“The Two Cultures reunited: entomology for everyone”
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Audio , text
- Identifier: vital:587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018947
- Description: Fifty years ago C.P. Snow delivered his essay, "The Two Cultures", sparking the schism between the Humanities and the Sciences. This lecture explores cultural entomology as a means of reconciling two other cultures: academia and society, and suggests one way of addressing this alienating dilemma.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Audio , text
- Identifier: vital:587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018947
- Description: Fifty years ago C.P. Snow delivered his essay, "The Two Cultures", sparking the schism between the Humanities and the Sciences. This lecture explores cultural entomology as a means of reconciling two other cultures: academia and society, and suggests one way of addressing this alienating dilemma.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Vocational language learning and how it relates to language policy issues
- Authors: Maseko, Pamela
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Language policy -- South Africa Language and education -- South Africa Language and languages -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa Multilingualism -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa Vocational education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002158
- Description: This research explores issues relating to language policy, and language learning and teaching. It further looks at the relationship that exists between language policy and language learning and teaching. In the research I argue that well-thought out and well-meaning language policies will fail to be implemented meaningfully if there is no clear and unambiguous implementation plan. I also note that the national vision and ideals which are often embodied in the language policy fail to take effect if, again, there is no comprehensive implementation plan. This view is held by many scholars and researchers in the areas of language policy and planning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Maseko, Pamela
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Language policy -- South Africa Language and education -- South Africa Language and languages -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa Multilingualism -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa Vocational education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002158
- Description: This research explores issues relating to language policy, and language learning and teaching. It further looks at the relationship that exists between language policy and language learning and teaching. In the research I argue that well-thought out and well-meaning language policies will fail to be implemented meaningfully if there is no clear and unambiguous implementation plan. I also note that the national vision and ideals which are often embodied in the language policy fail to take effect if, again, there is no comprehensive implementation plan. This view is held by many scholars and researchers in the areas of language policy and planning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Variability analysis of a sample of potential southern calibration sources
- Authors: Hungwe, Faith
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Southern sky (Astronomy) Radio sources (Astronomy) Active galactic nuclei Very Long Baseline Array (Telescopes) Calibration Radio telescopes -- Southern Hemisphere Radio astronomy -- Southern Hemisphere Radio interferometers Very long baseline interferometry Radio astronomy -- Observations Radio astronomy -- South Africa Radio telescopes -- South Africa Square Kilometer Array (Spacecraft)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5495 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005281
- Description: A considerable number of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) surveys have been conducted in the northern hemisphere and very few in the southern hemisphere mostly because of a lack of telescopes and therefore adequate baseline coverage. Thus there is a deficit of calibrator sources in the southern hemisphere. Further, some of the most interesting astronomical objects eg. the galactic centre and the nearest galaxies (the small and large Magellanic Clouds) lie in the southern hemisphere and these require high resolution studies. With a major expansion of radio astronomy observing capability on its way in the southern hemisphere (with the two SKA (Square Kilometre Array) precursors, meerKAT (Karoo Array Telescope) and ASKAP (Australian SKA Pathfinder), leading to the SKA itself) it is clear that interferometry and VLBI in the southern hemisphere need a dense network of calibration sources at different resolutions and a range of frequencies. This work seeks to help redress this problem by presenting an analysis of 31 southern sources to help fill the gaps in the southern hemisphere calibrator distribution. We have developed a multi-parameter method of classifying these sources as calibrators. From our sample of 31 sources, we have 2 class A sources (Excellent calibrators), 16 class B sources (Good calibrators), 9 class C sources (Poor calibrators) and 4 class D sources (Unsuitable calibrators).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hungwe, Faith
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Southern sky (Astronomy) Radio sources (Astronomy) Active galactic nuclei Very Long Baseline Array (Telescopes) Calibration Radio telescopes -- Southern Hemisphere Radio astronomy -- Southern Hemisphere Radio interferometers Very long baseline interferometry Radio astronomy -- Observations Radio astronomy -- South Africa Radio telescopes -- South Africa Square Kilometer Array (Spacecraft)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5495 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005281
- Description: A considerable number of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) surveys have been conducted in the northern hemisphere and very few in the southern hemisphere mostly because of a lack of telescopes and therefore adequate baseline coverage. Thus there is a deficit of calibrator sources in the southern hemisphere. Further, some of the most interesting astronomical objects eg. the galactic centre and the nearest galaxies (the small and large Magellanic Clouds) lie in the southern hemisphere and these require high resolution studies. With a major expansion of radio astronomy observing capability on its way in the southern hemisphere (with the two SKA (Square Kilometre Array) precursors, meerKAT (Karoo Array Telescope) and ASKAP (Australian SKA Pathfinder), leading to the SKA itself) it is clear that interferometry and VLBI in the southern hemisphere need a dense network of calibration sources at different resolutions and a range of frequencies. This work seeks to help redress this problem by presenting an analysis of 31 southern sources to help fill the gaps in the southern hemisphere calibrator distribution. We have developed a multi-parameter method of classifying these sources as calibrators. From our sample of 31 sources, we have 2 class A sources (Excellent calibrators), 16 class B sources (Good calibrators), 9 class C sources (Poor calibrators) and 4 class D sources (Unsuitable calibrators).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Using the van Hiele theory to analyse geometrical conceptualisation in grade 12 students: a Namibian perspective
- Authors: Mateya, Muhongo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hiele, Pierre M. van Hiele-Geldof, Dina van Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1820 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003706
- Description: The study reported here utilised a theory of levels of geometric thinking. This theory was proposed and developed by two Dutch mathematics educators, Pierre van Hiele and his wife, Dina van Hiele-Geldof. The van Hiele theory enables investigations into why many students experience difficulties in learning geometry. In many nations, such as the UK, the USA, Netherlands, the USSR and to a certain extent, Nigeria and South Africa, research evidence has indicated that the overall students’ mathematical competencies are linked to their geometric thinking levels. This study is the first of its kind to apply the van Hiele theory of geometric thinking in the Namibian context to analyse geometrical conceptualisation in Grade 12 mathematics students. In all, 50 Grade 12 students (20 from School A and 30 from School B) were involved in this study. These students wrote a van Hiele Geometry Test adapted from the Cognitive Development and Achievement in Secondary School Geometry test items. Thereafter, a clinical interview with the aid of manipulatives was conducted. The results from this study indicated that many of the School A and School B students who participated in the research have a weak conceptual understanding of geometric concepts: 35% of the School A and 40% of the School B subsamples were at the prerecognition level. 25% and 30% of the School A, and 20% and 23.3% of the School B students were at van Hiele levels 1 and 2 respectively. An equal number of students but different in percentages, 2 (10%) in School A and 2 (6.7%) in School B, were at van Hiele level 3. Only one student from School B attained van Hiele level 4. These results were found to be consistent with those of previous similar studies in UK, USA, Nigeria and South Africa. The findings of this study also highlight issues of how the Namibian Grade 12 geometry syllabus should be aligned with the van Hiele levels of geometric thinking as well as the use of appropriate and correct language in geometrical thinking and problem solving.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mateya, Muhongo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hiele, Pierre M. van Hiele-Geldof, Dina van Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1820 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003706
- Description: The study reported here utilised a theory of levels of geometric thinking. This theory was proposed and developed by two Dutch mathematics educators, Pierre van Hiele and his wife, Dina van Hiele-Geldof. The van Hiele theory enables investigations into why many students experience difficulties in learning geometry. In many nations, such as the UK, the USA, Netherlands, the USSR and to a certain extent, Nigeria and South Africa, research evidence has indicated that the overall students’ mathematical competencies are linked to their geometric thinking levels. This study is the first of its kind to apply the van Hiele theory of geometric thinking in the Namibian context to analyse geometrical conceptualisation in Grade 12 mathematics students. In all, 50 Grade 12 students (20 from School A and 30 from School B) were involved in this study. These students wrote a van Hiele Geometry Test adapted from the Cognitive Development and Achievement in Secondary School Geometry test items. Thereafter, a clinical interview with the aid of manipulatives was conducted. The results from this study indicated that many of the School A and School B students who participated in the research have a weak conceptual understanding of geometric concepts: 35% of the School A and 40% of the School B subsamples were at the prerecognition level. 25% and 30% of the School A, and 20% and 23.3% of the School B students were at van Hiele levels 1 and 2 respectively. An equal number of students but different in percentages, 2 (10%) in School A and 2 (6.7%) in School B, were at van Hiele level 3. Only one student from School B attained van Hiele level 4. These results were found to be consistent with those of previous similar studies in UK, USA, Nigeria and South Africa. The findings of this study also highlight issues of how the Namibian Grade 12 geometry syllabus should be aligned with the van Hiele levels of geometric thinking as well as the use of appropriate and correct language in geometrical thinking and problem solving.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Using semantic knowledge to improve compression on log files
- Authors: Otten, Frederick John
- Date: 2009 , 2008-11-19
- Subjects: Computer networks , Data compression (Computer science) , Semantics--Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4650 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006619 , Computer networks , Data compression (Computer science) , Semantics--Data processing
- Description: With the move towards global and multi-national companies, information technology infrastructure requirements are increasing. As the size of these computer networks increases, it becomes more and more difficult to monitor, control, and secure them. Networks consist of a number of diverse devices, sensors, and gateways which are often spread over large geographical areas. Each of these devices produce log files which need to be analysed and monitored to provide network security and satisfy regulations. Data compression programs such as gzip and bzip2 are commonly used to reduce the quantity of data for archival purposes after the log files have been rotated. However, there are many other compression programs which exist - each with their own advantages and disadvantages. These programs each use a different amount of memory and take different compression and decompression times to achieve different compression ratios. System log files also contain redundancy which is not necessarily exploited by standard compression programs. Log messages usually use a similar format with a defined syntax. In the log files, all the ASCII characters are not used and the messages contain certain "phrases" which often repeated. This thesis investigates the use of compression as a means of data reduction and how the use of semantic knowledge can improve data compression (also applying results to different scenarios that can occur in a distributed computing environment). It presents the results of a series of tests performed on different log files. It also examines the semantic knowledge which exists in maillog files and how it can be exploited to improve the compression results. The results from a series of text preprocessors which exploit this knowledge are presented and evaluated. These preprocessors include: one which replaces the timestamps and IP addresses with their binary equivalents and one which replaces words from a dictionary with unused ASCII characters. In this thesis, data compression is shown to be an effective method of data reduction producing up to 98 percent reduction in filesize on a corpus of log files. The use of preprocessors which exploit semantic knowledge results in up to 56 percent improvement in overall compression time and up to 32 percent reduction in compressed size. , TeX , pdfTeX-1.40.3
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Otten, Frederick John
- Date: 2009 , 2008-11-19
- Subjects: Computer networks , Data compression (Computer science) , Semantics--Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4650 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006619 , Computer networks , Data compression (Computer science) , Semantics--Data processing
- Description: With the move towards global and multi-national companies, information technology infrastructure requirements are increasing. As the size of these computer networks increases, it becomes more and more difficult to monitor, control, and secure them. Networks consist of a number of diverse devices, sensors, and gateways which are often spread over large geographical areas. Each of these devices produce log files which need to be analysed and monitored to provide network security and satisfy regulations. Data compression programs such as gzip and bzip2 are commonly used to reduce the quantity of data for archival purposes after the log files have been rotated. However, there are many other compression programs which exist - each with their own advantages and disadvantages. These programs each use a different amount of memory and take different compression and decompression times to achieve different compression ratios. System log files also contain redundancy which is not necessarily exploited by standard compression programs. Log messages usually use a similar format with a defined syntax. In the log files, all the ASCII characters are not used and the messages contain certain "phrases" which often repeated. This thesis investigates the use of compression as a means of data reduction and how the use of semantic knowledge can improve data compression (also applying results to different scenarios that can occur in a distributed computing environment). It presents the results of a series of tests performed on different log files. It also examines the semantic knowledge which exists in maillog files and how it can be exploited to improve the compression results. The results from a series of text preprocessors which exploit this knowledge are presented and evaluated. These preprocessors include: one which replaces the timestamps and IP addresses with their binary equivalents and one which replaces words from a dictionary with unused ASCII characters. In this thesis, data compression is shown to be an effective method of data reduction producing up to 98 percent reduction in filesize on a corpus of log files. The use of preprocessors which exploit semantic knowledge results in up to 56 percent improvement in overall compression time and up to 32 percent reduction in compressed size. , TeX , pdfTeX-1.40.3
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Unearthed : personifications of widowhood and acts of memory : volume 1 and 2
- Authors: Arbi, Linda Margaret
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Widowhood -- Social aspects -- South Africa Widowhood -- Social aspects -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Widows in art -- South Africa Widows in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Memory in art -- South Africa Memory in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002225
- Description: By researching visual traditions of representing widows in relation to a social role, I explore how these may be related to processes of mourning and memory. My study begins with an historical reading and, along with an analysis of Renaissance widow portraiture, I trace the experiences of widows in the Cape of Good Hope. For the purposes of this thesis, I have selected images of widows to investigate memory-work particularly when speaking of loss. I re-view these memory processes through recent historical and art historical discourse with reference to contemporary South African artworks in order to understand how public memory is formed by way of visual documentation. These narratives around widowhood have informed the subject matter for my Master’s exhibition and shed light on my own experience as a widow. The interaction between objects and memory are of particular interest and manifest in my studio art practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Arbi, Linda Margaret
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Widowhood -- Social aspects -- South Africa Widowhood -- Social aspects -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Widows in art -- South Africa Widows in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Memory in art -- South Africa Memory in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002225
- Description: By researching visual traditions of representing widows in relation to a social role, I explore how these may be related to processes of mourning and memory. My study begins with an historical reading and, along with an analysis of Renaissance widow portraiture, I trace the experiences of widows in the Cape of Good Hope. For the purposes of this thesis, I have selected images of widows to investigate memory-work particularly when speaking of loss. I re-view these memory processes through recent historical and art historical discourse with reference to contemporary South African artworks in order to understand how public memory is formed by way of visual documentation. These narratives around widowhood have informed the subject matter for my Master’s exhibition and shed light on my own experience as a widow. The interaction between objects and memory are of particular interest and manifest in my studio art practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding the differences in marking performance of JSC mathematics markers in Namibia : a case study
- Authors: Mutuku, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Educational change -- Namibia , Mathematics -- Namibia -- Examinations -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia -- Case studies , Grading and marking (Students) -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015223
- Description: Education reform in Namibia brought about changes to mathematics education since independence. This has put pressure on the government to provide both resources and qualified mathematics teachers to help drive the reform process in all teaching and learning activities. This included availing reliable and valid national examination results which is a measure of whether the newly introduced programmes are working or not. For the Ministry of Education this meant training more mathematics teachers and ensuring that competent and reliable teachers are appointed for marking national examination every year. The teachers' training process however, has not been going as fast as it was expected and year after year the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment experienced problems in obtaining competent teachers for the marking of national examination. The purpose of the study was to understand the differences in marking performances of the JSC mathematics national examination markers. Particularly the study was to create a clear and detailed understanding of different factors that could possibly affect the marking performance of different markers. In addition, the study was to investigate the effect the mathematical content knowledge of the markers has on their marking performance. It was evident from the findings that their mathematical content knowledge had influenced their marking performance. Moreover the research findings also gave a strong indication that there are other factors that were influencing the markers marking performance. These were the markers' knowledge of the assessment and marking process, the markers' marking experience, the markers' socioeconomic background. The difference in their moderators' input has emerged as the other factors that have influenced their performance in marking and consequently contributed to the differences in their marking performances.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mutuku, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Educational change -- Namibia , Mathematics -- Namibia -- Examinations -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia -- Case studies , Grading and marking (Students) -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015223
- Description: Education reform in Namibia brought about changes to mathematics education since independence. This has put pressure on the government to provide both resources and qualified mathematics teachers to help drive the reform process in all teaching and learning activities. This included availing reliable and valid national examination results which is a measure of whether the newly introduced programmes are working or not. For the Ministry of Education this meant training more mathematics teachers and ensuring that competent and reliable teachers are appointed for marking national examination every year. The teachers' training process however, has not been going as fast as it was expected and year after year the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment experienced problems in obtaining competent teachers for the marking of national examination. The purpose of the study was to understand the differences in marking performances of the JSC mathematics national examination markers. Particularly the study was to create a clear and detailed understanding of different factors that could possibly affect the marking performance of different markers. In addition, the study was to investigate the effect the mathematical content knowledge of the markers has on their marking performance. It was evident from the findings that their mathematical content knowledge had influenced their marking performance. Moreover the research findings also gave a strong indication that there are other factors that were influencing the markers marking performance. These were the markers' knowledge of the assessment and marking process, the markers' marking experience, the markers' socioeconomic background. The difference in their moderators' input has emerged as the other factors that have influenced their performance in marking and consequently contributed to the differences in their marking performances.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding the complexity of metabolic regulatory systems an investigation into the regulation of hydantoin-hydrolysis in Pseudomonas putida RU-KM3s
- Authors: De la Mare, Jo-Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004053 , Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Description: It has been well-established that Pseudomonas species possess extremely versatile metabolic systems allowing them to utilise a wide range of nutrient sources and, furthermore, that the regulation of these enzyme systems involves highly evolved and sophisticated regulatory machinery. This study examined the complexity of metabolic regulation in Pseudomonas using the hydantoin-hydrolysing system of the environmental isolate, Pseudomonas putida RU-KM3s. In this system, the genes encoding dihydropyrimidinase and β-ureidopropionase (dhp and bup) are arranged divergently on the chromosome, separated by a 616 bp intergenic region involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes. The focus was on the transcriptional regulation of dhp expression. DHP activity was found to be sensitive to several environmental signals including growth phase, carbon catabolite repression (CCR), substrate induction and quorum sensing (QS). Bioinformatic analysis of the intergenic region upstream of dhp revealed a number of putative binding sites for transcriptional regulators, including recognition sequences for the alternate sigma factors σ54 and σ38, as well as for the global regulators Anr (for anaerobic regulator) and Vfr (for virulence factor regulator). The targeted disruption of the genes encoding the transcriptional regulators, Vfr and the major CCR protein, Crc, resulted in a partial relief from repression for the vfr- mutant under quorum sensing conditions and a general decrease in activity in the crc- mutant. This data suggested that both Vfr and Crc were involved in regulating DHP activity. Mutational analysis of the dhp promoter revealed that at least two sites were involved in regulating transcriptional activity, one which mediated activation and the other repression. These sites were designated as a putative Anr box, situated 232 bp from the start codon of dhp, and a CRP-like binding site, at a position 213 bp upstream of dhp. Taken together, this data shows the involvement of several global regulatory factors in controlling the expression of dhp. A complex synergistic model was proposed for the transcriptional regulation of dhp, involving alternate sigma factors in addition to both global and specific regulators and responding to a number of environmental signals associated with growth phase, including nutrient availability, cell density and oxygen status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: De la Mare, Jo-Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004053 , Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Description: It has been well-established that Pseudomonas species possess extremely versatile metabolic systems allowing them to utilise a wide range of nutrient sources and, furthermore, that the regulation of these enzyme systems involves highly evolved and sophisticated regulatory machinery. This study examined the complexity of metabolic regulation in Pseudomonas using the hydantoin-hydrolysing system of the environmental isolate, Pseudomonas putida RU-KM3s. In this system, the genes encoding dihydropyrimidinase and β-ureidopropionase (dhp and bup) are arranged divergently on the chromosome, separated by a 616 bp intergenic region involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes. The focus was on the transcriptional regulation of dhp expression. DHP activity was found to be sensitive to several environmental signals including growth phase, carbon catabolite repression (CCR), substrate induction and quorum sensing (QS). Bioinformatic analysis of the intergenic region upstream of dhp revealed a number of putative binding sites for transcriptional regulators, including recognition sequences for the alternate sigma factors σ54 and σ38, as well as for the global regulators Anr (for anaerobic regulator) and Vfr (for virulence factor regulator). The targeted disruption of the genes encoding the transcriptional regulators, Vfr and the major CCR protein, Crc, resulted in a partial relief from repression for the vfr- mutant under quorum sensing conditions and a general decrease in activity in the crc- mutant. This data suggested that both Vfr and Crc were involved in regulating DHP activity. Mutational analysis of the dhp promoter revealed that at least two sites were involved in regulating transcriptional activity, one which mediated activation and the other repression. These sites were designated as a putative Anr box, situated 232 bp from the start codon of dhp, and a CRP-like binding site, at a position 213 bp upstream of dhp. Taken together, this data shows the involvement of several global regulatory factors in controlling the expression of dhp. A complex synergistic model was proposed for the transcriptional regulation of dhp, involving alternate sigma factors in addition to both global and specific regulators and responding to a number of environmental signals associated with growth phase, including nutrient availability, cell density and oxygen status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding propaganda: Noam Chomsky and the institutional analysis of power
- Authors: Cathey, Paul Eben
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Chomsky, Noam -- Political and social views Propaganda Gramsci, Antonio, 1891-1937 -- Political and social views Social classes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002975
- Description: This thesis argues that Noam Chomsky’s theory of propaganda is a useful way to understand class domination. The strengths and weaknesses of Chomsky’s theory are examined by means of a comparison with Antonio Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony. Since work that discusses and analyses Chomsky’s theory is sparse, this piece first gives a detailed explanation of his theory. This requires a short clarification of Chomsky’s terminology, focusing on his definitions of indoctrination and class. Thereafter a thorough account of Chomsky’s ideas regarding class structure, the indoctrinating functions of educational and media institutions and the difference between upper and lower class propaganda are discussed. A common criticism of Chomsky’s arguments is that they are conspiratorial. Thus, following the discussion of Chomsky’s theory I present an argument that Chomsky uses an institutional analysis as opposed to conspiracy theory to reach his conclusions. After arguing that Chomsky has a coherent, logical theory of propaganda that is not conspiratorial, this thesis shifts to a comparison of Chomsky and Gramsci’s theory. The elements of Gramsci’s theory that are relevant to Chomsky are discussed, focusing on their overall similarities, in particular, the question of consent. The final chapter consists of a comparison of the two theories, examining each theorist’s ideas on the nature of education, language, consent and the possible ways in which the lower classes can oppose their own oppression.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cathey, Paul Eben
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Chomsky, Noam -- Political and social views Propaganda Gramsci, Antonio, 1891-1937 -- Political and social views Social classes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002975
- Description: This thesis argues that Noam Chomsky’s theory of propaganda is a useful way to understand class domination. The strengths and weaknesses of Chomsky’s theory are examined by means of a comparison with Antonio Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony. Since work that discusses and analyses Chomsky’s theory is sparse, this piece first gives a detailed explanation of his theory. This requires a short clarification of Chomsky’s terminology, focusing on his definitions of indoctrination and class. Thereafter a thorough account of Chomsky’s ideas regarding class structure, the indoctrinating functions of educational and media institutions and the difference between upper and lower class propaganda are discussed. A common criticism of Chomsky’s arguments is that they are conspiratorial. Thus, following the discussion of Chomsky’s theory I present an argument that Chomsky uses an institutional analysis as opposed to conspiracy theory to reach his conclusions. After arguing that Chomsky has a coherent, logical theory of propaganda that is not conspiratorial, this thesis shifts to a comparison of Chomsky and Gramsci’s theory. The elements of Gramsci’s theory that are relevant to Chomsky are discussed, focusing on their overall similarities, in particular, the question of consent. The final chapter consists of a comparison of the two theories, examining each theorist’s ideas on the nature of education, language, consent and the possible ways in which the lower classes can oppose their own oppression.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding form and technique : Andrew Tracey's contribution to knowledge of lamellophone (mbira) music of Southern Africa
- Authors: Gumboreshumba, Laina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Tracey, Andrew T N Ethnomusicology -- Africa Mbira Mbira music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002303
- Description: This thesis interrogates Andrew Tracey’s career as an ethnomusicologist and the significance of his research and publications on lamellophone (mbira) music of the Shona/Sena in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to subsequent scholarship of lamellophones throughout southern Africa. Through a survey of authors who have cited Tracey’s publications, this study assess how his use of the pulse notation transcription method and his theory of form and harmonic structure in mbira music, which he terms ‘the system of the mbira’ (A. Tracey, 1989) have influenced and contributed to the work of ethnomusicologists, musicologists and composers. Further this research evaluates the impact on subsequent publications by other scholars of Tracey's technical analysis of mbira music. Organizing and indexing Andrew Tracey's field collection in the ILAM archive gave direct knowledge of the scope of his work. The thesis consists of six chapters. The first chapter contains a general introduction to the thesis and outlines the goals of the research. Chapter Two presents a biographical sketch of Andrew Tracey. A general introduction to the lamellophone (mbira) family of musical instruments in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa is presented in Chapter Three, which also addresses the social function of lamellophone music. Chapter Four gives a summary of Andrew Tracey’s research on the Shona mbira (his publications, recordings, films etc), and it analyzes his theory - “The system of the mbira” - in which he defines the form and structure of mbira music. Chapter Five examines the impact of Andrew Tracey’s research and publications on mbira music to subsequent scholarship and makes an analysis and evaluation of the significance of his contribution to the body of knowledge of the instrument and its music. In addition I relate my personal experiences with mbira music as a Shona person and mbira player and give my opinions on Tracey’s and subsequent scholars’ theories on mbira music. Chapter Six concludes with a summary of outcomes of this research. Basing on the analyses of presented data, it is deduced that, despite a few shortcomings, Andrew Tracey’s research on mbira music is crucial for it laid the groundwork for subsequent mbira scholarship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gumboreshumba, Laina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Tracey, Andrew T N Ethnomusicology -- Africa Mbira Mbira music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002303
- Description: This thesis interrogates Andrew Tracey’s career as an ethnomusicologist and the significance of his research and publications on lamellophone (mbira) music of the Shona/Sena in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to subsequent scholarship of lamellophones throughout southern Africa. Through a survey of authors who have cited Tracey’s publications, this study assess how his use of the pulse notation transcription method and his theory of form and harmonic structure in mbira music, which he terms ‘the system of the mbira’ (A. Tracey, 1989) have influenced and contributed to the work of ethnomusicologists, musicologists and composers. Further this research evaluates the impact on subsequent publications by other scholars of Tracey's technical analysis of mbira music. Organizing and indexing Andrew Tracey's field collection in the ILAM archive gave direct knowledge of the scope of his work. The thesis consists of six chapters. The first chapter contains a general introduction to the thesis and outlines the goals of the research. Chapter Two presents a biographical sketch of Andrew Tracey. A general introduction to the lamellophone (mbira) family of musical instruments in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa is presented in Chapter Three, which also addresses the social function of lamellophone music. Chapter Four gives a summary of Andrew Tracey’s research on the Shona mbira (his publications, recordings, films etc), and it analyzes his theory - “The system of the mbira” - in which he defines the form and structure of mbira music. Chapter Five examines the impact of Andrew Tracey’s research and publications on mbira music to subsequent scholarship and makes an analysis and evaluation of the significance of his contribution to the body of knowledge of the instrument and its music. In addition I relate my personal experiences with mbira music as a Shona person and mbira player and give my opinions on Tracey’s and subsequent scholars’ theories on mbira music. Chapter Six concludes with a summary of outcomes of this research. Basing on the analyses of presented data, it is deduced that, despite a few shortcomings, Andrew Tracey’s research on mbira music is crucial for it laid the groundwork for subsequent mbira scholarship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Trophodynamics of mesozooplankton in the the vicinity of the subtropical convergence in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean
- Authors: Daly, Ryan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Phytoplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5791 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005479 , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Phytoplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Description: The trophodynamics of the numerically dominant mesozooplankton (200-2000 m) in the vicinity of the Subtropical Convergence (STC) in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean during austral autumn (April / May) 2007 were investigated as part of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem Variability Study. The survey consisted of six north-south transects each bisecting the STC between 38º to 43ºS and 38º to 41º45’E. In total, 48 stations situated at 30 nautical mile intervals were occupied over a period of ten days. Hydrographic data revealed a well defined surface and sub-surface expression of the STC, which appeared to meander considerably between 41ºS and 41º15’S. Surface chlorophyll-a (chla) concentrations were low, ranging between 0.08 and 0.68 mg chl-a.m-3 and were generally dominated by the picophytoplankton (<2 m) which made up 66.6% (SD±17.6) of the total pigment. Chl-a concentrations integrated over the top 150m of the water column ranged between 11.97 and 40.07 mg chl-a.m-2 and showed no significant spatial patterns (p>0.05). Total integrated mesozooplankton abundance and biomass during the study ranged between 3934.9 and 308521.4 ind.m-2 (mean = 47198.19; SD±62411.4 ind.m-2) and between 239.8 and 4614.3 mg Dwt.m-2 (mean = 1338.58; SD ±1060.5), respectively. Again, there were no significant spatial patterns in the total mesozooplankton abundance or biomass within the region of study (p>0.05). No significant correlations were found between biological (chlorophyll-a concentrations and zooplankton abundance) and physico-chemical variables (temperature and salinity) (p>0.05). The total mesozooplankton community was numerically dominated by copepods of the genera Pleuromamma, Calanus, Oncaea and Oithona. Other important representatives of the mesozooplankton community included the tunicate, Salpa thompsoni, and the pteropod, Limacina retroversa. At the 40% similarity level, numerical analysis identified five distinct mesozooplankton groupings within the survey area. Differences between the groupings were associated with changes in the relative contribution of numerically dominant species rather than the presence or absence of individual species. No groupings were associated with any specific feature of the front within the survey area. The feeding rates of the six most numerically abundant mesozooplankton species (Calanus simillimus, Limacina retroversa, Pleuromamma abdominalis, Clausocalanus breviceps, Oncaea conifera, Salpa thompsoni) accounting for on average 39% of the total mesozooplankton counts, were investigated using the gut fluorescence technique. For all species, the total gut pigment contents during the night time were significantly higher than the daytime values (p<0.05 for all species). The gut evacuation rates (k) for selected mesozooplankton ranged between 0.14 and 0.81 h-1. The ingestion rates ranged between 147.8 and 5495.4 ng(pigm)ind-1.day-1 which corresponded to a daily ration of between 2.4 and 10.9% body carbon. The combined grazing impact of the selected species on the daily phytoplankton standing stock was highly variable and ranged between 1.2 and 174.1% with an average of 27.3% (SD±38.78%) within the survey area. The highest grazing impact (>60%) was typically associated with those stations where the pteropod, L. retroversa, and the tunicate, S. thompsoni, contributed more than 5% of the total mesozooplankton counts. No significant differences were found in the grazing impact of any or all selected species situated either north, south or in the immediate vicinity of the front (p>0.05 in all cases). The lack of defined spatial patterns in the mesozooplankton abundance and community structure suggests that the STC did not act as a significant biogeographic barrier to the distribution of mesozooplankton during the study. It is presumed that the large scale mixing event caused by a storm prior to this study was responsible for the observed lack of elevated biological activity within the region of the STC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Daly, Ryan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Phytoplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5791 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005479 , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Phytoplankton -- Antarctic Ocean
- Description: The trophodynamics of the numerically dominant mesozooplankton (200-2000 m) in the vicinity of the Subtropical Convergence (STC) in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean during austral autumn (April / May) 2007 were investigated as part of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem Variability Study. The survey consisted of six north-south transects each bisecting the STC between 38º to 43ºS and 38º to 41º45’E. In total, 48 stations situated at 30 nautical mile intervals were occupied over a period of ten days. Hydrographic data revealed a well defined surface and sub-surface expression of the STC, which appeared to meander considerably between 41ºS and 41º15’S. Surface chlorophyll-a (chla) concentrations were low, ranging between 0.08 and 0.68 mg chl-a.m-3 and were generally dominated by the picophytoplankton (<2 m) which made up 66.6% (SD±17.6) of the total pigment. Chl-a concentrations integrated over the top 150m of the water column ranged between 11.97 and 40.07 mg chl-a.m-2 and showed no significant spatial patterns (p>0.05). Total integrated mesozooplankton abundance and biomass during the study ranged between 3934.9 and 308521.4 ind.m-2 (mean = 47198.19; SD±62411.4 ind.m-2) and between 239.8 and 4614.3 mg Dwt.m-2 (mean = 1338.58; SD ±1060.5), respectively. Again, there were no significant spatial patterns in the total mesozooplankton abundance or biomass within the region of study (p>0.05). No significant correlations were found between biological (chlorophyll-a concentrations and zooplankton abundance) and physico-chemical variables (temperature and salinity) (p>0.05). The total mesozooplankton community was numerically dominated by copepods of the genera Pleuromamma, Calanus, Oncaea and Oithona. Other important representatives of the mesozooplankton community included the tunicate, Salpa thompsoni, and the pteropod, Limacina retroversa. At the 40% similarity level, numerical analysis identified five distinct mesozooplankton groupings within the survey area. Differences between the groupings were associated with changes in the relative contribution of numerically dominant species rather than the presence or absence of individual species. No groupings were associated with any specific feature of the front within the survey area. The feeding rates of the six most numerically abundant mesozooplankton species (Calanus simillimus, Limacina retroversa, Pleuromamma abdominalis, Clausocalanus breviceps, Oncaea conifera, Salpa thompsoni) accounting for on average 39% of the total mesozooplankton counts, were investigated using the gut fluorescence technique. For all species, the total gut pigment contents during the night time were significantly higher than the daytime values (p<0.05 for all species). The gut evacuation rates (k) for selected mesozooplankton ranged between 0.14 and 0.81 h-1. The ingestion rates ranged between 147.8 and 5495.4 ng(pigm)ind-1.day-1 which corresponded to a daily ration of between 2.4 and 10.9% body carbon. The combined grazing impact of the selected species on the daily phytoplankton standing stock was highly variable and ranged between 1.2 and 174.1% with an average of 27.3% (SD±38.78%) within the survey area. The highest grazing impact (>60%) was typically associated with those stations where the pteropod, L. retroversa, and the tunicate, S. thompsoni, contributed more than 5% of the total mesozooplankton counts. No significant differences were found in the grazing impact of any or all selected species situated either north, south or in the immediate vicinity of the front (p>0.05 in all cases). The lack of defined spatial patterns in the mesozooplankton abundance and community structure suggests that the STC did not act as a significant biogeographic barrier to the distribution of mesozooplankton during the study. It is presumed that the large scale mixing event caused by a storm prior to this study was responsible for the observed lack of elevated biological activity within the region of the STC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Trophodynamics of carnivorous zooplankton in the region of the subtropical convergence within the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean, with particular emphasis on chaetognaths
- Authors: Sterley, Jessica Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Chaetognatha , Euphausiacea , Amphipoda , Predation (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005478 , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Chaetognatha , Euphausiacea , Amphipoda , Predation (Biology)
- Description: Trophodynamics of carnivorous zooplankton in the region of the Subtropical Convergence (STC) in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean was investigated during austral autumn (April 2007) as part of the first cruise of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem Variability Study. Within the region of the study, the STC was well defined by the 14°C surface isotherm which separated the Agulhas Return Current and Subtropical water in the north from Sub-Antarctic waters to the south. Total average abundance (3.89 ± 5.46ind 100m-3) and biomass (0.14 ± 0.27mg Dwt 100m-3) of carnivorous zooplankton south of the front were significantly higher than the total average abundance (1.33 ± 1.81ind 100m-3) and biomass (0.03 ± 0.05mg Dwt 100m-3) north of the front (p<0.001). There were no significant correlations between the selected physico-chemical (temperature and salinity) and the biological (mesozooplankton abundance and biomass) variables and the total abundance and biomass of the carnivorous zooplankton during the investigation (p>0.05 in all cases). There was no evidence of enhanced biomass and abundance values at stations occupied in the immediate vicinity of the front. Total average carnivorous zooplankton abundance was dominated by chaetognaths (Eukrohnia hamata Möbius 1875, Sagitta gazellae Ritler-Záhony 1909 and S. zetesios Fowler 1905) and euphausiids (Nematoscelis megalops Sars 1883, Euphausia longirostris Hansen 1908 and E. spinifera Sars 1883), which contributed up to 86.58 ± 32.91% of the total counts. The total average biomass was dominated by euphausiids and amphipods (Themisto gaudichaudii Guérin-Méneville 1825, Phronima sedentaria Forsskål 1775 and Vibilia armata Bovallius 1887) which contributed up to 71.45 ± 34.85% of the total counts. In general the populations of both the euphausiids and amphipods were dominated by females while the chaetognaths were dominated by juveniles. Numerical analysis identified two major zooplankton groupings within the survey area which did not coincide with the water masses within the survey area. The SIMPER procedure of the PRIMER package indicated differences between the groups were mainly attributed to changes in the abundance of the numerically dominant species rather than the presence or absence of individual species. The absence of any significant spatial patterns in the distribution of the carnivorous zooplankton suggests that the STC did not act as a biogeographical barrier during the present study. The mean feeding rates of the chaetognaths E. hamata, S. gazellae and S. zetesios were 1.82 ± 0.85prey d-1, 3.63 ± 2.08prey d-1 and 2.18 ± 0.59prey d-1, respectively. These rates correspond to a combined predation impact equivalent to <5% of the mesozooplankton standing stock or <10% of the mesozooplankton secondary production. Mesozooplankton, comprising mainly copepods was the dominant prey in the guts of the three chaetognath species. Total predation impact of the euphausiids, chaetognaths and amphipods, estimated using published daily ration data, on the mesozooplankton standing stock and secondary production ranged from 0.01% to 1.53% and from 0.03% to 30.54%, respectively. Among the carnivorous zooplankton, chaetognaths were generally identified as the dominant predators of mesozooplankton. Low predation impact of selected carnivorous zooplankton suggested that these organisms contributed little to the vertical carbon flux within the region of investigation during the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Sterley, Jessica Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Chaetognatha , Euphausiacea , Amphipoda , Predation (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005478 , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Chaetognatha , Euphausiacea , Amphipoda , Predation (Biology)
- Description: Trophodynamics of carnivorous zooplankton in the region of the Subtropical Convergence (STC) in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean was investigated during austral autumn (April 2007) as part of the first cruise of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem Variability Study. Within the region of the study, the STC was well defined by the 14°C surface isotherm which separated the Agulhas Return Current and Subtropical water in the north from Sub-Antarctic waters to the south. Total average abundance (3.89 ± 5.46ind 100m-3) and biomass (0.14 ± 0.27mg Dwt 100m-3) of carnivorous zooplankton south of the front were significantly higher than the total average abundance (1.33 ± 1.81ind 100m-3) and biomass (0.03 ± 0.05mg Dwt 100m-3) north of the front (p<0.001). There were no significant correlations between the selected physico-chemical (temperature and salinity) and the biological (mesozooplankton abundance and biomass) variables and the total abundance and biomass of the carnivorous zooplankton during the investigation (p>0.05 in all cases). There was no evidence of enhanced biomass and abundance values at stations occupied in the immediate vicinity of the front. Total average carnivorous zooplankton abundance was dominated by chaetognaths (Eukrohnia hamata Möbius 1875, Sagitta gazellae Ritler-Záhony 1909 and S. zetesios Fowler 1905) and euphausiids (Nematoscelis megalops Sars 1883, Euphausia longirostris Hansen 1908 and E. spinifera Sars 1883), which contributed up to 86.58 ± 32.91% of the total counts. The total average biomass was dominated by euphausiids and amphipods (Themisto gaudichaudii Guérin-Méneville 1825, Phronima sedentaria Forsskål 1775 and Vibilia armata Bovallius 1887) which contributed up to 71.45 ± 34.85% of the total counts. In general the populations of both the euphausiids and amphipods were dominated by females while the chaetognaths were dominated by juveniles. Numerical analysis identified two major zooplankton groupings within the survey area which did not coincide with the water masses within the survey area. The SIMPER procedure of the PRIMER package indicated differences between the groups were mainly attributed to changes in the abundance of the numerically dominant species rather than the presence or absence of individual species. The absence of any significant spatial patterns in the distribution of the carnivorous zooplankton suggests that the STC did not act as a biogeographical barrier during the present study. The mean feeding rates of the chaetognaths E. hamata, S. gazellae and S. zetesios were 1.82 ± 0.85prey d-1, 3.63 ± 2.08prey d-1 and 2.18 ± 0.59prey d-1, respectively. These rates correspond to a combined predation impact equivalent to <5% of the mesozooplankton standing stock or <10% of the mesozooplankton secondary production. Mesozooplankton, comprising mainly copepods was the dominant prey in the guts of the three chaetognath species. Total predation impact of the euphausiids, chaetognaths and amphipods, estimated using published daily ration data, on the mesozooplankton standing stock and secondary production ranged from 0.01% to 1.53% and from 0.03% to 30.54%, respectively. Among the carnivorous zooplankton, chaetognaths were generally identified as the dominant predators of mesozooplankton. Low predation impact of selected carnivorous zooplankton suggested that these organisms contributed little to the vertical carbon flux within the region of investigation during the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Transnational civil society's ability to successfully influence state actors on human rights issues through international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) : a case study of the coalition to stop the use of child soldiers
- Authors: VerHage, Alicia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: International Campaign to Ban Landmines , Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989 November 20) , Non-governmental organizations , Child soldiers , Children's rights , Human rights , Children (International law)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015249
- Description: The international dilemma of child soldiers is a humanitarian concern throughout the world. The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (CSUCS) began in 1998 and is currently the leading collaborative movement to address the issue. However, because of its emphasis on a universal 'Straight 18' approach and support of the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC), the CSUCS ignores contextual realities that affect the implementation ofthe international legislation and the development of norms concerning child soldiers. This research project will examine the current international nongovernmental organization (INGO) response to child soldiers- focusing on the CSCUS - and formulate suggestions for potential avenues to further INGO involvement with policies and projects. The argument is based on a neoliberal institutionalist platform that argues in favour ofiNGOs' ability to successfully influence actions taken by state actors to address human right issues. Highlighting the successful INGO influence on states during the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, I will present this example as a potential model for the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, and explore the feasibility of this model whilst making suggestions for more effective involvement of INGOs with regard to the issue of child soldiers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: VerHage, Alicia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: International Campaign to Ban Landmines , Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989 November 20) , Non-governmental organizations , Child soldiers , Children's rights , Human rights , Children (International law)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015249
- Description: The international dilemma of child soldiers is a humanitarian concern throughout the world. The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (CSUCS) began in 1998 and is currently the leading collaborative movement to address the issue. However, because of its emphasis on a universal 'Straight 18' approach and support of the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC), the CSUCS ignores contextual realities that affect the implementation ofthe international legislation and the development of norms concerning child soldiers. This research project will examine the current international nongovernmental organization (INGO) response to child soldiers- focusing on the CSCUS - and formulate suggestions for potential avenues to further INGO involvement with policies and projects. The argument is based on a neoliberal institutionalist platform that argues in favour ofiNGOs' ability to successfully influence actions taken by state actors to address human right issues. Highlighting the successful INGO influence on states during the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, I will present this example as a potential model for the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, and explore the feasibility of this model whilst making suggestions for more effective involvement of INGOs with regard to the issue of child soldiers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Toni Morrison and the literary canon whiteness, blackness, and the construction of racial identity
- Authors: Phiri, Aretha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Morrison, Toni -- Criticism and interpretation Morrison, Toni. Playing in the dark Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896. Uncle Tom's cabin Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892. Leaves of grass Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn African Americans in literature Race in literature Race relations in literature American literature -- White authors -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2212 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002255
- Description: Toni Morrison, in Playing in the Dark, observes the pervasive silence that surrounds race in nineteenth-century canonical literature. Observing the ways in which the “Africanist” African-American presence pervades this literature, Morrison has called for an investigation of the ways in which whiteness operates in American canonical literature. This thesis takes up that challenge. In the first section, from Chapters One through Three, I explore how whiteness operates through the representation of the African-American figure in the works of three eminent nineteenth-century American writers, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain. The texts studied in this regard are: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Leaves of Grass, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This section is not concerned with whether these texts constitute racist literature but with the ways in which the study of race, particularly whiteness, reveals the contradictions and insecurities that attend (white American) identity. As such, Morrison’s own fiction, written in response to white historical representations of African-Americans also deserves attention. The second section of this thesis focuses on Morrison’s attempt to produce an authentically “black” literature. Here I look at two of Morrison’s least studied but arguably most contentious novels particularly because of what they reveal of Morrison’s complex position on race. In Chapter Four I focus on Tar Baby and argue that this novel reveals Morrison’s somewhat essentialist position on blackness and racial, cultural, and gendered identity, particularly as this pertains to responsibilities she places on the black woman as culture-bearer. In Chapter Five I argue that Paradise, while taking a particularly challenging position on blackness, reveals Morrison’s evolving position on race, particularly her concern with the destructive nature of internalized racism. This thesis concludes that while racial identities have very real material consequences, whiteness and blackness are ideological and social constructs which, because of their constructedness, are fallible and perpetually under revision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Phiri, Aretha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Morrison, Toni -- Criticism and interpretation Morrison, Toni. Playing in the dark Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896. Uncle Tom's cabin Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892. Leaves of grass Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn African Americans in literature Race in literature Race relations in literature American literature -- White authors -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2212 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002255
- Description: Toni Morrison, in Playing in the Dark, observes the pervasive silence that surrounds race in nineteenth-century canonical literature. Observing the ways in which the “Africanist” African-American presence pervades this literature, Morrison has called for an investigation of the ways in which whiteness operates in American canonical literature. This thesis takes up that challenge. In the first section, from Chapters One through Three, I explore how whiteness operates through the representation of the African-American figure in the works of three eminent nineteenth-century American writers, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain. The texts studied in this regard are: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Leaves of Grass, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This section is not concerned with whether these texts constitute racist literature but with the ways in which the study of race, particularly whiteness, reveals the contradictions and insecurities that attend (white American) identity. As such, Morrison’s own fiction, written in response to white historical representations of African-Americans also deserves attention. The second section of this thesis focuses on Morrison’s attempt to produce an authentically “black” literature. Here I look at two of Morrison’s least studied but arguably most contentious novels particularly because of what they reveal of Morrison’s complex position on race. In Chapter Four I focus on Tar Baby and argue that this novel reveals Morrison’s somewhat essentialist position on blackness and racial, cultural, and gendered identity, particularly as this pertains to responsibilities she places on the black woman as culture-bearer. In Chapter Five I argue that Paradise, while taking a particularly challenging position on blackness, reveals Morrison’s evolving position on race, particularly her concern with the destructive nature of internalized racism. This thesis concludes that while racial identities have very real material consequences, whiteness and blackness are ideological and social constructs which, because of their constructedness, are fallible and perpetually under revision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Ties that bind: a critical discourse analysis of the coverage of the Millennium Development Goals in the Mail and Guardian
- Authors: Marquis, Danika Ewen
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mail & Guardian , South African newspapers -- History -- 21st century , Journalism -- South Africa -- 21st century , Press -- South Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Social conditions , Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3536 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015462
- Description: This study analysed the representation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Mail and Guardian from 2000 to 2007. It drew on perspectives from cultural studies, the constructionist approach to representation and the sociology of news production. Through the use of the quantitative and qualitative research methods, content analysis and critical discourse analysis, this study established first, that few significant changes have occurred within the newspaper's coverage of the MDGs during this period, and second, that the people most affected by the MDGs and affiliated programmes are seriously under-represented and that the manner of representation marginalises and subordinates them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Marquis, Danika Ewen
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mail & Guardian , South African newspapers -- History -- 21st century , Journalism -- South Africa -- 21st century , Press -- South Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Social conditions , Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3536 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015462
- Description: This study analysed the representation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Mail and Guardian from 2000 to 2007. It drew on perspectives from cultural studies, the constructionist approach to representation and the sociology of news production. Through the use of the quantitative and qualitative research methods, content analysis and critical discourse analysis, this study established first, that few significant changes have occurred within the newspaper's coverage of the MDGs during this period, and second, that the people most affected by the MDGs and affiliated programmes are seriously under-represented and that the manner of representation marginalises and subordinates them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The value of shared corporate services in improving patient care
- Authors: Nompozolo, Nikiwe Nomapelo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: East London Hospital Complex Hospital care -- Quality control -- South Africa -- East London Case studies Customer services -- Quality control -- South Africa -- East London Case studies Customer services -- Rating of -- South Africa -- East London Hospital care -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:724 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003844
- Description: This case study was undertaken from mid 2003 to December 2005. It investigates the influence of the Corporate Services Centre (CSC) on customer (patient) service quality in the East London Hospital Complex (ELHC). This approach was justified on the basis that even though most patients do not have enough knowledge of clinical practices in order to make an accurate assessment on their quality, the same patients would readily appreciate factors such as faster turnaround times, drug availability and cleanliness. The study focuses on both service providers and end users for a quality health service delivery by looking at the potential of the shared corporate services centre. This was done by identifying important areas for improvements, such as response times, waiting periods and other aspects of the various services. The ELHC was formed from the merger of Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals, with a distance of 26km between the two institutions. The complex itself was in its infancy stages, having had to go through a process of re-engineering, rationalisation and standardisation of the two hospitals. The study seeks to answer the following key question: What has been the contribution of the corporate service centres in relation to health care service quality? The study examines the impediments to the realization of full potential of the Corporate Services Centre (CSC) through expedited decision-making and improved turnaround times. The main functions of the CSC were Procurement and Asset Management; General Administration (including but not limited to Transport, Office equipment, Patient Administration, Office Support, and Professional Secretariat Support); Financial Management and Administration; and Human Resource Management and Human Resources Administration. The study recommends that the CSC, to justify its existence, needs to consult with the clinicians and the patients to better understand what their needs and aspirations are. The study also emphasizes that the CSC is there purely to remove the administrative load and ease the processes and the biggest mistake is to make it an authority over the hospital, instead of being a support. Finally, it was realized that a lot of structural changes, business processes and organisational cultural changes are essential if one wants to create an impact through shared corporate services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Nompozolo, Nikiwe Nomapelo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: East London Hospital Complex Hospital care -- Quality control -- South Africa -- East London Case studies Customer services -- Quality control -- South Africa -- East London Case studies Customer services -- Rating of -- South Africa -- East London Hospital care -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:724 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003844
- Description: This case study was undertaken from mid 2003 to December 2005. It investigates the influence of the Corporate Services Centre (CSC) on customer (patient) service quality in the East London Hospital Complex (ELHC). This approach was justified on the basis that even though most patients do not have enough knowledge of clinical practices in order to make an accurate assessment on their quality, the same patients would readily appreciate factors such as faster turnaround times, drug availability and cleanliness. The study focuses on both service providers and end users for a quality health service delivery by looking at the potential of the shared corporate services centre. This was done by identifying important areas for improvements, such as response times, waiting periods and other aspects of the various services. The ELHC was formed from the merger of Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals, with a distance of 26km between the two institutions. The complex itself was in its infancy stages, having had to go through a process of re-engineering, rationalisation and standardisation of the two hospitals. The study seeks to answer the following key question: What has been the contribution of the corporate service centres in relation to health care service quality? The study examines the impediments to the realization of full potential of the Corporate Services Centre (CSC) through expedited decision-making and improved turnaround times. The main functions of the CSC were Procurement and Asset Management; General Administration (including but not limited to Transport, Office equipment, Patient Administration, Office Support, and Professional Secretariat Support); Financial Management and Administration; and Human Resource Management and Human Resources Administration. The study recommends that the CSC, to justify its existence, needs to consult with the clinicians and the patients to better understand what their needs and aspirations are. The study also emphasizes that the CSC is there purely to remove the administrative load and ease the processes and the biggest mistake is to make it an authority over the hospital, instead of being a support. Finally, it was realized that a lot of structural changes, business processes and organisational cultural changes are essential if one wants to create an impact through shared corporate services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The use of the van Hiele theory in investigating teaching strategies used by grade 10 geometry teachers in Namibia
- Authors: Muyeghu, Augustinus
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hiele, Pierre M. van Kilpatrick, Jeremy Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1817 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003703
- Description: This study reports on the extent to which selected mathematics teachers facilitate the teaching and learning of geometry at the van Hiele levels 1 and 2 at a Grade 10 level in selected schools in Namibia. It also addresses and explores the teaching strategies teachers employ in their classrooms. Kilpatrick et al.’s model for proficient teaching and the van Hiele model of geometric thinking were used to explore the type of teaching strategies employed by selected mathematics teachers. These two models served as guidelines from which interview and classroom observation protocols were developed. Given the continuing debate across the world about the learning and teaching of geometry, my thesis aims to contribute to a wider understanding of the teaching of geometry with regard to the van Hiele levels 1 and 2. There are no similar studies on the teaching of geometry in Namibia. My study concentrates on selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers and how they teach geometry using the van Hiele theory and the five Kilpatrick components of proficient teaching. As my research looks at teaching practice it was important to deconstruct teaching proficiency with a view to understanding what makes good teachers effective. The results from this study indicated that the selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers have a good conceptual understanding of geometry as all of them involved in this study were able to facilitate the learning and teaching of geometry that is consistent with the van Hiele levels 1 and 2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Muyeghu, Augustinus
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hiele, Pierre M. van Kilpatrick, Jeremy Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1817 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003703
- Description: This study reports on the extent to which selected mathematics teachers facilitate the teaching and learning of geometry at the van Hiele levels 1 and 2 at a Grade 10 level in selected schools in Namibia. It also addresses and explores the teaching strategies teachers employ in their classrooms. Kilpatrick et al.’s model for proficient teaching and the van Hiele model of geometric thinking were used to explore the type of teaching strategies employed by selected mathematics teachers. These two models served as guidelines from which interview and classroom observation protocols were developed. Given the continuing debate across the world about the learning and teaching of geometry, my thesis aims to contribute to a wider understanding of the teaching of geometry with regard to the van Hiele levels 1 and 2. There are no similar studies on the teaching of geometry in Namibia. My study concentrates on selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers and how they teach geometry using the van Hiele theory and the five Kilpatrick components of proficient teaching. As my research looks at teaching practice it was important to deconstruct teaching proficiency with a view to understanding what makes good teachers effective. The results from this study indicated that the selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers have a good conceptual understanding of geometry as all of them involved in this study were able to facilitate the learning and teaching of geometry that is consistent with the van Hiele levels 1 and 2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The spatial ecology and activity patterns of leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Baviaanskloof and Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP), Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: McManus, Jeannine Stephanie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5823 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007601 , Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The conservation of leopards in the Eastern Cape Province requires a holistic approach that considers both predator-human interactions as well as the biology of the carnivore. Numerous studies have been conducted on leopards within protected areas; however more information regarding the species is needed outside these areas to facilitate effective management of predators. The spatial ecology of the leopard (Panthera pardus) were studied in the Baviaanskloof and GAENP in the Eastern Cape. The Baviaanskloof is an extensive area of mountainous terrain (approximately 2665km²) which has a mosaic of land uses, and leopards move from conservation areas to farmland where they come into contact and conflict with farmers. This study examined the spatial ecology of leopards living on farmlands adjacent to protected land. The space utilization and activity patterns of six leopards were analysed. These animals were caught and released on farmlands in the Baviaanskloof (n=4) or translocated (n=2) when not possible to release on site. The animals were caught by means of fall-door, walk-in traps and fitted with Vectronic GPS collars that facilitated the collection of high quality GPS fixes from each animal. Data was collected using VHF and UHF telemetry to download data. An understanding of spatial requirements in areas with different land use, and the extent of overlap of space use with other leopards allow, for the first time in the region, the calculation of possible maximum population size. Analysis of range size was carried out using two methods: minimum convex polygon, and Kernel Utilization Distribution. Finally, a key predictor of space use is prey availability. I assessed the prey base using a grid of camera traps. The studied leopards revealed large range utilization with minimal overlap. The activity patterns suggest there is no preference between diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns and the population density was estimated between 0.3 - 1.3 leopards per 100km². Large home range sizes and low population densities suggest that leopards require large areas of suitable habitat, and that conservation efforts need to be extended beyond protected areas to ensure the long-term viability of leopard populations in such areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: McManus, Jeannine Stephanie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5823 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007601 , Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The conservation of leopards in the Eastern Cape Province requires a holistic approach that considers both predator-human interactions as well as the biology of the carnivore. Numerous studies have been conducted on leopards within protected areas; however more information regarding the species is needed outside these areas to facilitate effective management of predators. The spatial ecology of the leopard (Panthera pardus) were studied in the Baviaanskloof and GAENP in the Eastern Cape. The Baviaanskloof is an extensive area of mountainous terrain (approximately 2665km²) which has a mosaic of land uses, and leopards move from conservation areas to farmland where they come into contact and conflict with farmers. This study examined the spatial ecology of leopards living on farmlands adjacent to protected land. The space utilization and activity patterns of six leopards were analysed. These animals were caught and released on farmlands in the Baviaanskloof (n=4) or translocated (n=2) when not possible to release on site. The animals were caught by means of fall-door, walk-in traps and fitted with Vectronic GPS collars that facilitated the collection of high quality GPS fixes from each animal. Data was collected using VHF and UHF telemetry to download data. An understanding of spatial requirements in areas with different land use, and the extent of overlap of space use with other leopards allow, for the first time in the region, the calculation of possible maximum population size. Analysis of range size was carried out using two methods: minimum convex polygon, and Kernel Utilization Distribution. Finally, a key predictor of space use is prey availability. I assessed the prey base using a grid of camera traps. The studied leopards revealed large range utilization with minimal overlap. The activity patterns suggest there is no preference between diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns and the population density was estimated between 0.3 - 1.3 leopards per 100km². Large home range sizes and low population densities suggest that leopards require large areas of suitable habitat, and that conservation efforts need to be extended beyond protected areas to ensure the long-term viability of leopard populations in such areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The South African community pharmacist and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus a pharmaceutical care intervention
- Authors: Hill, Peter William
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Pharmacist and patient -- South Africa , Pharmaceutical services -- Patients , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Treatment -- South Africa , Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3760 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003238 , Pharmacist and patient -- South Africa , Pharmaceutical services -- Patients , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Treatment -- South Africa , Community health services -- South Africa
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of pandemic magnitude, increasingly contributing to the disease burden of countries in the developing world, largely because of the effects of unhealthy lifestyles fuelled by unbridled urbanisation. In certain settings, patients with diabetes are more likely to have a healthcare encounter with a pharmacist than with any other healthcare provider. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the potential of South African community pharmacists to positively influence patient adherence and metabolic control in Type 2 diabetes. The designated primary endpoint was glycated haemoglobin, with the intermediate health outcomes of blood lipids, serum creatinine, blood pressure and body mass index serving as secondary endpoints. Community pharmacists and their associated Type 2 diabetes patients were recruited from areas throughout South Africa using the communication media of various nonstatutory pharmacy organisations. Although 156 pharmacists initially indicated interest in participating in the study, only 28 pharmacists and 153 patients were enrolled prior to baseline data collection. Of these, 16 pharmacists and 57 patients participated in the study for the full twelve months. Baseline clinical and psychosocial data were collected, after which pharmacists and their patients were randomised, nine pharmacists and 34 patients to the intervention group and 8 pharmacists and 27 patients to the control group. The sample size calculation revealed that each group required the participation of a minimum of 35 patients. Control pharmacists were requested to offer standard pharmaceutical care, while the intervention pharmacists were provided with a scope of practice diabetes care plan to guide the diabetes care they were to provide. Data were again collected 12-months postbaseline. At baseline, proportionally more intervention patients (82.4%) than control patients (59.3%) were using only oral anti-diabetes agents (i.e. not in combination with insulin), while insulin usage, either alone or in combination with oral agents was conversely greater in the control group (40.7%) than in the intervention group (17.6%) (Chi-squared test, p=0.013). Approximately half of the patients (53.8% control and 47.1% intervention) reported having their HbA1c levels measured in terms of accepted guidelines. There was no significant difference in HbA1c between the groups at the end of the study (Independent t-test, p=0.514). In the control group, the mean HbA1c increased from 7.3±1.2% to 7.6±1.5%, while for the intervention patients the variable remained almost constant (8.2±2.0% at baseline and 8.2±1.8% at post-baseline). Similarly, there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to any of the designated secondary clinical endpoints. Adherence to medication and self-management recommendations was similarly good for both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups for any of the other psychosocial variables measured. In conclusion, intervention pharmacists were not able to significantly influence glycaemic control or therapeutic adherence compared to the control pharmacists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hill, Peter William
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Pharmacist and patient -- South Africa , Pharmaceutical services -- Patients , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Treatment -- South Africa , Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3760 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003238 , Pharmacist and patient -- South Africa , Pharmaceutical services -- Patients , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Treatment -- South Africa , Community health services -- South Africa
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of pandemic magnitude, increasingly contributing to the disease burden of countries in the developing world, largely because of the effects of unhealthy lifestyles fuelled by unbridled urbanisation. In certain settings, patients with diabetes are more likely to have a healthcare encounter with a pharmacist than with any other healthcare provider. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the potential of South African community pharmacists to positively influence patient adherence and metabolic control in Type 2 diabetes. The designated primary endpoint was glycated haemoglobin, with the intermediate health outcomes of blood lipids, serum creatinine, blood pressure and body mass index serving as secondary endpoints. Community pharmacists and their associated Type 2 diabetes patients were recruited from areas throughout South Africa using the communication media of various nonstatutory pharmacy organisations. Although 156 pharmacists initially indicated interest in participating in the study, only 28 pharmacists and 153 patients were enrolled prior to baseline data collection. Of these, 16 pharmacists and 57 patients participated in the study for the full twelve months. Baseline clinical and psychosocial data were collected, after which pharmacists and their patients were randomised, nine pharmacists and 34 patients to the intervention group and 8 pharmacists and 27 patients to the control group. The sample size calculation revealed that each group required the participation of a minimum of 35 patients. Control pharmacists were requested to offer standard pharmaceutical care, while the intervention pharmacists were provided with a scope of practice diabetes care plan to guide the diabetes care they were to provide. Data were again collected 12-months postbaseline. At baseline, proportionally more intervention patients (82.4%) than control patients (59.3%) were using only oral anti-diabetes agents (i.e. not in combination with insulin), while insulin usage, either alone or in combination with oral agents was conversely greater in the control group (40.7%) than in the intervention group (17.6%) (Chi-squared test, p=0.013). Approximately half of the patients (53.8% control and 47.1% intervention) reported having their HbA1c levels measured in terms of accepted guidelines. There was no significant difference in HbA1c between the groups at the end of the study (Independent t-test, p=0.514). In the control group, the mean HbA1c increased from 7.3±1.2% to 7.6±1.5%, while for the intervention patients the variable remained almost constant (8.2±2.0% at baseline and 8.2±1.8% at post-baseline). Similarly, there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to any of the designated secondary clinical endpoints. Adherence to medication and self-management recommendations was similarly good for both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups for any of the other psychosocial variables measured. In conclusion, intervention pharmacists were not able to significantly influence glycaemic control or therapeutic adherence compared to the control pharmacists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The silencing of race at Rhodes: ritual and anti-politics on a post-apartheid campus
- Authors: Goga, Safiyya
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Democracy -- South Africa Racism -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa College students -- South Africa -- Political activity South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002988
- Description: Almost fifteen years after democracy, issues of 'race' still hold daily South African life firmly in its grip. Following calls from foremost South African theorists on 'race', such as Sarah Nuttall, this thesis moves beyond a study of crude 'racism', to the more complex consideration of 'race' as an embedded ideological social formation within the spatial context of Rhodes University. Using analytical concepts such as 'silencing' and 'ritual' the thesis weaves an understanding (1) of how particular powerful representations of institutional history are produced and made dominant, and (2) how seemingly innocuous performances of institutional identity are key to reproducing 'racial' dominance within Rhodes' student life. This ultimately manifests in the production of a deeply 'racialized' commonsensical understanding of the 'most' legitimate and authentic representation and ownership of institutional space. The thesis delves into dominant representations of Rhodes University'S history, considering how these help produce and reproduce 'racial' dominance through, for instance, the production of defining apolitical narratives of 'excellence'. Central to the dominant apolitical institutional history is the production of silences about the past. History, I argue, is less compelling in any revelation of 'what happened' than in illustrating the production of silences used to enable the appropriation of a particular history as the sole relevant history. The 'inheritors of the past', those who are able to lay authoritative and representative claim to it, it is argued, ultimately claim ownership over institutional space. I argue too, that the dominant practices and performances of daily institutional life (re)produce the institutional space as a space of 'racial' dominance. Ritualized performance of the dominant institutional identity produces ownership of institutional space through making some articulations of 'Rhodes identity' more acceptable, legitimate and authentic than others. The dominance of 'drinking culture' in Rhodes student life produces a particular 'racialized' institutional identity as most legitimate. 'Racial' dominance is instituted, consecrated and reproduced through the ritualistic performance of 'drinking culture', which ultimately produces a superior claim of ownership over the institutional space through the reiteration of racial domination that these performances of institutional identity powerfully symbolize.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Goga, Safiyya
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Democracy -- South Africa Racism -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa College students -- South Africa -- Political activity South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002988
- Description: Almost fifteen years after democracy, issues of 'race' still hold daily South African life firmly in its grip. Following calls from foremost South African theorists on 'race', such as Sarah Nuttall, this thesis moves beyond a study of crude 'racism', to the more complex consideration of 'race' as an embedded ideological social formation within the spatial context of Rhodes University. Using analytical concepts such as 'silencing' and 'ritual' the thesis weaves an understanding (1) of how particular powerful representations of institutional history are produced and made dominant, and (2) how seemingly innocuous performances of institutional identity are key to reproducing 'racial' dominance within Rhodes' student life. This ultimately manifests in the production of a deeply 'racialized' commonsensical understanding of the 'most' legitimate and authentic representation and ownership of institutional space. The thesis delves into dominant representations of Rhodes University'S history, considering how these help produce and reproduce 'racial' dominance through, for instance, the production of defining apolitical narratives of 'excellence'. Central to the dominant apolitical institutional history is the production of silences about the past. History, I argue, is less compelling in any revelation of 'what happened' than in illustrating the production of silences used to enable the appropriation of a particular history as the sole relevant history. The 'inheritors of the past', those who are able to lay authoritative and representative claim to it, it is argued, ultimately claim ownership over institutional space. I argue too, that the dominant practices and performances of daily institutional life (re)produce the institutional space as a space of 'racial' dominance. Ritualized performance of the dominant institutional identity produces ownership of institutional space through making some articulations of 'Rhodes identity' more acceptable, legitimate and authentic than others. The dominance of 'drinking culture' in Rhodes student life produces a particular 'racialized' institutional identity as most legitimate. 'Racial' dominance is instituted, consecrated and reproduced through the ritualistic performance of 'drinking culture', which ultimately produces a superior claim of ownership over the institutional space through the reiteration of racial domination that these performances of institutional identity powerfully symbolize.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009