The political and administrative interface on the local government sphere :|bNelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Maqoko, Zandile
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Politicians -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5757 , vital:20999
- Description: Municipalities in South Africa are experiencing serious challenges in dealing with the interface between politicians and administrators. The study is based on the political and administrative interface (the relationship between the politicians and administration) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. An introductory background as well as a theoretical perspective on the phenomenon of ‘politics-administration interface’ and highlights on the significant role that this phenomenon plays in promoting good governance in local government is provided. The study analyses the legislative and policy framework that regulates local government and provides various theoretical models that deal with the political administrative relationships such as the dichotomy model, politicised model and complementarity model. The qualitative research method was used in the study, that is, a secondary data design as a method to collect data, which was supplemented by an extensive literature review. Secondary data sources such as reports, policies, newspapers, books were used to collect data. The descriptive case study and the documentary analysis methods were utilised to investigate the relationship between the politicians and administrators in the municipality. The major challenge in local government is that both politicians and administrators interfere in each other’s roles and responsibilities and this results in major conflict in the municipalities and frustration among the staff because they are not free to undertake their daily functions without interference. The findings reflected that there is a need to professionalise and de-politicised local government. The study makes a number of recommendations which included, inter alia, regulating political interference in administration, clarity of roles and responsibilities of politicians and administrators and separating the municipal administration from politics.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The photophysical properties of multi-functional quantum dots-magnetic nanoparticles—indium octacarboxyphthalocyanine nanocomposite
- Authors: Tshangana, Charmaine , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189876 , vital:44942 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-014-1497-6"
- Description: This work presents the development of a multifunctional hybrid nanoparticle made of L-glutathione capped quantum dots (GSH-CdSe@ZnS), amino functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles and indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ClInPc(COOH)8). In this work we investigate the photophysical properties of the individual components and the hybrid nanoparticle, in addition we study the energy transfer (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)) in the complex. FRET efficiencies of ~48 % were obtained for energy transfer between the QDs (when alone or linked to MNPs). Both triplet yields and lifetimes of ClInPc(COOH)8 increase in the nanocomposite, with a decrease in fluorescence lifetime. The hybrid nanoparticle showed improved photophysical properties and as a result can be used in photodynamic therapy.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The Personal Wellbeing Index in the South African isiXhosa translation: a qualitative focus group study
- Authors: Moller, Valerie , Roberts, Benjamin J , Zani, Dalindyebo
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67125 , vital:29034 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0820-6
- Description: publisher version , International scholars who rely on the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) to compare cross-cultural quality of life have often been confronted with the problems of nuances getting ‘lost in translation’. This qualitative study explored the meaning of the isiXhosa version of the PWI in focus group discussions with native speakers. Participants in the study discussed how they understood and rated their lives on each item in the index. The discourse conveyed the different shades of meaning associated with the PWI items of life satisfaction and eight domains of life. The study found that PWI items related to material well-being, living standards, achievements in life and future (financial) security were best understood. The PWI items referring to personal relationships and community connectedness were seen as nearly identical in meaning. Both translation and cultural factors may be responsible for the conflation of these two items. Noteworthy is that the PWI item on religion and spirituality was seen to embrace both Christian and traditional African beliefs and practice, without prejudice. A new item on daily activities was piloted with good results. The focus group study also showcased the manner in which discussants worked with the rating scale and drew on social comparisons when evaluating global and domain satisfactions. It is concluded that cognitive testing of PWI items in different translations will serve not only to appraise the validity of PWI ratings across cultures, but importantly also opens a window on what makes for a life of quality in a particular social setting.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
The perceptions of professional nurses with regard to the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit
- Authors: Pheiffer, Evette
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Artificial respiration , Cardiotonic agents , Life support systems (Critical care)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3115 , vital:20400
- Description: Life-support treatment is regarded as the support of vital functions of respiration and circulation such as mechanical ventilation and inotropic support, and life-sustaining therapy which incorporate therapies such as artificial hydration, nutrition and haemodialysis. Life-support treatment is rendered to critically ill patients within the intensive care units. However, when treatment options are maximised, and the patient’s condition is unchanged, a decision is often made to withdraw treatment. Professional nurses are usually involved in the process of withdrawal of life-support treatment as they care for this population of patients. The study followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research paradigm in order to explore and describe the perceptions of professional nurses with regard to the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit. Data was collected by means of interviews, which were transcribed according to Tesch’s method of analysis. Field notes were used to supplement the data findings. Based on the data collected, it is clear that professional nurses experience difficulties when performing withdrawal of life-support treatment. There are a number of communication concerns which need to be addressed and suggestions were also made by the interview participants regarding these concerns. The study makes recommendations to assist professional nurses with the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit. The findings of the study will be disseminated to the relevant hospital and unit managers. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study by adhering to the principles of privacy, confidentiality, anonymity and beneficence.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The palladacycle, AJ-5, exhibits anti-tumour and anti-cancer stem cell activity in breast cancer cells:
- Authors: Aliwaini, Saeb , Peres, Jade , Kröger, Wendy L , Blanckenberg, Angelique , de la Mare, Jo-Anne , Edkins, Adrienne L , Mapolie, Selwyn , Prince, Sharon
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164874 , vital:41180 , DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.11.027
- Description: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women worldwide but despite enormous efforts to address this problem, there is still limited success with most of the current therapeutic strategies. The current study describes the anti-cancer activity of a binuclear palladacycle complex (AJ-5) in oestrogen receptor positive (MCF7) and oestrogen receptor negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells as well as human breast cancer stem cells. AJ-5 is shown to induce DNA double strand breaks leading to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis and autophagy cell death pathways which are mediated by the p38 MAP kinase. This study provides evidence that AJ-5 is potentially an effective compound in the treatment of breast cancer.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The oxygen isotope composition of Karoo and Etendeka picrites: High δ18O mantle or crustal contamination?
- Authors: Harris, Chris , Le Roux, Petrus , Cochrane, Ryan , Martin, Laure , Duncan, Andrew R , Marsh, Julian S , Le Roex, A P
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60774 , vital:27829 , https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00410-015-1164-1
- Description: Olivine and orthopyroxene phenocrysts from picrite and picrate basalt lavas and dykes (Mg# 64-80) from the Tuli and Mwanezi (Nuanetsi) regions of the ~180 Ma Karoo Large Igneous province (LIP) have δ18O values that range from 6.0 to 6.7 ‰ (Fig. 1), suggesting that they crystallized from magmas having δ18O values about 1 to 1.5 ‰ higher than expected in an entirely mantle-derived magma. Olivines from picrite and picrite basalt dykes from the 135 Ma Etendeka LIP of Namibia and Karoo-age picrite dykes from Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica do not have such elevated δ18O values. The Etendeka picrites show good correlations between δ18O value and Sr-, Nd- and Pb-isotope ratios that are consistent with previously proposed models of crustal contamination (e.g. Thompson et al., 2007). Explanations for the high δ18O values in Tuli/Mwenezi picrites are limited to (i) alteration, (ii) crustal contamination, and (iii) derivation from mantle with an abnormally high δ18O. The lack of variation in olivine and orthopyroxene δ18O values, together with the lack of correlation between mineral and whole-rock δ18O values are not consistent with alteration being the cause of high δ18O values. The high δ18O values in selected olivine cores have been confirmed by SIMS, and aggressive cleaning of crystals with HF makes no difference to the δ18O value obtained. Average εNd and εSr values of -8 and +16, and high concentrations of incompatible elements such as K are typical of picrites from the Mwanezi (Nuanetsi) region, which have been explained by a variety of models that range from crustal contamination to derivation from the ‘enriched’ mantle lithosphere. The primitive character of the magmas combined with the lack of correlation between δ18O values and radiogenic isotope composition and MgO content or Mg# are inconsistent with crustal contamination, and lend weight to arguments in favour of an 18O-enriched mantle source having high incompatible trace element concentration and enriched radiogenic isotope composition. Although elevated initial Sr isotope ratios, εNd values of -8, and δ18O values about 1 ‰ higher than expected for mantle-derived magma are also a feature of the Bushveld mafic and ultramafic magmas, it is unlikely that a long-lived 18O-enriched mantle source would have survived for nearly 2 Ga. Incorporation of crustal material into the mantle by subduction or delamination of the lower crust are the most likely mechanisms for enriching the mantle in 18O.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The nonlinear absorption in new lanthanide double decker pyridine-based phthalocyanines in solution and thin films
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189307 , vital:44836 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2015.05.022"
- Description: The optical behavior of bis-{2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-(tetrapyridin-4-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} lanthanum (III) (2) and its ytterbium (3) counterpart in dimethyl sulfoxide are presented and compared to bis-{1(4), 8(11), 15(18), 22(25)-(tetrapyridin-4-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} ytterbium (III) (4). We report on the third-order susceptibility, second-order hyperpolarizability and the limiting threshold values. The nonlinear optical limiting threshold values of complexes 2, 3 and 4 showed improvement in the solid state (thin films), with complex 4 giving the best value at 0.033 J cm−2.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The nocturnal larvae of a specialist folivore perform better on C hromolaena odorata leaves from a shaded environment
- Authors: Osariyekemwen O. Uyi , Costas Zachariades , Hill, Martin P , Conlong, Desmond
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424855 , vital:72189 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12321"
- Description: Increasing evidence suggests that individuals of the same plant species occurring in different micro-habitats often show a degree of phenotypic and phytochemical variation. Consequently, insect herbivores associated with such plant species must deal with environment-mediated changes or variability in the traits of their host plants. In this study, we examined the effects of habitat condition (shadedvs. full-sun habitats) on plant traits and leaf characteristics of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaenaodorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae). In addition, the performance was evaluated in two generations of a specialist folivore, Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), on leaves obtained from both shaded and full-sun habitats. The study was done in an area where the insect was introduced as a biological control agent. Leaves growing in shade were less tough, had higher water and nitrogen content, and lower total non-structural carbohydrate, compared with leaves growing in full sun. Plants growing in shade had longer leaves and were taller, but above-ground biomass was significantly reduced compared with plants growing in full sun. In both generations (parents and offspring), P. insulata developed faster and had larger pupal mass, increased growth rate, and higher fecundity when reared on shaded foliage compared with full-sun foliage. Although immature survival and adult longevity did not differ between habitats, Maw’s host suitability index indicated that shaded leaves were more suitable for the growth and reproduction of P. insulata. We suggest that the benefits obtained by P.insulata feeding on shaded foliage are associated with reduced toughness and enhanced nitrogen and water content of leaves. These results demonstrate that light-mediated changes in plant traits and leaf characteristics can affect insect folivore performance.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The natural history and conservation of Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in South African waters
- Authors: Plön, Stephanie , Cockcroft, Victor G , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68207 , vital:29219 , https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2015.08.005
- Description: Publisher version , Although most knowledge on the biology of Sousa plumbea has primarily come from South African waters, a number of research gaps remain on the natural history and status of the species in the region. Research on two populations in South African waters for which some historical data exist may aid in highlighting long-term changes in the biology and natural history of this little known coastal delphinid. Recent studies on the age, growth and reproduction of animals incidentally caught in shark nets in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, yielded a lower maximum age estimate of 24 (previously 46) growth-layer-groups (GLGs), sexual maturity of 7.5 and 8 GLGs in males and females (previously 12–13 and 10 GLGs, respectively), an ovulation rate of 0.2 and a 5-year calving interval (previously 0.3 and 3-year calving interval) than previously reported. These differences may be due to a difference in the interpretation of GLGs between observers or a predominance of young males being caught in the shark nets. Stomach content analysis revealed a change in the relative proportions of the main prey items over the past 25 years, but no difference in species richness or diversity was found between the sexes. No change in trophic level was recorded between 1972 and 2009. Field studies in Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, conducted 16 years apart indicated a decline in the mean group size (from 7 to 3 animals), a decline in the maximum group size (from 24 to 13 animals), an increase in solitary individuals (15.4–36%), and a change in behaviour from predominantly foraging (64–18%) to mainly travelling (24–49%). The observed changes are suggestive of a change in food availability, resulting in a range shift or a potential decline in numbers. These studies indicate the importance of long-term studies to monitor population changes and their possible causes. A number of threats, such as shark nets, pollution (noise and chemical), and coastal development and disturbance, to the humpback dolphin populations in South Africa have been identified. Urgent action is required to ensure continued existence of the species in South African waters.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The metabolism and environmental fate of the cyanobacterial neurotoxin Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine
- Authors: Downing, Simoné
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cyanobacteria , Neurotoxic agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4225 , vital:20569
- Description: The neurotoxic amino acid β-‐N-‐methylamino-Lalanine (BMAA)is present in environmentally ubiquitous cyanobacteria and bioaccumulates and biomagnifies within the environment. The implication of BMAA in the development of neurodegenerative disease has raised concerns over the potential risk of human exposure to this neurotoxin, and has focussed attention on identifying possible routes of exposure that include direct contact with cyanobacteria and the ingestion of BMAA-‐containing plant and animal products.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The meaning of success : perspectives of family business owners using word associations
- Authors: Scheepers, Jessica
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises , Success , Association tests , Content analysis (Communication)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9308 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018512
- Description: Despite family business researchers having worked towards an understanding of how family businesses obtain success or achieve satisfaction, much confusion and debate on how to define success still exist in the field. It is suggested that defining success in terms of a family business is problematic because even family members themselves have varying perceptions of success. This confusion and debate has in recent years led to an increase in research concerning the meaning of success in the context of family businesses. Defining success is necessary, because if family businesses do not know what success means and what they are working towards, they will not know what decisions to make in order to be successful. Against this background, the primary objective of this study was to establish the perceptions of the concept of success among family business owners. For the purpose of this study, a mixed methodology was adopted because the data was collected using a qualitative method but analysed using a quantitative method. This study used a free word association test – which is a qualitative projective technique – to collect the data, which was then analysed by means of summative manifest content analysis which is a quantitative research method. Convenience sampling was used to identify small business owners to undergo the word association tests. By means of these tests, 811 words/phrases were generated by the 50 small non-family and 51 small family business owners who participated in the study. Theoretical, data, investigator and methodological triangulation was used to ensure the validity of the study whereas credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability and authenticity were applied to ensure its reliability. A coding framework was developed and several analyses were undertaken to summarise the data. The nature and position of the words/phrases recalled as well as the most frequently occurring words/phrases recalled were reported on. To determine whether significant differences exist between the different sample groups, Chi-square statistics were calculated to ascertain statistical significance and Craemer’s V statistics to establish practical significance. The findings of this study show that small non-family business owners mostly associate business success with non-financial indicators. These non-family business owners perceive a successful small business as one that is customer-focused, provides quality service and is characterised by discipline, drive and determination. Similarly, the findings show that the small family business owners participating in this study mostly associate family business success with words/phrases of a non-financial nature. The family business owners perceived a successful family business as one where, in addition to financial returns, discipline, drive and determination, as well as trust, honesty and hard work prevail. Even though both non-family and family business owner participants mostly recalled words/phrases of a non-financial nature, non-family business owners were mainly concerned with being customer-focused and proving quality, whereas family business owners focused more on values such as discipline, drive and determination as well as trust and honesty. Based on the perceptions of success among family business owners, a workable definition of “family business success” was formulated. Family business owners mainly perceive a successful family business as one where, in addition to financial returns, values such as discipline, drive and determination as well as trust, honesty and hard work prevail in the organisational culture of their businesses. Investigating the meaning of success in the field of family business has become a topic of growing interest. This study is one of the first in South Africa to adopt a qualitative dominant approach in attempting to overcome the lack of consensus, as well as to gain greater clarity regarding the way in which success is defined by family businesses. It is hoped that the results of this study will provide family business owners as well as practitioners and researchers in the field with a better understanding of what family business success entails. This understanding offers the potential to guide and improve goal-setting and strategic processes by family businesses, resulting in fewer family business failures and ultimately improving the South African economy.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The meaning of expenditure actually incurred in the context of share-based payments for trading stock or services rendered
- Authors: Nguta, Mbulelo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South African Revenue Service , Labat Africa , Stocks -- Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions for expenses , Income tax -- Accounting -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Actions and defenses
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:920 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018661
- Description: Section 11(a) of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 entitles taxpayers to a deduction in respect of expenditure actually incurred, provided that all the other requirements of section 11 and section 23 of the Act have been met. A company may issue its own shares, credited as fully paid up, as a payment for trading stock or services rendered, as was the case in C:SARS v Labat Africa (2011) 74 SATC 1. The question that was raised by this decision is whether the issue of shares constitutes “expenditure” as contemplated in section 11(a) of the Act. It is trite that a share in a company is a bundle of rights which entitle the holder to dividends when declared and to a vote in shareholders’ meetings and that a share does not come into the hands of a shareholder by way of transfer from the company, but is rather created as a bundle of rights for him in the company. In C: SARS v Labat Africa, the Supreme Court of Appeal decided that to issue shares as a payment for goods is not expenditure as contemplated in section 11(a) of the Act. The Act does not define “expenditure”. It has been interpreted in certain cases as a payment of money or disbursement, while it has been interpreted as the undertaking of a legal obligation in other cases. The Labat Africa case has been criticised for its interpretation of expenditure on the grounds that it is contrary to the principle that “actually incurred” does not mean “actually paid”. This research has argued that, in the context of the Labat Africa case, which related to an issue of shares in payment for goods, Harms AP’s judgment was concerned with showing why a share issue is not expenditure. He could not have intended to deny a deduction to transactions such as credit purchases.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The management of court records in magistrate court: a case of Middledrift Magistrate Court, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mafu, N V
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020172
- Description: This study investigates the role of records management in the functioning of Magistrates courts in the Eastern Cape using Middledrift Magistrate court as a case study. The objectives were to determine types of records created, received and used at MMC, to describe the available infrastructure, security and preservation for the management of court records in MMC and to identify the obstacles encountered in management of court records at MMC. Forty respondents selected randomly and purposively were interviewed. The research findings showed that MMC creates, receives and maintains many court records, MMC is aware of the importance of managing court records from their creation to disposal, there are storages for semi- current and non-current records although there is lack infrastructure for managing court records. The study also revealed that there were occasional misplacement of court records, there was no case file tracking system and the security of records was satisfactory. This study recommends that MCC must have adequate storage space, training for the personnel and security systems to protect court records.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The listening train: A collaborative, connective aesthetics approach to transgressive social learning
- Authors: McGarry, Dylan K
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/371023 , vital:66404 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/137658"
- Description: This paper explores a personal iterative retrospective of a series of expansive social-learning processes that were collaboratively developed through practice-based enquiry across 17 South African towns/contexts. This reflexive narrative explores the development of a ‘Climate Train’, a mobile social-learning platform, that was conceived and created through a collaborative social movement of ‘cultural practitioners’ ranging from visual artists, poets, film-makers, theatre-makers, guerrilla-gardeners, musicians, facilitators, to educational researchers, among others, who created new ‘connective aesthetic’ social spaces for dialogue and exchange. Drawing from a variety of artistic genres, including but not limited to theatre and social sculpture (an expanded concept of public/participatory art), I reflect on the formative, foundational qualities of these approaches and share insights into social-learning praxis that emerged on the tracks. Of primary focus is the use of aesthetic praxis as a means that transforms how we engage with our inner capacities as well as how we develop our relational sensibilities. Key findings include the vital role of connective aesthetics in establishing imaginal thinking, moral intuition, empathy, participative parity, and emergence, and how these are important for transformation and establishing new capacities for ecological/global citizenship and collaborative intelligence.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The law of divorce and dissolution of life partnerships in South Africa: book review
- Authors: Kruuse, Helen
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54129 , vital:26394 , http://scholar.ufs.ac.za:8080/xmlui/handle/11660/2454
- Description: Jackie Heaton’s latest contribution to the family law domain is formidable – 777 pages of carefully crafted opinions and discussions of the law affecting divorce and dissolution of life partnerships. Given the range, diversity and depth of issues in this area, it is no wonder that she calls on those being among the best in their field to assist her in writing up the book.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The landscape of childhood: play and place as tools to understanding children’s enviromental use and perceptions
- Authors: Alexander, Jamie K , Cocks, Michelle L , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141165 , vital:37949 , DOI: 10.1007/s10745-015-9755-z
- Description: Research has shown that children are the greatest users of natural areas and that childhood experiences strongly shape adults’ environmental values. This project was designed to ascertain children’s environmental uses and perceptions in two rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, utilising children’s use of the environment for play and their sense of place as key focus areas. Several factors influenced children’s environmental use, including safety fears, increased consumption of western media and environmental restrictions imposed by the state, revealing how South Africa’s high level of violence against women and children contributes to gendered environmental use and knowledge, and bringing about concern for children’s cultural identity in an increasingly westernised world.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The isolation, genetic characterisation and biological activity of a South African Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV-SA) for the control of the Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)
- Authors: Jukes, Michael David
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Potato tuberworm , Potatoes -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Baculoviruses , Natural pesticides , Biological pest control agents , Potato tuberworm -- Biological control , Restriction enzymes, DNA
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4147 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017908
- Description: The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a major pest of potato crops worldwide causing significant damage to both field and stored tubers. The current control method in South Africa involves chemical insecticides, however, there is growing concern on the health and environmental risks of their use. The development of novel biopesticide based control methods may offer a potential solution for the future of insecticides. In this study a baculovirus was successfully isolated from a laboratory population of P. operculella. Transmission electron micrographs revealed granulovirus-like particles. DNA was extracted from recovered occlusion bodies and used for the PCR amplification of the lef-8, lef-9, granulin and egt genes. Sequence data was obtained and submitted to BLAST identifying the virus as a South African isolate of Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV-SA). Phylogenetic analysis of the lef-8, lef-9 and granulin amino acid sequences grouped the South African isolate with PhopGV-1346. Comparison of egt sequence data identified PhopGV-SA as a type II egt gene. A phylogenetic analysis of egt amino acid sequences grouped all type II genes, including PhopGV-SA, into a separate clade from types I, III, IV and V. These findings suggest that type II may represent the prototype structure for this gene with the evolution of types I, III and IV a result of large internal deletion events and subsequent divergence. PhopGV-SA was also shown to be genetically more similar to South American isolates (i.e. PhopGV-CHI or PhopGV-INDO) than it is to other African isolates, suggesting that the South African isolate originated from South America. Restriction endonuclease profiles of PhopGV-SA were similar to those of PhopGV-1346 and PhopGV-JLZ9f for the enzymes BamHI, HindIII, NruI and NdeI. A preliminary full genome sequence for PhopGV-SA was determined and compared to PhopGV-136 with some gene variation observed (i.e. odv-e66 and vp91/p95). The biological activity of PhopGV-SA against P. operculella neonate larvae was evaluated with an estimated LC₅₀ of 1.87×10⁸ OBs.ml⁻¹ being determined. This study therefore reports the characterisation of a novel South African PhopGV isolate which could potentially be developed into a biopesticide for the control of P. operculella.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The isolation, characterisation and chemotaxonomic significance of secondary metabolites from selected South African Laurencia spp. Rhodophyta
- Authors: Fakee, Jameel
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64696 , vital:28593
- Description: Bioprospection of marine organisms as a potential source for lead drugs is becoming increasingly popular. The secondary metabolome of these organisms consists of structurally diverse molecules possessing unprecedented carbon skeletons, the biosynthesis of which occurs via complex metabolomic pathways driven by specialist enzymes. This structural novelty is highly influential on the favourable bioactivity these compounds display. A prominent example of such a compound is trabectedin marketed as Yondelis®. Registered for the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas, this marine drug was developed from extracts of the tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata. South Africa is renowned for possessing a highly diverse marine biota including several endemic species of marine red algae belonging to the Laurencia sensu stricto genus, which falls within the Laurencia complex. Despite having a good reputation for fascinating secondary metabolites, the taxonomy of Laurencia natural products is proving challenging for reasons including the presence of cryptic species, as well as individual species displaying morphological variability. The aim of this study was thus to isolate secondary metabolites from various South African Laurencia spp. and subsequently assess their chemotaxonomic significance by analysis of a parallel plastid rbcL phylogeny study of Laurencia spp. This study reports the first phycochemical investigation into Laurencia natalensis Kylin, Laurencia cf. corymbosa J.Agardh, Laurencia complanata (Suhr) Kützing, Laurencia sodwaniensis Francis, Bolton, Mattio and Anderson submitted, Laurencia multiclavata Francis, Bolton, Mattio and Anderson submitted, and a South African specimen of Laurenciella marilzae Gil-Rodríguez, Sentíes, Díaz-Larrea, Cassano and M.T. Fujii (basionym: Laurencia marilzae) originally described from Spain. Additionally, the chemical profiles of previously explored species Laurencia flexuosa Kützing and Laurencia glomerata Kützing were re-investigated. The organic extracts of the above species afforded 31 compounds belonging to a wide array of structural classes including halo-chamigranes, linear C15 acetogenins, indole alkaloids, cuparanes and cyclic bromo-ethers. A new tri-cyclic keto-cuparane (4.4) was isolated from L.cf. corymbosa alongside the new cuparanes 4.1 and 4.7. Algoane (5.9), a unique marker compound isolated from L. natalensis, was previously only reported from a sea-hare. Such marker compounds which are exclusive to an individual algal species increase the ease of their subsequent identification. The feasibility of chemotaxonomy as an additional tool to classify Laurencia spp. Was established as broad predictions of a specimen’s phylogeny, based on representatives of its secondary metabolome, proved viable. The study specimens were shown to possess similar chemical profiles to their sister species e.g. L. complanata, L. sodwaniensis and L. multiclavata produced similar metabolites to their sister species as inferred by an rbcL phylogeny tree. Finally, a 1H NMR profiling study on the crude organic extracts of various Laurencia spp. generated distinctive, reproducible spectra, exposing the value of NMR spectroscopy as a rudimentary species discernment tool.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The investigation of perceptions of professional nurses regarding care of mental health care users in a general hospital setting
- Authors: Manona-Nkanjeni, Nonkanyiso Yvonne
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020200
- Description: This study sought to explore the perceptions of professional nurses regarding care of stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. A qualitative, explanatory, descriptive and contextual design was used for the study. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select 12 participants from the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The services of an independent interviewer were used to avoid any bias as interviews took place where the researcher is employed. The services of an editor were also used for language control (see Annexure H). The researcher repeatedly listened to the tapes used for data collection until completely satisfied with the interpretation of verbatim data. The research study was conducted in an ethically reflective manner and trustworthiness was ensured at all times. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: fear, stigma, myths and training. The researcher utilised the services of an independent coder who verified the identified major themes. The findings revealed that participants were fearful due to lack of knowledge, experience and psychiatric nursing skills. Participants feared because they lack knowledge about psychiatric medication and because mental health care users may have relapse. The participants also attached a stigma to mental health care users, which resulted in poor communication between participants and the stabilised mental health care user; a negative attitude towards mental health care users; and non-acceptance. Participants believed in myths about mental illness; they regarded it as contagious; and perceived mental health care users as dangerous. The participants strongly recommended that training should be provided to improve their knowledge and skills to enable them to care for stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. The following should be facilitated: in-service training; adoption of a positive attitude; dispersal of myths and fear; education about referral systems; and allocation of specialist psychiatric nurses to medical wards for referral purposes with regard to complicated cases.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The intersection of culture and gender in constructions of ukuzila’ (spousal mourning) among AmaXhosa in the Eastern Cape:
- Authors: Ngqangweni, Hlonelwa , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143615 , vital:38267 , https://ischp.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ischp_2015_abstract_booklet.pdf
- Description: Mourning is a universal and culturally specific practice following the death of a significant other. The Xhosa equivalent of the mourning process is ukuzila. Very little has been written on the subject of ukuzila in spite of the detrimental effects of the practice on the widows’ health and safety, as well as the discriminatory nature of the practice. This paper presents the findings of a discourse analytic qualitative study conducted among isiXhosa speaking men and women in South Africa. The study revealed ukuzila as a practice put in place to show respect to the deceased. However, the showing of respect revealed a historically gendered cultural practice, imbued with power relations and centred on ‘visibility’. In light of this finding, the authors propose further research which includes exploring people’s willingness to change to a non-gendered practice of ukuzila, and alternate expressions of ukuzila that suit women rather than ‘culture’ and society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015