List of Titles

Disaster management policy options to address the sanitation challenges in South Africa

- Hoossein, Shafick, Tandlich, Roman, Whittington-Jones, Kevin J, Laubscher, Richard K, Madikizela, Phindile, Zuma, Bongumusa M

Authors: Hoossein, Shafick , Tandlich, Roman , Whittington-Jones, Kevin J , Laubscher, Richard K , Madikizela, Phindile , Zuma, Bongumusa M
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/75938 , vital:30485 , https://www.neha.org/node/28591
Description: The current population of South Africa has been migrating into informal urban settlements that lack adequate sanitation service delivery, caused at least in part by the lack of the necessary skills in the local government sector and the lack of buy in from the community into the provided sanitation facilities. The authors report results of policy research into the relevant disaster management options that could be applied to improve the sanitation service delivery in South Africa. The best policy option was identified as the draft Disaster Management Regulations: Disaster Management. Local government can use these tools through the formation of the volunteer units from the nongovernmental organization sector, the business community, and from among the end users of sanitation facilities. Formation of the volunteer unit should follow the principles of cooperative governance and participatory approach to disaster management. Implementation should be facilitated through the adoption of locally specific municipal by laws.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Dispute resolution

- Arendse, Jacqueline A, Clegg, David, Williams, Robert C

Authors: Arendse, Jacqueline A , Clegg, David , Williams, Robert C
Date: 2016
Subjects: To be catalogued
Language: English
Type: text , book chapter
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/131084 , vital:36522 , https://store.lexisnexis.co.za/products/silke-on-tax-administration-skuZASKUPG1440
Description: Chapter 9 of the Tax Administration Act 2011, deals with the objection and appeals processes of the tax Acts administered by SARS in terms of s 4 of the SARS Act, 1997. A taxpayer who is aggrieved by an assessment or a decision in which he has an interest, has the right to object against the assessment or decision.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Distribution and ecological assessment of heavy metals in irrigation channel sediments in a typical rural area of south China

- Gu, Chiming, Liu, Yi, Li, Zhiguo, Mohamed, Ibrahim, Zhang, Ronghua, Brooks, Margot, Chen, Fang

Authors: Gu, Chiming , Liu, Yi , Li, Zhiguo , Mohamed, Ibrahim , Zhang, Ronghua , Brooks, Margot , Chen, Fang
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66924 , vital:29000 , ISSN 0925-8574 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.01.054
Description: Publisher version , Elevated levels of heavy metals in sediments of irrigation channels can pose risks for crops and livestock, as well as for human health. In this study sediment samples were collected from the irrigation channel in a typical rural area of south China, and digested, in order to analyze their contents for the presence of heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni, as well as the non-metal As, to assess total concentrations and pollution levels. The pollution load index and potential ecological risk index of these elements were utilized to assess contamination levels and ecotoxicity. Our results showed that the concentrations of the 7 elements were in the order of Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > As > Pb > Cd. With the exception of Cr and Pb, concentrations of elements were higher than their background in soil, especially for Cd (1.79 mg kg−1), As (99.61 mg kg−1) and Ni (142.62 mg kg−1), which were 18.49, 8.89 and 5.30 times their background concentrations, respectively. The whole sampled zone was characterized by medium pollution and had a very high potential ecological risk. The area of arable land presented a medium pollution risk, while areas near to the path or road showed high risk of pollution. The predominant contributors to elevated ecological risk for the whole zone were Cd and As.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Distribution of benthic diatom communities in a permanently open temperate estuary in relation to physico-chemical variables

- Dalu, Tatenda, Richoux, Nicole B, Froneman, P William

Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Richoux, Nicole B , Froneman, P William
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67943 , vital:29172 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2015.06.004
Description: Publisher version , The spatial and temporal patterns in benthic diatom community structure in temperate permanently open estuaries are poorly understood. In this study, we used a combination of multivariate and diversity indices to elucidate environmental factors associated with diatom community structure in the Kowie Estuary, South Africa. Benthic diatom samples were collected from three sites corresponding to the upper, middle and lower reaches of the estuary on four occasions over the period early spring 2012 to winter 2013. Among the 89 benthic diatoms observed, Entomoneis paludosa (W Smith) Reimer, Nitzschia reversa W Smith, Nitzschia closterium (Ehrenberg) W Smith, Pleurosigma elongatum W Smith, P. salinarum (Grunow) Grunow, Staurosira elliptica (Schumann) DM Williams & Round, Surirella brebissonii Krammer & Lange-Bertalot, and Surirella ovalis Brébisson were the numerically dominant species. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the diatom community structure was determined by a variety of factors including nutrient (ammonia, nitrate) concentrations, hydrology (e.g., water depth and flow) and pH. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the absence of any distinct spatial patterns, although distinct benthic diatom communities were recorded during the different sampling periods. The species richness was highest in the middle reach, decreasing from early spring to summer in all reaches. The results of the study provide important insights into the various factors that structure benthic diatom community composition within a permanently open temperate southern African estuary.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Diversity of bacteria isolated from the flies Musca domestica (Muscidae) andChrysomya megacephala (Calliphoridae) with emphasis on vectored pathogens

- Brits, Devon, Brooks, Margot, Villet, Martin H

Authors: Brits, Devon , Brooks, Margot , Villet, Martin H
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66904 , vital:28998 , ISSN 1021-3589 , https://doi.org/10.4001/003.024.0365
Description: Publisher version , We evaluated the bacteria occurring externally on Musca domestica and Chrysomya megacephala, the two most common synanthropic flies which may be found at many refuse sites throughout the world. Bacteria cultured from 10 specimens of each species were isolated, Gram-stained and examined microscopically, and divided into morphologically distinct ‘pseudospecies', to avoid excessive duplication of genetic identification. About 350 bp of the 16S ribosomalRNAgene was amplified from genomicDNAextracted from each ‘pseudospecies', sequenced, and bacteria identified using BLASTn. Nineteen different types of colony were identified from M. domestica, with Pseudomonas sp. and Swine Manure Bacterium SP14 being most abundant. Chrysomya megacephala yielded 15 distinct pseudospecies with total colony counts approximating to 10 000 from 10 plates, where 80 % of colonies were non-pathogenic Bacillus pumilus. A total of 18 species were identified genetically: three shared by the fly species; four unique to C. megacephala, and 13 unique to M. domestica. Half of these 18 species were pathogenic, two or three others were food spoilers and the rest were environmental or commensal bacteria from soil or plant matter. This study added three new pathogenic strains of bacteria and one new environmental strain to the list of bacteria reported to be vectored by these flies.
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 2016

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Docking of HIV protease to silver nanoparticles

- Whiteley, Chris G, Shing, C-Y, Kuo, C-C, Lee, Duu-Jong

Authors: Whiteley, Chris G , Shing, C-Y , Kuo, C-C , Lee, Duu-Jong
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67105 , vital:29032 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2015.10.029
Description: publisher version , This interaction of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) with human immune-deficiency virus aspartic protease (HIVPR) is examined by molecular dynamics simulation using the Colores (Situs) package and biophysical techniques using UV–vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and circular dichroism. The ‘docking’ of AgNP with HIVPR creates a complex [AgNP–HIVPR] to initiate a hypochromic time-dependent red-shift for the surface plasmon resonance maximum. MD simulations reflect large perturbations to enzyme conformations by fluctuations of both rmsd and B-factors. Increase in changes to electrostatic potentials within the enzyme, especially, with chain B, suggest hydrophobic interactions for the binding of the AgNP. This is supported by changes to mainchain and sidechain dihedrals for many hydrophobic amino acid including Cys95, Trp6 and Trp42. Circular dichroism spectra reveal disappearance of α-helices and β-sheets and increase in random coil first from chain B then chain A. During initial stages of the interactive simulation the enzyme is conformational flexible to accommodate the AgNP, that docks with the enzyme under a cooperative mechanism, until a more stable structure is formed at convergence. There is a decrease in size of the HIVPR–AgNP complex measured by changes to the gyration radius supporting evidence that the AgNP associates, initially, with chain B.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Economic evaluation of water loss saving due to the biological control of water hyacinth at New Year’s Dam, Eastern Cape province, South Africa

- Fraser, Gavin C G, Hill, Martin P, Martin, J A

Authors: Fraser, Gavin C G , Hill, Martin P , Martin, J A
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69341 , vital:29502 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2016.1151765
Description: Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes is considered the most damaging aquatic weed in the world. However, few studies have quantified the impact of this weed economically and ecologically, and even fewer studies have quantified the benefits of its control. This paper focuses on water loss saving as the benefit derived from biological control of this plant between 1990 and 2013 at New Year’s Dam, Alicedale, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Estimates of water loss due to evapotranspiration from water hyacinth vary significantly; therefore, the study used three different rates, high, medium and low. A conservative raw agriculture value of R 0.26 per m3 was used to calculate the benefits derived by the water saved. The present benefit and cost values were determined using 10% and 5% discount rates. The benefit/cost ratio at the low evapotranspiration rate was less than one, implying that biological control was not economically viable but, at the higher evapotranspiration rates, the return justified the costs of biological control. However, at the marginal value product of water, the inclusion of the costs of damage to infrastructure, or the adverse effects of water hyacinth on biodiversity, would justify the use of biological control, even at the low transpiration rate.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Effects of substrate on essential fatty acids produced by phytobenthos in an austral temperate river system

- Dalu, Tatenda, Galloway, Aaron W E, Richoux, Nicole B, Froneman, P William

Authors: Dalu, Tatenda , Galloway, Aaron W E , Richoux, Nicole B , Froneman, P William
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68002 , vital:29179 , https://doi.org/10.1086/688698
Description: Publisher version , Aquatic and riparian habitats increasingly are affected by anthropogenic stressors, but the effects of these stressors on the nutritional quality of primary producers are often unknown. We compared essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the phytobenthos (benthic algae) growing on different substrate types (bricks, clay tiles, rocks, macrophytes, and sediments) at 2 river sites subject to differing anthropogenic stressors (using nutrient concentration as a proxy) in a temperate southern hemisphere location. We hypothesized that the fatty acid (FA) content of phytobenthos changes in response to shifts in local nutrient availability but not substrate type. EFA content (18∶2ω6, 18∶3ω3, 20∶4ω6, 20∶5ω3, and 22∶6ω3) in the phytobenthos differed overall among substrates, sites, and seasons and was generally greater in summer than in autumn and winter. EFA content was significantly greater on artificial than natural substrates and was greater at the nutrient-enriched downstream site than at the upstream site. The response of EFA content at the downstream site suggests that land use affected the synthesis of EFAs by phytobenthos and, hence, food quality for aquatic consumers. These findings indicate a potential link between physical factors, such as substrate availability and land management, and the quality of basal food resources available to primary consumers in aquatic food webs.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Employment and diversity in the cultural and creative industries in South Africa: research note

- Snowball, Jeanette D

Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71493 , vital:29858 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC188591
Description: The publication of Richard Florida's (2002) The Rise of the Creative Class marked a growing international interest in the creative economy. There are several ways of understanding the creative economy, often divided into the cultural and creative industries. Cultural industries are those whose major outputs have some symbolic value, such as fine arts, film and craft, jewelry design, publishing and fashion. Creative industries are defined more broadly as those that have knowledge as their major input. In addition to cultural goods and services, these include things like software design and internet services. UNESCO (2009) provides guidelines for defining the cultural and creative industries and the ways in which they can be measured, but there is currently no international consensus. Nor is there likely to be, since different countries will have very different levels of involvement and focus that may shape what information is useful, for example, for shaping policy.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: energy use and recycling at Rhodes University, South Africa

- Mtutu, Paidamoyo, Thondhlana, Gladman

Authors: Mtutu, Paidamoyo , Thondhlana, Gladman
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67743 , vital:29136 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.11.031
Description: Publisher version , The rapid expansion of student numbers, staff and support infrastructures in higher education institutions often result in increased demand for resources such as energy and paper. Promoting pro-environmental behaviour is critical if higher education institutions are to achieve sustainable resource use. Using surveys, reported energy use and recycling behaviour of staff and students in the Faculty of Education at Rhodes University, South Africa was explored. The results showed that self-reported pro-environmental behaviour was mediated by demographic factors and personal values such as ‘liking of aesthetic beauty and biodiversity’, ‘social relations’, ‘a varied life’ and ‘freedom’. Personal values, though key in shaping participants' attitudes toward the environment did not always translate into pro-environmental behaviour. Situational factors beyond the control of participants were cited as barriers to pro-environmental actions. Lessons from this study point to the need to carefully study the assumptions underlying intervention strategies aimed at promoting pro-environmental behaviour and to get rid of barriers to enable pro-environmental actions.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Expanding the host range of small insect RNA viruses: Providence virus (Carmotetraviridae) infects and replicates in a human tissue culture cell line

- Jiwaji, Meesbah, Short, James R, Dorrington, Rosemary A

Authors: Jiwaji, Meesbah , Short, James R , Dorrington, Rosemary A
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65979 , vital:28874 , https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.000578
Description: publisher version , Tetraviruses are small, positive (+ve)-sense ssRNA viruses that infect the midgut cells of lepidopteran larvae. Providence virus(PrV) is the only member of the family Carmotetraviridae (previously Tetraviridae). PrV particles exhibit the characteristic tetraviral T=4 icosahedral symmetry, but PrV is distinct from other tetraviruses with respect to genome organization and viral non-structural proteins. Currently, PrV is the only tetravirus known to infect and replicate in lepidopteran cell culture lines. In this report we demonstrate, using immunofluorescence microscopy, that PrV infects and replicates in a human tissue culture cell line (HeLa), producing infectious virus particles. We also provide evidence for PrV replication in vitro in insect, mammalian and plant cell-free systems. This study challenges the long-held view that tetraviruses have a narrow host range confined to one or a few lepidopteran species and highlights the need to consider the potential for apparently non-infectious viruses to be transferred to new hosts in the laboratory.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Exploring the potential impacts of tourism development on social and ecological change in the Solomon Islands

- Diedrich, Amy, Aswani, Shankar

Authors: Diedrich, Amy , Aswani, Shankar
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67335 , vital:29074 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-016-0781-x
Description: publisher version , Pacific Island communities may be vulnerable to negative impacts of economic development, which is often considered a strategy for reducing vulnerability to environmental change. Studies that evaluate potential impacts of economic development in isolated communities may be inaccurate to only focus on asking people to anticipate impacts of phenomena they have had minimal exposure to. We used an open-ended approach to evaluate how communities in the Solomon Islands perceived change, and used this information to anticipate potential impacts of the government’s plans to develop tourism. Our results showed mostly negative expectations of change, particularly socio-cultural, which was perceived as being driven by diminishing social capital, foreign influence, and economic development. Despite minimal exposure, locals supported tourism and had more positive expectations of change associated with this activity. Our findings emphasize the need for locally appropriate planning to ensure intended positive impacts of tourism and other forms of economic development.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Film production incentives, employment transformation and domestic expenditure in South Africa: visualizing subsidy effectiveness

- Collins, Alan, Ishizaka, Alessio, Snowball, Jeanette D

Authors: Collins, Alan , Ishizaka, Alessio , Snowball, Jeanette D
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67456 , vital:29094 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2016.1255206
Description: Publisher version , In 2004 the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) introduced a Film and Television Production Rebate Programme. In order to qualify for the rebate, certain criteria have to be met including success in job creation and skills development within the industry, alongside a particular focus on the percentage of ‘historically disadvantaged individuals’ employed. This study sets out the issues associated with evaluating success in meeting these various criteria and is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to apply multi-criteria visualization techniques to inform the evaluation of public subsidy effectiveness. The ‘PROMETHEE’ method is applied and apart from presenting project performance in a visually intuitive manner, the approach helps to clarify patterns of relative success, show where policy objectives are competing, and to identify project exemplars for more efficiently guiding future public support in the sector.
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 2016

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Food waste generation and potential interventions at Rhodes University, South Africa

- Painter, Kathleen, Thondhlana, Gladman, Kua, Harn W

Authors: Painter, Kathleen , Thondhlana, Gladman , Kua, Harn W
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67733 , vital:29135 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.07.013
Description: Publisher version , Estimation of food waste generation represents the first step when considering efforts to reduce waste generation and monitor food waste reduction against set targets. This study reports on an estimation of food waste generated in university dining halls at Rhodes University, South Africa. Daily food waste generation was estimated at about 555 g per student or 2 tonnes across all sample dining halls, translating to about 450 tonnes per year. The results show that food waste is influenced by an array of contextual factors, including distance to dining hall, gender composition of hall and meal times and meal options. It is estimated that the university could save up to US$ 80 000 annually for every 10% reduction in the current rate of food waste generation. Possible educational, technical and administrative interventions for food waste reduction are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2016

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