The extent of urban densification in Stellenbosch

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2017.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a perpetual burden to supply accommodation to increasing population numbers in Stellenbosch. The most ideal way in which the property market is able to cater for this demand is through the development of high-density accommodation (Donaldson & Morkel 2012). Densification is a national spatial strategy aimed at integrating cities socially and spatially (Stellenbosch Municipality 2012a). However, there is a notion that densification in Stellenbosch is implemented in an ad hoc manner due to the lack of adequate policies regulating development in the town (Donaldson & Morkel 2012). What the impact may be on urban space is not known yet. Thus, it was regarded as valuable to determine the extent of urban densification in order to minimise undesired spatial consequences for future generations. Through quantitative data, the study aimed to determine where, to what extent and why densification took place in a selected area of Stellenbosch from 2000 to 2016. The study objectives were to identify properties on which densification had taken place, to identify the most prominent methods implemented towards densification, to map the changes in residential density, to identify existing policy documents and to make recommendations for the densification and future growth of the town. The study primarily focused on changes in residential densities, e.g. where there was a single dwelling unit in the past there now are multiple dwelling units on the same plot. Commercial and industrial units were excluded from the study. Sites that were under construction were included based on the planned number of units. The study entails a literature review and the compilation of quantitative data from Stellenbosch Municipality. The extent of densification was calculated by dividing the number of dwelling units by the hectares of land (du/ha = density). Based on the findings, the study concludes that densification has been a prominent feature in all the zones under study since 2000, excluding Zones 16 and 30. Due to several factors, the zones in the study area provide an obvious choice for densification in Stellenbosch. These factors relate to proximity and need for convenience, the existing infrastructure, housing demand and supply, as well as the availability of land and subsequent development opportunities. The results indicate that, although there are areas where no consolidation occurred, the consolidation of properties remains the most prominent method of densification since 2000. This is followed by the construction of additional dwelling units and the construction of multiple attached dwelling units. The study suggests that, although spatial planning policies exist in Stellenbosch, they may not be adequate and/or sufficiently enforced. The study recommends that the Municipality should identify suitable locations for densification and identify Council-owned land that is available for the development or redevelopment of new and existing buildings. Available land should be re-zoned, where necessary, in line with specifically drafted planning strategies for a given area. Incentives should be used as a tool to encourage developers to develop land if it meets the developmental guidelines determined by the context-specific planning strategies. Guidelines should ideally incorporate the holistic principles of densification, such as socio-economic integration, mixed use, sustainable transport, appropriate densities, sense of community, environmental consciousness and functional viability.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Stellenbosch staar ’n voortdurende uitdaging in die gesig om verblyf aan die groeiende aantal inwoners te verskaf (Donaldson & Morkel 2012). Die beste manier om hierdie vraag na verblyf aan te spreek is deur die oprig van hoëdigtheid verblyf. Verdigting is ’n nasionale ruimtelike strategie wat beoog om stede ruimtelik en sosiaal te integreer (Stellenbosch Municipality 2012a). Daar word egter beweer dat verdigting in Stellenbosch op ’n ad hoc manier geïmplementeer word as gevolg van ’n tekort aan toepaslike riglyne om ontwikkeling in die dorp te reguleer (Donaldson & Morkel 2012). Wat die impak op die stedelike ruimte sal wees, is tans onbekend. Dit is dus waardevol om die mate van stedelike verdigting te bepaal om ongewensde ruimtelike gevolge vir die nageslag te minimaliseer. Deur kwantitatiewe data beoog die studie om te ontleed waar, tot watter mate en hoekom verdigting plaasgevind het in die area wat afgebaken word deur Merrimanlaan, die R44, die R310 en Simonsbergweg vanaf die jaar 2000 tot 2016. Die doel van die studie was om erwe te identifiseer waar verdigting plaasgevind het, om te identifiseer watter metodes geïmplementeer is om verdigting te bereik, om die verandering in verdigting te karteer, om bestaande beleidsdokumente met betrekking tot verdigting te identifiseer en terselfdertyd voorstelle te maak vir die verdigting en toekomstige groei van die dorp. Die studie fokus primêr op die verandering van residensiële verdigting, bv. waar daar ’n enkele woonhuis in die verlede was, is daar nou veelvuldige wooneenhede op dieselfde erf. Industriële en kommersiële eenhede word dus nie in berekening geneem nie. Die studie behels ’n literatuuroorsig, sowel as ’n samestelling van kwantitatiewe data wat deur die Munisipaliteit van Stellenbosch beskikbaar gestel is. Die mate van verdigting is bereken deur die hoeveelheid wooneenhede te deel deur die hektaar land waarop die eenhede gebou is (du/ha = verdigting). Die bevindinge van die studie bewys dat verdigting ’n prominente rol gespeel het met betrekking tot al die sones in die studiegebied sedert die jaar 2000, met die uitsondering van Sones 16 en 30. As gevolg van verskeie faktore is die sones in die studiegebied ’n logiese keuse vir verdigting in Stellenbosch. Hierdie faktore sluit in nabyheid en die behoefte aan gemak, die bestaande infrastruktuur, die vraag en aanbod van behuising, asook die beskikbaarheid van grond en gevolglike ontwikkelingsgeleenthede. Die resultate dui voorts aan dat, alhoewel konsolidasie nie in al die gebiede plaasgevind het nie, konsolidasie steeds die prominentste metode van verdigting sedert 2000 was. Die tweede prominentste metode was die konstruksie van addisionele wooneenhede, gevolg deur die konstruksie van veelvuldige gekoppelde wooneenhede. Die studie stel voor dat, alhoewel ruimtelike beplanningsbeleide vir Stellenbosch bestaan, dit nie altyd volledig is of ten volle afgedwing word nie. Die studie beveel aan dat die Munisipaliteit toepaslike grond vir verdigting identifiseer en dat enige Raadsgrond vir ontwikkeling en herontwikkeling van nuwe en bestaande geboue geïdentifiseer en beskikbaar gestel word. Waar moontlik moet beskikbare grond in lyn met die opgestelde beplanningstrategieë van toepassing op ‘n spesifieke area hersoneer word. Aansporings kan gebruik word as ’n instrument om ontwikkelaars aan te moedig om grond binne die ontwikkelingsriglyne te ontwikkel, soos voorgeskryf deur konteks-spesifieke beplanningstrategieë. Riglyne moet die holistiese beginsels van verdigting soos sosio-ekonomiese integrasie, gemengde gebruik, omgewingsbewustheid, volhoubare vervoer, toepaslike digtheid, gemeenskapsgevoel en funksionele uitvoerbaarheid in aanmerking neem

Physiological demands of rugby union matches and practice sessions

Research studies indicate that, by determining the physiological load placed on athletes during competitions, it can aid in the development of strength and conditioning programmes, according to the specific demands placed on athletes. Physiological data, specifically on rugby union players, are limited, thus stressing the need for more information in this area. The aim of the study was to investigate the physiological demands of South African male U/21 club rugby players and to establish the relationship between physiological demands experienced during rugby games and practice sessions. Scientific methods to describe physiological demands in sport that are used are heart-rate and blood-lactate measurements. A group of U/21 rugby players (n=15) of the University of Pretoria (Tuks) rugby club participated in this study. Variables that were tested included blood-lactate concentrations and mean heart-rates during a rugby match and practice sessions. The Tuks U/21 team’s data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations). Significant differences between rugby match and practice sessions were determined by a dependent t-test (p<0.05). An independent t-test was used to determine significant differences between the forwards and backs group. The results showed statistically significant differences between mean heart-rate in the rugby match (154.40 ±13.53) and practice sessions (138.33±4.81). No significant differences were found between peak lactate measurements in the match (5.39 ±2.44) and practice sessions (4.93±1.83). Between the forwards and backs group no statistical significance could be found for average heart-rate and blood-lactate levels in practice sessions and during the match. The findings of the present study indicate that rugby union matches for club level U/21 players are an intermittent type of activity, which utilise both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

UMOD Genotype and Determinants of Urinary Uromodulin in African Populations

INTRODUCTION Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the UMOD -PDILT genetic locus are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in European populations, through their effect on urinary uromodulin (uUMOD) levels. The genetic and nongenetic factors associated with uUMOD in African populations remain unknown. METHODS Clinical parameters, 3 selected UMOD-PDILT SNPs and uUMOD levels were obtained in 1202 young Black and White adults from the African-PREDICT study and 1943 middle aged Black adults from the PURE-NWP-SA study, 2 cross-sectional, observational studies. RESULTS Absolute uUMOD and uUMOD/creatinine levels were lower in Black participants compared to White participants. The prime CKD-risk allele at rs12917707 was more prevalent in Black individuals, with strikingly more risk allele homozygotes compared to White individuals. Haplotype analysis of the UMOD-PDILT locus predicted more recombination events and linkage disequilibrium (LD) fragmentation in Black individuals. Multivariate testing and sensitivity analysis showed that higher uUMOD/creatinine associated specifically with risk alleles at rs12917707 and rs12446492 in White participants and with higher serum renin and lower urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in Black participants, with a significant interaction of ethnicity on the relationship between all 3 SNPs and uUMOD/creatinine. The multiple regression model explained a greater percentage of the variance of uUMOD/creatinine in White adults compared to Black adults (23% vs. 8%). CONCLUSION We evidenced ethnic differences in clinical and genetic determinants of uUMOD levels, in particular an interaction of ethnicity on the relationship between CKD-risk SNPs and uUMOD. These differences should be considered when analyzing the role of uromodulin in kidney function, interpreting genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and precision medicine recommendations

Birth weight and body composition as determined isotopic dilution with deuterium oxide in 6- to 8-year-old South African children

Low and high birth weight (BW) are associated with obesity later in life; however, this association has not been extensively studied in African countries. This study determines the association between BW and body composition derived from deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution in 6- to 8-year-old South African children (n = 91; 40 boys, 51 girls). BW was recorded retrospectively from the children’s Road-to-Health cards. Weight and height were measured using standard procedures, and D2O dilution was used to determine total body water and, subsequently, to determine body fat. Fatness was classified using the McCarthy centiles, set at 2nd, 85th, and 95th (underfat, overfat and obese). BW correlated with body composition measures, such as body weight (r = 0.23, p = 0.03), height (r = 0.33, p < 0.001), and fat free mass (FFM; r = 0.27, p = 0.01). When multiple regression analysis was employed, BW significantly and positively associated with FFM (β = 0.24, p = 0.013; 95% CI: 0.032; 0.441) and fat mass (β = 0.21, p = 0.02, 95%CI: 0.001; 0.412) in girls and boys combined. A total of 13% of the children had a low BW, with 21% being overweight and 17% obese. More girls than boys were overweight and obese. Intervention strategies that promote healthy uterine growth for optimal BW are needed in order to curb the global obesity pandemic

Infrastructure for Detector Research and Development towards the International Linear Collider

The EUDET-project was launched to create an infrastructure for developing and testing new and advanced detector technologies to be used at a future linear collider. The aim was to make possible experimentation and analysis of data for institutes, which otherwise could not be realized due to lack of resources. The infrastructure comprised an analysis and software network, and instrumentation infrastructures for tracking detectors as well as for calorimetry.Comment: 54 pages, 48 picture

Search for displaced vertices arising from decays of new heavy particles in 7 TeV pp collisions at ATLAS

We present the results of a search for new, heavy particles that decay at a significant distance from their production point into a final state containing charged hadrons in association with a high-momentum muon. The search is conducted in a pp-collision data sample with a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and an integrated luminosity of 33 pb^-1 collected in 2010 by the ATLAS detector operating at the Large Hadron Collider. Production of such particles is expected in various scenarios of physics beyond the standard model. We observe no signal and place limits on the production cross-section of supersymmetric particles in an R-parity-violating scenario as a function of the neutralino lifetime. Limits are presented for different squark and neutralino masses, enabling extension of the limits to a variety of other models.Comment: 8 pages plus author list (20 pages total), 8 figures, 1 table, final version to appear in Physics Letters

Search for direct pair production of the top squark in all-hadronic final states in proton-proton collisions at s√=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The results of a search for direct pair production of the scalar partner to the top quark using an integrated luminosity of 20.1fb−1 of proton–proton collision data at √s = 8 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC are reported. The top squark is assumed to decay via t˜→tχ˜01 or t˜→ bχ˜±1 →bW(∗)χ˜01 , where χ˜01 (χ˜±1 ) denotes the lightest neutralino (chargino) in supersymmetric models. The search targets a fully-hadronic final state in events with four or more jets and large missing transverse momentum. No significant excess over the Standard Model background prediction is observed, and exclusion limits are reported in terms of the top squark and neutralino masses and as a function of the branching fraction of t˜ → tχ˜01 . For a branching fraction of 100%, top squark masses in the range 270–645 GeV are excluded for χ˜01 masses below 30 GeV. For a branching fraction of 50% to either t˜ → tχ˜01 or t˜ → bχ˜±1 , and assuming the χ˜±1 mass to be twice the χ˜01 mass, top squark masses in the range 250–550 GeV are excluded for χ˜01 masses below 60 GeV