an approach to work across disparate types of knowledge and practices in order to tackle complex social-ecological problems. On paper, transdisciplinarity appears to be substantially helpful, but in practice, participants may remain voiceless and disadvantaged. In this paper, we retrospectively investigate four case studies using recent design principles for transdisciplinary research, to explore a deeper understanding of the practical successes and failures of transdisciplinary research engagement. We show that the transdisciplinary way of working is time consuming, challenging, and insists that researchers and participants contribute reflexively. Careful attention to research design and methodology is central. The acceptance that complexity renders knowledge provisional, and complete honesty about the purpose of the research are critical to building relationships between researchers and participants. Gaining an understanding of the values people hold influences the research process and the possible outcomes toward sustainable and just natural resource management. We suggest that in order to enable sustainable and just natural resource management, transdisciplinary research should include values and ethics in the design, implementation, and reporting of projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Finca, Andiswa , Wolff, Margaret G , Cockburn, Jessica J , de Wet, Christopher J , Bezerra, Joana C , Weaver, Matthew J T , de Vos, Alta , Ralekhetla, Mateboho M , Libala, Notiswa , Mkabile, Qawekazi B , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416307 , vital:71337 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11077-240414"
- Description: Transdisciplinarity is gaining acceptance in sustainability science research as an approach to work across disparate types of knowledge and practices in order to tackle complex social-ecological problems. On paper, transdisciplinarity appears to be substantially helpful, but in practice, participants may remain voiceless and disadvantaged. In this paper, we retrospectively investigate four case studies using recent design principles for transdisciplinary research, to explore a deeper understanding of the practical successes and failures of transdisciplinary research engagement. We show that the transdisciplinary way of working is time consuming, challenging, and insists that researchers and participants contribute reflexively. Careful attention to research design and methodology is central. The acceptance that complexity renders knowledge provisional, and complete honesty about the purpose of the research are critical to building relationships between researchers and participants. Gaining an understanding of the values people hold influences the research process and the possible outcomes toward sustainable and just natural resource management. We suggest that in order to enable sustainable and just natural resource management, transdisciplinary research should include values and ethics in the design, implementation, and reporting of projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
He says, she says: ecosystem services and gender among indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon
- Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S, Cubillos, Martha V, Torres-Vitolas, Carlos, Harvey, Celia A, Shackleton, Charlie M, Schreckenberg, Kate, Willcock, Simon, Navarrete-Frías, Carolina, Sachet, Erwan
- Authors: Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S , Cubillos, Martha V , Torres-Vitolas, Carlos , Harvey, Celia A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Schreckenberg, Kate , Willcock, Simon , Navarrete-Frías, Carolina , Sachet, Erwan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa To be catalogued 1836-1909 Maps
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179627 , vital:43128 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100921"
- Description: Although it has been hypothesized that men and women vary in the way they value ecosystem services, research on ecosystem services rarely incorporates a gender dimension. We conducted research with nine indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon to understand which ecosystem services men and women perceive as most important for their wellbeing and to rank them according to locally-defined criteria of importance. Participants identified a total of 26 ecosystem services and 20 different ranking criteria. Ecosystem services such as land for agricultural fields (a supporting service), and provision of fish and medicinal plants were equally important for both men and women. Wild fruits and resources to make handicrafts were more frequently mentioned by women, whereas timber, materials for making tools and coca leaves were more frequently mentioned by men. There were also differences in the criteria used to value ecosystem services, with 11 criteria mentioned by both men and women, five mentioned exclusively by women and another four only by men. Our results suggest that taking gender differences into account in ecosystem services assessments may result in the prioritization of different services in conservation and sustainable development programs, and may lead to different outcomes for ecosystem service provision and local livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S , Cubillos, Martha V , Torres-Vitolas, Carlos , Harvey, Celia A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Schreckenberg, Kate , Willcock, Simon , Navarrete-Frías, Carolina , Sachet, Erwan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa To be catalogued 1836-1909 Maps
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179627 , vital:43128 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100921"
- Description: Although it has been hypothesized that men and women vary in the way they value ecosystem services, research on ecosystem services rarely incorporates a gender dimension. We conducted research with nine indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon to understand which ecosystem services men and women perceive as most important for their wellbeing and to rank them according to locally-defined criteria of importance. Participants identified a total of 26 ecosystem services and 20 different ranking criteria. Ecosystem services such as land for agricultural fields (a supporting service), and provision of fish and medicinal plants were equally important for both men and women. Wild fruits and resources to make handicrafts were more frequently mentioned by women, whereas timber, materials for making tools and coca leaves were more frequently mentioned by men. There were also differences in the criteria used to value ecosystem services, with 11 criteria mentioned by both men and women, five mentioned exclusively by women and another four only by men. Our results suggest that taking gender differences into account in ecosystem services assessments may result in the prioritization of different services in conservation and sustainable development programs, and may lead to different outcomes for ecosystem service provision and local livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Participatory mapping in a developing country context: Lessons from South Africa
- Weyer, Dylan J, Bezerra, Joana C, de Vos, Alta
- Authors: Weyer, Dylan J , Bezerra, Joana C , de Vos, Alta
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416333 , vital:71340 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/land8090134"
- Description: Digital participatory mapping improves accessibility to spatial information and the way in which knowledge is co-constructed and landscapes co-managed with impoverished communities. However, many unintended consequences for social and epistemic justice may be exacerbated in developing country contexts. Two South African case studies incorporating Direct-to-Digital participatory mapping in marginalized communities to inform land-use decision-making, and the ethical challenges of adopting this method are discussed. Understanding the past and present context of the site and the power dynamics at play is critical to develop trust and manage expectations among research participants. When employing unfamiliar technology, disparate literacy levels and language barriers create challenges for ensuring participants understand the risks of their involvement and recognize their rights. The logistics of using this approach in remote areas with poor infrastructure and deciding how best to leave the participants with the maps they have co-produced in an accessible format present further challenges. Overcoming these can however offer opportunity for redressing past injustices and empowering marginalized communities with a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Weyer, Dylan J , Bezerra, Joana C , de Vos, Alta
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416333 , vital:71340 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/land8090134"
- Description: Digital participatory mapping improves accessibility to spatial information and the way in which knowledge is co-constructed and landscapes co-managed with impoverished communities. However, many unintended consequences for social and epistemic justice may be exacerbated in developing country contexts. Two South African case studies incorporating Direct-to-Digital participatory mapping in marginalized communities to inform land-use decision-making, and the ethical challenges of adopting this method are discussed. Understanding the past and present context of the site and the power dynamics at play is critical to develop trust and manage expectations among research participants. When employing unfamiliar technology, disparate literacy levels and language barriers create challenges for ensuring participants understand the risks of their involvement and recognize their rights. The logistics of using this approach in remote areas with poor infrastructure and deciding how best to leave the participants with the maps they have co-produced in an accessible format present further challenges. Overcoming these can however offer opportunity for redressing past injustices and empowering marginalized communities with a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The contribution of land tenure diversity to the spatial resilience of protected area networks
- de Vos, Alta, Cumming, George S
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Cumming, George S
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416421 , vital:71347 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.29"
- Description: The relationship between diversity and resilience is relatively well‐established for ecological systems, but remains much less explored for socio‐economic systems. Institutional diversity can have particular relevance for protected areas, whose managerial responses to environmental change depend on their legal basis, ability to make and enforce rules and socio‐political acceptance and endorsement. 2. Protected area expansion strategies are increasingly turning to private land con‐ servation to increase the configuration and connectivity of national protected area networks. Yet, we know little about the relative role of privately owned pro‐ tected areas in protecting threatened and poorly protected (under‐represented) habitats, and in the overall connectivity of the national protected area network. 3. We present an empirical assessment of protected area tenure diversity across South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Cumming, George S
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416421 , vital:71347 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.29"
- Description: The relationship between diversity and resilience is relatively well‐established for ecological systems, but remains much less explored for socio‐economic systems. Institutional diversity can have particular relevance for protected areas, whose managerial responses to environmental change depend on their legal basis, ability to make and enforce rules and socio‐political acceptance and endorsement. 2. Protected area expansion strategies are increasingly turning to private land con‐ servation to increase the configuration and connectivity of national protected area networks. Yet, we know little about the relative role of privately owned pro‐ tected areas in protecting threatened and poorly protected (under‐represented) habitats, and in the overall connectivity of the national protected area network. 3. We present an empirical assessment of protected area tenure diversity across South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Click chemistry electrode modification using 4-ethynylbenzyl substituted cobalt phthalocyanine for applications in electrocatalysis
- Mpeta, Lekhetho S, Fomo, Gertrude, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mpeta, Lekhetho S , Fomo, Gertrude , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187626 , vital:44681 , xlink:href="• https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2018.1466118"
- Description: In this work, we report on the synthesis and applications of a new cobalt tetrakis 4-((4-ethynylbenzyl) oxy) phthalocyanine (3) for the detection of hydrazine. The glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was first grafted through diazotization, providing the GCE surface layer with azide groups. Thereafter, the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, catalyzed by a copper(I) catalyst was used to “click” complex 3 to the grafted surface of GCE. The new platform was then characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This work shows that 3 is an effective sensor with sensitivity of 91.5 μA mM−1 and limit of detection of 3.28 μM which is a great improvement compared to other reported sensors for this analyte.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mpeta, Lekhetho S , Fomo, Gertrude , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187626 , vital:44681 , xlink:href="• https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2018.1466118"
- Description: In this work, we report on the synthesis and applications of a new cobalt tetrakis 4-((4-ethynylbenzyl) oxy) phthalocyanine (3) for the detection of hydrazine. The glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was first grafted through diazotization, providing the GCE surface layer with azide groups. Thereafter, the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, catalyzed by a copper(I) catalyst was used to “click” complex 3 to the grafted surface of GCE. The new platform was then characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This work shows that 3 is an effective sensor with sensitivity of 91.5 μA mM−1 and limit of detection of 3.28 μM which is a great improvement compared to other reported sensors for this analyte.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Seed extract of Psoralea corylifolia and its constituent bakuchiol impairs AHL-based quorum sensing and biofilm formation in food-and human-related pathogens
- Husain, Fohad M, Ahmad, Iqbal, Khan, Faez I, Al-Shabib, Nasser A, Baig, Mohammad H, Hussain, Afzal, Rehman, Md T, Alajmi, Mohamed F, Lobb, Kevin A
- Authors: Husain, Fohad M , Ahmad, Iqbal , Khan, Faez I , Al-Shabib, Nasser A , Baig, Mohammad H , Hussain, Afzal , Rehman, Md T , Alajmi, Mohamed F , Lobb, Kevin A
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447182 , vital:74590 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00351"
- Description: The emergence of multi-drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria in clinical settings as well as food-borne infections has become a serious health concern. The problem of drug resistance necessitates the need for alternative novel therapeutic strategies to combat this menace. One such approach is targeting the quorum-sensing (QS) controlled virulence and biofilm formation. In this study, we first screened different fractions of Psoralea corylifolia (seed) for their anti-QS property in the Chromobacterium violaceum 12472 strain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Husain, Fohad M , Ahmad, Iqbal , Khan, Faez I , Al-Shabib, Nasser A , Baig, Mohammad H , Hussain, Afzal , Rehman, Md T , Alajmi, Mohamed F , Lobb, Kevin A
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447182 , vital:74590 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00351"
- Description: The emergence of multi-drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria in clinical settings as well as food-borne infections has become a serious health concern. The problem of drug resistance necessitates the need for alternative novel therapeutic strategies to combat this menace. One such approach is targeting the quorum-sensing (QS) controlled virulence and biofilm formation. In this study, we first screened different fractions of Psoralea corylifolia (seed) for their anti-QS property in the Chromobacterium violaceum 12472 strain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Social-ecological systems as complex adaptive systems
- Preiser, Rika, Biggs, Reinette, de Vos, Alta, Folke, Carl
- Authors: Preiser, Rika , Biggs, Reinette , de Vos, Alta , Folke, Carl
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416410 , vital:71346 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10558-230446"
- Description: The study of social-ecological systems (SES) has been significantly shaped by insights from research on complex adaptive systems (CAS). We offer a brief overview of the conceptual integration of CAS research and its implications for the advancement of SES studies and methods. We propose a conceptual typology of six organizing principles of CAS based on a comparison of leading scholars’ classifications of CAS features and properties. This typology clusters together similar underlying organizing principles of the features and attributes of CAS, and serves as a heuristic framework for identifying methods and approaches that account for the key features of SES. These principles can help identify appropriate methods and approaches for studying SES. We discuss three main implications of studying and engaging with SES as CAS. First, there needs to be a shift in focus when studying the dynamics and interactions in SES, to better capture the nature of the organizing principles that characterize SES behavior. Second, realizing that the nature of the intertwined social-ecological relations is complex has real consequences for how we choose methods and practical approaches for observing and studying SES interactions. Third, engagement with SES as CAS poses normative challenges for problemoriented researchers and practitioners taking on real-world challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Preiser, Rika , Biggs, Reinette , de Vos, Alta , Folke, Carl
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416410 , vital:71346 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10558-230446"
- Description: The study of social-ecological systems (SES) has been significantly shaped by insights from research on complex adaptive systems (CAS). We offer a brief overview of the conceptual integration of CAS research and its implications for the advancement of SES studies and methods. We propose a conceptual typology of six organizing principles of CAS based on a comparison of leading scholars’ classifications of CAS features and properties. This typology clusters together similar underlying organizing principles of the features and attributes of CAS, and serves as a heuristic framework for identifying methods and approaches that account for the key features of SES. These principles can help identify appropriate methods and approaches for studying SES. We discuss three main implications of studying and engaging with SES as CAS. First, there needs to be a shift in focus when studying the dynamics and interactions in SES, to better capture the nature of the organizing principles that characterize SES behavior. Second, realizing that the nature of the intertwined social-ecological relations is complex has real consequences for how we choose methods and practical approaches for observing and studying SES interactions. Third, engagement with SES as CAS poses normative challenges for problemoriented researchers and practitioners taking on real-world challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The socialisation and leader identity development of school leaders in Southern African countries
- Moorosi, Pontso, Grant, Carolyn
- Authors: Moorosi, Pontso , Grant, Carolyn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281142 , vital:55696 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-01-2018-0011"
- Description: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the socialisation and leader identity development of school leaders in Southern African countries. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a survey of qualitative data where data collection primarily involved in-depth interviews with school principals and deputy principals of both primary and secondary schools. Findings: Findings revealed that early socialisation to leadership transpired during childhood and early schooling at which points in time the characteristics and values of leadership integral to the participants’ leadership practice were acquired. Initial teacher training was found to be significant in introducing principalship role conception. Leader identity was also found to develop outside the context of school through pre-socialising agents long before the teaching and leading roles are assumed. Originality/value: The study presents an overview of the findings from four countries in Southern Africa, providing a complex process with overlapping stages of career socialisation. Existing research puts emphasis on formal leadership preparation as a significant part of socialisation – this study suggests alternatives for poorly resourced countries. Significantly, the paper improves our understanding that school leader identity is both internal and external to the school environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Moorosi, Pontso , Grant, Carolyn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281142 , vital:55696 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-01-2018-0011"
- Description: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the socialisation and leader identity development of school leaders in Southern African countries. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a survey of qualitative data where data collection primarily involved in-depth interviews with school principals and deputy principals of both primary and secondary schools. Findings: Findings revealed that early socialisation to leadership transpired during childhood and early schooling at which points in time the characteristics and values of leadership integral to the participants’ leadership practice were acquired. Initial teacher training was found to be significant in introducing principalship role conception. Leader identity was also found to develop outside the context of school through pre-socialising agents long before the teaching and leading roles are assumed. Originality/value: The study presents an overview of the findings from four countries in Southern Africa, providing a complex process with overlapping stages of career socialisation. Existing research puts emphasis on formal leadership preparation as a significant part of socialisation – this study suggests alternatives for poorly resourced countries. Significantly, the paper improves our understanding that school leader identity is both internal and external to the school environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Improving singlet oxygen generating abilities of phthalocyanines
- Nwahara, Nnamdi, Britton, Jonathan, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188943 , vital:44800 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2017.1313975"
- Description: Glutathione-capped graphene quantum dots (GQDs@GSH) were covalently linked to folic acid (FA). Aluminum tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (ClAlTSPc) was then adsorbed on the GQDs@GSH-FA conjugate to form GQDs@GSH-FA/ClAlTSPc or on GQDs@GSH and pristine GQDs alone to form GQDs@GSH/ClAlTSPc and GQDs/ClAlTSPc, respectively. We report for the first time on the photophysicochemical behavior of the resulting nanoconjugates. The fluorescence quantum yields of pristine GQDs, GQDS@GSH, or GQDs@GSH-FA conjugate were quenched upon non-covalent interaction (π–π) with ClAlTSPc. There was an increase in triplet quantum yields from 0.38 for ClAlTSPc alone to 0.60, 0.75, and 0.73 when ClAlTSPc was linked to pristine GQDs, GQDs@GSH, and GQDs@GSH-FA, respectively. The singlet oxygen quantum yields also increased from 0.37 for ClAlTSPc alone to 0.42 (for ClALTSPc with pristine GQDs), 0.52 (for ClAlTSPc with GQDs@GSH), and 0.54 (for ClAlTSPc with GQDs@GSH-FA). Thus, the present work may lead to a new generation of carbon-based nanomaterial photodynamic therapy agents with overall performance superior to conventional agents in terms of singlet oxygen generation, water dispersibility, and biocompatibility.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188943 , vital:44800 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2017.1313975"
- Description: Glutathione-capped graphene quantum dots (GQDs@GSH) were covalently linked to folic acid (FA). Aluminum tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (ClAlTSPc) was then adsorbed on the GQDs@GSH-FA conjugate to form GQDs@GSH-FA/ClAlTSPc or on GQDs@GSH and pristine GQDs alone to form GQDs@GSH/ClAlTSPc and GQDs/ClAlTSPc, respectively. We report for the first time on the photophysicochemical behavior of the resulting nanoconjugates. The fluorescence quantum yields of pristine GQDs, GQDS@GSH, or GQDs@GSH-FA conjugate were quenched upon non-covalent interaction (π–π) with ClAlTSPc. There was an increase in triplet quantum yields from 0.38 for ClAlTSPc alone to 0.60, 0.75, and 0.73 when ClAlTSPc was linked to pristine GQDs, GQDs@GSH, and GQDs@GSH-FA, respectively. The singlet oxygen quantum yields also increased from 0.37 for ClAlTSPc alone to 0.42 (for ClALTSPc with pristine GQDs), 0.52 (for ClAlTSPc with GQDs@GSH), and 0.54 (for ClAlTSPc with GQDs@GSH-FA). Thus, the present work may lead to a new generation of carbon-based nanomaterial photodynamic therapy agents with overall performance superior to conventional agents in terms of singlet oxygen generation, water dispersibility, and biocompatibility.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of expansive shrubs on plant species richness and soils in semi-arid communal lands, South Africa
- Sholto-Douglas, Craig, Shackleton, Charlie M, Ruwanza, Sheunesu, Dold, Tony
- Authors: Sholto-Douglas, Craig , Shackleton, Charlie M , Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Dold, Tony
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398394 , vital:69408 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2745"
- Description: Expansion by expansive species can have severe ecological, social and economic impacts through the reduction of ecosystem goods and services and species richness. However, expansion by expansive species may also offer benefits to ecosystems and humans, through the supply of ecosystem goods and services (such as firewood, fodder and fruits), as well as potentially offering refugia in heavily used landscapes. Here, we examine the effects of four expansive dwarf shrub species (Aspalathus subtingens, Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis, Pteronia incana and Oedera genistifolia) on plant species richness (at the point scale), vegetation cover, soil properties and whether the expansive species offer refugia to other species. Plant species richness, cover and soil properties were recorded in 1-m2 quadrats located within a mosaic of expanded and non-expanded patches for the four expansive shrub species. Plant species richness was significantly higher in the non-expanded areas compared to the expanded ones for all four expansive species. Some of the expansive shrubs provided refugia to certain plant species and limited the frequency of other species. With regard to species composition, there was little separation of expanded and non-expanded samples within sites, indicating that the site factors were stronger determinants of plant species richness and composition than expansion. Therefore, it is more likely that the reduction in species richness in expanded sites is caused by multiple drivers, including vegetation attributes cover, litter cover and soil nutrients (organic C, Zn and P) and soil compaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sholto-Douglas, Craig , Shackleton, Charlie M , Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Dold, Tony
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398394 , vital:69408 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2745"
- Description: Expansion by expansive species can have severe ecological, social and economic impacts through the reduction of ecosystem goods and services and species richness. However, expansion by expansive species may also offer benefits to ecosystems and humans, through the supply of ecosystem goods and services (such as firewood, fodder and fruits), as well as potentially offering refugia in heavily used landscapes. Here, we examine the effects of four expansive dwarf shrub species (Aspalathus subtingens, Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis, Pteronia incana and Oedera genistifolia) on plant species richness (at the point scale), vegetation cover, soil properties and whether the expansive species offer refugia to other species. Plant species richness, cover and soil properties were recorded in 1-m2 quadrats located within a mosaic of expanded and non-expanded patches for the four expansive shrub species. Plant species richness was significantly higher in the non-expanded areas compared to the expanded ones for all four expansive species. Some of the expansive shrubs provided refugia to certain plant species and limited the frequency of other species. With regard to species composition, there was little separation of expanded and non-expanded samples within sites, indicating that the site factors were stronger determinants of plant species richness and composition than expansion. Therefore, it is more likely that the reduction in species richness in expanded sites is caused by multiple drivers, including vegetation attributes cover, litter cover and soil nutrients (organic C, Zn and P) and soil compaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A comparative physicochemical study of unsymmetrical indium phthalocyanines in the presence of magnetic nanoparticles or quantum dots
- Osifeko, Olawale L, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Osifeko, Olawale L , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188743 , vital:44781 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2016.1152628"
- Description: Asymmetric indium phthalocyanine (3, containing an NH2 group) was conjugated (via an amide bond) to magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) functionalized with carboxylic acid or glutathione-capped CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO quantum dots to form 3-MNPs or 3-QDs. Techniques such as time-resolved fluorescence measurements, transmission electron microscopy, XPS, elemental analysis, FTIR, NMR (1H, 13C, and cozy), electronic spectroscopy, as well as mass spectroscopy were employed to characterize 3 and its nanoconjugates. The phthalocyanine conjugated to quantum dot (3-QDs) possesses the lowest Фpd higher Ф∆ and ФT as well as longer triplet lifetimes compares to 3-MNPs and free phthalocyanine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Osifeko, Olawale L , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188743 , vital:44781 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2016.1152628"
- Description: Asymmetric indium phthalocyanine (3, containing an NH2 group) was conjugated (via an amide bond) to magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) functionalized with carboxylic acid or glutathione-capped CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO quantum dots to form 3-MNPs or 3-QDs. Techniques such as time-resolved fluorescence measurements, transmission electron microscopy, XPS, elemental analysis, FTIR, NMR (1H, 13C, and cozy), electronic spectroscopy, as well as mass spectroscopy were employed to characterize 3 and its nanoconjugates. The phthalocyanine conjugated to quantum dot (3-QDs) possesses the lowest Фpd higher Ф∆ and ФT as well as longer triplet lifetimes compares to 3-MNPs and free phthalocyanine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Ecological knowledge among communities, managers and scientists: Bridging divergent perspectives to improve forest management outcomes
- Rist, Lucy, Shackleton, Charlie M, Gadamus, Lily, Chapin, F Stuart, Made Gowda, C, Setty, Siddappa R, Kannan, Ramesh, Shaanker, Ramanan Uma
- Authors: Rist, Lucy , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gadamus, Lily , Chapin, F Stuart , Made Gowda, C , Setty, Siddappa R , Kannan, Ramesh , Shaanker, Ramanan Uma
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182124 , vital:43802 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-015-0647-1"
- Description: Multiple actors are typically involved in forest management, namely communities, managers and researchers. In such cases, suboptimal management outcomes may, in addition to other factors, be symptomatic of a divergence in perspectives among these actors driven by fundamental differences in ecological knowledge. We examine the degree of congruence between the understandings of actors surrounding key issues of management concern in three case studies from tropical, subtropical and boreal forests. We identify commonly encountered points of divergence in ecological knowledge relating to key management processes and issues. We use these to formulate seven hypotheses about differences in the bodies of knowledge that frequently underlie communication and learning failures in forest management contexts where multiple actors are involved and outcomes are judged to be suboptimal. Finally, we present a set of propositions to acknowledge and narrow these differences. A more complete recognition of the full triangulation between all actors involved, and of the influence that fundamental differences in ecological knowledge can exert, may help lead to a more fruitful integration between local knowledge and practice, manager knowledge and practice, and contemporary science in forest management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Rist, Lucy , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gadamus, Lily , Chapin, F Stuart , Made Gowda, C , Setty, Siddappa R , Kannan, Ramesh , Shaanker, Ramanan Uma
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182124 , vital:43802 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-015-0647-1"
- Description: Multiple actors are typically involved in forest management, namely communities, managers and researchers. In such cases, suboptimal management outcomes may, in addition to other factors, be symptomatic of a divergence in perspectives among these actors driven by fundamental differences in ecological knowledge. We examine the degree of congruence between the understandings of actors surrounding key issues of management concern in three case studies from tropical, subtropical and boreal forests. We identify commonly encountered points of divergence in ecological knowledge relating to key management processes and issues. We use these to formulate seven hypotheses about differences in the bodies of knowledge that frequently underlie communication and learning failures in forest management contexts where multiple actors are involved and outcomes are judged to be suboptimal. Finally, we present a set of propositions to acknowledge and narrow these differences. A more complete recognition of the full triangulation between all actors involved, and of the influence that fundamental differences in ecological knowledge can exert, may help lead to a more fruitful integration between local knowledge and practice, manager knowledge and practice, and contemporary science in forest management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016