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Capital E for events: ways that work: useful solutions

  • Authors: Garman, Anthea
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: vital:38359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC146297
  • Description: You would think being located in a small town in one of the most impoverished provinces in South Africa would be a drawback for making media. But a small town is a reachable, convenient laboratory environment for student journalists - and never more so than when the National Arts Festival comes to Grahamstown during the winter vacation.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

CBiX a model for content-based billing in XML environments

  • Authors: De Villiers, Peter
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: XML (Document Markup Language) , Access control , Pricing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Information Technology)
  • Identifier: vital:10802 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/208 , XML (Document Markup Language) , Access control , Pricing
  • Description: The new global economy is based on knowledge and information. Further- more, the Internet is facilitating new forms of revenue generation of which one recognized potential source is content delivery over the Internet. One aspect that is critical to ensuring a content-based revenue stream is billing. While there are a number of content-based billing systems commercially available, as far as can be determined these products are not based on a common model that can ensure interoperability and communication between the billing sys- tems. This dissertation addresses the need for a content-based billing model by developing the CBiX (Content-based Billing in XML Environments) model. This model, developed in a phased approach as a family of billing models, incorporates three aspects. The rst aspect is access control. The second as- pect is pricing, in the form of document, element and inherited element level pricing for content. The third aspect is XML as the platform for information exchange. The nature of the Internet facilitates information interchange, exible web business models and exible pricing. These facts, coupled with CBiX being concerned with billing for content over the Internet, leads to a number of decisions regarding the model: The CBiX model has to incorporate exible pricing. Therefore pricing is evolved through the development of the family of models from doc- ument level pricing to element level pricing to inherited element level pricing. The CBiX model has to be based on a platform for information inter- change that enables content delivery. XML provides a broad family of standards that is widely supported and creating the next generation Internet. XML is therefore selected as the environment for information exchange for CBiX. The CBiX model requires a form of access control that can provide access to content based on user properties. Credential-based Access Control is therefore selected as the method of access control for CBiX, whereby authorization is granted based on a set of user credentials. Furthermore, this dissertation reports on the development of a prototype. This serves a dual purpose: rstly, to assist the author in understanding the technologies and principles involved; secondly, to illustrate CBiX0 and therefore present a proof-of-concept of at least the base model. The CBiX model provides a base to guide and assist developers with regards to the issues involved with developing a billing system for XML- based environments.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Change and continuity : perceptions about childhood diseases among the Tumbuka of Northern Malawi

  • Authors: Munthali, Alister Chaundumuka
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Tumbuka (African people) Ethnology -- Malawi Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation Health behavior -- Malawi Health attitudes -- Malawi Children -- Diseases -- Malawi
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:2114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007718
  • Description: The objectives of this study were to determine what the Tumbuka people of northern Malawi consider to be the most dangerous childhood diseases, to explore their perceptions about the aetiology, prevention and treatment of these diseases, and to determine how such perceptions have changed over the years. The study was done in Chisinde and surrounding villages in western Rumphi District, northern Malawi. Although a household questionnaire was used to collect some quantitative data, the major data collection methods comprised participant observation, in-depth interviews with mothers with children under five and old men and women, and key informant interviews with traditional healers, traditional birth attendants, village headmen, health surveillance assistants and clinical officers. Informants in this study mentioned chikhoso chamoto, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, and conjunctivitis as the most dangerous childhood diseases in the area. Old men and women added that in the past smallpox was also a dangerous disease that affected both children and adults. Apart from measles and smallpox, community-based health workers and those at the local health centre also mentioned the same list of diseases as the most dangerous diseases prevalent among under-five children. Though health workers and informants mentioned the same diseases, the informants' perspectives about the aetiology and prevention of these diseases and the way they sought treatment during childhood illness episodes, in some cases, differed significantly from those of biomedicine. For example, while health workers said that the signs and symptoms presented by a child suffering from "chikhoso chamoto" were those of either kwashiorkor or marasmus, both young and elderly informants said that a child could contract this illness through contact with a person who had been involved in sexual intercourse. Biomedically, diarrhoea is caused by the ingestion of pathogenic agents, which are transmitted through, among other factors, drinking contaminated water and eating contaminated foods. While young men and women subscribed to this biomedical view, at the same time, just like old men and women, they also believed that if a breastfeeding mother has sexual intercourse, sperms will contaminate her breast milk and, once a child feeds on this milk, he or she will develop diarrhoea. They, in addition, associated diarrhoea with the process of teething and other infections, such as malaria and measles. In malaria-endemic areas such as Malawi, the occurrence of convulsions, splenomegaly and anaemia in children under five may be biomedically attributed to malaria. However, most informants in this study perceived these conditions as separate disease entities caused by, among other factors, witchcraft and the infringement of Tumbuka taboos relating to food, sexual intercourse and funerals. Splenomegaly and convulsions were also perceived as hereditary diseases. Such Tumbuka perceptions about the aetiology of childhood diseases also influenced their ideas about prevention and the seeking of therapy during illness episodes. Apart from measles, other childhood vaccine-preventable diseases (i.e. tetanus, diphtheria, tuberculosis, pertussis and poliomyelitis) were not mentioned, presumably because they are no longer occurring on a significant scale, which is an indication of the success of vaccination programmes. This study reveals that there is no outright rejection of vaccination services in the study area. Some mothers, though, felt pressured to go for vaccination services as they believed that non-vaccinated children were refused biomedical treatment at the local health centres when they fell ill. While young women with children under five mentioned vaccination as a preventative measure against diseases such as measles, they also mentioned other indigenous forms of 'vaccination', which included the adherence to societal taboos, the wearing of amulets, the rubbing of protective medicines into incisions, isolation of children under five (e.g. a newly born child is kept in the house, amongst other things, to protect him or her against people who are ritually considered hot because of sexual intercourse) who are susceptible to disease or those posing a threat to cause disease in children under five. For example, since diarrhoea is perceived to be caused by, among other things, a child feeding on breast milk contaminated with sperms, informants said that there is a strong need for couples to observe postpartum sexual intercourse. A couple with newly delivered twins is isolated from the village because of the belief that children will swell if they came into contact with them. Local methods of disease prevention seem therefore to depend on what is perceived to be the cause of the illness and the decision to adopt specific preventive measures depends on, among other factors, the diagnosis of the cause and of who is vulnerable. The therapy-seeking process is a hierarchical movement within and between aetiologies; at the same time, it is not a random process, but an ordered process of choices in response to negative feedback, and subject to a number of factors, such as the aetiology of the disease, distance, social costs, cost of the therapeutic intervention, availability of medicines, etc. The movement between systems (i.e. from traditional medicine to biomedicine and vice-versa) during illness episodes depends on a number of factors, including previous experiences of significant others (i.e. those close to the patient), perceptions about the chances of getting healed, the decisions of the therapy management group, etc. For example, febrile illness in children under five may be treated using herbs or antipyretics bought from the local grocery shops. When the situation worsens (e.g. accompanied by convulsions), a herbalist will be consulted or the child may be taken to the local health centre. The local health centre refers such cases to the district hospital for treatment. Because of the rapidity with which the condition worsens, informants said that sometimes such children are believed to be bewitched, hence while biomedical treatment is sought, at the same time diviners are also consulted. The therapeutic strategies people resort to during illness episodes are appropriate rational decisions, based on prevailing circumstances, knowledge, resources and outcomes. Boundaries between the different therapeutic options are not rigid, as people move from one form of therapy to another and from one mode of classification to another. Lastly, perceptions about childhood diseases have changed over the years. Old men and women mostly attribute childhood illnesses to the infringement of taboos (e.g. on . sexual intercourse), witchcraft and other supernatural forces. While young men and women also subscribe to these perceptions, they have at the same time also appropriated the biomedical disease explanatory models. These biomedical models were learnt at school, acquired during health education sessions conducted by health workers in the communities as well as during under-five clinics, and health education programmes conducted on the national radio station. Younger people, more frequently than older people, thus move within and between aetiological models in the manner described above.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Cimetidine as a free radical scavenger

  • Authors: Lambat, Zaynab Yusuf
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Cimetidine , Cimetidine -- Physiological effect , Cimetidine -- Therapeutic use , Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment , Cancer -- Treatment , Free radicals (Chemistry) -- Physiological effect
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:3766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003244 , Cimetidine , Cimetidine -- Physiological effect , Cimetidine -- Therapeutic use , Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment , Cancer -- Treatment , Free radicals (Chemistry) -- Physiological effect
  • Description: The present study was undertaken to determine the effects and possible mechanism of action of cimetidine in cancer and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Throughout this study emphasis is placed on free radical levels since the magnitude of the relationship between diseases and the levels of free radicals vary from one disease to another. Studies were carried out to examine the effect of cimetidine on free radical levels using superoxide formation and lipid peroxidation as indicators of free radical levels. The experiments revealed that addition of cimetidine, especially in high concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 x10-6 M) significantly inhibited WHCO6 cancer cell growth rather than cancer cell growth, as no normal control was available. Free radical formation as well as hydroxyl radical formation were reduced in the deoxyribose assay. In addition, cimetidine exhibits properties of binding to metals such as copper and iron. To maintain consistency in the experiments, a WHCO6 (Wits Human Carcinoma of the Oesophagus) cell line was used to investigate the effect of cimetidine in cancer. Neurodegeneration was induced in the rat brain using neurotoxins such as cyanide to investigate the relationship between cimetidine in AD. A decrease in cancer cell growth was accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the levels of free radicals and lipid peroxidation, suggesting that the growth-inhibitory effects of cimetidine on WHCO6 cancer cells in vitro may be due to free radical scavenging properties. This proposal was further strengthened by determination of free radical levels in the rat brain. After treatment with neurotoxins to induce neurodegeneration, the levels of free radicals in the rat brain suggest that addition of cimetidine reduces free radical levels in the rat brain in a dosedependent manner. Further experiments were done in an attempt to uncover the underlying mechanism by which cimetidine exhibits free radical scavenging properties. Metal binding studies were done using electrochemical, HPLC and UV/Vis studies. The results show that cimetidine binds iron and copper. These metals have been implicated in free radical production via the Fenton reaction. By binding with cimetidine the metals become unavailable to produce free radicals and hence cimetidine indirectly reduces the formation of free radicals. The final experiment was the determination of cimetidine as a hydroxyl radical scavenger in the deoxyribose assay. Cimetidine was shown to act as a potent hydroxyl radical scavenger, thereby confirming its activity as a free radical scavenger. In addition, cimetidine protects against damage to the deoxyribose sugar, a component of DNA. Whilst there are many theories that explain the therapeutic role of cimetidine in degenerative disease, the actual mechanism of the role of cimetidine is emphasized as a free radical scavenger. Regardless of the mechanism of action, cimetidine does inhibit tumour growth according to this study and also reduce free radical levels in neurodegeneration, which suggests a role for cimetidine as a possible additive in treatment of patients with such disease states. These findings have important clinical implications, and needs to be investigated further.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Cleaning fouled membranes using sludge enzymes

  • Authors: Melamane, Xolisa L , Pletschke, Brett I , Leukes, Wintson D , Whiteley, Chris G
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: text
  • Identifier: vital:6480 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006242
  • Description: Maintenance of membrane performance requires inevitable cleaning or "defouling" of fouled membranes. Membrane cleaning using sludge enzymes, was investigated by first characterising ostrich abattoir effluent for potential foulants, such as lipids, proteins and polysaccharides. Static fouling of polysulphone membranes using abattoir effluent was also performed. Biochemical analysis was performed using quantitative and qualitative methods for detection of proteins on fouled and defouled membranes. The ability of sulphidogenic proteases to remove proteins adsorbed on polysulphone membranes and capillary ultrafiltration membranes after static fouling, and ability to restore permeate fluxes and transmembrane pressure after dynamic fouling was also investigated. Permeate volumes were analysed for protein and amino acids concentrations. The abattoir effluent contained 553 μg/ml of lipid, 301 μg/ml of protein, 141 μg/ml of total carbohydrate, and 0.63 μg/ml of total reducing sugars. Static fouled membranes removed 23.4percent of proteins. Defouling of dynamically fouled capillary ultrafiltration membranes using sulphidogenic proteases was successful at pH 10, 37°C, within 1 h. Sulphidogenic protease activity was 2.1 U/ml and Flux Recovery (FR percent) was 64 percent.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Cognitive therapy for social phobia : the human face of cognitive science

  • Authors: Edwards, David J A , Henwood, Jennifer , Kannan, Swetha
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6280 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008281
  • Description: [abstract from Index to SA Periodicals]Points to the male/masculine ideology pervading science. Gives a history of cognitive science. Shows that current clinical models on which cognitive therapy treatments are based are complex and detailed, but also situated and human. Warns about the contemporary enthusiasm for cognitive science. Presents a case study which illustrates how the cognitive model of social phobia works inpractice when applied to one person's life situation.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Comparing models for predicting species' potential distributions : a case study using correlative and mechanistic predictive modelling techniques

  • Authors: Robertson, Mark P , Peter, Craig I , Villet, Martin H , Ripley, Bradley S
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005980 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3800(03)00028-0
  • Description: Models used to predict species’ potential distributions have been described as either correlative or mechanistic. We attempted to determine whether correlative models could perform as well as mechanistic models for predicting species potential distributions, using a case study. We compared potential distribution predictions made for a coastal dune plant (Scaevola plumieri) along the coast of South Africa, using a mechanistic model based on summer water balance (SWB), and two correlative models (a profile and a group discrimination technique). The profile technique was based on principal components analysis (PCA) and the group-discrimination technique was based on multiple logistic regression (LR). Kappa (κ) statistics were used to objectively assess model performance and model agreement. Model performance was calculated by measuring the levels of agreement (using κ) between a set of testing localities (distribution records not used for model building) and each of the model predictions. Using published interpretive guidelines for the kappa statistic, model performance was “excellent” for the SWB model (κ=0.852), perfect for the LR model (κ=1.000), and “very good” for the PCA model (κ=0.721). Model agreement was calculated by measuring the level of agreement between the mechanistic model and the two correlative models. There was “good” model agreement between the SWB and PCA models (κ=0.679) and “very good” agreement between the SWB and LR models (κ=0.786). The results suggest that correlative models can perform as well as or better than simple mechanistic models. The predictions generated from these three modelling designs are likely to generate different insights into the potential distribution and biology of the target organism and may be appropriate in different situations. The choice of model is likely to be influenced by the aims of the study, the biology of the target organism, the level of knowledge the target organism’s biology, and data quality.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Confirmation of a slow symplasmic loading and unloading pathway in barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) source and sink leaves

  • Authors: Buwa, Lisa Valencia
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Phloem , Plant translocation , Barley -- Metabolism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4253 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007804
  • Description: Visualization of the transport pathway in barley (Hordeum vulgare) leaves was carried out using a combination of aniline blue and a symplasmically transported fluorochrome, 5,6 carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF). When applied to a source leaf, basipetal movement of 5,6-CF was observed after 3 h and the fluorochrome front was observed about 3-4cm away from the point of application. The fluorochrome was taken up into the symplasm of the mesophyll and was loaded into the bundle sheath cells and then subsequently the vascular parenchyma and finally into the sieve tubes. In sink leaves, acropetal movement was observed after 3 h and the fluorochrome had moved approximately 3 cm away from the point of application. Unloading of 5,6-CF occurred from all classes of longitudinal veins. Studies on solute retrieval showed that 5,6 CF-diacetate was transferred to xylem parenchyma where it was metabolized. 5,6-CF was then transferred from the xylem parenchyma to the vascular parenchyma cells, and it would appear that thick-walled sieve tubes were the first to show 5,6-CF labeling. Counterstaining with aniline blue demonstrates the presence of plasmodesmata and this suggests a potential symplasmic pathway from the mesophyll to the sieve tubes. Application of 5,6 CF-diacetate revealed a slow symplasmic pathway, which involved transfer of 5,6-CF, which was effected via plasmodesma.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Constructive dismissal in labour law

  • Authors: Van Loggerenberg, Johannes Jurgens
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:11054 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/301 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
  • Description: The history of constructive dismissals in South Africa imitated from the English law in 1986, when an employee successfully challenged the employer on this particular concept after an incident relating a forced resignation. From the literature it is clear that constructive dismissal, as we know it today, originated from our English counterparts. Being a relatively new concept, the South African labour laws caught on at a rapid pace. The leading case on which the South African authors leaned towards was the English case of Woods v WM Car Services (Peterborough). In South Africa constructive dismissals were given statutory force in unfair dismissal law and is defined as the coerced or forced termination of a contract of employment resultant in from the conduct of the employer. There are many forms in which constructive dismissals would postulate that could justify an employee to lay claim to constructive dismissal. Examples thereof are the amendment of the contract of employment, rude language and sexual harassment. It is eminent that certain elements should be present before an employee would have reasonable prospects of succeeding with such a claim. Constructive dismissal comes into the equation when an employer behaves in such a manner that eventually and ultimately leads to the employee, being the receiving party, in the employment relationship, to terminate the employment contract. This termination must be the direct result of the conduct of the employer that irreparably frustrated the relationship and made it impossible for the employee to remain in the service of the employer in question. It appears that the courts have taken a firm stance on coerced or forced resignation, in its various forms tantamount to breach of contact, that any sufficiently unreasonable conduct by an employer may justify that the employee to terminate services and lay claim to the fact that he had been constructively dismissed. It needs to be mentioned that the fact that the mere fact that the employer acted in an unreasonable manner would not suffice and it is up to the employee to prove how the conduct of the employer justified the employee to leave and claim that the employer’s conduct resulted in a material or fundamental beach of the employment contract. In dealing with the contingency of the concept of constructive dismissals it has been expressly provided for in numerous systems of labour law. As is seen herein, a constructive dismissal consists in the termination of the employment contract by reason of the employee’s rather than the employer’s own immediate act. The act of the employee is precipitated by earlier conduct on the part of the employer, which conduct may or may not be justified. Various authors and academics endeavoured to defined constructive dismissal and all had the same or at least some of the elements present, to justify constructive dismissal. The most glaring element being the termination of employment as a result of the any conduct that is tantamount to a breach going to the root of the relationship by the employer, that frustrated the relationship between the employer and the employee and rendered it irreparable. The employee resigns or repudiates the employment contract as a result of the employer normally not leaving the employee any other option but to resign. This can also be termed as coerced or forced resignations and are commonly better known as “constructive dismissal”. The employee is deemed to have been dismissed, even though it is the employee who terminated the employment contract. The most important element to mention is the employee terminated the employment contract, ie resigned yet this is regarded as a dismissal, it is however for the employee to first lay a claim at the proper authority and the employee must prove his / her allegation before it can be a constructive dismissal. As will become clear, that the onus of proof is on the employee to show that the termination of employment resulted from the conduct of the employer. Equally true as in all cases of constructive dismissal, including cases of sexual harassment, being a ground for constructive dismissal, the employee must prove that to remain in service would have been unbearable and intolerable. Sexual harassment is one of the most difficult forms of constructive dismissals, in many cases there are no witnesses and the employee either “suffers in silence or opt to place her dignity at stake to prove her case. It seems as though the test is to determine if the employer’s conduct evinced a deliberate and oppressive intention to have the employment terminated and left the employee with only one option that of resignation to protect her interests. Employees have a right to seek statutory relief and needs to be protected. If a coerced or forced resignation had taken place irrespective whether the employee resigned or not. It is against this back drop that constructive dismissals was given legality and are now recognized as one of the four forms of dismissals in terms of the Act.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Correlates and outcomes of emotional intelligence in organisations

  • Authors: Bosman, Leon Abraham
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Leadership , Emotional intelligence , Organizational behavior
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
  • Identifier: vital:11006 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/337 , Leadership , Emotional intelligence , Organizational behavior
  • Description: Emotional Intelligence and Leadership are two very important constructs to organizations. Likewise concepts like OCB, conflict handling and intention to quit of employees are equally important constructs to organizations. The primary aim of the present study was to determine how well Organisational Citizenship Behaviour and intention to quit as well as the conflict handling style of subordinates could be predicted by means of leadership style, and the emotional intelligence of leaders. A secondary aim was to determine whether a causal model could be built to represent the relationships among the variables included in the study. Relationships among these constructs were investigated in a South African sample of employees (N=470) working for various organisations. The construct validity and internal consistency of the measuring instruments were investigated. The finally accepted factor structure of not one of the measuring instruments matched the original structure as found by the authors/developers of the measuring instruments. It was therefore decided that in all cases the factor pattern as determined on the responses of the present sample would be used in further analyses of the data. Emotional intelligence of leaders as seen by subordinates and the self - perceived conflict handling styles of subordinates seem to be related in the case of Integrating and Obliging conflict handling styles and both the emotional intelligence sub-scales, i.e. Motivation and Vigilance. The Multiple Regression analysis indicated that the emotional intelligence sub-scales scores played a minor role in the prediction of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour. Models of the relationships among the variables were built by studying the results of v previous as well as the present study. The model, in which emotional intelligence is depicted as a causal variable influencing - through leadership behaviour – organizational citizenship behaviour and the integrating style of handling interpersonal conflict represented a good fit with the data. These results seem to provide some structure for thinking about the relationships among the variables and can possibly serve as frames of reference in future studies.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Cyber crime affecting some businesses in South Africa

  • Authors: Herselman, Martha Elizabeth
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Computer crimes , Business enterprises -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Business Information Systems)
  • Identifier: vital:10793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/212 , Computer crimes , Business enterprises -- South Africa
  • Description: This study shows that cyber crime is a recent addition to the list of crimes that can adversely affect businesses directly of indirectly. This phenomenon was not directly prosecutable in South Africa until the enactment of the ECT Act in July 2002. However this Act also prevents businesses to fully prosecute a hacker due to incompleteness. Any kind of commercially related crime can be duplicated as cyber crime. Therefore very little research appears or has been documented about cyber crime in South African companies before 2003.11.21 The motivation to do this study was that businesses often loose millions in cyber attacks, not necessarily through direct theft but by the loss of service and damage to the image of the company. Most of the companies that were approached for interviews on cyber crime were reluctant to share the fact that they were hacked or that cyber crime occurred at their company as it violates their security policies and may expose their fragile security platforms. The purpose of this study was to attempt to get an overall view on how South African businesses are affected by cyber crime in the banking and short term insurance sector of the South African industry and also to determine what legislation exist in this country to protect them. The case study approach was used to determine the affect of cyber crime on businesses like banks and insurance companies. Each case was interviewed, monitored and was observed over a period of a year. This study discloses the evaluation of the results of how cyber crime affected the cases, which were part of this study. The banks felt that they were at an increased risk both externally and internally, which is likely to increase as the migration towards electronic commerce occurs. The insurance industry felt that they are not yet affected by external cyber crime attacks in this country.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Cyclodepsipeptides from a Kenyan marine cyanobacterium

  • Authors: Dzeha, Thomas Mwambire
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Cyanobacteria , Stereochemistry , Natural products -- Kenya
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4303 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004961 , Cyanobacteria , Stereochemistry , Natural products -- Kenya
  • Description: An examination of an organic extract of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula collected from Wasini Island off the southern Kenyan coast led to the isolation of the known cyclodepsipeptide antanapeptin A (7), recently isolated from a Madagascan collection of L. majuscula, and a new bioactive cyclodepsipeptide, homodolastatin 16 (42). Although L. majuscula is a common, pantropical cyanobacterium this study represents the first investigation of the natural product chemistry of a Kenyan population of L. majuscula. The structures of the two cyclodepsipeptides were determined from 2D NMR and mass spectrometry data. The L- stereochemistry of the proline, valine, and N-methylphenylalanine amino acids in 7 and the L – proline configuration in 42, was confirmed by Marfey’s HPLC method. Chiral GC was used to determine the absolute stereochemistry of the hydroxyisovaleric acid moiety in 7 and 42, the lactate residue in 42 and tentatively propose an L-stereochemistry for the Nmethylisoleucine amino acid in 42. Homodolastatin 16, a higher homologue of the potential anti-cancer agent, dolastatin 16, exhibited moderate activity against two oesophageal cancer cell lines.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Design and development of a remote reconfigurable internet embedded I/O controller

  • Authors: Phillips, Grant
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Embedded computer systems -- Design and construction , Computer input-output equipment , Programmable controllers , Electronic controllers -- Design and construction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Electrical Engineering)
  • Identifier: vital:10817 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/116 , Embedded computer systems -- Design and construction , Computer input-output equipment , Programmable controllers , Electronic controllers -- Design and construction
  • Description: The use of embedded Internet systems is growing rapidly in the manufacturing sector. These systems allow the monitoring and controlling of plant machinery and manufactured items from a remote location via a standard Web interface. In a manufacturing environment, it is inevitable that long running processes will require support for dynamic reconfiguration because, for example, machines may fail, services may be moved or withdrawn and user requirements may change. In such an environment it is essential that the operation and architecture of such processes can be modified to reflect such changes. This research project will present methods and ideas for establishing a reconfigurable remote system by using standard 8-bit microcontrollers and reconfigurable hardware. It will allow a manufacturing process to be modified and changed within minutes without even having to be physically present at the location where the process is running.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Development of a language policy in a rural school

  • Authors: Fumba, Zamumzi Norman
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Language policy -- South Africa Language and education -- South Africa Education, Rural -- South Africa -- Peddie Black people -- Education -- South Africa Native language and education -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1940 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007798
  • Description: The study was undertaken to observe and participate in the process and development of a language policy for a rural secondary school in Peddie in the Eastern Cape. This was done in collaboration with parents, learners, and teachers. The researcher acted as a researcher, facilitator and learner in the process that Iead to the final product. Twenty four learners were selected from Grade 8 to Grade 10. These learners formed three focus groups. A questionnaire and lesson observation were used to establish what was taking place in the school with regard to language practices and preferences by learners, teachers and parents. Lesson observations were recorded by a tape recorder. Outcomes are that Xhosa is the dominant language to which the learners are exposed. They only have the exposure to 'chunks' of English in class and when they read magazines, newspapers and listening to radio and TV. Teachers code switch. This is supported by both learners and their parents. Parents want their children to improve performance by being taught in the medium of a language they understand well enough. The study shows different perceptions about the language that should be used as LOLT. Parents in the study favour English as LOLT, while parents in general favour Xhosa. This view is also held by both teachers and learners. At a conscious level when teachers and learners talk about the language to be used as LOLT, they favour English, but when they are faced with the reality of the class they are ambivalent, hence they code switch. The study finally reports on the divergent views of the parents, on one hand, and those of the teachers and the learners on the other hand. The divergence will be resolved in a workshop, part of the broader process of school language policy research, which is beyond the scope of the research reported in the thesis. The final product, in the form of the school language policy, will then be drafted for presentation to the School Governing Body (SGB) for ratification and writing up process.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Development of integrated algal ponding systems in the treatment of wine distillery wastewaters

  • Authors: Dekker, Leendert Gideon
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Sewage -- Purification -- Anaerobic treatment Wine and wine making -- Waste disposal -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:4062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004530
  • Description: In South Africa, wastewater disposal in the wine and distilling industry is undergoing a profound transformation as a result of fundamental changes in regulations and license requirements. To deal with this problem conventional Waste Stabilisation Ponding systems have been used by the industry together with irrigation and evaporation disposal practises. Although effective in the evaporation and containment disposal functions, these pond systems are generally not properly designed and/or managed, resulting in overloading and, at times, the generation of seriously offensive odour problems. Preliminary studies on the feasibility of utilising the Advanced Integrated Wastewater Ponding System as a core treatment technology in winery wastewater treatment were conducted. Results indicated that specific problems had to be addressed before successful ponding treatment could be achieved. This research programme undertook an investigation of the performance of a demonstration ponding system treating household sewage, which formed the basis of the research due to limited experience reported on ponds treating wine industry wastewaters. Malfunctions identified were in correlation with the preliminary winery waste ponding survey, which included unstable fermentation pit functions and inadequate nutrient removal. Retrofitting the fermentation pit with a nylon net across the rising water column resulted in improved retention of active anaerobic sludge, especially during periods of system start-up and/or organic overloading. An investigation into nutrient removal utilising algal biomass provided a valuable contribution towards development of an independent nutrient removal system. Harvested algal biomass was passively manipulated to release polysaccharides under anoxic conditions, with subsequent use as a carbon source by denitrifying organisms. Following denitrification, the still viable algal cells were introduced into a High Rate Algal Pond raceway for photosynthetically produced alkalinity. This high pH environment resulted in induced calcium phosphate mineral formation and subsequent precipitation, as well as effective ammonia stripping from the water. Based on the novel positive research outcomes a decision was made to proceed to the construction of a pilot-scale integrated ponding system treating wastewater from a wine lees factory. The system linked the Anaerobic Baffle Reactor, for pre-treatment, with the improved Advanced Integrated Wastewater Ponding System. The potential of this system has shown that a Waste Stabilisation Ponding system can be engineered to treat wine industry wastewaters and thereby effectively reduce the organic and nutrient loads, by using low-cost retrofitted upgrading unit operations. Valuable algal biomass may also be recovered as a by-product of the treatment process.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Direct-use value of smallholder crop production in a semi-arid rural South African village

  • Authors: Dovie, Delali B K , Witkowski, Ed T F , Shackleton, Charlie M
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181595 , vital:43750 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-521X(02)00124-5"
  • Description: The monetary value of natural resources used by rural communities for subsistence is important when addressing issues affecting the livelihoods of impoverished rural households. There is therefore the need to attribute monetary values to non-marketed products from smallholder production systems in order to reliably account for resource availability and usage to further sound policy decisions. The objective of this paper is to present an empirical analysis of the direct-use and traded values of crop production by households, and to discuss the implications for policy development. The study was undertaken in combination with an evaluation of other livelihood sectors in Thorndale, a semi-arid rural village in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The net direct-use value of crops was estimated at $443.4 per household per annum across the village. Maize (Zea mays), watermelon (Citrullus, vulgaris), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) contributed over 90% to the total direct-use value of crops. Maize alone contributed 40% of this value per household at an estimated $652/ha. Marketing of resources was not a common practice, limited to only maize and peanuts. Farming was basically a rain-fed–mixed cropping system with low production inputs. Farmer support services, human capital development and tenure security were major areas identified for policy development.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Disgraceland: history and the humanities in frontier country

  • Authors: Cornwell, Gareth D N
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004618
  • Description: This paper explores the significance of Coetzee's choice of Salem in the Eastern Cape as the (part) setting for his novel Disgrace. A determinedly local and historical reading of the text suggests that Lucy's conduct represents an "ideal" solution to the historical issues of wrong and reparation raised in the novel. This finding is scrutinized through a reading of "The Humanities in Africa" from Elizabeth Costello, and it is concluded that whatever hope for rehabilitation or redemption the novel holds out for white South Africans necessarily exists beyond the discourse of the humanities, indeed, outside of history itself.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Disturbances of attitudes and behaviours related to eating in black and white females at high school and university in South Africa

  • Authors: Edwards, David J A , d'Agrela, A , Geach, M , Welman, Mark
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6246 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007864
  • Description: This paper reports two studies, which contribute to the increasing evidence that the attitudes and behaviours associated with eating disorders, are encountered among both black and white females in South Africa. In Study One, the Eating Disorders Inventory EDI was administered to black (n=39) and white (n=41) female students in Natal. There were no significant differences between black and white on the sub-scales which measure disturbed eating behaviour directly (Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, Body Dissatisfaction). However black respondents scrored higher on Perfectionism, Interpersonal Distrust and Maturity Fears, variables believed to predispose individuals to eating disorders. In Study Two, the Bulimia Test (BULIT) was administered to black and white females at three educational levels. There was no significant effect of Ethnicity, but there was a significant effect of Age: Standard 6 respondents had significantly higher scores than University students. In both studies, Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher among blacks than whites. In Study One there was no significant correlation between BMI and Drive for Thinness in either blacks or whites. However in Study Two, the correlation between BMI and BULIT full scale was significant in the case of both blacks (r = 0,39; p <,01) and whites (r = 0,38; p<,05). These findings are consistent with those of other recent studies, which find disturbances in eating-related attitudes and behaviour in all ethnic groups in South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Editorial: the policy-in-practice nexus

  • Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Obol, Charles , Nhamo, Godwell
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67389 , vital:29083 , https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122661/112205
  • Description: publisher version , Environmental policy development and implementation has become a ‘hot topic’ in southern Africa, following global imperatives for countries around the world to articulate their intentions to become more sustainable through public policy. Many policies in the region have been developed with the support of large scale donor funding. Much of the funding is often allocated to policy development processes rather than policy implementation processes, and many countries have experienced ‘gaps’ between policy intention and policy playing out in the field. Recently the Southern African Development Community’s Regional Environmental Education Programme (SADC REEP) appointed an environmental education policy advisor to influence regional policy (our Guest Editor, Charles Obol).This edition of the journal, funded by SADC REEP, aims to provide perspective on the policy-in-practice nexus in southern Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Education, ethics and values : A response to Peter Blaze Corcoran’s keynote address, EEASA 2003

  • Authors: Van Harmelen, U
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6099 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008663
  • Description: This paper is written in response to the Keynote Adress on the Earth Charter presented by Peter Blaze Corcoran at the EEASA 2003 Conference in Namibia. It draws attention to the significance of ethical debates in education and emphasises the need for careful attention to the way in which educators approach values education. In particular the paper considers the Earth Charter critically, and notes that while there is much value in the principles of the Earth Charter for guiding educational practice, educators should also consider some of the dilemmas of simply appropriating univeral ethical frameworks to guide practice.
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  • Date Issued: 2003
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