Labour dispute resolution in Uganda
- Chabo, Godsent, Ndimurwimo, Leah A
- Authors: Chabo, Godsent , Ndimurwimo, Leah A
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Dispute resolution (Law) -- Uganda , Labor disputes -- Uganda Arbitration, Industrial -- Uganda Industrial relations -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48960 , vital:41566
- Description: The dissertation examines the Ugandan labour dispute resolution system by undertaking an analysis of international labour standards and a case study of South Africa’s labour dispute system. The study pronounces the legislative provisions of the Employment Act and Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act that exist for the effective and efficient resolution of labour disputes through an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system. The study contends for the provision of a proactive and expeditious dispute resolution system that helps to resolve labour disputes in the most effective and efficient manner, without necessarily having to resort to the courts. The dissertation further examines the provisions of relevant international labour standards on labour dispute resolution to ascertain their adequacy as part frameworks that apply to Uganda’s obligation to provide ADR systems that respond to the needs of the labour relations community. The study contends that ratifying particular ILO conventions creates obligations upon a country to comply and apply provisions of these conventions in national legislation. It is further argued that by having ratified those international labour standards that provide for ADR, Uganda assumes specific obligations under international law, enjoining the country to provide the required ADR system of conciliation and arbitration, which is reliable and trusted by the countries citizens. A case study of South Africa is adopted with the primary focus on whether Uganda can learn from South African’s ADR system which is arguably more effective and efficient. South Africa has a labour dispute resolution system that has influenced majority of the Southern African Development Community (SADAC) law, hence prompting this study to borrow its ADR system predominantly the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Despite the differences between Uganda and South Africa, the study also indicates fundamental similarities. Preferably, disputes should be resolved at conciliation level, resulting in the minority of disputes being referred to arbitration or the Industrial Court. This is far from the reality of the situation in Uganda. The study acknowledges that the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act and Employment Act have put up provisions to establish a fast and effective labour dispute system, however, the gap exists at implementing these effective provisions in the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act and the Employment Act. These lacunae in implementation make the attainment of an effective and efficient labour dispute resolution difficult. For this reason, the author proposes several remedial interventions in line with international labour standards and lessons from South Africa’s system that look to the future and the continued provision of fast, effective, and user-friendly ADR services. For Uganda to solve successfully apply these remedies, a strong political will as well as concerted efforts from all role players in the labour relations community is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Chabo, Godsent , Ndimurwimo, Leah A
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Dispute resolution (Law) -- Uganda , Labor disputes -- Uganda Arbitration, Industrial -- Uganda Industrial relations -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48960 , vital:41566
- Description: The dissertation examines the Ugandan labour dispute resolution system by undertaking an analysis of international labour standards and a case study of South Africa’s labour dispute system. The study pronounces the legislative provisions of the Employment Act and Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act that exist for the effective and efficient resolution of labour disputes through an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system. The study contends for the provision of a proactive and expeditious dispute resolution system that helps to resolve labour disputes in the most effective and efficient manner, without necessarily having to resort to the courts. The dissertation further examines the provisions of relevant international labour standards on labour dispute resolution to ascertain their adequacy as part frameworks that apply to Uganda’s obligation to provide ADR systems that respond to the needs of the labour relations community. The study contends that ratifying particular ILO conventions creates obligations upon a country to comply and apply provisions of these conventions in national legislation. It is further argued that by having ratified those international labour standards that provide for ADR, Uganda assumes specific obligations under international law, enjoining the country to provide the required ADR system of conciliation and arbitration, which is reliable and trusted by the countries citizens. A case study of South Africa is adopted with the primary focus on whether Uganda can learn from South African’s ADR system which is arguably more effective and efficient. South Africa has a labour dispute resolution system that has influenced majority of the Southern African Development Community (SADAC) law, hence prompting this study to borrow its ADR system predominantly the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Despite the differences between Uganda and South Africa, the study also indicates fundamental similarities. Preferably, disputes should be resolved at conciliation level, resulting in the minority of disputes being referred to arbitration or the Industrial Court. This is far from the reality of the situation in Uganda. The study acknowledges that the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act and Employment Act have put up provisions to establish a fast and effective labour dispute system, however, the gap exists at implementing these effective provisions in the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act and the Employment Act. These lacunae in implementation make the attainment of an effective and efficient labour dispute resolution difficult. For this reason, the author proposes several remedial interventions in line with international labour standards and lessons from South Africa’s system that look to the future and the continued provision of fast, effective, and user-friendly ADR services. For Uganda to solve successfully apply these remedies, a strong political will as well as concerted efforts from all role players in the labour relations community is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Preparation and characterization of sodium alginate-based dissolvable bandages as potential wound dressings
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sindi Prescila
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nanostructured materials
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18800 , vital:42734
- Description: Burn wounds are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity globally. Burn wounds are painful, cause social isolation and causes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to prolonged hospital treatment. The challenges encountered in the treatment of burn wounds are infections resulting from the use of wound dressings that do not protect the wounds from microbial invasion. Sodium alginate-based dissolvable bandages were prepared and encapsulated with various antibiotics (ampicillin and ciprofloxacin) and nanoparticles (i.e. zinc oxide and silver). The dissolvable bandages were characterized by FTIR, SEM/EDX, TEM, XRD and TGA. Furthermore, the porosity, water uptake, biodegradation, antibacterial studies, and water vapour transmittance properties of the bandages were also studied. The prepared sodium alginate-based dissolvable bandage incorporated with varied amount of drugs (such as ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, zinc oxide and silver nanoparticle) exhibited good porosity, high water uptake, excellent WVTR with sustained drug release profiles. The loading of ZnO Nps, CLP/ZnO Nps and Ag Nps/CLP into the bandages improved the antibacterial activity of the bandages against both gram-negative and gram-positive strains of bacteria. XRD confirmed the amorphous nature of the dissolvable bandage and the absence of free drugs. FTIR revealed the successful encapsulation of the antibiotics and nanoparticle into the dissolvable bandages. The dissolvable bandages exhibited high water uptake ranging from 870-4468% with good porosity suggesting that they can absorb large amount of wound exudates. The drug release for all the bandages obeyed the Korsemeyer Peppas drug release model with n values in the range 0.1-1.0. The results obtained indicate that the bandages are potential wound dressings for burns and for patients with sensitive skins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sindi Prescila
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nanostructured materials
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18800 , vital:42734
- Description: Burn wounds are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity globally. Burn wounds are painful, cause social isolation and causes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to prolonged hospital treatment. The challenges encountered in the treatment of burn wounds are infections resulting from the use of wound dressings that do not protect the wounds from microbial invasion. Sodium alginate-based dissolvable bandages were prepared and encapsulated with various antibiotics (ampicillin and ciprofloxacin) and nanoparticles (i.e. zinc oxide and silver). The dissolvable bandages were characterized by FTIR, SEM/EDX, TEM, XRD and TGA. Furthermore, the porosity, water uptake, biodegradation, antibacterial studies, and water vapour transmittance properties of the bandages were also studied. The prepared sodium alginate-based dissolvable bandage incorporated with varied amount of drugs (such as ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, zinc oxide and silver nanoparticle) exhibited good porosity, high water uptake, excellent WVTR with sustained drug release profiles. The loading of ZnO Nps, CLP/ZnO Nps and Ag Nps/CLP into the bandages improved the antibacterial activity of the bandages against both gram-negative and gram-positive strains of bacteria. XRD confirmed the amorphous nature of the dissolvable bandage and the absence of free drugs. FTIR revealed the successful encapsulation of the antibiotics and nanoparticle into the dissolvable bandages. The dissolvable bandages exhibited high water uptake ranging from 870-4468% with good porosity suggesting that they can absorb large amount of wound exudates. The drug release for all the bandages obeyed the Korsemeyer Peppas drug release model with n values in the range 0.1-1.0. The results obtained indicate that the bandages are potential wound dressings for burns and for patients with sensitive skins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Teenage care by the Methodist church of Southern Africa :The case of Port Elizabeth North circuit (TPT 900)
- Authors: Jibiliza, Xolisa Terrance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Church work with teenagers Teenagers -- Pastoral counseling of Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Theology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17884 , vital:41973
- Description: The research study sought to acknowledge that there was a need of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa as majority of them responds to their adolescent stage with bad behaviour. This was a critical stage that challenged teenagers and required much more attention both from home, schools and church. A teenager is a young person whose age falls within the range from 13 to 19. They are called teenagers because their age number ends with "teen" (Ausubel 2002: 12). This study sought to investigate whether the impact of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and had to achieved the intended mission statement of MCSA which is “A Methodist called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ healing and transformation” in the New Brighton and KwaZakhele areas that formed Port Elizabeth North Circuit. The study would achieve its goal by looking at the needs of a teenager such as caring which includes love, food, medication, accommodation and educational expenses required in a month. The teenage stage is a transitional stage of physical and psychological human development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. The teenage years, though it’s physical, psychological and cultural expressions may begin earlier and end later (Heine, 2016: 14). This is a critical stage for a child because sometimes children change their behaviour during this period, others manage to go through this stage and behave well but others struggle and falling into substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. 2 But this stage followed a puberty stage. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) stresses that puberty is a period of several years in which rapid physical growth and psychological changes occur, culminating in sexual maturity. The average onset of puberty is at 10 or 11 for girls and age 11 or 12 for boys. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) argued that every person's individual timetable for puberty is influenced primarily by inheritance, although environmental factors, such as diet and exercise, also apply some influences. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) further says during puberty body growth accelerates, the reproductive organs become functional, sexual maturity is attained and secondary sexual characteristics appear. Therefore, teenagers could fall into early sex activity that leads to teenage pregnancy. Brewster (2011:183–185) stresses the consideration to the issue of the Bible as a book that contains signs in his interpretation of the theological significance of children. Moreover, the fundamental theological rationale for the notion of children is that Jesus presented child as a sign of the kingdom of God (White 2011:55). Bunge (2011: 24) argues that particular perspectives on children from the Bible should be held in creative tension. Those perspectives are comprising the notions that children are gifts of God, sources of joy, sinful creatures and moral agents, developing beings in need of instruction and guidance, are fully human and made in the likeness and image of God, they are models of faith and sources of revelation, lastly they are in need of justice. Choudhury, Blakemore & Charman (2006: 1) stated that adolescence is the transitional period between late childhood and the beginning of adulthood, and marks the beginning of the reproductive lifespan in humans. Eastman (2010: 2) argued that this phase of human development is “defined by cultural practices and 3 biological occurrences - a period by which behavioural abilities and expectations change. All societies and cultures devise means of marking and handling the realities of human existence which is Birth, Death and Procreation”. The onset of puberty is one such. The transition from dependency as children to the maturity of full adulthood is a journey common to humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Jibiliza, Xolisa Terrance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Church work with teenagers Teenagers -- Pastoral counseling of Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Theology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17884 , vital:41973
- Description: The research study sought to acknowledge that there was a need of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa as majority of them responds to their adolescent stage with bad behaviour. This was a critical stage that challenged teenagers and required much more attention both from home, schools and church. A teenager is a young person whose age falls within the range from 13 to 19. They are called teenagers because their age number ends with "teen" (Ausubel 2002: 12). This study sought to investigate whether the impact of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and had to achieved the intended mission statement of MCSA which is “A Methodist called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ healing and transformation” in the New Brighton and KwaZakhele areas that formed Port Elizabeth North Circuit. The study would achieve its goal by looking at the needs of a teenager such as caring which includes love, food, medication, accommodation and educational expenses required in a month. The teenage stage is a transitional stage of physical and psychological human development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. The teenage years, though it’s physical, psychological and cultural expressions may begin earlier and end later (Heine, 2016: 14). This is a critical stage for a child because sometimes children change their behaviour during this period, others manage to go through this stage and behave well but others struggle and falling into substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. 2 But this stage followed a puberty stage. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) stresses that puberty is a period of several years in which rapid physical growth and psychological changes occur, culminating in sexual maturity. The average onset of puberty is at 10 or 11 for girls and age 11 or 12 for boys. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) argued that every person's individual timetable for puberty is influenced primarily by inheritance, although environmental factors, such as diet and exercise, also apply some influences. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) further says during puberty body growth accelerates, the reproductive organs become functional, sexual maturity is attained and secondary sexual characteristics appear. Therefore, teenagers could fall into early sex activity that leads to teenage pregnancy. Brewster (2011:183–185) stresses the consideration to the issue of the Bible as a book that contains signs in his interpretation of the theological significance of children. Moreover, the fundamental theological rationale for the notion of children is that Jesus presented child as a sign of the kingdom of God (White 2011:55). Bunge (2011: 24) argues that particular perspectives on children from the Bible should be held in creative tension. Those perspectives are comprising the notions that children are gifts of God, sources of joy, sinful creatures and moral agents, developing beings in need of instruction and guidance, are fully human and made in the likeness and image of God, they are models of faith and sources of revelation, lastly they are in need of justice. Choudhury, Blakemore & Charman (2006: 1) stated that adolescence is the transitional period between late childhood and the beginning of adulthood, and marks the beginning of the reproductive lifespan in humans. Eastman (2010: 2) argued that this phase of human development is “defined by cultural practices and 3 biological occurrences - a period by which behavioural abilities and expectations change. All societies and cultures devise means of marking and handling the realities of human existence which is Birth, Death and Procreation”. The onset of puberty is one such. The transition from dependency as children to the maturity of full adulthood is a journey common to humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Diversity, host plant range and ecology of Lepidoptera stem borers in South Africa
- Authors: Stemele, Mxolisi Arnold
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lepidoptera Host plants Stem borers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15409 , vital:40405
- Description: The biology and ecology of Lepidopteran pests stem borers has been extensively studied because of the economic importance of pest species such as Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Noctuidae), Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae), and Eldana saccharina (Walker) (Pyralidae). Knowledge relating to diversity, infestation dynamics, and host plant range is readily available. In natural vegetation, the variety of stem borers is higher than that found in agroecosystems. However, there is a paucity of South African studies that explain the observed differences in diversity between the two systems. Stem borers are also known to exhibit species-specific ecological requirements, which influence their distribution between African countries. South African biomes are classified based on vegetation structure and climate, which happens to be the most critical factors that affect the distribution of phytophagous insects. This makes biomes an excellent model to investigate diversity and distribution of stem borer species. In this study, we investigated diversity, distribution and species composition in four biomes. The results showed that diversity and distribution of the stem borers in natural vegetation was determined by host plant distribution. Stem borer diversity correlated with high diversity of host plants. Thirty-two stem borer species were collected from 27 host plants and another three from light traps. Widely distributed host plants supported a higher diversity of stem borers, which is consistent with the resource availability hypotheses. Non-metric dimensional scale unfolding revealed disparity in host plant preference and plant species composition between the various stem borer families (Kruskal’s Stress = 0.16). Tortricidae species and Sesamia typhae (Le rü) (Noctuidae) feed exclusively on hydrophytic Cyperaceae species. The majority of Noctuidae, Crambidae and Phycitidae species collected were oligophagous on terrestrial Poaceae, with a few polyphagous exceptions feeding on hydrophytic Cyperaceae and Typhaceae. Additionally, species composition of Poaceae host plants differed between 8 Crambidae and the Phycitidae species. Stem borer species composition between biomes revealed the presence of distinct host plants (2D stress = 0.09) and stem borer (2D stress = 0.13) communities. The stem borer abundance and diversity were strongly correlated (R2 = 0.64), but species diversity (R2 = - 0.95) and host plant diversity (R2 = - 0.85) were inversely correlated to altitude. Based on these results it was concluded that stem borer diversity and distribution in natural vegetation was influenced by host plant diversity and distribution as well as climate associated with altitudinal gradients. In the last two decades, four stem borer species previously known on wild host plants; Busseola segeta (Bowden), Busseola phaia (Bowden), Pirateolea piscator (Fletcher) and Conicofrontia sesamoides (Hampson) have invaded cultivated crops. These invasions remained undetected because of a shortage of surveys, habitat transformation and misidentifications. Misidentifications are common among stem borers due to the considerable resemblance between morphospecies. In this study, we assessed the capacity of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome c oxidase (COI) to delineate closely related species to develop monitoring and early detection of invasive species and to assess migration patterns and gene flow between the populations. The results demonstrated that COI is an effective DNA marker for species delineation and assessment of intra- and interspecific genetic relationship. The K2P distances and phylogenetic tree defined boundaries between Noctuidae species with high resolution. No divergence distance was detected between intraspecific species, but for the congener species, divergence distance was 0.044%-0.111% with an average of 0.076%. The average interspecies K2P distance (0.57%) was 5-15 times higher than the congener species distances. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two clades. Busseola and Sesamia species were connected in a monophyletic clade with a strong (93%) bootstrap. The second monophyletic clade comprised of a cluster of Pirateolea, Acrapex and Conicofrontia species, and this was also supported with 9 a strong bootstrap (100%). The gene flow study revealed low levels of genetic differentiation between the populations of B. fusca collected from different maize producing areas in South Africa. This low genetic differentiation was consistent with high gene flow. The number of effective migrants between the populations was between 8 and 99 individuals per generation. These results indicate high connectivity between the populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Stemele, Mxolisi Arnold
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lepidoptera Host plants Stem borers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15409 , vital:40405
- Description: The biology and ecology of Lepidopteran pests stem borers has been extensively studied because of the economic importance of pest species such as Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Noctuidae), Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae), and Eldana saccharina (Walker) (Pyralidae). Knowledge relating to diversity, infestation dynamics, and host plant range is readily available. In natural vegetation, the variety of stem borers is higher than that found in agroecosystems. However, there is a paucity of South African studies that explain the observed differences in diversity between the two systems. Stem borers are also known to exhibit species-specific ecological requirements, which influence their distribution between African countries. South African biomes are classified based on vegetation structure and climate, which happens to be the most critical factors that affect the distribution of phytophagous insects. This makes biomes an excellent model to investigate diversity and distribution of stem borer species. In this study, we investigated diversity, distribution and species composition in four biomes. The results showed that diversity and distribution of the stem borers in natural vegetation was determined by host plant distribution. Stem borer diversity correlated with high diversity of host plants. Thirty-two stem borer species were collected from 27 host plants and another three from light traps. Widely distributed host plants supported a higher diversity of stem borers, which is consistent with the resource availability hypotheses. Non-metric dimensional scale unfolding revealed disparity in host plant preference and plant species composition between the various stem borer families (Kruskal’s Stress = 0.16). Tortricidae species and Sesamia typhae (Le rü) (Noctuidae) feed exclusively on hydrophytic Cyperaceae species. The majority of Noctuidae, Crambidae and Phycitidae species collected were oligophagous on terrestrial Poaceae, with a few polyphagous exceptions feeding on hydrophytic Cyperaceae and Typhaceae. Additionally, species composition of Poaceae host plants differed between 8 Crambidae and the Phycitidae species. Stem borer species composition between biomes revealed the presence of distinct host plants (2D stress = 0.09) and stem borer (2D stress = 0.13) communities. The stem borer abundance and diversity were strongly correlated (R2 = 0.64), but species diversity (R2 = - 0.95) and host plant diversity (R2 = - 0.85) were inversely correlated to altitude. Based on these results it was concluded that stem borer diversity and distribution in natural vegetation was influenced by host plant diversity and distribution as well as climate associated with altitudinal gradients. In the last two decades, four stem borer species previously known on wild host plants; Busseola segeta (Bowden), Busseola phaia (Bowden), Pirateolea piscator (Fletcher) and Conicofrontia sesamoides (Hampson) have invaded cultivated crops. These invasions remained undetected because of a shortage of surveys, habitat transformation and misidentifications. Misidentifications are common among stem borers due to the considerable resemblance between morphospecies. In this study, we assessed the capacity of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome c oxidase (COI) to delineate closely related species to develop monitoring and early detection of invasive species and to assess migration patterns and gene flow between the populations. The results demonstrated that COI is an effective DNA marker for species delineation and assessment of intra- and interspecific genetic relationship. The K2P distances and phylogenetic tree defined boundaries between Noctuidae species with high resolution. No divergence distance was detected between intraspecific species, but for the congener species, divergence distance was 0.044%-0.111% with an average of 0.076%. The average interspecies K2P distance (0.57%) was 5-15 times higher than the congener species distances. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two clades. Busseola and Sesamia species were connected in a monophyletic clade with a strong (93%) bootstrap. The second monophyletic clade comprised of a cluster of Pirateolea, Acrapex and Conicofrontia species, and this was also supported with 9 a strong bootstrap (100%). The gene flow study revealed low levels of genetic differentiation between the populations of B. fusca collected from different maize producing areas in South Africa. This low genetic differentiation was consistent with high gene flow. The number of effective migrants between the populations was between 8 and 99 individuals per generation. These results indicate high connectivity between the populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Extraction, isolation and characterization of oleanolic acid and its analogues from Syzygium aromaticum (cloves) and evaluation of their biological activities
- Authors: khwaza, Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Antibacterial agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19076 , vital:39882
- Description: Pathogenic microorganisms have serious impact on people's lives. Every year, millions of people around the world die of bacterial infections. Resistance to common antibacterial drugs has proven to be a challenging problem in control of bacterial infections. In an attempt to develop an effective and affordable treatment for bacterial infections, oleanolic acid isolated from syzygium aromaticum conjugates incorporating other pharmaceutical scaffolds such as chloroquine derivatives, curcumin, and ergocalciferol etc have been developed. Based on the previous successes of testing combination of antimicrobial drugs and pharmaceutical drugs which appeared to be the promising strategy to overcome treatment failure; a series of hybrid compounds containing oleanolic acid and other pharmaceutical scaffolds were synthesized. 4- Aminoquinoline derivatives were first hybridized with selected organic compounds to form a class of hybrid compounds containing either amide bond or ester bond as a linker between the precursor molecules. Analogues/hybrid compounds can overcome the disadvantages of combination therapy such as drug-drug interaction. The structural effects of this type of conjugation of oleanolic acid and other pharmaceutical scaffolds were characterised by FTIR, Mass Spec and NMR spectroscopy. These compounds were studied along with the monosubstituted oleanolic acid analogues and the organic components in order to compare the effects of the substitution on their biological response.‖ All the synthesized analogues were tested against 11 bacterial strains on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The synthesized compounds showed selectivity and higher activity against Enterococcus faecalis (EF), Klebsiella oxytoca (KO), Escherischia coli (EC), Staphylococcus aureous (SA), Proteus vulgaris (PV) and Bacillus subtilis (BS) with MIC values; ranging between of 1.25 mg/mL to 0.072 mg/mL
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: khwaza, Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Antibacterial agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19076 , vital:39882
- Description: Pathogenic microorganisms have serious impact on people's lives. Every year, millions of people around the world die of bacterial infections. Resistance to common antibacterial drugs has proven to be a challenging problem in control of bacterial infections. In an attempt to develop an effective and affordable treatment for bacterial infections, oleanolic acid isolated from syzygium aromaticum conjugates incorporating other pharmaceutical scaffolds such as chloroquine derivatives, curcumin, and ergocalciferol etc have been developed. Based on the previous successes of testing combination of antimicrobial drugs and pharmaceutical drugs which appeared to be the promising strategy to overcome treatment failure; a series of hybrid compounds containing oleanolic acid and other pharmaceutical scaffolds were synthesized. 4- Aminoquinoline derivatives were first hybridized with selected organic compounds to form a class of hybrid compounds containing either amide bond or ester bond as a linker between the precursor molecules. Analogues/hybrid compounds can overcome the disadvantages of combination therapy such as drug-drug interaction. The structural effects of this type of conjugation of oleanolic acid and other pharmaceutical scaffolds were characterised by FTIR, Mass Spec and NMR spectroscopy. These compounds were studied along with the monosubstituted oleanolic acid analogues and the organic components in order to compare the effects of the substitution on their biological response.‖ All the synthesized analogues were tested against 11 bacterial strains on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The synthesized compounds showed selectivity and higher activity against Enterococcus faecalis (EF), Klebsiella oxytoca (KO), Escherischia coli (EC), Staphylococcus aureous (SA), Proteus vulgaris (PV) and Bacillus subtilis (BS) with MIC values; ranging between of 1.25 mg/mL to 0.072 mg/mL
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Evaluation of the development and use of the institutional repository by staff and students at the University of Fort Hare in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kagoro, Kisemiire Christine
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Institutional repositories Information storage and retrieval systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MLIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6292 , vital:29556
- Description: This study sought to evaluate the development and use of Institutional Repository by staff and students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this study, staff comprised of academic staff (lecturers) and library staff. The aim of this study was to investigate the development and use of Institutional Repository at UFH. To achieve the objectives, both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed. Data was collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants of the study. Qualitative data was analysed thematically while, quantitative data was analysed statically by help of SPSS software. The results showed that: library staff and management are aware and provide support for the development and use of the Institutional Repository at the UFH; awareness level of IR among lecturers and students is still low; the infrastructure available for the use of IR is not well developed; and lastly, library users which consist of students and academic staff face various barriers in the use and support of IR development. The study recommended for dynamic training, and marketing of IR through seminars and workshops should be started by expert affiliations and universities administration to advance the idea of IR among the University community. Low levels of awareness of the university repository, funding and shortage of library staff remains an issue and could be addressed by further investigating the effectiveness of different communication channels. It is pertinent that the findings of this study would be useful in various tertiary’s institutions of higher learning across the globe in order to embark on IR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kagoro, Kisemiire Christine
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Institutional repositories Information storage and retrieval systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MLIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6292 , vital:29556
- Description: This study sought to evaluate the development and use of Institutional Repository by staff and students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this study, staff comprised of academic staff (lecturers) and library staff. The aim of this study was to investigate the development and use of Institutional Repository at UFH. To achieve the objectives, both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed. Data was collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants of the study. Qualitative data was analysed thematically while, quantitative data was analysed statically by help of SPSS software. The results showed that: library staff and management are aware and provide support for the development and use of the Institutional Repository at the UFH; awareness level of IR among lecturers and students is still low; the infrastructure available for the use of IR is not well developed; and lastly, library users which consist of students and academic staff face various barriers in the use and support of IR development. The study recommended for dynamic training, and marketing of IR through seminars and workshops should be started by expert affiliations and universities administration to advance the idea of IR among the University community. Low levels of awareness of the university repository, funding and shortage of library staff remains an issue and could be addressed by further investigating the effectiveness of different communication channels. It is pertinent that the findings of this study would be useful in various tertiary’s institutions of higher learning across the globe in order to embark on IR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Performance evaluation of an off-grid building integrated photovoltaic system in Alice, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Buma, Carine Lethem
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Building-integrated photovoltaic systems Buildings -- Energy conservation Performance -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13227 , vital:39623
- Description: The constant increase in the global demand for energy and the current crisis on global warming and climate change has prompted a dying quest for clean, sustainable and reliable sources of energy. Amongst numerous renewable energy technologies, harnessing energy from the sun is the most viable way of guaranteeing a clean and sustainable supply of energy. Also, photovoltaic energy is one of the ways of using energy from the sun, where sunlight is converted to electricity using photovoltaic panels. Furthermore, the integration of photovoltaic modules into buildings is one of the most elegant innovations of this technology, as it plays the dual role of supplying energy to the building as well as protecting the building from outdoor weather conditions. Moreover, operating off the grid offers the possibility of energy access to locations far off from the grid and individuals willing to gain some degree of energy independence. Evaluating the performance of existing off grid and/or building integrated photovoltaic systems is the key to guaranteeing sustainable development and advancement in the technology. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of an off-grid building integrated photovoltaic system that was installed at the Fort Hare Institute of Technology. This entailed performing an in-depth characterisation of the solar resource at this location, evaluating the performance of the modules under outdoor weather conditions and also evaluating the performance of the balance of system (BOS) components. The system was monitored for a period of nine months (between February and October 2017). A data acquisition system was designed for measuring and recording both electrical system parameters and meteorological parameters affecting the performance of the system. These meteorological parameters include; solar irradiance, ambient temperature, cell temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. A detailed characterisation of the solar resource at this location was carried out. It was observed that the solar declination angle varied from -23.5o on the summer solstice to 23.5o on the winter solstice. Also, the solar altitude angle (at solar noon) which is a complementary angle to the zenith angle varied from 33.7o in June to 80.65o in December. During the summer months, longer day lengths were experienced because the sun traversed the sky over a longer time, rising south of east and setting south of west. Whereas, in the winter months, the path length of the sun was shorter, with the sun rising north of east and setting north of west, hence, shorter day lengths. The solar radiation incident on a 25o north facing solar collector was found to be in three components; beam, diffuse and reflected. The beam component was higher in summer whereas the diffuse component was higher in winter due to an increase in the air mass ratio. However, the total daily average radiation was highest in January (7.12 peak sun hours) and least in June (3.04 peak sun hours). Finally, a comparison between the calculated and measured values of solar radiation showed just a 1.1percent difference over the year with disparities being in the individual months.m The influence of outdoor weather conditions on the performance of the system was also evaluated. Operating temperatures were noticed to have a great impact on the output voltage and power of the PV array. Significant correlations existed between various meteorological parameters. Also, a multiple linear regression model was developed to ascertain the dependence of module temperature on solar irradiance, ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction. The coefficient of determination for the model was 0.928, showing a strong relationship between cell temperature and the chosen predictors. Also, the six thermocouples installed at various locations of the PV array revealed variations in the operating temperatures of the modules. The modules on the east side of the array recorded relatively lower temperatures because of the ceiling that had been removed beneath one of the modules on this side of the array, which permitted the free flow of air. Furthermore, I-V measurements conducted on various strings of the array revealed so many steps (hotspots), indicative of module (or cell) mismatch on almost all the cell strings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Buma, Carine Lethem
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Building-integrated photovoltaic systems Buildings -- Energy conservation Performance -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13227 , vital:39623
- Description: The constant increase in the global demand for energy and the current crisis on global warming and climate change has prompted a dying quest for clean, sustainable and reliable sources of energy. Amongst numerous renewable energy technologies, harnessing energy from the sun is the most viable way of guaranteeing a clean and sustainable supply of energy. Also, photovoltaic energy is one of the ways of using energy from the sun, where sunlight is converted to electricity using photovoltaic panels. Furthermore, the integration of photovoltaic modules into buildings is one of the most elegant innovations of this technology, as it plays the dual role of supplying energy to the building as well as protecting the building from outdoor weather conditions. Moreover, operating off the grid offers the possibility of energy access to locations far off from the grid and individuals willing to gain some degree of energy independence. Evaluating the performance of existing off grid and/or building integrated photovoltaic systems is the key to guaranteeing sustainable development and advancement in the technology. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of an off-grid building integrated photovoltaic system that was installed at the Fort Hare Institute of Technology. This entailed performing an in-depth characterisation of the solar resource at this location, evaluating the performance of the modules under outdoor weather conditions and also evaluating the performance of the balance of system (BOS) components. The system was monitored for a period of nine months (between February and October 2017). A data acquisition system was designed for measuring and recording both electrical system parameters and meteorological parameters affecting the performance of the system. These meteorological parameters include; solar irradiance, ambient temperature, cell temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. A detailed characterisation of the solar resource at this location was carried out. It was observed that the solar declination angle varied from -23.5o on the summer solstice to 23.5o on the winter solstice. Also, the solar altitude angle (at solar noon) which is a complementary angle to the zenith angle varied from 33.7o in June to 80.65o in December. During the summer months, longer day lengths were experienced because the sun traversed the sky over a longer time, rising south of east and setting south of west. Whereas, in the winter months, the path length of the sun was shorter, with the sun rising north of east and setting north of west, hence, shorter day lengths. The solar radiation incident on a 25o north facing solar collector was found to be in three components; beam, diffuse and reflected. The beam component was higher in summer whereas the diffuse component was higher in winter due to an increase in the air mass ratio. However, the total daily average radiation was highest in January (7.12 peak sun hours) and least in June (3.04 peak sun hours). Finally, a comparison between the calculated and measured values of solar radiation showed just a 1.1percent difference over the year with disparities being in the individual months.m The influence of outdoor weather conditions on the performance of the system was also evaluated. Operating temperatures were noticed to have a great impact on the output voltage and power of the PV array. Significant correlations existed between various meteorological parameters. Also, a multiple linear regression model was developed to ascertain the dependence of module temperature on solar irradiance, ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction. The coefficient of determination for the model was 0.928, showing a strong relationship between cell temperature and the chosen predictors. Also, the six thermocouples installed at various locations of the PV array revealed variations in the operating temperatures of the modules. The modules on the east side of the array recorded relatively lower temperatures because of the ceiling that had been removed beneath one of the modules on this side of the array, which permitted the free flow of air. Furthermore, I-V measurements conducted on various strings of the array revealed so many steps (hotspots), indicative of module (or cell) mismatch on almost all the cell strings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Voices of women who have transitioned from a shelter for survivors of domestic violence to independent living
- Authors: Moonieyan, Chrislynn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Family violence Shelters for the homeless Homeless persons
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12939 , vital:39407
- Description: Domestic violence is a devastating social ill in South Africa and especially in the Eastern Cape. There were 12059 cases of domestic violence reported at police stations in the Eastern Cape between 2015 and 2017 (Dayimani, 2017). Domestic violence is broadly defined as any act of abuse resulting in harm or suffering experienced by women enacted by an intimate partner (Goosen & Shaik, 2008). One in four women experience physical violence in their lifetime (Rasool, 2015). Women who experience domestic violence often lack social and economic resources and may have no place to go to escape the abuse. In such cases, shelters are identified as places of safety, providing accommodation and psychosocial support to women and children who have escaped domestic violence. The aim of the study was to explore and understand the experiences of women who have suffered abuse, lived in a shelter for survivors of domestic violence and have then transitioned from life at the shelter back to independent living. Independence is defined as “the freedom to organize your own life, make your own decisions” (Hornby, 2015b) and independent living is a concept of leaving the shelter to live in the community. A phenomenological research design was adopted, with the sample of the study consisting of eight women who had resided at a shelter and three staff members from shelters for domestic violence in the Eastern Cape. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was adopted to analyse the data that was collected from the participants during semi-structured interviews. The study found that the reasons women seek help at a shelter include the severity of the abuse, the gravity of the impact of the abuse upon their own wellbeing, the fact that the abuse is accompanied by substance abuse, and also because the children are exposed and experience the abuse. The study also found that in addition to resources such as government services and civil society organisations, the shelters themselves are most supportive to women as they leave the shelter and transition back to independent living. Lastly, the study highlighted that the challenges women face as they transition to independent living were the lack of support and the lack of social and economic resources. Recommendations based on the findings of the study are to advocate to stop domestic violence, to collaborate with various departments to combat domestic violence and lastly to fund shelters and ensure the shelter staff are adequately trained to work with survivors of domestic violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Moonieyan, Chrislynn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Family violence Shelters for the homeless Homeless persons
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12939 , vital:39407
- Description: Domestic violence is a devastating social ill in South Africa and especially in the Eastern Cape. There were 12059 cases of domestic violence reported at police stations in the Eastern Cape between 2015 and 2017 (Dayimani, 2017). Domestic violence is broadly defined as any act of abuse resulting in harm or suffering experienced by women enacted by an intimate partner (Goosen & Shaik, 2008). One in four women experience physical violence in their lifetime (Rasool, 2015). Women who experience domestic violence often lack social and economic resources and may have no place to go to escape the abuse. In such cases, shelters are identified as places of safety, providing accommodation and psychosocial support to women and children who have escaped domestic violence. The aim of the study was to explore and understand the experiences of women who have suffered abuse, lived in a shelter for survivors of domestic violence and have then transitioned from life at the shelter back to independent living. Independence is defined as “the freedom to organize your own life, make your own decisions” (Hornby, 2015b) and independent living is a concept of leaving the shelter to live in the community. A phenomenological research design was adopted, with the sample of the study consisting of eight women who had resided at a shelter and three staff members from shelters for domestic violence in the Eastern Cape. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was adopted to analyse the data that was collected from the participants during semi-structured interviews. The study found that the reasons women seek help at a shelter include the severity of the abuse, the gravity of the impact of the abuse upon their own wellbeing, the fact that the abuse is accompanied by substance abuse, and also because the children are exposed and experience the abuse. The study also found that in addition to resources such as government services and civil society organisations, the shelters themselves are most supportive to women as they leave the shelter and transition back to independent living. Lastly, the study highlighted that the challenges women face as they transition to independent living were the lack of support and the lack of social and economic resources. Recommendations based on the findings of the study are to advocate to stop domestic violence, to collaborate with various departments to combat domestic violence and lastly to fund shelters and ensure the shelter staff are adequately trained to work with survivors of domestic violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Assessing the physical fitness level of children with intellectual disability in the Grahamstown region of the Eastern Cape, and subsequently designing, implementing and evaluating the efficacy of an exercise intervention
- Authors: Parsons, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/19723 , vital:22478
- Description: Background: Extensive research has addressed physical fitness as an agent in promoting health and well-being; however, there is little research on this topic for special populations, such as individuals with intellectual disability and even less relating to the South African context. Children with intellectual disability attending special need schools in disadvantaged communities in the Eastern Cape have lacked the opportunity to participate in structured physical education programs. Implementing a solution to this problem was seen to be a challenge, due to the lack of informative research and available data. Aims: The purpose of this research was two-fold; firstly, it aimed to identify the physical fitness levels of the intellectually disabled children in the Grahamstown region of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa; and secondly, it aimed to implement and evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention programme on physical fitness in a local school for children with intellectual disability. Phase 1: The descriptive study compared basic anthropometric as well as physical fitness measures from a sample of participants with intellectual disability (n=29) with a comparable sample of typically developed children (n=25). There were 15 males and 14 females in the intellectually disabled sample group, with an average age of 10.69 ± 1.26 years, and the typically developed sample had 13 males and 12 females, with an average age of 10.51 ± 0.74 years. The anthropometric measures included stature and mass; while the health-related physical fitness components included cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, strength, body composition, and flexibility; and the skill-related physical fitness components were balance, agility, speed, power, coordination and reaction time. The results revealed that the children with intellectual disability were significantly shorter in stature and lighter in mass (p <0.001) compared to their typically developed peers. Muscular endurance and strength, balance, speed, power, coordination and reaction time were poorer among those with intellectual disabilities (p <0.05). Cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility and agility were similar between groups. Results of the correlation analyses determined significant (p <0.05) relationships between certain health-related and/or skill-related physical fitness components, which were instrumental for selecting measures for Phase 2. The physical fitness components that had the most significant (p <0.05) correlations were speed with five significant correlations, both muscular endurance and balance with six, coordination with seven, and power with eight significant correlations of the eleven physical fitness components. The comparative results, in conjunction with the correlations, determined that the most suitable physical fitness components to be implemented in the exercise intervention for Phase 2 were muscular endurance, balance, and power. Phase 2: The intervention study was a case-control study (intervention group: n = 16; control group: n = 15), whereby the intervention group was exposed to an 8-week multi-modal exercise intervention training muscular endurance, balance and power. Pre-and post-intervention measures were performed using the same eleven physical fitness tests as in Phase 1. The interaction effects and effect sizes were determined and the results showed significant improvements and large effect sizes for the intervention group’s performance of muscular endurance (p=0.026; d=0.617) and power (p<0.000; d=0.999), whereas no significant changes were found for balance. Furthermore, the exercise intervention also impacted the overall level of physical fitness, as significant changes were found for cardiorespiratory endurance (p<0.001; d=0.98), strength (p=0.021; d=0.654) and flexibility (p=0.032; d=586). In conclusion, the exercise intervention was effective for improving the intellectually disabled participants’ muscular endurance and power but not found effective for balance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Parsons, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/19723 , vital:22478
- Description: Background: Extensive research has addressed physical fitness as an agent in promoting health and well-being; however, there is little research on this topic for special populations, such as individuals with intellectual disability and even less relating to the South African context. Children with intellectual disability attending special need schools in disadvantaged communities in the Eastern Cape have lacked the opportunity to participate in structured physical education programs. Implementing a solution to this problem was seen to be a challenge, due to the lack of informative research and available data. Aims: The purpose of this research was two-fold; firstly, it aimed to identify the physical fitness levels of the intellectually disabled children in the Grahamstown region of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa; and secondly, it aimed to implement and evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention programme on physical fitness in a local school for children with intellectual disability. Phase 1: The descriptive study compared basic anthropometric as well as physical fitness measures from a sample of participants with intellectual disability (n=29) with a comparable sample of typically developed children (n=25). There were 15 males and 14 females in the intellectually disabled sample group, with an average age of 10.69 ± 1.26 years, and the typically developed sample had 13 males and 12 females, with an average age of 10.51 ± 0.74 years. The anthropometric measures included stature and mass; while the health-related physical fitness components included cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, strength, body composition, and flexibility; and the skill-related physical fitness components were balance, agility, speed, power, coordination and reaction time. The results revealed that the children with intellectual disability were significantly shorter in stature and lighter in mass (p <0.001) compared to their typically developed peers. Muscular endurance and strength, balance, speed, power, coordination and reaction time were poorer among those with intellectual disabilities (p <0.05). Cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility and agility were similar between groups. Results of the correlation analyses determined significant (p <0.05) relationships between certain health-related and/or skill-related physical fitness components, which were instrumental for selecting measures for Phase 2. The physical fitness components that had the most significant (p <0.05) correlations were speed with five significant correlations, both muscular endurance and balance with six, coordination with seven, and power with eight significant correlations of the eleven physical fitness components. The comparative results, in conjunction with the correlations, determined that the most suitable physical fitness components to be implemented in the exercise intervention for Phase 2 were muscular endurance, balance, and power. Phase 2: The intervention study was a case-control study (intervention group: n = 16; control group: n = 15), whereby the intervention group was exposed to an 8-week multi-modal exercise intervention training muscular endurance, balance and power. Pre-and post-intervention measures were performed using the same eleven physical fitness tests as in Phase 1. The interaction effects and effect sizes were determined and the results showed significant improvements and large effect sizes for the intervention group’s performance of muscular endurance (p=0.026; d=0.617) and power (p<0.000; d=0.999), whereas no significant changes were found for balance. Furthermore, the exercise intervention also impacted the overall level of physical fitness, as significant changes were found for cardiorespiratory endurance (p<0.001; d=0.98), strength (p=0.021; d=0.654) and flexibility (p=0.032; d=586). In conclusion, the exercise intervention was effective for improving the intellectually disabled participants’ muscular endurance and power but not found effective for balance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Active Layer Dynamics at Four Borehole Sites in Western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
- Authors: Kotzé, Camilla
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021295
- Description: Permafrost and active layer dynamics in the Antarctic play an important role within terrestrial landscapes and ecosystems and as a climate change indicator. However, they remain less thoroughly researched than their Northern-Hemispheric counterpart. Despite advancements made by ANTPAS on the permafrost and active layer monitoring network in the Antarctic, observational gaps still exist. Western Dronning Maud Land (WDML) has been identified as one of these gaps, necessitating further research on permafrost dynamics and the influence of climate parameters thereon. Such elucidation is critical to both the cryospheric and life sciences. Variations in the surface climate of Antarctica can be seen as a result of inter-annual variations in atmospheric circulation, enhancing permafrost degradation and active layer thickening which directly affects soil processes, such as sorting and cryoturbation. Ground temperatures from four permafrost boreholes from WDML were analysed from 2007 to 2014. The study sites exhibit seasonal freezing, periglacial landforms, and altitudinal variation, ranging between ca. 450masl to ca. 1300masl. Using ground thermal regime and regional climate data, the spatial and temporal variability of the active layer in the Ahlmannryggen and Jutulsessen areas of WDML were characterised. 137 Cs tracing has revealed that the active layer and associated landforms have been active over the past half century. Further results show that active layer depths at each site vary inter-annually and are particularly influenced by snow cover, altitude and distance to the ice-shelf. Moreover, a correlation between the SAO (Semi-Annual Oscillation) and measured ground temperatures was found, principally during the transitional season of the SAO in May and September. The relationship between climate and ground thermal regimes, especially the influence of teleconnections thereon, is essential to improving the understanding of permafrost dynamics and landform morphology in continental Antarctica.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kotzé, Camilla
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021295
- Description: Permafrost and active layer dynamics in the Antarctic play an important role within terrestrial landscapes and ecosystems and as a climate change indicator. However, they remain less thoroughly researched than their Northern-Hemispheric counterpart. Despite advancements made by ANTPAS on the permafrost and active layer monitoring network in the Antarctic, observational gaps still exist. Western Dronning Maud Land (WDML) has been identified as one of these gaps, necessitating further research on permafrost dynamics and the influence of climate parameters thereon. Such elucidation is critical to both the cryospheric and life sciences. Variations in the surface climate of Antarctica can be seen as a result of inter-annual variations in atmospheric circulation, enhancing permafrost degradation and active layer thickening which directly affects soil processes, such as sorting and cryoturbation. Ground temperatures from four permafrost boreholes from WDML were analysed from 2007 to 2014. The study sites exhibit seasonal freezing, periglacial landforms, and altitudinal variation, ranging between ca. 450masl to ca. 1300masl. Using ground thermal regime and regional climate data, the spatial and temporal variability of the active layer in the Ahlmannryggen and Jutulsessen areas of WDML were characterised. 137 Cs tracing has revealed that the active layer and associated landforms have been active over the past half century. Further results show that active layer depths at each site vary inter-annually and are particularly influenced by snow cover, altitude and distance to the ice-shelf. Moreover, a correlation between the SAO (Semi-Annual Oscillation) and measured ground temperatures was found, principally during the transitional season of the SAO in May and September. The relationship between climate and ground thermal regimes, especially the influence of teleconnections thereon, is essential to improving the understanding of permafrost dynamics and landform morphology in continental Antarctica.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The design of a cultural resource centre in the lower Khuiseb river valley, Namibia: a collective project
- Authors: Niedermeier, Inka
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Community centers -- Namibia -- Designs and plans Community centers -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38830 , vital:35004
- Description: The treatise focuses on how to design built space that is ‘place-specific’ and captures the ‘spirit’ of the Namib Desert landscape through the experience of architecture. The project specifically focuses on tourism developments in natural and cultural environments. An investigation and analysis are done of the nature of the physical, spatial and cultural context of the ephemeral Khuiseb river of Namibia. By inductive and deductive reasoning, an argument is presented regarding the appropriate architectural approach of a luxury eco-lodge in a proposed eco-tourism precinct, that captures the Zeitgeist of the context while responding to the socio-economic conditions to encourage an autonomous community in a selfsufficient and sustainable way.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Niedermeier, Inka
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Community centers -- Namibia -- Designs and plans Community centers -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38830 , vital:35004
- Description: The treatise focuses on how to design built space that is ‘place-specific’ and captures the ‘spirit’ of the Namib Desert landscape through the experience of architecture. The project specifically focuses on tourism developments in natural and cultural environments. An investigation and analysis are done of the nature of the physical, spatial and cultural context of the ephemeral Khuiseb river of Namibia. By inductive and deductive reasoning, an argument is presented regarding the appropriate architectural approach of a luxury eco-lodge in a proposed eco-tourism precinct, that captures the Zeitgeist of the context while responding to the socio-economic conditions to encourage an autonomous community in a selfsufficient and sustainable way.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Thermoluminescence characteristics of synthetic quartz
- Authors: Niyonzima, Pontien
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Thermoluminescence , Quartz , Emission spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5538 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013190
- Description: Quartz is one of the most abundant natural minerals in the crust of the earth. Due to its dosimetric luminescence properties, it is employed in retrospective dosimetry, archaeological and geological dating. The intensity and the structure of the TL glow curves of quartz are strongly dependent upon the origin, impurity content, formation condition and pre-irradiation heat treatment. The aim of this project is to study the mechanisms of thermoluminescence (TL), Phototranssferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) and radioluminescence (RL) in synthetic quartz and to discuss the results in terms of physical characteristics of point defects involved. Thermoluminescence measurements were made on a sample of synthetic quartz in its as-received state (unannealed) synthetic quartz annealed at 500˚C for 10 minutes. The unannealed sample shows six TL glow peaks located at 94, 116, 176, 212, 280 and 348˚C at a heating rate of 5˚Cs⁻¹. The annealed sample shows seven TL peaks at 115, 148, 214, 246, 300, 348 and 412˚C at a heating rate of 5˚Cs⁻¹. The intensity of peak I, at 94 and 115˚C for the unannealed and annealed samples respectively, increases with irradiation. Peak I has an activation energy of approximately 0.90 eV and a frequency factor of the order of 10¹¹ s⁻¹. The order of kinetics is between 0.9 and 1.2. The unannealed synthetic quartz shows phototransferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) at the position of peak I after removal of the first three peaks followed by illumination. The PTTL intensities show peak shaped behaviour when plotted against illumination time. The PTTL showed a quadratic increase with dose. The material exhibits fading of PTTL intensity with delay time. Radioluminescence was measured on synthetic quartz unannealed and annealed annealed at 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000˚C for 10 to 60 min. The emission spectra of synthetic quartz show seven emission bands. The effect of irradiation on the RL spectra is to increase the intensity of all emission bands for samples annealed at temperatures less than or equal to 700˚C. The effect of annealing time is to increase the RL amplitude for the samples annealed at temperatures greater than 700˚C. The annealing temperature increases the RL amplitude of all emission bands of the spectrum for all samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Niyonzima, Pontien
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Thermoluminescence , Quartz , Emission spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5538 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013190
- Description: Quartz is one of the most abundant natural minerals in the crust of the earth. Due to its dosimetric luminescence properties, it is employed in retrospective dosimetry, archaeological and geological dating. The intensity and the structure of the TL glow curves of quartz are strongly dependent upon the origin, impurity content, formation condition and pre-irradiation heat treatment. The aim of this project is to study the mechanisms of thermoluminescence (TL), Phototranssferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) and radioluminescence (RL) in synthetic quartz and to discuss the results in terms of physical characteristics of point defects involved. Thermoluminescence measurements were made on a sample of synthetic quartz in its as-received state (unannealed) synthetic quartz annealed at 500˚C for 10 minutes. The unannealed sample shows six TL glow peaks located at 94, 116, 176, 212, 280 and 348˚C at a heating rate of 5˚Cs⁻¹. The annealed sample shows seven TL peaks at 115, 148, 214, 246, 300, 348 and 412˚C at a heating rate of 5˚Cs⁻¹. The intensity of peak I, at 94 and 115˚C for the unannealed and annealed samples respectively, increases with irradiation. Peak I has an activation energy of approximately 0.90 eV and a frequency factor of the order of 10¹¹ s⁻¹. The order of kinetics is between 0.9 and 1.2. The unannealed synthetic quartz shows phototransferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) at the position of peak I after removal of the first three peaks followed by illumination. The PTTL intensities show peak shaped behaviour when plotted against illumination time. The PTTL showed a quadratic increase with dose. The material exhibits fading of PTTL intensity with delay time. Radioluminescence was measured on synthetic quartz unannealed and annealed annealed at 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000˚C for 10 to 60 min. The emission spectra of synthetic quartz show seven emission bands. The effect of irradiation on the RL spectra is to increase the intensity of all emission bands for samples annealed at temperatures less than or equal to 700˚C. The effect of annealing time is to increase the RL amplitude for the samples annealed at temperatures greater than 700˚C. The annealing temperature increases the RL amplitude of all emission bands of the spectrum for all samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Morphology, patterns and processes in the Oyster Bay headland bypass dunefield, South Africa
- Authors: McConnachie, Lauren Bernyse
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sand dune conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sand dune ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Beach erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Shore protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4804 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001904
- Description: Studies of the dunefield systems crossing the Cape St. Francis headland in the Eastern Cape have focused on the role that wind plays in sediment transfer in coastal dunefield systems, with limited consideration of the role of water. The aim of this study was to improve understanding of the morphology, processes and patterns within the Oyster Bay HBD system, focussing particularly on surface water and groundwater interactions and the role of surface water in sediment transfer across the dunefield system. An extensive field survey was conducted, to collect related data, complimented by spatial and temporal analysis of the study area using GIS. The key findings from this research were the apparent differences between the western and eastern regions of the dunefield with regard to specific drivers and the respective processes and responses. Wind is the major driver of change up to and across the crest of the dunefield. In the eastern region water (ground water, surface water and the Sand River System) is the primary agent of sediment flux through processes of aggregation and slumping as well as episodic events including debris flows. This study has highlighted a need for further quantitative studies that investigate the movement of sediment through dunefield systems such as this (where water is at or near the land surface). The paradigm that sediment flux is entirely due to wind is almost certainly simplistic, and deeper understanding of these systems is needed , Maiden name: Elkington, Lauren
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: McConnachie, Lauren Bernyse
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sand dune conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sand dune ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Beach erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Shore protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4804 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001904
- Description: Studies of the dunefield systems crossing the Cape St. Francis headland in the Eastern Cape have focused on the role that wind plays in sediment transfer in coastal dunefield systems, with limited consideration of the role of water. The aim of this study was to improve understanding of the morphology, processes and patterns within the Oyster Bay HBD system, focussing particularly on surface water and groundwater interactions and the role of surface water in sediment transfer across the dunefield system. An extensive field survey was conducted, to collect related data, complimented by spatial and temporal analysis of the study area using GIS. The key findings from this research were the apparent differences between the western and eastern regions of the dunefield with regard to specific drivers and the respective processes and responses. Wind is the major driver of change up to and across the crest of the dunefield. In the eastern region water (ground water, surface water and the Sand River System) is the primary agent of sediment flux through processes of aggregation and slumping as well as episodic events including debris flows. This study has highlighted a need for further quantitative studies that investigate the movement of sediment through dunefield systems such as this (where water is at or near the land surface). The paradigm that sediment flux is entirely due to wind is almost certainly simplistic, and deeper understanding of these systems is needed , Maiden name: Elkington, Lauren
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Morphology, patterns and processes in the Oyster Bay headland bypass dunefield, South Africa
- Authors: Elkington, Lauren
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:20984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5879
- Description: Studies of the dunefield systems crossing the Cape St. Francis headland in the Eastern Cape have focused on the role that wind plays in sediment transfer in coastal dunefield systems, with limited consideration of the role of water. The aim of this study was to improve understanding of the morphology, processes and patterns within the Oyster Bay HBD system, focussing particularly on surface water and groundwater interactions and the role of surface water in sediment transfer across the dunefield system. An extensive field survey was conducted, to collect related data, complimented by spatial and temporal analysis of the study area using GIS. The key findings from this research were the apparent differences between the western and eastern regions of the dunefield with regard to specific drivers and the respective processes and responses. Wind is the major driver of change up to and across the crest of the dunefield. In the eastern region water (ground water, surface water and the Sand River System) is the primary agent of sediment flux through processes of aggregation and slumping as well as episodic events including debris flows. This study has highlighted a need for further quantitative studies that investigate the movement of sediment through dunefield systems such as this (where water is at or near the land surface). The paradigm that sediment flux is entirely due to wind is almost certainly simplistic, and deeper understanding of these systems is needed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Elkington, Lauren
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:20984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5879
- Description: Studies of the dunefield systems crossing the Cape St. Francis headland in the Eastern Cape have focused on the role that wind plays in sediment transfer in coastal dunefield systems, with limited consideration of the role of water. The aim of this study was to improve understanding of the morphology, processes and patterns within the Oyster Bay HBD system, focussing particularly on surface water and groundwater interactions and the role of surface water in sediment transfer across the dunefield system. An extensive field survey was conducted, to collect related data, complimented by spatial and temporal analysis of the study area using GIS. The key findings from this research were the apparent differences between the western and eastern regions of the dunefield with regard to specific drivers and the respective processes and responses. Wind is the major driver of change up to and across the crest of the dunefield. In the eastern region water (ground water, surface water and the Sand River System) is the primary agent of sediment flux through processes of aggregation and slumping as well as episodic events including debris flows. This study has highlighted a need for further quantitative studies that investigate the movement of sediment through dunefield systems such as this (where water is at or near the land surface). The paradigm that sediment flux is entirely due to wind is almost certainly simplistic, and deeper understanding of these systems is needed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Biochemical evaluation of Tulbaghia violacea harv.rhizomes in diet induced hypercholestrolemic rats
- Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Authors: Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006900 , Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Description: Discovery of cheap, nontoxic and readily available antiatherosclerotic drugs is an extraordinary challenge in this modern world. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases have been predicted to be the leading cause of death by the year 2030. Hence, this thesis was designed to search for plant (s) with anti-atherogenic properties, investigate its possible side effects and extrapolate its likely mechanism(s) of action. An ethnobotanical survey was employed in identification of locally important plants used for the management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and its predisposing factors in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape in South Africa. Information on the names of plants, their parts used and methods of preparation was collected through a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The most frequently used plant (Rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea Harv.) was investigated for toxicity using brine shrimp lethality (in vitro) and in vivo toxicity test (acute and subchronic) on rats to determine safety dosage. The in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the plant was investigated using models such as 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), 2,2’- azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), lipid peroxidation inhibition and the ferric reducing agent. Phytochemical content and the effect of oral administration of fresh methanolic extract rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea (250, 500 mg/kg. bwt/day) on Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), serum and tissue antioxidant enzymes in normal, hypercholesterolemic and diet induced atherogenic rats were also assessed. More so, the potential of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg. bwt) to protect against atherogenic diet (4 percentage cholesterol 1 pecentage cholic acid and 0.5 percentage thiouracil) induced fatty streaks formation, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction was also investigated. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 19 plant species are used for the treatment of heart related diseases in the Municipality. 53 percentage of the plants mentioned were used for the management of chest pain, 47 percentage for high blood pressure, 42 percent for heart disease, 16 percentage for stroke and 11 percentage for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Tulbaghia violacea was repeatedly mentioned as the plant species used for the treatment of high blood pressure and predisposing factors in the study area. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity test revealed that fresh, dried methanolic extracts and essential oil of the T. violacea exhibited a high degree of cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 18.18 (fresh) and 19.24 (dried) μg/ml. An IC50 value of 12. 59 μg/ml was obtained for the essential oil of the plant. The low cytotoxicity values obtained, suggested that rhizome of T. violacea may serve as a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer agents. In vivo acute study of single oral administration of 5g/kg dose does not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract (250, 500 mg/kg/bwt/ day) administered for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats showed no significant differences between the control and the rats treated with the extract. The extract at all doses does not show any effect on of biomarkers of liver or renal damage. However, a significant decrease in the activity of ƔGT was observed in the extract treated groups. Hematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of fresh methanolic extracts of rhizomes of T. violacea does not cause anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathology results of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation. These results demonstrated that the rhizome extract of T. violacea was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic concentration. In vitro antioxidant evaluation showed that the essential oil, fresh and dried methanolic extracts exhibited potent antioxidant activities in a concentration dependent manner. Phytochemical investigation reveals that the fresh and the dry extract of RTV are rich in flavonoid, flavonol, phenols, tannin and proanthocyanidin, while the essential oil contained dimethy disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, (methyl methylthio) methyl, 2,4-dithiapentane (11.35 percent) and (methylthio) acetic acid, 2- (methylthio) ethanol, 3-(methylthio) - and propanenitrile (7.20 percent). The fresh extract had higher radicals scavenging activity than the essential oil or dried extract, with 50 percentage inhibition of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation at a concentration of 35.0 ± 0.12, 19.3 ± 0.11 and 17.9 ± 0.15 μg/ml respectively. Oral administration of methanolic extract of RTV in 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to female Wistar rats significantly inhibited reduction of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The extracts also inhibited (p< 0.05) lipid peroxidation in normal, high cholesterol and diet induced atherosclerosis fed rats in a dose dependant manner. Also the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg/bwt/day) caused a significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight of treated animals compared with untreated hypercholesterolemia control rats. The extracts also protected significantly (p<0.05) against atherogenic diet induced liver damage or fatty streaks formation in the aorta as revealed by histological examination. The anti-cholesterolemia and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the extract compared favorably well with standard drugs Gemfibrozil and Atorvastatin respectively. Conclusively, rhizomes of T. violacea possess significant anti-atherogenic activity and its mechanism of action(s) may be due to its antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolemia properties. The results of this study also suggested that rhizome of T. violacea is relatively safe for human consumption and it may be used as an alternative to garlic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006900 , Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Description: Discovery of cheap, nontoxic and readily available antiatherosclerotic drugs is an extraordinary challenge in this modern world. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases have been predicted to be the leading cause of death by the year 2030. Hence, this thesis was designed to search for plant (s) with anti-atherogenic properties, investigate its possible side effects and extrapolate its likely mechanism(s) of action. An ethnobotanical survey was employed in identification of locally important plants used for the management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and its predisposing factors in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape in South Africa. Information on the names of plants, their parts used and methods of preparation was collected through a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The most frequently used plant (Rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea Harv.) was investigated for toxicity using brine shrimp lethality (in vitro) and in vivo toxicity test (acute and subchronic) on rats to determine safety dosage. The in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the plant was investigated using models such as 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), 2,2’- azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), lipid peroxidation inhibition and the ferric reducing agent. Phytochemical content and the effect of oral administration of fresh methanolic extract rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea (250, 500 mg/kg. bwt/day) on Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), serum and tissue antioxidant enzymes in normal, hypercholesterolemic and diet induced atherogenic rats were also assessed. More so, the potential of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg. bwt) to protect against atherogenic diet (4 percentage cholesterol 1 pecentage cholic acid and 0.5 percentage thiouracil) induced fatty streaks formation, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction was also investigated. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 19 plant species are used for the treatment of heart related diseases in the Municipality. 53 percentage of the plants mentioned were used for the management of chest pain, 47 percentage for high blood pressure, 42 percent for heart disease, 16 percentage for stroke and 11 percentage for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Tulbaghia violacea was repeatedly mentioned as the plant species used for the treatment of high blood pressure and predisposing factors in the study area. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity test revealed that fresh, dried methanolic extracts and essential oil of the T. violacea exhibited a high degree of cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 18.18 (fresh) and 19.24 (dried) μg/ml. An IC50 value of 12. 59 μg/ml was obtained for the essential oil of the plant. The low cytotoxicity values obtained, suggested that rhizome of T. violacea may serve as a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer agents. In vivo acute study of single oral administration of 5g/kg dose does not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract (250, 500 mg/kg/bwt/ day) administered for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats showed no significant differences between the control and the rats treated with the extract. The extract at all doses does not show any effect on of biomarkers of liver or renal damage. However, a significant decrease in the activity of ƔGT was observed in the extract treated groups. Hematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of fresh methanolic extracts of rhizomes of T. violacea does not cause anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathology results of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation. These results demonstrated that the rhizome extract of T. violacea was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic concentration. In vitro antioxidant evaluation showed that the essential oil, fresh and dried methanolic extracts exhibited potent antioxidant activities in a concentration dependent manner. Phytochemical investigation reveals that the fresh and the dry extract of RTV are rich in flavonoid, flavonol, phenols, tannin and proanthocyanidin, while the essential oil contained dimethy disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, (methyl methylthio) methyl, 2,4-dithiapentane (11.35 percent) and (methylthio) acetic acid, 2- (methylthio) ethanol, 3-(methylthio) - and propanenitrile (7.20 percent). The fresh extract had higher radicals scavenging activity than the essential oil or dried extract, with 50 percentage inhibition of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation at a concentration of 35.0 ± 0.12, 19.3 ± 0.11 and 17.9 ± 0.15 μg/ml respectively. Oral administration of methanolic extract of RTV in 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to female Wistar rats significantly inhibited reduction of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The extracts also inhibited (p< 0.05) lipid peroxidation in normal, high cholesterol and diet induced atherosclerosis fed rats in a dose dependant manner. Also the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg/bwt/day) caused a significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight of treated animals compared with untreated hypercholesterolemia control rats. The extracts also protected significantly (p<0.05) against atherogenic diet induced liver damage or fatty streaks formation in the aorta as revealed by histological examination. The anti-cholesterolemia and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the extract compared favorably well with standard drugs Gemfibrozil and Atorvastatin respectively. Conclusively, rhizomes of T. violacea possess significant anti-atherogenic activity and its mechanism of action(s) may be due to its antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolemia properties. The results of this study also suggested that rhizome of T. violacea is relatively safe for human consumption and it may be used as an alternative to garlic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Gender oppression and possibilities of empowerment: images of women in African literature with specific reference to Mariama Ba's So long a letter, Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of motherhood and Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous conditions
- Authors: Nyanhongo, Mazvita Mollin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa African literature -- Women authors Women -- Africa -- Literary collections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6411 , vital:29659
- Description: This study consists of a comparative analysis of three novels by three prominent African women writers which cast light on the ways in which women are oppressed by traditional and cultural norms in three different African countries. These three primary texts also explore the ways in which African women‟s lives are affected by other issues, such as colonialism and economic factors, and this study discusses this. An analysis of these novels reveals that the interconnectedness of racial, class and gender issues exacerbates the oppression of many African women, thereby lessening the opportunities for them to attain self-realization. This study goes on to investigate whether there are possibilities of empowerment for the women in the primary texts, and examining the reasons why some women fail to transcend their situations of oppression. The primary novels will be discussed in different chapters, which explore the problems with which various women are beset, and discuss the extent to which the various women in the novels manage to attain empowerment. In conclusion, this study compares and contrasts the ways in which the women in the primary texts are oppressed and highlights the reasons why some women are able to attain empowerment, whilst others are unable to do so. It also shows that many women are beset with comparable forms of oppression, but they may choose to react to these situations differently. Over and above these issues, the study seeks to draw attention to the fact that women need to come together and contribute to the ways in which they can attain various forms ofempowerment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Nyanhongo, Mazvita Mollin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa Women and literature -- Africa African literature -- Women authors Women -- Africa -- Literary collections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6411 , vital:29659
- Description: This study consists of a comparative analysis of three novels by three prominent African women writers which cast light on the ways in which women are oppressed by traditional and cultural norms in three different African countries. These three primary texts also explore the ways in which African women‟s lives are affected by other issues, such as colonialism and economic factors, and this study discusses this. An analysis of these novels reveals that the interconnectedness of racial, class and gender issues exacerbates the oppression of many African women, thereby lessening the opportunities for them to attain self-realization. This study goes on to investigate whether there are possibilities of empowerment for the women in the primary texts, and examining the reasons why some women fail to transcend their situations of oppression. The primary novels will be discussed in different chapters, which explore the problems with which various women are beset, and discuss the extent to which the various women in the novels manage to attain empowerment. In conclusion, this study compares and contrasts the ways in which the women in the primary texts are oppressed and highlights the reasons why some women are able to attain empowerment, whilst others are unable to do so. It also shows that many women are beset with comparable forms of oppression, but they may choose to react to these situations differently. Over and above these issues, the study seeks to draw attention to the fact that women need to come together and contribute to the ways in which they can attain various forms ofempowerment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Gender oppression and possibilities of empowerment: images of women in African literature with specific reference to Mariama Ba's So long a letter, Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of motherhood and Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous conditions
- Authors: Nyanhongo, Mazvita Mollin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African literature -- Women authors , Women -- Africa Literary collections , Women and literature -- Africa , Sex discrimination -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
- Identifier: vital:11503 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/522 , African literature -- Women authors , Women -- Africa Literary collections , Women and literature -- Africa , Sex discrimination -- Africa
- Description: This study consists of a comparative analysis of three novels by three prominent African women writers which cast light on the ways in which women are oppressed by traditional and cultural norms in three different African countries. These three primary texts also explore the ways in which African women's lives are affected by other issues, such as colonialism and economic factors, and this study discusses this. An analysis of these novels reveals that the inter-connectedness of racial, class and gender issues exacerbates the oppression of many African women, thereby lessening the opportunities for them to attain self-realization. This study goes on to investigate whether there are possibilities of empowerment for the women in the primary texts, and examining the reasons why some women fail to transcend their situations of oppression. The primary novels will be discussed in different chapters, which explore the problems with which various women are beset, and discuss the extent to which the various women in the novels manage to attain empowerment. In conclusion, this study compares and contrasts the ways in which the women in the primary texts are oppressed and highlights the reasons why some women are able to attain empowerment, whilst others are unable to do so. It also shows that many women are beset with comparable forms of oppression, but they may choose to react to these situations differently. Over and above these issues, the study seeks to draw attention to the fact that women need to come together and contribute to the ways in which they can attain various forms of empowerment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Nyanhongo, Mazvita Mollin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African literature -- Women authors , Women -- Africa Literary collections , Women and literature -- Africa , Sex discrimination -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
- Identifier: vital:11503 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/522 , African literature -- Women authors , Women -- Africa Literary collections , Women and literature -- Africa , Sex discrimination -- Africa
- Description: This study consists of a comparative analysis of three novels by three prominent African women writers which cast light on the ways in which women are oppressed by traditional and cultural norms in three different African countries. These three primary texts also explore the ways in which African women's lives are affected by other issues, such as colonialism and economic factors, and this study discusses this. An analysis of these novels reveals that the inter-connectedness of racial, class and gender issues exacerbates the oppression of many African women, thereby lessening the opportunities for them to attain self-realization. This study goes on to investigate whether there are possibilities of empowerment for the women in the primary texts, and examining the reasons why some women fail to transcend their situations of oppression. The primary novels will be discussed in different chapters, which explore the problems with which various women are beset, and discuss the extent to which the various women in the novels manage to attain empowerment. In conclusion, this study compares and contrasts the ways in which the women in the primary texts are oppressed and highlights the reasons why some women are able to attain empowerment, whilst others are unable to do so. It also shows that many women are beset with comparable forms of oppression, but they may choose to react to these situations differently. Over and above these issues, the study seeks to draw attention to the fact that women need to come together and contribute to the ways in which they can attain various forms of empowerment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Trends in fish community structure and recruitment in a temporarily open/closed South African estuary
- Authors: James, Nicola Caroline
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Fish communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marine fishes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005178
- Description: Long-term interannual changes in richness, abundance, diversity and structure of the fish community in the temporarily open/closed East Kleinemonde Estuary, Eastern Cape, are described and the recruitment success of two estuary-dependent marine species assessed. In addition, laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the possible role of olfaction in the recruitment process of an estuary-dependent marine fish species. Multivariate analyses of the annual marine fish communites identified two distinct groups with more species recorded during years that succeeded spring (September to November) mouth opening events than in years following no mouth opening events in spring. Interannual community stability (IMD) and seriation (IMS) also increased from the ‘other’ to the ‘spring’ years. These results highlight the importance of the timing of mouth opening to the marine fish community in a temporarily open/closed estuary. This study also made use of long-term records of daily mouth state and linked them to the recruitment of distinct year-class cohorts in two spardis with contrasting lifehistory characteristics. Lithognathus lithognathus only recruited into the estuary in years when the mouth opened between late August and January. This was linked to the limited spawning season of this species and its inability to enter closed estuaries via wave overwash events. In contrast, recruitment by Rhabdosargus holubi juveniles appeared to be uninterrupted and was not determined by the seasonality of mouth opening. This species dominates the marine-spawning component of the East Kleinemonde Estuary and its success is attributed to an extended spawning season and its ability to recruit into estuaries during both overwash and open mouth conditions. Attraction of postflexion Rhabdosargus holubi larvae to estuary, surf zone and river water was also measured using a rectangular choice chamber. In two sets of experiments, conducted during peak recruitment periods, larvae from both the surf zone and estuary mouth region selected estuary water with a significantly higher frequency than sea water. Larvae collected in the mouth region showed a stronger preference for river water than those collected in the surf zone, thus suggesting that these fish are more attracted to freshwater influenced nursery areas once they have entered the estuary than those in the surf zone. Larvae collected in the marine environment also selected surf zone water with significantly higher frequencies than estuary water or offshore sea water, thus confirming the importance of the surf zone as an interim nursery area for postflexion R. holubi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: James, Nicola Caroline
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Fish communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marine fishes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005178
- Description: Long-term interannual changes in richness, abundance, diversity and structure of the fish community in the temporarily open/closed East Kleinemonde Estuary, Eastern Cape, are described and the recruitment success of two estuary-dependent marine species assessed. In addition, laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the possible role of olfaction in the recruitment process of an estuary-dependent marine fish species. Multivariate analyses of the annual marine fish communites identified two distinct groups with more species recorded during years that succeeded spring (September to November) mouth opening events than in years following no mouth opening events in spring. Interannual community stability (IMD) and seriation (IMS) also increased from the ‘other’ to the ‘spring’ years. These results highlight the importance of the timing of mouth opening to the marine fish community in a temporarily open/closed estuary. This study also made use of long-term records of daily mouth state and linked them to the recruitment of distinct year-class cohorts in two spardis with contrasting lifehistory characteristics. Lithognathus lithognathus only recruited into the estuary in years when the mouth opened between late August and January. This was linked to the limited spawning season of this species and its inability to enter closed estuaries via wave overwash events. In contrast, recruitment by Rhabdosargus holubi juveniles appeared to be uninterrupted and was not determined by the seasonality of mouth opening. This species dominates the marine-spawning component of the East Kleinemonde Estuary and its success is attributed to an extended spawning season and its ability to recruit into estuaries during both overwash and open mouth conditions. Attraction of postflexion Rhabdosargus holubi larvae to estuary, surf zone and river water was also measured using a rectangular choice chamber. In two sets of experiments, conducted during peak recruitment periods, larvae from both the surf zone and estuary mouth region selected estuary water with a significantly higher frequency than sea water. Larvae collected in the mouth region showed a stronger preference for river water than those collected in the surf zone, thus suggesting that these fish are more attracted to freshwater influenced nursery areas once they have entered the estuary than those in the surf zone. Larvae collected in the marine environment also selected surf zone water with significantly higher frequencies than estuary water or offshore sea water, thus confirming the importance of the surf zone as an interim nursery area for postflexion R. holubi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Mapping the Radio KC community : a case study assessing the impact of participatory research methods in assisting community radio producers to identify programming content
- Authors: Davidson, Brett Russell
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Radio broadcasting -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio stations -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio journalism -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio broadcasters -- Research -- South Africa -- Paarl , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Radio in community development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3497 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003716 , Radio broadcasting -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio stations -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio journalism -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio broadcasters -- Research -- South Africa -- Paarl , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Radio in community development
- Description: This thesis deals with the introduction of participatory research methods to programming staff working at Radio KC, a South African community radio station based in Paarl, in the Western Cape province. The focus is on a series of workshops conducted at the station, dealing with research tools developed to enable station workers to undertake research of their community. The aim was to determine, by means ofa case study, whether the introduction of participatory research methods could improve the ability of community broadcasters to facilitate democratic participation among the communities in which they operate. More particularly, the thesis assesses whether the application of such methods has improved the ability of the programming staff that were involved in this case study to identify a wider range of stories and voices within their target community, for inclusion in programming content. The participatory research techniques that are applied at the radio station are based on ideas in 'civic mapping' developed by Harwood and McCrehan (1996) under the auspices of The Pew Center for Civic Journalism, and supplemented by insights from Friedland (2001) and Downs and Stea (1977) about the cognitive, normative and imagined dimensions of community. All of the ideas and techniques were adapted for the South African situation. The findings of the research project illustrate that for community stations, the key concepts of 'community' and 'participation' are highly complex ones and that stations need assistance to apply these concepts in their everyday practice. The account of the intervention at Radio KC shows that the process did indeed assist the individual research participants to better deal with the application of these concepts. It did not, however, make much impact on the station as a whole. Reasons for this are believed to lie in the organisational dynamics of the station, and the fact that the model as applied in this case did not provide a means for tackling the agendas, investments and power relations that define the activities of individuals at a given community radio station - what Hochheimer (1993) talks about as the entrenchment of power and personalities. In order to address these shortcomings, an attempt is made to develop a model for future application, which places the mapping process within the context of a broader strategic planning process, focussed on a station's programming schedule.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Davidson, Brett Russell
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Radio broadcasting -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio stations -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio journalism -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio broadcasters -- Research -- South Africa -- Paarl , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Radio in community development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3497 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003716 , Radio broadcasting -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio stations -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio journalism -- South Africa -- Paarl , Radio broadcasters -- Research -- South Africa -- Paarl , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Radio in community development
- Description: This thesis deals with the introduction of participatory research methods to programming staff working at Radio KC, a South African community radio station based in Paarl, in the Western Cape province. The focus is on a series of workshops conducted at the station, dealing with research tools developed to enable station workers to undertake research of their community. The aim was to determine, by means ofa case study, whether the introduction of participatory research methods could improve the ability of community broadcasters to facilitate democratic participation among the communities in which they operate. More particularly, the thesis assesses whether the application of such methods has improved the ability of the programming staff that were involved in this case study to identify a wider range of stories and voices within their target community, for inclusion in programming content. The participatory research techniques that are applied at the radio station are based on ideas in 'civic mapping' developed by Harwood and McCrehan (1996) under the auspices of The Pew Center for Civic Journalism, and supplemented by insights from Friedland (2001) and Downs and Stea (1977) about the cognitive, normative and imagined dimensions of community. All of the ideas and techniques were adapted for the South African situation. The findings of the research project illustrate that for community stations, the key concepts of 'community' and 'participation' are highly complex ones and that stations need assistance to apply these concepts in their everyday practice. The account of the intervention at Radio KC shows that the process did indeed assist the individual research participants to better deal with the application of these concepts. It did not, however, make much impact on the station as a whole. Reasons for this are believed to lie in the organisational dynamics of the station, and the fact that the model as applied in this case did not provide a means for tackling the agendas, investments and power relations that define the activities of individuals at a given community radio station - what Hochheimer (1993) talks about as the entrenchment of power and personalities. In order to address these shortcomings, an attempt is made to develop a model for future application, which places the mapping process within the context of a broader strategic planning process, focussed on a station's programming schedule.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
'n Intertekstuele studie : Die werfbobbejaan van Alexander Strachan
- Authors: Loots, Sonja
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Strachan, Alexander Die Werfbobbejaan
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002167 , Strachan, Alexander Die Werfbobbejaan
- Description: The title, "'n Intertekstuele studie: Die werfbobbejaan van Alexander Strachan", refers to an analysis of the way in which intertextual processes generate meaning in this text. It is analysed with specific regard to the way in which it enters into signifying and detennining relationships with other texts, notably texts by the same author. A significant part of the intertexts that are reassembled, refined, restated, amplified, contradicted or diffused throughout Die werfbobbejaan are located in other works in the Strachan oeuvre: n Wereld sonder grense (1984) and Die jakkalsjagter (1990). These three texts are related as a triptych of intertextual association, and the boundaries between them are not hermetically sealed. Intertextual activity in Die werfbobbejaan involves an intricate network of interfigural relationships. The identities of numerous characters in the text start to coincide with those of other characters to which they are linked intertextually. Characters travel across the boundaries supposedly separating "different" texts. The doubling and displacing of characters alert us to the fact that the text is not fixed within stable boundaries. Codes, scenes, snippets of dialogue and even moods also penetrate the boundaries between "different" texts and recur in the form of mirror images or ghostly transformations of themselves. These intertextual patterns mobilise an active reading process and unify the act of reading with that of writing in "a single signifying process" (Barthes 1979: 79). The narrator in Die werfbobbejaan is a woman writing a biography about an author. Reading his novels and unpublished manuscript she finds that the manuscript of her subject anticipates and later even dictates "extra-textual" reality and inserts her into the fiction. The way in which the biography is taken up in the play of intertextuality leads to the perception that the fictional author is an intertextual mirror image of the real author, who belongs to the extra-textual world outside the book. In this way intertextual activity in Die werfbobbejaan destabilizes the frame between fiction and reality. No reading of Die werfbobbejaan can be complete without taking into account the plurality of simultaneously perceived meanings triggered by intertextual activity in the text.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998
- Authors: Loots, Sonja
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Strachan, Alexander Die Werfbobbejaan
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002167 , Strachan, Alexander Die Werfbobbejaan
- Description: The title, "'n Intertekstuele studie: Die werfbobbejaan van Alexander Strachan", refers to an analysis of the way in which intertextual processes generate meaning in this text. It is analysed with specific regard to the way in which it enters into signifying and detennining relationships with other texts, notably texts by the same author. A significant part of the intertexts that are reassembled, refined, restated, amplified, contradicted or diffused throughout Die werfbobbejaan are located in other works in the Strachan oeuvre: n Wereld sonder grense (1984) and Die jakkalsjagter (1990). These three texts are related as a triptych of intertextual association, and the boundaries between them are not hermetically sealed. Intertextual activity in Die werfbobbejaan involves an intricate network of interfigural relationships. The identities of numerous characters in the text start to coincide with those of other characters to which they are linked intertextually. Characters travel across the boundaries supposedly separating "different" texts. The doubling and displacing of characters alert us to the fact that the text is not fixed within stable boundaries. Codes, scenes, snippets of dialogue and even moods also penetrate the boundaries between "different" texts and recur in the form of mirror images or ghostly transformations of themselves. These intertextual patterns mobilise an active reading process and unify the act of reading with that of writing in "a single signifying process" (Barthes 1979: 79). The narrator in Die werfbobbejaan is a woman writing a biography about an author. Reading his novels and unpublished manuscript she finds that the manuscript of her subject anticipates and later even dictates "extra-textual" reality and inserts her into the fiction. The way in which the biography is taken up in the play of intertextuality leads to the perception that the fictional author is an intertextual mirror image of the real author, who belongs to the extra-textual world outside the book. In this way intertextual activity in Die werfbobbejaan destabilizes the frame between fiction and reality. No reading of Die werfbobbejaan can be complete without taking into account the plurality of simultaneously perceived meanings triggered by intertextual activity in the text.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998